1.Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets Ameliorate Liver Injury Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet by Regulating Cholesterol Metabolism
Xiaotong FU ; Chunyu CAO ; Chun LI ; Chenna LU ; Ting LIU ; Yifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):46-55
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets (TG) and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CG) in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: control (pure water), low-dose TG (TG-L, 189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), high-dose TG (TG-H, 472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), TG-L+CG (189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), and TG-H+CG (472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration, the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically, HepG2 cells were grouped as follows: Low-dose TG (TG-l, 15 mg·L-1), medium-dose TG (TG-m, 45 mg·L-1), high-dose TG (TG-h, 135 mg·L-1), fenofibrate (FB, 10 μmol·L-1), CG extract, TG-h+FB (135 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-m+FB (45 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-l+FB (15 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-h+CG (135 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), TG-m+CG (45 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), and TG-l+CG (15 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG). The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), which were up-regulated by the application of CG (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with TG alone, TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α (P<0.01), and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 (P<0.01) in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the TG-h group, the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR (P<0.05). Compared with the TG-m group, the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0, 472.5 mg·kg-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux, endocytosis, and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes, leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α, LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.
2.Research progress on biomarkers of stroke-associated sarcopenia
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(2):182-186
Stroke-associated sarcopenia is a serious post-stroke complication that can have a significant impact on patient’s functional recovery. However, currently available assessment tools for sarcopenia require specialized equipment and personnel, which are difficult to access in resource-limited settings. This article presents the role of biomarkers as an objective method in the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and prognostic assessment of stroke-associated sarcopenia, with the focus on neuromuscular, inflammatory, metabolic, and nutritional indicators.
Stroke
;
Sarcopenia
;
Biomarkers
3.Analysis of Mechanism of Exosomes of BMSC Modified with Bushen Yisui Capsules on Promoting Differentiation and Maturation of OLN-93 Oligodendrocytes via Regulating miR-15b/Wnt Signaling Pathway
Sisi LIU ; Chunyu LI ; Chen LI ; Haixin LI ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):115-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC-exos) modified with Bushen Yisui capsule(BSYS)-containing serum on promoting the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 oligodendrocytes by regulating miR-15b/Wnt signaling pathway. MethodsOLN-93 cells were divided into 5 groups, including the normal(NC) group, BMSC-exos group, BSYS-BMSC-exos group, BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p inhibitor-exos group, and BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p NC-exos group. DiR staining was used to observe the uptake of Exos by OLN-93 cells. The effective dosage of BSYS-BMSC-exos on OLN-93 cells was assessed by cell proliferation and activity assay(CCK-8). Stable BMSCs lentiviral transfection strains were established to inhibit miR-15b-5p expression in both BMSCs and their exos, and transfection efficiency was verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detection of miR-15b-5p. The expressions of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase(CNPase) and myelin proteolipid protein(PLP) in OLN-93 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry(ICC) and Western blot. The mRNA expressions of miR-15b-5p and Wnt3a in OLN-93 cells were detected by Real-time PCR, and the protein expression of Wnt3a was measured by Western blot. The expression levels of key molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway of OLN-93 cells, including glycogen synthase kinase(GSK)-3β, β-catenin, and T-cell specific transcription factor 4/transcription factor 7-like 2(TCF4/TCF7L2), were measured by Real-time PCR and Western blot. ResultsDiR-labeled Exos were efficiently taken up by OLN-93 cells. The CCK-8 assay results indicated that 20 mg·L-1 of BSYS-BMSC-exos exhibited the most significant effect in enhancing OLN-93 cell viability(P<0.01) and this dosage was selected for subsequent experiments. Following lentiviral transfection of BMSCs, Real-time PCR results revealed that miR-15b-5p was significantly suppressed in BMSCs(P<0.01), and miR-15b-5p was also notably inhibited in BSYS-BMSC-exos(P<0.01). ICC analysis further revealed an increase in the number of differentiated, mature CNPase and PLP-positive cells following BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment(P<0.01). Western blot results demonstrated that the protein expression of CNPase and PLP was significantly enhanced with BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment(P<0.01). Additionally, BSYS-BMSC-exos also increased the expression levels of miR-15b-5p and p-β-catenin proteins in OLN-93 cells, while decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt3a, as well as the mRNA expressions of β-catenin and TCF4/TCF7L2, and the protein expression level of p-GSK-3β(Ser9) was significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01). After the transfection of miR-15b-5p inhibitor into BSYS-BMSC-exos, the above effects were significantly diminished(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSYS-BMSC-exos facilitate the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 cells, and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of miR-15b-5p in OLN-93 cells, which inhibits the expression of Wnt3a and thereby suppresses the Wnt signaling pathway.
4.Essential tremor plus affects disease prognosis: A longitudinal study.
Runcheng HE ; Mingqiang LI ; Xun ZHOU ; Lanqing LIU ; Zhenhua LIU ; Qian XU ; Jifeng GUO ; Xinxiang YAN ; Chunyu WANG ; Hainan ZHANG ; Irene X Y WU ; Beisha TANG ; Sheng ZENG ; Qiying SUN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):117-119
5.Traditional Chinese medicine for regulating glycolysis to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment: research progress and future prospects.
Songqi HE ; Yang LIU ; Mengchen QIN ; Chunyu HE ; Wentao JIANG ; Yiqin WANG ; Sirui TAN ; Haiyan SUN ; Haitao SUN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2277-2284
Immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to abnormal glycolysis. Tumor cells gain metabolic advantages and suppress immune responses through the "Warburg effect". Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to regulate key glycolysis enzymes (such as HK2 and PKM2), metabolic signaling pathways (such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, HIF-1α) and non-coding RNAs at multiple targets, thus synergistically inhibiting lactate accumulation, improving vascular abnormalities, and relieving metabolic inhibition of immune cells. Studies have shown that TCM monomers and formulas can promote immune cell infiltration and functions, improve metabolic microenvironment, and with the assistance by the nano-delivery system, enhance the precision of treatment. However, the dynamic mechanism of the interaction between TCM-regulated glycolysis and TME has not been fully elucidated, for which single-cell sequencing and other technologies provide important technical support to facilitate in-depth analysis and clinical translational research. Future studies should be focused on the synergistic strategy of "metabolic reprogramming-immune activation" to provide new insights into the mechanisms of tumor immunotherapy.
Humans
;
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*
;
Glycolysis/drug effects*
;
Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Signal Transduction
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
6.Epimedii Folium flavonoids: A double-edged sword effect on the liver, a dual exploration of efficacy and toxicity.
Meijun YUE ; Yanlu LIU ; Xiaoan FENG ; Bo CAO ; Xiaofei FEI ; Guohui LI ; Chunyu LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(10):101269-101269
Flavonoids, the key active compounds in Epimedii Folium, have both protective and toxic effects on the liver. Their hepatoprotective effects are associated with reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, which contribute to the management of various liver conditions. In contrast, the mechanisms driving Epimedii Folium-induced hepatotoxicity are less understood but likely involve oxidative stress and pyroptosis. Pharmacokinetic studies, especially on icaritin, indicate that it undergoes isopentenyl dehydrogenation, glycosylation, and glucuronidation in vivo, contributing to its pharmacological effects. However, intermediate metabolites of icaritin may interact with biomolecules, potentially leading to liver toxicity. This review offers a detailed examination of the dual effects of Epimedii Folium flavonoids on liver function, emphasizing recent discoveries in their hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic pathways. We also summarize and discuss the pharmacokinetics of these flavonoids, highlighting how their metabolism affects therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. Lastly, we propose strategies to mitigate liver injury, providing new perspectives on the safe use of Epimedii Folium.
7.Construction of Nomogram prediction model of myopia risk and lifestyle among primary school students in Tianjin City
LIU Shengxin, DU Bei, JIN Nan, TANG Chunyu, SONG Desheng, ZHANG Xin, WEI Ruihua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(1):21-24
Objective:
To explore the relationship between lifestyle and myopia and construct Nomogram model to predict myopia risk among primary school students in Tianjin, so as to provide a scientific basis for precision myopia prevention and control.
Methods:
From April to July of 2022, a census method was used to conduct vision testing and lifestyle related questionnaires among 373 180 primary school students in 15 districts of Tianjin. The relationship between lifestyle and myopia was analyzed by the multivariate Logistic regression, and a nomogram prediction model was constructed to predict myopia risk.
Results:
The detection rate of myopia among primary school students in Tianjin was 37.6%. The results of the multivariate Logistic regression showed that daily outdoor activity time of 1-2 h ( OR =0.94) and >2 h ( OR =0.84), time of using daily electronic devices of >2 h ( OR =1.03), daily paper materials reading and writing time of 1-2 h ( OR =1.02) and >2 h ( OR =1.09), weekly fresh vegetable intake of 2-6 times ( OR =0.93) and ≥7 times ( OR =0.88) were statistically correlated with myopia ( P <0.01). The Nomogram prediction model showed that the factors associated with myopia were grade, family history of myopia, gender, daily outdoor activity time, weekly frequency of fresh vegetable intake, daily paper materials reading and writing time, and time of using daily electronic devices time.
Conclusions
The lifestyle of primary school students in Tianjin is associated with myopia. The constructed nomogram model could provide a scientific basis for identifying key intervention populations for myopia prevention and taking targeted prevention and control measures.
8.Bibliometric and visual analysis of Chinese scarlet fever literature
Chunyu ZHAO ; Liu LONG ; Xinjing JIA ; Chunyuan DUAN ; Lisha LIU ; Xiushan ZHANG ; Jinpeng GUO ; Ruizhong JIA ; Wenyi ZHANG ; Yong WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(2):1-5
Objective To analyze the research status and trend of scarlet fever literature in China, and to provide reference for subsequent research. Methods Three major Chinese databases, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, as well as Web of Science English database, were used to search for literature related to scarlet fever from 2000 to 2023. Citespace6.2.R2 software was used to statistically analyze the number of publications, authors, institutions and journals, co-cited literature, keyword clustering, and other literature characteristics of the literature. Results From 2000 to 2023, a total of 1 011 Chinese literature were included in the three major Chinese databases. Since 2011, the number of publications had gradually increased, but in recent years, the number of publications had decreased. The organization with the most publications was the Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The cluster analysis of key words mainly formed 9 cluster tags, and the high-frequency keywords mainly included epidemic characteristics, epidemiology, incidence rate, etc. A total of 84 English literature were included in the WOS database, with an overall upward trend in publication volume. The institution with the most publications was the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the most frequently cited journal was “LANCET INFECT DIS”.《Resurgence of scarlet fever in China: a 13-year population-based surveillance study》 was the most cited journal. After keyword cluster analysis, 9 cluster labels were mainly formed, and the keywords were mainly outbreak,Hong Kong, and Group A streptococcus. Conclusion Compared with the English literature, which mainly focuses on spatiotemporal aggregation, etiology and strain resistance, Chinese literature focuses more on epidemic surveillance, clinical features and quality nursing.
9.Driving pressure-guided PEEP titration for intraoperative mechanical ventilation:a meta-analysis
Jianxiong ZHOU ; Chunyu LIU ; Chuang WEI
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(5):760-765
Objective To systematic evaluate the effectiveness and safety of driving pressure-guided fixed positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP)titration in intraoperative mechanical ventilation.Methods PubMed,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library,Embase,CNKI,Wanfang and VIP databases were searched for collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of PEEP titration guided by driving pressure in intraoperative mechanical ventilation from inception to November 8,2023.After two researchers independently screened the literature,extracted data,and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies,the meta-analysis was conducted by Rev-Man 5.4 software.Results Nineteen studies with a total of 2 906 patients were included.There were 1 440 patients in the study group with the lung protective ventilation strategy guided by PEEP titration,and 1 466 patients in the control group with the traditional lung protective ventilation strategy.Compared with the con-trol group,the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications(PPCs)in the study group was lower in the non-thoracic surgery(RR=0.53,95%CI:0.43-0.65,P<0.001),but there was no statistical difference in the incidence of PPCS in the thoracic surgery(RR=0.89,95%CI:0.78-1.02,P=0.09).Compared with the control group,the intraoperative lung compliance was increased(MD= 6.90 L/cmH2O,95%CI:5.80-7.99,P<0.001),and the length of hospital stay was shortened in the study group(MD=-0.27 d,95%CI:-0.43 to-0.12,P<0.001),while there was no significant difference in intraoperative mean arterial pres-sure(MAP)between the two groups(MD=0.36 mmHg,95%CI:-1.30 to 2.01,P=0.67).Conclusion Com-pared with the traditional lung protective ventilation,driving pressure-guided PEEP titration ventilation can im-prove intraoperative lung compliance,reduce the incidence of PPCs in non-thoracic surgery,shorten the length of hospital stay,and does not increase the risk of hemodynamic disturbances in patients undergoing surgery.
10.Targets and validation of Salvia miltiorrhiza in myopia through network pharmacology
Xiaonan LU ; Jie LI ; Guangqi AN ; Zhenhui LIU ; Chunyu LIANG ; Shuzhen DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(4):322-328
Objective:To explore and validate the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza in myopia using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods:The TCMSP database was used to extract the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza.GeneCards, DisGeNET, Malacard and OMIM databases were used to extract the myopia-related targets.The target intersection was taken, and the intersecting targets were selected to extract the corresponding active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and construct the pharmacological regulatory network of TCM using Cytoscape.The protein interaction network map for the key target genes was constructed using the String database, and the relevant proteins were selected to download the three-dimensional structures of the active ingredients from the PubChem database, and molecular docking was performed using AutoDockvina software.Twelve 3-week-old guinea pigs were induced with lens-induced myopia (LIM) in the right eye and randomly divided into normal saline group and sodium danshensu group, with 6 animals in each group.During the maintenance of LIM, periocular injection of 1 ml normal saline or sodium danshensu was performed daily.The contralateral eye was used as a negative control.On days 0, 14, and 28 of the experiment, the axial length of both eyes was measured by A-scan ultrasonography, and the refractive status was assessed with a streak retinoscope.To avoid individual differences, relative spherical equivalent (treated eye-contralateral eye) and relative axial length (treated eye-contralateral eye) were compared.On day 28, the relative expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) proteins were determined by Western blot.The feeding and use of laboratory animals followed the 3R principle, and the research program was approved by the Ethics Committee of Experimental Animal Center of Zhengzhou University (No.ZZU-LAC 202320405[02]). Results:Sixteen intersecting key targets were screened for myopia and TCM components derived from Salvia divinorum.A TCM network pharmacology map and protein interaction map were constructed with Salvia divinorum as a drug candidate, and the corresponding proteins of target genes, such as MMP2, TGFB1, and MMP9 were screened to perform molecular docking with the active ingredients, such as lignocellulosic acid, danshensu, tanshinone ⅡA, and so on.After 14 days of induction, the relative spherical equivalent and relative axial length were (-4.67±1.03)D and (0.67±0.26)mm in sodium danshensu group, and (-6.30±1.22)D and (1.08±0.34)mm normal saline group, indicating slower myopia progression and axial elongation in sodium danshensu group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.412, P=0.039; t=2.750, P=0.049). The relative expression levels of HIF-1α protein were 0.20±0.01, 1.29±0.05 and 0.63±0.02, and the relative expression levels of TGF-β1 protein were 0.93±0.05, 0.25±0.01 and 0.74±0.05 in the negative control, normal saline and sodium danshensu groups, respectively.The expression of HIF-1α protein was higher in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but lower than in the normal saline group, and the expression of TGF-β1 protein was lower in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but higher than in the normal saline group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Natural compounds extracted from Salvia divinorum extracts may serve as potential drug candidates to combat scleral hypoxia and improve scleral extracellular matrix remodeling.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail