1.Immunoregulatory Effects of Gallic Acid on BCG-infected Macrophages
Shumei HE ; Shuyi NI ; Mengyuan XU ; Qingxiao ZHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):843-856
ObjectiveTo explore the host immunomodulatory effect and its molecular mechanism of gallic acid (GA) in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infected macrophages, and to provide experimental evidence for host-directed anti-tuberculosis research against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA against BCG was determined by resazurin colorimetric assay. Bacterial growth-curve test and MTT colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the effects of GA on BCG proliferation and invasion. A BCG-infected RAW264.7 macrophage model was established, including infection control group (Ctrl), isoniazid (INH) group, and low-, medium- and high-dose GA groups. Flow cytometry combined with colony-plate counting was performed to detect intracellular BCG survival. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD double staining, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3 and Bcl-2. Macrophage polarization phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using DHE fluorescent probe. The Griess assay was applied to determine supernatant nitric oxide (NO) concentration. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in cell culture supernatant. ResultsThe MIC of GA against BCG was 1 250 μmol/L. GA inhibited BCG proliferation and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Safe concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L were selected for subsequent cellular experiments. Thirty-six-hour GA pretreatment markedly reduced the intracellular BCG bacterial load (P<0.05). GA exerted bidirectional regulation on macrophage apoptosis: it inhibited apoptosis at the early-stage infection and promoted apoptosis at the late-stage infection. GA induced M1-type polarization in early infection and facilitated M2-type polarization in late infection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GA decreased intracellular ROS and NO levels, down-regulated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P<0.05). ConclusionGA inhibits BCG proliferation and invasion in vitro. It remodels host immune microenvironment via bidirectional regulation of macrophage apoptosis and polarization as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, showing potential value for host-directed anti-mycobacterial therapy.
2.Immunoregulatory Effects of Gallic Acid on BCG-infected Macrophages
Shumei HE ; Shuyi NI ; Mengyuan XU ; Qingxiao ZHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):843-856
ObjectiveTo explore the host immunomodulatory effect and its molecular mechanism of gallic acid (GA) in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infected macrophages, and to provide experimental evidence for host-directed anti-tuberculosis research against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GA against BCG was determined by resazurin colorimetric assay. Bacterial growth-curve test and MTT colorimetric assay were used to evaluate the effects of GA on BCG proliferation and invasion. A BCG-infected RAW264.7 macrophage model was established, including infection control group (Ctrl), isoniazid (INH) group, and low-, medium- and high-dose GA groups. Flow cytometry combined with colony-plate counting was performed to detect intracellular BCG survival. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD double staining, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3 and Bcl-2. Macrophage polarization phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using DHE fluorescent probe. The Griess assay was applied to determine supernatant nitric oxide (NO) concentration. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in cell culture supernatant. ResultsThe MIC of GA against BCG was 1 250 μmol/L. GA inhibited BCG proliferation and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Safe concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L were selected for subsequent cellular experiments. Thirty-six-hour GA pretreatment markedly reduced the intracellular BCG bacterial load (P<0.05). GA exerted bidirectional regulation on macrophage apoptosis: it inhibited apoptosis at the early-stage infection and promoted apoptosis at the late-stage infection. GA induced M1-type polarization in early infection and facilitated M2-type polarization in late infection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GA decreased intracellular ROS and NO levels, down-regulated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P<0.05). ConclusionGA inhibits BCG proliferation and invasion in vitro. It remodels host immune microenvironment via bidirectional regulation of macrophage apoptosis and polarization as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, showing potential value for host-directed anti-mycobacterial therapy.
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.Effect of four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on serum neurotransmitters and neurological function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment
Qin SUN ; Wen ZHANG ; Mengyuan XU ; Suqing XU ; Haihe ZHAO ; Minli JIN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(1):89-93
Objective To investigate the effect of four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on serum neurotransmitters and neurological func-tion in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI).Methods A total of 110 patients with PSCI were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with donepezil tablet,while the treatment group was treated with four tradi-tional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney and Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on the basis of the control group.The total effective rate,the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,the Montreal Cogni-tive Assessment(MoCA)score,the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score and the Barthel Index(BI)as well as serum levels of acetylcholine(ACh),dopamine(DA),norepinephrine(NE),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),visinin-like protein-1(VILIP-1),myelin basic protein(MBP),and heat shock protein 70(HSP70)before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Adverse reactions in both groups were recorded.Results The total effective rate was 90.91%in the treatment group,which was significantly higher than 76.36%in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the MMSE score,MoCA score and BI as well as serum levels of ACh,DA,NE,5-HT and HSP70 in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the NIHSS score and serum levels of NSE,VILIP-1 and MBP were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total incidence rate of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group was 12.73%and 9.09%respectively,which showed no significant between-group difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction can promote the secretion of cognition-related neurotransmitters in patients with PSCI,accelerate the repair of neurological damage,and safety is relatively high.
5.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.
6.Association between edentulism and the risk of social isolation in middle-aged and older adults
DUAN Chengwei ; LUO Mingyi ; FAN Chenrui ; XU Jialei ; MUHETAER Tureke ; XU Mengyuan ; WAN Weiping ; LIAO Haiqing ; WU Zeni
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(12):1070-1077
Objective:
To investigate the association between edentulism and the risk of social isolation in middle-aged and elderly populations, provide empirical evidence for formulating social isolation prevention and intervention policies targeting edentulous middle-aged and elderly populations.
Methods:
Data were derived from the baseline survey (2011) and three follow-ups (2013, 2015, 2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants were enrolled in the follow-up from the baseline. Those identified as socially isolated in any of the follow-up surveys conducted in 2013, 2015, or 2018 were considered to have reached the endpoint; otherwise, the follow-up was continued until the end of the 2018 survey; 9 870 individuals were ultimately included. Subjects were grouped by edentulism status. Chi-square test and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed using Stata 17.0.
Results:
During a median follow-up of 6.54 years, 1 800 cases of social isolation occurred, with an incidence rate of 18.23%(17.47%~18.99%). Multivariate Cox regression showed that edentulism was associated with an increased risk of social isolation (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.03-1.42) after adjusting for confounders. Subgroup analysis revealed population heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results.
Conclusion
Edentulism is associated with an increased risk of social isolation in middle-aged and elderly adults.
7.Study on the effect of psychological flexibility intervention on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients
Mengyuan XU ; Yingping XU ; Xiaoying SHEN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(20):14-17,30
Objective To explore the effect of psychological flexibility based psychotherapy model on cancer-related fatigue in lung cancer patients.Methods A total of 60 lung cancer patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2022 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into control group(n=30)and study group(n=30)by using a random number table method.Control group received routine psychological intervention,while study group was treated with a psychological flexibility-based therapy model in addition to the routine intervention.The scores of anxiety self-rating scales,depression self-rating scales,perceived burden,coping strategies,and cancer-related fatigue were compared between two groups.Results After intervention,the self-assessment scale scores of anxiety and depression,self-perceived burden and cancer-related fatigue in both groups decreased,and the reduction was more significant in study group(P<0.05).The coping style scores of both groups improved,and the improvement was more significant in study group(P<0.05).Conclusion Intervention with a psychological flexibility-based psychotherapy model in lung cancer patients can reduce negative emotions,self-perception burden and cancer-related fatigue,and improve patients' coping style.
8.Age-related changes in glymphatic pathways in Parkinson′s disease patients based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space and their relationship with cognitive function
Yang ZHAO ; Changyuan XU ; Yufan CHEN ; Mengyuan ZHUO ; Tao GONG ; Yuanyuan XIANG ; Guangbin WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(1):64-69
Objective:To investigate the effect of age factor on glymphatic function in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD) and its potential correlation with overall cognitive performance based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS) index.Methods:The study was cross-sectional. Clinical and imaging data of 77 PD patients (PD group) who attended the Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from October 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. In the same period, 30 healthy volunteers matched by age and gender were collected as the normal control (NC) group. All subjects underwent MRI scanning and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on diffusion tensor imaging. Cognitive functions of 46 patients in the PD group were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the differences in DTI-ALPS index between the PD and NC groups. After adjusting for confounders, the relationship between DTI-ALPS and age was explored using partial correlation analyses, multiple linear regression models. A mediation model was further developed to explore the mediating effect of DTI-ALPS index between age and cognitive function scores. Results:The DTI-ALPS indices of PD and NC groups were 1.66±0.20 and 1.44±0.17, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.27, P<0.001). The age of patients in the PD group was negatively correlated with the DTI-ALPS index ( r=-0.54, P<0.001), and age (β=-0.467, P<0.001) was an independent influencer of DTI-ALPS index. The DTI-ALPS index was positively correlated with MMSE scores ( r=0.53, P<0.001) and positively correlated with MoCA scores ( r=0.56, P<0.001). The mediation model showed that the DTI-ALPS index fully mediated between age and MMSE scores and partially mediated between age and MoCA scores, with an effect share of 33.25%. Conclusion:Age is an independent risk factor for impaired glymphatic pathway in PD patients, and it may induce cognitive decline in PD patients by exacerbating glymphatic pathway impairment.
9.Comparative analysis of clinical and brain MRI features in methylmalonic acidemia
Mengyuan ZHUO ; Yan YUN ; Chen ZHANG ; Jiaxiang XIN ; Yufan CHEN ; Yang ZHAO ; Changyuan XU ; Guangbin WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(4):418-424
Objective:To explore brain MRI features of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA).Methods:This observational study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and imaging data of 123 patients with MMA diagnosed at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2010 to November 2022. The 123 patients were divided into 7 stages according to age of onset, neonatal period (0 to<1 month), infancy (1 month to<1 year), early childhood (1 to<4 years), preschool (4 to<7 years), school age (7 to<13 years), adolescent (13 to 17 years) and adult (>17 years). All patients underwent brain MRI scanning. The imaging performances were evaluated, including the number, location, morphology of the lesions.Results:Of the 123 patients, 40 were in the neonatal period, 29 in infancy, 13 in early childhood, 9 in preschool, 6 in school age, 13 in adolescence, and 13 in adulthood. The first symptoms of patients in the neonatal period were mainly digestive system abnormalities, such as difficulty in breastfeeding (37.5%, 15/40) and vomiting (25.0%, 10/40), with neurological symptoms gradually becoming the main manifestations from infancy. Seventy-three cases (59.3%) showed significant abnormalities on cranial MRI, including 17 cases with 33 foci in the neonatal period, 23 cases with 53 foci in infancy, 11 cases with 16 foci in early childhood, 2 cases with 2 foci in preschool, 3 cases with 7 foci in school age, 7 cases with 9 foci in adolescence, and 10 cases with 16 foci in adulthood. In neonatal period, the main manifestations were myelin dysplasia (18%,6/33), dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (18%,6/33), and pallidal bulb infarct foci (18%,6/33); in infancy, the main manifestations were hypoplasia or thinning of the corpus callosum (30%,16/53); in early childhood, the main manifestations were pallidal bulb infarct foci (38%,6/16); and the two MRI abnormalities in preschool were pallidum and thalamic infarct foci; in school age, the main manifestations were infarct foci in the chiasmatic nucleus (29%,2/7) and in the caudate nucleus (29%,2/7); in adolescence, the main manifestation was dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (33%,3/9); and in adulthood, the main manifestation was dilatation of the lateral ventricular system (19%,3/16).Conclusion:By staging the age of onset, it is found that the imaging manifestations of MMA patients show significant differences with age, suggesting that there is a dynamic nature of MMA damage to brain structures at different developmental stages.
10.Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury (version 2025)
Aijun XU ; Shuixia LI ; Bo CHEN ; Mengyuan YE ; Lejiao LANG ; Ning NING ; Lin ZHANG ; Changqing LIU ; Zhonglan CHEN ; Weihu MA ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoning WANG ; Dongmei BIAN ; Jiancheng ZENG ; Xin WANG ; Yuan GAO ; Yaping CHEN ; Jiali CHEN ; Yun HAN ; Xiuting LI ; Yang ZHOU ; Xiaojing SU ; Qiong ZHANG ; Tianwen HUANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Hua LIN ; Xingling XIAO ; Ruifeng XU ; Fanghui DONG ; Bing HAN ; Luo FAN ; Yanling PEI ; Suyun LI ; Xiaoju TAN ; Rongchen GUO ; Yefang ZOU ; Xiaoyun HAN ; Junqin DING ; Yi WANG ; Shuhua DENG ; Jinli GUO ; Yinhua LIANG ; Yuan CEN ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Junru CHEN ; Haiyang YU ; Lunlan LI ; Ying REN ; Yunxia LI ; Jianli LU ; Ying YING ; Lan WEI ; Yin WANG ; Qinhong XU ; Yanqin ZHANG ; Yang LYU ; Shijun ZHANG ; Sui WENJIE ; Sanlian HU ; Shuhong YANG ; Guoqing LI ; Jingjing AN ; Baorong HE ; Leling FENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(6):530-541
Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.


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