1.The Role and Regulatory Mechanisms of FOXO1 in Hepatic Lipid Deposition
Meng JIA ; Fang-Hui LI ; Shi-Zhan YAN ; Ai-Ju LI ; Yi-Le WANG ; Pin-Shi NI ; Jia-Han HE ; Yin-Lu LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):905-919
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is fundamentally driven by an imbalance in hepatic fatty-acid flux: the influx of fatty acids exceeds the liver’s capacity for disposal, resulting in excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, predominantly in the form of triglycerides (TGs). The occurrence and progression of MAFLD depend on disordered regulation across multiple metabolic steps, including fatty-acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), fatty-acid oxidation (FAO), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) export. Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is a key transcriptional regulator within the hepatic network coordinating glucose and lipid metabolism. Under metabolic stress and insulin resistance (IR), FOXO1 expression is frequently increased, whereas its inhibitory phosphorylation is reduced. These changes enhance FOXO1 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity, thereby reprogramming the expression of genes related to metabolism in the liver. Because hepatic lipid deposition is the central pathological feature of MAFLD, the functional status of FOXO1 directly influences hepatic lipid homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that FOXO1 can exert bidirectional, environment-dependent effects on hepatic lipid accumulation; however, the molecular basis for this functional switch remains incompletely understood. This review systematically summarizes the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of FOXO1 and its roles in hepatic lipid metabolism, with a particular focus on its crosstalk with insulin signaling. FOXO1 expression is shaped by RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. Its transcriptional output is precisely governed by post-translational modifications—such as phosphorylation and acetylation—as well as by coordinated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Notably, these regulatory patterns vary markedly across nutritional states, degrees of insulin resistance, and stages of disease. In the fed state, insulin/IGF-1 signaling activates the PI3K-AKT pathway, promoting the inhibitory phosphorylation of FOXO1 and facilitating additional modifications, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination. Together, these events drive FOXO1 export from the nucleus and dampen its transcriptional activity, suppressing gluconeogenesis and constraining lipogenic programs. Conversely, during fasting or when insulin signaling is weakened, FOXO1 inhibition is relieved. FOXO1 accumulates in the nucleus, binds to DNA, and regulates the transcription of downstream target genes. Mechanistically, FOXO1 can aggravate hepatic lipid accumulation by activating genes involved in TG synthesis while repressing FAO-related pathways, thereby favoring storage over oxidation. However, under specific conditions, FOXO1 may also alleviate the hepatic lipid burden by promoting TG hydrolysis and enhancing VLDL secretion, thereby reducing the net hepatic lipid load. In addition, lipotoxic signals mediated by ceramides and diacylglycerols (Cer/DAG) activate atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), further exacerbating the disruption of the AKT-FOXO1 axis. This vicious cycle ultimately produces a metabolic paradox in which increased hepatic glucose output coexists with persistent, insulin-independent lipogenesis, accelerating MAFLD progression. Importantly, FOXO1 regulation is not uniform: during early metabolic overload, insulin-mediated suppression may remain effective, whereas in advanced insulin resistance, the loss of AKT control permits sustained FOXO1 activity. Such stage-dependent dynamics may help explain why FOXO1 can either promote steatosis or, in certain contexts, support programs that facilitate lipid turnover. Accordingly, interventions should be liver-specific and tuned to the disease stage, aiming to curb maladaptive FOXO1 signaling while preserving its capacity to promote triglyceride hydrolysis and VLDL secretion when advantageous. Overall, this review offers an important perspective on MAFLD pathogenesis, emphasizing FOXO1 as a potential therapeutic target and providing a theoretical basis for developing liver-specific, disease-course-dependent precision interventions.
2.Preliminary Clinical Application Study on the Imaging Effects of Novel Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Imaging Agent 18F-FPMBBG
Min JU ; Wanjie REN ; Ke WANG ; Zongyao ZHANG ; Kai HAN ; Xiaodi WANG ; Yumin ZHENG ; Lei WANG ; Wei FANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(3):234-239
Objectives:To evaluate the imaging effects of the novel sympathetic nerve imaging agent 18F-FPMBBG in healthy volunteers and heart failure patients.Methods:Four healthy volunteers and four heart failure patients were selected to undergo 18F-FPMBBG positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)dynamic imaging,the radioactivity distribution characteristics of 18F-FPMBBG in the heart and adjacent organs of the two groups were observed,and the uptake of 18F-FPMBBG by the left ventricular myocardium was compared in the two groups.Results:No adverse effects were observed in all subjects after intravenous injection of 18F-FPMBBG.In healthy volunteers,the heart uptake was rapid and stable,lung uptake was very low,and the blood pool and liver clearance were fast.The heart/liver uptake ratios at 30,60,and 90 minutes after injection were 2.33±0.81,3.29±0.90 and 3.80±1.07,respectively.The average standard uptake value(SUVmean)of 18F-FPMBBG in the heart failure group was significantly lower than that in the healthy volunteer group(P=0.003).The washout rate(WR)was significantly higher in the heart failure group([16.53±2.76]%vs.[3.88±4.51]%,P=0.003).Conclusions:18F-FPMBBG showed good imaging and diagnostic effects in the preliminary imaging of healthy subjects and heart failure patients,and it has the potential to become an ideal cardiac sympathetic nerve imaging agent.
3.Preliminary Clinical Application Study on the Imaging Effects of Novel Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Imaging Agent 18F-FPMBBG
Min JU ; Wanjie REN ; Ke WANG ; Zongyao ZHANG ; Kai HAN ; Xiaodi WANG ; Yumin ZHENG ; Lei WANG ; Wei FANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(3):234-239
Objectives:To evaluate the imaging effects of the novel sympathetic nerve imaging agent 18F-FPMBBG in healthy volunteers and heart failure patients.Methods:Four healthy volunteers and four heart failure patients were selected to undergo 18F-FPMBBG positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)dynamic imaging,the radioactivity distribution characteristics of 18F-FPMBBG in the heart and adjacent organs of the two groups were observed,and the uptake of 18F-FPMBBG by the left ventricular myocardium was compared in the two groups.Results:No adverse effects were observed in all subjects after intravenous injection of 18F-FPMBBG.In healthy volunteers,the heart uptake was rapid and stable,lung uptake was very low,and the blood pool and liver clearance were fast.The heart/liver uptake ratios at 30,60,and 90 minutes after injection were 2.33±0.81,3.29±0.90 and 3.80±1.07,respectively.The average standard uptake value(SUVmean)of 18F-FPMBBG in the heart failure group was significantly lower than that in the healthy volunteer group(P=0.003).The washout rate(WR)was significantly higher in the heart failure group([16.53±2.76]%vs.[3.88±4.51]%,P=0.003).Conclusions:18F-FPMBBG showed good imaging and diagnostic effects in the preliminary imaging of healthy subjects and heart failure patients,and it has the potential to become an ideal cardiac sympathetic nerve imaging agent.
4.A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China
Li-Xiu SHI ; Jin-Xing FENG ; Yan-Fang WEI ; Xin-Ru LU ; Yu-Xi ZHANG ; Lin-Ying YANG ; Sheng-Nan HE ; Pei-Juan CHEN ; Jing HAN ; Cheng CHEN ; Hui-Ying TU ; Zhang-Bin YU ; Jin-Jie HUANG ; Shu-Juan ZENG ; Wan-Ling CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Yan-Ping GUO ; Jiao-Yu MAO ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qian-Shen ZHANG ; Zhi-Li XIE ; Mei-Ying HUANG ; Kun-Shan YAN ; Er-Ya YING ; Jun CHEN ; Yan-Rong WANG ; Ya-Ping LIU ; Bo SONG ; Hua-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Dong XIAO ; Hong TANG ; Yu-Na WANG ; Yin-Sha CAI ; Qi LONG ; Han-Qiang XU ; Hui-Zhan WANG ; Qian SUN ; Fang HAN ; Rui-Biao ZHANG ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Lei DOU ; Hui-Ju SHI ; Rui WANG ; Ping JIANG ; Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(5):450-455
Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75%(27/36);boys accounted for 64%(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86%)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53%)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61%)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36%)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75%)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72%)and seizures in 10 neonates(34%).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33%,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44%(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.
5.Effect of Yipi Yanggan prescription on malignant transformation of liver stem cells in rats with liver precancerous lesion and its mechanism of action
Di JU ; Mi LI ; Man HAN ; Bingying FANG ; Shuguang YAN ; Jingtao LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2022;38(4):865-871
Objective To investigate the effect of Yipi Yanggan prescription on the malignant transformation of liver stem cells in liver precancerous lesion induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods A total of 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (blank group), DEN model group (model group), DEN+Yipi Yanggan prescription group (Yipi Yanggan prescription group), and DEN+Hugan tablet group (Hugan tablet group), with 5 rats in the blank group and 10 rats in the other three groups. Intraperitoneal injection of DEN was performed to establish a model of liver precancerous lesion, the rats were sacrificed after 16 weeks of administration. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin (Alb) were measured; liver tissue was collected to observe the changes in size and appearance and calculate liver weight ratio (liver index); HE staining and Sirius Red staining were used to observe the pathological and morphological changes of rat liver tissue; immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of OV6 and glutathione S-transferase-Pi (GST-Pi); RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of EpCAM, CD133, and CD90, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR and their phosphorylation level. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the model group, the Yipi Yanggan prescription group and the Hugan tablet group had significant improvements in liver pathology and morphology, significant reductions in liver index and the levels of ALT and AST, and a significant increase in the level of Alb (all P < 0.05), as well as significant reductions in the protein expression levels of GST-Pi, OV6, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR and the mRNA expression levels of EpCAM, CD133, and CD90 (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Hugan tablet group, the Yipi Yanggan prescription group showed a more significant protective effect on the liver, with significant reductions in liver index and the levels of ALT and AST, and a significant increase in the level of Alb (all P < 0.05), as well as significant reductions in the protein expression levels of GST-Pi, OV6, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR and the mRNA expression levels of EpCAM, CD133, and CD90 (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Yipi Yanggan prescription can improve liver precancerous lesion induced by DEN in rats by inhibiting the malignant transformation of liver stem cells, and its mechanism of action may be associated with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
6.Professor SHAO Jing-ming's clinical experience of fire needling for surgical diseases.
Hai-Yu YAN ; Jin-Shuang HUA ; Han-Jie LI ; Fang CHEN ; Jia-Jia GONG ; You-Ya ZHANG ; Su-Ju SHAO
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2022;42(9):1037-1040
Professor SHAO Jing-ming's clinical experience of fire needling for bone-joint tuberculosis, tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, ganglion cyst and thyrophyma is summarized. Professor SHAO used fire needling to treat bone-joint tuberculosis. The acupoints included ashi points and nearby acupoints, particularly local opposite acupoints (Neixiyan [EX-LE 4] and Dubi [ST 35], Yinlingquan [SP 9] and Yanglingquan [GB 34], Xuehai [SP 10] and Liangqiu [ST 34]), and for the patients with severe yin-cold syndrome, Yanghe decoction was additionally used. For tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, fire needling was used at different stages. In the early stage, the nucleus was punctured with fire needling; in the middle stage, the pustule was punctured with fire needling combined with cupping; in the late stage, the fire needling was inserted into the fistula or sinus tract, and the surrounding granulation tissue was treated with horizontal penetrating needling. For ganglion cyst, fire needling combined with centro-square needling was applied. For thyrophyma, the surrounding needling with filiform was used; for simple thyroid mass and thyroid nodule, the surrounding needling with fire needling was used.
Acupuncture Points
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Ganglion Cysts
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Humans
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Lymphadenitis
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Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular
7.Effects of Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction on the immune inflammation and intestinal flora in asthmatic rats
Bei-bei ZHANG ; Meng-nan ZENG ; Qin-qin ZHANG ; Ru WANG ; Peng-li GUO ; Wan-qing LU ; Ju-fang JIA ; Meng LIU ; Yu-han ZHANG ; Wei-sheng FENG ; Xiao-ke ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2022;57(8):2364-2377
The study aims to explore the intervention mechanism of Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction on asthma from the perspective of immune inflammation and intestinal flora, providing a theoretical basis for guiding clinical medication. The ovalbumin (OVA) asthmatic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of OVA sensitization solution and aerosol challenge, and divided into control (CON), model (M), dexamethasone group (DEX, 0.075 mg·kg-1) and Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction (TLDZ, 3.5 g·kg-1). Firstly, the effects of Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction on asthma symptoms of rats, lung and trachea pathological changes of asthmatic rats were observed by inducing cough and asthma experiment, phenol red excretion, hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), Masson and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining; the levels of transforming growth factor
8.Evaluation and study on the effect of nucleic acid testing in blood screening on the residual risk of transfusion transmitted HBV infection
Min HUANG ; Lin BAI ; Changchun LU ; Shanshan ZHU ; Yujun LI ; Zhian ZHANG ; Haili MA ; Rong YOU ; Yanli QIN ; Bing JU ; Wei HAN ; Fang WANG ; Xue CHEN ; Xiaohua YUAN ; Xingli REN ; Lei ZHAO ; Linghao ZHANG ; Xing YI ; Yan QIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2022;36(4):429-435
Objective:To preliminarily estimate and study the effect of nucleic acid testing in blood screening on the residual risk (RR) of transfusion transmitted HBV infection (TTI HBV).Methods:Using the NAT yield/WP ratio model and adopting the relevant data of information management system of practice comparison working party in the Mainland of China, this paper analyzed the trend of the RR of TTI HBV among 18 blood centers from 2015 to 2019 in China, and compared the impact of two kinds of blood screening strategies which were ELISA+ ID-NAT/MP-NAT (individual-donation nucleic acid testing or mini-pool nucleic acid testing) and ELISA + MP-NAT on RR in 2019.Results:The overall trends of the 5-year RR of HBV among 18 blood centers showed by trend chi square test were NAT single positive rate trend χ2= 39.42( P<0.01) and residual risk trend χ2= 279.792( P<0.01); The influence on RR from the differences of ELISA+ ID-NAT/MP-NAT and ELISA+ MP-NAT was statistically significant, and chi square test showed that χ2= 7.4( P<0.01). Conclusions:Since the implementation of nucleic acid testing in the blood screening in China from 2015, the residual risk of transfusion transmitted HBV infection has decreased year by year. The observed two blood screening strategies which dominated in China may lead to discrepancy in the residual risk of TTI.
9.Clinical efficacy and safety of moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for COPD in stable phase: a Meta-analysis.
Jia-Li LOU ; Hai-Ju SUN ; Xiao-Yu LI ; Han-Tong HU ; Ya-Jun ZHANG ; Yong-Liang JIANG ; Jian-Qiao FANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2021;41(4):451-457
OBJECTIVE:
To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of conventional therapy combined with moxibustion in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable phase based on Meta-analysis medicine.
METHODS:
The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for COPD were retrieved from the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Ebsco. RevMan5.3 software was used for Meta analysis, and the quality of evidence was evaluated according to GRADE standards.
RESULTS:
A total of 16 RCTs were included, involving 1425 patients. The results of Meta-analysis showed that: compared with the conventional treatment, ①the adjuvant therapy with moxibustion had advantages in reducing the number of acute exacerbations [
CONCLUSION
The efficacy of moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for COPD in stable phase is better than that of simple conventional therapy. Due to insufficient clinical evidence and the limitations of this study, clinical safety is unclear and further evidence is needed to support the results.
Humans
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Lung
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Moxibustion
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy*
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Treatment Outcome
10.Progress on IFV drug targets and small molecule inhibitors
Si-yu XIU ; Jian ZHANG ; Han JU ; Rui-fang JIA ; Bing HUANG ; Peng ZHAN ; Xin-yong LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2020;55(4):611-626
The outbreak of the influenza viruses (IFV) caused significant harm to our health and life. Human infections caused by pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) have continually brought great panic and death threats to people all over the world. With the in-depth study of the biological characteristics of influenza viruses and the rapid development of drug discovery screening technology, a new generation of anti-influenza drug targets and their inhibitors have been continuously discovered, providing more options for the treatment of influenza. From the point of view of medicinal chemistry, this review summarizes and discusses current endeavours towards the discovery and development of novel inhibitors and also provides examples illustrating new methodologies that contribute to the identification of novel anti-influenza drugs.

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