1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Mechanism of action of immune molecules and related immune cells in liver failure
Qi LUO ; Biyu ZENG ; Rong ZHANG ; Guojuan MA ; Lei QING ; Liangjiang HUANG ; Lei FU ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1213-1219
Liver failure (LF) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by severe impairment or decompensation of liver function. At present, the key role of immune molecules in the pathogenesis of LF has been well established. These molecules not only directly participate in the pathological process of LF, but also influence the course of LF by modulating the behavior of immune cells. In addition, immune molecules can be used as potential biomarkers for evaluating the prognosis of LF. This article summarizes the role of immune molecules in LF and explores the therapeutic strategies based on these immune molecules, in order to provide new directions for the diagnosis and treatment of LF.
4.Analysis of Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiangning HUANG ; Weiyi LEI ; Yifan SHI ; Tingyi HE ; Nianqing CHEN ; Yilin XU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):211-219
Based on the etiology and clinical diagnostic criteria of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), identification and typing of treatment from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine, the criteria for evaluating the clinical compatibility of traditional Chinese and western medicine in animal models of T2DM were set up. The literature was reviewed to sort out and analyze the existing commonly used modeling methods, summarize the mechanism, compare the advantages and disadvantages, and calculate the consistency between the animal model and the clinical symptoms, syndromes, and indicators from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine. The authors found that spontaneous animal models and high-fat diets combined with multiple low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) induction models were more in line with modern medical pathogenesis of T2DM. However, it fails to form some special syndromes required for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In addition, there are many methods of combining the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM, which can be divided into three categories: intervention carried out by drug administration, behavioral stimulation, or environmental changes according to TCM, or use of hormones according to clinical evidence and combination of the two methods mentioned above. All of them can successfully establish different types of animal models. However, different methods of establishing syndrome models have their own advantages and disadvantages, and there is no unified standard for the stability and evaluation of syndrome models. As for the clinical consistency criteria of traditional Chinese and western medicine established in this paper, the animal model with 100% consistency has not been calculated due to the conditions of incomplete symptoms and syndromes described in the studies and different selection indicators. Consequently, the establishment of a simple, easy-to-use, and affordable T2DM animal model with both traditional Chinese and western medicine disease characteristics and the improvement of the Chinese and western medicine evaluation system for different evidence types are of great significance for the future development of TCM research on T2DM.
5.Analysis of Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiangning HUANG ; Weiyi LEI ; Yifan SHI ; Tingyi HE ; Nianqing CHEN ; Yilin XU ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):211-219
Based on the etiology and clinical diagnostic criteria of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), identification and typing of treatment from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine, the criteria for evaluating the clinical compatibility of traditional Chinese and western medicine in animal models of T2DM were set up. The literature was reviewed to sort out and analyze the existing commonly used modeling methods, summarize the mechanism, compare the advantages and disadvantages, and calculate the consistency between the animal model and the clinical symptoms, syndromes, and indicators from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine. The authors found that spontaneous animal models and high-fat diets combined with multiple low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) induction models were more in line with modern medical pathogenesis of T2DM. However, it fails to form some special syndromes required for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In addition, there are many methods of combining the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM, which can be divided into three categories: intervention carried out by drug administration, behavioral stimulation, or environmental changes according to TCM, or use of hormones according to clinical evidence and combination of the two methods mentioned above. All of them can successfully establish different types of animal models. However, different methods of establishing syndrome models have their own advantages and disadvantages, and there is no unified standard for the stability and evaluation of syndrome models. As for the clinical consistency criteria of traditional Chinese and western medicine established in this paper, the animal model with 100% consistency has not been calculated due to the conditions of incomplete symptoms and syndromes described in the studies and different selection indicators. Consequently, the establishment of a simple, easy-to-use, and affordable T2DM animal model with both traditional Chinese and western medicine disease characteristics and the improvement of the Chinese and western medicine evaluation system for different evidence types are of great significance for the future development of TCM research on T2DM.
6.Mechanism of hedysarum polybotrys polysaccharide in improving diabetic gastroparesis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Qian GUO ; Rong-ke LI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhao-hui WEI ; Sheng-fang WAN ; Jing SHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1158-1166
Aim To investigate the key targets and mechanisms of diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)by in-tegrating network pharmacology and molecular docking technology with animal experiments,and to specifically focus on exploring the effects of hedysarum polybotrys polysaccharide(HPS)on DGP through animal experi-mentation to validate its potential as a treatment for di-abetic gastroparesis.Methods The chemical constit-uents of HPS were analyzed,and the active chemical components of Radix Astragali were identified using the TCMSP database.The Swisstarget database was utilized to screen for HPS active ingredient targets,while DGP-related targets were identified from disease databases such as TTD,GeneCards,Drugbank,and DisGeNET.The STRING database was used to construct the PPI network,and Cytoscape 3.10.1 software was employed for network topology analysis and selection of key tar-gets.Subsequently,a compound-target-pathway net-work diagram was constructed.Key targets underwent GO function(biological function,molecular function,and cellular function)and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using the Metascape database.Molecular doc-king was performed using Pymol 2.5 and AutoDock software.DGP rat model was established to observe the histopathological changes in small intestine after eight weeks of HPS intervention through HE staining.Addi-tionally,Western blot was conducted to detect the ex-pression of AGEs,RAGE,and NF-κB in eggs.The re-sults revealed a total of 302 key targets.Results A total of 302 key targets which were further analyzed for gene GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment.CUL3,YWHAZ,and NTRK1 were predicted as the key targets with critical pathways including the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,viral carci-nogenesis,hepatitis B,and alcoholism signaling path-way among others.Furthermore,in vivo experiments confirmed that HPS could improve small intestine histo-pathology in DGP rats,resulting in significant protective effects on this organ.It also reduced the expression of AGEs,RAGE,and NF-κB protein,hence achieving its purpose of treating DGP.Conclusion HPS has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway action,which may affect the regulatory role of AGE-RAGE signaling pathway on DGP,and provide new ideas for the subsequent clinical improve-ment of DGP.
7.Establishment of animal model of blood stasis syndrome in diabetic kidney disease and metabonomic analysis
Qian GUO ; Sheng-fang WAN ; Rong-ke LI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhao-hui WEI ; Zi-hui ZHONG ; Jing SHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):592-599
Aim To establish an animal model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD)integrating blood stasis syndrome and syndrome evaluation indicators.Methods Twenty-five SD rats were ran-domly divided according to body weight into a control group(8 rats)and a modeling group(17 rats).The modeling group was fed a high-sugar and high-fat diet for four weeks and induced to form diabetic rats by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg-1 streptozocin.The modeling rats were randomly divided into the DKD group and blood stasis syndrome combination group accord-ing to 24-hour urinary protein(24-hUP).The blood stasis syn-drome combination group was induced to replicate the DKD blood stasis syndrome model by injecting 10%high molecular weight D-glucoside three times at a dose of 0.05 mg·kg-1 via tail vein.The model was evaluated based on random blood glu-cose level,24-hUP level,syndrome assessment,pathological staining etc,and differential metabolites were selected using metabolomics.Results The comprehensive evaluation of syn-drome manifestations and pathological staining in the combined model of blood stasis syndrome in rats demonstrated successful replication.Utilizing the technique of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,22 differential metabolites were identified,with associated pathways showing a certain relevance to blood stasis syndrome in DKD.Conclusions The successful replica-tion of an animal model combining the syndrome of blood stasis in DKD has been achieved in this study.Evaluation of indicators and results from metabolomics studies consistently demonstrate a correlation with the syndrome of blood stasis in DKD.
