1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Oxidative Stress to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis: A Review
Hu YANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Chengming JIA ; Tong WANG ; Guangfei ZHANG ; Yaoyao JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):277-285
Osteoporosis is a common bone metabolic disease, which is mainly characterized by the decrease in the number of bone trabeculae and the destruction of bone tissue microstructure, leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risks. This disease is common in postmenopausal women, elderly men, diabetes patients, and obese people. Due to the lack of awareness to prevent bone losses and the limitations of bone mass measurement methods, osteoporosis is only concerned when there are serious complications, which imposes a heavy burden on both patients and medical resources. Oxidative stress refers to the excessive production of highly active molecules such as reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen in the body subjected to harmful stimuli, leading to the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems and causing oxidative damage. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can increase the generation and activity of osteoclasts and inhibit the differentiation of osteoblasts, thus playing a role in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered an effective antioxidant that can alleviate oxidative stress-induced osteoporosis by regulating a variety of signaling pathways. Studies have shown that TCM can alleviate oxidative stress and promote bone angiogenesis and osteogenesis by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-kappa B, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) signaling pathways. TCM alleviates oxidative stress and promotes osteogenesis by regulating the Nrf2, PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin, and secreted glycoprotein Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. In addition, TCM regulates NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway to alleviate excessive bone resorption induced by oxidative stress. This paper systematically summarizes the literature on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by TCM or its active ingredients via the above-mentioned signaling pathways to reduce oxidative stress in recent years. It briefs the possible molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress regulation-related signaling pathways to cause osteoporosis. In addition, this paper discusses the effects and mechanisms of TCM on bone angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone resorption by reducing oxidative stress through the regulation of related signaling pathways, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the research and clinical treatment of osteoporosis.
2.Effects of acupuncture on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and FSH/cAMP signaling pathway in aged rats.
Yaoyao ZHU ; Yaqian YIN ; Huanfang XU ; Li YANG ; Weixin LI ; Chenchen SU ; Rong ZHANG ; Yigong FANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(2):200-208
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of acupuncture on improving ovarian hypofunction in aged rats from two perspectives: the overall regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis and the local ovarian follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Six 3-month-old female SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected as the blank group. Another twelve 9-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, with six rats in each. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20), "Guanyuan" (CV4), and bilateral "Ciliao" (BL32) for 20 min per session, once every other day, for a total of 10 sessions. Vaginal smear tests were performed daily to observe the estrous cycle of the rats. Ovarian morphology was observed using HE staining, and follicles at various stages were counted. ELISA was used to detect levels of serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary FSH and LH, and ovarian cAMP. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of ovarian cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, FSH receptor (FSHR), and P450. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression levels of FSHR and P450 in ovarian tissue.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, the model group showed an increased rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), reduced granulosa cell layers with blurred boundaries and disordered arrangement, decreased numbers of developing follicles at all stages, and increased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were decreased (P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian cAMP level was decreased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were reduced (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed a reduced rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), clear granulosa cell margins, increased numbers of primordial and secondary follicles, and decreased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while E2 and AMH levels were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and ovarian cAMP level was increased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was increased (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture could delay ovarian hypofunction in aged rats, possibly through regulating the HPO axis and the FSH/cAMP signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Female
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Ovary/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Humans
;
Cyclic AMP/metabolism*
;
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism*
;
Aging/metabolism*
;
Hypothalamus/metabolism*
;
Pituitary Gland/metabolism*
;
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism*
3.Exploring the mechanism of Xiaoaiping Injection inhibiting autophagy in prostate cancer based on proteomics.
