1.Zuoguiwan Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Hyperthyroidism Due to Kidney-Yin Deficiency via DRD4/NOX4 Pathway
Ling LIN ; Qianming LIANG ; Changsheng DENG ; Li RU ; Zhiyong XU ; Chao LI ; Mingshun SHEN ; Yueming YUAN ; Muzi LI ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):43-51
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan (ZGW) treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (0.35 mg·kg-1). After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, methimazole (positive control, 5 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g·kg-1, respectively) ZGW, and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage, the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], renal function indexes [serum creatine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], energy metabolism markers [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)], and oxidative stress-related factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and NADPH)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4, NOX4, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins [NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX4)], and inflammation-related protein [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed mental malaise, body weight decreases (P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid, elevations in serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA, and NADPH (P<0.01), down-regulation in protein levels of TSH, SOD, and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulation in expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGW increased the body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, restored the thyroid structure and follicle size, lowered the serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA and NADPH (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the expression of TSH, SOD and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole (P<0.05). ConclusionBy activating DRD4, ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.
2.Time-series analysis of daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pre-hospital cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease emergencies in Yantai, Shandong Province, 2016–2022
Mingshun WU ; Qing ZHANG ; Liang CHANG ; Lan LI ; Suqiu YANG ; Jiarong LI ; Xinhui YU ; Linlin LI ; Jiawei FENG ; Tieying NI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):458-466
Background Meteorological factors are among the key extrinsic triggers for the onset and exacerbation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Against the backdrop of sustained global warming, elucidating the impact of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure on CVD, especially on pre-hospital CVD emergent events, has become imperative for evidence-based prevention and emergency preparedness. Objective To quantify the temporal trends of daily mean temperature and atmospheric pressure and their associations with pre-hospital CVD emergent events in Yantai, and to explore effect modification by demographic subgroups and geographic areas, thereby providing an empirical basis for the rational allocation of emergency medical resources. Methods Pre-hospital CVD emergency data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022 were selected from the Yantai 120 Emergency Medical Command System. Synchronous meteorological factors and environmental pollutant data were obtained from the websites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Centers for Environmental Information of the United States. Time-series analysis combined with distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the association between daily temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pre-hospital CVD emergencies. Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were calculated using Joinpoint (version 5.2.0.0) to reflect temporal trends. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to screen variables with low collinearity for inclusion in the multi-pollutant adjusted models. Results From 2016 to 2022, a total of
3.Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly: a retrospective analysis
Caihe LIAO ; Peiru WANG ; Mingshun WU ; Xiaofei SUN ; Guolong ZHANG ; Xiuli WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(1):34-39
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of different combination therapies with aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the treatment of facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 131 elderly patients with facial basal cell carcinoma who visited Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from August 2020 to October 2023. According to the depth of the lesions, the patients were divided into 3 groups to receive intensive pretreatment with curettage (41 cases), CO 2 laser therapy (35 cases), and narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures (55 cases) respectively, all followed by ALA-PDT. During the follow-up period of 17.7 ± 9.0 months, the efficacy was evaluated and adverse reactions were recorded in each group. Results:The total remission rates were 100%, 100%, and 96.4% in the curettage + ALA-PDT group, CO 2 laser + ALA-PDT group, and narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures + ALA-PDT group, respectively. The patients experienced mild pain and local erythematous swelling during ALA-PDT treatment, which were temporary and fully tolerable, and no wound infections or difficulties in healing were observed. After treatment, scar formation was observed in 3 cases of basal cell carcinoma on the nose and nasolabial folds in the narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures + ALA-PDT group, but the rest of the patients retained a good facial appearance. Conclusions:In this preliminary exploration study on PDT for basal cell carcinoma of different depths, ALA-PDT combined with curettage, CO 2 laser or narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures all exhibited definite efficacy and minimal damage, providing effective treatment options for facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly.
