1.Zuoguiwan Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Hyperthyroidism Due to Kidney-Yin Deficiency via DRD4/NOX4 Pathway
Ling LIN ; Qianming LIANG ; Changsheng DENG ; Li RU ; Zhiyong XU ; Chao LI ; Mingshun SHEN ; Yueming YUAN ; Muzi LI ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):43-51
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan (ZGW) treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (0.35 mg·kg-1). After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, methimazole (positive control, 5 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g·kg-1, respectively) ZGW, and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage, the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], renal function indexes [serum creatine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], energy metabolism markers [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)], and oxidative stress-related factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and NADPH)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4, NOX4, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins [NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX4)], and inflammation-related protein [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed mental malaise, body weight decreases (P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid, elevations in serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA, and NADPH (P<0.01), down-regulation in protein levels of TSH, SOD, and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulation in expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGW increased the body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, restored the thyroid structure and follicle size, lowered the serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA and NADPH (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the expression of TSH, SOD and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole (P<0.05). ConclusionBy activating DRD4, ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.
2.Expert consensus on neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (2026)
LI Jinsong ; LIAO Guiqing ; LI Longjiang ; ZHANG Chenping ; SHANG Chenping ; ZHANG Jie ; ZHONG Laiping ; LIU Bing ; CHEN Gang ; WEI Jianhua ; JI Tong ; LI Chunjie ; LIN Lisong ; REN Guoxin ; LI Yi ; SHANG Wei ; HAN Bing ; JIANG Canhua ; ZHANG Sheng ; SONG Ming ; LIU Xuekui ; WANG Anxun ; LIU Shuguang ; CHEN Zhanhong ; WANG Youyuan ; LIN Zhaoyu ; LI Haigang ; DUAN Xiaohui ; YE Ling ; ZHENG Jun ; WANG Jun ; LV Xiaozhi ; ZHU Lijun ; CAO Haotian
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):105-118
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.
3.Mechanistic study of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal injury induced by maternal bone lead mobilization during pregnancy in rats
Ling LI ; Lin ZHANG ; Li LI ; Yuting WEI ; Man LYU ; Zeshi ZHANG ; Li MA ; Anxin LU ; Yin LIN ; Shaohua WANG ; Chonghuai YAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):286-292
Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.
4.8-methoxsalen photochemistry enhances tumor cell immunogenicity by inducing ferroptosis in B16 cells
Yan ZHONG ; Yuwei LIN ; Wei CHEN ; Li TIAN ; Ling LI ; Zhong LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):999-1007
Objective: To study the efficacy of photosensitizer 8- methoxsalen (8-MOP) combined with ultraviolet radiation A (UVA) in inducing ferroptosis in mouse melanoma B16 cells, and to assess the resultant changes in immunogenicity, and their impact on subsequent immune activation after treatment. Methods: 1) Mouse melanoma B16 cells were cultured and treated with 8-MOP (100 ng/mL) and UVA (4 J/cm
), and then cultured in a constant temperature incubator (37℃, 5%CO
) for 24 hours after irradiation. 2) CCK8 (cell proliferation and toxicity) detection kit was used to detect the death rate of tumor cells. 3) LPO (lipid peroxide) and GSH (glutathione) detection kits were used to detect the degree of oxidative damage of tumor cells; Changes of Fe
, mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) and BODIPY 581/591 C11 (lipid peroxidation detection kit) in tumor cells were detected by confocal microscope. Western blotting (WB) was performed to detect GPX4, SLC7A11 and NCOA4 to confirm ferroptosis. 4) The expression of HMGB1 (high mobility group protein 1), ATP and CRT (calreticulin) in the supernatant of tumor cell culture was detected by ELISA kit to evaluate the immunogenicity of tumor cells. 5) 1×10
B16 cells were injected subcutaneously into the skin of the back and neck of mice at a dose of 100 μL to construct a mouse melanoma model. Spleen mononuclear cells of tumor-bearing mice were extracted and immediately co-cultured with irradiated tumor cells for 48 h. Changes of dendritic cell (DC) maturity were detected by MHC-II, CD11c, CD80 and CD83 flow cytometry. Results: After UVAP, the survival rate of B16 cells decreased significantly (61.39±6.823 vs 84.81±7.026 vs 100.0±3.996, P<0.000 1, P<0.01). UVAP effectively induced ferroptosis in B16 cells, characterized by increased LPO and C11-bodipy lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion, Fe
accumulation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, decreased GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein expression, and increased NCOA4 expression, all in line with the trend of ferroptosis. UVAP also enhanced tumor cell immunogenicity, evidenced by elevated release of ATP, CRT, and HMGB1. The immunogenicity of B16 cells increased, the expressions of ATP, CRT and HMGB1 increased, and the DC maturity increased (CD80: 31.92±4.071 vs 19.77±3.177; CD83: 21.40±4.787 vs 12.19±1.487, P<0.001, P<0.01). Conclusion: The combined action of 8-MOP and UVA can induce ferroptosis in B16 tumor cells, enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells, release more tumor antigens, promote the maturation of DC, present antigens better, thereby facilitating subsequent immune activation.
5.The Relationship of Transcription Factor BRF1 Expression to Tumor and Cardiomyopathy
Li-Ling ZHENG ; Yong-Luan LIN ; Mei-Ling CHEN ; Zheng-Yan ZHONG ; Shuping ZHONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2241-2251
TFIIB-related factor 1 (BRF1) is an important transcription factor. It specifically regulates the transcription of RNA polymerase III-dependent genes (RNA Pol III genes). The products of these genes are some small non-coding RNAs, including transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 5S ribosomal RNAs (5S rRNA). The transcription levels of tRNAs and 5S rRNA vary with changes in intracellular BRF1 amounts. tRNAs and 5S rRNA play a crucial role in determining protein synthesis. Studies have demonstrated that dysregulation of tRNAs and 5S rRNA is closely related to cell growth, proliferation, transformation, and even tumorigenesis. BRF1 is a key factor determining the generation of tRNAs and 5S rRNA. Increasing BRF1 expression enhances cell proliferation and transformation, promoting tumor development. In contrast, repressing BRF1 activity decreases the rates of cell proliferation and transformation, and inhibits tumor growth. High levels of BRF1 are found in the samples of patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, gastric carcinoma, lung cancer, prostate carcinoma, and other cancers. It indicates that high levels of BRF1 are closely related to the occurrence of human cancer and may be a common landmark of tumors. But there is discrepancy in the regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways of BRF1 overexpression in different cancers. In general, high levels of BRF1 in patients suffering from cancer show short survival period and poor prognosis. However, there is one exception, namely breast cancer. Approximate 80% of cases of breast cancer are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and 20% are ER-. The cases with high levels of BRF1 reveal longer survival period and better prognosis after they accepted the hormone treatment by Tamoxifen (Tam), compared to the cases with low level BRF1. It seems like a contradiction. Most of the cases with high levels of BRF1 belong to ER+ status. Tam has been used to treat ER+ cases of breast cancer after diagnosis and surgery. Thus, hormone therapy, such as Tam, is more effective on these patients. This is because, on one hand, that Tam competes with E2 (17β-estradiol) to bind to estrogen receptor α (ERα), but does not dissociate to occupy the receptors, blocking E2 binding to this receptor and inhibiting its biological effects. On other hand, Tam can inhibit the expression of BRF1, leading to a decline of intracellular BRF1 levels. Therefore, the actual levels of BRF1 are lower in the patients with ER+ breast cancer. It appears the prognosis of the high BRF1 expression cases better than that of the low BRF1 expression cases. Myocardial hypertrophy manifests magnification of cardiomyocyte volume rather than number increasing in the postnatal heart. Myocardial hypertrophy is a critical risk factor underlying cardiovascular diseases. No matter how myocardial hypertrophy occur, it will ultimately lead to myocardial dysfunction and heart failure. Hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes requires a large amount of protein synthesis to meet its needs of cardiomyocyte growth. Animal models and cell experiments have shown that myocardial hypertrophy stimulates a significant increase in BRF1 expression and transcription of tRNAs and 5S rRNA. Interestingly, elevated levels of BRF1 are found in the myocardium tissues of patients with myocardial hypertrophy. These studies demonstrate that BRF1 indeed plays a critical role in myocardial hypertrophy. In summary, high levels of BRF1 are found in patients suffering from different cancers and myocardial hypertrophy. It implies that BRF1 is a promising biological target of cancer and cardiomyopathy. BRF1 is expected to become a common biomarker for early diagnosis and prognostic observation of different human cancers. It is also an important biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathy. BRF1 not only holds an important position in the field of basic medical research but also has great prospects for translational medicine. In the present article, we summarize the progress on studies of BRF1 expressions in cancer and cardiomyopathy, proposes future research directions. It is a new research area. Here, we emphasize the significancy of BRF overexpression in the two huge diseases of human, cancer and cardiomyopathy to raise people's attention to this field.
6.Molecular Mechanisms of RNA Modification Interactions and Their Roles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Jia-Wen FANG ; Chao ZHE ; Ling-Ting XU ; Lin-Hai LI ; Bin XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2252-2266
RNA modifications constitute a crucial class of post-transcriptional chemical alterations that profoundly influence RNA stability and translational efficiency, thereby shaping cellular protein expression profiles. These diverse chemical marks are ubiquitously involved in key biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metastatic potential, and they exert precise regulatory control over these functions. A major advance in the field is the recognition that RNA modifications do not act in isolation. Instead, they participate in complex, dynamic interactions—through synergistic enhancement, antagonism, competitive binding, and functional crosstalk—forming what is now termed the “RNA modification interactome” or “RNA modification interaction network.” The formation and functional operation of this interactome rely on a multilayered regulatory framework orchestrated by RNA-modifying enzymes—commonly referred to as “writers,” “erasers,” and “readers.” These enzymes exhibit hierarchical organization within signaling cascades, often functioning in upstream-downstream sequences and converging at critical regulatory nodes. Their integration is further mediated through shared regulatory elements or the assembly into multi-enzyme complexes. This intricate enzymatic network directly governs and shapes the interdependent relationships among various RNA modifications. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying both direct and indirect interactions between RNA modifications. Building upon this foundation, we introduce novel quantitative assessment frameworks and predictive disease models designed to leverage these interaction patterns. Importantly, studies across multiple disease contexts have identified core downstream signaling axes driven by specific constellations of interacting RNA modifications. These findings not only deepen our understanding of how RNA modification crosstalk contributes to disease initiation and progression, but also highlight its translational potential. This potential is exemplified by the discovery of diagnostic biomarkers based on interaction signatures and the development of therapeutic strategies targeting pathogenic modification networks. Together, these insights provide a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamic and multidimensional regulatory roles of RNA modifications in cellular systems. In conclusion, the emerging concept of RNA modification crosstalk reveals the extraordinary complexity of post-transcriptional regulation and opens new research avenues. It offers critical insights into the central question of how RNA-modifying enzymes achieve substrate specificity—determining which nucleotides within specific RNA transcripts are selectively modified during defined developmental or pathological stages. Decoding these specificity determinants, shaped in large part by the modification interactome, is essential for fully understanding the biological and pathological significance of the epitranscriptome.
8.Prediction of Placental Microflow Combined with Serum Cystatin C in Late-Onset Preeclampsia
Wenwen WANG ; Lin TANG ; Fan LI ; Tong ZHU ; Man QIN ; Ling CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(3):304-309
Purpose To investigate the predictive value of placental microflow combined with serum cystatin C(Cys C)for late-onset preeclampsia(LOP).Materials and Methods This was a prospective study including 188 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal ultrasound examination and delivered in the First Affiliated Hospital,School of Medicine,Shihezi University from October 2021 to October 2022.The placental microvascular indexes,including vascularization index,flow index and vascularization-flow index(VFI),were detected by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the second trimester,and the serum Cys C level was detected.The pregnancy outcome of the pregnant women was divided into LOP group and normal group(NLOP group),and the predictive value of placental microflow combined with serum Cys C for LOP was analyzed.Results Placental vascularization index and VFI of the LOP group were lower than those of the NLOP group(29.77±11.97 vs.44.44±9.86,9.23±3.51 vs.15.05±4.38).However,serum Cys C in the LOP group was higher than that in the NLOP group[(1.13±0.17)mg/L vs.(0.84±0.18)mg/L],and the differences were statistically significant(t=-3.616,-4.790,4.682,all P<0.05).The area under the curve of placental VFI combined with serum Cys C for predicting LOP was 0.899,which had the highest predictive value.Conclusion Placental VFI combined with serum Cys C detection can help to improve the prediction efficiency of LOP,and it is better than each single item.
9.The effectiveness of playing table tennis and badminton on controlling myopia in children aged 7-9
Wentao LIN ; Yuxing LI ; Yanqiu PENG ; Yanling HUANG ; Yuntang DIAO ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Ling YANG
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(1):13-21
Objective To explore the effect of playing moderate-intensity table tennis and badminton on myo-pia prevention among children between 7 and 9 years old,so as to provide related theoretical basis.Methods A total of 536 myopic children were initially screened from two schools in Guangzhou via questionnaires and in-terviews.Among them,36 children(7-9 years old)were selected and randomly divided into a control group,a table tennis group and a badminton group,each of 12.All groups underwent 1.5-hour training three times a week for six months,covering training on dynamic visual acuity,sports vision and attention training and the ex-ercise intensity was adjusted according the heart rate,rating of perceived exertion(RPE)and blood oxygen lev-els.Moreover,the equivalent spherical degree(SED),ocular biology,and accommodative parameters were mea-sured before and after the intervention.Results After intervention,the left eye SEDs of the control and badmin-ton groups were lower than before intervention(P<0.05).Moreover,the axial length(AL)in the left and right eyes and the axial length/corneal radius of curvature(AL/CR)of all 3 groups after intervention were significant-ly higher than before that(P<0.05).The table tennis group showed significant improvement in accommodative fa-cility(AF)in both eyes(P<0.05),while the badminton group demonstrated significant increases in AF of both eyes,amplitude of accommodation(AMP)in the right eye,but a significant decrease in the positive relative adjustment(PRA)(P<0.05).Moreover,after intervention,SE and AF of both eyes in the table tennis group was significantly higher,with lower AL and AL/CR ratios in the left eye compared to the control group(P<0.05).The badminton group exhibited greater AMP in the right eye and AF improvements in both eyes com-pared to the control and table tennis groups(P<0.05),but lower PRA(P<0.05).Moreover,the left-eye SE of the badminton group was higher than the control group(P<0.05),while the right-eye corneal curvature and the left-eye AL/CR were lower than the latter(P<0.05).Meanwhile,after the intervention,the left-eye AL and PRA of the badminton group were significantly lower than the table tennis group(P<0.05).Conclusion Pupils can effectively increase their reserve of eye adjustment,improve the adjustment function of the eye,and delay the development of myopia by playing table tennis and badminton with moderate intensity.Playing table tennis excels in delaying refractive power changes,while doing badminton significantly improves PRA,AMP,and AF.
10.Effect of miR-195-5p on myocardial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation rats by targeting SMAD homolog 7 to regulate TGF-β1
Ailing YANG ; Ling LIN ; Mingyue SHEN ; Mei HOU ; Rong SU ; Hu ZHANG ; Yunfei LI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(1):27-32
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-195-5p on myocardial fibro-sis in rats with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods A total of 72 male SD rats were randomly divid-ed into control group,AF group,negative control group,miR-195-5p inhibitor group,recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9(rAAV9)group(miR-195-5p inhibitor+rAAV9-negative con-trol),and combination group[miR-195-5p inhibitor+rAAV9-siRNA-SMAD homolog 7(Smad)],with 12 rats in each group.Except for the control group,the rats in the other groups were inflicted to construct AF model.After receiving corresponding intervention measures,elec-trocardiography was conducted to record the incidence and the duration of AF.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes and fibrosis in the myocardial tis-sues,respectively.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA levels of miR-195-5p and Smad7,and Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of TGF-β1,Smad2,p-Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad3,Smad7,Collagen-Ⅰ and Collagen-Ⅲ in the myocardial tissues.Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the regulatory effect of miR-195-5p on Smad7.Results Compared with the control group,the AF group had significantly higher AF incidence(75.0%vs 0)and longer duration(27.02±2.65 s vs 0 s),larger collagen volume fraction(CVF)[(14.47±0.89)%vs(2.12±0.35)%],and increased expression levels of miR-195-5p(3.27±0.21 vs 1.00±0.10),TGF-β1(0.76±0.08 vs 0.23±0.04),Collagen-Ⅰ(0.58±0.07 vs 0.20±0.04),Collagen-Ⅲ(0.46±0.05 vs 0.11±0.02),p-Smad2/Smad2(0.92±0.10 vs 0.37±0.05),and p-Smad3/Smad3(0.65±0.06 vs 0.14±0.03),but notably decreased expression of Smad7 at mRNA(0.32±0.06 vs 1.02±0.09)and protein(0.19±0.03 vs 0.58±0.07)levels in the myocardial tissues(P<0.05).The AF incidence and duration,CVF,miR-195-5p level,and protein levels of TGF-β1,Collagen-Ⅰ,Colla-gen-Ⅲ,p-Smad2/Smad2,and p-Smad3/Smad3 were significantly decreased,and the mRNA and protein levels of Smad7 were significantly increased in the miR-195-5p inhibitor group than the AF group and the negative control group(P<0.05).The combined treatment increased the inci-dence and duration of AF,CVF,myocardial TGF-β1,Collagen-Ⅰ,Collagen-Ⅲ,p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 expression levels,and decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Smad7 when compared with the miR-195-5p inhibitor group and the rAAV9 group(P<0.05).Conclusion Down-regulation of miR-195-5p alleviates myocardial fibrosis in AF rats probably by targeting Smad7 to inhibit TGF-β1 signaling.


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