1.Diabetes-associated sleep fragmentation impairs liver and heart function via SIRT1-dependent epigenetic modulation of NADPH oxidase 4.
Yuanfang GUO ; Jie WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Quanli CHENG ; Jiahao LI ; Ting GAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Guangping LU ; Mingrui LIU ; Xun GUAN ; Xinyu TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1480-1496
Although clinical evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an established major risk factor for heart failure, it remains unexplored whether sleep disorder-caused hepatic damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, our findings revealed that sleep fragmentation (SF) displayed notable hepatic detrimental phenotypes, including steatosis and oxidative damage, along with significant abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. All these pathological changes persisted even after sleep recovery for 2 consecutive weeks or more, displaying memory properties. Mechanistically, persistent higher expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver was the key initiator of SF-accelerated damage phenotypes. SF epigenetically controlled the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) enrichment at the Nox4 promoter and markedly increased Nox4 expression in liver even after sleep recovery. Moreover, fine coordination of the circadian clock and hepatic damage was strictly controlled by BMAL1-dependent Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) transcription after circadian misalignment. Accordingly, genetic manipulation of liver-specific Nox4 or Sirt1, along with pharmacological intervention targeting NOX4 (GLX351322) or SIRT1 (Resveratrol), could effectively erase the epigenetic modification of Nox4 by reducing the H3K27ac level and ameliorate the progression of liver pathology, thereby counteracting SF-evoked sustained CVD. Collectively, our findings may pave the way for strategies to mitigate myocardial injury from persistent hepatic detrimental memory in diabetic patients.
2.Melatonin receptor 1a alleviates sleep fragmentation-aggravated testicular injury in T2DM by suppression of TAB1/TAK1 complex through FGFR1.
Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyu TANG ; Ting GAO ; Yuanfang GUO ; Guangping LU ; Qingbo LIU ; Jiahao LI ; Jie WANG ; Mingrui LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3591-3610
A major obstacle in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sleep fragmentation (SF), which negatively affects testicular function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that SF induces testicular damage through a mechanism involving lipid metabolism, specifically mediated by melatonin (MEL) receptor 1a (MT1). T2DM mice with SF intervention displayed several deleterious phenotypes such as apoptosis, deregulated lipid metabolism, and impaired testicular function. Unexpectedly, sleep recovery (SR) for 2 consecutive weeks could not completely abrogate SF's detrimental effects on lipid deposition and testicular function. Interestingly, MEL and MT1 agonist 2-iodomelatonin (2IM) effectively improved lipid homeostasis, highlighting MEL/2IM as a promising therapeutic drug for SF-trigged testicular damage. Mechanistically, MEL and 2IM activated FGFR1 and sequentially restrained the crosstalk and physical interaction between TAB1 and TAK1, which ultimately suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1 to block lipid deposition and cell apoptosis caused by SF. The ameliorating effect of MEL/2IM was overtly nullified in Fgfr1 knockout (Fgfr1-KO +/- ) diabetic mice. Meanwhile, testicular-specific overexpression of Tak1 abolished the protective effect of FGF1mut on diabetic mouse testis. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the testicular pathogenesis associated with SF and propose a novel therapeutic approach for addressing male infertility in T2DM.
3.Quercetin mediates the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis by regulating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit the IL-23/IL-17A axis.
Qing LIU ; Jing LIU ; Yihang ZHENG ; Jin LEI ; Jianhua HUANG ; Siyu LIU ; Fang LIU ; Qunlong PENG ; Yuanfang ZHANG ; Junjie WANG ; Yujuan LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):90-99
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the active components that mediate the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis and their therapeutic mechanisms.
METHODS:
TCMSP, TCMIP, PharmMapper, Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM and TTD databases were searched for the compounds in Centella asiatica and their targets and the disease targets of psoriasis. A drug-active component-target network and the protein-protein interaction network were constructed, and DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. In a RAW264.7 macrophage model of LPS-induced inflammation, the anti-inflammatory effect of 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 μmol/L quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid, which were identified as the main active components in Centella asiatica, were tested by measuring cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 using Griess method and ELISA and by detecting mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727) with RT-qPCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
A total of 139 targets of Centella asiatica and 4604 targets of psoriasis were obtained, and among them CASP3, EGFR, PTGS2, and ESR1 were identified as the core targets. KEGG analysis suggested that quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid in Centella asiatica were involved in cancer and IL-17 and MAPK signaling pathways. In the RAW264.7 macrophage model of inflammation, treatment with quercetin significantly reduced cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6, and lowered mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF‑α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727).
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin, asiaticoside and asiatic acid are the main active components in Centella asiatica to mediate the therapeutic effect against psoriasis, and quercetin in particular is capable of suppressing cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 and regulating the IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis by mediating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit inflammatory response.
Quercetin/pharmacology*
;
Psoriasis/metabolism*
;
STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Animals
;
Centella/chemistry*
;
Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Phosphorylation
;
Interleukin-17/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-23/metabolism*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Macrophages/drug effects*
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Signal Transduction
;
Plant Extracts
4.Activation of Centromedial Amygdala GABAergic Neurons Produces Hypotension in Mice.
Xiaoyi WANG ; Ziteng YUE ; Luo SHI ; Wei HE ; Liuqi SHAO ; Yuhang LIU ; Jinye ZHANG ; Shangyu BI ; Tianjiao DENG ; Fang YUAN ; Sheng WANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):759-774
The central amygdala (CeA) is a crucial modulator of emotional, behavioral, and autonomic functions, including cardiovascular responses. Despite its importance, the specific circuit by which the CeA modulates blood pressure remains insufficiently explored. Our investigations demonstrate that photostimulation of GABAergic neurons in the centromedial amygdala (CeMGABA), as opposed to those in the centrolateral amygdala (CeL), produces a depressor response in both anesthetized and freely-moving mice. In addition, activation of CeMGABA axonal terminals projecting to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) significantly reduces blood pressure. These CeMGABA neurons form synaptic connections with NTS neurons, allowing for the modulation of cardiovascular responses by influencing the caudal or rostral ventrolateral medulla. Furthermore, CeMGABA neurons targeting the NTS receive dense inputs from the CeL. Consequently, stimulation of CeMGABA neurons elicits hypotension through the CeM-NTS circuit, offering deeper insights into the cardiovascular responses associated with emotions and behaviors.
Animals
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GABAergic Neurons/physiology*
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Male
;
Central Amygdaloid Nucleus/physiopathology*
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Hypotension/physiopathology*
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Mice
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Blood Pressure/physiology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Solitary Nucleus/physiology*
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Photic Stimulation
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Neural Pathways/physiology*
5.Expression and functional analysis of endocytosis-related gene FCHO2 in breast cancer
FENG Xuefei ; HAO Yanlong ; MENG Xiaoyan ; GUO Yanlin ; ZHAI Yuanfang ; ZOU Binbin ; ZHANG Ling
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(6):598-606
[摘 要] 目的:探讨内吞作用相关基因FCHO2在各亚型乳腺癌中的表达及其与乳腺癌患者的预后和免疫细胞浸润的相关性。方法:应用免疫组化法和bc-GenExMiner v5.0数据库数据分析FCHO2在各亚型乳腺癌组织中的表达,通过GEO和TIMER数据库数据分析FCHO2与各亚型乳腺癌患者预后和免疫细胞浸润的关系,利用STRING和GEPIA数据库数据分析与FCHO2的互作蛋白网络和其与互作蛋白的相关性,通过UALCAN和DAVID数据库数据对乳腺癌组织中FCHO2表达相关基因进行KEGG和GO分析。结果:免疫组化法结果显示,FCHO2在管腔型和HER2+乳腺癌组织中均呈高表达(均P<0.05),且与HER2和Ki67表达有关联(P=0.03和P=0.007)。FCHO2高表达的管腔型乳腺癌患者总生存期(OS)和无复发生存期(RFS)均明显缩短(均P<0.05)。FCHO2蛋白与EPS15等多种蛋白表达相关且构成蛋白-蛋白互作网络。KEGG和GO分析显示,乳腺癌组织中FCHO2相关表达基因主要与昼夜节律、自噬等生物学过程有关,涉及叉头框蛋白O(FoxO)和TGF-β等信号通路。FCHO2表达与各亚型乳腺癌组织中的免疫细胞浸润相关(均P<0.05)。结论:FCHO2在管腔型、HER2+乳腺癌组织中呈高表达,且与管腔型乳腺癌患者预后及免疫细胞浸润相关,其可能成为乳腺癌治疗的潜在靶点。
6.Expression and functional analysis of endocytosis-related gene FCHO2 in breast cancer
FENG Xuefei ; HAO Yanlong ; MENG Xiaoyan ; GUO Yanlin ; ZHAI Yuanfang ; ZOU Binbin ; ZHANG Ling
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(6):598-606
[摘 要] 目的:探讨内吞作用相关基因FCHO2在各亚型乳腺癌中的表达及其与乳腺癌患者的预后和免疫细胞浸润的相关性。方法:应用免疫组化法和bc-GenExMiner v5.0数据库数据分析FCHO2在各亚型乳腺癌组织中的表达,通过GEO和TIMER数据库数据分析FCHO2与各亚型乳腺癌患者预后和免疫细胞浸润的关系,利用STRING和GEPIA数据库数据分析与FCHO2的互作蛋白网络和其与互作蛋白的相关性,通过UALCAN和DAVID数据库数据对乳腺癌组织中FCHO2表达相关基因进行KEGG和GO分析。结果:免疫组化法结果显示,FCHO2在管腔型和HER2+乳腺癌组织中均呈高表达(均P<0.05),且与HER2和Ki67表达有关联(P=0.03和P=0.007)。FCHO2高表达的管腔型乳腺癌患者总生存期(OS)和无复发生存期(RFS)均明显缩短(均P<0.05)。FCHO2蛋白与EPS15等多种蛋白表达相关且构成蛋白-蛋白互作网络。KEGG和GO分析显示,乳腺癌组织中FCHO2相关表达基因主要与昼夜节律、自噬等生物学过程有关,涉及叉头框蛋白O(FoxO)和TGF-β等信号通路。FCHO2表达与各亚型乳腺癌组织中的免疫细胞浸润相关(均P<0.05)。结论:FCHO2在管腔型、HER2+乳腺癌组织中呈高表达,且与管腔型乳腺癌患者预后及免疫细胞浸润相关,其可能成为乳腺癌治疗的潜在靶点。
7.Evaluation of the effect of contrast medium injection in CT enhanced examination of malignant tumor patients with standardized nursing procedure of totally implantable venous power port
Yanli PENG ; Yifan WANG ; Shuli FENG ; Xingping TANG ; Yuanfang LIU ; Yanping LUO ; Xiang ZHANG ; Ming GAO ; Zehong YANG ; Hong DENG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(22):1705-1709
Objective:To explore the standardization of totally implantable venous power port of nursing process in CT enhancement and application effect of contrast medium injection, so as to provide a safer and more efficient way for contrast medium injection in CT enhanced examination for patients with malignant tumors.Methods:A non-randomized prospective study was conducted, 358 patients with malignant tumors were selected in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University who underwent CT enhanced examination from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023, 179 patients who had been implanted totally implantable venous power port were selected as the experimental group, and the standardized nursing procedure was given. The other 179 patients were the control group, using radiology routine high-pressure intravenous indwelling needle as the contrast medium access, with routine peripheral venous nursing process. The incidence of contrast medium extravasation during CT enhanced examination was observed and compared between the two groups.Results:All the patients were included. There were 85 males and 94 females, aged (55.50±11.72) years old in the control group. There were 83 males and 96 females, aged (54.50±12.24) years old in the experimental group. The incidence of contrast medium extravasation was 0 in the experimental group and 3.35%(6/179) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Fisher exact probability, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of standardized nursing procedure of totally implantable venous power port to the injection of contrast medium in CT enhanced examination of malignant tumor patients, can significantly reduce the incidence of contrast medium extravasation.
8.The plasma Betatrophin level in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and its correlation with the control of blood glucose
Xiaoxiao JI ; Yuanfang ZHANG ; Ronghui TANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2023;46(8):749-753
Objective:To investigate the level of plasma Betatrophin in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its correlation with the control of blood glucose.Methods:Forty-five pregnant women with GDM(GDM group) who received regular obstetric examinations in the Huaihua First People′s Hospital from July 2019 to January 2021 and 50 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (NGT group) during the same period were enrolled in this study. Blood glucose and blood lipid indicators were collected, plasma Betatrophin level was detected, Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of blood glucose control effect, the pregnancy outcome was followed up, the predictive value of Betatrophin level in blood glucose control and pregnancy outcome was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postpartum blood glucose (2 h PG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), fasting insulin (FINS), 2 h postprandial insulin (2 h FINS), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), low density lipoprotein cholesterin (LDL-C) and plasma Betatrophin in the GDM group were higher than those in the NGT group, and insulin function index (HOMA-β) and high density lipoprotein cholesterin (HDL-C) were lower than those in the NGT group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that plasma Betatrophin level was positively correlated with HbA 1c and HOMA-IR in pregnant women and the GDM group ( r = 0.310, 0.314, 0.341, 0.333; P<0.05). In the GDM group, 12 patients with poor glucose control, 33 patients with good glucose control, the FPG, HbA 1c, HOMA-IR and plasma Betatrophin levels in poor glucose control patients were higher than those in good glucose control patients, HOMA-β was lower than that in the good glucose control patients: (5.82 ± 0.98)mmol/L vs. (5.04 ± 1.11) mmol/L, (9.78 ± 2.15)% vs. (8.22 ± 1.41)%, 2.71 ± 0.56 vs. 2.24 ± 0.48, (1 345.12 ± 256.32) ng/L vs. (1 165.10 ± 217.41) ng/L, 144.15 ± 22.71 vs. 158.63 ± 20.26, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The area under the curve of plasma Betatrophin level to predict the effect of blood glucose control was 0.775. A total of 8 pregnant women with GDM had poor pregnancy outcome, and the area under the curve predicted pregnancy outcome by plasma Betatrophin level was 0.728. Conclusions:The level of plasma Betatrophin in patients with GDM is closely related to the degree of insulin resistance and the effect of blood glucose control, and can provide some reference for clinical evaluation and therapeutic effect prediction.
9.Curative effects of levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride combined with pramipexole on Parkinson's disease in 30 patients
Yuanfang ZHANG ; Ruijuan DUAN ; Ruiqi ZHU ; Ling FAN
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2023;30(2):270-274
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride combined with pramipexole in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in 30 patients and their effects on neurotransmitters and oxidative stress response.Methods:A total of 90 patients with Parkinson's disease admitted to Jinhua People's Hospital from January 2020 to February 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to undergo treatment with levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride (levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride group), pramipexole (pramipexole group), or their combination (combined therapy group), with 30 patients in each group. All patients were treated for 12 consecutive weeks. Clinical efficacy, levels of brain neurotransmitters (dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, and substance P), and oxidative stress response (superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, homocysteine levels) were compared among the three groups.Results:Total response rate in the combined therapy group was 96.67% (29/30), which was significantly higher than 66.67% (20/30) in the levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride group and 76.67% (23/30) in the pramipexole group ( χ2 = 8.65, P < 0.05). After treatment, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, substance P, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and homocysteine levels in the combined therapy group were (9.05 ± 1.24) ng/mg, (89.49 ± 10.69) μg/L, (15.16 ± 1.36) ng/mg, (102.8 ± 15.36) μg/L, (88.40 ± 10.04) kU/L, (5.5 ± 2.31) μmol/L, and (9.20 ± 3.36) μmol/L, respectively, which were superior to (6.61 ± 1.02) ng/mg, (68.52 ± 9.52) μg/L, (12.33 ± 1.24) ng/mg, (151.64 ± 16.03) μg/L, (74.99 ± 7.28) kU/L, (9.27 ± 3.07) μmol/L, and (13.52 ± 3.64) μmol/L in the levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride group and (7.22 ± 1.09) ng/mg, (79.52 ± 10.20) μg/L, (13.92 ± 1.31) ng/mg, (131.30 ± 15.65) μg/L, (80.59 ± 8.24) kU/L, (7.53 ± 2.93) μmol/L, (11.35 ± 3.71) μmol/L in the pramipexole group ( F = 38.53, 32.05, 35.49, -73.42, 18.42, -22.65, -12.13, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride combined with pramipexole are highly effective on Parkinson's disease. The combined therapy can effectively improve brain neurotransmitters and regulate oxidative stress response.
10.UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology for exploring antiinflammatory mechanism of Eurycoma longifolia.
Fang LIU ; Yuanfang ZHANG ; Peng LIU ; Jiamin LIU ; Siyu LIU ; Junjie WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(6):879-888
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanisms that mediate the anti-inflammatory activity of Eurycoma longifolia.
METHODS:
Kunming mouse models of xylene-induced ear swelling and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute pneumonia were used to compare the anti- inflammatory activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Eurycoma longifolia. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to identify the chemical composition in the ethanol extract of Eurycoma longifolia, based on which the potential antiinflammatory targets of Eurycoma longifolia were screened using the databases including SwissADME, SwissTargetPrediction, and Genecards. The String database was used to generate the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and Cytoscape was used for network topology analysis and screening the core targets. The enrichment of the core targets was analyzed using Metascape database, the core components and targets were docked with Autodock software, and the docking results were visualized using Pymol software. In a RAW264.7 cell model of LPS-induced inflammation, the Griess reagent was used to measure NO level, and Western blotting was performed to detect the expression levels of MAPK1, JAK2, and STAT3 proteins to verify the anti- inflammatory mechanism of Eurycoma longifolia.
RESULTS:
The ethanol extract (75%) of Eurycoma longifolia (ELE) was the active site, which contained a total of 37 chemical components. These chemical compounds and diseases had 541 targets, involving the JAK/STAT3, cAMP and other signaling pathways. Twelve indicator components were identified, which all showed good results of molecular docking with two core targets involved in the signaling pathways. In the cell validation experiment, treatment of the cells with low-, medium-, and high-dose ELE significantly reduced NO release in the cells, and ELE at the medium dose significantly decreased the cellular expressions of JAK2 and STAT3.
CONCLUSION
The anti-inflammatory activity of Eurycoma longifolia is attributed primarily to its active ingredients bitter lignin and alkaloids, which may regulate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway by targeting JAK2 and STAT3.
Animals
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Mice
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Network Pharmacology
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Eurycoma
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Lipopolysaccharides
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*
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Ethanol
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Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

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