1.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid alleviates inflammation in C2C12 myoblasts through the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway
Huihui JI ; Xu JIANG ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yunhong XING ; Liangliang WANG ; Na LI ; Yuting SONG ; Xuguang LUO ; Huilin CUI ; Ximei CAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1220-1229
BACKGROUND:Rev-erbα is involved in the regulation of inflammation,but pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.To reduce the relevant risk,an exploration on SR9009,a Rev-erbα agonist,combined with other drugs to relieve inflammation in skeletal myoblasts was conducted,laying the theoretical foundation for the treatment of inflammation-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of SR9009,indolepropionic acid and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced C2C12 myoblasts. METHODS:(1)C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL).RNA-seq and KEGG pathway analysis were used to study signaling pathways.(2)C2C12 myoblast viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,cells were categorized into control group,lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)group,SR9009(10 μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,indolepropionic acid(80μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,and SR9009+indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of interleukin-6 in the cultured supernatant.Real-time quantitative PCR were employed to measure mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Western blot assay were employed to measure protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65.(3)After Rev-erbα was knocked down by siRNA,knockdown efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR.And mRNA levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were also measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,lipopolysaccharide time-dependently inhibited myofibroblast fusion to form myotubes,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were elevated,and the level of interleukin-6 in the cell supernatant was significantly increased.The results of KEGG pathway showed that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated by lipopolysaccharide.Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of C2C12 myoblasts viability when its concentration exceeded 80 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid and SR9009 inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby played an anti-inflammatory role,and suppressed the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression were downregulated.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid notably reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation,further downregulated the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.The ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression was significantly lower than that in the SR9009+lipopolysaccharide group or indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.Rev-erbα increases time-dependently with lipopolysaccharide induction.The knockdown efficiency of Rev-erbα by siRNA reached over 58%,and lipopolysaccharide was added after Rev-erbα was successfully knocked down.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly up-regulated.These results conclude that Rev-erbα may act as a promising pharmacological target to reduce inflammation.SR9009 targeted activation of Rev-erbα combined with indolepropionic acid significantly inhibits the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and attenuates the inflammatory response of C2C12 myofibroblasts.Moreover,the combined anti-inflammatory effect is superior to that of the intervention alone.
2.Action mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids against cerebral ischemia based on transcriptome sequencing
Liangliang TIAN ; Rui ZHOU ; Guangzhao CAO ; Jingjing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4161-4171
BACKGROUND:Coptis chinensis can clear heat,dry dampness,relieve fire,and detoxify.Coptis chinensis and its components have a significant protective effect on cerebral ischemia.The action mechanism of anti-cerebral ischemia of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids was explored based on network pharmacology and transcriptome sequencing. OBJECTIVE:Based on the study of the protective effects of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids on cerebral ischemia of rats,the action mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids intervention in cerebral ischemia was investigated by using network pharmacology and transcriptome sequencing technology. METHODS:The SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,ischemia/reperfusion group,positive drug group,and Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids group.The ischemia/reperfusion model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was prepared by modified thread method in the latter three groups.No thread was inserted and the other operations were the same in the sham operation group.TTC staining,Longa 5 neurological deficient score,hematoxylin and eosin staining,and Nissl staining were used to evaluate the protective effect of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids on ischemia/reperfusion model rats.Transcriptome sequencing was performed on the brain tissues of rats in sham operation group,ischemia/reperfusion group,and Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids group.Differentially expressed genes,gene Ontology analysis,Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis,and Correlation Analysis of Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology were used to elucidate the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids on cerebral ischemia.Finally,ELISA and immunofluorescence staining were used to verify the key targets of Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids in the intervention of cerebral ischemia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids treatment decreased the Longa 5 neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarction area of ischemia/reperfusion model rats,increased the number of neurons and Nissl bodies.(2)Differentially expressed gene after Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids treatment analyzed by functional enrichment analysis of gene ontology includes biological processes such as inflammatory reaction and positive regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade.The enrichment analysis of Kyoto gene and genome encyclopedia analysis pathway mainly involves interleukin-17 signaling pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-mconophosphate signaling pathway and so on.(3)Analysis of transcriptomics showed that the main genes regulated by Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids were prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2,brain derived neurotrophic factor,and transient receptor potential A1.(4)Network pharmacology analysis revealed that nine components in Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids may exert their effects by associating with 87 targets related to prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2,brain derived neurotrophic factor,and transient receptor potential A1.(5)ELISA and immunofluorescence staining results further confirmed that Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids regulated the expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2,brain derived neurotrophic factor,and transient receptor potential A1.(6)It is concluded that Coptidis Rhizoma Alkaloids treatment can significantly improve the injury in ischemia/reperfusion model rats,possibly by regulating prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2,brain derived neurotrophic factor,and transient receptor potential A1.
