1.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
2.4 Weeks of HIIT Modulates Metabolic Homeostasis of Hippocampal Pyruvate-lactate Axis in CUMS Rats Improving Their Depression-like Behavior
Yu-Mei HAN ; Chun-Hui BAO ; Zi-Wei ZHANG ; Jia-Ren LIANG ; Huan XIANG ; Jun-Sheng TIAN ; Shi ZHOU ; Shuang-Shuang WU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1468-1483
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in modulating the metabolic homeostasis of the pyruvate-lactate axis in the hippocampus of rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to improve their depressive-like behavior. MethodsForty-eight SPF-grade 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal quiet group (C), the CUMS quiet group (M), the normal exercise group (HC), and the CUMS exercise group (HM). The M and HM groups received 8 weeks of CUMS modeling, while the HC and HM groups were exposed to 4 weeks of HIIT starting from the 5th week (3 min (85%-90%) Smax+1 min (50%-55%) Smax, 3-5 cycles, Smax is the maximum movement speed). A lactate analyzer was used to detect the blood lactate concentration in the quiet state of rats in the HC and HM groups at week 4 and in the 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after exercise, as well as in the quiet state of rats in each group at week 8. Behavioral indexes such as sucrose preference rate, number of times of uprightness and number of traversing frames in the absenteeism experiment, and other behavioral indexes were used to assess the depressive-like behavior of the rats at week 4 and week 8. The rats were anesthetized on the next day after the behavioral test in week 8, and hippocampal tissues were taken for assay. LC-MS non-targeted metabolomics, target quantification, ELISA and Western blot were used to detect the changes in metabolite content, lactate and pyruvate concentration, the content of key metabolic enzymes in the pyruvate-lactate axis, and the protein expression levels of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). Results4-week HIIT intervention significantly increased the sucrose preference rate, the number of uprights and the number of traversed frames in the absent field experiment in CUMS rats; non-targeted metabolomics assay found that 21 metabolites were significantly changed in group M compared to group C, and 14 and 11 differential metabolites were significantly dialed back in the HC and HM groups, respectively, after the 4-week HIIT intervention; the quantitative results of the targeting showed that, compared to group C, lactate concentration in the hippocampal tissues of M group, compared with group C, lactate concentration in hippocampal tissue was significantly reduced and pyruvate concentration was significantly increased, and 4-week HIIT intervention significantly increased the concentration of lactate and pyruvate in hippocampal tissue of HM group; the trend of changes in blood lactate concentration was consistent with the change in lactate concentration in hippocampal tissue; compared with group C, the LDHB content of group M was significantly increased, the content of PKM2 and PDH, as well as the protein expression level of MCT2 and MCT4 were significantly reduced. The 4-week HIIT intervention upregulated the PKM2 and PDH content as well as the protein expression levels of MCT2 and MCT4 in the HM group. ConclusionThe 4-week HIIT intervention upregulated blood lactate concentration and PKM2 and PDH metabolizing enzymes in hippocampal tissues of CUMS rats, and upregulated the expression of MCT2 and MCT4 transport carrier proteins to promote central lactate uptake and utilization, which regulated metabolic homeostasis of the pyruvate-lactate axis and improved depressive-like behaviors.
3.Four Weeks of HIIT Modulates Lactate-mediated Synaptic Plasticity to Improve Depressive-like Behavior in CUMS Rats
Yu-Mei HAN ; Zi-Wei ZHANG ; Jia-Ren LIANG ; Chun-Hui BAO ; Jun-Sheng TIAN ; Shi ZHOU ; Huan XIANG ; Yong-Hong YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1499-1510
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), model (M), control plus HIIT (HC), and model plus HIIT (HM). Rats in groups M and HM underwent 8 weeks of CUMS to establish depression-like behaviors, while groups HC and HM received HIIT intervention beginning from the 5th week for 4 consecutive weeks. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated intervals of 3 min at high speed (85%-90% maximal training speed, Smax) alternated with one minute at low speed (50%-55% Smax), with 3 to 5 sets per session, conducted 5 d per week. Behavioral assessments and tail-vein blood lactate levels were measured at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. After the intervention, rat PFC tissues were collected for Golgi staining to analyze synaptic morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were employed to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), lactate, and glutamate levels in the PFC, as well as serotonin (5-HT) levels in serum. Additionally, Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including c-Fos, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). ResultsCompared to the control group (C), the CUMS-exposed rats (group M) exhibited significant reductions in sucrose preference rates, number of grid crossings, frequency of upright postures, and entries into and duration spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating marked depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the group M showed significantly reduced dendritic spine density in the PFC, along with elevated levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1 protein expression, and increased concentrations of lactate and glutamate. Conversely, BDNF and MCT1 contents in the PFC and 5-HT levels in serum were significantly decreased. Following HIIT intervention, rats in the group HM displayed considerable improvement in behavioral indicators compared with the group M, accompanied by significant elevations in PFC MCT1 and lactate concentrations. Furthermore, HIIT notably normalized the expression levels of c-Fos, Arc, NMDAR1, as well as glutamate and BDNF contents in the PFC. Synaptic spine density also exhibited significant recovery. ConclusionFour weeks of HIIT intervention may alleviate depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats by increasing lactate levels and reducing glutamate concentration in the PFC, thereby downregulating the overexpression of NMDAR, attenuating excitotoxicity, and enhancing synaptic plasticity.
4.Dawn of CAR-T cell therapy in autoimmune diseases
Yuxin LIU ; Minghao DONG ; Yunhui CHU ; Luoqi ZHOU ; Yunfan YOU ; Xiaowei PANG ; Sheng YANG ; Luyang ZHANG ; Lian CHEN ; Lifang ZHU ; Jun XIAO ; Wei WANG ; Chuan QIN ; Daishi TIAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(10):1140-1150
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Based on the immunomodulatory capability of CAR-T cells, efforts have turned toward exploring their potential in treating autoimmune diseases. Bibliometric analysis of 210 records from 128 academic journals published by 372 institutions in 40 countries/regions indicates a growing number of publications on CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases, covering a range of subtypes such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, among others. CAR-T therapy holds promise in mitigating several shortcomings, including the indiscriminate suppression of the immune system by traditional immunosuppressants, and non-sustaining therapeutic levels of monoclonal antibodies due to inherent pharmacokinetic constraints. By persisting and proliferating in vivo, CAR-T cells can offer a tailored and precise therapeutics. This paper reviewed preclinical experiments and clinical trials involving CAR-T and CAR-related therapies in various autoimmune diseases, incorporating innovations well-studied in the field of hematological tumors, aiming to explore a safe and effective therapeutic option for relapsed/refractory autoimmune diseases.
5.Effect of AIDS and tuberculosis co-infection on CD8+T lymphocytes
Jingmin NIE ; Xiang DU ; Yuanyuan YU ; Li TIAN ; Jun SANG ; Wei SUN
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2024;24(4):390-394
Objective To investigate the effects of AIDS and tuberculosis(TB)co-infection on CD8+T lymphocytes.Methods Serum CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells were analyzed and compared between human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)alone patients(n=200),TB alone patients(n=200),and HIV/TB co-infection patients(n=200).Results CD8+T cells were significantly higher in HIV alone group compared to HIV/TB co-infection group and TB alone group(x2=128.779,P<0.001).The level of CD8+T lymphocytes in HIV/TB co-infection group and HIV alone group was higher than normal level(ZHIV/TB=8.343,PHIV/TB<0.001,ZHIV=7.988,PHIV<0.001).The CD8+T cells in TB alone group decreased significantly compared with normal levels(ZTB=8.682,PTB<0.001).The levels of CD4+T cells in the three groups of patients were all lower than normal(ZHIV=11.088,PHIV<0.001,ZTB=5.562,PTB<0.001,ZHIV/TB=12.077,PHIV/TB<0.001).The stratified analysis of CD8+T cell levels by CD4+T cell counts,showed that when CD4+T cell count was≤100 cells/μL,the level of CD8+T cells in HIV alone group was higher than that in TB alone group.HIV alone group had higher CD8+T cells than HIV/TB co-infection group,and the level of CD8+T cells in HIV/TB co-infection group was significantly lower than normal(Z0-100=1.604,P0-100=0.109).When CD4+T cells ≥101 cells/μL,HIV/TB co-infection group had higher CD8+T cells than TB alone group.HIV alone group had higher CD8+T cells than TB alone group.When CD4+T cells>500 cells/μL,CD8+T cell levels were within the normal range in all three groups of patients.Taking the HIV alone group as a reference,with the decrease of CD4+T cell count,the CD8+T cell count decreased more significantly in TB alone group and HIV/TB co-infection group than in HIV alone group(slope was 0.344 and 0.216,respectively,P<0.001).Conclusions With the decline of CD4+T cells,both HIV/TB co-infection and TB alone are associated with decrease in CD8+T cells,and the decrease in the TB alone group is more prominent.
6.Thin corpus callosum and"lynx ear sign":A report of a family of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11
Zongyong YU ; Ziyang WU ; Feifei TIAN ; Jing LI ; Wei YUAN ; Xin LI ; Haiping WEI ; Guode WU ; Jun LIU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2024;50(10):632-635
To report a case with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11(SPG11)in association with typical thin corpus callosum(TCC)and"Ears-of-the-lynx sign"on MRI imaging.The patient was a 13-year-old boy.The main symptoms are walking instability and falling easily.Over the period of one year,the symptoms gradually progressed when accompanied by poor handwriting and a decrease in learning ability.The parents are not related.Brain MRI shows a thin corpus callosum,and high symmetric signals in the anterior horn of the lateral ventricles on T2 and Flair sequence.WES detected two heterozygous mutations in the SPG11 gene,NM_025137:c.2073delT and c.257+5G>A,respectively from the parents.The proband was finally diagnosed with SPG11.Brain MRI found that TCC and"lynx ear sign"are highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SPG11.The patients with spastic paraplegia should be considered the possibility of SPG11.
7.A Real-World Single-Center Study of Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Ling-Li WANG ; Lei TIAN ; Fei DONG ; Ping YANG ; Wei WAN ; Qi-Hui LI ; Lan MA ; Jin-Jie GAO ; Ji-Jun WANG ; Wei ZHAO ; Hong-Mei JING
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(2):428-433
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics,therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma(HL).Methods:A total of 129 patients with HL diagnosed in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2010 to March 2021 who were given at least one efficacy assessment after treatment were enrolled,and their clinical data,including sex,age,pathological type,Ann Arbor stage,ECOG score,blood test,β2-microglobulin,lactate dehydrogenase level,albumin level were collected.The clinical characteristics,therapeutic effect and long-term prognosis of the patients were summarized and analyzed.Results:In classical HL,nodular sclerosis HL accounted for the highest proportion of 51.6%,followed by mixed cellularity HL(36.5%),lymphocyte-rich classical HL(3.2%),and lymphocyte depletion HL(0.7%),while nodular lymphocyte predominant HL accounted for 4.8%.The 3-year overall survival(OS)rate of HL patients was 89.8%,and 5-year OS was 85.0%.The 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate was 73.4%,and 5-year PFS was 63.1%.Multivariate regression analysis indicated that IPI score was an independent negative factor,while hemoglobin(Hb)level was an independent positive factor for OS in HL patients.When the mediastinal mass size was 9.2 cm,it was most significant to judge the survival status of HL patients.5-year OS and 5-year PFS were 97.4%and 76.0%in early-stage HL patients without large mass,respectively,while in patients with advanced-stage HL was 83.4%and 55.9%(both P<0.05).After 2-4 courses of treatment,the overall response rate(ORR)of patients who received chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy was 95.0%,while that was 89.6%in those with chemotherapy alone.Conclusions:The overall prognosis of patients with HL is satisfactory,especially those in early-stage without large mass.IPI score and Hb level are independent risk factors for the prognosis of HL patients.A 9.2 cm mediastinal mass can be used as the cut-off value for the prognosis of Chinese HL patients.
8.Prognostic Value of Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Li-Jun WANG ; Meng-Ru HAN ; Chun-Xia DONG ; Wei-Wei TIAN ; Xin-Yi LU ; Lin-Hua YANG ; Yan-Ping MA ; Mei-Fang WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):805-810
Objective:To evaluate the clinical and prognostic value of prothrombin time(PT)and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:The clinical data of 116 newly diagnosed MM patients in the Second Hospital and Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from October 2014 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,and the patients were divided into two groups:normal PT and APTT group and prolonged PT or APTT group.The differences in sex,age,classification,staging,bleeding events,laboratory indicators[including hemoglobin(Hb),platelet count(PLT),serum calcium,serum albumin(ALB),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),serum creatinine and β 2-microglobulin],and cytogenetic characteristics between the two groups of patients were compared.The effect of prolonged PT or APTT on survival of patients with MM was analyzed.Results:Compared with patients in normal PT and APTT group,patients in prolonged PT or APTT group were more likely to experience bleeding events(x2=5.087,P=0.024),with lower ALB levels(x2=4.962,P=0.026)and PLT levels(x2=4.309,P=0.038),and higher serum calcium levels(x2=5.056,P=0.025).The positive rates of del17p,del13q and 1q21+in prolonged PT or APTT group were higher than those in normal PT and APTT group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).K-M survival analysis showed that the prolonged PT or APTT group had a shorter median progression-free survival(PFS)(P=0.032)and overall survival(OS)(P=0.032).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that prolonged PT or APTT(HR=2.1 16,95%CI:1.025-4.372,P=0.043)and age ≥65 years(HR=2.403,95%CI:1.195-4.836,P=0.014)were independent risk factor for OS in newly diagnosed MM patients.However,prolonged PT or APTT had no significant effect on PFS of newly diagnosed MM patients(HR=1.162,95%CI:0.666-2.026,P=0.597).Conclusion:Newly diagnosed MM patients with prolonged PT or APTT have worse clinical indicators,shorter PFS and OS.Prolonged PT or APTT is an independent risk factor for OS in MM patients.
9.The Identification Idea of Antibodies Against Ku and Other High-Frequency Antigens
Fei-Fei ZHANG ; Jing-Wei LI ; Wei SHEN ; Yi HE ; Hong YUAN ; Li TIAN ; Zhi-Jun YE
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):875-882
Objective:This study was aimed to provide ideas for identifying the antibodies to high-frequency antigens by analyzing a female case of high-frequency antigen antibody(anti-Ku)using serological and sequencing method.Methods:The methods for identification of blood group,erythrocyte antigen,screening and identification of antibody were used to detect the blood type and antibody in the proband.The proband's serum and reagent screening cells treated with Sulfhydryl reagent were applied to judge the type and characteristics of this antibodies when reacted with the regaent screening cells or proband's serum respectively.Gene sequencing was used to determine the genotype of the proband's blood group.Results:The proband's red blood cells were determined as O type RhD positive,whose serum showed strong positive reaction to antibody-screening cells and antibody identification cells with the same intensity in saline and IAT medium,however,the self-cells showed negative effect.The Direct Antihuman Globulin of proband's red blood cells also showed weak positive reaction,and the other blood types were CcEe,Jk(a+b-),P1-,Le(a-b-),Lu(a-b+),K-,k-,Kp(a-b-).Serum of the proband treated with 2-ME still react with three groups of screening cells in IAT medium.The reaction intensity of proband's serum was also unchanged with the cells modified with papain and bromelain,but showed negative effect when the cells were treated with sulfhydryl agents including DTT and 2-ME.Gene sequencing revealed that the KEL genotype of the patient was KEL*02N.24.This patient had a rare K0 phenotype.Conclusion:The rare Kell-null blood group(also known as K0)were identified by serological and molecular tests in the proband who produced both IgG and IgM type of antibody to high-frequency antigen(anti-Ku).These two methods are of great significance in the identification of this rare blood group as well as the antibody to high frequency antigen.
10.The Preventive Effect of Levofloxacin Combined with G-CSF or Only G-CSF Supportive Therapy on Infection in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Xin-Wei WANG ; Li-Ping YANG ; Qiong YAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Shao-Long HE ; Liang-Ming MA ; Jun-Ni WEI ; Wei-Wei TIAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):906-910
Objective:To investigate the role of levofloxacin combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)or only G-CSF supportive therapy in preventing infection in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(ASCT),and to analyze the length of hospital stay,hospitalization cost and post-transplant survival of the patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the patients with hematological malignancies who accepted ASCT at our hospital from January 2012 to July 2022,the febrile neutropenia,the incidence of bacterial infection and the use rate of intravenous antibiotics in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and only G-CSF support group during ASCT were observed.The length of hospital stay,total cost during hospitalization and survival after 90 days of transplantation between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 102 cases were included in this study,including 57 cases of multiple myeloma,36 cases of acute leukaemia,7 cases of lymphoma,3 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome,1 case of light chain amyloidosis,and 1 case of POEMS syndrome.47 patients received levofloxacin+G-CSF antibacterial prophylaxis,and 55 patients received G-CSF supportive therapy.In the levofloxacin+G-CSF group,40 cases(85.11%)developed febrile neutropenia,and 13 cases(27.66%)were confirmed as bacterial infection.In the G-CSF group,44 cases(80.00%)developed febrile neutropenia,and 16 cases(29.09%)were bacterial infection.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of febrile neutropenia and bacterial infection between the two groups(x2=0.46,P=0.50;x2=0.03,P=0.87).The use rate of intravenous antibiotics in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group was 85.11%(40/47),which was not statistically different from 85.45%(47/55)in the G-CSF group(X2=0.04,P=0.84).The detection rates of levofloxacin-resistant bacteria in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and G-CSF group were 8.57%(3/35)and 21.43%(6/28),respectively,with no statistical difference(x2=0.65,P>0.05).The median length and median cost of hospitalization in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and G-CSF group were 25 d vs 22 d and 78 216.24 yuan vs 80 724.38 yuan,with no statistically significant differences(t=3.00,P=0.09;t=0.94,P=0.09).Within 90 days after transplantation,two cases(4.26%)died in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and one case(1.82%)died in the G-CSF group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(x2=0.53,P=0.47).Conclusion:Application of levofloxacin+G-CSF showed no significant benefit compared to G-CSF support for the prevention of bacterial infections during ASCT.

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