AIM:To investigate the expression profile and biological significance of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)zinc finger antisense 1(ZFAS1)in the brains of mice with diabetic encephalopathy(DE).METHODS:Ten db/m mice served as the normal control group,while twenty 22-week-old db/db mice were used to establish the DE model and randomly divided into two subgroups:ten as the db/db model control and the remaining ten receiving ZFAS1 gene knockdown(db/db+sh-ZFAS1)via lentiviral transfection.Weekly measurements of body weight and blood glucose levels were performed.Brain tissues were collected for Nissl staining to evaluate neuronal damage,TUNEL assay to detect apop-tosis,and immunofluorescence staining to examine neural biomarker expression.Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and oxidative stress markers,including reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),were determined.Western blot was conducted to quantify the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated p38(p-p38)in brain tissues.The expression levels of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA were determined by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Knockdown of ZFAS1 in db/db mice significantly improved cognitive function,alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage,and reduced body weight and blood glucose levels(P<0.01).More-over,oxidative stress was mitigated,as evidenced by decreased MDA and ROS levels(P<0.01)and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes,GSH-Px,SOD and CAT(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Meanwhile,ZFAS1 silencing down-regulated Bax and p-p38/p38 protein expression(P<0.01 or P<0.05)while up-regulating Bcl-2(P<0.01).Consistently,RT-qPCR confirmed significant down-regulation of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:lncRNA ZFAS1 is highly expressed in the hippocampus of DE mice.Down-regulation of ZFAS1 expression enhances cognitive func-tion,suppresses oxidative stress,and inhibits neuronal apoptosis,thereby attenuating neural damage in DE.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate the effect of ischemic post-conditioning(I-post-C)on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury(LIRI)in rats and relationship between I-post-C and zinc homeostasis.METHODS:SPF SD rats(6～8 weeks old)were randomly divided into four groups,with eight rats in each group:control group,ischemia/reper-fusion(I/R)group,I-post-C group and I-post-C+zinc ion chelator TPEN group.Inductively coupled plasma mass spec-trometry(ICP-MS)was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissues.HE staining,lung wet/dry weight ra-tio(W/D),total lung water content(TLW),and index of quantitative assessment(IQA)of lung injury were used to detect the degree of lung tissue injury in each group.Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using extraction and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential detection kits.TUNEL assay was used to detect the level of apoptosis in lung tissues.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of caspase-3,solute carrier family 39 member 8(SLC39A8/ZIP8),solute carrier family 30 member 9(SLC30A9/ZNT9),and PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β in lung tissues of each group.RT-qPCR was used to detect ZIP8 and ZNT9.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the I/R group showed significantly aggravated lung tissue injury(P<0.01),decreased zinc ion levels(P<0.01),enhanced cell apoptosis(P<0.05),re-duced mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.01),decreased PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β phosphorylation levels(P<0.05,P<0.01),increased cleaved caspase-3/pro-caspase-3 ratio(P<0.01),and reduced ZIP8 expression(P<0.05).Compared to the I/R group,the I-post-C group exhibited alleviated injury(P<0.05 or P<0.01),increased zinc ion levels(P<0.01),reduced apoptosis(P<0.01),restored mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.01),elevated PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β phosphorylation levels(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased cleaved caspase-3/pro-caspase-3 ratio(P<0.05),and in-creased ZIP8 expression(P<0.05).Compared to the I-post-C group,the I-post-C+TPEN group demonstrated aggravated injury(P<0.01),decreased zinc ion levels(P<0.01),enhanced apoptosis(P<0.01),reduced mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.05),decreased PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β phosphorylation levels(P<0.05,P<0.01),increased cleaved cas-pase-3/pro-caspase-3 ratio(P<0.05),and reduced ZIP8 expression(P<0.05).ZNT9 expression showed no significant differences among the groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Ischemic postconditioning can improve LIRI by regulating zinc homeostasis,activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,inactivating glycogen synthase kinase 3β,inhibiting the de-cline of mitochondrial membrane potential,and antagonizing cell apoptosis in rats.

AIM:This study aims to investigate whether vitamin E succinate(VES)induces autophagy in hu-man gastric cancer cells through the promotion of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes(MAMs).METHODS:Human gastric cancer cell lines MKN28 and MKN45 were cultured in vitro.Cell viability was assessed us-ing the CCK8 assay,and two cell growth curves were plotted to determine the treatment concentration of VES.Control groups,VES dose groups(MKN28:5,10,20,and 40 mg/L;MKN45:10,20,40,and 80 mg/L),an autophagy-posi-tive control group(rapamycin,RAPA,100 nmol/L),and a MAMs-positive control group(oligomycin A,10 mg/L)were set up.Cells were harvested after 24 h of treatment for subsequent experiments.The formation of autophagosomes and MAMs was observed using transmission electron microscopy.The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins,includ-ing beclin-1,LC3-II/LC3-I,and p62,were detected by Western blot.MAMs labeled with split green fluorescent protein(GFP)were visualized by fluorescence microscopy.The expression of mitofusin 2(MFN2),a key molecule of MAMs,was also detected by Western blot.To inhibit MFN2 specifically,the cells were treated with mitochondrial fusion inhibitor 8(MFI8)and simultaneously transfected with an MFN2 plasmid to achieve MFN2 overexpression(OE-MFN2).The cells were divided into control group,MFI8(20 μmol/L)group,VES groups(20 mg/L for MKN28 cells and 40 mg/L for MKN45 cells),VES+MFI8 group,OE-MFN2+MFI8 group and OE-MFN2+VES+MFI8 group.The MAMs were visualized by fluorescence microscopy,and the expression changes of MFN2,beclin-1 and LC3-II/I were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:The results of the CCK8 assay showed that VES significantly inhibited the viability of both human gastric can-cer cell lines(P<0.05).After VES treatment,the formation of typical autophagosomes and MAMs was observed in both cell lines by transmission electron microscopy.Fluorescence microscopy showed a significant increase in GFP signals of MAMs.Western blot analysis showed that with increasing doses of VES,the expression levels of MFN2,beclin-1,and LC3-II/I were significantly up-regulated,while that of p62 was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).Compared with VES group,the cells pretreated with MFI8 followed by VES exposure showed markedly reduced GFP signals of MAMs and much lower protein levels of MFN2,beclin-1 and LC3-II/LC3-I(P<0.05).Transfection with an MFN2 overexpression plasmid rescued MFN2 expression.Compared with VES+MFI8 group,the cells in OE-MFN2+VES+MFI8 group had much higher protein expression levels of MFN2,beclin-1 and LC3-II/LC3-I(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The VES may partici-pates in the regulation of autophagy in human gastric cancer cells by promoting the formation of MAMs.

AIM:To investigate the relationship between the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase cata-lytic subunit alpha(PIK3CA)gene in circulating tumor cells(CTCs)and the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients,and to construct a corresponding predictive model.METHODS:This retrospective study included 110 newly diagnosed and treated colorectal cancer patients at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021.Peripheral blood samples were collected and tested for CTC and PIK3CA gene at first visit.We determined the expression levels of PIK3CA gene in CTCs of different subtypes by typing and counting CTCs.Patients were randomly divided into training group(n=77)and validation group(n=33)in a ratio of 7∶3.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were per-formed to assess the associations between clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis.A nomogram model was con-structed to predict survival of patients at 6,12 and 24 months.The model performance was evaluated and validated using the concordance index(C-index),receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA)in the validation group.And then,the clinical application value of the model was further evaluated using the DCA curve.RESULTS:Univariate analysis showed that N1 and N2 stage,M stage(M1),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)level,liver metastasis,and lung metastasis were independent risk factors for prognosis(P<0.01).Multivariate analysis showed that age,gender,N1 stage,TNM stage(IIC,IIIA,IV),CEA level,liver metastasis,lung metastasis,and PIK3CA ex-pression in mixed CTCs were correlated with prognosis(P<0.05).The nomogram model based on PIK3CA expression demonstrated excellent predictive performance in the validation group,with areas under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.952(6 months),0.931(12 months),and 0.957(24 months).The DCA curve showed that the model had a high net benefit across a wide range of decision thresholds.CONCLUSION:The different expression levels of PIK3CA gene in CTC are correlated with the survival rate of patients.Especially in mixed CTCs,high expression of PIK3CA gene is associated with shorter overall survival.The clinical prediction model nomogram has good clinical application value in predicting the sur-vival rate of colorectal cancer patients.The decision curve analysis also shows that the model has good net benefits and clinical application value.

