1.Effect of Shixiaosan on Neurological Function and Ferroptosis in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Ying WEI ; Lixia WANG ; Junjun YIN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):22-31
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Shixiaosan can improve neurological function and inhibit ferroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) by regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MethodsA rat model of CIRI was established using the intraluminal filament method. Briefly, cervical blood vessels were separated, branches of the external carotid artery were ligated, and the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery were clamped. A nylon filament was inserted through the opening of the external carotid artery to the origin of the middle cerebral artery to block blood flow and induce cerebral ischemia. After 60-120 min of ischemia, the filament was withdrawn to restore blood flow, and the external carotid artery incision was ligated. The rats were divided into a CIRI group, a Shixiaosan low-dose (-L) group (intragastric administration of 1.26 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a Shixiaosan high-dose (-H) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a donepezil hydrochloride tablet (DON) group (intragastric administration of 0.45 mg·kg-1 DON), and a Shixiaosan -H + Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan combined with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg-1 ML385). An additional 12 rats underwent cervical artery separation followed by incision suturing and served as the control group. Equal volumes of double-distilled water were administered to the CIRI and control groups. Neurological function impairment was assessed using the modified Garcia JH score. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the cerebral infarct volume ratio. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Prussian blue staining were performed to observe neuronal injury and iron accumulation in the ischemic penumbra, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of neuronal mitochondria in the ischemic penumbra. Commercial kits were used to measure ferrous iron (Fe2+), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity in the ischemic penumbra. The BODIPY (581/591) C11 fluorescent probe was used to detect intracellular lipid peroxidation levels. Western blot was performed to detect protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFRC), ferritin heavy chain (FHC), and ferritin light chain (FLC) in the ischemic penumbra. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CIRI group exhibited neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, characterized by reduced neuron numbers, nucleolar shrinkage, and interstitial edema. Marked iron accumulation was observed in the tissue. Neuronal mitochondria showed atrophy and rupture, with reduced mitochondrial cristae and increased membrane density. The cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ content, MDA content, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels were increased, whereas the modified Garcia JH score, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC were decreased, and TFRC protein expression was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the CIRI group, the Shixiaosan -L group, Shixiaosan -H group, and DON group showed attenuated neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, reduced iron accumulation, alleviated mitochondrial damage, decreased cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ and MDA contents, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as increased modified Garcia JH scores, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC, while TFRC protein expression was decreased (P<0.05). The magnitude of changes in all indicators was greater in the Shixiaosan -H group than in the Shixiaosan -L group (P<0.05). Compared with the Shixiaosan -H group, all measured indicators in the Shixiaosan -H + ML385 group showed opposite trends (P<0.05). ConclusionShixiaosan may inhibit ferroptosis and restore neurological function in rats with CIRI by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
2.Mechanisms of Neiyiting Decoction in Preventing Postoperative Recurrence of Endometriosis by Inhibiting Macrophage M1 Polarization Through the TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Lijuan LU ; Weiwei ZENG ; Jingwen WANG ; Lurong ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Xueliang SUN ; Wen XU ; Xiaohui FANG ; Yichao YAN ; Qinhua XIA
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):371-381
Objective The high post-surgery recurrence rate of endometriosis(EMs)has emerged as a challenge in the long-term manaagement of the condition.This study is aimed at investigating the mechanisms of Neiyiting(NYT)decoction in preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.Methods An animal model of EMs postoperative recurrence and a model of endometrial stromal cells(hEM15A)cocultured with macrophages(RAW 264.7 cell line)were established for both in vivo and in vitro experiments.An autotransplantation method was used to establish a rat model of EMs.The rats were divided into 4 groups(6 rats per group)and received the corresponding treatments:a Model group receiving distilled water,a Gestrinone group receiving gestrinone at 0.325 mg/kg,a low-dose NYT(NYT-L)group receiving NYT decoction at 5.04 g/(kg-d),and a high-dose NYT(NYT-H)group receiving NYT decoction at 10.08 g/(kg-d).The treatment was administered for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.In addition,6 SD rats were randomly selected for the control group(Control group),and were given distilled water for 3 weeks via intragastric gavage.The sizes and pathological changes of recurrent lesions in EMs rats were observed.Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were performed to assess the expression of M1 macrophage marker CD86 protein and mRNA in vivo.Additionally,immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to assess the expression of indicator proteins related to the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1(TREM1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and mRNA.The proliferation of hEM15A cells in the coculture experiment was observed.Flow cytometry was performed to determine the polarization of RAW264.7 macrophages,and qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and interleukin 1β(IL-1β)mRNA.Western blot was performed to determine the expression of signaling pathway-related indicator proteins in vitro.ELISA was performed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors in vitro.Results Compared with the Model group,the volume of recurrent lesions in the NYT-H group was reduced(P<0.01).Findings from the macrophage M1 polarization assessment showed that the expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The expression levels of CD86 protein and mRNA in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower than those of the Model group(P<0.01).In addition,the RAW 264.7 cell experiment further verified that NYT decoction could reduce the number of CD86-positive macrophages induced by plasmids overexpressing TREM1 and reduce the expression of IL-1β and iNOS mRNA(P<0.01).The results of the hEM15A cell proliferation assay showed that NYT decoction down-regulated KI-67 protein expression in hEM15A cells induced by macrophage M1 polarization(P<0.01).The results of TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the Model group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.01).Compared with those in the Model group,the protein and mRNA expression levels of TREM1,TLR4,and NF-κB in the recurrent lesions of the NYT-H group were lower(P<0.01).In addition,the coculture experiment of RAW264.7 and hEM15A cells further confirmed that NYT decoction reduced the expression of TREM1,TLR4,and P-P65 proteins(P<0.01).Conclusion NYT decoction can inhibit macrophage M1 polarization through the TREM1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,improve the inflammation level,and inhibit the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions,thereby preventing postoperative recurrence of EMs.
3.Construction of a prognostic model for lung cancer based on acrolein-related genes
Yiting Feng ; Liangliang Ren ; Lijuan Lou ; Yuxian Shen ; Ying Jiang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):1985-1995
Objective:
To construct and validate a prognostic model for lung cancer based on acrolein-related genes using bioinformatics methods .
Methods:
Lung cancer datasets GSE30219 and GSE68465 were obtained from the GEO database , and acrolein-related gene sets were retrieved from the CTD database . Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cancer and adjacent tissues were identified in the GSE30219 dataset. The intersection of these DEGs and acrolein-related genes was then used to identify candidate genes . Gene set variation analysis ( GSVA) was performed to assess functional alterations based on the intersection genes . A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on the STRING database to identify core hub genes . Subsequently , support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and LASSO-Cox regression analyses were employed to develop a prognostic model based on acrolein-related genes , which was independently validated using the GSE68465 dataset. The CIBERSORT algorithm was applied to evaluate the immune cell infiltration characteristics between high- and low-risk groups , and functional enrichment analysis of DEGs between the two groups was conducted to further ex- plore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the prognostic model .
Results :
A total of 361 acrolein-related DEGs were identified in lung cancer , and 7 key genes were selected for model construction . Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk group had significantly lower survival rates compared to those in the low-risk group (P < 0. 000 1) . Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the mod- el possessed good predictive performance . Moreover , immune infiltration analysis indicated that the risk score was closely associated with multiple immune cell subsets , suggesting a potential role of acrolein-related genes in modula- ting the lung cancer immune microenvironment.
Conclusion
The prognostic model for lung cancer based on acro- lein-related genes demonstrates significant application value in predicting the prognosis of lung cancer , providing new insights into the potential mechanisms of acrolein in the onset and progression of lung cancer.
4.Research progress in neuroimaging techniques for quantifying athletes'brain
Ying YU ; Liqing ZHANG ; Lijuan WANG ; Fengxue QI
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(2):144-151
Neuroimaging techniques are tools used to investigate and monitor the activity of the nervous system.This study reviews studies that have attempted to quantify athletes'brain using neuroimaging techniques,and summarizes the specific changes in athletes'brain as evidenced by structural magnetic resonance imaging,functional magnetic resonance imaging,functional near-infrared spectroscopy,transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography.Open-skill sports have been found to increase the brain volume and resting-state functional connectivity related to athletes'executive control,somatosensory processing,vision,and balance coordination,whereas closed-skill sports may decrease the brain volume and resting-state functional connectivity related to athletes'episodic memory,emotional processing and executive functions.Brain regions associated with executive functions,body awareness,motor learning,and episodic memory exhibit stronger activation during tasks.Athletes demonstrate higher neural excitability and neural efficiency.The association between sports training and the brain should be explored through multimodal neuroimaging techniques,which will play a significant role in athlete selection,real-time status monitoring and long-term training supervision.
