1.Hyperoside Alleviates LPS-induced Inflammation in Zebrafish Model via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Qing LAN ; Anna WANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Keqian LIU ; Zhao LI ; Wenjing YU ; Shuyao TANG ; Ping LI ; Shaowu CHENG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhenyan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):63-72
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid hyperoside (Hyp) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish larvae were either microinjected with 0.5 g·L-1 LPS or immersed in 1 g·L-1 LPS for the modeling of inflammation. The larvae were then treated with Hyp at 25, 50, and 100 mg·L-1 through immersion for four consecutive days. The inflammatory phenotypes were assessed by analyzing the mortality rate, malformation rate, body length, and yolk sac area ratio. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory stress responses, and macrophage migration was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine C-X3-C motif receptor 1 (CX3CR1), chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 (CCR2), and genes associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, were measured by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the pure water injection group, the model group exhibited increased mortality, malformation rates and yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced body length (P0.01), increased total swimming distance and high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.01). Hyp at low, medium and high doses, as well as aspirin, reduced the mortality and malformation rates (P0.05,P0.01), increased the body length (P0.05,P0.01), decreased the yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced the high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.05,P0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionHyp may modulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to ameliorate inflammatory phenotypes and alleviate stress conditions in zebrafish, thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect.
2.Neuroprotective Effect of Tiaogeng Decoction on Perimenopausal Depression Model Rats via ERβ/MAOA/JNK Signaling Pathway
Lijun ZHU ; Keqian LI ; Shengnan LI ; Lianwei XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):117-129
ObjectiveTo investigate the neuroprotective effects of Tiaoseng decoction on a perimenopausal depression (PMD) rat model and to examine its regulatory influence on the estrogen receptor β (ERβ)/monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, thereby elucidating its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsForty-eight female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a sham group, a model group, a 17β-estradiol (E2) group (2.5 × 10-5 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups (9.69, 19.37, 38.74 g·kg-1) by using a random number table method, with eight rats in each group. The PMD model was replicated using ovariectomy (OVX) combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and was treated continuously with 17β-E2 and different doses of Tiaoseng decoction for 28 d, once a day. Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the sucrose preference test, open-field test, and forced swim test. Histopathological changes in the prefrontal cortex were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure serum levels of E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the prefrontal cortex. Mitochondrial ultrastructure of prefrontal cortex neurons was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect neuronal apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to analyze the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density protein95 (PSD95), and synaptophysin (SYP) in the prefrontal cortex. Immunofluorescence (IF) was conducted to evaluate the average fluorescence intensity of ERβ and MAOA in the prefrontal cortex. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of key molecules in the ERβ/MAOA/JNK signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group had significantly reduced sugar-water preference index, total distance traveled, average speed, and activity time in the central region in the open field experiment, E2 content, and SOD content (P<0.01) and significantly reduced BDNF, PSD95, SYP, and ERβ expression and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) ratio (P<0.01). Additionally, the model group exhibited severe histopathological damage, disrupted mitochondrial structure, cristae disappearance or fracture, swelling, and deformation in the prefrontal lobe. The immobilization time of forced swimming, TUNEL positivity, LH, FSH, MDA, ROS, MAOA, Caspase-3, p-JNK/JNK, and p-c-Jun/c-Jun were significantly increased in the model group compared with the sham group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups and the 17β-E2 group had increased sugar-water preference index, total distance traveled, average speed, and activity time in the central region in the open-field test, E2 content, and SOD content (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated BDNF, PSD95, SYP, and ERβ expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, histopathological damage to the prefrontal lobe was improved to different degrees, and mitochondrial structure was gradually repaired. The immobilization time of forced swimming, TUNEL positivity, LH, FSH, MDA, ROS, MAOA, Caspase-3, p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun were significantly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose Tiaoseng decoction groups and the 17β-E2 group compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionTiaoseng decoction has significant neuroprotective effects on PMD model rats, which can alleviate perimenopausal depressive disorder by inhibiting oxidative stress, attenuating neuronal apoptosis, and restore synaptic plasticity via ERβ/MAOA/JNK signaling pathway regulation.
3.Establishment and optimization of a high-performance size-exclusion chromatography method for quantifying the classical swine fever virus E2 protein.
Xiaojuan ZHANG ; Bo YANG ; Gaoyuan XU ; Mingxing REN ; Ji TANG ; Hongshuo LIU ; Zhankui LIU ; Yafei LI ; Xiangru WANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2774-2788
This study aims to establish a high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) method for determining the content of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) E2 protein and screen the optimal stabilizer to enhance the stability of this protein. The optimal detection conditions were determined by optimizing the composition of the mobile phase, and characteristic chromatographic peaks were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The specificity, repeatability, precision, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method were assessed. The method established was used to determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) was employed to screen the buffer system, pH, and salt ion concentrations, and sugar, amino acid, and alcohol stabilizers were further screened. The results showed that using a 200 mmol/L phosphate buffer provided the best column efficiency. An antigen-specific chromatographic peak appeared at the retention time of 18 min, which was identified as the CSFV E2 protein by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The method exhibited high specificity for detecting the CSFV E2 protein, with no absorbance peak observed in the blank control. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the peak area for six repeated injections of the CSFV E2 protein was 0.74%, indicating good repeatability of the method. The RSD for repeated detection of two different concentrations of CSFV E2 protein samples by different operators at different time points was less than 2%, suggesting good intermediate precision of the method. The peak area of the CSFV E2 protein was linearly related to its concentration, with the regression equation showing R2 of 1.000. The LOD and LOQ of the method were 14.88 μg/mL and 29.75 μg/mL, respectively. Application of the developed method in the detection of three batches of CSFV E2 protein antigen and three batches of vaccine demonstrated results consistent with those from the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, which meant that the method could accurately determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. The DSF method identified 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl at pH 8.0 as the optimal buffer, and the addition of sugar and alcohol stabilizers further improved the stability of the CSFV E2 protein. The HPSEC method established in this study is simple, fast, and exhibits good accuracy and repeatability, enabling precise measurement of the CSFV E2 protein content. It is expected to play a crucial role in the quality control of the CSFV E2 vaccine. Furthermore, the strategy for improving the CSFV E2 protein stability, identified through DSF screening, has significant implications for enhancing the stability of the CSFV E2 vaccine.
Classical Swine Fever Virus/chemistry*
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Chromatography, Gel/methods*
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Animals
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Swine
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Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*
4.Mechanism study of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel in promoting skin ulcer healing in diabetic rats
Chengyu LI ; Qinxia LI ; Bo YUAN ; Jianda ZHOU ; Zheng YANG ; Hongyu HUANG ; Fengcheng YE ; Keqian LIU ; Wu XIONG ; Jinhui HU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(11):1626-1632
Objective:To construct a temperature-sensitive hydrogel (PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel) composed of Pluronic F-127 (PF-127)/calcium alginate (CA) loaded with astragaloside IV (AS-IV), and to explore its repair effect and potential mechanism on diabetic skin ulcers (DSU).Methods:The PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel loaded with AS-IV and gelling at 37 ℃ was prepared. Its temperature sensitivity, rheological properties, and morphology were characterized. A rat model of DSU was established, and the rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, AS-IV spray group, PF-CA hydrogel group, and PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group ( n=5 each). After 21 days of intervention, the wound healing rate of each group was evaluated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of granulation tissue, and immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression level of CD34, a marker of new blood vessels. Results:Rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus (G′) of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel began to exceed the loss modulus (G″) at 33 ℃, and a stable three-dimensional network structure was formed at 37 ℃. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed its loose and porous microstructure. Animal experiment results indicated that compared with the blank control group, the model group had a significantly lower wound healing rate, massive infiltration of inflammatory cells, and fewer new capillaries and CD34 expression (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, each treatment group can promote wound healing, reduce inflammatory infiltration and increase the positive expression of CD34 to varying degrees (all P<0.05), and the curative effect of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group is the most significant, which is better than that of AS-IV spray group and PF-CA hydrogel group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel can effectively regulate inflammatory response and promote angiogenesis through sustained release of AS-IV, thereby accelerating DSU healing, and has good translational potential in the field of chronic wound repair.
5.Research on the standardization of"Indications"in package inserts for Chinese patent medicines
Meiwei ZHANG ; Keqian LI ; Keyu YAO ; Yan ZHU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):513-518
OBJECTIVE To promote the standardization of the"Indications"section in package inserts for Chinese patent medicines and ensure rational clinical and patient use.METHODS The"Function and Indications"information of package inserts for Chinese patent medicines was retrieved and collected from the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Volume Ⅰ)and various national and regional standards.Identification criteria were established for syndrome,pathogenesis,disease name,and symptom terminology in the"Indications"section.Microsoft Office Access 2021 was utilized to create query tables for manual extraction of terminological elements,followed by the construction of a three-tier classification system for"Indications"descriptions.A standardized template for"Indications"was developed through quantitative analysis.RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 9 851 valid package inserts for Chinese patent medicines were included.Among these,the majority(7 991)contained symptom terminology,followed by disease names(5 867)and pathogenesis descriptions(5 167).Within disease name terminology,Western medical disease names predominated(4 446),followed by traditional Chinese medicine disease names(2 018).The"Function and Indications"content of 6 962 package inserts complied with existing requirements.Notably,the secondary classifications of"disease name",as well as the tertiary classification of"disease name+symptoms"and"symptoms",failed to meet established standards.Two standardized templates for"Indications"were formulated based on pathogenesis and syndrome:"pathogenesis+disease name+symptoms"and"disease name+syndrome+symptoms".The"Indications"section should provide complete and accurate information,adhere to standardized formatting,and employ appropriate conjunctions and punctuation.For non-prescription Chinese patent medicines,package inserts should be categorized into professional and patient versions.These measures will facilitate the standardization of"Indications"descriptions and advance the overall package inserts for Chinese patent medicines documentation.
6.Mechanism study of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel in promoting skin ulcer healing in diabetic rats
Chengyu LI ; Qinxia LI ; Bo YUAN ; Jianda ZHOU ; Zheng YANG ; Hongyu HUANG ; Fengcheng YE ; Keqian LIU ; Wu XIONG ; Jinhui HU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(11):1626-1632
Objective:To construct a temperature-sensitive hydrogel (PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel) composed of Pluronic F-127 (PF-127)/calcium alginate (CA) loaded with astragaloside IV (AS-IV), and to explore its repair effect and potential mechanism on diabetic skin ulcers (DSU).Methods:The PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel loaded with AS-IV and gelling at 37 ℃ was prepared. Its temperature sensitivity, rheological properties, and morphology were characterized. A rat model of DSU was established, and the rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, AS-IV spray group, PF-CA hydrogel group, and PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group ( n=5 each). After 21 days of intervention, the wound healing rate of each group was evaluated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of granulation tissue, and immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression level of CD34, a marker of new blood vessels. Results:Rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus (G′) of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel began to exceed the loss modulus (G″) at 33 ℃, and a stable three-dimensional network structure was formed at 37 ℃. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed its loose and porous microstructure. Animal experiment results indicated that compared with the blank control group, the model group had a significantly lower wound healing rate, massive infiltration of inflammatory cells, and fewer new capillaries and CD34 expression (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, each treatment group can promote wound healing, reduce inflammatory infiltration and increase the positive expression of CD34 to varying degrees (all P<0.05), and the curative effect of PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel group is the most significant, which is better than that of AS-IV spray group and PF-CA hydrogel group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:PF-CA@AS-IV hydrogel can effectively regulate inflammatory response and promote angiogenesis through sustained release of AS-IV, thereby accelerating DSU healing, and has good translational potential in the field of chronic wound repair.
7.Daratumumab combined with chemotherapy bridging to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide maintenance therapy for primary plasma cell leukemia: report of one case and review of literature
Zefeng YANG ; Keqian SHI ; Renbin ZHAO ; Peng HU ; Xin GUAN ; Chaoran ZHANG ; Zengzheng LI ; Liqun YU
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2021;30(8):483-486
Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of daratumumab combined with chemotherapy bridging to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide maintenance treatment for primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL).Methods:The clinical data of a patient with primary PCL admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province in January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The patient was diagnosed with primary PCL and treated with daratumumab combined with BD (bortezomib + dexamethasone) for 1 course and BCDD (bortezomib + cyclophosphamide + liposomaldoxorubicin + dexamethasone) for two courses. The patient was treated with daratumumab combined with allo-HSCT after complete remission. The donor cells were successfully implanted and the chimerism rate of donor cells was 94.36% without acute graft-versus-host disease reaction. And then the patient received intermittent maintenance therapy of daratumumab combined with low dose lenalidomide after transplantation, and the current remission period after transplantation reached 4 months.Conclusions:Daratumumab combined with chemotherapy bridging to allo-HSCT followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide may improve the prognosis of primary PCL and prolong survival time.
8.A nonsurgical embryo transfer technique in mice.
Xinchong DUAN ; Yang LI ; Keqian DI ; Yong HUANG ; Xiangyun LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2016;32(4):440-446
Although efficient nonsurgical transfer of embryos in mice would provide many advantages over a surgical method, the low success rate of nonsurgical transfer has hampered its acceptance and use. Here, a plastic catheter was used to mimic embryo transfer process and then the transfer efficiency was evaluated by intrauterine trypan blue dye dispersion. Also 3.5-day blastocysts from natural pregnant mice were transferred through cervix into uterine horns. The results show that 70.9% of CD-1 mouse 3.5-day blastocysts transferred into unilateral uterine horns of pseudopregnant 2.5-day recipients can be developed to live newborns, and an efficient mouse nonsurgical embryo transfer technique was established. The technique was simple, rapid, inexpensive, unlikely to get contaminated, ethical and do not need specialized apparatus, and can completely replace surgical embryo transfer techniques. Moreover, the mouse nonsurgical embryo transfer technique provides a research model for human and other large animal embryo transfer.
Animals
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Blastocyst
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Embryo Transfer
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methods
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veterinary
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Female
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Mice
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Pregnancy
9.Analysis of elements in peripheral blood of children by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Huiyuan LI ; Keqian XU ; Jun TANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2016;37(5):600-601,605
Objective To establish an inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) method for analysis of elements in peripheral blood of children .Methods A total of 474 healthy children in Hunan area were enrolled in this study ,and six ele‐ments ,including Ca ,Mg ,Fe ,Cu ,Zn and Pb ,in peripheral blood specimens were detected by using ICP‐MS method .Results The levels of elements ,including Ca ,Mg ,Fe ,Cu ,Zn and Pb ,in peripheral blood of healthy children showed skewed distributions ,and no significant differences were found in levels of these elements between male and female children(P>0 .05) .The reference intervals of Ca ,Mg ,Fe ,Cu ,Zn and Pb in peripheral blood of healthy children in this area were 57 .30 -81 .40 mg/L ,30 .40 -44 .80 mg/L , 361 .20-531 .40 mg/L ,848 .10-1 469 .20 μg/L ,2 .68 -6 .54 mg/L and 0 .00 -100 .00 μg/L respectively .Conclusion The ICP‐MS method for simultaneously detecting Ca ,Mg ,Fe ,Cu ,Zn and Pb in peripheral blood of children and reference interval of each ele‐ment are successfully established .
10.Progress in transcriptional studies.
Junyang WANG ; Weishan WANG ; Xiao LI ; Hua ZHAO ; Keqian YANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2015;31(8):1141-1150
Gene expression exhibits temporal and spatial patterns to response environmental changes and growth cycle. Gene expression is under strict control at different levels among which control at transcription level is the predominant mode, especially in prokaryotes. In this review, we summarized the new developments of methods used in transcriptional studies, including modifications and improvements of the classic methods, such as gel-shift assay, DNA foot printing, and in vivo reporter system. In addition, we introduced examples to apply new methods, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to characterize protein-DNA, ligand-protein, and ligand-protein-DNA interactions. The collection of these methods and their application could guide and accelerate relevant studies.
Calorimetry
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DNA Footprinting
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Gene Expression
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Ligands
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Proteins
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Surface Plasmon Resonance
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Transcription, Genetic

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