1.The Role of NEAT1 in Bone and Cartilage Metabolism and Bone Diseases
Rui-Ming WEN ; Rui-Qi HUANG ; Yi-Xing CHANG ; Ke XU ; Xue-Jie YI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):930-945
In the process of maintaining the steady state of bone tissue, the transcription network and signal pathway of the body play a vital role. These complex regulatory mechanisms need precise coordination to ensure the balance between bone formation and bone absorption. Once this balance is broken, it may lead to pathological changes of bone and cartilage, and then lead to various bone diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand these regulatory mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. In recent years, with the deepening of research, more and more lncRNA has been found to be closely related to bone health. Among them, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), as an extremely abundant RNA molecule in mammalian nuclei, has attracted extensive attention. NEAT1 is mainly transcribed from a specific site in human chromosome 11 by RNA polymerase II (RNaseP), which can form two different subtypes NEAT1_1 and NEAT1_2. These two subtypes are different in intracellular distribution and function, but they participate in many biological processes together. Studies have shown that NEAT1 plays a specific role in the process of cell growth and stress response. For example, it can regulate the development of osteoblasts (OB), osteoclasts (OC) and chondrocytes by balancing the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), thus maintaining the steady state of bone metabolism. This discovery reveals the important role of NEAT1 in bone development and remodeling. In addition, NEAT1 is closely related to a variety of bone diseases. In patients with bone diseases such as osteoporosis (OP), osteoarthritis (OA) and osteosarcoma (OS), the expression level of NEAT1 is different. These differential expressions may be closely related to the pathogenesis and progression of bone diseases. By regulating the level of NEAT1, it can affect a variety of signal transduction pathways, and then affect the development of bone diseases. For example, some studies show that by regulating the expression level of NEAT1, the activity of osteoclasts can be inhibited, and the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts can be promoted, thus improving the symptoms of osteoporosis. It is worth noting that NEAT1 can also be used as a key sensor for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. When exercising or receiving some natural products, the expression level of NEAT1 will change, thus reflecting the response of bones to external stimuli. This feature makes NEAT1 an important target for studying the prevention and treatment strategies of bone diseases. However, although the role of NEAT1 in bone biology and bone diseases has been initially recognized, its specific mechanism and regulatory relationship are still controversial. For example, the expression level, mode of action and interaction with other molecules of NEAT1 in different bone diseases still need further in-depth study. This paper reviews the role of NEAT1 in maintaining bone and cartilage metabolism, and discusses its expression and function in various bone diseases. By combing the existing research results and controversial points, this paper aims to provide new perspectives and ideas for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases, and provide useful reference and enlightenment for future research.
2.Value of FibroScan, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio, S index, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the diagnosis of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis
Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Huan MU ; Chunyan MOU ; Lixian CHANG ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Hongyan WEI ; Li LIU ; Weikun LI ; Chunyun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):670-676
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of noninvasive imaging detection (FibroScan), two serological models of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) score and S index, and two inflammatory factors of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB), as well as the consistency of liver biopsy in pathological staging, and to provide early warning for early intervention of CHB. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 131 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy in The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming from January 2019 to December 2023. The results of liver biopsy were collected from all patients, and related examinations were performed before liver biopsy, including total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, platelet count, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin, IL-6, TNF-α, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and abdominal ultrasound. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Kappa analysis was used to investigate the consistency between LSM noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy, and the Spearman analysis was used to investigate the correlation between each variable and FibroScan in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage. The Logistic regression analysis was used to construct joint predictive factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of each indicator alone and the joint predictive model in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsIn the consistency check, inflammation degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.807 (P<0.001), and liver fibrosis degree based on liver biopsy had a Kappa value of 0.827 (P<0.001), suggesting that FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and liver biopsy showed good consistency in assessing inflammation degree and liver fibrosis stage. Age was positively correlated with LSM, GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α (all P<0.05), and GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α were positively correlated with LSM (all P<0.05). GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α were all independent risk factors for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis (≥S2) and progressive liver fibrosis (≥S3) (all P<0.05). As for each indicator alone, GPR score had the highest value in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis (≥S2), followed by S index, IL-6, and TNF-α, while S index had the highest value in the diagnosis of progressive liver fibrosis (≥S3), followed by GPR score, TNF-α, and IL-6. The joint model had a higher predictive value than each indicator alone (all P<0.05). ConclusionThere is a good consistency between FibroScan noninvasive histological staging and pathological staging based on liver biopsy. GPR score, S index, IL-6, and TNF-α are independent risk factors for evaluating different degree of liver fibrosis in CHB, and the combined prediction model established by them can better diagnose liver fibrosis.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Diabetic Nephropathy Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway: A Review
Miao XU ; Xiaolei JIA ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; You WANG ; Yuzhuo CHANG ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):90-97
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a renal disorder induced by prolonged hyperglycemia, with major pathological features including persistent albuminuria, progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate, and elevated arterial blood pressure. As one of the most common and severe microvascular complications of diabetes, the pathogenesis of DN is complex and multifactorial. Without timely and effective treatment, DN may eventually progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Currently available therapeutic options are often associated with significant adverse effects and high costs, and a large number of patients still progress to ESRD due to delayed treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective treatment strategies to improve the living standards and enhance the survival and quality of life of patients with DN. Modern studies have demonstrated that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway plays a critical role in oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, autophagy, and glycolysis, and is closely associated with the pathophysiological progression of DN. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved remarkable progress in the prevention and treatment of DN, supported by rich clinical experience and confirmed therapeutic efficacy. With its characteristics of multi-target, multi-component, and multi-pathway actions, along with minimal side effects, TCM can delay the progression of DN and alleviate patient symptoms. Among these mechanisms, the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has gradually become a research hotspot. This paper systematically reviews the role and mechanisms of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the onset and progression of DN based on extensive literature research, summarizes the latest research advances on the precise modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by Chinese medicine monomers, active constituents, Chinese patent medicines, and herbal compound formulas in the treatment of DN, aiming to provide a strong theoretical reference for the development of clinically effective agents for DN prevention and treatment.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Diabetic Nephropathy Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway: A Review
Miao XU ; Xiaolei JIA ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; You WANG ; Yuzhuo CHANG ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):90-97
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a renal disorder induced by prolonged hyperglycemia, with major pathological features including persistent albuminuria, progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate, and elevated arterial blood pressure. As one of the most common and severe microvascular complications of diabetes, the pathogenesis of DN is complex and multifactorial. Without timely and effective treatment, DN may eventually progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Currently available therapeutic options are often associated with significant adverse effects and high costs, and a large number of patients still progress to ESRD due to delayed treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective treatment strategies to improve the living standards and enhance the survival and quality of life of patients with DN. Modern studies have demonstrated that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway plays a critical role in oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, autophagy, and glycolysis, and is closely associated with the pathophysiological progression of DN. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved remarkable progress in the prevention and treatment of DN, supported by rich clinical experience and confirmed therapeutic efficacy. With its characteristics of multi-target, multi-component, and multi-pathway actions, along with minimal side effects, TCM can delay the progression of DN and alleviate patient symptoms. Among these mechanisms, the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has gradually become a research hotspot. This paper systematically reviews the role and mechanisms of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the onset and progression of DN based on extensive literature research, summarizes the latest research advances on the precise modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by Chinese medicine monomers, active constituents, Chinese patent medicines, and herbal compound formulas in the treatment of DN, aiming to provide a strong theoretical reference for the development of clinically effective agents for DN prevention and treatment.
5.Mammalian pluripotent stem cells:effects on creating disease models,pathogenesis,drug discovery and personalized treatment
Wenqiang XU ; Haolin CHEN ; Chang YAN ; Tao XU ; Yabin XIE ; Xueling LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):136-146
BACKGROUND:The self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation of pluripotent stem cells possess the potential to revolutionize people's understanding of biology,medicine,development,and disease.Stem cells play an important role in the early stage of embryonic development,and the study of them could be beneficial to understanding of the basic principles of biological development and tissue or organ formation,exploring the potential mechanisms of various diseases,studying the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues or organs,and promoting drug discovery and personalized treatment. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of pluripotent stem cells,summarize and categorize the fundamental types of pluripotent stem cells,and elucidate the lineage situations of various types of pluripotent stem cells in common mammals. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched systematically,with the keywords"pluripotent stem cells;embryonic stem cells;induced pluripotent stem cells;expanded potential stem cells;livestock pluripotent stem cells"in English and Chinese.The 99 articles related to mammalian pluripotent stem cells were systematically screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and then reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to classical theory in mouse embryonic stem cell research,the pluripotent state of stem cells is divided into two forms:na?ve and primed.Na?ve state corresponds to the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos before attachment to the uterine wall,while primed state corresponds to the epiblast after implantation.These two states exhibit significant differences in epigenetic features,transcriptional activity,external signal dependency,and metabolic phenotype.It is later discovered that there is an intermediate state between na?ve and primed called formative pluripotency.Therefore,the pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells is a continuous developmental process rather than a unique cell state.(2)In addition to obtaining pluripotent stem cells from the inner cell mass,there are various methods and lineages for acquiring pluripotent stem cells,including embryonic germ cells established using primitive germ cells from mouse embryos,induced pluripotent stem cells created by the dedifferentiation of adult mouse and human fibroblasts with four factors—Oct3/4,Sox2,c-Myc,and Klf4;embryonic stem cell-like cell lines cultured from somatic cell nuclear transfer,parthenogenesis,neonatal or adult testicular or ovarian tissue,very small embryonic-like stem cells derived from various adult tissues and expanded pluripotent stem cells derived from pre-implantation stages.These pluripotent stem cells all share the common characteristics of continuous self-renewal,expressing core pluripotency factors and possessing the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers.(3)Currently,pluripotent stem cells are being used for disease modeling to study the mechanisms of various diseases and develop new drugs.Simultaneously,scientists are attempting to use pluripotent stem cells to cultivate various tissues and organs,offering new possibilities for regenerative medicine and transplantation.However,the clinical application of pluripotent stem cells faces safety challenges,including issues of cell mutations and immune rejection.Continual improvement in the methods of generating pluripotent stem cells will make them safer and more efficient for clinical applications.(4)Based on the methods of obtaining and lineage establishment of pluripotent stem cells in mice and humans,various types of pluripotent stem cells have been established in livestock,including embryonic stem cells,induced pluripotent stem cells,germ lineages of pluripotent stem cells,and expanded potential stem cells.Research on livestock pluripotent stem cells opens up new avenues for animal reproduction,breeding,genetic engineering,disease modeling,drug screening,and the conservation of endangered wildlife.
6.Risk factors for concurrent hepatic hydrothorax before intervention in primary liver cancer and construction of a nomogram prediction model
Yuanzhen WANG ; Renhai TIAN ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Danqing XU ; Lixian CHANG ; Chunyun LIU ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):75-83
ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for hepatic hydrothorax (HH) before intervention for primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC), and to construct and assess the nomogram risk prediction model. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 353 hospitalized patients who attended the Third People’s Hospital of Kunming for the first time from October 2012 to October 2021 and there diagnosed with PHC, and according to the presence or absence of HH, they were divided into HH group with 153 patients and non-HH group with 200 patients. General data and the data of initial clinical testing after admission were collected from all PHC patients. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. After the multicollinearity test was performed for the variables with statistical significance determined by the univariate analysis, the multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influencing factors. The “rms” software package was used to construct a nomogram risk prediction model, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the risk prediction model; the “Calibration Curves” software package was used to plot the calibration curve, and the “rmda” software package was used to plot the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve. ResultsAmong the 353 patients with PHC, there were 153 patients with HH, with a prevalence rate of 43.34%. Child-Pugh class B (odds ratio [OR]=2.652, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.050 — 6.698, P=0.039), Child-Pugh class C (OR=7.963, 95%CI: 1.046 — 60.632, P=0.045), total protein (OR=0.947, 95%CI: 0.914 — 0.981, P=0.003), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR=1.007, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.014, P=0.025), and interleukin-2 (OR=0.801, 95%CI: 0.653 — 0.981, P=0.032) were independent influencing factors for HH before PHC intervention, and a nomogram risk prediction model was established based on these factors. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good degree of fitting (χ2=5.006, P=0.757), with an area under the ROC curve of 0.752 (95%CI: 0.701 — 0.803), a sensitivity of 78.40%, and a specificity of 63.50%. The calibration curve showed that the model had good consistency in predicting HH before PHC intervention, and the clinical decision curve and the clinical impact curve showed that the model had good clinical practicability within a certain threshold range. ConclusionChild-Pugh class, total protein, interleukin-2, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independent influencing factors for developing HH before PHC intervention, and the nomogram model established based on these factors can effectively predict the risk of developing HH.
7.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
9.Influencing factors for recompensation in patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis
Danqing XU ; Huan MU ; Yingyuan ZHANG ; Lixian CHANG ; Yuanzhen WANG ; Weikun LI ; Zhijian DONG ; Lihua ZHANG ; Yijing CHENG ; Li LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):269-276
ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors for recompensation in patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis, and to establish a predictive model. MethodsA total of 217 patients who were diagnosed with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis and were admitted to The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming l from January, 2019 to December, 2022 were enrolled, among whom 63 patients who were readmitted within at least 1 year and had no portal hypertension-related complications were enrolled as recompensation group, and 154 patients without recompensation were enrolled as control group. Related clinical data were collected, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the factors that may affect the occurrence of recompensation. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed measurement data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed measurement data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for recompensation in patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive performance of the model. ResultsAmong the 217 patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis, 63 (29.03%) had recompensation. There were significant differences between the recompensation group and the control group in HIV history (χ2=4.566, P=0.034), history of partial splenic embolism (χ2=6.687, P=0.014), Child-Pugh classification (χ2=11.978, P=0.003), grade of ascites (χ2=14.229, P<0.001), albumin (t=4.063, P<0.001), prealbumin (Z=-3.077, P=0.002), high-density lipoprotein (t=2.854, P=0.011), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Z=-2.447, P=0.014), prothrombin time (Z=-2.441, P=0.015), carcinoembryonic antigen (Z=-2.113, P=0.035), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (Z=-2.063, P=0.039), CA125 (Z=-2.270, P=0.023), TT3 (Z=-3.304, P<0.001), TT4 (Z=-2.221, P=0.026), CD45+ (Z=-2.278, P=0.023), interleukin-5 (Z=-2.845, P=0.004), tumor necrosis factor-α (Z=-2.176, P=0.030), and portal vein width (Z=-5.283, P=0.005). The multivariate analysis showed that history of partial splenic embolism (odds ratio [OR]=3.064, P=0.049), HIV history (OR=0.195, P=0.027), a small amount of ascites (OR=3.390, P=0.017), AFP (OR=1.003, P=0.004), and portal vein width (OR=0.600, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of recompensation in patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis. The ROC curve analysis showed that HIV history, grade of ascites, history of partial splenic embolism, AFP, portal vein width, and the combined predictive model of these indices had an area under the ROC curve of 0.556, 0.641, 0.560, 0.589, 0.745, and 0.817, respectively. ConclusionFor patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis, those with a history of partial splenic embolism, a small amount of ascites, and an increase in AFP level are more likely to experience recompensation, while those with a history of HIV and an increase in portal vein width are less likely to experience recompensation.
10.Study on Cardiac Aging Phenotypes of SHJHhr Mice
Rongle LIU ; Hao CHENG ; Fusheng SHANG ; Shufu CHANG ; Ping XU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):13-20
ObjectiveTo investigate the spontaneous premature cardiac aging in SHJHhr mice. MethodsA comparative study was conducted between SHJHhr mice (SHJHhr group) and wild-type ICR mice (WT group) at different ages (10 and 24 weeks). Cardiac function was analyzed using a small animal in vivo ultrasound imaging system. After euthanasia, organs were collected and weighed to assess the extent of cardiac atrophy. Cardiac pathological damage was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac fibrosis was analyzed using Masson staining. Myocardial cell area was analyzed after wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining. The activities of oxidative damage indicators in myocardial tissue, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT), as well as the content of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of factors associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Colorimetric assay was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ResultsCompared to WT group mice of the same age, 10-week-old mice in the SHJHhr group showed no significant differences in stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), or heart and lung weights. However, at 24 weeks of age, mice in the SHJHhr group had significantly lower SV, EF, and FS values compared to mice of the same age in the WT group (P<0.05), with no significant change in lung weight but a significant reduction in heart weight (P<0.05). Histological analysis of heart tissue from 24-week-old mice revealed no significant difference in cardiac fibrosis levels between SHJHhr and WT groups, but WGA staining showed a significant reduction in myocardial cell area in mice in the SHJHhr group (P<0.05). PCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of mRNA levels of oxidative stress factors Sod2, Gpx1, and Cat genes (P<0.05). Biochemical assays indicated significantly reduced activities of oxidative damage-related enzymes SOD, GPX, and CAT in myocardial tissue (P<0.05), while the levels of oxidative damage markers 8-OHdG and MDA significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionMice in the SHJHhr group exhibit premature cardiac aging, which may be associated with oxidative stress damage in myocardial tissue.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail