1.Immunoregulatory Effects of Gallic Acid on BCG-infected Macrophages
Shumei HE ; Shuyi NI ; Mengyuan XU ; Qingxiao ZHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):843-856
ObjectiveTo explore the host immunomodulatory effect and its molecular mechanism of gallic acid (GA) in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infected macrophages, and to provide experimental evidence for host-directed anti-tuberculosis research against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA against BCG was determined by resazurin colorimetric assay. Bacterial growth-curve test and MTT colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the effects of GA on BCG proliferation and invasion. A BCG-infected RAW264.7 macrophage model was established, including infection control group (Ctrl), isoniazid (INH) group, and low-, medium- and high-dose GA groups. Flow cytometry combined with colony-plate counting was performed to detect intracellular BCG survival. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD double staining, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3 and Bcl-2. Macrophage polarization phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using DHE fluorescent probe. The Griess assay was applied to determine supernatant nitric oxide (NO) concentration. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in cell culture supernatant. ResultsThe MIC of GA against BCG was 1 250 μmol/L. GA inhibited BCG proliferation and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Safe concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L were selected for subsequent cellular experiments. Thirty-six-hour GA pretreatment markedly reduced the intracellular BCG bacterial load (P<0.05). GA exerted bidirectional regulation on macrophage apoptosis: it inhibited apoptosis at the early-stage infection and promoted apoptosis at the late-stage infection. GA induced M1-type polarization in early infection and facilitated M2-type polarization in late infection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GA decreased intracellular ROS and NO levels, down-regulated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P<0.05). ConclusionGA inhibits BCG proliferation and invasion in vitro. It remodels host immune microenvironment via bidirectional regulation of macrophage apoptosis and polarization as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, showing potential value for host-directed anti-mycobacterial therapy.
2.Immunoregulatory Effects of Gallic Acid on BCG-infected Macrophages
Shumei HE ; Shuyi NI ; Mengyuan XU ; Qingxiao ZHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):843-856
ObjectiveTo explore the host immunomodulatory effect and its molecular mechanism of gallic acid (GA) in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infected macrophages, and to provide experimental evidence for host-directed anti-tuberculosis research against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA against BCG was determined by resazurin colorimetric assay. Bacterial growth-curve test and MTT colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the effects of GA on BCG proliferation and invasion. A BCG-infected RAW264.7 macrophage model was established, including infection control group (Ctrl), isoniazid (INH) group, and low-, medium- and high-dose GA groups. Flow cytometry combined with colony-plate counting was performed to detect intracellular BCG survival. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD double staining, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3 and Bcl-2. Macrophage polarization phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using DHE fluorescent probe. The Griess assay was applied to determine supernatant nitric oxide (NO) concentration. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in cell culture supernatant. ResultsThe MIC of GA against BCG was 1 250 μmol/L. GA inhibited BCG proliferation and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Safe concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L were selected for subsequent cellular experiments. Thirty-six-hour GA pretreatment markedly reduced the intracellular BCG bacterial load (P<0.05). GA exerted bidirectional regulation on macrophage apoptosis: it inhibited apoptosis at the early-stage infection and promoted apoptosis at the late-stage infection. GA induced M1-type polarization in early infection and facilitated M2-type polarization in late infection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GA decreased intracellular ROS and NO levels, down-regulated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P<0.05). ConclusionGA inhibits BCG proliferation and invasion in vitro. It remodels host immune microenvironment via bidirectional regulation of macrophage apoptosis and polarization as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, showing potential value for host-directed anti-mycobacterial therapy.
3.Study on the effect of psychological flexibility intervention on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients
Mengyuan XU ; Yingping XU ; Xiaoying SHEN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(20):14-17,30
Objective To explore the effect of psychological flexibility based psychotherapy model on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients.Methods A total of 60 lung cancer patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2022 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into control group(n=30)and study group(n=30)by using a random number table method.Control group received routine psychological intervention,while study group was treated with a psychological flexibility-based therapy model in addition to the routine intervention.The scores of anxiety self-rating scales,depression self-rating scales,perceived burden,coping strategies,and cancer-related fatigue were compared between two groups.Results After intervention,the self-assessment scale scores of anxiety and depression,self-perceived burden and cancer-related fatigue in both groups decreased,and the reduction was more significant in study group(P<0.05).The coping style scores of both groups improved,and the improvement was more significant in study group(P<0.05).Conclusion Intervention with a psychological flexibility-based psychotherapy model in lung cancer patients can reduce negative emotions,self-perception burden and cancer-related fatigue,and improve patients' coping style.
4.Age-related changes in glymphatic pathways in Parkinson′s disease patients based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space and their relationship with cognitive function
Yang ZHAO ; Changyuan XU ; Yufan CHEN ; Mengyuan ZHUO ; Tao GONG ; Yuanyuan XIANG ; Guangbin WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(1):64-69
Objective:To investigate the effect of age factor on glymphatic function in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD) and its potential correlation with overall cognitive performance based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS) index.Methods:The study was cross-sectional. Clinical and imaging data of 77 PD patients (PD group) who attended the Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from October 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. In the same period, 30 healthy volunteers matched by age and gender were collected as the normal control (NC) group. All subjects underwent MRI scanning and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on diffusion tensor imaging. Cognitive functions of 46 patients in the PD group were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the differences in DTI-ALPS index between the PD and NC groups. After adjusting for confounders, the relationship between DTI-ALPS and age was explored using partial correlation analyses, multiple linear regression models. A mediation model was further developed to explore the mediating effect of DTI-ALPS index between age and cognitive function scores. Results:The DTI-ALPS indices of PD and NC groups were 1.66±0.20 and 1.44±0.17, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.27, P<0.001). The age of patients in the PD group was negatively correlated with the DTI-ALPS index ( r=-0.54, P<0.001), and age (β=-0.467, P<0.001) was an independent influencer of DTI-ALPS index. The DTI-ALPS index was positively correlated with MMSE scores ( r=0.53, P<0.001) and positively correlated with MoCA scores ( r=0.56, P<0.001). The mediation model showed that the DTI-ALPS index fully mediated between age and MMSE scores and partially mediated between age and MoCA scores, with an effect share of 33.25%. Conclusion:Age is an independent risk factor for impaired glymphatic pathway in PD patients, and it may induce cognitive decline in PD patients by exacerbating glymphatic pathway impairment.
5.Comparative analysis of clinical and brain MRI features in methylmalonic acidemia
Mengyuan ZHUO ; Yan YUN ; Chen ZHANG ; Jiaxiang XIN ; Yufan CHEN ; Yang ZHAO ; Changyuan XU ; Guangbin WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(4):418-424
Objective:To explore brain MRI features of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA).Methods:This observational study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and imaging data of 123 patients with MMA diagnosed at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2010 to November 2022. The 123 patients were divided into 7 stages according to age of onset, neonatal period (0 to<1 month), infancy (1 month to<1 year), early childhood (1 to<4 years), preschool (4 to<7 years), school age (7 to<13 years), adolescent (13 to 17 years) and adult (>17 years). All patients underwent brain MRI scanning. The imaging performances were evaluated, including the number, location, morphology of the lesions.Results:Of the 123 patients, 40 were in the neonatal period, 29 in infancy, 13 in early childhood, 9 in preschool, 6 in school age, 13 in adolescence, and 13 in adulthood. The first symptoms of patients in the neonatal period were mainly digestive system abnormalities, such as difficulty in breastfeeding (37.5%, 15/40) and vomiting (25.0%, 10/40), with neurological symptoms gradually becoming the main manifestations from infancy. Seventy-three cases (59.3%) showed significant abnormalities on cranial MRI, including 17 cases with 33 foci in the neonatal period, 23 cases with 53 foci in infancy, 11 cases with 16 foci in early childhood, 2 cases with 2 foci in preschool, 3 cases with 7 foci in school age, 7 cases with 9 foci in adolescence, and 10 cases with 16 foci in adulthood. In neonatal period, the main manifestations were myelin dysplasia (18%,6/33), dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (18%,6/33), and pallidal bulb infarct foci (18%,6/33); in infancy, the main manifestations were hypoplasia or thinning of the corpus callosum (30%,16/53); in early childhood, the main manifestations were pallidal bulb infarct foci (38%,6/16); and the two MRI abnormalities in preschool were pallidum and thalamic infarct foci; in school age, the main manifestations were infarct foci in the chiasmatic nucleus (29%,2/7) and in the caudate nucleus (29%,2/7); in adolescence, the main manifestation was dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (33%,3/9); and in adulthood, the main manifestation was dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (19%,3/16).Conclusion:By staging the age of onset, it is found that the imaging manifestations of MMA patients show significant differences with age, suggesting that there is a dynamic nature of MMA damage to brain structures at different developmental stages.
6.The impact of prophylactic cranial irradiation on the prognosis of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer
Xiao HU ; Mengyuan CHEN ; Shuohan ZHENG ; Qing WU ; Yue KONG ; Fang PENG ; Qun ZHANG ; Chao ZHENG ; Yong BAO ; Yujin XU ; Ming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(3):249-255
Objective:To evaluate the impact of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) on the prognosis of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the era of widespread application of MRI.Methods:Clinical data were collected from an open-lable prospective clinical trial on thoracic radiotherapy target volumes for limited-stage SCLC conducted in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between June 2002 and January 2017. In this study, patients who achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were retrospectively analyzed. Stratified analysis was performed according to different clinical efficacies. Patients were divided into different groups according to whether PCI was conducted or not. Survival analysis of patients was carried out. Survival data were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards model was applied for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results:Among 309 patients with limited-stage SCLC who received CRT, 133 patients achieved CR and 140 cases obtained PR. These 273 patients were enrolled in this study. Among 133 patients with CR, 29 of them did not receive PCI, and 89 (85.6%) of the remaining 104 patients receiving PCI underwent brain MRI to exclude brain metastasis (BM) before PCI. With a median follow-up time of 22.1 months, the cumulative BM rates were 18.3% and 37.9% in patients who received or did not receive PCI ( P=0.020). The median overall survival (OS) was 30.2 and 30.5 months, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 93.3%, 41.9%, 27.7% and 82.8%, 44.8%, 40.8%, respectively ( P=0.910). Multivariate analysis indicated that baseline Karnofsky performance status (KPS) = 90 was a favorable independent prognostic factor for OS in CR patients ( HR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.89-0.98, P=0.006). Among 140 patients achieving PR, 52 cases did not receive PCI and 80 (90.9%) of the remaining 88 patients received brain MRI before PCI. With a median follow-up time of 18.9 months, the cumulative BM rates were 10.2% and 44.2% ( P<0.001). The median OS was 26.0 and 18.0 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 86.4%, 37.9%, 32.2% and 75.0%, 17.3%, 10.8%, respectively ( P=0.001). Baseline KPS = 90 ( HR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.89-0.97, P=0.001) and PCI ( HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80, P=0.002) were favorable prognostic factors for OS in PR patients. Conclusions:PCI significantly reduces the incidence of BM and prolongs the OS in patients with limited-stage SCLC who achieve PR after CRT, but it fails to significantly prolong the OS of CR patients.
7.The applications of cerebral autoregulation assessment based on transcranial Doppler ultrasound in acute ischemic stroke
Yi SHI ; Mengyuan XU ; Shuaitao MA ; Guang FENG ; Bingsha HAN
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(1):49-56
Cerebral autoregulation(CA)refers to the ability of cerebral blood vessels to maintain stable cerebral hemodynamics in response to changes in factors such as carbon dioxide concentration,mean arterial pressure,or cerebral perfusion pressure.Acute ischemic stroke has a high incidence,disability rate,and mortality rate.Previous studies have confirmed varying degrees of impairment in CA among patients with acute ischemic stroke after the onset of the disease,but the specific mechanisms remain not fully understood.This article reviewed the mechanisms of CA,assessment methods,and its application progress in acute ischemic stroke,with the intention of providing references for related research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.
8.Study on the effect of psychological flexibility intervention on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients
Mengyuan XU ; Yingping XU ; Xiaoying SHEN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(20):14-17,30
Objective To explore the effect of psychological flexibility based psychotherapy model on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients.Methods A total of 60 lung cancer patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2022 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into control group(n=30)and study group(n=30)by using a random number table method.Control group received routine psychological intervention,while study group was treated with a psychological flexibility-based therapy model in addition to the routine intervention.The scores of anxiety self-rating scales,depression self-rating scales,perceived burden,coping strategies,and cancer-related fatigue were compared between two groups.Results After intervention,the self-assessment scale scores of anxiety and depression,self-perceived burden and cancer-related fatigue in both groups decreased,and the reduction was more significant in study group(P<0.05).The coping style scores of both groups improved,and the improvement was more significant in study group(P<0.05).Conclusion Intervention with a psychological flexibility-based psychotherapy model in lung cancer patients can reduce negative emotions,self-perception burden and cancer-related fatigue,and improve patients' coping style.
9.Retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by attenuating inflammation and modulating macrophage polarization through MKP-1/MAPK signaling pathway
Mengyuan XIN ; Hangyu JIN ; Xiangyu GUO ; Liang ZHAO ; Xiangdan LI ; Dongyuan XU ; Long ZHENG ; Lan LIU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):45-56
Macrophages are innate immune cells connected with the development of inflammation. Retinoic acid has previously been proved to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. However, the exact mechanism through which retinoic acid modulates arthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating macrophage polarization. This study used retinoic acid to treat mice with adjuvant arthritis and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects by arthritis score, thermal nociceptive sensitization test, histopathologic examination and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, its specific anti-arthritic mechanism was investigated by flow cytometry, cell transfection and inflammatory signaling pathway assays in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Retinoic acid significantly relieved joint pain and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in mice. Furthermore, this treatment modulated peritoneal macrophage polarization, increased levels of arginase 1, as well as decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In vitro, we verified that retinoic acid promotes macrophage transition from the M1 to M2 type by upregulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression and inhibiting P38, JNK and ERK phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Notably, the therapeutic effects of retinoic acid were inhibited by MKP-1 knockdown. Retinoic acid exerts a significant therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis in mice by regulating macrophage polarization through the MKP-1/MAPK pathway, and play an important role in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
10.Retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by attenuating inflammation and modulating macrophage polarization through MKP-1/MAPK signaling pathway
Mengyuan XIN ; Hangyu JIN ; Xiangyu GUO ; Liang ZHAO ; Xiangdan LI ; Dongyuan XU ; Long ZHENG ; Lan LIU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):45-56
Macrophages are innate immune cells connected with the development of inflammation. Retinoic acid has previously been proved to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. However, the exact mechanism through which retinoic acid modulates arthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating macrophage polarization. This study used retinoic acid to treat mice with adjuvant arthritis and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects by arthritis score, thermal nociceptive sensitization test, histopathologic examination and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, its specific anti-arthritic mechanism was investigated by flow cytometry, cell transfection and inflammatory signaling pathway assays in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Retinoic acid significantly relieved joint pain and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in mice. Furthermore, this treatment modulated peritoneal macrophage polarization, increased levels of arginase 1, as well as decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In vitro, we verified that retinoic acid promotes macrophage transition from the M1 to M2 type by upregulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression and inhibiting P38, JNK and ERK phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Notably, the therapeutic effects of retinoic acid were inhibited by MKP-1 knockdown. Retinoic acid exerts a significant therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis in mice by regulating macrophage polarization through the MKP-1/MAPK pathway, and play an important role in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail