1.Research progress of RNA alternative splicing mechanisms and their roles in cancer therapy
Xinxin HUANG ; Mingzhu TANG ; Duowei WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):155-162
Alternative splicing (AS), a critical mechanism in gene expression regulation, is essential for cellular physiological processes such as proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis via generating diverse mRNA isoforms and expanding protein diversity. In the field of oncology, AS has been significantly implicated in the regulation of various biological processes involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Specific mutations or expression changes in splicing factors, such as SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1, play key roles in multiple types of cancer. This review summarizes novel therapeutic strategies for cancer targeting alternative splicing, including inhibiting spliceosome components, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy, and approaches to overcome drug resistance and immune evasion in cancer. These strategies, which modulate the activity of splicing factors and RNA-modifying enzymes, show promise in addressing chemoresistance and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of alternative splicing mechanisms, their role in cancer, and their potential as a therapeutic target, highlighting the importance of alternative splicing in cancer research and therapy.
2.Association between skeletal muscle fat content and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jinghe HUANG ; Mingzhu ZOU ; Jingtao QIAO ; Ran WEI ; Zhenxing WANG ; Yan SONG ; Lixin GUO
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(5):328-331
Objective To investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle fat content and diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods 290 patients with T2DM admitted to our hospital were enrolled in this study from January 2023 to February 2024 and divided into two groups according to whether they were complicated with DPN:simple T2DM group(T2DM,n=98)and T2DM with DPN group(DPN,n=192).The general data,biochemical indexes and fat distribution indexes measured based on quantitative CT were compared between the two groups.Spearman correlation was used to analyze the relationship between fat distribution indexes and DPN,logistic regression analysis of influencing factors of T2DM complicated with DPN.Results Age,DM duration,WHR,FIns,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)and FF were higher in DPN group than in T2DM group(P<0.05).Ca,subcutaneous abdominal fat area(SFA)and liver fat content were lower in DPN group than in T2DM group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that DPN was negatively correlated with SFA and liver fat content(r=-0.127,-0.123,P<0.05),and positively correlated with FF(r=0.117,P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that without adjusting for confounding factors and adjusting for DM duration,WHR,HOMA-IR,Ca,SFA and liver fat content,FF was an influential factor for DPN in T2DM patients.Conclusions Skeletal muscle FF was associated with DPN in patients with T2DM.
3.Protective Effect of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on Abortion Rats with Kidney Deficiency-Corpus Luteum Inhibition Syndrome via ERα/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathwa
Changyue SONG ; Siyu LI ; Fengyu HUANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Daiyue DING ; Shuangfei DENG ; Heqiao LI ; Jinghong XIE ; Guohua WANG ; Chen ZANG ; Hong XU ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):107-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription (BSZY) on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group (Control), a model group (Model), low-dose BSZY (BSZY-L), medium-dose BSZY (BSZY-M), and high-dose BSZY (BSZY-H) groups (2.57, 5.14, 10.28 g·kg-¹), and a Zishen Yutai Pill (ZSYT) group (1.575 g·kg-¹). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of estrogen (E₂), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP) v2.0 databases, while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were retrieved from GeneCards, DrugBank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea, along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner, and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast, compared with the model group, the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights, along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea increased, while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened, and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally, the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂, P, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast, the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂, P, LH, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα, PI3K, and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome, possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function, thereby lowering the abortion rate.
4.Isodons A-H, seco-abietane and abietane-type diterpenoids from Isodon lophanthoides: isolation, structural elucidation, and anti-cholestatic activity.
Huiling ZHOU ; Mingzhu HAN ; Miaomiao NAN ; Yingrong LENG ; Weiming HUANG ; Shengtao YE ; Lingyi KONG ; Wenjun XU ; Hao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(9):1133-1142
Eight new diterpenoids, Isodons A-H (1-8), comprising seco-abietane and abietane-type structures, together with 13 known analogues (9-21), were isolated from Isodon lophanthoides (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Hara. The compounds (+)-3/(-)-3, (+)-4/(-)-4, and (+)-5/(-)-5 were identified as three enantiomeric pairs. The planar structures and absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined through high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D & 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. A cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) luciferase reporter assay revealed significant anti-cholestatic activities for compounds 1, (+)-4, 6, 7, 12-14, and 16. Additionally, compound 6 demonstrated anti-cholestatic effects through the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-associated signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest potential applications for I. Lophanthoides in pharmaceutical development.
