1.Effect and mechanism by which Pterocarya hupehensis skan total flavonoids regulates the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Zhuoma BAO ; Ziming HOU ; Lu JIANG ; Weiyi LI ; Zongxing ZHANG ; Daozhong LIU ; Lin YUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):816-823
BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that Pterocarya hupehensis skan total flavonoids(PHSTF)can improve the level of collagen-induced arthritis in rats,but there is still a lack of research on the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in fibroblast-like synoviocytes and its effect on related cell functions.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of PHSTF on lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation,migration and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathwayMETHODS:Fibroblast-like synoviocytes were divided into control group,lipopolysaccharide group,lipopolysaccharide+low-,medium-,and high-dose PHSTF groups(10,20,and 40 μg/mL),lipopolysaccharide+Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1 group,and lipopolysaccharide+Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1+high-dose PHSTF group(40 μg/mL).The cell counting kit-8 method was used to detect the effect of PHSTF on the viability of fibroblast-like synoviocytes,and the final drug concentration and time were screened.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.Cell scratch assay,EDU staining and cell cloning assay were used to detect the migration and proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of Wnt3a,β-catenin,tumorigenic genes,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9,Bax and Bcl-2 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the cell viability decreased significantly when the concentration of PHSTF was>40 μg/mL(P<0.01).Therefore,the drug concentration of≤40 μg/mL was selected for subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the wound healing rate,cell clone formation rate and the number of EDU-positive cells in the low-,medium-and high-dose PHSTF groups were significantly reduced,while the apoptosis rate was significantly increased(P<0.05-0.01).(3)Western blot results showed that compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,low-,medium-and high-dose PHSTF significantly inhibited cellular Wnt3a,β-catenin,cellular tumorigenic genes,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and Bcl-2 protein expression,and promoted the expression of Bax protein(P<0.01).(4)Compared with the DKK1 group,the combination of DKK1 and high-dose PHSTF significantly inhibited the protein expression of Wnt3a,β-catenin,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9 and Bcl-2 protein expression and promoted the protein expression of Bax(P<0.01).To conclude,PHSTF may inhibit the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and promote apoptosis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
2.Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Based on AMPK Signaling Pathway: A Review
Keqiu YAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Yifan CAI ; Wenjie XIAO ; Xinkun BAO ; Guangjun SUN ; Aizhen LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):341-351
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease, involves multifaceted pathological mechanisms such as intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and oxidative stress. Current therapeutic strategies remain limited in efficacy and safety. In recent years, the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic target for UC due to its central role in energy metabolism, inflammatory regulation, and intestinal homeostasis. This article systematically reviewed the mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevented and treated UC through the regulation of the AMPK signaling pathway, with a focus on elucidating AMPK's multidimensional regulatory network in inflammatory signaling crosstalk, alleviating oxidative stress, restoring intestinal immune balance, repairing the intestinal barrier, and modulating gut microbiota. Leveraging its unique advantages of multi-target engagement and low toxicity, TCM demonstrates promising potential in UC treatment and has become a focal area of research. By systematically summarizing and synthesizing the existing literature on TCM-mediated AMPK pathway modulation in UC, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for advancing mechanistic research and clinical interventions in UC.
