1.Intestinal stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-inhibition improves obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
Yangliu XIA ; Yang ZHANG ; Zhipeng ZHANG ; Nana YAN ; Vorthon SAWASWONG ; Lulu SUN ; Wanwan GUO ; Ping WANG ; Kristopher W KRAUSZ ; Oksana GAVRILOVA ; James M NTAMBI ; Haiping HAO ; Tingting YAN ; Frank J GONZALEZ
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):892-908
Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of de novo lipogenesis and modulates lipid homeostasis. Although numerous SCD1 inhibitors were tested for treating metabolic disorders both in preclinical and clinic studies, the tissue-specific roles of SCD1 in modulating obesity-associated metabolic disorders and determining the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition remain unclear. Here a novel role for intestinal SCD1 in obesity-associated metabolic disorders was uncovered. Intestinal SCD1 was found to be induced during obesity progression both in humans and mice. Intestine-specific, but not liver-specific, SCD1 deficiency reduced obesity and hepatic steatosis. A939572, an SCD1-specific inhibitor, ameliorated obesity and hepatic steatosis dependent on intestinal, but not hepatic, SCD1. Mechanistically, intestinal SCD1 deficiency impeded obesity-induced oxidative stress through its novel function of inducing metallothionein 1 in intestinal epithelial cells. These results suggest that intestinal SCD1 could be a viable target that underlies the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition in the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
2.Mechanism of auraptene in improving acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice.
Renyang OU ; Shan HUANG ; Lihong MA ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Shengshan LIU ; Yuanliang WANG ; Yezi SUN ; Nana XU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU ; Guosheng RAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):590-594
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate whether auraptene (AUR) exerts a protective effect on acute diquat (DQ)-induced liver injury in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
Forty SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group (Control group), DQ poisoning model group (DQ group), AUR treatment group (DQ+AUR group), and AUR control group (AUR group), with 10 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg DQ aqueous solution (0.5 mL); Control group and AUR group received an equal volume of pure water intraperitoneally. Four hours post-modeling, DQ+AUR group and AUR group were administered 0.5 mg/kg AUR aqueous solution (0.2 mL) by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days, while Control group and DQ group received pure water. Blood and liver tissues were collected after anesthesia on day 7. Liver ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected using WST-1, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and enzymatic reaction methods, respectively. Protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues was analyzed by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Transmission electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria in the Control group exhibited mild swelling, uneven distribution of matrix, and a small number of cristae fractures. In the AUR group, mitochondria showed mild swelling, with no obvious disruption of cristae structure. In the DQ group, mitochondria demonstrated marked swelling and increased volume, matrix dissolution, loss and fragmentation of cristae, and extensive vacuolization. In contrast, the DQ+AUR group showed significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, volume increase, matrix dissolution, cristae loss and fragmentation, and vacuolization compared to the DQ group. Compared with the DQ group, the DQ+AUR group exhibited significantly lower serum AST levels (U/L: 173.45±23.60 vs. 255.33±41.51), ALT levels (U/L: 51.77±21.63 vs. 100.70±32.35), and hepatic MDA levels (μmol/g: 12.40±2.76 vs. 19.74±4.10), along with higher hepatic GSH levels (mmol/g: 37.65±14.95 vs. 20.58±8.52) and SOD levels (kU/g: 124.10±33.77 vs. 82.81±22.00), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed upregulated Nrf2 expression (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.87±0.37 vs. 0.53±0.22) and HO-1 expression (HO-1/β-actin: 1.06±0.22 vs. 0.49±0.08), and downregulated Keap1 expression (Keap1/β-actin: 0.82±0.12 vs. 1.52±0.76) and activated caspase-9 expression (activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.16±0.28 vs. 1.71±0.30) in the DQ+AUR group compared to the DQ group (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
AUR attenuates DQ-induced acute liver injury in mice by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Liver/pathology*
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*
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Diquat/poisoning*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Oxidative Stress
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Apoptosis
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Coumarins
3.Ziyuglycoside II suppressed the progression of osteosarcoma by coordinating estrogen-related receptor gamma and p53 signaling pathway.
Hang DU ; Dongjin WU ; Tianyu ZHANG ; Ying ZHONG ; Kaiyi WU ; Xin GUO ; Lisong SHENG ; Nana HUANG ; Chunzheng GAO ; Rong SUN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(3):354-367
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor affecting children and adolescents. Despite ongoing research efforts, the 5-year survival rate has remained stagnant for many years, highlighting the critical need for novel drug development to enhance current treatment protocols. Ziyuglycoside II (ZYG II), a triterpenoid saponin extracted from S. officinalis, has recently demonstrated antitumor properties. This study evaluates the antitumor effect of ZYG II on osteosarcoma and elucidates its mechanism of action through the co-regulation of p53 and estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG), which inhibits disease progression. The research employs in vitro experiments using multiple established osteosarcoma cell lines, as well as in vivo studies utilizing a nude mouse model of orthotopic xenograft osteosarcoma. Additionally, ESRRG shRNA was used to construct stable ESRRG-reducing OS cell lines to investigate the molecular mechanism by which ZYG II exerts its anti-osteosarcoma effects through the co-regulation of ESRRG and p53. Results indicate that ZYG II administration led to decreased OS cell viability and reduced tumor volumes. Furthermore, cell cycles were arrested at the G0/G1 phase, while the proportion of apoptotic cells increased. Expression of p53, ESRRG, p21, Bax, Cleaved Caspase-9, and Cleaved Caspase-3 proteins increased, while expression of CDK4, Cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 proteins decreased. Multiple ZYG II and ESRRG docking patterns were simulated through molecular docking. Comparing the pharmacodynamic response of ZYG II to OS cell lines with reduced ESRRG and normal expression demonstrated that ZYG II inhibits osteosarcoma progression, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes cell apoptosis through the coordination of p53 and ESRRG. In conclusion, ZYG II inhibits osteosarcoma progression, leads to cell cycle arrest, and promotes cell apoptosis through synergistic regulation of p53 and ESRRG.
Osteosarcoma/physiopathology*
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*
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Humans
;
Animals
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Saponins/chemistry*
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Bone Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Receptors, Estrogen/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Female
;
Male
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
4.Prevention and treatment of vasovagal reflex during and after operation in diseases of urinary system
Bo LUO ; Nana XIN ; Ke CAI ; Jinfeng ZHANG ; Xin LIU ; Yuan SUN ; Kai LIU ; Shuai ZHANG ; Yifan WANG
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(10):36-38,51
Objective To explore the prevention and treatment of vasovagal reflex during and after operation in diseases of urinary system.Methods From February 2020 to April 2023,1436 patients who completed inpatient surgery in Department of Urology,Songshan Hospital,Qingdao University Medical College were selected to analyze the emergency management measures of vasovagal reflex during and after operation and summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience.Results Among 1436 patients,vasovagal reflex occurred in 4 cases during operation and 14 cases after operation,with an incidence of 1.25%.Most patients showed simultaneous decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.After intravenous injection of atropine and dopamine,blood pressure and heart rate returned to normal,and various concomitant symptoms disappeared,and no death cases were reported.Conclusion Urological specialists should pay attention to vasovagal reflex,sum up experience,do early identification,timely treatment to ensure the safety of patients.
5.Re-understanding of the mechanism of coagulation disorder in liver cirrhosis
Rongrong SUN ; Na HE ; Fenna ZHANG ; Xinyi ZHANG ; Ziyi WANG ; Hui WANG ; Nana BIAN ; Honglin YAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):616-620
The liver plays an important regulatory role in maintaining the dynamic balance of coagulation and anticoagulation in the body. Such dynamic balance is fragile in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the risk of bleeding can be increased due to reductions in coagulation factors and platelet count and excessive fibrinolysis; meanwhile, thrombus can be formed due to the increases in von Willebrand factor and coagulation factor Ⅷ, the reductions in anticoagulant protein C and anticoagulant protein S, the increase in thrombin-generating potential, and alterations in antifibrinolytic components. This article reviews the mechanisms of coagulation disorder in liver cirrhosis, so as to help clinicians with the prevention and treatment of bleeding or thrombotic disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis.
6.Sulforaphane regulates macrophage glycolysis and inhibits the progression of diabetic nephropathy by modulating the ALOX5/NF-κB signaling pathway
Rina WU ; Haidong DING ; Hong CHANG ; Nana SUN ; Lei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(3):390-397
Objective To investigate the effects of sulforaphane(SFN)in regulating the macrophage glycolysis via the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase(ALOX5)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway on the progression of diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the target genes of SFN in the treatment of DN.Human proximal tubular epithelial cell line(HK-2 cells)was induced with 30 mmol/L high glucose(HG)to create an in vitro model of DN.HK-2 cells were divided into the following groups:normal glucose(NG)group,HG group,HG+SFN(3 mmol/L)group,HG+ALOX5 group,HG+SFN(3 mmol/L)+ALOX5 group,HG-treated macrophages+HK-2 group,HG+SFN(3 mmol/L)treated macrophages s+HK-2 group,HG+ALOX5 transfection treated macrophages+HK-2 group,HG+SFN(3 mmol/L)+ALOX5 transfection treated macrophages+HK-2 group.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability,Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL)method was used to detect cell apoptosis;glucose and lactate levels in the cells were measured using assay kits;Western blot was performed to detect the expression of ALOX5,NF-κB,and glycolysis-related proteins hexokinase-2(HK2),pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2),glucose transporter 1(GLUT1)in each group.Diabetic nephropathy(DN)mouse models were established using streptozotocin(STZ)and treated with SFN(0.5 mg/kg).Various biochemical parameters were measured in the mice,and kidney tissue pathology was examined using H&E staining.Western blot was used to detect the expression of glycolysis-related proteins(HK2,PKM2,GLUT1)in kidney macrophages.Results Bioinformatics analysis revealed ALOX5 as the target gene of SFN in treating DN.Compared to the HG group,SFN treatment enhanced HK-2 cell viability and in-hibited apoptosis(P<0.05);concurrently,SFN treatment suppressed HG-induced macrophage glycolysis-related protein and attenuated macrophage-mediated HK-2 cellular injury(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that SFN inhibited the expression of ALOX5 and NF-κB(P<0.05).The mouse experiment results showed that SFN treatment improved kidney function and pathological changes in the kidney of DN mice,and inhibited the related protein expression of acrophage glycolysis in kidney tissue(P<0.05).Conclusion SFN improves the progression of DN by inhibiting the expression of macrophage glycolysis-related protein through the ALOX5/NF-κB signaling pathway.
7.Atypical memory B cells in children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome
Ting YANG ; Wenjun YUAN ; Nana LI ; Rui SUN ; Yafei ZHUANG ; Jin CHENG ; Fengjun GUAN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(19):2415-2419
Objective To observe the distribution of atypical memory B cells in peripheral blood of children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome(FRNS).Methods A total of 60 children with primary ne-phrotic syndrome(PNS)admitted to the hospital from October 2020 to March 2023 were selected as the re-search objects.According to the response to glucocorticoid(GC),they were divided into non-frequently relap-sing nephrotic syndrome(NFRNS)group(25 cases)and FRNS group(35 cases).A total of 20 age-and gen-der-matched healthy children were enrolled as the control group.The changes of atypical memory B cells in each group before and after GC treatment were compared,and the correlation between the changes and clinical data was analyzed.Results Before GC treatment,The percentages of total B cells(CD19+CD20+),total memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD27+),resting memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21+CD27+)and atypical memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21-CD27-)in FRNS group and NFRNS group were significantly higher than those in control group.And the FRNS group was significantly higher than the NFRNS group(P<0.05).After GC treatment,the percentages of total B cells,total memory B cells,resting memory B cells,acti-vated memory B cells(CD19+CD20+CD21-CD27+)and atypical memory B cells in FRNS group and NFRNS group were lower than those before GC treatment(P<0.05).The FRNS group had a significantly higher pro-portion of atypical memory B cells than the NFRNS group and the control group(P<0.05).Before GC treat-ment,the 24 h urinary protein in FRNS group and NFRNS group were higher than those in control group,and the levels of immunoglobulin G and albumin were lower than those in control group.The 24 h urinary protein in FRNS group was significantly higher than that in NFRNS group(P<0.05).Before GC treatment,there was a positive correlation between 24 h urinary protein and the proportion of atypical memory B cells in FRNS group(P<0.05).Conclusion There is abnormal distribution of atypical memory B cells in peripheral blood of FRNS children.The increase of atypical memory B cells can be used as a marker of recurrence of FRNS af-ter GC treatment.
8.Analytical Study of the Quality Status of National Drug Sampling and Testing in 2022
Jialiang ZHU ; Ting SUN ; Bilian CHEN ; Nana RONG ; Chong WANG ; Zengyao HU
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(10):1706-1710,后插1
Objective To understand and assess the quality status of national drug sampling inspection in 2022 and the possible risks of drug quality.Methods With the aim of identifying issues and preventing risks,a sampling model of"dispersed sampling,centralized inspection,exploratory research,and comprehensive evaluation"was used to review the historical inspection data of national drug sampling.The overall quality and potential risks of national drug sampling in 2022 were analyzed,with a focus on identifying and examining the main quality problems and risks.Results The average pass rate of the sampling inspection in 2022 was 99.4% .The overall safety situation of China's post-marketing drug quality is stable and manageable,indicating that the drug quality is at a high level.Conclusions By carrying out exploratory studies related to drug safety,authenticity,and efficacy,national sampling plays an important role in comprehensively evaluating the quality status of drugs.It aids in improving the quality control level of drug varieties and industry standards,strengthening quality and safety supervision,combating illegal practices such as adulteration and falsification,and providing public warnings about drug safety.
9.Application of Experiential Teaching in Perinatal Healthcare Continuing Education Training
Suhan ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Yi YANG ; Xiaofei LI ; Zhenfeng SUN ; Hang LIN ; Min WANG ; Nana LIU ; Yaxin WANG ; Xu-Anjin YANG ; Li LIU ; Can ZHU ; Jiao LI ; Liangkun MA
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(6):98-103
Purpose/Significance To investigate the effectiveness of experiential teaching in perinatal healthcare management contin-uing education.Method/Process The perinatal healthcare team of Peking Union Medical College Hospital holds a four-day experiential learning program for 30 maternity-related medical staffs from China.Through the self-administered experiential teaching questionnaire(ETQ)and satisfaction questionnaire,the researchers analyze the participants'post-teaching skill acquisition,clinical application abil-ity and educational needs,as well as their satisfaction with course content,course duration,teaching design,classroom atmosphere,and teaching format,which are quantified with Likert scale.Result/Conclusion The experiential teaching mode shows good teaching effects in perinatal healthcare management continuing education,and has higher application value.In the future,the researchers should combine it with theoretical teaching and carry out more comprehensive and structured periodic learning classes throughout the country,so as to im-prove both the theoretical foundation and practical ability of healthcare workers for better healthcare services for pregnant women.
10.Study on anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of Zhuang medicine Tongfeng li’an capsules on gouty arthritis
Xiangpei ZHAO ; Nana DU ; Fengzhen LI ; Jianlong SHU ; Chaoyang LONG ; Xiaosu ZOU ; Zongxi SUN
China Pharmacy 2023;34(7):814-818
OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of Zhuang medicine Tongfeng li’an capsules on gouty arthritis in combination with in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group (27 mg/kg allopurinol+0.27 mg/kg colchicine), Tongfeng li’an capsules low- dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (2.2, 4.5, 9.0 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Except for normal group, gouty arthritis model of rats was induced in other groups. Rats in each administration group were given corresponding drugs intragastrically, and rats in the normal group and model group were given equal volume of water intragastrically for 14 consecutive days. The degree of ankle joint swelling, serum level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in synovial tissue were detected, and the histopathological changes of synovium tissue in the ankle joint of rats were observed. The inflammation model was established by stimulating RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide. After Tongfeng li’an capsules (62.5, 125, 250 μg/mL) were given, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β in the cells and protein expression of NF-κB were detected, and NF-κB localization in the cells was also determined. RESULTS Results of in vivo experiment showed that compared with normal group, the swelling degree of the ankle joint, serum IL-1β level and protein expression of NF-κB in synovium tissue were all increased significantly in model group (P<0.05); pathological changes such as synovial hyperplasia, edema, vascular congestion, capillary hyperplasia, and increased inflammatory cells were observed. Compared with model group, the levels of above indexes were all decreased significantly in Tongfeng li’an capsules high-dose group (P<0.05), and most of the above indexes were significantly reduced in Tongfeng li’an capsules medium-dose and low-dose groups (P<0.05); synovial hyperplasia of the ankle joint improved, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells 2019BS044) decreased. Results of in vitro experiment showed that Tongfeng li’an capsule could significantly reduce the levels of NO, ROS and IL-1β and protein expression of NF-κB(P<0.01), and inhibit NF- κB nucleation. CONCLUSIONS Tongfeng li’ancapsules have good anti-inflammatory effect on gouty arthritis, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway activity.


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