1.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
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.
2.Characterization of the genetic evolution of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae in selected areas of Qinghai
Zhi LI ; Hai-ning ZHANG ; Xue-yong ZHANG ; Hong DUO ; Xiu-ying SHEN ; Hong YIN ; Yong FU ; Zhi-hong GUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):419-426
The study was aimed at identifying the diversity of tick species in selected areas of Qinghai,to analyze the genetic differentiation characteristics of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR),and to provide the theoretical basis for SFGR prevention and control in the region.The 16S rRNA gene was used for molecular biological identification of 446 collected tick samples,and the infection characteristics of SFGR in tick samples were determined according to the SFGR outer membrane protein A(ompA)gene.Haplotype analysis,phylogenetic tree construction,and estimation of differentiation times for SFGR were conducted in DNASP v6,IQ-tree v2.2.0,and BEAST v2.7.4 software.The obtained 446 tick samples belonged to three categories:(1)Haemaphy-salis spp.,including Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis(n=192)and H.danieli(n=37);(2)Dermacentor spp.,including Dermacentor ever-estianus(n=121),D.nuttalli(n=55),and D.silvarum(n=36);and(3)Hyalomma marginatum(n=5).Rickettsia raoultii was de-tected in D.everestianus,D.silvarum,D.nuttalli,H.qinghaiensis,and H.danieli,with infection rates of 95.9%,80.6%,69.1%,4.1%,and 2.7%,respectively.R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 was found only in D.silvarum and D.nuttalli,with infection rates of 5.6%and 1.8%,respectively.The Candidatus R.gannanii F107 was found in H.danieli and H.qinghaiensis,with infection rates of 16.2%and 7.8%,respectively.Ca.R.hongyuanensis was detected only in H.qinghaiensis,with a prevalence of 16.3%.The prevalence of R.aeschlimannii was 20%and 2.7%in Hy.marginatum and H.danieli,respectively.Haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism analy-ses revealed 13 haplotypes in R.raoultii,with haplotype H13 as the dominant haplotype(42/192);seven haplotypes in Ca.R.ganna-nii F107,with haplotype H4 as the dominant haplotype(4/18);and three haplotypes in Ca.R.hongyuanensis,with haplotype H1 as the dominant haplotype(11/13).The phylogenetic tree indicated that the sequences of R.raoultii in selected areas of Qinghai and R.rhipicephali clustered into one branch;Ca.R.hongyuanensis and Ca.R.gannanii F107 clustered into one branch;and R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 clustered into one branch with R.sibirica.Estimates of differentiation time revealed that the mean differentiation time for the six Rickettsia was approximately 2 000 Mya(95%CI:1 999.08-2 001.02 Mya).The tick species distributed in selected ar-eas of Qinghai are diverse,and this study provides the first report of Hy.marginatum in Qinghai Province.SFGR significantly varied in prevalence among tick species and showed high genetic diversity.
3.Standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing surgical module of new-type tent hospital system
Zeng-biao SU ; Bin-hong PEI ; Er-xiang XU ; Hai-ying CHEN ; Jia-na CHEN ; Jin-shen PAN ; Yi-feng HUANG ; Qian XU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):74-79
Objective To explore the scheme for the deployment and withdrawal of the surgical module of the new-type tent hospital system.Methods A set of standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system was proposed and implemented in terms of labor division,operation precedure,operation technique and precaution.The operating time,number of operational errors and number of equipment damages were recorded for each of the five deployment and withdrawal operations before and after the program was executed,and the team members'immediate heart rate,percentage of maximum heart rate(MHR)and rating of perceived exercise(RPE)at the end of the operation were recorded after the program was implemented.SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The standardized scheme had the deployment time shortened from(85.15±11.430)min to(58.23±8.513)min,withdrawal time decreased from(65.36±9.369)min to(48.92±7.129)min,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the numbers of operatio-nal errors and equipment damages were both reduced when compared with those before the implementation of the schemce;the immediate heart rate of the team members at the end of the operation ranged from 43 to 157 beats/min,with an average value of 151.1 beats/min,the individual MHR percentages were from 75%to 87%,with an average value of 81.1%,and the RPE scores were from 14 to 17,with an average value of 15.3,which all could be categorized as moderate-operation intensity.Condusion The standardized deployment and withdrawal scheme for the surgical module meets the needs of actual combat and training assessment,and thus is worthy promoting in medical institutions equipped with the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):74-79]
4.Chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula and their biological activities
Yong-hong LIANG ; Jia-cheng WANG ; Hui-lian HUANG ; Hui-ying YAO ; Yu LU ; Cheng-qi WANG ; Hai-ying ZHONG ; Ying-cai YU ; Hai-yan ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):807-812
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula Miq.and their biological activities.METHODS Polyamide,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activities were determined by MTT mothod,and the inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase were determined by PNPG method.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as tyrosine(1),uridine(2),2-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(3),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(4),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(5),uracil(6),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(1",2",3",4"-tetrahydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(7),dioscin(8),shikimic acid(9),pyrazine(10),3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl alcohol 8-O-β-D-glycopyranoside(11).The IC50 values of compounds 8 to human breast cancer cell MCF-7 was(2.36±0.26)μg/mL,and the IC50 values of compounds 3-5 and 7 to α-glucosidase were(1.54±0.15)-(10.53±0.38)μg/mL.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-7,10 are isolated from Smilax genus for the first time,and compound 9,11 are first isolated from this plant.Compound 8 has anti-tumor activity,and compounds 3-5,7 have α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.
5.Standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing surgical module of new-type tent hospital system
Zeng-biao SU ; Bin-hong PEI ; Er-xiang XU ; Hai-ying CHEN ; Jia-na CHEN ; Jin-shen PAN ; Yi-feng HUANG ; Qian XU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):74-79
Objective To explore the scheme for the deployment and withdrawal of the surgical module of the new-type tent hospital system.Methods A set of standardized scheme for deploying and withdrawing the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system was proposed and implemented in terms of labor division,operation precedure,operation technique and precaution.The operating time,number of operational errors and number of equipment damages were recorded for each of the five deployment and withdrawal operations before and after the program was executed,and the team members'immediate heart rate,percentage of maximum heart rate(MHR)and rating of perceived exercise(RPE)at the end of the operation were recorded after the program was implemented.SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The standardized scheme had the deployment time shortened from(85.15±11.430)min to(58.23±8.513)min,withdrawal time decreased from(65.36±9.369)min to(48.92±7.129)min,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the numbers of operatio-nal errors and equipment damages were both reduced when compared with those before the implementation of the schemce;the immediate heart rate of the team members at the end of the operation ranged from 43 to 157 beats/min,with an average value of 151.1 beats/min,the individual MHR percentages were from 75%to 87%,with an average value of 81.1%,and the RPE scores were from 14 to 17,with an average value of 15.3,which all could be categorized as moderate-operation intensity.Condusion The standardized deployment and withdrawal scheme for the surgical module meets the needs of actual combat and training assessment,and thus is worthy promoting in medical institutions equipped with the surgical module of the new-type tent hosital system.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):74-79]
6.Effect of donepezil combined with hypoxia on CYP3A4 and its safety-evaluation
Xiao-xia HAN ; Yue-xin LI ; Wei TENG ; Fang WANG ; Hai-ying HONG ; Ze-shuai YI ; Ying SONG ; Yu-yan ZHOU ; Bao-xin LI ; Pan FAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2354-2361
Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nisms of donepezil on the expression and enzymatic ac-tivity of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),elucidate the synergistic impact of hypoxia on CYP3A4 function,and reveal its potential association with drug-induced cardiotoxicity,particularly QT interval prolongation.Methods Western blot,co-immunoprecipitation,and gene knockdown techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of donepezil and hypoxia on CYP3A4 pro-tein expression.CYP3A4 enzymatic activity was as-sessed using an in vitro incubation system with rat liver microsomes combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),and the half-maximal inhib-itory concentration(IC50)was determined.Results Donepezil(10 μmol·L-1)and hypoxia reduced CYP3A4 protein expression to 31.75%and 45.90%of the control levels,respectively.Both interventions activated the gp78-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome path-way,significantly increasing CYP3A4 ubiquitination levels by 2.1-fold compared to the control group,thereby promoting proteasomal degradation.Donepezil inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC50 of 83.4μmol·L-1,and hypoxia synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect,reducing the IC50 to 20.79 μmol·L-1.Conclusion Donepezil downregulates CYP3A4 function through dual mechanisms involving ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and direct enzymatic inhibition.Hypoxia potentiates this effect,leading to impaired metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drugs,ele-vated plasma drug concentrations(1.6-2.3-fold in-crease compared to normal metabolic conditions),and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and other forms of cardiotoxicity.
7.NLRP3-COX-2 signaling pathway activating microglia mediates breast cancer-related depression
Song YANG ; Ying HE ; Yuan-shan HAN ; Man-shu ZOU ; Hai-xia HE ; Yu-HONG WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1754-1761
Aim To investigate the effects of breast cancer-related depression model on microglial activa-tion and neuronal function via the NLRP3-COX-2 sig-naling pathway.Methods In the cell experiment,BV2 and HT22 cells were co-cultured to observe the polarization of BV2 cells and the injury of HT22 cells.In the animal experiment,behavioral experiments were used to evaluate the depressive behaviors of mice.HE staining and tumor weight were used to evaluate the changes of axillary tumors.ELISA was used to detect the contents of CA153,CA125,CEA,as well as the changes in the contents of 5-HT,DA and others in the serum and hippocampus.RT-qPCR and immunohisto-chemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IL-1 β,IL-18 and other indicators,re-spectively.Immunofluorescence was used to detect CD1 1b and Iba-1.Nissl staining and transmission elec-tron microscopy were used to observe the hippocampal neurons.Results The results of cell experiments showed that compared with the model group,the pro-tein contents and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,COX-2,and IL-1 β in the NLRP3 knockdown group were all decreased.The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group,the be-havioral performance of the experimental group was im-proved,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1 β,IL-18,and NLRP3 were decreased.Conclu-sion BCRD may mediate the polarization of microglia and the injury of hippocampal neurons through the NL-RP3-COX-2 signaling pathway.