Qiuping ZHANG ; Qiuju HUANG ; Zhiping CHENG ; Wei XUE ; Shoushi LIU ; Yunnuo LIAO ; Xiaolan LI ; Xin CHEN ; Yaoyao HAN ; Dan ZHU ; Zhiheng SU ; Xin YANG ; Zhuo LUO ; Hongwei GUO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):64-76
Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male
;
Humans
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Autophagy/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Proteomics
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
4.Dosage of 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide in Induction of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Rats
Weixin LI ; Pengfei DU ; Yaoyao ZHU ; Chenchen SU ; Huanfang XU ; Li YANG ; Xiaojing SONG ; Yigong FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):72-79
ObjectiveTo compare the effects of different doses and withdrawal time of 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) on the reproductive endocrine levels of female rats, and to explore the effective, stable, and safe dosage of VCD for constructing a premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) rat model. MethodSD rats with regular estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups: blank group, low-dose VCD group (80 mg·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose VCD group (160 mg·kg-1·d-1), with 24 rats in each group. After drug intervention, samples were collected on the 15th day (D15) and the 45th day (D45) after intervention. The general condition, rate of estrous cycle disturbance, serum hormone levels, ovarian histomorphology, follicle count, pregnancy outcome, and the protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and Smad2/3 were assessed. ResultCompared with the blank group, the low-dose VCD group showed no significant differences in the rate of estrous cycle disturbance or serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels. Ovarian tissue was damaged. Specifically, the number of primordial and primary follicles decreased on D15 (P<0.01), and the number of secondary follicles (P<0.01) and antral follicles (P<0.05) further decreased on D45. The litter number decreased on D15 (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference on D45. Furthermore, TGF-β protein levels increased on D15 (P<0.05) and D45 (P<0.01). The Smad2/3 levels increased on D45 (P<0.01), and TGF-β and Smad2/3 mRNA levels increased on D45 (P<0.05). Compared with the results in the blank group, the disturbance rate of the estrous cycle increased on D45 in the high-dose VCD group (P<0.01). The serum of FSH and LH increased (P<0.01), while E2 decreased (P<0.05). Ovarian tissue was damaged, and the downward trend of follicles at all levels was similar to that in the low-dose VCD group. The litter number significantly decreased on D15 and D45. TGF-β and Smad2/3 protein levels increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and TGF-β mRNA increased on D45 (P<0.05). ConclusionHigh-dose VCD is an ideal method for constructing a POI rat model, being effective, stable, and safe.
5.Prevalence and influencing factors of occupational stress and sleep disorders among 3 key occupational groups in Guizhou Province
Wenlei HE ; Junhong YANG ; Yaoyao HE ; Shaofang YANG ; Songlin JIAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(11):1257-1262
Background Working night shifts is common in the secondary industry workers, and usually with long weekly working hours. They are prone to occupational stress and sleep disorders, which may seriously affect their physical and mental health and work efficiency. Objective To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of occupational stress and sleep disorders among three key occupational groups in Guizhou Province, and provide a basis for formulating intervention measures. Methods A stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select
6.A novel TNKS/USP25 inhibitor blocks the Wnt pathway to overcome multi-drug resistance in TNKS-overexpressing colorectal cancer.
Hongrui ZHU ; Yamin GAO ; Liyun LIU ; Mengyu TAO ; Xiao LIN ; Yijia CHENG ; Yaoyao SHEN ; Haitao XUE ; Li GUAN ; Huimin ZHAO ; Li LIU ; Shuping WANG ; Fan YANG ; Yongjun ZHOU ; Hongze LIAO ; Fan SUN ; Houwen LIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):207-222
Modulating Tankyrases (TNKS), interactions with USP25 to promote TNKS degradation, rather than inhibiting their enzymatic activities, is emerging as an alternative/specific approach to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we identified UAT-B, a novel neoantimycin analog isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus, as a small-molecule inhibitor of TNKS-USP25 protein-protein interaction (PPI) to overcome multi-drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The disruption of TNKS-USP25 complex formation by UAT-B led to a significant decrease in TNKS levels, triggering cell apoptosis through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Importantly, UAT-B successfully inhibited the CRC cells growth that harbored high TNKS levels, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo studies utilizing cell line-based and patient-derived xenografts, as well as APCmin/+ spontaneous CRC models. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the TNKS-USP25 PPI using a small-molecule inhibitor represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment, and UAT-B emerges as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigations.
7.Analysis on prevalence of chronic kidney disease in adults in Qingdao, 2019-2020
Longfei QIU ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Xiaojia XUE ; Yang ZHAO ; Yaoyao XU ; Haiping DUAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(5):694-699
Objective:To understand the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults in Qingdao.Methods:A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select 6 240 local residents aged ≥18 years in Qingdao as study subjects from May 2019 to September 2020, the demographic data of the study subjects were collected by face-to-face survey method. The prevalence of CKD in adults in Qingdao were analyzed using software SPSS 25.0.Results:A total of 5 996 adults in Qingdao were included in this study. The overall prevalence rate of CKD in the adults was 8.22%. The prevalence rates of CKD in men and women were 7.70% and 8.74%, respectively. The prevalence rate of CKD was 10.28% in urban residents and 7.25% in rural residents, the differences in the prevalence of CKD among different age, educational level and marital status groups were significant ( P<0.001). The prevalence of CKD tended to increase with age and decrease with the increase of education level. Conclusions:The prevalence of CKD in adults of Qingdao was relatively high. It is necessary to actively carry out the early prevention and treatment of CKD and strengthen the screening and prevention of CKD to reduce the incidence and slow development of CKD.
8.Construction of data source indicator system for acute respiratory infectious disease surveillance based on the Delphi method
Yaoyao WANG ; Dazhu HUO ; Zhongjie LI ; Chuchu YE ; Lipeng HAO ; Weizhong YANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(11):1605-1610
Objective:To establish an indicator system for surveillance of data sources to provide a theoretical basis for respiratory infectious disease surveillance and early warning.Methods:Indicators for data sources in the surveillance of acute respiratory infectious diseases were initially compiled through a literature search. Subsequently, two rounds of expert consultations were conducted with 22 experts using the Delphi method to refine the indicators.Results:The questionnaire recovery rates for the two rounds of expert consultation were 100.00% and 86.36%, respectively. The authority coefficient of the experts was 0.83. The coordination coefficient of the second round of Delphi expert consultation was 0.32, and the coefficient of variation of each indicator was less than 0.25. Finally, the indicators system of data source for the surveillance of acute respiratory infectious diseases includes 4 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators, and 26 third-level indicators.Conclusion:The indicator system of data sources for the surveillance of acute respiratory infectious diseases constructed in this study is reasonable and reliable, providing a valuable reference for surveillance, early warning and policy formulation of acute respiratory infectious diseases.
9.Construction of practice education system in speciality of rehabilitation therapy for undergraduate based on WHO rehabilitation competency framework
Yahui ZHANG ; Xiaodong ZHANG ; Yaoyao LIU ; Yujie YANG ; Chenglei FAN ; Xiangxia REN ; Na AN ; Qi WANG ; Zhongyan WANG ; Ming HUO
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(11):1248-1253
Objective To construct a high-quality practical teaching system of rehabilitation majors for undergraduate based on World Health Organization rehabilitation competence framework(RCF). Methods Using the principles and methods of RCF,the competency requirements for rehabilitation therapy were ana-lyzed and a practical teaching system suitable for undergraduate education in rehabilitation therapy was construct-ed. Results The rehabilitation practice education were constructed as practice courses,clinical practice and social service practice,and the practice education modules and objectives were discussed based on RCF. Conclusion A competency-oriented rehabilitation practice education system has been constructed based on RCF,includ-ing practice courses,clinical practice and social service practice.
10.Herbal Textual Research on Curculiginis Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Jinfang LUO ; Yaoyao HUANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Yang YU ; Guoqiong CAO ; Dan ZHAO ; Chenhong XIAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):199-208
By consulting the ancient and modern literature, the name, origin, quality evaluation, harvesting and processing methods of Curculiginis Rhizoma(CR) were systematically combed and verified, in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing CR. The results of herbal textual research showed that the name Xianmao was first recorded in Leigong Paozhilun, the name of CR was used in all dynasties and this name came from its efficacy and morphological characteristics, the mainstream source for CR of the past dynasties was the rhizome of Curculigo orchioides or C. capitulata, since modern times, C. orchioides has been the main source of commodities. In ancient times, most of the places of origin of the description were the western regions and southwest China, while in modern times, Sichuan and Guizhou were regarded as genuine places. Since modern times, its quality has been summarized as the best with thick roots, firm texture and black-brown surface, the harvesting and processing methods recorded in the past dynasties are mainly sun drying after harvest in the second, eighth and ninth months of the lunar calendar, and most of them are harvested in autumn and winter in modern times. In ancient times, there were many processing methods of CR, mainly in processing with rice swill, while in modern times, stir-frying with wine was the main processing method. The nature, taste, meridian tropism, functions and indications of CR are basically consistent from ancient to modern times, the taboos for taking are to avoid iron, cow's milk, and beef. Although there are some differences in the understanding of the toxicity of CR in the past dynasties, most of the materia medica are clear that it has a certain toxicity. Based on the research conclusion, it is suggested that the rhizome of C. orchioides of Lycoris family should be used as its source in the famous classical formulas, and the corresponding processing method should be selected according to the processing requirements in the formulas, while the raw products is recommended to be selected as medicine if the processing requirement is not specified.

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