1.Preliminary application of histological evaluation of donor pancreas biopsy tissue in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation
Jiao WAN ; Hui GUO ; Jiali FANG ; Guanghui LI ; Luhao LIU ; Yunyi XIONG ; Wei YIN ; Tong YANG ; Junjie MA ; Zheng CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):250-256
Objective To preliminarily investigate the safety and efficacy of donor pancreas needle biopsy in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 7 cases undergoing donor pancreas biopsy were collected retrospectively. All cases underwent donor pancreas biopsy before or during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Frozen section or paraffin sectioning techniques were used for tissue preparation, and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were performed to histologically evaluate the donor pancreas. The quality of donor pancreas was comprehensively assessed by combining histological findings with the donor's clinical data. Postoperative follow-up data of 5 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients were collected to summarize the safety of donor pancreas biopsy and the prognosis of transplant recipients. Results The 7 pancreas donors were aged 28 to 62 years, with a body mass index ranging from 20.76 to 27.68 kg/m2. Liver ultrasound indicated fatty liver in 3 cases, while pancreatic ultrasound did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Among them, biopsy was performed on 2 donors after completion of pancreatic procurement and processing, and the frozen section histology showed moderate acute pancreatitis changes (edema of acinar cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Combined with a serum amylase level elevated more than 3 times the upper limit of normal value, these two donor pancreases were finally discarded. The remaining 5 cases underwent biopsy immediately after pancreatic vascular anastomosis during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, and histological evaluation was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. No biopsy-related complications (such as bleeding, pancreatic fistula, etc.) occurred after transplantation. One recipient died of severe infection 2 months after transplantation, while the other 4 recipients were followed up for more than 5 years, with well-functioning transplant kidneys and pancreases. Conclusions Donor pancreas biopsy is relatively safe, and the risk of biopsy-related complications after transplantation is controllable. Comprehensive assessment of donor pancreas quality by combining histological evaluation with the donor's clinical indicators is conducive to improving the accuracy of donor pancreas selection and organ utilization.
2.The Role and Regulatory Mechanisms of FOXO1 in Hepatic Lipid Deposition
Meng JIA ; Fang-Hui LI ; Shi-Zhan YAN ; Ai-Ju LI ; Yi-Le WANG ; Pin-Shi NI ; Jia-Han HE ; Yin-Lu LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):905-919
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is fundamentally driven by an imbalance in hepatic fatty-acid flux: the influx of fatty acids exceeds the liver’s capacity for disposal, resulting in excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, predominantly in the form of triglycerides (TGs). The occurrence and progression of MAFLD depend on disordered regulation across multiple metabolic steps, including fatty-acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), fatty-acid oxidation (FAO), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) export. Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is a key transcriptional regulator within the hepatic network coordinating glucose and lipid metabolism. Under metabolic stress and insulin resistance (IR), FOXO1 expression is frequently increased, whereas its inhibitory phosphorylation is reduced. These changes enhance FOXO1 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity, thereby reprogramming the expression of genes related to metabolism in the liver. Because hepatic lipid deposition is the central pathological feature of MAFLD, the functional status of FOXO1 directly influences hepatic lipid homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that FOXO1 can exert bidirectional, environment-dependent effects on hepatic lipid accumulation; however, the molecular basis for this functional switch remains incompletely understood. This review systematically summarizes the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of FOXO1 and its roles in hepatic lipid metabolism, with a particular focus on its crosstalk with insulin signaling. FOXO1 expression is shaped by RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. Its transcriptional output is precisely governed by post-translational modifications—such as phosphorylation and acetylation—as well as by coordinated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Notably, these regulatory patterns vary markedly across nutritional states, degrees of insulin resistance, and stages of disease. In the fed state, insulin/IGF-1 signaling activates the PI3K-AKT pathway, promoting the inhibitory phosphorylation of FOXO1 and facilitating additional modifications, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination. Together, these events drive FOXO1 export from the nucleus and dampen its transcriptional activity, suppressing gluconeogenesis and constraining lipogenic programs. Conversely, during fasting or when insulin signaling is weakened, FOXO1 inhibition is relieved. FOXO1 accumulates in the nucleus, binds to DNA, and regulates the transcription of downstream target genes. Mechanistically, FOXO1 can aggravate hepatic lipid accumulation by activating genes involved in TG synthesis while repressing FAO-related pathways, thereby favoring storage over oxidation. However, under specific conditions, FOXO1 may also alleviate the hepatic lipid burden by promoting TG hydrolysis and enhancing VLDL secretion, thereby reducing the net hepatic lipid load. In addition, lipotoxic signals mediated by ceramides and diacylglycerols (Cer/DAG) activate atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), further exacerbating the disruption of the AKT-FOXO1 axis. This vicious cycle ultimately produces a metabolic paradox in which increased hepatic glucose output coexists with persistent, insulin-independent lipogenesis, accelerating MAFLD progression. Importantly, FOXO1 regulation is not uniform: during early metabolic overload, insulin-mediated suppression may remain effective, whereas in advanced insulin resistance, the loss of AKT control permits sustained FOXO1 activity. Such stage-dependent dynamics may help explain why FOXO1 can either promote steatosis or, in certain contexts, support programs that facilitate lipid turnover. Accordingly, interventions should be liver-specific and tuned to the disease stage, aiming to curb maladaptive FOXO1 signaling while preserving its capacity to promote triglyceride hydrolysis and VLDL secretion when advantageous. Overall, this review offers an important perspective on MAFLD pathogenesis, emphasizing FOXO1 as a potential therapeutic target and providing a theoretical basis for developing liver-specific, disease-course-dependent precision interventions.
3.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
4.Effect of Heat-Sensitive Moxibustion on Apoptosis of Gastric Mucosal Tissue in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Model Rats:Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Qi ZHANG ; Yanping ZHOU ; Qide WANG ; Shujuan CHEN ; Yu SUN ; Fang LI ; Hongbin GONG ; Mingjun XIE ; Hui LIU ; Haifeng ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1650-1658
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (n=14) and modeling group (n=44). Rats in the blank group were fed routinely, while the rats in the modeling group received drinking water containing 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at a concentration of 140 μg/ml, combined with irregular fasting and feeding for 12 weeks to establish CAG model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into model group (n=10), inhibitor group (n=10) and moxibustion group (n=20). After 40 minutes of suspended moxibustion at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) daily, the rats in the moxibustion group were divided into heat-sensitive moxibustion group (n=10) and non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group (n=9) according to the change of tail temperature during moxibustion. The inhibitor group was bound for 40 minutes daily, and then administered with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor, rapamycin solution, by gavage at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The model group received intragastric administration of 1 ml/kg normal saline after 40 minutes of restraint stress each day. All interventions were administered once daily for 28 consecutive days, while the blank group received no intervention. After the intervention finished, the body weight of rats in each group was compared. HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa. The apoptosis-positive rate of gastric mucosal cells was detected by TUNEL assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the protein levels of matric metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gastric mucosa. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in gastric mucosal tissues were detected by qPCR. The protein levels of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) in rat gastric mucosal tissues were measured by Western Blotting. ResultsCompared to the blank group, rats in all other groups exhibited decreased body weight, significantly increased gastric mucosal cell apoptosis-positive rates, elevated protein levels of MMP7, VEGFA and EGFR in gastric mucosa, increased mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and enhanced protein expression levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed thinning of the gastric mucosa, glandular disorganization and atrophy, accompanied by intestinal metaplasia.Compared to the model group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the inhibitor group all showed significant improvements in the above-mentioned indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the inhibitor group exhibited increased positive rates of gastric mucosal cell apoptosis; the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group showed increased protein levels of MMP7, VEGFA and EGFR, as well as mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and protein expressions of p-Akt and p-mTOR; the inhibitor group exhibited elevated protein expression level of EGFR (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Histopathological examination showed that the gastric mucosal glands in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group were arranged more regularly, with an approximately normal structural appearance. ConclusionHeat-sensitive moxibustion can improve the body weight of CAG rats and repair gastric mucosal injury. Its therapeutic effects may be mediated by inhibiting excessive activation of gastric mucosal PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby reducing gastric mucosal cell apoptosis.