8.Pathogenetic analysis of the first case of ST-7962 group B meningococcal disease in Jiangxi Province
Huan FANG ; Yong LIAO ; Xiao-jun HU ; Qiong LEI ; Xiao-rong ZHONG ; Jue-xin WANG ; Su-ping WANG ; Man-mei TANG ; Yu-chen WU ; Chu-chu WU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):47-52
Blood from a case of group B epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis identified in February 2024 in Ganzhou City,Jiangxi Province,and throat swabs from close contacts were collected for isolation and culture.The isolates were subjected to serogrouping,drug sensitivity testing,and whole genome sequencing and analysis,to provide a basis for epidemiological inves-tigation and clinical drug use.One strain of Neisseria meningitidis was isolated from the blood of the case and denoted group B.The MLST type was ST-7962,with no clonal group attribution.The phylogenetic tree showed that it was genetically close to the 1977 Shanghai carrier isolate(id-52231).Drug sensitivity results indicated that the strain was sensitive to 8 drugs:azithro-mycin,cefotaxime,minocycline,ceftriaxone,chloramphenicol,meropenem,rifampicin,and benzylpenicillin;resistant to cot-rimoxazole,levofloxacin,and ciprofloxacin;and showed an intermediate response to penicillin.This report describes the first case of ST-7962 group B meningoencephalitis found in Jiangxi Province.Monitoring of Neisseria meningitidis carriage,drug re-sistance,and molecular characteristics of strains in the healthy population in this region should be strengthened,to provide la-boratory support for the clinical use of medications,traceability,and control of the pathogen underlying meningoencephalitis infection.
9.Interpretation of the Guideline for Plastic Materials and Containers for Pharmaceutical Packaging in the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China
Weiyi LU ; Yanggege LYU ; Lin YAO ; Rong CAI ; Hong JIN ; Hui YU ; Lei CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(7):1049-1054
Plastic pharmaceutical packaging materials are widely used in drug packaging,and the effective quality control of these materials is of great significance for ensuring the quality of drugs.The Guidelines for Plastic Materials and Containers for Pharmaceutical Packaging in the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the guideline)is based on the characteristics of plastic pharmaceutical packaging materials and combined with the different uses of various products,clarifying the quality control requirements for different categories of products.The guideline not only improves the pharmacopoeia standard system,but also meets the needs of industrial development and drug regulation under the new situation,which is conducive to enterprises to better improve product quality.This article explains the main contents of the guideline in combination with the background,process,and ideas of its drafting,so as to provide guidance for the correct understanding and use of this standard by all parties in the industry.
10.Association of serum ITLN—1,NT—proBNP and Lp—PLA2 levels with coronary artery disease severi-ty in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Rong LEI ; Xin LIU ; Peng-rong DU ; Yan-dong WANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(5):591-597
Objective:To investigate the association of serum levels of intelectin-1(ITLN-1),N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)with coronary ar-tery disease severity in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods:A total of 269 patients suspected of AMI admitted in Yulin Xingyuan Hospital between January 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively enrolled.According to coronary angiography combined with examination of clinical symptoms,137 patients were diagnosed with AMI(AMI group)and the remaining 132 cases were included in control group.Serum ITLN-1,NT-proB-NP,and Lp-PLA2 levels were compared between AMI group and control group;Logistic regression was used to ex-plore the factors associated with AMI.A nomogram model was constructed based on the factors of AMI.Serum ITLN-1,NT-proBNP and Lp-PLA2 levels were compared among AMI patients with different coronary artery disease severity,and their association with coronary artery disease severity was analyzed by Pearson correlation coef-ficient.Results:Serum ITLN-1 level was significantly lower,and serum levels of NT-proBNP and Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher in AMI group compared to control group(P<0.001 all).Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that ITLN-1(OR=0.971,95%CI 0.945~0.998,P=0.032)was independent protective factor for AMI,while NT-proBNP(OR=1.017,95%CI 1.007~1.028,P<0.001)andLp-PLA2(OR=1.039,95%CI 1.004~1.075,P=0.030)were independent risk factors.A nomogram model was constructed according to these factors.The calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves showed good predictive value,and decision curve analysis(DCA)also indicated a significant net benefit.As coronary artery disease aggravated,se-rum ITLN-1 level significantly reduced and serum NT-proBNP and Lp-PLA2 levels significantly increased(P<0.05 or<0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed that ITLN-1 was inversely correlated with coronary artery disease severity(r=-0.906,P<0.001),while NT-proBNP and Lp-PLA2 were positively correlated with it(r=0.860,0.885,P<0.001 both).Conclusion:ITLN-1 is an independent protective factor for AMI,while NT-proBNP and Lp-PLA2 are the independent risk factors.All of above-mentioned indexes are significantly correla-ted with coronary artery disease severity,and the combination of them had good diagnostic value for AMI.

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