1.Microbial Diversity and Physicochemical Properties of Rhizosphere Soil of Healthy and Diseased Andrographis paniculata
Yongqin LI ; Sitong ZHOU ; Lele XU ; Liyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):172-181
ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil, plants, and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined, and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness (operational taxonomic units) of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Bryobacter significantly increased, while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants, while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata, leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.
2.Microbial Diversity and Physicochemical Properties of Rhizosphere Soil of Healthy and Diseased Andrographis paniculata
Yongqin LI ; Sitong ZHOU ; Lele XU ; Liyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):172-181
ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil, plants, and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined, and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness (operational taxonomic units) of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Bryobacter significantly increased, while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants, while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata, leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.
3.Chrysophanol affects macrophage polarization by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis through AMPK/PGC-1α pathway
Lele Wang ; Caixia Tan ; Wei Zhang ; Ruihan Ge ; Chen Li ; Xinmin Wang ; Le Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):488-494
Objective :
To explore whether chrysophanol(CHR) affects macrophage polarization by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis through AMPK/PGC-1α pathway.
Methods :
The molecular docking and binding ability of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were predicted by Autodock vina software. Human monocytes(THP-1) were induced to M0 macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA), and to M1 macrophages by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) combined with interferon-γ(IFN-γ), which were set as Control group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR were set as CHR group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR combined with AMPK inhibitor(Compound C) were set as CHR+Compound C group. The mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage markers(iNOS, CD86) and mitochondrial biosynthesis related genes(PGC-1α, NFR-1, TFAM) were detected by Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The expression level of M1 macrophage marker iNOS was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK and PGC-1α were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The docking results showed that the binding energies of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were-8.4 kcal/mol and-7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. qRT-PCR results showed that the in vitro model of M1 macrophages was successfully established. Compared with the Control group, CHR treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group, CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that CHR treatment inhibited the protein expression of iNOS compared with the Control group(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of CHR on i NOS protein expression(P<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with the Control group,the CHR treatment group had significant increase in the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.001).Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Chrysophanol may inhibit macrophage polarization to M1 by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis.
4.Progress in regulation of macrophage function by bitter taste receptors and its mechanism
Lele WANG ; Yuzhen FANG ; Yuqing MA ; Zixi ZHAO ; Ruonan MA ; Xing WANG ; Yuxin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(8):1520-1528
Bitter taste receptors,also known as type 2 taste receptors(T2Rs),are found not only in the mouth's taste bud cells but also in various tissues and cells,including macrophages.Macrophages,known for their re-markable plasticity,play a crucial role in regulating innate immunity,managing inflammation,and orchestrating immune responses to antigens,pathogens,and environmental factors.Recently,the study of the expression and function of bitter taste receptors within macrophages has garnered significant interest.This review summarizes the expression levels and dis-tribution characteristics of bitter taste receptors in macrophages and examines their effects on macrophage polarization,phagocytosis,and chemotaxis,as well as their potential molecular mechanisms.The purpose of this review is to provide in-sight and perspectives for research on the regulatory role of T2Rs in macrophage functions.
5.Efficacy of oral testosterone undecanoate in children with androgen insensitivity syndrome
Ying LIU ; Lele LI ; Zheng YUAN ; Xinmeng WANG ; Xiaoling WANG ; Lijun FAN ; Chunxiu GONG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(8):758-763
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of oral testosterone therapy in individuals diagnosed with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS).Methods:A self-controlled study design was utilized, focusing on individuals with AIS who were genetically diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, and Metabolism of Beijing Children′s Hospital between 2009 and 2021. These patients underwent treatment involving the administration of testosterone. The primary observed indexes include the measurement of penis length, which should meet the minimal surgical standard (penis length≥2.5 cm) or greater than or equal to -2.5 s (lower limit of normal). Secondary observed indexes include penile length standard deviation score (PL-SDS), an increase in penis longitude (ΔPL), medication dosage, the course of therapy, and safety indicators, among others. There were 4 courses of treatment. After each course, patients were evaluated to determine whether termination of treatment was appropriate. Patients who exhibited inadequate post-treatment penile length growth were advised to continue with further treatment. The statistical methodology included t-test, and a Wilcoxon rank sum test to describe efficacy and safety. The patients were followed up until 2023. Results:The study comprised a total of 51 individuals with AIS, comprising 33 males and 18 females (gender of registered permanent residence). Among these patients, 10 were diagnosed with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and 41 were diagnosed with partial androgen insensitive syndrome (PAIS). There were 2 children with CAIS were diagnosed by doctors and prescribed testosterone undecanoate, but the children did not really take medicine.The penile length of CAIS patients could not be measured (penile length<0.5 cm) before and after treatment. For PAIS patients, baseline penile length and PL-SDS were (2.3±0.6) cm and -3.7±1.3, respectively. The measurements for penile length and PL-SDS after each treatment course were recorded as follows: (2.7±0.8), (2.8±0.6), (2.6±0.4), (2.6±0.4) cm and -2.8±1.6, 2.5±1.6, 2.9±1.2, -3.2±0.9, respectively. Both penile length and PL-SDS interventions showed statistically significant gains when compared to the baseline performance of the 4 courses ( t=4.05、3.56、2.55、2.23 and 3.88、3.50、2.50、2.19, all P<0.05). Before treatment, 13 PAIS patients (32%) reached 2.5 cm and seven (17%) reached greater than or equal to -2.5 s. Following the initial, subsequent, third, and fourth therapeutic interventions, 18 cases (44%), 24 cases (59%), 25 cases (61%), and 26 cases (63%) reached 2.5 cm, respectively. Additionally, A total of 12 cases (29%), 15 cases (37%), 20 cases (49%), and 21 cases (51%), respectively, were found to reach greater than or equal to -2.5 s. The study involved the longitudinal monitoring of patients with the highest recorded age being 13.7 years. The weight, height, body mass index, bone age/age, cholesterol, hemoglobin and so on were all within the normal range and the difference were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). All 49 patients were no abnormalities in blood electrolyte, liver and kidney function and thyroid function and no changes in precocious puberty, pubic hair growth, aggressive behavior, vulvar skin darkening, diarrhea or other conditions. Conclusions:Testosterone undecanote in children with CAIS was no effective. The initial course of treatment for patients with PAIS demonstrates observable enhancements in penile length and PL-SDS. For patients with inadequate penile length growth, continued treatment in subsequent courses (such as the second, third, and fourth courses) is recommended toenhance outcomes gradually. Testosterone undecanoate was safe and effective for the majority of individuals with PAIS patients, with few adverse effects and good treatment tolerance.
6.Mechanism of glioma stem cells with high expression of PTPRZ1 inducing TAMs polarization to M2 immunosuppressive phenotype
Lele AN ; Ying YANG ; Qing LIU ; Feiyue DOU ; Lujing WANG ; Yue CHENG ; Chao WANG ; Qianying RUAN ; Lei ZHOU ; Haitao GUO ; Weikai KONG ; Xuegang LI ; Chuan LAN ; Fei LI ; Yu SHI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(8):796-803
Objective To explore the effect of glioma stem cells with high expression of protein tyrosin phosphatase receptor type Z1 (PTPRZ1 )on the phenotypic polarization and phagocytosis of tumor-associated macrophages and its regulatory mechanism.Methods GSCs and non-stem tumor cells (NSTCs) were screened out from human glioblastoma (GBM) specimens using flow cytometry,and the PTPRZ1 expression in paired GSCs and NSTCs were detected.Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-derived CD14+monocytes were exposed to the conditioned medium from glioma cells or recombinant chemokine C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20)for TAM polarization.Stable PTPRZ1 knockout GSCs (PTPRZ1-KO GSCs) were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9. TAM phagocytosis to GSCs,NSTCs,PTPRZ1-Control GSCs (PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs)and PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and the expression of immunosuppressive phenotype (M2) polarization marker CD163 were examined using flow cytometry.Differentially expressed genes (DEGs ) between paired GSCs and NSTCs were determined using a bulk RNA-sequencing dataset (GSE54791 )from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).A gene set informing worse outcome of patients with GBM was generated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-GBM cohort.By intersecting the aforementioned gene set with the gene set that encodes for human membrance proteins,the PTPRZ1 gene is obtained.Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA)was used for pathway enrichment analysis to compare the differentially regulated pathways between GBMs with high or low PTPRZ1 expression.Bulk RNA sequencing,qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to identify the DEGs between PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs.Results GSCs were more capable of escaping from TAM phagocytosis than NSTCs (P<0.05 )and had specifically up-regulated PTPRZ1 expression.PTPRZ1-KO significantly suppressed GSCs escaping from TAM phagocytosis (P<0.01 ). GBMs with high PTPRZ1 expression showed significant inhibition of pathways mediating phagocytosis (P<0.05).The expression of CCL20 as a M2 TAM polarization chemokine was significantly down-regulated in PTPRZ1-KO GSCs (P<0.05 ).Treatment with recombinant CCL20 up-regulated the expression of CD163 as a M2 TAM marker in TAM.Conclusion PTPRZ1+GSCs mediate M2 TAM polarization and inhibit TAM phagocytosis,which may be related to the up-regulation of CCL20 in PTPRZ1+GSCs.
7.CT findings and clinical value analysis of ovarian torsion in children
Jiaojing LIU ; Pange WANG ; Lele KANG ; Shengli SHI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(2):275-277,296
Objective To investigate the characteristics of CT findings in pediatric ovarian torsion and improve the understanding of pediatric ovarian torsion.Methods The clinical and CT data of 20 cases of ovarian torsion confirmed by pathology and/or surgery were analyzed retrospectively,based on the timing of ovarian torsion,they were divided into fetal and non-fetal groups.All 20 cases underwent plain CT scan and 11 cases underwent CT enhancement.Results All of the 20 cases were unilateral duplication,including 12 cases right and 8 cases left.There were 8 cases of ovarian torsion in the fetal group,all of them were visited with the finding of abdominal mass.The eggshell calcification on CT manifestations was found in 8 cases,and 2 cases of pelvic effusion.There were 12 cases of ovarian torsion in the non-fetal group,all of them presented with abdominal pain,CT showed the disc sign in 7 cases,peduncular protrusion sign in 6 cases,adnexal bleeding sign in 2 cases,subcapsular effusion sign in 2 cases,the uterus displaced to the ipsilateral ovary in 6 cases and pelvic effusion in 10 cases.The disc sign and peduncular protrusion sign were direct signs for the diagnosis of ovarian torsion,and the adnexal bleeding sign and subcapsular effusion sign suggested the possibility of necrosis.Conclusion Pediatric ovarian torsion CT findings with typical signs such as disc sign,peduncular protrusion sign,adnexal bleeding sign and subcapsular effusion sign,combined with clinical history,a more accurate diagnosis can be given,providing assistance in clinical treatment.
8.Trilogy of drug repurposing for developing cancer and chemotherapy-induced heart failure co-therapy agent.
Xin CHEN ; Xianggang MU ; Lele DING ; Xi WANG ; Fei MAO ; Jinlian WEI ; Qian LIU ; Yixiang XU ; Shuaishuai NI ; Lijun JIA ; Jian LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):729-750
Chemotherapy-induced complications, particularly lethal cardiovascular diseases, pose significant challenges for cancer survivors. The intertwined adverse effects, brought by cancer and its complication, further complicate anticancer therapy and lead to diminished clinical outcomes. Simple supplementation of cardioprotective agents falls short in addressing these challenges. Developing bi-functional co-therapy agents provided another potential solution to consolidate the chemotherapy and reduce cardiac events simultaneously. Drug repurposing was naturally endowed with co-therapeutic potential of two indications, implying a unique chance in the development of bi-functional agents. Herein, we further proposed a novel "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy that comprises function-based, target-focused, and scaffold-driven repurposing approaches, aiming to systematically elucidate the advantages of repurposed drugs in rationally developing bi-functional agent. Through function-based repurposing, a cardioprotective agent, carvedilol (CAR), was identified as a potential neddylation inhibitor to suppress lung cancer growth. Employing target-focused SAR studies and scaffold-driven drug design, we synthesized 44 CAR derivatives to achieve a balance between anticancer and cardioprotection. Remarkably, optimal derivative 43 displayed promising bi-functional effects, especially in various self-established heart failure mice models with and without tumor-bearing. Collectively, the present study validated the practicability of the "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy in the development of bi-functional co-therapy agents.
9.Exploration on "Symptom-Syndrome-Drug" Regularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Microvascular Disease Based on Latent Structure Combined with Association Rules
Yilin ZHANG ; Jingjing WEI ; Hongxin GUO ; Lele HUO ; Mingjie ZHANG ; Jianfeng LU ; Aolong WANG ; Mingjun ZHU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(5):730-740
Objective To systematically explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)common symptoms,syndrome elements,clinical syndrome differentiation,and medication rules of coronary microvascular disease(CMVD),and to provide a reference for quantitative criteria of clinical differentiation of CMVD,specification of the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of TCM clinical syndrome,and guidance of clinical medication.Methods The databases including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,and SinoMed were searched for research papers on the treatment of CMVD by TCM published from database inception to May 16,2023.Relevant information of the included literature was extracted and the database was established.Then,the frequency statistics of symptoms,syndrome elements,syndrome types and Chinese medicinals were carried out.Latent structural models were constructed using Latern 5.0 and Rstudio softwares respectively for comprehensive clustering and association rule analysis,so as to explore the symptom characteristics,syndrome elements distribution,common syndromes and medication rules for TCM treatment of CMVD.Results A total of 107 literature were included,involving 36 syndromes,17 syndrome elements,121 symptoms and 143 Chinese medicinals.It was speculated that the main syndrome element of CMVD was blood stasis,followed by qi deficiency,qi stagnation,phlegm turbidity,yin deficiency and yang deficiency.The main type of syndrome was qi deficiency and blood stasis,followed by heart blood stasis obstruction,qi stagnation and blood stasis,phlegm blended with stasis,qi-yin deficiency,etc..The main medicinals were Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Angelica Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix.The medicinals used in the treatment of CMVD were classified as blood-activating and stasis-resolving drugs,deficiency-tonifying drugs,qi-regulating drugs in terms of their efficacy.Conclusion The location of CMVD is in heart,and related to liver and kidney.The syndrome of CMVD is deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality.Blood stasis runs through the development of the disease.The treatment is mainly to activate blood circulation and remove stasis,activate meridians and relieve pain,which should be supplemented with the therapies of tonifying and invigorating qi,soothing the liver and regulating qi,dispelling phlegm and dissipating masses according to the patients'syndromes.
10.Medication Patterns of Chinese Medicines for Neurodermatitis Based on Contemporary Medical Cases
Shuguang CHEN ; Xuemin WANG ; Fanghong DUAN ; Lele CHEN ; Jialin TENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):206-213
ObjectiveTo mine the medication patterns of Chinese medicines for neurodermatitis based on contemporary medical cases in published articles. MethodThe medical cases of treating neurodermatitis with Chinese medicines were retrieved from the medical case articles published by contemporary famous and old Chinese medicine doctors in the library of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data. A case library was established, and SPSS Statistics 26.0 and SPSS Modeler 18.0 were employed to analyze the symptoms and syndromes of neurodermatitis and mine the medication patterns. ResultAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 130 medical case articles were included in this study. Neurodermatitis was prevalent in young adults between 20 and 39 years old (female patients of 30-49 years old and male patients of 20-39 years old), and male patients were more than female patients. The patients mainly presented the clinical manifestations of itchy rashes, thickened skin, and lichenification. Symptoms included skin injury, emotional abnormalities, and Yin damage caused by prolonged illness. Red tongue, thin white or yellow tongue coating, and wiry pulse were common in the patients. The patients with the syndrome of blood deficiency and wind dryness were often treated with Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Tribuli Fructus, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The commonly used herb pairs included Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba, Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-Saposhnikoviae Radix, and the commonly used prescriptions were Siwutang and Dangguiyinzi. The patients with the syndrome of muscle and skin dystrophy were mainly treated with Rehmanniae Radix, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Tribuli Fructus, and Dictamni Cortex. The commonly used herb pairs included Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Dictamni Cortex, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba, and the commonly used prescriptions were Jingjie Siwutang and Baixianpiyin. The patients with the syndrome of liver depression transforming into fire were often treated with Rehmanniae Radix, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Bupleuri Radix, and Scutellariae Radix. The commonly used herb pairs included Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Gardeniae Fructus, and Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Saposhnikoviae Radix, and the commonly used prescriptions were Longdan Xiegantang and Danzhi Xiaoyaosan. ConclusionThis study enriches the knowledge about neurodermatitis, clarifies the treatment principles and methods as well as the medication patterns, and provides a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and medication based on syndrome differentiation.


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