1.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
2.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
3.Research progress on the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction by traditional Chinese medicine through regulating NF-κB signaling pathway
Lirong ZHENG ; Peili YANG ; Guiwei LI ; Junchi GUO ; Yingqiang ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1807-1812
Myocardial infarction (MI) refers to an acute clinical syndrome of myocardial necrosis due to persistent ischemia and hypoxia, resulting from the sharp reduction or interruption of coronary blood flow. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is the key factor in inducing inflammatory response, and it is involved in the production of pro-inflammatory factors and myocardial cell apoptosis. This article systematically describes the molecular regulation mechanism of the NF-κB signaling pathway in MI, and reviews the related research on the prevention and treatment of MI through the regulation of this signaling pathway by active ingredients and compound formulas from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been found that active ingredients from TCM, such as ginsenoside Rg3, baicalein, curcumin, tanshinone ⅡA, gambogic acid, as well as compound formulas, including Qili qiangxin capsules, Yiqi huoxue decoction, Lingbao huxin dan, Danhong injection, Baoyuan decoction combined with Taohong siwu decoction, can improve myocardial fibrosis, alleviate inflammatory responses, and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. Thereby, they achieve the goal of preventing and treating MI.
4.Regulation of Oxidative Stress by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury: A Review
Haosen ZHAO ; Weijie REN ; Jiahao LI ; Peili WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):268-276
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a major complication following coronary revascularization. Studies indicate that its pathophysiological mechanisms of MIRI are closely associated with oxidative stress, iron overload, inflammatory responses, and lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance in redox homeostasis under pathological conditions, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which disrupts the dynamic balance between pro-oxidant systems and antioxidant defense networks. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of MIRI due to its multi-target and multi-pathway antioxidant properties. Research reveals that TCM primarily exerts protective effects against oxidative stress-induced MIRI by regulating signaling pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3), and protein kinase C beta Ⅱ/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2/reactive oxygen species (PKCβⅡ/NOX2/ROS). This article reviews recent literature on TCM monomers, compound formulas, and their active components, which alleviate oxidative stress to prevent and treat MIRI by modulating the aforementioned signaling pathways. It summarizes a concise overview of the molecular mechanisms by which oxidative stress-related signaling pathways lead to MIRI, discusses how TCM regulates these pathways to reduce oxidative stress-induced MIRI, and explores clinical application prospects and research challenges, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the research and clinical management of MIRI.
5.Clinicopathological features and prognosis of early-onset gastric cancer: a large-scale retrospective real-world study
Jingdong LIU ; Changle YANG ; Peili JIN ; Bosen LI ; Junjie ZHAO ; Haojie LI ; Xuefei WANG ; Yihong SUN
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(5):452-456
Objective:To clarify the clinicopathological features, prognosis, and recurrence pattern of early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC).Methods:Using data from the gastric cancer database of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, we performed a retrospective, large-scale, real-world study of 5046 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone redical or palliative gastrectomy from January 2013 to December 2018, including 425 patients with EOGC (age ≤45 years) and 4621 controls. All those patients were pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma with complete follow-up of five years. Residue gastric cancer and patients without complete clinical or follow-up data were excluded. We used a combination of outpatient and telephone follow-up, ending in October 2022 (median duration of follow-up 60 months), and compared the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the two groups.Results:The clinicopathological features of EOGC included female predominance (61.1% [262/425 vs. 26.3% [1217/4621], χ 2=234.215, P<0.001), fewer comorbidities (31.3% [133/425] vs. 58.5% [2703/4621], χ 2=34.378, P<0.001), poorer differentiation (90.6% [385/425] vs. 78.2% [3614/4621], χ 2=30.642, P<0.001), higher proportion of diffuse type (53.9% [229/425] vs. 18.3% [846/4621], χ 2=274.474, P<0.001), higher proportion of T4 stage (44.7% [190/425] vs. 37.5% [1733/4621], χ 2=17.535, P=0.001), more lymph node metastases (60.5% [257/425] vs. 53.9% [2491/4621], χ 2=6.764, P=0.009), and higher proportion of pathological stage III/IV (47.5% [202/425] vs. 42.4% [1959/4621], χ 2=4.093, P=0.043). The 5-year overall survival rates of the EOGC and control groups were 55.1% and 49.1%, respectively. Overall survival was significantly better in the EOGC than in the control group ( P<0.001). According to subgroup analysis, the prognosis of pathological stage I/II/III EOGC was better than that of the control group. Recurrence rates were similar in the two groups, whereas patients with EOGC had a higher proportion of peritoneal recurrence (7.8% [33/425] vs. 3.2% [146/4621], χ 2=23.741, P<0.001) and a lower proportion of distant metastasis (4.9% [21/425] vs. 8.3% [385/4621], χ 2=6.247, P=0.012). Conclusion:EOGC has unique clinicopathological features and recurrence patterns and resectable EOGC has a better prognosis, suggesting that patients with EOGC should be actively treated with the focus on preventing peritoneal recurrence.
6.Application of flipped classroom combined with a case-based learning in genetics courses
Lei ZHANG ; Peili JI ; Cai YUE ; Xiuli ZHAO ; Yaping LIU ; Limeng CHEN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(9):1331-1334
In recent years,with the development of gene testing and new drug research,the diagnosis and treatment of inherited diseases have made rapid progress,corresponding to higher requirements for genetics education.As a teacher of medical genetics,the author joined the course remodeling during last 10 years from a web-based study of genetic disorders to a"case-based learning"supported by flipped classroom in order to optimize teaching effects and learning outcomes.The result of this remodeling project proposes a new strategy to guide perspectives course de-sign in future.
7.Evaluation of the relationships between pulmonary ground-glass nodules and bronchi and blood vessels using high-resolution CT target scanning technology and their diagnostic values for infiltrative lesions
Jingfang ZHANG ; Yibing DU ; Limin ZHANG ; Guangjing LI ; Saili ZHU ; Shuo ZHANG ; Peili PENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(10):1611-1614
Objective To analyze the relationships between pulmonary ground-glass nodules(GGN)and bronchi and blood vessels and their diagnostic values for infiltrative lesions based on high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT)target scanning technology.Methods Patients with GGN detected by HRCT target scanning and complete pathological results were retrospectively selected as the research subjects.The relationships between GGN and bronchi and blood vessels in patients with different pathological types were analyzed,and the relationships for detecting infiltrative lesions were further analyzed,using pathological results as the gold standard.Results Three hundred patients were divided into 237 cases of pre-invasive lesions and 63 cases of infiltrative lesions according to pathological results.There were statistically significant differences in lesion properties and lesion morphology in patients with different types of GGN(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the relationships between GGN and bronchi and blood vessels in the pre-invasive lesions and the infiltrative lesions(P<0.05).Based on the pathological results as the gold standard,the sensitivity of HRCT bronchial classification,vascular classification,and their combined detection of infiltrative lesions were 84.13%(53/63),95.24%(60/63),and 95.24%(60/63);specificity were 83.12%(197/237),87.34%(207/237),and 87.34%(207/237);accuracy were 83.33%(250/300),89.00%(267/300),and 89.00%(267/300).Conclusion Evaluating the classification of pulmonary GGN and bronchi and blood vessels by HRCT target scanning technology has good value in identifying infiltrative lesions.The combined diagnosis of the two signs can further improve the accuracy of detection.
8.Predictive value of T2*-mapping in early damage of medial meniscus posterior root in asymptomatic knee osteoarthritis
Yutao YAN ; Peng WANG ; Haiyu ZHANG ; Peili PENG ; Yuebin WANG ; Shuo ZHANG ; Liman LI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(12):2021-2024
Objective To investigate the application of MRI T2*-mapping in the early damage of the medial meniscus posterior root(MMPR)in asymptomatic knee osteoarthritis(OA).Methods Eighty subjects were included in this study,35 were diagnosed with knee OA(OA group)and clinically confirmed MMPR injury,35 were asymptomatic OA group with gender and age matching,and 10 were normal control group.All subjects were examined by T2*-mapping.The T2*-mapping values at the bone attachment,middle part,and 1 cm bone attachment point of MMPR were measured in each group,and the consistency of T2*-mapping values between the knee OA group and the asymptomatic OA group was verified by the Kappa test.The T2*-mapping values of each measurement area were statistically compared,and the clinical diagnosis accuracy and other indicators of the T2*-mapping parameter values were statistically analyzed.Results The Kappa value of the knee OA group and the asymptomatic OA group analyzed by T2*-mapping was 0.787(P<0.01),Kappa statistical analysis showed that there was a good consistency between the two diagnostic results.The T2*-mapping values of the knee OA group,asymptomatic OA group,and normal control group at the bone attachment,middle part,and 1 cm bone attachment point of MMPR showed that the T2*-mapping values of each measurement area in the knee OA group and asymptomatic OA group were higher than those in the normal control group(P<0.05).The T2*-mapping values of the knee OA group were higher than those of the asymptomatic OA group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).While the T2*-mapping values were used in the asymptomatic OA group to diagnose the early damage of MMPR,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,negative predictive value,and positive predictive value were 89.6%,88.9%,91.1%,87.5%,and 88.3%respectively.Conclusion T2*-mapping value may be used as a reference index to predict the progression of knee OA,and has a certain value in the early diagnosis of asymptomatic OA MMPR injury.
9.Zoledronic acid affects osteogenic differentiation and bone formation by regulating the expression of SIRT3/P53
Jie HAN ; Letian QIAO ; Xiaoyi WANG ; Huihui CHEN ; Naying CHU ; Peili CHEN
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2024;18(1):130-137
Objective:To explore the mechanism of zoledronic acid (ZOL) affects osteogenic differentiation and bone formation through the regulation of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) / P53 expression.Methods:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were induced to differentiate into osteogenic cells, the expression of SIRT3 in the cells was detected, and the targeting regulation relationship between SIRT3 and P53 was analyzed. The intracellular expressions of SIRT3 and P53 were intervened and ZOL was used to treat the cells. MTT method, Western blot method and kit were used to detect cell viability, osteogenesis-related genes Osteoprotegerin (OPG), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S (ARS) staining, respectively. Ovariectomy (OVX) was used to construct a rat model and explore the effect of ZOL on the progression of osteoporosis (OP) in vivo.Results:ZOL promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The expression of SIRT3 was down-regulated in the serum of OP patients (0.78±0.23) compared with that of healthy subjects (1.00±0.26 vs. 0.78±0.23. t=3.85, P<0.001). During the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, the expression level of SIRT3 gradually increased with the prolonged induction of osteogenesis. Compared with the p53 protein expression and BMSCs activity in the control group, SIRT3 knockout could increase the expression level of p53 protein (0.59±0.05 vs. 1.01±0.11. t=6.02, P=0.004) but inhibited the activity of BMSCs (100.00±8.41 vs. 51.26±5.59. t=8.36, P=0.001). After ZOL treatment, the inhibitory effect of SIRT3 on cell viability (49.61±5.11 vs. 87.61±7.31. t=7.38, P=0.002) and osteogenesis was relieved, and the level of P53 was inhibited (1.10±0.10 vs. 0.69±0.04. t=6.59, P=0.003). P53 overexpression partially offseted the effects of ZOL on cell viability (84.61±6.52 vs. 66.54±5.47. t=3.68, P=0.021) and osteogenesis. Compared with the sham surgery group, the OVX group showed inhibition of osteogenesis in rats, and ZOL treatment significantly improved osteogenic inhibition. ZOL treatment increased the expression level of SIRT3 protein in bone tissue of OVX rats, but inhibited the expression level of P53. Conclusion:ZOL promoted osteogenic differentiation and bone formation of BMSCs by promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of P53 by SIRT3.
10.Bidirectional casual effects between periodontitis and Sjögren's syndrome: a Mendelian randomization study
XIE Peili ; GUO Chenmiao ; YU Ting
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;32(3):209-215
Objective:
To evaluate the bidirectional association between periodontitis and Sjögren's syndrome using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method.
Methods:
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of periodontitis (N = 45 563) and Sjögren's syndrome (N = 214 435) were selected to meet the requirements of the same ethnicity and different regions. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) tests were used to evaluate the causal effect. Cochran's Q statistics, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analysis were used as sensitivity analyses to assess the stability and reliability of the results.
Results:
After screening, the GWAS data of Sjögren's syndrome were based on the Finnish region, and the periodontitis GWAS data were based on the UK region, both of which originated from European ancestry. Using IVW (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 0.956-1.082), MR-Egger (OR = 0.985, 95% CI= 0.956-1.082), and WM (OR =1.021, 95% CI = 0.948-1.099), no causal effect of Sjögren's syndrome on periodontitis was found using any of the three methods. Conversely, no causal effect of periodontitis on Sjögren's syndrome was found (IVW, OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 0.852-1.230; MR-Egger, OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.789-1.212; WM, OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 0.846-1.260). The sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were stable and reliable. Cochran's Q test and MR-PRESSO revealed that there was no significant heterogeneity among the instrumental variables, which included single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The intercept of MR-Egger regression indicated no pleiotropy in the included SNPs. No individual SNP was found that significantly affected the results using the leave-one-out method.
Conclusion
This study does not support a bidirectional causal effect between periodontitis and Sjögren's syndrome.


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