1.Mechanism of Ruyan Neixiao Cream in Promoting Ferroptosis in Breast Precancerous Lesion Cells by Regulating Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Haotian ZHANG ; Yebei QIU ; Ran SU ; Xianxin YAN ; Min MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):98-107
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Ruyan Neixiao cream (RUC) induces ferroptosis in breast precancerous lesion (BPL) cells, and to enrich the theoretical foundation for its use in the treatment of BPL. MethodsThe inhibition of cell proliferation by 1%, 2%, and 4% concentrations of Ruyanneixiao Cream transdermal solution (RUT) was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and a colony formation assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the DCFH-DA probe, and the levels of ferrous ions (Fe2+), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using appropriate kits. Lipid peroxidation was detected with the C11-BODIPY581/591 fluorescent probe. The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) proteins was analyzed by Western blot. The BPL rat model was constructed using 2,2′-bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric acid (DMBA) combined with estrogen and progesterone, and the rats were treated with RUC for external application. After the 12th cycle, the rats were euthanized, and histopathological changes in breast tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Fe2+ and MDA levels in breast tissue were measured using corresponding kits. The expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 proteins in BPL rat breast tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the matrix group, the cell viability of MCF-10AT cells in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner, with the 24-hour half inhibitory concentration (IC50) being 2.23%. Compared with the 4% RUT group, cell viability in the RUT + Fer-1 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the colony formation rates of MCF-10AT cells in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, the cell colony formation rate of the RUT + Fer-1 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the levels of ROS and Fe2+ in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while GSH levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and MDA and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, ROS and Fe2+ levels in the RUT + Fer-1 group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while GSH levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), and MDA and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the RUT + Fer-1 group were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the in vivo experiment, compared with the matrix group, the breast tissue histopathological status of the BPL rats in the RUC group was effectively improved, with less dilatation of the mammary ducts and more orderly duct arrangement. No pathological morphology indicative of invasive cancer was observed. Compared with the matrix group, Fe2+ and MDA levels in the mammary tissue of the RUC group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the mammary tissue of the RUC group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). ConclusionRUC may induce ferroptosis in BPL cells by inhibiting the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, increasing Fe2+ accumulation, and promoting lipid peroxidation.
2.Mechanism of Ruyan Neixiao Cream in Promoting Ferroptosis in Breast Precancerous Lesion Cells by Regulating Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Haotian ZHANG ; Yebei QIU ; Ran SU ; Xianxin YAN ; Min MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):98-107
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Ruyan Neixiao cream (RUC) induces ferroptosis in breast precancerous lesion (BPL) cells, and to enrich the theoretical foundation for its use in the treatment of BPL. MethodsThe inhibition of cell proliferation by 1%, 2%, and 4% concentrations of Ruyanneixiao Cream transdermal solution (RUT) was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and a colony formation assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the DCFH-DA probe, and the levels of ferrous ions (Fe2+), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using appropriate kits. Lipid peroxidation was detected with the C11-BODIPY581/591 fluorescent probe. The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) proteins was analyzed by Western blot. The BPL rat model was constructed using 2,2′-bis(hydroxymethyl)butyric acid (DMBA) combined with estrogen and progesterone, and the rats were treated with RUC for external application. After the 12th cycle, the rats were euthanized, and histopathological changes in breast tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Fe2+ and MDA levels in breast tissue were measured using corresponding kits. The expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 proteins in BPL rat breast tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the matrix group, the cell viability of MCF-10AT cells in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner, with the 24-hour half inhibitory concentration (IC50) being 2.23%. Compared with the 4% RUT group, cell viability in the RUT + Fer-1 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the colony formation rates of MCF-10AT cells in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, the cell colony formation rate of the RUT + Fer-1 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the levels of ROS and Fe2+ in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while GSH levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and MDA and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, ROS and Fe2+ levels in the RUT + Fer-1 group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while GSH levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), and MDA and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the 1%, 2%, and 4% RUT groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the 4% RUT group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the RUT + Fer-1 group were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the in vivo experiment, compared with the matrix group, the breast tissue histopathological status of the BPL rats in the RUC group was effectively improved, with less dilatation of the mammary ducts and more orderly duct arrangement. No pathological morphology indicative of invasive cancer was observed. Compared with the matrix group, Fe2+ and MDA levels in the mammary tissue of the RUC group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the matrix group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the mammary tissue of the RUC group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). ConclusionRUC may induce ferroptosis in BPL cells by inhibiting the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, increasing Fe2+ accumulation, and promoting lipid peroxidation.
3.c-Met-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells inhibit human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3 in vitro.
Na-Na DU ; Yan-Jun ZHANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Lu ZHANG ; Ran AN ; Xiang-Cheng ZHEN ; Jing-Ting MIN ; Zheng-Hong LI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):241-254
The study aimed to construct the second and third generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) targeting the c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) protein, and observe their killing effect on human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3. The expression of MET gene in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, the correlation between MET gene expression and the abundance of immune cell infiltration, and the effect of MET gene expression on the tissue function of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression of c-Met in ovarian cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The second and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells, namely c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G), were prepared by lentivirus infection, and the cell subsets and infection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry. Using CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells as control groups and A2780 cells with c-Met negative expression as Non target groups, the kill efficiency on SKOV-3 cells with c-Met positive expression, cytokine release and cell proliferation of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) were explored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, ELISA and CCK-8 respectively. The results showed that MET gene expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. However, in all pathological stages, there was no obvious difference in MET expression and no correlation between MET gene expression and the race and age of ovarian cancer patients. The second generation and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells were successfully constructed. After lentivirus infection, the proportion of CD8+ T cells in c-Met CAR-T(2G) was upregulated, while there was no significant change in the cell subsets of c-Met CAR-T(3G). The LDH release experiment showed that the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) on SKOV-3 increased with the increase of effect-target ratio. When the effect-target ratio was 20:1, the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G) reached (42.02 ± 5.17)% (P < 0.05), and the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(3G) reached (51.40 ± 2.71)% (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that c-Met CAR-T released more cytokine compared to CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the cytokine release of c-Met CAR-T(3G) was higher than c-Met CAR-T(2G) (P < 0.01). The CCK-8 results showed that after 48 h, the cell number of c-Met CAR-T(2G) was higher than that of c-Met CAR-T(3G) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, both the second and third generation c-Met CAR-T can target and kill c-Met-positive SKOV-3 cells, with no significant difference. c-Met CAR-T(2G) has stronger proliferative ability, and c-Met CAR-T(3G) releases more cytokines.
Humans
;
Female
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/immunology*
;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
4.Research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids in medicinal Ilex species and their pharmacological activities.
Yu-Ling LIU ; Yi-Ran WU ; Bao-Lin WANG ; Xiao-Wei SU ; Qiu-Juan CHEN ; Yi RAO ; Shi-Lin YANG ; Li-Ni HUO ; Hong-Wei GAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3252-3266
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry*
;
Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
;
Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Animals
5.Clinical applications and research progress of muscle ultrasound in critically ill patients.
Ling LEI ; Jun QIU ; Tongjuan ZOU ; Yi LI ; Ran ZHOU ; Yao QIN ; Wanhong YIN
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(8):785-793
Critically ill patients often experience significant skeletal muscle wasting due to prolonged bed rest, metabolic disorders, inflammatory responses and malnutrition, which affects the patient's mobility and may also lead to increased mortality. Timely and accurate assessment of muscle status is important for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis. There are various limitations in the current methods of assessing muscle mass, and muscle ultrasound, as a noninvasive, convenient, low-cost and suitable technique for bedside monitoring, has received increasing attention for its application in muscle assessment of critically ill patients. However, there are still a number of challenges in its practical application, such as the lack of uniform standards for the measurement method, the high dependence on the operation, and the reproducibility of the data that needs to be optimized, and so on. The aim of this article is to systematize the research progress of muscle ultrasound in muscle assessment of critically ill patients, and to discuss the advantages and limitations of its clinical application, in order to provide a scientific basis for future research and clinical practice.
Humans
;
Critical Illness
;
Ultrasonography
;
Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging*
6.Carnosine attenuates OGD/R damage to BV2 cells by inhibiting ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis
Rui-Li RAN ; Yu-Tong WANG ; Jun-Qiu SONG ; Jiang BIAN ; De-Wei WANG ; Xiao-Han JIANG ; Fu-Lin YOU ; Jing YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2150-2158
Aim To investigate the protective effect of carnosine on BV2 cell damage induced by oxygen-glu-cose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)and its role in mediating pyrodeath through the ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway.Methods BV2 cells were randomly divided into the control group(Con),model group(OGD/R),carnosine group(OGD/R+CAR),inhibitor group(OGD/R+MCC950),and carnosine+inhibitor group(OGD/R+CAR+MCC950).The cell survival rate was detected by MTT assay.The release rate of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in cell supernatant was detected by microenzyme labeling method.Cell damage was as-sessed using Hoechst 33342/SYTOX Green staining.ROS levels in cells were detected by DCFH-DA.The nucleation level of NF-κB p65 was observed by immu-nofluorescence.The protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were detected by Western blot.The levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.Results Com-pared with Con group,the survival rate of cells in the OGD/R group was significantly reduced,LDH release was significantly raised,cell morphology was damaged,and the positive rate of SYTOX Green was significantly elevated with ROS level in cells.The fluorescence in-tensity of NF-κB p65 in the nucleus increased,and the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N increased significantly,and the levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in the cell superserum in-creased significantly.Compared with the OGD/R group,the survival rate of cells in other groups in-creased significantly,the LDH release rate significantly decreased,and the cell damage was improved to a cer-tain extent.The positive rate of SYTOX Green and ROS production in cells significantly decreased,and the fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 in nucleus markedly decreased.The expression levels of related proteins and the levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in cell super-natant significantly decreased.Conclusion Carnosine can protect BV2 cells from OGD/R-induced damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and NF-κB activation,then inhibiting NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.
7.Trends of Incidence and Age Characteristics of Gastric Cancer in Cancer Registration Areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019
Yubao QIU ; Lei YU ; Lei CHEN ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Ran TAO ; Renqiang HAN ; Bijia JIANG ; Weigang MIAO
China Cancer 2024;33(12):961-969
[Purpose]To analyze the trend of gastric cancer incidence and age characteristics in Jiangsu cancer registration areas from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]Cancer registration data from 2009 to 2019 meeting quality control requirements were collected from 16 cancer registries in Jiangsu Province.The crude incidence rate and age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population in 2000(ASIRC)were calculated by gender,urban/rural areas and age groups.The inci-dence trends were analyzed by Joinpoint.A birth cohort model was constructed to calculate the in-cidence rate of gastric cancer for men and women born between 1929 and 2019.The age composi-tion of gastric cancer incidence in Jiangsu Province between 2009 and 2019 was calculated and compared.[Results]The crude incidence rate and ASIRC of gastric cancer in Jiangsu cancer regi-stration areas from 2009 to 2019 showed a significant decreasing trend in both male and female or urban and rural areas,in which the decrease in male(AAPC=-1.28%,P<0.001)was higher than that of female(AAPC=-1.17%,P=0.030),and the decrease in urban(AAPC=-1.66%,P<0.001)was higher than that of rural(AAPC=-0.72%,P<0.001).The incidence rates of gastric cancer in age groups of 40~79 years old showed a significant decreasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with the AAPC ranging from-6.75%to-3.54%(all P<0.05).In age groups of 40~79 years old,the inci-dence rates of gastric cancer among people with different years of birth showed a decreasing trend with the increase of the birth year.For ASIRC,the composition of patients aged 60 years old above increased by 0.63%(95%CI:0.46%~0.81%)per year from 2009 to 2019.[Conclusion]The inci-dence rate of gastric cancer in cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019 showed a decreasing trend,the average age of incidence showed a trend of backward moving,and for age-standardized incidence the proportion of patients over 60 years old was increased.
8.Construction and application of muscle strength training program for the elderly frail patlents
Yingjie WANG ; Wei LIU ; Hongwei ZHU ; Yu WANG ; Ran QIAO ; Haiyan QIU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(14):1669-1677
Objective To verify the application effect of the muscle strength training based on Fogg behavior model for elderly frail patients,and provide references and bases for subsequent related research.Methods This paper constructed a muscle strength training program for elderly frail patients based on the Fogg behavior model.The exercise intervention process includes the stages of cultivating exercise awareness,scientific fitness guidance,and developing exercise habits.66 elderly frail people aged 60 and above who were hospitalized in 4 geriatric wards of a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from January to March 2022 were recruited,and they were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group.The intervention group implemented a muscle strength training based on the Fogg behavior model,while the control group was given routine exercise guidance and education for 6 months.The muscle strength,cardiopulmonary function,and glucose and lipid metabolism of the 2 groups were compared at the end of 3 and 6 months of intervention.Results A total of 65 patients with 33 in the control group and 32 in the intervention group completed the study.The muscle strength of the intervention group showed better changes over time at 6 months compared to the control group(P<0.05).In terms of cardiopulmonary function,the intervention group had better lung capacity than the control group at 3 and 6 months,with statistically significant differences(t=2.166,P=0.034;t=3.385,P=0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in heart rates and left ventricular ejection fraction between the groups(P>0.05).In terms of glucose and lipid metabolism,only high-density lipoprotein in the intervention group was found to be superior to it in the control group at 3 and 6 months,with statistically significant differences(t=2.970,P=0.004;t=4.111,P<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference between blood glucose,low-density lipoprotein,total cholesterol,and triglycerides groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The muscle strength training based on the Fogg behavior model can effectively improve the muscle strength and lung function of frail elderly patients,and can also improve blood lipid metabolism to a certain extent,while there is no obvious effect on heart function and blood glucose control.
9.Ionizing radiation-induced damage(IRD)to and repair mechanisms of the male reproductive system:Report of testicular function changes in a case of IRD
Neng-Liang DUAN ; Hua-Pei WANG ; Yuan-Shuai RAN ; Zhi-Xiang GAO ; Feng-Mei CUI ; Qiu CHEN ; Yu-Long LIU ; You-You WANG ; Bo-Xin XUE ; Xiao-Long LIU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(8):687-695
Objective:To investigate the impact of ionizing radiation(IR)on the structure and function of the testis and pro-vide some strategies for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced damage(IRD).Methods:Using radiation dose simulation,se-men analysis,hormone testing,electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptome sequencing,we assessed and analyzed a case of IRD.We established a mouse model of IRD to validate the results of single-cell sequencing,and investigated the specific biological mecha-nisms of IRD and potential strategies for its intervention.Results:IR at 1-2 Gy significantly reduced sperm concentration and mo-tility,which gradually recovered after 12 months but the percentage of morphologically normal sperm remained low.It also caused im-balanced levels of various steroid hormones,decreased testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,increased progesterone,prolac-tin,luteinizing hormone,and follicle-stimulating hormone.Electron microscopy revealed damages to the testis structure,including loss of germ cells,atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,nuclear membrane depression of the spermatocytes,mitochondrial atrophy and de-formation,and reduction of mitochondrial cristae.Single-cell sequencing indicated significant changes in the function of the Leydig cells and macrophages and disrupted lipid-related metabolic pathways after IRD.Administration of L-carnitine to the mouse model im-proved lipid metabolism disorders and partially alleviated IRD to the germ cells.Conclusion:Ionizing radiation can cause disorders of testicular spermatogenesis and sexual hormones and inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in Leydig cells and macrophages.Improving lipid metabolism can alleviate IRD to germ cells.
10.Simultaneous determination of eight constituents in Lianhua Qingwen Capsules by LC-MS/MS
Piao-Ran QIN ; Jia-Ye TIAN ; Su-Xia LI ; Fan GAO ; Wen-Hua YU ; Xing-Chao LIU ; Qiu-Hong GUO
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(11):3564-3568
AIM To establish an LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous content determination of forsythin,forsythoside A,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,amygdalin,emodin,rhein and salidroside in Lianhua Qingwen Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35℃thermostatic ACQUITY UPlC-HSS T3 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of 0.1%formic acid-acetonitrile flowing at 0.3 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and electron spray ionization source was adopted in negative ion scanning with multiple reaction monitoring mode.RESULTS Eight constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 5),whose average recoveries were 99.20%-100.96%with the RSDs of 0.62%-1.23%.CONCLUSION This simple,sensitive and reliable method can be used for the quality control of Lianhua Qingwen capsules.

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