1.Mechanism of action of 2-acylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 in metabolic associated fatty liver disease and related targeted therapies
Jingjing HE ; Xinyi ZHANG ; Na DING ; Yanan HAO ; Ya ZHENG ; Rui JI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1677-1682
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide, with the core pathological feature of pathological accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes, and as a key rate-limiting enzyme for triglyceride synthesis in the liver, 2-acylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) plays a central role in this process. Cell and animal model studies have confirmed that inhibition of DGAT2 can effectively alleviate hepatic steatosis and delay disease progression, and subsequent clinical trials have also shown the potential clinical application value in the treatment of MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of DGAT2 in the development and progression of MAFLD and comprehensively summarizes the therapeutic strategies targeting DGAT2, including the advances in both monotherapy and drug combinations, in order to provide new ideas for individualized treatment of MAFLD patients.
2.Determination of ginsenoside Rh2 in plasma of mice by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Xin XI ; Xinyue DING ; Jingjing FA ; Xinmiao HUANG ; Zongjun LIU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(2):268-272
Objective To establish a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method for the determination of ginsenoside Rh2(GRh2)in plasma of mice,so as to provide preclinical data support for the pharmacokinetic study and application of GRh2.Methods C57BL16 mice were given 7.5 mg/kg GRh2 by gavage.After administration,0.03 mL of whole blood was collected at 5 min,10 min,15 min,30 min,1 h,2 h,4 h,and 8 h.Then,the whole blood was centrifuged and the serum was treated with 0.1%formic acid acetonitrile,dried by nitrogen(40℃),and redissolved with 50.0 pL 50%methanol solution containing 100 ng/mL diclofenac sodium.After vortex mixing for 5 min at room temperature,it was put into the automatic sampler for sampling analysis.The chromatographic column was Waters BEHC18(2.1 mm × 50.0 mm,1.7 pm),the mobile phase was aqueous solution containing 0.1%formic acid and acetonitrile solution containing 0.1%formic acid at a flow rate of 0.60 mL/min,the column temperature was 40℃,and the injection volume was 1.00 pL.The electric spray ion source,positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring mode were performed.A standard curve was established to calculate blood drug concentration.The blood drug concentration-time curve was established according to the blood drug concentration,and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.Results The linear range of the standard curve of drug containing plasma was 100-40 000 ng/mL,and the correlation coefficient(r)was 0.996 0.After internal standard normalization,the matrix effect factors of GRh2 were 1.09,1.06,and 1.00(between 0.8 and 1.2),indicating no significant matrix effect.The precision and accuracy results showed that the average measured concentration of GRh2 samples at each concentration level was 103,333,23 800 and 35 000 ng/mL,the inter batch standard deviation was 6.47-1 120 ng/mL,the inter batch relative standard deviation was 1.5%-8.3%,and the inter batch accuracy deviation was 93.3%-111.1%.The long-term stability,short-term stability,repeated freeze-thaw property,and extraction recovery rate of GRh2 were all good.The pharmacokinetic parameters Tmax and Cmax of GRh2 in mice were(1.42±1.01)h and(1 251±495)ng/mL,respectively,indicating that the absorption and utilization rate of GRh2 in vivo was high and GRh2 had good drug performance.Conclusion The established LC-MS/MS method is accurate and reliable,and can be used to determine the concentration of GRh2 in mouse plasma and study its pharmacokinetic.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
4.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
5.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
6.Navigating professional ethics development in public hospitals during the new media era
Dexiang KONG ; Bilan DING ; Jingjing ZUO ; Litao ZHOU ; Qiyan ZHANG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(8):1157-1159
The advent of new media technologies has fundamentally transformed professional ethics development in public hospitals,offering unprecedented opportunities through their real-time communication capabilities,interactive features,and ex-tensive reach.These technological advancements have remarkably improved medical ethics education outcomes,diversified public oversight mechanisms,and enhanced public sentiment management.Concurrently,they have introduced complex challenges,in-cluding information inaccuracy and professional ethics dilution,necessitating robust responses from healthcare institutions in digit-al infrastructure development and public opinion management.This article provides a comprehensive and in-depth research per-spective on the construction of professional ethics in public hospitals in the new era through a combination of theoretical analysis and practical exploration.To address these issues,this article proposes practical paths such as building an intelligent public opin-ion supervision system,modernizing traditional medical ethics culture,establishing an evaluation system for medical ethics that integrates new media technology,and innovating clean governance warning education.The study highlights the critical role of public participation,recommending the development of an open and transparent interactive mechanism through new media plat-forms.This approach aims to foster a comprehensive,multi-level ecosystem for the construction of professional ethics,offering in-sights into improving doctor-patient relationships and enhancing medical service quality,while also contributing to the high-quality development of the healthcare sector.In the future,we should further explore the deep integration of new media technology and the construction of professional ethics to build a more systematic and intelligent management system to meet the development needs of the digital age.
