1.Modified probiotics and the related combinatorial therapeutics.
Luo ZHAO ; Mengya NIU ; Zilin MA ; Fengyun HE ; Xinxin LIU ; Xunwei GONG ; Zhanfei CHAI ; Ziqing WANG ; Qianhua FENG ; Lei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2431-2453
Probiotics have shown excellent application prospects in preventing and treating many diseases. However, their sensitivity to the harsh environment in vivo always leads to a massive loss of viability and insufficient therapeutic effect. Fortunately, modified probiotics have emerged and provide multiple possibilities for their use in various diseases. Modification not only endows probiotics with extra capacity to resist severe environments but also gives them exogenous characteristics, such as prolonged retention time and improved therapeutic effects. Modified probiotics could combine with other therapies, which has opened up new avenues to enhance the efficacy of probiotic-based therapy. In this review, we have summarized the current physicochemical and biological modification strategies of probiotics. In addition, the progress of research on probiotic-based combination therapy has also been extensively reviewed, which contributes to the enhanced delivery of probiotics or other active constituents and provides new ideas for disease treatment, bioimaging, and diagnosis.
2.Mechanism of Myocardial Protection by Electroacupuncture at PC6 Attenuates TRPV1 Pathway-Mediated Dorsal Root Ganglion Sympathetic Sprouting on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Liyuan YANG ; Jinqun HU ; Jian XIONG ; Xiao LI ; Yu LIU ; Ying WEI ; Qianhua ZHENG ; Wenchuan QI ; Fanrong LIANG ; Hong ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(6):1616-1627
Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI),electroacupuncture PC6 Attenuates TRPV1 pathway in spinal cord C5-T6 dorsal root ganglion(DRG)on MIRI rats was observed.Methods After one week of experimental feeding,30 SD rats with normal electrocardiogram were randomly divided into sham-operated group and model group,PC6 group,non-meridian and non-acupuncture group,and PC6+capsaicin(TRPV1 receptor agonist)group,with 6 rats in each group.The MIRI model was prepared by ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD)coronary artery in the other groups.The next day after modeling,electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point in the EA group,electroacupuncture of the caudal"non-meridian non-points"in the the non-meridian non-acupuncture point group,and electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point after intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin in the PC6+capsaicin group,20 min/d for 7 days.ECG was used to record the changes of ST level and LF/HF ratio in rats.Evans blue-TTC double staining and HE staining was used to observe the myocardial infarction area and the changes of myocardial tissue morphology.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI.Immunofluorescence staining was used to the phenomenon of sympathetic-sensory coupling with TH-CGRP positive labeling in the DRG of rats.qPCR was to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV1,TH,CGRP,SP,ERK and AKT in rat DRG.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed significant higher ST level and LF/HF ratio(both P<0.001),and IA/AAR ratio increased significantly(P<0.0001).Massive inflammatory cell infiltration,serum CK-MB,cTnI levels up-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001).The formation of TH-CGRP-labeled sympathetic budding phenomenon in the DRG and the TRPV1,TH,CGRP in the DRG,SP,ERK,and AKT mRNA expression levels increased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the ECG of the endograft group was significantly improved(both P<0.001).The IA/AAR ratio decreased significantly in PC6 group(P<0.001).The myocardial infarction area reduced significantly(P<0.0001).The levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI down-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001),and the phenomenon of sympathetic sprouting within DRG was not evident,and the DRG of the 6 corresponding mRNA expression decreased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the PC6 group,the effect of treatment was not obvious in the non-meridian and non-acupuncture group and PC6+capsaicin group,and the electrocardiogram,IA/AAR ratio,myocardial infarcted area,and serum CK-MB,and cTnI levels did not improve(both P<0.01),and a large number of sympathetic budding phenomena were seen in the DRG.The expression of the mRNA corresponding to the phase of 6 increased significantly(both P<0.01).Conculsion Electroacupuncture PC6 may reduce myocardial injury by inhibiting TRPV1 pathway-mediated sympatheticsprouting in dorsal root ganglia.
