1.Optimization of polysaccharide extraction from Abelmoschus manihot flowers using composite enzymes and a study on the activities of the polysaccharides
Ge LIU ; Cheng LUO ; Huifang CHAI ; Yan LI ; Tian LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2369-2375
OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction process of polysaccharides from Abelmoschus manihot flowers, and to investigate the antioxidant, moisturizing and hygroscopicity activities of the polysaccharides.METHODS The optimal ratio of composite enzymes was determined by orthogonal experiments, and the extraction process of polysaccharides was optimized by single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface methodology, and validated. The scavenging rates of 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals, hydroxyl free radicals, and superoxide anion free radicals, as well as the total reducing ability of the polysaccharides were investigated by the ABTS method, Fenton-salicylic acid colorimetric method, pyrogallol autoxidation method, and potassium ferricyanide reduction method, respectively. The moisturizing and hygroscopicity activities of the polysaccharides were evaluated by the weighing method.RESULTS The optimal ratio of composite enzymes was 136 000 U of papain, 125 000 U of pectinase,and 5 000 U of cellulase. The optimal extraction process was as follows: enzymatic hydrolysis time of 2.8 h, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature of 57.50 ℃, pH of the sodium dihydrogen phosphate-disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer was 5.5, and solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶40. The results of three experiments showed that the average polysaccharides extraction rate of 23.595%, with an RSD of 0.90%. The scavenging rates of ABTS free radicals, hydroxyl free radicals, superoxide anion free radicals, and total reducing ability were 81.759%, 87.110%, 54.244%, and 1.129 (the mass concentrations of polysaccharides were 10、 5、 10, and 10 mg/mL, respectively), respectively. At relative humidity of 43% for 12 h, the moisturizing rate and hygroscopicity rate of polysaccharides were 99.387% and 100.478%, respectively; at relative humidity of 83% for 12 h, they were 99.764% and 100.455%, respectively.CONCLUSIONS The optimal extraction process of polysaccharides from A.manihot flowers based on the composite enzymes is stable and feasible; the polysaccharides obtained under this process have good antioxidant, moisturizing, and hygroscopicity activities.
2.Graphene-mediated Far-infrared Therapy Enhances Anti-non-small Cell Lung Cancer Effects of Panax quinquefolium Saponins via cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway
Huifang ZANG ; Zikai GENG ; Yan GAO ; Lu LIU ; Yifei WANG ; Bonian ZHAO ; Jing LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):131-145
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins (PQS) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy (GFIR), and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage, and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments, the cell-counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR (PQS+GFIR) on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction(PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments, an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group, a model group, a cisplatin group, a low-dose PQS (PQS-Low, 90 mg·kg-1) group, a high-dose PQS (PQS-High, 180 mg·kg-1) group, a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR (PQS-Low+GFIR, 90 mg·kg-1) group, and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR (PQS-High+GFIR, 180 mg·kg-1) group. Treatment lasted for 14 days, and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets, B-lymphocyte levels, and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), interferon beta 1 (IFNB1), and nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS, STING, p-STING, TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, p-IRF3, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group, PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells, promoted apoptosis, affected mitochondrial localization, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the ROS level, and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown, the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation, exacerbated apoptosis, downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, elevated ROS levels, and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown, the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed (P<0.05, P<0.01). The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group, the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets, CD19+ B-lymphocyte levels, and peripheral blood NK1.1+ cell levels in the spleen (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors, significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue, elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors, and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, IRF3, IFNB1, and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity, elevated levels of CD3, CD4, and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue, and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING, TBK1, IRF3, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01) ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC, potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction, mtDNA leakage, and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.
3.Graphene-mediated Far-infrared Therapy Enhances Anti-non-small Cell Lung Cancer Effects of Panax quinquefolium Saponins via cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway
Huifang ZANG ; Zikai GENG ; Yan GAO ; Lu LIU ; Yifei WANG ; Bonian ZHAO ; Jing LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):131-145
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins (PQS) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy (GFIR), and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage, and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments, the cell-counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR (PQS+GFIR) on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction(PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments, an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group, a model group, a cisplatin group, a low-dose PQS (PQS-Low, 90 mg·kg-1) group, a high-dose PQS (PQS-High, 180 mg·kg-1) group, a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR (PQS-Low+GFIR, 90 mg·kg-1) group, and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR (PQS-High+GFIR, 180 mg·kg-1) group. Treatment lasted for 14 days, and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets, B-lymphocyte levels, and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), interferon beta 1 (IFNB1), and nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS, STING, p-STING, TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, p-IRF3, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group, PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells, promoted apoptosis, affected mitochondrial localization, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the ROS level, and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown, the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation, exacerbated apoptosis, downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, elevated ROS levels, and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown, the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed (P<0.05, P<0.01). The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group, the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets, CD19+ B-lymphocyte levels, and peripheral blood NK1.1+ cell levels in the spleen (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors, significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue, elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors, and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, IRF3, IFNB1, and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the PQS group, the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity, elevated levels of CD3, CD4, and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue, and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING, TBK1, IRF3, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01) ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC, potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction, mtDNA leakage, and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.
4.Effects of coal mine dust on lung function in rats
LIU Yang ; LI Meng ; LU Liyuan ; WANG Ru ; YANG He ; ZHANG Huifang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):96-101
Objective:
To explore the impacts of coal mine dust on lung function in rats, so as to provide the basis for the early prevention and treatment of coal worker's pneumoconiosis.
Methods:
Seventy-two SPF-grade 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the coal dust group, the coal-silica dust group, the silica dust group and the control group. The rats in the first three groups of rats were administered 1 mL corresponding dust suspension into the lungs using non-exposure tracheal instillation, while the rats in the control group were administered 1 mL normal saline. Respiratory rate (f), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) were measured at 1, 3 and 6 months after dust exposure. Lung tissues were collected to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels using corresponding ELISA kits and ATP assay kits, respectively. The relative mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were detected using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. The relative protein expressions of PGC-1α and TFAM were detected using Western blotting.
Results:
There was no interaction between dust type and exposure duration on f (P>0.05), but there were interactions on FVC, PEF and Cdyn (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group at 6 months after dust exposure, the f of the rats in the silica dust group were increased, while the FVC and PEF of the rats in the coal-silica dust and silica dust groups were decreased, and Cdyn of the rats in the coal dust, coal-silica dust and silica dust groups were decreased (all P<0.05). There were interactions between dust type and exposure duration on ROS and ATP levels, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of PGC-1α and TFAM (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group at 3 and 6 months after dust exposure, the ROS levels in the rats in the coal dust, coal-silica dust and silica dust groups were increased, while the ATP levels, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of PGC-1α and TFAM were decreased (all P<0.05).
Conclusion
The lung function impairment in rats caused by different types of coal mine dust is related to PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis dysfunction, which leads to increased ROS levels, decreased ATP and TFAM levels.
5.Identification of the cisAB (c. 796A>C) allele and molecular docking of its transferase
Yongkui KONG ; Shuya WANG ; Huifang JIN ; Jing WANG ; Lu ZHENG ; Yanjie GONG ; Qiankun YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(10):1395-1402
Objective: To reveal the molecular basis of the cisAB (p. Met266Leu) glycosyltransferase by studying a proband with cisAB subtype and his family. Methods: A male newborn was selected as the research subject. Tube methods were used to identify ABO blood types of the proband and his family members. PCR-SSP detection, ABO gene sequencing, and cloning analysis were performed on the proband and some family members. The inheritance pattern of the subtype gene in the family was determined through pedigree analysis. Homology modeling was used to analyze the impact of amino acid variations on the structure of the transferase, and molecular docking was used to demonstrate the bifunctional activity of the transferase and the donor-receptor binding conformation. Results: Serological tests showed that the proband and his father had enhanced anti-H agglutination, and the grandmother had a forward and reverse discrepancy. Sequencing of the proband revealed heterozygous variations of c. 297A>G, c. 526C>G, c. 657C>T, c. 703G>A, c. 803G>C, and c. 930G>A compared with A1. 01 (compared with B. 01, lacking the c. 796C>A variation, namely harboring the c. 796A>C variation) and c. 261delG. Combined with cloning analysis, the proband's genotype was determined to be ABO
cisAB (c. 796A>C)/ABO
O. 01. 01, the father's genotype was ABO
cisAB (c. 796A>C)/ABO
O. 01. 02, and the grandmother's genotype was ABO
cisAB (c. 796A>C)/ABO
B102. Pedigree analysis indicated that the cisAB allele in this newborn was inherited from his father and grandmother rather than a natural mutation. Homology modeling showed that the side chain orientation and intermolecular forces of Leu266 in the cisAB (p. Met266Leu) transferase changed, and molecular docking demonstrated that the "binding pocket" of the active center of the variant enzyme could accommodate both UDP-GalNAc and UDP-Gal, indicating that the cisAB enzyme structure has bifunctional activity. Conclusion: The bifunctional activity of this cisAB (p. Met266Leu) enzyme is related to the nucleotide variation of c. 796A>C, and molecular docking indicates that the enzyme has dual affinity for A/B sugar donors.
6.Erratum: Author correction to "PRMT6 promotes tumorigenicity and cisplatin response of lung cancer through triggering 6PGD/ENO1 mediated cell metabolism" Acta Pharm Sin B 13 (2023) 157-173.
Mingming SUN ; Leilei LI ; Yujia NIU ; Yingzhi WANG ; Qi YAN ; Fei XIE ; Yaya QIAO ; Jiaqi SONG ; Huanran SUN ; Zhen LI ; Sizhen LAI ; Hongkai CHANG ; Han ZHANG ; Jiyan WANG ; Chenxin YANG ; Huifang ZHAO ; Junzhen TAN ; Yanping LI ; Shuangping LIU ; Bin LU ; Min LIU ; Guangyao KONG ; Yujun ZHAO ; Chunze ZHANG ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Cheng LUO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Changliang SHAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2297-2299
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].
7.Expression of SNAP23 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and its effect on invasion of esophageal cancer cells
Jiao CHEN ; Qing LIU ; Shutao ZHENG ; Huifang LI ; Wei WANG ; Tao LIU ; Conggai HUANG ; Tianyuan PENG ; Xiaomei LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(3):298-303
Purpose To analyze the expression of SNAP23 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and its influence on invasion of ESCC cells.Methods A total of 41 cases of ESCC and paired normal adjacent tissue(NAT)were collected.The expression and localization of SNAP23 were detected by immunohistochemical EnVision method.The differences of SNAP23 expression levels between ESCC tissues and NAT tissues were compared to analyze the relationship between SNAP23 expression and clinicopathological characteristics.The expression level of SNAP23 in human immortalized esophageal epithelial cells SHEE and ESCC cell lines TE-1,TE-13 and KYSE150 were detected by Western blot.Lentiviral vector transfection technique was used to construct stable transfection cell lines with knock-down and overexpression of SNAP23 gene.The effect of SNAP23 on invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was evaluated by cell invasion experiment.Results The expression of SNAP23 in ESCC was significantly higher(53.7%,22/41)than that in the NAT group(19.5%,8/41),the difference was statistically significant(x2=10.303,P<0.01).The expression level of SNAP23 in ESCC tissues was significantly correlated with maximum tumor diameter(x2=4.193,P<0.05)and invasion depth(x2=7.264,P<0.05),but was not correlated with patient gender,age,tumor site,tumor type,pathologic grade,vascular embolus,nerve invasion and lymph node metastasis(P>0.05).Compared with human immortalized esophageal epithelial cells SHEE,SNAP23 was highly expressed in ESCC cell lines(P<0.000 1).Compared with the sh-NT group,the invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was inhibited when SNAP23 expression was knocked down(P<0.000 1);compared with the Vector group,the invasion of ESCC cell line TE-13 was enhanced after overexpression of SNAP23(P<0.000 1).Conclusion SNAP23 is highly expressed in ESCC tis-sue and cell lines,and its expression level in ESCC tissues is positively correlated with tumor maximum diameter and invasion depth;SNAP23 promotes the invasion of ESCC cells.
8.Construction of debriefing and reflection training program for undergraduate nursing interns based on competency theory
Zhaoyu XIONG ; Ting CHEN ; Huimin ZHOU ; Huifang ZENG ; Xiaoyan HU ; Guangyao YANG ; Caihong LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(4):551-558
Objective:To construct a debriefing and reflection training program for nursing undergraduate interns, and to provide a basis for implementing such a program and improve the practical clinical skills of the interns.Methods:Based on competency theory, the draft of the debriefing and reflection training program for undergraduate nursing interns was constructed through literature review and expert conference discussion. Delphi expert consultation was conducted from August to October 2024, and the final version of the program was established based on the experts' opinions. The weight of each indicator was determined using the analytic hierarchy process. Excel 2019 was used for data entry, and SPSS 19.0 was used for data analysis.Results:Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted, with a questionnaire recovery rate of 100.00% for both. The experts consulted in the second round had an authority coefficient of 0.861, a coefficient of variation for each index of 0.048 to 0.237, and a Kendall's concordance coefficient of 0.137 ( P<0.05). The final program included 5 primary indicators, 16 secondary indicators, and 73 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The debriefing and reflection training program for undergraduate nursing interns proposed in this study has high scientifical validity and reliability. It can provide a reference for debriefing and reflection training of nursing undergraduate interns in China, thereby cultivating qualified clinical nursing talents.
9.Diagnostic value of targeted next-generation sequencing for community-acquired respiratory virus infections in patients with hematological diseases
Xueyi LUO ; Yuchen YAO ; Rui MA ; Huifang WANG ; Lu BAI ; Wei HAN ; Yifei CHENG ; Feifei TANG ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Yuqian SUN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(7):636-641
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) of throat swab samples for detecting community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARV) in patients with hematological diseases.Methods:Clinical and laboratory data from 64 episodes involving patients with hematological diseases and suspected infections—who underwent both pharyngeal swab tNGS and CARV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing concurrently—were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were drawn from the Department of Hematology, Peking University People’s Hospital, between September 2023 and April 2024. Concordance between tNGS and CARV PCR results, as well as the diagnostic performance of tNGS in detecting CARV, were evaluated.Results:Among the 64 episodes, 29 were clinically diagnosed with respiratory tract infections, including one case of cytomegalovirus pneumonia and 28 CARV-positive cases. The remaining 35 episodes involved patients with fever or respiratory symptoms attributed to other causes, including 14 with extrapulmonary infections and 21 with noninfectious etiologies. The median follow-up duration was 215.5 days (range: 7-271 days). PCR detected 24 strains of seven CARV types, whereas tNGS detected 25 strains of eight CARV types. Using PCR results as the reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of tNGS were 85.0%, 88.6%, 77.3%, 92.9%, and 87.5%, respectively. The two methods showed good concordance (Kappa=0.717, P<0.001) . Conclusion:Pharyngeal swab tNGS may serve as a viable alternative to PCR for diagnosing CARV infections in patients with hematological diseases.
10.Quercetin inhibits zearalenone-induced ferroptosis of porcine small intestinal epi-thelial cells via regulating Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway
Haiyan CHEN ; Huifang LU ; Zhigao CAO ; Panfeng SUN ; Shouxuan LIU ; Chao SONG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(3):527-534,593
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of quercetin in inhibiting the fer-roptosis induced by zearalenone(ZEN)via mediating the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)signaling pathway.IPEC-J2 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with ZEN(25 mg/L)and different concentrations of quercetin(10,20,40 μmol/L).Bi-ochemical methods were used to detect the levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the cell cul-ture medium supernatant,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glu-tathione(GSH),and malondialdehyde(MDA).Fluorescence probes were used to detect the levels of Fe2+,reactive oxygen species(ROS),and lipid peroxidation.Western blot was performed to de-tect the expression levels of Nrf2,long chain acyl CoA synthetase 4(ACSL4),and GPX4.The IPEC-J2 cells were divided into the control group,ZEN group,quercetin group,and ML385(Nrf2 inhibitor)+quercetin group for further analysis.Except for the control group,the other groups were treated with ZEN in the prescence of quercetin and ML385.The changes of Nrf2/GPX4 path-way-related proteins and ferroptosis-related indexes(LDH,Fe2+,MDA,and GSH)were detected.Compared with the control group,IPEC-J2 cells in the ZEN group exhibited a decrease in cell via-bility,T-AOC,and GSH,SOD levels,Nrf2,and GPX4 protein expressions(P<0.05),while LDH release rate,Fe2+and ROS,lipid peroxidation,MDA levels,and ACSL4 protein expression de-creased in the ZEN group(P<0.05).Compared with ZEN group,the cell viability,the levels of T-AOC,SOD and GSH,the protein expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 in quercetin groups were increased(P<0.05),while the LDH release rate,the levels of Fe2+,ROS,lipid peroxidation,and MDA as well as the protein expression of ACSL4 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the quercetin group,the protein expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 and the level of GSH in ML385+quercetin group reduced(P<0.05),the LDH release rate and the levels of Fe2+and MDA increased(P<0.05).In summary,quercetin could inhibit ZEN-induced ferroptosis of IPEC-J2 cells,and its mechanism may be related to the induction of Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.


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