Abietanes/pharmacology*
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Molecular Structure
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Animals
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Isodon/chemistry*
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Humans
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Diterpenes/pharmacology*
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Plant Extracts/chemistry*
5.Taohong Tongluo granules improve coronary microvascular dysfunction by inhibiting NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway
Ying ZHANG ; Jingjing FA ; Mingzhu WANG ; Xunjie ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Shuyan HUANG ; Ke WU ; Aoli CHEN ; Deyu FU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(10):1363-1370
Objective To investigate the cardiac protective effect of Taohong Tongluo granules on coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD)rats.Methods SD rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated group,CMD group,nicorandil group(5 mg/kg),or Taohong Tongluo granule group(50 mg/kg).Animals were administered corresponding drugs for 7 d according to the grouping,and the CMD model was prepared 2 h after the last administration.The rat CMD model was induced by injecting embolization microspheres(diameter 40-120 μm,approximately 1 000 microspheres)into the left ventricular cavity.Twenty-four hours after modeling,echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS),and end-diastolic volume(EDV).The damaged myocardial area was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Myocardial morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)staining.The protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),and cysteine aspartic acid specific protease(caspase)-1 in rat myocardial tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.Results Echocardiography showed that the EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group,CMD group,and nicorandil group were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group(all P<0.001).The EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group and nicorandil group were significantly higher than those in the CMD group(all P<0.01).However,there were no significant differences in EDV among the groups(all P>0.05).H-E staining showed no abnormalities in the myocardium in the sham-operated group.The CMD group exhibited microsphere embolism in the myocardium,myocardial cell dissolution and rupture,and inflammatory infiltration.The lesions in the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were relatively milder,and the number of thrombi in both groups was lower than that in the CMD group(both P<0.01).The results of TTC staining indicated that the areas of damaged myocardial regions in both the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were smaller than that in the CMD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Moreover,the area in the Taohong Tongluo granule group was smaller than that in the nicorandil group(P<0.05).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that in the CMD model,the expression of ASC and caspase-1 proteins,as well as the number of positive cells for these proteins,was increased and was distributed in myocardial and interstitial cells.The numbers of ASC and caspase-1 positive cells in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were lower than that in the CMD group(both P<0.01).The Western blotting showed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,and caspase-1 proteins in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were all lower than those in the CMD group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Taohong Tongluo granules can improve cardiac function,ameliorate hemodynamic parameters,and reduce myocardial infarction area in rats with CMD induced by microsphere embolism.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of myocardial inflammasome activation,thereby attenuating the myocardial injuries.
6.Association between skeletal muscle fat content and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jinghe HUANG ; Mingzhu ZOU ; Jingtao QIAO ; Ran WEI ; Zhenxing WANG ; Yan SONG ; Lixin GUO
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(5):328-331
Objective To investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle fat content and diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods 290 patients with T2DM admitted to our hospital were enrolled in this study from January 2023 to February 2024 and divided into two groups according to whether they were complicated with DPN:simple T2DM group(T2DM,n=98)and T2DM with DPN group(DPN,n=192).The general data,biochemical indexes and fat distribution indexes measured based on quantitative CT were compared between the two groups.Spearman correlation was used to analyze the relationship between fat distribution indexes and DPN,logistic regression analysis of influencing factors of T2DM complicated with DPN.Results Age,DM duration,WHR,FIns,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)and FF were higher in DPN group than in T2DM group(P<0.05).Ca,subcutaneous abdominal fat area(SFA)and liver fat content were lower in DPN group than in T2DM group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that DPN was negatively correlated with SFA and liver fat content(r=-0.127,-0.123,P<0.05),and positively correlated with FF(r=0.117,P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that without adjusting for confounding factors and adjusting for DM duration,WHR,HOMA-IR,Ca,SFA and liver fat content,FF was an influential factor for DPN in T2DM patients.Conclusions Skeletal muscle FF was associated with DPN in patients with T2DM.
7.A Whole-Course Nursing Quality Evaluation System for Liver Transplantation in Children Based on Donabedian Theory
Shi TANG ; Mingzhu HUANG ; Yefeng LU ; Wenzhuo LIU ; Beibei WANG ; Yan WANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2024;46(1):55-61
Objective To build a whole-course nursing quality evaluation system for liver transplanta-tion in children,so as to provide a basis for nursing quality evaluation and management.Methods With Donabedian's"structure-process-outcome"model as the theoretical framework,we employed literature analysis,Delphi method,and hierarchical analysis to determine the contents and weights of indexes in the whole-course nursing quality evaluation system for liver transplantation in children.Results The three rounds of survey based on questionnaires showed the questionnaire recovery rate of 100% ,the expert authority coefficients of 0.95,0.96,and 0.98,and the Kendall's coefficients of concordance of 0.165,0.209,and 0.220,respectively(all P<0.001).The established nursing quality evaluation system included 3 first-level indexes,15 second-level inde-xes,and 67 third-level indexes.Conclusion The whole-course nursing quality evaluation system for liver trans-plantation in children that was built in this study can provide a basis for the evaluation of the nursing quality.
