1.Aberrant Increase in Lipid Synthesis Exacerbates Diabetic Nephropathy and Folic Acid-induced Kidney Injury.
Yuzhi CHEN ; Xiaoyun JIANG ; Qihui DAI ; Gonghua HUANG ; Xinguang LIU ; Meng YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(1):119-132
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and effects of fatty acid metabolism in folic acid (FA)-induced kidney injury and diabetic nephropathy (DN) mouse models. MethodsThe FA-induced kidney injury model was established via intraperitoneal injection of FA. Nine adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to two groups: saline control group (Saline, n=5) and FA intervention group (n=4). Mice in the FA group received a single intraperitoneal injection of FA (250 mg/kg), whereas those in the Saline group were administered an equivalent volume of normal saline. The DN model was constructed using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Eleven adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: normal diet control group (ND, n=6) and DN model group (DN, n=5). The ND group was fed a normal diet throughout the experiment; the DN group was maintained on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (100 mg/kg), and then continued on the high-fat diet until week 16. (1) Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and sirius red staining were used to observe pathological changes in the kidneys of the four groups of mice. (2) RNA-Seq was performed on mouse kidney tissues to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthesis and fibrosis-related genes. Lipid droplet accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining on frozen kidney sections. (3) Human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were treated with 10 ng/mL recombinant human TGF-β1 or high glucose. RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthesis and fibrosis-related genes in HK-2 cells. Lipid droplet accumulation in HK-2 cells and PTECs was detected using Bodipy 493/503 staining. (4) HK-2 cells were treated with 100 µmol/L palmitic acid (PA). Bodipy 493/503 staining was used to evaluate lipid droplet accumulation. (5) SA-β-gal staining was used to assess senescence in kidney tissues from all four mouse groups. Cellular senescence and the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors in PA-treated HK-2 cells were assessed using SA-β-gal staining, Western blot, and RT-qPCR. The effect of PA-treated PTECs on renal fibroblast activation was assessed by immunofluorescence. Results(1) Both FA and DN groups showed pathological changes in kidney tissue, including renal tubular structural damage and collagen fiber deposition. (2) DEGs in both FA and DN groups were significantly enriched in metabolism-related pathways, especially lipid metabolism pathways. Compared to the Saline control, the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes Srebp1 and Fasn was significantly upregulated in the FA group (Srebp1: t=2.445, P=0.044 4; Fasn: t=2.571, P=0.037 0). Compared to the ND group, Srebp1, Acc1, and Fasn gene expression was upregulated in the DN group (Srebp1: t=3.354, P=0.010 0; Acc1: t=2.602, P=0.031 5; Fasn: t=2.358, P=0.046 1). The fibrosis-related gene Col1a1 was also upregulated in both FA and DN groups (FA: t=2.628, P=0.034 0; DN: t=3.602, P=0.007 0), accompanied by pathological signs of lipid accumulation. (3) In HK-2 cells treated with TGF-β1 or high glucose, the mRNA expression levels of SREBP1 (F=15.41, P=0.004 3; TGFβ: P=0.002 9; HG: P=0.045 2), ACC1 (F=30.30, P=0.000 7; HG: P=0.001 4), and FASN (F=18.76, P=0.002 6; TGFβ: P=0.001 7; HG: P=0.031 0) were significantly upregulated. Both treatments also induced lipid accumulation in HK-2 cells and PTECs. (4) There was an increase in senescent cells in the kidneys of both the FA and DN groups. PA treatment induced lipid accumulation, accelerated senescence, and activated fibroblasts in renal tubular epithelial cells. ConclusionsTranscriptional abnormalities of lipid metabolism-related genes were observed in the kidneys of both FA-induced kidney injury and diabetic nephropathy models. Excessive fatty acid synthesis leads to lipid accumulation, which induces senescence in PTECs and ultimately promotes the development and progression of fibrosis.
2.Degradation of diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma should be treated with caution
Xu DAI ; Wen TIAN ; Qihui LI ; Chaojie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):613-616
Through reviewing literature on thyroid cancer management strategies, this article discusses the problems of active monitoring strategies, the real implementation status, and the hidden dangers of thermal ablation as a downgrade treatment. It points out that further research is needed to accurately identify low-risk PTMCs and implement active monitoring methods. The improvement in the 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer is due to standardized diagnosis and treatment. At present, it is still too early to downgrade the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in China. The World Health Organization recommends the three early principles of early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment for the treatment of malignant tumors as the fundamental principles of thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment.
3.Degradation of diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma should be treated with caution
Xu DAI ; Wen TIAN ; Qihui LI ; Chaojie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):613-616
Through reviewing literature on thyroid cancer management strategies, this article discusses the problems of active monitoring strategies, the real implementation status, and the hidden dangers of thermal ablation as a downgrade treatment. It points out that further research is needed to accurately identify low-risk PTMCs and implement active monitoring methods. The improvement in the 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer is due to standardized diagnosis and treatment. At present, it is still too early to downgrade the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in China. The World Health Organization recommends the three early principles of early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment for the treatment of malignant tumors as the fundamental principles of thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment.
4.Silencing MR-1 attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE(−/−) mice induced by angiotensin II through FAK-Akt–mTOR-NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
Yixi CHEN ; Jianping CAO ; Qihui ZHAO ; Haiyong LUO ; Yiguang WANG ; Wenjian DAI
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2018;22(2):127-134
Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) is a novel protein involved in cellular proliferation, migration, inflammatory reaction and signal transduction. However, little information is available on the relationship between MR-1 expression and the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of silencing MR-1 in a model of Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the siRNA-MR-1 substantially attenuated Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis with stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited FAK, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and NF-kB activation, which was associated with suppression of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages: siRNA-MR-1 inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of Ang II and highlight actions of silencing MR-1 to inhibit Ang II signaling, which is atheroprotective.
Angiotensin II*
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Angiotensins*
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Animals
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Arteries
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Atherosclerosis*
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Cell Proliferation
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Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
;
Gene Expression
;
In Vitro Techniques
;
Macrophages
;
Mice*
;
Muscle Development
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular
;
NF-kappa B
;
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
;
RNA, Small Interfering
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Signal Transduction
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Sirolimus
5.Effects of Kouyanqing Granules on Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis Patients with Head and Neck Cancer after Radiotherapy
Qihui YAN ; Haisheng LIN ; Wenjie ZHUO ; Youmin FAN ; Jie DAI
China Pharmacy 2017;28(27):3778-3781
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Kouyanqing granules on prevention and treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy.METHODS:A total of 122 head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy were randomly divided into kouyanqing group (61 cases) and chlorhexidine group (61 cases).Based on radiotherapy,kouyanqing group was given Kouyanqing granules 20 g dissolved in 50 mL lukewarm boiled water,twice a day,2-3 d before radiotherapy.Chlorhexidine group was given Compound chlorhexidine gargle 10-20 mL,twice a day,2-3 d before radiotherapy.Treatment courses of 2 groups lasted for 7 weeks.The occurrence of oral mucositis,VAS scores and ADR were observed in 2 groups.RESULTS:3rd week radiotherapy later,the incidence of oral mucositis at level 2-3 and 4th-7th week radiotherapy later,the incidence of oral mucositis at level 2-4 in kouyanqing group was significantly lower than chlorhexidine group,with statistical significance (P<0.01).2nd-7th week radiotherapy later,VAS score of kouyanqing group was significantly lower than that of chlorhexidine group,with statistical significance (P<0.01).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Kouyanqing granules can relieve radiation-induced oral mucositis of head and neck cancer and the degree of pain,and improve the quality of life.Its safety is similar to that of chlorhexidine.

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