1.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine regulating metabolic reprogramming to improve breast cancer
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Weixia CHEN ; Bo FENG ; Jilei LI ; Sizhe WANG ; Meng ZHU ; Chunzheng MA
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):250-256
Metabolic reprogramming, as one of the core hallmarks of malignant tumors, plays a key role in the occurrence, development and treatment of breast cancer (BC). Abnormal changes in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, as well as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways significantly influence the pathogenesis and progression of BC. Studies have shown that various active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (such as berberine, matrine, quercetin, curcumin, etc.) and their compound formulations (e.g. Xihuang pill, Danzhi xiaoyao powder, Yanghe decoction, etc.) can inhibit the proliferation and migration of BC cells and induce apoptosis by regulating key metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, lipid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism. TCM demonstrates multi-target and holistic regulatory advantages in intervening in BC metabolic reprogramming, showing significant potential in modulating key molecules like hypoxia inducible factor-1α, hexokinase-2, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, glucose transporter-1, fatty acid synthase, and signaling pathways such as AKT/mTOR. However, current researches still focus predominantly on glucose metabolism, with insufficient mechanistic studies on lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, and OXPHOS. The precise targets, molecular mechanisms, and clinical translation value of these interventions require further validation and clarification through more high-quality experimental studies and clinical trials.
2.Electroacupuncture reduced airway inflammation by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways in allergic asthmatic rats.
Hongli MA ; Xiaowen LIU ; Huamei CAI ; Yun YAN ; Weixia LI ; Jing ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):702-712
BACKGROUND:
Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma.
METHODS:
Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.
CONCLUSION
This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods*
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Animals
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Asthma/immunology*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Male
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Inflammation/therapy*
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Interleukin-4/metabolism*
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Interleukin-5/metabolism*
3.Recurrent adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis complicated with diabetes insipidus: report of 1 case and review of literature
Chen CHEN ; Ruixue LI ; Yankun YU ; Weixia NONG ; Xin PAN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(9):548-552
Objective:To improve the understanding of recurrent adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis complicated with diabetes insipidus.Methods:The clinical data of 1 patient with recurrent adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis complicated with diabetes insipidus admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University in January 2024 was collected. Its disease characteristics, effectiveness and safety of treatment scheme were analyzed, and literatures were reviewed.Results:The 42-year-old female patient was diagnosed as Langerhans cell histiocytosis in June 2021. After treated with cytarabine, the symptoms improved and the patient achieved sustained remission. In January 2024, the patient was admitted to the hospital due to pain in the middle part of the front chest. The PET-CT results indicated disease progression, which was manifested by new bone destruction, enlarged lymph nodes, and increased nocturnal urination, with urine volume of 3-5 L within 24 h. Based on the clinical manifestations such as cranial bone lesions, periorbital soft tissue lesions, and enlarged lymph nodes at onset, multiple systems and multiple foci involvement was considered. The diagnosis of combined diabetes insipidus was confirmed through the water deprivation and pressure test. After MACOP-B regimen (doxorubicin liposome, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, prednisone), the patient's bone pain was completely relieved, and no serious complications occurred.Conclusions:Recurrent adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis complicated with diabetes insipidus is rare; MACOP-B regimen is safe and effective in treatment of the disease.
4.Diabetic Nephropathy Treatment by Zn Supplementation in a Murine Model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus:Potential Role of Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Lianhong XU ; Weixia SUN ; Wei LIU ; Yanbo LI
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(3):613-618
Objective To evaluate the renoprotective effects of zinc(Zn)supplementation in diabetes kidney disease(DKD)and to explore its impact on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 12 male OVE26 mice(spontaneous type 1 diabetes mellitus mice)aged 3 months and weighing approximately 24-27 g were selected and randomly assigned to a diabetes mellitus(DM)group and a zinc-treated DM(DM/Zn)group(n=6 each).In addition,12 age-matched male FVB mice weighing approximately 27-30 g were selected and randomly assigned to a non-diabetic control(Ctrl)group and a zinc-treated(Zn)group(n=6 each).Mice in the DM/Zn and Zn groups were given zinc supplementation for 3 months,with each mouse receiving 5 mg/kg of zinc sulfate by gavage every other day.Mice in the DM and Ctrl groups were given the same volume of normal saline.At the end of the experiment,the albumin-to-creatinine ratio(ACR)in urine was used as an indicator to evaluate renal function.Sirius red staining was performed to assess renal fibrosis in each group of mice.Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of fibrotic growth factors,including connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),in renal tissue,and the protein expression of Nrf2,an antioxidant substance,and the protein expression levels of its downstream targets,including NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1(NQO1),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1),superoxide dismutase(SOD)-1,SOD-2,and catalase(CAT).Results 1)Compared to the Ctrl group,the urinary protein secretion levels of mice in the DM group exhibited progressive increase.After 3 months of zinc supplementation treatment,the urinary protein secretion levels of mice in the DM/Zn group decreased Compared to that of mice in the DM group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).2)Compared to that in the Ctrl group,the collagen deposition in the renal tissues of mice in the DM group increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),while no obvious change was observed in mice in the DM/Zn group.Compared to the Ctrl group,mice in the DM group exhibited increased expression levels of CTGF and TGF-β1 in the renal tissues,but the expression levels decreased after zinc supplementation treatment,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).3)Compared to that of the Ctrl group,the expression level of Nrf2 in the renal tissues of mice in the Zn and DM groups increased,and the level of Nrf2 in the renal tissues of mice in the DM/Zn group showed a further increase,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).4)Compared to those of the Ctrl group,the protein expression levels of Nrf2 downstream target genes,including NQO1 and HO-1,in the renal tissues of mice in the Zn group increased,and the levels of NQO1 and HO-1 in the renal tissues of mice in the DM/Zn group showed a further increase,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared to those of the mice in the Ctrl group,the protein expressions of Nrf2 downstream target genes,including SOD-1,SOD-2,and CAT of in the renal tissues of the mice in the Zn group increased,while the expression levels of SOD-1,SOD-2,and CAT in the renal tissues of the mice in the DM group decreased,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Zn supplementation could completely inhibit these changes(P<0.05).Conclusions Zn supplementation has therapeutic effects on DKD and mitigates T1DM-induced renal dysfunction and oxidative injury in mice,which may be associated with the activation of the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway.
5.The correlation between FLAIR sequence high signal vascular sign and magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging in patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis cerebral infarction
Zhenbao LIU ; Weixia YANG ; Qiu LI ; Qing TIAN ; Jiachen GU ; Weiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(2):128-132
Objective:To evaluate the correlation between vascular hyperintensity of magnetic resonance fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence(FVH) and related parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion weighted imaging (MR-PWI) in patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis cerebral infarction, and to explore the hemodynamic factors related to FVH and the effect of FVH on the short-term clinical prognosis of patients.Methods:A total of 116 patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis cerebral infarction in the Department of Neurology, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from January 2020 to December 2022 were collected.According to the diagnostic criteria of FVH, they were divided into FVH (+ ) group (78 cases) and FVH(-) group (38 cases). All patients underwent magnetic resonance(MR) and MR-PWI scans.Demographic and cerebrovascular risk factors were collected, clinical neurological function of patients was assessed by national institate of health stroke scale(NIHSS) upon admission and discharge, and cognitive function of patients was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Short-term clinical outcome was assessed using modified Rankin scale(mRS) at the 90th day after discharge.The degree of middle cerebral artery stenosis, positive or negative FVH, FVH score, hypoperfusion volume and MR-PWI related parameters, including peak time (Tmax), mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF), were evaluated in relation to clinical symptoms.SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for t test, Chi-square test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:There were significant differences in hypoperfusion volume, Tmax, MTT and CBF between FVH (+ ) group and FVH(-) group( t=1.989, 3.830, 5.223, 3.911, all P<0.05). In terms of short-term clinical outcome, the improvement rate of neurological function ((8.25±6.39)%, (12.22±6.08)%) and MMSE score(25.48±1.59), (26.31±1.26) in FVH (+ ) group were significantly lower than those in FVH(-) group, and the number of patients with progressive stroke during hospitalization in FVH(+ ) group was more than that of FVH(-) group(22(28.21%), 4(10.53%)) (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that FVH score was positively correlated with hypoperfusion volume ( r=0.786, P<0.01) and MTT ( r=0.692, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with CBF ( r=-0.568, P<0.01), but no significant correlation with the degree of arterial stenosis ( r=0.363, P>0.05). Conclusion:FVH is closely related to the Tmax, MTT and CBF values shown in MR-PWI, and the incidence of stroke in progression and short-term adverse prognosis are more likely in FVH(+ ) group, suggesting that FVH can be used as a convenient imaging indicator to reflect the hypoperfusion status of patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis cerebral infarction, and can provide an objective basis for further individualized treatment.
6.Evaluation of early efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patient with breast cancer based on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI via comparing with 18F-FDG PET/CT
Yixue CHANG ; Shengbao WEN ; Haihua BAO ; Weixia LI ; Yousen WU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(2):222-225,269
Objective To investigate the predictive value of early efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in patient with breast cancer via full quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI).Methods Forty patients with breast cancer were selected.The 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT)and DCE-MRI were performed before and after two cycles of NAC.According to the decrease rate of maximum standardized uptake value(ΔSUVmax)of PET/CT before and after two cycles of NAC,all patients were divided into two groups,including good response group(24 cases)(ΔSUVmax>40%)and general response group(16 cases)(ΔSUVmax≤40%).The changes of full quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI between the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results There were statistically significant differences in changes of Ktrans and Kep between the two groups(P<0.05),however,there was no significant difference in the change of Ve between the two groups(P>0.05).There was a significant positive correlation between ΔKtrans and ΔSUVmax(r=0.850,P<0.001).There was a high positive correlation between ΔKtrans and ΔKep(r=0.727,P<0.001).Conclusion The full quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI are helpful to evaluate the early efficacy of NAC in breast cancer,which can reflect the changes of microcirculation in the lesion,further reflect the therapeutic effect of NAC,guide the clinical optimization of treatment plan in time,and achieve accurate evaluation and individualized treatment.
7.Liquid biopsy using urinary cell-free DNA is significant in the detection and treatment of urologic diseases
Yuting LIU ; Weixia LI ; Mengchen XIE ; Yangyang GUO ; Xin WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(4):379-382
Urine is produced from the urinary system, and urinary cell-free DNA (cfDNA) carries genomic DNA directly secreted from urinary system.Urine samples are non-invasive, unlimited in quantity and easy to obtain, making urinary cfDNA a promising biomarker for urologic diseases.This article reviews the progress of clinical application of urinary cfDNA in urologic diseases.
8.Application of AI diagnostic system in the evaluation of CHD patients in high-altitude areas
Xueyan WANG ; Haihua BAO ; Shengbao WEN ; Yuntai CAO ; Weixia LI ; Mei YAN
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(5):733-737
Objective To explore the application of diagnostic system with artificial intelligence(AI)in the evaluation of patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)at high altitude.Methods A total of 318 pa-tients underwent coronary CT angiography(CTA)at the hospital from January to December 2022 were pro-spectively collected.According to the altitude gradient,the patients were divided into the 2 000-3 000 m group and>3 000 m group.Coronary angiography(CAG)was used as the gold standard to verify the diag-nostic performance of AI diagnostic system.Coronary artery diagnosis system with AI technology and CT de-rived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)measurement system were used to evaluate the plaque structure char-acteristics and hemodynamic changes in the two groups of patients.Results Calcified plaques and vulnerable plaques in the>3 000 m group were more than those in the 2 000-3 000 m group(χ2=3.976,6.482,P= 0.046,0.011).The incidence of multi-vessel coronary artery disease,moderate stenosis,severe stenosis and complete occlusion in the>3 000 m group was higher than that in the 2 000-3 000 m group,and the inci-dence of single-vessel coronary artery disease and mild stenosis in the 2 000-3 000 m group was higher than that in the>3 000 m group(P<0.05).The incidence of CT-FFR≤0.80 and<0.70 in the>3 000 m group was higher than that in the 2 000-3 000 m group(χ2=4.782,28.118,P=0.029,<0.001).The comparison with the gold standard showed that this method has high sensitivity,specificity,and diagnostic consistency(P<0.001).Conclusion The coronary diagnosis system with AI technology has certain value in the system-atic evaluation of coronary artery characteristics and hemodynamic changes in CHD patients at high altitude.
