1.Pathological Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms of Macrophage Polarization Imbalance in Steroid-associated Osteonecrosis of The Femoral Head
Hui LI ; Duo-Xian WANG ; Wei-Chuang LIU ; Bo-Bo TUO ; Xin CHEN ; Jian-Jun LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2392-2401
Steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is a progressive osteoarticular disorder associated with prolonged or high-dose glucocorticoid exposure. Its development involves local ischemia, oxidative stress, dysregulated bone metabolism, and disruption of the osteoimmune microenvironment. Macrophages exhibit marked phenotypic plasticity, and their polarization is essential for maintaining the dynamic balance among inflammation, angiogenesis, and bone remodeling. Persistent glucocorticoid stimulation, hypoxia, excessive reactive oxygen species, and damage-associated signals released from necrotic tissues can shift macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Classically activated macrophages (M1 macrophages) predominantly mediate inflammatory responses. By releasing tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and other mediators, promoting osteoclast activation, suppressing the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and impairing vascular endothelial function, M1 macrophages accelerate trabecular destruction and expansion of the necrotic lesion. In contrast, alternatively activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) contribute to inflammation resolution, neovascularization, osteogenic repair, and tissue remodeling, thereby supporting regeneration within the necrotic region. Macrophage-derived exosomes further influence disease progression through intercellular communication. Exosomes from different macrophage phenotypes can differentially regulate adipogenic differentiation, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and endothelial phenotypic transition, thereby affecting the repair capacity of the necrotic area. These findings indicate that macrophage polarization shapes the local microenvironment not only through soluble mediators but also through vesicle-mediated communication with BMSCs, neutrophils, endothelial cells, and other cell populations. At the molecular level, the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3(NLRP3) inflammasome, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‑κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathways jointly regulate macrophage polarization and its downstream osteoimmune effects. Dysregulation of these pathways may sustain inflammatory activation, aggravate oxidative and vascular injury, inhibit osteogenesis, and impair tissue repair. NLRP3 inflammasome activation links danger signals and oxidative stress to inflammatory cytokine maturation and pyroptotic injury; NF-κB signaling promotes pro-inflammatory gene transcription and M1 polarization; JAK/STAT signaling participates in the balance between inflammatory and reparative macrophage programs; and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling regulates cellular metabolism, survival, autophagy, and regeneration. Notably, the biological effects of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling are cell-type dependent, and Akt-mediated repair signaling should be distinguished from mTOR-related autophagy regulation. The pathological significance of macrophage polarization in SANFH is not determined simply by an increase or decrease in a single phenotype. Rather, disease progression appears to result from an imbalance between persistent pro-inflammatory activity and insufficient reparative responses at different stages of the disease. Such an imbalance disrupts the coordinated coupling of inflammation resolution, vascular regeneration, and bone remodeling, ultimately contributing to structural deterioration of the femoral head. This review summarizes the pathological roles, signaling regulation, and exosome-mediated intercellular communication associated with macrophage polarization imbalance in SANFH. A more precise understanding of these mechanisms may clarify the osteoimmune basis of SANFH and support the development of macrophage-targeted interventions. However, most available evidence is derived from cellular and animal studies, and the temporal evolution of macrophage phenotypes in patients remains insufficiently characterized. Therapeutic strategies should therefore move beyond the simple suppression of M1 macrophages or enhancement of M2 macrophages and instead aim to restore a stage-appropriate balance between inflammatory control and tissue repair while promoting angiogenesis and bone reconstruction.
2.Research progress on the impact of lipid metabolism on endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation
Li-Na MA ; Ying QIN ; Ke-Hua WANG ; Cong-Hui PANG ; Li-Ge LU ; Wen-Xian YUAN ; Duo-Jia ZHANG ; Xiao-Ke WU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(9):1088-1093
Lipids,including fats(triglycerides)and lipoids(phospholipids and sterols),not only serve as an energy source for the body but also play a pivotal role throughout the reproductive process,particularly in the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy.This encompasses the regulate of early embryonic development and uterine tolerance,and the facilitation of embryo implantation.Given the diversity of lipids,this review focuses on extensively studied lipid mediators such as polyunsaturated fatty acids,endocannabinoids,prostaglandins,lysophosphatidic acid,sphingolipids and steroid hormones.It systematically elaborates on the regulatory effects of fatty acid,phospholipid,and cholesterol metabolism on the formation of endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation,as well as the potential underlying mechanisms.The review aims to provide new insights and feasible intervention approaches for predicting and improving the outcomes of natural pregnancy and/or assisted reproductive technology.
3. Effects of total saponins from Trillium tschonoskii maxim on cognition impairment and mitochondrial autophagy in aging rats induced by D-Gal
Gang WANG ; Ya XIE ; Li-Jun YANG ; Xiao-Li QIN ; Fang-Yu ZHAO ; Xian-Bing CHEN ; Fang-Yu ZHAO ; Jia-Peng XIANG ; Yi-Duo HE ; Xian-Bing CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(2):380-386
Aim To investigate the effects of total saponins from Trillium tschonoskii maxim(TST)on cognitive impairment and mitochondrial autophagy in aging rats induced by D-galactose(D-gal). Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group(D-gal,subcutaneous injection),intervention group(TST,low,medium and high dose groups by intragastric administration),with 10 rats in each group,and administered for 6 weeks. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the cognitive function. HE and Nissl staining were used to test the hippocampal and brain cortex morphology. Immunohistochemistry staining was applied to detect the localization expression of Pink1 and Parkin. Western blot was employed to detect the expressions of Pink1,Parkin,LC3-Ⅱ,p62 and Beclin1. Results Compared with the normal control group,the escape latency time was prolonged and the number of crossing platform decreased in D-gal model group(P<0.05). The number of neurons in hippocampus significantly decreased. The positive cells labeled by Pink1 and Parkin staining in hippocampus significantly decreased. The expressions of Pink1,Parkin,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin1 were markedly reduced,while the expression of p62 was significantly raised(P<0.05). Compared with D-gal model group,the escape latency time of TST dose groups was shortened,the Times of crossing the platform was more,and the time of staying in the platform quadrant increased(P<0.05). The number of neurons in hippocampus significantly increased. The positive cells labeled by Pink1 and Parkin staining in hippocampus significantly increased. The expressions of Pink1,Parkin,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin1 in hippocampus were apparently up-regulated,while the protein expression of p62 was evidently down-regulated(P<0.05). Conclusions TST has neuroprotective effects on the learning and memory capacities in aging rats induced by D-gal,which may be related to the increasing levels of Pink1,Parkin,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin1 proteins and the activation of mitochondrial autophagy.
5. The role of microRNA in chronic myeloid leukemia
Shu-xian WANG ; Fang-fang WANG ; Duo-nan YU
Journal of Medical Postgraduates 2020;33(2):188-191
Chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)is a common hematological malignancy. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)have greatly improved the prognosis of CML patients,there are still several defects with TKI treatment including TKI resistance, toxic effects causing intolerance, etc. MicroRNA(miRNA) is a class of non-coding, single-stranded and small RNAs which encoded by endogenous genes and are about 19 to 24 nucleotides in length. miRNAs are closely related to the occurrence,development and prognosis of various tumors. In recent years,many studies have focused on the relationship betweenmiRNA and CML. In this paper,we review therelationship between miR-139-5p,miR-320a,miR-362-5p,miR-126, miR-199a/b-5p,miR-451 and CML .
6.Effects of kaixin jieyu decoction on behavior and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in cerebral hippocampus of a rat vascular depression model.
Xian-hui ZHANG ; Shi-jing HUANG ; Yan-yun WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Ju-hua PAN ; Jun ZHENG ; Duo-jiao LI ; Xiao-ming LEI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2015;21(3):223-228
OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and anti-depression mechanisms of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction (, KJD).
METHODSThe rat vascular depression (VD) model was established by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (LBCCA) combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, VD model, VD + high-dose KJD [15.4 g/(kg·d) of crude drug], VD + medium-dose KJD [7.7 g/(kg·d) of crude drug], and VD + fluoxetine [2.4 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=8 in each group), and the treatments lasted for 21 days. Changes of behavior and hippocampus pathology were observed. The level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) protein and mRNA in hippocampus was detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTSCompared with the sham group, rats in model group showed a variety of behavioral obstacles, including a significant reduction in sucrose consumption percentage, horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests (P<0.05 or P<0.01), pathological damage like neuronal degeneration, necrosis, and a significant decrease of GFAP protein and mRNA in hippocampus (P<0.01); compared with the model group, rats in the high-dose KJD group, medium-dose KJD group and fluoxetine group obtained notable higher behavioral scores, and pathological injury lessened in hippocampus with a increased expression of GFAP protein and mRNA P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with the medium-dose KJD group and fluoxetine group, GFAP mRNA in high-dose KJD group expressed higer (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONLBCCA combined with CUMS may cause depression-like behavioral changes resulting in the VD model of rats whose depression state can be ameliorated by KJD, and the mechanism of cerebral protection is related possibly with promoting expression of GFAP in hippocampus.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Depression ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Wistar ; Transition Temperature
7.Prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B.
Kai-Yong HU ; Yong YANG ; Li-Hua HE ; Duo-Wei WANG ; Zhi-Rong JIA ; Shu-Ran LI ; Wei TIAN ; Jie MAO ; Xian-Jing LI ; Wei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2014;49(7):1007-1012
In this study, it is to compare the effectiveness of prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B (Sch B) in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups: normal saline group, DOX group, DOX+DEX group, DOX+Sch B (80 mg x kg(-1)) group, DOX+Sch B (40 mg x kg(-1)) group and DOX+Sch B (20 mg x kg(-1)) group. The results showed that Sch B could combat the increase of myocardial enzymes in peripheral blood, decrease of the enzyme activity of myocardial tissue antioxidant enzymes and disorders of systolic and diastolic function of heart in rats intravenously injected with doxorubicin (15 mg x kg(-1)). Sch B was better than DEX in protecting rat against DOX-induced the symptoms. Sch B could protect rat against DOX-induced acute cardiomyopathy and has clinical potential applications.
Animals
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Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
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adverse effects
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Antioxidants
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metabolism
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Cardiomyopathies
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chemically induced
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drug therapy
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Cardiotoxicity
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drug therapy
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Cyclooctanes
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therapeutic use
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Dexrazoxane
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therapeutic use
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Doxorubicin
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adverse effects
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Heart
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physiopathology
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Lignans
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therapeutic use
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Myocardium
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enzymology
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Polycyclic Compounds
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therapeutic use
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
8.Study on safety of Tibetan medicine zuotai and preliminary study on clinical safety of its compound dangzuo.
Cen LI ; Dong-Ping WANG ; Jie DUO ; La-Dan DUOJIE ; Xian-Min CHEN ; Yu-Zhi DU ; Hong-Xia YANG ; Zhi-Yuan ZHENG ; Ming-Jie YU ; Li-Xin WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2014;39(13):2573-2582
Zuotai (gTso thal) is a typical representative of Tibetan medicines containing heavy metals, but there is still lack of modem safety evaluation data so far. In this study, acute toxicity test, sub-acute toxicity test, one-time administration mercury distribution experiment, long-term mercury accumulative toxicity experiment and preliminary study on clinical safety of Compound Dangzuo were conducted in the hope of obtain the medicinal safety data of Zuotai. In the acute toxicity test, half of KM mice given the lethal dose of Zuotai were not died or poisoned, and LD50 was not found. The maximum tolerated dose of Zuotai was 80 g x kg(-1). In the subacute toxicity test, Zuotai could reduce ALT, AST, Crea levels in serums under low dose (13.34 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and medium dose (53.36 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), with significant difference under low dose, and increase the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, Crea in serums under high dose (2 000 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)); besides, the levels of BUN and GSH in serums reduced with the increase in dose of Zuotai, indicating a significant dose-effect relationship. In the one-time administration distribution experiment, the content of mercury in rat kidney, liver and lung increased after the one-time administration with Zuotai, with a significant dose-dependent relationship in kidney. In the long-term mercury accumulative toxicity experiment, KM mice were administered with equivalent doses of Zuotai for 4.5 months and then stopped drug administration for 1.5 months. Since the 2.5th month, they showed significant mercury accumulation in kidney, which gradually reduced after drug withdrawal, without significant change in mercury content in liver, spleen and brain and ALT, AST, TBIL, BUN and Crea in serum. At the 4.5th month after drug administration, KM mice showed slight structural changes in kidney, liver and spleen tissues, and gradually recovered to normal after drug withdrawal. Besides, no significant difference in weight gain was found between the Zuotai group and the control group. According to the findings of the clinical safety study of Dangzuo, after subjects administered Dangzuo under clinical dose for one month, their serum biochemical indicators, blood routine indicators and urine routine indicators showed no significant adverse change. This study proved that traditional Tibetan medicine Zuotai was slightly toxic, with a better safety in clinical combined administration and no adverse effects on bodies under the clinical dose and clinical medication cycle. However, long-term high-dose administration of Zuotai may have a certain effect on kidney.
Adult
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Animals
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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analysis
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pharmacokinetics
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toxicity
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Female
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Humans
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Kidney
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drug effects
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Liver
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drug effects
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Male
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Medicine, Tibetan Traditional
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Mice
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Middle Aged
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Young Adult
9.Effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction () on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin receptor subtype expression in the brain of a rat depression model.
Shi-jing HUANG ; Xian-hui ZHANG ; Yan-yun WANG ; Ju-hua PAN ; Han-ming CUI ; Su-ping FANG ; Wei WU ; Jun ZHENG ; Duo-jiao LI ; Ge BAI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2014;20(4):280-285
OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction (, KJD) by investigating the effects of KJD on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype expression in the brain in a rat model of depression.
METHODSThe rat depression model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, depression model (CUMS), CUMS+KJD (7.7 g/kg(-1)·d(-1) of crude drug), and CUMS+fluoxetine (2.4 mg/kg(-1)·d(-1)) groups (n=12 in each group), and the treatments lasted for 21 days. We regularly evaluated body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests. The content of the monoamine neurotransmitters 5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) and the DA metabolite homovanillic acid in the cerebral cortex, and 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, were determined respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography-coularray electrochemical detector and real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTSCompared with the control group, CUMS rats showed a variety of depression-like behavioral changes, including a significant reduction in body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and a significant decrease in 5-HT and NE levels and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression. In contrast, they showed a significant increase in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex. In the hippocampus, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression was lower whereas 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression was higher than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Treatment with KJD or fluoxetine partially attenuated these changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONKJD could normalize the levels of 5-HT and NE and adjust the balance of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor expression in rat cerebrum, and this may be one of mechanisms of antidepressant effects of KJD.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Biogenic Monoamines ; metabolism ; Depression ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Serotonin ; classification ; metabolism
10.Molecular analysis on non-O1 and non-O139 Vibrio cholerae isolates
Dao-Li CHEN ; Ping ZHANG ; Duo-Chun WANG ; Jin CHEN ; Bai-Qi YU ; Xian-Feng CHENG ; Bao-Wei DIAO ; Hai-Jian ZHOU ; Ming ZHU ; Wan-Fu HU ; Sheng-Wei ZHAN ; Huai-Qi JING ; Biao KAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2012;33(12):1265-1268
Objective According to results from the two-month consecutive surveillance program in Maanshan,six suspected cases of non-O1 non-O139 Vibrio (V.) cholerae infection,were found that called for identification of pathogens as well as molecular-epidemiological analysis to determine the aggregation of the epidemic situation.Methods Biochemical and serotype identification,hemolysis test,and drug sensitive test were used to detect the drug resistance spectrum.Real-time PCR and conventional PCR were used to detect the presence of V.cholerae specific genes,virulent genes and its related genes,including ompW,ctx,tcpA,toxR,hlyA,zot,ace,rstR and g ⅢCTX.Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to analyze the molecular type of strains.Results All the six isolates of non-O 1 non-O 139 V.cholerae were identified by biochemical and serologic tests,and appeared to be β hemolytic.Twelve out of the 14 kinds of drugs showed 100% sensitive.All isolates were positive of ompW gene by real-time PCR,but negative for ctx,tcpA,zot,ace,rstR and gⅢ CTK.Five of the six isolates were positive for toxR and hlyA,except for strain 1001434446.All strains had different PFGE types,but two strains had similar types.All strains had a low similarity compared to the toxigenic V.cholerae.Conclusion Six cases ofnon-O1 and non-O139 nontoxigenic V.cholerae infection appeared in the same period.Along with epide(m)iological information,we noticed that these cases had a sporadic nature,but frequently appeared in the same area.We got the impression that public health measurements should be strengthened,with special attention paid to those diarrhea outbreaks caused by non-O 1 /non-O 139 strains since V.cholerae had appeared in low incidence.

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