ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop （TTFL） of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank （n=20）， model （n=15）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.68， 5.36， and 10.72 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） modified Ditan tang （n=10） groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage， and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA） assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 （BMAL1/ARNTL） in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1， circadian locomotor output cycles kaput （CLOCK）， period circadian clock 2 （PER2）， and cryptochrome1 （Cry1） in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， and ALT （P<0.01） and a lowered level of HDL-C （P<0.05） in the serum， elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver （P<0.01）， pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells， and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition， the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 （P<0.01） in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group， all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， ALT， and AST （P<0.05， P<0.01） and an elevated level of HDL-C （P<0.05） in the serum， and lowered levels of TG and NEFA （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the liver. Furthermore， the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells， reduced lipid deposition in the liver， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK， BMAL1， Cry1， and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in the ferroptosis phenotype of ovarian cancer （OC） cells and the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L （Gyp-L） on mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in OC cells. MethodsThe proliferation of human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） values of cisplatin （DDP）， Gyp-L， and DDP in the presence of Gyp-L were calculated to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. Cell cloning assay and scratch assay reflected the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR3 cells. PANDORA-seq small RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed transfer RNA-derived small RNAs （tsRNAs） in the cells after Gyp-L intervention， and the corresponding target genes of the tsRNAs were found by the RNAhybrid software. Malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and lipid peroxide （LPO） levels were measured by colorimetry or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） method， Fe²⁺ content by FerroOrange fluorescent probe， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） content by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe to reflect the occurrence of ferroptosis in OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a control group， a 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L group， and a 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was performed to detect the expression of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC， mature-tRNA-Leu-CAA， mature-mt_tRNA-Tyr-GTA_5_end， mature-tRNA-Val-CAC， mature-mt_tRNA-Glu-TTC， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT， mature-tRNA-Asn-GTT， hydroxymethylbilane synthase （HMBS）， Wnt， β-catenin， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， activating transcription factor 3 （ATF3）， cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT， lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 （LPCAT3）， and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of HMBS， Wnt， β-catenin， GPX4， KEAP1， Nrf2， ATF3， xCT， LPCAT3， and ALOX15 proteins. ResultsThe 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L， 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L， DDP， 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L+DDP， and 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L+DDP groups showed significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 cells （P<0.05） and exacerbated cell ferroptosis as reflected by the increase in the content of ROS， MDA， LPO， and Fe²⁺， as well as a decrease in the content of GSH （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， Gyp-L effectively interfered with the expression of 25 tsRNAs in OVCAR3 cells （P<0.05， |log₂Fc|>1）. Pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT， mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT， and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 axial expression was significantly aberrant after Gyp-L intervention （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT， mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT， and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling pathways are involved in OC development. Gyp-L inhibits OC development by activating OVCAR3 cell ferroptosis onset mainly through the mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling axes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in the ferroptosis phenotype of ovarian cancer （OC） cells and the regulatory mechanism of gypenoside L （Gyp-L） on mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC and pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT in OC cells. MethodsThe proliferation of human ovarian adenocarcinoma OVCAR3 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） values of cisplatin （DDP）， Gyp-L， and DDP in the presence of Gyp-L were calculated to determine the intervention concentration for subsequent experiments. Cell cloning assay and scratch assay reflected the proliferation and migration ability of OVCAR3 cells. PANDORA-seq small RNA sequencing was used to detect the differentially expressed transfer RNA-derived small RNAs （tsRNAs） in the cells after Gyp-L intervention， and the corresponding target genes of the tsRNAs were found by the RNAhybrid software. Malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and lipid peroxide （LPO） levels were measured by colorimetry or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） method， Fe²⁺ content by FerroOrange fluorescent probe， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） content by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe to reflect the occurrence of ferroptosis in OVCAR3 cells. OVCAR3 cells were divided into a control group， a 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L group， and a 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was performed to detect the expression of mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC， mature-tRNA-Leu-CAA， mature-mt_tRNA-Tyr-GTA_5_end， mature-tRNA-Val-CAC， mature-mt_tRNA-Glu-TTC， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT， mature-tRNA-Asn-GTT， hydroxymethylbilane synthase （HMBS）， Wnt， β-catenin， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （KEAP1）， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， activating transcription factor 3 （ATF3）， cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT， lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 （LPCAT3）， and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of HMBS， Wnt， β-catenin， GPX4， KEAP1， Nrf2， ATF3， xCT， LPCAT3， and ALOX15 proteins. ResultsThe 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L， 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L， DDP， 50 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L+DDP， and 100 µmol·L^-1 Gyp-L+DDP groups showed significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 cells （P<0.05） and exacerbated cell ferroptosis as reflected by the increase in the content of ROS， MDA， LPO， and Fe²⁺， as well as a decrease in the content of GSH （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， Gyp-L effectively interfered with the expression of 25 tsRNAs in OVCAR3 cells （P<0.05， |log₂Fc|>1）. Pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT， mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/NRF2/xCT， and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 axial expression was significantly aberrant after Gyp-L intervention （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/HMBS/Wnt/β-catenin/GPX4， pre-tRNA-Arg-TCT/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT， mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT， and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling pathways are involved in OC development. Gyp-L inhibits OC development by activating OVCAR3 cell ferroptosis onset mainly through the mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/ATF3/KEAP1/Nrf2/xCT and mature-tRNA-Asp-GTC/LPCAT3/ALOX15 signaling axes.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of gypenosides （GPs） on liver lipid deposition in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） mice and its mechanism based on classical/non-classical ferroptosis. MethodsEight male C57BL/6 mice in a blank group and 32 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose GPs （GPs-L） group， a high-dose GPs （GPs-H） group， and a simvastatin （SV） group. Starting from the second week， mice in the blank group were given a maintenance diet， and the other four groups were fed a high-fat diet daily. After eight weeks of feeding， mice in the GPs-L and GPs-H groups were given GPs of 1.487 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 2.973 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and mice in the SV group were given simvastatin of 2.275 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Mice in the blank group and the model group were given saline of equal volume by gavage for four weeks. The content of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the serum of mice in each group was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The level of non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA） and TG in the mouse liver was measured by the kit. The change in liver tissue structure and lipid deposition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O staining. The levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ （CoQ₁₀）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and Fe²⁺ in serum， as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ［NAD（P）H］ in the liver were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1） in the liver of mice was observed by the immunohistochemical （IHC） method， and the expression of genes and proteins related to classical and non-classical ferroptosis pathways was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Wes automated protein expression analysis system. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group， the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver in the model group were significantly increased， and the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure changed， and there were fat vacuoles of different sizes and a large number of red lipid droplets， with obvious lipid deposition. The level of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly decreased， while the level of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of cystine/glutamate transporter （xCT/SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX4）， p62， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and FSP1 were significantly decreased， and the mRNA and protein expressions of tumor antigen （p53）， spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 （SAT1）， arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）， and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the level of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver of mice in the GPs-L， GPs-H， and SV groups were decreased， while the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure and lipid deposition were improved. The levels of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly increased， while the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of xCT， GPX4， p62， Nrf2， and FSP1 were significantly increased， while the mRNA and protein expressions of p53， SAT1， ALOX15， and Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGPs can interfere with liver lipid deposition in MAFLD mice through classical/non-classical ferroptosis pathways.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of gypenosides （GPs） on liver lipid deposition in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） mice and its mechanism based on classical/non-classical ferroptosis. MethodsEight male C57BL/6 mice in a blank group and 32 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose GPs （GPs-L） group， a high-dose GPs （GPs-H） group， and a simvastatin （SV） group. Starting from the second week， mice in the blank group were given a maintenance diet， and the other four groups were fed a high-fat diet daily. After eight weeks of feeding， mice in the GPs-L and GPs-H groups were given GPs of 1.487 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 2.973 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and mice in the SV group were given simvastatin of 2.275 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Mice in the blank group and the model group were given saline of equal volume by gavage for four weeks. The content of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the serum of mice in each group was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The level of non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA） and TG in the mouse liver was measured by the kit. The change in liver tissue structure and lipid deposition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O staining. The levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ （CoQ₁₀）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and Fe²⁺ in serum， as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ［NAD（P）H］ in the liver were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1） in the liver of mice was observed by the immunohistochemical （IHC） method， and the expression of genes and proteins related to classical and non-classical ferroptosis pathways was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Wes automated protein expression analysis system. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group， the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver in the model group were significantly increased， and the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure changed， and there were fat vacuoles of different sizes and a large number of red lipid droplets， with obvious lipid deposition. The level of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly decreased， while the level of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of cystine/glutamate transporter （xCT/SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX4）， p62， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and FSP1 were significantly decreased， and the mRNA and protein expressions of tumor antigen （p53）， spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 （SAT1）， arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）， and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the level of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver of mice in the GPs-L， GPs-H， and SV groups were decreased， while the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure and lipid deposition were improved. The levels of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly increased， while the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of xCT， GPX4， p62， Nrf2， and FSP1 were significantly increased， while the mRNA and protein expressions of p53， SAT1， ALOX15， and Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGPs can interfere with liver lipid deposition in MAFLD mice through classical/non-classical ferroptosis pathways.

