1.Liuwei Dihuangwan Promote Mitophagy to Modulate Neuroinflammation and Behavioral Impairments in Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Pengjue HUANG ; Mingyue JIANG ; Ji WU ; Niya YIN ; Lei OUYANG ; Qinquan ZHU ; Di ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):52-60
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on behavioral impairments in the rat model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explore the mechanism of action. MethodsTwelve SD pregnant rats were intraperitoneally injected with valproic acid (VPA) (10 rats) or normal saline (2 rats), and male offspring were selected to establish the model of ASD and the control rats. Rats were randomly assigned into model, low-dose (0.75 g·kg-1) and high-dose (1.5 g·kg-1) Liuwei Dihuangwan, vitamin D (positive drug, 3.7×10-5 g·kg-1), and blank groups. Each group was administrated with the corresponding concentration of drugs or the same volume of normal saline by gavage for 2 weeks. After the intervention, the three-chamber social test was conducted to evaluate social interaction and social preference. The open field test was carried out to observe spontaneous behavior and anxiety state. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathological changes of the prefrontal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria in prefrontal neurons. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the prefrontal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Western blot was employed to assess the expression differences of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (p-ULK1), Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1), and FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group spent less time sniffing stranger 1 and stranger 2 in the three-chamber social test (P<0.01) and showed reductions in the total distance traveled, average speed, distance traveled in the central area, and time spent in the central area in the open field test (P<0.01). In addition, the model group showed extensive apoptosis of neurons, with shrunken nuclei and red-stained cytoplasm, and extensive necrosis of neurons in the prefrontal tissue, mitochondrial swelling, decreased matrix density, disrupted cristae, and autophagic lysosomes in neurons, increases in the rate of Iba-1 positive cells in the prefrontal area (P<0.01) and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.01), and down-regulation in the expression of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and FUNDC1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, low-dose and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan and the vitamin D prolonged the time spent sniffing stranger 1 and stranger 2 in the three-chamber social test (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the total distance traveled, average speed, distance traveled in the central area, and time spent in the central area in the open field test (P<0.05, P<0.01), restored the morphology of neurons in the prefrontal tissue, decreased the number of apoptotic cells, alleviated the swelling of mitochondria in neurons, increased the matrix density, mitigated the fragmentation and disorder of cristae, and increased the number of autophagosomes. Moreover, the drugs decreased the rate of Iba-1 positive cells in the prefrontal area (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.01), and up-regulated the expression of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and FUNDC1 (P<0.01). ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan ameliorate autism-like behaviors and reduce neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammatory damage in the rat model of ASD by promoting mitophagy mediated by the AMPK/ULK1/FUNDC1 pathway.
2.Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence and associated factors among occupational workers from 8 industries in Shanghai
Yan LIU ; Feng YANG ; Weiwei GUO ; Niu DI ; Yan YIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):443-450
Background Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major type of musculoskeletal disorders with a relatively high proportion. Shanghai has a large number of occupational populations; however, the occurrence of WMSDs at neck among the occupational populations across industries in this city has not been reported, and needs to be addressed. Objective To understand the occurrence of neck-related WMSDs and their influencing factors among occupational populations in 8 industries in Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of WMSDs in this population. Methods From February 2024 to February 2025, a cross-sectional survey employed stratified cluster sampling to select
3.Ent-pimarane and ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Siegesbeckiapubescens and their anti-endothelial damage effect in diabetic retinopathy.
Mengjia LIU ; Tingting LUO ; Rongxian LI ; Wenying YIN ; Fengying YANG ; Di GE ; Na LIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(2):234-244
Diabetic retinopathy, a prevalent and vision-threatening microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the leading cause of blindness among middle-aged and elderly individuals. Natural diterpenoids isolated from Siegesbeckia pubescens demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to identify novel bioactive diterpenoids from S. pubescens and investigate their effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in diabetic retinopathy, both in vitro and in vivo. Three new ent-pimarane-type diterpenoids (1-3) and six known compounds (4-9) were isolated from the aerial parts of S. pubescens. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic data interpretation, and absolute configurations were determined by comparing calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Among these compounds, 14β,16-epoxy-ent-3β,15α,19-trihydroxypimar-7-ene (5) exhibited the most potent protective effect against high glucose and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated human retinal endothelial cells. Mechanistically, compound 5 promoted endothelial cell survival while ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy, both in vivo and in vitro. These findings not only suggest that diterpenoids such as compound 5 are important anti-inflammatory constituents in S. pubescens, but also indicate that compound 5 may serve as a lead compound for preventing or treating vascular complications associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy/metabolism*
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Humans
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Animals
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Diterpenes, Kaurane/administration & dosage*
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Asteraceae/chemistry*
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Male
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Endothelial Cells/drug effects*
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Abietanes/administration & dosage*
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Molecular Structure
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Mice
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*
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Plant Extracts/chemistry*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
4.Value analysis of blood magnesium in evaluating the prognosis of sepsis patients
Jun YIN ; Di MA ; Feng HONG ; Dayong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(3):227-231
Objective:To analyze the prognostic factors in patients with sepsis, and the value of admission blood magnesium in evaluating the prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 197 patients with sepsis from January 2020 to December 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 71 patients died in the hospital (death group), and 126 patients survived (survival group). The basic information, mechanical ventilation, using vasoactive drug, length of hospital stay, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ), sequential organ failure score (SOFA), blood routine, blood gas analysis, blood biochemical indexes and inflammatory factor levels were compared. Multivariate unconditioned Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors. The efficacy of relevant indexes in predicting the death in patients with sepsis was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.Results:The heart rate, platelet count, blood magnesium, blood calcium, total cholesterol and D-dimmer in death group were significantly lower than those in survival group: 86.0 (75.0, 105.0) times/min vs. 91.5 (80.0, 115.7) times/min, (125.86 ± 67.58) × 10 9/L vs. (165.67 ± 75.83) × 10 9/L, 0.64 (0.57, 0.71) mmol/L vs. 0.76 (0.69, 0.86) mmol/L, 2.21 (2.19, 2.29) mmol/L vs. 2.34 (2.22, 2.39) mmol/L, 3.40 (2.68, 3.91) mmol/L vs. 3.68 (2.99, 4.39) mmol/L and 1.23 (0.65, 2.76) mg/L vs. 1.77 (0.79, 4.79) mg/L, the APACHE Ⅱ, SOFA, red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW) and triglycerides were significantly higher than those in survival group: 21 (18, 24) scores vs. 19 (17, 22) scores, 7 (6, 8) scores vs. 5 (4, 6) scores, 0.164 (0.152, 0.171) vs. 0.143 (0.132, 0.154) and 1.37 (0.94, 1.78) mmol/L vs. 1.14 (0.82, 1.59) mmol/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01); there were no statistical difference in gender composition, age, body temperature, hypertension, diabetes, mechanical ventilation, using vasoactive drug, length of hospital stay, pH value, lactic acid, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, hematocrit, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood sodium, blood potassium, albumin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, brain natriuretic peptide, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, heparin binding protein and amyloid A between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate unconditioned Logistic regression analysis results showed that high SOFA, RDW and low platelet count, total cholesterol, blood magnesium were independent risk factors of death in patients with sepsis ( OR = 5.655, 2.011, 0.985, 0.380 and 3.160; 95% CI 2.495 to 12.816, 1.215 to 3.327, 0.970 to 0.995, 0.162 to 0.892 and 1.221 to 8.314; P<0.01 or <0.05). Among the 197 patients, 84 patients had normal blood magnesium, 113 patients (57.36%) had hypomagnesemia. The mortality rate in patients with hypomagnesemia was significantly higher than that in patients with normal blood magnesium: 52.21% (59/113) vs. 14.29% (12/84), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 30.07, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that RDW, SOFA, platelet count and blood magnesium had certain value in predicting death in patients with sepsis (the areas under the curves were 0.818, 0.888, 0.787 and 0.783, respectively). The optimal cutoff value of blood magnesium was 0.61 mmol/L, with a sensitivity of 70.6% and a specificity of 89.6%. Conclusions:The incidence of hypomagnesemia is high in patients with sepsis, and blood magnesium is an independent risk factor for death, which can be used as an index to evaluate the prognosis of sepsis patients.
5.Correlation of serum BNP and D-dimer levels with cardiac function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure
Lianghui WANG ; Di MA ; Jun YIN ; Yuting LI ; Zhiling GAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(9):1179-1182
Objective To investigate the correlation of serum brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and D-dimer levels with cardiac function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 91 elderly CHF patients(observation group)admitted in our hospital from January 2021 to November 2024.They were then classified into grade Ⅰ-Ⅱsubgroup(66 cases)and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ subgroup 25 cases according to NYHA cardiac function grading.Another 84 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations in our hospital dur-ing the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of serum BNP and D-dimer were detected.Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the severity of cardiac function in elderly CHF patients,and Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation between the levels and cardiac function in elderly patients with CHF.Results Serum D-dimer and BNP levels were significantly higher in the observation group than the control group(P<0.01),and in the grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ subgroup than the grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ sub-group(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age(OR=2.815,95%CI:1.501-5.281,P=0.001),BNP(OR=2.901,95%CI:1.458-5.772,P=0.003)and D-dimer(OR=2.872,95%CI:1.501-5.495,P=0.002)were independent influencing factors for cardiac function in elderly CHF patients(P<0.01).Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum BNP and D-dimer were negatively correlated with cardiac function(r=-0.324,P=0.023;r=-0.285,P=0.035).Conclusion The serum levels of D-dimer and BNP are significantly increased in elderly CHF patients,and the two levels are related to cardiac function.
6.Risk factors for in-hospital death after complete recanalization by mechanical thrombectomy in acute large vessel occlusion stroke of the anterior circulation
Shunchao CI ; Feng WANG ; Di LI ; Ke LI ; Lin YIN
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(3):235-242
Objective:To explore the risk factors for in-hospital death after complete recanalization by mechanical thrombectomy and establish a risk prediction model in patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke of the anterior circulation.Methods:A total of 468 patients with anterior circulation acute large vessel occlusion stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in Stroke Center (Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University), Department of Interventional Therapy (First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University), and Department of Neurointervention and Neurocritical Care (Central Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University of Technology) from January 2016 to November 2023 were selected. All patients achieved complete recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction: grading 3) immediately after thrombectomy. The clinical data, laboratory and imaging results of the patients were collected, and these patients were divided into in-hospital death group ( n=52) and in-hospital survival group ( n=416) according to occurrence of in-hospital death (all-cause death). Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors for in-hospital death, and a risk prediction model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model, calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and decision curve was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the model. Results:Univariate analysis showed that the in-hospital death group had significantly higher proportions of female patients, patients with atrial fibrillation, and patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage compared with the in-hospital survival group (50.0% vs. 31.3%; 57.7% vs. 41.6%; 38.5% vs.11.8%), and significantly higher baseline blood glucose, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, neutrophil count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio within 24 hours of thrombectomy (8.10 [7.05, 11.79] vs. 7.31[6.46, 9.25], 20 [16, 32] vs. 15 [10, 22], 10.09 [7.87, 13.19] vs. 8.47 [6.73, 10.32], 10.63 [5.87, 15.69] vs. 7.13 [5.16, 10.91], P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR=2.533, 95% CI: 1.306-4.910, P=0.006), atrial fibrillation history ( OR=1.999, 95% CI: 1.044-3.827, P=0.037), neutrophil count within 24 hours of thrombectomy ( OR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.055-1.279, P=0.002), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage ( OR=4.066, 95% CI: 1.897-8.718, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for in-hospital death after complete recanalization; risk prediction model, accordingly, was 0.929×female+0.692×atrial fibrillation history+0.150×neutrophil count+1.403×symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage-5.349 ( P: probability of event occurrence). Area under ROC curve of the model was 0.765 (95% CI: 0.689-0.842, P<0.001); calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test of the model showed good accuracy ( χ2=7.656, P=0.468); decision curve of the model showed good clinical utility at threshold probability of 0.05-0.90. Conclusion:For patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke at the anterior circulation complicated with atrial fibrillation, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or elevated neutrophil count within 24 hours of thrombectomy, or female patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke at the anterior circulation, in-hospital death still needs to be highly alert after complete recanalization by mechanical thrombectomy.
7.Evaluation of effectiveness of reagent burstbead applied to field blood transfusion compatibility testing
Yi ZHANG ; Xiao-di LIU ; Yi-man ZHAO ; Jing-yan ZHOU ; Shu-mei YANG ; Hao YAN ; Yin-tu MA
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):39-42
Objective To explore the reliability of the reagent burstbead for field blood transfusion compatibility testing by applying it to bloodtype detection,antibody screening and cross matching tests and conduting parallel contrast with the existing arrays.Methods A field treatment shelter was used as the testing site to simulate the scene of emergency blood transfusion for the wounded under the conditions of field blood station,and 1 358 pieces of blood samples sent to some hospital for examination before transfusion were considered as the objects.Parallel contrast tests were carried out between the reagent burstbead method and the tube method for bloodtype detection and between the reagent burstbead method and the manual polybrene method for antibody screening and cross matching.The reagent burstbead method was compared with other methods in terms of the coin-cidence rate of the bloodtype detection results,the detection rate of positive samples for antibody screening and crossmatch incompatibility.Results The reagent burstbead method and the tube method had high consistency when used for bloodtype detection,with the coincidence rate being 100%.During antibody screening and cross matching tests,the reagent burstbead method found 5 cases of antibody-positive samples leading to major crossmatch incompatibility(positive rate being 0.37%),the manual polybrene method detected 2 cases of irregular antibody-positive samples(positive rate being 0.15%),and the two methods both identified 3 cases of minor crossmatch incompatibility.Conclusion The reagent burstbead has high accuracy and reliability when applied to bloodtype detection,antibody screening and cross matching tests,and thus can be used for blood transfusion compatibility testing in field conditions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):39-42]
8.Research progress in surface modification strategies for blood purification materials
Di HE ; Juanjuan LIU ; Weihua YIN ; Fengjie HAN ; Guiming SHU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(1):96-102
The development of blood purification materials has progressed from cellulose membranes to high-strength polymer membranes, but the blood compatibility of the membranes remains a major challenge for their clinical applications. In this review, blood purification materials were categorized according to the commonly used material surface modification strategies, including surface grafting of anticoagulant groups, surface coating of materials and electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly, covalent attachment of superhydrophilic hydrogels, and blending method. Anticoagulant properties such as clotting time and surface hydrophilicity of various blood purification materials were also discussed to further analyze the value and challenges of blood purification materials in clinical practice.
9.Protective effects of liensinine against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through relieving inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
Yaran SUO ; Shuyu LI ; Chunjin FU ; Xin CHAI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Yin Kwan WONG ; Haining LYU ; Chengchao XU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):52-61
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted considerable attention in clinical settings due to the limited treatment options available. Liensinine stands out as a key alkaloid known for its pharmaceutical activities. However, the role of liensinine in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the protective effects of liensinine against APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine or varying doses of liensinine (10 or 20 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. APAP (400 mg/kg, i.g.) was then administered to induce liver damage for 12 hours. Blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected for further analysis. Liver enzyme levels and histopathological analysis were employed to assess liver injury. RNA-seq was conducted to evaluate the dynamic changes in gene expression. Biochemical assays were used to measure oxidative stress and inflammation, while the TUNEL assay was performed to assess hepatocyte apoptosis. Results: The results demonstrated that the administration of liensinine mitigated serum liver enzyme levels and tissue damage resulting from APAP overdose. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant and coordinated changes in genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression alterations of key genes within these three pathways, associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, were reversed by liensinine, indicating its potential in alleviating APAP-induced liver damage through multiple signaling pathways. This suggests the diverse therapeutic effects of liensinine, including inflammation suppression, oxidative stress reduction, and cell apoptosis inhibition. Indeed, pretreatment with liensinine effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, and apoptotic cells induced by APAP. Conclusions: Liensinine mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through multifaceted pathways, providing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic benefits.
10.Protective effects of liensinine against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through relieving inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
Yaran SUO ; Shuyu LI ; Chunjin FU ; Xin CHAI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Yin Kwan WONG ; Haining LYU ; Chengchao XU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):52-61
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted considerable attention in clinical settings due to the limited treatment options available. Liensinine stands out as a key alkaloid known for its pharmaceutical activities. However, the role of liensinine in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the protective effects of liensinine against APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine or varying doses of liensinine (10 or 20 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. APAP (400 mg/kg, i.g.) was then administered to induce liver damage for 12 hours. Blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected for further analysis. Liver enzyme levels and histopathological analysis were employed to assess liver injury. RNA-seq was conducted to evaluate the dynamic changes in gene expression. Biochemical assays were used to measure oxidative stress and inflammation, while the TUNEL assay was performed to assess hepatocyte apoptosis. Results: The results demonstrated that the administration of liensinine mitigated serum liver enzyme levels and tissue damage resulting from APAP overdose. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant and coordinated changes in genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression alterations of key genes within these three pathways, associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, were reversed by liensinine, indicating its potential in alleviating APAP-induced liver damage through multiple signaling pathways. This suggests the diverse therapeutic effects of liensinine, including inflammation suppression, oxidative stress reduction, and cell apoptosis inhibition. Indeed, pretreatment with liensinine effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, and apoptotic cells induced by APAP. Conclusions: Liensinine mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through multifaceted pathways, providing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic benefits.

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