1.The therapeutic effects of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on rats with pulmonary fibrosis through promoting histone acetylation
Xiao-qing LIU ; Jie GAO ; Yu-heng LIAO ; Jia-xiu LEI ; Zheng-gang ZHAO ; Fang-hong LI ; Yun-ping MU ; Zi-jian ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2143-2150
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of a newly developed Tadalafil tablet on pulmonary fi-brosis induced by paraquat(PQ)in rats,as well as its impact on histone acetylation levels in epithelial cells.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the control group(control),the model group(PQ),the Tadalafil new tablet treatment group(N-Tad,1 mg·kg-1),and the positive control drug treatment group(Cialis,5 mg·kg-1).The model group and treatment group rats were intraperitoneally injected with PQ(30 mg·kg-1).Two hours after the initial treatment,the rats in the treatment group re-ceived N-Tad or Cialis via gavage,while the control and model groups were administered an equal volume of physiological saline by gavage once daily for 28 days.The weight gain rate and lung tissue index for each group of rats were calculated.Additionally,the effects of N-Tad treatment on lung tissue structural damage and collagen deposition in rats with PQ-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis were observed using HE stai-ning,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohisto-chemical techniques.By employing the Western blot technique,the effects of Tadalafil intervention on the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin(E-Cad),the stromal marker fibronectin(Fn),and the histone acetylation marker acetylated histones(Ac-his-tones)in A549 cells were observed.Results Com-pared to the control group,rats with PQ-induced pul-monary fibrosis exhibited a significant decrease in the rate of body weight growth,an increase in lung tissue index(P<0.05),and a notable increase in the expression and distribution of the fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in lung tissue.The structure of the lung tissue was disrupted,accompanied by the deposition of interstitial collagen fibers.Both N-Tad and Cialis treatments could significantly enhance the rate of weight gain,decrease the lung tissue index,inhibit the expression of α-SMA,and reduce the depo-sition of interstitial collagen in the lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.Notably,low-dose N-Tad treatment was comparable to high-dose Cialis treat-ment.At the cellular level,Tadalafil significantly in-hibited the high expression of Fn induced by transfor-ming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)in A549 cells.It also upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and sig-nificantly increased the levels of acetylated histones(P<0.05).Conclusions N-Tad promotes histone acetylation in alveolar epithelial cells,significantly in-hibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition,increases E-cadherin expression,and improves lung tissue structur-al damage and collagen deposition caused by PQ.Ad-ditionally,it offers the advantage of a lower effective dose compared to Cialis,providing a new option for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
2.Preliminary study on the role and mechanism of ISG15 in exosomes in platinum resistance in ovarian cancer
Yanan TIAN ; Hui ZHENG ; Tianqing YAN ; Heng ZHANG ; Renquan LU ; Lin GUO
China Oncology 2025;35(4):346-354
Background and purpose:Epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)has a poor prognosis and is prone to developing resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy.Exosomes are currently believed to be involved in platinum resistance in ovarian cancer.This study explored the role and mechanism of exosomes on platinum resistance of ovarian cancer.Methods:Through ultracentrifugation,exosomes were isolated and analyzed using electron microscopy,particle size studies,and Western blot for detailed exosome analysis.We detected the expression levels of exosomal proteins and related signaling pathways.Exosomal protein expression profile was analyzed by proteomics.Key differential proteins were screened by intersecting with existing drug resistance datasets.Furthermore,patients diagnosed with EOC via pathological analysis at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from August 2023 to August 2024,who underwent surgery and fulfilled the eligibility requirements,were gathered to examine the link between the expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15(ISG15)in serum exosomes and resistance to platinum medication.The expression levels of related proteins in serum exosomes were quantitatively detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to explore the predictive value of serum exosomal protein in ovarian cancer resistance.Results:Exosomes derived from platinum-sensitive and drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells were extracted and proteomic analysis was further performed.We identified 9 differential proteins associated with platinum-resistance and found the key molecule interferon-stimulated gene 15(ISG15).Compared with sensitive cells,the expression of ISG15 in exosomes of drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells was significantly upregulated.Exosome tracer tests showed that exosomes were successfully taken up by ovarian cancer receptor cells.After coculture with drug-resistant exosomes,the expression level of ISG15 in ovarian cancer receptor cells was increased.Knockdown ISG15 in EOC cells decreased the expression of ISG15 in exosomes,and incubation of ISG15-knockdown exosomes decreased the cell viability on the condition of platinum drugs,indicating that ISG15 in exosomes regulated platinum resistance of ovarian cancer cells.Moreover,ISG15 could regulate the expression of multidrug resistance protein 1(MDR1)through phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enchancer of activated B cells(NF-κB)signaling pathway.This study included a total of 87 patients.Clinical serum samples also showed that the expression of ISG15 in exosomes was higher in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients than in sensitive ovarian cancer patients.Using serum exosomal ISG15 as an indicator to distinguish between sensitivity and resistance,the area under ROC curve was 0.779(P<0.05),cutoffvalue was 27.35ng/mL,sensitivity was 70.2%,and specificity was 76.4%.Conclusion:ISG15 in exosomes can regulate the expression of MDR1 in ovarian cancer cells through PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway,and promote platinum resistance in ovarian cancer cells.
3.Exploring mechanism of action of hypericin in antidepressant effects based on single-cell sequencing
Hui-xin NI ; Hai-xin LIU ; Bing-can ZHOU ; Ming-heng CHEN ; Ping-yan LIN ; Zheng-tao GAO ; Xin-pei LIN ; Yao LIN ; Fang-zhen WU ; Qian XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):837-843
Aim To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of hyperforin via the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,depres-sion model group,and hyperforin intervention group.The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model was induced and drug interventions were administered for 28 d.Behavioral experiments were conducted to as-sess depressive symptoms,and hippocampal tissue was collected for single-cell RNA sequencing.Key cell populations and differentially expressed genes across groups were identified,followed by PPI network,GO,and KEGG enrichment analysis.Results Behavioral experiments indicated that CUMS successfully induced depressive symptoms in mice,while hyperforin im-proved depressive behavior.In the depression model group,the proportion of brain perivascular macrophages(PVM)increased,and this proportion decreased after hyperforin intervention,approaching the level seen in the control group.The top 20 common differentially ex-pressed genes in the PVM subpopulation were Saa3,Hbb-bs and Ccl24.PPI network analysis identified core targets,including Ccl2,Dhx9,C3,Msr1,Cxcl2 and Cx3cr1.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed pathways related to chemokines,phagosome formation,and inosi-tol phosphate metabolism.Conclusion The antide-pressant mechanism of hyperforin may be related to the regulation of Ccl24 and its related chemokine signaling pathway by PVM.
4.Construction and evidence-based research of performance evaluation system of medical equipment management based on the combination of BCS and KPI
Hui SHEN ; Binbin ZHENG ; Yuxi WANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Chuyu GAO
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(1):133-137,149
Objective:To construct a performance evaluation system based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) and key performance indicators (KPI) for medical equipment management in order to effectively measure the management level of medical institutions for medical equipment. Methods:On the basis of literature research and expert consultation,an input,process,output and outcome (IPOO) framework was constructed to describe KPI of medical equipment management based on BSC analysis method. The weights of evaluation indicators were confirmed by factor analysis,and a performance evaluation system for medical equipment management was established. Four medical institutions (hospital 1-4) in Taizhou were selected from June 2023 to October 2023 according to the research items of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University,and the medical equipment which purchase amount exceeded 500,000 CNY of 4 hospital from 2012 to 2022 were selected. The running data of 2022 was collected,and the management level of 4 hospitals for medical equipment were assessed by this evaluation system. Results:The constructed performance evaluation system about medical equipment management included 4 first-level indicators and 28 second-level indicators. The second-level indicators included 8 input KPI,8 process KPI,6 output KPI,and 6 outcome KPI. The weights of input,process,output and outcome were respectively 0.2853,0.2783,0.2066 and 0.2298. The comprehensive scores of average performance of medical equipment management in hospital 1-4 were respectively 78.88,71.27,66.32 and 70.87 points. The management level of hospital 1 and hospital 2 was better than that of Hospital 3 and Hospital 4. Conclusion:The constructed performance evaluation system of medical equipment management can quantitatively evaluate the management process of medical equipment,and find weak links,and provide continuous improvement,which can provide direction and basis for medical engineering department in improving its performance level.
5.Research on coagulation effect of cold atmospheric plasma jet device and its mechanism of action
Yan LI ; Hong-ye ZHENG ; Ao-xi XU ; Ya-jun ZHAO ; Shan-shan JIN ; Xu ZHANG ; Yu-fan WEI ; Yi-heng ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Xi-ru LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):20-27
Objective To investigate the coagulation effect of a cold atmospheric plasma(CAP)jet device with helium as the working gas and to study its coagulation mechanism preliminarily.Methods A CAP jet device treatment group,a helium airflow treatment group,a hot air treatment group(60℃)and a natural coagulation group were formed according to the treatment modes of the blood samples,with 10 μL of blood samples involved in each group,in order to validate the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vitro;the coagulation mechanism of the CAP jet device was explored by its application to the treatment of anticoagulated whole blood,platelet-rich plasma and platelet-depleted plasma;the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vivo was verified with a mouse liver punctate hemorrhage model and a rabbit mesenteric hemorrhage model.Results The CAP jet device can significantly accelerate the coagulation of anticoagulated blood droplets,and the coagulation time of anticoagulated blood droplets in the CAP jet device-treated group was shortened from 28 min in the natural coagulation group to(23±1.56)s,with the difference statistically significant(P<0.05),and the CAP jet device treatment group gained advantages significantly over the helium airflow treatment group(P<0.05)and the hot air(60℃)treatment group(P<0.05)in coagulation-promoting effect;the procoagulant effect of the CAP jet device rose with the increase of platelet content in blood droplets,and the coagulation effect of platelet-rich blood droplets was significantly better than that of whole blood(P<0.05),while no coagulation was observed in platelet-poor droplets.The CAP jet device could rapidly stop hemostasis of punctate hemorrhage in mouse liver and mesenteric hemorrhage in rabbits without delayed hemorrhage occurring within 10 min,and no obvious structural abnormality of the liver and thermal damage of the tissue were found microscopically.Conclusion The CAP jet device plays procoagulant and hemostatic effects in vivo and in vitro,and its effect is not dependent on temperature and airflow evaporation effects and is considered to be related to platelet activation,with low thermal damage to living tissue.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):20-27]
6.The effects of lipopolysaccharide on proliferation and apoptosis of BESCs through the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways
Junsheng DONG ; Zi WANG ; Hanqing LI ; Fangling ZHENG ; Min ZHANG ; Long GUO ; Kangjun LIU ; Luying CUI ; Heng WANG ; Jianji LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(1):100-106
In order to explore the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)on the repair of bovine endo-metrial stromal cells(BESCs)during inflammatory response,BESCs were treated by LPS in this study.Cell apoptosis rate was detected using flow cytometry,cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay,cell migration ability was observed using a scratch assay,and the expression of con-nective tissue growth factor(CTGF),transforming growth factor-beta 3(TGF-β3)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR.Additionally,the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways was assessed using Western blot analysis.The results showed that cell viability of BESCs significantly decreased(P<0.01),cell migration ability decreased(P<0.05),apoptosis rate of BESCs increased(P<0.01),CTGF and TGF-β3 mRNA expression levels decreased(P<0.01),while VEGF mRNA ex-pression increased after treatment with LPS(P<0.01).The phosphorylation levels of PI3K,AKT and GSK-3β proteins decreased(P<0.05),as well as the expression levels of c-Myc and Cyclin-D1 proteins also decreased(P<0.01).These results indicated that LPS can inhibit the proliferation of BESCs and promote cell apoptosis possibly through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.
7.The therapeutic effects of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on rats with pulmonary fibrosis through promoting histone acetylation
Xiao-qing LIU ; Jie GAO ; Yu-heng LIAO ; Jia-xiu LEI ; Zheng-gang ZHAO ; Fang-hong LI ; Yun-ping MU ; Zi-jian ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2143-2150
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of a newly developed Tadalafil tablet on pulmonary fi-brosis induced by paraquat(PQ)in rats,as well as its impact on histone acetylation levels in epithelial cells.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the control group(control),the model group(PQ),the Tadalafil new tablet treatment group(N-Tad,1 mg·kg-1),and the positive control drug treatment group(Cialis,5 mg·kg-1).The model group and treatment group rats were intraperitoneally injected with PQ(30 mg·kg-1).Two hours after the initial treatment,the rats in the treatment group re-ceived N-Tad or Cialis via gavage,while the control and model groups were administered an equal volume of physiological saline by gavage once daily for 28 days.The weight gain rate and lung tissue index for each group of rats were calculated.Additionally,the effects of N-Tad treatment on lung tissue structural damage and collagen deposition in rats with PQ-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis were observed using HE stai-ning,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohisto-chemical techniques.By employing the Western blot technique,the effects of Tadalafil intervention on the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin(E-Cad),the stromal marker fibronectin(Fn),and the histone acetylation marker acetylated histones(Ac-his-tones)in A549 cells were observed.Results Com-pared to the control group,rats with PQ-induced pul-monary fibrosis exhibited a significant decrease in the rate of body weight growth,an increase in lung tissue index(P<0.05),and a notable increase in the expression and distribution of the fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in lung tissue.The structure of the lung tissue was disrupted,accompanied by the deposition of interstitial collagen fibers.Both N-Tad and Cialis treatments could significantly enhance the rate of weight gain,decrease the lung tissue index,inhibit the expression of α-SMA,and reduce the depo-sition of interstitial collagen in the lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.Notably,low-dose N-Tad treatment was comparable to high-dose Cialis treat-ment.At the cellular level,Tadalafil significantly in-hibited the high expression of Fn induced by transfor-ming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)in A549 cells.It also upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and sig-nificantly increased the levels of acetylated histones(P<0.05).Conclusions N-Tad promotes histone acetylation in alveolar epithelial cells,significantly in-hibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition,increases E-cadherin expression,and improves lung tissue structur-al damage and collagen deposition caused by PQ.Ad-ditionally,it offers the advantage of a lower effective dose compared to Cialis,providing a new option for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
8.Clinical characteristics analysis of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy in four cases initially suspected as tuberculous meningitis
Li-heng WANG ; Xuan WANG ; Jian-ming ZHENG ; Qi-hui LIU ; Ning LI
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(4):560-565
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy(A-GFAP-A)is an autoimmune-mediated central nervous system disease.Its symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid changes are often similar to those of central nervous system infectious diseases,particularly tuberculous meningitis(TBM),making it clinically challenging to differentiate between them.This article collects data on the clinical manifestations,auxiliary examinations,diagnosis and treatment of four patients with A-GFAP-A,who were suspected as TBM and subsequently admitted to Department of Infectious Diseases,Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Sep 2023.Additionally,relevant literature is reviewed and the key points of differential diagnosis is discussed in order to enhance clinicians'understanding of A-GFAP-A.
