1.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
2.Textual Research on Key Information of Classic Formula Shengma Gegentang
Yuli LI ; Ping JIANG ; Zhenyi YUAN ; Yuanyuan HE ; Ya'nan MAO ; Shasha WANG ; Wenyan ZHU ; Zhouan YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):187-197
Shengma Gegentang is one of the classic formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (Second Batch). This study reviewed ancient and modern literature and used literature tracing and bibliometric methods to analyze the historical evolution, efficacy, indications, dosage decoctions, and modern clinical disease spectrum of Shengma Gegentang. The results indicated that the earliest record of Shengma Gegentang can be found in the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang of the Song dynasty, but its origin can be traced back to the Shaoyao Siwu Jiejitang in the Beiji Qianjin Yaofang of the Tang dynasty. The composition dosage of Shengma Gegentang is 413 g of Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 619.5 g of Puerariae Lobatae Radix, 413 g of Paeoniae Radix Alba, and 413 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which are ground into coarse powder. Each dose is 12.39 g, and the amount of water added is 300 mL. 100 mL of solution is decocted and taken at the right time. The four drugs in the formula play the role of relieving exterior syndrome, penetrating pathogenic factors, and detoxicating together. Its indications are widely involved in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, sexually transmitted diseases, and other diseases, such as measles, sores, acne, spots, surgical gangrene, red eyes, toothache, chancre, and fetal poison. The epidemic diseases treated by Shengma Gegentang are complicated, including rash, pox, macula, numbness, summer diarrhea, dysentery, sha disease, febrile symptoms, spring warmth, winter warmth, and cold pestilence. At the same time, it is a plague prevention formula. Although Shengma Gegentang has a wide range of indications, it cannot be separated from the pathogenic mechanism of evil Qi blocking the muscle surface and heat in the lungs and stomach. The modern clinical disease spectrum of Shengma Gegentang involves the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology system, nervous system, pediatric-related diseases and syndromes, skin system, hepatobiliary system, and digestive system. It plays a key role in the treatment of epidemic diseases such as measles, chronic hepatitis B, dysentery, and tetanus.
3.Color-component correlation and mechanism of component transformation of processed Citri Reticulatae Semen.
Kui-Lin ZHU ; Jin-Lian ZOU ; Xu-Li DENG ; Mao-Xin DENG ; Hai-Ming WANG ; Rui YIN ; Zhang-Xian CHEN ; Yun-Tao ZHANG ; Hong-Ping HE ; Fa-Wu DONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2382-2390
High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of three major components in Citri Reticulatae Semen(CRS), including limonin, nomilin, and obacunone. The chromaticity of the CRS sample during salt processing and stir-frying was measured using a color difference meter. Next, the relationship between the color and content of the salt-processed CRS sample was investigated through correlation analysis. By integrating the oil bath technique for processing simulation with HPLC, the changes in the relative content of nomilin and its transformation products were analyzed, with its structural transformation pattern during processing identified. Additionally, RAW264.7 cells were induced with lipopolysaccharides(LPSs) to establish an inflammatory model, and the anti-inflammatory activity of nomilin and its transformation product, namely obacunone was evaluated. The results indicated that as processing progressed, E~*ab and L~* values showed a downward trend; a~* values exhibited a slow increase over a certain period, followed by no significant changes, and b~* values remained stable with no significant changes over a certain period and then started to decrease. The limonin content remained barely unchanged; the nomilin content decreased, and the obacunone increased significantly. The changing trends in content and color parameters during salt-processing and stir-frying were basically consistent. The content of nomilin and obacunone was significantly correlated with the colorimetric values(L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~*ab), while limonin content showed no significant correlation with these values. By analyzing HPLC patterns of nomylin at different heating temperatures and time, it was found that under conditions of 200-250 ℃ for heating of 5-60 min, the content of nomilin significantly decreased, while the obacunone content increased pronouncedly. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity results indicated that compared to the model group, the group with a high concentration of nomilin and the groups with varying concentrations of obacunone showed significantly reduced release of nitric oxide(NO)(P<0.01). When both were at the same concentration, obacunone showed better performance in inhibiting NO release. In this study, the obvious correlation between the color and content of major components during the processing of CRS samples was identified, and the dynamic patterns of quality change in CRS samples during processing were revealed. Additionally, the study revealed and confirmed the transformation of nomilin into obacunone during processing, with the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of obacunone significantly greater than that of nomilin. These findings provided a scientific basis for CRS processing optimization, tablet quality control, and its clinical application.
Mice
;
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Limonins/chemistry*
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Citrus/chemistry*
;
Color
;
Benzoxepins/chemistry*
;
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*
4.Clinical Analysis of Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type with Skin Lesions as Initial Symptom.
Ping CHENG ; Yi LI ; Xia MAO ; Qiu-Xiang WANG ; Lan-Lan WANG ; Jun GUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Hui CHENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):416-422
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) with skin lesions as initial symptom.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 11 ENKTL patients with skin lesions as initial symptom were retrospectively analyzed from August 2016 to January 2023 in Wuhan First Hospital and Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
RESULTS:
Among the 11 patients, there were 6 males and 5 females, with a median age of 50(32-80) years. All patients had different forms of skin lesions as initial clinical symptom, including rash, ulcerative mass, painful skin nodules, infiltrating macula, etc. Most of the skin lesions were involved in the limbs and trunk but also appeared in the lower limbs alone. Five patients had hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at initial diagnosis, and 8 patients had B symptoms. All patients were diagnosed with advanced clinical staging (Lugano staging IV), and classified as high risk (PINK-E score ≥3). Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the positive rates of CD56 and EBER were both 100%, and the median Ki-67 index was 75%(50%-80%). Plasma EBV-DNA tests were all positive (≥5×102 copies/ml). Most of the induction chemotherapy regimens were combination chemotherapy (MESA, p-Gemox, SMILE) containing pegaspargase or L-asparaginase, or combined with PD-1 monoclonal immunotherapy, or HLH regimens (HLH-04 regimen, L-DEP). The median follow-up time and overall survival (OS) time were both 4.5(0.5-27) months. During the follow-up period, all 8 patients who did not receive autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) died, most of whom died of rapid disease progression. Three patients received ASCT, one died of central nervous system recurrence after transplantation, and two survived. The OS of three patients who underwent ASCT was 21, 27, and 19 months, and PFS was 11, 20, and 13 months, respectively. The plasma EBV-DNA copy number was monitored irregularly after transplantation, and the load of EBV was consistent with the changes of the disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Early clinical symptoms of ENKTL patients with skin lesions as initial symptom are more atypical, and early diagnosis is particularly difficult. The disease progresses rapidly and the prognosis is poor. There is still no uniform standard for the best treatment strategy. The survival of patients can be significantly prolonged by applying ASCT as soon as possible after complete remission obtained by high-dose induction chemotherapy.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/diagnosis*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged
;
Prognosis
;
Aged, 80 and over
5.Dimethyl fumarate modulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization to ameliorate periodontal destruction by increasing TUFM-mediated mitophagy.
Liang CHEN ; Pengxiao HU ; Xinhua HONG ; Bin LI ; Yifan PING ; ShuoMin CHEN ; Tianle JIANG ; Haofu JIANG ; Yixin MAO ; Yang CHEN ; Zhongchen SONG ; Zhou YE ; Xiaoyu SUN ; Shufan ZHAO ; Shengbin HUANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):32-32
Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Here, we investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect of DMF on periodontitis. In vivo studies showed that DMF significantly inhibited periodontal destruction, enhanced mitophagy, and decreased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio. In vitro studies showed that DMF inhibited macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and promoted polarization toward M2 macrophages, with improved mitochondrial function, inhibited oxidative stress, and increased mitophagy in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMF increased intracellular mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) levels to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, promoted mitophagy, and modulated macrophage polarization, whereas TUFM knockdown decreased the protective effect of DMF. Finally, mechanistic studies showed that DMF increased intracellular TUFM levels by protecting TUFM from degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that DMF protects mitochondrial function and inhibits oxidative stress through TUFM-mediated mitophagy in macrophages, resulting in a shift in the balance of macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating periodontitis. Importantly, this study provides new insights into the prevention of periodontitis.
Dimethyl Fumarate/pharmacology*
;
Mitophagy/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Periodontitis/prevention & control*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Mitochondria/drug effects*
6.PDHX acetylation facilitates tumor progression by disrupting PDC assembly and activating lactylation-mediated gene expression.
Zetan JIANG ; Nanchi XIONG ; Ronghui YAN ; Shi-Ting LI ; Haiying LIU ; Qiankun MAO ; Yuchen SUN ; Shengqi SHEN ; Ling YE ; Ping GAO ; Pinggen ZHANG ; Weidong JIA ; Huafeng ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):49-63
Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans
;
Acetylation
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
;
Liver Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
;
Histones/metabolism*
;
Disease Progression
7.Effects of Auricular Point Compression and Exercise Therapy on Glycolipid Metabolism,Oxidative Stress and Sleep Quality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Poor Glycemic Control
Li-ping XU ; Chun-sheng LIU ; Wen-ming MAO ; Qin-qin QIU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(17):2776-2782,2767
Objective:To observe the effects of auricular point compression and exercise therapy on glycolipid metabolism,oxidative stress and sleep quality in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with poor glycemic control.Methods:This study was a single-center randomized controlled study,86 T2DM patients with poor glycemic control who were treated in our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024 were divided into control group(received conventional treatment,n=43)and observation group(received auricular point compression and exercise therapy,n=43)by using the random number table method.The clinical efficacy,blood lipid indexes,blood glucose indexes,oxidative stress indexes and sleep quality were compared between the two groups.Results:The total clinical effective rate,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)of the observation group after treatment were higher than those of the control group,and the fasting blood glucose(FBG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)and Pittsburgh sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point compression and exercise therapy can regulate glycolipid metabolism in T2DM patients with poor glycemic control,improve the degree of oxidative stress and sleep quality.
8.Chemical constituents from salt-processed Litchi Semen and their antioxidant activities
Rui YIN ; Xing YANG ; Wei-mao DONG ; Xu-li DENG ; Yi-mou WANG ; Hong-chuan ZHANG ; Kui-lin ZHU ; Zhang-xian CHEN ; Hong-ping HE ; Fa-wu DONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):480-486
AIM To study the chemical constituents from salt-processed Litchi Semen and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The 85%ethanol extract from salt-processed Litchi Semen was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,MCI,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.DPPH and ABTS+free radical scavenging method were used to evaluate their antioxidant activities.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as dehydrocostuslactone(1),ananosmoside A(2),funingensin A(3),(2S)-pinocembrin-7-O-(6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside)(4),liquiritienin(5),quercetin(6),rutin(7),isorhamnetin-3-O-β-rutinoside(8),procyanidin A2(9),procyanidin A1(10),ethyl protocatechuate(11),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(12),di(2-ethyl-hexyl)phthalate(13),nicotinamide(14),(10E,15Z)-9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadeca-10,15-dienoic acid(15).Compounds 6-7,9-10 exhibited scavenging activities against DPPH radicals with IC50 values of(12.929±1.232),(14.104±0.946),(10.417±1.736),(6.944±0.030)μmol/L,respectively.Compounds 6-10 exhibited scavenging activities against ABTS+radicals with IC50 values of(21.952±0.577),(25.683±0.625),(22.970±1.336),(20.210±1.435),(18.725±0.324)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1,5,14-15 are isolated from Litchi genus for the first time.Compounds 6-7,9-10 have strong in vitro antioxidant activities.
9.Effect of somatosensory exercise based on artificial intelligence technology in home pulmonary rehabilitation of elderly patients with COPD
Qin FU ; Xiumin ZHANG ; Ming HOU ; Caihong WANG ; Xiaomei LI ; Yongqin MAO ; Ping LI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):517-524
Objective To explore the application effect of multimodal somatosensory exercise based on artificial intelligence technology in home rehabilitation exercise for elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-ease(COPD),so as to promote COPD patients to participate in home rehabilitation exercise.Methods Using the convenient sampling method,80 elderly patients with COPD admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine of a tertiary A hospital in Urumqi from November 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the research subjects.Ac-cording to the random number table method,they were divided into a control group and an experimental group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group adopted the traditional exercise training method,and the experimental group adopted the multi-modal somatosensory movement based on artificial intelligence technology for exercise in-tervention,with 5 times a week,and the intervention was implemented for 12 weeks.The pulmonary function index,modified Medical Research Council scale score,physical fitness level,Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease As-sessment Test scale score and exercise compliance of the 2 groups were compared before intervention and 12 weeks after intervention.Results 77 patients completed the study,with 39 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group.The forced vital capacity,forced expiratory volume in one second,forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio,physical fitness level and exercise compliance of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group,while the modified British Medical Research Council scale score and Chron-ic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test score were lower than those of the control group.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Somatosensory exercise based on artificial intelligence technology can improve the lung function of the patients with COPD,improve the exercise compliance and physical fitness in-dicators of elderly patients and improve the quality of life of the patients.
10.Safety of colostrum collection in the third trimester and evaluation of postpartum breastfeeding in pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy
Guang-yun GAO ; Jing WANG ; Jun-ping ZHANG ; Jia SHENG ; Jie-jing SHENG ; Li-ping MAO ; Fei-fei ZHOU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):225-231
Objective To preliminarily explore the safety of collecting colostrum in the third trimester,and to evaluate postpartum breastfeeding in pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy.Methods Pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy who had prenatal examinations in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Jul to Nov 2022 were prospectively divided into the colostrum collection group(n=52)in the third trimester and the control group(n=55)by randomized controlled grouping method.The t-test,χ2 test,Fisher's exact probability method and rank sum test were used for statistical analysis of the data to compare the delivery outcomes,neonatal outcomes and postpartum breastfeeding status between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in the gestational weeks at delivery,delivery methods,breastfeeding rates at 42 days postpartum and 4 months postpartum between the two groups of pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy.There were also no significant differences in the Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth and the neonatal hospitalization rate.The proportion of formula milk as the first supplementary feeding after delivery and the delayed lactation rate at 3 days postpartum in the colostrum collection group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The exclusive breastfeeding rates at 24 hours postpartum and 3 days postpartum in the colostrum collection group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Collecting colostrum in the third trimester among pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy is safe,and it can reduce the rate of supplementary feeding with formula milk after delivery,and increase the exclusive breastfeeding rates at 24 hours postpartum and 3 days postpartum.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail