1.Mechanism study of SIRT3 alleviating oxidative-stress injury in renal tubular cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating mitochondrial redox balance
Yaojun LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU ; Yunfei SHAN ; Huhai ZHANG ; Pan XIE ; Liying ZOU ; Lingyu RAN ; Huanping LONG ; Lunli XIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Hongwen ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):86-94
Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H2O2 and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H2O2, 110 μmol/L H2O2 and 150 μmol/L H2O2. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H2O2, and siSIRT3+H2O2. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•−) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O2•− did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O2•− level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H2O2 group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H2O2 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Prescription in Treatment of Cathartic Colon and Analysis of Influencing Factors of Disease Severity
Youcheng HE ; Jingyi SHAN ; Fengru JIANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lu HANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Shuyu CAI ; Keyi PAN ; Lifeng WEI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):173-184
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue prescription (YYHP) in the treatment of cathartic colon (CC) and its effects on fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 98 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine for CC with the syndrome of Qi-Yin deficiency complicated by blood stasis were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group. The observation group received YYHP granules, while the control group received lactulose. Both medications were administered twice daily, one sachet each time, half an hour after breakfast and dinner, with a treatment course of 8 weeks. The primary constipation symptom score, Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) score, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment and at the 8th week after the end of treatment. The overall clinical effective rate, as well as the efficacy attenuation index and degree, were evaluated. Fecal SCFA levels were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. ResultsThe overall clinical effective rate in the observation group (95.83%) was higher than that in the control group (78.72%) (P<0.05). After treatment, the total scores for primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). The severity of all primary constipation symptoms was alleviated in both groups (P<0.05). In terms of "excessive straining and difficult defecation", "anal heaviness, incomplete evacuation, and bloating sensation", "abdominal distension", and "defecation frequency", the observation group showed better efficacy than the control group (P<0.05). Scores of the four PAC-QOL dimensions and the scores and severity of primary and secondary TCM symptoms were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). After treatment, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total SCFAs in the observation group increased significantly (P<0.05). The efficacy attenuation index and degree in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Positive correlations of varying degrees were observed among the total scores of primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes, as well as between these scores and the history of stimulant laxative use, disease duration, and age. ConclusionYYHP can effectively alleviate the primary constipation symptoms in CC patients, improve quality of life, and ameliorate TCM syndromes, with good safety. It also has the advantage of a lower rebound degree after drug withdrawal, and its mechanism may be related to increasing fecal SCFA levels. Long-term abuse of stimulant laxatives may aggravate the severity of CC and prolong the disease course.
3.Effect Modification by Total Bilirubin on the Association Between Hypertension and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Zhang XIA ; Xueli CAI ; Yingying YANG ; Shan LI ; Mengxing WANG ; Xuan WANG ; Tiemin WEI ; Yongjun WANG ; Yilong WANG ; Yuesong PAN
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(1):85-96
Background:
and Purpose Bilirubin has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Herein, we investigated whether total bilirubin (TBIL) modifies the association between hypertension and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).
Methods:
Data were obtained from the PolyvasculaR Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and vaScular Events study. TBIL and direct bilirubin (DBIL) levels were assayed using fasting venous blood samples. Indirect bilirubin (IBIL) was calculated by subtracting DBIL from TBIL. TBIL was stratified as ≤17 μmol/L and >17 μmol/L based on the biological relevance of Gilbert’s syndrome. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, self-reported hypertension history, or current use of antihypertensive agents. White matter hyperintensity, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and used to rate CSVD burden according to the criteria proposed by Wardlaw et al. and Rothwell et al.
Results:
This study included 3,061 participants, with a mean age of 61.2±6.7 years and 46.5% males. After adjusting for confounders, hypertension was associated with increased odds of presence of CSVD (Wardlaw: odds ratio [OR]=1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–2.44, P<0.001; Rothwell: OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.43–2.38, P<0.001) and higher modified total CSVD burden (common OR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.45–2.36, P<0.001) in participants with TBIL ≤17 μmol/L but not in TBIL >17 μmol/L (P for interaction <0.05). Johnson–Neyman analyses showed cut-off concentrations of 22.3–22.4 μmol/L for effect modification by TBIL. IBIL contributed to effect modification, whereas DBIL did not.
Conclusions
Mildly elevated TBIL may modify the association between hypertension and CSVD.
4.Research Progress on Artificial Intelligence-Driven Drug-Target Interaction Prediction
Ting PAN ; Wenhao XU ; Guodong SHAN ; Xingchuang ZHANG ; Weijia SUN ; Changwei WANG ; Shibiao XU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):909-923
Drug-target interaction (DTI) is fundamental to novel drug research and development (R &D), playing a critical role in elucidating drug mechanisms of action and improving the cost-effectiveness of drug discovery. Although China has seen rapid accumulation of drug-target resources in recent years, the industry still faces challenges such as a shortage of original targets and excessively high target concentration. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has provided an efficient technological pathway for DTI prediction, establishing it as a core tool for accelerating drug discovery. This paper systematically reviews the fundamental data support framework for DTI prediction tasks, elaborating in detail on three core data types— drug characterization, target characterization, and drug-target associations-as well as the classification and application boundaries of mainstream benchmark datasets tailored to different tasks within the field. On this basis, it comprehensively surveys the technological evolution of AI-driven DTI prediction, summarizing the core paradigms and technical advances of traditional machine learning and deep learning methods in a single-modality setting, alongside cutting-edge multimodal approaches that integrate two modalities (cross-subject/within-subject fusion) and three or more modalities for multidimensional information integration. Finally, this paper analyzes the current major challenges in data quality, model generalizability and interpretability, and real-world deployment, while also discussing future trends in standardized dataset construction, generative AI, and large-scale biomedical foundation models, aiming to provide a reference for both research and industrial applications in the AI-driven DTI prediction field.
5.Distribution and resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid in hospitals across China:results from the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program,2015-2021
Juan MA ; Lixia ZHANG ; Yang YANG ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Wenen LIU ; Yanming LI ; Yi XIE ; Mei KANG ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Shanmei WANG ; Yafei CHU ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Jihong LI ; Bin SHAN ; Yan DU ; Ping JI ; Fengbo ZHANG ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Lianhua WEI ; Fengmei ZOU ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanping ZHENG ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Sufang GUO ; Xuesong XU ; Chao YAN ; Fangfang HU ; Yan JIN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Fang DONG ; Zhiyong LÜ ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Shuping ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Yunjian HU ; Xiaoman AI ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Hong ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yuxing NI ; Jingyong SUN ; Kaizhen WEN ; Yirong ZHANG ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xuefei HU ; Shifu WANG ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Yong ZHAO ; Ping GONG ; Ruizhong WANG ; Hua FANG ; Jilu SHEN ; Jiangshan LIU ; Hongqin GU ; Jiao FENG ; Shunhong XUE ; Bixia YU ; Wen HE ; Lin JIANG ; Longfeng LIAO ; Chunlei YUE ; Wenhui HUANG
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(3):279-289
Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of common pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)in CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods The bacterial strains isolated from CSF were identified in accordance with clinical microbiology practice standards.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby-Bauer method and automated systems per the unified CHINET protocol.Results A total of 14 014 bacterial strains were isolated from CSF samples from 2015 to 2021,including the strains isolated from inpatients(95.3%)and from outpatient and emergency care patients(4.7%).Overall,19.6%of the isolates were from children and 80.4%were from adults.Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 68.0%and 32.0%,respectively.Coagulase negative Staphylococcus accounted for 73.0%of the total Gram-positive bacterial isolates.The prevalence of MRSA was 38.2%in children and 45.6%in adults.The prevalence of MRCNS was 67.6%in adults and 69.5%in children.A small number of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium(2.2%)and linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis(3.1%)were isolated from adult patients.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftriaxone were 52.2%and 76.4%in children,70.5%and 63.5%in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli and K.pneumoniae(CRKP)was 1.3%and 47.7%in children,6.4%and 47.9%in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)was 74.0%and 37.1%in children,81.7%and 39.9%in adults.Conclusions The data derived from antimicrobial resistance surveillance are crucial for clinicians to make evidence-based decisions regarding antibiotic therapy.Attention should be paid to the Gram-negative bacteria,especially CRKP and CRAB in central nervous system(CNS)infections.Ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for optimizing antibiotic use in CNS infections.
6.Changing antibiotic resistance profiles of the bacterial strains isolated from geriatric patients in hospitals across China:data from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program,2015-2021
Xiaoman AI ; Yunjian HU ; Chunyue GE ; Yang YANG ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Ping JI ; Yi XIE ; Mei KANG ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Yuxing NI ; Jingyong SUN ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Bin SHAN ; Yan DU ; Sufang GUO ; Lianhua WEI ; Fengmei ZOU ; Hong ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Wen'en LIU ; Yanming LI ; Yan JIN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Xuesong XU ; Chao YAN ; Shanmei WANG ; Yafei CHU ; Lixia ZHANG ; Juan MA ; Shuping ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Fang DONG ; Zhiyong LÜ ; Fangfang HU ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Jihong LI ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanping ZHENG ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Shifu WANG ; Xuefei HU ; Jilu SHEN ; Wenhui HUANG ; Ruizhong WANG ; Hua FANG ; Bixia YU ; Yong ZHAO ; Ping GONG ; Kaizhen WENG ; Yirong ZHANG ; Jiangshan LIU ; Longfeng LIAO ; Hongqin GU ; Lin JIANG ; Wen HE ; Shunhong XUE ; Jiao FENG ; Chunlei YUE
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(3):290-302
Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates from elderly patients(≥65 years)in major medical institutions across China.Methods Bacterial strains were isolated from elderly patients in 52 hospitals participating in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program during the period from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by disk diffusion method and automated systems according to the same CHINET protocol.The data were interpreted in accordance with the breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2021.Results A total of 514 715 nonduplicate clinical isolates were collected from elderly patients in 52 hospitals from January 1,2015 to December 31,2021.The number of isolates accounted for 34.3%of the total number of clinical isolates from all patients.Overall,21.8%of the 514 715 strains were gram-positive bacteria,and 78.2%were gram-negative bacteria.Majority(90.9%)of the strains were isolated from inpatients.About 42.9%of the strains were isolated from respiratory specimens,and 22.9%were isolated from urine.More than half(60.7%)of the strains were isolated from male patients,and 39.3%isolated from females.About 51.1%of the strains were isolated from patients aged 65-<75 years.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains(MRSA)was 38.8%in 32 190 strains of Staphylococcus aureus.No vancomycin-or linezolid-resistant strains were found.The resistance rate of E.faecalis to most antibiotics was significantly lower than that of Enterococcus faecium,but a few vancomycin-resistant strains(0.2%,1.5%)and linezolid-resistant strains(3.4%,0.3%)were found in E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible S.pneumoniae(PSSP),penicillin-intermediate S.pneumoniae(PISP),and penicillin-resistant S.pneumoniae(PRSP)was 94.3%,4.0%,and 1.7%in nonmeningitis S.pneumoniae isolates.The resistance rates of Klebsiella spp.(Klebsiella pneumoniae 93.2%)to imipenem and meropenem were 20.9%and 22.3%,respectively.Other Enterobacterales species were highly sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics.Only 1.7%-7.8%of other Enterobacterales strains were resistant to carbapenems.The resistance rates of Acinetobacter spp.(Acinetobacter baumannii 90.6%)to imipenem and meropenem were 68.4%and 70.6%respectively,while 28.5%and 24.3%of P.aeruginosa strains were resistant to imipenem and meropenem,respectively.Conclusions The number of clinical isolates from elderly patients is increasing year by year,especially in the 65-<75 age group.Respiratory tract isolates were more prevalent in male elderly patients,and urinary tract isolates were more prevalent in female elderly patients.Klebsiella isolates were increasingly resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents,especially carbapenems.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for accurate empirical antimicrobial therapy in elderly patients.
7.Clinical and endoscopic features of autoimmune gastritis with gastric neoplastic lesions
Shan LEI ; Xiaogang LIU ; Yan PAN ; Caiping GAO ; Liangping LI ; Yao HU ; Pu WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(7):652-659
Objective:Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is characterized by the loss of acid-secreting glands, resulting in hypochlorhydria and hypergastrinemia, conditions that significantly increase the risk of developing gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and gastric adenocarcinoma. In recent years, AIG has garnered increasing attention in both clinical and research settings. However, comprehensive studies on the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of AIG particularly cases complicated by gastric neoplastic lesions remain limited in China. This study aims to comprehensively summarize the clinical and endoscopic features of AIG and its associated gastric neoplastic lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted using medical records from patients with AIG diagnosed at Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital between 2019 and 2024. Data collected included demographic information, medical history, serological test results, imaging findings, and endoscopic observations. The clinical and endoscopic features of AIG patients with gastric NETs or epithelial-derived tumors were compared to those without gastric neoplastic lesions to identify potential risk factors and diagnostic indicators for tumor development in AIG.Results:A total of 72 patients with AIG were included, of whom 62.5% (45/72) were female, with an age range of 30 to 79 years old (mean age: 57±11 years). Parietal cell antibody (PCA) positivity was observed in 93.1% (67/72), intrinsic factor antibody (IFA) positivity in 45.8% (33/72), and Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) co-infection in 48.6% (35/72). Endoscopically, 84.7% (61/72) showed prominent corpus-dominant advanced atrophy; 47.2% (34/72) had sticky adherent mucus; and 41.7% (30/72) displayed residual oxyntic mucosa in the gastric body or fundus. Only 23.6% (17/72) had normal antrum mucosa, and just 16.7% (12/72) showed a circular wrinkle-like pattern. Gastric neoplastic lesions were identified in 35 patients (48.6%), including 15 cases (20.8%) with NETs and 20 cases (27.8%) with epithelial-derived tumors (four adenocarcinomas, three adenomas, and 13 cases of intraepithelial neoplasia). No significant differences were found between tumor and non-tumor groups in terms of age, gender, PCA/IFA positivity, gastrin levels, anemia status, folic acid, or serum iron levels. However, patients with NETs had significantly lower vitamin B 12 levels compared to those without tumors (183±111 ng/L vs. 323±159 ng/L, t=2.47, P=0.042). Additionally, AIG patients with NETs were more likely to be H.pylori-negative compared to both the non-tumor group (66.7% vs. 35.1%, χ2=5.26, P=0.072) and the epithelial-derived tumor group (66.7% vs. 30.0%, χ2=5.80, P=0.055). The incidence of reverse atrophy in the epithelial-derived tumor group was significantly lower than that in the non-tumor group (65.0% vs. 91.9%, χ2=6.49, P=0.011) and the NETs group (65.0% vs. 93.3%, χ2=3.90, P=0.048).? Conclusion:In AIG patients with NETs, serum vitamin B 12 levels are significantly reduced, suggesting that vitamin B 12 deficiency may be a key risk factor or clinical indicator for NET development in AIG. Furthermore, NETs are more frequently observed in AIG patients without H.pylori infection, while epithelial-derived tumors are more commonly associated with H.pylori co-infection.
8.Inhibition of the growth, migration, and angiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by metformin by regulating ALKBH3 expression
Shan LIU ; Yue PAN ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chong LIU ; Xueman LI ; Fei XIONG
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(6):343-352
Objective:To investigate the effects of metformin on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth, migration and angiogenesis by regulating the expression of ALKBH3.Methods:Human esophageal cancer TE-1 cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mmol/L) of metformin, and they were divided into a blank control group, low- (0.5 mmol/L), medium- (1.0 mmol/L), and high- (2.0 mmol/L) concentration metformin groups, a metformin (2.0 mmol/L) +pcDNA-NC group, and a metformin (2.0 mmol/L) +pcDNA-ALKBH3 group. The cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 method. The cell proliferation ability was detected by the clone formation assay. The cell migration and invasion abilities were examined by the Transwell assay. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The tube formation ability of cells was detected by the angiogenesis assay. A xenograft tumor model was constructed using 4- to 6-week-old male BALB/c thymus-less nude mice, which were divided into a model control group, a metformin group, a metformin+pcDNA-NC group, and a metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group using a random number table method, and with six in each group. And the volume and weight of the tumor were measured. The protein expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, ALKBH3 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were detected by Western blotting. The expression of CD31 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:After treating TE-1 cells with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mmol/L metformin for 48 hours, the cell viability was (100.00±0.00) %, (90.31±5.23) %, (81.25±8.65) %, (63.52±6.80) %, (54.64±5.35) %, and (31.48±4.21) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=98.11, P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in cell viability between 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mmol/L and 0 mmol/L (all P<0.05). The IC 50 of metformin for TE-1 cells was 4.46 mmol/L. The numbers of colony formations of TE-1 cells in the blank control group, low-, medium-, and high-concentration metformin groups, metformin+pcDNA-NC group, and metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group were 153.15±13.55, 134.80±11.62, 116.24±10.43, 93.17±8.85, 89.39±8.46, 110.26±7.21, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=34.28, P<0.001); the numbers of colony formations of TE-1 cells in the metformin groups at different concentrations decreased significantly with the increase in metformin concentration (both P<0.05); compared with the metformin+pcDNA-NC group, the number of colony formations of cells in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group increased ( P<0.05). The numbers of migration of TE-1 cells of 6 groups were 152.13±13.40, 133.85±10.72, 115.28±8.64, 91.16±7.89, 85.39±7.23, 116.85±8.36, the numbers of invasion were 135.22±10.77, 112.07±9.53, 86.30±7.45, 69.53±6.74, 65.81±5.65, 79.80±6.32, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=41.35, P<0.001; F=69.06, P<0.001); the numbers of migrated and invaded cells in the metformin groups at different concentrations decreased significantly with the increase in metformin concentration (all P<0.05); compared with the metformin+pcDNA-NC group, the numbers of migrated and invaded cells in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group increased significantly (both P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of TE-1 cells in 6 groups were (3.22±1.13) %, (13.82±1.90) %, (22.67±2.53) %, (29.18±3.24) %, (26.84±2.75) %, and (16.36±1.63) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=103.66, P<0.001); the apoptosis rates of cells in the metformin groups at different concentrations gradually increased with the increase in metformin concentration (both P<0.05); compared with the metformin+pcDNA-NC group, the apoptosis rate of cells in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group was relatively lower ( P<0.05). The tubular structure of cells in blank control group was intact, and there were different degrees of damage to the tubular structure of cells in the low-, medium-, high- concentration metformin groups, the degree of damage to the tubular structure of cells in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group was reduced. The numbers of cellular tubular structures of TE-1 cells in the 6 groups were 38.35±3.20, 27.15±2.64, 15.92±3.14, 7.39±1.50, 8.61±1.37, and 29.33±4.20, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=113.92, P<0.001); the number of cellular tubular structures in the low-, medium-, and high- concentration metformin groups gradually decreased (both P<0.05); the number of cellular tubular structures in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group