1.Modified Morrow procedure for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: A single-center retrospective study in 318 patients
Jie LI ; Fan WENG ; Nan CHEN ; Yongxin SUN ; Changfa GUO ; Chunsheng WANG ; Yi LIN ; Wenjun DING
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):431-437
Objective To summarize the clinical efficacy of modified Morrow surgery in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy treated with modified Morrow surgery at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from 2020 to 2023. Results A total of 318 patients were enrolled, including 156 males and 162 females, with an average age of (55.6±13.1) years. Preoperative echocardiography showed a mean interventricular septal thickness of (18.1±3.8) mm, peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure difference of (86.4±24.9) mm Hg. The surgery time was (162.3±51.0) min, extracorporeal circulation time was (80.9±31.0) min, and aortic occlusion time was (44.8±20.8) min. After the surgery, transesophageal echocardiography showed that the interventricular septal thickness was (11.0±1.8) mm and left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure difference was (9.4±5.1) mm Hg. The incidence rate of postoperative complete left bundle branch block was 45.3%, Ⅲ° atrioventricular block was 3.8%, and postoperative newly developed atrial fibrillation was 3.1%. The postoperative hospital stay was (6.6±4.9) days, and one perioperative death occurred, with a mortality rate of 0.3%. The follow-up time was (10.3±9.4) months, during which the transthoracic echocardiography revealed a ventricular septal thickness of (12.9±2.9) mm and a peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure difference of (13.9±10.0) mm Hg. Conclusion The modified Morrow procedure for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is safe and effective, with good results in the short and medium term.
2.Effects and molecular mechanisms of Abelmoschi Corolla and its active flavonoids in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(1):115-121
Abelmoschi Corolla is extensively applied in managing diabetic nephropathy (DN) and other renal conditions due to its diuretic and detoxifying properties. The primary bioactive constituents of Abelmoschi Corolla are flavonoids, including notably rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, hibifolin, myricetin, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide, and quercetin. These flavonoid components can influence the pathological progression of DN via a multi-target synergistic mechanism, effectively reducing proteinuria levels. This review examines the roles of Abelmoschi Corolla and its flavonoid components in modulating the key pathological aspects of DN and their underlying mechanisms, and briefly discusses the metabolic patterns of its bioactive components and the research progress in combined medication, aiming to provide a forward-looking scientific foundation for further investigating the molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of Abelmoschi Corolla in DN treatment.
3.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
4.Targeting GYS1: From Metabolic Regulatory Mechanisms to Precision Therapeutic Strategies
Jia-Nan ZHAO ; Yu-Xuan LI ; Jie ZHU ; Hong LI ; Xiao-Feng JIN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1807-1825
Glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle, heart, brain, and other extrahepatic tissues, playing a central role in systemic energy homeostasis. The human GYS1 gene maps to chromosome 19q13.33, comprises 16 exons, and encodes a 737-amino-acid polypeptide that is highly conserved across mammals. GYS1 activity is subject to multilayered and precisely coordinated regulation. At the transcriptional level, the GYS1 promoter contains a hypoxia response element (HRE) that mediates HIF-1α-dependent induction under low-oxygen conditions, as well as a muscle-specific enhancer harboring MEF2 and MyoD binding sites that confers tissue-restricted expression. At the post-translational level, a hierarchical phosphorylation cascade serves as the primary activity switch: glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) sequentially phosphorylates four C-terminal serine residues following casein kinase II priming, while protein kinase A (PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) provide parallel inhibitory inputs at both N- and C-terminal sites. Dephosphorylation and reactivation are mediated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) through tissue-specific glycogen-targeting regulatory subunits such as PPP1R3A and PPP1R3B, which anchor PP1 to glycogen particles and direct its activity toward GYS1. The allosteric activator glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) binds at the dimer interface, simultaneously enhancing catalytic efficiency and promoting dephosphorylation susceptibility, thereby establishing a feed-forward activation loop that couples substrate availability to glycogen synthesis. Beyond phosphorylation, GYS1 is regulated by ubiquitination (mediated by the E3 ligase PJA1), acetylation, O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification, and SUMOylation, which collectively modulate protein stability, subcellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Epigenetic mechanisms, including CpG island methylation and histone acetylation dynamics, govern chromatin accessibility at the GYS1 locus, while muscle-specific microRNAs such as miR-1 and miR-206 fine-tune GYS1 expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of GYS1 has been identified as a central pathogenic driver in a spectrum of human diseases. In inherited glycogen storage disorders—including Lafora disease, adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD), and Pompe disease—loss of upstream regulatory control leads to GYS1 hyperactivation and the accumulation of structurally abnormal or excessive glycogen, resulting in progressive neurodegeneration, myopathy, and multiorgan dysfunction. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), impaired insulin signaling through the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β axis maintains GYS1 in a hyperphosphorylated inactive state in skeletal muscle, compromising postprandial glucose disposal and exacerbating hyperglycemia. In oncology, GYS1 exhibits context-dependent roles across multiple cancer types. In hepatocellular carcinoma, FMO2+ cancer-associated fibroblasts stabilize GYS1 by competitively inhibiting PJA1-mediated ubiquitination, and stabilized GYS1 subsequently activates NF‑κB/CCL19 signaling to promote tertiary lymphoid structure formation and enhance anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responsiveness. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, GYS1 promotes tumor progression through non-canonical NF‑κB pathway activation via the scaffold protein RPS27A. In triple-negative breast cancer, GYS1 has been identified as a trigger of disulfidptosis and an activator of NF-κB signaling through non-enzymatic facilitation of IκBα degradation. In colorectal cancer, mitochondrial fission deficiency drives AMPK-dependent GYS1 upregulation and glycogen accumulation as a compensatory survival mechanism, while in cervical cancer, GYS1-maintained glycogen reserves fuel the pentose phosphate pathway to generate NADPH for ROS clearance, thereby conferring cisplatin resistance in cancer stem cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting GYS1 have gained substantial momentum across these disease contexts. For glycogen storage disorders, antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (e.g., ABX1100), and small-molecule inhibitors (e.g., MZ-101) have demonstrated preclinical and early clinical efficacy in reducing pathological glycogen accumulation. For T2DM, pharmacological activation of GYS1 through GSK3β inhibition or enhancement of PP1-mediated dephosphorylation is being explored to restore insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis. In cancer, GYS1-directed interventions—including targeted silencing to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and immune microenvironment modulation to enhance immunotherapy—represent emerging precision oncology approaches. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated account of GYS1 gene structure, tissue-specific distribution, regulatory networks, and pathogenic roles in metabolic disorders and malignancies, with the aim of establishing a theoretical framework for the development of GYS1-targeted precision therapies.
5.Research progress of nano drug delivery system based on metal-polyphenol network for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases
Meng-jie ZHAO ; Xia-li ZHU ; Yi-jing LI ; Zi-ang WANG ; Yun-long ZHAO ; Gao-jian WEI ; Yu CHEN ; Sheng-nan HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):323-336
Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.
6.A Case Report of Pachydermoperiostosis by Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Li HUO ; Ke LYU ; Tao WANG ; Ze'nan XIA ; Xiao LONG ; Kexin XU ; Nan WU ; Bo YANG ; Weibo XIA ; Rongrong HU ; Limeng CHEN ; Ji LI ; Xia HONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yagang ZUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):75-82
A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in
7.Analysis of radiosensitivity indicators for radiation workers at a nuclear power plant
Nan MA ; Junchao FENG ; Yulong LIU ; Jie LI ; Yu GAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(2):264-269
Objective To analyze the health effects of long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation on radiation workers in a nuclear power plant, and to provide a scientific basis for their occupational health monitoring. Methods In 2023, 183 radiation workers in a nuclear power plant were subjected to the analysis of blood cell parameters such as mean red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin count, thyroid function indicators such as serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin, as well as the chromosomal aberration rate and micronucleus rate of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Results The blood cell parameters, thyroid function indicators, chromosomal aberration rate, and micronucleus rate of these radiation workers in the nuclear power plant were within normal reference ranges. Comparison among radiation workers with different ages showed statistically significant differences in triiodothyronine (H = 6.98, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 48.44, P < 0.05). Among the three groups of radiation workers with different working years, WBC was significantly different (χ2 = 3.87, P < 0.05), with the lowest WBC observed in radiation workers with ≥ 20 years of service. Thyroxine (χ2 = 4.01, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 40.95, P < 0.05) also varied significantly among these three groups. Conclusion Thyroid triiodothyronine level and micronucleus rate were affected by age, while WBC, thyroid thyroxine level, and micronucleus rate were related to working years. Targeted health management should be carried out for radiation workers in nuclear power plants to improve the awareness of radiation protection and continuously enhance their health status.
8.Material basis and action mechanism of drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis
Siyuan LI ; Yuru WANG ; Ye XU ; Di GUO ; Nan NAN ; Yang LIU ; Jie ZHAO ; Huiqin HAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4029-4037
BACKGROUND:Our previous study found that Modified Erxian Pill could alleviate inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis rats,but its mechanism needs to be further verified. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill,and observe the effect of the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill on pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages. METHODS:(1)Analysis of components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry was used to detect and identify Modified Erxian Pill and its components absorbed in the blood.(2)Effect of the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill on pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages:Molecular docking technology was used to initially verify the sesquiterpenoids and NLRP3 in components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill.J774A.1 macrophages were randomly divided into blank control group,lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group,and lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill with low(2.5%),medium(5%),and high(10%)dose groups.The release of lactate dehydrogenase in the cell supernatant of each group was detected according to the kit instructions.The levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 in cell supernatant were detected in each group by ELISA.The cell membrane damage was detected by Hoechst/PI staining.The expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N protein in the cells of each group were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 32 active components of Modified Erxian Pill were identified,and 21 components entered the blood.The main components into blood included a variety of sesquiterpenoids.(2)Molecular docking results showed that 3-O-Acetyl-13-deoxyphomenone,Incensol oxide,Atractylenolide III,Rupestonic acid,and 3,7-Dihydroxy-9,11-eremophiladien-8-one had good binding activity with NLRP3.(3)Compared with the blank control group,lactate dehydrogenase activity and the expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 were significantly increased in cell supernatant of lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group(P<0.001).Hoechst/PI staining showed that the number of PI-positive cells was significantly increased.After the intervention of lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill group,all of them showed different degrees of reduction.(4)Compared with the blank control group,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N protein expression levels were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group(P<0.05).Compared with lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group,the protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N were significantly decreased in the lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill group(P<0.05),and had a certain dose dependence.These findings verify that the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill may inhibit the pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
9.Protective effects of paeonol on human neuroblastoma cells in Parkinson's disease model and its underlying mechanism
Sheng-Nan SUN ; Lu-Lu HE ; Shao-Chen QIN ; Lei XU ; Li-Ran WANG ; Bao-Feng YU ; Cun-Gen MA ; Hui-Jie FAN ; Zhi CHAI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the protective effects of paeonol(PAE)on autophagy in human neuroblastoma cells(SH-SY5Y)induced by overexpression of α-synuclein(α-Syn),and to explore its related mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells served as control group,while those induced with A53T-α-Syn mutation were used as model group.Additional groups included PAE(150 μg/ml)group,3-MA(1 mmol/L)group,and PAE(150 μg/ml)+3-MA(1 mmol/L)group.Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 method,cell morphology was observed under an optical microscope,and protein expressions of α-Syn,LC3-Ⅱ,p62,Beclin-1,phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),and p-Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.Results Compared with control group,model control exhibited decreased cell survival(P<0.01),increased α-Syn expression(P<0.001),reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1(P<0.01,P<0.05),elevated autophagy substrate protein p62(P<0.05),and decreased expression of autophagy pathway-related proteins p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with model group,PAE group showed increased cell survival(P<0.01),decreased α-Syn and p62 protein expression(P<0.01,P<0.05),and increased expression of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1,p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05).Compared with PAE group,3-MA+PAE group demonstrated increased α-Syn expression(P<0.05).Conclusions PAE could attenuate the injury of SH-SY5Y cells induced by A53T-α-Syn and eliminate over-expressed α-Syn by activating autophagy pathway,which may be associated with the upregulation of JNK/Bcl-2 mediated autophagy pathway.
10.Preparation of borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine
Jing WEN ; Jun-song NIU ; Yu-zhen WU ; Jie DENG ; Nan LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2522-2529
AIM To prepare the borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine.METHODS The equilibrium solubilities of tetramethylpyrazine in different oil phases,emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers were determined,after which compatibility experiment was performed,and pseudo-ternary phase diagram was drawn.With Km value,oil phase proportion and water phase consumption as influencing factors,particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading as evaluation indices,the formulation was optimized by central composite design-response surface method.The drug-loaded nanoemulsion was dispersed into carbomer 940 gel matrix to prepare nanoemulsion gel,then the physicochemical properties,in vitro drug release and transdermal absorption properties were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 3.31∶6.16∶1.56∶88.97 for eutectic mixture-EL-40-1,2-propylene glycol-water ratio,the particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading were 37.85 nm,23.04 and 5.82 mg/g,respectively.The obtained white,semi-solid nanoemulsion gel demonstrated the average pH value and viscosity of 6.68±0.07 and(289.69±1.06)mPa·s,respectively,whose in vitro drug release accorded with Higuchi equation,and the accumulative permeability per unit area was(2 048.23±55.6)μg/cm2 within 24 h,which were 3.72 and 1.21 times higher than those of hydrogel and aqueous solution,respectively.CONCLUSION The borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine meets preparation requirements,thus can achieve the effective transdermal delivery of raw medicine.

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