1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Application of Huangkui Capsules in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review
Jia LUO ; Beile JIANG ; Qiuxiang HE ; Shilong LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):314-324
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a kidney disease caused by hyperglycemia,which is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Due to the high incidence of diabetes,the incidence of DKD has also increased year by year,and DKD has become a global public health problem. The pathogenesis of DKD is related to mechanisms such as oxidative stress,inflammation,renal fibrosis,and decreased mitophagy activity,which are developed under a variety of complex mechanisms. In traditional Chinese medicine,it is believed that the incidence of DKD is closely related to damp heat. Therefore,it is necessary to grasp the treatment method of clearing heat and removing dampness in clinical medication. Huangkui Capsules (HKC) have the effect of clearing damp heat,detoxifying, and detumescence. Because of its unique curative effect on DKD,HKC is often used in the treatment of DKD. HKC plays a role in the treatment of DKD with a variety of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes. In many laboratory studies,it has been found that the specific mechanisms of HKC in the treatment of DKD include increasing mitophagy,reducing mitochondrial damage,reducing renal fibrosis,controlling inflammatory response,and inhibiting oxidative stress,which can achieve the purpose of reducing renal damage and promoting renal function. Some clinical studies have also verified that the application of HKC alone can exert renal protective function through anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative stress,anti-renal fibrosis effects,as well as reduction of urinary protein. Since DKD is not a single injury of renal function,it is often accompanied by problems in blood pressure,blood lipids,blood circulation,body immunity, and other aspects. Therefore,the combination of HKC with other drugs can often achieve more comprehensive results,improve the advantages of various drugs,and improve the therapeutic effect. The combination of drugs such as antihypertensive,lipid-lowering, vascular circulation improvement,immunity inhibition,and anti-oxidative stress with HKC has achieved good results. In addition,HKC is often used in combination with other Chinese patent medicines in clinics. The application of HKC in the treatment of DKD has made some progress,but there are still many places worthy of further study,and the research on the mechanism of HKC is not comprehensive enough. The research on its long-term effect and safety in clinical application is relatively lacking,and the drug variety is relatively single when combined with certain drugs. These problems deserve further attention. Finally,it is necessary to pay attention to the promotion and application of HKC in clinical practice so that HKC can be better applied in clinical practice and better solve practical problems for patients.
3.Application of Huangkui Capsules in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review
Jia LUO ; Beile JIANG ; Qiuxiang HE ; Shilong LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):314-324
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a kidney disease caused by hyperglycemia,which is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Due to the high incidence of diabetes,the incidence of DKD has also increased year by year,and DKD has become a global public health problem. The pathogenesis of DKD is related to mechanisms such as oxidative stress,inflammation,renal fibrosis,and decreased mitophagy activity,which are developed under a variety of complex mechanisms. In traditional Chinese medicine,it is believed that the incidence of DKD is closely related to damp heat. Therefore,it is necessary to grasp the treatment method of clearing heat and removing dampness in clinical medication. Huangkui Capsules (HKC) have the effect of clearing damp heat,detoxifying, and detumescence. Because of its unique curative effect on DKD,HKC is often used in the treatment of DKD. HKC plays a role in the treatment of DKD with a variety of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes. In many laboratory studies,it has been found that the specific mechanisms of HKC in the treatment of DKD include increasing mitophagy,reducing mitochondrial damage,reducing renal fibrosis,controlling inflammatory response,and inhibiting oxidative stress,which can achieve the purpose of reducing renal damage and promoting renal function. Some clinical studies have also verified that the application of HKC alone can exert renal protective function through anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative stress,anti-renal fibrosis effects,as well as reduction of urinary protein. Since DKD is not a single injury of renal function,it is often accompanied by problems in blood pressure,blood lipids,blood circulation,body immunity, and other aspects. Therefore,the combination of HKC with other drugs can often achieve more comprehensive results,improve the advantages of various drugs,and improve the therapeutic effect. The combination of drugs such as antihypertensive,lipid-lowering, vascular circulation improvement,immunity inhibition,and anti-oxidative stress with HKC has achieved good results. In addition,HKC is often used in combination with other Chinese patent medicines in clinics. The application of HKC in the treatment of DKD has made some progress,but there are still many places worthy of further study,and the research on the mechanism of HKC is not comprehensive enough. The research on its long-term effect and safety in clinical application is relatively lacking,and the drug variety is relatively single when combined with certain drugs. These problems deserve further attention. Finally,it is necessary to pay attention to the promotion and application of HKC in clinical practice so that HKC can be better applied in clinical practice and better solve practical problems for patients.
