1.Translational Research of Electromagnetic Fields on Diseases Related With Bone Remodeling: Review and Prospects
Peng SHANG ; Jun-Yu LIU ; Sheng-Hang WANG ; Jian-Cheng YANG ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; An-Lin LI ; Hao ZHANG ; Yu-Hong ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):439-455
Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.
2.Chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention of Asarum forbesii grown under different shading conditions.
Lu LIAO ; Li-Xian LU ; Hong-Zhuan SHI ; Qiao-Sheng GUO ; Cheng-Hao FEI ; Kun ZHAO ; Yuan-Yuan XING ; Yong SU ; Chang LIU ; Xin-Yue YUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):384-394
Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals
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Mice
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Lung/pathology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Light
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Cytokines/genetics*
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Humans
3.Astrocytic dopamine D1 receptor modulates glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex through d-serine.
Yanan YIN ; Jian HU ; Haipeng WU ; Xinyu YANG ; Jingwen QI ; Lang HUANG ; Zhengyi LUO ; Shiyang JIN ; Nengyuan HU ; Zhoucai LUO ; Tong LUO ; Hao CHEN ; Xiaowen LI ; Chunhua YUAN ; Shuji LI ; Jianming YANG ; Yihua CHEN ; Tianming GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4692-4710
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating higher-order emotional and cognitive processes, a function that depends on the precise modulation of synaptic activity. Although pharmacological studies have demonstrated that dopamine signaling through dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) in the PFC is essential for these functions, the cell-type-specific and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory effects remain elusive. Using cell-type-specific knockout mice and patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the regulatory role of DRD1 on neurons and astrocytes in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by which DRD1 on astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity at the cellular level, as well as emotional and cognitive functions at the behavioral level, through two-photon imaging, microdialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome sequencing, and behavioral testing. We found that conditional knockout of the Drd1 in astrocytes (CKOAST) increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas Drd1 deletion in pyramidal neurons did not affect synaptic transmission. The elevated level of d-serine in the mPFC of CKOAST mice increased glutamatergic transmission and LTP through NMDA receptors. In addition, CKOAST mice exhibited abnormal emotional and cognitive function. Notably, these behavioral changes in CKOAST mice could be reversed through the administration of d-serine degrease to the mPFC. These results highlight the critical role of the astrocytic DRD1 in modulating mPFC synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as higher brain functions through d-serine, and may shed light on the treatment of mental disorders.
4.A Retrospective Study of Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes in Mothers with Hepatitis C Viremia.
Wen DENG ; Zi Yu ZHANG ; Xin Xin LI ; Ya Qin ZHANG ; Wei Hua CAO ; Shi Yu WANG ; Xin WEI ; Zi Xuan GAO ; Shuo Jie WANG ; Lin Mei YAO ; Lu ZHANG ; Hong Xiao HAO ; Xiao Xue CHEN ; Yuan Jiao GAO ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Ming Hui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):829-839
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development.
METHODS:
A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected.
RESULTS:
Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ 2 = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans
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Female
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Pregnancy
;
Adult
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology*
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Retrospective Studies
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Pregnancy Outcome
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Infant, Newborn
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Viremia/virology*
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Hepatitis C
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Hepacivirus/physiology*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology*
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Young Adult
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Alanine Transaminase/blood*
5.Spatial-temporal Dynamics of Tuberculosis and Its Association with Meteorological Factors and Air Pollution in Shaanxi Province, China.
Heng Liang LYU ; Xi Hao LIU ; Hui CHEN ; Xue Li ZHANG ; Feng LIU ; Zi Tong ZHENG ; Hong Wei ZHANG ; Yuan Yong XU ; Wen Yi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):867-872
6.Association of Cytokines with Clinical Indicators in Patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Hua Wei CAO ; Ting Ting JIANG ; Ge SHEN ; Wen DENG ; Yu Shi WANG ; Yu Zi ZHANG ; Xin Xin LI ; Yao LU ; Lu ZHANG ; Yu Ru LIU ; Min CHANG ; Ling Shu WU ; Jiao Yuan GAO ; Xiao Hong HAO ; Xue Xiao CHEN ; Ping Lei HU ; Jiao Meng XU ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Hui Ming LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(5):494-502
Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators. Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),anti-infective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed. Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group. Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-α and IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.
7.Targeting cAMP in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a new rapid antidepressant strategy.
Yue ZHANG ; Jingwen GAO ; Na LI ; Peng XU ; Shimeng QU ; Jinqian CHENG ; Mingrui WANG ; Xueru LI ; Yaheng SONG ; Fan XIAO ; Xinyu YANG ; Jihong LIU ; Hao HONG ; Ronghao MU ; Xiaotian LI ; Youmei WANG ; Hui XU ; Yuan XIE ; Tianming GAO ; Guangji WANG ; Jiye AA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):667-681
Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.
8.Mechanism of salvianolic acid B protecting H9C2 from OGD/R injury based on mitochondrial fission and fusion
Zi-xin LIU ; Gao-jie XIN ; Yue YOU ; Yuan-yuan CHEN ; Jia-ming GAO ; Ling-mei LI ; Hong-xu MENG ; Xiao HAN ; Lei LI ; Ye-hao ZHANG ; Jian-hua FU ; Jian-xun LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):374-381
This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
9.Application and Prospect of Pre-transfusion Detection Technology
Jin-Yuan SUN ; Yi YANG ; Wen-Hao LUO ; Hong ZHANG ; Yang LUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(3):624-632
Blood transfusion accuracy is crucial for disease treatment and emergency rescue. Prior to a blood transfusion, it is essential to perform a number of tests to assure proper clinical treatment and reduce the risk of complications. Pre-transfusion testing refers primarily to the blood group, coagulation, and infection to assure transfusion safety and prevent cross-infection. Blood type, cross-matching blood, fibrinogen, viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus, and syphilis are routine pre-transfusion tests. Immunoassay is the traditional clinical pretransfusion detection method. With the expansion of clinical treatment requirements from hospital to on-site treatment, new technologies, such as electrochemical sensing, microfluidics, and spectroscopy technology, are being developed gradually for rapid detection prior to blood transfusion. The development of technologies including colloidal gold immunity and biochips has facilitated the shift from large-scale laboratory equipment to portable testing for pre-transfusion screening. Further, the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning, biometric technology, and computer vision has contributed to the advancement of intelligent pre-transfusion testing. This article reviews the various application scenarios, benefits, and drawbacks of different pre-transfusion detection technologies, analyzes the application of a series of new technologies in pre-transfusion detection and its future development trend, and provides a reference for promoting the development of pre-transfusion detection and even rapid disease marker detection.
10.Inhibitory effect of lead on GABA A receptor-mediated currents and GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat cortical neurons
Wenliang GAO ; Hong ZHANG ; Yi YUAN ; Rui GUO ; Xingyang LIU ; Xianhua DENG ; Hao SUN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(1):31-38
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of lead(Pb2+)on γ-amino-butyric acid(GABA)A receptor-mediated currents(IGABA)and GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat cortical neurons.METHODS ①The cortical neurons from 0 d Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were cultured for experiments.The cultured cells(7-14 d)were recorded using the patch-clamp technique to analyze the effects of Pb2+ at different concentrations(1,5,10,50 and 100 μmol·L-1)on IGABA induced by GABA 100 μmol·L-1.② The effects of Pb2+ 50 μmol·L-1 on IGABA induced by GABA at different concentrations(1,10,50,100,500 and 100 μmol·L-1)were detected.③Brain slices(350 μm)were prepared from SD rats(15-19 d).The spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents(sIPSCs),miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents(mIPSCs)and current injection-induced action potential(AP)were recorded to detect the effects of Pb2+ 10 μmol·L-1 on the amplitude and frequency of sIPSCs and mIPSCs,and the frequency of AP.RESULTS ①Pb2+ inhibited IGABA in a concentration-dependent manner,and IC50 was(68±20)μmol·L-1.②Pb2+ also suppressed the maximum current induced by GABA(P<0.01),with a significant increase of the GABA′s EC50 from(20±6)μmol·L-1 to(87±39)μmol·L-1,indicating that Pb2+ might inhibit IGABA in a non-competitive mechanism.③Pb2+ 10 μmol·L-1 inhibited the frequency(P<0.01)rather than the ampli-tude of sIPSCs reversibly,but had no effect on eigher the frequency or amplitude of mIPSCs.In addi-tion,Pb2+ decreased the frequency of evoked AP by current injection(P<0.01)and reduced the overall excitability of rat cortical neurons.CONCLUSION Pb2+ can significantly inhibit IGABA in primary cultured neurons.In the brain slice experiment,Pb2+ may affect sIPSCs frequency by inhibiting the AP of cortical neurons,suggesting that there are different intrinsic mechanisms through which Pb2+ inhibits both IGABA in primary cultured neurons and the frequency of sIPSCs in brain slice neurons,which points to the complexity of the mechanism of Pb2+ poisoning.

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