1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
3.Mosquito monitoring and influence of meteorological factors on mosquito density around Beijing Capital International Airport, 2016-2022
Ran FENG ; Tie-zheng MA ; Si-jie ZHU ; Bo TIAN ; Fei QUAN ; Zhi-lin WU ; Xiao-tao LIU ; Fu-yuan ZHANG ; Song-jian ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):40-48
Objective To understand mosquito density, species composition, and seasonal variations around the Beijing Capital International Airport(BCIA)and provide scientific evidence for mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Meteorological data were collected from 2016 to 2022, and mosquito density was monitored at seven surveillance sites around the BCIA from May to October each year using CO2-baited mosquito traps to analyze the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological factors. Results In total,68 518 female mosquitoes were captured, with a mosquito density of 10.20 per light · hour. The dominant species was Culex pipiens pallens(73.90%), followed by Aedes albopictus(9.71%)and Ae. vexans(9.29%);the mosquito density was highest in 2016(14.8 per light·hour)and lowest in 2022(4.46 per light·hour). Significant statistical differences were observed in mosquito density among different species(F=18.118, P<0.05). The density of Cx. pipiens pallens and other mosquito species showed a mutually exclusive trend; the peak of mosquito density varied based on years and habitats, with significant statistical differences in mosquito density among different habitats(F=8.504, P<0.05). The highest mosquito density was observed near the Wenyu River(21.50 per light·hour), whereas the lowest was recorded at the BCIA construction site(2.44 per light· hour). The monthly average temperature(r=0.595), monthly average highest temperature(r=0.575), and monthly average lowest temperature(r=0.624)showed moderate positive correlations, whereas the monthly average air pressure(r=-0.484)showed a moderate negative correlation. The monthly average minimum temperature was included in the regression model(F=25.575, P<0.000), and the equation Y=1.029X4-8.181 was used. The monthly average air pressure 2 months prior(b=-2.418, β=-1.619, P<0.05)and the monthly average relative humidity(b=-0.739, β=-1.201, P<0.05)significantly negatively predicted the mosquito density. Notably, the regression equation used was y=2526.170+(-2.418)X9+(-0.739)X13. The exposure-response analysis revealed that the density of mosquitoes was not linearly related to the average monthly air pressure, rainfall, and duration of sunshine. Conclusions The dominant mosquito species around the BCIA was Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. vexans. During the control of Cx. pipiens pallens, the impact on other mosquito species must also be considered. Environmental management, breeding sites, and scientific use of pesticides should be prioritized based on the activity periods of mosquitoes. Further studies on mosquitoes and meteorological factors should be conducted to provide references and novel avenues for mosquito control.
4.Necroptosis in Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage: Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms
Zhi-Fei KE ; Wen-Jing SONG ; Yun-Feng DONG ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1884-1895
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a frequent form of skeletal muscle microdamage that occurs after high-intensity, prolonged, or unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise dominated by eccentric contractions. It is commonly characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, transient loss of muscle strength, local inflammation, structural disruption of myofibers, and delayed functional recovery. Although mild EIMD may serve as a stimulus for training adaptation, excessive or insufficiently recovered muscle damage can impair exercise performance, disturb training continuity, and reduce participation in physical activity. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation, amplification, and resolution of EIMD is important for optimizing athletic training, improving post-exercise recovery, and guiding evidence-based public fitness practice. Necroptosis is a regulated form of programmed cell death mediated primarily by the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling axis. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis is closely involved in tissue injury, sterile inflammation, and repair remodeling. However, whether necroptosis acts as an initiating driver, a secondary damage amplifier, or an adaptive signal required for repair after EIMD remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in EIMD and to establish a mechanistic framework linking regulated cell death, inflammatory amplification, immune regulation, and skeletal muscle repair. Relevant studies concerning EIMD, necroptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammatory responses, immune cell recruitment, extracellular matrix remodeling, and muscle regeneration were reviewed and integrated. On this basis, the possible temporal and functional involvement of necroptosis in different phases of EIMD was analyzed. The main evidence summarized in this review suggests that EIMD is not merely a consequence of primary mechanical disruption. Instead, it develops through a dynamic sequence that includes sarcolemmal instability, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator production, immune cell infiltration, necrotic tissue clearance, and regeneration-associated remodeling. Necroptosis may participate in this process through at least two interconnected mechanisms. First, in the early or progressive phase of EIMD, activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis may promote MLKL phosphorylation and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to the release of DAMPs such as high-mobility group box 1, ATP, mitochondrial DNA, and other intracellular components. These signals may activate innate immune pathways, amplify inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, thereby aggravating secondary inflammation and extending muscle fiber injury. Second, during the resolution and repair phases, necroptosis-related signaling may also contribute indirectly to the formation of a regenerative microenvironment. By influencing the clearance of necrotic debris, the recruitment and phenotypic transition of immune cells, and the remodeling of extracellular matrix components, necroptosis may affect satellite cell activation, myogenic repair, and the eventual structural and functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle. Thus, the biological effect of necroptosis in EIMD may be context dependent rather than uniformly harmful. Its outcome may depend on exercise intensity, the extent of tissue damage, the timing of pathway activation, the involved cell types, inflammatory status, training background, age, and metabolic condition. In conclusion, necroptosis may represent an important molecular link between skeletal muscle injury, sterile inflammation, and tissue repair after damaging exercise. It may exert a dual role in EIMD by amplifying secondary damage while also contributing to repair coordination under appropriate temporal and microenvironmental conditions. Future studies should determine the activation pattern of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling after different exercise protocols, identify the major cell populations undergoing necroptosis in injured skeletal muscle, and examine whether targeted modulation of necroptosis can reduce excessive inflammation without impairing necessary regenerative responses. This review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of EIMD and for developing targeted strategies to improve skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced injury.
5.Aerobic Exercise and MOTS-c Ameliorate Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Disorder in Type 2 Diabetes via The NRF2/PPARγ Axis
Fei-Long CHEN ; Zhi-Yu LI ; Tu-Tu WANG ; Yu FU ; Lei LÜ ; Cheng-Yuan XING ; Shun-Chang LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2071-2090
ObjectiveType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often causes severe hepatic metabolic complications, dominated by metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Persistent hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress further trigger steatohepatitis and progressive liver damage, increasing the mortality risk of diabetic patients. Aerobic exercise effectively improves hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity, but poor patient adherence restricts its long-term clinical application. Mitochondrial-derived mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c (MOTS-c) is a key peptide regulating insulin sensitivity and hepatic redox homeostasis. This study aimed to explore the protective mechanism of MOTS-c against T2DM-related liver injury and its combined beneficial effect with aerobic exercise via the NRF2/PPARγ signaling axis. This study aimed to investigate whether MOTS-c cooperates with aerobic exercise to alleviate T2DM-associated hepatic oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction by activating the NRF2/PPARγ axis, and to clarify the molecular and transcriptomic characteristics of their combined intervention. MethodsStable MOTS-c overexpression and knockdown HepG2 cell lines were constructed using lentiviral transfection. An oleic acid-induced cellular lipid accumulation model and NRF2-knockout cell model were applied to verify the NRF2-dependent mechanism ofMOTS-c. Intracellular lipid deposition, triglyceride levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and the expression of NRF2/PPARγ pathway-related genes and proteins were detected. In vivo, a T2DM rat model with obvious hepatic steatosis was established via a high-fat and high-sucrose diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Model rats received aerobic exercise, MOTS-c intraperitoneal injection, or combined intervention. We detected systemic glycolipid metabolic indicators, hepatic histopathological changes, and the expression of core proteins in the hepatic NRF2/PPARγ axis. Hepatic transcriptomic sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enrich key pathways co-regulated by MOTS-c and aerobic exercise. ResultsCellular results showed that MOTS-c overexpression significantly reduced oleic acid-induced lipid deposition, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and upregulated NRF2 and PPARγ expression. Conversely, MOTS-c knockdown aggravated hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative damage and inhibited NRF2/PPARγ pathway activation. NRF2 knockout completely eliminated the protective effects of MOTS-c on lipid metabolism and redox balance, confirming its NRF2-dependent regulatory mechanism. In T2DM rats, both MOTS-c supplementation and aerobic exercise effectively improved insulin resistance, corrected glycolipid metabolic disorders, and alleviated hepatic steatosis, while consistently activating the hepatic NRF2/PPARγ axis. Compared with single intervention, the combined treatment showed a better improvement trend in hepatic metabolic and oxidative injury, without definitive synergistic effects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the co-regulated DEGs of MOTS-c and aerobic exercise were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathways, with multiple antioxidant and lipid-regulating genes significantly modulated by combined intervention. ConclusionMOTS-c exhibits obvious exercise-mimetic hepatoprotective effects in T2DM. It activates the hepatic NRF2/PPARγ axis to strengthen antioxidant defense, stabilize lipid metabolism, and relieve T2DM-associated hepatic steatosis and oxidative damage. Furthermore, MOTS-c produces additive beneficial effects with aerobic exercise, showing a superior intervention trend on diabetic liver dysfunction. This study identifies the NRF2/PPARγ axis as the core mechanism of MOTS-c-regulated hepatic protection, elucidates the transcriptomic basis of combined intervention, and provides a reliable theoretical basis and potential therapeutic target for clinical intervention in T2DM-complicated MAFLD.
6.Design, synthesis and evaluation of oxadiazoles as novel XO inhibitors
Hong-zhan WANG ; Ya-jun YANG ; Ying YANG ; Fei YE ; Jin-ying TIAN ; Chuan-ming ZHANG ; Zhi-yan XIAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):164-171
Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. Based on the previously identified potent XO inhibitor
7.Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury (version 2025)
Kai HUANG ; Lunhao BAI ; Qing BI ; Hong CHEN ; Jiwu CHEN ; Xuesong DAI ; Wenyong FEI ; Weili FU ; Zhizeng GAO ; Lin GUO ; Yinghui HUA ; Jingmin HUANG ; Suizhu HUANG ; Xuan HUANG ; Jian LI ; Qiang LI ; Shuzhen LI ; Yanlin LI ; Yunxia LI ; Zhong LI ; Ning LIU ; Yuqiang LIU ; Wei LU ; Hongbin LYU ; Haile PAN ; Xiaoyun PAN ; Chao QI ; Weiliang SHEN ; Luning SUN ; Jin TANG ; Zimin WANG ; Bide WANG ; Ru WANG ; Shaobai WANG ; Licheng WEI ; Weidong XU ; Yongsheng XU ; Jizhou YANG ; Liang YANG ; Rui YANG ; Hongbo YOU ; Tengbo YU ; Jiakuo YU ; Bing YUE ; Hua ZHANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Qingsong ZHANG ; Xintao ZHANG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Lilian ZHAO ; Qichun ZHAO ; Song ZHAO ; Jiapeng ZHENG ; Jiang ZHENG ; Zhi ZHENG ; Jingbin ZHOU ; Jinzhong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(4):325-338
With the rapid development of competitive sports, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is on the rise. Such injuries may shorten athletes′ career and lead to other long-term adverse consequences. Although athletes generally recover well after ACL reconstruction, many still struggle to return to their pre-injury performance levels. Advances in the understanding of ACL anatomy and injury mechanisms, along with the evolution of surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, have provided more individualized and tailored options for athletes following ACL injuries. However, there is currently no consensus in China regarding surgical and rehabilitation strategies for competitive athletes aiming to return to sports after ACL injuries. To this end, the Sports Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Trauma jointly formulated the Expert consensus on surgical treatment and rehabilitation for competitive sports athletes returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament injury ( version 2025), and presented 14 recommendations covering surgical indications, preoperative rehabilitation, surgical timing, surgical strategies and postoperative rehabilitation strategies, aiming to improve the surgical treatment and rehabilitation system for ACL injuries in competitive athletes and facilitate their return to high-level sports performance after injury.
8.Mechanistic studies on the involvement of trimethylamine oxide in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria
Huiyang TANG ; Zhi YANG ; Xi YANG ; Zhengqiu YAO ; Fei HAO ; Bangtao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(6):515-522
Objective:To investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the involvement of the gut microbiota metabolite trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:From June 2023 to June 2024, 67 CSU patients were enrolled from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, and 69 age-matched healthy controls were also collected at the same time. Serum TMAO levels in both groups were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) , and D-dimer levels were collected from the CSU patients. A degranulation model was established in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells using anti-DNP IgE/DNP-BSA (IgE/Ag group) ; these cells were additionally grouped to be treated with different concentrations of TMAO (IgE/Ag+10 μmol/L TMAO group, IgE/Ag + 50 μmol/L TMAO group, IgE/Ag + 100 μmol/L TMAO group) ; untreated RBL-2H3 cells served as a blank control group. To investigate the effect of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation inhibitor U0126 on the action of TMAO, RBL-2H3 cells were divided into another 5 groups: blank group, IgE/Ag group, IgE/Ag + 1 μmol/L U0126 group, IgE/Ag + 100 μmol/L TMAO group, and IgE/Ag + 100 μmol/L TMAO + 1 μmol/L U0126 group. In vivo, a localized allergic reaction model was established in the ears of C57BL/6 mice using anti-DNP IgE/DNP-BSA (IgE/Ag group) , and additional groups included blank group, IgE group, IgE/Ag + solvent (DMSO) group, and IgE/Ag + 10 μg/μl TMAO group. ELISA was performed to detect levels of inflammatory mediators in cell culture supernatants and mouse serum. Toluidine blue staining was employed to observe mast cell degranulation in the cell experiment and mouse ear tissue samples, Evans blue staining to assess vascular permeability in mouse ear tissue samples, and Western blot analysis to detect the ERK phosphorylation levels. The t test was used for comparisons between two groups, and one-way analysis of variance for multiple comparisons. Results:Serum TMAO levels were significantly higher in the 67 CSU patients than in the 69 healthy controls ( t = 13.27, P < 0.001) . Among the 32 CSU patients with available data about D-dimer, serum TMAO levels were positively correlated with D-dimer levels ( r = 0.62, P < 0.001) . In RBL-2H3 cell experiments, degranulation rates were significantly higher in the IgE/Ag + 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L TMAO groups than in the IgE/Ag group; morphologically, RBL-2H3 cells treated with 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L TMAO became increasingly rounded; 50 and 100 μmol/L TMAO significantly promoted the production of β-hexosaminidase (β-Hex) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) , and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (all P < 0.01) , and upregulated ERK phosphorylation levels ( P < 0.01) ; the levels of ERK phosphorylation, IL-6, TNF-α, and β-Hex were significantly lower in the IgE/Ag + U0126 group than in the IgE/Ag group, as well as lower in the IgE/Ag + TMAO + U0126 group than in the IgE/Ag + TMAO group (all P < 0.001) . In the mouse model of localized allergic reaction, the IgE/Ag + TMAO group showed increased vascular permeability, edema degree, and mast cell degranulation, as well as significantly elevated ERK phosphorylation levels and TNF-α expression in mouse ear tissues compared with the IgE/Ag + DMSO group (both P < 0.05) . Conclusion:Elevated serum TMAO may participate in the pathogenesis of CSU by upregulating ERK phosphorylation levels in mast cells and skin tissues, thereby promoting IgE/Ag-mediated degranulation of effector cells and production of inflammatory mediators.
9.Effects of different exercise acclimatization durations on liver injuries and inflammation responses in exertional heatstroke mice
Zhi DAI ; Jie HU ; Xiao-Chen WANG ; Zi-Wei HAN ; Zhi MAO ; Fei-Hu ZHOU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(5):599-606
Objective To compare the effects of different exercise acclimatization(EA)durations on liver injury and inflammatory response in mice with exertional heatstroke(EHS).Methods A total of 168 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table:no exercise acclimation group(EA0W,n=54),1-week exercise acclimation group(EA1W,n=54),2-week exercise acclimation group(EA2W,n=54),and blank control group(n=6).The blank control group did not undergo acclimatization training or EHS modeling.The EA1W and EA2W groups underwent daily 2-hour exercise training at a speed of 10 m/min in an environment maintained at(26.0±0.5)℃for 1 and 2 weeks,respectively,followed by a 2-day rest after training completion.EHS modeling was performed in mice of EA0W,EA1W,and EA2W groups through running at 10 m/min under controlled environmental conditions(39.5℃ambient temperature,65%relative humidity).The modeling endpoint was defined as loss of consciousness accompanied by a core body temperature≥42.7℃.All modeling procedures were systematically documented.Following modeling,18 mice from EA0W,EA1W,and EA2W groups underwent 24-hour survival analysis.Blood samples from the abdominal aorta and liver tissues were collected at 6,12 and 24 hours post-modeling(6 mice per time point for each group).Plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and creatine kinase(CK)were quantified.Interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6 concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Liver tissue specimens underwent hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and pathological scoring.Results The EHS model was successfully established in all EA groups.When all mice in EA0W group developed EHS(65 min after the modeling initiation),the incidence rates in EA1W and EA2W groups were 50.0%and 22.2%,respectively,with a statistically significant difference between EA0W group and the latter two groups(P<0.05).When all mice in the three groups developed EHS,the time to EHS onset was significantly longer in both EA1W and EA2W groups compared to EA0W group,with EA2W group showing a longer onset time than EA1W group(P<0.05).Survival analysis revealed a significantly higher 24-hour survival rate in EA2W group(61.1%)compared to EA0W group(33.3%)(P<0.05),while no significant difference was observed between EA1W group and the other two groups(P>0.05).The levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and CK were highest at 6 h post-modeling in all EA groups(P<0.05),and liver injury was most severe at 12 h post-modeling(P<0.05).Compared to EA0W group,the levels of ALT,AST,and IL-1β,as well as liver pathology scores,were significantly lower at 12 h post-modeling in both EA1W and EA2W groups(P<0.05),with EA2W group showing significantly lower ALT and AST levels,as well as liver pathology scores than EA1W group(P<0.05).At 6 h post-modeling,CK levels were significantly higher in EA1W and EA2W groups compared to EA0W group(P<0.05),with EA2W group exhibiting higher CK levels than in EA1W group(P<0.05).Conclusions Exercise acclimation helps reduce the incidence of EHS.Following EHS onset,the survival rate of exercise-acclimated mice is higher than that non-acclimated mice,with a significantly higher survival rate in mice acclimated for 2 weeks compared to non-acclimated mice.However,no significant difference in survival rate is observed between mice acclimated for 1 week and non-acclimated mice.Additionally,exercise acclimation for 2 weeks is more effective in reducing liver injury and inflammatory responses compared to 1-week acclimation.
10.Analysis of the predictive value of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 combined with conventional influencing factors for the prognosis of children with refractory mycoplasmal pneumonia
Rui-Fang HAN ; Ling GAO ; Fei CHEN ; Zhi-Xin ZHENG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):943-948
Objective To analyze the predictive value of the serum amyloid A/C-reactive protein ratio(SAA/CRP),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and chitinase-40(YKL-40)combined with conventional influencing factors for the prognosis of children with refractory mycoplasmal pneumonia(RMPP).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 180 children with RMPP admitted to the First People's Hospital of Nanyang from January to December 2023,serving as study group,and 90 children with general mycoplasmal pneumonia(GMPP)as control group.The clinical data of the two groups,including age,gender,and serum levels of SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40,were compared.On the day of admission,the disease severity of the children in study group was assessed and divided into mild(n=102)and severe(n=78)groups.After treatment,they were further categorized into poor prognosis(n=52)and good prognosis(n=128)groups based on the occurrence of adverse events.The levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 were compared between mild-case and severe-case children in study group,as well as between children with good and poor prognosis.A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for poor prognosis in children with RMPP.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 for the prognosis of children with RMPP.Conventional influencing factors[disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,pneumonia severity index(PSI)score,and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score]were used as the conventional prediction scheme,and the conventional prediction scheme combined with the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 was used as the new prediction scheme.The predictive values of the two prediction schemes for the prognosis of children with RMPP were compared.Results The levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in study group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05),and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in children with severe RMPP were higher than those in children with mild RMPP(P<0.05).In study group,the proportion of children with pleural effusion,the proportion of severe-case disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,PSI score,APACHE Ⅱ score,and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 in children with poor prognosis were higher than those in children with good prognosis(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that disease severity,oxygen therapy duration,PSI score,APACHE Ⅱ score,and the levels of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 were all factors affecting poor prognosis in children with RMPP(P<0.05).The areas under the curves(AUCs)of serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 for predicting the prognosis of children with RMPP were 0.756,0.749,and 0.734,respectively.The AUC of the new prediction scheme was 0.945,which was significantly higher than that of the conventional prediction scheme(AUC=0.859),with a statistically significant difference(P=0.011).Conclusion Serum SAA/CRP,LDH,and YKL-40 levels combined with the conventional prediction scheme have a high predictive efficacy for the prognosis of children with RMPP.


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