9.Preliminary study on the role and mechanism of ISG15 in exosomes in platinum resistance in ovarian cancer
Yanan TIAN ; Hui ZHENG ; Tianqing YAN ; Heng ZHANG ; Renquan LU ; Lin GUO
China Oncology 2025;35(4):346-354
Background and purpose:Epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)has a poor prognosis and is prone to developing resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy.Exosomes are currently believed to be involved in platinum resistance in ovarian cancer.This study explored the role and mechanism of exosomes on platinum resistance of ovarian cancer.Methods:Through ultracentrifugation,exosomes were isolated and analyzed using electron microscopy,particle size studies,and Western blot for detailed exosome analysis.We detected the expression levels of exosomal proteins and related signaling pathways.Exosomal protein expression profile was analyzed by proteomics.Key differential proteins were screened by intersecting with existing drug resistance datasets.Furthermore,patients diagnosed with EOC via pathological analysis at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from August 2023 to August 2024,who underwent surgery and fulfilled the eligibility requirements,were gathered to examine the link between the expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15(ISG15)in serum exosomes and resistance to platinum medication.The expression levels of related proteins in serum exosomes were quantitatively detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to explore the predictive value of serum exosomal protein in ovarian cancer resistance.Results:Exosomes derived from platinum-sensitive and drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells were extracted and proteomic analysis was further performed.We identified 9 differential proteins associated with platinum-resistance and found the key molecule interferon-stimulated gene 15(ISG15).Compared with sensitive cells,the expression of ISG15 in exosomes of drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells was significantly upregulated.Exosome tracer tests showed that exosomes were successfully taken up by ovarian cancer receptor cells.After coculture with drug-resistant exosomes,the expression level of ISG15 in ovarian cancer receptor cells was increased.Knockdown ISG15 in EOC cells decreased the expression of ISG15 in exosomes,and incubation of ISG15-knockdown exosomes decreased the cell viability on the condition of platinum drugs,indicating that ISG15 in exosomes regulated platinum resistance of ovarian cancer cells.Moreover,ISG15 could regulate the expression of multidrug resistance protein 1(MDR1)through phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enchancer of activated B cells(NF-κB)signaling pathway.This study included a total of 87 patients.Clinical serum samples also showed that the expression of ISG15 in exosomes was higher in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients than in sensitive ovarian cancer patients.Using serum exosomal ISG15 as an indicator to distinguish between sensitivity and resistance,the area under ROC curve was 0.779(P<0.05),cutoffvalue was 27.35ng/mL,sensitivity was 70.2%,and specificity was 76.4%.Conclusion:ISG15 in exosomes can regulate the expression of MDR1 in ovarian cancer cells through PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway,and promote platinum resistance in ovarian cancer cells.
10.Exploring mechanism of action of hypericin in antidepressant effects based on single-cell sequencing
Hui-xin NI ; Hai-xin LIU ; Bing-can ZHOU ; Ming-heng CHEN ; Ping-yan LIN ; Zheng-tao GAO ; Xin-pei LIN ; Yao LIN ; Fang-zhen WU ; Qian XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):837-843
Aim To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of hyperforin via the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,depres-sion model group,and hyperforin intervention group.The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model was induced and drug interventions were administered for 28 d.Behavioral experiments were conducted to as-sess depressive symptoms,and hippocampal tissue was collected for single-cell RNA sequencing.Key cell populations and differentially expressed genes across groups were identified,followed by PPI network,GO,and KEGG enrichment analysis.Results Behavioral experiments indicated that CUMS successfully induced depressive symptoms in mice,while hyperforin im-proved depressive behavior.In the depression model group,the proportion of brain perivascular macrophages(PVM)increased,and this proportion decreased after hyperforin intervention,approaching the level seen in the control group.The top 20 common differentially ex-pressed genes in the PVM subpopulation were Saa3,Hbb-bs and Ccl24.PPI network analysis identified core targets,including Ccl2,Dhx9,C3,Msr1,Cxcl2 and Cx3cr1.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed pathways related to chemokines,phagosome formation,and inosi-tol phosphate metabolism.Conclusion The antide-pressant mechanism of hyperforin may be related to the regulation of Ccl24 and its related chemokine signaling pathway by PVM.

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