1.p300 promotes hepatic lipid accumulation in dyslipidemia by regulating SREBP-1c acetylation
Nyewneh Abdul-Rauf NUHU ; Xiaoli LI ; Lu FANG ; Yongqing CAI ; Fei CHEN ; Lie YUAN ; Xiong YANG ; Qingsong JIANG ; Yinbo LIU ; Chao LIU ; Peiling ZHONG ; Menghua ZENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(22):2735-2748
Objective To investigate the role of p300 in lipid metabolism disorders.Methods Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze the expression patterns of p300 in lipid metabolism disorder-related diseases and its correlation with SREBP-1c and downstream lipid metabolic enzymes.Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of p300 in the liver tissues of the patients with varying disease severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).A mouse model of lipid metabolism disorder was established in male C57BL/6J mice by feeding high-fat diet(HFD)for 12 weeks.Western blotting was employed to assess p300 expression level in the liver tissues of HFD-fed mice.A cell model of lipid metabolism disorder was established in HepG2/AML-12 cells induced with free fatty acid(FFA).The effects of siRNA-mediated knockdown of p300 was observed to measure the levels of intracellular total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG),lipid deposition,and production of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Results Clinically,p300 was highly expressed in lipid metabolism disorders,and its level was positively correlated with NAFLD severity(P<0.05).Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)revealed that p300 expression was significantly associated with fatty acid metabolism,cholesterol homeostasis,lipogenesis,PPAR signaling pathway,and peroxisome pathway.In vivo,p300 was significantly up-regulated in the livers of HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).In vitro,FFA stimulation markedly increased p300 expression in both HepG2 and AML-12 cells(P<0.01),whereas p300 knockdown significantly reduced intracellular TG and TC levels(P<0.01),attenuated lipid droplet accumulation,and reversed FFA-induced ROS elevation(P<0.01).Furthermore,p300 expression was positively correlated with the expression of SREBP-1c and its downstream key lipid synthesis enzymes.Conclusion p300 may promote hepatic lipid accumulation by acetylating and activating SREBP-1c and regulating downstream lipid metabolic enzymes,thereby affecting lipid synthesis and oxidative stress.These findings suggest that p300 may be a potential therapeutic target for lipid metabolism disorder-related diseases.
2.Role of aqueous extract of Sauropus spatulifolius in improving constipation via aquaporin 3/protein kinase B pathway
Jiefei LIANG ; Xinhua QIU ; Junwei LU ; Wenxia SI ; Weibin WU ; Menghua LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):71-78
Objective To explore the efficacy and mechanism of the aqueous extract of Sauropus spatulifolius in treating constipation based on network pharmacology analysis and experiments.Meth-ods Network pharmacology analysis was conducted using an online platform to investigate the molec-ular mechanism of Sauropus spatulifolius in treating constipation.Loperamide-induced mouse consti-pation models and intestinal epithelial cell(IEC)injury models were constructed.Therapeutic effects were evaluated using indicators such as the time to the first black stool,fecal water content,and gas-trointestinal transit rate.Annexin V-FITC staining was used to assess apoptosis,JC-1 staining was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential,chemiluminescence was used to measure adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels,and western blotting was used to detect the expression of relevant proteins.Results Network pharmacology analysis revealed that 29 active components in Sauropus spatulifolius targeted 19 genes associated with constipation,with AKT1 identified as one of the key genes.Exper-imental results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Sauropus spatulifolius effectively alleviated loperamide-induced constipation symptoms in mice,including weight loss,reduced intestinal motili-ty,prolonged defecation time,and decreased fecal water content.Additionally,the aqueous extract of Sauropus spatulifolius inhibited IEC-6 cell apoptosis,restored mitochondrial membrane potential,and maintained intracellular ATP levels.The therapeutic mechanism involved downregulating the ex-pression of Bel-2-associated X protein(Bax),cytochrome C,Cleaved-Caspase3,and aquaporin 3(AQP3),as well as enhancing protein kinase B(Akt)phosphorylation.Conclusion The aque-ous extract of Sauropus spatulifolius effectively ameliorates constipation symptoms in mouse models,and its mechanism may be related to improving intestinal cell energy metabolism,inhibiting IEC ap-optosis,and reducing AQP3 expression,suggesting that Sauropus spatulifolius could serve as a po-tential drug for the clinical treatment of constipation.