In 2040, neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) will overtake cancer as the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, the search for effective intervention measures has become the top priority to deal with this difficult burden. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used for the past 50 years to treat conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and radiation damage. In recent years, studies have confirmed that HBOT has good effects in improving cognitive impairment after brain injury and stroke, and alleviating neurodegeneration and dysfunction related to NDD. Here we reviewed the pathogenesis and treatment state of NDD, introduced the application of HBOT in animal models and clinical studies of NDD, and expounded the application potential of HBOT in the treatment of NDD from the perspective of mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and angiogenesis, oxidative stress, apoptosis, microcirculation and epigenetics.
Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Apoptosis ; Mitochondria/physiology* ; Neurogenesis ; Epigenesis, Genetic

By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Neural Networks, Computer

Neuropathic pain, often featuring allodynia, imposes significant physical and psychological burdens on patients, with limited treatments due to unclear central mechanisms. Addressing this challenge remains a crucial unsolved issue in pain medicine. Our previous study, using protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ)-tdTomato mice, highlights the spinal feedforward inhibitory circuit involving PKCγ neurons in gating neuropathic allodynia. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing this circuit necessitate further elucidation. We used diverse transgenic mice and advanced techniques to uncover the regulatory role of the descending serotonin (5-HT) facilitation system on spinal PKCγ neurons. Our findings revealed that 5-HT neurons from the rostral ventromedial medulla hyperpolarize spinal inhibitory interneurons via 5-HT_2C receptors, disinhibiting the feedforward inhibitory circuit involving PKCγ neurons and exacerbating allodynia. Inhibiting spinal 5-HT_2C receptors restored the feedforward inhibitory circuit, effectively preventing neuropathic allodynia. These insights offer promising therapeutic targets for neuropathic allodynia management, emphasizing the potential of spinal 5-HT_2C receptors as a novel avenue for intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/physiopathology* ; Protein Kinase C/metabolism* ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C/metabolism* ; Hyperalgesia/physiopathology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Male ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

AIM:Using bioinformatics analysis and experiment validation to explore the differential expres-sion genes related to abnormal lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and the molecular mechanism of pachymaran affecting pyroptosis through squalene epoxidase(SQLE)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like re-ceptor protein 3(NLRP3)/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling pathway.METHODS:(1)The GEO,GSEA,DAVID,STRING and GEPIA databases were employed to screen abnormal lipid metabolism-related differentially expressed genes in HCC.(2)The tumor tissues from HCC patients(n=9)were collected to verify the differential expression of SQLE.(3)The inhibitory effect of pachymaran on the viability of human HCC cell line HepG2 was measured by CCK-8 assay.(4)The HepG2 cells were divided into control group and pachymaran(800 mg/L)group.The cell migration was analyzed by wound-healing assay,and RT-qPCR was used to measure SQLE mRNA expression.(5)The HepG2 cells with overexpres-sion of SQLE(OE-SQLE)were divided into 5 groups as follows:control group,overexpression negative control(OE-NC)group,OE-SQLE group,OE-NC+pachymaran group,and OE-SQLE+pachymaran group.The mRNA and protein expres-sion levels of SQLE and pyroptosis-related factors were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Colorimetric method and ELISA were used to measure lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 levels.The necrosis of HepG2 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS:The SQLE gene was screened through bioinformatics analysis,and its mRNA expression was significantly increased in tumor tissues from HCC patients(P＜0.01).In cell experiments,treatment with 800 mg/L pachymaran for 48 h had a significant inhibitory effect on HepG2 cell viability,and the expres-sion of SQLE mRNA was reduced(P＜0.01).After overexpression of SQLE,the mRNA and protein levels of pyroptosis-re-lated factors,necrotic rate,and LDH,IL-1β and IL-18 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).After treatment with pachymaran,the above indicators were significantly increased(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The SQLE is abnormal-ly highly expressed in HCC,and pachymaran can affect the growth of HCC cells by activating the NLRP3/GSDMD pyropto-sis pathway through SQLE.

Objective To analyze the changes of B lymphocyte(B cells)subsets in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)and to explore its clinical significance.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 37 treatment-na?ve CHB patients who were admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from July 2022 to October 2022,and peripheral blood samples collected from 18 healthy individuals who have received the hepatitis B vaccine as healthy controls(HC).The study subjects'clinical indexes such as age,HBV DNA viral load,HBsAg quantification,HBeAg semi quantification,ALT,AST,and AST/ALT ratio were collected.The change characteristics of the frequency,phenotypic and functional markers of peripheral blood B lymphocytes and their subsets were compared between CHB and HC.Using multi-color flow cytometry,and the correlation between them and clinical indexes was analyzed.Results Frequency analysis of each subset of B cells showed that compared with HC,the frequency of total B cells,transitional B cells and naive B cells was decreased(P<0.05),while the frequency of mature B cells,memory B cells,atypical memory B cells and activated memory B cells was increased in CHB patients(P<0.01).And there was no significant difference in the frequency of resting memory B cells between the two groups(P>0.05).The results of functional analysis showed that compared with HC,the expression levels of CD79b on total B cells,mature B cells,memory B cells,naive B cells,activated memory B cells,atypical memory B cells and resting memory B cells in CHB patients were increased(P<0.05).The expression level of programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)on atypical memory B cells in CHB patients was also higher than that in HC group(P<0.05).The results of correlation analysis showed that the frequency of total B cells in CHB patients was slightly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.39,P<0.05),while the expression of programmed death-1(PD-1)on total B cells,mature B cells,transitional B cells,memory B cells and naive B cells were slightly positively correlated with age(r>0.36,P<0.05).Conclusions Chronic HBV infection leads to depletion of the frequency and function of a portion of B cells in the peripheral blood of CHB patients,and age is a potential risk factor for the decline in humoral immune function in CHB patients.