1.Research on The Role of Dopamine in Regulating Sleep and Wakefulness Through Exercise
Li-Juan HOU ; Ya-Xuan GENG ; Ke LI ; Zhao-Yang HUANG ; Lan-Qun MAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):88-98
Sleep is an instinctive behavior alternating awakening state, sleep entails many active processes occurring at the cellular, circuit and organismal levels. The function of sleep is to restore cellular energy, enhance immunity, promote growth and development, consolidate learning and memory to ensure normal life activities. However, with the increasing of social pressure involved in work and life, the incidence of sleep disorders (SD) is increasing year by year. In the short term, sleep disorders lead to impaired memory and attention; in the longer term, it produces neurological dysfunction or even death. There are many ways to directly or indirectly contribute to sleep disorder and keep the hormones, including pharmacological alternative treatments, light therapy and stimulus control therapy. Exercise is also an effective and healthy therapeutic strategy for improving sleep. The intensities, time periods, and different types of exercise have different health benefits for sleep, which can be found through indicators such as sleep quality, sleep efficiency and total sleep time. So it is more and more important to analyze the mechanism and find effective regulation targets during sleep disorder through exercise. Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter in the nervous system, which not only participates in action initiation, movement regulation and emotion regulation, but also plays a key role in the steady-state remodeling of sleep-awakening state transition. Appreciable evidence shows that sleep disorder on humans and rodents evokes anomalies in the dopaminergic signaling, which are also implicated in the development of psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia or substance abuse. Experiments have shown that DA in different neural pathways plays different regulatory roles in sleep behavior, we found that increasing evidence from rodent studies revealed a role for ventral tegmental area DA neurons in regulating sleep-wake patterns. DA signal transduction and neurotransmitter release patterns have complex interactions with behavioral regulation. In addition, experiments have shown that exercise causes changes in DA homeostasis in the brain, which may regulate sleep through different mechanisms, including cAMP response element binding protein signal transduction, changes in the circadian rhythm of biological clock genes, and interactions with endogenous substances such as adenosine, which affect neuronal structure and play a neuroprotective role. This review aims to introduce the regulatory effects of exercise on sleep disorder, especially the regulatory mechanism of DA in this process. The analysis of intracerebral DA signals also requires support from neurophysiological and chemical techniques. Our laboratory has established and developed an in vivo brain neurochemical analysis platform, which provides support for future research on the regulation of sleep-wake cycles by movement. We hope it can provide theoretical reference for the formulation of exercise prescription for clinical sleep disorder and give some advice to the combined intervention of drugs and exercise.
2.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Regulating Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Based on Qi Deficiency and Stagnation: A Review
Ziyang YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Wenjun MAO ; Guo YANG ; Xuewei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):248-255
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final stage of cardiovascular diseases. It is a complex syndrome, with dyspnea and edema as the main clinical manifestations, and it is characterized by complex disease conditions, difficult cure, and high mortality. Ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death, is different from other types of programmed cell death. Ferroptosis is iron-dependent, accompanied by lipid peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial shrinkage, becoming a hot research topic. Studies have confirmed that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of CHF. The regulation of ferroptosis may become a potential target for the treatment of CHF in the future. The theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation refers to the pathological state of original Qi deficiency and abnormal transportation and distribution of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which has guiding significance for revealing the pathogenesis evolution of some chronic diseases. We believe that Qi deficiency and stagnation is a summary of the pathogenesis of ferroptosis in CHF. Deficiency of Qi (heart Qi) is the root cause of CHF, and stagnation (phlegm turbidity and blood stasis) is the branch of this disease. The two influence each other in a vicious circle to promote the development of this disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of CHF, improving the prognosis and quality of life of CHF patients. This paper explores the correlation between the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation and the mechanism of ferroptosis in CHF. Furthermore, this paper reviews the mechanism of Chinese medicines and compound prescriptions in preventing and treating CHF by regulating ferroptosis according to the principles of replenishing Qi and dredging to remove stagnation, aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of CHF with TCM.
3.Interpretation for the General Chapter 0237 the preparation and establishment of national biological reference standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition Volume Ⅲ
WANG Yiping ; MAO Qunying ; WANG Xiaojuan ; LIANG Zhenglun
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):099-104
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition is about to be officially released. Based on multiple meetings and extensive consultations the vaccine products professional committee of the 12th pharmacopoeia commission, has revised and formed the general chapter 0237 for the preparation of national biological reference standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition volume Ⅲ. General chapter 0237, integrating the cutting-edge concepts from WHO’s related guidelines and the practical experience of biological reference standards both domestically, has revised the names of this chapter, updated and improved the technical requirements for candidate reference materials, collaborative calibration and value assignment, as well as stability research and monitoring. It also newly proposes the calculation of uncertainty of biological reference materials and emphasizes to pay attention to commutability. The implementation of general chapter 0237 will play a guiding role in improving the research and application level of biological reference materials in China. This article, by interpreting the revised content of general chapter 0237, aims to provide a reference for the researchers of biological reference materials.
4.Study on the processing technology and characteristic chromatogram of Epimedium koreanum roasted with suet oil
Jianwei HAO ; Jiuba ZHANG ; Chunqin MAO ; Yachun SHU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):546-551
OBJECTIVE To optimize the processing technology of Epimedium koreanum roasted with suet oil and analyze its characteristic chromatogram before and after processing. METHODS The optimal processing technology was optimized by orthogonal experiments with frying power, frying time and medicinal temperature as factors using the comprehensive score of appearance traits (color+odor), alcohol-soluble extract, the contents of icariin and baohuoside Ⅰ as evaluation index, then proceed with verification. The E. koreanum roasted with suet oil was prepared with the optimal technology. The characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of E. koreanum were established with the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 edition), and then similarity analysis was also conducted. Clustering analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to evaluate the differences in E. koreanum before and after processing. RESULTS The optimal processing technique for E. koreanum roasted with suet oil was as follows: first, heat 4 g of suet oil at a power of 600 W until it melts; next, when the temperature at the bottom of the pan reaches 140 ℃, add 20 g of E. koreanum silk and stir-fry for 6 minutes; finally, remove it and let it cool. Comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 98.94 points (RSD<3%). The established characteristic chromatogram of E. koreanum and E. koreanum roasted with suet oil were calibrated with 16 and 15 common peaks, respectively. Chromatographic peak 2 was determined to be chlorogenic acid, peak 5 to be chaohuoding A, peak 6 to be chaohuoding B, peak 7 to be chaohuoding C, peak 8 to be icariin, and peak 14 to be baohuoside Ⅰ. The similarities were all greater than 0.9. Results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that E. koreanum and E. koreanum roasted with suet oil were clustered into distinct groups. The results of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed that the variable importance projection values for peak 13, peak 15, peak 9, peak 1, peak 8, peak 12, peak 7, and peak 10 were all greater than 1. CONCLUSIONS The study successfully optimized the processing technology of suet oil-roasted E. koreanum. There are significant differences in the characteristic chromatograms of E. koreanum before and after processing. Among them, the chemical components corresponding to peak 13, peak 15, peak 9, peak 1, peak 8, peak 12, peak 7, and peak 10 may be the differential components of E. koreanum before and after processing.
5.Effects and mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure
Meiling MAO ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Yan PANG ; Liyu XIE ; Jiayong CHEN ; Xinyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Junshen LU ; Weiqi SHI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):160-165
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group, Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups (12.25, 24.50 g/kg, calculated by crude drug), and chemical medicine group (Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets, 10.42 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group; control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication, the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in serum and phosphatidic acid (PA) and cardiolipin (CL) in myocardial tissue were all detected; the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed; the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined; the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed; the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), Mfn2, optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group,the serum content of NT-proBNP, apoptotic rate of myocardial cells, and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly; serum content of ATP,contents of PA and CL, and relative expressions of Mfn1, Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced (P<0.05). There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue, degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells, and severe fibrosis; the mitochondria were swollen, with reduced or absent cristae, and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction, the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats (excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group) were significantly reversed (P<0.05); the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved, fibrosis had significantly reduced, mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal, cristae had increased, and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats, thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.
6.Pharmaceutical care for a patient with empagliflozin-induced euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
Lili YANG ; Qi LI ; Hui WANG ; Ruilong GAO ; Min MAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):214-218
OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for the pharmaceutical care of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) who developed euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) after taking empagliflozin. METHODS Clinical pharmacists provided pharmaceutical care for a patient with T2DM and LGMD who developed euDKA after taking empagliflozin. According to the patient’s recent use of medications and his conditions, clinical pharmacists assessed the correlation between euDKA and empagliflozin as “very likely”. As to euDKA, clinical pharmacists suggested discontinuing empagliflozin and metformin, and giving intravenous infusion of 10% Glucose injection instead of 5% Glucose injection for fluid resuscitation. Clinical pharmacists monitored the patient’s laboratory indicators such as arterial blood gas analysis, blood/urine ketones and electrolytes. They assisted physicians to decide when to stop intravenous supplements of liquid and insulin. Clinical pharmacists also assisted physicians to adjust the antidiabetic drugs and educated the patient to avoid empagliflozin or other sodium- glucose linked transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). RESULTS Physicians adopted the suggestions of clinical pharmacists. After treatment, the patient’s condition improved, and he was allowed to be discharged with medication. CONCLUSIONS euDKA is a relatively rare and serious adverse reaction associated with SGLT2i, and the patients with LGMD are susceptible to euDKA. Clinical pharmacists assist physicians in developing personalized medication plans by evaluating the association between euDKA and empagliflozin, adjusting medication regimens,conducting pharmaceutical monitoring,and other pharmaceutical services. Meanwhile, they provide medication education to patients to ensure their medication safety.
7.Meta-analysis of the effects of gene polymorphism on plasma concentration of voriconazole in patients with invasive fungal infection
Yaxuan LI ; Xingde LI ; Guohui WANG ; Panpan MAO ; Xuejiao MA ; Cangsang SONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):225-231
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of gene polymorphism on plasma minimum concentration (cmin) of voriconazole (VRZ) in patients with invasive fungal infection. METHODS The Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China Biomedical Literature Database, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data were searched for literature on the correlation between gene polymorphisms and cmin of VRZ from inception to April 2024. After screening the literature, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of the literature, meta-analysis was performed using R 4.3.2 software. RESULTS A total of 21 studies with 2 454 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the VRZ cmin of CYP2C19 IM and PM types was significantly higher than EM type, and the VRZ cmin of IM type was significantly lower than PM type (P<0.01). The VRZ cmin of CYP2C9 rs1057910 AA type was significantly higher than AC/CC type, and that of CYP3A5 rs776746 CC type was significantly higher than TT type (P<0.01). The VRZ cmin of POR rs10954732 GG type was significantly higher than GA and AA types, and that of POR rs1057868 CT type was significantly lower than TT type (P<0.01). The VRZ cmin of ABCB1 rs1045642 CC type was significantly higher than TT type (P<0.05). The VRZ cmin of NR1I2 rs2472677 CT type was significantly higher than TT type, and rs7643645 AA type was significantly higher than AG type (P<0.05). The VRZ cmin of ABCC2 rs717620 CC type was significantly lower than CT type and TT type, and the CT type was significantly lower than TT type (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Mutant alleles in CYP2C19, CYP2C9 rs1057910, CYP3A5 rs776746, POR rs10954732, ABCB1 rs1045642 and NR1I2 rs7643645 can lead to a decrease in VRZ plasma concentration, and mutant allele in ABCC2 rs717620 can lead to an increase in VRZ plasma concentration.
8.Hepatitis E virus infection among blood donors in Ningbo
Mingxi PENG ; Yiyu LIU ; Huyan MAO ; Dan LIN ; Lu XIN ; Ning SHU ; Jianfeng HAN ; Feng DING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):7-12
[Objective] To investigate the infection status and characteristics of HEV among voluntary blood donors in Ningbo, and to provide a basis for improving the blood screening strategy. [Methods] A total of 12 227 blood samples from voluntary blood donors in Ningbo from June 2022 to May 2023 were tested for HEV serology, enzymology, and nucleic acid testing. Furthermore, HEV gene sequencing was performed for genotyping analysis, and donors with reactive nucleic acid testing results were followed up to confirm their infection status. [Results] The reactivity rate of HEV Ag, anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG was 0.098%, 0.899% and 29.198%, respectively. There was no difference in the reactivity of anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG between genders, donation frequencies and donation types (P>0.05). The reactivity rate increased significantly with age (P<0.05). The rate of ALT disqualification (ALT>50U/L) was significantly higher than that in non-reactive samples (P<0.05). The HEV Ag reactivity rate (0.098%) was not correlated with gender, donation frequency, donation type or age. One HEV RNA positive case was found, with a positive rate of 0.008%(1/12 227). It was confirmed to be hepatitis E virus genotype 3 by sequencing analysis. Apart from HEV Ag reactivity, all other blood safety screening items were non-reactive, suggesting this case might be in the acute infection phase. The follow-up results showed that all indicators of the donor's previous blood donation were non-reactive. [Conclusion] Pre-donation ALT detection can reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV (TT-HEV) to a certain extent, and the effective way to prevent TT-HEV is to detect HEV RNA and serology of donor blood.
9.Research progress on the interaction between immunosuppressants and intestinal flora after liver transplantation
Saijuan LU ; Cangsang SONG ; Xingde LI ; Guohui WANG ; Panpan MAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):362-366
Immunosuppressants (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate esters, glucocorticoids, etc.) are the first choice of drugs to prevent organ rejection after liver transplantation, which can effectively reduce the host immune response to the graft, improve the success rate of transplantation, and prolong the survival of patients. Liver transplantation is associated with intestinal flora, while immunosuppressive agents interact with intestinal flora. Immunosuppressive agents change the abundance, composition and metabolites of intestinal flora, while a series of enzymes and metabolites produced by intestinal flora may chemically alter the absorption and metabolism of immunosuppressants. In addition, the incidence of postoperative infection in liver transplantion patients is relatively high, while gut flora affects inflammatory factors, and immunosuppressants interact with inflammatory factors. To some extent, immunosuppressants can be thought of as acting through intestinal flora in patients after liver transplantation.
10.Research progress on the mechanism of sesquiterpenoids against hepatocellular carcinoma
Jingxin MAO ; Xin DU ; Yan LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):379-384
As one of the most common solid organ malignant tumors in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma has climbed to the fourth place in incidence rate and the second place in mortality in China, which seriously threatens people’s health. Terpenoids are natural active substances widely present in nature, among which sesquiterpenoids are numerous. They exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant activities. This article reviews the research progress on the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism of sesquiterpenes from 2015 to 2024. The results showed that 24 sesquiterpenoids for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma have been reported in the literature in the past 10 years, and these compounds have shown potential in treating hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, preventing invasion and metastasis, regulating immunity, and enhancing anti-drug resistance. The mechanism of anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mainly involves three regulatory pathways: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway, nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway, and mitochondrial pathway. In the future, it is necessary to continue to explore new anti-hepatocellular carcinoma drugs with high research value, conduct in-depth analysis on the mechanism of synergistic anti-hepatocellular cancer effects of multiple components, targets, pathways, and accelerate the development of finished products in order to be widely used in clinical practice.

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