1.Praeruptorin A inhibits neutrophil inflammation through ferritin and its role in sepsis
Pengchao YU ; Hong ZHENG ; Yifan HU ; Zhouxin YANG ; Zejia YU ; Jinnan XIA ; Haiying HAN ; Dongyang GUO
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(3):248-255
Objective:To investigate the potential of praeruptorin A (PA) in alleviating inflammatory damage in sepsis through the inhibition of ferritin expression.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish the model of sepsis. After 6 and 12 h of PA intervention, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Kidney tissues were collected at 72 h for HE staining to assess inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage. Human neutrophils were divided into four groups: control, LPS, ferritin, and LPS+ ferritin groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA. In order to observe the effect of PA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ferritin, human neutrophils were grouped into control, LPS, and LPS+ PA (2/3/4 μmol/L) groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin mRNA; ELISA was used to quantify the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in culture supernatants; Western blot was used to analyze the expression of ferritin. Molecular docking was conducted to verify interactions between PA and ferritin.Results:Significant inflammatory cell recruitment, tissue damage, and elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α ( P<0.01) were observed in mice with LPS-induced sepsis. PA significantly inhibited cytokine secretion ( P<0.01) and alleviated tissue injury in sepsis mice. In human neutrophil models, ferritin upregulated the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA ( P<0.01); LPS stimulation alone increased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin at both mRNA and protein levels ( P<0.01), while co-stimulation with PA (3/4 μmol/L) significantly reversed the aforementioned results ( P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed there were interaction sites between PA and ferritin. Conclusion:PA inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines and alleviates tissue damage in sepsis, and the potential mechanism may involve modulating ferritin expression to suppress inflammatory responses.
2.The role of STAT3 phosphorylation in regulating ferroptosis and its impact on cisplatin resistance in human osteosarcoma cells
Xinping Wang ; Linkuan Wang ; Pengchao Hu ; Yihua Shi
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1670-1681
Objective:
To investigate the role of STAT3 phosphorylation in ferroptosis regulation and its impact on cisplatin resistance mechanisms in human osteosarcoma cells.
Methods:
Human osteosarcoma HOS cells and cispl- atin-resistant HOS / DDP cells were treated with cisplatin ( 0. 5,1,2,4,8,16,32 mg / L) ,the ferroptosis inducer Erastin ( Era) ( 2 μmol / L) ,and / or the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 ( Fer1) ( 10 μmol / L) .Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 ( CCK-8) and colony formation assays,and cell migration was evaluated via a scratch assay.Reactive oxygen species ( ROS) ,intracellular ferrous iron levels,mitochondrial membrane potential,mitochondrial function,malondialdehyde ( MDA) levels,and the reduced glutathione / oxi- dized glutathione ( GSH / GSSG) ratio were measured using commercial kits.The mRNA expression of ferroptosis- related genes was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-qPCR) .The protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 ( GPX4) ,solute carrier family 7 member 11 ( SLC7A11) ,phosphorylated STAT3 ( p-STAT3) ,and total STAT3 were determined by Western blot.
Results:
With cisplatin treatment,HOS cells ex- hibited decreased cell viability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and GSH / GSSG ratio ( P<0. 01) ,along with elevated levels of ROS,ferrous ion,and MDA content ( P <0. 01) . The protein levels of GPX4 ( P <0. 01) , SLC7A11,and p-STAT3 also decreased ( P <0. 05) .Coadministration with the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 ( Fer-1) reversed these aforementioned effects ( P <0. 05) .In HOS / DDP cells,the mRNA levels of ferroptosis- suppressive genes ( GPX4,FTH1,SLC7A11,and AIFM2) were significantly higher than those in HOS cells ( P < 0. 05) ,whereas the expression of ferroptosis-promoting genes ( ACSL4 and PTGS2) was significantly lower ( P < 0. 05) .The cisplatin-induced reductions in cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential,as well as the in- creases in ROS,ferrous ion,and MDA levels,were less pronounced in HOS / DDP cells than in HOS cells.The SLC7A11 protein level showed no significant change. However,combined treatment with the ferroptosis inducer Erastin ( Era) resulted in significant decreases in viability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and the GSH / GSSG ratio in HOS / DDP cells ( P<0. 05) .Furthermore,the protein levels of p-STAT3,GPX4,and SLC7A11 were also markedly reduced ( P<0. 05) .
Conclusion
The activation of ferroptosis mediated by p-STAT3 enhances cisplatin sensitivity in HOS / DDP cells.
3.Effect of walking-cognition dual-task training combined with active self-disclosure on elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke
Qinqin HU ; Xueying SHI ; Anna WANG ; Pengchao WU ; Qin ZHOU ; Jiaojiao LI ; Xing YUAN ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):197-201
Objective To observe the effect of specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task train-ing combined with active self-disclosure on control and balance abilities in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 90 elderly AIS patients treated in our hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled and randomly assigned into the control group and the observation group,with 45 cases in each group.The control group received routine walk-ing training,while the observation group received specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task training combined with active self-disclosure intervention.Control ability,balance ability,walking ability,cognitive function and psychological status were compared between the two groups.Results After intervention,the scores of Sheikh Trunk Control Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),and the static balance score,dynamic balance score and total score of Berg Balance Scale(BBS)were significantly increased in both the observation and the control groups(P<0.05),and all above scores were obviously higher in the former group than the latter one(P<0.01).The two groups also obtained notably shorter single-and dual-task walking time after intervention,but there were no statistical difference in the single-task walking time in both groups before and after intervention(P>0.05).After intervention,the observation group had significantly shorter dual-task walking time(22.87±7.36 s vs 27.52±8.71 s,P=0.008)and lower walking time cost of dual task[(11.16±4.07)%vs(25.61±7.82)%,P=0.000]when compared with the control group.After intervention,the scores of Mini-Mental Status Examination were increased,and the scores of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were decreased in the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task training com-bined with active self-disclosure intervention can effectively improve trunk control ability,balance ability,walking ability,cognitive function and psychological state in elderly AIS patients,has cer-tian clinical application value.
4.Effect of drug-eluting bead DACE combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in different locations
Xingli YAN ; Zhen LI ; Jie LI ; Luqi HU ; Yifan LI ; Yanan ZHAO ; Yuyuan ZHANG ; Junying LIU ; Pengchao ZHAN ; Xin LI ; Peijie LYU ; Yancang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(4):238-242
Objective To investigate the effect of drug-eluting bead DACE(DEB-TACE)combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in different locations.Methods A total of 204 HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE combined with systemic therapy(targeted and immunotherapy)were retrospectively collected.According to the anatomical location of HCC,86 cases with lesions located at the main trunk of portal vein(PV)or within 1 cm of the first PV branch were classified into central type group,while 118 cases with lesions located at the other areas were classified as peripheral type group.Follow-up was regularly performed after DEB-TACE until August,2024.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)at 1,3,6 and 12 months after DEB-TACE,also patients'progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between groups.Results All patients were followed up for a median of 32.6 months,during which 164 cases died.Significant differences of ORR at 1 and 3 months after DEB-TACE(77.91%[67/86]vs.89.83%[106/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.54.24%[64/118])and DCR at 3 and 6 months after DEB-TACE(51.16%[44/86]vs.66.95%[79/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.50.00%[59/118])were found between groups(all P<0.05).Patients'PFS(30.18[9.12,48.54]months)and OS(37.36[17.79,56.68])in peripheral type group were better than those in central type group(20.11[11.35,28.87]months and 23.24[3.11,43.47]months,x2=3.971,4.162,P=0.048,0.041).Conclusion The effect of DEB-TACE combined with systemic treatment for peripheral type HCC was better than for central type HCC.
5.Liraglutide regulates SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat
Yawen WU ; Shu WEN ; Pengchao HU ; Zhen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):927-936
AIM:To investigate the role and mechanism of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist lira-glutide(Lira)in regulating ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat.METHODS:The mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells were exposed to 30 mmol/L glucose and 500 μmol/L palmitic acid to establish an islet β cell injury model.On this basis,a ferroptosis inducer erastin,a ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),and low and high concentrations of Lira were administered.Cell viability of different treatment groups were detected by CCK-8 assay.The malondialdehyde(MDA)kit was used to determine the changes in intracellular MDA content.The reactive oxygen species(ROS)kit was used to detect the changes in the ROS level of cells.The Fe2+fluorescence probe FerroOrange and mitochondrial membrane potential(JC-1)were used to detect the intracellular Fe2+levels and mitochondrial functions in different treatment groups.The mouse insulin ELISA kit was used to detect the insulin secretion of cells.RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes in the expression levels of key ferroptosis genes and insulin secretion genes in different treat-ment groups.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key ferroptosis proteins,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in different treatment groups.RESULTS:Compared with the cells treated with high glucose and high fat,after treatment with Fer-1 and high-dose Lira,the cell viability,insulin secre-tion of the cells,and mitochondrial membrane potential all increased significantly,the levels of ROS,MDA and Fe2+were decreased(P<0.05).The results of RT-qPCR showed that Fer-1 and high-dose Lira significantly upregulated the expres-sion of genes promoting insulin secretion(P<0.05).The results of Western blot showed that Fer-1 and high-dose Lira sig-nificantly upregulated the expression of ferroptosis-inhibiting proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Liraglutide inhibits ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway,there-by improving the damage and dysfunction of MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat.
6.Praeruptorin A inhibits neutrophil inflammation through ferritin and its role in sepsis
Pengchao YU ; Hong ZHENG ; Yifan HU ; Zhouxin YANG ; Zejia YU ; Jinnan XIA ; Haiying HAN ; Dongyang GUO
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(3):248-255
Objective:To investigate the potential of praeruptorin A (PA) in alleviating inflammatory damage in sepsis through the inhibition of ferritin expression.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish the model of sepsis. After 6 and 12 h of PA intervention, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Kidney tissues were collected at 72 h for HE staining to assess inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage. Human neutrophils were divided into four groups: control, LPS, ferritin, and LPS+ ferritin groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA. In order to observe the effect of PA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ferritin, human neutrophils were grouped into control, LPS, and LPS+ PA (2/3/4 μmol/L) groups. After 12 h of intervention, qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin mRNA; ELISA was used to quantify the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in culture supernatants; Western blot was used to analyze the expression of ferritin. Molecular docking was conducted to verify interactions between PA and ferritin.Results:Significant inflammatory cell recruitment, tissue damage, and elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α ( P<0.01) were observed in mice with LPS-induced sepsis. PA significantly inhibited cytokine secretion ( P<0.01) and alleviated tissue injury in sepsis mice. In human neutrophil models, ferritin upregulated the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA ( P<0.01); LPS stimulation alone increased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and ferritin at both mRNA and protein levels ( P<0.01), while co-stimulation with PA (3/4 μmol/L) significantly reversed the aforementioned results ( P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed there were interaction sites between PA and ferritin. Conclusion:PA inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines and alleviates tissue damage in sepsis, and the potential mechanism may involve modulating ferritin expression to suppress inflammatory responses.
7.Effect of walking-cognition dual-task training combined with active self-disclosure on elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke
Qinqin HU ; Xueying SHI ; Anna WANG ; Pengchao WU ; Qin ZHOU ; Jiaojiao LI ; Xing YUAN ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):197-201
Objective To observe the effect of specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task train-ing combined with active self-disclosure on control and balance abilities in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 90 elderly AIS patients treated in our hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled and randomly assigned into the control group and the observation group,with 45 cases in each group.The control group received routine walk-ing training,while the observation group received specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task training combined with active self-disclosure intervention.Control ability,balance ability,walking ability,cognitive function and psychological status were compared between the two groups.Results After intervention,the scores of Sheikh Trunk Control Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),and the static balance score,dynamic balance score and total score of Berg Balance Scale(BBS)were significantly increased in both the observation and the control groups(P<0.05),and all above scores were obviously higher in the former group than the latter one(P<0.01).The two groups also obtained notably shorter single-and dual-task walking time after intervention,but there were no statistical difference in the single-task walking time in both groups before and after intervention(P>0.05).After intervention,the observation group had significantly shorter dual-task walking time(22.87±7.36 s vs 27.52±8.71 s,P=0.008)and lower walking time cost of dual task[(11.16±4.07)%vs(25.61±7.82)%,P=0.000]when compared with the control group.After intervention,the scores of Mini-Mental Status Examination were increased,and the scores of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were decreased in the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Specialist team-led walking-cognition dual-task training com-bined with active self-disclosure intervention can effectively improve trunk control ability,balance ability,walking ability,cognitive function and psychological state in elderly AIS patients,has cer-tian clinical application value.
8.Liraglutide regulates SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway to inhibit ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat
Yawen WU ; Shu WEN ; Pengchao HU ; Zhen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):927-936
AIM:To investigate the role and mechanism of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist lira-glutide(Lira)in regulating ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat.METHODS:The mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells were exposed to 30 mmol/L glucose and 500 μmol/L palmitic acid to establish an islet β cell injury model.On this basis,a ferroptosis inducer erastin,a ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),and low and high concentrations of Lira were administered.Cell viability of different treatment groups were detected by CCK-8 assay.The malondialdehyde(MDA)kit was used to determine the changes in intracellular MDA content.The reactive oxygen species(ROS)kit was used to detect the changes in the ROS level of cells.The Fe2+fluorescence probe FerroOrange and mitochondrial membrane potential(JC-1)were used to detect the intracellular Fe2+levels and mitochondrial functions in different treatment groups.The mouse insulin ELISA kit was used to detect the insulin secretion of cells.RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes in the expression levels of key ferroptosis genes and insulin secretion genes in different treat-ment groups.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key ferroptosis proteins,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in different treatment groups.RESULTS:Compared with the cells treated with high glucose and high fat,after treatment with Fer-1 and high-dose Lira,the cell viability,insulin secre-tion of the cells,and mitochondrial membrane potential all increased significantly,the levels of ROS,MDA and Fe2+were decreased(P<0.05).The results of RT-qPCR showed that Fer-1 and high-dose Lira significantly upregulated the expres-sion of genes promoting insulin secretion(P<0.05).The results of Western blot showed that Fer-1 and high-dose Lira sig-nificantly upregulated the expression of ferroptosis-inhibiting proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Liraglutide inhibits ferroptosis of mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway,there-by improving the damage and dysfunction of MIN6 cells induced by high glucose and high fat.
9.Effect of drug-eluting bead DACE combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in different locations
Xingli YAN ; Zhen LI ; Jie LI ; Luqi HU ; Yifan LI ; Yanan ZHAO ; Yuyuan ZHANG ; Junying LIU ; Pengchao ZHAN ; Xin LI ; Peijie LYU ; Yancang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(4):238-242
Objective To investigate the effect of drug-eluting bead DACE(DEB-TACE)combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in different locations.Methods A total of 204 HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE combined with systemic therapy(targeted and immunotherapy)were retrospectively collected.According to the anatomical location of HCC,86 cases with lesions located at the main trunk of portal vein(PV)or within 1 cm of the first PV branch were classified into central type group,while 118 cases with lesions located at the other areas were classified as peripheral type group.Follow-up was regularly performed after DEB-TACE until August,2024.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)at 1,3,6 and 12 months after DEB-TACE,also patients'progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between groups.Results All patients were followed up for a median of 32.6 months,during which 164 cases died.Significant differences of ORR at 1 and 3 months after DEB-TACE(77.91%[67/86]vs.89.83%[106/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.54.24%[64/118])and DCR at 3 and 6 months after DEB-TACE(51.16%[44/86]vs.66.95%[79/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.50.00%[59/118])were found between groups(all P<0.05).Patients'PFS(30.18[9.12,48.54]months)and OS(37.36[17.79,56.68])in peripheral type group were better than those in central type group(20.11[11.35,28.87]months and 23.24[3.11,43.47]months,x2=3.971,4.162,P=0.048,0.041).Conclusion The effect of DEB-TACE combined with systemic treatment for peripheral type HCC was better than for central type HCC.
10.Melatonin Enhances the Chemosensitivity to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer(PANC-1)Via the Ferroptosis and Autophagy Pathways
Jian CAO ; Qinpeng DONG ; Lian ZENG ; Hengping LI ; Junrui LIU ; Xiaodong SUN ; Qingsong WANG ; Pengchao HU
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(4):502-510
Objective To explore the effect and potential mechanisms of melatonin combined with gemcitabine on the chemosensitivity of human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.Methods Human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 was trea-ted with gemcitabine alone or in combination with melatonin.Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8.Effect of melatonin and gem-citabine alone or in combination on the clonogenic capacity of PANC-1 cells were observed through colony formation experiments.Scratch assays and transwell experiments were conducted to evaluate cell migration ability.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)and mitochondrial membrane point JC-1 assay kit were used to determine reactive oxygen species synthesis and membrane potential levels.Intracellular Fe2+level was measured using ferrous ion fluorescent probe.The protein expression levels of LC3,P62,GPX4 and SLC7A11 in different treatment groups were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.Results CCK-8 results showed that the viability of PANC-1 cells was inhibited by gemcitabine alone after 48 h and 72 h of treatment in a time-and dose-dependent manner.The cell viability of gemcitabine combined with melatonin group was significantly lower than that of gemcitabine group,and the cell viability decreased with the increase of melatonin concentration.Scratch assays,transwell experiments,and plate colony formation assay results demonstrated that the proliferation and migration of cells in the gemcitabine combined with the me-latonin group were significantly inhibited compared with the gemcitabine group.The levels of reactive oxygen species and Fe2+in PANC-1 in gemcitabine combined with the melatonin group were higher than those in the gemcitabine group,and the mitochondri-al membrane potential was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Western blotting and immunofluorescence results showed that the ra-tio of autophagy-related protein LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in gemcitabine combined with the melatonin group was lower than that in the gem-citabine group,and the expression of P62 was up-regulated,and the expression of anti-iron death-related protein GPX4 and SLC7A11 was significantly inhibited(P<0.05),suggesting that melatonin combined with gemcitabine can inhibit autophagy and promote ferroptosis in PANC-1 cells.Conclusion Melatonin enhances the chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1 to gemcitabine by inhibiting autophagy and promoting ferroptosis of tumor cells.


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