1.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
2.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
3.Effects of resveratrol on cGAS-STING signaling pathway in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Taorong Wang ; Yubao Shao ; Nannan Liu ; Wenhao Li ; Meng Li ; Xiaoyu Chen
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):73-78
Objective :
To investigate the effects of resveratrol(Res) on fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA), and to explore the possible mechanism of Res inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors from FLS.
Methods :
FLS from RA patients were culturedin vitroand treated with different concentrations of Res(0, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 μmol/L). The viability of FLS cells was detected by CCK-8 assay after 12 and 24 h. The contents of inflammatory factor interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS) and stimulator of interferon gene(STING) were measured by Western blot; After lentivirus infection with FLS caused the cells to overexpress cGAS, the cells were divided into Control group(blank control), cGAS group(cGAS overexpression), Res+cGAS group(Res 160 μmol/L+cGAS overexpression) and Res group(Res 160 μmol/L). The expression level of STING protein in cells of each group was determined by Western blot, the viability of FLS cells in each group was detected by CCK-8, and the contents of inflammatory factor IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatant of cells of each group were detected by ELISA method.
Results :
The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that under 40, 80, 160 μmol/L Res treatment, FLS viability decreased significantly after 24 h compared with blank control group(P<0.01). ELISA results showed that the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell supernatant were also significantly decreased after treatment with Res of 40, 80 and 160 μmol/L(P<0.01). Meanwhile, Western blot results showed that Res could significantly decrease the protein expression levels of STING and cGAS in FLS cells after treatment of 40, 80 and 160 μmol/L(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the Control group, the expression level of STING protein in FLS increased after overexpression of cGAS(P<0.05); compared with the Res group, the content of inflammatory factors in the supernatant of FLS and the expression level of STING protein in FLS significantly increased after overexpression of cGAS(P<0.01,P<0.05).
Conclusion
The appropriate concentration of Res can inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines in FLS cells, which may be related to the blocking of cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
4.Application of perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery clinical pathway for percutaneous vertebro plasty
Xuehu XIE ; Zhiwu ZHANG ; Jisheng LIN ; Hai MENG ; Tianyu BAI ; Zihan FAN ; Nan SU ; Jiashen SHAO ; Jinjun LI ; Guoyu NI ; Feng JIN ; Yong YANG ; Qi FEI
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(6):415-422
Objective:To evaluate the perioperative application effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) clinical pathway in percutaneous vertebro plasty (PVP).Methods:The clinical data of 274 patients who underwent PVP treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different numbers of surgical segments: the single-segment group ( n=211) and the multisegment group ( n=63). Patients in the single-segment group underwent single-segment surgery, while patients in the multisegment group underwent surgery on ≥2 segments. The core points of the ERAS clinical pathway adopted in this study include perioperative education, pain management, early mobilization, application of "outfast", and joint guidance from the departments of nutrition and rehabilitation. Comparison was made between the two groups of patients in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low back pain at preoperative, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h postoperatively, and on the day of discharge; Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores preoperatively and on the day of discharge; time to first ambulation postoperatively, total length of hospital stay, postoperative length of stay, perioperative complications, and perioperative application of Opioid consumption. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups; count data were expressed as cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. The VAS pain scores at each stage of the perioperative period were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance or generalized estimating equations. Results:Compared with that before the operation [(6.17±0.93) points, (6.29±0.83) points], the VAS scores of low back pain of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group at 2 hours after surgery [(3.09±0.82) points, (3.27±0.65) points], 6 hours after surgery [(2.60±0.79) points, (2.62±0.55) points], and 24 hours after surgery [(1.89±0.77) points, (1.97±0.72) points] and on the day of discharge [(1.72±0.71) points, (1.81±0.64) points] were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the same stage, the VAS scores of low back pain in both groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The ODI scores of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group on the day of discharge [(24.21±2.35) points, (24.63±3.31) points] were significantly lower than those before the operation [(64.50±4.81) points, (65.52±4.08) points], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative complications and the proportion of Opioid drug application between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with single-segment or multisegment OVCF, PVP surgical treatment under ERAS clinical pathway management can achieve immediate pain relief, early ambulation exercise, and satisfactory perioperative efficacy.
5.Exploring in vivo existence forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in rats.
Meng-Ge FENG ; Lin-Han XIANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Wen-Hui ZHAO ; Yang LI ; Li-Li LI ; Guang-Xue LIU ; Shao-Qing CAI ; Feng XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2539-2562
The study aims to elucidate the existence forms(original constituents and metabolites) of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in rats and reveal its metabolic pathways. After Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was administered orally once a day for seven consecutive days to rats, all urine and feces samples were collected for seven days, while the blood samples were obtained 6 h after the last administration. Using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technique, this study identified 6, 73, and 156 existence forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the rat plasma, urine, and feces samples, respectively. Among them, 101 compounds were identified as new existence forms, and 13 original constituents were identified by comparing with reference compounds. The metabolic reactions of constituents from Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were mainly deglycosylation, dehydration, hydroxylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, acetylation, and amino acid conjugation. Furthermore, the possible in vivo metabolic pathways of protopanaxatriol(PPT) in rats were proposed. Through comprehensive analysis of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) data, isomeric compounds were discriminated, and the planar chemical structures of 32 metabolites were clearly identified. According to the literature, 48 original constituents possess antitumor and cardiovascular protective bioactivities. Additionally, 32 metabolites were predicted to have similar bioactivities by SuperPred. This research lays the foundation for further exploring the in vivo effective forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics*
;
Rhizome/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Panax notoginseng/chemistry*
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Feces/chemistry*
6.Natural killer cell-derived granzyme B as a therapeutic target for alleviating graft injury during liver transplantation.
Kai WANG ; Zhoucheng WANG ; Xin SHAO ; Lijun MENG ; Chuanjun LIU ; Nasha QIU ; Wenwen GE ; Yutong CHEN ; Xiao TANG ; Xiaodong WANG ; Zhengxing LIAN ; Ruhong ZHOU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Xiaohui FAN ; Xiao XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5277-5293
Liver transplantation (LT) has become a standard treatment for end-stage liver diseases, and graft injury is intricately associated with poor prognosis. Granzyme B (GZMB) plays a vital role in natural killer (NK) cell biology, but whether NK-derived GZMB affects graft injury remains elusive. Through the analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data obtained from human LT grafts and the isolation of lymphocytes from mouse livers following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), we demonstrated that 2NK cells with high expression of GZMB are enriched in patients and mice. Both systemically and liver-targeted depletion of NK cells led to a notable reduction in GZMB+ cell infiltration, subsequently resulting in diminished graft injury. Notably, the reconstitution of Il2rg -/- Rag2 -/- mice with purified Gzmb-KO NK cells demonstrated superior outcomes compared to those with wild-type NK cells. Crucially, global knockout of GZMB and pharmacological inhibition exhibited remarkable improvements in liver function in both mouse IRI and rat LT models. Moreover, a phosphorylated derivative of FDA-approved vidarabine was identified as an effective inhibitor of mouse GZMB activity by molecular dynamics, which could provide a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, targeting NK cell-derived GZMB during the LT process suggests potential therapeutic strategies to improve post-transplant outcomes.
7.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
8.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
9.Efficacy analysis of a novel inguinal tourniquet for compression hemostasis
Peng-Fei LIU ; Hao SUN ; Meng-Jie DOU ; Ya-Hua LIU ; Shao-Bin CHAI ; Si-Yu CHEN ; Fa-Qin LYU ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):688-694
Objective To assess the efficacy of a novel inguinal tourniquet in healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between localized inguinal compression and femoral artery blood flow occlusion.Methods A self-controlled study was conducted.From November 9 to November 30,2024,11 volunteers were recruited at the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Three compression methods--finger pressure,a novel groin tourniquet,and a SAM junction tourniquet(SJT)—were applied bilaterally to the inguinal region until distal blood flow signals disappeared.Each compression method was tested in 22 trials with a 5-minute interval between operations.Differences in hemostatic efficacy between bilateral inguinal regions and across compression methods were compared.Subsequently,the novel tourniquet was incrementally pressurized in 120 mmHg multiples using an integrated pressure device to analyze trends in popliteal artery blood flow velocity.Observational indicators included the internal pressure of the tourniquet pressurization device,peak systolic velocity(PSV)of popliteal artery,inguinal surface pressure magnitude,inguinal surface pressure distribution,and pain scores(assessed using a single-dimensional numerical rating scale).Results No statistically significant difference was observed in the minimum pressure required to occlude femoral artery blood flow bilaterally(P>0.05).The success rates of femoral artery blood flow occlusion at the inguinal region were 100%for the novel inguinal tourniquet,SJT,and finger pressure.The novel inguinal tourniquet induced the highest pain scores,ranging from 5 to 8.A significant reduction in PSV of popliteal artery was noted when the intra-tourniquet pressure reached 360 mmHg and 480 mmHg(P<0.05),with a 95%hemostasis efficacy observed within the range of 360-600 mmHg.No significant association was observed between the recovery of popliteal artery blood flow after limb movement and inguinal pressure distribution(P>0.05).The PSV of popliteal artery exhibited the strongest negative correlation with the average pressure within the inguinal compression area(r=-0.79,P<0.001),with a linear regression fitting line of y=69.69-0.13x(P<0.001,R2=0.58).Conclusions The novel inguinal tourniquet effectively occludes femoral artery blood flow within a pressure range of 360-600 mmHg,accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain.Its hemostatic mechanism mainly relies on increasing the mean pressure within the inguinal compression area.
10.Quality evaluation of Xintong granules based on HPLC fingerprint and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker method
Xide YE ; Xiaolong FENG ; Mingguo SHAO ; Linchun WAN ; Zhenyu HU ; Chunyu CHEN ; Yu WU ; Junwen BU ; Yuhang QIAN ; Fanqiang MENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(15):1866-1870
OBJECTIVE To establish the HPLC fingerprint of Xintong granules and the quantitative analysis of multi- components by single-marker method (QAMS) to determine the contents of 7 components, so as to provide a scientific basis for their quality control. METHODS HPLC method was used to establish the fingerprints for 10 batches of Xintong granules (No. S1- S10), and similarity evaluation, cluster analysis (CA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were performed. At the same time, the contents of seven components, including puerarin, daidzin, calycosin-7-O- β -D-glucoside, stilbene glycoside, naringin, icariin and tanshinone ⅡA, were determined by QAMS method, and were compared with the results of external standard method. RESULTS A total of 18 common peaks were marked and 7 peaks were identified in the HPLC fingerprints for 10 batches of Xintong granules, namely puerarin (peak 4), daidzin (peak 7), calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (peak 9), stilbene glycoside (peak 10), naringin (peak 12), icariin (peak 17), and tanshinone ⅡA (peak 18); the similarities among them were more than 0.990, and CA and PLS-DA results showed that S4-S5,S8-S10,S1-S3 and S6-S7 were clustered into three categories, respectively. Using naringin as the internal standard, the contents of puerarin, daidzin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, stilbene glycoside, icariin and tanshinone ⅡA were determined to be 7.868 1-10.181 2, 1.709 2-2.374 1, 0.285 2-0.326 3, 1.024 1- 1.523 9, 0.140 2-0.290 4, and 0.077 1-0.219 4 mg/g, respectively, by the QAMS. These results showed no significant differences compared to those obtained by the external standard method. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and QAMS method are convenient, stable and accurate, which can provide a basis for the quality evaluation of Xintong granules.


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