1.Epidemiologic Burden of Colorectal Cancer in Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, 2018—2020
Mingzhu GAO ; Ruiqi CAI ; Sile LI ; Yuying PANG ; Yanyan YANG ; Weilin ZHANG ; Min ZHAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(2):142-151
Objective To analyze the epidemiologic burden of colorectal cancer in Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2020. Methods Indicators of epidemiologic burden were calculated, including incidence rate, mortality rate, age-specific incidence/mortality rates, potential years of life lost (PYLL), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) based on the National Disease Control and Prevention Center’s "Cancer Information Registration and Reporting System" and "Cause of Death Registration System". Results From 2018 to 2020, the ASR (China) for the incidence of colorectal cancer in Xishan District, Kunming City increased from 25.27/105 to 26.29/105, while the ASR (China) for mortality decreased from 17.11/105 to 16.03/105. The PYLL in 2018–2020 were
2.Divergent activation patterns of BRS3 revealed by two Chinese herb-derived agonists.
Jie LI ; Changyao LI ; Qingtong ZHOU ; Wei HAN ; Mingzhu FANG ; Youwei XU ; Yiting MAI ; Yao ZHANG ; Jiahua CUI ; H Eric XU ; Yan ZHANG ; Wanchao YIN ; Ming-Wei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5231-5243
Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS3) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays critical roles in energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. Recent structural studies have elucidated BRS3 signaling mechanisms using synthetic ligands, including BA1 and MK-5046. However, the molecular basis of BRS3 activation by bioactive natural compounds and their derivatives, particularly those derived from traditional Chinese medicine, remains unclear. Here, we present high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the human BRS3-Gq complex in both unliganded and active states bound by two herb-derived compounds (DSO-5a and oridonin), at resolutions of 2.9, 2.8, and 2.9 Å, respectively. These structures display distinct ligand recognition patterns between DSO-5a and oridonin. Although both compounds bind to the orthosteric pocket, they differentially engage the interaction network of BRS3, as demonstrated by mutagenesis studies assessing calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate 1 (IP1) accumulation. These findings enhance our understanding of BRS3 activation and provide valuable insights into the development of small-molecule BRS3 modulators with therapeutic potential.
3.PROTAC-loaded nanocapsules degrading BRD4 for radio-chemotherapy sensitization in glioblastoma.
Yun GUO ; Mingzhu FANG ; Shilin ZHANG ; Zheng ZHOU ; Zonghua TIAN ; Haoyu YOU ; Yun CHEN ; Jingyi ZHOU ; Xiaobao YANG ; Yunke BI ; Chen JIANG ; Tao SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5050-5070
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor characterized by poor prognosis. Conventional chemo-radiotherapy demonstrates limited therapeutic efficacy and is often accompanied by significant side effects, largely due to factors such as drug resistance, radiation resistance, the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the activation of DNA damage repair mechanisms. There is a pressing need to enhance treatment efficacy, with BRD4 identified as a promising target for increasing GBM sensitivity to therapy. Lacking small molecule inhibitors, BRD4 can be degraded using PROteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC), thereby inhibiting DNA damage repair. To deliver PROTAC, SIAIS171142 (SIS) effectively, we designed a responsive nanocapsule, MPL(SS)P@SIS, featuring GBM-targeting and GSH-responsive drug release. Modified with 1-methyl-l-tryptophan (MLT), nanocapsules facilitate targeted delivery of SIS, downregulating BRD4 and sensitizing GBM cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After intravenous administration, MPL(SS)P@SIS selectively accumulates in tumor tissue, enhancing the effects of radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) by increasing DNA damage and oxidative stress. GSH activates the nanocapsules, triggering BRD4 degradation and hindering DNA repair. In mouse models, the nanosensitizer, combined with TMZ and X-ray irradiation, efficiently inhibited the growth of GBM. These findings demonstrate a novel PROTAC-based sensitization strategy targeting BRD4, offering a promising approach for effective GBM therapy.
4.Isodons A-H, seco-abietane and abietane-type diterpenoids from Isodon lophanthoides: isolation, structural elucidation, and anti-cholestatic activity.
Huiling ZHOU ; Mingzhu HAN ; Miaomiao NAN ; Yingrong LENG ; Weiming HUANG ; Shengtao YE ; Lingyi KONG ; Wenjun XU ; Hao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(9):1133-1142
Eight new diterpenoids, Isodons A-H (1-8), comprising seco-abietane and abietane-type structures, together with 13 known analogues (9-21), were isolated from Isodon lophanthoides (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Hara. The compounds (+)-3/(-)-3, (+)-4/(-)-4, and (+)-5/(-)-5 were identified as three enantiomeric pairs. The planar structures and absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined through high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D & 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. A cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) luciferase reporter assay revealed significant anti-cholestatic activities for compounds 1, (+)-4, 6, 7, 12-14, and 16. Additionally, compound 6 demonstrated anti-cholestatic effects through the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-associated signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest potential applications for I. Lophanthoides in pharmaceutical development.
Abietanes/pharmacology*
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Molecular Structure
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Animals
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Isodon/chemistry*
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Humans
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Diterpenes/pharmacology*
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Plant Extracts/chemistry*
5.Expression and biological role of C1GALT1 in glioblastoma
Xin Ao ; Yunfeng Long ; Zhengrong Zhang ; Mingzhu Zhang ; Zhuang Le ; Yanting Su
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):992-999
Objective :
To explore the expression profile of core 1 β1,3-galactosyltransferase 1(C1GALT1) in glioblastoma(GBM) and to elucidate its impact on the initiation and progression of GBM.
Methods :
The expression levels and prognostic significance of C1GALT1 in GBM were analyzed using the GEPIA and CGGA databases. Two representative glioblastoma cells(U251 and LN18) were selected to construct C1GALT1-knockdown cell lines and performed in vitro experiments. The Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) and Transwell assays were employed to evaluate the impact of C1GALT1 on proliferation, migration and invasion of GBM cells. Transcriptome data were analyzed to identify potential signaling pathways. Senescence β-Galactosidase Staining Kit was used to detect β-galactosidase activity.
Results :
nalysis of GEPIA and CGGA databases revealed that C1GALT1 was significantly upregulated in GBM tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues (P < 0. 05) , and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis of patients (P < 0. 000 1) . The CCK-8 experiment demonstrated a significant reduction in prolifera- tion rate following C1GALT1 knockdown (P < 0. 05) . Transwell assay showed that cell migration and invasion de- creased after C1GALT1 was knocked down ( P < 0. 001) . Transcriptome sequencing and senescence β-galactosi- dase staining showed that C1GALT1 was involved in the cellular senescence signaling pathway , and the activity of β-galactosidase associated with cellular senescence significantly increased after C1GALT1 was knocked down(P < 0. 05) .
Conclusion
C1GALT1 is overexpressed in GBM tissues and may promote the proliferation , migration and invasion of GBM cells by inhibiting cellular senescence .
6.Taohong Tongluo granules improve coronary microvascular dysfunction by inhibiting NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway
Ying ZHANG ; Jingjing FA ; Mingzhu WANG ; Xunjie ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Shuyan HUANG ; Ke WU ; Aoli CHEN ; Deyu FU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(10):1363-1370
Objective To investigate the cardiac protective effect of Taohong Tongluo granules on coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD)rats.Methods SD rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated group,CMD group,nicorandil group(5 mg/kg),or Taohong Tongluo granule group(50 mg/kg).Animals were administered corresponding drugs for 7 d according to the grouping,and the CMD model was prepared 2 h after the last administration.The rat CMD model was induced by injecting embolization microspheres(diameter 40-120 μm,approximately 1 000 microspheres)into the left ventricular cavity.Twenty-four hours after modeling,echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS),and end-diastolic volume(EDV).The damaged myocardial area was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Myocardial morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)staining.The protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),and cysteine aspartic acid specific protease(caspase)-1 in rat myocardial tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.Results Echocardiography showed that the EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group,CMD group,and nicorandil group were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group(all P<0.001).The EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group and nicorandil group were significantly higher than those in the CMD group(all P<0.01).However,there were no significant differences in EDV among the groups(all P>0.05).H-E staining showed no abnormalities in the myocardium in the sham-operated group.The CMD group exhibited microsphere embolism in the myocardium,myocardial cell dissolution and rupture,and inflammatory infiltration.The lesions in the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were relatively milder,and the number of thrombi in both groups was lower than that in the CMD group(both P<0.01).The results of TTC staining indicated that the areas of damaged myocardial regions in both the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were smaller than that in the CMD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Moreover,the area in the Taohong Tongluo granule group was smaller than that in the nicorandil group(P<0.05).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that in the CMD model,the expression of ASC and caspase-1 proteins,as well as the number of positive cells for these proteins,was increased and was distributed in myocardial and interstitial cells.The numbers of ASC and caspase-1 positive cells in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were lower than that in the CMD group(both P<0.01).The Western blotting showed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,and caspase-1 proteins in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were all lower than those in the CMD group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Taohong Tongluo granules can improve cardiac function,ameliorate hemodynamic parameters,and reduce myocardial infarction area in rats with CMD induced by microsphere embolism.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of myocardial inflammasome activation,thereby attenuating the myocardial injuries.
7.Levels of serum solute carrier family 7 member 11 and platelet-derived growth factor BB in children with bronchial asthma and their correlations with disease severity
Dan LIU ; Mingzhu YANG ; Jiaorui ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(6):39-44
Objective To analyze the levels of serum solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and platelet-derived growth factor BB(PDGFBB)in children with bronchial asthma and their correlations with disease severity.Methods A total of 80 children with acute asthma were en-rolled in acute asthma group,and divided into severe asthma group(40 cases)and mild asthma group(40 cases)according to severity of the disease.Additionally,80 children with asthma in re-mission during the same period were enrolled in remission group,and 80 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period were enrolled in control group.Enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of serum SLC7A11 and PDGFBB in children from each group.Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between serum levels of SLC7A11 and PDGFBB and lung function indicators[peak expiratory flow(PEF)and forced expiratory volume in one second as percentage of predicted(FEV1%pred)]in asthmatic children.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships ofn ser-um levels of SLC7A11 and PDGFBB with disease severity in asthmatic children.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum SLC7A11 and PDGFBB levels for severe asthma.Results The serum SLC7A11 levels and PEF,FEV1%pred in the acute asthma group were lower than those in the remission group and control group,while the PDGFBB levels were higher than those in the remission group and control group(P<0.05).The serum SLC7A11 levels and PEF,FEV1%pred in the remission group were lower than those in the con-trol group,while the PDGFBB levels were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The ser-um SLC7A11 levels in asthmatic children were positively correlated with PEF and FEV1%pred(P<0.05),while the serum PDGFBB levels were negatively correlated with PEF and FEV1%pred(P<0.05).The serum SLC7A11 levels and PEF,FEV1%pred in the severe asthma group were lower than those in the mild asthma group,while the PDGFBB levels were higher than those in the mild asthma group(P<0.05).High PEF,high FEV1%pred,and high SLC7A11 were independent protective factors for severe asthma(P<0.05),while high PDGFBB was an independent risk factor(P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve for the combined diagnosis of severe asthma using ser-um SLC7A11 and PDGFBB levels was 0.851,significantly larger than the areas under the ROC curves for the individual diagnosis using SLC7A11(0.790)and PDGFBB(0.785)alone(P<0.05).Conclusion Decreased serum SLC7A11 levels and increased serum PDGFBB levels in asthmatic children are closely related to decreased lung function and increased disease severity.The combined detection of these two biomarkers has high diagnostic value for severe asthma.
8.Grey-scale Reversed T1-weighted MRI for Detecting Structural Lesions of the Sacroiliac Joint in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis
Ximeng LI ; Wenjuan LI ; Ke ZHANG ; Chaoran LIU ; Yunfei ZHU ; Yingying ZHAN ; Mingzhu LIANG ; Guobin HONG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(3):412-419
[Objective]To analyze the value of grey-scale reversed T1-weighted(rT1)MRI in the detection of structur-al lesions of the sacroiliac joint(SIJ)in patients with axial spondyloarthritis(ax-SpA).[Methods]Fifty-two ax-SpA pa-tients who underwent both MRI and CT in our hospital within a week from February 2020 to December 2022 were retrospec-tively included.Both sacral and iliac side of each SIJ on oblique coronal images were divided into anterior,middle and pos-terior portion.Two radiologists reviewed independently three groups of MRI including T1-weighted imaging(T1WI),rT1 and T1WI+rT1 images to evaluate the structural lesions like erosions,sclerosis and joint space changes in each of the 6 re-gions of the SIJ.One of the radiologist did the evaluation again one month later.CT images were scored for lesions by a third radiologist and served as the reference standard.Intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC)were calculated to test the inter-and intra-reader agreement for the assessment of SIJ lesions.A Friedman test was performed to compare the lesion results of MRI and CT image findings.We examined the diagnostic performance[accuracy,sensitivity(SE)and specifici-ty]of different groups of MRI in the detection of lesions by using diagnostic test.A McNemar test was used to compare the differences of three groups of MRI findings.[Results]CT showed erosions in 71 joints,sclerosis in 65 and joint space changes in 53.Good inter-and intra-reader agreements were found in three groups of MRI images for the assessment of le-sions,with the best agreement in T1WI+rT1.There were no difference between T1WI+rT1 and CT for the assessment of all lesions,nor between rT1 and CT for the assessment of erosions and joint space changes(P>0.05).T1WI+rT1 yielded better accuracy and SE than T1WI in detection of all lesions(Accuracy erosions:90.3%vs 76.9%;SE erosions:91.6%vs 76.1%;Accu-racy sclerosis:89.4%vs 80.8%;SE sclerosis:84.6%vs 73.9%;Accuracy joint space changes:86.5%vs 73.1%;SE joint space changes:84.9%vs 60.4%;P<0.05).rT1 yielded better accuracy and SE than T1WI in detection of erosions and joint space changes(Accuracy erosions:87.5%vs 76.9%;SE erosions:88.7%vs 76.1%;Accuracy joint space changes:85.6%vs 73.1%;SE joint space changes:83.0%vs 60.4%;P<0.05).[Conclusions]In the detection of SIJ structural lesions in ax-SpA,rT1 improves the diagnostic perfor-mance and T1WI+rT1 is more superior to others.
9.The mechanism of knockdown of E2F1 inhibiting the proliferation and migration of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(12):2127-2134
Objective:
To investigate the effects of knockdown of E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1) in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells on proliferation, migration, and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells, and to explore its possible mechanisms.
Methods:
The expression ofE2F1in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma was detected by RT-PCR, and the background expression ofE2F1gene in HOEC, SCC-9, CAL-27, TSCCa and SCC-25 cells was detected by RT-PCR, and the cell lines with significantly high expression of E2F1 were screened for subsequent experiments. CCK-8, EdU, colony formation, cell scratch, Transwell, apoptosis and cell cycle experiments were used to detect the effects of knockdown ofE2F1on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells after knockdown ofE2F1gene in tongue squamous cell carcinoma candidate cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin and snail family transcription inhibitor 1(Snail) protein and WNT signaling pathway markers WNT family members 3A(WNT3A), β-catenin and cyclin D1(CCND1).
Results:
RT-PCR results showed that the expression ofE2F1in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.001). At the same time, compared with HOEC cells, the expression ofE2F1in SCC-9, CAL-27, TSCCa and SCC-25 cells significantly increased(P<0.05), and the high expression in SCC-25 cells was the most obvious. SCC-25 would be used as an experimental cell line in subsequent experiments. After knocking downE2F1in SCC-25 cells, the viability of CCK-8 cells was significantly inhibited(P<0.001). The number of EdU positive cells decreased significantly(P<0.001). The number of cell clones was significantly reduced(P<0.001). The proportion of total apoptosis significantly increased(P<0.001). The proportion of cells in G1phase increased(P<0.01). The proportion of cells in G2phase decreased(P<0.01). The cell migration and invasion ability were significantly inhibited(P<0.001). Western blot showed that the expression of WNT signaling pathway proteins WNT3A, β-catenin and CCND1 decreased(P<0.001), while the expression of EMT-related proteins N-cadherin and Snail decreased(P<0.001), while the expression of E-cadherin increased(P<0.001).
Conclusion
Knockdown ofE2F1inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma SCC-25 cells, and promotes apoptosis. This anti-tumor effect may be achieved by blocking the activation of WNT signaling pathway.
10.Mechanism of Total Glucosides of Paeony in Attenuating Neurotoxicity of Aqueous Extract of Strychni Semen via GRIN2A/PLCB1/PRKCG Signaling Pathway
Siyu LI ; Kun YANG ; Changyue SONG ; Peiping CHEN ; Xinzhuo ZHANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):56-63
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on neurotoxicity induced by aqueous extract of Strychni Semen (SA) in mice and to explore its mechanism. MethodThirty-two male KM mice were randomly divided into normal group,SA group (19.5 mg·kg-1),TGP group (225 mg·kg-1),and SA+TGP group (SA 19.5 mg·kg-1+TGP 225 mg·kg-1). The open field test and beam walking test were used to observe the behavioral changes in mice. Pathological changes in the Nissl bodies of the cerebral cortex were assessed through Nissl staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),glutamate (Glu) in the mouse brain tissue,and serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcriptome sequencing was employed to analyze gene expression profiles in the brain tissue. Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) underwent gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The mRNA expression levels of key targets were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group,the SA group exhibited significant increases in side-to-side distance and average speed in the open field test,as well as increased walking time on the balance beam. The axons of cortical neurons were absent,and the levels of Glu and MDA in the brain tissue were significantly elevated (P<0.05,P<0.01),along with a notable increase in serum 5-HT levels (P<0.05). In contrast to the SA group,the SA+TGP group significantly reduced the side-to-side distance,average speed,and balance beam walking time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The neuronal axons were clearly visible,and levels of 5-HT,Glu,and MDA were decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Transcriptome analysis indicated that TGP could regulate the glutamate receptor,ionotropic,N-methyl-D-aspartate 2a (GRIN2A)/phospholipase C β1 (PLCB1)/protein kinase C,gamma (PRKCG) signaling pathway. Compared with the normal group,SA significantly decreased the expression of GRIN2A,PLCB1,and PRKCG genes in the mouse brain (P<0.01),while the mRNA levels of GRIN2A and PRKCG significantly increased after TGP administration (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionSA induces significant neurotoxicity in the mouse brain,and TGP significantly alleviates SA-induced neurological damage,potentially through the GRIN2A/PLCB1/PRKCG signaling pathway.


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