1.Effects of laminarin on non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in C57BL/6 mice based on transcriptomics analysis
Lei Zhang ; Sumei Zhang ; Zhen Yang ; Weikang Hu ; Hongmei Bai ; Wenjing Zhou ; Zihan Wang ; Mingcong Li ; Shengquan Zhang ; Rongfeng Liao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):392-398
Objective :
To investigate the effect of laminarin(LAM) on nonproliferative diabetes retinopathy by high throughput sequencing(RNA-seq).
Methods :
The diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ), and the effect of LAM on diabetic mice was observed.C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: Control group, Model group, and LAM group, with 8 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of modeling, the LAM group received a 4-week intraperitoneal injection of LAM treatment. Changes in blood glucose and body weight of the three groups of mice were recorded, HE staining was performed to examine retinal lesions, and RNA-seq was used to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) under the action of STZ and LAM.
Results :
STZ successfully established the model of DR, and LAM reduced the blood sugar in diabetic mice to a certain extent and improved the pathological morphology of retinal structural looseness in diabetic mice. After RNA-seq analysis of DEGs, it was found that there were a total of 214 DEGs in the retina of the Model group mice compared to the Control group. Enrichment analysis revealed that DR could exacerbate the lesions through the PI3K Akt signaling pathway. There were a total of 42 DEGs in the retina of the Model group and LAM group mice, and enrichment showed that LAM improved the lesions through the neutrophil extracellular trap pathway. Early growth response factor 1(Egr1), FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene(Fos), nuclear receptor subfamily 4A member 1(Nr4a1), and salt-induced kinase 1(Sik1) were regulated by STZ, and LAM significantly regulated their expression, which might be closely related to LAM′s treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusion
DEGs can exacerbate the severity of diabetic retinopathyviathe PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. LAM can mitigate diabetic retinopathyviathe neutrophil extracellular trap pathway. Egr1, Fos, Nr4a1, and Sik1 are key genes involved in LAM treatment of STZ-induced DR.
2.Role of the PTTG3P/miR-146a-3p/PTTG1 pathway in castration-resistant progression of prostate cancer
Shengquan HUANG ; Min JIA ; Chun ZHOU ; Yi ZHI ; Weibing LI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(11):2544-2551
Objective To investigate the role of the pituitary tumor-transforming gene 3(PTTG3P)/microRNA-146a-3p(miR-146a-3p)/pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1(PTTG1)pathway in the castration-resistant transformation of prostate cancer(PCa).Methods Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to detect the differences in PTTG3P mRNA expression between androgen-dependent PCa cells LNCaP and cas-tration-resistant PCa(CRPC)cells PC3 and DU145,as well as between primary PCa tissues and CRPC tis-sues.PTTG3P overexpression vectors and PTTG1 interference vectors(shPTTG1)were constructed and transfected into LNCaP cells.The cells were divided into the LNCaP group(control),LNCaP/PTTG3P group(transfected with PTTG3P overexpression vector),and LNCaP/PTTG3P/shPTTG group(transfected with PTTG3P overexpression vector and shPTTG).Under castrated conditions,qPCR was used to detect the ex-pression levels of PTTG3P mRNA and miR-146a-3p in each group of LNCaP cells.Cell viability assays in vitro were conducted to assess the growth status of each group of LNCaP cells,colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the tumorigenic ability of each group of LNCaP cells,and Western blotting was used to detect PTTG1 protein expression levels in each group of LNCaP cells.To investigate the role of miR-146a-3p in the PTTG3P/PTTG1 pathway,LNCaP cells were transfected with a miR-146a-3p mimic to establish a miR-146a-3p mimic cell line,and then transfected with the PTTG3P overexpression plasmid to create a miR-146a-3p mimic+PTTG3P cell line.A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the relationship between miR-146a-3p and PTTG1.Results Compared with androgen-dependent PCa cells LNCaP and treatment-naive PCa tissues,PTTG3P mRNA expression was higher in CRPC cells PC3,DU145,and tissues(P<0.05).Un-der castration conditions,the cell viability and colony formation ability of the LNCaP/PTTG3P group were higher than those of the LNCaP group(P<0.05);cell viability and colony formation ability in the LNCaP/PTTG3P/shPTTG group were lower than those in the LNCaP/PTTG3P group(P<0.05);miR-146a-3p ex-pression was lower in CRPC than in treatment-naive PCa tissues(P<0.05).Overexpression of miR-146a-3p inhibited PTTG1 expression in LNCaP cells,and overexpression of PTTG3P reversed this effect(P<0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of PTTG3P promotes the progression of PCa to CRPC through the miR-146a-3p/PTTG1 pathway.The mechanism may involve PTTG3P competitively binding to miR-146a-3p,thereby upreg-ulating PTTG1 expression.