9.Epigenetic drug combination induced the expression of FMR1NB in oral carcinoma
Yuxuan ZHANG ; Huan XIE ; Yanjing WANG ; Feng LI ; Guojian WANG ; Weixia NONG ; Chang LIU ; Bin LUO ; Xiaoxun XIE ; Ning SHEN ; Qingmei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(5):761-766
Objective To investigate the effects of DNA demethylation drugs combined with histone deacetylase in-hibitors on fragile X mental retardation 1 neighbor protein (FMR1NB) expression and its promoter methylation in human oral cancer cells and try to find a strategy of weakening the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression.Methods Human oral cancer cell lines Cal27 and SCC-9 were treated with decitabine (DAC) , an inhibitor of DNA meth-yltransferase, combined with trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA), inhibitors of histone deacetylase.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) , quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of FMR1 NB and pyrosequencing was used to detect the methylation of FMR1NB promoter.Results Compared with the blank control group, DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA significantly induced the expression of FMR1NB mRNA and protein in Cal27 and SCC-9 cells.Compared with DAC alone group, FMR1NB mRNA expression of each DAC-combined drug groups significantly increased, but FMR1NB protein did not significantly change in Cal27 cells; for SCC-9 cells, except for DAC+TSA group, the mRNA and protein levels of FMR1NB significantly increased in all other groups.In addition, there was no signifi-cant difference in the expression of FMR1 NB mRNA and protein between the three-combined drugs group and two-combined drugs groups.Further methylation assay showed that the methylation level of the overall FMR1NB promot-er and its each CpG site measured were reduced to varying degrees in all treatment groups except for three-combina-tion drug group of SCC-9.Conclusion DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA can enhance the expression of FMR1NB by mediating the demethylation of FMR1NB promoter, wherein the enhanced expression effect of the com-bination of the two drugs is stronger, suggesting that they have the potential to weaken the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression and improve the immunotherapy effect of oral cancer.
10.Value of Cuproptosis genes and characteristic genes in predicting prognosis,immunity and tumor microenvironment in acute myeloid leukemia
Yinzhen LI ; Weixia NONG ; Mei ZHANG ; Dongsheng RUI ; Wei LEI ; Wenli BAI ; Rui LI ; Yazhou ZHANG ; Kui WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(6):1013-1022
Objective To screen Cuproptosis genes and characteristic genes for differential prognosis in acute mye-loid leukemia(AML)and explore their prognosis in AML as well as their biological roles and correlations in the immune and tumor microenvironment.Methods AML clinical,transcriptome,genomic,and copy number data were downloaded from three major databases,TCGA,GEO,and UCSC,and Cuproptosis genes were collected from published studies.From the perspective of multiomics,the effects of Cuproptosis gene and characteristic gene on survival,immunity,tumor microenvironment,stem cell correlation and drug sensitivity were studied by various bioinformatics methods,meta-analysis and secondary typing.Results One Cuproptosis gene was identified as a differential prognostic gene in AML and five characteristic genes were identified as influencing the prognosis of AML patients by influencing Cuproptosis,and a prognostic model was established.The differential genes were mainly concentrated in mitochondrial activity,REDOX enzyme and energy metabolism.In terms of immunity,macrophage M0,neutrophils,activated memory CD4 T cells and Tregs were positively correlated with risk score,while macro-phage M2,resting mast cells,immature CD4 T cells,helper follicular T cells and memory B cells were negatively correlated with risk score.In terms of tumor microenvironment,the immune cell score of the low-risk group was lower than that of the high-risk group,and in the total score,the tumor microenvironment score of the low-risk group was also lower than that of the high-risk group,indicating that the tumor purity of the high-risk group was lower than that of the low-risk group.However,there was no significant association between stem cells in the high-risk and low-risk groups,and a total of 14 drugs were found to be sensitive to treat AML.Conclusion Cuproptosis gene and characteristic gene are closely related to immune and tumor microenvironment in AML by constructing a prognostic model of AML.


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