1.Improvement effects and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ on neuroinflammation
Mimi WANG ; Yonggang FENG ; Yun HAN ; Kaixin SHAN ; Fuyu LIU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Xiaoyan FANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):30-35
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ (AS- Ⅳ ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation. METHODS BV2 cells were divided into control group, LPS group, AS-Ⅳ groups at concentrations of 20 and 40 μmol/L, and dexamethasone group (2 μmol/L). Except for control group, neuroinflammation model was established with LPS (1 μg/mL) in other groups after medication. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO)] in cell supernatant were measured in each group. Mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group (Aspirin enteric-coated tablet, 20 mg/kg), AS-Ⅳ low- and high-dose groups (10, 20 mg/kg), with 6 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug/normal saline via gavage/intraperitoneal injection, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. Except for normal group, other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (250 μg/kg) 1 hour after daily administration of the drug/normal saline to establish neuroinflammation model. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured 2 h after the last medication; histopathological morphology of cerebral tissue in mice were observed; the co-localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and CD206/Iba1 in the cerebral cortex region of mice was observed; the expressions of proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in brain tissue of mice were also determined, including NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65), p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK). RESULTS In the cell experiments, compared with control group, the levels of IL-6, TNF- α and NO in the cell supernatant of the LPS group were increased significantly (P<0.05); compared with LPS group, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and NO were decreased significantly in the administration groups (P<0.05). In the animal experiments, compared with the normal group, the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF- α, the number of iNOS/Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex, and the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK, NF- κB p65 and ERK proteins in brain tissue were all significantly increased/elevated in model group (P<0.05); the number of CD206/ Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex region significantly decreased (P<0.05). The neurons in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus displayed a disordered arrangement. Compared with model group, above quantitative indexes of mice were all reversed significantly in administration groups (P<0.05); the neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus exhibited a relatively orderly arrangement. CONCLUSIONS AS-Ⅳ may inhibit the activation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway, promote the M2-type polarization of microglia, and thereby suppress neuroinflammatory responses.
2.Virtual reality-based cognitive training for MCI in the elderly: A feasibility randomised pilot study.
Zaylea KUA ; Rebecca Hui Shan ONG ; Nicole Yun Ching CHEN ; Peng Soon YOON ; Samuel Teong Huang CHEW ; YanHong DONG ; Louisa Mei Ying TAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(7):445-447
3.Pharmacokinetics study of Dayuanyin in normal and febrile rats.
Yu-Jie HOU ; Kang-Ning XIAO ; Jian-Yun BI ; Xin-Jun ZHANG ; Xin-Rui LI ; Yu-Qing WANG ; Ming SU ; Xin-Ru SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Bo-Yang WANG ; Li-Jie WANG ; Shan-Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):527-533
Based on the pharmacokinetics theory, this study investigated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, wogonoside, and wogonin in normal and febrile rats and summarized absorption and elimination rules of Dayuanyin in them to provide reference for further development and clinical application of Dayuanyin. Blood samples were taken from the fundus venous plexus of normal and model rats after intragastric administration of Dayuanyin at different time points. The concentration of each substance in blood was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) technique at different time points. DAS 2.0, a piece of pharmacokinetics software, was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component. The results show that the 4 components had good linear relationship in their respective ranges, and the results of methodological investigation met the requirements. The pharmacokinetic parameters of C_(max), T_(max), t_(1/2), AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), and MRT_(0-t) were calculated by the DAS 2.0 non-compartmental model. Compared with those in the normal group, C_(max) and AUC_(0-t) of the 4 components in the model group were significantly increased. There were significant differences in the pharmacokinetic characteristics between the normal and model groups, suggesting that the absorption and elimination of Dayuanyin may be affected by the changes of internal environment of the body in different physiological states.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Fever/metabolism*
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Glucosides/pharmacokinetics*
;
Monoterpenes
4.Mechanism of icariin in promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and improving bone metabolism disorders through caveolin-1/Hippo signaling pathway.
Yi-Dan HAN ; Hai-Feng ZHANG ; Yun-Teng XU ; Yu-Huan ZHONG ; Xiao-Ning WANG ; Yun YU ; Yuan-Li YAN ; Shan-Shan WANG ; Xi-Hai LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):600-608
Guided by the theory of "the kidney storing essence, governing the bones, and producing marrow", this study explored the mechanism of icariin(ICA) in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) through caveolin-1(Cav1) via in vitro and in vivo experiments, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Primary cells were obtained from 4-week-old female SD rats using the whole bone marrow adherent method. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of surface markers CD29, CD90, CD11b, and CD45. The potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was assessed. The effect of ICA on cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay, and the impact of ICA on the formation of mineralized nodules was verified by alizarin red staining. A stable Cav1-silenced cell line was constructed using lentivirus. The effect of Cav1 silencing on osteogenic differentiation was observed via alizarin red staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of Cav1, Hippo/TAZ, and osteogenic markers such as Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). The results showed that primary cells were successfully obtained using the whole bone marrow adherent method, positively expressing surface markers of rat BMSCs and possessing the potential for both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. The CCK-8 assay and alizarin red staining results indicated that 1×10~(-7) mol·L~(-1) was the optimal concentration of ICA for intervention in this experiment(P<0.05). During osteogenic induction, ICA inhibited Cav1 expression(P<0.05) while promoting TAZ expression(P<0.05). Alizarin red staining demonstrated that Cav1 silencing significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. After ICA intervention, TAZ expression was activated, and the expression of osteogenic markers ALP and RUNX2 was increased. In conclusion, Cav1 silencing significantly promotes the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and ICA promotes this differentiation by inhibiting Cav1 and regulating the Hippo/TAZ signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Caveolin 1/genetics*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Female
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Flavonoids/administration & dosage*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Humans
5.Identification of tissue distribution components and mechanism of antipyretic effect of famous classical formula Dayuanyin.
Yu-Jie HOU ; Kang-Ning XIAO ; Jian-Yun BI ; Xin-Rui LI ; Ming SU ; Li-Jie WANG ; Yu-Qing WANG ; Dan-Dan SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Xin-Jun ZHANG ; Shan-Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2810-2824
Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Male
;
Antipyretics/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Tissue Distribution
;
Mass Spectrometry
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Hypothalamus/metabolism*
6.Association between Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance and Abdominal Fat Distribution: A Trait Spectrum Exposure Pattern and Structure-Based Investigation.
Zhi LI ; Shi Lin SHAN ; Chen Yang SONG ; Cheng Zhe TAO ; Hong QIAN ; Qin YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Qiao Qiao XU ; Yu Feng QIN ; Yun FAN ; Chun Cheng LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):3-14
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles.
METHODS:
Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk.
RESULTS:
Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk.
CONCLUSION
PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans
;
Fluorocarbons/blood*
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Environmental Pollutants/blood*
;
Abdominal Fat
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood*
;
Obesity
;
Environmental Exposure
7.Threshold-Effect Associations of Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D on Bone Turnover Markers and GC rs2282679 Variants in Chinese Women of Childbearing Age.
Xiao Yun SHAN ; Yu Ting LI ; Xia Yu ZHAO ; Yi Chun HU ; Si Ran LI ; Hui di ZHANG ; Yang CAO ; Rui WANG ; Li Chen YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):433-446
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate possible serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] cutoffs for the associations between 25(OH)D and Bone turnover markers (BTMs), and how GC gene variation influences such cutoffs in Chinese women of childbearing age.
METHODS:
In total, 1,505 non-pregnant or non-lactating women (18-45 years) were recruited from the 2015 Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. Serum 25(OH)D, osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), β-CrossLaps of type 1 collagen containing cross-linked C-telopeptide (β-CTX), and single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined. Locally weighted regression and smoothing scatterplot and segmented regression were performed to estimate the 25(OH)D thresholds.
RESULTS:
The median serum 25(OH)D was 16.63 (11.96-22.55) ng/mL and the prevalence of low serum 25(OH)D (< 12 ng/mL) was 25.2%. Women with the lowest 25(OH)D had the highest β-CTX. After adjustment for the confounders, 25(OH)D cutoffs for OC [14.04 (12.84-15.23) ng/mL], β-CTX [13.94 (12.49-15.39) ng/mL], and P1NP [13.87 (12.37-15.37) ng/mL] in the whole population, cutoffs for OC [12.30 (10.68-13.91) ng/mL], β-CTX [12.23 (10.22-14.23) ng/mL], and P1NP [11.85 (10.40-13.31) ng/mL] in women with the GC rs2282679 G allele, and cutoffs for OC [12.75 (11.81-13.68) ng/mL], β-CTX [13.05 (11.78-14.32) ng/mL], and P1NP [12.81 (11.57-14.06) ng/mL] in women with the GC rs2282679 T allele, were observed. Below these cutoffs, BTMs were negatively associated with 25(OH)D, while above these cutoffs, BTMs plateaued.
CONCLUSION
In Chinese women of childbearing age, there were thresholds effect of serum 25(OH)D concentrations on BTMs. The results indicated that serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 13.87 ng/mL in this population had adverse influences on maintaining bone remodeling. BTMs were suppressed at a relatively lower serum 25(OH)D in women with the GC rs2282679 G allele compared with those with the T allele.
Humans
;
Female
;
Vitamin D/blood*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
China
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Bone Remodeling/genetics*
;
Vitamin D-Binding Protein/genetics*
;
Procollagen/blood*
;
Osteocalcin/blood*
;
Peptide Fragments/blood*
;
East Asian People
8.Efficacy and safety of venetoclax and azacitidine combined with GHA priming regimen in treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia
Shan MENG ; Jin WANG ; Pengyu ZHANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Bo LEI ; Baiyan WANG ; Jie LIU ; Yun YANG ; Jianli WANG ; Liufang GU ; Wanhong ZHAO
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(8):467-471
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax and azacitidine combined with GHA (human granulocyte colony stimulating factor, homoharringtonine and low-dose cytarabine) priming regimen in treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. Twenty-three patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (non-acute promyelocytic leukemia) who received treatment with the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine with GHA priming regimen at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from October 2020 to July 2024 were selected, and the treatment efficacy, minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative rate in patients with comprehensive complete remission (cCR) (including complete remission, complete remission with partial hematologic recovery and complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery) and the adverse reactions were analyzed; patients were followed-up, and their overall survival (OS) was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method.Results:The median age of the 23 patients was 60 years (range: 21-79 years), including 10 males and 13 females. The cCR rate for 1 course of treatment was 52.2% (12/23), with 4 cases of MRD negative among cCR patients; 5 cases received 2 courses of treatment, with 3 cases achieving cCR, of which 2 cases were MRD negative; 2 cases received 3 courses of treatment, with 1 case achieving complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery. Six patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The patients were followed up until July 31, 2024, and the median follow-up period was 5.3 months (range: 1.1-41.7 months). Ten cases survived, 12 cases died, 1 case was lost to follow-up, and the median OS time of 23 patients was 7.9 months. The 6-month OS rate was 60.2% (95% CI: 42.7%-84.8%), and the 12-month OS rate was 44.6% (95% CI: 26.8%-74.3%). Common adverse reactions during treatment included infection [69.6% (16/23)], nausea [56.5% (13/23)], febrile neutropenia [52.2% (12/23)], bleeding [52.2% (12/23)], vomiting [34.8% (8/23)], and pneumonia [34.8% (8/23)]. Conclusions:The combination of vinaclotide and azacitidine with GHA priming regimen has certain efficacy and good safety in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.
9.Analysis of risk factors, pathogenic bacteria characteristics, and drug resistance of postoperative surgical site infection in adults with limb fractures.
Yan-Jun WANG ; Zi-Hou ZHAO ; Shuai-Kun LU ; Guo-Liang WANG ; Shan-Jin MA ; Lin-Hu WANG ; Hao GAO ; Jun REN ; Zhong-Wei AN ; Cong-Xiao FU ; Yong ZHANG ; Wen LUO ; Yun-Fei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(4):241-251
PURPOSE:
We carried out the study aiming to explore and analyze the risk factors, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and their antibiotic-resistance characteristics influencing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI), to provide valuable assistance for reducing the incidence of SSI after traumatic fracture surgery.
METHODS:
A retrospective case-control study enrolling 3978 participants from January 2015 to December 2019 receiving surgical treatment for traumatic fractures was conducted at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University. Baseline data, demographic characteristics, lifestyles, variables related to surgical treatment, and pathogen culture were harvested and analyzed. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to reveal the independent risk factors of SSI. A bacterial distribution histogram and drug-sensitive heat map were drawn to describe the pathogenic characteristics.
RESULTS:
Included 3978 patients 138 of them developed SSI with an incidence rate of 3.47% postoperatively. By logistic regression analysis, we found that variables such as gender (males) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.235 - 3.278, p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.848, 95% CI: 3.513 - 9.736, p < 0.001), hypoproteinemia (OR = 3.400, 95% CI: 1.280 - 9.031, p = 0.014), underlying disease (OR = 5.398, 95% CI: 2.343 - 12.438, p < 0.001), hormonotherapy (OR = 11.718, 95% CI: 6.269 - 21.903, p < 0.001), open fracture (OR = 29.377, 95% CI: 9.944 - 86.784, p < 0.001), and intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.664, 95% CI: 1.572 - 4.515, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for SSI, while, aged over 59 years (OR = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.059 - 0.296, p < 0.001), prophylactic antibiotics use (OR = 0.082, 95% CI: 0.042 - 0.164, p < 0.001) and vacuum sealing drainage use (OR = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.010 - 0.129, p < 0.001) were protective factors. Pathogens results showed that 301 strains of 38 species of bacteria were harvested, among which 178 (59.1%) strains were Gram-positive bacteria, and 123 (40.9%) strains were Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (108, 60.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (38, 30.9%) accounted for the largest proportion. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria to Vancomycin and Linezolid was almost 100%. The susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria to Imipenem, Amikacin, and Meropenem exceeded 73%.
CONCLUSION
Orthopedic surgeons need to develop appropriate surgical plans based on the risk factors and protective factors associated with postoperative SSI to reduce its occurrence. Meanwhile, it is recommended to strengthen blood glucose control in the early stage of admission and for surgeons to be cautious and scientific when choosing antibiotic therapy in clinical practice.
Humans
;
Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Risk Factors
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Aged
;
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
;
Logistic Models
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Incidence
;
Bacteria/drug effects*
10.CFAP300 loss-of-function variant causes primary ciliary dyskinesia and male infertility via disrupting sperm flagellar assembly and acrosome formation.
Hua-Yan YIN ; Yu-Qi ZHOU ; Qun-Shan SHEN ; Zi-Wen CHEN ; Jie-Ru LI ; Huan WU ; Yun-Xia CAO ; Rui GUO ; Bing SONG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(6):743-750
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans
;
Male
;
Infertility, Male/pathology*
;
Acrosome/pathology*
;
Sperm Tail/pathology*
;
Pedigree
;
Spermatozoa
;
Adult
;
Loss of Function Mutation
;
Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Female

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