AIM:This study aims to identify how glutamine metabolism affects pulmonary hypertension-in-duced right heart remodeling under chronic hypoxia.METHODS:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control(n=10)and hypoxia(n=10)groups.The hypoxia group was exposed to a hypobaric chamber simulating an altitude of approxi-mately 5,500 m for 28 days.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)was measured by right heart catheterization.The right ventricle(RV),left ventricle,and interventricular septum(LV+S)were weighed,and the RV/(LV+S)ratio was cal-culated as an index of right ventricular hypertrophy.Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry was performed on right ventricular tissues.Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence were used to detect YAP and GLS1 co-localization and expression intensity in the myocardium.Expression levels of Yes-associated protein(YAP),phosphorylated YAP(p-YAP),and glutaminase 1(GLS1)from the Hippo pathway were measured by Western blot in mouse right ventricular tissue.RESULTS:The RVSP and RVHI values,along with myocardial fiber sizes and volumes,were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to controls(P<0.01).Glutamine metabolism metabolites in right ventricular tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Immunofluorescence revealed decreased GLS1 and in-creased YAP response intensity in the hypoxia group myocardium(P<0.01).Notably,p-YAP protein and GLS1 expres-sion decreased under hypoxic conditions(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).CONCLUSION:Chronic hypoxia exacer-bates pulmonary hypertension-induced right heart remodeling by inhibiting glutaminolysis through glutaminase 1 via the Hippo pathway in mice.

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of Shexiang-Tongxin dropping pills(STDP)against myo-cardial injury induced by coronary microembolization(CME)in rats,with a focus on the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING)signaling pathway.METHODS:Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups using a random number table:sham group,CME group,STDP group,and RU.521 group,with 8 rats per group.A rat model of CME was established via the injection of embolic microspheres into the left ventricle.The rats in sham group received an equal volume of normal saline via left ventricular injection instead,those in STDP group were given STDP(40 mg/kg)by oral gavage once daily for 14 consecutive days before CME modeling,and those in RU.521 group were intraperitoneally injected with RU.521(5 mg/kg)once daily for 7 consecutive days before CME modeling.Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function 24 h after modeling.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in myocardial tissue,and TTC staining was applied to detect myocardial infarction areas.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α.A commercial assay kit was employed to detect myocardial injury marker cardiac troponin I(cTnI).Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of cGAS-STING pathway-related proteins in cardiac tissues.RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the rats in CME group exhibited significantly impaired cardiac function and a marked increase in serum cTnI levels(P<0.05).In contrast,compared with CME group,the rats in both STDP group and RU.521 group demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function and reductions in cTnI levels((P<0.05).Furthermore,HE staining and TTC staining revealed that the rats in CME group had loosely arranged myocardial fibers,swollen cardiomyo-cytes,and an increased myocardial infarction erea compared with sham group(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expression lev-els of inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α,as well as the relative expression of cGAS,STING and NF-κB p-p65 pro-teins were significantly increased(P<0.05).In comparison,the rats in STDP group and RU.521 group showed a signifi-cant reduction in myocardial infarction area,down-regulated expression of cGAS,STING,and NF-κB p-p65 proteins,and markedly decreased levels of IL-1β and TNF-α compared with CME group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:STDP pre-treatment ameliorated myocardial injury,cardiac dysfunction and myocardial infarct size induced by CME.The underlying mechenism may involve the suppression of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway,thereby attenuating myocardial inflamma-tion after CME.

AIM:To investigate the possible mechanism how orphan nuclear receptor 4A1(NR4A1)affects renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice.METHODS:(1)Specific pathogen-free(SPF)male C57BL/6J mice(5 to 6 weeks old)were randomly divided into sh-Con+sham group(n=6),sham+sh-NR4A1 group(n=6),sh-NR4A1+UUO group(n=6),and sh-NR4A1+UUO group(n=6).Renal NR4A1 knockdown mice were prepared by intrarenal injection of NR4A1 viral vector.(2)SPF male C57BL/6J mice(5 to 6 weeks old)were randomly assigned to in sham group,UUO group,and UUO+cytosporone-B(Csn-B)group.An animal model of renal fibrosis was prepared by UUO,and Csn-B was intervened for 14 days.HE,Masson,and Sirius red staining were used to observe renal pathological damage.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of NR4A1,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and vimentin.The purpose of this study is to observe the regulatory effect of NR4A1 on UUO-induced renal fibrosis.RESULTS:(1)The expression of NR4A1 was decreased in kidney tissues of UUO mice(P<0.05).(2)HE staining results showed that there are tubular dilation,atrophy,and massive inflammatory cell infiltra-tion in sh-Con+UUO group,and NR4A1 knockdown can aggravate UUO-induced kidney damage(P<0.05).The results of Masson and Sirius red staining showed a banded distribution of collagen deposition in the sh-Con+UUO group,and colla-gen deposition increased significantly after NR4A1 knockdown(P<0.05).Treatment with Csn-B could improve renal path-ological damage and reduce collagen deposition.(3)UUO could upregulate the expression of α-SMA and vimentin,and NR4A1 knockdown could significantly increase UUO-induced their expression(P<0.05).In addition,Csn-B could im-prove UUO-induced renal fibrosis(P<0.05).(4)The expression of IFN-γ was increased in UUO mice,and NR4A1 knockdown could upregulate UUO-induced IFN-γ expression(P<0.05).Moreover,Csn-B could down-regulate UUO-in-duced IFN-γ expression(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:NR4A1 can affect renal fibrosis by regulating IFN-γ in UUO mice.

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

AIM:To establish a mouse model of chronic skin fibrosis by combining skin injury with bleomycin(BLM)induction.METHODS:Male SPF-grade BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into five groups(n=10 per group):control(Ctrl),high-dose BLM(BLM-H),medium-dose BLM(BLM-M),low-dose BLM(BLM-L),and BLM-control(BLM-Ctrl).A 6 mm full-thickness skin excision was performed on the dorsal region of mice,followed by subcuta-neous injections of BLM at four points around the wound.Mice in the Ctrl group were injected with saline,whereas the BLM-Ctrl group received injections without skin excision.The wound healing rates and times were assessed statistically.Histopathological alterations in wound tissues were examined using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs),and Western blot analysis was conducted to detect collagen type I(COL I)and COL III expression.RESULTS:Compared to the Ctrl group,wound healing rates were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and healing times significantly prolonged in BLM-H,BLM-M,and BLM-L groups.Histological analysis indicated significantly delayed epithelialization,thicker der-mis,increased collagen deposition,and heightened inflammatory infiltration in the BLM-H group relative to the Ctrl group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).ELISA revealed significantly elevated expression of MMP-2,MMP-3,and MMP-9 in the BLM-H group compared to controls(P<0.01).Western blot results demonstrated significantly increased COL I and COL III pro-tein levels in the BLM-H group compared to the Ctrl group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION:A mouse model in-volving a 6 mm full-thickness dorsal skin excision combined with subcutaneous injections of BLM(5 mg/kg)at four perile-sional points daily for 21 consecutive days is suitable for investigating chronic skin fibrosis wounds.

The hepatic vascular microenvironment(HVM)plays a pivotal role in maintaining liver function homeostasis,including metabolism,detoxification,and coagulation.The maintenance of HVM homeostasis is governed by an intricate interplay of mechanical forces,chemical signals,and neuroelectrophysiological conduction.Recent studies have shown that an imbalance in HVM promotes the progression of chronic liver disease(CLD),which is characterized by sinusoidal capillarization,vascular deformation and remodeling,and the arterialization of blood supply.This review sum-marizes the dynamic regulatory mechanisms that underpin HVM in physiological conditions,and the primary pathological manifestations observed at various stages of CLD progression,aiming to provide a robust framework for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting HVM homeostatic imbanlance in CLD.