1.Ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma extract against doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury and its molecular mechanisms
Huan LUO ; Qiang WANG ; Youjun ZHU ; Chunrong TAO ; Yang MAO ; Defeng LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1559-1566
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma (RI) extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury and its potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to screen for target overlap between the predicted core targets of RI’s active components and targets associated with myocardial injury, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Based on the network pharmacology results, a DOX-induced myocardial injury mouse model was established using male C57BL/6J mice to observe the effects of RI extract [1 g/(kg·d)] on the survival rate, body weight, and cardiac damage. A DOX-injured HL-1 cardiomyocyte model was established to assess the effects of different mass concentrations of RI extract (50, 100, 200 μg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and expression of the relevant target proteins. The mechanism was validated by transfecting with small interfering RNA of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). RESULTS A total of 58 overlapping targets were screened, which were enriched in biological processes such as hormone response and hypoxia response, as well as pathways including apoptosis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. Key target proteins, such as ESR1, were also identified. Animal experiments confirmed that the survival rate of mice in the DOX+RI group was obviously higher than that in the DOX group, with a slower rate of weight loss and improved pathological changes, such as cardiac atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to the DOX group. Cell experiments showed that, compared with the DOX group, the DOX+RI groups exhibited significantly increased or upregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, relative ATP levels, and mRNA expressions of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3A (IDH3A), succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), as well as mRNA and protein expressions of ESR1; conversely, relative ROS levels and apoptosis rates were significantly reduced ( P <0.05). Following ESR1 knockdown, the anti-apoptotic effect of the RI extract on cardiomyocytes was significantly attenuated ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The RI extract may alleviate DOX-induced myocardial injury by activating the ESR1 signaling pathway, improving mitochondrial function, and inhibiting excessive ROS production and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
2.Effects of TACE combined with Endostar on CD4+/CD8+T cells,ALAS1 and HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Shasha JIANG ; Meng WANG ; Jun ZHANG ; Chunrong HE ; Xuanke WANG ; Lingrong YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(7):1559-1565
Objective:To investigate the effects of transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with Endostar on CD4+/CD8+T cells,5-aminoketovalonate synthase 1(ALAS1)and HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:A total of 60 HCC patients admitted to Chengdu Third People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled and randomly divided into TACE treatment group(A)and TACE combined with Endostar treatment group(B),with 30 patients in each group.T lymphocyte,ALAS1 and indicators of HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway were observed in the two groups.Results:In group A,1 subject had complete remission,2 subjects had partial remission,2 subjects had stable remission,and 4 subjects had progress;in group B,2 subjects had complete remission,4 subjects had partial remission,4 subjects had stable remis-sion,and 1 subject had progress.The total effective rate in group B(33.33%)was significantly higher than that in group A(10.00%),with significant difference among groups(P=0.028).There were no significant differences in CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells and CD4+/CD8+T cells between the two groups before treatment(P=0.972,0.995,0.917).After treatment,level of CD4+T cells in the two groups was significantly increased(P<0.001),while level of CD8+T cells was significantly decreased(P<0.001).CD4+/CD8+T cells was significantly increased(P<0.001),and the changes in group B were significant compared with group A(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in content of ALAS1 between the two groups before treatment(P=0.975);after treatment,content of ALAS1 in liver cancer tissues of the two groups was significantly increased(P<0.001),which in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P<0.05).Before treatment,there were no significant differences in mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 2(MST2),large tumor suppressor 1(LATS1)and Yes-associated protein(YAP)between the two groups(P=0.134,0.134,0.134).After treatment,mRNA relative expressions of MST2 and LATS1 were significantly increased(all P<0.001),while mRNA relative expression of YAP were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and changes of group B were significant compared with group A(all P<0.001).After treat-ment,there were 5 more cases of no adverse reactions in group B than in group A,and the total incidence of adverse reactions(16.67%)was significantly lower than that in group A(43.33%),with a significant difference between groups(P=0.024).Conclu-sion:TACE combined with Endostar has significant therapeutic effect on HCC patients,which can effectively regulate CD4+/CD8+T cells,promote ALAS1 secretion,and activate HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway.
3."Guangzhou Classification" of donor lung injury: a systematic evaluation and grading framework from pre-procurement to post-transplantation
Jianxing HE ; Jiang SHI ; Chao YANG ; Guilin PENG ; Mengyang LIU ; Jiezhou HUANG ; Weixue CUI ; Chunrong JU ; Xin XU
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(4):276-279
Lung transplantation is a key therapeutic approach for patients with end-stage lung diseases. Although its clinical outcomes have significantly improved, multidimensional injuries sustained by donor lungs during procurement, preservation, and transplantation remain major challenges affecting graft survival and long-term prognosis. This article proposes the "Guangzhou Classification" for full-course management of donor lung injury, characterized by spatiotemporal dynamics. Based on the progression of disease stages, donor lung injuries are systematically divided into three types: primary injuries (including donor ICU-related lung injury, pathogen colonization, and cold ischemia injury), secondary injuries (such as ventilator-induced lung injury after transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion inflammatory storm, and early rejection), and accompanying injuries (organ toxicity caused by accumulation of postoperative sedatives, analgesics, and vasoactive drugs). Drawing on previous studies and the clinical experience of our center, this paper elaborates the temporal evolution, key risk factors, and prevention and treatment strategies of each injury category, and discusses future research directions. By targeting critical injury factors at each stage, this classification aims to optimize both short-term and long-term outcomes of lung transplantation.
4.Identification and experimental validation of biomarkers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension based on bioinformatics and machine learning
Yan YANG ; Chunrong TAO ; Youjun ZHU ; Cong ZHANG ; Defeng LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(9):948-958
Objective To identify the key biomarkers for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)using bioinformatics,and validate their clinical significance.Methods High-throughput sequencing data analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in COPD-PAH.Functional enrichment analysis was then conducted to explore the biological functions of these DEGs.Machine learning methods,including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),random forest(RF),and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE),were utilized to screen 5 potential biomarkers.Single-cell analysis was performed to reveal the expression patterns of these key genes in macrophages.The clinical significance of these biomarkers was further validated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)data.A mouse model of COPD-PAH was established using hypoxia exposure.Sixteen mice(either sexes,8 weeks old,weighing 20~22 g)were randomly divided into a hypoxia group[O2(10.0±0.5)%,COPD-PAH,n=8]and a normoxia group(COPD,n=8).Immunofluorescence assay was used to label the key biomarkers,and their expression levels were quantified.Results A total of 28 DEGs(|Log2FC|≥2,P<0.05)were identified in COPD-PAH patients.Functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in COPD were primarily associated with major histocompatibility complex(MHC)Ⅱ and cell division,and involved in lysosomes,oxidative phosphorylation,and cell cycle pathways(P<0.05).Machine learning identified 5 potential biomarkers(GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1,and GPNMB),and subsequent single-cell analysis revealed that these markers exhibited reverse expression patterns during disease progression.A nomogram model constructed based on PBMC data yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.907 in diagnosing COPD-PAH.GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1 and GPNMB were significantly upregulated in the COPD-PAH group(P<0.05).Conclusion GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1 and GPNMB are identified as key biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of COPD-PAH,which providing new insights for the clinical and treatment of the condition.
5.Photodynamic enhancement of PROTAC prodrug activation in hypoxic tumors.
Zhongliang FU ; Chunrong YANG ; Yuchen YANG ; Meichen PAN ; Hongwei HOU ; Jinghong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4945-4960
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for targeted protein degradation. However, the clinical application of PROTACs may be hindered by off-target toxicity resulting from non-tissue-specific protein degradation and ingenious prodrug strategies may open new avenues to addressing this concern. Herein, we propose a light-induced positive feedback strategy to use photodynamic therapy (PDT) to improve the activation efficiency of PROTAC prodrugs, monitor PROTAC release, and combine PROTAC to induce tumor cell apoptosis. In the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, the azo bond in AZO-PRO selectively cleaves, triggering the release of the potent protein degrader PRO and the multifunctional photosensitizer. Once activated, the fluoresce signal of the photosensitizer dramatically recovers, allowing monitoring of prodrug activation. Additionally, upon irradicating the tumor site using near-infrared (NIR) laser, PDT exacerbates tumor hypoxia, further promoting AZO-PRO activation. Our work introduces a novel approach to efficiently track and activate PROTAC prodrugs, enhance their antitumor efficacy, and mitigate off-target systemic toxicity.
6.Application of tumor specific protein 70 targeted enrichment of circulating tumor cell sequencing technology in non-small cell lung cancer
Lixia ZHANG ; Yutong ZHOU ; Shuxian YANG ; Qiong ZHU ; Jian XU ; Yuan MU ; Chunrong GU ; Huanyu JU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shiyang PAN
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(6):737-742
Objective:To establish tumor specific protein (SP70) targeted tumor cell enrichment technology and to assess applicational value of next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis for enriched circulating tumor cell (CTC) in precision medicines of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:The monoclonal antibody NJ001 was covalently coupled to the surface of magnetic beads to build targeted magnetic bead enrichment technology based on SP70. The limit of detection, coincidence rate, interference experiment, recovery test and clinical performance were evaluated. From March 2016 to August 2017, NGS analysis with or without pre-treatment of targeted enrichment for serous fluids of 43 NSCLC in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University were compared (Kappa or Fisher exact test).Results:The CTC enrichment technology based on SP70 targeted immunomagnetic beads can specifically enrich tumor cells. The limit of detection was 10 4 SPC-A1 cells/L, and the coincidence rate, sensitivity and specificity were 100% (3/3). The endogenous interfering substances such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, epithelial cells and triglycerides had no interfering effects, as well as the exogenous interfering substances such as EDTA-K2, cefoxitin, carboplatin and paclitaxel. The recovery rate was 56.0% (56 000/100 000). A total of 30 gene mutations including 65 loci were found in 43 NSCLC under SP70 targeted enrichment, with a higher detection rate compared with unenrichment method [95.0% (19/20) vs 65.0% (13/20), χ 2=5.625, P=0.044]. Conclusion:In this study, SP70-targeted enriched CTC liquid biopsy method was established, with higher sensitivity and specificity of NGS detection than unenrichment method.
7."Guangzhou Classification" of donor lung injury: a systematic evaluation and grading framework from pre-procurement to post-transplantation
Jianxing HE ; Jiang SHI ; Chao YANG ; Guilin PENG ; Mengyang LIU ; Jiezhou HUANG ; Weixue CUI ; Chunrong JU ; Xin XU
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(4):276-279
Lung transplantation is a key therapeutic approach for patients with end-stage lung diseases. Although its clinical outcomes have significantly improved, multidimensional injuries sustained by donor lungs during procurement, preservation, and transplantation remain major challenges affecting graft survival and long-term prognosis. This article proposes the "Guangzhou Classification" for full-course management of donor lung injury, characterized by spatiotemporal dynamics. Based on the progression of disease stages, donor lung injuries are systematically divided into three types: primary injuries (including donor ICU-related lung injury, pathogen colonization, and cold ischemia injury), secondary injuries (such as ventilator-induced lung injury after transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion inflammatory storm, and early rejection), and accompanying injuries (organ toxicity caused by accumulation of postoperative sedatives, analgesics, and vasoactive drugs). Drawing on previous studies and the clinical experience of our center, this paper elaborates the temporal evolution, key risk factors, and prevention and treatment strategies of each injury category, and discusses future research directions. By targeting critical injury factors at each stage, this classification aims to optimize both short-term and long-term outcomes of lung transplantation.
8.Effects of TACE combined with Endostar on CD4+/CD8+T cells,ALAS1 and HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Shasha JIANG ; Meng WANG ; Jun ZHANG ; Chunrong HE ; Xuanke WANG ; Lingrong YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(7):1559-1565
Objective:To investigate the effects of transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with Endostar on CD4+/CD8+T cells,5-aminoketovalonate synthase 1(ALAS1)and HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:A total of 60 HCC patients admitted to Chengdu Third People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled and randomly divided into TACE treatment group(A)and TACE combined with Endostar treatment group(B),with 30 patients in each group.T lymphocyte,ALAS1 and indicators of HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway were observed in the two groups.Results:In group A,1 subject had complete remission,2 subjects had partial remission,2 subjects had stable remission,and 4 subjects had progress;in group B,2 subjects had complete remission,4 subjects had partial remission,4 subjects had stable remis-sion,and 1 subject had progress.The total effective rate in group B(33.33%)was significantly higher than that in group A(10.00%),with significant difference among groups(P=0.028).There were no significant differences in CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells and CD4+/CD8+T cells between the two groups before treatment(P=0.972,0.995,0.917).After treatment,level of CD4+T cells in the two groups was significantly increased(P<0.001),while level of CD8+T cells was significantly decreased(P<0.001).CD4+/CD8+T cells was significantly increased(P<0.001),and the changes in group B were significant compared with group A(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in content of ALAS1 between the two groups before treatment(P=0.975);after treatment,content of ALAS1 in liver cancer tissues of the two groups was significantly increased(P<0.001),which in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P<0.05).Before treatment,there were no significant differences in mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 2(MST2),large tumor suppressor 1(LATS1)and Yes-associated protein(YAP)between the two groups(P=0.134,0.134,0.134).After treatment,mRNA relative expressions of MST2 and LATS1 were significantly increased(all P<0.001),while mRNA relative expression of YAP were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and changes of group B were significant compared with group A(all P<0.001).After treat-ment,there were 5 more cases of no adverse reactions in group B than in group A,and the total incidence of adverse reactions(16.67%)was significantly lower than that in group A(43.33%),with a significant difference between groups(P=0.024).Conclu-sion:TACE combined with Endostar has significant therapeutic effect on HCC patients,which can effectively regulate CD4+/CD8+T cells,promote ALAS1 secretion,and activate HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway.
9.Application of tumor specific protein 70 targeted enrichment of circulating tumor cell sequencing technology in non-small cell lung cancer
Lixia ZHANG ; Yutong ZHOU ; Shuxian YANG ; Qiong ZHU ; Jian XU ; Yuan MU ; Chunrong GU ; Huanyu JU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shiyang PAN
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(6):737-742
Objective:To establish tumor specific protein (SP70) targeted tumor cell enrichment technology and to assess applicational value of next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis for enriched circulating tumor cell (CTC) in precision medicines of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:The monoclonal antibody NJ001 was covalently coupled to the surface of magnetic beads to build targeted magnetic bead enrichment technology based on SP70. The limit of detection, coincidence rate, interference experiment, recovery test and clinical performance were evaluated. From March 2016 to August 2017, NGS analysis with or without pre-treatment of targeted enrichment for serous fluids of 43 NSCLC in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University were compared (Kappa or Fisher exact test).Results:The CTC enrichment technology based on SP70 targeted immunomagnetic beads can specifically enrich tumor cells. The limit of detection was 10 4 SPC-A1 cells/L, and the coincidence rate, sensitivity and specificity were 100% (3/3). The endogenous interfering substances such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, epithelial cells and triglycerides had no interfering effects, as well as the exogenous interfering substances such as EDTA-K2, cefoxitin, carboplatin and paclitaxel. The recovery rate was 56.0% (56 000/100 000). A total of 30 gene mutations including 65 loci were found in 43 NSCLC under SP70 targeted enrichment, with a higher detection rate compared with unenrichment method [95.0% (19/20) vs 65.0% (13/20), χ 2=5.625, P=0.044]. Conclusion:In this study, SP70-targeted enriched CTC liquid biopsy method was established, with higher sensitivity and specificity of NGS detection than unenrichment method.
10.Metagenomics of Fecal Gut Microbiota in Common Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea:A Cross-sectional Study
Qin XIONG ; Yilin LI ; Chengjiao YAO ; Lihong LUO ; Fengjiao XIE ; Chunrong YANG ; Chaoqiang DONG ; Peimin FENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(5):503-511
ObjectiveTo investigate the structural and functional characteristics of gut microbiota in common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). MethodsIBS-D patients who visited the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and healthy participants from the Physical Examination Centre of the same hospital were recruited from 1st January 2020 to 31st March 2021.The IBS-D patients were classified into syndrome of liver constraint and spleen deficiency, and syndrome of spleen deficiency and dampness exuberance; together with the recruited healthy participants, there were liver-constraint group, dampness-exuberance group, and healthy group. General information, including age, gender and body mass index (BMI), were collected, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) as well as Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL) scores were additionally collected from IBS-D patients. Fresh fecal samples were also collected and tested by macro-genome sequencing technology for abundance statistical display, PCoA, Anosim, LEfSe bioinformatic analysis of the annotated gut microbiota structure and function. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the general information of the participants in the three groups (P>0.05); the difference in the IBS-SSS and IBS-QOL scores between liver-constraint group and dampness-exuberance group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The study included 28 cases each in liver-constraint group, dampness-exuberance group, and healthy group. The number of specific genes to patients in liver-constraint group was 269 135, with 216 156 in dampness-exuberance group and 249 759 in healthy group, accounting of total 1 784 036 in the three groups. There were differences in the relative abundance distribution of the top ten species of gut microbiota among the three groups, with smaller differences at the phylum, class and order levels, and larger differences at the family, genus and species levels. There were differences in the relative abundance of structure and function of the gut microbiota among the three groups. Species PCoA and Anosim analyses at the species level showed significant differences in the composition of the microbiota among the three groups. Further LEfSe analyses showed that patients in liver-constraint group were screened for 14 dominant strains, of which Clostridium sp. CAG 217, Lachnospira pectinoschiza, Anaerotruncus sp. CAG 528, Paeniclostridium sordellii, Eubecterium sp. CAG 76, Bacillus cereus were affected to a greater extent in abundance differences; dampness-exuberance group screened 24 species of dominant bacteria, of which Roseburia inulinivorans, Eubacterium sp. CAG 251, Roseburia hominis, Unclassified Eubacterium rectale, Roseburia intestinalis, and Megamonas funiformis were affected to a greater extent in abundance differences; no dominant functional genes were screened for patients in liver-constraint group, and dampness-exuberance group was screened for flagellum assembly (ko02040), porphyrin metabolism ( ko00860), salmonella infection (ko05132), and benzoic acid degradation (ko00362). The differentially dominant functional genes in liver-constraint group and dampness-exuberance group may mainly focus on metabolism (including biodegradation and metabolism of exogenous substances, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, etc.). ConclusionIBS-D with syndrome of liver constraint and spleen deficiency is characterized by the enrichment of 14 gut microbiota, such as Clostridium sp. CAG 217, while IBS-D with syndrome of spleen deficiency and dampness exuberance is characterized by the enrichment of 24 gut microbiota, such as Roseburia inulinivorans, and 4 functional enrichments, such as flagellum assembly. Clostridium sp. CAG 217 and Roseburia inulinivorans are expected to be biomarkers for IBS-D patients in the two syndromes, respectively.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail