1.Photodynamic performance and anti-lung cancer effect of novel chlorin compounds
Yan QIU ; Hao WU ; Yafen DONG ; Ye CHEN ; Jian WANG ; Hui JIN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(1):39-45
Objective To study the photodynamic performance and the killing effect of photodynamic therapy on lung cancer of novel chlorin compounds 2-(4-(5,15,20-triphenyl-7H,8H-porphyrin-10-yl) phenoxy) acetic acid(D1)and 4-(4-(5,15,20-triphenyl-7H,8H-porphyrin-10-yl) phenoxy) butanoic acid (D2). Methods The ultraviolet visible absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of D1 and D2 were determined. The singlet oxygen generation capacity of D1 and D2 was measured by using DPBF as singlet oxygen capture agent. Fluorescence assay was used to detect the cellular phagocytosis rate of the compounds in A549 cells, and MTT assay was used to detect their dark toxicity and phototoxicity. A nude mouse model of lung cancer was established to investigate the antitumor activity of the compounds mediated photodynamic action in vivo, and the blood concentration of D2 in nude mice, its distribution in tumor tissue and skin tissue were further detected. Results D1 and D2 had strong absorption at 652 nm with the best excitation wavelength at 429 nm and 427 nm, and the optimal emission wavelength was at about 659 nm. They also had a higher singlet oxygen generation rate than the control drug m-THPC. D1 and D2 had no dark toxicity at concentrations below 10 μmol/L, and could be ingested by A549 cells, basically reaching saturation in 18~24 hours. After laser irradiation at 650 nm wavelength, D1 and D2 showed significant antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro (P<0.01). However, D2 could selectively accumulate in tumor tissues after administration, and the optimal treatment time was less than 30 min after administration. Conclusion D2 had excellent photodynamic antitumor activity and could selectively aggregate in tumor tissues, which had the potential to be a candidate drug for photosensitizer and treatment of lung cancer with independent intellectual property rights, and was worth further research.
2.Construction and validation of machine learning predictive models for the risk of metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Linjie QIU ; Haiyan REN ; Yan REN ; Meijie LI ; Chacha ZOU ; Zijing WU ; Jin ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):848-855
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of predictive models established based on machine learning methods in predicting the risk of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to analyze its key risk factors. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the 50 variables of 2 168 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in Department of Health Assessment, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, from January 2021 to December 2024, including body composition, past history, and laboratory tests, and according to whether they were diagnosed with MAFLD or not, they were divided into MAFLD group with 265 individuals and non-MAFLD group with 1 903 individuals. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Randomly split the research data into a training set and a validation set in a 70% to 30% ratio. Predictive factors were screened from the training set data using univariate analysis, LASSO regression, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Predictive models were then constructed using seven machine learning methods: Logistic regression, decision tree, random forest (RF), eXtreme gradient boosting, light gradient boosting machine, support vector machine, and artificial neural network. Model performance was evaluated by plotting receiver operating characteristic curve for the validation set and calculating the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index for each model. Furthermore, the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method was used to analyze the contribution of variables in the optimal model. ResultsThe prevalence rate of MAFLD among the 2 168 subjects was 12.22% (265/2 168). Smoking, diastolic blood pressure, phase angle, visceral fat area, muscle fat ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio, triglyceride-glucose index, and gallstones were independent risk factors for MAFLD (all P<0.05). The seven predictive models of support vector machine, eXtreme gradient boosting, decision tree, light gradient boosting machine, artificial neural network, RF, and Logistic regression had an AUC of 0.738, 0.754, 0.757, 0.786, 0.795, 0.796, and 0.815, respectively, in the validation set, among which the RF model had the best discriminatory ability (AUC=0.796, 95% confidence interval: 0.754 — 0.839), with a sensitivity of 81.01%, a specificity of 63.16%, and a Youden index of 44.17%. The SHAP analysis showed that visceral fat area, waist-to-hip ratio, and diastolic blood pressure were the top three predictive factors in terms of importance. ConclusionThe RF model, constructed based on body composition and clinical indicators, has a good performance in predicting the risk of MAFLD, and its interpretability can help to identify high-risk individuals in the early stage in clinical practice.
