1.Research progress in pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of geniposidic acid.
Zi-Wei LI ; Sheng-Lan QI ; Qing-Guang ZHANG ; Ling CHEN ; Jing HU ; Guang-Bo GE ; Feng HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3679-3691
Geniposidic acid(GA), a natural iridoid, exists in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, bark, fruits, and seeds of medicinal plants of Rubiaceae, Eucommiaceae, and Plantaginaceae. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed that GA has multiple pharmacological activities, including organ-protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-osteoporosis, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-cardiovascular effects. GA can enhance cell/organism defenses by upregulating key anti-inflammatory and antioxidant cytokines, while downregulating key node proteins in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as AhR and TLR4/MyD88, thereby exerting pharmacological effects such as organ protection. Pharmacokinetic investigations have suggested that after oral administration, GA can be distributed in multiple organs(kidney, liver, heart, spleen, lung, etc.). In addition, the pharmacokinetic behavior of GA could be significantly altered under disease conditions, as demonstrated by a marked increase in systematic exposure. This article comprehensively summarizes the reported pharmacological activities and mechanisms and systematically analyzes the pharmacokinetic characteristics and key parameters of GA, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis and scientific reference for the precise clinical application of GA-related Chinese patent medicines, as well as for the investigation and development of innovative drugs based on GA.
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Animals
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Iridoid Glucosides/chemistry*
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Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*
2.Proportions of memory T cells and expression of their associated cytokines in lymph nodes of mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis
Yinshi LI ; Duolikun ADILAI ; Bingqing DENG ; Ainiwaer ABIDAN ; Sheng SUN ; Wenying XIAO ; Conghui GE ; Na TANG ; Jing LI ; Hui WANG ; Tao JIANG ; Chuanshan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):136-143
Objective To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on levels of memory T (Tm) cells and their subsets in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of infection, so as to provide new insights into immunotherapy for alveolarechinococcosis. MethodsTwenty-four C57BL/6J mice aged 6 to 9 weeks were randomly divided into the infection group and the control group, of 12 mice in each group. Mice in the infection group were administered with 3 000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces via portal venous injection, while animals in the control group were administered with an equal volume of physiological saline. Three mice from each group were sacrificed 4, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post-infection, and lymph nodes were sampled and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to investigate the histopathological changes of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group. The expression and localization of T lymphocyte surface markers CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in mouse lymph nodes using immunohistochemical staining. In addition, lymphocyte suspensions were prepared from mouse lymph nodes in both groups at different time points post-infection, and the levels of Tm cell subsets and their secreted cytokines were detected using flow cytometry. Results HE staining showed diffuse structural alterations in the subcapsular cortical and paracortical regions of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group 4 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis. Immunohistochemical staining detected CD3, CD4 and CD8 expression in mouse lymph nodes in both groups. Flow cytometry revealed higher proportions of CD4+ Tm cells [(55.3 ± 4.8)% vs. (38.8 ± 6.1)%; t = -4.259, P < 0.05] and CD4+ tissue-resident Tm (Trm) cells [(57.7 ± 3.7)% vs. (34.1 ± 11.2)%; t = -3.990, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks post-infection, and higher proportions of CD4+ Tm cells [(34.6 ± 3.2)% vs. (23.3 ± 7.5)%; t = -2.764, P < 0.05] and CD4+ Trm cells [(44.0 ± 1.9)% vs. (31.2 ± 1.5)%; t = -4.039, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. The proportions of CD8+ Tm cells were higher in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks [(56.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (43.9 ± 5.2)%; t = -4.416, P < 0.01] and 12 weeks post-infection [(25.4 ± 2.7)% vs. (12.0 ± 2.6)%; t = -2.552, P < 0.05], while the proportions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α+ CD4+ T cells [(15.7 ± 5.0)% vs. (49.4 ± 6.4)%; t = 7.150, P < 0.01], TNF-α+CD8+ T cells [(20.7 ± 5.5)% vs. (57.5 ± 8.4)%; t = -6.694, P < 0.01], and TNF-α+ CD8+ Tm cells [7.0% (1.0%) vs. 31.0% (11.0%); Z = -2.236, P < 0.05] were lower in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. Conclusions Tm cells levels are consistently increased in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of E. multilocularis infection, with Trm cells as the predominantly elevated subset. The impaired capacity of CD8+ Tm cells to secrete the effector molecule TNF-α in mouse lymph nodes at the late-stage infection may facilitate chronic parasitism of E. multilocularis.
3.Imaging changes of the intervertebral disc after posterior cervical single door enlarged laminoplasty for cervical spinal stenosis with disc herniation.
Yan-Dong ZHANG ; Xu-Hong XUE ; Sheng ZHAO ; Gui-Xuan GE ; Xiao-Hua ZHANG ; Shi-Xiong WANG ; Ze GAO
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(6):572-580
OBJECTIVE:
To explore prevalence, incidence and possible factors of immediate herniated discs after posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty (EODL).
METHODS:
Totally 29 patients with cervical spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation who underwent EODL from October 2020 to December 2021 were collected, including 24 males and 5 females, aged from 43 to 81 years old with an average of (61.3±9.0) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 120 months with an average of (36.4±37.0) months. Three or more intervertebral discs on C3-C7 were observed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before operation, 3 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. The changes of herniated disc before and after operation were measured by multipoint area method and two-dimensional distance method, and incidence and percentage of herniated disc regression were further calculated. Cervical imaging parameters such as Cobb angle (C3-C7), intervertebral angle, T1 slope (T1S), spinal canal sagittal diameter, K-line angle, dural sac sagittal diameter were measured and compared before and after operation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze correlation between cervical sagittal imaging parameters and disc herniation changes before and after operation.
RESULTS:
All patients obtained grade A wound healing, and 14 of them were followed up for 3(1.00, 5.25) months. There were no immediate or long-term postoperative complications. Totally 101 herniated intervertebral discs were measured, of which 79 regression numbers were obtained by area measurement. The number of intervertebral disc regressions by distance measurement was 77. There was no statistically significant difference in Cobb angle, intervertebral angle, T1S and K-line angle of C3-C7 (P>0.05), however, there were statistically significant differences in sagittal diameter of spinal canal, sagittal diameter of dural sac, and JOA score before and after operation(P<0.05). The regression ratio of disc herniation ranged from 5% to 50%, and regression ratio of disc herniation was greater than 25% in 45.57%(36/79). Disc herniation in C4,5 was positively correlated with sagittal plane diameter in C5(r=0.423, P=0.028). There was a negative correlation between changes of C3,4 and C3,4 intervertebral angle (r=-0.450, P=0.041). The improvement rate of cervical JOA score immediately after operation was (59.54±15.07) %, and postoperative follow-up improved to (76.57±14.66) %.
CONCLUSION
Herniated disc regression immediately after EODL is a common occurrence, and EODL should be selected as far as possible under the premise of satisfying surgical indications. The regression of disc herniation is positively correlated with spinal canal sagittal diameter, and spinal canal should be enlarged as far as possible in the appropriate scope during EODL, so as to create more opportunities and conditions for disc regression and achieve better clinical results.
Humans
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Female
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Male
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Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging*
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Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging*
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Laminoplasty/methods*
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging*
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Adult
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Aged, 80 and over
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Intervertebral Disc/surgery*
4.Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency promotes hepatocarcinogenesis.
Kaifeng WANG ; Zhixian LAN ; Heqi ZHOU ; Rong FAN ; Huiyi CHEN ; Hongyan LIANG ; Qiuhong YOU ; Xieer LIANG ; Ge ZENG ; Rui DENG ; Yu LAN ; Sheng SHEN ; Peng CHEN ; Jinlin HOU ; Pengcheng BU ; Jian SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1383-1396
Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.
