1.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
2.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
3.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
4.The Mechanisms of Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors in Exercise Central Fatigue
Lu-Lu GUAN ; Bo-Te QI ; Du-Shuo FENG ; Jing-Wang TAN ; Meng CAO ; Yu ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1321-1336
Exercise fatigue is a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon that includes peripheral fatigue in the muscles and central fatigue in the brain. Peripheral fatigue refers to the loss of force caused at the distal end of the neuromuscular junction, whereas central fatigue involves decreased motor output from the primary motor cortex, which is associated with modulations at anatomical sites proximal to nerves that innervate skeletal muscle. The central regulatory failure reflects a progressive decline in the central nervous system’s capacity to recruit motor units during sustained physical activity. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of central neurochemical regulation in fatigue development, particularly through neurotransmitter-mediated modulation. Alterations in neurotransmitter release and receptor activity could influence excitatory and inhibitory signal pathways, thus modulating the perception of fatigue and exercise performance. Increased serotonin (5-HT) could increase perception of effort and lethargy, reduce motor drive to continue exercising, and contribute to exercise fatigue. Decreased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) neurotransmission can negatively impact arousal, mood, motivation, and reward mechanisms and impair exercise performance. Furthermore, the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems interact with each other; a low 5-HT/DA ratio enhances motor motivation and improves performance, and a high 5-HT/DA ratio heightens fatigue perception and leads to decreased performance. The expression and activity of neurotransmitter receptors would be changed during prolonged exercise to fatigue, affecting the transmission of nerve signals. Prolonged high-intensity exercise causes excess 5-HT to overflow from the synaptic cleft to the axonal initial segment and activates the 5-HT1A receptor, thereby inhibiting the action potential of motor neurons and affecting the recruitment of motor units. During exercise to fatigue, the DA secretion is decreased, which blocks the binding of DA to D1 receptor in the caudate putamen and inhibits the activation of the direct pathway of the basal ganglia to suppress movement, meanwhile the binding of DA to D2 receptor is restrained in the caudate putamen, which activates the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia to influence motivation. Furthermore, other neurotransmitters and their receptors, such as adenosine (ADO), glutamic acid (Glu), and γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) also play important roles in regulating neurotransmitter balance and fatigue. The occurrence of central fatigue is not the result of the action of a single neurotransmitter system, but a comprehensive manifestation of the interaction between multiple neurotransmitters. This review explores the important role of neurotransmitters and their receptors in central motor fatigue, reveals the dynamic changes of different neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, NE, and ADO during exercise, and summarizes the mechanisms by which these neurotransmitters and their receptors regulate fatigue perception and exercise performance through complex interactions. Besides, this study presents pharmacological evidence that drugs such as agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibitors could affect exercise performance by regulating the metabolic changes of neurotransmitters. Recently, emerging interventions such as dietary bioactive components intake and transcranial electrical stimulation may provide new ideas and strategies for the prevention and alleviation of exercise fatigue by regulating neurotransmitter levels and receptor activity. Overall, this work offers new theoretical insights into the understanding of exercise central fatigue, and future research should further investigate the relationship between neurotransmitters and their receptors and exercise fatigue.
5.Pharmacokinetic interactions between empagliflozin and donafenib/lenvatinib in rats
Ying LI ; Zihan LIU ; Wenyu DU ; Jing AN ; Congyang DING ; Yue ZHAO ; Bingnan REN ; Zefang YU ; Yajing LI ; Zhanjun DONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1853-1860
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of empagliflozin combined with donafenib or lenvatinib on the pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug, and to provide a reference for combined medication in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 48 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups: empagliflozin group 1 and 2, donafenib group, lenvatinib group, donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group, lenvatinib pretreatment + empagliflozin group, empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group, and empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group, with 6 rats in each group. The doses of empagliflozin, donafenib, and lenvatinib were 2.5 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively. The rats in the empagliflozin group, donafenib group, and lenvatinib group were given a blank solvent by gavage for 7 consecutive days, followed by a single dose of empagliflozin, donafenib, or lenvatinib on day 7 after the administration of the blank solvent; the rats in the pretreatment groups were given the pretreatment drug by gavage for 7 consecutive days, followed by a single dose of drug combination on day 7 after administration of the pretreatment drug. Blood samples were collected at different time points, and plasma was separated to measure the concentration of each drug. A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to measure the plasma concentrations of donafenib, lenvatinib, and empagliflozin, and a non-compartmental model was used to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters of each drug (area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC], time to peak [Tmax], peak concentration [Cmax], and half-life time [t1/2]). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the empagliflozin group, the donafenib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of empagliflozin (P=0.011 and 0.008), while the lenvatinib pretreatment+empagliflozin group had no significant change in the AUC of empagliflozin, with a slightly shorter Tmax (P=0.019). Compared with the donafenib group, the empagliflozin pretreatment+donafenib group had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of donafenib (P=0.027 and 0.025), as well as a significant increase in Cmax (P=0.015) and significant reductions in CLz/F and Vz/F (P=0.005 and 0.004); compared with the lenvatinib group, the empagliflozin pretreatment+lenvatinib group had a reduction in the t1/2 of lenvatinib by approximately 5 hours (P=0.002), with a trend of reduction in AUC0-t (P0.05). ConclusionEmpagliflozin combined with donafenib may alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of both drugs, leading to a significant increase in the exposure levels of both drugs, and efficacy and adverse reactions should be monitored during co-administration. There are no significant changes in the exposure levels of empagliflozin and lenvatinib during co-administration.
6.The inhibitory effect of artesunate on hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating expression of GADD45A and NACC1
Guan-Tong SHEN ; Jin-Yao DONG ; Jing FENG ; Nan QIN ; Gen-Lai DU ; Fei ZHU ; Ke LIAN ; Xin-Yu LIU ; Qing-Liang LI ; Xun-Wei ZHANG ; Ru-Yi SHI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1089-1097
Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P<0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.
7.Study on mechanism of Tibetan medicine Rhodiola crenulata in treatment of cerebral microcirculatory disorders based on network pharmacology and experimental validation in rats
Si-Qing MA ; Yu-Jing SHI ; Yuan-Bai LI ; Yang YANG ; Meng LI ; Yu DU ; Yi-Hao LI ; Fang-Zhou LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1781-1791
Aim To explore the core target,key com-ponents and mechanism of Tibetan medicine Rhodiola crenulata in improving cerebral microcirculation based on literature research,network pharmacology,molecu-lar docking and experimental verification.Methods The chemical components of Rhodiola were collected through literature and database,and the potential tar-gets of Rhodiola crenulata were predicted by reverse pharmacophore matching.The related targets of cere-bral microcirculation disorder were obtained and targets were mapping with Rhodiola crenulata.PPI network was constructed and the core targets were screened.The regulatory network of"herb-component-target-dis-ease"was constructed and key components were screened.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted,and a"Core target-Pathway-Biological Process"network was constructed.Finally,molecular docking validation was carried out,and RT-qPCR and Western blot were used for animal experiments to fur-ther confirm the results of network pharmacology analy-sis.Results A total of 76 active components of Rhodiola crenulata were obtained and corresponding to 285 targets.Altogether 1074 related targets related to cerebral microcirculation disorder were obtained.A-mong them,there were 97 common targets and the main core targets were 6.The key components were 6.The results of molecular docking showed that the bind-ing activity of three key components to the core target was greater than that of the core target protein and its original ligand.The result of RT-qPCR and Western blot demonstrated that Tibetan medicine Rhodiola cre-nulata could significantly reduce the expression of core target CASP3 and AKT1(P<0.01).Conclusions Tibetan medicine Rhodiola crenulata can improve the cerebral microcirculation disorder through multi compo-nents,multi targets and multi pathways.This study provides an experimental basis for clinical application of Tibetan medicine Rhodiola crenulata to treat cerebral microcirculation disorder.
8.Mechanism of PX-12 induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through oxidative stress
Guojie LEI ; Yanhua YU ; Yingchao LIU ; Wenxia BIAN ; Jing DU ; Xiangmin TONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(9):961-967
AIM:To explore the mechanism of PX-12 induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.METHODS:Human hepatoma cell line Huh7 was se-lected as the main research object.After the cells were treated with thioredoxin inhibitor PX-12,the cell viability was detected by CCK8 method,the cell mi-gration ability was detected by cell scratch test,the cell proliferation ability was detected by cell prolif-eration kit,the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptosis were detected by flow cy-tometry,and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,the cell viability,migration ability and proliferation ability of PX-12 treatment group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species was increased(P<0.05)in a concentration-dependent manner.Apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK and antioxidant NAC could restore the cell viability,and NAC could reduce the accumulation of intracel-lular reactive oxygen species induced by PX-12 and restore the apoptosis induced by PX-12(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:PX-12 induces apoptosis of hepato-cellular carcinoma cells through oxidative stress.
9.Application of GLIM criteria for malnutrition diagnosis in 5 236 elderly inpatients
Jingsi SONG ; Chunyan DU ; Shi QIU ; Junchi YE ; Na YU ; Zhiyong RAO ; Xiaofan JING
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2024;32(3):150-155
Objective:To analyze the nutritional status of elderly inpatients using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria.Methods:A total of 5 236 elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) who were hospitalized at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March 2021 to March 2022 were included. The nutritional status was analyzed using the GLIM diagnostic criteria for malnutrition.Results:The rate of patients at nutritional risk was 30.29%, and the incidence of malnutrition as per GLIM criteria was 15.64%. The levels of hemoglobin, albumin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and body mass index of the malnutrition group were lower compared with the non-malnutrition group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The non-malnutrition group had significantly shorter hospital stay and lower hospitalization costs compared with the malnutrition group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The GLIM criteria is suitable for evaluating the nutritional status in elderly inpatients. The incidence of malnutrition in elderly inpatients is relatively high, which deserves attention in clinical management.
10.LncRNA 606938 Inhibits Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Hai-Li WU ; Bing DUAN ; Jin-E DU ; Jia-Jing MA ; Zhuo-Yu LI
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(7):964-975
In recent years,the application of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in the treatment of dis-eases has been widely concerned.LncRNAs have been proved to play a crucial role in tumor therapy.They usually act as oncogene or suppressor genes to regulate the occurrence and development of tumors.Previously,our group discovered a new lncRNA 606938 that can be used as a target in colorectal cancer through transcriptome analysis.However,its molecular mechanism in colorectal cancer is still unclear.In this study,RT-qPCR test shows that lncRNA 606938 is low expressed in colorectal cancer cell lines com-pared with normal colon epithelial cells.The clonogenicity was decreased by 97%and 54.5%in lncRNA 606938 overexpressed DLD-1 and SW620 cells,respectively.The results of flow cytometry assay showed that overexpression of lncRNA 606938 caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase(They were prolonged by 50.5%and 63.9%,respectively)and promoted apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells,which was increased by 1.9%and 3.3%,respectively.Western blot results showed that overexpression of lncRNA 606938 down-regulated the expression of related oncogenes(β-catenin,c-Myc,cyclin D1,cyclin D2,cyclin D3,CDK 4,CDK 6)in colorectal cancer cells,and the expression of tumor suppressor genes(TRIM33,caspase 2,and actived caspase 3)was up-regulated.The above results were reversed after knockdown of lncRNA 606938.Mechanistically,it has been confirmed through RNA pulldown assay,RIP assay,and Rescue assay that lncRNA 606938 can target and promote TRIM33 expression,thereby promoting the degradation of β-catenin and blocking the expression of β-catenin and its downstream oncogenes such as c-Myc and cycline D1 to inhibit the progression of colorectal cancer.This study elucidates the molecular mechanism by which the lncRNA 606938 targets TRIM33/β-catenin signaling pathway,inhibits the pro-liferation and promotes the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells.This study reveals the potential of lncRNA 606938 as a tumor suppressor gene,providing new target and strategies for the clinical treatment of color-ectal cancer.

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