1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
2.The Role and Mechanism of Circadian Rhythm Regulation in Skin Tissue Regeneration
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Xiao-Meng MA ; Zhen-Kai JIN ; Kun LI ; Min WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1165-1178
Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.
3.Danggui Shaoyaosan Regulates Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Xinqiao CHU ; Yaning BIAO ; Ying GU ; Meng LI ; Tiantong JIANG ; Yuan DING ; Xiaping TAO ; Shaoli WANG ; Ziheng WEI ; Zhen LIU ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):35-42
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows: control, model, Yishanfu (0.144 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.44, 4.88, and 9.76 g·kg-1, respectively) Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling, rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight and liver weight were measured, and the liver index was calculated. At the same time, serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Fe2+ in the serum and TC, TG, free fatty acids (FFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and Fe2+ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increases in the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), and decreases in the activities of SOD, GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis, iron deposition, mitochondrial shrinkage, and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group, all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.01). Furthermore, Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis, iron deposition, and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD.
4.Antibiotic bone cement covered reconstruction plate for infected anterior pelvic ring fractures
Meng LI ; Ke-Jing WANG ; Zhen-Yang GAO ; Yun-Fei XIE ; Tao GUO
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(5):451-457
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of antibiotic bone cement covered reconstruction steel plate in the treatment of infected anterior pelvic ring fracture.Methods From January 2017 to March 2022,11 patients with infected ante-rior pelvic ring fracture were treated with antibiotic bone cement covered reconstruction steel plate including 7 males and 4 fe-males and the age ranged from 27 to 49 years old.The pelvic fractures were classified according to the Tile typology:4 cases of Cl type,4 cases of C2 type,and 3 cases of C3 type.Among them,2 cases of infected anterior ring were infected after internal fixation of anterior ring,and 9 patients were infected with infected anterior ring due to incomplete early debridement,which was classified as infected according to the injury severity score(ISS)for 24 to 38 scores.The anterior ring was internally fixed by extended debridement,irrigation,and antibiotic bone cement covered reconstruction plate,and the posterior ring fractures were all closed reduction and internally fixed with sacroiliac screws.Results All 11 cases obtained follow-up from 13 to 20 months.A-mong them,2 patients had recurrence of postoperative infection,1 case was re-dissected and replaced with antibiotic bone cement-coated internal fixation,and 1 case had a milder infection without accumulation of the medullary cavity,and the infection was controlled by retaining the plate and replacing the antibiotic bone cement only after dissecting.Two cases developed incisional oozing,which healed after removal of the internal fixation three months postoperatively.All patients did not show pelvic fracture redisplacement or reinfection during the follow-up period.All 11 cases eventually healed bony.At the final follow-up,according to the Matta score,the fracture reduction was excellent in 6 cases,good in 4,and possible in 1.According to the Majeed functional score,it was excellent in 6,good in 3,and possible in 2.Conclusion Antibiotic bone cement covered reconstruction plate is ef-fective in the treatment of infected anterior pelvic ring fracture,with high intraoperative safety and low recurrence rate of infec-tion,which is conducive to the early postoperative rehabilitation and significantly shortens the course of the disease.
5.Exploration and Practice of the Construction of Molecular Biology in English
Yu-Meng CHEN ; Meng-Hao CAI ; Hai-Zhen WU ; Li-Qiang FAN ; Jian ZHAO ; Hui-Zhan ZHANG ; Jian-Hua FAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(10):1471-1478
Molecular Biology is a key basic professional course for all the students specializing in Biolo-gy,Biotechnology,and Bioengineering.With the promotion of double world-class project and first-class undergraduate construction,the development of English-taught course faces challenges.We started to teach the Molecular Biology course in English at the East China University of Science and Technology since 2019,the construction of Molecular Biology course has been reformed and practiced,including the combination of imagery,vividness and classroom teaching,the combination of advanced,cutting-edge and classical theories,and the comprehensive coverage of the teaching process,which has effectively pro-moted the construction and practice of Molecular Biology course.The Molecular Biology course taught in English greatly increased the students'professional and scientific research ability,international vision and English academic communication ability,comprehensive ability and satisfaction,and teachers'teaching and research ability.This course provides an effective reference for fostering innovative profes-sional first-class undergraduates and the construction of Molecular Biology course.
6.Effect of CD8+CD28-T Cells on Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
An-Di ZHANG ; Xiao-Xuan WEI ; Jia-Yuan GUO ; Xiang-Shu JIN ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Fei LI ; ZHEN-Yang GU ; Jian BO ; Li-Ping DOU ; Dai-Hong LIU ; Meng LI ; Chun-Ji GAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):896-905
Objective:To investigate the effect of CD8+CD28-T cells on acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD)after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(haplo-HSCT).Methods:The relationship between absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells and aGVHD in 60 patients with malignant hematological diseases was retrospectively analyzed after haplo-HSCT,and the differences in the incidence rate of chronic graft-versus host disease(cGVHD),infection and prognosis between different CD8+CD28-T absolute cells count groups were compared.Results:aGVHD occurred in 40 of 60 patients after haplo-HSCT,with an incidence rate of 66.67%.The median occurrence time of aGVHD was 32.5(20-100)days.At 30 days after the transplantation,the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells of aGVHD group was significantly lower than that of non-aGVHD group(P=0.03).Thus the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation can be used to predict the occurrence of aGVHD to some extent.At 30 days after transplantation,the incidence rate of aGVHD in the low cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count<0.06/μl)was significantly higher than that in the high cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count ≥0.06/μl,P=0.011).Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed that the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation was an independent risk factor for aGVHD,and the risk of aGVHD in the low cell count group was 2.222 times higher than that in the high cell count group(P=0.015).The incidence of cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection and CMV infection were not significantly different between the two groups with different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count.The overall survival,non-recurrent mortality and relapse rates were not significantly different between different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count groups.Conclusion:Patients with delayed CD8+CD28-T cells reconstitution after haplo-HSCT are more likely to develop aGVHD,and the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells can be used to predict the incidence of aGVHD to some extent.The absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells after haplo-HSCT was not associated with cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection,and CMV infection,and was also not significantly associated with the prognosis after transplantation.
7.RHD Genotyping Characteristics of RhD-Negative Blood Donors in Wuhu Area
Meng-Nan LI ; Zhen-Jun DU ; Jing-Wen LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Yuan WANG ; Dian-Ming CAO ; Ji-Chun TAO ; Lu-Chen ZOU ; Hui HUANG ; En-Tao SUN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1531-1538
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism and distribution characteristics of RhD negative phenotypes in Han population of blood donors in Wuhu city.Methods:A total of 210 RhD-samples from August 2021 to August 2022 were screened by serological test and collected from Wuhu Central Blood Station for the voluntary blood donor population.Exons 1 and 10 of the RHD gene were amplificated by PCR to determine whether the samples had the RHD gene.Exons 1-10 of the RHD gene were amplificated by PCR and zygosity analysis were performed in 82 samples containing D gene,and Sanger sequencing was performed on 55 samples containing all RHD exons to determine the genotype.Results:Among 210 RhD-specimens,128 cases(60.38%)had RHD gene deletion.27 cases had partial exons of RHD,including 2 cases with RHD*DVI.3/RHD*01N.01,24 cases with RHD*01N.04/RHD*01N.01,and 1 case with RHD-CE(2-10)/RHD*01N.01.55 cases had retained all of 10 exons,including 4 cases with RHD*01/RHD*01N.01,6 cases with RHD*15/RHD*01N.01,1 case with RHD*01W.72/RHD*01N.01,1 case with RHD*15/RHD*01EL.01,39 cases with RHD*01EL.01/RHD*01N.01,and the remaining 4 cases were determined to have no RHD gene deletion by zygosity analysis and sequencing showed the presence of 1227G>A mutation loci.Conclusion:There is polymorphism in the molecular mechanism of RhD-D gene in Wuhu blood donor population,among which RHD*01EL.01 and RHD*15 are the main variants in this region.The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for RhD blood group identification and clinical blood transfusion in this region.
8.Advances in microglia replacement therapy in neurological disorders
Tao LI ; Jincheng MENG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Danyang LI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(10):1975-1979
Microglia are the primary immune cells in the central nervous system.The activation is of microg-lia crucial in neurological injury and neurodegenerative diseases.In recent years,research on microglia-targeted therapies has gained increasing attention.Microglia replacement therapy has shown promising results in treating various neurological diseases.This therapy involves the forced removal of dysfunctional microglia and their replacement with fully differentiated microglia through drug or gene targeting.This article discusses the potential pathophysiological mechanisms and effective therapeutic strategies of microglia replacement therapy in neurological diseases,including Alzheimer's disease and stroke.Moreover,it serves as a reference for the in-depth study of neurobiological mechanisms and treatment of neurological dis-eases.
9.Alterations in functional complexity of brain regions in autism spectrum disorder patients and correlations with the predicted brain age
Tianzi MENG ; Heran LI ; Shuting LIU ; Zhe LIU ; Yingnan WANG ; Rui LYU ; Haichen ZHAO ; Guangyu ZHANG ; Lemin HE ; Zhen ZHANG ; Xiaotao CAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(9):1319-1322
Objective To observe the alterations in functional complexity of brain regions in autism spectrum disorder(ASD)patients and correlations with the predicted brain age.Methods Open brain resting-state functional MRI(rs-MRI)data of 93 ASD patients and 96 typically developing adolescents(healthy subjects)were downloaded.The functional complexity in brain regions were extracted with self-developed virtual digital brain software,and the alterations in functional complexity of brain regions in ASD patients and correlations with their ages were analyzed.Two networks were prospectively trained with data of 65 ASD patients and 67 healthy subjects as the training set to predict brain age,and the results were evaluated,and the predicting errors were compared using test set,i.e.the other 28 ASD patients and 29 healthy subjects.Results Compared to healthy subjects,on the basis of anatomical automatic labeling(AAL)atlas,ASD patients exhibited significantly reduced functional complexity based on Shannon entropy in the left precuneus,left cuneus and right parahippocampal gyrus.Conversely,functional complexity of ASD patients based on permutation entropy significantly increased in the left cuneus and right cerebellar Crus Ⅱ region.The left hippocampus showed reduced functional complexity based on Pearson correlation coefficient,while the left middle temporal gyrus showed increased functional complexity based on Pearson correlation coefficient.The functional complexity in brain regions of ASD patients were not closely correlated with ages(all|r|<0.4).According to the trained fully connected network,the predicted brain ages of ASD patients and healthy subjects in test set were all lower than their physiological ages,but no significant difference was found between the prediction errors of ASD patients and healthy subjects(P=0.283).Conclusion Functional complexity changed in some brain region functions in ASD patients.The predicted brain ages of ASD patients based on the obtained fully connected network were on the low side,but not obviously affected by the alterations of functional complexity in brain regions.
10.3D-printed scaffolds repair infected bone defects
Bo DONG ; Xiaoyu LI ; Birong LI ; Zhen LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Zhaoyi YIN ; Weiyan MENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(29):4685-4690
BACKGROUND:At present,the treatment of infected bone defects has the problems of long course of disease,poor treatment effect and high cost.The osteogenic effect of personalized bone replacement materials in clinical treatment is limited.Therefore,a 3D-printed bone graft material with both good osteogenic effect and antibacterial effect is urgently needed for clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research status of 3D-printed scaffolds loaded with antimicrobial agents for the treatment of infected bone defects. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,Elsevier,and CNKI databases from January 2010 to June 2022 were searched for related articles.The Chinese search terms were"bone defect,3D printing,scaffold material,antibacterial,animal experiments,in vitro experiments".English search terms were"bone defect,3D printing,scaffold,antibiosis,animal experiment,in vitro".Finally,60 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 3D scaffolds made of titanium,magnesium,tantalum and other metals and their alloys have certain osteogenic properties,but do not have antibacterial function.Hydroxyapatite and other bioceramic materials have good biocompatibility and are prone to be degraded,whereas due to the lack of strength,they are usually combined with artificial polymer materials to form composite materials,which respectively mimic the inorganic and organic components in natural bone,and play their respective excellent functions.Antibiotics,silver/copper nanoparticles,antimicrobial peptides,gallium and other antibacterial agents play an antibacterial role by destroying bacterial cell membrane,producing reactive oxygen species to interfere with bacterial DNA replication,inhibiting iron absorption and other mechanisms.As a result,the 3D-printed scaffold has both antibacterial and osteogenic effects.However,there are still some problems such as drug resistance and difficult to control effective concentrations.3D-printed scaffolds are often loaded with antibacterial agents by loading drug-loaded microspheres on scaffolds,preparing antibacterial coating on the scaffold surface,and participating in joint 3D printing with drugs.The loading mode of antibacterial coating prepared on the scaffold surface is the most widely used,and its antibacterial effect is more stable.Nonetheless,the selection of the most suitable loading mode for antibacterial agents needs to be further discussed and summarized.It is a future research prospect to optimize the mechanical properties of composite scaffolds and prepare biomimetic bone scaffolds so that the degradation rate is consistent with the bone reconstruction rate in infected bone defects.The ideal antibacterial agents may play a role through a variety of antibacterial mechanisms,thus being expected to play a good antibacterial effect through low antibacterial concentration,which should be a hot spot of anti-bone infection research.After loading antibacterial agents on the surface of the scaffold,antibacterial agents can"intelligently"react to the local microenvironment,achieving controlled release,and regulating the osteogenesis,vascularization and immune response of the microenvironment,which is the focus of current research.

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