1.Effect and Mechanisms of Luteolin on Gout
Jinlai CHENG ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Yuyan XU ; Huajing WANG ; Yuqing TAN ; Feng SUI ; Miyi YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):140-149
ObjectiveTo integrate network pharmacology prediction with multi-level experimental verification methods, and to explore in depth the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of luteolin in treating gout. MethodsDatabases were used to obtain potential pharmacodynamic targets of luteolin. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and network pharmacology analysis techniques were used to screen key core targets of luteolin in gout treatment. Further biological function enrichment analysis and signaling pathway analysis were performed on these targets. Molecular docking simulation was used to calculate the binding energy between luteolin and potential core targets, clarifying the strength of their interactions. In the in vivo experiment for hyperuricemia, 48 mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an allopurinol group (5 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (10 mg·kg-1), medium-dose (30 mg·kg-1), and high-dose (90 mg·kg-1) luteolin groups. For the first three days, the blank and model groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline, while the allopurinol group and luteolin groups were gavaged with corresponding drugs. From day 4 onwards, modeling was performed by intraperitoneal injection at 12:00 daily (normal saline for the blank group, and oxonic acid potassium-hypoxanthine mixture for other groups, with 300 mg·kg-1 for each group). Gavage intervention was administered at 18:00 daily (normal saline for the blank/model groups, and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups) until day 7. After sampling, levels of serum uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Levels of xanthine oxidase (XO) in the liver and kidney, ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver were determined. Renal HE staining was also performed. In the pharmacodynamic study of gouty arthritis, 36 rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a colchicine group (0.315 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (7 mg·kg-1), medium-dose (21 mg·kg-1), and high-dose (63 mg·kg-1) luteolin groups. The model was established by vertically injecting 100 µL of 25 g·L-1 monosodium urate suspension into the posterior lateral aspect of the right ankle joint (the blank group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline), with repeated injections every two days for reinforcement. From day 2 after modeling, daily gavage administration was performed (normal saline for the blank/model groups, and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups) for a total of 16 days. During the experiment, ankle swelling and pain threshold were measured regularly. After sampling, levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined. Ankle joints were subjected to HE, Masson, and safranin O-fast green staining, and HE staining was also performed on ankle synovial tissue and various organs. Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of key proteins in gout-related signaling pathways. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted that luteolin may regulate over 20 core targets, such as XO, ABCG2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and SOD, through acting on signaling pathways including NF-κB, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and ABC transporters, thereby affecting uric acid metabolism and inflammatory responses. In the hyperuricemia model, compared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly increased serum UA level, liver and kidney XO activity, renal ABCG2 expression, and liver SOD activity (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced serum UA level (P<0.01), inhibited liver and kidney XO activity (P<0.01), and significantly increased renal ABCG2 expression and liver SOD activity (P<0.01), effectively alleviating renal oxidative stress damage and improving renal histopathological status. In the gouty arthritis model, compared with the blank group, the model group showed significant ankle swelling, decreased pain threshold, and significantly increased levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue (P<0.01). The high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced ankle swelling, prolonged hot plate pain threshold, effectively decreased the levels of the above inflammatory factors in serum and synovial tissue (P<0.01), and significantly improved ankle pathological damage, showing good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Western blot results further confirmed that luteolin significantly upregulated Nrf2 protein expression and downregulated XO and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression in animals. ConclusionLuteolin can improve symptoms of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis, and its potential mechanism may be related to inhibiting XO activity, increasing ABCG2 and SOD levels, and regulating Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress-related pathways.
2.Research progress in perioperative immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
Yuanyuan XU ; Feng MAO ; Xiaoke CHEN ; Qiang TAN ; Qingquan LUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):318-325
It is very limited that the benefit of perioperative chemotherapy in early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the 5-year survival rate is only 5% higher than surgery. Antibodies that block programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 significantly improve the survival of advanced NSCLC. The value of immunotherapy in early NSCLC is also being explored. This paper firstly summarized and analyzed the progress of immunotherapy in the perioperative period of NSCLC. Secondly, the safety and feasibility of surgical resection after neoadjuvant immunotherapy were discussed. Finally, the clinical value of different therapeutic efficacy prediction indicators was summarized, in order to clarify the current status of immunotherapy in the perioperative period, so as to improve the clinical benefits of early NSCLC patients.
3.Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Shentong Zhuyutang Combined with Dilongtang in Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome
Huangsheng TAN ; Yinbo WANG ; Yong HUANG ; Juyi LAI ; Hualong FENG ; Zhiming LAN ; Yuanfei FU ; Yong JIANG ; Shenghua HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):47-54
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, and its effect on nucleus pulposus reabsorption and immune-inflammatory factors, exploring its therapeutic mechanism from the perspective of reabsorption. MethodsA total of 120 patients with LDH from the Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, treated between June 2020 and January 2023, were randomly divided into the control group (52 cases, with 8 dropouts) and the observation group (49 cases, with 11 dropouts) according to a random number table. The control group received routine treatment, while the observation group was treated with Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in addition to routine treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score were measured before treatment and after 3 courses of treatment. Venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serological indexes. MR examination was performed during the 6-month follow-up to calculate the absorption rate. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in VAS, ODI, TCM syndrome score, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and a significant increase in JOA score compared with pre-treatment values (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significantly lower VAS, ODI, TCM syndrome score, serum TNF-α, MMP-9, and VEGF levels, and a significantly higher JOA score (P<0.05). The proportion of nucleus pulposus reabsorption in the observation group was 57.14% (28/49), significantly higher than 21.15% (11/52) in the control group (χ2=6.161, P<0.05). ConclusionShentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang can effectively relieve pain, improve lumbar function, and alleviate TCM clinical symptoms in LDH patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Imaging findings suggest that the treatment promotes the reabsorption of nucleus pulposus protrusion, while laboratory testing shows reduced serum levels of TNF-α, MMP-9, and VEGF, which contribute to the rehabilitation of patients.
4.Application of Anti-tumor Compatibility Structure of Chinese Medicine
Lanpin CHEN ; Feng TAN ; Xiaoman WEI ; Junyi WANG ; Liu LI ; Mianhua WU ; Haibo CHENG ; Dongdong SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):198-208
Malignant tumors are one of the major diseases that endanger human life and health. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in clinical anti-tumor treatment. However, how to translate the anti-tumor effects of Chinese medicine into clinical practice is the core issue that must be addressed in the process of treating malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unlike modern chemical drugs, the compatibility application of Chinese medicine is the key factor that determines whether Chinese medicine can achieve optimal anti-tumor efficacy and realize the goal of "enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity". The formulation structure based on this compatibility is the basic form for the safe, efficient, and rational clinical use of anti-tumor Chinese medicine, and it mainly includes three categories: herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations, and compound compatibility. Although herb pairs have the characteristics of a simple structure and strong targeting (enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity), they often have a single effect and cannot fully address the complex pathogenesis of tumors. As a result, herb pairs are rarely used alone in practice. Compared to herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations broaden the application scope of herbs in clinical treatment, but their therapeutic range remains limited. The traditional "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" compound prescription, which includes herb pairs and tri-herbal combinations, improves the efficacy of herbs in treating serious diseases, hypochondriasis, chronic diseases, and miscellaneous disorders. However, due to the limitations of its historical background, it has not been integrated with modern clinical practice and modern pharmacological research, which restricts the development of compound compatibility theory. With the emergence of modern medical technology, it has been combined with traditional compatibility theory of Chinese medicine to create an innovative modern compatibility theory. This includes the "aid medicine" theory derived from modern Chinese medicine pharmacology, which compensates for the inability of the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory to accurately apply medicine. Additionally, the "state-targeted treatment based on syndrome differentiation" theory, developed from pharmacology and modern medicine, addresses the deficiency in disease cognition in the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory. Under the guidance of these compatibility forms and theories, clinical anti-tumor Chinese medicine can exert its maximum anti-tumor efficacy, which is of great significance for the application of Chinese medicine in clinical tumor treatment.
5.The Mechanisms of Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors in Exercise Central Fatigue
Lu-Lu GUAN ; Bo-Te QI ; Du-Shuo FENG ; Jing-Wang TAN ; Meng CAO ; Yu ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1321-1336
Exercise fatigue is a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon that includes peripheral fatigue in the muscles and central fatigue in the brain. Peripheral fatigue refers to the loss of force caused at the distal end of the neuromuscular junction, whereas central fatigue involves decreased motor output from the primary motor cortex, which is associated with modulations at anatomical sites proximal to nerves that innervate skeletal muscle. The central regulatory failure reflects a progressive decline in the central nervous system’s capacity to recruit motor units during sustained physical activity. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of central neurochemical regulation in fatigue development, particularly through neurotransmitter-mediated modulation. Alterations in neurotransmitter release and receptor activity could influence excitatory and inhibitory signal pathways, thus modulating the perception of fatigue and exercise performance. Increased serotonin (5-HT) could increase perception of effort and lethargy, reduce motor drive to continue exercising, and contribute to exercise fatigue. Decreased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) neurotransmission can negatively impact arousal, mood, motivation, and reward mechanisms and impair exercise performance. Furthermore, the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems interact with each other; a low 5-HT/DA ratio enhances motor motivation and improves performance, and a high 5-HT/DA ratio heightens fatigue perception and leads to decreased performance. The expression and activity of neurotransmitter receptors would be changed during prolonged exercise to fatigue, affecting the transmission of nerve signals. Prolonged high-intensity exercise causes excess 5-HT to overflow from the synaptic cleft to the axonal initial segment and activates the 5-HT1A receptor, thereby inhibiting the action potential of motor neurons and affecting the recruitment of motor units. During exercise to fatigue, the DA secretion is decreased, which blocks the binding of DA to D1 receptor in the caudate putamen and inhibits the activation of the direct pathway of the basal ganglia to suppress movement, meanwhile the binding of DA to D2 receptor is restrained in the caudate putamen, which activates the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia to influence motivation. Furthermore, other neurotransmitters and their receptors, such as adenosine (ADO), glutamic acid (Glu), and γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) also play important roles in regulating neurotransmitter balance and fatigue. The occurrence of central fatigue is not the result of the action of a single neurotransmitter system, but a comprehensive manifestation of the interaction between multiple neurotransmitters. This review explores the important role of neurotransmitters and their receptors in central motor fatigue, reveals the dynamic changes of different neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, NE, and ADO during exercise, and summarizes the mechanisms by which these neurotransmitters and their receptors regulate fatigue perception and exercise performance through complex interactions. Besides, this study presents pharmacological evidence that drugs such as agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibitors could affect exercise performance by regulating the metabolic changes of neurotransmitters. Recently, emerging interventions such as dietary bioactive components intake and transcranial electrical stimulation may provide new ideas and strategies for the prevention and alleviation of exercise fatigue by regulating neurotransmitter levels and receptor activity. Overall, this work offers new theoretical insights into the understanding of exercise central fatigue, and future research should further investigate the relationship between neurotransmitters and their receptors and exercise fatigue.
6.Effect of Video-based Educational Intervention Combined with Maternal Presence on Perioperative Adverse Outcomes in Preschool Children under General Anesthesia
Jiayu TAN ; Fengqiu GONG ; Wenqi HUANG ; Xia FENG ; Qiongfang ZHU ; Yubo KANG ; Wenyan WU ; Xiuhong LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):519-527
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of video-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence on perioperative adverse outcomes in preschool children undergoing general anesthesia, including cooperation in anesthesia induction, perioperative anxiety, pain and agitation during recovery. MethodsA total of 300 preschool children scheduled for general anesthesia in our hospital from June to December 2023 were randomly assigned to control group (n=150) and intervention group (n=150). The control group received routine recovery care. For the intervention group, in addition to routine recovery care, a preoperative visit was scheduled one day before surgery. During this visit, mothers were guided to watch anesthesia videos with their children. During the waiting period in the operating room and 30 minutes after awakening, the mothers were guided to accompany the children for more than 30 minutes. Recovery conditions were recorded using the surgical anesthesia information system, and the children’s anesthetic induction compliance, perioperative anxiety, pain, and agitation were evaluated and recorded using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS), the Induction Compliance Scale (ICC), the Children’s Pain Behavior Scale (FLACC), and the Pediatric Agitation and Emergence Delirium Scale (PAED). ResultsOn the preoperative visit day, there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (P > 0.05). For perioperative anxiety, the m-YPAS scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group, both when entering the operating room waiting area (35.27±6.48 vs. 41.79±6.68, P < 0.05) and 30 minutes after postoperative recovery (20.13±7.05 vs. 35.75±9.51, P < 0.05). In terms of anesthesia induction cooperation, the ICC scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group (1.84±0.95 vs. 3.17±0.62, P < 0.05), and the proportion of good induction cooperation was significantly higher than that of the control group (24.00% vs. 12.67%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in awakening duration between the two groups, but the intervention group had a significantly shorter length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit than the control group (0.90±0.29 hours vs. 1.29±0.42 hours, P < 0.001). For perioperative agitation, the PAED scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group (entering in the operating room waiting area: 8.5 vs. 9.2, P < 0.05; 30 minutes after postoperative recovery: 4.2 vs. 7.8, P < 0.05). In terms of pain scores, the FLACC scores of the intervention group were also significantly lower than those of the control group, both when entering the operating room waiting area ( 5.3 vs. 6.7, P < 0.05; 30 minutes after postoperative recovery: 2.1 vs. 4.9, P < 0.05). ConclusionsVideo-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence reduces the perioperative anxiety, pain and agitation of preschool children undergoing general anesthesia, and improved the compliance of anesthesia induction. It is recommended to promote this intervention measure in clinical practice.
7.Safety of teriflunomide in Chinese adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A phase IV, 24-week multicenter study.
Chao QUAN ; Hongyu ZHOU ; Huan YANG ; Zheng JIAO ; Meini ZHANG ; Baorong ZHANG ; Guojun TAN ; Bitao BU ; Tao JIN ; Chunyang LI ; Qun XUE ; Huiqing DONG ; Fudong SHI ; Xinyue QIN ; Xinghu ZHANG ; Feng GAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiawei WANG ; Xueqiang HU ; Yueting CHEN ; Jue LIU ; Wei QIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):452-458
BACKGROUND:
Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS.
METHODS:
This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide.
RESULTS:
Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n = 42) and wild type groups ( n = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study.
CONCLUSION:
ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients.
REGISTRATION
NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans
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Crotonates/adverse effects*
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Toluidines/adverse effects*
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Nitriles
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Hydroxybutyrates
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Female
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Male
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Adult
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics*
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics*
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Prospective Studies
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Young Adult
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Neoplasm Proteins/genetics*
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East Asian People
8.Paroxetine alleviates dendritic cell and T lymphocyte activation via GRK2-mediated PI3K-AKT signaling in rheumatoid arthritis.
Tingting LIU ; Chao JIN ; Jing SUN ; Lina ZHU ; Chun WANG ; Feng XIAO ; Xiaochang LIU ; Liying LV ; Xiaoke YANG ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Chao TAN ; Xianli WANG ; Wei WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):441-451
BACKGROUND:
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) could participate in the regulation of diverse cells via interacting with non-G-protein-coupled receptors. In the present work, we explored how paroxetine, a GRK2 inhibitor, modulates the differentiation and activation of immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
The blood samples of healthy individuals and RA patients were collected between July 2021 and March 2022 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were used to induce the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Flow cytometry analysis was used to characterize the differentiation and function of dendritic cells (DCs)/T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to explore the specific molecular mechanism.
RESULTS:
In patients with RA, high expression of GRK2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes, accompanied by the increases of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In animal model, a decrease in regulatory T cells (T regs ), an increase in the cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8 + ) T cells, and maturation of DCs were observed. Paroxetine, when used in vitro and in CIA mice, restrained the maturation of DCs and the differentiation of CD8 + T cells, and induced the proportion of T regs . Paroxetine inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 in DCs and T cells. Simultaneously, paroxetine upregulated the expression of programmed death ligand 1, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, paroxetine inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR metabolic pathway in both DCs and T cells. This was associated with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in the utilization of glucose and lipids, particularly in DCs. Paroxetine reversed PI3K-AKT pathway activation induced by 740 Y-P (a PI3K agonist) through inhibiting the interaction between GRK2 and PI3K in DCs and T cells.
CONCLUSION
Paroxetine exerts an immunosuppressive effect by targeting GRK2, which subsequently inhibits the metabolism-related PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway of DCs and T cells in RA.
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2/metabolism*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology*
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Animals
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Dendritic Cells/metabolism*
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Paroxetine/therapeutic use*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
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Mice
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Humans
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Male
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
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Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects*
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Female
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T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
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Middle Aged
9.Basiliximab is superior to low dose rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: The younger, the better.
Lan ZHU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wenjun SHANG ; Wenhua LIU ; Rula SA ; Zhiliang GUO ; Longshan LIU ; Jinghong TAN ; Hengxi ZHANG ; Yonghua FENG ; Wenyu ZHAO ; Wenqi CONG ; Jianyong WU ; Changxi WANG ; Gang CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):225-227
10.2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via PINK1/LETM1 Signaling Pathway
Hongyu ZENG ; Kaimei TAN ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Ziyang ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Xiuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):145-154
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, SAS (40 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1, respectively) THSG groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring, and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), autophagy-associated protein p62, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 (Caspase-9), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited increased infarct volume (P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.01), neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. (P<0.01), mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation, decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.01), downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.05), weakened PC12 viability (P<0.01), and elevated mitochondrial calcium level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes (P<0.05,P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.05,P<0.01), mitigated mitochondrial damage, and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01). Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage, increased Nissl bodies (P<0.05,P<0.01), downregulated the protein levels of p62, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level (P<0.05,P<0.01). High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability (P<0.01), increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), and reduced mitochondrial calcium (P<0.01). ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway, reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload, and promoting mitophagy.

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