5.Effect of Heat-Sensitive Moxibustion on Apoptosis of Gastric Mucosal Tissue in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Model Rats:Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Qi ZHANG ; Yanping ZHOU ; Qide WANG ; Shujuan CHEN ; Yu SUN ; Fang LI ; Hongbin GONG ; Mingjun XIE ; Hui LIU ; Haifeng ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1650-1658
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (n=14) and modeling group (n=44). Rats in the blank group were fed routinely, while the rats in the modeling group received drinking water containing 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at a concentration of 140 μg/ml, combined with irregular fasting and feeding for 12 weeks to establish CAG model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into model group (n=10), inhibitor group (n=10) and moxibustion group (n=20). After 40 minutes of suspended moxibustion at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) daily, the rats in the moxibustion group were divided into heat-sensitive moxibustion group (n=10) and non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group (n=9) according to the change of tail temperature during moxibustion. The inhibitor group was bound for 40 minutes daily, and then administered with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor, rapamycin solution, by gavage at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The model group received intragastric administration of 1 ml/kg normal saline after 40 minutes of restraint stress each day. All interventions were administered once daily for 28 consecutive days, while the blank group received no intervention. After the intervention finished, the body weight of rats in each group was compared. HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa. The apoptosis-positive rate of gastric mucosal cells was detected by TUNEL assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the protein levels of matric metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gastric mucosa. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in gastric mucosal tissues were detected by qPCR. The protein levels of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) in rat gastric mucosal tissues were measured by Western Blotting. ResultsCompared to the blank group, rats in all other groups exhibited decreased body weight, significantly increased gastric mucosal cell apoptosis-positive rates, elevated protein levels of MMP7, VEGFA and EGFR in gastric mucosa, increased mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and enhanced protein expression levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed thinning of the gastric mucosa, glandular disorganization and atrophy, accompanied by intestinal metaplasia.Compared to the model group, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the inhibitor group all showed significant improvements in the above-mentioned indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the inhibitor group exhibited increased positive rates of gastric mucosal cell apoptosis; the non-heat-sensitive moxibustion group showed increased protein levels of MMP7, VEGFA and EGFR, as well as mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and protein expressions of p-Akt and p-mTOR; the inhibitor group exhibited elevated protein expression level of EGFR (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Histopathological examination showed that the gastric mucosal glands in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group were arranged more regularly, with an approximately normal structural appearance. ConclusionHeat-sensitive moxibustion can improve the body weight of CAG rats and repair gastric mucosal injury. Its therapeutic effects may be mediated by inhibiting excessive activation of gastric mucosal PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby reducing gastric mucosal cell apoptosis.
6.Targeting Excessively Accumulated Pathological Tau: PROTAC Molecular Design Strategies and Challenges
Han LI ; Yi-Qiao LEI ; Tian FANG ; Yi DING ; Zhong-Hui WU ; Jia XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2334-2351
The abnormal accumulation, structural change, and spread of tau protein in the brain are now considered important factors in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and many other tau-related neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical and pathological studies have shown that the amount and distribution of abnormal tau protein are closely related to synaptic damage, neuronal loss, and cognitive decline. Therefore, tau protein has become an important target for disease-modifying therapy. However, tau is difficult to target because it has no fixed structure, lacks a clear active site, undergoes many post-translational modifications, and forms different abnormal structures in different diseases and disease stages. Therefore, the effective and selective removal of harmful tau species is both a major opportunity and a major challenge in drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) offer a new strategy to deal with this problem. Unlike traditional inhibitors, PROTACs do not simply block protein function. Instead, they bring the target protein close to an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which leads to ubiquitination and degradation of the target protein by the proteasome. This event-driven mechanism may be especially useful for disease-related proteins such as tau protein, which are hard to inhibit with traditional small molecules. In recent years, tau protein-targeting PROTACs and related degradation strategies have shown promising effects in cell and animal models. These effects include reducing abnormal tau protein levels, lowering synaptic toxicity, regulating disease-related signaling pathways, and improving behavioral or cognitive outcomes. These studies support targeted tau protein degradation as a promising therapeutic approach, although many problems still need to be solved before clinical use. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the development of tau protein-targeting PROTACs and discuss the main factors that affect their design and activity. We focus on the choice of tau protein-binding ligands, their binding sites, and their ability to recognize abnormal tau protein rather than normal tau protein. We also discuss the selection of E3 ligase recruiters, linker length and structure, ternary complex formation, and structure-activity relationships that influence degradation potency and selectivity. In addition, we introduce new strategies beyond traditional proteasomal degradation, including the regulation of tau protein phosphorylation and autophagy-based clearance. These approaches may be more suitable for different tau species or different stages of disease. A major challenge for tau protein-targeting PROTACs is delivery to the central nervous system. Many PROTACs have high molecular mass, large polar surface area, flexible structures, and may be removed by efflux transporters. As a result, they often have poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and may not reach enough free drug levels in the brain. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of tau protein-targeting PROTACs depends not only on their ability to degrade tau protein in vitro, but also on whether they can achieve long-lasting, selective, and safe target engagement in important brain regions after practical administration. Future studies should focus on improving selectivity for abnormal tau protein, understanding E3 ligase function in neural cells, designing brain-penetrant molecules, developing better delivery methods, and testing these drugs in models that better reflect human disease. Overall, tau protein-targeting PROTACs are a promising and fast-developing strategy for treating tau-related diseases. However, their successful clinical translation will require progress in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, neuroscience, drug delivery, and translational medicine.
7.MTAP Orchestrates Stemenss and 5-Fluorouracil Resistance in Liver Cancer via PRMT5/SOX2 Signaling
Yu-Bo ZHANG ; Zhao-Xiong FANG ; Yun LI ; Jie DONG ; Xiao-Peng HONG ; Hui LUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2797-2807
ObjectiveMethylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is found to be frequently deleted in malignant cancers, but the role of MTAP underlying metastasis and stemness of liver cancer remains far from clear. 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is clinically used in treating advanced liver cancer, however, chemoresistance is one of the major barriers impeding its efficacy. Liver cancer stem cells are considered to be the reservoir for tumor progression and chemoresistance. This study aims to explore the role of MTAP in regulating stemness and chemoresistance of 5-Fu in liver cancer. It is designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MTAP-manipulated stemness. How MTAP influences metastasis and chemoresistance against 5-Fu in liver cancer is also elaborated. MethodsThe correlation of MTAP expression with stemness marker CD133 was evaluated by flow cytometry. Colony formation assays were conducted to analyze the tumorigenic ability. Western blot assays were applied to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying MTAP-regulated stemness. Trans-well assays were conducted to analyze the metastatic potential of liver cancer cells.In vivo experiments were performed using subcutaneous xenograft and lung metastasis model on nude mice. Tumor size and weight were analyzed upon 5-Fu treatment. Metastatic nodules on lungs were evaluated. Immunohistochemical and TUNNEL assays were performed on slides obtained from tumor tissues. ResultsMTAP overexpression inhibited expression of CD133 and colony formation, which is further ablated by MTAP inhibitor. MTAP deprivation augmented stemness and colony formation, which is reversed by protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) overexpression but not its catalytically inactive counterparts. Critically, SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) was found to be a downstream regulator of MTAP/PRMT5, leading to stemness of liver cancer cells. MTAP overexpression suppressed SOX2 expression, while MTAP inhibition augmented expression of SOX2. Critically, MTAP overexpression inhibited migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. In vivo experiments in animal model found that MTAP deprivation promotes tumor growth and metastatic nodules of liver cancer. Additionally, MTAP overexpression inhibits tumor growth. Moreover, MTAP deprivation contributes to chemoresistance shown by increased tumor size and weight treated by 5-Fu. In contrast, MTAP overexpression led to further decline in tumor size and weight elicited by 5-Fu treatment. Accordingly, SOX2 was inhibited in tumor tissues after MTAP overexpression. Marker of proliferation Ki67 (Ki67) expression was dampened while apoptosis was found in MTAP-overexpressed tumor tissues. ConclusionIn this study, plethora of experimental studies collectively demonstrated that MTAP deprivation enhances stemness of liver cancer by regulating SOX2, exerting anti-cancer and chemoresistant role against 5-Fu in liver cancer. It is also worth noting that MTAP inhibition promoted metastasis of liver cancer. MTAP overexpression augmented tumor shrinking elicited by 5-Fu and SOX2 was involved in this process. These results concluded that MTAP/PRMT5/SOX2 signaling axis was involved in regulating stemness and chemoresistance of liver cancer. These findings help to exploit novel therapies by targeting stemness in MTAP-depleted liver cancer. It shed novel light on unveiling MTAP-regulated stemness in antagonizing 5-Fu treatment in liver cancer. It also adds mounting evidence to the theoretical basis for accomplishing personalized chemotherapy of liver cancer patients by targeting MTAP or its downstream PRMT5/SOX2.
8.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
9.The diagnostic value of plasma calprotectin in children with refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Chen Gong ; Hui Gao ; Zixiang Zhan ; Chi Li ; Lulu Fang ; Ji Ma ; Shaohu Huo ; Shenggang Ding
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):535-539
Objective :
To investigate the diagnostic value of plasma calprotectin in childern with refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(RMPP).
Methods :
A multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling 228 children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP). Among these, 177 cases were diagnosed with general mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(GMPP), while the remaining 51 cases were RMPP. Plasma was collected at the time of admission of the children in both groups, and calprotectin levels were measured. A one-way difference analysis was performed on the blood test indexes of the children in the two groups, and the difference variables withP<0.05 between the two groups were included in a multifactorial logistic regression to analyze the risk factors for the progression of GMPP to RMPP. The differential diagnostic value of plasma calprotectin for GMPP and RMPP was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.
Results :
Univariate analysis showed that plasma calprotectin levels were significantly higher in the RMPP group than those in the GMPP group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that plasma calprotectin was an independent risk factor for RMPP(OR=1.323,P<0.001), ROC curve analysis showed that plasma calprotectin had a higher diagnostic value for the differential diagnosis of GMPP and RMPP(AUC =0.839), and its combination with C-reactive protein and albumin could significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency.
Conclusion
Plasma calprotectin has good clinical value for the diagnosis of RMPP.
10.Recommendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease(2025)
Nan ZHI ; Jinwen XIAO ; Rujing REN ; Binyin LI ; Jintao WANG ; Jieli GENG ; Wenwei CAO ; Yaying SONG ; Hualong WANG ; Shuguang CHU ; Guoping PENG ; Jun LIU ; Xiaoyun LIU ; Fang YUAN ; Wen WANG ; Ronghua DOU ; Xia LI ; Ling YUE ; Wenshi WEI ; Xiaoling PAN ; Xiangyang ZHU ; Dian HE ; Weinü FAN ; Jingping SHI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Qin CHEN ; Cuibai WEI ; Xiaochun CHEN ; Gang WANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(9):1133-1140
In recent years,significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.In line with global advancements,two anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies have been approved and successfully launched in China for clinical use.Lecanemab and Donanemab were officially used in June 2024 and April 2025 in China,respectively.In order to standardize the rational and safe application of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease in China,this article integrates recom-mendations from the clinical trials and real-world experience from the author's team and domestic peers to further update the recom-mendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody based on the 2024 version.It includes indications for therapy,pre-treatment evaluation and preparation,administration protocols and safety measures during treatment,and post-treatment monitor-ing strategies.


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