8.Research progress of active components and compounds of traditional Chinese medicine improving liver fibrosis by regulating JAK/STAT signaling pathway
Siming DENG ; Lijian LIU ; Liqun LI ; Chengning YANG ; Jinxiu WEI ; Jianfeng LI ; Mingzhu HUANG ; Lili XIE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(15):1923-1927
Hepatic fibrosis is a pathological process of chronic liver injury. Without timely intervention and treatment, liver fibrosis may eventually lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is closely associated with the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. Based on this, this paper summarized and analyzed the mechanism and effects of active ingredients and compounds of traditional Chinese medicine improving liver fibrosis based on JAK/STAT signaling pathway. It is found that the active ingredients and compounds of traditional Chinese medicine that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis (ingredients such as ethanol extract of Euonymus alatus and paclitaxel, as well as compounds such as Ershiwuwei songshi pill and Ganfukang), clear away heat and toxic material (ingredients such as betulinic acid, total flavonoids from Persicaria perfoliata, as well as compounds such as Pianzaihuang and Kehuang capsules), and sooth the liver and promote qi circulation (ingredients such as fraxetin and cucurbitacin B, as well as compounds such as Chaihu shugan powder and Xiaochaihu decoction) can all relieve liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activity of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, reducing inflammatory reactions, and inhibiting the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.
9.Identification of Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Ruyi Zhenbaowan by Multidimensional Correlation Model of "Pharmacodynamic-target-component-pharmacokinetic"
Mingzhu XU ; Huaiping LI ; Zhaochen MA ; Tao LI ; Yudong LIU ; Ziqing XIAO ; Chu ZHANG ; Kedian CHEN ; Weihua MA ; Feng HUANG ; Na LIN ; Yanqiong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):68-77
ObjectiveTo identify the pharmacodynamic material basis of Ruyi Zhenbaowan in relieving neuropathic pain by integrating the calculation of biological network proximity and pharmacokinetic characterization. MethodThe interaction network of "drug candidate target-related gene of disease" was constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.2, and the average shortest path value of each drug putative target acting on neuropathic pain-related genes in this network was calculated by Pesca 3.8.0 tool so as to evaluate the network proximity between them, and screen prescription candidate targets with strong intervention efficiency and their corresponding potential effect components. After that, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from rats after administration of Ruyi Zhenbaowan at set time points, and the contents of potential effect components in samples was quantified by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TRAP/MS), and drug concentration-time curves were plotted, then the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.1.1. ResultBy evaluating the network proximity between candidate targets and neuropathic pain-related genes in the interaction network, a total of 40 putative targets of Ruyi Zhenbaowan with strong intervention effects on neuropathic pain-related genes, such as estrogen receptor 1(ESR1), cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha(PRKACA) and protein kinase B1 (Akt1), and 10 corresponding potential effect components, such as glycyrrhizic acid and betulinic acid, were obtained. Pharmacokinetic characterization showed that among the 10 potential effect components, gallic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, glycyrrhizic acid and apigenin were well absorbed and metabolized in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, with long onset time and good bioavailability. ConclusionFrom the perspective of efficacy-target-constituent-pharmacokinetic, this study analyzes the main effective materials of Ruyi Zhenbaowan, such as glycyrrhizic acid, gallic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide and apigenin, which have a high exposure in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid and have a strong intervention effect on neuropathic pain. The related results provide reliable experimental evidences for clarifying the material basis and developing quality standards of Ruyi Zhenbaowan.
10.Relationship between GTSE1 and Cell Cycle and Potential Regulatory Mechanisms in Lung Cancer Cells
WANG CHUANLIN ; XU JIALI ; LIU MINGZHU ; LIU JIAYU ; HUANG YUNCHAO ; ZHOU LAN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(6):451-458
The regulation of the cell cycle is essential for maintaining normal cellular function,especially in the development of diseases such as lung cancer.The cell cycle consists of four major phases(G1,S,G2 and M phases),which are characterized by a series of precise molecular events to ensure proper cell proliferation and division.In lung cancer cells,cell cycle dysregulation can lead to disordered proliferation and increased invasiveness of cancer cells.G2 and S-phase expressed 1(GTSE1)is a regulatory protein found in the cytoplasm of the cell,which plays a key role in the cell cycle distribution of a wide range of cancer cells and is involved in life processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis.GTSE1 affects cell cycle progres-sion by interacting with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(p21)and maintaining the stability of p21,which in turn inhibits the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 1/2(CDK1/2).In addition,GTSE1 is also involved in the regulation of tumor protein 53(p53)signaling pathway.With the assistance of mouse double minute 2 homolog(MDM2),GTSE1 is able to transport p53 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and promote its ubiquitination and degradation,thus affecting cell cycle and cell death-related signaling pathways.This paper reviews the expression of GTSE1 in lung cancer cells and its effects on lung cancer,as well as its potential mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation.

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