1.Benzoylaconine attenuates oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation induced cardiomyocytic injury through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Wuming ZHOU ; Shengkun LANG ; Xin GE ; Wei JIANG ; Di JIA ; Hao YAO ; Zhirong HUAN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):211-216
Objective To investigate the protective effect of benzoylaconine(BAC)on H9c2 cardio-myocytes after oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation(OGD/R)injury.Methods After an in vitro model of OGD/R injury was established in H9c2 cells,the cells were treated with BAC at different concentrations(0,25,50,75,100 μmol/L)to determine its optimal dose.Then,H9c2 cells were randomly divided into control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+BAC group(75 μmol),OGD/R+LY294002 group(PI3K/Akt inhibitor),and OGD/R+LY294002+BAC group.Corre-sponding reagent kits were used to determine cell viability and LDH level,as well as the expres-sion levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,MDA and GSH-Px in the cells.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway proteins,as well as autophagic proteins such as LC3,Beclin1,and P62.Results Compared to the control group,the cell viability was significantly decreased,and LDH level was obviously increased in the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC significantly increased the cell viability(0.87±0.06 vs 40.49±0.06,P<0.01)and decreased the LDH level(86.75±7.79 U/L vs 234.42±6.20 U/L,P<0.01)when compared to the levels of the OGD/R group.OGD/R injury induced notable increases in TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,and MDA expression levels,while decrease of GSH-Px expression level(P<0.01),and down-regulation of p-PI3K,p-Akt and P62 and up-regulation of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(P<0.01)when compared with the control group.Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC increased the levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and P62 proteins(0.90±0.07 vs 0.58±0.04,1.02±0.02 vs 0.49±0.01,1.48±0.05 vs 0.87±0.04)and decreased those of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(0.52±0.01 vs 1.24±0.04,0.12±0.01 vs 0.32±0.02)when compared with the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Conclusions BAC attenu-ates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of myocardial cells after OGD/R injury,regu-lates autophagy homeostasis,and reduces myocardial cell damage.Its regulatory effect on myocar-dial autophagy homeostasis may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
2.Benzoylaconine attenuates oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation induced cardiomyocytic injury through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Wuming ZHOU ; Shengkun LANG ; Xin GE ; Wei JIANG ; Di JIA ; Hao YAO ; Zhirong HUAN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):211-216
Objective To investigate the protective effect of benzoylaconine(BAC)on H9c2 cardio-myocytes after oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation(OGD/R)injury.Methods After an in vitro model of OGD/R injury was established in H9c2 cells,the cells were treated with BAC at different concentrations(0,25,50,75,100 μmol/L)to determine its optimal dose.Then,H9c2 cells were randomly divided into control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+BAC group(75 μmol),OGD/R+LY294002 group(PI3K/Akt inhibitor),and OGD/R+LY294002+BAC group.Corre-sponding reagent kits were used to determine cell viability and LDH level,as well as the expres-sion levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,MDA and GSH-Px in the cells.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway proteins,as well as autophagic proteins such as LC3,Beclin1,and P62.Results Compared to the control group,the cell viability was significantly decreased,and LDH level was obviously increased in the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC significantly increased the cell viability(0.87±0.06 vs 40.49±0.06,P<0.01)and decreased the LDH level(86.75±7.79 U/L vs 234.42±6.20 U/L,P<0.01)when compared to the levels of the OGD/R group.OGD/R injury induced notable increases in TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,and MDA expression levels,while decrease of GSH-Px expression level(P<0.01),and down-regulation of p-PI3K,p-Akt and P62 and up-regulation of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(P<0.01)when compared with the control group.Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC increased the levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and P62 proteins(0.90±0.07 vs 0.58±0.04,1.02±0.02 vs 0.49±0.01,1.48±0.05 vs 0.87±0.04)and decreased those of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(0.52±0.01 vs 1.24±0.04,0.12±0.01 vs 0.32±0.02)when compared with the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Conclusions BAC attenu-ates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of myocardial cells after OGD/R injury,regu-lates autophagy homeostasis,and reduces myocardial cell damage.Its regulatory effect on myocar-dial autophagy homeostasis may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
3.Long-term outcomes after infliximab discontinuation in patients with Crohn's disease: a single-center retrospective observational study
Danping ZHENG ; Yun QIU ; Yingfan ZHANG ; Baili CHEN ; Yao HE ; Zhirong ZENG ; Minhu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025;09(4):297-302
Objective:To assess the long-term risk of relapse in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who discontinued infliximab (IFX) monoclonal antibody and to identify risk factors associated with relapse.Methods:A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted from February 2006 to October 2016. The study included CD patients who were treated with scheduled IFX infusions at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and assessed in corticosteroid-free clinical remission at the time of withdrawal were included. The primary outcome was clinical relapse. We evaluated the risk of relapse using Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with time to relapse was identified using the multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Results:We included 97 eligible patients, and 75 (77.3%) experienced a relapse after a median follow-up time of 124 months. Among them, 45 patients (46.4%) relapsed within 3 years after IFX withdrawal. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year relapse-free survival were 79.4%, 59.8%, 52.6%, 42.0% and 22.6%, respectively. Risk factors for relapse included age ≤ 16 ( HR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.30-5.31; P = 0.007) and failure to achieve biological remission (CRP > 3 mg/L, HR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.29-4.36; P = 0.006) at drug withdrawal. Induction with biologics or systemic steroids were both effective (89%-100% relieved) in relapsers. Conclusions:Nearly half of CD patients relapsed within 3 years after discontinuation of IFX treatment. Early age of discontinuation and failure to achieve serum biological remission at the time of discontinuation are independent predictors of clinical relapse.
