1.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
2.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
3.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation.
4.The clinical value of artificial intelligence quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stage Ⅰ invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Yun LIANG ; Mengmeng REN ; Delong HUANG ; Jingyan DIAO ; Xuri MU ; Guowei ZHANG ; Shuliang LIU ; Xiuqu FEI ; Dongmei DI ; Ning XIE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):598-607
Objective To explore the clinical value of artificial intelligence (AI) quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stageⅠ invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Methods Clinical data of patients with clinical stageⅠ IAC admitted to Yantaishan Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University from October 2018 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the 2021 WHO pathological grading criteria for lung adenocarcinoma, IAC was divided into gradeⅠ, grade Ⅱ, and grade Ⅲ. The differences in parameters among the groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of AI quantitative parameters for grade Ⅲ IAC patients. Parameters were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. Three machine learning models were constructed based on these parameters to predict grade Ⅲ IAC and were internally validated to assess their efficacy. Nomograms were used for visualization. Results A total of 261 IAC patients were included, including 101 males and 160 females, with an average age of 27-88 (61.96±9.17) years. Six patients had dual primary lesions, and different lesions from the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. There were 48 patients of gradeⅠ IAC, 89 patients of grade Ⅱ IAC, and 130 patients of grade Ⅲ IAC. There were statitical differences in the AI quantitive parameters such as consolidation/tumor ratio (CTR), ect among the three goups. (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the differences in all variables except age were statistically significant (P<0.05) between the group gradeⅠ+grade Ⅱand the group grade Ⅲ . Multivariate analysis suggested that CTR and CT standard deviation were independent risk factors for identifying grade Ⅲ IAC, and the two were negatively correlated. Grade Ⅲ IAC exhibited advanced TNM staging, more pathological high-risk factors, higher lymph node metastasis rate, and higher proportion of advanced structure. CTR was positively correlated with the proportion of advanced structures in all patients. This correlation was also observed in grade Ⅲ but not in gradeⅠand grade ⅡIAC. CTR and CT median value were selected by using LASSO regression. Logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost models were constructed and validated, among which, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance. Conclusion Cautious consideration should be given to grade Ⅲ IAC when CTR is higher than 39.48% and CT standard deviation is less than 122.75 HU. The XGBoost model based on combined CTR and CT median value has good predictive efficacy for grade Ⅲ IAC, aiding clinicians in making personalized clinical decisions.
5.Study on establishment of UPLC fingerprint and determination of 12 components in Aiye standard decoction
Yifei MA ; Xiangyuan ZHOU ; Yuanyuan XIE ; Zhenyu LI ; Minyou HE ; Yong LIU ; Wenhui LUO ; Xian QIU ; Qiong LUO ; Roushan CHEN ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Dongmei SUN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(10):1425-1431
Objective:To establish a quality control method for Aiye standard decoction.Methods:The ultra performance liquid chromatogrphy (UPLC) column Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 C18 (2.1 mm×150 mm,1.8 μm) was used to gradient elution by acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water. 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction fingerprints were established by UPLC and the common peaks were determined in the fingerprints. The contents of 12 components were determined. The 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction were analyzed by similarity calculation, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) for analysis of differential components of Artemisiae Argyi Folium from different origins.Results:A total of 13 common peaks were marked in the fingerprints of 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction, 12 of which were identified by comparison with reference substance, including chlorogenic acid, sochlorogenic acid A, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,1,3-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, schaftoside, isochlorogenic acid B,1,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, jaceosidin and eupatilin. Similarity evaluation, PCA and HCA all classified the 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction into 2 categories. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis screened 5 differential biomarkers from 13 common peaks. The content determination results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids in samples from Hubei were significantly higher than that in samples from other areas.Conclusion:This method can effectively analyze the differences in the quality of Aiye standard decoction from different origins, and provide reference for the formulation of quality standards for Aiye standard decoction and related preparations.
6.Association between dynamic change of eosinophil percentage and time-dependent of prognosis in patients with sepsis:a retrospective cohort study
Dongmei CHEN ; Kangle LUO ; Yongpeng XIE ; Yi XU ; Xuefeng CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(20):84-88
Objective To investigate the correlation between the eosinophil percentage and prognosis in patients with sepsis after intensive care unit(ICU)admission.Methods A retrospec-tive cohort study design was employed,data from adult patients with sepsis or septic shock who were hospitalized for the first time and admitted to the ICU for the first time from the MIMIC-Ⅳ database(version 2.2)were selected.Patients were grouped according to differed eosinophil percentage(<0.4%and≥0.4%),and the correlation between eosinophil percentage<0.4%and prognostic out-comes was analyzed.Results A total of 616 patients were included.On the first day after ICU ad-mission,an eosinophil percentage<0.4%was not significantly associated with prognosis;on the sec-ond day after ICU admission,patients with an eosinophil percentage<0.4%exhibited a significantly increased 28-day mortality rate(HR=1.572,95%CI,1.119 to 2.208)and in-hospital mortality rate(HR=1.634,95%CI,1.137 to 2.349);on the third day after ICU admission,patients with an eosinophil percentage<0.4%demonstrated significantly increased 28-day mortality rate(HR=2.072,95%CI,1.482 to 2.896),ICU mortality rate(HR=2.033,95%CI,1.296 to 3.188),and in-hospital mortality rate(HR=2.193,95%CI,1.533 to 3.136).Patients with eosinophil percentages<0.4%on both the second day and the third day after ICU admission had the worst prog-nosis,with a significantly increased 28-day mortality rate(HR=2.271,95%CI,1.393 to 3.785).Conclusion The eosinophil percentages on the second day and the third day after ICU admission in patients with sepsis are closely correlated with prognosis,particularly aneosinophil percentage<0.4%on the third day,which is significantly associated with a higher mortality rate.
