1.Intervention of Acute Lung Injury by Traditional Chinese Medicine via Regulating Oxidative Stress: A Review
Ang'ang LI ; Xiao LIANG ; Junmei LI ; Qing PENG ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):305-312
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinically critical disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, with high morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary inflammation caused by trauma, infection, and other factors in vivo and in vitro can damage alveolar epithelial and vascular endothelial barriers, resulting in lung tissue congestion and edema and eventually leading to significant dyspnea and hypoxemia, It can further develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome. Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenesis of ALI. A large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can promote the aggregation of inflammatory cells, increase pulmonary capillary permeability, and even directly damage lung tissue. Therefore, regulating oxidative stress becomes one of the effective means to reduce the degree of lung injury. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ALI is divided into the categories of "sudden wheezing" and "dyspnea due to wheezing". TCM treats the causes of dampness, heat, poison, and stasis by syndrome differentiation and treatment, regulates Qi and blood, and balances Yin and Yang to restore the physiological function of the lung. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that TCM can regulate ROS through multiple targets and mechanisms and play a role in reducing lung inflammation and protecting alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial vessels, in which the nuclear factor E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway plays an important role. Based on the generation and clearance of ROS, this article summarized the related mechanisms of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and TCM compounds in regulating oxidative stress to prevent ALI, so as to provide theoretical reference for the research and development of new TCM for ALI and clinical treatment.
2.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
3.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
4.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
5.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
6.Treatment of active ulcerative colitis with Yinmei Kuijie decoction combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid: A non-randomized multicenter prospective observational protocol based on real-world conditions
Xinyu Zhang ; Yuan Li ; Ping Li ; Yunze Liu ; Junmei Zhang ; Jingwei Wu ; Qi Wag ; Xia Ding
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(4):423-427
Objective:
To determine the efficacy and safety of the Yinmei Kuijie decoction combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in treating mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC) under real-world conditions.
Methods:
This multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, observational study will be conducted in real-world settings. A total of 204 eligible patients will be consecutively enrolled in the study. Patients in the combination treatment group will receive Yinmei Kuijie decoction in combination with 5-ASA, whereas those in the control group will be treated with 5-ASA alone. The primary endpoint will be a clinical response at week 12, defined as a ≥3 point and ≥30% reduction from baseline in the Mayo total score with ≥1 reduction in rectal bleeding or rectal bleeding score = 0 or 1. Secondary efficacy endpoints at week 12 will include health-related quality of life, mucosal healing, and inflammation indicators.
Conclusion
The results of this study may provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of Yinmei Kuijie decoction combined with 5-ASA in treating patients with mildly to moderately active UC under real-world principles. The results will provide a basis for further confirmatory studies on the efficacy of Yinmei Kuijie decoction.
7.Impact of hyperoxia on the phenotype of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Shanshan QU ; Yulan LI ; Rongrong HUANG ; Hong GUO ; Xiumei WANG ; Junmei ZHANG ; Chuanqi YANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(2):185-190
Objective:To investigate the influence of varied oxygen (O 2) concentration environments on the phenotypic transformation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension. Methods:Primary rat PASMC were isolated and cultured through the process of enzymatic digestion. Following identification, the stable passaged PASMC were subjected to a 6-hour incubation in sealed containers with normal O 2 content (group C) and relative O 2 content comprising 55% (group H55), 75% (group H75), and 95% (group H95). mRNA and protein expression of α-Actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle 22α (SM22α), osteopontin (OPN), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. Results:The H55 group displayed no significant difference from the C group in terms of mRNA and relative protein expression levels for α-SMA, SM22α, OPN, and MMP-2 (all P>0.05). On the other hand, groups H75 and H95 exhibited a reduction in mRNA and relative protein expression of α-SMA and SM22α, along with an increase in mRNA and relative protein expression of OPN and MMP-2 when compared with both the C and H55 groups (all P<0.05). The H95 group showed a higher relative mRNA expression of MMP-2 as compared to the H75 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Oxygen concentration environments of 75% or higher can serve as the foundation for the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, essentially by inducing a phenotypic transformation in PASMC towards adopting a robust secretory function. This induction is contingent upon the concentration of oxygen present.
8.Preliminary exploration of the clinical warning value of ischemic modified albumin in the development of pre-eclampsia
Junmei SHI ; Fengqiu LI ; Zi YANG ; Huili LIANG ; Yiwei HAN ; Huidan ZHANG ; Shuo WANG
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;59(8):583-590
Objective:To explore the clinical warning value of ischemic modified albumin (IMA) and IMA to human serum albumin (HSA) ratio (IMAR) in the development of pre-eclampsia (PE) and its severity.Methods:A total of 156 pregnant women with PE admitted to the Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Beijing from April 2022 to March 2023 were collected as the PE group, and 156 healthy pregnant women with the same age and gestational age were matched as the control group. PE pregnant women were further divided into severe PE group (78 cases) and non-severe PE group (78 cases). Severe PE pregnant women were divided into emergency group (42 cases) and non-emergency group (36 cases) according to the disease progression time.All pregnant women were stratified according to their HSA levels (<30 g/L, 30-32 g/L, ≥32 g/L), and the peripheral blood IMA, HSA, and IMAR of pregnant women in different periods and subgroups were compared, and also the difference of IMA levels in umbilical artery blood. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between severe PE and IMA or IMAR, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was used to analyze the diagnostic value of IMA, HSA, and IMAR for PE and severe PE.Results:(1) The IMA level and IMAR in peripheral serum of pregnant women in the PE group at diagnosis, and the IMA level in umbilical artery blood at delivery, and peripheral serum at 2 days after delivery were higher than those in the control group. The HSA level in peripheral serum was lower than that in the control group at diagnosis, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (2) The IMA level and IMAR in the peripheral serum of pregnant women with severe PE were higher than those in the non-severe PE group at diagnosis, while the HSA level were lower than those in the non-severe PE group. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). At diagnosis, the IMA level and IMAR in peripheral serum of pregnant women in the emergency group were higher than those in the non-emergency group, while the HSA level was lower than that in the non-emergency group. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). When diagnosed, the peripheral serum IMA levels of pregnant women in the PE group were compared between subgroups with HSA<30 g/L, 30-32 g/L, ≥32 g/L, and there was no statistically significant difference ( F=0.366, P=0.694). However, the IMAR was compared between the three subgroups, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=28.544, P<0.001), which increased with the decrease of HSA levels. In the subgroup with HSA≥32 g/L, the peripheral serum IMA level and IMAR of pregnant women in the PE group were higher than those in the control group at diagnosis, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (3) The severe PE manifestations positively correlated with peripheral serum IMAR at diagnosis include systolic blood pressure ( r=0.279), mean arterial pressure ( r=0.212), and urinary protein quantification ( r=0.277), while the severe PE manifestations negatively correlated include HSA levels ( r=-0.644) and newborn birth weight ( r=-0.305), all of which were significantly correlated ( P<0.05). (4) The area under curve (AUC) for IMAR diagnosis of PE was 0.875 (95% CI: 0.833-0.916), with the highest diagnostic efficiency at a cutoff value of 2.06, sensitivity of 72.5%, and specificity of 85.1%. The AUC for diagnosing severe PE was 0.871 (95% CI: 0.822-0.919), with the highest diagnostic efficacy at a cutoff value of 2.18, sensitivity of 72.3%, and specificity of 88.3%. The diagnostic efficacy of IMAR for PE and severe PE were higher than those of IMA and HSA levels. Conclusions:The level of IMA and IMAR in pregnant women with PE are higher than those in normal pregnant women. IMA and IMAR are correlated with the severity of PE, with IMAR changes occurring earlier and more significantly. IMAR could be considered as one of the evaluation indicators for the development of PE, or as a more sensitive PE severity warning indicator than HSA.
