Background and aims The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown. Methods The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation. Results Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways. Conclusions PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism underlying the effects of three formulas of the method of warming Yang and relieving depression on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in the mice subjected to a two-hit paradigm of maternal separation （MS） combined with restraint stress （RS）. MethodsNeonatal mice were randomly assigned into the following groups： Blank control， MS alone， model （MS+RS）， warming Yang （WY，5.85 g·kg^-1）， relieving depression （RD，12.03 g·kg^-1）， warming Yang and relieving depression （WYRD，16.71 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine groups （2.6 mg·kg^-1）. MS was conducted on postnatal day 5 （PD5）. Weaning and preventive drug administration were carried out on PD21， and restraint stress was applied on PD90. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were assessed using the open field test （OFT）， the elevated zero maze test and tail suspension test （TST）. High-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection （HPLC-ECD） was employed to measure the levels of neurotransmitters， including 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and dopamine （DA）， in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of 5-HT_1A receptor （5-HT_1AR）， serotonin transporter （SERT）， monoamine oxidase A （MAOA）， glucocorticoid receptor （GR）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， and tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was applied to assess the protein expression levels of 5-HT_1AR， 5-HT_2A receptor （5-HT_2AR）， 5-HT_2C receptor （5-HT_2CR）， GR， and CRH receptor 1 （CRHR1）. The protein expression levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus were measured using the fully automated protein expression analysis system （Simple Wes）. ResultsIn the behavioral tests， compared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited significant increases in locomotor distance and central area crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）in OFT， as well as a significant increase in immobility time in the TST （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the RD， WYRD， and fluoxetine groups all showed significantly reduced central area crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Regarding neurotransmitter levels， compared with the blank control group， the model group had significantly decreased hippocampal epinephrine （E） and dopamine （DA） content （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the MS group， the model group showed significant decreases in hippocampal norepinephrine （NE）， E， and 5-HT content （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the WY group decreased hippocampal NE， DA， and 5-HT content （P<0.01）， while the RD， WYRD， and fluoxetine groups exhibited significantly increased hippocampal E content （P<0.01）. At the molecular level， compared with the blank control and MS groups， the model group showed significant increases in mRNA levels of 5-HT_1AR， SERT， MAOA， ACTH， and CRH （P<0.01）， and significant decreases in mRNA levels of tryptophan hydroxylase （TPH）， GR， BDNF， and TrkB （P<0.01）. Protein expression of 5-HT_1AR， 5-HT_2AR， and 5-HT_2CR was also significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， the RD group showed significant decreases in SERT， MAOA， and CRH mRNA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant increases in TPH， BDNF， and TrkB mRNA （P<0.01）， significantly reduced protein expression of 5-HT_1AR， 5-HT_2AR， and 5-HT_2CR （P<0.05）， and significantly increased GR protein expression. The WY group showed a significant increase in ACTH mRNA expression （P<0.01）. The fluoxetine group exhibited significant decreases in MAOA and CRH mRNA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant increases in TPH， BDNF， and TrkB mRNA （P<0.01）， significantly reduced 5-HT_2AR protein expression （P<0.01）， and significantly increased GR protein expression（P<0.05）. ConclusionThe method of warming Yang and relieving depression can ameliorate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in two-hit mice. Its mechanism may be associated with the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway， as well as the HPA axis and serotonergic system.

Objective : To investigate the antidepressant effects and the underlying mechanisms of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) and its nanoparticle formulation(THCN). Methods : Forty-six male ICR mice were randomly divided into Con group, LPS group, THC group, THCN group and SER group. A mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal administration of LPS. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of mice were evaluated by open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST). Myelin staining was applied to assess the extent of demyelination in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were further examined for the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) through quantitative immunofluorescence assays. Results : Compared with the Con group, the LPS group showed increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in both the long-term and short-term experiments(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination increased in the LPS group of the long-term experiment(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP was reduced in the LPS group of the short-term experiment(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05); the expression of TLR4 decreased in the THC group(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the THC group showed reduced depressive-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05), while the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THCN group and the SER group were reduced(P<0.05), and the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THC group and the THCN group were reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination was reduced in the THC group, THCN group and SER group in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP increased in the THC group of the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 was reduced(P<0.05), and the expression of GFAP increased in the THCN group(P<0.05). Compared with the THC group, the THCN group and the SER group showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampal DG area increased in the short-term experiment(P<0.01). Conclusion Tetrahydrocurcumin and its nanoparticle formulation both exert significant ameliorative effects on depression-like behaviors and demyelination in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. The antidepressant mechanism of THC appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of TLR4 and the up-regulation of GFAP. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant action of THCN seems predominantly focused on the enhancement of GFAP expression.

Background: The genetic basis for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed to uncover the genetic determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate their applications. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for GDM in Chinese women (464 cases and 1,217 controls), followed by de novo replications in an independent Chinese cohort (564 cases and 572 controls) and in silico replication in European (12,332 cases and 131,109 controls) and multi-ethnic populations (5,485 cases and 347,856 controls). A polygenic risk score (PRS) was derived based on the identified variants. Results: Using the genome-wide scan and candidate gene approaches, we identified four susceptibility loci for GDM. These included three previously reported loci for GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at MTNR1B (rs7945617, odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.38 to 1.96]), CDKAL1 (rs7754840, OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.58), and INS-IGF2-KCNQ1 (rs2237897, OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.79), as well as a novel genome-wide significant locus near TBR1-SLC4A10 (rs117781972, OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.61 to 2.62; Pmeta=7.6×10-9), which has not been previously reported in GWAS for T2DM or glycaemic traits. Moreover, we found that women with a high PRS (top quintile) had over threefold (95% CI, 2.30 to 4.09; Pmeta=3.1×10-14) and 71% (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.71; P=0.0220) higher risk for GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance post-pregnancy, respectively, compared to other individuals. Conclusion Our results indicate that the genetic architecture of glucose metabolism exhibits both similarities and differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant states. Integrating genetic information can facilitate identification of pregnant women at a higher risk of developing GDM or later diabetes.

Background: The genetic basis for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed to uncover the genetic determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate their applications. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for GDM in Chinese women (464 cases and 1,217 controls), followed by de novo replications in an independent Chinese cohort (564 cases and 572 controls) and in silico replication in European (12,332 cases and 131,109 controls) and multi-ethnic populations (5,485 cases and 347,856 controls). A polygenic risk score (PRS) was derived based on the identified variants. Results: Using the genome-wide scan and candidate gene approaches, we identified four susceptibility loci for GDM. These included three previously reported loci for GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at MTNR1B (rs7945617, odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.38 to 1.96]), CDKAL1 (rs7754840, OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.58), and INS-IGF2-KCNQ1 (rs2237897, OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.79), as well as a novel genome-wide significant locus near TBR1-SLC4A10 (rs117781972, OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.61 to 2.62; Pmeta=7.6×10-9), which has not been previously reported in GWAS for T2DM or glycaemic traits. Moreover, we found that women with a high PRS (top quintile) had over threefold (95% CI, 2.30 to 4.09; Pmeta=3.1×10-14) and 71% (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.71; P=0.0220) higher risk for GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance post-pregnancy, respectively, compared to other individuals. Conclusion Our results indicate that the genetic architecture of glucose metabolism exhibits both similarities and differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant states. Integrating genetic information can facilitate identification of pregnant women at a higher risk of developing GDM or later diabetes.

Background: The genetic basis for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed to uncover the genetic determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate their applications. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for GDM in Chinese women (464 cases and 1,217 controls), followed by de novo replications in an independent Chinese cohort (564 cases and 572 controls) and in silico replication in European (12,332 cases and 131,109 controls) and multi-ethnic populations (5,485 cases and 347,856 controls). A polygenic risk score (PRS) was derived based on the identified variants. Results: Using the genome-wide scan and candidate gene approaches, we identified four susceptibility loci for GDM. These included three previously reported loci for GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at MTNR1B (rs7945617, odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.38 to 1.96]), CDKAL1 (rs7754840, OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.58), and INS-IGF2-KCNQ1 (rs2237897, OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.79), as well as a novel genome-wide significant locus near TBR1-SLC4A10 (rs117781972, OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.61 to 2.62; Pmeta=7.6×10-9), which has not been previously reported in GWAS for T2DM or glycaemic traits. Moreover, we found that women with a high PRS (top quintile) had over threefold (95% CI, 2.30 to 4.09; Pmeta=3.1×10-14) and 71% (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.71; P=0.0220) higher risk for GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance post-pregnancy, respectively, compared to other individuals. Conclusion Our results indicate that the genetic architecture of glucose metabolism exhibits both similarities and differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant states. Integrating genetic information can facilitate identification of pregnant women at a higher risk of developing GDM or later diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influences of dihydromyricetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) through reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) pathway. METHODS: Five C57BL/6J mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after anesthesia. Chondrocytes were extracted and cultured.After passage, the chondrocytes were divided into control group, H2O2 group (0.8 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂), dihydromyricetin low concentration group (0.8 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂+20 μmol·L^-1 dihydromyricetin), dihydromyricetin high concentration group (0.8 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂+80 μmol·L^-1 dihydromyricetin), and ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (0.8 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂+5 mmol·L^-1 NAC). The activity of chondrocytes was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes was measured by Hoechst 33342 method. The level of ROS in chondrocytes was measured by 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence probe.The level of Type II collagen α1 (Col2α1) mRNA was measured by qRT-PCR.And the expression of Col2α1, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, B cell lymphoma gene-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) proteins was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The chondrocytes showed swirling fibrous mass, and the expression of COL2α was positive. Compared with the control group, the chondrocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ROS fluorescence intensity, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, and the expression of Bax protein in H2O22 group increased, the level of Col2α1 mRNA, and the expression of Col2α1 and Bcl-2 proteins decreased (P<0.05). Compared with H₂O₂ group, the chondrocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ROS fluorescence intensity, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, and the expression of Bax protein in dihydromyricetin low concentration group, dihydromyricetin high concentration group, and NAC group decreased, the level of Col2α1 mRNA, and the expression of Col2α1 and Bcl-2 proteins increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Dihydromyricetin may inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress by inhibiting ROS/p38-MAPK pathway. Dihydromyricetin may be a potential drug for treating osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity* ; Osteoarthritis/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mice ; Flavonols/pharmacology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured

The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in testicular volume changes after orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism. The clinical data of 854 children with cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between January 2013 and December 2016 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital (Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 2.8 (2.5) years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Ultrasonography was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively. The variables analyzed included age at the time of surgery, type of surgical procedure, laterality, preoperative testicular position, preoperative and postoperative testicular volumes, and the testicular volume ratio of them. The average testicular volumes preoperatively and at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively were 0.27 ml, 0.38 ml, 0.53 ml, 0.87 ml, and 1.00 ml, respectively ( P < 0.001). The corresponding testicular volume ratios were 0.67, 0.76, 0.80, 0.83, and 0.84 ( P < 0.001). The mean volume of the undescended testes was significantly smaller than the mean normative value ( P < 0.001, lower than the 10 th percentile). The postoperative testicular volumes in children with cryptorchidism were generally lower than those in healthy boys but were still greater than the 10 th percentile and exhibited an increasing trend. The older the child is at the time of surgery, the larger the gap in volume between the affected and normal testes. Although testicular volume tends to gradually increase after orchiopexy for cryptorchidism, it could not normalizes. Earlier surgery results in affected testicular volumes closer to those of healthy boys.
Humans ; Male ; Cryptorchidism/diagnostic imaging* ; Orchiopexy ; Child, Preschool ; Testis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Ultrasonography ; Infant ; Child ; Postoperative Period ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 61 girls diagnosed with ICPP who visited the pediatric growth and development clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and September 2024, designated as the ICPP group, and 61 normally developing girls as the control group. The differences in insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR), uterine volume, and other indicators between the two groups were compared, and the relationship between insulin resistance and uterine volume in these girls was analyzed. RESULTS: The uterine volume and HOMA-IR level in the ICPP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR level and uterine volume in the ICPP group (r_s=0.643, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that as HOMA-IR increased,uterine volume in the girls tended to increase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with ICPP, and as HOMA-IR increases, uterine volume in the girls also increases.
Humans ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Puberty, Precocious/metabolism* ; Uterus/pathology* ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Linear Models

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression levels and prognostic significance of MYCN in bone marrow of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: A total of 62 newly diagnosed patients with non-M3 AML were enrolled as the study group, and 20 healthy donors as the control group. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expression level of MYCN, and the relationship between MYCN expression and prognosis of AML patients was analyzed. RESULTS: MYCN was up-regulated in newly diagnosed AML patients compared with normal controls (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that MYCN could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for AML. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the patients with high MYCN expression had a shorter overall survival (OS) time than the patients with low MYCN expression (P =0.016). The expression level of MYCN was lower during the complete ressimion (CR) phase of AML compared to the initial diagnosis, but it returned to the initial diagnostic level or even higher during relapse phase. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high expression of MYCN was an independent risk factor for OS of AML patients (P =0.021). CONCLUSION MYCN is highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in de novo AML, which might be serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for adult AML.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein ; Adult ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged