1.Effects of Astragalus extract regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway on oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy rats
Yi-Si WU ; Fei TAN ; Lu-Lu YI ; Chang-Jun SONG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2217-2221
Objective To investigate the effect of Astragalus extract on oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy rats by regulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE)signaling pathway.Methods The diabetic rat model was constructed by high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin,and was randomly divided into model group,experimental-L group,experimental-H group,experimental-H+ML385 group,with 12 rats in each group,and 12 rats were selected as blank group.Rats in blank group and model group were intragastric with equal volume of normal saline;rats in experimental-L,-H groups were intragastric with 50 mg·kg-1 astragalus extract and 100 mg·kg-1 Astragalus extract,respectively;rats in experimental-H+ML385 group were intragastric with 100 mg·kg-1 Astragalus extract and intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg·kg-1 ML385 once a day.Eight weeks in a row.The content of oxidative stress-related indexes in rat renal tissues was detected,the expression level of reactive oxygen species was detected by dihydroethidine staining,and the protein expression level of quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)and nuclear Nrf2 in rat renal tissues was detected by Western blot.Results Superoxide dismutase in blank group,model group,experimental-H group and experimental-H+ML385 group were(163.89±20.28),(71.35±12.72),(132.11±19.29)and(73.04±13.28)U·mg-1,respectively;glutathione peroxidase were(12.82±1.57),(4.91±1.18),(8.54±1.09),(5.10±1.43)U·mg-1,respectively;reactive oxygen species were 0.02±0.01,0.09±0.01,0.05±0.01 and 0.08±0.01,respectively;nuclear Nrf2 values were 0.63±0.09,0.28±0.06,0.60±0.08,0.32±0.05,respectively;the NQO1 values were 0.58±0.11,0.27±0.07,0.63±0.12 and 0.31±0.08,respectively;the HO-1 values were 0.53±0.08,0.23±0.06,0.59±0.09 and 0.28±0.05,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The above indexes of the experimental-H+ML385 group were statistically significant compared with the experimental-H group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Astragalus extract can alleviate oxidative stress damage in diabetic nephropathy rats,and the mechanism may be achieved by regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
2.Role and Mechanism of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Potassium Ion Channels
Yu-Jiao SUN ; Chao CHANG ; Zhen-Hua WU ; Yi-Fei ZHANG ; Yu-Tao TIAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(1):5-19
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have diverse health-promoting effects, such as potentially protecting in immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems by targeting a variety of sites, including most ion channels. Voltage-gated potassium channels of the KV7 family and large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BKCa) channels are expressed in many tissues, therefore, their physiological importance is evident from the various disorders linked to dysfunctional KV7 channels and BKCa channels. Thus, it is extremely important to learn how potassium channels are regulated by PUFAs. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of PUFAs on KV7 channels and BKCa channels functions, as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects. In summarizing reported effects of PUFAs on KV7 and BKCa channels mediated currents, we generally conclude that PUFAs increase the current amplitude, meanwhile, differential molecular and biophysical mechanisms are associated with the current increase. In KV7 channels the currents increasement are associated with a shift in the voltage dependence of channel opening and increased maximum conductance in KV7 channels, while in BKCa channels, they are associated with destabilization the pore domain closed conformation. Furthermore, PUFA effects are influenced by auxiliary subunits of KV7 and BKCa channels, associate with channels in certain tissues. although findings are conflicting. A better understanding of how PUFAs regulate KV7 and BKCa channels may offer insight into their physiological regulation and may lead to new therapeutic strategies and approaches.
3.Development and Application of Detection Methods for Capture and Transcription Elongation Rate of Bacterial Nascent RNA
Yuan-Yuan LI ; Yu-Ting WANG ; Zi-Chun WU ; Hao-Xuan LI ; Ming-Yue FEI ; Dong-Chang SUN ; O. Claudio GUALERZI ; Attilio FABBRETTI ; Anna Maria GIULIODORI ; Hong-Xia MA ; Cheng-Guang HE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2249-2260
ObjectiveDetection and quantification of RNA synthesis in cells is a widely used technique for monitoring cell viability, health, and metabolic rate.After exposure to environmental stimuli, both the internal reference gene and target gene would be degraded. As a result, it is imperative to consider the accurate capture of nascent RNA and the detection of transcriptional levels of RNA following environmental stimulation. This study aims to create a Click Chemistry method that utilizes its property to capture nascent RNA from total RNA that was stimulated by the environment. MethodsThe new RNA was labeled with 5-ethyluridine (5-EU) instead of uracil, and the azido-biotin medium ligand was connected to the magnetic sphere using a combination of “Click Chemistry” and magnetic bead screening. Then the new RNA was captured and the transcription rate of 16S rRNA was detected by fluorescence molecular beacon (M.B.) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). ResultsThe bacterial nascent RNA captured by “Click Chemistry” screening can be used as a reverse transcription template to form cDNA. Combined with the fluorescent molecular beacon M.B.1, the synthesis rate of rRNA at 37℃ is 1.2 times higher than that at 15℃. The 16S rRNA gene and cspI gene can be detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR,it was found that the measured relative gene expression changes were significantly enhanced at 25℃ and 16℃ when analyzed with nascent RNA rather than total RNA, enabling accurate detection of RNA transcription rates. ConclusionCompared to other article reported experimental methods that utilize screening magnetic columns, the technical scheme employed in this study is more suitable for bacteria, and the operation steps are simple and easy to implement, making it an effective RNA capture method for researchers.
4.Research progress on carrier-free and carrier-supported supramolecular nanosystems of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules
Zi-ye ZANG ; Yao-zhi ZHANG ; Yi-hang ZHAO ; Xin-ru TAN ; Ji-chang WEI ; An-qi XU ; Hong-fei DUAN ; Hong-yan ZHANG ; Peng-long WANG ; Xue-mei HUANG ; Hai-min LEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):908-917
Anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of clinic application, in which the star molecules have always been the hotspot of modern drug research, but they are limited by the solubility, stability, targeting, bioactivity or toxicity of the monomer components of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules and other pharmacokinetic problems, which hinders the traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules for further clinical translation and application. Currently, the nanosystems prepared by supramolecular technologies such as molecular self-assembly and nanomaterial encapsulation have broader application prospects in improving the anti-tumor effect of active components of traditional Chinese medicine, which has attracted extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, we systematically review the research progress in preparation of supramolecular nano-systems from anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine, and summarize the two major categories and ten small classes of carrier-free and carrier-based supramolecular nanosystems and their research cases, and the future development direction is put forward. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference for the research and clinical transformation of using supramolecular technology to improve the clinical application of anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine.
5.The Role and Mechanism of Bone Muscle Crosstalk in The Prevention and Treatment of Osteoscarcopenia
Chang-Hong ZHAO ; Fei-Fei WANG ; Hong-Qiang LIAN ; Ye-Ying WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2936-2946
Osteoscarcopenia (OS) is a common degenerative syndrome in the elderly, which is caused by a decrease in both bone and muscle mass during the aging process, leading to osteoporosis and sarcopenia, a decrease in body balance, and a risk of falls and fractures, posing a serious threat to the quality of life and lifespan of the elderly. Osteoskeletal dystrophy increases with age, and its occurrence is higher in females than that in males. At present, there is no unified diagnostic standard, making it impossible to achieve early detection and intervention. The commonly used diagnostic methods include quantitative computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle mass bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), as well as daily gait speed (UGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed start test (TUG), and biochemical evaluation indicators to improve early diagnosis and screening. Due to the fact that both bones and muscles belong to the motor system, osteoporosis and sarcopenia share common pathogenic factors in genetics, endocrine, paracrine, and fat infiltration, which interact and regulate each other, inducing the occurrence of osteoscarcopenia. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia, two age-related diseases, share the same pathogenesis and regulatory pathways, as well as common drug targets. For example: somatostatin α‑actin-3, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivation factor-1α (PGC-1α), myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2C), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1), protoadhesion 7 (PCDH7) and methyltransferase like 21C (METTL21C), osteocalcin and bone derived bone factor gap junction connexin 43 (Cx43), growth hormone (GH), sex hormones, and diseases (such as tumors, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiovascular disease, anemia, disability, inflammatory disease), aging, nutrition, and poor living habits are closely related to osteosarcopenia. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microstructural degeneration of bone tissue, while sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, both of which often coexist in the elderly population. Exercise regulates muscle and skeletal cytokines such as myostatin (MSTN) and irisinβ‑aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), brain derived neutrophil factor (BDNF), interleukin, prostaglandin E2, Wnt, osteocalcin (OCN), and transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) interfere with each other to prevent and treat osteoscarcopenia. Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway can simultaneously regulate the growth and metabolism of bones and muscles, and promote osteoblast proliferation, maturation, and mineralization by increasing OPG/RANKL, which is beneficial for bone mass increase and induces proliferation of muscle satellite cells, stimulating and promoting increased muscle synthesis. NF‑κB pathway is the main regulatory factor for inflammation mediated muscle atrophy. Meanwhile, NF‑κB DNA can participate in RANKL inducing osteoclast differentiation in bone tissue, thereby reducing bone mass. Although exercise and nutrition can improve the symptoms of osteoporosis, they cannot be completely cured, and there are no specific drugs in clinical practice that can cure sarcopenia. Because osteoscarcopenia has a common crosstalk mechanism in the aging process, it is of great significance to prevent osteoscarcopenia by improving bone mass and muscle content through exercise, nutrition, and medication.
6.Preparation,characterization and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of tetrandrine-loaded chitosan-stearic acid nano micelles modified with folic acid
Fei XUE ; Lan YANG ; Jinhua CHANG ; Pei LIU ; Ruxing WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(8):925-930
OBJECTIVE To prepare tetrandrine (TET)-loaded chitosan(CS)-stearic acid (SA) nano micelles modified with folic acid (FA)( FA-CS-SA/TET nano micelles), characterize them and study the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro. METHODS FA- CS-SA/TET nano micelles were prepared by ultrasonic method; the preparation technology was optimized by orthogonal test and validation test was also performed with the mass ratio of FA-CS-SA to TET, ultrasound power and ultrasound times as the factors, using the comprehensive score of entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL) and particle size as evaluation index. FA-CS-SA/ TET nano micelles prepared by the optimal technology were characterized, and their release performance in vitro was investigated. RAW264.7 cells were used as subjects to investigate their anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. RESULTS The optimal preparation technology included that the mass ratio of FA-CS-SA to TET was 2∶1, ultrasonic power was 200 W, and the ultrasonic frequency was 200 times. The parameters of FA-CS-SA/TET nano micelles prepared by optimized technology included that EE was (98.86± 0.30)%, DL was (28.57±0.34)%, the average particle size was (227.0±9.4) nm, polydispersity index was 0.42±0.04, and the Zeta potential was(12.6±2.3)mV, respectively. The nano micelles were uniform in appearance and round in shape. The nano micelles were released quickly in 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution, with a cumulative release rate of (79.49±3.43)% within 72 hours, and its anti-inflammatory effect was stronger than that of TET raw materials. CONCLUSIONS FA-CS-SA/TET nano micelles are prepared successfully in the study, with good drug loading performance, uniform particle size, and good in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.
7.Application of Ancient Books in Clinical Practice Guidelines and Expert Consensus of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Current Status and Methodological Recommendations
Changhao LIANG ; Dingran YIN ; Jing CUI ; Xinshuai YAO ; Xinyi GU ; Yifei YAN ; Wanting LIU ; Yingqiao WANG ; Yingqi CHANG ; Haoyu DONG ; Mengqi LI ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yutong FEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):801-809
ObjectiveTo explore the current status and issues regarding the application of ancient books in clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) published in China, and to provide methodological recommendations for the incorporation of ancient books in the development of TCM guidelines. MethodsWe searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, as well as six industry websites including China Association of Chinese Medicine, National Group Standards Information Platform, and Chinese Association of the Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine,etc. TCM clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus issued during January 1st, 2017, to November 26th, 2022 were searched. Clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus that explicitly referred to ancient books were included, and the content regarding the searching for ancient books, sources of access to ancient books, methods of evaluating the level of evidence, methods of evaluating the level of recommendation, and methods of evaluating the evidence for the ancient books were analysed. ResultsA total of 1,215 TCM clinical practice guidelines or expert consensus were retrieved, with 442 articles explicitly mentioning the application of ancient books, including 300 (67.87%) clinical practice guidelines and 142 (32.13%) expert consensus. Sixty of the 442 publications explicitly reported that ancient books searching had been conducted (13.57%); among these 60 publications 27 (45.00%) explicitly reported ancient books searching strategies, and the most frequent method was manual searching with a total of 24 articles (40.00%). The most popular search source was Chinese Medical Dictionary, a TCM classics database, with a total of 18 articles. 197 articles (44.57%) explicitly reported the evaluation criteria for the level of evidence, of which 141 articles (71.57%) involved the evaluation criteria for the ancient books; 413 articles (93.44%) mentioned ancient books in the recommendations, and only the source of formula name was mentioned in 409 (99.03%) of the publications. ConclusionThe current application of ancient books in TCM clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus is limited, with issues of non-standard searching and evaluation methods. Standar-dization and uniformity are needed in evidence grading and recommendation standards. Future research should clarify the scope and methods of applying ancient book, emphasize their integration with modern research evidence, and enhance their value and quality in the development of TCM clinical practice guidelines.
8.Mechanism of Mitochondrial Quality Control in Ovarian Aging and Intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Fei YAN ; Yanfeng LIU ; Qi ZHAO ; Xingtong LIU ; Ying LI ; Chang SHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):291-298
Ovarian aging is a reproductive endocrine disease caused by a variety of factors leading to a gradual decline in ovarian function until ovarian failure, which seriously affects women's physical and reproductive health and is a major factor leading to female infertility. Mitochondria, the energy metabolism centers of cells, are critical for ovarian functions. Their structural and functional abnormalities are key pathological factors leading to the declined ovarian function. Mitochondrial quality control is an important endogenous regulatory mechanism for the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and the improvement of mitochondrial functions. Abundant studies have shown that the dysregulation of mitochondrial quality control, characterized by mitochondrial oxidative damage, abnormal mitochondrial biogenesis, abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, abnormal mitochondrial autophagy, and dysregulated calcium homeostasis, is closely associated with the occurrence of ovarian hypofunction. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a treasure of China's medicine, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in the clinical treatment of ovarian aging-related diseases. In recent years, research progress has been achieved in the TCM treatment of ovarian aging by regulating mitochondrial quality control disorders in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner. However, systematic research remains to be carried out regarding the research progress in this field. Therefore, this article reviews the research progress in the TCM treatment of ovarian aging based on mitochondrial quality control, with a view to providing a theoretical basis for studying the clinical efficacy of TCM in the treatment of ovarian aging and a new strategy for the in-depth research on the prevention and treatment of ovarian aging by TCM.
9. Effects of Tao Hong Si Wu decoction on IncRNA expression in rats with occlusion of middle cerebral artery
Li-Juan ZHANG ; Chang-Yi FEI ; Chao YU ; Su-Jun XUE ; Yu-Meng LI ; Jing-Jing LI ; Ling-Yu PAN ; Xian-Chun DUAN ; Li-Juan ZHANG ; Chang-Yi FEI ; Chao YU ; Su-Jun XUE ; Yu-Meng LI ; Jing-Jing LI ; Xian-Chun DUAN ; Dai-Yin PENG ; Xian-Chun DUAN ; Dai-Yin PENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):582-591
Aim To screen and study the expression of long non-coding RNA (IncRNA) in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with MCAO treated with Tao Hong Si Wu decoction (THSWD) and determine the possible molecular mechanism of THSWD in treating MCAO rats. Methods Three cerebral hemisphere tissue were obtained from the control group, MCAO group and MCAO + THSWD group. RNA sequencing technology was used to identify IncRNA gene expression in the three groups. THSWD-regulated IncRNA genes were identified, and then a THSWD-regu-lated IncRNA-mRNA network was constructed. MCODE plug-in units were used to identify the modules of IncRNA-mRNA networks. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the enriched biological functions and signaling pathways. Cis- and trans-regulatory genes for THSWD-regulated IncRNAs were identified. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative pol-ymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify IncRNAs. Molecular docking was used to identify IncRNA-mRNA network targets and pathway-associated proteins. Results In MCAO rats, THSWD regulated a total of 302 IncRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that some core IncRNAs might play an important role in the treatment of MCAO rats with THSWD, and we further found that THSWD might also treat MCAO rats through multiple pathways such as IncRNA-mRNA network and network-enriched complement and coagulation cascades. The results of molecular docking showed that the active compounds gallic acid and a-mygdalin of THSWD had a certain binding ability to protein targets. Conclusions THSWD can protect the brain injury of MCAO rats through IncRNA, which may provide new insights for the treatment of ischemic stroke with THSWD.
10.Comparison of efficacies among different doses of vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency
Min WANG ; Fei HE ; Qin CHANG ; Kuilin LYU ; Yuping ZHANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(19):3008-3012
Objective To compare the effects of different doses of vitamin D supplementation on vita-min D deficiency and insufficiency in premature infants.Methods A total of 126 premature infants hospital-ized in the pediatrics department of this hospital from March 25,2021 to December 30,2022 were selected as the study subjects and began to supplement different doses of vitamin D on 3 d after birth under the intestinal tract tolerance.They were divided into 500,900 and 2 100 IU/d groups according to vitamin D supplementary dose.The differences in vitamin D levels at beginning and after supplementation were compared among the groups.Results Among 126 premature infants,there were 52 cases of vitamin D deficiency and 74 cases of vi-tamin D insufficiency.Compared with vitamin D insufficiency,the proportion of vitamin D supplementation in the mothers of the premature infants with vitamin D deficiency was lower(P<0.05).The serum calcium,phosphorus,alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels after birth had no statistical difference a-mong 3 groups(P>0.05).The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level after supplementation had statistical difference a-mong 3 groups(P<0.05),moreover the 500 IU/d group was lower than the 2 100 IU/d group(P<0.05).The longest duration of vitamin D supplementation in the 2 100 IU/d group was 90 d,its highest 25-hydroxyvitamin D level after supplementation was 48.3 ng/mL,no vitamin D poisoning condition appeared,there were still 40 cases(85.1%)of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency after supplementation in the 900 IU/d group,and 17 cases(25.8%)in the 2 100 IU/d group.Conclusion Giving vitamin D 2 100 IU/d in pre-term infants is recommended after birth to prevent the vitamin D deficiency.

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