4.Long-term outcomes after infliximab discontinuation in patients with Crohn's disease: a single-center retrospective observational study
Danping ZHENG ; Yun QIU ; Yingfan ZHANG ; Baili CHEN ; Yao HE ; Zhirong ZENG ; Minhu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025;09(4):297-302
Objective:To assess the long-term risk of relapse in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who discontinued infliximab (IFX) monoclonal antibody and to identify risk factors associated with relapse.Methods:A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted from February 2006 to October 2016. The study included CD patients who were treated with scheduled IFX infusions at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and assessed in corticosteroid-free clinical remission at the time of withdrawal were included. The primary outcome was clinical relapse. We evaluated the risk of relapse using Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with time to relapse was identified using the multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Results:We included 97 eligible patients, and 75 (77.3%) experienced a relapse after a median follow-up time of 124 months. Among them, 45 patients (46.4%) relapsed within 3 years after IFX withdrawal. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year relapse-free survival were 79.4%, 59.8%, 52.6%, 42.0% and 22.6%, respectively. Risk factors for relapse included age ≤ 16 ( HR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.30-5.31; P = 0.007) and failure to achieve biological remission (CRP > 3 mg/L, HR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.29-4.36; P = 0.006) at drug withdrawal. Induction with biologics or systemic steroids were both effective (89%-100% relieved) in relapsers. Conclusions:Nearly half of CD patients relapsed within 3 years after discontinuation of IFX treatment. Early age of discontinuation and failure to achieve serum biological remission at the time of discontinuation are independent predictors of clinical relapse.
5.Antisense molecules: A promising new therapy for atopic dermatitis.
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5493-5514
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting all age groups, especially children, with a prevalence of up to 20% globally. AD remains burdensome and incurable with current therapeutic strategies-ranging from trigger avoidance and skincare to medication-primarily address symptoms rather than disease modification, underscoring the imperative for innovative therapeutic paradigms. RNA-targeted therapies, particularly antisense molecules, have emerged as a transformative approach in precision medicine, with proven clinical success in diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and familial chylomicronemia syndrome. These therapeutics achieve post-transcriptional regulation unattainable by conventional therapies, enabling direct targeting of messenger RNA (mRNA) and regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) implicated in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, skin is better suited to the antisense modulation due to the relatively easy access to target cells. Numerous studies have explored antisense-based targeting of key drivers in AD progression, yielding promising proof-of-concept results and prompting several early-stage clinical trials. This modality represents a paradigm shift in AD management-one that aligns with the broader revolution in RNA therapeutics reshaping modern medicine. This review critically examines the evolving role of antisense technology in AD, addressing both its mechanistic rationale and the translational challenges that must be overcome to realize its full clinical potential.
6.Current research on UV-induced DNA damage and its role in promoting the development of skin malignancies
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):228-232
Skin malignancies include non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma,with high incidence rates that pose a significant burden on public health and healthcare systems.Research in this area is crucial.Ultraviolet radiation(UV)is recognized as the primary risk factor for skin malignancies,with its main carcinogenic mechanism involving UV-induced DNA damage,which leads to the accumulation of mutations in key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.This accumulation promotes malignant transformation of related cells,ultimately resulting in the formation of malignant tumors.Understanding the specific processes through which UV-induced DNA damage contributes to the development of skin malignancies is crucial for advancing related research.Therefore,this paper focuses on the mechanisms of UV-induced DNA damage,the repair mechanisms for UV-induced DNA damage,and the relationship between UV-induced DNA damage and the occurrence of the three major types of skin malignancies.
7.Research progress on the dual effects of autophagy in cutaneous melanoma and its role in drug resistance
Wen LUO ; Mingjun LÜ ; Zhen ZHANG ; Xue ZHANG ; Zhirong YAO
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):233-240
Cutaneous melanoma(CM)is a highly malignant tumor caused by malignant proliferation of melanocytes,characterized by distant metastasis and high mortality.Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy have significantly improved the survival rates of advanced CM patients,tumor resistance remains a key barrier to further improving treatment outcomes.In recent years,significant progress has been made in the study of autophagy as a key regulatory cell death mode in the pathogenesis of CM.Autophagy is the main mechanism that mediates the degradation and recycling of various cellular components through lysosomes to maintain the homeostasis of the intracellular environment.A large number of studies have confirmed that the role of autophagy in CM is complex and controversial.In the early stages of CM development,autophagy may inhibit abnormal proliferation of tumor cells by removing damaged cell components.However,as the tumor progresses,autophagy may transform into a role that promotes tumor invasion and metastasis.In advanced CM,the activation of autophagy helps tumor cells survive in stressful environments.In particular,in CM with BRAF(V-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)mutations,autophagy activity is often enhanced,weakening the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitor-targeted therapy.This article provides an in-depth analysis of the dual effects of autophagy on the progression of CM and explores the role of autophagy in CM resistance,in order to provide insights for the development of new targeted therapy strategies for CM.
8.Research progress on the dual effects of autophagy in cutaneous melanoma and its role in drug resistance
Wen LUO ; Mingjun LÜ ; Zhen ZHANG ; Xue ZHANG ; Zhirong YAO
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):233-240
Cutaneous melanoma(CM)is a highly malignant tumor caused by malignant proliferation of melanocytes,characterized by distant metastasis and high mortality.Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy have significantly improved the survival rates of advanced CM patients,tumor resistance remains a key barrier to further improving treatment outcomes.In recent years,significant progress has been made in the study of autophagy as a key regulatory cell death mode in the pathogenesis of CM.Autophagy is the main mechanism that mediates the degradation and recycling of various cellular components through lysosomes to maintain the homeostasis of the intracellular environment.A large number of studies have confirmed that the role of autophagy in CM is complex and controversial.In the early stages of CM development,autophagy may inhibit abnormal proliferation of tumor cells by removing damaged cell components.However,as the tumor progresses,autophagy may transform into a role that promotes tumor invasion and metastasis.In advanced CM,the activation of autophagy helps tumor cells survive in stressful environments.In particular,in CM with BRAF(V-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)mutations,autophagy activity is often enhanced,weakening the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitor-targeted therapy.This article provides an in-depth analysis of the dual effects of autophagy on the progression of CM and explores the role of autophagy in CM resistance,in order to provide insights for the development of new targeted therapy strategies for CM.
9.Current research on UV-induced DNA damage and its role in promoting the development of skin malignancies
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):228-232
Skin malignancies include non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma,with high incidence rates that pose a significant burden on public health and healthcare systems.Research in this area is crucial.Ultraviolet radiation(UV)is recognized as the primary risk factor for skin malignancies,with its main carcinogenic mechanism involving UV-induced DNA damage,which leads to the accumulation of mutations in key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.This accumulation promotes malignant transformation of related cells,ultimately resulting in the formation of malignant tumors.Understanding the specific processes through which UV-induced DNA damage contributes to the development of skin malignancies is crucial for advancing related research.Therefore,this paper focuses on the mechanisms of UV-induced DNA damage,the repair mechanisms for UV-induced DNA damage,and the relationship between UV-induced DNA damage and the occurrence of the three major types of skin malignancies.
10.Genetic analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with atypical Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A due to duplication of PMP22 gene
Ling YAO ; Min LI ; Lijuan LIU ; Zhirong FAN ; Yu′nan JIA ; Jing WANG ; Fang DU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(4):443-449
Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations and genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with atypical Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 A (CMT1A).Methods:A patient admitted to the Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital Affiliated to Air Force Medical University in June 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected, and 17 family members from four generations of this pedigree were traced based on pes arcuatus and atypical clinical symptoms. Neuroultrasound and genetic testing were carried out on available family members. Whole exome sequencing and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification assay were carried out for the proband and some of the affected members of the pedigree.Results:The proband, a 15-year-old male, had presented with paroxystic limb pain with weakness, accompanied by pes cavus and hypertrophy of gastrocnemius muscles, without stork leg sign caused by muscles atrophy in the distal lower extremities. MRI has revealed no sign of fat infiltration in the muscles of both legs. Nerve conduction examination had indicated damages of the sensory and motor nerves of the limbs, mainly with demyelinating changes. Seven members of the pedigree had pes arcuatus, including 5 presenting with paroxysmal neuropathic pain and myasthenia in the limbs, whilst 2 were without any clinical symptoms. Neurosonography of the proband, his brother, father and aunt showed thickened peripheral nerves of the extremities with unclear bundle structure. Genetic analysis revealed a large repeat encompassing exons 1 to 5 of the PMP22 gene and flanking regions (chr17: 15133768_15502298) in some of the affected members, which was predicted to be pathogenic. Conclusion:The duplication of PMP22 gene was considered to be pathogenic for this CMT1A pedigree.

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