1.Modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction Alleviates Gastric Precancerous Conditions in Mice by Regulating Mitochondrial Function via FoxO3/ROS Signaling Pathway
Yueqiang WEN ; Li ZHOU ; Dan LUO ; Maoyuan ZHAO ; Jun HAN ; Xueyi LI ; Jianguo LI ; Zhelin HE ; Tao SHEN ; Jinhao ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):216-225
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Huangqi Jianzhong decoction (HQJZ) on gastric precancerous conditions (GPC). MethodsIn the cell experiment, human gastric mucosal epithelial cells underwent malignant transformation induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) for the modeling of GPC (MC cells). The cells were allocated into four groups: control , model, low-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-L), and high-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-H). The control and model groups were cultured with the complete medium, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups received additional interventions with HQJZ at low (0.5 g·L-1) and high (1.0 g·L-1) doses, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity, Transwell assay to assess cell invasion, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining to detect apoptosis, immunofluorescence assay to analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression and mitochondrial autophagy, and Western blot to verify expression of proteins in key pathways. In the animal experiment, the GPC model was established in healthy BALB/c mice through MNNG induction. Twenty-four mice were allocated into four groups: control, model, HQJZ-L, and HQJZ-H. Control and model groups received normal saline (10 mL·kg-1·d-1) orally, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups were administrated with low-dose (6.24 g·kg-1·d-1) and high-dose (12.48 g·kg-1·d-1) HQJZ, respectively. After treatment, hematoxylin‑eosin (HE) staining and AB-PAS staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the gastric tissue. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) levels in the gastric mucosa, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining to assess apoptosis rates, and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze the expression levels of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and foxhead box O3 (FoxO3). ResultsCell viability assays showed that HQJZ dose-dependently reduced MC cell viability compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Transwell assays revealed that the model group exhibited enhanced cell invasion compared with the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment attenuated the cell invasion (P<0.05). Gastric mucosal pathology in mice demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated HE and AB-PAS pathological scores (P<0.05), while HQJZ treatment reduced these scores (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed increased mitochondrial number and volume in the model group compared with the control group. HQJZ treatment resulted in abnormal mitochondrial structure and significant alterations in rough endoplasmic reticulum morphology and distribution, presenting as dilated and hollow forms. Mitochondrial and apoptosis assessments indicated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited enhanced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red CMXRos fluorescence, ROS immunofluorescence, or malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased GSH level (P<0.05), enhanced LC3 fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in apoptosis rate, and elevated ATP content in cells and mouse serum (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment reduced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), increased DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red fluorescence, MDA level, LC3 fluorescence, and apoptosis rate (P<0.05), and decreased cellular ATP content (P<0.05). The HQJZ-L group showed no significant change in ROS immunofluorescence or GSH level, whereas the HQJZ-H group demonstrated enhanced ROS immunofluorescence and glutathione (GSH) level (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and elevated protein levels of FoxO3, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) (P<0.05). HQJZ treatment reduced the numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and lowered the protein levels of FoxO3, SIRT1, and Bcl-6 (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ alleviates the progression of gastric precancerous lesions by regulating mitochondrial function via the FoxO3/ROS pathway and promoting apoptosis of GPC-malignant cells.
2.From Bedside to Molecular Diagnosis-Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Rare Case of Autoinflammatory Disease Presenting with Skin Induration and Limb Weakness
Hanhui FU ; Wenjun WANG ; Yaping LIU ; Hui YOU ; Tao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Xuejun ZENG ; Liying CUI ; Huijuan ZHU ; Xiuli ZHAO ; Min SHEN ; Yicheng ZHU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):207-213
This article reports a rare case of autoinflammatory disease presenting initially with skin induration and swelling after trauma as the initial manifestation, followed by progressive limb weakness. The patient was a middle-aged female who developed skin induration and swelling after trauma, which gradually progressed to limb weakness, dysarthria and bilateral facial paralysis, accompanied by livedo reticularis of the lower extremities, diffuse skin induration of the limbs, and beaded subcutaneous nodules in the right upper limb. The patient had a susceptibility to infection since childhood and a history of chronic livedo reticularis. Skin pathological examination revealed panniculitis. A comprehensive etiological screening for special infections and autoimmune diseases was completed with an unremarkable results, and whole-exome sequencing showed no abnormal findings. Following a multidisciplinary discussion combined with RNA sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease, with a suspected type Ⅰ interferonopathy. Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in gradual improvement of clinical symptoms. This case highlights the importance of detailed medical history collection, systematic physical examination and multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, and underscores the pivotal role of molecular diagnosis in the confirmation of rare diseases. It can provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and management of similar rare cases.
3.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
4.Effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Prescription on sPD-L1 in Peripheral Blood of Patients Treated with EGFR-TKIs and Prognosis Analysis
Liping SHEN ; Yuqing CAI ; Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):219-226
ObjectiveTo observe the prognosis effect of soluble programmed death ligand-1(sPD-L1) in treating patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs) and the influence of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription. MethodA prospective cohort-controlled study was conducted to enroll patients treated with EGFR-TKIs in the first line of treatment,who were admitted to the Oncology Department of Longhua Hospital and Shanghai Chest Hospital from May 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2023, and they were evaluated as non-progressive and identified with deficiency of Qi and Yin after one month of treatment. The patients were divided into an exposed group (EGFR-TKIs combined with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription) and a non-exposed group (EGFR-TKIs alone)according to whether or not they were treated with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription and were treated until disease progression, or death and intolerable adverse reactions occurred. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the level of sPD-L1 in patients at the time of enrollment and disease progression,and Cox risk proportionality model was used to analyze the independent prognostic factors affecting disease progression of patients treated with EGFR-TKIs. ResultA total of 90 patients (39 in the exposed group and 51 in the non-exposed group) undergoing disease progression after EGFR-TKI treatment were enrolled. At the time of enrolment and after disease progression,the levels of serum sPD-L1 in the 90 patients were 12.06 (27.54) ng·L-1 and 41.99 (62.93) ng·L-1,respectively. Compared with that at the time of enrollment, the serum sPD-L1 level in the 90 patients was significantly increased after disease progression (P<0.01). The serum sPD-L1 level in patients in the exposed group was 12.27 (24.78) ng·L-1 and 29.57 (61.12)ng·L-1 respectively at the time of enrolment and after disease progression. In the non-exposed group, patients had serum sPD-L1 levels of 11.81 (28.46) ng·L-1 and 49.54 (74.12) ng·L-1 respectively at the time of enrolment and after disease progression. Compared with that at the time of enrollment, the serum sPD-L1 level in the two groups of patients was significantly increased after disease progression (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the non-exposed group, the sPD-L1 level in the exposed group was greatly reduced after disease progression(P<0.01). Cox multifactorial analysis showed that sPD-L1 level and age at the time of enrolment were associated with patients' progression-free survival(PFS),and that low levels of sPD-L1 (<12.06 ng·L-1) prolonged the PFS and reduced the risk of disease progression in patients treated with EGFR-TKIs compared with high levels of sPD-L1. ConclusionElevated sPD-L1 level is a poor prognostic factor for the long-term efficacy of EGFR-TKIs,and treatment with Yiqi Yangiin Jiedu prescription can down-regulate sPD-L1 level of patients treated with EGFR-TKIs.
5.Trend in burden of rheumatoid arthritis in China from 1990 to 2021
WEN Jiaxin ; JIANG Junpeng ; FENG Min ; SHEN Xiaochen ; LI Xiaoyin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):26-30
Objective:
To analyze the trend in burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China from 1990 to 2021, so as to provide insights into reducing the RA burden in China.