5.Executive functions of obese adolescents
LI Ying, YIN Xiaojian, MA Yuanyuan, WANG Jinxian, WU Huipan, ZHANG Yingkun, SHI Lijuan, LI Yong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):313-316
Objective:
To explore of executive function in obese adolescents, so as to provide a reference for executive function enhancement intervention in obese adolescents.
Methods:
A convenience sample of 1 227 adolescents aged 13-18 years was selected from 2 secondary schools in Taiyuan City during March-April 2023. The Flanker task, N-back task and More odd shifting task was used to compare the different subfunctions of executive function (refreshing function, shifting function, inhibiting function) of 61 obese adolescents and 70 normal weight adolescents. Independent samples t-tests was used for between group comparisons and Cohen s d -tests was used to calculate between group differences in executive function between the two groups of adolescents.
Results:
Compared with the group of normal weight, time responses of the inhibitory function [(29.73±19.55)ms], the refreshing function [1-back: (1 088.75±275.76)ms, 2-back:( 1 285.44± 355.16)ms] and the shifting function [(380.34±153.18) ms] in the obese group were significantly longer than those in the normal weight group [(14.86±20.27, 888.38±286.57, 1 126.20± 287.43 , 323.12±134.71) ms] ( t =4.26, 4.06, 1.92,2.26, P < 0.05 ); inhibitory function (0.91±0.09) and 1-back (0.73±0.24) were also significantly less correct than in the normal weight group (0.94±0.05, 0.83±0.21) ( t =-2.04, -2.04, P <0.05). Obese adolescents showed moderate adverse effect sizes in the inhibition function ( d =0.746,0.712) and the refresh function 1-back, and smaller adverse effect sizes in the refresh function 2-back and the conversion function( d =0.497,0.398).
Conclusion
Obese adolescents have significant executive function deficits, but the degree of adverse varies across sub-functions, with inhibitory function being the core deficit component of executive function in obese adolescents.
6.Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function in adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):317-321
Objective:
To explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function in Chinese adolescents, so as to provide a reference for promoting the overall development of Chinese adolescents physical and mental health.
Methods:
From September to December 2022, a total of 5 018 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years from Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi, and Urumqi were selected by stratified cluster sampling method to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function. Pearson s correlation and linear hierarchical regression were performed to analyze the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive functions.
Results:
Among the sample of adolescents, maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) was negatively correlated with the refreshing(1-back, 2-back) and conversion executive function responses ( r=-0.07, -0.12, -0.12, P <0.01). Linear regression analysis showed that VO 2max was negatively correlated with the reaction times of the refreshing(1-back, 2-back) and conversion functions ( B=-2.99, -6.44, -1.69, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Higher cardiorespiratory fitness among adolescents is associated with better performance in executive function. Teenagers should strengthen high intensity cardiopulmonary endurance exercise to promote the improvement of executive function.
7.Intervention effects of moderate and high intensities of classroom physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function among junior grade one students in Tibetan
BI Cunjian,YIN Xiaojian,SHI Lijuan,WU Huipan,WANG Jinxian,SHAN Ying,LI Jun,WANG Meng
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):322-325
Objective:
To explore the intervention effect of different intensity of classroom physical exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function of Tibetan first grade students at high altitude, so as to provide reference for improving the level of cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function of Tibetan adolescents.
Methods:
From September to December 2020, 184 Tibetan students from five first grade classes in a middle school in Lhasa, Tibet, were randomly assigned into a control group (81 students in two classes) and an intervention group (103 students in three classes). Both groups followed the same teaching programme, but the intervention group received 36 sessions of moderate to high intensity classroom physical activity, one session per day, Monday,Wednesday and Friday, for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function were tested by 20m round trip running and Flanker s experimental paradigm, 2-back s experimental paradigm, and More odd shifting experimental paradigm for inhibitory control, refreshing memory, and switching flexibility, and the results were analysed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare the results of the pre and post intervention periods.
Results:
The maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) of Tibetan first grade students in the intervention group increased by 2.25 mL/(kg〖WW)〗·〖WW(〗min) compared with the control group after the intervention ( t =-3.89, P <0.01); the response time of the inhibitory function was reduced by 4.40 ms, that of the refreshing function by 196.06 ms, and that of the switching function by 92.72 ms in the intervention group compared with the control group ( t =2.98, 4.82 ,3.21, P <0.05).
Conclusion
The 12 week moderate to high intensity classroom physical activity intervention has different degrees of improvement effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function in Tibetan adolescents.
8.Factors influencing the development of executive function in adolescents
LI Yong, YIN Xiaojian, WU Huipan, MA Yuanyuan, SHI Lijuan, WANG Jinxian, SHAN Ying, ZHANG Yingkun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):437-442
Abstract
Executive function is an advanced cognitive process aimed at the flexible coordination, optimization, and control of the cognitive processes of task solving in order to accomplish a specific task, ensuring that the individual produces effective behaviors, including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Given the sensitivities and specificities that characterize an individual s physical and mental development during adolescence, this period is critical for the development of executive function in adolescents. In the paper, the influencing factors of adolescents executive function development are systematically described from three dimensions, namely, biology, environment and lifestyle; by analyzing the mechanisms and differences in the effects of different influencing factors, this editorial provides a scientific basis for adolescents executive function improvement and intervention.
9.Efficacy comparison of botulinum toxin A injection and extraocular muscle surgery in the treatment of large angle acute acquired concomitant esotropia
Jiong ZHANG ; Lijuan LANG ; Junbo RONG ; Limin XU ; Kexin GUO ; Luxi ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Yujie LIU ; Zhigang LI
International Eye Science 2024;24(6):960-964
AIM: To explore the variance in efficacy between botulinum toxin A(BTA)injection and extraocular muscle surgery in managing large-angle(≥+60 PD)acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 patients with AACE treated at our hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on different treatments: 2.5 IU BTA injection group(14 cases), 5.0 IU BTA injection group(29 cases), and surgical group(17 cases). Follow-up was conducted for 6 mo after treatment to observe the degree of strabismus after the correction of refractive error, visual function, treatment effectiveness, and occurrence of complications after BTA injection.RESULTS: At 6 mo post-treatment, the degree of strabismus in the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was lower than that in the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(P<0.017). However, there was no significant difference in the degree of strabismus between the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(P>0.017). The effective rate of the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was higher than that of the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(86% vs 43%, P<0.017). There was no difference in visual function among the three groups(P>0.05). The incidence of complications after treatment was not significantly different between the 2.5 IU BTA injection group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(43% vs 52%, P>0.05).CONCLUSION: For AACE patients with esotropia degree ≥+60 PD, bilateral medial rectus injection of 5.0 IU BTA can yield outcomes comparable to traditional extraocular muscle surgery, with the advantages of minimal trauma and simple and convenient operation.
10.Relationship between plasma fibrinogen/serum albumin ratio and the degree of cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction
Ruijie YANG ; Yang HE ; Lijuan LI ; Junjie WANG ; Ying GUI ; Lin MA
Clinical Medicine of China 2024;40(1):60-65
Objective:To investigate the correlation between plasma fibrinogen/serum albumin ratio (FAR) and the degree of cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).Methods:Clinical data of 189 patients with acute cerebral infarction diagnosed and treated in the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from January 2021 to March 2023 were selected for retrospective analysis. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was improved, and they were divided into four groups according to the degree of intracranial vascular stenosis according to NASCET grading method: no stenosis group (47 cases), mild stenosis group (45 cases), moderate stenosis group (39 cases) and severe stenosis and occlusion group (58 cases). The differences of basic data, plasma fibrinogen/serum albumin ratio (FAR) and other inflammatory indicators among all groups were compared, and the correlation between FAR level and the severity of cerebral artery stenosis was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing to cerebral artery stenosis and ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of FAR in the degree of cerebral artery stenosis in cerebral infarction patients.Results:There were significant differences in blood neutrophil (NEU), mean platelet volume (MPV), fibrinogen (FIB), fibrinogen (FIB), albumin (ALB) and FAR among the 4 groups (statistical values were H=11.50, H=8.44, F=5.16, H=30.93, H=40.38; all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between FAR and the degree of cerebral artery stenosis ( r=0.455, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that FAR was an independent risk factor for the degree of cerebral artery stenosis ( OR=1.445, 95% CI=1.261-1.655, P<0.001). Conclusion:FAR is an independent risk factor for cerebral artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), and may be a new biomarker for predicting cerebral artery stenosis.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail