1.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
2.Optimization and Mechanism Exploration of Tusizi Prescription for Ovarian Reserve Function Based on Uniform Design Method
Yuan LI ; Hanqian DU ; Jiashan LI ; Li GUO ; Zehui LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):53-62
ObjectiveTo optimize Tusizi prescription for ovarian reserve function based on the uniform design method combined with in vitro experiments and explore the underlying mechanisms of this prescription. MethodsThe uniform design method was adopted to design a 5-factor 11-level experiment on the water extract of Tusizi prescription. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to measure the viability of human ovarian granulosa cells (KGN cells) treated with Tusizi prescription extracts 1-11, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the optimal herb ratio in this prescription. The potential targets of active ingredients in the prescription were retrieved from traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine (ETCM). The common targets shared by Tusizi prescription and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) were selected and imported into search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and into gene function annotation database (DAVID) for gene ontology (GO) analysis. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of ovarian germline stem cells treated with hyperoside. The CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to examine the proliferation, apoptosis, and estradiol (E2) secretion of KGN cells treated with the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design. On this basis, the optimal prescription composition for maximizing the effect on ovarian reserve function was determined and preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms of this prescription were gained. ResultsA total of 147 common targets were obtained from 278 targets of Tusizi prescription and 1 721 targets of DOR. GO analysis revealed 194 biological processes, primarily involving cellular responses to exogenous compound stimuli, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and positive regulation of cell proliferation. It identified 84 cellular components, including cell membrane, mitochondria, and neuronal cell body, as well as 144 molecular functions such as enzyme binding, estrogen response element binding, and nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that when Tusizi prescription was composed of Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, and Nelumbinis Semen in a ratio of 27∶30∶17∶12∶14, the water extract of Tusizi prescription had the best effect of enhancing the viability of KGN cells. CCK-8 results showed that compared with the normal group, the hyperoside group demonstrated increased viability of ovarian germline stem cells (P<0.01). The CCK-8, EdU, and ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the optimal prescription screened by uniform design and the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of KGN cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group, the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription promoted the E2 secretion of KGN cells (P<0.05), while the optimal prescription screened by uniform design had no significant effect on the E2 secretion. ConclusionBoth the water extract 11 of Tusizi prescription (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 4∶4∶2∶1∶1) and the optimal prescription screened by uniform design (Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus-Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Poria-Nelumbinis Semen 27∶30∶17∶12∶14) can improve the ovarian reserve function, and the former has better effect. Tusizi prescription can modulate biological processes (such as cell proliferation and apoptosis) and molecular functions (such as enzyme binding and estrogen response element binding) through active components like hyperoside to promote the proliferation and E2 secretion and inhibit the apoptosis of KGN cells, thereby protecting the ovarian reserve function.
3.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.
4.Effects and mechanisms of Yuxuebi Tablets combined with ibuprofen in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain through "integrated regulation of inflammation and pain-related oxylipins".
Ao-Qing HUANG ; Wen-Li WANG ; Guo-Xin ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Na LIN ; Chun-Yan ZHU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3763-3777
This study adopted a three-dimensional "effect-dose-mechanism" evaluation system to screen the optimal regimen of Yuxuebi Tablets(YXB) combined with ibuprofen(IBU) for chronic musculoskeletal pain(CMP) intervention and elucidate its pharmacological mechanism, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of the regimen. The experiments were conducted using 8-week-old ICR mice, which were randomly divided into sham operation(sham) group, model(CFA) group, IBU group, YXB group, stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen low-dose group(IBU-L-YXB), stasis paralysis combined with ibuprofen high-dose group(IBU-H-YXB), stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen high-dose with ibuprofen discontinuation on the 10th day of administration(IBU-10-YXB), and stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen high-dose with ibuprofen halving on the 10th day of administration(IBU-1/2-YXB) group. An animal model was established using the CFA plantar injection method. On D0(the second day post-modeling), the success of model establishment was assessed, followed by continuous drug administration for 18 consecutive days from D1 to D18. During this period, mechanical pain threshold was measured by the Von Frey test; thermal hyperalgesia was detected by the hot plate test, and depression-like behavior was observed by the tail suspension test. After treatment, peripheral blood was collected from all groups for complete blood biochemical analysis, and the injected feet of the sham, CFA, IBU, YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups were subjected to oxylipin metabolomics analysis. Immunofluorescence double staining was further performed to detect the co-expression of key oxylipin metabolic enzymes(COX2, LTA4H, and 5/12/15-LOX) and macrophage marker CD68 in the sham, CFA, IBU, and YXB-L/M/H groups. Subsequently, confirmatory analysis of positive indicators was conducted in the sham, CFA, IBU, YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups. On D6(acute phase), mechanical pain sensitivity data showed that compared with the CFA group, only the three combination groups(IBU-YXB, IBU-10-YXB, and IBU-1/2-YXB) exhibited significantly increased paw withdrawal thresholds. On D17(chronic phase), only the IBU-10-YXB group showed a mechanical pain threshold significantly higher than all other monotherapy and combination groups. On D17, thermal pain data showed that compared with the CFA group, all groups except IBU-1/2-YXB had significantly prolonged paw withdrawal latency. On D18, tail suspension data showed that compared with the CFA group, the YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups had significantly reduced immobility time. In summary, IBU-10-YXB stably improved the core symptoms of acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Complete blood count data showed that compared with the sham group, the CFA group had significantly increased mean platelet volume(MPV), while compared with the CFA group, the IBU-YXB and IBU-10-YXB groups had significantly reduced MPV. Moreover, the platelet distribution width(PDW) of the IBU-10-YXB group was further reduced compared with the CFA group. These data suggest that the IBU-10-YXB combination regimen has superior effects on inflammation and blood circulation improvement compared with other treatment groups. At the mechanistic level, each treatment group differentially regulated pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving oxylipin(SPM). Specifically, compared with the CFA group, the IBU and IBU-YXB groups significantly inhibited the synthesis of the prostaglandin family downstream of COX2, reducing pro-inflammatory oxylipins PGD2 and 6-keto-PGF1α but inhibiting PGE1 and PGE2, which played positive roles in peripheral circulation, vasodilation, and inflammation resolution. Compared with the CFA group, the YXB group tended to inhibit the pro-inflammatory oxylipin LTB4 downstream of LTA4H and increase SPMs such as LXA4. The IBU-10-YXB group bidirectionally regulated pro-inflammatory oxylipins and SPMs. Compared with IBU, IBU-10-YXB significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory mediator 5-HETE. Meanwhile, IBU-10-YXB broadly upregulated SPMs, as evidenced by significant upregulation of LXA4 compared with the CFA group, significant upregulation of LXA5 compared with the IBU and IBU-YXB groups, significant upregulation of RvD1 compared with the CFA group and all other treatment groups, and significant upregulation of RvD5 compared with the sham group. Immunofluorescence double staining results were as follows: compared with the CFA group, the IBU group specifically inhibited the oxylipin metabolic enzyme COX2. In the YXB group, COX2, LTA4H, and 5/12-LOX were significantly inhibited. Within the optimal analgesic dose range, YXB's inhibitory effects on COX2 and LTA4H were dose-dependent, while its inhibitory effects on 5/12-LOX were inversely dose-dependent. The two combination groups(IBU-YXB and IBU-10-YXB) inhibited COX2 and LTA4H without significantly affecting 5-LOX, while IBU-10-YXB further significantly inhibited 12-LOX. These results suggest that the IBU-10-YXB combination regimen effectively maintains stable inhibition of COX2, LTA4H, and 12-LOX while enhancing 5-LOX expression. This combinatorial strategy effectively suppresses pro-inflammatory oxylipins and promotes SPM biosynthesis, overcoming IBU's analgesic ceiling effect and its blockade of pain resolution pathways while compensating for YXB's inability to effectively intervene in acute pain and inflammation. Therefore, it achieves more stable anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant effects.
Animals
;
Ibuprofen/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred ICR
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Musculoskeletal Pain/immunology*
;
Tablets
;
Humans
;
Chronic Pain/metabolism*
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
;
Disease Models, Animal
5.Exploring the causal relationship between leukocyte telomere length and prostatitis, orchitis, and epididymitis based on a two-sample Mendelian randomization.
Dan-Yang LI ; Shun YU ; Bo-Hui YANG ; Jun-Bao ZHANG ; Guo-Chen YIN ; Lin-Na WU ; Qin-Zuo DONG ; Jin-Long XU ; Shu-Ping NING ; Rong ZHAO
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):306-312
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the genetic causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHODS:
Using LTL as the exposure factor and prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis as outcome factors, we mined the Database of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Then, we analyzed the causal relationship of LTL with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by Mendelian randomization using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method and weighted median and MR-Egger regression as auxiliary methods, determined the horizontal multiplicity by MR-Egger intercept test, and conducted sensitivity analysis using the leaving-one-out method.
RESULTS:
A total of 121 related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in this study. IVW showed LTL to be a risk factor for prostatitis (OR = 1.383, 95% CI: 1.044-1.832, P = 0.024), and for orchitis and epididymitis as well (OR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.275-2.456, P = 0.000 6).
CONCLUSION
Genetic evidence from Mendelian randomized analysis indicates that shortening of LTL reduces the risk of prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis.
Humans
;
Male
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Epididymitis/genetics*
;
Prostatitis/genetics*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Leukocytes
;
Orchitis/genetics*
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Telomere
;
Risk Factors
6.Effect of Yuxuebi Tablets on mice with inflammatory pain based on GPR37-mediated inflammation resolution.
Ying LIU ; Guo-Xin ZHANG ; Xue-Min YAO ; Wen-Li WANG ; Ao-Qing HUANG ; Hai-Ping WANG ; Chun-Yan ZHU ; Na LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):178-186
In order to investigate whether the effect of Yuxuebi Tablets on the peripheral and central inflammation resolution of mice with inflammatory pain is related to their regulation of G protein-coupled receptor 37(GPR37), an inflammatory pain model was established by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) into the paws of mice, with a sham-operated group receiving a similar volume of normal saline. The mice were assigned randomly to the sham-operated group, model group, ibuprofen group(91 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Yuxuebi Tablets(60, 120, and 240 mg·kg~(-1)). The drug was administered orally from days 1 to 19 after modeling. Von Frey method and the hot plate test were used to detect mechanical pain thresholds and heat hyperalgesia. The levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β) in the spinal cord were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the mRNA and protein expression of GPR37 in the spinal cord was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Additionally, immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of macrosialin antigen(CD68), mannose receptor(MRC1 or CD206), and GPR37 in dorsal root ganglia, as well as the expression of calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA1), CD206, and GPR37 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The results showed that compared with those of the sham-operated group, the mechanical pain thresholds and hot withdrawal latency of the model group significantly declined, and the expression of CD68 in the dorsal root ganglia and the expression of IBA1 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord significantly increased. The expression of CD206 and GPR37 significantly decreased in the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and IL-10 and TGF-β levels in the spinal cord were significantly decreased. Compared with those of the model group, the mechanical pain thresholds and hot withdrawal latency of the high-dose group of Yuxuebi Tablets significantly increased, and the expression of CD68 in the dorsal root ganglion and IBA1 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord significantly decreased. The expression of CD206 and GPR37 in the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn of the spinal cord significantly increased, as well as IL-10 and TGF-β levels in the spinal cord. These findings indicated that Yuxuebi Tablets may reduce macrophage(microglial) infiltration and foster M2 macrophage polarization by enhancing GPR37 expression in the dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn of the spinal cord of CFA-induced mice, so as to improve IL-10 and TGF-β levels, promote resolution of both peripheral and central inflammation, and play analgesic effects.
Inflammation/genetics*
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Pain/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Animals
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Mice
;
Freund's Adjuvant/pharmacology*
;
Ibuprofen
;
Pain Threshold/drug effects*
;
Hyperalgesia/genetics*
;
Ganglia, Spinal
;
Interleukin-10/genetics*
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics*
;
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
;
Tablets
;
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
7.Efficacy and mechanism of Cistanches Herba extract in treating reproductive dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency based on metabolomics.
Ze-Hui LI ; Pan-Yu XU ; Jia-Shan LI ; Li GUO ; Yuan LI ; Si-Qi LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1850-1860
This study investigates the reproductive protective effect and potential mechanism of Cistanches Herba extract(CHE) on a rat model of kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, low-dose CHE(0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose CHE(1.2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and L-carnitine(100 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). The rats were administered adenine(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) by gavage for the first 14 days to induce kidney-Yang deficiency, while simultaneously receiving drug treatment. After 14 days, the modeling was discontinued, but drug treatment continued to 49 days. The content of components in CHE was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The adenine-induced kidney-Yang deficiency model was assessed through symptom characterization and measurement of testosterone(T) levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Pathological damage to the testis and epididymis was evaluated based on the wet weight and performing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Sperm density and motility were measured using computer-aided sperm analysis, and sperm viability was assessed using live/dead sperm staining kits, and sperm morphology was evaluated using eosin staining, thereby determining rat sperm quality. Metabolomics was used to analyze changes in serum metabolites, enrich related metabolic pathways, and explore the mechanism of CHE in improving reproductive function damage in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome. Compared to the normal group, the model group exhibited significant kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, reduced T levels, decreased testicular and epididymal wet weights, and significant pathological damage to the testis and epididymis. The sperm density, motility, and viability decreased, with an increased rate of sperm abnormalities. In contrast, rats treated with CHE showed marked improvements in kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, restored T levels, alleviated pathological damage to the testis and epididymis, and improved various sperm parameters. Metabolomics results revealed 286 differential metabolites between the normal and model groups(191 upregulated and 95 downregulated). Seventy-five differential metabolites were identified between the model and low-dose CHE groups(21 upregulated and 54 downregulated). A total of 24 common differential metabolites were identified across the three groups, with 22 of these metabolites exhibiting opposite regulation trends between the two comparison groups. These metabolites were primarily involved in linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis, as well as metabolites including 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, and pantethine. CHE can improve kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms in rats, alleviate reproductive organ damage, and enhance sperm quality. The regulation of lipid metabolism may be a potential mechanism through which CHE improves reproductive function in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency. The potential bioactive compounds of CHE include echinacoside, verbascoside, salidroside, betaine, and cistanoside A.
Animals
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Male
;
Rats
;
Yang Deficiency/physiopathology*
;
Metabolomics
;
Kidney/physiopathology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Cistanche/chemistry*
;
Kidney Diseases/metabolism*
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Humans
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Reproduction/drug effects*
;
Testosterone/blood*
8.CRTAC1 derived from senescent FLSs induces chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction via modulating NRF2/SIRT3 axis in osteoarthritis progression.
Xiang CHEN ; Wang GONG ; Pan ZHANG ; Chengzhi WANG ; Bin LIU ; Xiaoyan SHAO ; Yi HE ; Na LIU ; Jiaquan LIN ; Jianghui QIN ; Qing JIANG ; Baosheng GUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5803-5816
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent joint disease of late life, is closely linked to cellular senescence. Previously, we found that the senescence of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) played an essential role in the degradation of cartilage. In this work, single-cell sequencing data further demonstrated that cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1) is a critical secreted factor of senescent FLS, which suppresses mitophagy and induces mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating SIRT3 expression. In vivo, deletion of SIRT3 in chondrocytes accelerated cartilage degradation and aggravated the progression of OA. Oppositely, intra-articular injection of adeno-associated virus expressing SIRT3 effectively alleviated OA progression in mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that elevated CRTAC1 could bind with NRF2 in chondrocytes, which subsequently suppresses the transcription of SIRT3 in vitro. In addition, SIRT3 reduction could promote the acetylation of FOXO3a and result in mitochondrial dysfunction, which finally contributes to the degradation of chondrocytes. To conclude, this work revealed the critical role and underlying mechanism of senescent FLSs-derived CRTAC1 in OA progression, which provided a potential strategy for the OA therapy.
9.Graph Neural Networks and Multimodal DTI Features for Schizophrenia Classification: Insights from Brain Network Analysis and Gene Expression.
Jingjing GAO ; Heping TANG ; Zhengning WANG ; Yanling LI ; Na LUO ; Ming SONG ; Sangma XIE ; Weiyang SHI ; Hao YAN ; Lin LU ; Jun YAN ; Peng LI ; Yuqing SONG ; Jun CHEN ; Yunchun CHEN ; Huaning WANG ; Wenming LIU ; Zhigang LI ; Hua GUO ; Ping WAN ; Luxian LV ; Yongfeng YANG ; Huiling WANG ; Hongxing ZHANG ; Huawang WU ; Yuping NING ; Dai ZHANG ; Tianzi JIANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(6):933-950
Schizophrenia (SZ) stands as a severe psychiatric disorder. This study applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in conjunction with graph neural networks to distinguish SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) and showcases the superior performance of a graph neural network integrating combined fractional anisotropy and fiber number brain network features, achieving an accuracy of 73.79% in distinguishing SZ patients from NCs. Beyond mere discrimination, our study delved deeper into the advantages of utilizing white matter brain network features for identifying SZ patients through interpretable model analysis and gene expression analysis. These analyses uncovered intricate interrelationships between brain imaging markers and genetic biomarkers, providing novel insights into the neuropathological basis of SZ. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of graph neural networks applied to multimodal DTI data for enhancing SZ detection through an integrated analysis of neuroimaging and genetic features.
Humans
;
Schizophrenia/pathology*
;
Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
White Matter/pathology*
;
Gene Expression
;
Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging*
;
Graph Neural Networks
10.Integrative transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis identifies BCL6B as a novel regulator of human pluripotent stem cell to endothelial differentiation.
Yonglin ZHU ; Jinyang LIU ; Jia WANG ; Shuangyuan DING ; Hui QIU ; Xia CHEN ; Jianying GUO ; Peiliang WANG ; Xingwu ZHANG ; Fengzhi ZHANG ; Rujin HUANG ; Fuyu DUAN ; Lin WANG ; Jie NA
Protein & Cell 2025;16(11):985-990

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