1.Mechanism of Buyang Huanwutang in Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Enhancing Neurological Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury via GPX4-ACSL4 Axis
Luchun XU ; Guozheng JIANG ; Yukun MA ; Jiawei SONG ; Yushan GAO ; Guanlong WANG ; Jiaojiao FAN ; Yongdong YANG ; Xing YU ; Xiangsheng TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):20-30
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Buyang Huanwutang regulates the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) axis to inhibit ferroptosis and promote neurological functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsNinety rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group, model group, low-dose Buyang Huanwutang group (12.5 g·kg-1), high-dose Buyang Huanwutang group (25 g·kg-1), and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group (25 g·kg-1 + 5 g·kg-1 RSL3). The SCI model was established by using the allen method. Tissue was collected on the 7th and 28th days after operation. Motor function was assessed by using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Nissl, and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to observe spinal cord histopathology. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial ultrastructure. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein (MBP), GPX4, and ACSL4. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of GPX4 and ACSL4. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Colorimetric assays were used to determine the iron content in spinal cord tissue. ResultsCompared to the sham operation group, the model group exhibited significantly reduced BBB scores (P<0.01), severe pathological damage in spinal cord tissue, and marked mitochondrial ultrastructural disruption. In addition, the model group showed a decrease in the number of NeuN-positive cells (P<0.01), reduced fluorescence intensity of MBP and GPX4 (P<0.01), lower levels of GSH and SOD (P<0.01), and downregulated mRNA expression of GPX4 (P<0.01). Moreover, compared to the sham operation group, the model group had elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and tissue iron content (P<0.01), along with increased fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group, the Buyang Huanwutang group showed significantly improved BBB scores (P<0.05, P<0.01) and exhibited less severe spinal cord tissue damage, reduced edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, increased neuronal survival, and more intact myelin structures. Additionally, mitochondrial ultrastructure was significantly improved in the Buyang Huanwutang group. Compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group, the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly increased the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of MBP (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, Buyang Huanwutang significantly increased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of GPX4 (P<0.01) and decreased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 (P<0.01) compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. Finally, the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly decreased ROS, MDA, and tissue iron content (P<0.01) and significantly increased GSH and SOD levels (P<0.01) compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. ConclusionBuyang Huanwutang inhibits ferroptosis through the GPX4/ACSL4 axis, reduces secondary neuronal and myelin injury and oxidative stress, and ultimately promotes the recovery of neurological function.
2.Triglyceride-glucose index and homocysteine in association with the risk of stroke in middle-aged and elderly diabetic populations
Xiaolin LIU ; Jin ZHANG ; Zhitao LI ; Xiaonan WANG ; Juzhong KE ; Kang WU ; Hua QIU ; Qingping LIU ; Jiahui SONG ; Jiaojiao GAO ; Yang LIU ; Qian XU ; Yi ZHOU ; Xiaonan RUAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):515-520
ObjectiveTo investigate the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the level of serum homocysteine (Hcy) in association with the incidence of stroke in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. MethodsBased on the chronic disease risk factor surveillance cohort in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, excluding those with stroke in baseline survey, T2DM patients who joined the cohort from January 2016 to October 2020 were selected as the research subjects. During the follow-up period, a total of 318 new-onset ischemic stroke patients were selected as the case group, and a total of 318 individuals matched by gender without stroke were selected as the control group. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to adjust for confounding factors and explore the serum TyG index and the Hcy biochemical indicator in association with the risk of stroke. ResultsThe Cox proportional hazards regression results showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of stroke in T2DM patients with 10 μmol·L⁻¹
3.Development and application of a novel fumigation moxibustion device.
Xin WU ; Xuetao ZHANG ; Fang GAO ; Jiaojiao ZHANG ; Shengbing WU ; Nenggui XU ; Meiqi ZHOU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):713-716
A novel fumigation moxibustion device has been designed to enable adjustable and controllable moxa smoke temperature, maintaining a relatively stable fumigation temperature while improving the utilization efficiency of moxa smoke. The device consists of five main components: a temperature control chamber, fumigation outlet, temperature measurement module, moxa smoke filtration chamber, and elastic band. It is compact, refined, and easy to operate. The device allows users to set the desired fumigation temperature according to therapeutic needs and simultaneously filters and eliminates residual moxa smoke after treatment. This design addresses the challenges of traditional fumigation moxibustion therapy, including unstable moxa smoke temperature, difficulty in regulation, low utilization efficiency, and high dependence on manual operation. It contributes to the promotion and application of fumigation moxibustion therapy and supports the establishment of a standardized moxibustion system.
Moxibustion/methods*
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Humans
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Equipment Design
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Fumigation
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Temperature
4.Neurospecific transmembrane protein 240 colocalizes with peroxisomes and activates Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor β.
Qiongqiong HU ; Wenpei LI ; Lixia XU ; Ruilei GUAN ; Dongya ZHANG ; Jiaojiao JIANG ; Ning WANG ; Gaiqing YANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1260-1269
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the subcellular localization and biological functions of transmembrane protein 240 (TMEM240).
METHODS:
NCBI BLAST and TMHMM bioinformatics software were used for protein sequence analysis and prediction of transmembrane domain of TMEM240. Brain tissues from male C57BL/6 mice (18-20 days old) were examined for distribution of TMEM240 using in situ hybridization, and qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect TMEM240 expression in different mouse tissues and in cortical neurons at different time points (n=3). In the in vitro experiment, HepG2 and Neuro-2a cells were transfected with plasmids for overexpression of TMEM240, and subcellular localization of TMEM240 was analyzed using cell imaging. In primary cultures of cortical neurons isolated from C57BL/6 mice, TMEM240 expression and its biological functions were investigated using qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS:
Human and mouse TMEM240 proteins share a 97.69% similarity in the protein sequences, and both are transmembrane proteins with two transmembrane domains. TMEM240 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in mouse brain tissues and cortical neurons. In isolated mouse cortical neurons, TMEM240 expression reached the peak level after primary culture for 9 days and distributed in scattered spots within the cells. In HepG2 cells, TMEM240 was characterized as intracellular membrane structures and showed 80% colocalization with peroxisomes. In Neuro-2a cells, TMEM240 overexpression caused significant enhancement of the expressions of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor β (ARHGDIB) at both the mRNA and protein levels.
CONCLUSIONS
TMEM240 is a novel intracellular subcellular structure specifically expressed in neurons with significant potential for targeted cellular function regulation.
Animals
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Humans
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Mice
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Peroxisomes/metabolism*
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Membrane Proteins/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Neurons/metabolism*
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Male
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rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors
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Hep G2 Cells
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Brain/metabolism*
5.Discovery of toad-derived peptide analogue targeting ARF6 to induce immunogenic cell death for immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Dihui XU ; Xiang LV ; Meng YU ; Ao TAN ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Xinyi TANG ; Mengyuan LI ; Wenyuan WU ; Yuyu ZHU ; Jing ZHOU ; Hongyue MA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(3):101038-101038
Image 1.
6.Research progress of the multi-target anti-inflammatory drugs based on the arachidonic acid pathway
Dan WU ; Longchen CUI ; Fumei XU ; Jie WANG ; Yanli XU ; Qili ZHANG ; Jiaojiao LI ; Lei ZHAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):782-792
Arachidonic acid can be transformed into a variety of metabolites that trigger an inflammatory response through cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450 enzymes, and other metabolic pathways. Moreover, it plays a key role in the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases. In recent years, multi-target drugs based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway have become an important direction of anti-inflammatory drug research. This article summarizes the opportunities and challenges of arachidonic acid metabolic pathways as well as their interference in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs, reviews the research progress of multi-target drug design, synthesis, and anti-inflammatory activity based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and discusses the difficulties and prospects of multi-target drugs based on metabolic pathways in anti-inflammatory drug development, aiming to provide some reference and inspiration for the study of multi-target anti-inflammatory drugs based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway.