7.Comprehensive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint profiling and network pharmacology analysis for the quality assessment of Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.
Zhiwen Duan ; Haibao Qiu ; Xiaoxia Liu ; Fangping Zhang ; Wenkai Xie ; Minyou He ; Dongmei Sun ; Xiangdong Chen ; Zhenyu Li
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(3):434-444
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. (L. japonicum, Hai Jin Sha) by comparing its components without stewed (W) and stewed (S) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and chemometric analysis. Additionally, network pharmacology was employed to investigate the possible mechanisms of action of L. japonicum in the urinary calculi (UC) treatment.MethodsA fingerprinting method was established to identify components through UHPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Chemometric techniques were used to compare the L. japonicum extraction methods. Furthermore, various network pharmacological approaches were used to identify and analyze the potential targets of the identified components in relation to UC.ResultsThe W and S extracts were distributed into two distinct clusters. Significant differences in the levels of protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid were observed between S and W. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the primary targets of L. japonicum in the UC treatment were serum albumin and epidermal growth factor receptors, with potential active components including protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid.ConclusionThis study comprehensively examined the therapeutic components of L. japonicum before and after boiling, shedding light on its potential mechanisms of action in UC treatment. These findings offer valuable insights into the development and utilization of L. japonicum resources.
8.A Method for Developing Implementation Strategies to Address Implementation Barriers: the CFIR-ERIC Matching Tool
Wanqing HUANG ; Dongmei ZHONG ; Siyuan LIU ; Yunyun XIE ; Jiangyun CHEN ; Dong XU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(5):1182-1191
Implementation strategies are targeted interventions aimed at promoting the adoption, implementation, and sustainment of research findings or evidence-based practices in routine healthcare. If implementation strategies can precisely match implementation barriers and facilitators, the likelihood of successful implementation will increase. The CFIR-ERIC matching tool, which can match corresponding ERIC implementation strategies based on CFIR barriers, is a convenient and direct tool for developing implementation strategies. This paper provides a detailed overview of the origins and development of the CFIR-ERIC matching tool, outlines its contents and usage, and illustrates how to apply the tool to develop implementation strategies by using a brief smoking cessation intervention project as an example. The paper also discusses the advantages and limitations of using this tool for developing implementation strategies, with the aim of providing methodological reference for other researchers.
9.Experts consensus on standard items of the cohort construction and quality control of temporomandibular joint diseases (2024)
Min HU ; Chi YANG ; Huawei LIU ; Haixia LU ; Chen YAO ; Qiufei XIE ; Yongjin CHEN ; Kaiyuan FU ; Bing FANG ; Songsong ZHU ; Qing ZHOU ; Zhiye CHEN ; Yaomin ZHU ; Qingbin ZHANG ; Ying YAN ; Xing LONG ; Zhiyong LI ; Yehua GAN ; Shibin YU ; Yuxing BAI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yanyi WANG ; Jie LEI ; Yong CHENG ; Changkui LIU ; Ye CAO ; Dongmei HE ; Ning WEN ; Shanyong ZHANG ; Minjie CHEN ; Guoliang JIAO ; Xinhua LIU ; Hua JIANG ; Yang HE ; Pei SHEN ; Haitao HUANG ; Yongfeng LI ; Jisi ZHENG ; Jing GUO ; Lisheng ZHAO ; Laiqing XU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(10):977-987
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.
10.Association between the visceral adiposity index and cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly residents
Yang HE ; Xinyu XIE ; Wei SHEN ; Weiwei ZHANG ; Yuhao GE ; Dongmei KANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(3):361-365
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the visceral adiposity index(VAI) and cognitive decline.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.Between October 2020 and March 2023, 483 elderly residents living in communities in Hefei were recruited and divided into four groups based on VAI scores, Q1(VAI ≤ 1.14), Q2(VAI>1.15 and ≤1.85), Q3(VAI>1.86 and ≤2.81) and Q4(VAI>2.82).General cognitive function was assessed by(MMSE)and(MoCA).Attention and working memory were tested by forward and backward digit span tasks.Logistic regression was utilized to analyze the relationship between different VAI scores and insulin resistance.The correlation between different VAI scores and cognitive function domains was analyzed by partial correlation.Results:The values of BMI, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β increased with increasing VAI scores(all P<0.01).VAI was significantly correlated with insulin sensitivity after adjusting for confounding factors including sex.The risk of insulin resistance in Q4 was 7.40 times that in Q1( OR=7.40, 95% CI: 4.30-12.74, P<0.05).In addition, the correlation coefficients between VAI and forward digital span and between VAI and backward digital span were -0.116 and -0.105, respectively(both P<0.05), but there was no correlation between VAI and MMSE or MoCA. Conclusions:VAI is closely related to insulin resistance and also associated with early cognitive decline in elderly people with visceral obesity.


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