3.Effects of Metformin on C-C motif chemokine ligand-2/C-C motif chemokine receptor-2 axis on the balance of type 17 helper T cells/regulatory T cells in diabetic rats
Qianhua LIU ; Junhong ZHOU ; Chaomin LI ; Yu WU
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(8):623-630
Objective To explore the impact of Metformin(Met)on the balance of type 17 helper T cells(Th17)/regulatory T cells(Treg)in DM rats by regulating the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2)-C-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CCR2)axis.Methods A total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,model(Mod)group,Met(100 mg/kg)group,Met+empty vector(Met+oe-NC)group,and Met+CCL2 overexpression(Met+oe-CCL2)group,with 10 rats in each group.The changes of FBG evaluated in each group,and the pathological changes of pancreatic islet tissue were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining followed by histological scoring.The ratio of Th17/Treg in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry.ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL-17,TNF-α,TGF-β and IL-10.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the proportion of Th17 and Treg in pancreatic tissue.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of ROR-γt,forkhead box P3(FOXP3),CCL2 and CCR2 in pancreatic tissue.Results The islet structure was intact and the boundary was clear,and there was no pathological damage in the NC group.In the Mod group,the islet tissue exhibited significant pathological damage,characterized by disrupted architecture,reduced volume,and blurred boundaries with surrounding tissues.Additionally,the cells in the islet displayed marked disorganization and substantial loss.Compared with the Mod group,the pathological damage of the islet tissue was alleviated in the Met and Met+oe-NC group.Compared with the Met group,the pathological damage was aggravated in the Met+oe-CCL2 group.Compared with the NC group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein expression were higher(P<0.05),while TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were lower in the Mod group(P<0.05).Compared with the Mod group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.05),while TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were higher in the Met and Met+oe-NC groups(P<0.05).Compared with the Met group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein were higher(P<0.05),and TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were higher in the Met+oe-CCL2 group(P<0.05).Conclusions Metformin can promote Th17/Treg cell balance drift towards Treg direction by inhibiting the activation of CCL2-CCR2 signal axis,thereby preventing the occurrence and development of inflammatory reactions,alleviating pancreatic islet damage,and improving the glucose metabolism in DM rats.
4.Effects of Metformin on C-C motif chemokine ligand-2/C-C motif chemokine receptor-2 axis on the balance of type 17 helper T cells/regulatory T cells in diabetic rats
Qianhua LIU ; Junhong ZHOU ; Chaomin LI ; Yu WU
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(8):623-630
Objective To explore the impact of Metformin(Met)on the balance of type 17 helper T cells(Th17)/regulatory T cells(Treg)in DM rats by regulating the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2)-C-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CCR2)axis.Methods A total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,model(Mod)group,Met(100 mg/kg)group,Met+empty vector(Met+oe-NC)group,and Met+CCL2 overexpression(Met+oe-CCL2)group,with 10 rats in each group.The changes of FBG evaluated in each group,and the pathological changes of pancreatic islet tissue were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining followed by histological scoring.The ratio of Th17/Treg in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry.ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL-17,TNF-α,TGF-β and IL-10.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the proportion of Th17 and Treg in pancreatic tissue.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of ROR-γt,forkhead box P3(FOXP3),CCL2 and CCR2 in pancreatic tissue.Results The islet structure was intact and the boundary was clear,and there was no pathological damage in the NC group.In the Mod group,the islet tissue exhibited significant pathological damage,characterized by disrupted architecture,reduced volume,and blurred boundaries with surrounding tissues.Additionally,the cells in the islet displayed marked disorganization and substantial loss.Compared with the Mod group,the pathological damage of the islet tissue was alleviated in the Met and Met+oe-NC group.Compared with the Met group,the pathological damage was aggravated in the Met+oe-CCL2 group.Compared with the NC group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein expression were higher(P<0.05),while TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were lower in the Mod group(P<0.05).Compared with the Mod group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.05),while TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were higher in the Met and Met+oe-NC groups(P<0.05).Compared with the Met group,the levels of FBG,Th17/Treg ratio,IL-17,TNF-α,Th17 infiltration rate,ROR-γt,CCL2,and CCR2 mRNA and protein were higher(P<0.05),and TGF-β,IL-10,Treg infiltration rate,FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression were higher in the Met+oe-CCL2 group(P<0.05).Conclusions Metformin can promote Th17/Treg cell balance drift towards Treg direction by inhibiting the activation of CCL2-CCR2 signal axis,thereby preventing the occurrence and development of inflammatory reactions,alleviating pancreatic islet damage,and improving the glucose metabolism in DM rats.
5.Mechanism of Myocardial Protection by Electroacupuncture at PC6 Attenuates TRPV1 Pathway-Mediated Dorsal Root Ganglion Sympathetic Sprouting on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Liyuan YANG ; Jinqun HU ; Jian XIONG ; Xiao LI ; Yu LIU ; Ying WEI ; Qianhua ZHENG ; Wenchuan QI ; Fanrong LIANG ; Hong ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(6):1616-1627
Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI),electroacupuncture PC6 Attenuates TRPV1 pathway in spinal cord C5-T6 dorsal root ganglion(DRG)on MIRI rats was observed.Methods After one week of experimental feeding,30 SD rats with normal electrocardiogram were randomly divided into sham-operated group and model group,PC6 group,non-meridian and non-acupuncture group,and PC6+capsaicin(TRPV1 receptor agonist)group,with 6 rats in each group.The MIRI model was prepared by ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD)coronary artery in the other groups.The next day after modeling,electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point in the EA group,electroacupuncture of the caudal"non-meridian non-points"in the the non-meridian non-acupuncture point group,and electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point after intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin in the PC6+capsaicin group,20 min/d for 7 days.ECG was used to record the changes of ST level and LF/HF ratio in rats.Evans blue-TTC double staining and HE staining was used to observe the myocardial infarction area and the changes of myocardial tissue morphology.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI.Immunofluorescence staining was used to the phenomenon of sympathetic-sensory coupling with TH-CGRP positive labeling in the DRG of rats.qPCR was to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV1,TH,CGRP,SP,ERK and AKT in rat DRG.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed significant higher ST level and LF/HF ratio(both P<0.001),and IA/AAR ratio increased significantly(P<0.0001).Massive inflammatory cell infiltration,serum CK-MB,cTnI levels up-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001).The formation of TH-CGRP-labeled sympathetic budding phenomenon in the DRG and the TRPV1,TH,CGRP in the DRG,SP,ERK,and AKT mRNA expression levels increased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the ECG of the endograft group was significantly improved(both P<0.001).The IA/AAR ratio decreased significantly in PC6 group(P<0.001).The myocardial infarction area reduced significantly(P<0.0001).The levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI down-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001),and the phenomenon of sympathetic sprouting within DRG was not evident,and the DRG of the 6 corresponding mRNA expression decreased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the PC6 group,the effect of treatment was not obvious in the non-meridian and non-acupuncture group and PC6+capsaicin group,and the electrocardiogram,IA/AAR ratio,myocardial infarcted area,and serum CK-MB,and cTnI levels did not improve(both P<0.01),and a large number of sympathetic budding phenomena were seen in the DRG.The expression of the mRNA corresponding to the phase of 6 increased significantly(both P<0.01).Conculsion Electroacupuncture PC6 may reduce myocardial injury by inhibiting TRPV1 pathway-mediated sympatheticsprouting in dorsal root ganglia.
6.Orchestrating antigen delivery and presentation efficiency in lymph node by nanoparticle shape for immune response.
Hongjuan ZHAO ; Yatong LI ; Beibei ZHAO ; Cuixia ZHENG ; Mengya NIU ; Qingling SONG ; Xinxin LIU ; Qianhua FENG ; Zhenzhong ZHANG ; Lei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(9):3892-3905
Activating humoral and cellular immunity in lymph nodes (LNs) of nanoparticle-based vaccines is critical to controlling tumors. However, how the physical properties of nanovaccine carriers orchestrate antigen capture, lymphatic delivery, antigen presentation and immune response in LNs is largely unclear. Here, we manufactured gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with the same size but different shapes (cages, rods, and stars), and loaded tumor antigen as nanovaccines to explore their disparate characters on above four areas. Results revealed that star-shaped AuNPs captured and retained more repetitive antigen epitopes. On lymphatic delivery, both rods and star-shaped nanovaccines mainly drain into the LN follicles region while cage-shaped showed stronger paracortex retention. A surprising finding is that the star-shaped nanovaccines elicited potent humoral immunity, which is mediated by CD4+ T helper cell and follicle B cell cooperation significantly preventing tumor growth in the prophylactic study. Interestingly, cage-shaped nanovaccines preferentially presented peptide-MHC I complexes to evoke robust CD8+ T cell immunity and showed the strongest therapeutic efficacy when combined with the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor in established tumor study. These results highlight the importance of nanoparticle shape on antigen delivery and presentation for immune response in LNs, and our findings support the notion that different design strategies are required for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
7.A metabolic intervention strategy to break evolutionary adaptability of tumor for reinforced immunotherapy.
Qianhua FENG ; Yutong HAO ; Shuaiqi YANG ; Xiaomin YUAN ; Jing CHEN ; Yuying MEI ; Lanlan LIU ; Junbiao CHANG ; Zhenzhong ZHANG ; Lei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(2):775-786
The typical hallmark of tumor evolution is metabolic dysregulation. In addition to secreting immunoregulatory metabolites, tumor cells and various immune cells display different metabolic pathways and plasticity. Harnessing the metabolic differences to reduce the tumor and immunosuppressive cells while enhancing the activity of positive immunoregulatory cells is a promising strategy. We develop a nanoplatform (CLCeMOF) based on cerium metal-organic framework (CeMOF) by lactate oxidase (LOX) modification and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839) loading. The cascade catalytic reactions induced by CLCeMOF generate reactive oxygen species "storm" to elicit immune responses. Meanwhile, LOX-mediated metabolite lactate exhaustion relieves the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, preparing the ground for intracellular regulation. Most noticeably, the immunometabolic checkpoint blockade therapy, as a result of glutamine antagonism, is exploited for overall cell mobilization. It is found that CLCeMOF inhibited glutamine metabolism-dependent cells (tumor cells, immunosuppressive cells, etc.), increased infiltration of dendritic cells, and especially reprogrammed CD8+ T lymphocytes with considerable metabolic flexibility toward a highly activated, long-lived, and memory-like phenotype. Such an idea intervenes both metabolite (lactate) and cellular metabolic pathway, which essentially alters overall cell fates toward the desired situation. Collectively, the metabolic intervention strategy is bound to break the evolutionary adaptability of tumors for reinforced immunotherapy.
8.Application and analysis of the humble tutor mode in operating room teaching
Huaiyan LIU ; Jing TIAN ; Dailiang JIA ; Yuan SHEN ; Qianhua WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(11):1720-1726
Objective:To investigate the application effect of the humble tutor mode in the teaching of nursing interns in operating room.Methods:A total of 40 nursing interns in the Operating Room of Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from August 2020 to June 2021 were selected as control group, and 46 nursing interns from August 2021 to September 2022 were selected as experimental group. The interns in the control group received teaching with the conventional tutor mode, and those in the experimental group received teaching with the humble tutor mode. The two groups were compared in terms of the scores of theoretical knowledge and operation skills, voice behavior, self-efficacy, and humble tutor perception. SPSS 19.0 was used to perform the t-test, the chi-square test, and the correlation analysis. Results:At the time of department rotation, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of theoretical knowledge (93.86±3.53) and operation skills (90.90±5.68) than the control group ( P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of voice behavior [(35.22±7.60) vs. (30.43±5.96), P=0.002], self-efficacy [(28.17±5.03) vs. (24.38±3.39), P<0.001], and humble tutor perception [(37.04±4.34) vs. (26.33±6.63), P<0.001]. Humble tutor perception was positively correlated with voice behavior ( r=0.89, P<0.001), self-efficacy ( r=0.72, P<0.001), operation skills ( r=0.66, P<0.001), and score of theoretical knowledge ( r=0.39, P=0.007). Conclusion:The humble tutor mode has a significant effect in operating room teaching and can improve the assessment scores of theoretical knowledge and operation skills, promote the formation of humble tutors, and strengthen the teaching effect of voice behavior and self-efficacy in nursing interns.
9.Hyperthermia based individual in situ recombinant vaccine enhances lymph nodes drainage for de novo antitumor immunity.
Cuixia ZHENG ; Xinxin LIU ; Yueyue KONG ; Lei ZHANG ; Qingling SONG ; Hongjuan ZHAO ; Lu HAN ; Jiannan JIAO ; Qianhua FENG ; Lei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(8):3398-3409
The continuing challenges that limit effectiveness of tumor therapeutic vaccines were high heterogeneity of tumor immunogenicity, low bioactivity of antigens, as well as insufficient lymph nodes (LNs) drainage of antigens and adjuvants. Transportation of in situ neoantigens and adjuvants to LNs may be an effective approach to solve the abovementioned problems. Therefore, an FA-TSL/AuNCs/SV nanoplatform was constructed by integrating simvastatin (SV) adjuvant loaded Au nanocages (AuNCs) as cores (AuNCs/SV) and folic acid modified thermal-sensitive liposomes (FA-TSL) as shells to enhance de novo antitumor immunity. After accumulation in tumor guided by FA, AuNCs mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) induced the release of tumor-derived protein antigens (TDPAs) and the shedding of FA-TSL. Exposed AuNCs/SV soon captured TDPAs to form in situ recombinant vaccine (AuNCs/SV/TDPAs). Subsequently, AuNCs/SV/TDPAs could efficiently transport to draining LNs owing to the hyperthermia induced vasodilation effect and small particle size, achieving co-delivery of antigens and adjuvant for initiation of specific T cell response. In melanoma bearing mice, FA-TSL/AuNCs/SV and laser irradiation effectively ablated primary tumor, against metastatic tumors and induced immunological memory. This approach served a hyperthermia enhanced platform drainage to enable robust personalized cancer vaccination.
10.Evaluation the application of intra-operative cell salvage in cesarean section based on multicenter data
Bin LYU ; Xinghui LIU ; Yangyu ZHAO ; Meng CHEN ; Daijuan CHEN ; Xiaojing HU ; Xirong XIAO ; Jing HUANG ; Shaoshuai WANG ; Qianhua WANG ; Shuxiang LIU ; Quanfeng WU ; Yanyu HONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Shanshan ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2021;56(8):537-544
Objective:To investigate the safety, efficacy and application indication of intra-operative cell salvage (IOCS) in cesarean section.Methods:A total of 1 265 pregnant women who received IOCS blood transfusion during cesarean section in 11 tertiary A hospitals from August 2016 to January 2019 were collected and divided into <1 500 ml group (796 cases) and ≥1 500 ml group (469 cases) according to the amount of blood loss during cesarean section. The general clinical data, ultrasonic imaging data, perinatal and puerperium indicators were analyzed retrospectively. The risk factors of intraoperative blood loss ≥1 500 mL using IOCS transfusion were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression.Results:(1) A total of 848 001 ml of blood was recovered and a total of 418 649 ml of blood was transfused in 1 265 pregnant women who received IOCS transfusions, which was equivalent to 23 258 U red blood cell suspension, greatly saving medical resources. The intraoperative blood loss in <1 500 ml group and ≥1 500 ml group was 800 ml (300-1 453 ml) and 2 335 ml (1 500-20 000 ml), respectively. No amniotic fluid embolism, severe adverse reactions, shock and death occurred in the two groups. (3) Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥35 years ( OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), prenatal hemoglobin level <110 g/L ( OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.2), history of uterine surgery ( OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.6), placenta previa ( OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.1), placenta accreta ( OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.8-3.9), blood pool in the placenta ( OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3), abnormal posterior placenta muscle wall ( OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.6), placenta projecting to the anterior uterine wall ( OR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.3-7.0) were risk factors for blood loss ≥1 500 ml in obstetric transfusion using IOCS technique, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Conclusion:IOCS is safe and effective in cesarean section, which could save the medical resources and reduces medical expenses, however, it is necessary to strictly master the application indication.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail