1.Variations of Chemical Components in Gardeniae Fructus Before and After Being Charred Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS
Lan LI ; Jie HONG ; Yanan SONG ; Yilan LI ; Yun WANG ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):175-182
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) before and after being charred, providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata(GFC). MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS) was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1, differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition, MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified, including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories, primarily including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and terpenoids, their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously, multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites, identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites, respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways, including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis, while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization, with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide, crocin Ⅱ, crocetin, and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin, geniposidic acid, gentiopicroside, and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Gypenoside L Inducing Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Regulating NUF2 and Influencing Magnesium Homeostasis
Yang HONG ; Di ZHANG ; Yuanguang DONG ; Jiaxin WANG ; Lu PAN ; Lijiang ZHOU ; Mingdian YUAN ; Qun WANG ; Nan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):155-165
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the role of NDC80 kinetochore complex component (NUF2) and magnesium homeostasis in ovarian cancer cell apoptosis, as well as the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L (Gyp-L) on NUF2 and magnesium homeostasis. MethodsOvarian cancer OVCAR3 cells were divided into a blank control group, a low-concentration Gyp-L group (50 µmol·L-1), a high-concentration Gyp-L group (100 µmol·L-1), and a cisplatin (15 µmol·L-1) group. The migration, proliferation, and apoptosis capabilities of OVCAR3 cells were evaluated through cell scratch assays, clonal experiments, and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining. Differentially expressed genes of ovarian cancer were screened by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The interaction relationships of differentially expressed genes and proteins were analyzed via the Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING) database. The prognostic survival analysis was performed by using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, and the differential expression levels of genes were validated with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. The mRNA expression levels of NUF2, magnesium homeostasis-related indicators, such as magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1), non-imprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome 1 (NIPA1), NIPA-like domain containing 1 (NIPAL1), as well as apoptosis-related indicators B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in OVCAR3 cells, were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of NUF2, MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, Bcl-2, and Bax in OVCAR3 cells were quantitatively analyzed by ProteinSimple WES. A model of overexpression of NUF2 was constructed, and Gyp-L intervention was performed. The molecular mechanism by which Gyp-L induces ovarian cancer cell apoptosis by regulating NUF2 and influencing magnesium homeostasis was quantitatively analyzed and detected through cell cloning, TUNEL staining, Real-time PCR, and ProteinSimple WES. Finally, the Mg2+ content and protein synthesis efficiency were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsGyp-L significantly inhibited the migration and proliferation capabilities of OVCAR3 cells and promoted their apoptosis (P<0.05). Overexpression of NUF2 markedly increased the expression levels of MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, and Bcl-2, while reducing the expression level of Bax (P<0.05). It also significantly elevated intracellular Mg2+ content and protein synthesis efficiency and simultaneously inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Gyp-L could reverse the magnesium homeostasis imbalance and apoptosis inhibition caused by the overexpression of NUF2, downregulating the expression levels of NUF2, MAGT1, NIPA1, NIPAL1, and Bcl-2 (P<0.05), while upregulating the expression level of Bax (P<0.05). ConclusionGyp-L can inhibit the occurrence of ovarian cancer, and its mechanism may involve inhibiting the expression of NUF2 to maintain magnesium homeostasis and inducing apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells.
3.Fate of Brain Metastasis With Cerebrospinal Fluid Space Invasion Based on MRI Findings: Clinical Features and Factors Affecting Progression to Overt Leptomeningeal Metastasis
Yoontae HONG ; Haechan SONG ; Ho-Shin GWAK ; Yun-Sik DHO ; Sang Hoon SHIN ; Heon YOO ; Kyu-Chang WANG
Brain Tumor Research and Treatment 2026;14(1):35-46
Background:
Parenchymal brain metastasis (BM) and its extended growth into cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) pathways or surgical spillage could result in leptomeningeal metastasis (LM). We defined BM with epipial spread or dural attachment on MRI as BM with CSF space invasion (BM-CSFi), regardless of CSF cytology results, and evaluated its clinical course after BM resection.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 297 patients who underwent craniotomy for BM exclud-ing patients followed for <6 months or without follow-up MRI. Primary outcomes were proportion of patients progressing to overt LM and time to progression. We also evaluated clinical and radiologic variables to identify risk factors for LM progression.
Results:
A total of 91 patients (30.6%) developed overt LM, with median time to progressionof 7.9 months during 18.3 months follow-up after the craniotomy. On multivariable analysis, preoperative MRI evidence of dural attachment with enhancement (hazard ratio [HR], 5.59; p=0.002), primary small cell lung cancer (HR, 4.92; p=0.026), infratentorial BM location (HR, 2.14; p=0.019), and postoperative cumulative CSF cytology positive rate ≥50% (HR, 7.13; p=0.012) were independent risk factors for LM progression. The mode of resection and postoperative radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy were not significantly associated with LM progression.
Conclusion
BM-CSFi, defined by preoperative MRI findings, may represent a clinically importantprecursor of LM. Our findings highlight the need for close monitoring of patients with BM-CSFi and the development of management protocols to minimize the risk of LM progression.
4.Role of prohibitin 2 in mitophagy pathway against atherosclerosis in rats undergoing endurance training
Mingxiao SONG ; Junshunzi CHEN ; Ningwei WANG ; Huan CAI ; Hong FENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2294-2300
BACKGROUND:Exercises can reduce blood lipids and slow down the development of atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis begins with mitochondrial dysfunction,and prohibitin 2 is involved in mitophagy by endurance training. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of endurance training in the intervention of prohibitin 2 protein in the mitophagy autophagy pathway in atherosclerosis. METHODS:A total of 40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,exercise group,atherosclerosis group and atherosclerosis combined with exercise group,with 10 rats in each group.A rat model of atherosclerosis was constructed by combining a high-fat diet(9 weeks)with vitamin D injections(weeks 1,3,and 6)in the latter two groups,while the two exercise groups were subjected to progressing intensity endurance training for 9 weeks.After the intervention,lipid and pathological detections were conducted to observe the modeling and interventional effects.Mitochondrial membrane potential and mitophagy proteins were detected by microplate reader and western blot.Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the co-localization of mitophagy proteins in aortic tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Lipid and pathological sections showed that compared with the atherosclerosis group,the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and aortic lipid deposition area were significantly reduced in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group(P<0.001).The results of mitochondrial membrane potential showed that the significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential of the aorta in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group was reversed(P<0.01).The results of western blot assay showed that compared with the control group,the mitochondrial protein expression of prohibitin 2,LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ,PINK1 and Parkin was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of PARL and PGAM5 decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the atherosclerosis group,the protein expression of PINK1 and Parkin in the mitchondria of rats in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expressions of prohibitin 2,LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ,PARL and PGAM5 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,the co-localization of LC3 and PINK1 with TOMM20 was significantly increased in the atherosclerosis group(P<0.05),while compared with the atherosclerosis group,the co-localization of LC3 and PINK1 with TOMM20 was significantly increased in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group(P<0.05).Co-localization of LC3 and PARL with prohibitin 2 was significantly increased in the atherosclerosis group compared with the control group(P<0.01),co-localization of LC3 with prohibitin 2 was significantly increased in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group compared with the atherosclerosis group(P<0.01),and co-localization of PARL protein with prohibitin 2 was significantly decreased in the atherosclerosis combined with exercise group compared with the atherosclerosis group(P<0.01).To conclude,endurance training can induce the expression of prohibitin 2 in the inner mitochondrial membrane and promote the binding of prohibitin 2 to the mitophagy junction protein to complete mitophagy,restore mitochondrial function,and slow down the occurrence of atherosclerosis.
5.Role of noninvasive tests in the prognostication of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Yue WANG ; Sherlot Juan SONG ; Yichong JIANG ; Jimmy Che-To LAI ; Grace Lai-Hung WONG ; Vincent Wai-Sun WONG ; Terry Cheuk-Fung YIP
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(Suppl):S51-S75
In managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, which affects over 30% of the general population, effective noninvasive biomarkers for assessing disease severity, monitoring disease progression, predicting the development of liver-related complications, and assessing treatment response are crucial. The advantage of simple fibrosis scores lies in their widespread accessibility through routinely performed blood tests and extensive validation in different clinical settings. They have shown reasonable accuracy in diagnosing advanced fibrosis and good performance in excluding the majority of patients with a low risk of liver-related complications. Among patients with elevated serum fibrosis scores, a more specific fibrosis and imaging biomarker has proved useful to accurately identify patients at risk of liver-related complications. Among specific fibrosis blood biomarkers, enhanced liver fibrosis is the most widely utilized and has been approved in the United States as a prognostic biomarker. For imaging biomarkers, the availability of vibration-controlled transient elastography has been largely improved over the past years, enabling the use of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for accurate assessment of significant and advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Combining LSM with other routinely available blood tests enhances the ability to diagnose at-risk metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and predict liver-related complications, some reaching an accuracy comparable to that of liver biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging-based modalities provide the most accurate quantification of liver fibrosis, though the current utilization is limited to research settings. Expanding their future use in clinical practice depends on factors such as cost and facility availability.
6.Spotting undiagnosed significant liver fibrosis in the general population: impact on subsequent clinical care: Editorial on “Prevalence of clinically significant liver fibrosis in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis”
Nana PENG ; Mary Yue WANG ; Sherlot Juan SONG ; Terry Cheuk-Fung YIP
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):256-260
7.Important factors affecting depression:modulatory effects of Cx43 on neuroinflammation
Xuan ZENG ; Zi-han YAN ; Zhi-feng TIAN ; Hong-bin WANG ; Qi-di AI ; Mei-yu LIN ; Xuan LIU ; Nai-hong CHEN ; Song-wei YANG ; Yan-tao YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2027-2031
Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.
8.Exploring the Action Mechanism of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula Improving Renal Injury in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-triggered Ferroptosis
Hong FANG ; Chundong SONG ; Xu WANG
Acta Medicinae Universitatis Scientiae et Technologiae Huazhong 2025;54(2):172-179
Objective To investigate the mechanism of improving renal injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN)by Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula.Methods Male SD rats were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet,combining with a single in-traperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish DN model.The rats were divided into the model group,the valsartan group,the equal-dose group of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula(equal-Yi group),and the high-dose group of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue For-mula(high-Yi group)according to the method of randomized numerical table.The treatment groups were administered by gavage from the tenth week of the modeling period.Levels of 24-hour urinary total protein(UTP),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),glucose(GLU),cholesterol(CHOL),and triglycerides(TG)were measured.Serum malondialdehyde(MDA)lev-els were detected by ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of XBP1,HRD1,Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 in rat kidney tissues.The qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of XBP1,HRD1,Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 in rat kidney tissues.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissues of rats in each group.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed significantly higher levels of 24h-UTP,BUN,SCr,GLU,CHOL,and TG(all P<0.01),significantly higher levels of serum MDA(P<0.01),significantly higher expression of XBP1,HRD1 protein and mRNA in renal tissues(all P<0.01),significantly lower protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4(all P<0.01),and renal pathological damage was severe.Compared with the model group,24h-UTP,BUN,SCr,GLU,CHOL,TG levels were significantly reduced in the valsartan group,equal-Yi group and high-Yi group(all P<0.01),serum MDA levels were significantly reduced(P<0.01),XBP1,HRD1 protein and mRNA expressions in renal tissues were significantly reduced(all P<0.01),Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 protein and mRNA expression were significantly increased(all P<0.01),and renal pathology was improved.Conclusion Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula may inhibit the occurrence of endo-plasmic reticulum stress,attenuate iron death injury,protect renal function and ameliorate renal injury by regulating XBP1/HRD1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
9.CatLet(Hexu)angiographic scoring system
Xue-cheng SONG ; Yang HE ; Xing-hong LIN ; Cai-yun SONG ; Xiu WANG ; Ming-xing XU ; Yong-ming HE
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(4):231-235
This review has introduced the Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion(CatLet or Hexu)angiographic scoring system,which,based solely on coronary angiography results,has characterized 6 types of right coronary artery,3 types of left descending artery,and 3 types of diagonal size,together resulting in 54 types of coronary circulation pattern.This novel angiographic scoring system can be utilized to account for coronary anatomy in its diversity,severity and complexity of diseased coronary arteries,and their subtended myocardial territories in jeopardy.The CatLet angiographic scoring system is unique in that the importance of a coronary artery is weighted according to its subtended myocardial segments,by which the variability of coronary artery has been accounted for and measured.Researchers at home and abroad have increasingly paid attention to its clinical utilities,which warrant further validation in the context of large sample size,prospective,and randomized controlled trials.The CatLet angiographic scoring system is accessible at www.catletscore.com.
10.Exploring the Action Mechanism of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula Improving Renal Injury in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-triggered Ferroptosis
Hong FANG ; Chundong SONG ; Xu WANG
Acta Medicinae Universitatis Scientiae et Technologiae Huazhong 2025;54(2):172-179
Objective To investigate the mechanism of improving renal injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN)by Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula.Methods Male SD rats were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet,combining with a single in-traperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish DN model.The rats were divided into the model group,the valsartan group,the equal-dose group of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula(equal-Yi group),and the high-dose group of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue For-mula(high-Yi group)according to the method of randomized numerical table.The treatment groups were administered by gavage from the tenth week of the modeling period.Levels of 24-hour urinary total protein(UTP),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),glucose(GLU),cholesterol(CHOL),and triglycerides(TG)were measured.Serum malondialdehyde(MDA)lev-els were detected by ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of XBP1,HRD1,Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 in rat kidney tissues.The qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of XBP1,HRD1,Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 in rat kidney tissues.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissues of rats in each group.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed significantly higher levels of 24h-UTP,BUN,SCr,GLU,CHOL,and TG(all P<0.01),significantly higher levels of serum MDA(P<0.01),significantly higher expression of XBP1,HRD1 protein and mRNA in renal tissues(all P<0.01),significantly lower protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4(all P<0.01),and renal pathological damage was severe.Compared with the model group,24h-UTP,BUN,SCr,GLU,CHOL,TG levels were significantly reduced in the valsartan group,equal-Yi group and high-Yi group(all P<0.01),serum MDA levels were significantly reduced(P<0.01),XBP1,HRD1 protein and mRNA expressions in renal tissues were significantly reduced(all P<0.01),Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 protein and mRNA expression were significantly increased(all P<0.01),and renal pathology was improved.Conclusion Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Formula may inhibit the occurrence of endo-plasmic reticulum stress,attenuate iron death injury,protect renal function and ameliorate renal injury by regulating XBP1/HRD1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

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