3.Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsules on Polarization of Macrophages in Mice with Atherosclerosis
Menghua LIU ; Xu CHENG ; Mengzhu ZHAO ; Qiong WEI ; Dongmei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):54-61
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu capsules against atherosclerosis via regulating polarization of macrophages based on Notch1/jagged canonical Notch ligand 1(Jagged1)/Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1) signaling pathway. MethodThe mouse models with atherosclerosis were prepared by feeding the mice with an ApoE-/- high-fat diet for four weeks, and they were randomly divided into the model group, Xuefu Zhuyu capsule group, and atorvastatin group. C57BL/6 mice were fed as a normal group. The Xuefu Zhuyu capsule group was intragastrically given Xuefu Zhuyu capsules (0.728 g·kg-1·d-1), and the atorvastatin group was intragastrically given atorvastatin tablet (6.07 mg·kg-1·d-1). The normal group and the model group were given equal volume of the deionized water by intragastric administration, and the intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Aortic plaque morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and aortic plaque area and lipid deposition were observed by oil red O staining. The positive expression levels of CD86 and CD206 in aortic tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase-1 (Arg-1), Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in aortic tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The relative protein expression of iNOS, Arg-1, Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in aortic tissue was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group had significant aortic plaque and lipid deposition, and the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β were increased (P<0.01). The expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 showed a downward trend, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS were increased (P<0.01). The protein expression of Arg-1 was decreased (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of related pathway molecule Jagged1, as well as the protein expressions of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 were increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the plaque area and lipid deposition had a decreasing trend in the Xuefu Zhuyu capsule group, and the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β showed a downward trend. The expression of TGF-β1 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression of macrophage marker CD86 was decreased. The mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of Arg-1 were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 were decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionXuefu Zhuyu capsules can reduce aortic plaque area and lipid deposition in mice with atherosclerosis, alleviate inflammation, inhibit M1 macrophages, and promote the expression of M2 macrophages, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Notch1/Jagged1/Hes1 signaling pathway.
4.Application status of non-invasive urine biopsy in diagnosis and recurrence surveillance of bladder cancer
Hongchen SONG ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Menghua WU ; Jiaxin LIU ; Xuanhao LI ; Jian SONG ; Mingjun SHI
International Journal of Surgery 2024;51(6):423-432
Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancy in the urinary system over the world. Urine cytology and cystoscopy are important tools for bladder cancer diagnosis and recurrence monitoring. However, due to the limited sensitivity and invasive procedure, there is an urgent need to develop new non-invasive and highly sensitive liquid biopsy approaches. Urine biopsy is a research focus in the field and has great potential. This review focused on protein-based urine markers (including NMP22, BTA and UroVysion etc.) and DNA or RNA-based urine markers (including cfDNA, AssureMDx and Xpert BC Monitor etc.), which were used for bladder cancer diagnosis and recurrence monitoring, and summarized the sensitivity and specificity of each biomarker as well as their characteristics in the diagnosis and recurrence surveillance of bladder cancer. This study provides theoretical and empirical support for further optimization and application of these biomarkers in clinical practice.
5.Advances in metabolic remodeling of glutamine in pancreatic cancer
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(11):1613-1617
Pancreatic cancer relies on glutamine(Gln)in its carcinogenesis.Gln metabolism is reprogrammed by multiple oncogenes and their downstream effectors in pancreatic cancer cells.The Gln dependence and its underlying molecular mechanisms can potentially be exploited as therapeutic targets.Recent research on the meta-bolic remodeling of Gln in pancreatic cancer has primarily focused on the inhibition of key enzymes,the impact on chemotherapy resistance,and the application of Gln antagonists.The progress in understanding Gln metabolism in pancreatic cancer offers valuable insights into potential novel therapeutic strategies.
6.Effects of hypoxia H9c2 exosome on proliferation,migration and tube formation of HUVEC
Rui YANG ; Qiong WEI ; Yikun SUN ; Mengzhu ZHAO ; Xu CHENG ; Menghua LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(7):714-719
Objective To investigate the role of H9c2-derived exosomes in regulating angiogenesis in rat cardiomyocytes under hypoxia.Methods The hypoxia model of H9c2 cells was prepared by mixed gas method(the hypoxia model group),and the normal cultured cells were used as the control group.The exosomes secreted by the two groups of cells were extracted respectively.The concentration and particle size of exosomes were detected by nanoparticle tracking analysis.The morphology and size of exosomes were detected by transmission electron microscopy.Western blot assay was used to verify the exosome marker proteins.The hypoxia model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)was established.HUVECs were incubated with H9c2 exosomes and divided into the normoxia group,the hypoxia group,the hypoxia+normal H9c2 exosomes(EXO-C)group and the hypoxia+hypoxia H9c2 exosomes(EXO-M)group.The proliferation,migration and tube formation of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8 method,cell scratch test and Matrigel in vitro three-dimensional forming test.Results The results of exosome identification showed that the particle concentration of H9c2 exosome samples was 1×107-1×1012 particles/mL and the particle size was 40-160 nm in the normoxia group and the hypoxia group.The morphological characteristics were spherical or saucer-like structure,uniform in size and complete in shape.Exosome marker proteins TSG101,CD63 and CD9 were expressed,and there was no expression of negative protein Calnexin.Compared with the normoxic group,the proliferation ability,migration area and migration rate of HUVEC were significantly decreased in the hypoxic group,and the length of tube,the number of branches and the number of nodes were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the hypoxia group,the proliferation ability of HUVEC cells was decreased,the migration area was decreased,the migration rate was decreased and the length and number of branches involved in tube formation were further decreased in the EXO-M group(P<0.05).Compared with the EXO-C group,the proliferation ability of the EXO-M group decreased,the cell migration area decreased and the migration rate decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Exosomes derived from hypoxic H9c2 can inhibit the proliferation,migration and tube formation of HUVEC.
7.Development and reliability and validity tests of the Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Aplastic Anemia
Min XU ; Menghua YE ; Ting LIU ; Xinrui HUANG ; Fang CHENG ; Xiaohong LI ; Qiuhua SUN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2023;58(23):2880-2888
Objective To develop the Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Aplastic Anemia(QLS-AA)and to test its reliability and validity.Methods According to the concept category and the four-dimensional model of quality of life,the scale item pool was initially constructed through literature review and qualitative interview.The draft of the QLS-AA was formed through expert inquiry,cognitive interviews and expert consultation.A questionnaire survey was conducted on 429 patients with aplastic anemia from the hematology departments of a tertiary general hospital in Zhejiang Province and a tertiary hematology hospital in Tianjin with the convenient sampling method from December 2021 to November 2022,and the item analysis and reliability,validity test of the pre-test scale were carried out.Results 422 valid questionnaires were collected,and the effective questionnaire recovery rate was 98.37%.3 common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 66.113%.The scale level consensus content validity index was 0.821,the scale level average content validity index was 0.970,the item level content validity index was 0.833~1.000,and the correlation coefficient with SF-36 was 0.719.The Cronbach's α was 0.944,and the split half reliability was 0.882,and retest reliability was 0.931.The final QLS-AA includes 3 dimensions with 39 items.Conclusion The process of developing QLS-AA in this study is scientifically standardized,and the scale has good reliability and validity,which can effectively evaluate the quality of life for patients with aplastic anemia.
8.G protein-coupled receptor 35 attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by reprogramming cholesterol homeostasis in hepatocytes.
Xiaoli WEI ; Fan YIN ; Miaomiao WU ; Qianqian XIE ; Xueqin ZHAO ; Cheng ZHU ; Ruiqian XIE ; Chongqing CHEN ; Menghua LIU ; Xueying WANG ; Ruixue REN ; Guijie KANG ; Chenwen ZHU ; Jingjing CONG ; Hua WANG ; Xuefu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(3):1128-1144
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Fat accumulation "sensitizes" the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) is involved in metabolic stresses, but its role in NAFLD is unknown. We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. Specifically, we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose (HFCF) diet-induced steatohepatitis, whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect. Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid (Kyna) suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4 (STARD4) through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis (BAS). The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and CYP8B1, promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid. The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice. STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice. Our findings indicate that the GPR35-STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.
9.Effect and mechanism of eriodictyol on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway
Kaiyang WANG ; Lie YUAN ; Yi SONG ; Qinglong LIU ; Peiling ZHONG ; Wenjun LI ; Yongqing CAI ; Xiaoli LI ; Menghua ZENG ; Jianhong CHEN
China Pharmacy 2023;34(23):2880-2885
OBJECTIVE To study the effect and potential mechanism of eriodictyol on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS Sixteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, NAFLD model group, and eriodictyol low-dose and high-dose groups (50, 100 mg/kg), with 4 mice in each group. Except for control group, the other groups were fed with high fat diet to induce NAFLD model. After four weeks of preprocessing, they were given relevant medicine intraperitoneally (0.01 mL/g), once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. The body weight and liver weight of mice were measured, and the pathological damage of liver tissue in mice was observed. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and triglycerides (TG) in serum, as well as the protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in liver tissue were determined. In vitro NAFLD model was established by using 0.5 mmol/L oleic acid (OA) in HepG2 cells. Normal control group, NAFLD model group and eriodictyol low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (50, 100, 150 μmol/L) were set up. HepG2 cells in drug groups were treated with eriodictyol for 24 h at the time of modeling. The lipid deposition was observed in cells, and the levels of TG, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the phosphorylation levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway related proteins [extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c- Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)] and the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were all determined. RESULTS In the in vivo experiment, compared with the NAFLD model group, the body weight, liver weight, the serum levels of AST, ALT and TG were all decreased significantly in eriodictyol low- and high-dose groups (except for serum level of AST in eriodictyol low-dose group) (P<0.01); liver lipid deposition was reduced significantly and the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were further up-regulated (P<0.01). In the in vitro experiment, compared with the NAFLD model group, the lipid deposition in hepatocytes was reduced in eriodictyol low-, medium- and high-concentration groups (P<0.01), and the levels of ROS, MDA and TG were down-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the phosphorylation levels of ERK and JNK were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), while the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were up-regulated significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Eriodictyol can inhibit MAPK signaling pathway and activate Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to alleviate NAFLD.
10.Epidemiological study of pathogens in hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infection in a single center of Shanghai from 2015 to 2019
Menghua XU ; Pengcheng LIU ; Lijuan LU ; Lingfeng CAO ; Liyun SU ; Niuniu DONG ; Zuoquan DONG ; Jin XU
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2022;40(6):350-355
Objective:To analyze common respiratory pathogens epidemiology in hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in a single center in Shanghai, and to provide the basic data support for clinical diagnosis and treatment of children with LRTI in Shanghai.Methods:Children with LRTI in Children′s Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019, and respiratory samples were collected and tested by direct immunofluorescence assay and real time polymerase chain reaction. The epidemiological characteristics of different respiratory pathogens were analyzed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 18 716 children were included, the total detection rate of respiratory pathogens was 36.96% (6 918/18 716), and the most frequent detected pathogen was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) (15.31%(2 866/18 716)), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (10.40%(1 946/18 716)) and parainfluenza virus Ⅲ (PIV-Ⅲ) (4.65%(871/18 716)). The detection rate of pathogens in female was significantly higher than that in male (38.48%(2 936/7 630) vs 35.92%(3 982/11 086), χ2=12.72, P<0.001). RSV and influenza virus A (Flu-A) infections peaked in winter. The detection rates of influenza virus B (Flu-B) and human metapneumovirus (MPV) were higher in winter and spring. PIV-Ⅲ infection peaked in spring and summer. The peak of PIV-Ⅱ infection occurred in summer and autumn. The infections of adenovirus (ADV), MP, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and PIV-Ⅰ were prevalent throughout the year without significant seasonality. The detection rate of RSV declined with age, while the detection rate of MP increased with age. The co-infection rate was 1.65%(309/18 716), and the predominant co-infection type was MP and RSV (0.37%(70/18 716)). Conclusions:A variety of pathogens lead to children′s LRTI in Shanghai from 2015 to 2019, with the common infection of MP, RSV and PIV-Ⅲ. Different pathogens showed different epidemiological characteristics in age and season distributions.

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