1.Clinical phenotypes and pathogenic mechanisms of Wilson disease with lipid metabolism disorders
Dongjing GAO ; Ruixin WANG ; Xinhua LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):515-521
Wilson disease (WD) is a hereditary disorder of copper metabolism characterized by abnormal copper accumulation in tissues, including the liver and brain, which leads to severe hepatic and neurological damage. This disease is often accompanied by lipid metabolism abnormalities, and the exploration of related mechanisms has attracted increasing attention. This article introduces the clinical features of lipid metabolism disorders in WD patients, summarizes the research advances in the serum levels of lipids and hepatic steatosis, analyzes the potential mechanisms of the interaction between copper and lipid metabolism, and highlights the significance of lipid-related molecules in disease diagnosis and clinical evaluation. In clinical practice, the monitoring and assessment of lipid metabolism parameters should be taken seriously in patients with WD, in order to promote comprehensive disease management and improve the prognosis of patients.
2.Identification of chemical components and determination of vitexin in the raw powder of Tongluo Shenggu capsule
Gelin WU ; Ruixin FAN ; Chuling LIANG ; Leng XING ; Yongjian XIE ; Ping GONG ; Peng ZHOU ; BO LI
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):166-175
The present study employed UPLC-MS/MS to analyze and identify compounds in the raw powder of Tongluo Shenggu capsules. An HPLC method for the determination of vitexin content was established. The analysis of this drug was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm,1.7 μm) column, with the mobile phase comprising 0.2% formic acid-methanol flowing at 0.3 mL /min in a gradient elution manner. Mass spectrometry was detected by ESI sources in both positive and negative ion modes for qualitative identification of chemical constituents. 12 flavonoid and 3 stilbenes compounds in the raw powder of Tongluo Shenggu capsules were successfully identified. Additionally, an HPLC method for the determination of vitexin content was established using a XBridge C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase of 0.05% glacial acetic acid in methanol for gradient elution, at a column temperature of 30 °C, a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and an injection volume of 20 μL. The method demonstrated good linearity in the concentration range of 10 µg/mL to 40 µg/mL (R=1.000) with an average recovery rate of 96.7%. The establishment of these methods provides a scientific basis for the quality control and development of the raw powder of Tongluo Shenggu capsules.
3.Research progress on impacts of air pollutants, gut microbiota, and seminal microbiota on semen quality
Wenchao XIA ; Jiahua SUN ; Yuya JIN ; Ruixin LUO ; Ruyan YAN ; Yuming GUI ; Yongbin WANG ; Fengquan ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Weidong WU ; Huijun LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):1003-1008
In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.
4.Psychological characteristics of obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and their impact on the efficacy of bariatric surgery
Rongli PAN ; Peikai ZHAO ; Yuxuan LI ; Ruixin TAO ; Xin HUANG ; Teng LIU ; Weihua LI ; Shaozhuang LIU
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(4):686-697
Background and Aims:Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a common endocrine disorder among obese women,often accompanied by psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)is an effective treatment for obesity and its related metabolic conditions,and has shown clear benefits in improving weight and metabolic profiles in PCOS patients.However,the potential mechanisms by which psychological status may affect weight loss outcomes remain unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the psychological characteristics of obese patients with PCOS and explore their impact on postoperative weight loss outcomes,in order to provide evidence for individualized intervention strategies.Methods:Female obese patients scheduled for LSG between November 2020 and September 2022 were enrolled and divided into PCOS and non-PCOS groups.Standardized psychological scales were used to assess anxiety,depression,self-esteem,and eating behaviors.Weight loss outcomes were recorded at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors such as age and body mass index(BMI),and correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between psychological status and weight loss outcomes.Results:A total of 314 patients were included,with 130 cases(41.4%)in the PCOS group.Before matching,the PCOS group had significantly worse psychological indicators and lower weight loss outcomes compared to the non-PCOS group(all P<0.05);after matching,these differences were no longer statistically significant(all P>0.05).Emotional eating was positively correlated with 12-month weight loss outcomes in the PCOS group,while anxiety and internalized weight stigma were associated with weight loss outcomes in the non-PCOS group(P<0.05).Additionally,among patients with moderate and extreme obesity,weight loss outcomes in the PCOS group were superior to those in the non-PCOS group(P<0.05).BMI was negatively correlated with self-esteem,eating behaviors,and quality of life(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Obese patients with PCOS exhibit notable psychological distress.However,after controlling for BMI and age,their psychological status and weight loss outcomes are comparable to those of non-PCOS patients.BMI may serve as an important confounding factor,and psychological factors may influence weight loss indirectly through eating behaviors.Preoperative psychological screening and intervention are recommended.
5.Curcumin attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by promoting mitophagy via AMPK/Sirt1 signaling pathway
Ruixin YAO ; Yue LÜ ; Qiuyan JIANG ; Shengnan LI ; Zhihao FENG ; Wei-fang SONG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(8):1495-1503
AIM:This study explores whether curcumin(Cur)promotes mitophagy to attenuate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)in mice,as well as the possible molecular mechanisms involved.METHODS:A high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was used to replicate the NASH mouse model.Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,high-fat and high-cholesterol model(M)group,M+low-dose Cur(Cur-L)group,and M+high-dose Cur(Cur-H)group,with 8 mice in each group.The weight of 8 mice in each group was recorded weekly.After feeding for 18 weeks,the serum and liver of mice were collected.Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and tumor necrosis factors-α(TNF-α)were measured.Liver index was calculated,and steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis of the liver were observed by HE and Masson staining.Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of mi-tophagy-related protein,TNF-α and α-SMA in the liver.(2)HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid and cholesterol to replicate the hepatocyte injury model,which was divided into NC group,Cur group,M group,and M+Cur group.Small interfering RNA for PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)knockdown was used to explore the relationship between PINK1-me-diated mitophagy and NASH.Compound C(CC)was used to inhibit AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)to explore the effect of the AMPK/silent information regulator 1(Sirt1)pathway on mitophagy.The lipid droplets of HepG2 cells were ob-served by oil red O staining,and the levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST in cell suspension were detected.RE-SULTS:(1)Compared with M group,treatment with Cur significantly reduced the body weight,liver coefficient,and se-rum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and TNF-α in NASH mice,while the steatosis and fibrosis in the liver were improved(P<0.05).(2)Different concentrations of Cur could increase or decrease the expression of mitophagy-related proteins in HepG2 cells in a concentration gradient.Compared with the M group,Cur reduced lipid droplets and de-creased TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST levels(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the NC group,the expression levels of mi-tophagy-related proteins in the liver of mice in the M group decreased,and the expression levels of TNF-α and α-SMA pro-teins increased.Different concentrations of Cur intervention promoted the increase of mitophagy-related proteins and the decrease of TNF-α and α-SMA proteins(P<0.05).(4)After Cur intervention,the expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins increased and the expression levels of in TNF-α and α-SMA levels decreased in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol(P<0.05).(5)Compared with M group,oleic-acidand cholesterol-induced mitophagy function in HepG2 cells was decreased after PINK1 knockdown(P<0.05).After CC inhibited AMPK,Cur increased the expression of p-AMPK(P<0.01),Sirt1(P<0.01),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(P>0.05),PINK1(P<0.01)and parkin(P<0.01)proteins to some extent.CONCLUSION:Treatment with Cur attenuates liver injury in NASH mice and reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol,and the mechanism may be related to promotion of mitophagy,which may involve the AMPK/Sirt1 signaling pathway.
6.Association between sleep and myopia in Tianjin schoolchildren aged 6-15 years
Qing HE ; Ruixin LI ; Junting HE ; Bei DU ; Lin LIU ; Ruihua WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(12):1127-1132
Objective:To explore the association between sleep and myopia among students aged 6-15 years in Tianjin.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.A total of 218 864 primary and secondary school students aged 6-15 years in Tianjin were recruited from January 2023 to May 2023.Basic information and responses to the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) were collected.Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between myopia and sleep.The study followed the Declaration of Helsinki, and the research protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.ChiCTR2200065710). All questionnaires and demographic information were collected with parental consent.Results:It was found that 68 121(31.12%) students were myopic and 178 514(81.56%) had sleep disorders.The prevalence of myopia among students with average daily sleep durations of ≤8 hours, >8-9 hours, >9-10 hours, and >10 hours was 52.17%(9 288/17 803), 35.35%(31 037/87 787), 25.18%(24 481/97 216), and 20.64% (3 315/16 058), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6 835.649, P<0.001). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, and potential confounding factors, compared with students with average daily sleep duration of >10 hours, students with average daily sleep durations of ≤8 hours ( OR=1.496, 95% CI: 1.415-1.581, P<0.001), >8-9 hours ( OR=1.364, 95% CI: 1.383-1.447, P<0.001), and >9-10 hours ( OR=1.257, 95% CI: 1.202-1.316, P<0.001) had a higher risk of myopia.Students with sleep disorders, bedtime resistance, sleep-onset delay, irregular sleep duration, sleep anxiety, night wakings, parasomnias, sleep-disordered breathing, and daytime sleepiness were more likely to be myopic. Conclusions:Sleep is a key factor influencing myopia among schoolchildren aged 6-15 years in Tianjin.
7.Comparative study of rat models of pulmonary hypertension induced by normobaric hypoxia and hypobaric oxygen
Hanxue LI ; Jinlian SUN ; Dingyu ZHENG ; Ruixin LIU ; Meiduo HUAYU ; Yan MA
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):37-49
Objective To evaluate pulmonary vascular remodeling,right ventricular function,intestinal barrier integrity,and inflammatory factor expression in rat models of pulmonary hypertension(PH)induced by normobaric hypoxia(NH)and hypobaric hypoxia(HH).We also aimed to compare modeling method and establish an experimental basis for understanding the pathogenesis of PH and for developing appropriate treatment strategies.Methods From June 2024 to December 2024,eighteen 6-week-old male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to three groups:normobaric normoxia(Control),NH,and HH groups.Mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)was measured by right heart catheterization.Right ventricular function was assessed using echocardiography and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI).Pulmonary vascular remodeling and intestinal mucosal barrier damage were evaluated via hematoxylin/eosin staining.Colon permeability was quantified by colon ligation followed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran injection.Expression levels of inflammatory factors in lung and colon tissues were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results Right heart function assessment revealed that mPAP was significantly increased(P<0.05),pulmonary artery acceleration time(PAAT)was shortened,and RVHI and right ventricular free wall thickness(RVFW)were significantly elevated(P<0.05)in rats in NH and HH groups compared with Control group.Rats in NH group demonstrated a prolonged pulmonary ejection time(PET)and reduced PAAT/PET ratio compared with HH group,indicating more pronounced right heart dysfunction.Pulmonary vascular morphology demonstrated that percentage of medial area percentage(MA%)and percentage of wall thickness percentage(WT%)of pulmonary vessels were significantly higher in NH and HH groups compared with Control group(P<0.05).Moreover,MA%was markedly increased in the NH group relative to the HH group(P<0.05),suggesting more severe pulmonary vascular remodeling in NH group.Regarding intestinal injury,rats in NH and HH groups exhibited shorter colon length,increased mucosal damage,and significantly increased permeability compared with Control group(P<0.05),while rats in HH group showed more prominent inflammatory cell infiltration compared with NH group,confirming intestinal mucosal barrier damage in both groups.In terms of inflammation,expression levels of interleukin(IL)6,IL1β,and IL 17a were significantly elevated in lung and colon tissues from rats in NH and HH groups compared with Control group(P<0.05).Notably,expression levels of IL6 and IL1 β in lung tissue and IL17a in colon tissue were significantly higher in NH group compared with HH group(P<0.05),while IL6 expression in colon tissue was relatively lower(P<0.05),indicating local inflammation in lung and colon tissues in both groups.Conclusions There are phenotypic differences between PH rat models induced by NH and HH,with respect to pulmonary vascular remodeling,right heart function,intestinal mucosal barrier injury,and the expression of inflammatory factors in lung and intestinal tissues.These result demonstrate that air pressure contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of PH.Different air pressures may affect the development of PH via distinct mechanisms,thereby offering critical insights into the pathological changes of PH,potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate disease progression,and the elucidation of inflammatory mechanisms underlying PH based on the lung-intestine axis.
8.Comparative study of rat models of pulmonary hypertension induced by normobaric hypoxia and hypobaric oxygen
Hanxue LI ; Jinlian SUN ; Dingyu ZHENG ; Ruixin LIU ; Meiduo HUAYU ; Yan MA
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):37-49
Objective To evaluate pulmonary vascular remodeling,right ventricular function,intestinal barrier integrity,and inflammatory factor expression in rat models of pulmonary hypertension(PH)induced by normobaric hypoxia(NH)and hypobaric hypoxia(HH).We also aimed to compare modeling method and establish an experimental basis for understanding the pathogenesis of PH and for developing appropriate treatment strategies.Methods From June 2024 to December 2024,eighteen 6-week-old male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to three groups:normobaric normoxia(Control),NH,and HH groups.Mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)was measured by right heart catheterization.Right ventricular function was assessed using echocardiography and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI).Pulmonary vascular remodeling and intestinal mucosal barrier damage were evaluated via hematoxylin/eosin staining.Colon permeability was quantified by colon ligation followed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran injection.Expression levels of inflammatory factors in lung and colon tissues were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results Right heart function assessment revealed that mPAP was significantly increased(P<0.05),pulmonary artery acceleration time(PAAT)was shortened,and RVHI and right ventricular free wall thickness(RVFW)were significantly elevated(P<0.05)in rats in NH and HH groups compared with Control group.Rats in NH group demonstrated a prolonged pulmonary ejection time(PET)and reduced PAAT/PET ratio compared with HH group,indicating more pronounced right heart dysfunction.Pulmonary vascular morphology demonstrated that percentage of medial area percentage(MA%)and percentage of wall thickness percentage(WT%)of pulmonary vessels were significantly higher in NH and HH groups compared with Control group(P<0.05).Moreover,MA%was markedly increased in the NH group relative to the HH group(P<0.05),suggesting more severe pulmonary vascular remodeling in NH group.Regarding intestinal injury,rats in NH and HH groups exhibited shorter colon length,increased mucosal damage,and significantly increased permeability compared with Control group(P<0.05),while rats in HH group showed more prominent inflammatory cell infiltration compared with NH group,confirming intestinal mucosal barrier damage in both groups.In terms of inflammation,expression levels of interleukin(IL)6,IL1β,and IL 17a were significantly elevated in lung and colon tissues from rats in NH and HH groups compared with Control group(P<0.05).Notably,expression levels of IL6 and IL1 β in lung tissue and IL17a in colon tissue were significantly higher in NH group compared with HH group(P<0.05),while IL6 expression in colon tissue was relatively lower(P<0.05),indicating local inflammation in lung and colon tissues in both groups.Conclusions There are phenotypic differences between PH rat models induced by NH and HH,with respect to pulmonary vascular remodeling,right heart function,intestinal mucosal barrier injury,and the expression of inflammatory factors in lung and intestinal tissues.These result demonstrate that air pressure contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of PH.Different air pressures may affect the development of PH via distinct mechanisms,thereby offering critical insights into the pathological changes of PH,potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate disease progression,and the elucidation of inflammatory mechanisms underlying PH based on the lung-intestine axis.
9.Comprehensive Brain-wide Mapping of Afferent and Efferent Nuclei Associated with the Heart in the Mouse.
Haiying LIU ; Xin HUANG ; Ruixin XIA ; Xin ZHAO ; Zimeng LI ; Qian LIU ; Congye LI ; Honghui MAO ; Wenting WANG ; Shengxi WU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(10):1743-1760
Normal heart function depends on complex regulation by the brain, and abnormalities in the brain‒heart axis affect various diseases, such as myocardial infarction and anxiety disorders. However, systematic tracking of the brain regions associated with the input and output of the heart is lacking. In this study, we injected retrograde transsynaptic pseudorabies virus (PRV) and anterograde transsynaptic herpes simplex virus (HSV) into the left ventricular wall of mice to identify the whole-brain regions associated with the input to and output from the heart. We successfully detected PRV and HSV expression in at least 170 brain subregions in both male and female mice. Sex differences were discovered mainly in the hypothalamus and medulla, with male mice exhibiting greater correlation and hierarchical clustering than female mice, indicating reduced similarity and increased modularity of virus expression patterns in male mice. Further graph theory and multiple linear regression analysis of different injection timelines revealed that hub regions of PRV had highly similar clusters, with different brain levels, suggesting a top-down, hierarchically transmitted neural control pattern of the heart. Hub regions of HSV had scattered clusters, with brain regions gathered in the cortex and brainstem, suggesting a bottom-up, leapfrog, multipoint neural sensing pattern of the heart. Both patterns contain many hub brain regions that have been previously overlooked in brain‒heart axis studies. These results provide brain targets for future research and will lead to deeper insight into the brain mechanisms involved in specific heart conditions.
Animals
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Male
;
Female
;
Heart/physiology*
;
Mice
;
Herpesvirus 1, Suid
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Brain/physiology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Brain Mapping
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Efferent Pathways/physiology*
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Afferent Pathways/physiology*
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Simplexvirus
;
Sex Characteristics
10.The mediating role of fear of missing out between the dark triad and smartphone addiction in college students
Fang CHEN ; Mengmeng ZHAO ; Ruixin WANG ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Jiale ZHAO ; Xinyue YIN ; Chunjuan NIU ; Lina LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(9):835-839
Objective:To explore the relationship between the dark triad, fear of missing out and smartphone addiction, as well as the mediating role of fear of missing out between the dark triad and smartphone addiction.Methods:A total of 408 college students were assessed using dirty dozen, fear of missing out scale, and mobile phone addiction index. SPSS 24.0 software was used for common method bias tests, descriptive statistical analysis, and correlation analysis. Mplus 8.3 software was employed to construct a structural equation model, and the Bootstrap method was used for mediation effect analysis.Results:The dark triad (36.14±9.06) was positively correlated with fear of missing out (22.55±6.60) and smartphone addiction (46.77±13.62) ( r=0.48, 0.45, both P<0.01). Fear of missing out was also positively correlated with smartphone addiction ( r=0.54, P<0.01). Fear of missing out played a partial mediating role in the relationship between the dark triad and smartphone addiction, with a total effect value of 0.495 and a mediating effect value of 0.217. Conclusion:Fear of missing out partially mediates the relationship between the dark triad and smartphone addiction. The dark triad not only directly predicts smartphone addiction but also indirectly influences smartphone addiction through fear of missing out.

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