was more than that in the metformin+pcDNA-NC group ( P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, ALKBH3, and VEGF-A in TE-1 cells among 6 groups ( F=56.36, P<0.001; F=57.26, P<0.001; F=159.30, P<0.001; F=132.89, P<0.001); compared with the blank control group, the protein expressions of Bcl-2, ALKBH3, and VEGF-A in the metformin groups at different concentrations decreased, while the protein expression of Bax increased (all P<0.05); compared with the metformin+pcDNA-NC group, the protein expressions of Bcl-2, ALKBH3, and VEGF-A in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group increased, and the expression level of Bax decreased (all P<0.05). The weights of tumors in the model control group, metformin group, metformin+pcDNA-NC group, and metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group were (1.16±0.12), (0.46±0.05), (0.50±0.06), (1.19±0.14) g, the volumes of tumors were (878.36±108.93), (413.59±50.23), (439.78±51.39), (793.75±96.98) mm 3, with statistically significant differences ( F=96.61, P<0.001; F=51.90, P<0.001); the weight of tumors were lower and the volume of tumors were smaller in the metformin group than those in the model control group (both P<0.05), the weight of tumors were higher and the volume of tumors were bigger in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group than those in the metformin group and the metformin+pcDNA-NC group (all P<0.05). CD31 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of tumor cells. There were statistically significant differences in the positive rates of CD31 and the protein expression levels of VEGF-A in transplanted tumor tissues among 4 groups ( F=7.12, P=0.002; F=48.81, P<0.001); the positive rate of CD31 and the protein expression level of VEGF-A in the metformin group were lower than those in the model control group; the positive rate of CD31 and the protein expression level of VEGF-A in the metformin+pcDNA-ALKBH3 group were higher than those in the metformin group and the metformin+pcDNA-NC group (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:Metformin may inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tumor angiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by reducing ALKBH3 expression.
9.Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial.
Si-Yi ZHENG ; Xiao-Ying WANG ; Li-Nan LIN ; Shan LIU ; Xiao-Xiao HUANG ; Yi-Yue LIU ; Xiao-Shuai YU ; Wei PAN ; Jian-Qiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(2):145-151
BACKGROUND:
There is a gap in understanding the effects of different acupoints and treatment methods (acupuncture and moxibustion) on microcirculatory changes in the lumbar region.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to assess the thermal effects of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40), with acupuncture at Chize (LU5) and moxibustion at both acupoints as control interventions.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:
In this randomized controlled trial, 140 healthy participants were equally divided into four groups: acupuncture at BL40 (Acu-BL40), acupuncture at LU5 (Acu-LU5), moxibustion at BL40 (Mox-BL40) and moxibustion at LU5 (Mox-LU5). Participants underwent a 30-minute session of their assigned treatment. Infrared thermal imaging was used to collect temperature data on the areas of interest for analysis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The primary measure was the change in average temperature of the observed area after the intervention. The secondary measures included periodic temperature changes every 5 min and the temperature changes of the Governor Vessel and Bladder Meridian in the observed area after the intervention.
RESULTS:
Significant interactions were observed between treatments and acupoints affecting temperature (P < 0.001). The Acu-BL40 group showed a notably higher increase in mean temperature after 30 min compared to the Acu-LU5 and Mox-BL40 groups, with increases of 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.17 to 0.41) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.08 to 0.41) °C, respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture at BL40 acupoint can significantly increase the mean temperature in the observed area, highlighting the specific thermal effect of acupuncture compared to moxibustion in the lumbar area. This suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture at BL40 for managing lumbar conditions.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05665426). Please cite this article as: Zheng SY, Wang XY, Lin LN, Liu S, Huang XX, Liu YY, Yu XS, Pan W, Fang JQ, Liang Y. Lumbar temperature change after acupuncture or moxibustion at Weizhong (BL40) or Chize (LU5) in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 145-151.
Adult
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Young Adult
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Body Temperature
;
Healthy Volunteers
;
Lumbosacral Region/physiology*
;
Moxibustion
;
Adolescent
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