Methods:
Data of Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were collected, and the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of RA in China from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed and compared with global and different Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions. The trend in burden of RA was analyzed using average annual percent change (AAPC).
Results:
The crude incidence rates of RA in China increased from 10.87/105 in 1990 to 17.38/105 in 2021, the crude mortality rates increased from 0.41/105 to 0.72/105, and the crude DALY rates increased from 34.26/105 to 58.61/105, with the increases of 59.98%, 77.95% and 71.06%, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the standardized incidence rates of RA in China showed an increasing trend (AAPC=0.545%, P<0.05), the standardized mortality rates showed a decreasing trend (AAPC=-0.783%, P<0.05), and the standardized DALY rates showed no significant trend (AAPC=-0.017%, P>0.05). In 2021, the standardized incidence rate, standardized mortality rate and standardized DALY rate of RA were higher in females than in males; from 1990 to 2021, the standardized DALY rates of RA showed a decreasing trend in females (AAPC=-0.200%, P<0.05) and an increasing trend in males (AAPC=0.316%, P<0.05). The crude incidence rates of RA first increased and then decreased with age in 2021, reaching the highest in the age group of 75-<80 years at 34.36/105. Both the crude mortality rates and the crude DALY rates increased with age, reaching the highest in the age group of 95 years and older at 26.72/105 and 285.67/105, respectively. The standardized incidence rates and standardized DALY rates of RA in China in 2021 were lower than those in high SDI regions, while the standardized mortality rate was lower than that in medium-low SDI regions.
Conclusions
The burden of RA in China from 1990 to 2021 showed an upward trend, and was at a high level compared to different SDI regions. Higher disease burden of RA was seen in females and the elderly.
6.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.
7.Optimal regimen screening of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
Yuqiang SONG ; Yuanbo FU ; Sanfeng SUN ; Yali WEN ; Yinxia LIU ; Jie SUN ; Xin DU ; Xueting ZHANG ; Linbo SHEN ; Baijie LI ; Han YU ; Qingdai LI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(2):242-248
OBJECTIVE:
To screen the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), so as to provide the evidences for clinical decision-making.
METHODS:
From 7 databases in Chinese and English i.e. the Full-Text Database of China Journal Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) and Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial (RCT) articals of OSAHS treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the modified Jadad scale, the evaluation index was established and the optimal regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS was screened by multi-index decision analysis.
RESULTS:
A total of 10 RCTs were included, and the filiform needling therapy was optimal in treatment of OSAHS. The acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan (CV12), and bilateral Kongzui (LU6), Pishu (BL20), Fenglong (ST40), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9) and Zhaohai (KI6). Zusanli (ST36) received the reinforcing method, Pishu (BL20) and Fenglong (ST40) were stimulated with the reducing technique, and the rest acupoints with the uniform reinforcing-reducing. Each acupoint was manually manipulated once every 10 min during the needle retention for 30 min. Acupuncture was delivered once a day, 5 times a week and for consecutive 4 weeks. Among the included literature, the severity of disease was not reported in detail, the filiform needling was the dominant intervention, the local acupoints such as Lianquan (CV23) and Panglianquan (Extra) were mainly selected. The apnea-hypopnea index and the minimum oxygen saturation were taken as the evaluation indexes, and the effect was evaluated in reference to the generally accepted standards. The attention to safety evaluation was insufficient, the report on methodology was not adequate and the quality was low.
CONCLUSION
Filiform needling is the dominant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for OSAHS, and the local acupoints are considered specially. But the quality of clinical research should be improved.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
8.Therapeutic role of miR-26a on cardiorenal injury in a mice model of angiotensin-II induced chronic kidney disease through inhibition of LIMS1/ILK pathway.
Weijie NI ; Yajie ZHAO ; Jinxin SHEN ; Qing YIN ; Yao WANG ; Zuolin LI ; Taotao TANG ; Yi WEN ; Yilin ZHANG ; Wei JIANG ; Liangyunzi JIANG ; Jinxuan WEI ; Weihua GAN ; Aiqing ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Bin WANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):193-204
BACKGROUND:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD.
METHODS:
We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Angiotensin II/toxicity*
;
Mice
;
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/genetics*
;
LIM Domain Proteins/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Cell Line
;
Humans
9.Disulfiram alleviates cardiac hypertrophic injury by inhibiting TAK1-mediated PANoptosis.
Wei-Dong LI ; Xuan-Yang SHEN ; Xiao-Lu JIANG ; Hong-Fu WEN ; Yuan SHEN ; Mei-Qi ZHANG ; Wen-Tao TAN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):222-230
The study aims to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of disulfiram (DSF) on cardiac hypertrophic injury, focusing on the role of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-mediated pan-apoptosis (PANoptosis). H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 µmol/L) to establish an in vitro model of myocardial hypertrophy. DSF (40 µmol/L) was used to treat cardiomyocyte hypertrophic injury models, either along or in combination with the TAK1 inhibitor, 5z-7-oxozeaenol (5z-7, 0.1 µmol/L). We assessed cell damage using propidium iodide (PI) staining, measured cell viability with CCK8 assay, quantified inflammatory factor levels in cell culture media via ELISA, detected TAK1 and RIPK1 binding rates using immunoprecipitation, and analyzed the protein expression levels of key proteins in the TAK1-mediated PANoptosis pathway using Western blot. In addition, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was measured with Phalloidin staining. The results showed that Ang II significantly reduced the cellular viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and the binding rate of TAK1 and RIPK1, significantly increased the surface area of H9C2 cardiomyocytes, PI staining positive rate, levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] in cell culture media and p-TAK1/TAK1 ratio, and significantly up-regulated key proteins in the PANoptosis pathway [pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 (p20), and GSDMD-N (p30), apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 (p17), Caspase-7 (p20), and Caspase-8 (p18), as well as necroptosis-related proteins p-MLKL, RIPK1, and RIPK3]. DSF significantly reversed the above changes induced by Ang II. Both 5z-7 and exogenous IL-1β weakened these cardioprotective effects of DSF. These results suggest that DSF may alleviate cardiac hypertrophic injury by inhibiting TAK1-mediated PANoptosis.
Animals
;
MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/physiology*
;
Rats
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology*
;
Disulfiram/pharmacology*
;
Cardiomegaly
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Line
;
Angiotensin II
;
Necroptosis/drug effects*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Lactones
;
Resorcinols
;
Zearalenone/administration & dosage*
10.Research progress on transcription factors and regulatory proteins of Salvia miltiorrhiza.
Wen XU ; Mei TIAN ; Ye SHEN ; Juan GUO ; Bao-Long JIN ; Guang-Hong CUI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):58-70
Salvia miltiorrhiza is a perennial herb of the genus Salvia(Lamiaceae). As one of the earliest medicinal plants to undergo molecular biology research, it has gradually become a model plant for molecular biology of medicinal plants. With the gradual analysis of the genome of S. miltiorrhiza and the biosynthetic pathways of its main active components tanshinone and salvianolic acids, the transcriptional regulation mediated by transcription factors and related regulatory proteins has gradually become a new research focus. Due to the lack of scientific and unified naming of transcription factors and different research indexes in different literature, this paper systematically sorted out the transcription factors in different literature with the genomes of DSS3 from selfing for three generations and bh2-7 from selfing for six generations as reference. In total, 73 transcription factors and related regulatory proteins belonging to 13 gene families were identified. The effects of overexpression or gene silencing experiments on tanshinone and salvianolic acids were also analyzed. This study unified the identified transcription factors, which laid a foundation for further constructing the regulatory networks of secondary metabolites and insect or stress resistance and improving the quality of medicinal materials by using global transcriptional regulation engineering.
Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Abietanes/metabolism*


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