8.NLRP3-COX-2 signaling pathway activating microglia mediates breast cancer-related depression
Song YANG ; Ying HE ; Yuan-shan HAN ; Man-shu ZOU ; Hai-xia HE ; Yu-HONG WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1754-1761
Aim To investigate the effects of breast cancer-related depression model on microglial activa-tion and neuronal function via the NLRP3-COX-2 sig-naling pathway.Methods In the cell experiment,BV2 and HT22 cells were co-cultured to observe the polarization of BV2 cells and the injury of HT22 cells.In the animal experiment,behavioral experiments were used to evaluate the depressive behaviors of mice.HE staining and tumor weight were used to evaluate the changes of axillary tumors.ELISA was used to detect the contents of CA153,CA125,CEA,as well as the changes in the contents of 5-HT,DA and others in the serum and hippocampus.RT-qPCR and immunohisto-chemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IL-1 β,IL-18 and other indicators,re-spectively.Immunofluorescence was used to detect CD1 1b and Iba-1.Nissl staining and transmission elec-tron microscopy were used to observe the hippocampal neurons.Results The results of cell experiments showed that compared with the model group,the pro-tein contents and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,COX-2,and IL-1 β in the NLRP3 knockdown group were all decreased.The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group,the be-havioral performance of the experimental group was im-proved,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1 β,IL-18,and NLRP3 were decreased.Conclu-sion BCRD may mediate the polarization of microglia and the injury of hippocampal neurons through the NL-RP3-COX-2 signaling pathway.
9.Effect of donepezil combined with hypoxia on CYP3A4 and its safety-evaluation
Xiao-xia HAN ; Yue-xin LI ; Wei TENG ; Fang WANG ; Hai-ying HONG ; Ze-shuai YI ; Ying SONG ; Yu-yan ZHOU ; Bao-xin LI ; Pan FAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2354-2361
Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nisms of donepezil on the expression and enzymatic ac-tivity of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),elucidate the synergistic impact of hypoxia on CYP3A4 function,and reveal its potential association with drug-induced cardiotoxicity,particularly QT interval prolongation.Methods Western blot,co-immunoprecipitation,and gene knockdown techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of donepezil and hypoxia on CYP3A4 pro-tein expression.CYP3A4 enzymatic activity was as-sessed using an in vitro incubation system with rat liver microsomes combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),and the half-maximal inhib-itory concentration(IC50)was determined.Results Donepezil(10 μmol·L-1)and hypoxia reduced CYP3A4 protein expression to 31.75%and 45.90%of the control levels,respectively.Both interventions activated the gp78-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome path-way,significantly increasing CYP3A4 ubiquitination levels by 2.1-fold compared to the control group,thereby promoting proteasomal degradation.Donepezil inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC50 of 83.4μmol·L-1,and hypoxia synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect,reducing the IC50 to 20.79 μmol·L-1.Conclusion Donepezil downregulates CYP3A4 function through dual mechanisms involving ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and direct enzymatic inhibition.Hypoxia potentiates this effect,leading to impaired metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drugs,ele-vated plasma drug concentrations(1.6-2.3-fold in-crease compared to normal metabolic conditions),and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and other forms of cardiotoxicity.
10.Differences in mercury dissolution from HgS-containing traditional medicines under simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Ming ZHANG ; Yuan-can XIAO ; Jing ZHAO ; Hai-ying TONG ; Xiao-yu WANG ; Wen-bin ZHOU ; Hong-tao BI ; Li-xin WEI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2607-2611
AIM To investigate the variations in mercury dissolution from HgS-containing traditional medicines in three kinds of simulated gastrointestinal dissolution media.METHODS 39 batches of 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines were collected,total mercury content and dissolved mercury concentrations in simulated gastric fluid,simulated intestinal fluid,and L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid were measured.The maximum daily intake of total mercury and soluble mercury was calculated based on the maximum daily clinical dosage.RESULTS Among the 15 types of medicines,the maximum daily intake of total mercury varied by 156 times,the daily intake of soluble mercury varied by 3 502 times in simulated gastric fluid,313 times in simulated intestinal fluid,and 10 663 times in L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid,approximately.CONCLUSION For the 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines,the daily maximum intake of soluble mercury showed greater variations than that of total mercury.Soluble mercury concentration is more closely correlated with intestinal absorption of mercury and thus represents a more rational quality control indicator for HgS-containing traditional medicines.


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