3.Hepatolenticular degeneration complicated by impaired vision:A case report and literature review
Liangliang ZHANG ; Yongsheng HAN
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(1):19-22
Hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD),also known as Wilson disease (WD) is an uncommon hereditary disorder of the nervous system, characterized by hepatic impairment, extrapyramidal manifestations, psychiatric symptoms, and renal dysfunction, while impaired vision is a rare comorbidity. This article conducts a retrospective analysis of visual acuity changes, treatment, and prognosis of a female patient, aged 22 years, who were diagnosed with HLD complicated by bilateral neuritis in an affiliated hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine in 2022, and a literature review was performed. The findings suggest that impaired vision is a rare manifestation of HLD. Ophthalmologists should consider the possibility of HLD in patients with optic atrophy and optic neuritis, and early intravenous administration of methylprednisolone may help to improve prognosis.
4.Exposure characteristics of gaseous pollutants in indoor air of hair salons and beauty salons in Jinan City and their health risk assessment for employees
Bing SHAN ; Weimei GONG ; Liheng WANG ; Yingjian ZHANG ; Liangliang CUI ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Xiumiao PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):99-103
Objective To assess the health risks of gaseous pollutants in the indoor air of hair and beauty salons in Jinan, and to provide technical support for strengthening the hygiene management of hair and beauty salons in Jinan and promoting the improvement of conditions. Methods Every year, indoor air samples were collected from 10-16 selected hair salons and beauty salons in Jinan, and relevant information on practitioners was also collected. According to the “Technical Guidelines for Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Chemicals”, an assessment was conducted on the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of inhalation pathways of gaseous pollutants in the indoor air of hair salons and beauty salons. Results Benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, and ammonia were detected in the indoor air of hair salons and beauty salons. Formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia all exceeded the standard in hair salons and beauty salons. The median risk values of formaldehyde and benzene for carcinogenesis in hair salons and beauty salons were both greater than 10-6, with maximum values higher than 10-4. The median chronic non-carcinogenic risk value of formaldehyde in the indoor air of hair salons and beauty salons was greater than 1. The median chronic non-carcinogenic risk values for benzene and ammonia were both less than 1, but the maximum risk value was greater than 1. Conclusion Benzene and formaldehyde in the indoor air of hair salons and beauty salons in Jinan City have carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, while ammonia has non-carcinogenic risks, which should be paid attention to.
5.Two types of coumarins-specific enzymes complete the last missing steps in pyran- and furanocoumarins biosynthesis.
Yucheng ZHAO ; Yuedong HE ; Liangliang HAN ; Libo ZHANG ; Yuanzheng XIA ; Fucheng YIN ; Xiaobing WANG ; Deqing ZHAO ; Sheng XU ; Fei QIAO ; Yibei XIAO ; Lingyi KONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):869-880
Pyran- and furanocoumarins are key representatives of tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans, respectively, exhibiting diverse physiological and medical bioactivities. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms for their core structures remain poorly understood. Here we combined multiomics analyses of biosynthetic enzymes in Peucedanum praeruptorum and in vitro functional verification and identified two types of key enzymes critical for pyran and furan ring biosynthesis in plants. These included three distinct P. praeruptorum prenyltransferases (PpPT1-3) responsible for the prenylation of the simple coumarin skeleton 7 into linear or angular precursors, and two novel CYP450 cyclases (PpDC and PpOC) crucial for the cyclization of the linear/angular precursors into either tetrahydropyran or tetrahydrofuran scaffolds. Biochemical analyses of cyclases indicated that acid/base-assisted epoxide ring opening contributed to the enzyme-catalyzed tetrahydropyran and tetrahydrofuran ring refactoring. The possible acid/base-assisted catalytic mechanisms of the identified cyclases were theoretically investigated and assessed using site-specific mutagenesis. We identified two possible acidic amino acids Glu303 in PpDC and Asp301 in PpOC as vital in the catalytic process. This study provides new enzymatic tools in the epoxide formation/epoxide-opening mediated cascade reaction and exemplifies how plants become chemically diverse in terms of enzyme function and catalytic process.
6.Influence of group psychological counseling on mental health of children with authoritarian mothers
MENG Liangliang, ZHAO Yanhua, GAO Chuanxia, GUO Xuping, ZHANG Yilei, ZHOU Guihua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(1):87-90
Objective:
To explore the influence of group psychological counseling on the mental health of children with mother s authoritarian parenting.
Methods:
From November 2022 to February 2023, 76 students from grades 4 to 6 whose mother showed authoritarian parenting style, while fathers adopted no authoritative, authoritarian or democratic parenting style and who scored ≥65 on the total MHT were selected using the Parenting Style Questionnaire (PBI) and the Mental Health Diagnostic Test (MHT). All the participants and their mothers were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Before and after the intervention, participants filled out questionnaires on parental bonding instrument and mental health test. Control group: regular delivery of mental health education information, 2 times per week, for 8 weeks, without any other intervention. Intervention group: group counseling activities were conducted once a week. Each intervention lasted 1.5-2 hours and lasts for 8 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants filled in the family parenting style and mental health screening questionnaires.
Results:
After the intervention, compared with the control group, students in the intervention group showed a significant decrease in the total scale score of the MHT, learning anxiety, social anxiety, allergic tendency, physical symptoms, fear tendency, and impulsive tendency ( t=-0.43, -1.04 , -0.81, P >0.05). After intervention, the intervention group students showed a significant decrease in psychological diagnosis test scores, learning anxiety, anxiety towards others, allergic tendencies, physical symptoms, phobic tendencies, and impulsive tendencies compared to the control group students ( t=-20.00, -5.06, -2.09, -3.36, -6.15, -4.76, -5.15, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Rregular group psychological counseling can effectively improve the academic anxiety, social anxiety, allergic tendencies, physical symptoms, fearful and impulsive tendencies of students whose mothers with authoritarian parenting style, and greatly improve their mental health.
7.Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of low-concentrations atropine in controlling adolescent myopia
Zhidong JIANG ; Lian CHENG ; Yong ZHANG ; Lei LIANG ; Jinting RUAN ; Yanfei HUANG ; Liangliang LI
International Eye Science 2024;24(11):1784-1794
AIM: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-concentrations atropine eye drops in controlling adolescent myopia.METHODS:A computer search was conducted on Wanfang Data, CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from January 2010 to March 2024 on clinical studies on low-concentration atropine eye drops for controlling adolescent myopia. Two researchers independently screened trials, extracted data, evaluated risk of bias and quality, and used Review Manager5.4 software to perform Meta-analysis.RESULTS:A total of 17 articles, involving 3 764 cases and 3 952 eyes, were included. The Meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, low concentrations of atropine could effectively slow down the growth of axial length [MD=-0.15, 95% CI(-0.20, -0.10), P<0.00001], significantly controlled the changes in spherical equivalent [MD=0.39, 95% CI(0.29, 0.48), P<0.00001], and had a significant effect on pupil diameter [MD=0.80, 95% CI(0.33,1.28), P=0.0010] and amplitude of accommodation [MD=-2.54, 95%CI(-4.49, -0.60), P=0.01].CONCLUSION:Low-concentrations atropine are effective in controlling spherical equivalent and axial length of myopia in adolescents, significantly affecting pupil diameter and amplitude of accommodation, and effectively delaying the progression of myopia.
8.Analysis of Molecular Mechanism of Angong Niuhuangwan in Alleviating Traumatic Brain Injury Based on Single Cell Sequencing
Zhiru YIN ; Liangliang TIAN ; Guangzhao CAO ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):35-45
ObjectiveTo reveal the molecular mechanism of Angong Niuhuangwan(AGNH) in improving traumatic brain injury(TBI) based on single cell sequencing. MethodSeventy-five male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, piracetam group(3.6 g·kg-1), AGNH low- and high-dose groups(0.09, 0.27 g·kg-1), with 15 rats in each group. In addition to the sham group, the other 4 groups used the modified Feeney free-fall impact method to prepare TBI model, and the drugs were administered by gavage immediately after modeling, 24 hours later, the modified neurological deficit score(mNSS) was performed, and brain tissue was isolated to determine the degree of cerebral edema. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the injury degree in the cortex, CA1 region and CA3 region of brain tissue. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), interferon regulatory factor 1(IRF1), Janus kinase 2(JAK2) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3) were observed by immunofluorescence(IF) staining. The levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), Caspase-1 and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor heat protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The regulation of AGNH on each cell population was analyzed by single cell sequencing, and differentially expressed genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), which led to construct microglia differentially expressed gene network to search for the key targets, and validated by ELISA and IF. ResultCompared with the sham group, the mNSS and brain water content were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, mNSS and brain water content in the low and high dose AGNH groups were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). HE staining results showed that compared with the sham group, the cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats in the model group were seriously lost, and the cells were arranged loosely(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, AGNH could significantly increase the density of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, making the arrangement more compact, as well as improved cell morphology(P<0.05,P<0.01). ELISA and IF staining showed that AGNH could reduce the levels of Caspase-1, IL-17A, TNF-α, NLRP3 and COX-2 in brain tissue of TBI rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). A total of 13 cell subsets were identified by single cell sequencing, among which microglia played an important role in neuroimmunity. The results of GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in microglia showed that AGNH improved TBI in response to inflammation and TNF-α. KEGG enriched IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. The results of network analysis showed that the key targets of AGNH in regulating TBI might be IL-6, IL-1β, JAK2, SOCS3, IRF1. IF and ELISA verification results showed that compared with the sham group, SOCS3 expression in microglia was decreased in the model group, and the expressions of IL-6, IL-1β, JAK2 and IRF1 were increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, AGNH could increase the expression of SOCS3, decrease the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, JAK2, IRF1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionAGNH can reduce the degree of brain edema and brain injury, decrease the expression of inflammatory factors, and inhibit the expression of NLRP3 and its downstream Caspase-1 in TBI rats, which may act on the targets of IL-6, IL-1β, JAK2, IRF1 and SOCS3 in microglia.
9.Analysis of the distribution characteristics and antibiotic resistance of pathogen in children with hematological disorders and cancers complicated with sepsis in PICU
Liangliang KANG ; Yuhui WU ; Nannan HE ; Huabao CHEN ; Yucong ZHANG ; Bin YU ; Yizhou PIAN ; Jiayin LIN
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2024;31(1):28-34
Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics and antibiotic resistance of pathogen in children with hematological disorders and cancers complicated with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods:The clinical data of children with hematological disorders and cancers complicated with sepsis hospitalized at Shenzhen Children′s Hospital affiliated to China Medical University from January 2016 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into survival group and death group based on the outcome of sepsis on 28 days after diagnosis.Results:A total of 202 sepsis episodes occurred in 176 children were enrolled in this study. Among all, 144 (71.3%) cases of bloodstream infection, 59 (29.2%) cases of pulmonary infection, 21 (10.4%) cases of abdominal infection, 9 (4.5%) cases of soft tissue infection, 9 (4.5%) cases of nervous system infection, and 3 (1.5%) cases of urinary tract infection. A total of 244 pathogenic strains were identified, in which 74 (30.3%) cases were gram-positive bacteria. The top 3 pathogens isolated were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (21 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (19 strains) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (13 strains). Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 122 (50.0%) strains, in which top 3 were Klebsiella pneumonia (33 strains), Escherichia coli (25 strains), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23 strains). Fungi comprised 48 (19.7%) strains:the top 3 were Candida tropicalis (14 strains), Candida albicans (10 strains), Aspergillus and Pneumocystis jirovecii (7 strains each). The incidence of Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were significantly higher in death group compared to survival group[9.0%(6/67)vs. 2.3%(4/177), χ2=3.971 ,P=0.046; 9.0%(6/67)vs. 1.1%(2/177), χ2=7.080 ,P=0.008;16.4%(11/67)vs. 6.8%(12/177), χ2=5.288 ,P=0.021]. The samples of 57 cases were simultaneously detected by both culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Pathogens were detected in 25 cases by both culture and mNGS. In 30 cases, pathogen detection were mNGS positive but culture negative. Two cases showed positive results only with culture. A total of 79 (46.8%) strains were multi-drug resistant bacteria, including 27 (34.2%) strains of gram-positive bacteria and 52 (65.8%) strains of gram-negative bacteria. A total of 174 (86.1%) children with sepsis received empirical anti-infective drugs within 24 hours of fever onset. A total of 124 (61.4%) cases were appropriately covered by the initial empirical antibiotics, while 40 (19.8%) cases were not adequately covered and 10 (5.0%) cases had incomplete coverage. Despite the inclusion of pathogenic in the coverage, resistance to initial antibiotics was observed in 22 (10.9%) cases. Fifty-one patients died. Conclusion:The predominant pathogens responsible for sepsis in PICU with hematological disorders and cancers is gram-negative bacteria, followed by gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In comparison to healthy children with sepsis, there is a higher incidence of fungal infections among hematological disorders and cancers. The proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria infection is high. Early identification and combination of local etiological distribution and drug resistance, along with the empirical selection of appropriate anti-infection treatment strategies, can greatly enhance survival rate.
10.Research Progress of Artificial Intelligence and Molecular Simulation in Drug Design
Minquan ZHANG ; Mingcheng GONG ; Zekai CHEN ; Zhenhua CHEN ; Liangliang ZHOU
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(1):78-84
With the deepening of modern drug research,traditional computer simulation can not meet the needs of future drug design experiments.As a classic technology of standard computer simulation,molecular simulation can construct and analyze complex molecular models to study the dynamic processes of molecular motion.However,the simulation results are easy to be affected by human factors.In recent years,the integration of artificial intelligence and molecular simulation has become a new method of drug design research.Artificial intelligence technology uses big data to screen out the corresponding compounds for molecular simulation and feedback on the simulation results to the artificial intelligence system to optimize the artificial neural network.The combination of artificial intelligence and molecular simulation technology improves the efficiency of drug design research,reduces the influence of human factors on simulation results,and increases the credibility of simulation results.In this review,we summarized the progress of artificial intelligence and molecular simulation technology in drug design to provide a reference for the change from computer assisted drug design(CADD)to artificial intelligence-aided drug design(AIDD)in future pharmaceutical development.


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