5.Application of esophagojejunal anastomosis after self-traction in total laparoscopic gastrectomy
Ai-shan CHEN ; Sheng-guo GAO ; Guo-kan GE ; Yu-hua SHI ; Han-kun HAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(8):596-600
Objective:To investigate the application value of self-pulling latter transection(SPLT)in esophagojeju-nal anastomosis during total laparoscopic total gastrectomy.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2023,80 pa-tients who underwent total laparoscopic total gastrectomy at the Department of General Surgery,Yancheng Third People's Hospital,were selected.Patients were grouped based on the intraoperative esophagojejunal anastomosis method:the SPLT group(35 cases,using SPLT esophagojejunostomy)and the Overlap group(45 cases,using esoph-agojejunal overlapping side-to-side anastomosis).Surgical related indicators,complication incidence,nutritional status,and quality of life assessment were compared between the two groups.Results:The time to first postoperative anal exhaust,the number of lymph nodes dissected,and the postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups(P>0.05).The SPLT group had shorter operation time and esophagojejunal anastomosis time,and less intraopera-tive blood loss compared to the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in the SPLT group was 8.57%,and in the Overlap group was 11.11%,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The nutritional status at 6 months postoperatively in the SPLT group[Hb(116.97±10.94)g/L、ALB(39.74±1.29)g/L、PA(0.30±0.45)g/L]and Overlap group[Hb(119.78±12.84)g/L、ALB(39.64±1.42)g/L、PA(0.30±0.36)g/L]were compared(P>0.05).The quality of life assessment(overall health status,functional domains,symptom domains)at 6 months postoperatively between the SPLT group and the Overlap group was compared(P>0.05).Conclusion:The use of SPLT esophagojeju-nal anastomosis in total laparoscopic total gastrectomy can improve the surgical efficiency,achieve high anastomosis,and its medium and short-term safety is comparable to that of esophagojejunal overlap side-to-side anastomosis.
6.To compare the effects of three surgical methods on anorectal dynamics indexes, pain symptoms and postoperative complications in patients with moderate and severe mixed hemorrhoids
Jun GE ; Sheng XU ; Lingling ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(4):326-331
Objective:To investigate the effects of three surgical methods on anorectal dynamics indexes, pain symptoms and postoperative complications in patients with moderate to severe mixed hemorrhoids.Methods:Eighty patients with moderate to severe mixed hemorrhoids diagnosed and treated in Tongling People′s Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected as the study objects, and they were divided into mucosal resection group (30 cases), sphincterotomy group (30 cases) and mixed hemorrhoidal resection group (20 cases) according to the treatment methods. The basic conditions of operation, anorectal dynamics indexes, pain symptoms and postoperative complications were compared among the three groups.Results:The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, first postoperative defecation time, postoperative bed time and hospital stay in the mucosa resection group were all shorter than those in the sphincterotomy group and the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group:(20.57 ± 5.85) min vs. (24.68 ± 4.66) and (33.86 ± 4.27) min, (4.19 ± 0.54) ml vs. (6.34 ± 0.82) and (9.25 ± 1.39) ml, (1.57 ± 0.12) d vs. (1.95 ± 0.32) and (2.48 ± 0.54) d, (1.43 ± 0.35) d vs. (1.64 ± 0.41) and (1.90 ± 0.44) d, (4.57 ± 0.39) d vs. (5.83 ± 0.47) and (7.64 ± 0.55) d, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The above indexes in the sphincterectomy group were shorter than those in the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The maximum rectal volume threshold (RMTV), rectal perception threshold (RSTV) and maximum rectal systolic blood pressure (MASP) in the resection group were higher than those in the sphincterotomy group: (201.59 ± 40.13) ml vs. (178.45 ± 38.59) ml, (65.54 ± 18.29) ml vs. (54.62 ± 20.39) ml, (126.36 ± 12.29) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (42.23 ± 14.46) mmHg, anal canal resting pressure (RASP) was lower than that in the sphincterotomy group: (32.59 ± 10.25) mmHg vs. (63.50 ± 13.69) mmHg, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The RMTV and RSTV in the sphincterotomy group were higher than those in the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group: (178.45 ± 38.59) ml vs. (135.85 ± 35.68) ml, (54.62 ± 20.39) ml vs. (41.34 ± 20.55) ml, the RASP and MASP were lower than those in the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group :(63.50 ± 13.69) mmHg vs. (73.33 ± 15.69) mmHg, (42.23 ± 14.46) mmHg vs. (128.66 ± 16.33) mmHg, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score in the mucosa resection group were lower than those in the sphincterotomy group and the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group: (1.57 ± 0.25) score vs. (2.57 ± 0.36) and (3.42 ± 0.52) score, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The VAS scores in the sphincterectomy group was lower than that in the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the mucosa resection group was lower than that in the sphincterectomy group: 3.33% (1/30) vs. 20.00% (6/30), and the incidence of postoperative complications in the sphincterectomy group was lower than that in the mixed hemorrhoidectomy group: 20.00% (6/30) vs. 50.00% (10/20), there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 4.04, 4.96, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with partial internal anal sphincterotomy and external stripping and internal ligation of mixed hemorrhoids, partial rectal mucosal resection is more effective in the treatment of Ⅲ~Ⅳ grade mixed hemorrhoids, which can effectively restore anorectal dynamic indexes, reduce postoperative pain and reduce the occurrence of complications.
7.Mitochondrial dysfunction in tendinopathy:possibility of mitochondria-targeting therapy
Shuo YANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Shuo BAI ; Li SHENG ; Liang SHEN ; Qingfeng SUN ; Beiyao GAO ; Ruidong GE ; Shan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(20):4276-4285
BACKGROUND:Various clinical strategies for the treatment of tendinopathy have good short-term effects but poor long-term effects,and some studies have proven that mitochondria are closely related to the occurrence and development of tendinopathy.However,the relationship between mitochondria and tendinopathy and mitochondria-targeting therapeutic strategies for tendinopathy have not been summarized so far,which is not good for specialists and scholars in related fields to understand the recent research situation.OBJECTIVE:To review the existing clinical or preclinical original studies,in order to summarize the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and tendinopathy and the mitochondria-targeting methods for the treatment of tendinopathy,and to provide certain prospects for the evaluation and management of mitochondria in tendinopathy in the future.METHODS:The relevant literatures in PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched.The search time was from January 2009 to March 2024,and the search terms were"tendinopathy,tendon injuries,tendon,tendons,mitochondria,mitochondria dysfunction,mitochondria disease"both in English and Chinese.According to the exclusion and inclusion criteria,62 articles were finally included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In clinical tendinopathy patients or tendinopathy models,mitochondrial dysfunction is common,mainly represented by excessive production of reactive oxygen species,decreased activity of superoxide dismutase,ridge clutter and decreased number of mitochondria,which indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction will occur due to tendon injury,thus further worsening tendinopathy and forming a vicious cycle.(2)When the tendon has not been injured or tendinopathy has not yet occurred,the mitochondrial function will be affected by various internal and external factors,resulting in tendinopathy.This indicates that the normal tendon will be damaged,lesioned or even ruptured due to the abnormal function of the mitochondria.(3)Mechanical tensile stress,advanced glycosylation end products,aging and other internal and external factors are the main causes of mitochondrial dysfunction,and these factors will damage and weaken the biological activity and mechanical properties of normal tendons through molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis,inflammation and respiratory chain damage,and thereby induce tendinopathy.(4)According to molecular mechanisms,mitochondria-targeting therapies mainly include mitochondrial transfer/transplantation,transplantation,targeted antioxidants,etc.(5)This review mainly aims at clinical patients with tendinopathy or animal models with similar modeling methods,providing a reliable idea for clinical exploration of the pathogenesis of tendinopathy and targeted therapies for tendinopathy.However,the disadvantage is that the included studies are mainly animal experiments,and there is a lack of more clinical trials for verification.
8.Effects of scaffolding teaching mode from the perspective of deep learning in basic nursing techniques course
Fangman CHENG ; Han LYU ; Nan SHENG ; Binqian GE ; Ying LIU ; Chunmei ZHANG ; Ping ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(32):4464-4469
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of the scaffolding teaching mode from the perspective of deep learning in basic nursing techniques course.Methods:From September 2023 to June 2024, 324 nursing students at Suzhou Vocational Health College in the 2023 cohort were selected as research subjects using convenience sampling. Three classes were designated as experimental group ( n=167), and three classes were designated as control group ( n=157). Control group received the traditional teaching mode, while experimental group received a scaffolding teaching mode from the perspective of deep learning on the basis of control group. Teaching effectiveness was evaluated using course grades, the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Measure Scale of Autonomous Learning Competencies of Nursing Undergraduates. Results:A total of 324 questionnaires were distributed and 324 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 100.00% (324/324). After teaching, the experimental group's nursing course grades were statistically higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). After teaching, the experimental group's nursing students demonstrated statistically higher total scores and scores across all dimensions on the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale compared to the control group ( P<0.01). After teaching, the experimental group of nursing students scored statistically higher than the control group on the total score of the Measure Scale of Autonomous Learning Competencies of Nursing Undergraduates, as well as on the dimensions of self-management and learning cooperation ability ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:The implementation of the scaffolding teaching mode from the perspective of deep learning for basic nursing techniques course enhances vocational nursing students' academic performance, academic self-efficacy, and autonomous learning competencies.