3.Effect and mechanism by which Pterocarya hupehensis skan total flavonoids regulates the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Zhuoma BAO ; Ziming HOU ; Lu JIANG ; Weiyi LI ; Zongxing ZHANG ; Daozhong LIU ; Lin YUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):816-823
BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that Pterocarya hupehensis skan total flavonoids(PHSTF)can improve the level of collagen-induced arthritis in rats,but there is still a lack of research on the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in fibroblast-like synoviocytes and its effect on related cell functions.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of PHSTF on lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation,migration and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathwayMETHODS:Fibroblast-like synoviocytes were divided into control group,lipopolysaccharide group,lipopolysaccharide+low-,medium-,and high-dose PHSTF groups(10,20,and 40 μg/mL),lipopolysaccharide+Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1 group,and lipopolysaccharide+Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1+high-dose PHSTF group(40 μg/mL).The cell counting kit-8 method was used to detect the effect of PHSTF on the viability of fibroblast-like synoviocytes,and the final drug concentration and time were screened.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.Cell scratch assay,EDU staining and cell cloning assay were used to detect the migration and proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of Wnt3a,β-catenin,tumorigenic genes,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9,Bax and Bcl-2 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the cell viability decreased significantly when the concentration of PHSTF was>40 μg/mL(P<0.01).Therefore,the drug concentration of≤40 μg/mL was selected for subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the wound healing rate,cell clone formation rate and the number of EDU-positive cells in the low-,medium-and high-dose PHSTF groups were significantly reduced,while the apoptosis rate was significantly increased(P<0.05-0.01).(3)Western blot results showed that compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,low-,medium-and high-dose PHSTF significantly inhibited cellular Wnt3a,β-catenin,cellular tumorigenic genes,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and Bcl-2 protein expression,and promoted the expression of Bax protein(P<0.01).(4)Compared with the DKK1 group,the combination of DKK1 and high-dose PHSTF significantly inhibited the protein expression of Wnt3a,β-catenin,matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 9 and Bcl-2 protein expression and promoted the protein expression of Bax(P<0.01).To conclude,PHSTF may inhibit the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and promote apoptosis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
4.Aquaporin 1 promotes proliferation and migration of tumor by up-regulating claudin-1 expression in colon cancer
Wei Wei XIE ; Lin XU ; Qian LI ; Dao Quan ZHANG ; Yu Bao ZHOU
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(3):307-318
With the rising incidence of colon cancer, several studies have indicated that aquaporin 1 (AQP1) expression is associated with the development of colon cancer. This study aims to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms between them. Methods: We screened data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and retrospectively examined AQP1 protein expression in 127 colon cancer patients to analyze the relationship between AQP1 expression and pathological stages, prognosis. We created stable colon cancer cell lines with differential AQP1 expression, the effect of AQP1 expression on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells was assessed by in vitro and in vivo studies, and explored potential molecular mechanisms through Western blotting. Results: High AQP1 expression was associated with poorer survival (overall survival [OS], p = .028) in colon cancer patients from the TCGA database. Similarly, retrospective clinical data indicated that high AQP1 expression was associated with reduced disease-free survival and OS (p = .036 and p = .017, respectively). The low-expressing AQP1 colon cancer cells exhibited a decrease in proliferation and migration ability of colon cancer cells compared to the overexpressing AQP1 group (p < .05) in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting experiments validated heightened expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and claudin- 1 in the tumor tissues of the overexpressing AQP1 group. Conversely, reduced AQP1 expression resulted in decreased expression of claudin- 1. Conclusions: AQP1 correlates with unfavorable prognosis in colon cancer and potentially enhances the proliferation and migration of colon cancer by up-regulating claudin-1 expression.
5.Exercise Intervention Alleviates Diabetic Sarcopenia by Regulating Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming: Mechanisms and Strategies
Meng-Lin LÜ ; Bao-Wen ZHANG ; Qian-Qian REN ; Xian-Juan KOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2025-2040
Diabetic sarcopenia (DS) is a common but often ignored skeletal muscle complication in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, reduced muscle strength, and impaired physical performance, which may further increase the risk of falls, disabilities, metabolic disorders, and adverse clinical outcomes. Traditionally, DS has been attributed mainly to hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, aging-related muscle decline, and chronic complications of diabetes. However, increasing evidence suggests that lipid metabolic disturbance and pathological lipid metabolic reprogramming are not merely secondary consequences of diabetes, but may actively participate in the initiation and progression of DS. Under diabetic conditions, impaired fatty acid uptake, transport, oxidation, and storage disrupt skeletal muscle metabolic homeostasis, leading to ectopic lipid deposition and accumulation of lipotoxic intermediates. These lipid-derived metabolites can aggravate insulin resistance, impair mitochondrial energy production, enhance oxidative stress, activate chronic low-grade inflammation, and disturb protein synthesis and degradation balance, thereby accelerating skeletal muscle atrophy and functional decline. Lipid metabolic dysregulation may also interact with multiple pathological processes involved in DS, including mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory signaling, oxidative damage, impaired autophagy, and gut microbiota imbalance. These mechanisms do not occur independently; instead, they form a complex bidirectional vicious cycle with diabetes-related metabolic disorders. Specifically, mitochondrial dysfunction reduces fatty acid oxidative capacity, which further promotes lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity. Inflammatory activation can impair insulin signaling and muscle protein metabolism, while lipid overload may in turn amplify inflammatory responses. Similarly, gut microbiota dysbiosis and altered microbial metabolites may influence systemic inflammation, lipid metabolism, and skeletal muscle homeostasis. Therefore, lipid metabolic reprogramming provides an important mechanistic perspective for understanding the progression of DS from metabolic disturbance to structural and functional muscle impairment. Exercise intervention is an effective and clinically feasible non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and management of DS. Both aerobic exercise and resistance training have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, enhance fatty acid oxidation, increase mitochondrial biogenesis, reduce ectopic lipid deposition, and attenuate lipotoxic metabolite accumulation. These adaptations not only improved glucose and lipid metabolism, but also increased the preservation of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function. Moreover, combined exercise strategies may provide complementary benefits by integrating the metabolic advantages of aerobic exercise with the anabolic and functional effects of resistance training. Based on analyses of publicly available datasets and literature evidences, this review systematically summarizes the role of lipid metabolic disorders in the pathogenesis of DS, with particular attention to the molecular mechanisms linking lipid dysregulation to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut microbiota disturbance. Furthermore, this review discusses the potential mechanisms by which exercise intervention improves DS through the regulation of lipid metabolic reprogramming, and outlines exercise prescription strategies in terms of modality, intensity, frequency, and duration. Understanding the interaction between lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle dysfunction may provide new theoretical evidence for early identification, mechanistic research, and precision exercise therapy in DS. Overall, targeting pathological lipid metabolic reprogramming through exercise intervention represents a promising and clinically actionable approach for improving muscle health and prognosis in individuals with DS.
