1.Exploring the protective effects of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate on ischemic and hypoxic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys
Shen LI ; Yanghui DONG ; Xiangyu SONG ; Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Yixuan ZHU ; Mengyi CUI ; Xiwei PENG ; Long CHENG ; Man YUAN ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG ; Yaqun ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(5):728-737
Objective To explore the protective effects of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension as a subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusate on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys caused by traumatic hemorrhage.Methods Cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into positive and negative control groups(a total of 3 monkeys,with 3 left cerebral hemispheres as the positive control group and 3 right cerebral hemispheres as the negative control group)and the subnormothermic perfusion group(n=3).The positive control group was directly sampled 1 hour after circulatory arrest,while the negative control group was placed at subnormothermic conditions for 6 hours after circulatory arrest.The subnormothermic perfusion group underwent 6 hours of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries of the cynomolgus monkey hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model using genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension 1 hour after circulatory arrest.Before perfusion,cross-matching experiments were conducted between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys.After the start of perfusion,the levels of routine blood indicators in the perfusate were detected at 0,1,2,3,4,5 and 6 hours.Blood oxygen saturation was recorded,and the levels of Na+,K+,Ca2+,glucose and blood pH in the perfusate were measured,as well as the levels of IgG and IgM in the perfusate.After 6 hours of perfusion,the water content of the brain tissue was measured.Nissl staining was performed on the frontal cortex and hippocampal regions,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and neuronal nuclear antigen(NEUN).Results The cross-matching results between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys were negative.The number of red blood cells in the perfusate decreased significantly at 3 hours of perfusion,and the hemoglobin level showed a downward trend at 1,3,5 and 6 hours.The number of white blood cells and platelets decreased at all time points.The blood oxygen saturation in the subnormothermic perfusion group remained stable at 95%-98%,and the levels of blood oxygen saturation,Na+,Ca2+,glucose and pH were stable,while the K+level first increased and then decreased.There was no significant difference in the levels of IgG and IgM before and after perfusion.The water content of brain tissue at the end of perfusion in the subnormothermic perfusion group was significantly higher than that in the positive control group(P<0.001).Nissl staining results showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of the subnormothermic perfusion group maintained better morphological integrity,with no significant increase in enlarged and deformed cells.In the hippocampal CA1 region,there was a slight increase in enlarged and deformed cells,and a few cells with undamaged structures showed reduced cell size.In the hippocampal dentate gyrus,fewer granule neurons had compromised structural integrity,with increased cell edema.NEUN immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region of the subnormothermic perfusion group had better morphological states,with clear axons.The granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were well preserved,but the nuclei were less well protected.GFAP immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had sparser protrusions that were more tightly associated with neurons.Iba1 immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had thicker and fewer protrusions.Conclusions Compared with the positive control group,subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion with genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate increases brain tissue edema in cynomolgus monkeys,but better preserves the morphological integrity of neurons and glial cells.The protective effects may be related to the continuous oxygen and energy supply,maintenance of ion homeostasis and perfusate pH,reduced rejection,and low metabolic state of the whole brain.