7.Research and Application Prospect of Organoid Technique in Radiotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Jiaojiao TONG ; Yiyin LIANG ; Liang CHEN ; Bichun XU ; Huojun ZHANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(9):784-788
Pancreatic cancer,as a common malignant tumor of the digestive system,has a very low survival rate.In recent years,pancreatic cancer has made great progress in diagnostic methods,radiation therapy techniques,and systemic chemotherapy,but its therapeutic effect has not been considerably improved.As a new type of tumor research platform,organoids have made research progress in many fields.Constructing pancreatic cancer organoids is of great research value to guide the individualized treatment of pancreatic cancer.This article reviews the research and clinical application prospect of organoid model in radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer.
8.Buyang Huanwu decoction promotes angiogenesis and improves hemorheological parameters after cervical spinal cord injury
Luchun Xu ; Yongdong Yang ; Guozheng Jiang ; Yushan Gao ; Jiawei Song ; Yukun Ma ; Jiaojiao Fan ; Guanlong Wang ; Xing Yu ; Xiangsheng Tang
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(4):456-465
Objective:
To explore the effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) on vascular neogenesis and hemorheological parameters following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods:
An acute cervical SCI model was established using 84 female Sprague–Dawley rats. Functional recovery of the rats was evaluated using the forelimb locomotor scale score, forelimb grip strength test, and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score. The animals were subsequently euthanized at days 7 and 28 postoperatively. The gross morphology, neuronal survival, and myelin sheath in the injured area were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Nissl, and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe CD31 expression 7 days post-injury. Furthermore, the expression of CD31, neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), and myelin basic protein (MBP) were evaluated 28 days post-injury. Additionally, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression was evaluated using western blotting. Whole-blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and red blood cell aggregation were measured using a hemorheometer.
Results:
From postoperative days 3–28, motor function in the BYHWD group began to recover considerably compared to the SCI group. BYHWD effectively restored spinal cord histopathology. In addition, the number of NeuN-positive cells, and fluorescence intensity of CD31at 7 and 28 days and MBP significantly increased in the BYHWD group compared with the SCI group (all P < .05). Moreover, this decoction significantly upregulated the expression of VEGFA and VEGFR-2 (all P < .05). BYHWD improved the hemorheology results (i.e., except erythrocyte aggregation index in the low-dose group), revealing statistically significant differences compared with the SCI group (all P < .05).
Conclusion
BYHWD effectively promoted angiogenesis, improved hemorheological parameters, and protected neurons and myelin sheaths, ultimately promoting the recovery of neurological function after cervical SCI in rats. These findings suggest that BYHWD promotes vascular neogenesis through the VEGFA/VEGFR-2 pathway.
9.Effect of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula on malignant biological behaviors of hepatocellulars carcinoma HepG2 cells by regulating Akt/MDM2/P53 signaling pathway
Jing LOU ; Lei ZHAO ; Yanjie ZHU ; Shuaiqiang YUAN ; Fei WANG ; Hangzhou ZHANG ; Jiaojiao XU ; Xiaoke YU ; Liufa HOU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(6):1654-1663
Objective:To discuss the effect of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula on the malignant biological behaviors of the hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by requlating protein kinase B(Akt)/murine double minute 2(MDM2)/P53 signaling pathway.Methods:The HepG2 cells were treated with 0,0.05,0.10,0.20,0.40,0.80,1.60,3.20,and 6.40 g·mL-1 Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula for 48 h.CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rates of the HepG2 cells in various groups,and the concentrations of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula for the subsequent experiments were screened.The HepG2 cells were divided into control group,low dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group(0.2 g·mL-1),medium dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group(0.4 g·mL-1),high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group(0.8 g·mL-1),SC79 group(8 mg·L-1 SC79),and high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group(0.8 g·mL-1 Fuzheng Ruijian Anticancer Formula+8 mg·L-1 SC79).CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation activities of the HepG2 cells in various groups;clone formation assay was used to detect the clone formation rates of the HepG2 cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the HepG2 cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion HepG2 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),cysteine aspartate specific proteinase(Caspase-3),matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2,MMP-9,phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt),phosphorylated MDM2(p-MDM2),and P53 proteins in the HepG2 cells in various groups.Results:As the increasing of concentrations of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula(0,0.05,0.10,0.20,0.40,0.80,1.60,3.20,and 6.40 g·mL-1),the surival rates of the HepG2 cells were gradually decreased(P<0.05),and 0.2,0.4,and 0.8 g·mL-1 Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula were selected for the subsequent experiments.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activities of the HepG2 cells in low,medium,and high doses of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),in a dose-dependent manner,while the proliferation activity of the cells in SC79 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group,the proliferation activity of the HepG2 cells in high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The clone formation assay results showed that compared with control group,the clone formation rates of the HepG2 cells in low,medium,and high doses of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,while the clone formation rate of the cells in SC79 group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group,the clone formation rate of the cells in high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the HepG2 cells in low,medium,and high doses of Fuzheng Ruijian Anticancer Formula groups were significantly increased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,while the apoptotic rate of the cells in SC79 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group,the apoptotic rate of the cells in high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with control group,the numbers of migration and invasion HepG2 cells in low,medium,and high doses of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,while the numbers of migration and invasion cells in SC79 group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group,the numbers of migration and invasion HepG2 cells in high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of PCNA,MMP-2,MMP-9,p-Akt,and p-MDM2 proteins in the cells in low,medium,and high doses of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,while the expression levels of Caspase-3 and P53 proteins were significantly increased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,while the expression levels of PCNA,MMP-2,MMP-9,p-Akt,and p-MDM2 proteins in the cells in SC79 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Caspase-3 and P53 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula group,the expression levels of PCNA,MMP-2,MMP-9,p-Akt,and p-MDM2 proteins in the cells in high dose of Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula+SC79 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of Caspase-3 and P53 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Fuzheng Ruanjian Anticancer Formula may inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of the HepG2 cells and promote the apoptosis,and its mechanism may be related to suppressing the Akt/MDM2 signaling pathway and upregulating the P53 proteim expression.
10.Mediating effect of rehabilitation self-efficacy on perceived social support and rehabilitation exercise adherence in hospitalized patients after hip/knee arthroplasty
Jiale XU ; Liqin FU ; Hong WU ; Jiaojiao ZAN ; Jing WU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(8):959-967
Objective·To explore the correlation among perceived social support,rehabilitation self-efficacy and rehabilitation exercise adherence of in-patients after hip/knee arthroplasty,and examine the mediating role of rehabilitation self-efficacy in the correlation between perceived social support and rehabilitation exercise adherence.Methods·A convenience sampling method was used,and 141 post-total hip/knee arthroplasty inpatients in the bone and joint ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University(Shanghai Changhai Hospital)from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected as the study subjects.The general demographic data,such as age and gender,and the information of disease and operation were assessed by using General Data Questionnaire.The adherence to rehabilitation exercise in patients after hip/knee arthroplasty was assessed by using the Rehabilitation Exercise Adherence Scale(REAS);the self-efficacy of rehabilitation exercise was assessed by using the Self-Efficacy for Rehabilitation Outcome Scale(SER);the social support level of individual subjective feelings of the patients was assessed by using the Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS).Pearson's correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the variables,and Bootstrap method was used to investigate the mediating role of rehabilitation self-efficacy in the correlation between perceived social support and rehabilitation exercise adherence.Results·A total of 167 questionnaires were distributed and 141 valid questionnaires were recovered,with a valid recovery rate of 84.4%.The age range of the 141 patients after hip/knee arthroplasty was 26?84 years old,and the average age was(64.75±10.74)years old.The total score of SER of the patients after hip/knee arthroplasty was(100.45±21.71),the total score of PSSS was(68.29±10.89),and the total score of REAS was(11.93±2.29).Pearson's correlation analysis results showed that there was a significant correlation between SER score and PSSS score,SER score and REAS score,and PSSS score and REAS score in patients after hip/knee arthroplasty.The mediation effect analysis showed that the indirect effect of perceived social support on rehabilitation exercise adherence was significant(effect value 0.033,95%CI 0.017?0.058,P<0.05),and the direct effect of perceived social support on rehabilitation exercise adherence was not significant(effect value 0.027,95%CI-0.008 ? 0.065,P>0.05).Conclusion·Perceived social support positively predicts rehabilitation exercise adherence,and rehabilitation self-efficacy fully mediates the correlation.Direct intervention in rehabilitation self-efficacy is superior to moderating the level of perceived social support.


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