1.Ferroptosis and osteoporosis
Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Dongcheng RAN ; Jiamu XU ; Wangxiang WU ; Jiafu XU ; Jingjing CHEN ; Guangfu JIANG ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):554-562
BACKGROUND:It has also been confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to a variety of musculoskeletal diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,osteosarcoma,and osteoporosis.The pathophysiological mechanisms of ferroptosis and osteoporosis need to be further studied and elucidated to broaden our understanding of iron metabolism and osteoporosis.It will provide research ideas for the future elucidation of new mechanisms of osteoporosis and the development of new technologies and drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To provide an overview of the current status of research on ferroptosis in osteoporosis,to provide a new direction for future research on the specific molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis,and to provide more effective and better options for osteoporosis treatment strategies. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published from 2000 to 2024 in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases with search terms"ferroptosis,iron metabolism,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signal pathway,musculoskeletal,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 68 articles were finally included according to the selection criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years,which is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during cell death,and its occurrence is iron-dependent.This is distinctly different from several types of cell death that are currently being hotly studied(e.g.,cellular pyroptosis,necrotic apoptosis,cuproptosis,and autophagy).(2)Intracellular iron homeostasis is manifested as a balance between iron uptake,export,utilization,and storage.The body's iron regulatory system includes systemic and intracellular regulation.The main factor of systemic regulation is hepcidin produced by hepatic secretion,and cellular regulation depends on the iron regulatory protein/iron response element system.Of course,intracellular iron homeostasis can be controlled by other factors,such as hypoxia,cytokines,and hormones.(3)Lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage to biological membranes(plasma membrane and internal organelle membranes),lipoproteins,and other lipid-containing molecules.Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids are important targets of lipid peroxidation.Free polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important substrate for lipid oxidation and can bind to the phospholipid bilayer,leading to over-oxidation and thus triggering lipid apoptosis.(4)Several studies have shown that osteoblasts are overloaded with iron in different ways,resulting in the accumulation of unstable ferrous iron and the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides,causing ferroptosis of osteoblasts and ultimately a decrease in bone formation,affecting bone homeostasis and the development of osteoporosis.(5)Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of mononuclear macrophage cell lines or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by nuclear factor-κB ligand receptor activator,and they have the function of bone resorption.Iron ions can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption through the production of intracellular lipid reactive oxygen species,while iron chelators can inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and thus affect the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
2.Study on the Inhibitory Effect of Bruceine A on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway against Proliferation and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Yuxiang SHENG ; Jie JIANG ; Jiafu YUAN ; Xiaojiang BAO ; Zheng ZHENG ; Fuhao QIN ; Yishi TANG ; Bin JIANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):223-232
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of Bruceine A(BA)on colon cancer and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS Human colon cancer HT-29 and HCT116 cells were treated with various concentrations of BA(0,1,2,5,10,20,40,80 μmol·L-1).Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).Flow cytometry,wound healing assays,and Transwell assays were employed to evaluate the effects of BA on cell apoptosis,cell cycle,invasion,and migration.Mo-lecular docking simulations were used to assess the binding of BA to GSK-3β protein,and Western blot analysis was used to examine protein expression related to the cell cycle,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.An HT-29 cell subcutaneous xenograft mouse model was established.After tumor formation,mice were randomly divided into three groups(six mice per group):a blank group,a low-dose BA group(0.1 mg·kg-1),and a high-dose BA group(0.2 mg·kg-1).Mice were ad-ministered the drug for 19 d,then sacrificed,and tumor tissues were collected.Tumor volume changes over time were observed;Ki67 immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell proliferation in tumor tissues;Western blot analysis of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway protein expression was conducted.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,BA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HT-29 and HCT116 cells,with IC50 values of 10.80 μmol·L-1 and 17.96 μmol·L-1,respectively.Flow cytometry results showed that BA significantly induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells(P<0.01,P<0.001),and arrested the cell cycle at the S phase,accompanied by de-creased expression of cycle-related proteins CDK2 and Cyclin A(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).BA inhibited cell migration and in-vasion ability(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),reduced the expression of EMT-related proteins Snail,Vimentin,and N-Cadherin(P<0.01,P<0.001),and upregulated the expression of E-Cadherin protein.In addition,BA inhibited the expression of β-catenin and p-GSK3β proteins.Wnt agonist LiCl could significantly antagonize the anti-colon cancer effect of BA;Wnt inhibitor XAV939 could enhance the anti-colon cancer effect of BA.In the in vivo experiment,compared with the blank group,the tumor volume of the low-dose and high-dose BA groups was significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.001).Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with the blank group,the expression of Ki67 in tumor tissues of the low-dose and high-dose BA groups was significantly reduced(P<0.001).Western blot results further proved that BA inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.CONCLUSION BA inhibits the viability,invasion,and migration of colon cancer HT-29 cells,induces apoptosis,and causes cell cycle arrest.Additionally,it significantly suppresses the growth of subcutaneous HT-29 cell xenografts in vivo,possibly related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
3.Molecular epidemiological investigation of Babesia infection in small mammals in the Jinsha River Basin,Yunnan Province
Fan WANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Zongti SHAO ; Yuqiong LI ; Ennian PU ; Zhihai HE ; Mingguo YAO ; Shuangshuang BIE ; Jiafu JIANG ; Chunhong DU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(7):767-774
This study was aimed at understanding the Babesia species makeup and distribution in small mammals in Jinsha River Basin of Yunnan Province,and the Babesia carriage status in small mammals in this area,to provide a scientific basis for the preven-tion and control of Babesia disease.A total of 1 493 small mammals belonging to 5 orders,10 families,25 genera,and 54 species were captured from 10 counties(cities)in the Jinsha River Basin of Yunnan Province in various agricultural and forest environments.DNA was extracted from liver and tick tissues,and 150 bp fragments of Babesia 18S rRNA were detected through molecular biological methods.The positive samples showed amplification of a 1 600 bp target fragment of 18S rRNA.Species characteristics were assessed through sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis.A total of 14 small mammals infected with Babesia were detected in six coun-ties(cities)of Jinsha River Basin,Yunnan Province,with a positivity rate of 0.93%(14/1 493).The Otsu and Kobe types of Babesia voles were analyzed,and their sequences were compared with the sequences from human Babesia cases with high similarity and close evolutionary relationships.The positivity rates were 2.34%(3/128)in Qiaojia County,2.06%(2/97)in Yongshan County,1.88%(4/213)in Yuanmou County,1.03%(3/291)in Deqin County,0.95%(1/105)in Shangri-La City,and 0.78%(1/128)in Shuifu County.The positive small mammals belonged to one order,two families,six genera,and the following eight species:P.leucurus 5.56%(1/18),R.brunneusculus 3.36%(4/119),M.minutus 3.33%(1/30),E.custos 2.94%(1/34),N.confucianus 2.65%(3/113),N.fulvescens 2.35%(2/85),A.latronum 1.16%(1/86),and A.draco 0.98%(1/102).The detection of Babesia in M.minutus was re-poorted first time.Small animals infected with Babesia were detected in all three habitats and altitudes,and higher infection rates were observed in forest regions between 1 500 and 2 500 meters and high-altitude residential areas.Babesia infection was found in many small mammals in several counties(cities)along Jinsha River in Yunnan Province,and the epidemic status of Babesia in these areas warrants attention.
4.Adhering to the purpose of academic journal establishment, and fulfilling the mission of scientific journals: discipline construction of digestive surgery in the new era
Peng JIANG ; Jiahong DONG ; Jia FAN ; Qiang LI ; Xiujun CAI ; Minhua ZHENG ; Jiafu JI ; Yinmo YANG ; Hui CAO ; Yajin CHEN ; Guoxin LI ; Guoyue LYU ; Leida ZHANG ; Min CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(8):1022-1026
On the occasion of the 110th Anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Medical Association, the third conference of the Fourth Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, and the Second Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, was successfully held in Kunming on July 4, 2025. This conference systematically summarizes the development experience of the journal over the past 20 years from three aspects: the role of ecological construction of thought in the discipline construction of digestive surgery, the display of the latest academic achievements in the field of digestive surgery, the development difficulties, and breakthrough paths of the discipline, and strategically plans the path of discipline construction in the new era.
5.Current status of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Guangdong Province
Jiaxiong ZHENG ; Bohan XU ; Qiaocheng CHANG ; Jiafu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):781-788
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites that transmit a variety of zoonotic pathogens through bites,which can cause substantial harm to human health and animal husbandry.With frequent international travel and global climate change,the con-tinued geographical expansion of ticks has attracted increasing attention,and tick-borne diseases have become an important public health issue.Guangdong Province is considered a global hotspot for the importation of emerging zoonotic and vector-borne diseases,because of its climate,environment,and biodiversity.Based on a literature review,this article summarizes and analyzes the main tick species and their distribution,the pathogens carried by ticks,and the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals in Guangdong Province.The aim is to provide a reference for the prevention and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the area.
6.Current status of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Guangdong Province
Jiaxiong ZHENG ; Bohan XU ; Qiaocheng CHANG ; Jiafu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):781-788
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites that transmit a variety of zoonotic pathogens through bites,which can cause substantial harm to human health and animal husbandry.With frequent international travel and global climate change,the con-tinued geographical expansion of ticks has attracted increasing attention,and tick-borne diseases have become an important public health issue.Guangdong Province is considered a global hotspot for the importation of emerging zoonotic and vector-borne diseases,because of its climate,environment,and biodiversity.Based on a literature review,this article summarizes and analyzes the main tick species and their distribution,the pathogens carried by ticks,and the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals in Guangdong Province.The aim is to provide a reference for the prevention and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the area.
7.Molecular epidemiological investigation of Babesia infection in small mammals in the Jinsha River Basin,Yunnan Province
Fan WANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Zongti SHAO ; Yuqiong LI ; Ennian PU ; Zhihai HE ; Mingguo YAO ; Shuangshuang BIE ; Jiafu JIANG ; Chunhong DU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(7):767-774
This study was aimed at understanding the Babesia species makeup and distribution in small mammals in Jinsha River Basin of Yunnan Province,and the Babesia carriage status in small mammals in this area,to provide a scientific basis for the preven-tion and control of Babesia disease.A total of 1 493 small mammals belonging to 5 orders,10 families,25 genera,and 54 species were captured from 10 counties(cities)in the Jinsha River Basin of Yunnan Province in various agricultural and forest environments.DNA was extracted from liver and tick tissues,and 150 bp fragments of Babesia 18S rRNA were detected through molecular biological methods.The positive samples showed amplification of a 1 600 bp target fragment of 18S rRNA.Species characteristics were assessed through sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis.A total of 14 small mammals infected with Babesia were detected in six coun-ties(cities)of Jinsha River Basin,Yunnan Province,with a positivity rate of 0.93%(14/1 493).The Otsu and Kobe types of Babesia voles were analyzed,and their sequences were compared with the sequences from human Babesia cases with high similarity and close evolutionary relationships.The positivity rates were 2.34%(3/128)in Qiaojia County,2.06%(2/97)in Yongshan County,1.88%(4/213)in Yuanmou County,1.03%(3/291)in Deqin County,0.95%(1/105)in Shangri-La City,and 0.78%(1/128)in Shuifu County.The positive small mammals belonged to one order,two families,six genera,and the following eight species:P.leucurus 5.56%(1/18),R.brunneusculus 3.36%(4/119),M.minutus 3.33%(1/30),E.custos 2.94%(1/34),N.confucianus 2.65%(3/113),N.fulvescens 2.35%(2/85),A.latronum 1.16%(1/86),and A.draco 0.98%(1/102).The detection of Babesia in M.minutus was re-poorted first time.Small animals infected with Babesia were detected in all three habitats and altitudes,and higher infection rates were observed in forest regions between 1 500 and 2 500 meters and high-altitude residential areas.Babesia infection was found in many small mammals in several counties(cities)along Jinsha River in Yunnan Province,and the epidemic status of Babesia in these areas warrants attention.
8.Study on the Inhibitory Effect of Bruceine A on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway against Proliferation and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Yuxiang SHENG ; Jie JIANG ; Jiafu YUAN ; Xiaojiang BAO ; Zheng ZHENG ; Fuhao QIN ; Yishi TANG ; Bin JIANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):223-232
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of Bruceine A(BA)on colon cancer and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS Human colon cancer HT-29 and HCT116 cells were treated with various concentrations of BA(0,1,2,5,10,20,40,80 μmol·L-1).Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).Flow cytometry,wound healing assays,and Transwell assays were employed to evaluate the effects of BA on cell apoptosis,cell cycle,invasion,and migration.Mo-lecular docking simulations were used to assess the binding of BA to GSK-3β protein,and Western blot analysis was used to examine protein expression related to the cell cycle,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.An HT-29 cell subcutaneous xenograft mouse model was established.After tumor formation,mice were randomly divided into three groups(six mice per group):a blank group,a low-dose BA group(0.1 mg·kg-1),and a high-dose BA group(0.2 mg·kg-1).Mice were ad-ministered the drug for 19 d,then sacrificed,and tumor tissues were collected.Tumor volume changes over time were observed;Ki67 immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell proliferation in tumor tissues;Western blot analysis of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway protein expression was conducted.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,BA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HT-29 and HCT116 cells,with IC50 values of 10.80 μmol·L-1 and 17.96 μmol·L-1,respectively.Flow cytometry results showed that BA significantly induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells(P<0.01,P<0.001),and arrested the cell cycle at the S phase,accompanied by de-creased expression of cycle-related proteins CDK2 and Cyclin A(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).BA inhibited cell migration and in-vasion ability(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),reduced the expression of EMT-related proteins Snail,Vimentin,and N-Cadherin(P<0.01,P<0.001),and upregulated the expression of E-Cadherin protein.In addition,BA inhibited the expression of β-catenin and p-GSK3β proteins.Wnt agonist LiCl could significantly antagonize the anti-colon cancer effect of BA;Wnt inhibitor XAV939 could enhance the anti-colon cancer effect of BA.In the in vivo experiment,compared with the blank group,the tumor volume of the low-dose and high-dose BA groups was significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.001).Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with the blank group,the expression of Ki67 in tumor tissues of the low-dose and high-dose BA groups was significantly reduced(P<0.001).Western blot results further proved that BA inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.CONCLUSION BA inhibits the viability,invasion,and migration of colon cancer HT-29 cells,induces apoptosis,and causes cell cycle arrest.Additionally,it significantly suppresses the growth of subcutaneous HT-29 cell xenografts in vivo,possibly related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
9.Adhering to the purpose of academic journal establishment, and fulfilling the mission of scientific journals: discipline construction of digestive surgery in the new era
Peng JIANG ; Jiahong DONG ; Jia FAN ; Qiang LI ; Xiujun CAI ; Minhua ZHENG ; Jiafu JI ; Yinmo YANG ; Hui CAO ; Yajin CHEN ; Guoxin LI ; Guoyue LYU ; Leida ZHANG ; Min CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(8):1022-1026
On the occasion of the 110th Anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Medical Association, the third conference of the Fourth Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, and the Second Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, was successfully held in Kunming on July 4, 2025. This conference systematically summarizes the development experience of the journal over the past 20 years from three aspects: the role of ecological construction of thought in the discipline construction of digestive surgery, the display of the latest academic achievements in the field of digestive surgery, the development difficulties, and breakthrough paths of the discipline, and strategically plans the path of discipline construction in the new era.
10.Effect of positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation on tensile mechanical properties of internal carotid artery with different degrees of atherosclerosis
Shaoqun ZHANG ; Chuanjiang ZHENG ; Jiafu LIU ; Shunwan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(30):4788-4794
BACKGROUND:Cervical rotatory manipulation is widely used in the treatment of neck-related diseases with a clear curative effect,but it also has some risks in clinical practice.The previous study of our group found that cervical rotatory manipulation can reduce the tensile mechanical properties of the atherosclerotic carotid artery,but it is not clear about the effects of different cervical rotatory manipulations(positioning/non-positioning)and different degrees(mild/moderate/severe)of atherosclerosis on the tensile mechanical properties of the carotid artery. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of different cervical rotatory manipulations and different degrees of atherosclerosis on the tensile mechanical properties of the internal carotid artery. METHODS:The 120 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into eight experimental groups with different degrees of atherosclerosis and different cervical rotatory manipulations:severe atherosclerosis + positioning/non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation,moderate atherosclerosis + positioning/non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation,mild atherosclerosis + positioning/non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation,and normal rabbit + positioning/non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation,as well as three model control groups:mild/moderate/severe atherosclerosis + non-cervical rotatory manipulation,and the blank control group.Two-factor analysis of variance was used to explore the main effects and interactive effects of different cervical rotatory manipulations and different degrees of atherosclerosis on the tensile mechanical properties of the internal carotid artery.One-way analysis of variance was applied to explore the influence of different cervical rotatory manipulations on the tensile mechanical properties of the internal carotid artery under the same degree of atherosclerosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Both different cervical rotatory manipulations and different degrees of atherosclerosis were the main effect factors affecting the tensile mechanical properties of the internal carotid artery.(2)For both mild and severe atherosclerosis,both positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulations reduced the maximum stress of the internal carotid artery(P<0.05)and also increased the physiological elastic modulus of the internal carotid artery(P<0.05).(3)For moderate atherosclerosis,positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulations also increased the physiological elastic modulus of the internal carotid artery(P<0.05).Non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation reduced the maximum strain of the internal carotid artery(P<0.05),and its maximum strain was also less than the internal carotid artery of the positioning cervical rotatory manipulations(P<0.05).(4)For the normal internal carotid artery,in addition to the maximum strain,both positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulations had no statistically significant effects on other tensile mechanical indicators of the internal carotid artery(P>0.05).(5)The results suggest that both positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulations may increase the stiffness of the atherosclerotic internal carotid artery,reducing its elasticity and brittleness.Therefore,both positioning and non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulations may increase the risk of cardiovascular events in mild/moderate/severe atherosclerotic internal carotid artery,and the more severe the atherosclerosis is,the greater the risk of positioning/non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation treatment,but the risk of positioning cervical rotatory manipulation is not lower than that of non-positioning cervical rotatory manipulation.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail