1.Association between vitamin D levels and sleep in children and adolescents
PENG Chan, LI Fan, LI Yanyan,LI Yan, XIONG Jingfan, YAO Ping
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):239-243
Objective:
To explore the association between vitamin D levels and sleep in children and adolescents,so as to provide a reference for promoting the sleep health of children and adolescents.
Methods:
From October to December, 2021, 4 827 primary and middle school students aged 6-17 in Shenzhen were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method, and their demographic information, family background, lifestyle and sleep status were obtained by facetoface questionnaire survey, and their fasting venous blood in the morning was collected to detect the serum 25(OH)D level. The relationship between serum vitamin D level and sleep characteristics was analyzed by binary Logistic regression, and stratified analysis was carried out according to gender.
Results:
The proportion of vitamin D deficiency was 41.1%, and the proportion of sleep deficiency was 19.4%. With the increase of vitamin D level, daily sleep duration of children and adolescents tended to increase (r=0.10,P<0.01). After adjusting for covariates such as gender and age, it was found that children and adolescents with insufficient vitamin D levels were more likely to experience sleep insufficiency, social jetlag, and late sleep on weekdays, with ORs being 1.32(95%CI=1.12-1.56), 1.35(95%CI=1.19-1.54), and 1.26(95%CI=1.05-1.52)(P<0.05). Sexstratified analysis showed that, among boys, vitamin D deficiency was associated with sleep deficiency, social jetlag, and late bedtime on weekdays and weekends[OR(95%CI)=1.42(1.14-1.77),1.25(1.04-1.49),1.39(1.06-1.82),1.86(1.19-2.92),P<0.05]. In girls, however, serum vitamin D levels were only associated with social jetlag with OR being 1.47 (95%CI=1.21-1.79, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Vitamin D levels are associated with various sleep characteristics in children and adolescents, with this association being more pronounced among boys.
2.Etiological characteristics and molecular evolution of the first mpox case in Huai’an City of Jiangsu Province
Pengfei YANG ; Fang HE ; Qingli YAN ; Heyuan GENG ; Tong GAO ; Qiang GAO ; Chenglong XIONG ; Haiyan PENG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):85-92
Objective To analyze the virus subtypes, molecular evolutional and molecular transmission network features of the first confirmed mpox case in Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into understanding of the transmission and evolution dynamics of mpox virus and formulation of the mpox control strategy in the city. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from swabs of the first confirmed mpox case’s skin lesions in Huai’an City, and the amplicon sequencing library was constructed using the hypersensitive mpox virus whole-genome capture kit. High-throughput sequencing was performed using the GridION X5 nanopore sequencer on the Nanopore sequencing platform, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of mpox virus genome sequences was performed following sequence assembly. In addition, phylogenetic analysis, genetic genealogy and molecular traceability analysis were performed. Results The virus whole genome sequence of the first confirmed mpox case was successfully obtained by high-throughput sequencing, with a full length of 197 182 bp, and was named hMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023, which belonged to the clade IIb (West African clade) lineage B.1.3. Compared with the mpox virus reference sequence MPXV-M5312_HM12_Rivers-001 (GenBank accession number: NC_063383), the genome sequence of the Huai’an virus isolate carried 86 SNPs, including 40 SNPs in the coding region as non-synonymous mutations and 73 SNPs as nucleotide mutations caused by APOBEC3 (APOBEC3). Of the 97 mpox virus gene sequences, 79 sequences were included in the molecular network (81.44%), and the threshold of the genetic distance accessed to the network was 0.35/105. There were two large molecular transmission clusters and one scattered cluster in the molecular transmission network of the mpox virus, andthehMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023 sequence was located in the large cluster. The 97 gene sequences formed 92 haplotypes, including three shared haplotypes Hap_4, Hap_6 and Hap_38, and an exclusive haplotype Hap_1 of hMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023 generated from mutation of the exclusive haplotype Hap_43, while the exclusive haplotype Hap_43 was generated from mutation of the shared haplotype Hap_38. Conclusions The whole genome sequence of the mpox virus isolated from the first confirmed mpox case in Huai’an City has been successfully obtained, and the molecular evolutionary and molecular transmission network characteristics of the virus have been preliminarily understood.
3.Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Baicalin in Rat Model of COPD via NF-κB/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Feixue HU ; Genfa WANG ; Guoliang DONG ; Jun XIONG ; Xinzhong KANG ; Zhongjuan PENG ; Caiqiu SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):117-126
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups: normal control, COPD model, low-dose baicalin, medium-dose baicalin, high-dose baicalin, and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment, whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β)], reactive oxygen species (ROS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IL-10, IL-22, and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), NF-κB, HDAC2, and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally, real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding, structural disorganization, and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast, inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles, along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover, the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic, with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed, leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However, the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group, the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels (P<0.05), and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, TGF-β, and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 (P<0.05). Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, PI3K, and Akt, while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB (P<0.05). Furthermore, baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.05). ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2, thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
4.Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Baicalin in Rat Model of COPD via NF-κB/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Feixue HU ; Genfa WANG ; Guoliang DONG ; Jun XIONG ; Xinzhong KANG ; Zhongjuan PENG ; Caiqiu SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):117-126
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups: normal control, COPD model, low-dose baicalin, medium-dose baicalin, high-dose baicalin, and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment, whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β)], reactive oxygen species (ROS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IL-10, IL-22, and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), NF-κB, HDAC2, and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally, real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding, structural disorganization, and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast, inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles, along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover, the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic, with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed, leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However, the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group, the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels (P<0.05), and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22, TGF-β, and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 (P<0.05). Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2, Nrf2, GR, PI3K, and Akt, while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB (P<0.05). Furthermore, baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.05). ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2, thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
5.Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of comorbidity of depressive and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in Chongqing
LI Xia, XIONG Ying, YANG Siwei, ZHANG Jing, PENG Chang, LI Mengfen, WANG Hong
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(10):1443-1448
Objective:
To understand the current situation and influencing factors of comorbidity of depressive and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in Chongqing, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating a comprehensive strategy for the co prevention of multiple diseases among middle school students.
Methods:
From September to December 2024, 12 327 middle school students were selected from 6 districts and counties in Chongqing by the combination of stratified cluster sampling and convenience sampling method. The current status of depressive and anxiety symptoms was investigated by using the Center for Epidemiological Survey-Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The Chi-squared test was used to compare the differences between groups with comorbidity of depressive and anxiety symptoms, multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze its related factors, and a nomogram prediction model was drawn.
Results:
The detection rates of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and comorbidity among middle school students in Chongqing were 26.34%, 34.55% and 21.16%, respectively. Among them, the detection rates of the three types of symptoms in girls (29.80%, 40.99%, 25.15%) were all higher than those in boys (23.22%, 28.73%, 17.55%) ( χ 2=68.61, 204.23, 106.51, all P <0.01). Statistical significance was observed in the distribution of depressive and anxious symptoms among middle school students across different gender, academic stage, school district, family type, physical activity levels, parental discipline, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, excessive screen time, Internet addiction, and bullying ( χ 2=14.49-991.46, all P <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with junior high school students, ordinary high school students had a higher risk of comorbidity ( OR=2.71, 95% CI = 2.41-3.05); girls ( OR=2.17, 95%CI =1.95-2.40), non-core family ( OR=1.20, 95%CI =1.08-1.32), and good neighborhood ( OR=1.16, 95%CI =1.02-1.30), campus bullying ( OR=4.88, 95%CI =4.32-5.50), Internet addiction ( OR=4.77, 95%CI = 3.41 -6.68), parental beating and scolding ( OR=3.18, 95%CI =2.72-3.71), alcohol consumption ( OR=2.10, 95%CI =1.86- 2.37 ), and insufficient sleep ( OR=1.73, 95%CI =1.54-1.95) had higher risks with comorbidity of depression and anxiety symptoms (all P <0.05). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on significant variables shows that C-index=0.75 (AUC= 0.75 , 95% CI=0.74-0.76, P <0.05), and the model had good predictive performance.
Conclusions
The current situation of comorbidity of depressive and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in Chongqing is not optimistic. The nomograms can be used to effectively predict the risk of comorbidity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in middle school students.
6.Predictive value of preoperative combined detection of NLR and PTAR for early abdominal infection after liver transplantation
Huabin PENG ; Ying LIU ; Fei HOU ; Shuang ZHAO ; Yizhi ZHANG ; Tingting CUI ; Zhiying HE ; Jingyi LIU ; Haofeng XIONG ; Liying SUN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(6):931-943
Objective To investigate the predictive value of preoperative combined detection of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio to albumin ratio (PTAR) for early abdominal infection after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 287 recipients who underwent liver transplantation at the Liver Transplant Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, from January 2020 to April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into infection group (n=60) and non-infection group (n=227) based on whether abdominal infection occurred within 30 days after surgery. The distribution characteristics of pathogens and infection time in infected patients were analyzed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between NLR, PTAR, Child-Pugh score and preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for abdominal infection. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for NLR, PTAR, and the combined prediction model to evaluate their predictive efficacy for abdominal infection after liver transplantation. Based on the cutoff value of the combined model, recipients were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence of abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery between the two groups. Results Among the 287 recipients who underwent liver transplantation, 60 developed bacterial or fungal abdominal infections postoperatively. A total of 86 strains were isolated from infected patients, with Gram-negative bacteria accounting for 58%, Gram-positive bacteria for 36%, and fungi for 5%. Preoperative NLR and PTAR were positively correlated with Child-Pugh and MELD scores (all 1 > r > 0, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative NLR, preoperative PTAR, postoperative ICU stay duration and postoperative biliary leakage were risk factors for abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery. The area under the curve (AUC) for NLR, PTAR, Child-Pugh score and MELD score were 0.771, 0.735, 0.650 and 0.741, respectively. The AUC for the combined NLR and PTAR prediction model was 0.824 (95% confidence interval: 0.763-0.885, P < 0.001), with a cutoff value of 0.168. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of abdominal infection within 30 days after surgery was lower in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusions Preoperative NLR and PTAR are independent risk factors for abdominal infection within 30 days after liver transplantation. The combined prediction model of NLR and PTAR may effectively identify high-risk recipients for early abdominal infection after liver transplantation, providing basis for early intervention.
7.Comprehensive application of fingerprint studies, content determination, and chemometrics to identify geo-markers of Chuanxiong Rhizoma.
Meng-Yuan WU ; Cheng PENG ; Chun-Wang MENG ; Juan-Ru LIU ; Qin-Mei ZHOU ; Ou DAI ; Liang XIONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):152-171
This study established a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprint of Chuanxiong Rhizoma from different producing areas and screened its potential differential components for producing areas by chemometrics. Furthermore, the content of the above differential components in Chuanxiong Rhizoma from different producing areas was measured and compared. Then, the geoherbalism markers(geo-markers) that can be used to distinguish Dao-di and non-Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma were excavated by chemometrics. In fingerprint studies, a total of 27 common peaks were determined, and the fingerprint similarity for 37 batches of Chuanxiong Rhizoma samples from different producing areas was above 0.968. The orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was capable of distinguishing Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Sichuan and from three other provinces, as well as Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma(from Dujiangyan) and non-Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma(from other producing areas) in Sichuan province. Meanwhile, 14 potential differential components in Chuanxiong Rhizoma from different provinces and 16 potential differential components in Chuanxiong Rhizoma from different producing areas in Sichuan were screened by the variable importance in projection(VIP) analysis under OPLS-DA. The reference standards were used to identify 10 potential differential components in the common peaks, and subsequent content determination verified that the content of the above 10 potential differential components was different among different producing areas. Then, the OPLS-DA and VIP analysis were performed with the content of the 10 potential differential components as variables. The results showed that Z-ligustilide, chlorogenic acid, and the ratio of butylidenephthalide/senkyunolide A were the geo-markers that can distinguish Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Sichuan and Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Shaanxi, Hebei, and Jiangxi, while Z-ligustilide, n-butylphthalide, and the ratios of Z-ligustilide/senkyunolide A and butylidenephthalide/senkyunolide A were the geo-markers that can distinguish Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma(from Dujiangyan) and non-Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma(from other producing areas) in Sichuan province. This study elucidated the differences in material basis of Dao-di and non-Dao-di Chuanxiong Rhizoma based on fingerprinting and content determination combined with chemometrics, which provides a reference for the study of material basis of Dao-di traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Rhizome/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Chemometrics/methods*
;
Quality Control
8.Traditional Chinese medicine understanding and treatment of acute myocardial infarction complicated with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Xing-Jiang XIONG ; Fu-Kun LUO ; Xiao-Ya WANG ; Yu LAN ; Peng-Qian WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1969-1973
Acute myocardial infarction and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding are both critical internal medicine conditions. The incidence of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute myocardial infarction ranges from 5.31% to 8.90%, with a mortality rate as high as 20.50% to 35.70%. The pathogenesis may be related to the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, as well as stress-induced injury. In treatment, the contradiction between antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy and bleeding has made this disease a significant challenge in modern medicine. Therefore, re-exploring the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment principles, and methods of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for acute myocardial infarction and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is of great clinical importance. The research team has been working year-round in the coronary care unit(CCU), managing a large number of such severe patients. By revisiting classic texts and delving into the foundational theories of TCM and historical medical literature, it has been found that this disease falls under the category of "distant blood" in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber. In terms of etiology, it is primarily associated with weakness of healthy Qi and damage caused by drug toxicity. In terms of pathogenesis, in the acute stage, it mainly manifests as insufficient spleen Yang, deficiency of spleen Qi, and failure of the spleen to control blood. In the remission stage, it is characterized by deficiency of both heart Qi and spleen blood. For treatment, during the acute stage, Huangtu Decoction is used to warm Yang and restrain blood, while in the remission stage, Guipi Decoction is administered to tonify Qi and nourish blood. During the treatment process, for patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is crucial to flexibly apply the treatment principles of "Nil per os" in western medicine and "where there is stomach Qi, there is life; where there is no stomach Qi, there is death" in TCM. Early intervention with Huangtu Decoction can also prevent bleeding, with large doses being key to achieving hemostasis. It is important to address the pathogenesis of heat syndrome in addition to the core pathogenesis of Yang deficiency bleeding and to emphasize the follow-up treatment with Guipi Decoction for a successful outcome.
Humans
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Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology*
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Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Acute Disease
9.Application of Tianxiong Granules in treating hypertension from both heart and brain based on "heart-brain" axis.
Xing MENG ; Peng-Qian WANG ; Xing-Jiang XIONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1412-1418
Hypertension, a common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, has aroused global concern. As breakthroughs have been achieved in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and western medicine theories related to the heart and brain, top international journals such as Science pay increasing attention to the functional interaction between the heart and brain in modern medicine, known as the "heart-brain" axis, also referred to as the "cardiovascular-brain" circuit. The heart and brain interact and influence each other through the "heart-brain" axis. Increasing evidence suggests that the inflammation-regulated "heart-brain" axis plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of hypertension, offering new insights for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In TCM, there is a connection between the heart and brain by the sharing of blood essence, interconnected blood vessels, and shared governance over the mind. Diseases of the heart and brain share common pathological and physiological foundations, similar risk factors, and TCM pathogeneses, which form the basis for simultaneous treatment of heart and brain diseases in TCM. The principle of simultaneous treatment of the heart and brain diseases aligns with the theory of "heart-brain" axis. Modern research has found that the heart and brain are the main target organs of hypertension. Long-term high blood pressure can easily cause structural changes, mainly characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation, leading to hypertensive heart disease. Hypertension can change the structure, blood supply, and function of the brain, being closely related to cerebral atherosclerosis, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cognitive dysfunction, dementia and other brain diseases. TCM treatment of hypertension has a long history. According to the pathogenesis(Yang hyperactivity and blood stasis) of hypertension, the team has developed the core treatment principle of subduing Yang and activating blood. Through extensive clinical exploration and experimental research, the team has developed an effective prescription called Tianxiong Granules. This prescription has shown definite efficacy in stabilizing blood pressure, ameliorating clinical symptoms, and reducing target organ damage. The protective effects of Tianxiong Granules on the heart and brain are reflected in aspects such as symptoms related to the heart and brain, pharmacological effects on ventricular hypertrophy, and brain protection. The preliminary research by the team found that Tianxiong Granules might treat hypertension by inhibiting sympathetic nerve excitation and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS) and targeting mitochondrial autophagy to regulate the activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome mediates pyroptosis, which is a key mechanism of hypertension. Next, the team will construct the adeno-associated viruses with downregulated NLRP3 expression via adenoviral vectors and use viral tracing technology, left stellate ganglionectomy, and a cardiac denervation model to reveal the mechanism of Tianxiong Granules in regulating the heart-brain interaction in hypertensive rats, from both in vivo and in vitro perspectives. In summary, exploring clinical treatment strategies for hypertension from both heart and brain based on the "heart-brain" axis is likely to be a new direction for the development of drugs for hypertension and offers a new target and basis for intervention in hypertension.
Humans
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Hypertension/physiopathology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Brain/physiopathology*
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Animals
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Heart/physiopathology*
10.Functional characterization of flavonoid glycosyltransferase AmGT90 in Astragalus membranaceus.
Guo-Qing PENG ; Bing-Yan XU ; Jian-Ping HUANG ; Zhi-Yin YU ; Sheng-Xiong HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1534-1543
Astragalus membranaceus(A. membranaceus), a traditional tonic, contains flavonoids as one of its main bioactive components and key indicators for quality standard detection. These compounds predominantly exist in glycosylated forms after glycosylation modification within the plant. The catalytic products of flavonoid glycosyltransferases in A. membranaceus have been reported to be mostly monoglycosides, and only AmUGT28 catalyzes luteolin to form diglycosides. In this study, we cloned a glycosyltransferase gene, AmGT90, from A. membranaceus, with an ORF length of 1 335 bp, encoding 444 amino acids, and the protein had a relative molecular mass of 50.5 kDa. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that AmGT90 belongs to the UGT74 family. In vitro enzymatic reaction showed that AmGT90 had broad substrate specificity and could catalyze the glycosylation of various flavonoids, including isoflavones, flavones, flavanones, and chalcones. AmGT90 not only catalyzed the formation of monoglycosides but also diglycosides. In addition, the mechanism of AmGT90 catalyzing the formation of diglycosides from luteolin was preliminarily explored. The experimental results showed that AmGT90 may preferentially recognize C4'-OH of luteolin and then recognize C7-OH to form diglycosides. This study reported a glycosyltransferase from A. membranaceus capable of converting flavonoids into monoglycosides and diglycosides. This finding not only enhances our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoid glycosides in A. membranaceus but also introduces a new component for glycoside production through synthetic biology.
Glycosyltransferases/chemistry*
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Flavonoids/chemistry*
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Astragalus propinquus/classification*
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Phylogeny
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Glycosylation
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Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Substrate Specificity
;
Cloning, Molecular
;
Amino Acid Sequence


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