1.Luteolin improves myocardial cell death induced by serum from rats with spinal cord injury
Wenwen ZHANG ; Mengru XU ; Yuan TIAN ; Lifei ZHANG ; Shu SHI ; Ning WANG ; Yuan YUAN ; Li WANG ; Haihu HAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):38-43
BACKGROUND:Cardiac dysfunction due to spinal cord injury is an important factor of death in patients with spinal cord injury;however,the specific mechanism is still not clear.Therefore,revealing the mechanism of cardiac dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients is of great significance to improve their quality of life and survival rate. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of luteolin in improving serum-induced myocardial cell death in spinal cord injury rats. METHODS:Allen's impact instrument was used to damage the spine T9-T11 of male SD rats to establish a spinal cord injury model meanwhile a sham operation group was set as the control group.The serum of rats of each group was collected.H9c2 cells were divided into a blank control group,a sham operated rat serum group,a spinal cord injury rat serum group and a luteolin pretreatment group.The cells in blank control group were only cultured with ordinary culture medium.The cells in the sham operated rat serum group were treated with medium containing 10%serum from sham operated rat.The cells in the spinal cord injury rat serum group were treated with medium containing 10%serum from spinal cord injury rat.The cells in the luteolin pretreatment group were precultured with a final concentration of 20 μmol/L luteolin for 4 hours and then changed to a medium containing 10%rat serum from spinal cord injury rat.After 24 hours of culture,the survival rate of each group of H9c2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of autophagy related protein LC3 and p62 in H9c2 cells in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,there was no significant change in cell survival rate in the sham operated rat serum group(P>0.05).Compared with the sham operated rat serum group,the cell survival rate(P<0.01)and the expression of LC3 protein(P<0.05)in spinal cord injury rat serum group was significantly reduced,and the expression of p62 protein was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the spinal cord injury rat serum group,the survival rate of cells in the luteolin pretreatment group significantly increased(P<0.000 1);the expression of LC3 protein significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of p62 protein significantly decreased(P<0.05).The results indicate that luteolin may improve myocardial cell death induced by serum from rats with spinal cord injury by promoting autophagy.
2.Construction and practice of the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Chun YAO ; Minggang WANG ; Na WANG ; Mengru PENG ; Ningfang MO ; Yaqing ZHENG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):370-374
Hepatic encephalopathy is a difficult and critical disease with rapid progression and limited treatment methods in the field of liver disease, and it is urgently needed to make breakthroughs in its pathogenesis. Selection of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies is of great importance in delaying disease progression and reducing the incidence and mortality rates. This article reviews the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine, proposes a new theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, analyzes the scientific connotations of “turbid”, “toxin”, and the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, and constructs the “four-step” prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy, thereby establishing the new clinical prevention and treatment regimen for hepatic encephalopathy represented by “four prescriptions and two techniques” and clarifying the effect mechanism and biological basis of core prescriptions and techniques in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
3.Exploration on the relation between tumors and anaphylactic reaction from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine constitution
Yuhan ZONG ; Huaiyu WANG ; Mengru ZHOU ; Haoyue JIANG ; Luyao JIN ; Xihuan ZHU ; Ji WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):240-245
The etiology of tumors is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including the host and environmental conditions. Allergy is primarily driven by the immune response of helper T cell 2 (Th2). Research has shown that the Th2 immune response is closely related to tumors, which is specifically manifested through Th2 antibodies, allergy-related effector cells and mediators within the tumors, as well as tumor immune-related functions. This internal interaction mechanism will increase the complexity and challenges associated with the clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors and allergy. The formation of allergic constitution is shaped by both congenital and acquired factors, and its physical state is closely linked to the occurrence and progression of allergic diseases. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the relationship between tumors and allergic reactions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution theory. Based on the four basic principles of the TCM constitution, including endowment inheritance theory, environment constraint theory, body-spirit composition theory, and life process theory, this exploration will focus on four aspects: genetic factors and internal disease causes, inflammatory environments and functional regulation, psychological disorders and emotional pathogenesis, as well as age structure and disease risk. Furthermore, from the perspective of constitution-disease relation of chronic disease prevention, this paper will discuss the significant importance of adjusting allergic constitution to improve both subjective symptoms and objective indicators of allergic reactions in tumor patients.
4.Hyssopus cuspidatus extract inhibited OVA-sensitized allergic asthma through PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.
Yali ZHANG ; Huiming PENG ; Jingjing LI ; Pan LV ; Mengru ZHANG ; Xu WANG ; Siyu WANG ; Siying ZHU ; Jiankang LU ; Xuepeng FAN ; Jinbo FANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):539-547
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss. extract (HCE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma.
METHODS:
Components identification of HCE was conducted using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Mice were sensitized with OVA to establish asthmatic model, and dexamethasone was used as positive control. Respiratory reactivity, white cells counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood, cytokine level measurement in serum and lung tissue, and histologic examination were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HCE on asthma. Network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Western blotting and untargeted lipidomics method were applied for mechanism validation.
RESULTS:
Fifty-two compounds were identified in HCE, predominantly terpenoids and flavonoids. HCE markedly reduced airway resistance, the eosinophil infiltration in lung tissues, and the levels of immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13. Network pharmacology analysis suggested phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) may be key proteins of HCE in the treatment of allergic asthma. Western blot results indicated that the levels of phosphorylated PI3K, JNK, and P38 were downregulated in HCE-treated group. Moreover, HCE significantly upregulated the levels of ceramide and sphingomyelin and downregulated the level of phosphatidylcholine.
CONCLUSION
HCE inhibited allergic asthma via PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.
5.Identifying purgative targets of sennoside A via in situ biotransformation of prodrug-based probes.
Zhen LIU ; Xinyue GENG ; Xinyue LIU ; Mengru LI ; Xiang LI ; Zhixin ZHANG ; Gan LUO ; Ying WANG ; Xiaoyan GAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101078-101078
•A strategy for in situ metabolically synthesized active drug-based probes was proposed.•The potential purgative targets of SA were successfully hooked and identified.•The work provided a new insight for studying the direct targets of unstable active drugs.
6.The Mechanism of Action of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1555-1562
7.The effect ofskeletal Class Ⅲ high angle with deviation on upper airway morphology and hyoid position
Gang WANG ; Jinqiao TANG ; Yu FENG ; Mengru LI ; Xiaoqin WANG
STOMATOLOGY 2024;44(9):658-662,669
Objective To apply cone beam CT measurements(CBCT)to analyze the effect of skeletal Class Ⅲ high angle with devia-tion on upper airway morphology and hyoid position.Methods A total of 120 patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ high angle malocclusion who visited our hospital from September 2019 to December 2022 were selected.CBCT was taken in all subjects.According to the degree of mandibular deviation(MD)of the point under the chin from the median sagittal plane,the 120 patients were divided into three groups:non-migratory,mildly migratory,and severely migratory groups,and the volume of the upper airway as well as the position of the hyoid bone of three groups were measured and analyzed respectively.Results There was no significant difference in the volume and minimum cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal segment,palatopharyngeal segment,and minimum cross-sectional area of the laryngopharyngeal segment.No siginificant difference was found between the position of the hyoid bone(HB)on the Y-axis(Y-HB)and the position of the hyoid bone on the Z-axis(Z-HB)among the three groups(P>0.05).Compared with the other two groups,the vol-ume and total volume of the nasopharyngeal segment,the laryngopharyngeal segment,and minimum cross-sectional area of the laryngo-pharyngeal segment in the group of severe deviation were significantly reduced(P<0.05)and X-HB was significantly larger(P<0.05).Conclusion In patients with skeletal ClassⅢhyperkeratosis with severe deviation,the total volume of the glossopharyngeal segment,laryngopharyngeal segment,and upper airway,as well as the minimum cross-sectional area of the glossopharyngeal segment were smal-ler than those of the othertwo groups.In patients with severe deviation,the position of the hyoid bone(HB)in the X-axis(X-HB)was larger than that of the non-migratory group,indicating that migratory jaws mainly affect the morphology of the lingual-pharyngeal seg-ment as well as the laryngopharyngeal segment of the upper airway;the effect of migratory jaws on the hyoid bone is reflected in the X-HB,indicating that migratory jaws can lead to the deviation of the hyoid bone from the median sagittal plane.
8.Periconceptional maternal homocysteine and birth weight outcomes in offspring: a prospective cohort study
Yi ZHANG ; Xiaotian CHEN ; Qinyu YAO ; Hongyan CHEN ; Mengru LI ; Dingmei WANG ; Yalan DOU ; Yuanzhou PENG ; Xiaoyan GU ; Weili YAN ; Guoying HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(2):120-128
Objective:To quantify the associations between periconceptional maternal homocysteine (HCY) and offspring′s birth weight and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infant.Methods:The 19 984 mother-child pairs in this prospective cohort study were recruited from the Shanghai preconception cohort; the infants were delivered from 1 st September 2016 to 11 th November 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the mothers′ demographic information, medical history, dietary supplement use, and maternal complications during pregnancy, and their serum samples were collected. Serum HCY, folate, and vitamin B 12 were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay based on serum sample drawn at enrollment. Birth weight data were obtained from medical records. Multiple imputation methods were applied to handle missing data in key variables. Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression models were used to analyze the relationship between maternal HCY concentration during the periconceptional period and the birth weight and SGA risk of the offspring. Results:A total of 9 452 pairs were enrolled preconceptionally and the remaining 10 532 pairs were enrolled in early pregnancy. The proportion of mothers whose pregnancy age was greater than 35 years was 9.2% (1 832/19 984), the proportion of primiparous women was 76.5% (15 283/19 984), the proportion of pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity was 14.0% (2 804/19 984), the proportion of using folic acid supplements before pregnancy was 21.4% (4 272/19 984), and the proportion of those who supplemented with folic acid during early pregnancy was 85.2% (8 976/10 532); gestational diabetes mellitus was in 6.2% (1 245/19 984), gestational hypertensive syndrome in 3.6% (711/19 984). The birth weight of the offspring was (3 297±468) g, and there were 1 962 SGA children (9.8%). The HCY concentration in the overall population in appropriate for gestational age during the periconceptional period was (7.9±3.2) μmol/L, with (8.3±3.7) μmol/L in the preconception subgroup and (7.3±2.4) μmol/L in the early pregnancy subgroup. After adjustment for the covariates of perinatal demographic information, adverse pregnancy outcomes, serum folate and vitamin B 12, increased maternal periconceptional HCY was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight ( β=-2.30, 95% CI -4.43--0.16, P=0.035). Only the early pregnancy subgroup was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight ( β=-7.39, 95% CI-11.50--3.21, P<0.001). No association was found between peripregnancy HCY and offspring SGA risk. However, elevated HCY in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of SGA in the offspring ( RR=1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.002). Periconceptional vitamin B 12 was a mediator of the association between HCY and offspring birth weight, accounting for 16.5%, 41.2% and 5.4% of its total effect in the overall periconceptional population, the pre-pregnancy subgroup and the early pregnancy subgroup, respectively. Conclusions:Maternal periconceptional HCY level is associated with lower birth weight in offspring, but not with the risk of SGA. Elevated maternal HCY in early pregnancy subgroup may be associated with increased risk of SGA in offspring.
9.The osteoclastic activity in apical distal region of molar mesial roots affects orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in rats
Zheng WENHAO ; Lu XIAOFENG ; Chen GUANGJIN ; Shen YUFENG ; Huang XIAOFEI ; Peng JINFENG ; Wang JIAJIA ; Yin YING ; Song WENCHENG ; Xie MENGRU ; Yu SHAOLING ; Chen LILI
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(2):322-332
The utilization of optimal orthodontic force is crucial to prevent undesirable side effects and ensure efficient tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.However,the sensitivity of existing detection techniques is not sufficient,and the criteria for evaluating optimal force have not been yet established.Here,by employing 3D finite element analysis methodology,we found that the apical distal region(A-D region)of mesial roots is particularly sensitive to orthodontic force in rats.Tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase(TRAP)-positive osteoclasts began accumulating in the A-D region under the force of 40 grams(g),leading to alveolar bone resorption and tooth movement.When the force reached 80 g,TRAP-positive osteoclasts started appearing on the root surface in the A-D region.Additionally,micro-computed tomography revealed a significant root resorption at 80 g.Notably,the A-D region was identified as a major contributor to whole root resorption.It was determined that 40 g is the minimum effective force for tooth movement with minimal side effects according to the analysis of tooth movement,inclination,and hyalinization.These findings suggest that the A-D region with its changes on the root surface is an important consideration and sensitive indicator when evaluating orthodontic forces for a rat model.Collectively,our investigations into this region would aid in offering valuable implications for preventing and minimizing root resorption during patients'orthodontic treatment.
10.Epidemiological investigation on newly diagnosed occupational welder′s pneumoconiosis in shipbuilding industry in Guangzhou City from 2006 to 2022
Mengru WANG ; Lüwu XIAO ; Hao ZHOU ; Fangjian LI ; Qiuyue LIN
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):234-237
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed occupational welder's pneumoconiosis (OWP) in the shipbuilding industry in Guangzhou City from 2006 to 2022. Methods Data on newly diagnosed OWP cases in the shipbuilding industry in Guangzhou City from 2006 to 2022 was collected and ananlyzed from the Health Hazard Monitoring Information System subsystem of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control System. ResultA total of 250 cases of new welder's pneumoconiosis were diagnosed in the shipbuilding industry in Guangzhou City from 2006 to 2022. The number of new cases per year showed an initial increase followed by a rapid decline, reaching a peak in 2013 (65 cases). Most of the cases were male, accounted for 99.2%. There were 220 cases reported the OWP stage, with the stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ cases accounted for 93.6% and 6.4%, respectively, but no stage Ⅲ cases were reported. The median (M) age and the 25th and 75th percentiles (P25, P75) at diagnosis was 43.0 (39.0, 47.0) years and the dust exposure years M (P25, P75) was 11.2 (8.1, 14.7) years. The M of age at diagnosis of new OWP cases in 2015-2018 and 2019-2022 were higher than those in 2006-2010 and 2011-2014, respectively (all P<0.05). The M of dust exposure duration of new OWP cases from 2006-2010 and 2019-2022 was higher than that in cases from 2015-2018 and 2011-2014, respectively (all P<0.05). Most of the small shadows of the cases were circular small p shadows and distributed in the bilateral middle and lower lung zones, with a density mostly of 1/1, according to the X-ray chest films. Conclusion The hazard of welding fumes in the shipbuilding industry in Guangzhou City has been controlled, but the prevention and control of OWP among welders remains severe.


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