9.Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of serum in patients with acute pancreatitis
Shengyi ZHU ; Yusheng YU ; Min LIU ; Yingyue SHENG ; Yuhao NIU ; Tielong WU ; Minghua GE ; Zijun FAN ; Yilin REN ; Tianhao LIU ; Yuzheng XUE
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(3):177-181
Objective:To analyze the changes of serum metabolites in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) by non-targeted metabolomics method.Methods:Serum samples and clinical data of 15 AP patients hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from August to September 2024 were collected and included in the AP group, including 9 males and 6 females, aged (55.4±15.3) years. The serum and clinical data of 25 patients with colon polyps in the same hospital during the same period of time were collected, including 15 males and 10 females, aged (61.2±11.5) years, and were included in the control group. Serum metabolomic detection was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem Fourier transform mass spectrometer. The modeling method was orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis was performed on the data matrix to screen the differential metabolites in serum of AP patients. The Kyoto Encyclopedia database of Genes and Genomes was used to annotate differential metabolites, and the pathway of differential metabolite enrichment was analyzed by software.Results:The principal component analysis showed that the contribution ratio of the first principal component was 15.1%, the proportion of the second principal component was 10.8%, and the total proportion of the two was 25.9%. In principal component analysis, two groups of samples can be clearly distinguished and show obvious clustering characteristics. According to the analysis of OPLS-DA model, there were significant differences in serum metabolic profiles between AP group and control group. There were 683 differentially expressed metabolites between the two groups, with 367 differentially expressed metabolites up-regulated compared with the control group and 316 differentially expressed metabolites down-regulated compared with the control group. It is mainly Phosphatidic Acid (Lte4/8: 0) (+ 218%), Omeprazole Sulphone (-38%), and 2-(Propylthio) Nicotinic Acid (2-propyl thionicotinic acid) (-58%), Gein (salicyricetin) (-47%) and so on. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differential metabolites in AP patients were mainly concentrated in citric acid cycle, arginine biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways.Conclusion:Serum metabolites in AP patients change significantly, including citric acid cycle, arginine biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism.
10.CENPI promotes the migration of liver cancer cells and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process by activating the RAS/MEK/ERK signaling axis
Shushu LU ; Wei HUANG ; Sijia GE ; Jing CHEN ; Yu SHENG ; Zhaoxiu LIU ; Cuihua LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(7):674-682
Objective:To detect the expression level and clinical significance of centromere protein I (CENPI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to preliminarily explore the effects of CENPI on the biological behavior of liver cancer cells and its possible molecular mechanisms. Methods:The TCGA database, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining experiments were used to analyze and detect the expression differences of CENPI in liver cancer and adjacent tissues. The correlation between CENPI expression levels and clinical pathological features were analyzed in combination with clinical data from HCC patients. The value of CENPI in the diagnosis and prognosis assessment of HCC was explored by plotting receiver operating characteristic curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of CENPI overexpression on the migration and healing capabilities of liver cancer cells using Transwell and wound healing experiments. Finally, the effects of CENPI on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in liver cancer cells and the potential molecular mechanisms were explored using Western blot. Comparisons between two groups were analyzed using t-tests, and comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The expression of CENPI and its correlation with clinical pathological features were analyzed using the χ2 test. Results:The TCGA database analysis showed that the expression level of CENPI was significantly higher in liver cancer tissues than adjacent tissues, which was further validated by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining experiments. Combined clinical data analysis from HCC patients demonstrated that high expression of CENPI was positively correlated with the degree of tumor malignancy, T stage, and disease prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients with high CENPI expression compared to those with low expression. The results of the receiver operating characteristic curve further indicated that the expression level of CENPI had accurately predicted the prognosis of liver cancer patients (area under the curve=0.962). Transwell and wound healing experiment results indicated that overexpressing CENPI in Hep3B and Huh7 cells significantly increased cell migration numbers and healing rates. Further research results showed that overexpressing CENPI significantly upregulated the expression of mesenchymal cell-related marker genes: N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail protein, while the expression of the epithelial cell-related marker gene E-cadherin was significantly reduced. The mechanistic study revealed that when CENPI was overexpressed, the MEK and ERK phosphorylation levels and the expression of RAS protein were significantly increased compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:The high expression of CENPI in the tissues of HCC patients is associated with poor prognosis, potentially promoting the migration of liver cancer cells and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process by activating the RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway axis, suggesting that the CENPI gene may be a promising target for HCC treatment.

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