1.Notoginsenoside R1 modulates mitophagy in human cardiomyocytes viathe Pink1/Parkin pathway after hypoxia/reoxygenation
Xiaoman XIONG ; Huan WU ; Shanglin LU ; Yong WANG ; Yuhua ZHENG ; Yi XIANG ; Haiyan ZHOU ; Xingde LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):53-59
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) ameliorates hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury in AC16 human cardiomyocyte cell lines through the regulation of mitophagy. MethodsCommon genes linked to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and mitophagy were identified by intersecting data from GeneCards and MitoCarta databases. AC16 cell viability was assessed via CCK-8 assay under varying NGR1 concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μmol/L). AC16 cells were divided into the following groups: control group (Control), model group (H/R), and treatment groups (H/R + NGR1 at 100, 200 and 300 μmol/L). Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured using 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining. Transcriptional levels of mitophagy-related genes (Parkin, Pink1, P62) were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Protein expression of mitophagy-related markers (Parkin, Pink1, P62, and LC3BⅡ) was evaluated via Western blot analysis. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ResultsCompared to the control group, cell viability in the H/R group significantly decreased (P<0.01). Treatment with NGR1 at concentrations above 100 μmol/L significantly enhanced the cell viability of AC16 cells compared to the H/R group (P<0.01). H/R induced a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01), which was restored by NGR1 treatment (P<0.01). The mRNA levels of Parkin, Pink1, and P62 in the H/R group were upregulated compared to the control group (P<0.05), while NGR1 intervention downregulated their expression (P<0.05). Protein expression levels of Parkin, Pink1, and LC3BⅡ in the H/R group significantly increased, while P62 expression decreased compared to the control group (P<0.01). In contrast, different doses of NGR1 treatment significantly reduced the expression of Parkin, Pink1, and LC3BⅡ while increasing P62 expression (P<0.05). TEM revealed that the mitochondrial structure in the H/R group was severely disrupted, with fragmented and disorganized cristae, which was alleviated by NGR1. ConclusionNGR1 ameliorates H/R-induced AC16 cell injury, and its mechanism may be associated with modulating the Pink1/Parkin pathway to suppress excessive mitophagy.
2.Analysis of components absorbed into blood and brain of Lithocarpus litseifolius leaves
Huan LIU ; Zirong YI ; Ting HUANG ; Xiuhong LIU ; Yunyao YE ; Yuming MA ; Mengqi HU ; Nan ZHANG ; Wenhao YANG ; Yang LIU ; Guopeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):889-894
OBJECTIVE To analyze the prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of Lithocarpus litseifolius leaves, so as to provide a reference for clarifying the pharmacological material basis of its prevention and treatment of central nervous system dis eases. METHODS The ethanol extract of L. litseifolius leaves, as well as the gastric lavage fluid and perfusion solution were prepared. Using rats as subjects, plasma samples of intestinal wall metabolism, intestinal flora metabolism and hepatic metabolism were prepared via in situ intestinal perfusion and closed intestinal loop method; while comprehensive metabolic plasma samples, brain tissue samples, and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected after intragastric administration. UPLC-HRMS technology was utilized to analyze and identify chemical components and prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of L. litseifolius leaves. RESULTS A total of 66 chemical constituents were identified in L. litseifolius leaves, primarily consisting of flavonoids, organic acids, and others. A total of 16, 13, 11, and 5 prototype components were identified in intestinal wall metabolism, intestinal flora metabolism, hepatic metabolism, and comprehensive metabolic plasma samples, respectively. Additionally, 4 prototype components were detected in brain tissue and 9 in cerebrospinal fluid. Phloridzin, trilobatin, phloretin-2- O -malonyl hexoside, and phloretin were identified as common components across all sample types. CONCLUSIONS Prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of L. litseifolius leaves, such as phloridzin, trilobatin, phloretin, and other components may serve as the pharmacological material basis for their therapeutic effects on central nervous system diseases.
3.In Vivo Electrochemical Analysis of Brain Neurochemistry:Opportunities and Challenges in Clinical Applications
Ke LI ; Huan WEI ; Ran LIU ; Yi-Fei XUE ; Li-Juan LI ; Li-Juan HOU ; Lan-Qun MAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):311-327
Neuroscience,a cutting-edge field in interdisciplinary research,consistently draws considerable research interest,of which quantitatively probing the neurochemical dynamics is essential for brain science research.In vivoelectrochemical analysis,featuring with high sensitivity,high spatiotemporal resolution,free from transfection,and designable electrode/solution interfaces,provides important tools for in vivo neurochemicals sensing.Fast scan cyclic voltammetry combined with microelectrodes can not only enable precise detection of dopamine but also is compatible with existing neurosurgical equipment.This offers new opportunities for the clinical application of in vivo electrochemical analysis and paves new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases.This review summarized recent progress of in vivo electrochemical techniques for brain neurochemistry and addressed key clinical challenges and their potential solutions.
4.Correlation between the expression of serum LCN2, CMKLR1 and CCL11 and the severity of disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dry eye
Guoying LIU ; Jiangping HOU ; Huan WU ; Yi JIANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):813-818
AIM: To investigate the correlation between the expression of serum lipocalin 2(LCN2), chemokine like receptor 1(CMKLR1), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 11(CCL11)and the severity of disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and dry eye(DE).METHODS:A prospective selection of 97 patients(194 eyes)diagnosed with T2DM and DE at our hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 was made as the DE group, which was further divided into mild(47 cases, 94 eyes), moderate(34 cases, 68 eyes), and severe(16 cases, 32 eyes)subgroups based on the severity of dry eye. Additionally, 97 patients(194 eyes)of T2DM without DE were selected as non-DE group, and 97 healthy volunteers(194 eyes)who underwent physical examination during the same period were chosen as control group. Serum levels of LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11 were measured in all participants. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between serum levels of LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11 and the severity of DE in T2DM patients; multivariate Logistic analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the severity of T2DM patients with DE. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of serum LCN2, CMKLR1 and CCL11 levels for moderate to severe dry eye in T2DM patients.RESULTS: Serum levels of LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11 increased progressively from the control group to the non-DE group and then to the DE group(all P<0.05). Within the DE group, these levels also increased progressively from the mild to moderate and then to the severe subgroups(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum levels of LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11 were positively correlated with the severity of disease(rs=0.604, 0.591, 0.559, respectively; all P<0.05). Stepwise forward multivariate Logistic analysis showed that Schirmer's test(SⅠt), tear break-up time(BUT), serum levels of LCN2, CMKLR1 and CCL11 were the factors affecting the severity of T2DM patients with DE; ROC curve analysis indicated that the combined diagnosis of serum LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11 for the progression of T2DM with DE to moderate-to-severe stages had an area under curve(AUC)value of 0.896, which was significantly higher than that of individual diagnoses of LCN2, CMKLR1, and CCL11(Z=2.925, 2.704, 3.483, respectively; P=0.003, 0.007, <0.001).CONCLUSION: Serum LCN2, CMKLR1 and CCL11 levels are increased in T2DM patients with DE, and are positively correlated with the severity of DE. The combination of the three has a high diagnostic value for moderate to severe DE.
5.Expression and clinical significance of TLR4 and NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears of patients with dry eye
Guoying LIU ; Jiangping HOU ; Huan WU ; Yi JIANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):975-979
AIM: To investigate the expression and clinical diagnostic value of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears of patients with dry eye.METHODS: From January 2023 to June 2024, 104 dry eye patients(104 eyes, disease group)who visited our hospital and 100 healthy individuals(100 eyes, control group)who underwent physical examination were selected. The changes of TLR4 and NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears were analyzed. Pearson analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between TLR4 and NF-κB expression in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears. Logistic analysis was applied to analyze the factors that affected dry eye. ROC was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of TLR4 and NF-κB expression in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears for dry eye.RESULTS: The differences in the use of eye drops, tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer's test(SⅠt), tear film thickness(TFT), and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)scores between the disease group and the control group were statistically significant(all P<0.01). The expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between TLR4 and NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears(r=0.392, 0.348, all P<0.05). Frequent use of eye drops, CFS score, TLR4, and NF-κB were risk factors for dry eye(OR=2.153, 3.183, 1.578, 2.452, all P<0.05), while BUT, SⅠt, and TFT were protective factors for dry eye(OR=0.654, 0.755, 0.276, all P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of TLR4 combined with NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells in the diagnosis of dry eye were 86.54%, 81.00%, and 0.889, respectively. The combination of TLR4 and NF-κB had higher diagnostic value for dry eye than uncombined diagnosis(Zcombination-TLR4=3.506, P=0.001; Zcombination-NF-κB=3.165, P=0.002). The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of TLR4 combined with NF-κB in tears for diagnosing dry eye were 82.69%, 70.00%, and 0.818, respectively. The combination of TLR4 and NF-κB in tears had higher diagnostic value for dry eye than uncombined diagnosis(Zcombination-TLR4=3.117, P=0.002; Zcombination-NF-κB=2.363, P=0.018).CONCLUSION: The expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB in conjunctival epithelial cells and tears of patients with dry eye are elevated. TLR4 and NF-κB are related to the development of dry eye, and that elevated levels of both are associated with an increased risk of dry eye disease. The combination of TLR4 and NF-κB has a certain diagnostic significance for dry eye.
6.HIV Pretreatment Drug Resistance and Transmission Clusters among Newly Diagnosed Patients in the China-Myanmar Border Region, 2020-2023.
Huan LIU ; Yue Cheng YANG ; Xing DUAN ; Yi Chen JIN ; Yan Fen CAO ; Yi FENG ; Chang CAI ; He He ZHAO ; Hou Lin TANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):840-847
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HIV pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and the transmission clusters associated with PDR-related mutations in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients between 2020 and 2023 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China.
METHODS:
Demographic information and plasma samples were collected from study participants. PDR was assessed using the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database. The Tamura-Nei 93 model within HIV-TRACE was employed to compute pairwise matches with a genetic distance of 0.015 substitutions per site.
RESULTS:
Among 948 treatment-naive individuals with eligible sequences, 36 HIV subtypes were identified, with unique recombinant forms (URFs) being the most prevalent (18.8%, 178/948). The overall prevalence of PDR was 12.4% (118/948), and resistance to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) was 10.7%, 1.3%, and 1.6%, respectively. A total of 91 clusters were identified, among which eight showed evidence of PDR strain transmission. The largest PDR-associated cluster consisted of six CRF01_AE drug-resistant strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations; five of these individuals had initial CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/μL.
CONCLUSION
The distribution of HIV subtypes in Dehong is diverse and complex. PDR was moderately prevalent (12.4%) between 2020 and 2023. Evidence of transmission of CRF01_AE strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations was found. Routine surveillance of PDR and the strengthening of control measures are essential to limit the spread of drug-resistance HIV strains.
Humans
;
HIV Infections/virology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Drug Resistance, Viral
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
HIV-1/genetics*
;
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Myanmar/epidemiology*
;
Young Adult
;
Prevalence
;
Adolescent
;
Mutation
7.Generalized Functional Linear Models: Efficient Modeling for High-dimensional Correlated Mixture Exposures.
Bing Song ZHANG ; Hai Bin YU ; Xin PENG ; Hai Yi YAN ; Si Ran LI ; Shutong LUO ; Hui Zi WEIREN ; Zhu Jiang ZHOU ; Ya Lin KUANG ; Yi Huan ZHENG ; Chu Lan OU ; Lin Hua LIU ; Yuehua HU ; Jin Dong NI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):961-976
OBJECTIVE:
Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of environmental chemicals and other factors that can affect their health. Analysis of these mixture exposures presents several key challenges for environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, including high dimensionality, correlated exposure, and subtle individual effects.
METHODS:
We proposed a novel statistical approach, the generalized functional linear model (GFLM), to analyze the health effects of exposure mixtures. GFLM treats the effect of mixture exposures as a smooth function by reordering exposures based on specific mechanisms and capturing internal correlations to provide a meaningful estimation and interpretation. The robustness and efficiency was evaluated under various scenarios through extensive simulation studies.
RESULTS:
We applied the GFLM to two datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In the first application, we examined the effects of 37 nutrients on BMI (2011-2016 cycles). The GFLM identified a significant mixture effect, with fiber and fat emerging as the nutrients with the greatest negative and positive effects on BMI, respectively. For the second application, we investigated the association between four pre- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and gout risk (2007-2018 cycles). Unlike traditional methods, the GFLM indicated no significant association, demonstrating its robustness to multicollinearity.
CONCLUSION
GFLM framework is a powerful tool for mixture exposure analysis, offering improved handling of correlated exposures and interpretable results. It demonstrates robust performance across various scenarios and real-world applications, advancing our understanding of complex environmental exposures and their health impacts on environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
Humans
;
Environmental Exposure/analysis*
;
Linear Models
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Environmental Pollutants
;
Body Mass Index
8.Associations of Genetic Risk and Physical Activity with Incident Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Large Prospective Cohort Study.
Jin YANG ; Xiao Lin WANG ; Wen Fang ZHONG ; Jian GAO ; Huan CHEN ; Pei Liang CHEN ; Qing Mei HUANG ; Yi Xin ZHANG ; Fang Fei YOU ; Chuan LI ; Wei Qi SONG ; Dong SHEN ; Jiao Jiao REN ; Dan LIU ; Zhi Hao LI ; Chen MAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1194-1204
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
METHODS:
This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity.
CONCLUSION
Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans
;
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology*
;
Exercise
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Aged
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Risk Factors
;
United Kingdom/epidemiology*
;
Incidence
;
Adult
9.Preparation of allitridin nano-sustained release particles and experimental study on its protective effect on lower limb ischemia
Huan Ouyang ; Bo Liu ; Yi Liu ; Binshan Zha ; Yang Ding ; Xianyu Hu ; Zhiyong Chen
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):201-209
Objective:
To prepare hollow mesoporous silicon nanoparticles ( HMSNs) loaded with allicin—diallyl trisulfide (DATS) , and to study their feasibility as a therapeutic agent for ischemic injury of lower limbs .
Methods:
HMSNs were synthesized by selective etching , and their microstructure was observed by scanning and transmis- sion electron microscopy. Their physical and chemical properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering (DLS) . Their biological safety was tested by erythrocyte hemolysis and cytotoxicity experiments . DATS was loaded into HMSNs by adsorption to obtain DATS sustained release nanoparticles (DATS-HMSNs) , and the cumulative release curve of DATS was calculated and produced by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (sham operation group , normal saline group , DATS group , and DATS-HM- SNs group) . Lower limb ischemia models were made by femoral artery ligation and resection . The exercise ability and the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α ) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) , monocyte chemoattractant protein- 1 (MCP-1) , reactive oxygen species (ROS) , platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) , alpha smooth muscle actin ( α-SMA) , basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in muscles of mice in each group before and after limb ischemia were tested .
Results :
Scanning and transmission e- lectron microscope observation showed that the prepared HMSNs were hollow , spherical and uniform in particle size . DLS results showed that the particle size was (226. 5 ± 11 . 8) nm. The results of red blood cell hemolysis test and cytotoxicity test showed that HMSNs had good biocompatibility. The maximum drug loading rate of HMSNs on DATS was 27. 89% , the cumulative release rate of DATS in 7 days was about 80. 12% , and could reach 97. 27% in 21 days . Compared with the control group , after DATS-HMSNs were applied to mice with lower limb ischemia , immunohistochemical staining showed that the levels of CD31 , α-SMA , bFGF and VEGF increased ( P < 0. 05) . Elisa test showed that the levels of TNF-α , IL-6 , MCP-1 and ROS decreased (P < 0. 05) , and the exercise ability of mice recovered satisfactorily after ischemia.
Conclusion
DATS-HMSNs can release DATS slowly and continu- ously , providing protection against ischemic injury of lower limbs .
10.Resveratrol attenuates hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis via Nrf2/Keap1 pathway
Xue-fei FAN ; Jian ZHOU ; Su-huan CHEN ; Meng-yan ZHANG ; Hao-miao LIU ; Rui SU ; Guang-yi CHEN ; Yu-bao SHAO ; Tao YAO ; Xiao-yu CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):861-867
Aim To explore the therapeutic effects of resveratrol(Res)on hepatic inflammation and oxida-tive stress in rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to eluci-date the relationship of the regulatory mechanism of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway in it.Methods A mouse model of arthritis was induced using chicken type Ⅱ collagen in combination with complete Freund's adjuvant,and Res was administered by tube feeding for treatment.Serum liver function indices and levels of hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress were detected in mice.An in vitro cellular model of hepatic inflam-mation and oxidative stress was established by treating mouse primary hepatocytes(MPHs)with TNF-α(5μg·L-1),cell proliferation inhibition was detected by CCK-8,and inflammation and oxidative stress-relat-ed indices were detected by protein blotting.The in-trinsic mechanisms by which Res attenuated hepatic in-flammation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis were explored by treating MPHs with Nrf2 inhibitor and Keap1 overexpression plasmid.Results Res signifi-cantly reduced the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in hepatic tissues of collagen-induced arthritis mice as well as TNF-α-treated MPHs,and activated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway.Inflammation and oxidative stress levels in MPHs were exacerbated by the use of Nrf2 inhibitors and Keap1 overexpression,which promoted apoptosis.Conclusion Res attenuates he-patic inflammation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis via the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.


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