6.Clinical Application and Pharmacological Mechanism of Sishenwan in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Keqiu YAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Sifeng JIA ; Yuyu DUAN ; Zixing QIAN ; Yifan CAI ; Junyi SHEN ; Wenjie XIAO ; Xinkun BAO ; Guangjun SUN ; Aizhen LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):261-270
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with typical symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, demonstrates a high relapse rate and difficulty in curing. Sishenwan, first recorded in Internal Medicine Abstract (Nei Ke Zhai Yao), are a classic prescription for treating diarrhea caused by deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. The core therapeutic principle of Sishenwan is warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney, and astringing the intestine and stopping diarrhea. In recent years, Sishenwan have demonstrated distinct advantages in the clinical treatment of UC. The pathogenesis of UC involves multiple factors, including immune dysregulation and gut microbiota imbalance. Although Western medicine is effective in the short term, its side effects, high relapse rate, and resistance associated with long-term use pose substantial challenges. Sishenwan have shown excellent clinical outcomes in the treatment of UC due to deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. Modern clinical studies indicate that Sishenwan, used alone or in combination with Western medicine or other Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, significantly improve the clinical efficacy in treating UC due to deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. Sishenwan effectively alleviate core symptoms such as mucus, pus, and blood in stools, and persistent abdominal pain, reduce Mayo scores and the relapse rate, and improve patients' quality of life. Research on the material basis reveals that Sishenwan contain multiple active ingredients such as psoralen, isopsoralen, and evodiamine. Mechanism studies indicate that Sishenwan inhibit the inflammatory cascade reactions by regulating the signal network through multiple targets. Sishenwan regulate cellular immunity and restore intestinal immune homeostasis. At the microecological level, Sishenwan promote the intestinal barrier repair through the "microbiota-metabolism-immunity" axis. The current research still needs to be deepened in aspects such as the mining of specific biomarkers for syndromes and the exploration of the collaborative mechanism of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. In the future, a full-chain system covering syndrome differentiation, targeting, and monitoring needs to be constructed for promoting the paradigm transformation of Sishenwan into precision drugs. This review systematically explains the treatment mechanism of Sishenwan regarding the combination of disease and syndrome and its multi-target regulatory characteristics, providing a theoretical basis and transformation direction for the treatment of UC with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
7.Clinical Application and Pharmacological Mechanism of Sishenwan in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Keqiu YAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Sifeng JIA ; Yuyu DUAN ; Zixing QIAN ; Yifan CAI ; Junyi SHEN ; Wenjie XIAO ; Xinkun BAO ; Guangjun SUN ; Aizhen LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):261-270
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with typical symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, demonstrates a high relapse rate and difficulty in curing. Sishenwan, first recorded in Internal Medicine Abstract (Nei Ke Zhai Yao), are a classic prescription for treating diarrhea caused by deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. The core therapeutic principle of Sishenwan is warming and tonifying the spleen and kidney, and astringing the intestine and stopping diarrhea. In recent years, Sishenwan have demonstrated distinct advantages in the clinical treatment of UC. The pathogenesis of UC involves multiple factors, including immune dysregulation and gut microbiota imbalance. Although Western medicine is effective in the short term, its side effects, high relapse rate, and resistance associated with long-term use pose substantial challenges. Sishenwan have shown excellent clinical outcomes in the treatment of UC due to deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. Modern clinical studies indicate that Sishenwan, used alone or in combination with Western medicine or other Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, significantly improve the clinical efficacy in treating UC due to deficiency of the spleen and kidney Yang. Sishenwan effectively alleviate core symptoms such as mucus, pus, and blood in stools, and persistent abdominal pain, reduce Mayo scores and the relapse rate, and improve patients' quality of life. Research on the material