1.The Role and Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity by Reducing Circulating Glutamate
Xiao-Rui XING ; Qin SUN ; Huan-Yu WANG ; Ruo-Bing FAN ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1373-1385
ObjectiveTo explore the role and potential mechanism of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity by aerobic exercise. This research may provide a novel strategy for preventing metabolic diseases through precise exercise interventions. MethodsTo investigate the effects of elevated circulating glutamate on insulin sensitivity and its potential mechanisms, 18 male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a group receiving 500 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (M), and a group receiving 1 000 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (H). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, with treatments administered 6 d per week. Following the intervention, an insulin tolerance test (ITT) and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) were conducted. Circulating glutamate levels were measured using a commercial kit, and the activity of the skeletal muscle InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed via Western blot. To further investigate the role of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity through aerobic exercise, 30 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (CS), an exercise intervention group (ES), and an exercise combined with glutamate supplementation group (EG). The ES group underwent treadmill-based aerobic exercise, while the EG group received glutamate supplementation at a dosage of 1 000 mg/kg in addition to aerobic exercise. The intervention lasted for 10 weeks, with sessions occurring 6 d per week, and the same procedures were followed afterward. To further elucidate the mechanism by which glutamate modulates the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, C2C12 myotubes were initially subjected to graded glutamate treatment (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10 mmol/L) to determine the optimal concentration for cellular intervention. Subsequently, the cells were divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a glutamate intervention group (G), and a glutamate combined with MK801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) intervention group (GK). The G group was treated with 5 mmol/L glutamate, while the GK group received 50 μmol/L MK801 in addition to 5 mmol/L glutamate. After 24 h of intervention, the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blot. ResultsCompared to the mice in group C, the circulating glutamate levels, the area under curve (AUC) of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group H were significantly increased. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle were significantly downregulated. Compared to the mice in group CS, the circulating glutamate levels, the AUC of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group ES were significantly reduced. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle of group ES mice were significantly upregulated. There were no significant changes observed in the mice of group EG. Compared to the cells in group 0 mmol/L, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in cells of group 5 mmol/L were significantly downregulated. Compared to the cells in group C, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in the cells of group G were significantly downregulated. No significant changes were observed in the cells of group GK. ConclusionLong-term aerobic exercise can improve insulin sensitivity by lowering circulating levels of glutamate. This effect may be associated with the upregulation of the InsR/IRS1/AKT signaling pathway activity in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, glutamate can weaken the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, potentially by binding to NMDAR expressed in skeletal muscle.
2.Dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Xu-Huan ZOU ; Rui LAN ; Xue-Qin FU ; Wei-Wei WANG ; Man-Man WANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Hong-Yu LI ; Xiao-Ming SHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1056-1066
Aim To investigate the dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by establishing a model of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were ran-domly divided into six groups:sham group and cere-bral ischemia-reperfusion injury(IR)groups at differ-ent time points.Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)technique.The Longa sco-ring method was used to assess neurobehavioral scores in rats.After successful model preparation,routine paraffin sections were made,and TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry staining with NeuN antibody were performed to observe cell apoptosis and neuronal cell survival,respectively.Immunohistochemistry stai-ning was also performed to investigate the changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)as a marker for astrocytes,ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1)as a marker for microglia,and CD31 as a marker for endothelial cells at different time points.Results No significant changes were observed in neu-ronal cells of the sham group at different time points.In the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury groups,cell apoptosis was activated at IR3h and increased in quan-tity with morphological damage as time progressed.Ne-uN+neurons showed signs of ischemic injury after IR3h,with abnormal cell morphology.From 12 h,Ne-uN+neurons decreased in a time-dependent manner and reached their peak severity at 24 h.GFAP+astro-cytes decreased significantly after IR3h,while poorly labeled GFAP+astrocytes increased at IR 6 h and al-most disappeared in the infarcted area at 24 h and 48 h.The number of IBA-1+microglia-positive cells de-creased at IR3h,and their volume increased at IR6h.Microglial cell death was observed in the infarcted area at IR12h.CD31+endothelial cells around the infarc-ted cortex and striatum increased significantly after IR3h and persisted until 48 h.Conclusions After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,the number of ap-optotic cells increases with the prolongation of time,and NeuN+neurons exhibit the most severe damage at 24 h.GFAP+astrocytes and microglial cells gradually die over time.The number of CD31+endothelial cells increases significantly around the infarcted cortex and striatum after 3 h of reperfusion and persists until 48 h.
3.Mechanism of effect of rosiglitazone on pancreatic cancer in diabetic mice based on impact of PPARy on glucose transport and metabolism
Rui-Ping HU ; Li-Feng SHANG ; He-Jing WANG ; Hong-Xia CHE ; Ming-Liang WANG ; Huan YANG ; Yuan-Yuan JIN ; Fei-Fei ZHANG ; Jian-Ling ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1325-1334
Aim To explore the mechanism of the effect of rosiglitazone(Rsg)on the pancreatic cancer in diabetic mice based on the impact of PPARγ on glu-cose transport and metabolism.Methods A high-fat and high sugar diet combined with STZ was used to construct T2DM model;T2DM mice and normal mice were subcutaneously injected with PANC02 cells to construct a transplanted tumor model.T2DM trans-planted tumor mice and normal transplanted tumor mice were divided into the following groups:Rsg,PPARy inhibitor(PIN-2),rosiglitazone+PPARγ in-hibitor(Rsg+PIN-2),and normal transplanted tumor mice(NDM)and T2DM transplanted tumor mice(DM)were used as control groups,respectively.Tis-sue samples were collected after intervention.Tissue pathological changes were observed by HE staining.The expressions of Ki67 and PCNA proteins were de-tected by immunohistochemistry.Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay.The expression of PPARγwas detected by immunofluorescence.The expressions of Glucokinase,GLUT2,Nkx6.1,PDX-1RT-PCR were determined by Western blot.Results Rsg could significantly reduce the tumor mass,pathological chan-ges,Ki67 and PCNA expression of transplanted tumors(P<0.05),increase cell apoptosis and the expression of PPARγ,Glucokinase,GLUT2,Nkx6.1,PDX-1 proteins in NDM and DM mice(P<0.05).PIN-2 could reverse the indicator changes caused by Rsg in NDM and DM mice.However,compared with NDM mice,the above related indicators of the DM group mice were more sensitive to Rsg and PIN-2.Conclu-sions Compared to non-diabetic pancreatic cancer,rosiglitazone can more sensitively inhibit the prolifera-tion of pancreatic cancer with T2DM,induce apopto-sis,and reprogram the metabolism of pancreatic cancer with T2DM by activating PPA Rγ and altering the ex-pression of glucose and lipid metabolism genes,there-by exerting an anti-cancer effect.
4.Long-term therapeutic efficacy and prognosis analysis of complex high-risk coronary heart disease patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with intra-aortic balloon pump
Tian-Tong YU ; Shuai ZHAO ; Yan CHEN ; You-Hu CHEN ; Gen-Rui CHEN ; Huan WANG ; Bo-Hui ZHANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Bo-Da ZHU ; Peng HAN ; Hao-Kao GAO ; Kun LIAN ; Cheng-Xiang LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(9):501-508
Objective We aimed to compare the efficacy and prognosis of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in complex and high-risk patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)combined with intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)assistance,and explore the application value of combined use of mechanical circulatory support(MCS)devices in complex PCI.Methods A total of patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent selective PCI supported by MCS at the Department of Cardiology,the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were continuously enrolled.According to the mechanical circulatory support method,the patients were divided into ECMO+IABP group and IABP group.Clinical characteristics,angiographic features,in-hospital outcomes,and complications were collected.The intra-hospital outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)at one month and one year after the procedure were observed.The differences and independent risk factors between the two groups in the above indicators were analyzed.Results A total of 218 patients undergoing elective PCI were included,of which 66 patients were in the ECMO+IABP group and 152 patients were in the IABP group.The baseline characteristics of the two groups of patients were generally comparable,but the ECMO+IABP group had more complex lesion characteristics.The proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation(6.1%vs.0.7%,P=0.030),left main disease(43.9%vs.27.0%,P=0.018),triple vessel disease(90.9%vs.75.5%,P=0.009),and RCA chronic total occlusion disease(60.6%vs.35.5%,P<0.001)was higher in the ECMO+IABP group compared to the IABP group.The proportion of patients with previous PCI history was higher in the IABP group(32.9%vs.16.7%,P=0.014).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of in-hospital complications between the two groups(P=0.176),but the incidence of hypotension after PCI was higher in the ECMO+IABP group(19.7%vs.9.2%,P=0.031).The rates of 1-month MACE(4.5%vs.2.6%,P=0.435)and 1-year MACE(7.6%vs.7.9%,P=0.936)were comparable between the two groups.Multivariate analysis showed that in-hospital cardiac arrest(OR 7.17,95%CI 1.27-40.38,P=0.025)and after procedure hypotension(OR 3.60,95%CI 1.10-11.83,P=0.035)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of 1-year MACE.Conclusions Combination use of ECMO+IABP support can provide complex and high-risk coronary heart disease patients with an opportunity to achieve coronary artery revascularization through PCI,and achieve satisfactory long-term prognosis.
5.The association of intestinal microbiota with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies:a review of research progress
Hongmei YANG ; Zixuan FENG ; Zixun XU ; Gangyi WANG ; Huan WU ; Rui FANG ; Ping CHEN
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;33(10):1724-1730
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health.Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can promote the occurrence and progression of tumors,especially hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors,by affecting intestinal homeostasis,gut metabolism,and immune function.Therefore,a better understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors may provide opportunities for developing new prevention and treatment strategies for patients with these malignancies.This article reviews recent research on the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies,aiming to provide a reference for future studies.
6.The different prefrontal activation in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia under eye emotion discrimination task: a near-infrared spectroscopy study
Yuan LI ; Huan HUANG ; Rui XU ; Shijing WANG ; Xuan QIN ; Yunlong PENG ; Wei YUAN ; Huiling WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(5):393-399
Objective:To compare the differences in prefrontal activation patterns between major depressive disorder and schizophrenia during the eye basic emotion discrimination task (EBEDT).Methods:Using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology and block design, the changes of prefrontal lobe oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentrations under EBEDT in 40 patients with major depressive disorder, 47 patients with schizophrenia and 55 normal controls were compared. Subsequently, employing years of education as a covariate, an analysis of covariance was performed on the EBEDT behavioral results and the changes in prefrontal Oxy-Hb concentrations in the three groups.The statistical software was SPSS 25.0.Results:(1)The correct number of EBEDT in schizophrenia group (13.93±7.67) was significantly lower than that in major depressive disorder group (19.26±8.07) and normal control group (21.79±6.36)(both P<0.05), and the EBEDT reaction time in schizophrenia group ((3.97±1.77) s) was significantly longer than those in major depressive disorder group ((3.21±1.27) s) and normal control group ((2.63±0.62) s)(both P<0.05).(2)During the EBEDT task block, the normal control group showed increased activation levels in the frontal polar region, Broca's area, anterior motor cortex and supplementary motor area (SMA) compared with the control block( t=2.02-3.18, all P<0.05); and the schizophrenia group showed increased activation levels in the frontal eye field compared with the control block( t=2.26, P=0.03); while the major depressive disorder group exhibited decreased activation levels in the entire prefrontal lobe compared with the control block( t=-3.47--2.34, all P<0.05). (3)During the emotion recognition task of EBEDT, the activation levels of the frontal polar area (ch37), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (ch31), Broca's area (ch49, ch51, ch53), and SMA (ch1, ch47, ch52) were significantly different among the major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and normal controls( F=3.23-5.53, all P<0.05). Further pairwise comparisons showed that the activation levels in all the above pathways were lower in the major depressive disorder group than those in the normal control group, and the activation levels in Broca's area (ch53) and SMA area (ch52) were lower in the schizophrenia group than those in the normal control group, while the activation levels in the frontal polar area (ch37) and Broca's area (ch49) were lower in the major depressive disorder group than those in the schizophrenia group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:In EBEDT, the activation patterns of the prefrontal cortex are different between patients with major depressive disorder and patients with schizophrenia. Patients with major depressive disorder have a decrease in prefrontal cortex activation, while patients with schizophrenia have an increase in the frontal eye field activation.The activation levels in prefrontal cortex of both patients group are lower than that of normal controls. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex activation level of patients with major depressive disorder is lower than that of patients with schizophrenia.
7.Report of six cases with mast cell leukemia and a literature review
Feng ZHU ; Yuan YU ; Chunyan CHEN ; Wenbing DUAN ; Qian JIANG ; Rui YAN ; Yu SUN ; Yanqiu HAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Huan WANG ; Qiurong ZHANG ; Suning CHEN ; Wanhui YAN ; Mengjie CAI ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Jia YIN ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;63(10):996-1000
From October 2021 to February 2023, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of six patients (three male and three female, median age: 54 years, age range: 29-73 years) with mast cell leukemia (MCL) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The Mastocytosis Collaborative Network of China). All patients had acute MCL, with at least one C-finding present. The main clinical presentations were hypoalbuminemia ( n=4), fatigue ( n=3), fever ( n=2), abdominal discomfort ( n=2), osteolytic lesions ( n=2), dizziness ( n=1), skin flushing ( n=1), and weight loss ( n=1). Splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were noted in six and three patients, respectively. Six patients were strongly positive for CD117, five were positive for CD30 and CD25, and four were positive for CD2. Four patients had a normal karyotype and two patients had an abnormal karyotype. Gene mutations were detected in 4/6 cases. The median serum tryptase level was 24.9 (range: 20.1-171.9) μg/L. Two patients were treated with venetoclax and azacitidine for induction (one patient achieved partial remission by combination with afatinib, while there was no remission after combination with dasatinib in the other patient). Two patients did not achieve complete remission despite treatment with cladribine and imatinib, respectively. One patient treated with interferon combined with glucocorticoids was lost to follow-up, and one patient abandoned treatment. The follow-up time ranged from 1.1 to 21.7 months. Three patients died and two survived. Overall, MCL is a rare subtype of systemic mastocytosis with heterogeneous clinical course, and these patients have poor outcome. A better understanding of the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of MCL is urgently needed.
8.Clinical study of the cytokine panel in the diagnosis of ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease
Xianjing CHENG ; Rui JI ; Ruihao HUAN ; Shiqin HUANG ; Wei FAN ; Yuancheng ZHAO ; Rongdi YUAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Xi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(3):242-248
Objective:To investigate the association between cytokines and ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and identify specific biomarkers for ocular cGVHD to enhance clinical diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation.Methods:A mouse model of cGVHD was established to explore the correlation between cGVHD and serum cytokines. Based on the findings from the animal experiments and literature review, a panel of 16 cytokine combinations was identified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to compare the cytokine concentrations in the serum and tear samples from patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from June 2017 to March 2022 at the Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University.Results:① Compared with the control group, mice with cGVHD exhibited elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, CX3CL1, CXCL11, CXCL13, CCL11, and CCL19 concentrations (all P<0.05). ② Analysis of the cytokine profiles of the serum and tear samples revealed that compared with patients without ocular cGVHD, those with ocular cGVHD exhibited increased serum IL-8 [ P=0.032, area under the curve (AUC) =0.678]; decreased serum IL-10 ( P=0.030, AUC=0.701) ; elevated IL-8, IFN-γ, CXCL9, and CCL17 in tear samples; and lower IL-10 and CCL19 in tear samples (all P<0.05, all AUC>0.7). Moreover, cytokines in tear samples showed correlations with ocular surface parameters related to ocular cGVHD. Conclusions:Tear fluid demonstrates greater specificity and sensitivity as a biomarker for diagnosing ocular cGVHD than serum biomarkers. Among the identified cytokines in tear samples, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, CXCL9, CCL17, and CCL19 serve as diagnostic biomarkers for ocular cGVHD post-transplantation, offering practical reference value for diagnosis.
9.Design and Implementation of a Comprehensive Data Platform for Meteorological Sensitive Diseases
Huan ZHENG ; Qiang CHEN ; Rui ZHANG ; Yujie MENG ; Jia ZHAO ; Lizhu JIN ; Xuejie DU ; Songwang WANG
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(6):79-84
Purpose/Significance To design a comprehensive data platform to meet the needs of collecting and sharing survey data on meteorological sensitive diseases,so as to enhance monitoring capabilities for meteorological sensitive diseases in China.Method/Process Through various methods such as data extraction,data exchange,data import and customized collection,disease data,meteoro-logical data,environmental data and diagnosis and treatment data are processed and integrated into the platform for unified management.Result/Conclusion This platform realizes the functions of data collection,aggregation,visualization display and data sharing,which can provide support for scientific researchers in various bases across the country to better manage and utilize meteorological sensitive disease survey data.
10. Dynamic changes in cytoskeletal elements following acute cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats
Yong ZHANG ; Xue-Qin FU ; Xu-Huan ZOU ; Man-Man WANG ; Wei-Wei WANG ; Rui LAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):263-272
Aim To investigate the dynamic time-course changes in neuronal cytoskeleton after acute ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Methods Reperfusion was performedin rats by blocking the middle cerebralarteryfor 90 min, then therats wereobserved and collected at different time points. The brain damage wasobserved by Nissl staining,and neurobehavioural function was evaluated with neurological deficit score and forelimb placement test. The cellular changes in the alternations of cytoskeletal elements including microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) and neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) were observed by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Impaired axons, dendrites and cytoskeletal alternations were detected by electron microscope. Results Brain damage and neurobehavioural function were gradually aggravated with the prolongation of reperfusion. Brain damage appeared earlier and more severe in striatum than in cortex. Moreover, decreased MAP2-related and increased NF-H-related immunoreactive intensities were found in the ischemic areas. Impaired cytoskeletal arrangement and reduced dense were indicated. Damaged cytoskeletal components such as microtubules and neurofilament arrangement, decreased axonal filament density, and swelled dendrites were observed after cerebral ischemia reperfusion by ultrastructural observations. Conclusions Different brain regions have diverse tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Major elements of neuronal cytoskeleton show dynamic responses to ischemia and reperfusion, which may further contribute to brain damage and neurological impairment following MCAO and reperfusion.

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