3.Endoplasmic reticulum stress involved in high-fat induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Weikang Hu ; Wenjing Zhou ; Jun Zhang ; Zhen Yang ; Hongmei Bai ; Zihan Wang ; Yinliang Qi ; Shengquan Zhang ; Sumei Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):1086-1090
Objective :
To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the occurrence and development of fatty liver induced by high fat.
Methods :
In the high-fat Drosophila model, the high-fat group was fed with high-fat medium, while the control group was fed with normal medium; in the mouse fatty liver model, the high-fat group was fed with high-fat diet, and the control group was fed with normal diet; in the HepG2 cell steatosis model, the high-fat group was induced by palmitic acid(PA), and the control group was cultured with DMEM. The fat body size of the third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster was photographed. Steatosis in mice liver and HepG2 cells was observed by H&E and Oil Red staining. The expression levels of ATF6, Bip and CHOP in the third instar larvae, liver tissues of mice and HepG2 cells were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) and Western blot.
Results :
In Drosophila model, fat body and fat storage were obviously increased in high fat fed flies when compared with control group. The formation of liver fat droplets and cells vacuolation were confirmed by H&E and Oil Red staining in mice livers fed with high fat and HepG2 cells with palmitic acid treatment. The expression levels of ATF6, Bip and CHOP were significantly increased in third instar larvae and mice livers fed with high fat and palmitic acid treated HepG2 cells with palmitic acid treatment.
Conclusion
High fat may induce the occurrence and development of hepatic steatosis by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.
4.Effects of LSS function deficiency on intestinal function in NAFLD model mice
Hongmei Bai ; Zhen Yang ; Weikang Hu ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Mingcong Li ; Li Liu ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Sumei Zhang ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1653-1660
Objective:
To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet.
Methods:
LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / -) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system.After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months,the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining,the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining.The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits.The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste.The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining,and the expression of LSS,tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1,Claudin-5,cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ,and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group.The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 01) ,but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues.The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes.The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P<0. 05) .The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P <0. 05 ) ,while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 05) .
Conclusion
In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet,LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5.
5.Clinical Effect of Shugan Hewei Prescription Combined with Vonoprazan on Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Due to Qi Depression and Phlegm Obstruction
Mei QI ; Yue ZHOU ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Hongwei WANG ; Qinwei ZHENG ; Shengquan FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(24):146-154
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of Shugan Hewei prescription combined with vonoprazan in the treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) due to qi depression and phlegm obstruction. MethodEighty RGERD patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent 24-hour pH impedance and high-resolution esophageal manometry and electronic gastroscopy. The 80 patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (Shugan Hewei prescription, one bag each time, twice a day + vonoprazan, 20 mg each time, once a day) and a control group (vonoprazan, 20 mg each time, once a day) by the random number table method. The treatment in both groups lasted for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy was examined. The scores of TCM symptoms (pharyngeal discomforts such as phlegm obstruction, retrosternal discomfort, and belching), somatic symptoms, quality of life, and improvement of esophageal mucosa under gastroscopy were observed in both groups before treatment and after treatment for 2 and 4 weeks. ResultSeventy-five patients completed the trial were included in this study, including 38 patients in the observation group and 37 patients in the control group. The total response rate in the observation group was 89.47%(34/38), which was higher than that (62.16%,23/37) in the control group (χ2=13.014, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of esophageal mucous membrane, reflux disease symptoms, TCM symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life scale (GERD-HRQL), and somatic self-rating scale (SSS) decreased in both groups(P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in alleviating heartburn, acid reflux, throat discomforts, midnight coughing, nausea and dry vomiting, mucousy mouth, and insomnia in the patients with GERD (P<0.05,P<0.01). However, the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in the improvement of esophageal mucosa after treatment. ConclusionThe combination of Shugan Hewei prescription with vonoprazan was superior to vonoprazan alone in treating RGERD regarding clinical symptoms, physical signs, quality of life, and somatic symptoms, without causing obvious adverse effects.
6.Effect of methylphenidate hydrochloride combined with mentalization-based family therapy on clinical efficacy and social function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Mingxia SUN ; Yineng ZHOU ; Lilan CHEN ; Shengquan WANG ; Jinling ZHAO ; Yueying LIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2022;31(9):840-845
Objective:To observe the effect of methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) combined with mentalization-based family therapy (MBFT) on clinical efficacy and social function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:Sixty-four children with ADHD diagnosed in Wuxi Children's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from June 2019 to May 2021 were selected and divided into observation group ( n=32) and control group ( n=32) according to the random number table.Children in both groups received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, while those in the observation group were given additional MBFT.The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in both groups.The parent symptom questionnaire (PSQ), swanson nolan and pelham-version Ⅳ (SNAP-Ⅳ) parent Al scale, and Weiss impairment functional scale (WFIRS-P) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 statistical software.In particular, the χ2 test was used for counting data and the paired sample t test was used for comparison of measurement data between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:(1) All the PSQ dimension scores of patients in the observation group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the PSQ dimension scores of personality and behavior problems ((1.25±0.15), (0.94±0.18), t=7.484, P<0.001), learning problems ((1.57±0.16), (1.32±0.20), t=5.522, P<0.001), psychosomatic disorders ((0.56±0.11), (0.44±0.13), t=3.986, P<0.001), impulse hyperactivity ((1.76±0.23), (1.54±0.25), t=3.663, P<0.001), anxiety ((0.94±0.12), (0.76±0.11), t=6.255, P<0.001) and hyperactivity index ((1.74±0.19), (1.51±0.16), t=5.238, P<0.001) decreased significantly in the observation group after treatment.(2) Compared with the pre-treatment period, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of attention deficit, impulsivity-hyperactivity and oppositional defiance were significantly lower in both groups after treatment (all P<0.01); and compared with the control group, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of the above three dimensions were significantly lower in the observation group (all P<0.01). (3) All six dimensions (family, learning and school, life skills, self-management, social activities, and risk-taking activities)of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the children in the observation group after treatment compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), and all the six dimensions of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the observation group compared with those in the control group (all P<0.01). Conclusion:Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets combined with MBFT can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and social function of children with ADHD.
7.Gaseous signal molecule SO2 regulates autophagy through PI3K/ AKT pathway inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improves myocardial fibrosis in rats with type II diabetes
Junxiong ZHAO ; Qian WU ; Ting YANG ; Liangui NIE ; Shengquan LIU ; Jia ZHOU ; Jian CHEN ; Zhentao JIANG ; Ting XIAO ; Jun YANG ; Chun CHU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2022;26(6):541-556
Myocardial fibrosis is a key link in the occurrence and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Its etiology is complex, and the effect of drugs is not good.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is an important cause of myocardial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gaseous signal molecule sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) on diabetic myocardial fibrosis and its internal regulatory mechanism. Masson and TUNEL staining, Western-blot, transmission electron microscopy, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry were used in the study, and the interstitial collagen deposition, autophagy, apoptosis, and changes in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways were evaluated from in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results showed that diabetic myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by cardiomyocyte apoptosis and down-regulation of endogenous SO2 -producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)1/2 . However, exogenous SO2 donors could up-regulate AAT1/2 , reduce apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by diabetic rats or high glucose, inhibit phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT protein, up-regulate autophagy, and reduce interstitial collagen deposition. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the gaseous signal molecule SO2 can inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote cytoprotective autophagy and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis to improve myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats. The results of this study are expected to provide new targets and intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
8.Effects of Levetiracetam on Sex Hormone and Thyroid Hormone of Epileptic Children
China Pharmacy 2017;28(35):4970-4974
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of levetiracetam on sex hormone and thyroid hormone of epileptic children and to evaluate its safety. METHODS:A total of 22 newly diagnosed epileptic children were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University(hereinafter refferred as our hospital)during Jul. 2013-Feb. 2015 as observation group. During same peri-od,17 children underwent physical examination in our hospital were selected as control group. Observation group was given Le-vetiracetam tablets with initial dose of 10 mg/kg,increasing by 10 mg/(kg·d) every week or every two weeks [target dose of 30-40 mg/(kg·d)] for 12 months. The levels of sex hormone(follicle stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone,prolactin,proges-terone,testosterone and estradiol)and thyroid hormone(TT3,TT4,FT3,FT4,TSH)were observed before medication in control group and before and 3,6,12 months after medication in observation group. The occurrence of ADR was recorded in observation group. RESULTS:Before medication,there was no statistical significance in the levels of sex hormone or thyroid hormone be-tween 2 groups(P>0.05). Three,six,twelve months after medication,there was no statistical significance in the levels of sex hormone in observation group compared to before medication(P>0.05). Three,six months after medication,there was no statis-tical significance in the levels of thyroid hormone in observation group compared to before medication (P>0.05). Twelve months after medication,there was no statistical significance in the levels of TT3,TT4,FT4 or TSH compared to before medi-cation(P>0.05);the level of FT3 was increased significantly,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Two cases of observation group suffered from ADR (9.1%). Without special treatment,the symptoms all disappeared 1-2 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS:Levetiracetam can be used for pediatric epilepsy and has no significant effects on the level of sex hormone,but increases the lev-el of FT3.
9.Comparative study of severe acute pancreatitis model in rats with three different severity
Lin YUAN ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Xiaosu WANG ; Zhonghua WU ; Jing KONG ; Tingting XU ; Hongwei WANG ; Shengliang ZHU ; Shengquan FANG ; Li ZHOU ; Chunfang LIU ; Xiulian ZHANG ; Yi WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2015;(5):20-23
Objective to provide the evidence for inducing the SAP model in rats with proper concentration of sodium taurocholate.Methods 60 SD rats were divided into sham operated group, group of 1.5% in concentration, group of 3.5% in concentration and group of 5% in concentration randomly, while the SAP model was induced by the sodium taurocholate concentration of 1.5%,3.5% and 5% with the method of retrograde injection into the biliopancreatic duct.To calculate the mortality of different groups, measure the serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor -α(TNF -α) and interleukin -6 (IL -6),and to observe the pancreatic pathological scores of HE staining in rats.Results The mortality in group of 5% in concentration has a significant ascending compared with group of 1.5% in concentration, while the serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor -α(TNF -α) , interleukin -6( IL -6), pathological score of hemorrhage and acinar necrosis in group of 5% in concentration have a significant ascending compared with group of 1.5% in concentration and group of 3.5% in concentration.Conclusions A better SAP model may be induced by sodium taurocholate with the concentration of 5% by the method of retrograde injection into the biliopancreatic duct, which may accord with the physiological and pathological manifestation of SAP.
10.Changes in abilities of invasion and metastasis in surviving human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells after X-ray irradiation and related mechanism
Min GAO ; Junhong ZHANG ; Yunfeng ZHOU ; Fuxiang ZHOU ; Shengquan FANG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2013;(2):163-166
Objective To investigate the changes in the abilities of invasion and metastasis in surviving human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells after X-ray irradiation and the related mechanism.Methods The change in radiosensitivity after X-ray irradiation was determined by colony formation assay.The abilities of invasion and metastasis were evaluated by MTF adhesion assay and Transwell invasion and migration assay in vitro.The mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin,vimentin,tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2,and MMP-9 was measured by real-time RT-PCR using SYBR Green fluorescence and Western blot.Results The colony formation assay showed that the surviving A549 cells after X-ray irradiation were more resistant to irradiation (ratio of D0 values =0.94).Their abilities of adhesion,invasion,and migration were significantly increased by 1.46 times,1.40 times,and 1.45 times,respectively.In addition,the surviving cells showed enlarged intercellular spaces and had many long pseudopodi.Compared with those in the control group,the mRNA expression levels of vimentin,TGF-β1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 of surviving cells were increased by 1.37 times,2.37 times,1.80 times,and 1.50 times,respectively,the protein expression levels of the above substances were increased by 1.60 times,1.80 times,1.10 times,and 1.20 times,respectively,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin were decreased by 59.4% and 74.6%.Conclusions The surviving A549 cells after X-ray irradiation have significantly increased abilities of invasion and metastasis.This may be due to radiationinduced TGF-β1 expression increase that in turn promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and also due to radiation-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression increase.


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