2.Age-dependent relationship between body mass index and cognitive impairment:a cross-sectional study based on the rural population aged 40 years and above in Xi'an,China
Simeng CUI ; Ziyu LIU ; Liangjun DANG ; Yu JIANG ; Jingyi WANG ; Baibing MI ; Qiumin QU ; Suhang SHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):763-768
Objective To study the age-dependent relationship between body mass index(BMI)and cognitive impairment in rural population aged 40 years and above.Methods From October 2014 to March 2015,people aged 40 years and above,who lived in two natural villages in Huyi District of Xi'an,were selected as the research subjects.Their general demographic information,lifestyle,medical history,family history,physical examination,and biochemical examination were collected.Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to evaluate global cognitive function.Cognitive impairment was defined as an MMSE score lower than the cutoff value,specifically,scores ≤17 for subjects who were illiterate,scores ≤20 for subjects with primary school education,and scores ≤24 for subjects with junior high school education or above.The age-dependent relationship between BMI and cognitive impairment was discussed using stratified analysis,restricted cubic spline(RCS),and multivariate Logistic regression.Results We included a total of 1 792 subjects in the analysis,of whom 230(12.8%)were diagnosed with cognitive impairment.There were 726 males(40.5%);the average age was(55.53±9.92)years,ranging from 40 to 85 years,1 193 subjects aged 40-59 years(66.6%),and 599 subjects aged ≥60 years(33.4%).The average BMI was(25.29±3.14)kg/m2.In the total population,BMI index was fitted as restricted cubic splines in the Logistic regression model,and other confounding factors were corrected.The results showed that BMI index was significantly correlated with cognitive impairment(Poverall=0.023),and there was a trend of nonlinear relationship(P nonlinear=0.097).The specific relationship was that with BMI=25 kg/m2 as the reference(OR=1),when BMI index was<25 kg/m2,the OR value increased as BMI index decreased.However,when BMI index was ≥25 kg/m2,the OR value did not change significantly as BMI index increased.The population was divided into two subgroups according to age(40-59 years vs.≥60 years).Stratified analysis showed that in the ≥60 years old subgroup,cognitive impairment had significant correlation with BMI index(Poverall=0.038,Pnonlinear=0.097),and the changing trend of the correlation was similar to that of the overall population.By contrast,in the 40-59 years old subgroup,BMI index was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment(Poverall=0.722,Pnonlinear=0.738).Conclusion The relationship between BMI and cognitive impairment is affected by age.No significant association is found in the middle-aged population of 40-59 years old,but there may be a nonlinear association in the elderly population over 60 years old.Specifically,with BMI=25 kg/m2 as the boundary,as BMI decreases,the risk of cognitive impairment gradually increases.As BMI further increases,the risk of cognitive impairment does not change significantly even though it reaches the obesity level.
3.Influence of non-motor symptoms on the change trajectory of early activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease
Miao HU ; Pingqiao YUAN ; Xinyu LI ; Mi CUI ; Baoqin WU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(28):2213-2219
Objective:To explore the influence of non-motor symptoms on the change trajectory of early activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease, and to provide a reference for medical staff to implement intervention measures for people with low levels of activities of daily living in the preclinical stage.Methods:The longitudinal follow-up data of 431 patients with Parkinson disease in the Parkinson's progression Markers Initiative from baseline to five consecutive years after enrollment were selected by convenience sampling method in July 2024, including the scores of aceivities of daily living, the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire, etc. A latent class growth model classified change trajectory of activities of daily living, and the influencing factors were analyzed by univariate and binary Logistic regression.Results:Among the 431 patients, 260 were male and 171 were female, with an average age of (61.30 ± 9.60) years. The scores of activities of daily living of the patients at baseline, 12 months after enrollment, 36 months after enrollment, and 60 months after enrollment were (5.97 ± 4.30), (7.20 ± 4.61), (8.90 ± 5.60), and (10.57 ± 6.93) points, respectively. The model identified two types of trajectories: rapid decline in low activities of daily living group (25.3%, 109/431) and slow decline in lower activities of daily living group (74.7%, 322/431). The binary Logistic regression results showed that apathy ( OR=0.374, 95% CI 0.189-0.739), fatigue ( OR=0.261, 95% CI 0.138-0.495), University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test ( OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.005-1.074), the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire ( OR=0.880, 95% CI 0.795-0.973), and the gastrointestinal score of the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Autonomic ( OR=0.724, 95% CI 0.630-0.832) were independent influencing factors for the classification of the change trajectory of activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with Parkinson disease exhibit a decreasing trend in early activities of daily living, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in those with fatigue, apathy, and high Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson disease-Autonomic gastrointestinal scores to possibly decelerate disease advancement.
4.Safety and efficacy of administration of tranexamic acid in posterior decompression fixation surgery of lung cancer spinal metastases
Yunpeng CUI ; Huaijin LI ; Chuan MI
Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord 2025;35(2):135-140
Objectives:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous injection of tranexamic acid(TXA)in reducing the perioperative blood loss in patients with lung cancer spinal metastases undergoing posterior decompression surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 patients with lung cancer spinal metastases who underwent decompression surgery between May 2011 and August 2022,with an average age of 63.1±1.3 years.Among them,there were 42 males and 26 females.According to whether received in-travenous injection of 1g TXA after the start of anesthesia to operation within 30mins,the patients were di-vided into observation group(26 cases)and control group(46 cases).The following data were collected includ-ing general information[age,gender,American Society of Aneshesiologists physical status classification system(ASA)grade,and the use of oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs],tumor related information(pathological types and systemic treatments),laboratory related information(preoperative HGB,Hct,PLT,PT.APTT,and postoperative 1d Hct),and surgical related information(decompression site,exposed segment,surgical type,sur-gical time,blood transfusion volume on the day of surgery,postoperative drainage volume and drainage tube retention time,and postoperative hospitalization status),as well as the data related to lower limb venous thrombosis during postoperative hospitalization.The total blood loss was calculated using Gross's formula.t-test,Mann Whitney U test,and chi square test were used to evaluate the differences between the two groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in general information and tumor-related information such as age,gender,ASA grading,pathological type,and the use of oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs(P>0.05).The preoperative HGB levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P=0.035),while there were no statistically significant differences in other preoperative laboratory data such as Hct,PLT,PT,and APTT(P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of surgical decompression site,surgical type,exposed segment,and surgical time(P>0.05).The blood loss in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group[961.3.4(741.5,1810.4)mL vs 1593.5(1170.2,1936.1)mL,P=0.013].The blood transfusion volume of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group[400(0,800)mL vs 800(400,800)mL,P=0.024].There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of drainage volume,drainage tube retention time,postoperative hospitalization time,and newly developed lower limb venous thrombosis after surgery(P>0.05).Conclusions:Intravenous injection of 1g TXA after the start of anesthesia to operation within 30mins can reduce the blood loss and transfusion volume in patients with lung cancer spinal metastases undergoing posterior decompression surgery.
5.Exploring the protective effects of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate on ischemic and hypoxic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys
Shen LI ; Yanghui DONG ; Xiangyu SONG ; Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Yixuan ZHU ; Mengyi CUI ; Xiwei PENG ; Long CHENG ; Man YUAN ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG ; Yaqun ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(5):728-737
Objective To explore the protective effects of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension as a subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusate on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys caused by traumatic hemorrhage.Methods Cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into positive and negative control groups(a total of 3 monkeys,with 3 left cerebral hemispheres as the positive control group and 3 right cerebral hemispheres as the negative control group)and the subnormothermic perfusion group(n=3).The positive control group was directly sampled 1 hour after circulatory arrest,while the negative control group was placed at subnormothermic conditions for 6 hours after circulatory arrest.The subnormothermic perfusion group underwent 6 hours of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries of the cynomolgus monkey hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model using genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension 1 hour after circulatory arrest.Before perfusion,cross-matching experiments were conducted between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys.After the start of perfusion,the levels of routine blood indicators in the perfusate were detected at 0,1,2,3,4,5 and 6 hours.Blood oxygen saturation was recorded,and the levels of Na+,K+,Ca2+,glucose and blood pH in the perfusate were measured,as well as the levels of IgG and IgM in the perfusate.After 6 hours of perfusion,the water content of the brain tissue was measured.Nissl staining was performed on the frontal cortex and hippocampal regions,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and neuronal nuclear antigen(NEUN).Results The cross-matching results between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys were negative.The number of red blood cells in the perfusate decreased significantly at 3 hours of perfusion,and the hemoglobin level showed a downward trend at 1,3,5 and 6 hours.The number of white blood cells and platelets decreased at all time points.The blood oxygen saturation in the subnormothermic perfusion group remained stable at 95%-98%,and the levels of blood oxygen saturation,Na+,Ca2+,glucose and pH were stable,while the K+level first increased and then decreased.There was no significant difference in the levels of IgG and IgM before and after perfusion.The water content of brain tissue at the end of perfusion in the subnormothermic perfusion group was significantly higher than that in the positive control group(P<0.001).Nissl staining results showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of the subnormothermic perfusion group maintained better morphological integrity,with no significant increase in enlarged and deformed cells.In the hippocampal CA1 region,there was a slight increase in enlarged and deformed cells,and a few cells with undamaged structures showed reduced cell size.In the hippocampal dentate gyrus,fewer granule neurons had compromised structural integrity,with increased cell edema.NEUN immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region of the subnormothermic perfusion group had better morphological states,with clear axons.The granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were well preserved,but the nuclei were less well protected.GFAP immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had sparser protrusions that were more tightly associated with neurons.Iba1 immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had thicker and fewer protrusions.Conclusions Compared with the positive control group,subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion with genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate increases brain tissue edema in cynomolgus monkeys,but better preserves the morphological integrity of neurons and glial cells.The protective effects may be related to the continuous oxygen and energy supply,maintenance of ion homeostasis and perfusate pH,reduced rejection,and low metabolic state of the whole brain.
6.Age-dependent relationship between body mass index and cognitive impairment:a cross-sectional study based on the rural population aged 40 years and above in Xi'an,China
Simeng CUI ; Ziyu LIU ; Liangjun DANG ; Yu JIANG ; Jingyi WANG ; Baibing MI ; Qiumin QU ; Suhang SHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):763-768
Objective To study the age-dependent relationship between body mass index(BMI)and cognitive impairment in rural population aged 40 years and above.Methods From October 2014 to March 2015,people aged 40 years and above,who lived in two natural villages in Huyi District of Xi'an,were selected as the research subjects.Their general demographic information,lifestyle,medical history,family history,physical examination,and biochemical examination were collected.Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to evaluate global cognitive function.Cognitive impairment was defined as an MMSE score lower than the cutoff value,specifically,scores ≤17 for subjects who were illiterate,scores ≤20 for subjects with primary school education,and scores ≤24 for subjects with junior high school education or above.The age-dependent relationship between BMI and cognitive impairment was discussed using stratified analysis,restricted cubic spline(RCS),and multivariate Logistic regression.Results We included a total of 1 792 subjects in the analysis,of whom 230(12.8%)were diagnosed with cognitive impairment.There were 726 males(40.5%);the average age was(55.53±9.92)years,ranging from 40 to 85 years,1 193 subjects aged 40-59 years(66.6%),and 599 subjects aged ≥60 years(33.4%).The average BMI was(25.29±3.14)kg/m2.In the total population,BMI index was fitted as restricted cubic splines in the Logistic regression model,and other confounding factors were corrected.The results showed that BMI index was significantly correlated with cognitive impairment(Poverall=0.023),and there was a trend of nonlinear relationship(P nonlinear=0.097).The specific relationship was that with BMI=25 kg/m2 as the reference(OR=1),when BMI index was<25 kg/m2,the OR value increased as BMI index decreased.However,when BMI index was ≥25 kg/m2,the OR value did not change significantly as BMI index increased.The population was divided into two subgroups according to age(40-59 years vs.≥60 years).Stratified analysis showed that in the ≥60 years old subgroup,cognitive impairment had significant correlation with BMI index(Poverall=0.038,Pnonlinear=0.097),and the changing trend of the correlation was similar to that of the overall population.By contrast,in the 40-59 years old subgroup,BMI index was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment(Poverall=0.722,Pnonlinear=0.738).Conclusion The relationship between BMI and cognitive impairment is affected by age.No significant association is found in the middle-aged population of 40-59 years old,but there may be a nonlinear association in the elderly population over 60 years old.Specifically,with BMI=25 kg/m2 as the boundary,as BMI decreases,the risk of cognitive impairment gradually increases.As BMI further increases,the risk of cognitive impairment does not change significantly even though it reaches the obesity level.
7.Influence of non-motor symptoms on the change trajectory of early activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease
Miao HU ; Pingqiao YUAN ; Xinyu LI ; Mi CUI ; Baoqin WU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(28):2213-2219
Objective:To explore the influence of non-motor symptoms on the change trajectory of early activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease, and to provide a reference for medical staff to implement intervention measures for people with low levels of activities of daily living in the preclinical stage.Methods:The longitudinal follow-up data of 431 patients with Parkinson disease in the Parkinson's progression Markers Initiative from baseline to five consecutive years after enrollment were selected by convenience sampling method in July 2024, including the scores of aceivities of daily living, the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire, etc. A latent class growth model classified change trajectory of activities of daily living, and the influencing factors were analyzed by univariate and binary Logistic regression.Results:Among the 431 patients, 260 were male and 171 were female, with an average age of (61.30 ± 9.60) years. The scores of activities of daily living of the patients at baseline, 12 months after enrollment, 36 months after enrollment, and 60 months after enrollment were (5.97 ± 4.30), (7.20 ± 4.61), (8.90 ± 5.60), and (10.57 ± 6.93) points, respectively. The model identified two types of trajectories: rapid decline in low activities of daily living group (25.3%, 109/431) and slow decline in lower activities of daily living group (74.7%, 322/431). The binary Logistic regression results showed that apathy ( OR=0.374, 95% CI 0.189-0.739), fatigue ( OR=0.261, 95% CI 0.138-0.495), University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test ( OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.005-1.074), the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire ( OR=0.880, 95% CI 0.795-0.973), and the gastrointestinal score of the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Autonomic ( OR=0.724, 95% CI 0.630-0.832) were independent influencing factors for the classification of the change trajectory of activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson disease (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with Parkinson disease exhibit a decreasing trend in early activities of daily living, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in those with fatigue, apathy, and high Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavioral Disorder Screening Questionnaire and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson disease-Autonomic gastrointestinal scores to possibly decelerate disease advancement.
8.Analysis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy samples from Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University
Zu-Qi CUI ; Meng-Yao YE ; Yi ZHOU ; Shi-Xiong MI ; Qian YANG ; Min MA ; Ming WANG ; Shi-Yi WANG ; Qi-Han YU ; Hui-Xian CUI ; Juan DU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):704-712
Objective To analyze the basic conditions and pathological characteristics of the samples in the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University,which were pathologically diagnosed as cerebral amyloid angiopathy,and to provide reference for the research of related diseases.Methods The basic data of gender,age,apolipoprotein E genotype,pathological classification of cerebral amyloid angiopathy,Alzheimer's disease-related pathological change score,comorbidities and other pathological information were analyzed.Results Up to October 2024,twenty samples were confirmed by pathological diagnosis,with a male to female ratio of 3:1 and an average age of(80.90±8.08)years.Involve three kinds of apolipoprotein E subtype,5 kinds of genotypes(ε2/ε3 xε2/ε4、ε3/ε3 xε3/ε4、ε4/ε4);There were 2 pathologic types,including 6 cases of type 1 and 14 cases of type 2.The pathological grade included 3 grades.The severity grade and subtype classification of cerebral amyloid vascular disease were correlated with the degree of pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease.Cerebral amyloid angiopathy samples could coexist with other degenerative diseases with high comorbidity.Conclusion The incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is higher in the aged samples collected based on Brain Bank,which coexists with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and microbleeds,etc.It provides more detailed pathological diagnosis basis for further scientific research sharing of samples.
9.Association between Monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol Ratio and Sarcopenia
Feng CUI ; Chen MI ; Yuanhua SHE
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(2):147-151,158
Objective To investigate the association between the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(MHR)and sarcopenia in an adult population.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 8085 participants aged 20 years and older,selected from four cycles(2011-2018)of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES).Multivariate Logistic re-gression model was used to evaluate the association between MHR and sarcopenia.Variance inflation factors(VIF)were calculated to as-sess multicollinearity between variables.Restricted cubic splines were employed to explore nonlinear relationships,with interaction tests and subgroup analyses performed as well.Results In the fully adjusted model,MHR was positively associated with sarcopenia(OR=2.56,95%CI:1.73-3.79,P<0.001).This association was more pronounced in participants with smoking history and cardiovascular disease.Additionally,restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a linear relationship between MHR and sarcopenia.Conclusion MHR is positively associated with the risk of sarcopenia and may serve as a potential early indicator for identifying sarcopenia.
10.Gene Expression Alteration by Non-thermal Plasma-Activated Media Treatment in Radioresistant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sicong ZHENG ; Yudan PIAO ; Seung-Nam JUNG ; Chan OH ; Mi Ae LIM ; QuocKhanh NGUYEN ; Shan SHEN ; Se-Hee PARK ; Shengzhe CUI ; Shuyu PIAO ; Young Il KIM ; Ji Won KIM ; Ho-Ryun WON ; Jae Won CHANG ; Yujuan SHAN ; Lihua LIU ; Bon Seok KOO
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2025;18(1):73-87
Objectives:
. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes.
Methods:
. After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC.
Results:
. NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways.
Conclusion
. NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.

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