9.Establishment of a dynamic model of acute lung injury in mice based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D signaling pyroptosis pathway
Yixuan FAN ; Xinwei WANG ; Junmei LI ; Liang YI ; Zhixu YANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(4):423-434
Objective To establish a dynamic model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D(GSDMD)pyroptosis pathway,and observe the result ing lung injury at different time points.We aimed to identify the optimal time for modelling according to the injury at different time points and the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related proteins,to lay the foundation for animal models for subsequent experiments.Methods Fifty-four 6~8 weeks old male SPF BALB/c mice were divided randomly into nine groups,including Con group and model groups at 1,3,6,12,18,24,48,and 72 h.Body weight and lung tissue were detected by general and pathological observations and semi-quantitative scoring,including lung index,lung water content,and wet and dry weight ratio.The white blood cell count and concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-18,and BCA protein were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).The classic pyroptosis pathway-related proteins NLRP3,pro-Caspase 1,Caspase 1,and GSDMD were detected by Western Blot.Results Body weight decreased in all experimental groups,with the most significant weight loss in the 24 and 48 h groups.Gross observation and pathological examination of lung tissue showed that the most severe lung injury occurred at 24~72 h,with significant differences between each group and the control group.The lung index,lung water content,and wet/dry weight ratio were also significantly increased at 24~72 h.White blood cells in BALF started to increase from 6 h after model initiation,48 h can reach a peak,72 h all keep increasing.IL-18 in BALF began to increase at 24 h and continued to increase at 72 h.The inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α,IL-1β,IL-6 were highest at 6 h and significantly reduced at 48 h.Protein concentrations in BALF were significantly increased within 24,48,and 72 h compared with those in the control group.The pyroptosis pathway proteins NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,Caspase-1,and GSDMD were significantly enhanced in each time series,and channel protein expression was significantly enhanced at 24~72 h compared with that in the Con group.Conclusions Comprehensive analysis of experimental indicators,inflammatory factors,and pathway proteins at different times showed that the mechanism of pyroptosis was closely related to the occurrence and progression of acute lung injury.Expression of the pyroptosis pathway was most obvious and lung injury was most serious at 24~48 h.This study provides a model reference and experimental basis for subsequent studies of the specific mechanism and intervention targets of acute lung injury.
10.Effect Evaluation of THRIVE on Patients with Hypoxemia in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit
Junmei SUN ; Ming LI ; Ying LIU
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(7):125-129
Objective To compare the effectiveness of transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange(THRIVE)and conventional mask oxygen in treating patients with hypoxemia in the post-anesthesia care unit(PACU).Methods A total of 144 patients with immediate pulse oxygen saturation(SpO2)less than 95%following general anesthesia were selected at Beijing Tongren Hos-pital,Capital Medical University from June to December 2023.Patients were randomly divided into the THRIVE group(n=72)and the mask group(n=72),patients in the THRIVE group received oxygen therapy,and patients in the mask group received oxygen therapy.Continuous electrocardiogram monitoring was used.The SpO2 at different time points,the duration in PACU,and patient satisfaction be-tween the two groups were compared.Results The SpO2 of the THRIVE group after 1 minute of oxygenation was 98.40%±1.65%,which was significantly higher than that of the mask group 96.72%±1.87%,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The duration in PACU of the THRIVE group was 36.76±15.46min,which was significantly shorter than that of the mask group(44.38±21.73min),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in SpO2 after returning to the ward between the two groups(P>0.05).The satisfaction score of patients in the THRIVE group(18.31±1.00 points)was significantly higher than that in the mask group(17.46±1.17 points),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion THRIVE treatment for hypoxemia is significantly more effective than traditional mask oxygen therapy in the PACU.THRIVE effectively improves ox-ygenation,enhances the turnover rate in PACU,and increases the satisfaction of patient,and provides a more effective treatment approach for post-anesthesia hypoxemia.


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