4.Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly: a retrospective analysis
Caihe LIAO ; Peiru WANG ; Mingshun WU ; Xiaofei SUN ; Guolong ZHANG ; Xiuli WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(1):34-39
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of different combination therapies with aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the treatment of facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 131 elderly patients with facial basal cell carcinoma who visited Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from August 2020 to October 2023. According to the depth of the lesions, the patients were divided into 3 groups to receive intensive pretreatment with curettage (41 cases), CO 2 laser therapy (35 cases), and narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures (55 cases) respectively, all followed by ALA-PDT. During the follow-up period of 17.7 ± 9.0 months, the efficacy was evaluated and adverse reactions were recorded in each group. Results:The total remission rates were 100%, 100%, and 96.4% in the curettage + ALA-PDT group, CO 2 laser + ALA-PDT group, and narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures + ALA-PDT group, respectively. The patients experienced mild pain and local erythematous swelling during ALA-PDT treatment, which were temporary and fully tolerable, and no wound infections or difficulties in healing were observed. After treatment, scar formation was observed in 3 cases of basal cell carcinoma on the nose and nasolabial folds in the narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures + ALA-PDT group, but the rest of the patients retained a good facial appearance. Conclusions:In this preliminary exploration study on PDT for basal cell carcinoma of different depths, ALA-PDT combined with curettage, CO 2 laser or narrow-margin excision surgery without sutures all exhibited definite efficacy and minimal damage, providing effective treatment options for facial basal cell carcinoma in the elderly.
5.The current research status of ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene in the treatment of bladder cancer
Longmei FAN ; Jiajia TANG ; Tianyu HUANG ; Yuanjian LIAO ; Mingshun ZUO ; Neng ZHANG ; Jiangrong ZHANG
Tumor 2024;44(10):1044-1050
The ataxia telangiectasia mutated(ATM)gene is an important tumor suppressor gene and a key effector gene in regulating the repair of double-strand DNA breaks.It plays an indispensable role in maintaining genetic stability,facilitating cell cycle arrest,and modulating cell apoptosis.When the ATM gene mutates,it fails to effectively induce the phosphorylation of downstream targets,leading to impaired DNA repair mechanisms,genetic instability,and chromosomal structural abnormalities,ultimately promoting abnormal proliferation of tumor cells.Analysis of next-generation sequencing(NGS)datas reveals a relatively high mutation rate of the ATM gene in bladder cancer cells.Relevant studies have shown that ATM gene regulates the proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of bladder cancer cells through the signaling pathways such as nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)and Interferon-γ(IFNγ).Mutanted ATM gene can enhance patients'sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and boost the efficacy of immunotherapy,resulting in a generally better prognosis for patients with ATM gene mutation.This finding marks ATM gene as a potential therapeutic target and predictive prognosis biomarker for bladder cancer patients.Therefore,this article will comprehensively review the research on the ATM gene in bladder cancer from 3 aspects:the structural characteristics of the ATM gene and its tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting functions,the mechanism of action of the ATM gene in the occurrence and development of bladder cancer,and the impact of the ATM gene on the treatment and prognosis of bladder cancer patients.Additionally,the future research directions of the ATM gene was prospected,with the aim of providing new targets for the drug treatment of bladder cancer,and bringing new hope for the treatment of bladder cancer patients.
6.Research progress on the mechanism of ferroptosis-related genes in bladder cancer
Jiajia TANG ; Longmei FAN ; Tianyu HUANG ; Mingshun ZUO ; Yuanjian LIAO ; Te XU ; Neng ZHANG ; Jiangrong ZHANG
Tumor 2024;44(11):1141-1150
Ferroptosis is a form of iron dependent cell death,which is closely related to the progress and prognosis of bladder cancer(BCa).Among them,erroptosis related genes(FRGs)play an important role in the biological effects of BCa,such as participating in regulating the proliferation,migration,metastasis,drug resistance,immune regulation,and therapeutic efficacy of BCa cells.In addition,FRGs are also important biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of tumor patients.However,the specific mechanism of action of FRGs in BCa remains elusive.How to use FRGs to predict the prognosis of BCa and guide the treatment of BCa is still in the exploratory stage.Therefore,exploring the regulatory and predictive role of FRGs in BCa is particularly important for the diagnosis and treatment of BCa.This article aims to systematically elucidate the role of FRGs in the occurrence,development,treatment,and prognosis of BCa.To provide theoretical reference for further exploring the treatment of refractory and drug-resistant BCa patients,and constructing prognostic risk prediction models.
7.Predictive effect of intraocular fluid testing in retinal detachment secondary to acute retinal necrosis syndrome
Yue ZHAO ; Lingyun TANG ; Jin YAO ; Qin JIANG ; Mingshun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2024;40(7):512-517
Objective:To explore the predictive effect of intraocular fluid testing in the assessment of retinal detachment (RD) occurring in acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARN).Methods:A retrospective study. From January 2019 to October 2023, 40 patients with 40 eyes diagnosed as ARN in Nanjing Medical University Eye Hospital were collected for this study. According to whether RD occurred during the follow-up period, the patients were divided into RD group (group A) and no RD group (group B), with 18 patients 18 eyes and 22 patients 22 eyes, respectively. All patients were given intravitreal 20 mg/ml ganciclovir 0.1 ml (ganciclovir 2 mg), 2 to 3 times per week after diagnosis. The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF), vascular cell adhesion factor (VCAM), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in the preaqueous solution were measured before the first injection of ganciclovir. The loads of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-herpes zoster virus (VZV) were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) calculated and analyzed the area under ROC curve (AUC) of inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humor and HSV-DNA and VZV-DNA loads in predicting RD in ARN patients to evaluate their predictive value.Results:In 18 eyes in group A and 22 eyes in group B, VZV and HSV was infected in 16 and 2 eyes and 21 and 1 eyes, respectively. The VZV-DNA and HSV-DNA load were compared between the two groups, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.762, P<0.001); compared with group B, the concentrations of VEGF in humor ( Z=-3.996), BFGF ( Z=-2.430), IL-6 ( Z=-3.303), IL-8 ( Z=-3.480), and IL-10 ( Z=-3.409) increased significantly in group A, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in VCAM between the two groups ( Z=-0.054, P=0.957). The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of VEGF, nucleic acid copies, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, and bFGF for predicting RD in ARN was 0.871, 0.848, 0.828, 0.823, 0.806, 0.737, respectively. The AUC of combination of VEGF, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, and BFGF predicted the RD in ARN was 0.924. The optimal cut-off value of nucleic acid copies was 0.40×10 6, and IL-10, IL-8 and IL-6 were 50.65, 1 695.50 and 6 634.0 pg/ml, respectively. Conclusion:Aqueous humor viral load as well as cytokines alone or in combination have a reference value for predicting RD secondary to ARN.
8.Potential Mechanism of Taraxaci Herba Against Bladder Cancer: A Review
Mingshun ZUO ; Zhicheng DONG ; Yu ZUO ; Hongchuan CHEN ; Hongjia CAI ; Congcong WU ; Xiaoyu AI ; Neng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):290-298
Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system, and its incidence is increasing year by year. At present, for all patients with resectable non-metastatic muscle-invasive BCa, radical cystectomy + bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection is strongly recommended, but they still face the risk of recurrence, metastasis and death. In recent years, the proportion of patients with advanced and metastatic BCa is increasing among patients with newly diagnosed BCa. Although current treatment models are diverse, they often struggle to achieve significant efficacy due to their low effectiveness and adverse effects, resulting in low survival rates for patients with advanced and metastatic BCa. Therefore, the treatment of BCa still faces great challenges, and there is an urgent need to discover an effective new antitumor drug. With the improvement of medical standards, traditional Chinese medicine has shown great advantages in the treatment of BCa. Traditional Chinese medicine is mild and easy to accept, and can inhibit tumor progression through a multi-pathway, multi-way and multi-target manner, so as to exert its anticancer effect. Taraxaci Herba is a medicinal and food homologous plant, which has many biological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, protecting liver and gallbladder, reducing blood sugar and enhancing immunity, and it has shown a clear anticancer effect in breast cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, tongue cancer and lung cancer. By reviewing previous studies worldwide, this article summarizes the mechanism of Taraxaci Herba extract in inducing autophagy and apoptosis, inhibiting cell migration and invasion, regulating cell cycle and proliferation, regulating cell metabolism, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, combining the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and regulating the transduction of related signal pathways. On this basis, this study systematically elaborates on the potential mechanism of Taraxaci Herba against BCa, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research and treatment of BCa.
9.Toxicity and Mechanism of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Testis
An-Ni FENG ; Ren-Ren SUN ; Yu-Bo XIAO ; Zhao-Ming ZENG ; Zhong-Cheng MO ; Yuan-Jie XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(3):555-563
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is currently one of the most widely used plasticizers, widely found in all kinds of items, such as children’s toys and food packaging materials, but also added to wallpaper, cable protective agents and other building decoration materials. DEHP is toxic and absorbed by the human body through respiratory tract, digestive tract and skin contact, which can cause damage to multiple systems, especially the male reproductive system, and testis is an important target organ. Oxidative stress injury is the core mechanism of spermatogenesis disorder caused by DEHP. DEHP exposure can cause oxidative stress or reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase in germ cells, and on this basis, promote cell apoptosis or cause excessive autophagy. The toxicity of DEHP to Leydig cells is mainly to interfere with the synthesis of steroid hormones. For Sertoli cells, ferroptosis and destruction of the blood-testis barrier are common injury mechanisms. In addition, gene methylation caused by DEHP not only affects the spermatogenic process, but also has epigenetic effects on offspring. In this paper, we reviewed the pathological damage, germ cell toxicity and epigenetic effects of DEHP on testis, and focused on the damage and molecular mechanism on testicular spermatogenic cells, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. Future research is required to elucidate the body’s clearance mechanism and treatment plan after exposure to DEHP and whether DEHP will damage the function of myoid cells. It is hoped that this can provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders resulting from long-term exposure to plastic products.
10.The current research status of ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene in the treatment of bladder cancer
Longmei FAN ; Jiajia TANG ; Tianyu HUANG ; Yuanjian LIAO ; Mingshun ZUO ; Neng ZHANG ; Jiangrong ZHANG
Tumor 2024;44(10):1044-1050
The ataxia telangiectasia mutated(ATM)gene is an important tumor suppressor gene and a key effector gene in regulating the repair of double-strand DNA breaks.It plays an indispensable role in maintaining genetic stability,facilitating cell cycle arrest,and modulating cell apoptosis.When the ATM gene mutates,it fails to effectively induce the phosphorylation of downstream targets,leading to impaired DNA repair mechanisms,genetic instability,and chromosomal structural abnormalities,ultimately promoting abnormal proliferation of tumor cells.Analysis of next-generation sequencing(NGS)datas reveals a relatively high mutation rate of the ATM gene in bladder cancer cells.Relevant studies have shown that ATM gene regulates the proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of bladder cancer cells through the signaling pathways such as nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)and Interferon-γ(IFNγ).Mutanted ATM gene can enhance patients'sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and boost the efficacy of immunotherapy,resulting in a generally better prognosis for patients with ATM gene mutation.This finding marks ATM gene as a potential therapeutic target and predictive prognosis biomarker for bladder cancer patients.Therefore,this article will comprehensively review the research on the ATM gene in bladder cancer from 3 aspects:the structural characteristics of the ATM gene and its tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting functions,the mechanism of action of the ATM gene in the occurrence and development of bladder cancer,and the impact of the ATM gene on the treatment and prognosis of bladder cancer patients.Additionally,the future research directions of the ATM gene was prospected,with the aim of providing new targets for the drug treatment of bladder cancer,and bringing new hope for the treatment of bladder cancer patients.

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