1.Study on the safety and efficacy of micro-perfusion device for preserving isolated porcine limbs
Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Shen LI ; Man YUAN ; Xiwei PENG ; Jia LÜ ; Sice WANG ; Zhibo JIA ; Xiangyu SONG ; Yixuan ZHU ; Chonghui LI ; Moling XIAO ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):422-431
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a self-developed micro-normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) system (micro-perfusion device) for preserving isolated porcine limbs. Methods Five healthy Landrace pigs were selected, and their left and right forelimbs were randomly divided into the NMP group and static cold storage (SCS) group. The NMP group was perfused with the self-developed micro-perfusion device and polymerized hemoglobin perfusate for 32 hours at normothermia, while the SCS group was preserved at 4 ℃. Hemodynamic parameters such as perfusion pressure and flow were monitored. The pH value, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), lactic acid (Lac), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the perfusate were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to assess the muscle tissue structure, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was employed to evaluate muscle cell apoptosis, and immunohistochemistry staining was applied to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. A mixed-effects model was used to analyze the effects of time and treatment methods on tissue structure, cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors. Results The device could stably maintain a perfusion pressure of (69±15) mmHg and a flow rate of (117±42) mL/min. The pH value and electrolytes of the perfusate were generally stable, with PO2 maintained at a high level. Lac was maintained at 5.38(3.81, 6.45) mmol/L, while CK and LDH increased over time. After 32 hours of perfusion in the NMP group, both the myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate were better than those in the SCS group. Mixed-effects model analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate per unit time (both P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in TNF-α and IL-6 between the two groups, and mixed-effects model analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on TNF-α and IL-6 per unit time (both P > 0.05). Conclusions The micro-perfusion device used in this study may achieve 32-hour normothermic preservation in a porcine limb amputation model, maintain basic metabolism and ionic homeostasis, reduce muscle structural damage and cell apoptosis without inducing additional inflammatory responses. This technology is expected to significantly extend the time window for replantation of amputated limbs in disaster rescue and long-distance transportation, providing an important technical basis for clinical translation and subsequent replantation research.
2.Study on the effect and mechanism of processed Oxytropis falcata in improving renal fibrosis in rats
Qing ZHANG ; Xinhuan MA ; Mingjing YANG ; Zhiwei XU ; Wenjing WANG ; Hui SONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1167-1172
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of processed Oxytropis falcata on renal fibrosis (RF) in rats. METHODS RF model was induced by adenine. After modeling, the rats were divided into the model group, positive control group (colchicine, 0.45 mg/kg), and processed O. falcata low-, medium- and high-dose groups (0.5, 1, 2 g/kg), respectively. Additionally, a blank group without modeling was set up, with 8 rats in each group. The positive control group and the various dosage groups of processed O. falcata were given the corresponding medicinal solutions intragastrically, while the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline intragastrically, once daily for 28 consecutive days. The appearance and histopathological morphology of the rats’ kidneys were observed. Serum levels of renal function indexes [bl ood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) ] and inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ] in rats were detected. Protein expressions of fibronectin (FN), α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ) in renal tissue of rats were determined. mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1 ), Smad3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in renal tissues were measured. Protein expression of TGF-β 1 and phosphorylation levels of Smad3 and ERK1/2 in renal tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group exhibited enlarged kidneys with pale color, rough and uneven surface. There was a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells and vacuolated cells in the renal tubules, along with marked proliferation of collagen fibers. Serum levels of BUN, Cr, IL-6 and TNF-α, protein expressions of α -SMA, Col-Ⅰ and FN in renal tissues, mRNA expressions of TGF-β 1 , Smad3, ERK1 and ERK2 and protein expression of TGF-β 1 as well as phosphorylation levels of Smad3 and ERK1/2 in renal tissues were increased significantly ( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, renal pathological changes of rats were alleviated in processed O. falcata groups, with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of collagen fibers. The levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were all significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Processed O. falcata can improve renal function in RF rats, alleviate inflammatory responses, and reduce abnormal collagen fiber deposition. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the activity of the TGF-β 1 /Smad signaling pathway.
3.Influence of perceived stress on sleep quality among resident physicians: the chain mediating role of self-control and anxiety emotions
Minghui ZHANG ; Xinmeng ZHANG ; Wenjing YE ; Xiaotao ZHANG ; Hongtao SONG ; Gaofeng YAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):165-170
BackgroundResident physicians represent a high-risk group for sleep disorders, exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence of such conditions compared with the general population, which severely impairs their physical and mental health. It is hypothesized that perceived stress negatively impacts sleep quality through psychological mechanisms, such as depleting self-control resources and triggering anxiety. However, this pathway warrants empirical validation. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating role of self-control and anxiety emotions in the association between perceived stress and sleep quality among resident physicians, and to elucidate the underlying psychological mechanisms, aiming at providing theoretical basis for developing targeted psychological interventions. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2025. First- to third- year resident physicians at a hospital in Fuyang City were recruited as participants (n=372). The Chinese Perceived Stress Scales (CPSS), the Chinese version of the Dual-Mode of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7) were used for group testing. The model 6 of the Process macro version 4.1 was ultilized to examine the mediating pathway of self-control and anxiety emotions between perceived stress and sleep quality. ResultsA total of 322 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding an effective responsive rate of 86.56%. Among the respondents, 146 (45.34%) reported poor sleep quality. The CPSS score and GAD-7 score of resident physicians were positively correlated with the PSQI score (r=0.727, 0.784, P<0.01), while the DMSC-S score was negatively correlated with the PSQI score (r=-0.615, P<0.01). Perceived stress directly and positively predicted poor sleep quality (B=0.124, P<0.01), with the direct effect accounting for 31.39% of the total effect. Furthermore, perceived stress indirectly affected sleep quality through the independent mediating effects of self-control and anxiety emotions. The indirect effect values of 0.053 (95% CI: 0.019 - 0.091) and 0.192 (95% CI: 0.141 - 0.249), accounting for 13.42% and 48.61% of the total effect, respectively. Perceived stress also impact sleep quality through the serial mediating effect of self-control and anxiety, with the indirect effect value of 0.026 (95% CI: 0.005 - 0.049), accounting for 6.58% of the total effect. ConclusionThe perceived stress of resident physicians can influence sleep quality by impairing self-control, exacerbating anxiety, and through the serial mediation of both factors.
4.Effect and mechanism of action of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid on an in vitro cell model of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Tong LIU ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yijia SONG ; Wenjing WU ; Beilei CUI ; Yajie GUAN ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1586-1596
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential targets of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the molecular mechanism by which it regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsA network pharmacology analysis was performed at first, and related databases were used to obtain the common action targets of 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD, followed by molecular docking and pathway enrichment analysis to predict the potential biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by these targets. Then mouse normal hepatocytes AML-12 were used for cell experiments, and CCK-8 assay was used to determine the three optimal intervention concentrations of 2,5-DHBA. AML-12 cells were divided into control group, model group (cells cultured in a medium containing 2 mmol/L free fatty acid [FFA] to establish a cell model of MAFLD), and three 2,5-DHBA intervention groups (cells cultured with FFA and 2,5-DHBA at the three different concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L, respectively). Oil red O staining was used to observe intracellular lipid accumulation; the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to measure the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); biochemical assays were used to measure the content of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC); quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the expression levels of related genes and proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsA total of 32 common targets were obtained for 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD. Within a concentration range of 1.25 — 20 μmol/L, 2,5-DHBA treatment, starting from the concentration of 2.5 μmol/L, increased the viability of AML-12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The minimum effective concentration of 1.25 μmol/L, the intermediate gradient concentration of 5 μmol/L, and the maximum safe concentration within the effective range of 20 μmol/L were selected for low-, middle-, and high-dose intervention, respectively. Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA intervention at concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L could significantly reduce lipid droplet accumulation in cells (all P<0.05), and there were significant differences in TG and TC between the model group and the three intervention groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had a significant increase in ROS fluorescence intensity (P<0.05), and compared with the model group, there was a dose-dependent reduction in intracellular ROS level after treatment with 5 μmol/L or 20 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA treatment at concentrations of 5 and 20 μmol/L significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of the lipogenic genes SREBf1 and FASN and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of the key antioxidant gene Nrf2 and its downstream target gene HO-1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in the model group was significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt were significantly decreased after 5 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in the model group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased after treatment with 1.25 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacology and cellular experiments confirm that 2,5-DHBA can alleviate lipid deposition and oxidative stress by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on MAFLD.
5.Predictive model for the risk of postoperative lung infection in esophageal cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yuqi LIU ; Ying ZHOU ; Ziyue SONG ; Linmei FENG ; Wenjing TU ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(08):1290-1298
Objective To systematically evaluate the risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal cancer, providing an objective basis for clinical selection and optimization of models. Methods A systematic search was conducted in Chinese and English databases such as VIP, Wanfang, CNKI, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for studies related to the risk prediction models of postoperative pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal cancer from the inception to September 30, 2024. The PROBAST tool was used to assess the quality of prognostic model research, and the RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis of predictive factors. Results A total of 17 articles were included, containing 26 pulmonary infection risk prediction models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) ranged from 0.627 to 0.942, among which 21 models had good predictive performance (AUC>0.7). Quality assessment through the PROBAST tool revealed that all 17 articles had a high risk of bias. Meta-analysis results showed that common predictive factors for postoperative pulmonary infection in esophageal cancer included smoking history (OR=1.97), smoking index ≥200 (cigarettes-years) (OR=4.38), smoking index ≥400 (cigarettes-years) (OR=2.00), age (OR=1.27), comorbid diabetes (OR=2.13), comorbid emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=1.55), low plasma albumin levels (OR=1.17), prognostic nutritional index (OR=4.45), history of related lung diseases (OR=2.10), tumor location (OR=2.32), surgical approach (OR=2.21), operation time (OR=1.73), preoperative serum procalcitonin levels (OR=3.06), anastomotic leakage (OR=3.39), reduced forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ratio (OR=0.86), and hoarseness (OR=2.23). Conclusion At present, the risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary infection in esophageal cancer are still in the stage of continuous development and optimization, and their research quality needs to be further improved. Future research can refer to the predictive factors summarized in this study based on meta-analysis, combined with clinical practice, to select appropriate methods to construct and validate the risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary infection in esophageal cancer, thus providing early targeted preventive strategies for high-risk patients.
6.Mitophagy regulates bone metabolism
Hanmin ZHU ; Song WANG ; Wenlin XIAO ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xi ZHOU ; Ye HE ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1676-1683
BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.
7.Exploring the protective effects of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate on ischemic and hypoxic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys
Shen LI ; Yanghui DONG ; Xiangyu SONG ; Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Yixuan ZHU ; Mengyi CUI ; Xiwei PENG ; Long CHENG ; Man YUAN ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG ; Yaqun ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(5):728-737
Objective To explore the protective effects of genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension as a subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusate on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in cynomolgus monkeys caused by traumatic hemorrhage.Methods Cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into positive and negative control groups(a total of 3 monkeys,with 3 left cerebral hemispheres as the positive control group and 3 right cerebral hemispheres as the negative control group)and the subnormothermic perfusion group(n=3).The positive control group was directly sampled 1 hour after circulatory arrest,while the negative control group was placed at subnormothermic conditions for 6 hours after circulatory arrest.The subnormothermic perfusion group underwent 6 hours of subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries of the cynomolgus monkey hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model using genetically modified porcine erythrocyte suspension 1 hour after circulatory arrest.Before perfusion,cross-matching experiments were conducted between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys.After the start of perfusion,the levels of routine blood indicators in the perfusate were detected at 0,1,2,3,4,5 and 6 hours.Blood oxygen saturation was recorded,and the levels of Na+,K+,Ca2+,glucose and blood pH in the perfusate were measured,as well as the levels of IgG and IgM in the perfusate.After 6 hours of perfusion,the water content of the brain tissue was measured.Nissl staining was performed on the frontal cortex and hippocampal regions,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and neuronal nuclear antigen(NEUN).Results The cross-matching results between the six genetically modified pig and the cynomolgus monkeys were negative.The number of red blood cells in the perfusate decreased significantly at 3 hours of perfusion,and the hemoglobin level showed a downward trend at 1,3,5 and 6 hours.The number of white blood cells and platelets decreased at all time points.The blood oxygen saturation in the subnormothermic perfusion group remained stable at 95%-98%,and the levels of blood oxygen saturation,Na+,Ca2+,glucose and pH were stable,while the K+level first increased and then decreased.There was no significant difference in the levels of IgG and IgM before and after perfusion.The water content of brain tissue at the end of perfusion in the subnormothermic perfusion group was significantly higher than that in the positive control group(P<0.001).Nissl staining results showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of the subnormothermic perfusion group maintained better morphological integrity,with no significant increase in enlarged and deformed cells.In the hippocampal CA1 region,there was a slight increase in enlarged and deformed cells,and a few cells with undamaged structures showed reduced cell size.In the hippocampal dentate gyrus,fewer granule neurons had compromised structural integrity,with increased cell edema.NEUN immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region of the subnormothermic perfusion group had better morphological states,with clear axons.The granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were well preserved,but the nuclei were less well protected.GFAP immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had sparser protrusions that were more tightly associated with neurons.Iba1 immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the positive control group,the subnormothermic perfusion group had thicker and fewer protrusions.Conclusions Compared with the positive control group,subnormothermic normoxic mechanical perfusion with genetically modified porcine erythrocyte perfusate increases brain tissue edema in cynomolgus monkeys,but better preserves the morphological integrity of neurons and glial cells.The protective effects may be related to the continuous oxygen and energy supply,maintenance of ion homeostasis and perfusate pH,reduced rejection,and low metabolic state of the whole brain.
8.Effects and mechanisms of liraglutide in ameliorating liver fibrosis in NAFLD mice
Renjie WANG ; Chaoyu ZHU ; Yunyun FANG ; Yuanyuan XIAO ; Qianqian WANG ; Wenjing SONG ; Li WEI
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(4):415-425
Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.
9.Effect of galectin-3 on lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation, migration, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts
Wenjing SONG ; Wenyan KANG ; Shaohua GE
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(8):886-896
Objective:To investigate the effects of galectin-3 (Gal-3) expression on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation, migration, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts (GF) as well as its mechanism, thus laying the foundation for an in-depth discussion of the regulatory role of Gal-3 in periodontitis and its mechanisms.Methods:Gingival tissues from 6 periodontally healthy subjects undergoing crown lengthening were collected at the Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University from December 2022 to December 2023. GFs were extracted and cultured by collagenase digestion. Lentivirals with multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 were used to achieve knockdown and overexpression of Gal-3 gene in GFs, whose efficiencies of Gal-3 gene were detected by using immunofluorescence, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Negative control of knockdown (shNC)+LPS group, Gal-3 knockdown (shGal-3)+LPS group, negative control of overexpression (oeNC)+LPS group, and Gal-3 overexpression (oeGal-3)+LPS group were established, respectively. 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU), Ki67 staining, scratch migration assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technology, immunofluorescence assay and RT-qPCR were used to investigate the effects of Gal-3 on LPS-induced proliferation, migration, apoptosis, ROS, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 expression. The effects of Gal-3 knockdown on the expression of differential genes and the enrichment of signaling pathways in LPS-induced GFs were investigated by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).Results:More than 80% of GFs were successfully transfected by shGal-3 MOI 40 and oeGal-3 MOI 70. Immunofluorescence results showed that the morphologies of GFs were normal after lentiviral transfection, and green fluorescence could be distributed in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and cell membrane. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting assay showed that the expressions of Gal-3 at the gene and protein levels in shGal-3 group (0.26±0.01, 0.26±0.03, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the shNC group (1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.09, respectively) ( P<0.001); the expressions of Gal-3 at the gene and protein levels in the oeGal-3 group (4.26±0.05, 3.94±0.34) were significantly higher than those in the oeNC group (1.00±0.00, 1.00±0.24, respectively) ( P<0.001). EdU, Ki67 experiments showed that the percentage of GFs proliferation was significantly lower in the shGal-3+LPS group [(16.99±1.79)%, (13.48±0.95)%, respectively] than in the shNC+LPS group [(33.86±3.84)%, (35.63±1.62)%, respectively] ( P<0.05), and the proliferation ratio of GFs was significantly increased in the oeGal-3+LPS group [(45.36±1.56)%, (45.83±1.50)%, respectively] compared to the oeNC+LPS group [(34.47±1.02)%, (33.66±3.14)%, respectively] ( P<0.05). The results of scratch migration assay showed that the migration ratio of GFs in shGal-3+LPS group significantly decreased compared to the shNC+LPS group [(25.07±0.01)% vs (57.84±0.00)%] ( P<0.001), whereas the oeGal-3+LPS group significantly facilitated the migration ratio of GFs compared to the oeNC+LPS group [(74.70±0.03)% vs (53.36±0.01)%] ( P<0.001). The results of TUNEL experiments showed that LPS stimulation with shGal-3 promoted apoptosis of GFs ( P<0.05), whereas oeGal-3 inhibited apoptosis of GFs ( P<0.001). Immunofluorescence experiments and RT-qPCR results showed that knockdown of Gal-3 significantly reduced ROS production, IL-6 and IL-8 expression levels at the gene level in GFs ( P<0.001), whereas overexpression of Gal-3 significantly increased the production of ROS and the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at the gene level in GFs ( P<0.001). RNA-seq results showed that differential genes caused by Gal-3 knockdown under LPS conditions were significantly enriched in biological processes such as cellular response to type Ⅰinterferon in the Gene Ontology database and in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database for NOD-like receptor, RIG-I like receptor and other signaling pathways. Conclusions:Gal-3 knockdown inhibited LPS-induced proliferation, migration, ROS, IL-6 and IL-8 production, and promoted apoptosis of GFs, while overexpression had the opposite effect. This process might be closely linked to the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway.
10.Association of MUFAs and PUFAs intake with risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:a secondary analysis based on Dryad data
Na FENG ; Yang XU ; Jing JI ; Di BAI ; Gen LIU ; Wenjing ZHU ; Yafan SONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Tuo HAN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):690-697
Objective To investigate the relationship between daily intake of monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFAs)and polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs)and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and to determine the threshold values of daily MUFAs and PUFAs intake for NAFLD risk.Methods Date were collected from the Dryad database.We enrolled a total of 1 068 healthy subjects aged 18 years and older(534 in the control group and 534 with NAFLD group)who had physical check-up in the Affiliated Nanping First Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2015 to August 2017.Comprehensive medical histories were obtained through questionnaires;information on dietary intake was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and daily MUFAs and PUFAs intake were calculated.Baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups,and Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline(RCS)analyses were used to explore the relationship between daily MUFAs or PUFAs intake and NAFLD.Results Compared with the control group,the prevalence of hypertension,tea drinking,body mass index(BMI),daily energy intake,and daily MUFAs and PUFAs intakes were significant higher in patients with NAFLD(all P<0.05),but the proportion of physical activities was significantly lower(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting other confounding factors such as age,gender and BMI,for every 10 g increase in daily MUFAs or PUFAs intake,the risk of NAFLD increased by 53%(95% CI:1.25-1.87,P<0.001)and 3.30 times(95% CI:2.98-6.20,P<0.001),respectively.RCS indicated an approximately linear relationship between daily MUFAs intake and NAFLD(P for nonlinearity=0.064)and a nonlinear relationship between daily PUFAs intake and NAFLD(P for nonlinearity<0.05).Subgroup analysis results were generally consistent,and there was statistical evidence of interactions between MUFAs and factors such as gender,hypertension and education level,with interaction between PUFAs and BMI observed(P<0.05).Conclusion Increased daily intake of MUFAs or PUFAs is significantly associated with an increased risk of NAFLD,and further research is needed to clarify their specific roles in hepatic lipid accumulation.

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