1.Mechanism of pachymic acid in ameliorating renal injury in pregnancy induced hypertension rats by regulating the Sirt1/PGC‑1α pathway
Junjiang ZHU ; Jincheng LIN ; Jiajian WU ; Yi ZENG ; Jun HU ; Min LI ; Hongying LIU ; Jinfen LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):186-191
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of pachymic acid on renal injury in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) rats by regulating the silent information regulator transcript 1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (Sirt1/PGC-1α) pathway. METHODS Pregnant SD rats were prepared by co-caging and PIH model was induced using N-nitro-L- arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) method. PIH rats were randomly divided into model group, L-pachymic acid (low-dose pachymic acid, 10 mg/kg) group, H-pachymic acid (high-dose pachymic acid, 20 mg/kg) group, and H-pachymic acid+EX527 (20 mg/kg pachymic acid+10 mg/kg EX527) group, with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 normal pregnant rats were selected as blank group. Each group was given relevant medicine or solvent intragastrically or intraperitoneally daily, once a day, for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration, 24 h urinary protein and tail artery systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured in pregnant rats from each group, along with the levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN),uric acid (UA), and cystatin C (Cys-C). The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in renal tissue, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, were also determined. Meanwhile, renal histopathological changes in rats from each group were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. RESULTS Compared with model group, L-pachymic acid group and H-pachymic acid group exhibited significant decreases in 24 h urine protein quantification, tail artery SBP, Scr, BUN, UA, Cys-C levels, glomerulosclerosis index score of renal tissue, renal tubular injury score, the percentage of PAS positive area, MDA and 8-OHdG (P<0.05). Conversely, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px, along with the mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, were significantly increased (P<0.05). Moreover, these improvements were more pronounced in H-pachymic acid group (P<0.05). Compared with H-pachymic acid group, the aforementioned indicators in pregnant rats from the H-pachymic acid+EX527 group showed significant reversal (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pachymic acid significantly ameliorates renal injury induced by PIH in rats, potentially through activation of the Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway.
2.Targeting tumor metabolism to augment CD8+ T cell anti-tumor immunity.
Huan LIU ; Wenyong YANG ; Jingwen JIANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101150-101150
CD8+ T cell-based immune-therapeutics, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T), chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T)), have achieved significant successes and prolonged patient survival to varying extents and even achieved cure in some cases. However, immunotherapy resistance and tumor insusceptibility frequently occur, leading to treatment failure. Recent evidences have highlighted the ponderance of tumor cells metabolic reprogramming in establishing an immunosuppressive milieu through the secretion of harmful metabolites, immune-inhibitory cytokines, and alteration of gene expression, which suppress the activity of immune cells, particularly CD8+ T cells to evade immune surveillance. Therefore, targeting tumor cell metabolic adaptations to reshape the immune microenvironment holds promise as an immunomodulatory strategy to facilitate immunotherapy. Here, we summarize recent advances in the crosstalk between immunotherapy and tumor reprogramming, focusing on the regulatory mechanisms underlying tumor cell glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism in influencing CD8+ T cells to provide promising metabolic targets or combinational strategies for immunotherapy.
3.Multi-omics analysis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas reveals distinct molecular subgroups with prognostic and treatment response significance
Xianlong WANG ; Chuan ZHAO ; Jincheng LIN ; Hongxing LIU ; Qiuhong ZENG ; Huadong CHEN ; Ye WANG ; Dapeng XU ; Wen CHEN ; Moping XU ; En ZHANG ; Da LIN ; Zhixiong LIN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(7):859-870
Background::Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is the commonest pediatric sellar tumor. No effective drug is available and interpatient heterogeneity is prominent. This study aimed to identify distinct molecular subgroups of ACP based on the multi-omics profiles, imaging findings, and histological features, in order to predict the response to anti-inflammatory treatment and immunotherapies.Methods::Totally 142 Chinese cases diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas were profiled, including 119 ACPs and 23 papillary craniopharyngiomas. Whole-exome sequencing (151 tumors, including recurrent ones), RNA sequencing (84 tumors), and DNA methylome profiling (95 tumors) were performed. Consensus clustering and non-negative matrix factorization were used for subgrouping, and Cox regression were utilized for prognostic evaluation, respectively.Results::Three distinct molecular subgroups were identified: WNT, ImA, and ImB. The WNT subgroup showed higher Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity, with a greater number of epithelial cells and more predominantly solid tumors. The ImA and ImB subgroups had activated inflammatory and interferon response pathways, with enhanced immune cell infiltration and more predominantly cystic tumors. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK/MAPK) signaling was activated only in ImA samples, while IL-6 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers were highly expressed in the ImB group, mostly consisting of children. The degree of astrogliosis was significantly elevated in the ImA group, with severe finger-like protrusions at the invasive front of the tumor. The molecular subgrouping was an independent prognostic factor, with the WNT group having longer event-free survival than ImB (Cox, P = 0.04). ImA/ImB cases were more likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy than the WNT group ( P <0.01). In the preliminary screening of subtyping markers, CD38 was significantly downregulated in WNT compared with ImA and ImB ( P = 0.01). Conclusions::ACP comprises three molecular subtypes with distinct imaging and histological features. The prognosis of the WNT type is better than that of the ImB group, which is more likely to benefit from the ICB treatment.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Sepsis Based on TLR4 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Jing YAN ; Sheng XIE ; Laian GE ; Guangyao WANG ; Zhu LIU ; Bingjie HAN ; Yaoxuan ZENG ; Jinchan PENG ; Jincheng QIAN ; Liqun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):282-291
Sepsis is one of the common severe diseases caused by the dysregulated host response to infection, which seriously threatens the life and health of human beings all over the world. The incidence and mortality of the disease are extremely high, and it has always been an urgent problem to be solved in the field of acute and critical diseases. At present, anti-infection, fluid resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and other programs are most used in clinic to treat sepsis, but their poor prognosis and high cost and other issues remain to be resolved. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a new, efficient, safe and inexpensive drug and treatment model at this stage. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on syndrome differentiation and holistic concept. It can effectively regulate the progression of sepsis, maintain the homeostasis of the body, and has fewer adverse reactions. It has achieved good clinical results. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that TCM can reduce the inflammatory response by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) signaling pathway, thereby reducing the severity and mortality of sepsis patients. However, there is still a lack of systematic exposition of TCM regulating TLR4 signaling pathway in the treatment of sepsis. Therefore, this article summarizes the relationship between TLR4 signaling pathway and sepsis and the mechanism of TCM in the disease by searching and consulting relevant literature in recent years. It is found that some Chinese medicine monomers and active ingredients, Chinese medicine compounds and Chinese medicine preparations can effectively reduce systemic inflammatory response, repair organ damage and improve the prognosis of sepsis by inhibiting the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway. However, due to various limitations, some studies have directly focused on the differential expression and function of TLR4, ignoring the downstream molecular expression and phenotypic effects of TLR4. The alternative mechanism, relationship and specific molecular mechanism of the pathway are still unclear. There are problems such as unclear pharmacokinetics and unclear mechanism in the pro- and anti-inflammatory balance, which need to be further studied and explored in order to provide new ideas for the potential treatment and drug development for sepsis.
5.Effectiveness of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test in screening for latent tuberculosis infection among HIV/AIDS patients
WANG Hui ; LI Jincheng ; LU Xing ; WANG Jinfu ; ZHU Limei ; LIU Qiao
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(7):639-643
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test (EC-ST) in screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among HIV/AIDS patients, so as to provide insights into the applicability of EC-ST in LTBI screening among HIV/AIDS patients.
Methods:
From April to June 2023, HIV/AIDS patients under management and treatment in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, were selected as study subjects. Basic information was collected through questionnaire surveys. LTBI was screened by EC-ST and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Taking IGRA results as the diagnostic standard, the positive rate, sensitivity, specificity and consistency rate of EC-ST, and the impact of CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) counts on the screening effect of EC-ST were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 523 HIV/AIDS patients were screened, including 458 males (87.57%) and 65 females (12.43%). The median age was 48.00 (interquartile range, 21.00) years. The positive rate of EC-ST was 7.27% and the positive rate of IGRA was 7.46%, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The consistency rate of the two methods was 94.84%, and the Kappa value of 0.621 (95%CI: 0.489-0.752, P<0.05). The sensitivity of EC-ST was 64.10% and the specificity was 97.31%. Comparing the groups with CD4 counts <500 and ≥500 cells/μL, the consistency rates of the two methods were 95.32% and 94.44%, and the Kappa values were 0.568 and 0.650, respectively (both P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the positive rates, sensitivity, and specificity of EC-ST (all P>0.05). Comparing the groups with CD4 counts <200 and ≥200 cells/μL, the consistency rates of the two methods were 96.55% and 94.62%, and the Kappa values were 0.648 and 0.619, respectively (both P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the positive rates, sensitivity, and specificity of EC-ST (all P>0.05).
Conclusion
The effectiveness of EC-ST in screening for LTBI among HIV/AIDS patients is consistent with that of IGRA and is not affected by CD4 counts.
6.Overview of the Research on the Characteristics of the Eldon-Uriel Formula of Mongolian Medicine and the Treatment of Atherosclerosis
Qianqian LIU ; Shuting ZHAO ; Xinrong WANG ; Zhigeng HU ; Jincheng CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(4):561-567
Atherosclerosis(AS)is the common pathological basis of ischemic cardiovascular diseases,and its formation mechanism is complex.Western medical treatment has problems such as a long cycle and a high relapse rate.Ethnic medicine is an important part of traditional medicine,which has unique efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.Studies have shown that the Mongolian medicine Eldon-Uriel regulates blood lipids and improves blood rheology in the treatment of AS.This paper aims to pro-vide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of AS by collecting,organizing,and summarizing the relevant literature on Eldon-Uriel and introducing its unique concept,mechanism of action,and clinical studies in the treatment of AS.
7.Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus ST20 isolated and identified from the bacteremia patient
Bei WEI ; Fen GAO ; Yue LIU ; Yan ZHONG ; Yanfang LI ; Deju QIN ; Jincheng ZHOU ; Xuebin XU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(9):1102-1105
A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department of Qintang District People′s Hospital of Guigang City in August 2023 due to chills and fever, abdominal distension and pain, diarrhea, cough and shortness of breath for 1 day. She had a history of chronic obstructive and pulmonary heart disease, stage Ⅲ hypertension, and ceftazidime allergy. Clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial infection of chronic obstructive pneumonia was made and levofloxacin combined with piperacillin/tazobactam were given as symptomatic treatment. The blood culture reported Campylobacter fetus after four days, and the patient was cured and discharged after seven days with negative blood culture. The morphology and mass spectrometry identification of the strain were consistent with the definition of Campylobacter fetus. Whole genome sequencing predicted the multi-site sequence type as Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus( Cff) ST20, carrying the tetracycline resistance gene tet (O/M/O), 18 flagella genes (including rpoN gene from Campylobacter jejuni. these genes were not found in the other two Campylobacter fetus subspecies), and six virulence genes (including like-typhoidal toxin and typhoid toxin genes). The pathogen has the ecological characteristics of parasitic farmed animal colonization and the biological characteristics of high mobility and virulence. These attributes facilitated its entry into the bloodstream via the fecal-oral route, leading to invasive infections.
8.Epidemiological characteristics of syphilis in Yangzhou from 2013 to 2023
Chun XU ; Jincheng LI ; Wenbin YANG ; Yan JIANG ; Kejiao YANG ; Tianqi ZHOU ; Jiaye LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(21):22-27
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of syphilis in Yangzhou City from 2013 to 2023, to understand the syphilis epidemic trends, and provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods Syphilis case reports in Yangzhou City from 2013 to 2023 were collected through the infectious disease surveillance module of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The annual average reported incidence rate and annual average growth rate were calculated. Descriptive epidemiological methods were employed to analyze the overview of syphilis and its temporal, geographical and demographic distribution characteristics. Linear trend chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the syphilis epidemic trends. Results A total of 19, 457 syphilis cases were reported in Yangzhou City from 2013 to 2023, with an annual average reported incidence rate of 39.17/100, 000. The overall incidence of syphilis showed an upward trend, with the reported incidence rate increasing from 37.26/100, 000 in 2013 to 43.27/100, 000 in 2023 (
9.Nanoparticles (NPs)-mediated Siglec15 silencing and macrophage repolarization for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.
Xiaodi LIU ; Qi ZHANG ; Yixia LIANG ; Shiyu XIONG ; Yan CAI ; Jincheng CAO ; Yanni XU ; Xiaolin XU ; Ye WU ; Qiang LU ; Xiaoding XU ; Baoming LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(12):5048-5059
T cell infiltration and proliferation in tumor tissues are the main factors that significantly affect the therapeutic outcomes of cancer immunotherapy. Emerging evidence has shown that interferon-gamma (IFNγ) could enhance CXCL9 secretion from macrophages to recruit T cells, but Siglec15 expressed on TAMs can attenuate T cell proliferation. Therefore, targeted regulation of macrophage function could be a promising strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy via concurrently promoting the infiltration and proliferation of T cells in tumor tissues. We herein developed reduction-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) made with poly (disulfide amide) (PDSA) and lipid-poly (ethylene glycol) (lipid-PEG) for systemic delivery of Siglec15 siRNA (siSiglec15) and IFNγ for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. After intravenous administration, these cargo-loaded could highly accumulate in the tumor tissues and be efficiently internalized by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). With the highly concentrated glutathione (GSH) in the cytoplasm to destroy the nanostructure, the loaded IFNγ and siSiglec15 could be rapidly released, which could respectively repolarize macrophage phenotype to enhance CXCL9 secretion for T cell infiltration and silence Siglec15 expression to promote T cell proliferation, leading to significant inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth when combining with the immune checkpoint inhibitor. The strategy developed herein could be used as an effective tool to enhance cancer immunotherapy.
10. Effects of different extraction parts of Tibetan medicine Pulicaria insignis Drumm ex Dunn on CIA rats
Fang-Yuan LIU ; Ji-Xiao ZHU ; Lin LIU ; Jie SUN ; Yu-Jie WANG ; Jin-Xiang ZENG ; Min LI ; Jing YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(7):1378-1384
Aim To clarify the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of Tibetan medicine Pulicaria insignis (P. insignis),sift out the active parts against rheumatoid arthritis,and investigate the mechanism. Methods Rat rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) model was established with bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The effects of the total extract of P. insignis, macroporous resin eluted parts with different concentrations of ethanol and Tripterygium Glycosides (GTW) on the degree of foot swelling in CIA rats were observed,the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), intd rheumaerleukin-1β (IL-1β) antoid factor (RF) in serum of rats were detected, the pathological changes of synovial tissues were investigated, and the effects on MAPK/p38/NF-κB, TLR4/NF-κB protein expressions were explored by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group, the total extract of P. insignis and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol could significantly reduce the degree of joint swelling in CIA rats, effectively improve the pathological changes of rats synovium tissues, and significantly reduce the levels of rat tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum inflammatory factors, and markedly decrease the expression of related inflammatory proteins (TLR4, NF-κB, Myd88, p-p38, p-IκBα, iNOS, etc) in synovial tissue. Conclusions (1) P. insignis can relieve the symptoms of joint inflammation in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, and the eluted part of macroporous resin 60% ethanol of P. insignis is the effective active part for anti-rheumatoid arthritis. (2) The total and partial extracts of P. insignis can relieve arthritis symptoms in CIA rats through inhibiting the MAPK/ p38/NF-κB and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.


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