4.Azaphilone derivatives with RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis inhibition from the mangrove endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp.
Miaoping LIN ; Yanhui TAN ; Humu LU ; Yuyao FENG ; Min LI ; Chenghai GAO ; Yonghong LIU ; Xiaowei LUO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(9):1143-1152
This study identified six novel azaphilones, isochromophilones G-L (1-6), and three novel biosynthetically related congeners (7-9) from Diaporthe sp. SCSIO 41011. The structures and absolute configurations were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses combined with experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Significantly, three highly oxygenated azaphilones contain an acetyl group at the terminal chain (4) or linear conjugated polyenoid moieties (5 and 6), which occur infrequently in the azaphilone family. Additionally, several compounds demonstrated inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages at 20 μmol·L-1. The novel compound (1) effectively inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation without exhibiting cytotoxicity in bone marrow and RAW 264.7 macrophages, indicating its potential as a promising lead compound for osteolytic disease treatment. This research presents the first documented evidence of azaphilone derivatives as inhibitors of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.
Animals
;
Mice
;
RANK Ligand/genetics*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Osteoclasts/metabolism*
;
Benzopyrans/isolation & purification*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Pigments, Biological/isolation & purification*
;
Ascomycota/chemistry*
;
NF-kappa B/genetics*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
5.Oncolytic virus-mediated base editing for targeted killing of cervical cancer cells.
Huanhuan XU ; Siwei LI ; Xi LUO ; Zuping ZHOU ; Changhao BI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1382-1394
Conventional cancer therapies, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, often damage normal cells and may induce new tumors. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) selectively target tumor cells while sparing normal cells. Most OVs used in clinical trials have been genetically engineered to enhance their ability to target tumor cells and activate immune responses. To develop a specific OV-based approach for treating cervical cancer, this study constructed an oncolytic adenovirus that delivered a base editor targeting oncogenes to achieve efficient killing of tumor cells through inhibiting tumor growth and directly lysing tumor cells. We utilized the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter to drive the expression of adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) and successfully constructed the P-hTERT-E1A-GFP vector, which was validated for its activity in cervical cancer cells. Given the critical role of the MYC oncogene in the research of oncology, identifying efficient editing sites for the MYC oncogene is a key step in this study.Three MYC-targeting gRNAs were engineered and co-delivered with ABE8e base editor plasmids into HEK293T cells. Following puromycin selection, Sanger sequencing demonstrated differential editing efficiencies: MYC-1 (43%), MYC-2 (25%), and MYC-3 (35%), identifying MYC-1 as the most efficient editing locus. By constructing the P-ABEs-hTERT-E1A-GFP and P-MYC gRNA-hTERT-E1A-GFP vectors, we successfully packaged the virus and confirmed its specificity and efficacy. The experimental results demonstrate that this novel oncolytic adenovirus effectively inhibits the growth of HeLa cells in vitro, providing new experimental evidence and potential strategies for treating cervical cancer based on the HeLa cell model.
Humans
;
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Oncolytic Viruses/genetics*
;
Female
;
HEK293 Cells
;
Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods*
;
Adenoviridae/genetics*
;
Gene Editing/methods*
;
Telomerase/genetics*
;
Adenovirus E1A Proteins/genetics*
;
Genetic Vectors/genetics*
;
HeLa Cells
6.Perioperative management of direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients and West China Hospital experiences.
Yu FENG ; Donglin ZHANG ; Faqing LIANG ; Guilin LUO ; Zhenggui DU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(10):1356-1362
OBJECTIVE:
To optimize the perioperative management experiences for breast cancer patients undergoing direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction, and provide reference for clinical practice.
METHODS:
A comprehensive review of recent domestic and international literature was conducted to systematically summarize the key points of perioperative management for direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction, including preoperative health education, intraoperative strategies, and postoperative management measures, along with an introduction to the clinical experiences of West China Hospital of Sichuan University.
RESULTS:
Standardized perioperative management can effectively reduce the incidence of complications and achieve excellent cosmetic outcomes and quality of life after operation. Preoperative management includes proactive health education to alleviate patients' anxiety and improve treatment compliance, as well as comprehensive assessment by surgeons of the patient's physical condition and reconstructive expectations to select the most appropriate implant. Intraoperative management consists of strict aseptic technique, minimizing implant exposure, preserving blood supply to the nipple-areola complex (e.g., by using minimally invasive techniques or indocyanine green angiography, etc), and meticulous hemostasis. Postoperative management encompasses multimodal analgesia, individualized drain management (such as early removal or retaining a small amount of fluid to optimize contour), infection prevention and control (including topical and systemic antibiotics, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive drainage), guidance on rehabilitation exercises (early activity restriction followed by gradual recovery), and regular follow-up to evaluate aesthetic results and monitor for complications.
CONCLUSION
Establishing a standardized, multidisciplinary perioperative management framework markedly enhances surgical safety and patient satisfaction, thereby providing a replicable benchmark for direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction across diverse clinical settings.
Humans
;
Female
;
Breast Neoplasms/surgery*
;
China
;
Perioperative Care/methods*
;
Breast Implants
;
Mammaplasty/methods*
;
Breast Implantation/methods*
;
Postoperative Complications/prevention & control*
;
Quality of Life
;
Mastectomy
7.Protective mechanism of nitrooleic acid on submandibular gland cell radiation injury in rats
Peiqi LIN ; Qinliang LUO ; Ligang ZHANG ; Guilin HUANG ; Jianhong TANG ; Nini ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(26):5520-5527
BACKGROUND:Recent studies have found that Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway activators have the characteristics of low toxicity and control,and have a protective effect against radiation tissue damage.OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether nitrooleic acid can protect submandibular gland epithelial cells from radiation injury by regulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.METHODS:Rat submandibular gland epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and CCK-8 assay was used to screen the optimal concentration and time of nitrooleic acid administration.Submandibular gland epithelial cells were divided into non-radiation group,radiation control group,nitrooleic acid group,nitrooleic acid+ML385(Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway specific inhibitor)group,and ML385 group.Submandibular gland cells were pretreated with nitrooleic acid and ML385 for 24 hous according to the experimental groups,and then irradiated with 5 Gy radiation to establish the models.At 48 hours after irradiation,CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation rate.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 mRNA in the cells.Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the cell secretion function and the expression of inflammatory factors.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe kit was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the radiation control group,the proliferation rate of submandibular gland epithelial cells and the expression levels of secretion function related factors aquaporin 5 and α-amylase in the nitrooleic acid group of rats increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 mRNA increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αdecreased(P<0.05),and reactive oxygen species generation reduced(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the nitrooleic acid group,the addition of nitrooleic acid and ML385 group resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation rate and expression levels of secretion function related factors aquaporin 5 and α-amylase(P<0.05),and mRNA expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 were all decreased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α increased(P<0.05),and generation of reactive oxygen species increased(P<0.05).(3)Results indicated that in the radiation environment,nitrooleic acid has a certain protective effect on the proliferation ability and secretion function of rat submandibular gland epithelial cells,reduces the expression of inflammatory factors,lowers intracellular reactive oxygen species levels,and alleviates the damage of rat submandibular gland epithelial cells caused by radiation.This function may be related to the activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
8.Protective mechanism of nitrooleic acid on submandibular gland cell radiation injury in rats
Peiqi LIN ; Qinliang LUO ; Ligang ZHANG ; Guilin HUANG ; Jianhong TANG ; Nini ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(26):5520-5527
BACKGROUND:Recent studies have found that Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway activators have the characteristics of low toxicity and control,and have a protective effect against radiation tissue damage.OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether nitrooleic acid can protect submandibular gland epithelial cells from radiation injury by regulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.METHODS:Rat submandibular gland epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and CCK-8 assay was used to screen the optimal concentration and time of nitrooleic acid administration.Submandibular gland epithelial cells were divided into non-radiation group,radiation control group,nitrooleic acid group,nitrooleic acid+ML385(Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway specific inhibitor)group,and ML385 group.Submandibular gland cells were pretreated with nitrooleic acid and ML385 for 24 hous according to the experimental groups,and then irradiated with 5 Gy radiation to establish the models.At 48 hours after irradiation,CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation rate.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 mRNA in the cells.Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the cell secretion function and the expression of inflammatory factors.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe kit was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the radiation control group,the proliferation rate of submandibular gland epithelial cells and the expression levels of secretion function related factors aquaporin 5 and α-amylase in the nitrooleic acid group of rats increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 mRNA increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αdecreased(P<0.05),and reactive oxygen species generation reduced(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the nitrooleic acid group,the addition of nitrooleic acid and ML385 group resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation rate and expression levels of secretion function related factors aquaporin 5 and α-amylase(P<0.05),and mRNA expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1 were all decreased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α increased(P<0.05),and generation of reactive oxygen species increased(P<0.05).(3)Results indicated that in the radiation environment,nitrooleic acid has a certain protective effect on the proliferation ability and secretion function of rat submandibular gland epithelial cells,reduces the expression of inflammatory factors,lowers intracellular reactive oxygen species levels,and alleviates the damage of rat submandibular gland epithelial cells caused by radiation.This function may be related to the activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
9.Associations of genetic variants in GLP-1R with blood pressure responses to dietary sodium and potassium interventions
Mingke CHANG ; Chao CHU ; Mingfei DU ; Hao JIA ; Yue SUN ; Guilin HU ; Xi ZHANG ; Dan WANG ; Wenjing LUO ; Yu YAN ; Ziyue MAN ; Yang WANG ; Jianjun MU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(2):212-218
【Objective】 To investigate the association between genetic variations in the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) gene and BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 A total of 514 subjects from 124 families were recruited in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, in 2004, resulting in the establishment of a "salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort" . The subjects followed a dietary regimen which involved a normal diet for 3 days, a low-salt diet for 7 days, a high-salt diet for 7 days, and a high-salt potassium-supplemented diet for 7 days. BP measurement was conducted at different intervention periods, and peripheral blood samples were collected. Additionally, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GLP-1R gene were genotyped using the MassARRAY detection platform. 【Results】 The GLP-1R gene SNP rs9462472 exhibited a significant association with systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure response to high-salt intervention. Similarly, SNP rs2268637 showed a significant association with systolic BP response to high-salt intervention. Furthermore, SNP rs2268637 was significantly associated with systolic BP and mean arterial pressure responses to high-salt plus potassium supplementation intervention. 【Conclusion】 Our findings indicate a significant association of genetic variations in the GLP-1R gene with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. This suggests that the GLP-1R gene plays a role in the regulation of BP salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.
10.Drug Appearance Recognition Based on Object Detection
Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Jianzhi DENG ; Jun LUO ; Jiaqing XU
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(7):983-989
OBJECTIVE
In the process of drug dispensing, using computer vision technology to identify drugs is vulnerable to the influence of lighting, angle, packaging and other factors, which will produce large identification errors. Therefore, this paper proposes an object detection algorithm for drug appearance recognition(YOLOv4-GhostNet-CMB).
METHODS
Firstly, the algorithm redesigned the backbone feature extraction network in YOLOv4 by using GhostNet. Secondly, the CA attention model was brought into the Ghost module, aggregate features along horizontal and vertical directions to enhance the precise positioning of drugs. Finally, Bi-FPN feature pyramid structure was introduced to connect with the new backbone, and added a feature graph output which could enhance feature extraction and improved the detection accuracy of drugs.
RESULTS
The experimental results show that the average detection accuracy of YOLOv4-GhostNet-CMB algorithm reached 92.24%, which was a significant improvement of 4.49% compared with YOLOv4 algorithm in term of detection accuracy.
CONCLUSION
The model size is only 150 MB, nd this algorithm can effectively identify drugs.


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