1.Mechanisms by which microgravity causes osteoporosis
Dejian XIANG ; Xiaoyuan LIANG ; Shenghong WANG ; Changshun CHEN ; Cong TIAN ; Zhenxing YAN ; Bin GENG ; Yayi XIA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2132-2140
BACKGROUND:The imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in microgravity environments leads to significant bone loss in astronauts.Current research indicates that bone loss under microgravity conditions is the result of the combined effects of various cells,tissues,and systems. OBJECTIVE:To review different biological effects of microgravity on various cells,tissues,or systems,and summarize the mechanisms by which microgravity leads to the development of osteoporosis. METHODS:Databases such as PubMed,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Database were searched for relevant literature from 2000 to 2023.The inclusion criteria were all articles related to tissue engineering studies and basic research on osteoporosis caused by microgravity.Ultimately,85 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In microgravity environment,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells tend to differentiate more into adipocytes rather than osteoblasts,and hematopoietic stem cells in this environment are more inclined to differentiate into osteoclasts,reducing differentiation into the erythroid lineage.At the same time,microgravity inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts,promotes apoptosis of osteoblasts,alters cell morphology,and reduces the mineralization capacity of osteoblasts.Microgravity significantly increases the number and activity of osteoclasts.Microgravity also hinders the differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes and promotes the apoptosis of osteocytes.(2)In a microgravity environment,the body experiences changes such as skeletal muscle atrophy,microvascular remodeling,bone microcirculation disorders,and endocrine disruption.These changes lead to mechanical unloading in the bone microenvironment,insufficient blood perfusion,and calcium cycle disorders,which significantly impact the development of osteoporosis.(3)At present,the mechanism by which microgravity causes osteoporosis is relatively complex.A deeper study of these physiological mechanisms is crucial to ensuring the health of astronauts during long-term space missions,and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
2.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
3.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
4.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
5.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
6.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
7.Etiology and treatment of urinary retention following mixed hemorrhoid surgery: a review
XIONG Yi ; CHEN Jinlan ; NI Jing ; WANG Cong ; XU Li
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(3):256-261
Abstract
Postoperative urinary retention is a common complication after mixed hemorrhoid surgery, referring to the inability of urine in the bladder to be normally expelled, leading to urine retention. This condition not only prolongs the postoperative recovery time and increases medical costs, but may also cause problems such as urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction. The pathogenesis of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery is complex, involving multiple factors such as the type of surgery, anesthesia method, individual differences among patients, postoperative pain management and psychological stress. Although there are various clinical treatment methods, their efficacy varies among individuals. This article reviews relevant literature from 2018 to 2024, analyzing the etiology of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery. It summarizes the intervention measures and mechanisms of non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical therapy and analgesic techniques, as well as pharmacological treatments, including anticholinesterase drugs, selective α-receptor blockers and analgesics drugs, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and treatment of urinary retention after mixed hemorrhoid surgery.
8.Iodine nutritional status of children aged 8-10 in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023
WANG Shuai, CHEN Fang, YANG Yan, LUO Huatang, LIU Cong, XU Wenxiu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):792-796
Objective:
To explore the iodine nutrition status of children in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023, and to evaluate the effect of iodine deficiency disorders control in focus groups in Wuhan, so as to provide a basis for consolidating elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.
Methods:
A total of 13 000 non boarding primary school students aged 8-10 were selected from 13 districts of Wuhan by stratified random sampling method.Household salt samples were collected to measure salt iodine content, random urine samples were analyzed for urinary iodine concentration. And B ultrasound was used to measure thyroid volume in students. The median of salt iodine, coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, median of urinary iodine, and the goiter rate were calculated. And Mann-Whitney U- test, Kruskal-Wallis H- test and Chi-square test were applied to compare between groups. Chi-square trend test was used to analyze the changing trends of coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and goiter rate among children in Wuhan.
Results:
The median of iodine content of children s household salt was 23.8 (21.7, 26.1) mg/kg, and the coverage rate of iodized salt was 98.7%, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 94.5 %. The consumption rates of qualified iodized salt showed an overall upward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.57, P <0.05). The median of urinary iodine of children was 220.1 (136.7, 326.0) μg/L,and boys had higher median of urinary iodine than girls [228.3(143.2, 336.0),210.2(129.1, 315.7) μg/L] ( Z =6.60, P <0.01). The median of urinary iodine of children in suburbs was higher than those in urban areas [236.3 (150.7, 342.2) , 207.1 (124.5, 309.8) μg/L]( Z =11.00, P <0.01). A total of 4 600 children were examined for thyroid volume, and the range of goiter rates were 1.1% to 3.4%, with an average goiter rate of 2.5%, which showed an overall downward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.11, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The iodine nutrition is sufficient and iodine nutrition status is good among children in Wuhan. It should continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation of children s iodine nutrition, guide the public to supplement iodine scientifically,so as to maintain the appropriate level of iodine for children.
9.Shionone Inhibits Glomerular Fibirosis by Suppressing NLRP3 Related Inflammasome though SESN2-NRF2/ HO-1 Pathway
Tian XIAO ; Hanzhen ZHAO ; Yucong WANG ; Mengyin CHEN ; Cong WANG ; Chen QIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(1):34-48
Background:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Shionone (SH), an important triterpenoid compound in the root extract of Aster, might exert a protective effect in DN mice and high glucose cultivated glomerular podocytes. The current study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism by which SH mitigates DN. We postulate that SH stimulates the expression of sestrin-2 (SESN2), a pivotal stress-inducible protein in the anti-inflammasome machinery.
Methods:
We utilized high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneal) for DN mice model, and high glucose (30 mM, 48 hours) cultured glomerular podocytes for DN cell model to evaluate the effect of SH. We also preformed experimentation on SESN2 deficiency models (SESN2 knockout mice and SESN2 siRNA in cells) to further prove our hypothesis.
Results:
The results demonstrated that SH effectively suppressed glomerular fibrosis, induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and inhibited NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation. Furthermore, our findings revealed that SH exerted its anti-inflammatory effect through Sesn2-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that SH serves as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN-related glomerular fibrosis. SH enhances the expression of SESN2, attenuates α-smooth muscle actin accumulation, and suppresses NLRP3-related inflammation through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
10.Correlation between blood pressure trajectory and hearing threshold among workers exposed to occupational noise in a city's rail transit enterprise
Hongting ZHAN ; Qia WANG ; Xinmei CHEN ; Zhiping LIANG ; Cong LI ; Danyan CAO ; Aichu YANG ; Minghui XIAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):724-731
Background Hypertension is one of the chronic diseases with the highest prevalence in China, and a history of hypertension may potentially exacerbate hearing loss. Investigating the association between long-term blood pressure trends and hearing thresholds could contribute to hearing protection efforts for occupationally noise-exposed populations. Objective By investigating hearing thresholds and blood pressure levels among occupationally noise-exposed workers in an urban rail transit enterprise, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the association between long-term blood pressure changes and hearing thresholds, to provide data references for health management strategies targeting occupationally noise-exposed workers. Methods Workers exposed to occupational noise at a rail transit enterprise were enrolled as study subjects and underwent pure-tone audiometry. Group-based trajectory modeling was employed to identify blood pressure trajectories. Categorical data were compared using chi-square tests, while normally distributed continuous variables were analyzed via t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were subsequently applied toexamine associations between these trajectory groups and high-frequency hearing thresholds. Results Among 2 002 occupationally noise-exposed workers, the median (P25, P75) age was 32 (28, 35) years, with a median (P25, P75) working tenure of 7 (3, 10) years. In 2019, the positive hypertension rate was 9.04%, with a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (122.97±11.60) mmHg and a mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of (76.37±9.02) mmHg. The hearing loss prevalence was 10.1%, showing bilateral high-frequency average hearing thresholds of (17.18±8.71) dB and speech-frequency average thresholds of (13.79±3.46) dB. Three distinct trajectory groups were identified for both SBP and DBP. Compared with other trajectory groups, the high-stable DBP group exhibited significantly higher hearing loss prevalence (χ2=6.34, P=0.042) and elevated high-frequency hearing thresholds (all Ps<0.05). Specifically, within the 30-39 age subgroup, the moderate-stable DBP group demonstrated 1.96 dB lower high-frequency thresholds than the high-stable group [β(95%CI): −1.96 (−3.61, −0.32), P=0.020]. Conclusion Among occupationally noise-exposed workers in a municipal rail transit enterprise, DBP trajectories demonstrated a positive association with high-frequency hearing thresholds. Notably, in young and middle-aged occupationally noise-exposed populations, DBP may exert a more critical influence than SBP on the progression of hearing loss.


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