7.Effects of super early enteral nutrition support on serum miR-124,inflammatory factors,immune function,nutritional status,and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury
Hairong TANG ; Jinrong DING ; Yiqiu CUI ; Jingjing ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(4):383-387
Objective To investigate the effects of super early enteral nutrition support on postoperative serum miR-124 levels,inflammatory markers,immune function,nutritional status,and short-term and long-term rehabilitation outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury(STBI).Methods A total of123 STBI patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.According to the start time of enteral nutrition,patients were divided into super early enteral nutrition group,late enteral nutrition group and parenteral nutrition group.We collect clinical data from each group and detected serum miR-124 and inflammatory factors,immune indicator,nutritional indicators levels before and after treatment,as well as postoperative complications and prognosis.Results Compared with the parenteral group and the late intestinal group,the levels of miR-124,inflammatory factors and the proportion of CD8+T cells in the super early intestinal group were significantly reduced,while the proportion of CD4+/CD8+cells was significantly increased,with statistical differences(all P<0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the levels of albumin,prealbumin,and transferrin in intestinal groups were significantly increased with statistical differences(both P<0.05).Compared with the late intestinal group,the levels of albumin and prealbumin in the super early intestinal group were significantly increased,with statistical differences(both P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in transferrin levels between two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of various complications during hospitalization among all groups(all P>0.05).The total incidence of complications in the super early intestinal group was significantly lower than that in the parenteral group and late intestinal group with statistical differences(both P<0.05).During the follow-up period,there was no significant difference in prognosis,disability,and mortality among three groups(all P>0.05).Compared with the parenteral group,the GOS scores of the intestinal groups were significantly reduced with statistical differences(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in GOS scores between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Super early enteral nutrition support is effective in treating patients with STBI,which can effectively improve the patient's nutritional status,enhance immune function,suppress inflammatory reactions,help repair nerve injuries,and enhance rehabilitation effects.
8.Correlation between overactive bladder and neuropsychological characteristics in patients with cerebral small-vessel disease
Yuwei WANG ; Wenhua DING ; Jingjing QIU ; LARE·Tuluhong KE ; Yurong GENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(16):52-56
Objective To explore the relationship between overactive bladder(OAB)and neuropsychological characteristics in patients with cerebral small-vessel disease(CSVD).Methods A total of 208 patients with CSVD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from December 2023 to November 2024 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into OAB group(44 cases)and non-OAB group(164 cases)according to overactive bladder symptom score.The general information and imaging data of two groups of patients were compared.The cognitive function,anxiety and depression of patients were evaluated by using Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA),digit span test(DST),auditory verbal learning test(AVLT),verbal fluency test(VFT),clock drawing test(CDT),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)and Hamilton depression scale(HAMD).Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of OAB in patients with CSVD.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between imaging indicators and anxiety symptoms of patients in OAB group.Results The HAMA and HAMD scores of patients in OAB group were higher than those in non-OAB group(P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences in MoCA,DST,AVLT,VFT,and CDT scores between two groups(P>0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of anxiety among patients with different degrees of OAB(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors showed that anxiety was an independent influencing factor for OAB in patients with CSVD(P<0.05).The periventricular white matter hyperintensity of patients in OAB group was negatively correlated with the HAMA score(P<0.05),while basal ganglia lacunar infarction,centrum semiovale lacunar infarction,basal ganglia enlarged perivascular space and centrum semiovale enlarged perivascular space were all positively correlated with the HAMA score(P<0.05).Conclusion The anxiety and depression symptoms of patients with CSVD accompanied by OAB were more severe than those of non-OAB patients.Anxiety may be an independent influencing factor for the occurrence of OAB in patients with CSVD.
9.Dynamic Sequential Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Kidney Collaterals"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Mingyang CAI ; Yingying JIANG ; Jingjing WU ; Wenqing PAN ; Zichao DING ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1007-1010
Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals", it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure, qi and liquid imbalance, and kidney collaterals impairment, and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore, regulate qi and fluid, and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic, guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages, including early stage of the disease, hormone induction stage, hormone reduction stage, hormone maintenance stage, the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency, modified Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤) was applied to warm yang and drain water; for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire, modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill (知柏地黄丸) plus Erzhi Pill (二至丸) was used to enrich yin and reduce fire; for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency, modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤) was used to boost qi and nourish yin; for hormone maintenance stage, modified Shenqi Pill (肾气丸) was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile, the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals, so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.
10.Geraniin attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis
Jiaqi DING ; Shenjie ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Boyu XIA ; Jingjing WU ; Xu LU ; Chao HUANG ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Qingsheng YOU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):307-319
Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.

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