1.Mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyutang in Regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway to Promote Mitochondrial Function and Alleviate Oxidative Stress Damage in Rats with Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Ping ZHANG ; Lijuan YANG ; Shenghui CHEN ; Wenliang YAO ; Yuliang ZHOU ; Ling MA ; Huiying WU ; Yanwen XU ; Ziyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):46-55
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyutang (YJZYT) on mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress damage mediated by the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to explore its mechanism in improving ovarian reserve function and follicular development. MethodsForty-two 8-week-old female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7) and a model group (n=35). Rats in the model group received a single intraperitoneal injection of CTX (90 mg·kg-1) to establish the DOR model. After modeling, estrous cycles were monitored for 7 consecutive days, and model success was confirmed based on criteria for estrous cycle disruption. After successful modeling, rats were divided into groups for intervention: estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg·kg-1), and YJZYT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (19.98, 9.99, 5.00 g·kg-1). The blank control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. All groups received daily gavage once for 4 consecutive weeks. The general state, body weight, and ovarian wet weight of rats were observed and recorded, and the ovarian organ index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ovarian histomorphological changes and follicular development status. Immunofluorescence was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression levels. Colorimetric assays were employed to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ovarian tissues. Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the mRNA expression levels of key genes including SIRT1, PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM. ResultsCompared with the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited disrupted estrous cycles, obviously reduced body weight, and decreased ovarian index (P<0.05). Ovarian histopathology revealed cortical thinning, loose structure, and a significant reduction in both primordial and growing follicles (P<0.01). Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ATP content and mtDNA copy number decreased in ovarian tissue (P<0.01), ROS expression increased, MDA levels rose, while SOD and GSH-Px activities obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM were obviously downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, body weight and ovarian index obviously recovered in rats administered various doses of YJZYT (P<0.05), serum E2 and AMH levels increased, while FSH and LH levels obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), ovarian tissue ATP content and mtDNA copy number were up-regulated, ROS and MDA levels decreased, and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px activity obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), Gene and protein expression levels related to the SIRT1/PGC-1α /NRF1/TFAM signaling pathway were obviously up-regulated compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), HE staining revealed that ovarian structure gradually recovered to integrity in all treatment groups, with a obviously increase in the number of primordial and growing follicles (P<0.05, P<0.01). Granulosa cells were neatly arranged, indicating marked improvement in ovarian function. ConclusionYJZYT may improve ovarian function and follicular development in rats with diminished ovarian reserve by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial function, and alleviating oxidative stress damage.
2.Mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo Prescription Regulating Bmal1 Gene to Promote Blood-brain Barrier Repair After Ischemic Stroke
Yuanchen LIAO ; Desheng ZHOU ; Qiang MA ; Lei LUO ; Menghao HE ; Lijuan LIU ; Xiaofeng GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):40-50
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo prescription (HXRLP) in repairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after ischemic stroke (IS). MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation (Sham) group, cerebral infarction model (MCAO) group, environmental circadian disruption with cerebral infarction model (ECD-MCAO) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HXRLP (HXRLP-L, M, and H) groups (8.5, 17, 34 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively), and positive drug butylphthalide (NBP) group (0.23 mL·d-1). In the Sham group, only the exposed blood vessels were isolated without suture insertion. In the other groups, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of mice was prepared. In the ECD-MCAO group, HXRLP groups, and NBP group, the environmental circadian disruption (ECD) model was prepared. The mice in the Sham group, MCAO group, and ECD-MCAO group were given the same volume of soybean oil by gavage, while those in the other groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. Samples were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration. The mNSS score was used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on neurological deficits after IS. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the impact of HXRLP on the pathological damage of brain tissue after IS. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cerebral blood perfusion status were used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on brain tissue damage after IS. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the improvement effect of HXRLP on the permeability injury of BBB after IS. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to observe the expression of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 (Bmal1), and Occludin in brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bmal1, Occludin, tight junction protein (Claudin-5), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietins(Ang), and related analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the MCAO group exhibited significantly aggravated neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, brain pathological damage, and BBB leakage (P0.01) and significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01). The expression of Bmal1, vWF, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and Ang in brain tissue was significantly enhanced (P0.01), while the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 was significantly weakened (P0.01). Compared with the MCAO group, the ECD-MCAO group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, and BBB leakage (P0.01), obviously worsened brain pathological damage (P0.05), significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01), and significantly decreased expression of Bmal1, vWF, VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5 in brain tissue (P0.01). Compared with the ECD-MCAO group, the HXRLP groups of all doses presented significantly improved neurological deficits, cerebral infarction volume, brain pathological damage, and BBB leakage (P0.01), significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion (P0.01), and enhanced expression levels of Bmal1, vWF, VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5 in brain tissue (P0.01). ConclusionHXRLP can regulate the clock protein Bmal1 and promote the expression of VEGFA, Ang, Occludin, and Claudin-5, thereby improving BBB damage after IS.
3.Efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy combined with zanubrutinib in the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Langqi WANG ; Chunyan YUE ; Xuan ZHOU ; Jilong YANG ; Bo JIN ; Bo WANG ; Minhong HUANG ; Huifang CHEN ; Lijuan ZHOU ; Sanfang TU ; Yuhua LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):748-750
4.Histological Transformation from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer to Small Cell Lung Cancer Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review.
Xiting CHEN ; Wenyuan HE ; Ning YANG ; Lijuan XIONG ; Haoqiang WANG ; Peng LIU ; Bo XIE ; Juan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(7):558-566
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), represented by programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors, have achieved breakthrough advancements in patients with driver gene-negative NSCLC. They have been established as a key component of first-line treatment regimens and have significantly improved clinical outcomes. However, limited clinical evidence has emerged showing the phenomenon of histological transformation from NSCLC to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in patients experiencing disease progression after ICIs monotherapy or combination therapy. Systematic research data on the clinical characteristics, molecular biological basis, and subsequent treatment strategies for such transformation events are currently lacking. This article reports a case of SCLC transformation occurring in a patient with KRAS-mutated lung adenocarcinoma after 16 months of ICIs combination therapy and provides a systematic review of 22 similar published cases. The study demonstrates that small cell transformation is a critical mechanism of immunotherapy resistance, and transformed patients exhibit poor prognosis. The research emphasizes the importance of dynamic monitoring of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and standardized repeat biopsies during treatment, providing a basis for clinical practice. This aids in enhancing the recognition and management capabilities for this rare histological transformation, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Humans
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Lung Neoplasms/immunology*
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology*
;
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/genetics*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
5.Genetic and clinical phenotypic analysis of Usher syndrome-associated gene variants.
Heng ZHAO ; Xiuli MA ; Yanli QU ; Guo LI ; Ken LIN ; Rui HUANG ; Lijuan ZHOU ; Jing MA
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(8):736-742
Objective:To investigate the molecular characteristics and clinical heterogeneity of Usher syndrome(USH) -related gene variants in patients with hereditary hearing loss in southwest China, providing a basis for early diagnosis and clinical management. Methods:Thirteen patients from twelve families with hearing loss who attended the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2017 and March 2021 were enrolled. All patients were identified as carrying USH-related gene variants through next-generation sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed for all patients and their parents to validate the pathogenic variants. Comprehensive clinical evaluations, including medical history collection, otologic and ophthalmologic examinations, and vestibular function assessments, were conducted. Results:Among the 13 patients, 4 were diagnosed with USH type 1 and 2 with USH type 2. A total of 19 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were detected in USH-related genes, including MYO7A,CDH23,USH1C, and USH2A. The causative gene was MYO7A in 3 probands, CDH23 in 5, USH1C in 3, and USH2Ain 2. All patients exhibited an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 4 patients, and retinitis pigmentosa(RP) in 3 patients. Based on the genotype-phenotype correlation, 6 patients were initially diagnosed with USH, while 7 were classified as having non-syndromic hearing loss(NSHL). Conclusion:This study revealed the clinical heterogeneity of USH-related gene variants in patients with hereditary deafness in southwest China. Although the clinical manifestations of USH are complex and there are overlapping characteristics between different subtypes, genetic testing provides an important basis for early diagnosis and precise clinical management. Especially for those with typical hearing loss, early genetic diagnosis can provide a window of time for early detection and intervention of retinitis pigmentosa.
Humans
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Usher Syndromes/genetics*
;
Myosin VIIa
;
Phenotype
;
Male
;
Female
;
Myosins/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Cadherins/genetics*
;
Child
;
Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics*
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Adolescent
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Pedigree
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High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
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Cadherin Related Proteins
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Cytoskeletal Proteins
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Cell Cycle Proteins
6.Moxibustion promotes endometrial repair in rats with thin endometrium by inhibiting the NLRP3/pyroptosis axis via upregulating miR-223-3p.
Haiyi ZHOU ; Siyi HE ; Ruifang HAN ; Yongge GUAN ; Lijuan DONG ; Yang SONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1380-1388
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism through which moxibustion promotes endometrial repair in rats with in thin endometrium (TE).
METHODS:
Female SD rats were randomized into control group, 95% anhydrous ethanol-induced TE model group and moxibustion (at "Guan Yuan") group. High-throughput sequencing was used to identify the target genes of TE, and the targeting relationship between miR-223-3p and NLRP3 was verified using a dual luciferase assay. Histopathological of rat uterus was observed with HE staining, and expressions of miR-223-3p and NLRP3 were detected using RT-qPCR; serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 of the rats were detected using ELISA, and protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the uterus were detected with Western blotting. The pregnancies of the rats after treatment were counted.
RESULTS:
Enrichment analysis of the differential genes suggested up-regulated inflammatory response in TE, and dual luciferase assay verified targeted inhibition of NLRP3 expression by miR-223-3p. The rat models of TE had significantly decreased endometrial thickness and reduced endometrial glands and blood vessels with enhanced mRNA expression of NLRP3, increased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18, up-regulated protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD, lowered pregnancy rates on both the affected and unaffected sides and the overall number of pregnancies. Treatment of the rat models with mo-xibustion obviously increased the endometrial thickness and the density of glands and blood vessels, up-regulated miR-223-3p expression, lowered serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels and the protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD, and significantly increased the number of pregnancies.
CONCLUSIONS
Moxibustion at "Guan Yuan" acupoint up-regulates the expression of miR-223-3p, which results in targeted inhibition of NLRP3 to suppress pyroptosis and promote endometrial repair in rat models of TE.
Animals
;
Female
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Endometrium/pathology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Moxibustion
;
Pyroptosis
;
Up-Regulation
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-18
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
7.Host-microbe co-metabolism system as potential targets: the promising way for natural medicine to treat atherosclerosis.
Yun WANG ; Ziwei ZHOU ; Haiping HAO ; Lijuan CAO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(7):790-800
The host-microbe co-metabolism system, generating diverse exogenous and endogenous bioactive molecules that influence the host's immune and metabolic functions, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have elucidated the interaction between natural medicines and this co-metabolism system. Upon oral administration, natural medicine ingredients can undergo transformation by gut microbiota, potentially enhancing their bioavailability or anti-atherogenic efficacy. Furthermore, natural medicines can exert anti-atherogenic effects via modulation of endogenous host-microbe co-metabolism. This review presents an updated understanding of the dual association between natural medicines and host-microbe co-metabolites. It explores the critical function of microbial exogenous metabolites derived from natural medicines and uncovers the mechanisms underlying natural medicines' intervention on key nodes of endogenous host-microbe co-metabolism. These insights may offer new perspectives for cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment and guide future drug discovery efforts.
Humans
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Atherosclerosis/metabolism*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Biological Products/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
;
Host Microbial Interactions/drug effects*
8.Effect of measurement site on diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve
Yutao ZHOU ; Na ZHAO ; Yunqiang AN ; Lei SONG ; Chaowei MU ; Jingang CUI ; Tao JIANG ; Li XU ; Hongjie HU ; Lin LI ; Dumin LI ; Wenqiang CHEN ; Lijuan FAN ; Feng ZHANG ; Yang GAO ; Bin LYU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(6):704-711
Objective:To investigate the effect of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) measurement sites on the values and the diagnostic performance, and to determine the optimal measurement site for CT-FFR using invasive FFR as the reference standard.Methods:This study was part of the CT-FFR CHINA clinical trial. Patients with suspected coronary artery disease who were scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were prospectively recruited from five clinical centers across the country from November 2018 to March 2020. Each enrolled patient underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA), CT-FFR, ICA, and invasive pressure wire-based FFR assessments sequentially within one week. Four groups of CT-FFR values were obtained on each enrolled target vessels according to different CT-FFR measurement locations: 1, 2, 3 cm distal to the target lesion, and terminal vessel groups. Spearman and Bland-Altman analyses were used to explore the correlation and consistency of CT-FFR values and FFR values at different measurement sites. The measurement deviation of CT-FFR was also compared. Diagnostic accuracy and performance of CT-FFR, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), in discriminating myocardial ischemia were analyzed across all measurement site groups on a per-vessel level, using FFR as the reference standard.Results:A total of 289 patients with 345 target lesion vessels were included. According to CCTA, there were 51 target vessels (14.8%) with<50% stenosis, 106 vessels (30.7%) with 50%-69% stenosis, and 188 vessels (54.5%) with stenosis≥70%. At per-vessel level, CT-FFR and FFR values at each measurement position group were highly positively correlated: 1 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.734 ( P<0.001); 2 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.732 ( P<0.001); 3 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.737 ( P<0.001); terminal vessel group was 0.719 ( P<0.001). At per-vessel level, CT-FFR and FFR values of all measurement sites were in good agreement (Bland-Altman analysis results): 1 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.014 (95% LoA 0.002-0.026); 2 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.026 (95% LoA 0.015-0.038); 3 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.040 (95% LoA 0.039-0.051); terminal vessel group, 0.075 (95% LoA 0.064-0.087). And at per-vessel level, the accuracy of diagnosing myocardial ischemia with CT-FFR at 1 cm was highest [84.6% (95% CI 80.4%-88.3%)], and the lowest accuracy in the terminal vessel group [67.0% (95% CI 61.7%-72.0%)]. However, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy of CT-FFR at 1 cm, 2 cm [80.6% (95% CI 76.1%-84.6%)] and 3 cm [77.5% (95% CI 72.6%-81.7%)]. AUC of CT-FFR at 1 cm distal to the lesion were both highest for global level and moderately stenosis (50%-69%) lesions [0.85 (95% CI 0.81-0.89), 0.84 (95% CI 0.77-0.90)]. And the differences were statistically significant among the four measurement location groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The deviation of CT-FFR increases with measurement site distance distal to target lesions. One centimeter distal to the target lesion is the optimal measurement site, and the CT-FFR value here shows the highest diagnostic performance for myocardial ischemic lesions, especially for moderate stenosis.
9.CAR-T cell precise therapy for hematologic malignancies:four key breakthroughs,existing problems and solutions
Meifang LI ; Lijuan ZHOU ; Yuhua LI
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(2):127-139
Hematologic malignancies are a severe threat to human health.CAR-T cell therapy,as a highly effective treatment for hematologic malignancies,has become one of the fastest developing cancer immunotherapies in recent years.To obtain highly effective and low-toxicity CAR-T cells,through continuous development and exploration,CAR-T cell therapy has achieved a series of significant breakthroughs in treating hematologic malignancies,including humanized CAR-T cell technology,dual-target and multitarget CAR-T cell technology,universal CAR-T cell technology,and CAR-T cell combination strategy technology.Humanized CAR-T cell technology reduces immunogenicity through humanized modification.Dual-target and multi-target CAR-T cell technology recognizes two or more tumor antigens,minimizes antigen escape and enhance efficacy.Universal CAR-T cell technology solves problems such as high cost and accessibility issues.The CAR-T cell combination strategy technology effectively deals with CAR-T recurrence and enhances efficacy and safety by combining different treatment methods.Although CAR-T cell therapy has achieved significant breakthroughs in the treatment of hematologic malignancies,it still faces challenges such as drug resistance,antigen escape,cytotoxicity,and posttreatment recurrence.This review presents the significant breakthroughs,existing problems,and solutions for CAR-T cell precise therapy for hematological malignancies.
10.Mendel randomized analysis of the relationship between sleep disorders and coronary heart disease risk
Yangyang CUI ; Linqin DU ; Lijuan XIONG ; Qinglu JIANG ; Lang ZENG ; Shikang LI ; Xuefeng DING ; Zheng ZHOU ; Yonghong ZHANG ; Rongchuan YUE
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(23):6-9,18
Objective To investigate the relationship between sleep disorders and coronary heart disease through big data combined with Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods Data from 2005 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States were utilized.Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the association between sleep disorders and coronary heart disease,while analyzing relevant influencing factors.A two-sample Mendelian randomization approach was implemented using Genome-Wide Association Studies to establish causal relationships.Results Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between sleep disorders and coronary heart disease(P<0.001),with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio serving as a mediating factor in this relationship(P<0.001).Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a positive correlation between sleep disorders and coronary heart disease(OR=1.030,95%CI:1.01-1.04).Conclusion Sleep disorders can increase the risk of coronary heart disease by activating inflammatory factors.

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