1.Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan in Improving Inflammatory Response in Mice with Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on TLR4/p65/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Shilong GUO ; Ruijia LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Xinai WANG ; Luyu HOU ; Wenjing SHI ; Mengyuan TIAN ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):19-27
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B p65/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3) signaling pathway in the renal tissues of db/db mice with spontaneous diabetes, and to explore the potential mechanism by which Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviates inflammation in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MethodsThirty db/db mice were divided into five groups: A model group, Danggui Shaoyaosan low- (16.77 g·kg-1·d-1), medium- (33.54 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (67.08 g·kg-1·d-1) intervention groups, as well as an irbesartan group (0.025 g·kg-1·d-1) by the random number table method, with 6 mice in each group. Additionally, 6 db/m mice were assigned to the normal group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the following parameters were determined by corresponding methods: body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary protein (24 h-UTP), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, renal histopathological analysis by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, the protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) by Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), as well as TLR4, NF-κB p65, and NLRP3 protein expression in renal tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited increased body weight, FBG, 24 h-UTP, and SCr levels (P<0.05); disordered renal structure, thickened basement membrane, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 expression; as well as decreased IL-10 expression (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, these pathological changes and biochemical abnormalities were reversed in the medicine intervention groups to varying degrees (P<0.05). ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may delay DKD progression by alleviating renal inflammatory response and reducing urinary protein excretion via modulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
2.Role and mechanism of biomimetic remineralization therapy for early enamel demineralization
Xiaohui LIN ; Mengyuan YANG ; Chunnian LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):856-865
BACKGROUND:With the improvement of diet and living standards,acidic diet and orthodontic treatment have become the main causes of enamel surface demineralization.As the first step of dental caries,enamel demineralization should be actively intervened.Mechanical grinding has great damage and does not conform to the concept of minimally invasive medicine.Biomimetic remineralization is the best way to deal with enamel demineralization at present. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism,application and research progress of biomimetic remineralization of early enamel demineralization,and provide ideas for further overcoming the hot issues of biomimetic remineralization. METHODS:English keywords"enamel demineralization,biomimetic remineralization,amelogenin,amorphous calcium phosphate"were used to search PubMed.Chinese keywords"enamel demineralization,biomimetic remineralization,amelogenin"were used to search CNKI.Through screening,72 articles were finally obtained for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)At present,there are drug treatments for enamel demineralization,such as fluoride preparations,laser treatment,resin penetration,remineralization treatment and other treatment methods.Biomimetic remineralization is the most ideal repair method for early enamel demineralization.(2)In the narrow sense,enamel remineralization refers to the mineral re-deposition inside the enamel after early enamel demineralization.In the broad sense,enamel remineralization includes the mineralization deposition on the surface and inside of enamel.(3)Clinical biomimetic remineralization reagents are mainly composed of amelogenin,non amelogenin,amelogenin peptide,casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complex,etc.The advantages of protein and peptide materials are that they conform to the physiological mechanism and can generate high-strength remineralized materials by inducing orientation.The disadvantages are that the manufacturing process is relatively complex and the cost is high.The remineralization effect of amorphous calcium phosphate complex is good,but it needs to be combined with other materials to play a role.Other calcium phosphate materials are easy to carry and beautiful,but they are easy to cause the formation of dental calculus.(4)Future research should focus on the following aspects:increasing experimental data and clinical results,and clarifying the indications of various methods;explore more biomimetic remineralization methods and find suitable alternative materials;find a reasonable way to combine materials,so that their advantages and disadvantages complement each other.The portability of clinical application can be strengthened to increase the frequency of daily use,so that short-term experimental conclusions can be supported by long-term clinical data.
3.Retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by attenuating inflammation and modulating macrophage polarization through MKP-1/MAPK signaling pathway
Mengyuan XIN ; Hangyu JIN ; Xiangyu GUO ; Liang ZHAO ; Xiangdan LI ; Dongyuan XU ; Long ZHENG ; Lan LIU
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(1):45-56
Macrophages are innate immune cells connected with the development of inflammation. Retinoic acid has previously been proved to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. However, the exact mechanism through which retinoic acid modulates arthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating macrophage polarization. This study used retinoic acid to treat mice with adjuvant arthritis and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects by arthritis score, thermal nociceptive sensitization test, histopathologic examination and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, its specific anti-arthritic mechanism was investigated by flow cytometry, cell transfection and inflammatory signaling pathway assays in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Retinoic acid significantly relieved joint pain and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in mice. Furthermore, this treatment modulated peritoneal macrophage polarization, increased levels of arginase 1, as well as decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In vitro, we verified that retinoic acid promotes macrophage transition from the M1 to M2 type by upregulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression and inhibiting P38, JNK and ERK phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Notably, the therapeutic effects of retinoic acid were inhibited by MKP-1 knockdown. Retinoic acid exerts a significant therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis in mice by regulating macrophage polarization through the MKP-1/MAPK pathway, and play an important role in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
4.Care report and literature analysis of exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome
Yujuan WANG ; Quanzhi LI ; Jing WANG ; Mengyuan ZHU ; Xiaofei HAO ; Jie CHENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(15):1921-1925
OBJECTIVE To explore the significance of pharmaceutical care through the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome (EIAS), combined with the analysis of literature reports. METHODS Clinical pharmacist participated in the diagnosis and treatment process of one case of EIAS. Based on the characteristics of the patient’s condition, the pharmacist provided medication suggestions and formulated pharmaceutical monitoring measures. At the same time, the pharmacist searched for relevant literature on insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) and EIAS, extracted data (gender, age, occurrence time, laboratory tests, clinical symptoms, intervention and outcome), and conducted analysis. RESULTS Based on the patient’s medication information in the past 3 years, clinical pharmacist determined that the EIAS was likely caused by insulin aspartate 30. The clinician adopted the clinical pharmacist’s suggestion to discontinue insulin and switch to oral hypoglycemic drugs. The patient improved after treatment. The literature analysis showed that among the 257 patients with IAS reported, 212 cases were caused by drugs; among them, 23 cases were caused by lipoic acid, and 56 cases were caused by exogenous insulin. There were no significant differences in age, glycosylated hemoglobin, and body mass index between the two groups. The lowest blood glucose level in the lipoic acid group was significantly lower than that in the exogenous insulin group (P<0.05). The proportion of females and the proportion of fasting insulin ≥ 1 000 μU/mL were significantly higher in the lipoic acid group than in the exogenous insulin group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with EIAS, lipoic acid-induced IAS usually causes more severe hypoglycemia, and the fasting insulin level is usually higher than 1 000 μU/mL, which is more common in female patients. The participation of clinical pharmacists in the diagnosis and treatment of EIAS can help improve the diagnosis and treatment level of similar rare diseases and ensure the safety of patients’ medication.
5.Impact of short-term ambient temperature exposure on heart rate variability in residents of Urumqi: An hourly-level longitudinal panel study
Xingyi QIU ; Xiaowei XUE ; Wenshu LI ; Mengyuan CHENG ; Jialu HU ; Renjie CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1193-1200
Background While A few studies have suggested associations between ambient temperature and cardiac autonomic function, the relationship between hourly temperature variations and heart rate variability (HRV) remains unclear. Objective To examine the acute effects and lag patterns of short-term ambient temperature exposure on HRV at an hourly temporal resolution during cold and warm seasons, and to further characterize the exposure-response relationships. Methods We conducted a longitudinal panel study involving
6.Effect of heterologous expression of Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene SqME on photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation in tobacco leaves.
Yizhen LIU ; Mengyuan LI ; Zhanqian LI ; Yushuang GUO ; Jingfang JI ; Wenchao DENG ; Ze YANG ; Yan SUN ; Chunhui ZHANG ; Jin'ai XUE ; Runzhi LI ; Chunli JI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2829-2842
Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO2, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO2 and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics*
;
Photosynthesis/physiology*
;
Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis*
;
Plant Leaves/genetics*
;
Scenedesmus/enzymology*
;
Carbon Cycle/genetics*
;
Lipid Metabolism/genetics*
;
Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*
7.A preliminary study on horizontal sound localization in patients with unilateral sudden hearing loss during the acute phase
Mengyuan ZHU ; Xiaolin HE ; Jiaying LI ; Xing WANG ; Hongping DING ; Linan DIAO ; Xin FU ; Jiaxing LIU ; Zihui ZHAO ; Ningyu WANG ; Juan ZHANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(5):288-293
OBJECTIVE To preliminarily assess the horizontal sound localization and its influencing factors in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss during the acute phase.METHODS The azimuth discrimination test and azimuth identification test were completed,with the speech sound(65 dB SPL)as the stimulus.The minimum audible angle(MAA)and root-mean-square error(RMSE)were obtained,and the RMSE of the affected side and the healthy side were calculated respectively.According to the WHO(2021)hearing loss classification criteria,the data were analyzed based on the pure-tone average(PTA)of the affected ear.And the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was recorded.RESULTS The performance of the unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the sound localization varied greatly.Some performed close to the normal level,while others completely lost the ability to localize sound.The RMSE of the moderate hearing loss group(≥35 dB HL)was significantly higher than that of the normal hearing group(P<0.01),the MAA of the moderate to severe hearing loss group(≥50 dB HL)showed statistically significant differencescompared with normal hearing group(P<0.001).The RMSE of the affected side of patients in the severe and above hearing loss group was significantly larger than that of the healthy side.Regression analysis showed that the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was the most significant factor affecting MAA(R2=0.572,P<0.001)and RMSE(R2=0.768,P<0.001).CONCLUSION The horizontal sound localization of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the acute phase varies greatly.When the PTA of the affected side reaches moderate hearing loss,the localization ability is significantly lower than that of normal-hearing individuals.The best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear is the key factor affecting the localization ability.
8.Application of dense fine speckled antinuclear antibodies in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases
Hongcai LI ; Yuan LIU ; Mengyuan SUN ; Lin WANG ; Yuanqing QU ; Yugang LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2353-2357
Objective To investigate the distribution of dense fine speckled(DFS)antinuclear antibody(ANA)in different ages,genders,and diseases,and to explore its clinical significance in the diagnosis of auto-immune disease(AID).Methods A retrospective summary was conducted on the clinical basic data of 53520 patients who visited the hospital from January 2022 to April 2024,as well as the results of indirect immunoflu-orescence(IIF)ANA fluorescence karyotype and titer,and immunoblotting ANA spectrum,and the relation-ship between DFS positivity and AID was analyzed.Results Of the 53 520 serum samples,the rate of ANA fluorescence positivity was 32.40%,with DFS-positive samples accounting for 1.18%of all ANA fluores-cence-positive samples.The male-to-female ratio of DFS positives was 1∶1.94,with the highest percentage of 51.9%in the 21-40 age group.Among DFS positive individuals,only 12.14%were clinically diagnosed with AID disease,significantly lower than other ANA fluorescent karyotype positive individuals(23.31%,P<0.001).The overall positivity rate of ANA spectra using immunoblotting in DFS-positive individuals was 23.54%,which was significantly lower than that in other fluorescent karyotype positive ANA individuals(73.26%,P<0.001).Moreover,DFS positive individuals were mainly accompanied by antibody positivity such as anti-Ro52 antibodies,which had no diagnostic specificity in AID diagnosis.When comparing DFS posi-tive individuals with similar fluorescence morphology to those with homogeneous nuclear granules and nuclei,at an ANA titer of 1∶100,the proportion of AID patients in homogeneous nuclear granules and nuclei was 20.04%,significantly higher than the proportion of AID patients in DFS positive individuals(9.44%,P=0.001).With the increase of ANA titer,the proportion of AID diseases significantly increased in both karyo-type samples.When the ANA titer of DFS positive samples was increased to ≥ 1∶320,the proportion of AID diseases significantly increased to 30.77%(P=0.002).Conclusion DFS is a rare ANA fluorescent karyo-type,and DFS positive individuals are mainly found in females aged 21-40,mostly non AID patients.Howev-er,high titers of DFS cannot rule out the possibility of AID.In clinical work,special attention should be paid to distinguishing it from the homogeneous nuclear granule type to avoid misdiagnosis.
9.Preparation of spermine-pullulan-PLGA-CD3 nanoparticles and their effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion
Mengyuan WANG ; Hongyang CHEN ; Yifan HE ; Xi LI ; Mengyuan ZHAO ; Xiaocong DONG ; Yichen HE ; Hongli CHEN
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(1):33-40
Objective:To prepare pullulan-spermine (PS)-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with CD3 antibody, and to investigate their effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.Methods:Purulan polysaccharide was sperminized to synthesize PS, hydrophobically modified, and then grafted with PLGA to synthesize PS-PLGA. Infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum were used to characterize the structure of PS-PLGA. PS-PLGA NPs were prepared by ultrasonic dialysis method and then coupled with CD3 antibody to prepare PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs. The morphological features of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs were observed by the transmission electron microscope. The particle sizes, Zeta potential and dispersive coefficient of the NPs were measured using the dynamic laser particle size analyzer. The amount of coupled CD3 antibody on the surface of the NPs was determined using quantitative fluorescence analysis method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on T-cell proliferation were determined using cell counting kit-8 method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) by T cell were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:Pullulan and PS showed strong absorption at 2 939 cm ?1, and PS had a weaker absorption peak at 3 384 cm ?1 than pullulan. The proton peaks of spermine appeared at chemical shifts of 1.25 to 1.50, 1.63, and 2.25 to 2.75. The characteristic peaks of PLGA appeared at chemical shifts of 1.50, 3.40, and 4.80 to 5.30. Compared to pullulan, the characteristic peaks of both PS and PLGA appeared in the corresponding intervals for PS-PLGA. The morphology of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs with spermine substitution at 9.7% was all regular and circular, with a mean particle size of (173.3±24.5) nm, a Zeta potential of (?12.78±3.68) mV, the dispersive coefficient of 0.254±0.101, and the CD3 antibody mass fraction of (52.1±9.4) μg/mg. The differences in cell survival were statistically significant for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively, after co-incubation with T cell after 24, 48, and 72 h at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml, respectively (all P<0.05). The results of the three concentration comparisons after 24 h of co-incubation were [(129.8±23.1)% vs (95.5±8.9)%, (137.5±22.7)% vs (95.1±15.8)%, and (142.3±25.6)% vs (93.2±9.2)%]; and the results after 48 h were [(145.9±23.7)% vs (95.8±10.6)%, (149.3±23.5)% vs (94.9±16.3)%, and (161.2±26.9)% vs (91.5±8.3)%]; and the results after 72 h were [(147.6±20.1)% vs (95.9±17.8)%, (152.4±22.3)% vs (92.7±16.5)%, and (167.7±25.4)% vs (90.8±17.4)%]. The differences in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-β were statistically significant (all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml concentrations for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively. For IFN-γ, the results of the comparison of the three concentrations were [(35.7±3.1) ng/ml vs (16.4±6.9) ng/ml, (67.3±5.2) ng/ml vs (19.6±2.8) ng/ml, and (79.0±4.2) ng/ml vs (19.3±2.3) ng/ml]; and for IL-2, the results were [(43.5±8.2) ng/ml vs (12.6±1.9) ng/ml, (53.5±7.8) ng/ml vs (15.8±3.3) ng/ml, and (64.0±8.2) ng/ml vs (17.4±3.8) ng/ml]; and for TNF-β, the results were [(108.4±18.9) pg/ml vs (40.8±1.3) pg/ml, (152.3±28.3) pg/ml vs (56.4±3.7) pg/ml and (185.0±33.6) pg/ml vs (81.6±10.2) pg/ml]. Conclusions:PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs are successfully prepared, which have the function of effectively promoting T cell proliferation and cytokine sectetion.
10.Exploration on the mechanism of Juanbi Capsules in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on ferroptosis mediated by Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway
Mengyuan LI ; Li WANG ; Puwei YUAN ; Wulin KANG ; Xun LI ; Panxin MA
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(11):1561-1567
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Juanbi Capsules in the intervention of knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and chondrocyte ferroptosis through activating nuclear factor E2 related factor (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) signaling pathway.Methods:Totally 45 rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group and Juanbi Capsules low-, medium- and high-dosage groups, with 9 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the other groups were injected with sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) to establish knee osteoarthritis model. From the third week of modeling, rats in Juanbi Capsules low-, medium- and high-dosage groups were gavaged with 108.05, 216.09, and 432.18 mg/kg of Juanbi Capsules suspension, and rats in the blank group and model group were gavaged with equal volume of normal saline, once a day, for 28 consecutive days. HE and safranine fast green staining were used to observe the pathological changes of cartilage tissue, and Mankin's score was performed; the levels of MDA, Fe 2+, glutathione (GSH) in articular cartilage were detected by biochemical kit; Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of SLC7A11, GPx4, acsll4 and Nrf2 in rat articular cartilage. Results:Compared with the model group, the Mankin's score was significantly lower in the Juanbi Capsules middle- and high-dosage groups ( P<0.01); the MDA level decreased in Juanbi Capsules low-, medium- and high-dosage groups ( P<0.01), GSH level increased ( P<0.01), and and Fe 2+ level decreased Juanbi Capsules middle- and high-dosage groups ( P<0.01, P<0.05); the protein expressions of Nrf2, SLC7A11 and GPx4 in cartilage tissue of Juanbi Capsules middle- and high-dosage groups increased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), the expression of ACSl4 protein decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and SLC7A11 protein expression increased in Juanbi Capsules low-dosage group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Juanbi Capsule may inhibit the ferroptosis of rat articular cartilage by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.

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