1.Components and Brain-protective Effect of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra in Improving Ischemic Stroke Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Qizhong JIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Lijuan XIU ; Fan XU ; Lei WANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical constituents of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CRPRR) that cross the blood-brain barrier in rats with ischemic stroke, their brain-protective effects, and their impact on inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and pharmacodynamic experiments. MethodsA focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established in rats via the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) method using intraluminal suture. Neurological function was evaluated using behavioral scoring. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical constituents of CRPRR that crossed the blood-brain barrier and entered the cerebrospinal fluid in MCAO/R model rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose CRPRR groups (1.35, 2.7, 5.4 g·kg-1, respectively), and an edaravone group (5 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The sham and model groups received normal saline, while the treatment groups received the respective doses of CRPRR once daily by gavage for three consecutive weeks. The brain-protective effects of CRPRR were assessed using the Longa five-point scoring method, open field test, Morris water maze, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. ResultsNine chemical constituents were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid containing CRPRR, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide. Animal experiment results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited disordered neuronal arrangement, severe vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, and evident mitochondrial swelling. Chromatin aggregation and peripheralization were also observed. Neurological scores and the number of crossings in the central region were significantly increased (P<0.01), while platform crossings were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and clear infarct areas were present (P<0.01). Serum levels and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all dose groups of CRPRR showed marked improvement in neuronal morphology which was close to the normal level, with mitochondrial swelling alleviated and chromatin distribution more uniform. The medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced neurological scores (P<0.01), while the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups significantly reduced the number of central crossings (P<0.01) and infarct volume (P<0.01), and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with the model group. Furthermore, the medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced TNF-α protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the high-dose group significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-18 protein expression (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study confirmed that CRPRR improves neurological function and alleviates brain tissue damage in MCAO/R rats. Its mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the presence of nine active chemical constituents in cerebrospinal fluid, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide, which are closely related to their brain-protective effects.
2.Components and Brain-protective Effect of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra in Improving Ischemic Stroke Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Qizhong JIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Lijuan XIU ; Fan XU ; Lei WANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical constituents of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CRPRR) that cross the blood-brain barrier in rats with ischemic stroke, their brain-protective effects, and their impact on inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and pharmacodynamic experiments. MethodsA focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established in rats via the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) method using intraluminal suture. Neurological function was evaluated using behavioral scoring. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical constituents of CRPRR that crossed the blood-brain barrier and entered the cerebrospinal fluid in MCAO/R model rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose CRPRR groups (1.35, 2.7, 5.4 g·kg-1, respectively), and an edaravone group (5 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The sham and model groups received normal saline, while the treatment groups received the respective doses of CRPRR once daily by gavage for three consecutive weeks. The brain-protective effects of CRPRR were assessed using the Longa five-point scoring method, open field test, Morris water maze, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. ResultsNine chemical constituents were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid containing CRPRR, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide. Animal experiment results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited disordered neuronal arrangement, severe vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, and evident mitochondrial swelling. Chromatin aggregation and peripheralization were also observed. Neurological scores and the number of crossings in the central region were significantly increased (P<0.01), while platform crossings were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and clear infarct areas were present (P<0.01). Serum levels and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all dose groups of CRPRR showed marked improvement in neuronal morphology which was close to the normal level, with mitochondrial swelling alleviated and chromatin distribution more uniform. The medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced neurological scores (P<0.01), while the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups significantly reduced the number of central crossings (P<0.01) and infarct volume (P<0.01), and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with the model group. Furthermore, the medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced TNF-α protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the high-dose group significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-18 protein expression (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study confirmed that CRPRR improves neurological function and alleviates brain tissue damage in MCAO/R rats. Its mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the presence of nine active chemical constituents in cerebrospinal fluid, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide, which are closely related to their brain-protective effects.
3.Effect of Eucommiae Cortex extract mediated by ERβ/JNK pathway on learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice.
Yue LI ; Li-Li ZHANG ; Can ZHAO ; Hong-Mei ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Jin-Lei FU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Hong-Dan XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):285-293
To study the ameliorative effect of Eucommiae Cortex extract on spatial learning disabilities in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice and explore its relationship with estrogen receptor β(ERβ)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) signaling pathway, sixty 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group, an anti-brain failure capsule group(0.585 g·kg~(-1)), a donepezil hydrochloride group(0.65 mg·kg~(-1)), and a Eucommiae Cortex extract group(1.3 g·kg~(-1)), and 15 C57BL/6 mice of the same genetic background were set as WT control group. The learning and memory ability of mice was assessed by the Morris water maze test(MWM), the passive avoidance test(PAT), and the novel object recognition test(NOR). The histomorphological and cellular ultrastructural features of the hippocampal region of the mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy(TEM); the molecular docking validation of the key active ingredients and the key targets was performed by using AutoDock Vina software, and the immunohistochemical method(IHC) was used to detect the ERβ expression in the dentate gyrus(DG) area of mouse hippocampus. Western blot(WB) was utilized to detect the expression of ERβ, p-JNK, and JNK in mouse hippocampal area. Compared with those in the WT control group, the results of behavioral experiments showed that the latency of the mice in the model group was significantly increased, the number of platform traversals, and the target quadrant residence time were significantly decreased in the MWM. The evasion latency was significantly reduced, and the number of errors was significantly increased in the PAT. The index of recognition of novel objects was significantly reduced in the NOR. The results of HE staining indicated that the hippocampal area of mice in the model group showed a decrease in the number of neurons, disorganization of pyramidal cell arrangement, nucleus consolidation, and other changes. TEM results showed that some neuronal nuclei in the hippocampal area had a consolidated state, slightly thickened and aberrant nuclear membranes, and fewer intracytoplasmic nidus bodies; the IHC results showed that the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was reduced. The WB results showed that the ERβ expression in the hippocampal tissue was decreased, and the p-JNK/JNK level was elevated. Compared with the model group, the Eucommiae Cortex extract group showed a significant decrease in latency, and increase in number of platform traversals and target quadrant residence time in the MWM, a significant increase in evasion latency and decrease in number of errors in the PAT, and a significant increase in the index of recognition of novel objects in the NOR. In addition, there was an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampal area of mice. The pyramidal cells tended to be arranged in an orderly manner; the nuclei of neurons in the hippocampal area were in a better state; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was elevated; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal tissue was elevated, and the level of p-JNK/JNK was reduced. The effects of donepezil hydrochloride group and anti-brain failure capsule on APP/PS1 mice in terms of behavioral, HE, and TEM indexes were similar to those of Eucommiae Cortex extract, and there was no significant difference between donepezil hydrochloride group and the model group in IHC and WB experiments, and the results of molecular docking indicated that the estrogen-like components in Eucommiae Cortex extract were tightly bound to ERβ. In conclusion, the binding of Eucommiae Cortex extract to estrogen receptors, regulation of ERβ expression, and activation of ERβ/JNK signaling pathway may be one of the key mechanisms by which it improves the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 mice.
Animals
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Male
;
Mice
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Memory/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics*
;
Eucommiaceae/chemistry*
;
Alzheimer Disease/psychology*
;
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism*
;
Presenilin-1/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Maze Learning/drug effects*
;
Learning/drug effects*
4.Association between metabolic parameters and erection in erectile dysfunction patients with hyperuricemia.
Guo-Wei DU ; Pei-Ning NIU ; Zhao-Xu YANG ; Xing-Hao ZHANG ; Jin-Chen HE ; Tao LIU ; Yan XU ; Jian-Huai CHEN ; Yun CHEN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(4):482-487
The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans
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Male
;
Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism*
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Hyperuricemia/metabolism*
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Adult
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Middle Aged
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism*
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Uric Acid/blood*
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Young Adult
;
Triglycerides/blood*
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Adolescent
;
Cholesterol, LDL/blood*
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Penile Erection/physiology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
5.Exploring the causal relationship between leukocyte telomere length and prostatitis, orchitis, and epididymitis based on a two-sample Mendelian randomization.
Dan-Yang LI ; Shun YU ; Bo-Hui YANG ; Jun-Bao ZHANG ; Guo-Chen YIN ; Lin-Na WU ; Qin-Zuo DONG ; Jin-Long XU ; Shu-Ping NING ; Rong ZHAO
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):306-312
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the genetic causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHODS:
Using LTL as the exposure factor and prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis as outcome factors, we mined the Database of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Then, we analyzed the causal relationship of LTL with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by Mendelian randomization using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method and weighted median and MR-Egger regression as auxiliary methods, determined the horizontal multiplicity by MR-Egger intercept test, and conducted sensitivity analysis using the leaving-one-out method.
RESULTS:
A total of 121 related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in this study. IVW showed LTL to be a risk factor for prostatitis (OR = 1.383, 95% CI: 1.044-1.832, P = 0.024), and for orchitis and epididymitis as well (OR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.275-2.456, P = 0.000 6).
CONCLUSION
Genetic evidence from Mendelian randomized analysis indicates that shortening of LTL reduces the risk of prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis.
Humans
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Male
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Epididymitis/genetics*
;
Prostatitis/genetics*
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Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
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Leukocytes
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Orchitis/genetics*
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Genome-Wide Association Study
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Telomere
;
Risk Factors
6.Value of serum tryptophan in stratified management of 90-day mortality risk in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a multicenter retrospective study.
Chao ZHOU ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Qiao TANG ; Shuangnan FU ; Ning ZHANG ; Zhaoyun HE ; Jin ZHANG ; Tianyi ZHANG ; Pengcheng LIU ; Man GONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):59-64
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the correlation of serum tryptophan level with 90-day mortality risk in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF).
METHODS:
This retrospective study was conducted among 108 patients with HBV-ACLF, whose survival outcomes within 90 days after diagnosis were recorded. The correlation of baseline serum tryptophan levels measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with 90-day mortality of the patients was analyzed, and the predictive value of serum tryptophan for 90-day mortality was explored.
RESULTS:
Within 90 days after diagnosis, 53 (29.4%) of the patients died and 127 (70.6%) survived. The deceased patients had significantly lower baseline serum tryptophan levels than the survivors (7.31±3.73 pg/mL vs 13.32±7.15 pg/mL, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that serum tryptophan level was an independent factor correlated with mortality of HBV-ACLF after adjustment for confounding variables. The patients with serum tryptophan levels below the median level (10.14 pg/mL) at admission had significantly higher 90-day mortality risks than those with higher tryptophan levels (43.3% vs 15.6%, HR: 3.157, 95% CI: 1.713-5.817), and the complication by kidney dysfunction further increased the risk to 73.3% as compared with patients with higher serum tryptophan levels with normal kidney function (15.0%; HR: 7.558, 95% CI: 3.369-16.960). Serum tryptophan levels had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.771 (95% CI: 0.699-0.844) for predicting 90-day mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum tryptophan level is closely correlated with the survival outcomes of patients with HBV-ACLF, and a decreased tryptophan level indicates a high 90-day mortality risk, which can be further increased by the complication by kidney dysfunction.
Humans
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Tryptophan/blood*
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Retrospective Studies
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Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/virology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adult
;
Prognosis
;
Hepatitis B/complications*
;
Hepatitis B virus
7.Polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles with photothermal antimicrobial activity promote skin wound healing in mice.
Chen ZHANG ; Zhi XU ; Xiang LI ; Pengyixiang HE ; Kailin QU ; Qi NING ; Yile JIN ; Surui YANG ; Xu WU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1959-1966
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the photothermal and antibacterial activities of polydopamine-modified phycocyanin nanoparticles (PDA@PC NPs) and their capacity for promoting wound healing.
METHODS:
PDA@PC NPs were synthesized from phycocyanin (C-PC) and dopamine hydrochloride using a one-pot method. The photothermal activity of the nanoparticles was assessed in vitro by 808 nm laser irradiation, their biocompatibility was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, and their photothermal antibacterial activity by plate colony counting. In adult male BALB/c mice, two symmetrical full-thickness skin wounds (1.0 cm ×1.0 cm) were created on both sides of the spine, and 200 μL of Staphylococcus aureus suspension was inoculated into the wounds. The mice were divided into control group, PDA@PC NPs group, and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and wound healing rates and histomorphological changes in the wound tissues were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 after modeling.
RESULTS:
The synthesized PDA@PC NPs exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 500 μg/mL and showed strong photothermal and antibacterial activities in response to 808 nm laser irradiation. In the mouse models, the size of the infected skin wounds showed substantial reduction at 7 and 14 days in PDA@PC NPs group and PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group, and the mean wound healing rate was faster in the latter group. HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining revealed extensive granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition on the wound surfaces in both of the treatment groups, and these changes were more obvious in the PDA@PC NPs with laser irradiation group.
CONCLUSIONS
PDA@PC NPs possess excellent photothermal and antibacterial activities and can effectively promote wound healing in mice.
Animals
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Indoles/chemistry*
;
Wound Healing/drug effects*
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Mice
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Male
;
Nanoparticles
;
Polymers/chemistry*
;
Phycocyanin/chemistry*
;
Skin/injuries*
;
Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
8.Screening and characterization of camelid-derived nanobodies against hemoglobin.
Ning ZHONG ; Wenhui LEI ; Zuying LIU ; Xiaoxiao XIE ; Lingjing ZHANG ; Tengchuan JIN ; Minjie CAO ; Yulei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1515-1534
Hemoglobin, the principal protein in red blood cells, is crucial for oxygen transport in the bloodstream. The quantification of hemoglobin concentration is indispensable in medical diagnostics and health management, which encompass the diagnosis of anemia and the screening of various blood disorders. Immunological methods, based on antigen-antibody interactions, are distinguished by their high sensitivity and accuracy. Consequently, it is necessary to develop hemoglobin-specific antibodies characterized by high specificity and affinity to enhance detection accuracy. In this study, we immunized a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) with human hemoglobin and subsequently constructed a nanobody library. Utilizing a solid-phase screening method, we selected nanobodies and evaluated the binding activity of the screened nanobodies to hemoglobin. Initially, human hemoglobin was used to immunize a Bactrian camel. Following four immunization sessions, blood was withdrawn from the jugular vein, and a nanobody library with a capacity of 2.85×108 colony forming units (CFU) was generated. Subsequently, ten hemoglobin-specific nanobody sequences were identified through three rounds of adsorption-elution-enrichment assays, and these nanobodies were subjected to eukaryotic expression. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biolayer interferometry were employed to evaluate the stability, binding activity, and specificity of these nanobodies. The results demonstrated that the nanobodies maintained robust binding activity within the temperature range of 20-40 ℃ and exhibited the highest binding activity at pH 7.0. Furthermore, the nanobodies were capable of tolerating a 10% methanol solution. Notably, among the nanobodies tested, VHH-12 displayed the highest binding activity to hemoglobin, with a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 10.63 nmol/L and a equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 2.94×10-7 mol/L. VHH-12 exhibited no cross-reactivity with a panel of eight proteins, such as ovalbumin and bovine serum albumin, while demonstrating partial cross-reactivity with hemoglobin derived from porcine, goat, rabbit, and bovine sources. In this study, a hemoglobin-specific high-affinity nanobody was successfully isolated, demonstrating potential applications in disease diagnosis and health monitoring.
Animals
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Camelus/immunology*
;
Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology*
;
Hemoglobins/immunology*
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Humans
;
Peptide Library
9.Preparation of decellularized extracellular matrix-gelatin methacryloyl composite hydrogels and their effects on hepatocyte proliferation
Jing SHI ; Jin CHU ; Tao SUN ; Jin GAO ; Xiaolong HE ; Ning YANG ; Liang LI ; Xue ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Guodong LYU ; Renyong LIN ; Xiaojuan BI
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(1):47-55
Objective:To prepare decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels and to study their effects on hepatocyte proliferation.Methods:Hepatic dECM was prepared by elution, and GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels were prepared by pepsin solubilization. The morphology of normal liver and dECM liver was observed by eyes and scanning electron microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius red and periodate-Schiff staining, respectively. The internal structure of the dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore diameter was measured. Liver HL-7702 cells were co-cultured with GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels, and the cell proliferation viability was determined by cell counting kit-8. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt family protein 5a (Wnt5a), β-catenin, extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:After decellularization, the hepatocyte morphology showed rounded depressions, and the extracellular matrix structure was intact. The GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels showed inernally porous structures. The pore diameter increased from (3.06±1.35) μm in the GelMA hydrogel to (16.01±4.02) μm in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel. On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day, the relative cell proliferation was higher in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group than that in the GelMA hydrogel group (1.89±0.04 vs 1.53±0.01, 9.36±0.04 vs 3.89±0.09, 7.15±0.27 vs 4.89±0.15, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of PCNA, Wnt5a, β-catenin, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 proteins in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group were higher than those in the GelMA hydrogel group (2.14±0.04 vs 1.00±0.03, 2.36±0.09 vs 1.00±0.08, 1.45±0.03 vs 1.00±0.04, 1.43±0.04 vs 1.00±0.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:A dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel can be prepared, which may promote hepatocyte proliferation by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
10.Protective effects of Zhibai Dihuang Pills on neurons in mice with D-galactose cognitive dysfunction
Meiling JIN ; Ziyue ZHU ; Xue CHEN ; Qing LIU ; Tongtong CHEN ; Xia LEI ; Ning ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(1):44-50
Objective:To investigate the effects of Zhibai Dihuang Pills on neurons of cognitive dysfunction in D-galactose (D-gal) model mice.Methods:Totally 60 male mice were divided into four groups using a random number table method: control group, model group, donepezil group, and Zhibai Dihuang Pills group, with 15 mice in each group. Except for the control group, the other groups were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose solution at a dosage of 125 mg/kg once a day for 8 weeks to prepare the aging model. Mice in the donepezil group were intragastrically administered donepezil solution at a dosage of 0.65 mg/kg, and those in the Zhibai Dihuang Pills group were intragastrically administered Zhibai Dihuang Pills solution at a dosage of 1.56 g/kg. The control group was intragastrically administered an equal volume of physiological saline once a day for 8 weeks. The object recognition test and Morris Water Maze were used to assess object recognition memory and spatial learning memory abilities of mice in each group, respectively. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal region; Golgi staining was used to observe neuronal dendritic spines; Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin (SYP) in the hippocampus region; RT-qPCR was performed to detect mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt and GSK3β in the hippocampus region.Results:Compared with the model group, the recognition index in both the donepezil group and the Zhibai Dihuang Pills group increased ( P<0.05), the escape latency was shortened ( P<0.05), the platform crossings times and the target quadrant dwell time increased ( P<0.05), the number of nerve cells in the hippocampal region increased, arranged closely, the number of Nissl bodies increased, the morphology returned to normal, and the density of dendritic spines increased; the protein expressions of PI3K, PSD-95, and SYP in the hippocampal region and the ratio of p-Akt/Akt increased ( P<0.01), the mRNA level of PI3K increased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA levels of GSK3β decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Zhibai Dihuang Pills can improve the learning and memory ability and rescue neuronal damage in D-gal model mice, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and the restoration of synaptic connections.

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