BACKGROUND:Acupuncture at Xinshu(BL 15)can significantly improve cardiac function and protect myocardial cells in acute myocardial ischemia,but the effect and mechanism of thread embedding treatment at Xinshu(BL 15)on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia are yet unclear.Nuclear factor κB activation often appears as an intranuclear translocation of the P65 isoform,and activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway is marked by elevated P65 levels.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of thread embedding pretreatment at Xinshu(BL 15)on cardiac function and the expression levels of interleukin-10,tumor necrosis factor-α,P65 genes and proteins in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.METHODS:Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group,and a non-meridian/non-acupoint group using a random number table method,with eight rats in each group.Rat models of acute myocardial ischemia were established in the latter three groups.The Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group had thread embedding at Xinshu(BL 15)for 14 days,followed by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol hydrochloride into the back to establish an acute myocardial ischemia rat model.The non-meridian/non-acupoint group had local thread embedding for 14 days,and the rest procedures were the same as above.In the model group,Xinshu(BL 15)was only marked,and the rest procedures were the same as above.In the blank group,Xinshu(BL 15)was only marked,and then an equal amount of physiological saline was injected subcutaneously into the back.After 24 hours of modeling,electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound were performed.Abdominal aorta blood was extracted for detection of serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Subsequently,the rats were euthanized and samples were collected.Hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining were used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue and the apoptosis of myocardial cells.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-10,and P65 in myocardial tissue respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Electrocardiogram:Compared with the blank group,the model group,non-meridian/non-acupoint group,and Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group had significantly elevated ST segment in lead Ⅱ of the electrocardiogram.(2)Cardiac ultrasound:Compared with the model group,the Left ventricular end-systolic dimension in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group were significantly reduced(P＜0.05),while left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening rate were significantly increased(P＜0.05).(4)Serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme:Compared with the model group,the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group showed a significant decrease in serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme levels(P＜0.05).(4)Hematoxylin-eosin staining:Compared with the model group,the arrangement of myocardial fibers in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was basically neat,with less edema and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.(5)TUNEL staining:Compared with the model group,the fluorescence intensity of myocardial cell apoptosis in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was significantly reduced,and its apoptosis rate was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(6)RT-qPCR and western blot:Compared with the model group,the myocardial tissue interleukin-10 level in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),while tumor necrosis factor-α and P65 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).These findings indicate that thread embedding pretreatment at Xinshu(BL 15)can improve cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial ischemia,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Acupuncture at Xinshu(BL 15)can significantly improve cardiac function and protect myocardial cells in acute myocardial ischemia,but the effect and mechanism of thread embedding treatment at Xinshu(BL 15)on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia are yet unclear.Nuclear factor κB activation often appears as an intranuclear translocation of the P65 isoform,and activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway is marked by elevated P65 levels.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of thread embedding pretreatment at Xinshu(BL 15)on cardiac function and the expression levels of interleukin-10,tumor necrosis factor-α,P65 genes and proteins in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.METHODS:Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group,and a non-meridian/non-acupoint group using a random number table method,with eight rats in each group.Rat models of acute myocardial ischemia were established in the latter three groups.The Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group had thread embedding at Xinshu(BL 15)for 14 days,followed by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol hydrochloride into the back to establish an acute myocardial ischemia rat model.The non-meridian/non-acupoint group had local thread embedding for 14 days,and the rest procedures were the same as above.In the model group,Xinshu(BL 15)was only marked,and the rest procedures were the same as above.In the blank group,Xinshu(BL 15)was only marked,and then an equal amount of physiological saline was injected subcutaneously into the back.After 24 hours of modeling,electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound were performed.Abdominal aorta blood was extracted for detection of serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Subsequently,the rats were euthanized and samples were collected.Hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining were used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue and the apoptosis of myocardial cells.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-10,and P65 in myocardial tissue respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Electrocardiogram:Compared with the blank group,the model group,non-meridian/non-acupoint group,and Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group had significantly elevated ST segment in lead Ⅱ of the electrocardiogram.(2)Cardiac ultrasound:Compared with the model group,the Left ventricular end-systolic dimension in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group were significantly reduced(P＜0.05),while left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening rate were significantly increased(P＜0.05).(4)Serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme:Compared with the model group,the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group showed a significant decrease in serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme levels(P＜0.05).(4)Hematoxylin-eosin staining:Compared with the model group,the arrangement of myocardial fibers in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was basically neat,with less edema and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.(5)TUNEL staining:Compared with the model group,the fluorescence intensity of myocardial cell apoptosis in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was significantly reduced,and its apoptosis rate was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(6)RT-qPCR and western blot:Compared with the model group,the myocardial tissue interleukin-10 level in the Xinshu(BL 15)acupoint group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),while tumor necrosis factor-α and P65 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).These findings indicate that thread embedding pretreatment at Xinshu(BL 15)can improve cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial ischemia,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on platelet function and inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with ischemic stroke， and to analyze potential factors associated with poor prognosis. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on elderly patients with ischemic stroke admitted to our hospital from June 2024 to June 2025， wh o underwent CYP2C19 genotype testing and received antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel. The levels of platelet function indicators and inflammatory cytokines before and after treatment were compared among patients with different metabolic phenotypes. Based on the prognosis at 6 months post-treatment， patients were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group. Univariate analysis was performed on general data， metabolic phenotype， the levels of platelet function indicators and inflammatory cytokines. Variables with P ＜0.05 and the levels of inflammatory cytokines before treatment were included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Multiple linear regression was used to further analyze the relationship between metabolic phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS A total of 448 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were included； among them， 162 cases were normal metabolic phenotype， 218 were intermediate metabolic phenotype， and 68 were poor metabolic phenotype. No rapid or ultrarapid metabolic phenotypes were observed. After treatment， platelet aggregation rate， the levels of P-selectin and platelet activated complex-1 （PAC-1）， high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein （hs-CRP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the normal metabolic phenotype group， intermediate metabolic phenotype group， and poor metabolic phenotype group （except for platelet aggregation rate， and the levels of P-selectin and PAC-1 in the poor metabolic phenotype group） were significantly lower than those before treatment in the same group. Moreover， the above indicators in the normal metabolic phenotype group were significantly lower than those in the intermediate and poor metabolic phenotype groups at the corresponding time， and the levels of platelet function indicators in the intermediate metabolic phenotype group were significantly lower than those in the poor metabol ic phenotype group at the corresponding time （ P ＜0.05）. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that combined with hypertension， combined with diabetes mellitus， and intermediate or poor metabolic genotypes were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in elderly patients with ischemic stroke （ P ＜0.05）. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum levels of hs-CRP， IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α before treatment were significantly higher in patients with intermediate and poor metabolic genotypes compared to those with normal metabolic genotype （ P ＜0.05）， with a greater magnitude of increase in inflammatory cytokines observed in the patients with poor metabolic genotype. CONCLUSIONS The elderly ischemic stroke patients with CYP2C19 intermediate and poor metabolic genotypes have poor inhibition effect on platelet and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than normal metabolic genotype； CYP2C19 gene polymorphism， and in combination with hypertension and diabetes， can be used as independent predictors of poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect and potential mechanism of chikusetsu saponin Ⅳ a （chsⅣ） on renal function in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model rats. METHODS DN rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Thirty-six model rats were randomly divided into model group （i.g. administration of normal saline， high-fat diet）， chsⅣ low-dose and high-dose groups （i.g. administration of 90， 180 mg/kg chsⅣ， high-fat diet）， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normal rats were set as the control group （i.g. administration of normal saline， regular diet）. From the 5th to the 12th week after streptozotocin injection， they were given intragastric administration of relevant drug or normal saline， once a day. After the last medication， the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine and urine protein as well as the levels of reduced glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in renal tissues were measured. Additionally， the insulin resistance index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-Schiff， and Masson staining techniques were employed to examine the histopathological alterations in the renal tissue. The expressions of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot methods. RESULTS Compared with model group， the histomorphological of renal tissues in the chsⅣ low- and high-dose groups were significantly improved， with significant decreases in renal histological scores， mesangial expansion index， and glomerulosclerosis scores （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine， urine protein and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance， as well as MDA content， the expression levels of Notch1， Notch intracellular domain， hairy and enhancer of Split 1 and Delta-like protein 1 in renal tissue were all significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. The levels of GSH and SOD in renal tissue were significantly elevated （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the improvement in these indicators was significantly more pronounced in the chsⅣ high-dose group compared to the chsⅣ low-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ChsⅣ can ameliorate renal pathological damage and functional impairment in DN rats. Its underlying mechanisms include restoration of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity， attenuation of renal oxidative stress， and suppression of aberrant Notch signaling pathway activation.

Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Background and aims The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown. Methods The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation. Results Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways. Conclusions PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of circ-0058063 regulating ERK/MAPK signaling pathway on ferroptosis in esophageal cancer cells.Methods EC9706 cells were randomly divided into the Control group,the si-NC group,the si-circ-0058063 group,and the si-circ-0058063+ISO group.qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circ-0058063 in esophageal cancer tissues and cells;CCK-8 and clone formation assay were used to detect the cell proliferation ability.The levels of Fe2+,malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells were detected.Western blot was used to detect the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway and the expression of ferroptosis-related protein in cells.Results The expression level of circ-0058063 in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.05);the expression level of circ-0058063 in human esophageal cancer cell EC9706 was significantly higher than that in human normal esophageal epithelial cell HEEC(P<0.05).Compared with the Control group,the expression level of circ-0058063 in cells,cell survival rate,number of cloned cells,GSH level,ratios of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK,as well as the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein in the si-circ-0058063 group were significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the levels of Fe2+,MDA,and ROS in cells were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the si-circ-0058063 group,the expression level of circ-0058063 in cells,cell survival rate,number of cloned cells,GSH level,ratios of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK,as well as the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein in the si-circ-0058063+ISO group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the levels of Fe2+,MDA,and ROS in cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Knockdown of circ-0058063 can inhibit the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells and induce ferroptosis,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of ERK/MAPK signaling pathway activation.

Aim To study whether intravenous injec-tion of miR-129-3p mimetic(agomir)can resist bone loss caused by hind limb disuse,and to provide new i-deas for preventing bone loss in microgravity environ-ment.Methods Forty-eight C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the control group(CON),tail suspension model group(TS),tail suspension+miR-129-3p agomir administration group(miRNA)and tail suspension+miR-129-3p negative sequence agomir control group(NC).The miRNA group was given 4 mg·kg-1 miR-129-3p agomir by intravenous injection into the medial canthus twice a week.The NC agomir group were consistent with those in the miR-129-3p agomir group,and the CON and TS groups were given only equal volumes of normal saline.After four weeks,all mice were sacrificed and samples were collected.Micro-CT scan of femur,three-point femur bending test,serum bone metabolism index detection,oxidative stress index detection and osteogenesis-related protein expression analysis in bone tissue were per-formed.Results After four weeks,the number of tra-becular bone in the TS group was significantly re-duced,and Tb.BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,Tb.BS/TV and Tb.BV/TV were significantly lower than those in the CON group(P＜0.01).While Tb.Sp TS group was significantly higher than the CON group(P＜0.05),the maximum load and flexural strength of the femur significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the content of ser-um bone formation index PINP was significantly lower than that of the CON group(P＜0.01),and the con-tent of bone resorption index CTX-I was significantly higher than that of the CON group(P＜0.01),the content of serum oxidative damage indexes 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the expression of osteogenesis-related pro-teins in bone tissue markedly decreased(P＜0.01).However,the increase or decrease of all indexes in miRNA group was significantly lower than that in TS group.Conclusions miR-129-3p mimetic can signifi-cantly reduce bone loss caused by hind limb disuse.This experiment provides a new idea and method for preventing bone loss in microgravity environment.