basis reveals that Sishenwan contain multiple active ingredients such as psoralen, isopsoralen, and evodiamine. Mechanism studies indicate that Sishenwan inhibit the inflammatory cascade reactions by regulating the signal network through multiple targets. Sishenwan regulate cellular immunity and restore intestinal immune homeostasis. At the microecological level, Sishenwan promote the intestinal barrier repair through the "microbiota-metabolism-immunity" axis. The current research still needs to be deepened in aspects such as the mining of specific biomarkers for syndromes and the exploration of the collaborative mechanism of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. In the future, a full-chain system covering syndrome differentiation, targeting, and monitoring needs to be constructed for promoting the paradigm transformation of Sishenwan into precision drugs. This review systematically explains the treatment mechanism of Sishenwan regarding the combination of disease and syndrome and its multi-target regulatory characteristics, providing a theoretical basis and transformation direction for the treatment of UC with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
8.Analysis of Alleviating Effect of Calcium Cyanamide on Replanting Problems of Rehmannia glutinosa
Lianghua LIN ; Hengrui ZHANG ; Haoxiang YU ; Fan YANG ; Yufei WANG ; Caixia XIE ; Tao GUO ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Liuji ZHANG ; Bao ZHANG ; Suiqing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):212-222
ObjectiveTo investigate the alleviating effect of calcium cyanamide (CaCN2) soil fumigation on replanting problems of Rehmannia glutinosa. MethodsNewly soil (NP) was used as the control group, while three treatment groups were established: replanted soil (RP), newly soil treated with CaCN2 (120 g·m², tillage depth 25 cm) (NPCC), and replanted soil treated with CaCN2 (RPCC). R. glutinosa was cultivated in all groups. At harvest, the tuber agronomic traits (number of enlarged roots, maximum root diameter, fresh weight, dry weight) were measured. The content of catalpol and rehmannioside D was quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) to evaluate medicinal quality. Rhizosphere soil available nutrients and enzyme activities were analyzed by assay kits. The community structure and composition of fungi and bacteria in rhizosphere soil were assessed via internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing, respectively. ResultsCompared with NP, the RP group showed obviously reduced in tuber agronomic traits and quality indicators (P0.05). However, the RPCC group showed significant improvement in agronomic traits and a notable increase in rehmannioside D content compared to RP (P0.05). The contents of available phosphorus and potassium in RPCC and NP groups were obviously lower than those in RP (P0.05). The polyphenol oxidase soil (S-PPO) activity in RP was obviously lower than in NP (P0.05), while sucrose soil (S-SC), acid phosphatase soil (S-ACP), and S-PPO activities in RPCC were obviously higher than in RP (P0.05). Microbial richness and diversity in RP were obviously higher than in NP (P0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between the RPCC and NP. The relative abundances of fungal genera Nectria, Myrothecium, Tomentella, and bacterial genus Skermanella were obviousl lower in RPCC and NP than in RP (P0.05). Correlation analysis that S-ACP activity was positively correlated with the content of rehmannioside D (P0.05). Fungal genera Engyodontium and Alternaria, and bacterial genera Pir4 lineage, Pirellula, Methyloversatilis, Brevundimonas, Ralstonia, and Acidibacter were obviously positively correlated with tuber dry weight (P0.05). Conversely, fungal genera Pseudaleuria, Nectria, Haematonectria, Ceratobasidium, and bacterial genera Streptomyces, Skermanella, RB41, Gemmatimonas, and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated with dry weight (P0.05). The fungal genus Alternaria and bacterial genera Brevundimonas, Ralstonia, Acidibacter, and Dongia showed positive correlations with medicinal quality of R.glutinosa tuber, while fungal genera Pseudaleuria, Nectria, Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Gibberella, Ceratobasidium, and bacterial genera Sphingomonas, Skermanella, RB41, Gemmatimonas, and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated (P0.05). ConclusionCaCN2 soil fumigation can significantly improve enzyme activities in replanted Rehmannia rhizosphere soil, enhance the utilization of available nutrients, reshape microbial community structure of replanted R.glutinosa at the family and genus level, and notably improve tuber agronomic traits and medicinal quality. This study provides a novel approach to alleviating replanting problems and offers insights for the integrated development of standardized cultivation techniques, including soil disinfection, nutrient-targeted regulation, and microbial inoculant application.
9.Parents awareness and willingness regarding human papillomavirus and vaccination for male primary and secondary school students in Bao an District, Shenzhen
LU Fangfang, LIN Mingfeng, QIAN Miaofang, ZHANG Min, NI Xiuxian
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1432-1436
Objective:
To explore parents knowledge, vaccination attitude, and willingness influencing factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine for male primary and secondary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted health education strategies and promoting the popularization of boys HPV vaccination.
Methods:
From March 3 to 14, 2025, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 912 parents of boys in primary and secondary school in Bao an District, Shenzhen for a questionnaire survey. Data on their demographic characteristics, HPV related knowledge and its vaccine, vaccination attitude, and willingness were collected. Univariate analysis was performed by using the χ 2 test or t-test, and binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors of HPV vaccine vaccination willingness.
Results:
The total awareness rate of parents knowledge related to HPV and its vaccine was 35.75%, among which the awareness rates of boys vaccine types ( 6.36% ), optimal age (21.16%), and optimal vaccination period (31.25%) were the lowest. The scores of parents knowledge and attitude related to HPV and its vaccine were (4.31±2.66) and (3.82±0.63). About 64.25% of parents expressed willingness to have boys vaccinated against HPV. The scores of knowledge and attitude related to HPV and its vaccine of parents with vaccination willingness (4.86±2.55, 4.02±0.58) were higher than those of parents without vaccination willingness (3.34±2.57, 3.46±0.55), and the differences were statistically significant ( t =8.59,13.96, both P <0.01). Logistic analysis showed that parents without raising daughters had a lower willingness to vaccinate boys against HPV ( OR=0.49, 95%CI =0.35-0.70); for each 1 increase in parents knowledge score related to HPV and its vaccine, the vaccination willingness increased by 9.0% ( OR=1.09, 95%CI =1.01-1.17); parents who were worried about boys infection risk ( OR=1.50, 95%CI =1.08-2.08) and parents who had their children vaccinated against HPV even if their classmates were not vaccinated ( OR=3.68, 95%CI =2.73-4.94) had higher willingness to vaccinate boys against HPV(all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Parents of boys in primary and secondary schools of Bao an District, Shenzhen have low scores of knowledge related to HPV and its vaccine.While parents show strong willingness to vaccinate boys against HPV, limited knowledge may hinder both the sustained growth of vaccination intentions and the actual implementation of vaccination practices.
10.Qianggu Kangshu Formula attenuates osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the HIF-1α/BNIP3 autophagy signaling pathway.
Weiyi LI ; Lu JIANG ; Zongxing ZHANG ; Dan CHEN ; Zhuoma BAO ; Li HUANG ; Lin YUAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1389-1396
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of Qianggu Kangshu Formula (QGKSF) for alleviating osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis and the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
RAW264.7 cells cultured under hypoxic conditions were treated with RANKL to induce osteoclast differentiation and incubated with normal rat serum or sera from rats medicated with methotrexate (MTX) or QGKSF at low and high doses. Cell viability, TRAP-positive multinucleated cells and F-actin ring formation in the treated cells were assessed with CCK-8 assay, TRAP staining and Phalloidin staining, respectively. Autophagy and autophagosomes in the cells were observed with MDC staining and transmission electron microscopy. ELISA was used to measure IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the culture supernatant, and the expressions of HIF-1α, BNIP3, Bcl-2, Beclin1, LC3-I, LC3-II, P62 and TRAP mRNAs and proteins were analyzed using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
In hypoxia- and RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells treated with normal rat serum, significant increments of TRAP-positive cells and F-actin ring formation were observed with an enhanced autophagic fluorescence intensity and increased autophagosomes. Treatment of the induced cells with rat sera medicated with MTX and low- and high-dose QGKSF obviously reduced the TRAP-positive cells, F-actin rings and autophagosomes as well as the autophagic fluorescence intensity. RANKL treatment significantly increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels in RAW264.7 cells, which were obviously decreased by treatment with MTX- and QGKSF-medicated sera. RANKL also significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, Bcl-2, Beclin1, LC3 and TRAP and lowered P62 expressions, and these changes were effectively reversed by treatment with MTX- and QGKSF-medicated sera.
CONCLUSIONS
QGKSF attenuates RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in hypoxic RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting the HIF-1α/BNIP3 autophagy signaling pathway, suggesting its potential for treatment of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Osteoclasts/drug effects*
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Autophagy/drug effects*
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Mice
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Rats
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
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Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
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Mitochondrial Proteins


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