3.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
4.Mechanism of Shen Hong capsule in preventing and treating acute mountain sickness based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments
Mengdi ZHANG ; Haiying QIU ; Guangyun WANG ; Yan WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(8):408-416
Objective To explore the mechanism of Shen Hong capsule in preventing and treating acute mountain sickness based on biological information platform and in vitro experiment. Methods Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database (TCMID) were used to obtain the active components and predicted targets of Shen Hong capsule. Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Disease Gene Network (DisGeNET) database and GeneCards database were used to search for the targets of acute mountain sickness related diseases, and the potential therapeutic targets were obtained. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) was analyzed by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING), the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online platform was used to analyse the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signal pathway enrichment. The network information was visualized by Cytoscape software, the key targets in PPI network were obtained according to the topology data, and the binding ability of main active components and key therapeutic targets were analyzed by molecular docking. The validation of the main active components was performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The hypoxia model was created by H9c2 cells, apoptosis was visualized by Hoechst33342 staining, and key target proteins were verified by Western blot. Results 91 active components, 3 main active components and 150 predicted targets were selected from Shen Hong capsule. 515 targets of altitude sickness-related diseases and 37 targets of Shen Hong capsule regulating altitude sickness-related diseases were screened out. 44 related signal pathways, such as HIF-1 signal pathway, PPAR signal pathway, drug metabolism - cytochrome P450, were enriched and analyzed. TNF, IL1B, VEGFA, NOS3, EGFR, ESR1, PPARG, NR3C1, HMOX1 and IFNG were 10 key targets. The molecular docking results showed that the docking conformations between the main active components and the key targets were stable. The three main active components of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were identified by LC-MS, and in vitro experiments proved that Shen Hong capsule could relieve acute hypoxia injury by regulating the expression of HIF-1α, PPARG, NOS3, and TNF. Conclusion Shen Hong capsule could regulate the body’s hypoxia response and metabolism through multi-component, multi-target and multi-channel ways, so as to prevent and treat acute mountain sickness. This study provided a direction for further exploring the mechanism of Shen Hong capsule, and also provided a theoretical basis for further development and clinical application.
5.Incidence and Mortality of Female Breast Cancer in Zhejiang Cancer Registration Areas in 2021 and Trends from 2000 to 2021
Yan LI ; Hongrui HUANG ; Xu MA ; Dan LUO ; Le WANG ; Huizhang LI ; Lingbin DU ; Yiping WU ; Yanfei QIU
China Cancer 2025;34(10):764-774
[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality of female breast cancer in Zhejiang cancer registration areas in 2021 and the trends from 2000 to 2021.[Methods]The data of cancer inci-dence,mortality and population data reported by cancer registration areas in Zhejiang Province from 2000 to 2021 were collected.The crude incidence/mortality rates,age-standardized rates ad-justed by Chinese standard population(ASIRC,ASMRC)and world standard population(ASIRW,ASMRW),cumulative rates(0~74 years old),truncated rates(35~64 years old),proportion of fe-male breast cancer and age-specific rate were calculated.The average annual percentage change(AAPC)of female breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in Zhejiang from 2000 to 2021 was calculated using Joinpoint software.[Results]In 2021,there were 7 262 new cases of female breast cancer in Zhejiang cancer registration areas,accounting for 12.70%of all new female can-cer cases.The crude incidence rate,ASIRC and ASIRW were 65.71/105,42.03/105 and 39.22/105,respectively.The cumulative incidence rate(0~74 years old)was 4.26%,and the truncated rate(35~64 years old)was 98.34/105.The ASIRC in urban and rural areas were 43.15/105 and 40.15/105,respectively.There were 992 deaths of female breast cancer,accounting for 6.97%of all female cancer deaths.The crude mortality rate,ASMRC and ASMRW were 8.98/105,4.62/105 and 4.47/105,respectively.The cumulative mortality rate(0~74 years old)was 0.48%,and the truncated rate(35~64 years old)was 8.89/105.The ASMRC in urban and rural areas were 4.79/105 and 4.34/105,respectively.The incidence rate of female breast cancer reached the peak at the age group of 60~64 years old,and the mortality rate reached the peak at the age group of 85 years old and above.From 2000 to 2021,the crude incidence rate,ASIRC and ASIRW of female breast cancer in Zhejiang cancer registration areas showed significant increasing trends(all P<0.05).The crude mortality rate and ASMRW of female breast cancer also showed significant increasing trends(all P<0.05).[Conclusion]The incidence rate of female breast cancer in Zhejiang Province was higher than the national average,while the mortality rate was lower than the national average in 2021.Both the incidence and mortality rates showed increasing trends from 2000 to 2021.Fur-thermore,distinct urban-rural disparities existed in both incidence and mortality characteristics.
6.Application of next-generation sequencing technology for the investigation of immunoglobulin variable region characteristics and their prognostic significance in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Zhen GUO ; Huimin JIN ; Tonglu QIU ; Liying ZHU ; Yujie WU ; Hairong QIU ; Yan WANG ; Yi MIAO ; Hui JIN ; Lei FAN ; Jianyong LI ; Yi XIA ; Chun QIAO
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(3):261-268
Objective:To elucidate the genomic characteristics of the immunoglobulin (IG) heavy-chain variable region and light-chain variable region, the expression of subclones, and the prognostic significance in patients with CLL.Methods:Blood and/or bone marrow specimens were gathered from a cohort of 36 patients with CLL diagnosed at Jiangsu Province Hospital from December 2018 to May 2023, including 12 cases of B cell receptor (BCR) stereotyped patients. IG heavy-chain (IGH) and light-chain (IG Kappa [IGK] and IG lambda [IGL]) gene rearrangements were performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to analyze the characteristics and prognostic value in CLL.Results:NGS detection of IG variable region (IGHV) demonstrated a significant correlation and superior consistency with Sanger sequencing ( r=0.957, P < 0.001). Among the 36 patients, the IGH variant (IGHV) was observed in 9 (25.0%) but not in 27 (75.0%) participants. The incidence of the MYD88 mutation was higher among patients with mutated IGHV [1/27 (3.7%) vs 4/9 (44.4%), P=0.00]. A high incidence of trisomy 12 was observed in the IGHV #8/#8B subset [4/11 (36.4%) vs 1/25 (4.0%), P=0.023], which were more likely to develop Richter transformation [8/11 (72.7%) vs 4/25 (16.0%), P=0.002]. In the patient cohort, 36 individuals (36/36, 100.0%) used the IGK variable, whereas 15 individuals (15/36, 41.7%) employed the IGL variable (IGLV). IGLV3 - 21 reported the highest utilization rate in IGLV (5/15, 33.3%). Remarkably, patients with CLL with IGLV3-21 fragments were exclusively observed in the Binet C stage and Rai Phase Ⅲ-Ⅳ, with an incidence of del (13) (q14) at 60.0% (3/5). The median time to first treatment (TTFT) of patients with or without IGLV3 - 21 fragments was 5.2 (1.1 - 41.5) and 9.9 (0.1 - 94.4) months, respectively. Using the total reads threshold of 2.5%, 4 (4/36, 11.1%) samples were detected to have two IGHV productive clones. The median TTFT and overall survival (OS) time were 2.8 (0.9-72.7) and 12.8 months in patients with one mutated clone and 57.5 (32.0-120.7) and 51.8 months in those with two mutated clones, respectively. The median TTFT and OS time were 10.9 (0.3-94.4) and 6.3 (0.1 - 12.5) months in patients with one unmutated clone and 49.9 (22.2 - 211.1) and 30.0 (9.6 - 50.3) months in those with multiple unmutated clones, respectively ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:Detection of IG gene rearrangements using NGS technology not only facilitates the analysis of the IGHV mutation status, dominant clones, and prognostic value but also contributes to the exploration of IGK/IGL gene rearrangement fragments and the utilization of subclones. Further, it provides information about the poor prognosis of IGLV3 - 21 CLL. The shortened survival of the two unmutated clone groups in the IGHV unmutated group may indicate a poor prognosis.
7.A Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Established Through Subcutaneous Administration of Letrozole Sustained-Release Pellets and Hepatic Transcriptome Analysis
Qiuyu XU ; Guofeng YAN ; Li FU ; Wenhua FAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Lian ZHU ; Shuwen QIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ling WU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(2):119-129
Objective Prepubertal mice are administered subcutaneously with letrozole sustained-release pellets behind the neck and treated with a high-fat diet to establish a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).The liver transcriptomes of the model mice are compared with those of the placebo control mice to investigate the underlying mechanisms of liver involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS.Methods A customized 2 mg dose of letrozole sustained-release pellets with a 40-day release period was used.The control placebo and letrozole pellets were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal cervical region of 3-4-week-old C57BL/6J mice(8 mice per group)to establish the control group and letrozole-induced PCOS model group.Both groups were treated with a high-fat diet starting the day after administration.The modeling period lasted for 5 weeks,during which body weight and 24-hour food intake were monitored in each group every week.When samples were collected,liver weight was recorded.Pathological changes in ovarian and hepatic tissues were examined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,while hepatic lipid deposition was observed by Oil Red O staining.The extent of macrophage infiltration in the liver was evaluated via F4/80 immunohistochemical staining,and hepatic fibrosis levels were observed by Masson's trichrome staining.Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in liver tissues between the control and model groups,followed by enrichment analysis of significant DEGs.Quantitative real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR)was subsequently used to validate the expression of significant DEGs in liver tissues of both groups.Results Compared with the control group,the model group which received subcutaneous letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet exhibited significantly increased body weight(P<0.001),prominent polycystic ovarian morphology,and significantly decreased liver-to-body weight ratio(P<0.05).However,no significant changes were observed in absolute liver weight(P>0.05),hepatic histomorphology,or lipid deposition.Transcriptome sequencing identified 119 upregulated and 217 downregulated DEGs in the liver tissues of letrozole-treated mice,which were predominantly enriched in pathways related to cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis,steroid hormone metabolism,and inflammatory responses.qPCR validation demonstrated that mRNA expression of HSD3B2 and HMGCR was significantly upregulated in liver(P<0.01),while mRNA expression of IL4,CCL2 and COL1A1 was downregulated(P<0.05)in the model group compared with the control group.However,Masson's trichrome staining and F4/80 immunohistochemical analysis showed no significant changes in hepatic fibrosis or macrophage infiltration.Conclusion Subcutaneous administration of letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet successfully establishes a mouse model of PCOS.The model mice exhibited significant changes in hepatic gene expression.Liver may contribute to PCOS pathogenesis through regulating cholesterol and steroid metabolism.
8.Exploring the effect of modified Renshen Wumei Decoction on intestinal mucosal barrier in diarrhea rats based on TLR4/MyD88/pNF-κBp65 signaling pathway
Zhiwei GUAN ; Qiong ZHAO ; Jianli QIU ; Yan XU ; Qinwan HUANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Junqi ZHAO ; Yinghui WU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(7):944-952
Objective To investigate the effect of Modified Renshen Wumei Decoction on the TLR4/MyD88/pNF-κBp65 signaling pathway and elucidate the potential mechanism by which this formula repairs the intestinal mucosal barrier in diarrheal rats.Methods Twelve rats were randomly selected from a total of 48 rats to serve as the blank control group(CK),while the remaining 36 rats were used to establish a disease model via a compound method.After 14 days of model preparation,the rats were randomly divided into three groups:the model group(MC),the western medicine group(MV),and the traditional Chinese medicine group(MRWD).Each of the four groups(including CK)received corresponding interventions for 7 days.The concentrations of serum diamine oxidase(DAO),D-lactic acid(D-Lac),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),mucin 2(MUC2),MUC4,MUC6,and colonic homogenate secretory immunoglobulin A(SIgA)were measured using ELISA.Additionally,the protein and gene expressions of colonic toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88),phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells p65(pNF-κBp65),occludin,claudin-1,and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR.Results(1)Intestinal mucosal injury markers:Compared with the blank group,the serum levels of DAO and D-Lac in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,both the Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group significantly decreased the serum levels of DAO(P<0.001),while the traditional Chinese medicine group also significantly reduced the serum levels of D-Lac(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the changes of DAO and D-Lac serum levels between the Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group(P>0.05).(2)Inflammatory indicators:Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significant upregulation of TLR4,MyD88,pNF-κ Bp65 protein and gene expression,as well as serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.05),along with a significant decrease in IL-10 serum levels(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,both the Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group significantly downregulated TLR4,MyD88,pNF-κBp65 protein and gene expression,as well as serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.05),and significantly upregulated IL-10 serum levels(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in serum levels of TLR4,MyD88,pNF-κBp65 protein,gene expression,and IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α between the Chinese medicine group and Western medicine group(P>0.05).(3)Intestinal mucosal barrier factors:Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significant downregulation in MUC2,MUC6,SIgA content,as well as Claudin-1,ZO-1 protein and gene expression,and Occludin protein expression(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,both Chinese and Western medicine groups significantly upregulated the content of MUC2 and SIgA,as well as the protein and gene expression of Claudin-1 and ZO-1(P<0.05).The traditional Chinese medicine group also significantly increased the content of MUC6 and Occludin protein expression(P<0.05).No significant differ-ences were observed between the Chinese and Western medicine groups in terms of MUC2,MUC6,SIgA serum content,and Claudin-1 and ZO-1 gene expression(P>0.05).However,the Western medicine group showed better Claudin-1 protein expression than the Chinese medicine group(P<0.05),while the ZO-1 protein expression was higher in the traditional Chinese medicine group compared to the Western medicine group(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Renshen Wumei Decoction exerts an intestinal mucosal barrier repair effect in diarrhea rats by modulating the TLR4/MyD88/pNF-κBp65 signaling pathway.
9.Expert consensus:Prevention and treatment of dental implant biological complications
Xing WANG ; Liping WANG ; Qintao WANG ; Rong SHU ; Dongying XUAN ; Yiqun WU ; Lixin QIU ; Derong ZOU ; Yingliang SONG ; Jiang CHEN ; Yan XU ; Jincai ZHANG ; Yucheng SU ; Linhu GE ; Yufeng XIE
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(11):801-807
Dental implantology has developed rapidly for over half a century,since pure titanium(99.7%)dental cylindrical threaded implants were exploited and osseointegration was introduced in 1960s by Prof.Br?nemark.The long term retention rates of 10 years or more are over 95%.However,the biological complications jeopardize the long term effects of dental implant treatment seriously.The prevalence of dental implant biological complications varies greatly among different reports resulting from the disparities on the defini-tions of dental implant biological complications.After analyzing and summarizing the major opinions proposed internationally in recent years,the consensus for the definition of dental implant biological complications has been reached.Generally the dental implant biologi-cal implications can be classified into early stage(before restoration)biological complications and late stage(after restoration)biological complications.The early stage biological complications include acute and chronic infections,pain,soft tissue deficiency,and osseointegration failure,etc.The late stage complications include peri-implant diseases(peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis),soft tissue deficiency around implant,implant loosening and dropping off,etc.The various risk factors related to different dental implant biological complications,the strategies of the prevention and treatment for the dental implant biological complications have been discussed comprehensively,and the consensus has been reached.It is aimed to advocate the dentist to pay more attention to the early prevention of the biological implant complications,to promote more researches on the implant biological complications,and to help elevate the level of dental implantology in our country.
10.A Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Established Through Subcutaneous Administration of Letrozole Sustained-Release Pellets and Hepatic Transcriptome Analysis
Qiuyu XU ; Guofeng YAN ; Li FU ; Wenhua FAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Lian ZHU ; Shuwen QIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ling WU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(2):119-129
Objective Prepubertal mice are administered subcutaneously with letrozole sustained-release pellets behind the neck and treated with a high-fat diet to establish a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).The liver transcriptomes of the model mice are compared with those of the placebo control mice to investigate the underlying mechanisms of liver involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS.Methods A customized 2 mg dose of letrozole sustained-release pellets with a 40-day release period was used.The control placebo and letrozole pellets were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal cervical region of 3-4-week-old C57BL/6J mice(8 mice per group)to establish the control group and letrozole-induced PCOS model group.Both groups were treated with a high-fat diet starting the day after administration.The modeling period lasted for 5 weeks,during which body weight and 24-hour food intake were monitored in each group every week.When samples were collected,liver weight was recorded.Pathological changes in ovarian and hepatic tissues were examined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,while hepatic lipid deposition was observed by Oil Red O staining.The extent of macrophage infiltration in the liver was evaluated via F4/80 immunohistochemical staining,and hepatic fibrosis levels were observed by Masson's trichrome staining.Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in liver tissues between the control and model groups,followed by enrichment analysis of significant DEGs.Quantitative real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR)was subsequently used to validate the expression of significant DEGs in liver tissues of both groups.Results Compared with the control group,the model group which received subcutaneous letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet exhibited significantly increased body weight(P<0.001),prominent polycystic ovarian morphology,and significantly decreased liver-to-body weight ratio(P<0.05).However,no significant changes were observed in absolute liver weight(P>0.05),hepatic histomorphology,or lipid deposition.Transcriptome sequencing identified 119 upregulated and 217 downregulated DEGs in the liver tissues of letrozole-treated mice,which were predominantly enriched in pathways related to cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis,steroid hormone metabolism,and inflammatory responses.qPCR validation demonstrated that mRNA expression of HSD3B2 and HMGCR was significantly upregulated in liver(P<0.01),while mRNA expression of IL4,CCL2 and COL1A1 was downregulated(P<0.05)in the model group compared with the control group.However,Masson's trichrome staining and F4/80 immunohistochemical analysis showed no significant changes in hepatic fibrosis or macrophage infiltration.Conclusion Subcutaneous administration of letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet successfully establishes a mouse model of PCOS.The model mice exhibited significant changes in hepatic gene expression.Liver may contribute to PCOS pathogenesis through regulating cholesterol and steroid metabolism.

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