1.Diabetes-associated sleep fragmentation impairs liver and heart function via SIRT1-dependent epigenetic modulation of NADPH oxidase 4.
Yuanfang GUO ; Jie WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Quanli CHENG ; Jiahao LI ; Ting GAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Guangping LU ; Mingrui LIU ; Xun GUAN ; Xinyu TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1480-1496
Although clinical evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an established major risk factor for heart failure, it remains unexplored whether sleep disorder-caused hepatic damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, our findings revealed that sleep fragmentation (SF) displayed notable hepatic detrimental phenotypes, including steatosis and oxidative damage, along with significant abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. All these pathological changes persisted even after sleep recovery for 2 consecutive weeks or more, displaying memory properties. Mechanistically, persistent higher expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver was the key initiator of SF-accelerated damage phenotypes. SF epigenetically controlled the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) enrichment at the Nox4 promoter and markedly increased Nox4 expression in liver even after sleep recovery. Moreover, fine coordination of the circadian clock and hepatic damage was strictly controlled by BMAL1-dependent Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) transcription after circadian misalignment. Accordingly, genetic manipulation of liver-specific Nox4 or Sirt1, along with pharmacological intervention targeting NOX4 (GLX351322) or SIRT1 (Resveratrol), could effectively erase the epigenetic modification of Nox4 by reducing the H3K27ac level and ameliorate the progression of liver pathology, thereby counteracting SF-evoked sustained CVD. Collectively, our findings may pave the way for strategies to mitigate myocardial injury from persistent hepatic detrimental memory in diabetic patients.
2.Melatonin receptor 1a alleviates sleep fragmentation-aggravated testicular injury in T2DM by suppression of TAB1/TAK1 complex through FGFR1.
Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyu TANG ; Ting GAO ; Yuanfang GUO ; Guangping LU ; Qingbo LIU ; Jiahao LI ; Jie WANG ; Mingrui LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3591-3610
A major obstacle in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sleep fragmentation (SF), which negatively affects testicular function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that SF induces testicular damage through a mechanism involving lipid metabolism, specifically mediated by melatonin (MEL) receptor 1a (MT1). T2DM mice with SF intervention displayed several deleterious phenotypes such as apoptosis, deregulated lipid metabolism, and impaired testicular function. Unexpectedly, sleep recovery (SR) for 2 consecutive weeks could not completely abrogate SF's detrimental effects on lipid deposition and testicular function. Interestingly, MEL and MT1 agonist 2-iodomelatonin (2IM) effectively improved lipid homeostasis, highlighting MEL/2IM as a promising therapeutic drug for SF-trigged testicular damage. Mechanistically, MEL and 2IM activated FGFR1 and sequentially restrained the crosstalk and physical interaction between TAB1 and TAK1, which ultimately suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1 to block lipid deposition and cell apoptosis caused by SF. The ameliorating effect of MEL/2IM was overtly nullified in Fgfr1 knockout (Fgfr1-KO +/- ) diabetic mice. Meanwhile, testicular-specific overexpression of Tak1 abolished the protective effect of FGF1mut on diabetic mouse testis. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the testicular pathogenesis associated with SF and propose a novel therapeutic approach for addressing male infertility in T2DM.
3.Efficacy of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation combined with limbal relaxing incision in treatment of cataract patients with corneal astigmatism
Guangping GAO ; Xiaoliang ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yanzhi SANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(4):545-549
Objective To investigate the corrective effect of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation combined with limbal relaxing incision(LRI)on cataract patients with corneal astigmatism.Methods A total of 39 patients(41 eyes)with cataract complicated by corneal astigmatism(the astigmatism was-2.0 to-0.5 D)who visited Department of Ophthalmology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Sep.2023 to May 2024 were enrolled.During phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation,LRI was performed to correct corneal astigmatism.Preoperative corneal astigmatism was measured using corneal topography and IOLMaster.Corneal astigmatism was re-examined 1 and 3 months after surgery,and Alpins method was used to analyze the changes of corneal astigmation before surgery and 1 month after surgery.The primary vector parameters,such as target induced astigmatism vector(TIA),surgically induced astigmatism vector(SIA),difference vector(DV),correction index and flattening index(FI),were observed.Results The preoperative corneal astigmatism was(-1.07+0.27)D,which was decreased to(-0.53+0.23)D 1 month postoperatively and(-0.55+0.24)D 3 months postoperatively(both P<0.05).Vector analysis of corneal astigmatism showed that the TIA was(1.07+0.27)D,SIA was(0.99+0.42)D,DV was(0.53+0.24)D;correction index was 0.93+0.36(the ideal value is 1),suggesting slight undercorrection;the median of the angle of error had an absolute value of 18.15°,and the interquartile range was 15.19°;and the flattening effect was(0.70+0.45)D,the FI was 0.65+0.42,and the success rate was(50.42+19.29)%.Conclusion The combination of LRI with cataract surgery for correcting corneal astigmatism has demonstrated favorable corrective outcomes,especially for the correction of low to moderate corneal astigmatism.
