1.Mechanisms of Sini San in Regulation of Gut Microbiota Against Depression and Liver Injury in CUMS Rats
Junling LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Lei WANG ; Fang QI ; Zhenzhen CHEN ; Tianxing CHEN ; Yuhang LIU ; Xueying WANG ; Xianwen TANG ; Yubo LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):33-40
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group (M), Sini San group (MS, 2.5 g·kg-1), and fluoxetine group (MF, 2 mg·kg-1). Except for the normal group, rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 8 weeks, the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Zonulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy, and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced (P0.01), whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group (P0.05). Compared with the normal group, hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased (P0.05), and compared with the model group, both were significantly increased in the Sini San group (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the normal group, serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased (P0.05, P0.01), and compared with the model group, Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased (P0.05). No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group, widened and blurred tight junctions, sparse and shortened microvilli, and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group, which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators, liver function, and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.
2.Mechanisms of Sini San in Regulation of Gut Microbiota Against Depression and Liver Injury in CUMS Rats
Junling LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Lei WANG ; Fang QI ; Zhenzhen CHEN ; Tianxing CHEN ; Yuhang LIU ; Xueying WANG ; Xianwen TANG ; Yubo LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):33-40
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group (M), Sini San group (MS, 2.5 g·kg-1), and fluoxetine group (MF, 2 mg·kg-1). Except for the normal group, rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 8 weeks, the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Zonulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy, and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01), whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and compared with the model group, both were significantly increased in the Sini San group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and compared with the model group, Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group, widened and blurred tight junctions, sparse and shortened microvilli, and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group, which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators, liver function, and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.
3.Caffeic acid-vanadium nanozymes treat skin flap ischemia-reperfusion injury through macrophage reprogramming and the upregulation of X-linked inhibitors of apoptotic proteins.
Xinyu ZHAO ; Jie SHAN ; Hanying QIAN ; Xu JIN ; Yiwei SUN ; Jianghao XING ; Qingrong LI ; Xu-Lin CHEN ; Xianwen WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):592-610
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury following skin flap transplantation is a critical factor leading to flap necrosis and transplant failure. Antagonizing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress are regarded as crucial targets for mitigating reperfusion injury and enhancing flap survival. In this study, caffeic acid-vanadium metal polyphenol nanoparticles (CA-V NPs) were prepared for the treatment of skin flap ischemia and reperfusion. This study was conducted using a one-step method to prepare new types of CA-V NPs with uniform sizes and stable structures. In vitro, the CA-V NPs exhibited CAT-like and SOD-like activities and could effectively scavenge ROS, generate oxygen, and alleviate oxidative stress. In the H2O2-induced cellular oxidative stress model, CA-V NPs effectively reduced ROS levels and inhibited apoptosis through the XIAP/Caspase-3 pathway. In the cellular inflammation model induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ, CA-V NPs reprogrammed macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype and reduced inflammatory responses by reducing the expression of the chemokines CCL4 and CXCL2. In addition, animal experiments have shown that CA-V NPs can alleviate oxidative stress in skin flap tissues, inhibit apoptosis, promote angiogenesis, and ultimately improve the survival rate of skin flaps. CA-V NPs provide a new target and strategy for the treatment of flap I/R injury.
4.Effects of SIRT2 regulation on migration and proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts in Ang Ⅱ-induced mice
Lichan Lin ; Zhiyan Liu ; Zhenyu Liu ; Peng Liu ; Sui Sui ; Yunsen Zhang ; Xianwen Hu ; Rui Li ; Hui Tao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):589-595, 603
Objective:
To investigate the effect of sirtuin 2(SIRT2) on the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)in C57BL/6 mice under angiotensin II(Ang Ⅱ) stimulation.
Methods :
The hearts were taken from 1 to 2 days C57BL/6 milk mice. After cutting and digesting, CFs were extracted by different adhesion centrifugation. After CFs attachment, the cells were cultured under control medium and Ang Ⅱ(100 nmol/L) medium and treated using OE-SIRT2 plasmid to overexpression the SIRT2 gene. RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expression of SIRT2 proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), periostin(POSTN)and type Ⅰ collagen procollagen A1(Col1A1), Western blot assay was used to measure the protein expression levels of SIRT2, PCNA, POSTN and Col1A1, CCK-8 assay and EdU assay were used to evaluate CFs proliferation rate, Transwell experiment was used to assess CFs migration activity.
Results:
Compared with control group, Ang Ⅱ stimulation led to down-regulation of SIRT2 expression in CFs, increased collagen expression, and promoted CFs proliferation and migration. The expression of SIRT2 was up regulated in CFs treated with OE-SIRT2 plasmid under Ang Ⅱ stimulation, Col1A1, POSTN and PCNA expression was down regulated, and CFs proliferation and migration ability decreased.
Conclusion
Overexpression of SIRT2 can inhibit the proliferation and migration of CFs under Ang Ⅱ stimulation, indicating that SIRT2 may be a key regulatory point in the onset and progression of cardiac fibrosis.
5.Identification of Dalbergia odorifera and Its Counterfeits by HS-GC-MS
Li ZHAO ; Xiaowei MENG ; Jiarong LI ; Qing ZHU ; Xianwen WEI ; Ronghua LIU ; Lanying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):156-163
ObjectiveTo screen the differential markers by analyzing volatile components in Dalbergia odorifera and its counterfeits, in order to provide reference for authentication of D. odorifera. MethodThe volatile components in D. odorifera and its counterfeits were detected by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS), and the GC conditions were heated by procedure(the initial temperature of the column was 50 ℃, the retention time was 1 min, and then the temperature was raised to 300 ℃ at 10 ℃ for 10 min), the carrier gas was helium, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, the split ratio was 10∶1, and the injection volume was 1 mL. The MS conditions used electron bombardment ionization(EI) with the scanning range of m/z 35-550. The compound species were identified by database matching, the relative content of each component was calculated by the peak area normalization method, and principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discrimination analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster analysis were performed on the detection results by SIMCA 14.1 software, and the differential components of D. odorifera and its counterfeits were screened out according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>2 and P<0.05. ResultA total of 26, 17, 8, 22, 24 and 7 volatile components were identified from D. odorifera, D. bariensis, D. latifolia, D. benthamii, D. pinnata and D. cochinchinensis, respectively. Among them, there were 11 unique volatile components of D. odorifera, 6 unique volatile components of D. bariensis, 3 unique volatile components of D. latifolia, 6 unique volatile components of D. benthamii, 8 unique volatile components of D. pinnata, 4 unique volatile components of D. cochinchinensis. The PCA results showed that, except for D. latifolia and D. cochinchinensis, which could not be clearly distinguished, D. odorifera and other counterfeits could be distributed in a certain area, respectively. The OPLS-DA results showed that D. odorifera and its five counterfeits were clustered into one group each, indicating significant differences in volatile components between D. odorifera and its counterfeits. Finally, a total of 31 differential markers of volatile components between D. odoriferae and its counterfeits were screened. ConclusionHS-GC-MS combined with SIMCA 14.1 software can systematically elucidate the volatile differential components between D. odorifera and its counterfeits, which is suitable for rapid identification of them.
6.Improved discharge survival in pre-hospital cardiac arrest patients: the Shenzhen Bao'an experience
Wenwu ZHANG ; Jinfeng LIANG ; Qingli DOU ; Jun XU ; Jinle LIN ; Conghua WANG ; Wuyuan TAO ; Xianwen HUANG ; Wenhua LIU ; Yujie LI ; Xiaoming ZHANG ; Cuimei XING ; Huadong ZHU ; Xuezhong YU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(11):1518-1523
Objective:Cardiac arrest (CA) represents a significant public health challenge, posing a substantial threat to individual health and survival. To enhance the survival rates of patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), Baoan District in Shenzhen City has undertaken exploratory initiatives and practical interventions, yielding promising preliminary outcomes.Methods:1.Innovate emergency medical services by developing a "four-circle integration" system that connects to the hospital. This system encompasses the social emergency medical system, the out-of-hospital emergency medical system, the in-hospital emergency medical service system, and the intensive care treatment system. 2.Develop a comprehensive model for the construction of a social emergency medical training system, characterized by party leadership, government oversight, departmental coordination, professional guidance, technological support, and community involvement, termed the "Baonan Model." Additionally, establish evaluation criteria to assess the effectiveness of the social emergency medical training system in Baonan District; 3. Develop a cardiac arrest registration system and a social emergency medical training management system for Baonan District; 4. Enhance the proficiency in treatment techniques and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among emergency medical professionals; 5. Strengthen and advance the development of a "five-minute social rescue network" to address the critical "emergency window period." .Result:In Baonan District, 9.18% of the public is trained in emergency medical skills. The bystander CPR rate for OHCA is 26.11%, AED use is at 4.78%, the 30-day survival rate is 6.31%, and the discharge survival rate is 4.44%.Conclusion:The implementation of the aforementioned measures can substantially enhance the survival rate of patients experiencing OHCA at the time of discharge.
7.Correlation between voluntary blood donation and autonomous motivation
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;35(9):786-789
Objective:
To explore the relationship between voluntary blood donation and autonomous motivation based on self-determination theory, so as to provide insights into optimizing voluntary blood donation recruitment.
Methods:
Participants meeting the blood donation criteria were selected from blood stations and medical institutions in Hangzhou City, Jiaxing City and Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. A self-designed questionnaire based on self-determination theory was used to collect basic information, awareness and source of blood donation knowledge, autonomous motivation and controlled motivation. The correction between autonomous motivation and voluntary blood donation was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 986 participants at ages of 18-55 years were surveyed, including 730 females (74.04%) and 256 males (25.96%). Among them, 705 participants (71.50%) had experience of voluntary blood donation. The mean score for blood donation knowledge was (5.76±1.17) points, and the total motivation score for blood donation was (58.21±8.17) points, with autonomous motivation scoring (40.86±5.46) points and controlled motivation scoring (17.35±3.26) points. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified gender (female, OR=0.419, 95%CI: 0.273-0.644), occupation (medical profession, OR=4.027, 95%CI: 2.440-6.646), blood donation knowledge (OR=1.307, 95%CI: 1.159-1.475) and autonomous motivation (OR=1.074, 95%CI: 1.033-1.116) as factors affecting voluntary blood donation.
Conclusions
Autonomous motivation may promote voluntary blood donation. In blood donation recruitment efforts, it is vital to enhance autonomous motivation and make appropriate use of controlled motivation.
8.Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of children’s trust in general nurses scale
Qingqing CHONG ; Dan CHEN ; Zhiheng ZHAN ; Jing CHEN ; Enfang SHAN ; Xianwen LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2023;32(11):1032-1037
Objective:To translate the Children's trust in general nurses scale (CTGNS) into Chinese, and conduct item response theory (IRT) analysis and reliability and validity evaluation.Methods:Following Brislin's translation model, the CTGNS was translated, back-translated, and cross-culturally adapted to form the Chinese version of the CTGNS.A total of 502 pediatric inpatients from a pediatric hospital in Nanjing city were surveyed from July to August 2022.The Samejima graded response model in IRT was used to calculate the difficulty and discrimination parameters of each item, while item characteristic curves were plotted.The reliability and validity of the Chinese version CTGNS were evaluated.SPSS 26.0, Mplus 8.0 and MULTILOG 7.03 softwares were used for data analysis.Results:The item discrimination of the Chinese version CTGNS ranged from 0.088 to 2.730.The difficulty parameters ranged from -4.667 to 26.094 and increased with increasing difficulty levels without any reverse thresholds.The item characteristic curves exhibited sound shapes for all items except for item 9.Based on the selection criteria of the corresponding parameters, 8 items were retained.The revised Chinese version CTGNS (8 items) consisted of 3 dimensions.The content validity index (CVI) of each item ranged from 0.833 to 1.000, and the total scale CVI was 0.960.The Cronbach's α coefficient for the overall scale was 0.822, and the Cronbach's α coefficients for each dimension ranged from 0.752 to 0.852.The test-retest reliability of the scale was 0.87.Exploratory factor analysis yielded 3 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 73.468%.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit( χ2/ df=2.674, RMSEA=0.082, SRMR=0.046, CFI=0.964). Conclusion:The revised Chinese version CTGNS demonstrates sound reliability and validity and can be used as an assessment tool for measuring children's trust in nurses.
9.Role of frontal lobe and its related circuits involved in cognitive flexibility impairment in autism
Chengming XU ; Yalei FAN ; Zhe ZHANG ; Jiwei ZHANG ; Liguo LI ; Xianwen DONG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2023;32(11):1051-1056
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial disease, with social difficulties and repetitive behaviors as its core symptoms. With the improvement of diagnostic methods, the detection rate of ASD is increasing year by year.Cognitive flexibility impairment is very obvious in most autistic patients.More and more studies have shown that cognitive flexibility impairment is related to the occurrence and development of core symptoms. However, the mechanism of cognitive flexibility impairment in autism remains unclear. The frontal lobe plays an important role in advanced cognition, and its complete development is related to cognitive function. Recent studies have shown that frontal lobe dysfunction is closely related to cognitive flexibility deficits in autistic patients, and the abnormal changes in the frontal lobe, the associated default mode network dysfunction and frontal striatal circuit defects may be the important mechanisms of cognitive flexibility impairment. Based on the recent clinical and basic studies on cognitive flexibility in autism, this article reviews the mechanisms of frontal lobe and related circuits involved in the impairment of cognitive flexibility in autism.
10.Relationship between METTL3-mediated m6A methylation modification and SIRT1 during sevoflurane post-conditioning-induced mitigation of cognitive impairments in a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation
Yujie WU ; Li ZHANG ; Hui TAO ; Su HU ; Zhilun NIU ; Xiaojing WAN ; Xianwen HU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2023;43(11):1386-1391
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)-mediated RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification and silent information regulator factor 1 (SIRT1) during sevoflurane post-conditioning-induced mitigation of cognitive impairments in a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation(HSR).Methods:Forty clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, with a body weight ranging from 22-26 g, were assigned into 5 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group, HSR group, sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (SP+ HSR group), over-expression of METTL3 gene rAAV + sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (METTL3+ SP+ HSR group), and over-expression of METTL3 gene rAAV negative control + sevoflurane post-conditioning + HSR group (NC+ SP+ HSR group). The HSR model was established by withdrawing 40% of the total blood volume from mice through the right carotid artery within 30 min, followed by reinfusion of the withdrawn blood over 30 min 1 h later. The SP+ HSR group underwent HSR modeling first and then inhaled sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 2.4%) for 30 min starting from the time point immediately after blood transfusion. The Sham group and HSR group inhaled a mixture of 70% O 2 and 30% CO 2 for 30 min at the corresponding time points. In METTL3+ SP+ HSR group and NC+ SP+ HSR group, the corresponding virus 450 nl was injected into bilateral hippocampus at 4 weeks before establishing the model.Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted at 72 h after developing the model to assess the learning and memory abilities. After the end of behavioral tests, the expression of METTL3 and SIRT1 in hippocampal tissues was detected using Western blot, the expression of SIRT1 mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR, and the methylation of RNA m6A was detected using Dot blot. Results:Compared to Sham group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 1-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, the novel object recognition index was decreased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased in HSR group( P<0.05). Compared to HSR group, the escape latency was significantly shortened at 1-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the novel object recognition index was increased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased, the novel object recognition index was increased, the expression of METTL3 was down-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was decreased in SP+ HSR group( P<0.05). Compared to SP+ HSR group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 2-6 days, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was decreased, the novel object recognition index was decreased, the expression of METTL3 was up-regulated, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the methylation of RNA m6A was increased in METTL3+ SP+ HSR group( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned indicators in NC+ SP+ HSR group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sevoflurane post-conditioning alleviates cognitive dysfunction is associated with down-regulation of METTL3 expression, reduction of RNA m6A methylation, and up-regulation of SIRT1 expression in HSR mice.


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