1.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
2.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
3.Hot issues in the field of joint revision:infection,rehabilitation nursing,bone defect,and prosthesis loosening
Haobo LIANG ; Zeyu WANG ; Wenlong MA ; Hao LIU ; Youwen LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1963-1971
BACKGROUND:With the aging of the population,the number of joint replacement operations is increasing,and correspondingly,the number of joint revision operations is also increasing.Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current research status,research hotspots,and research frontiers in the field of joint revision is of great significance. OBJECTIVE:To perform visual analysis of the related literature in the field of joint revision in recent 20 years through bibliometrics,explore the research hot spots and dynamic trends in this field in order to provide a reference for further research. METHODS:Computer searches of CNKI,VIP,and WanFang Data from January 1,2003 to December 31,2022 were conducted to include relevant literature on joint revision.Duplicate data were removed using Note Express(3.9.0.9588)software.The scientific knowledge map was drawn by using CiteSpace(6.2.R6),VOS viewer(1.6.20),and Excel(2016)software on the number of papers published,the cooperative network of authors and institutions,the co-occurrence,emergence and clustering of keywords. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 1 806 articles were included.In the past 20 years,the overall trend of the annual publication volume in this field tended to be stable.(2)Analysis of the collaborative network showed that the author with the most publications and the highest intermediary centrality was Zhou Yixin;the institution with the most publications was Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,where Zhou Yixin worked,and the institution with the highest intermediary centrality was the General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.(3)Keyword analysis showed that the research focus was mainly on hip joint,infection,rehabilitation nursing,bone defect,and prosthesis loosening.(4)The visual analysis of the literature in the field of joint revision clarifies the context for the research in this field,provides research ideas and methods for many scholars,and reveals the research trend and frontier hot spots in this field.
4.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to ameliorate pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice
Yifei ZHANG ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Jiayi WANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Xi GUO ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):21-33
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated.
Conclusion
Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.Nuclear factor I-C regulates differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla
Yue WU ; Yongna ZHU ; Xiang GE ; Fan LIU ; Zeyu HE ; Xi LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(31):6667-6673
BACKGROUND:Overexpression of the nuclear factor I-C gene in vitro promotes the differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla,as does the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Moreover,nuclear factor I-C regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in mesenchymal stem cells.However,whether nuclear factor I-C can affect cell differentiation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhuman stem cells from apical papilla has not been reported.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of nuclear factor I-C in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in regulating the differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.METHODS:H uman stem cells from apical papilla were cultured by the slide-covered tissue block method and lentiviral transfection overexpressing the nuclear factor I-C gene.(1)A control group,an empty viral vector group,and an overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group were set up.The expression ofβ-Catenin,LRP5,and TCF7L2 was detected by Western blotting.(2)The control group,empty viral vector group,overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group,and overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene+DKK-1(Wnt pathway inhibitor)group were set up.Alkaline phosphatase staining and activity quantification were performed after 7 days of osteogenic induction.qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA,and protein after 14 days of osteogenic induction.Alizarin Red staining was used to observe the formation of mineralized nodules.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control and empty viral vector groups,the expression of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway-related proteins β-Catenin,LRP5,and TCF7L2 inhuman apical dentin papilla stem cells was significantly increased in the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the control and empty viral vector groups,the expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in human apical dentin papilla stem cells was significantly increased(P<0.01);the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA and protein were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the number of mineralized nodules was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group.(3)Compared with the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group,the alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05),and the number of mineralized nodules was significantly reduced(P<0.05)in human stem cells from apical papilla of the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene+DKK-1 group.The results show that nuclear factor I-C can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human stem cells from apical papilla and mediate the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.
6.Role of senescent cells in bone-related diseases:An updated review
Jinru TANG ; Bo LI ; Yunkun LIU ; Zeyu HOU ; Longjiang LI
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(2):134-138,145
Bone-related diseases are a group of inflammatory diseases characterized by abnormal bone resorption and formation,with a wide variety of diseases involving age,inflammation,obesity,genetics,radiation,and other pathogenic factors.In recent years,se-nescent cells have become an important mechanism for age-related diseases,and their role in bone-related diseases has attracted the at-tention of researchers.Senescent cells are gradually being used as therapeutic targets for bone-related diseases.In this paper,we pres-ent a review of the mechanism of senescent cells in various types of bone-related diseases,which will provide new strategies for the pre-vention and treatment of bone diseases.
7.The Participation Effect and Health Service Utilization of Medical Insurance Incentive Policy:A Case Study of Tianjin's Pilot Policy
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(8):23-26
Objective:It aims to analyze the implementation effects of Tianjin's medical insurance incentive pilot policies,with the objective of providing empirical references for regions across China in refining medical insurance incentive mechanisms.Methods:Through macro statistics and industry-related data,comparative analysis is used to assess the impact of Tianjin's medical insurance incentives on residents' enrollment rate and healthcare service utilization.Results:Tianjin's policies have enhanced the willingness of residents to continue to participate in the insurance,and guided participants to rationally use medical services.Conclusion:It is needed to focus on the accessibility of medical insurance incentives,increase the amount of outpatient treatment for zero-reimbursement personnel,and reduce the deductible of the next year's hospitalization.
8.Involvement of asprosin in regulation of liver lipid synthesis in mice un-der obesity and exercise weight loss through NRF2
Zeyu ZHANG ; Miao LIU ; Yi HAN ; Tingting YAO ; Tao LI ; Rendong LI ; Xuehie YI ; Tie MA
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(4):732-742
AIM:This study aims to explore the role of asprosin(ASP)in regulating hepatic lipid anabolic metabolism,as well as the effects of ASP and its downstream pathways on hepatic lipid anabolic metabolism under obesity and exercise intervention.METHODS:To explore the effect of ASP on liver lipid synthesis under physiological condi-tion,5-week-old male C57BL/6J were randomly divided into 4 groups:wild-type(WT)group,WT+ASP group,knockout(KO)group,and KO+ASP group.The mice in KO and KO+ASP groups were ASP gene heterozygous KO mice,and the re-combinant ASP protein was intraperitoneally injected into the mice in WT+ASP and KO+ASP groups for one month before sampling.To explore the role of ASP on liver lipid synthesis under obesity and exercise intervention,5-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control(NC)group,high-fat diet(HFD)group,and HFD+exercise group.After 10 weeks of HFD feeding,the mice in HFD group received no intervention,while those in HFD+ex-ercise group underwent 8 weeks of treadmill exercise intervention.The mice in both groups were fed with HFD during the intervention period.After the interventions,liver tissues were collected from the mice.Western blot and RT-qPCR meth-ods were used to detect the expression levels of ASP,fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2),stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1(SCD1)and fatty acid synthase(FASN)in the mouse liver.ELISA was used to detect the triglycerol(TG)and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)levels in the mouse liver,and HE stain-ing and oil red O staining were performed to observe the morphological changes of mouse liver tissues.RESULTS:(1)Compared with WT mice,KO mice exhibited significantly reduced body weight and liver weight,while liver index and he-patic TG levels were significantly increased.The mRNA and protein levels of cAMP,ASP,FGF21 and NRF2 in the liver were significantly decreased,whereas the mRNA and protein levels of SCD1 and FASN were significantly increased.In the WT+ASP group,liver index and hepatic TG levels were significantly reduced,but there were no statistical differences in body weight and liver weight.The mRNA and protein levels of SCD1 and FASN in the liver were significantly de-creased,while the cAMP level and the mRNA and protein levels of NRF2 were significantly increased.The FGF21 mRNA level decreased,but the protein level increased.(2)Compared with KO mice,KO+ASP mice had significantly reduced hepatic TG level,with a certain degree of reduction in liver weight and liver index,but without statistical significance.The cAMP level and the mRNA and protein levels of ASP,FGF21 and NRF2 in the liver were significantly increased,while the mRNA and protein levels of SCD1 and FASN were significantly decreased.(3)Compared with NC mice,HFD mice showed increased body weight,liver weight,and hepatic TG level.The cAMP level and the mRNA and protein levels of NRF2 in the liver were significantly decreased,while the mRNA and protein levels of SCD1 and FASN were significant-ly increased.The FGF21 mRNA level increased,but its protein level decreased.The ASP mRNA level decreased,but its protein level increased.(4)Compared with HFD mice,HFD+exercise mice had significantly reduced body weight,liver weight,and hepatic TG level.The mRNA and protein levels of SCD1 and FASN in the liver were significantly decreased,while the cAMP level and the mRNA and protein levels of NRF2 were significantly increased.The FGF21 mRNA level de-creased,but its protein level increased.The ASP mRNA level increased,but its protein level decreased.CONCLU-SION:(1)The ASP exerts an inhibitory effect on hepatic lipogenesis through the cAMP/FGF21/NRF2 pathway.(2)Un-der HFD feeding condition,the protein expression of FGF21 decreases,leading to our speculation that ASP may develop resistance.Aerobic exercise intervention can attenuate ASP resistance under high-fat condition and alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation caused by HFD.
9.Nuclear factor I-C regulates differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla
Yue WU ; Yongna ZHU ; Xiang GE ; Fan LIU ; Zeyu HE ; Xi LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(31):6667-6673
BACKGROUND:Overexpression of the nuclear factor I-C gene in vitro promotes the differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla,as does the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Moreover,nuclear factor I-C regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in mesenchymal stem cells.However,whether nuclear factor I-C can affect cell differentiation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhuman stem cells from apical papilla has not been reported.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of nuclear factor I-C in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in regulating the differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.METHODS:H uman stem cells from apical papilla were cultured by the slide-covered tissue block method and lentiviral transfection overexpressing the nuclear factor I-C gene.(1)A control group,an empty viral vector group,and an overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group were set up.The expression ofβ-Catenin,LRP5,and TCF7L2 was detected by Western blotting.(2)The control group,empty viral vector group,overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group,and overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene+DKK-1(Wnt pathway inhibitor)group were set up.Alkaline phosphatase staining and activity quantification were performed after 7 days of osteogenic induction.qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA,and protein after 14 days of osteogenic induction.Alizarin Red staining was used to observe the formation of mineralized nodules.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control and empty viral vector groups,the expression of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway-related proteins β-Catenin,LRP5,and TCF7L2 inhuman apical dentin papilla stem cells was significantly increased in the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the control and empty viral vector groups,the expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in human apical dentin papilla stem cells was significantly increased(P<0.01);the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA and protein were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the number of mineralized nodules was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group.(3)Compared with the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene group,the alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,dentin salivary phosphoprotein,osteocalcin mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05),and the number of mineralized nodules was significantly reduced(P<0.05)in human stem cells from apical papilla of the overexpressed nuclear factor I-C gene+DKK-1 group.The results show that nuclear factor I-C can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human stem cells from apical papilla and mediate the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.
10.Recent advance in synergistic pathogenesis of complement and antibody in Guillain-Barré syndrome and its immunotherapy
Yuqian XUE ; Ailing LIU ; Chengjing FEI ; Yulei LIU ; Minghao DU ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Rong YIN
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(9):959-964
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated acute polyradiculoneuropathy. Its key feature is focal segmental demyelination along with inflammatory cell infiltration and axonal damage. In clinical practice, anti-ganglioside antibodies in the body fluid of GBS patients show heterogeneity, and conventional immunotherapy is ineffective in some GBS subtypes. Drawing on treatment options for other neuroimmune diseases, targeted regulation of antibody-complement system has now become an important direction in GBS treatment research. This paper examines the immune response mechanisms involving complement, antibodies and related inflammatory factors, explores new strategy in GBS immunotherapy, so as to provide theoretical basis and research entry points for GBS individualized treatment.


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