4.Distribution of potential suitable habitats for Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province based on the maximum entropy model
Yue WANG ; Yaming ZHANG ; Shuang YUAN ; Yang DING ; Xin GUAN ; Shengnan GAO ; Guangping SONG ; Lei TANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(11):885-890
Objective:To investigate the distribution of potential suitable habitats for Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province during different climatic periods. Methods:The geographical location data of Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province from 1980 to 2023 were collected through literature search and field ecological investigation. The environmental factor variables were downloaded from the WorldClim website and the Resource and Environmental Science and Data Platform. A combination of SDMtune, ENMTools packages, and the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model were used to predict the potential habitats of Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province during different climatic periods and determine its dominant environmental factors. Among them, the time range of historical climatic period data was 1970 - 2000. The future climatic period data (2021 - 2040, 2041 - 2060) were selected as the low forcing scenario (SSP126 scenario) of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) in the Beijing Climate Center - Climate System Model version 2-Medium Resolution, to simulate the impact of global warming on the distribution of potential habitats for Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province. Results:A total of 83 geographical distribution sites of Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province were obtained. After screening, 10 environmental factors were included in the MaxEnt model. Among them, the cumulative contribution percentage of annual precipitation, average annual temperature, and vegetation type was 67.3%. Compared with historical climatic period, the total potential habitats of Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province increased from 29.81 × 10 4 km 2 to 32.24 × 10 4 km 2 in 2041 - 2060. The center of potential habitats moved to 47.75° N, and 128.66° E, with a northwest offset of 126.07° and a migration distance of 45.83 km. Conclusion:With global climate warming, the total potential habitats of Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang Province has increased, showing an overall trend of migration to the northwest.
5.Clinical characteristics of patients with migraine accompanied by tremor
Zenghui FU ; Yan JIN ; Zaihong LIN ; Yan JIANG ; Shu DU ; Jing LIU ; Guangping ZHANG ; Yang LIU ; Huili YU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(1):68-74
Objective:Migraine and tremor share some genetic mutation sites,and clinical studies have also confirmed their correlation.This study aims to explore the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of migraine patients with concomitant tremor,and to analyze the relevant influential factors of tremor occurrence. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 217 migraine patients who visited the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University from June 2022 to October 2023.The Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor(CRST),Numerical Rating Scale(NRS),Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7),and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)were respectively used to assess the tremor symptoms,degree of headache,anxiety,and depression of patients.All patients underwent routine head MR scanning and electromyography examination,and were divided into a migraine with tremor group and a migraine without tremor group based on the electromyogram examination. Results:The migraine with tremor group and the migraine without tremor group were included 52 patients(23.96%)and 165 patients(76.04%),respectively.Compared with the migraine without tremor group,the migraine with tremor group had a longer course and duration of headache,higher frequency of headache attacks,higher NRS score,GAD-7 score,and PHQ-9 score,and fewer weekly physical exercises.The differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the presence or absence of prodromal headache and white matter hyperintensities(WMHs)between the 2 groups(both P>0.05).The evaluation results of the CRST showed that out of 217 migraine patients,39 patients(17.97%)were accompanied by tremors.The electromyographic results showed that all 52 migraine patients with tremors had upper limb tremors,including 28 migraine patients with postural tremors and 24 migraine patients with static tremors.Compared with the migraine patients with static tremors,the migraine patients with postural tremors had lower average frequency,peak frequency,and headache onset frequency(all P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that frequency of physical exercise,duration of illness,frequency of headache attacks,NRS score,GAD-7 score,and PHQ-9 score were risk factors for migraine patients with concomitant tremors(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with migraine mainly experience upper limb postural tremors.Reduced physical exercise,long course of disease,long duration of headache,frequent headache attacks,severe headache,anxiety,and depression are risk factors for migraine patients with concomitant tremors.
6.Mechanism of Nephrotoxicity Induced by Ecliptasaponin A Based on Computational Toxicology
Han LI ; Ling SONG ; Yunhang GAO ; Tengfei CHEN ; Suzhen MU ; Weiya CHEN ; Guangping ZHANG ; Wang HUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):72-80
ObjectiveTo predict the potential nephrotoxic components in traditional Chinese medicine health food products based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Toxicity Alert System and Basic Toxicology Database (TCMTAS-BTD), screen and validate the predicted components by cell and animal experiments, and decipher the mechanism of nephrotoxicity by network pharmacology. MethodTCMTAS-BTD was utilized to predict the toxicity of 3 540 compounds found in the catalogue of traditional Chinese health food ingredients. In the cell experiment, the top 5 compounds with high toxicity probability were screened by measurement of cell proliferation and viability (CCK-8) and high-content screening. ICR mice were randomized into a control group, a low-dose (2.91 mg·kg-1·d-1) ecliptasaponin A, and a high-dose (29.1 mg·kg-1·d-1) ecliptasaponin A group, with 10 mice in each group, and treated continuously for 28 days. During the experiment, the general conditions of the rats were observed, and the kidney index was calculated. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the serum as well as the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the renal tissue were measured. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential pathways of nephrotoxicity. Finally, the pathway-associated proteins were validated by Western blot. ResultThe top 5 compounds with high probability of nephrotoxicity were ecliptasaponin A, chrysophanol, rutaecarpine, tanshinoneⅠ, and geniposidic acid. In the cell experiment, CCK-8 results showed that 10 μmol·L-1 ecliptasaponin A, 60 μmol·L-1 chrysophanol, 40 μmol·L-1 rutaecarpine, and 20 μmol·L-1 tanshinone I altered the viability of HK-2 cells. High-content analysis showed that 10 μmol·L-1 ecliptasaponin A, chrysophanol, rutaecarpine, and tanshinone Ⅰ reduced the cell number (P<0.05, P<0.01). The animal experiment showed that the mice in the high-dose ecliptasaponin A group presented slow movement, slow weight gain (P<0.01), increased kidney index (P<0.01), elevated SCr, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), and lowered SOD level (P<0.01). Mild histopathological changes were observed in the high-dose ecliptasaponin A group. The network pharmacology results showed that the key targets of nephrotoxicity induced by ecliptasaponin A were mainly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, prostatic cancer and lipid and atherosclerosis pathways. Western blot results verified that high dose of ecliptasaponin A raised the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt (P<0.01). ConclusionOn day 28 of administration, 29.1 mg·kg-1 ecliptasaponin A was found to induce renal injury in rats. The mechanism may be related with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which implied that excessive and prolonged usage of Ecliptae Herba may increase the incidence of adverse drug reactions.
7.16S rDNA Sequencing Reveals Effect of Tanreqing Injection on Pulmonary Flora in Rat Model of COPD
Qian LUO ; Rui FU ; Bo PENG ; Weiya CHEN ; Xiaolu WEI ; Tengfei CHEN ; Ling SONG ; Yunhang GAO ; Guangping ZHANG ; Hongping HOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):98-103
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Tanreqing injection (TRQ) on the pulmonary flora in the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodWistar rats were randomized into control, model, and TRQ groups. The rats in other groups except the control group were treated by smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide for the modeling of COPD. The TRQ group was intraperitoneally injected with TRQ (2 g·kg-1). At the end of the experiment, after blood collection from the abdominal aorta of the rats, the lung tissue was collected for hematoxylin-eosin and picric sirius red staining to reveal the pathological changes. The lung lavage fluid was collected, and the diversity and relative abundance of lung flora in different groups were analyzed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. ResultThe lungs of the control group were normal, and those of the model group showed neutrophil infiltration, telangiectasia, lung hemorrhage and emphysema in individual cases, and thickening of collagen fibers in the trachea. Compared with the model group, the TRQ group showed significantly improved lungs and recovered collagen fibers. The MLI analysis showed that compared with the control group, the model group showcased increased alveolar space (P<0.01), which was reduced in the TRQ group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased wall thickness (P<0.01), and the increase was attenuated in the TRQ group (P<0.01). TRQ increased the Simpson index and altered the α diversity of pulmonary flora. The results of principal co-ordinate analysis showed that TRQ changed the β diversity and reduced the β diversity index of pulmonary flora. At the genus level, the model group showed increased relative abundance of g_Bacillus and g_Brevundimonas and decreased relative abundance of g_Pseudomonas, compared with the control group. After treatment with TRQ, the relative abundance of g_Stenotrophomonas increased, and that of g_Bacillus decreased. The LEfSe of differential taxa between groups showed that the modeling increased the relative abundance of g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and TRQ treatment increased the relative abundance of g_Rhodococcus and g_Stenotrophomonas. ConclusionTRQ can regulate the diversity of pulmonary flora and restore the balance of bacterial genera in the rat model of COPD, which may be one of the mechanisms of the prevention and treatment of COPD with TRQ.
8.Ganmai Dazao Tang Treats Breast Cancer-related Depression via MAPK/NF-κB Signling Pathway
Jieyuan LIU ; Yanli WANG ; Delian NIU ; Mengting LI ; Lijinchuan DONG ; Xinmin LIU ; Hongping HOU ; Guangping ZHANG ; Ying CHEN ; Bo PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):170-178
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Ganmai Dazao Tang on breast cancer-related depression and explore the mechanism of the decoction in regulating immune inflammation and neurotransmitters via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. MethodBALB/c mice were randomized into control, model, fluoxetine (5 mg·kg-1·d-1), and low- and high-dose (crude drug 20 and 40 g·kg-1, respectively) Ganmai Dazao Tang groups (n=10). The mouse model of 4T1 orthotopic transplantation-induced breast cancer-related depression-like behavior was established. The depression-like behavior of mice was assessed by the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. RT-qPCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, forkhead box P3 (FoxP3),IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cerebral cortex. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the proportions of immune cell subsets in the spleen and thymus. HPLC-MS/MS was employed to measure neurotransmitter levels in the cerebral cortex. Western blotting was employed to detect the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. ResultCompared with the model group, administration of Ganmai Dazao Tang at a dose of 40 g crude drug·kg-1 continuously for 4 weeks shortened the immobility time of modeled mice in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests (P<0.05), down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF-α (P<0.05), increased the proportions of T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, helper T 17 (Th17) cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells, and reduced the proportion of CD8+ T cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, it lowered the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and kynurenine (Kyn), decreased the kynurenine/tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio (P<0.05), increased the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated p38 MAPK, and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (P<0.05). ConclusionGanmai Dazao Tang can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF-α, restore 5-HT metabolism and Kyn/Trp balance, increase the 5-HT content, and reduce the activation of p38 MAPK, ERK, and the MAPK-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammation in the treatment of cancer-related depression.
9.Construction and Experimental Validation of Chemically-induced Cough Model Based on Cough Waveforms
Yunhang GAO ; Ling JIA ; Han LI ; Ling SONG ; Cong GUO ; Tengfei CHEN ; Hongping HOU ; Weiya CHEN ; Guangping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):230-236
ObjectiveTo construct a cough model induced by chemical stimuli by whole-body plethysmography (WBP) for counting coughs based on cough waveforms, and use this model to explore the antitussive effect of GK-A. MethodDifferent chemical stimuli were used to induce coughs in mice or guinea pigs. Respiratory waveforms were monitored by WBP, and the recognizable and typical cough waveforms were selected for cough counting. Guinea pigs were induced to cough with different concentrations of citric acid or capsaicin, and cough waveforms were used to optimize the stimulation conditions. The optimized guinea pig model of cough was validated with dextromethorphan, and the optimized guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough was used to evaluate the antitussive effect of GK-A. ResultWBP could count the coughs induced by capsaicin and citric acid in guinea pigs by recognizable and typical respiratory waveforms. The optimized stimulation conditions were capsaicin concentration of 100 µmol·L-1 and nebulization for 2 min. The validation results showed that compared with the model group, the dextromethorphan group of guinea pigs had reduced coughs (P<0.05) and prolonged cough latency (P<0.01). GK-A prolonged the cough latency (P<0.05) and reduced coughs (P<0.05) in the mouse model of ammonia-induced cough. In the guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough, GK-A prolonged cough latency (P<0.05), reduced coughs (P<0.05), and decreased substance P (SP) content in the guinea pig serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionA guinea pig model of capsaicin-induced cough was successfully established based on cough waveform counting, which provided an objective and accurate cough counting method. GK-A has antitussive effects, possibly by inhibiting the neuropeptide SP.
10.Identification of the RHD novel allele c. 801+2T>G and study of its effect on RhD phenotype in vitro
Shuangshuang JIA ; Jizhi WEN ; Ling WEI ; Runqing ZHANG ; Guangping LUO ; Yanli JI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(12):1427-1431
[Abstract] [Objective] To further identify the RhD phenotype and RHD genotype in the individual who have RhD negative phenotype in the primary screening, and to analyze the effect of c. 801+2T>G mutation on RhD phenotype by minigene splicing assay. [Methods] The serologic test was performed for RhD phenotype identification and absorption-elution test was performed by using monoclonal anti-D. Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the sequence of RHD genes and the newly identified splicing site mutations of RHD genes were used to construct pSplicePOLR2G micro gene expression plasmids. By using an in vitro micro gene splicing system, the mRNA splicing results were detected and analyzed using agarose and capillary electrophoresis to predict their impact on RhD phenotype. [Results] The serological test results showed that the patient's blood type was RhD-negative, but the anti-D absorption-elution test was positive, indicating a Del phenotype. The rare genotype RHD*(1227A/801+2G) was identified in this individual. The c. 801+2T>G was a novel mutation at 5'-splice site of intron 5. The minigene splicing assay showed that c. 801+2T>G resulted in a complete skipping of RHD exon 5 in the mature transcript, forming a transcript without exon 5. [Conclusion] An individual carrying a novel mutation c. 801+2T>G in the RHD gene was found to exhibit a Del phenotype, but also carry the Asian Del allele c. 1227G>A. It was speculated that the c. 801+2T>G mutation caused RhD negative or Del phenotype based on the results of minigene splicing assay in vitro.

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