1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Serological and molecular biological analysis of a rare Dc- variant individual
Xue TIAN ; Hua XU ; Sha YANG ; Suili LUO ; Qinqin ZUO ; Liangzi ZHANG ; Xiaoyue CHU ; Jin WANG ; Dazhou WU ; Na FENG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1101-1106
Objective: To reveal the molecular biological mechanism of a rare Dc-variant individual using PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Methods: ABO and Rh blood type identification, DAT, unexpected antibody screening and D antigen enhancement test were conducted by serological testing. The absorption-elution test was used to detect the e antigen. RHCE gene typing was performed by PCR-SSP, and the 1-10 exons of RHCE were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The full-length sequences of RHCE, RHD and RHAG were detected by PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Results: Serological findings: Blood type O, Dc-phenotype, DAT negative, unexpected antibody screening negative; enhanced D antigen expression; no detection of e antigen in the absorption-elution test. PCR-SSP genotyping indicated the presence of only the RHCE
c allele. Sanger sequencing results: Exons 5-9 of RHCE were deleted, exon 1 had a heterozygous mutation at c. 48G/C, and exon 2 had five heterozygous mutations at c. 150C/T, c. 178C/A, c. 201A/G, c. 203A/G and c. 307C/T. Third-generation sequencing results: RHCE genotype was RHCE
02N. 08/RHCE-D(5-9)-CE; RHD genotype was RHD
01/RHD
01; RHAG genotype was RHAG
01/RHAG
01 (c. 808G>A and c. 861G>A). Conclusion: This Dc-individual carries the allele RHCE
02N. 08 and the novel allele RHCE-D(5-9)-CE. The findings of this study provide data support and a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RhCE deficiency phenotypes.
3.Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction on Phlegm-dampness-blocked Cervical Vertigo and Its Influence on Neck Hemodynamics
Chun-feng WU ; Meng-ying TIAN ; Jia-luo CAI ; Sha-ting LIU ; Xiao-ping LI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(9):1503-1509
Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction on phlegm-dampness-blocking cervical vertigo and its influence on neck hemodynamics.Methods:96 patients with phlegm-dampness block type cervical vertigo admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were divided into control group and observation group,48 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction.Both groups were treated for 4 weeks and followed up for 6 months.The reduction time and disappearance time of vertigo were recorded.The score of cervical vertigo Symptom and Function Assessment Scale(ESCV)was performed before treatment and 1 day after treatment.The average blood flow level of basilar artery,right vertebral artery and left vertebral artery was detected,and the total clinical effective rate,recurrence rate and adverse reaction rate of the two groups were compared.Results:The reduction time and disappearance time of vertigo in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).Post-treatment,the ESCV score of both groups was higher than that before treatment;compared with the control group,the ESCV score of the observation group was higher post-treatment(P<0.05).The total clinical effective rate of observation group was higher than that of control group,and the recurrence rate was lower than that of control group(P<0.05).The hemodynamic index were higher after treatment than in the control group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction has certain curative effect on phlegm-dampness block type cervical vertigo,can effectively relieve vertigo symptoms,reduce recurrence,improve neck hemodynamics,and is safe,worthy of popularization and application.
4.Research progress on cuproptosis inducers overcoming tumor multidrug resistance
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2032-2037
In recent years,cancer incidence has been rising.Chemotherapy is a key clinical treatment,yet long-term use of antitumor drugs can lead to multidrug resistance(MDR).This review introduces the causes and mechanisms of MDR,mainly including genomic mutations,cellular autophagy,tumor micro-environment,and apoptosis.Subsequently,the concept and mo-lecular mechanisms of Cuproptosis are introduced,pointing out that the abnormal accumulation of Cu2+in cells and the chain reaction triggered by the binding of excess Cu2+with mitochon-drial enzymes ultimately lead to cell death.Finally,copper ionophores,copper complexes as drugs,and strategies for indu-cing cuproptosis to reverse drug resistance are introduced.The prospects for exploring antitumor drugs that can reverse MDR are briefly discussed,bringing new ideas to overcoming tumor resist-ance.
5.Research progress on cuproptosis inducers overcoming tumor multidrug resistance
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2032-2037
In recent years,cancer incidence has been rising.Chemotherapy is a key clinical treatment,yet long-term use of antitumor drugs can lead to multidrug resistance(MDR).This review introduces the causes and mechanisms of MDR,mainly including genomic mutations,cellular autophagy,tumor micro-environment,and apoptosis.Subsequently,the concept and mo-lecular mechanisms of Cuproptosis are introduced,pointing out that the abnormal accumulation of Cu2+in cells and the chain reaction triggered by the binding of excess Cu2+with mitochon-drial enzymes ultimately lead to cell death.Finally,copper ionophores,copper complexes as drugs,and strategies for indu-cing cuproptosis to reverse drug resistance are introduced.The prospects for exploring antitumor drugs that can reverse MDR are briefly discussed,bringing new ideas to overcoming tumor resist-ance.
6.Comparison of efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children: a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial
Xing XIAO ; Shan WANG ; Huan YANG ; Hong SHU ; Yanping GUO ; Jinping CHEN ; Yao LU ; Qinfeng LI ; Yuan LIANG ; Mutong ZHAO ; Xiaoyan LUO ; Limin MIAO ; Rui XU ; Xuemei LI ; Sha LAI ; Jianhong LI ; Zhen LUO ; Lu YU ; Lu XING ; Meitan WANG ; Xiaoli LI ; Haitao XU ; Ping LI ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(5):425-430
Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.
7.Icaritin Targets P53 to Regulate DNA Damage Repair and FOXO Signaling Pathways to Inhibit Glioma Cell Growth
Zhi-Qiong LUO ; Zhuo-Yi WANG ; Yong-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Zhong CHEN ; Jia YU ; Sha CHENG ; Ning-Ning ZAN ; Bao-Fei SUN ; Heng LUO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):753-763
Icaritin(ICT)is an 8-isopentenylflavonoid,which is the main effective component of the tra-ditional Chinese medicine Epimedium.Previously,we found that Icaritin inhibits the growth of glioblasto-ma(GBM)cells.Herein we aim to study the in vivo anti-GBM effectiveness of Icaritin and explore its mechanism.The results of MTT assay,flow cytometry,comet assay and cellular immunofluorescence as-say in vitro showed that ICT inhibited the proliferation of four kinds of GBM cells,U87,U251,U118 and A172,induced early apoptosis(P<0.001)and late apoptosis(P<0.05)in U87 cells,induced DNA damage in U87 cells,and blocked the growth of U87 cells at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.0001)in a concen-tration-time-dependent manner.In vivo subcutaneous tumor transplantation tumor experiments showed that feeding 200 mg/kg(P<0.01)and 400 mg/kg(P<0.001)ICT had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of GBM subcutaneous tumors,and had no significant toxic effects on heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney tissues.The results of network pharmacological analysis,molecular docking and cellular thermodynamic experiments showed that there were 26 possible target proteins between ICT and GBM,a-mong which the expression of p53 in GBM tissues was significantly(P<0.001)higher than in normal tis-sues,and the binding energy of ICT and p53 was lower;cellular thermodynamic experiments verified that ICT significantly enriched the level of p53 in the living cells of GBM,which indicated that ICT could tar-get p53.The expression of key proteins in the DNA damage repair and apoptosis-associated FOXO signa-ling pathway was detected by ICT.The results showed that the expression of ATR(P<0.01),P53(P<0.001),P21(P<0.05)and γ-H2AX(P<0.05)was up-regulated,whereas the expression of Cyc-lin E1(P<0.01),E2F1(P<0.05),CDK2(P<0.01),Rb(P<0.001),p-Rb(P<0.0001)and WRN(P<0.0001)expression were down-regulated.There was no significant change in the expres-sion of FOXO 1 in the FOXO pathway or a significant down-regulation of its phosphorylation level.This study demonstrated that ICT could effectively inhibit the growth of GBM cells in vivo.It targets p53 to regulate the DNA damage repair pathway and FOXO signaling pathway to induce GBM cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
8.Repurposing drugs for the human dopamine transporter through WHALES descriptors-based virtual screening and bioactivity evaluation.
Ding LUO ; Zhou SHA ; Junli MAO ; Jialing LIU ; Yue ZHOU ; Haibo WU ; Weiwei XUE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101368-101368
Computational approaches, encompassing both physics-based and machine learning (ML) methodologies, have gained substantial traction in drug repurposing efforts targeting specific therapeutic entities. The human dopamine (DA) transporter (hDAT) is the primary therapeutic target of numerous psychiatric medications. However, traditional hDAT-targeting drugs, which interact with the primary binding site, encounter significant limitations, including addictive potential and stimulant effects. In this study, we propose an integrated workflow combining virtual screening based on weighted holistic atom localization and entity shape (WHALES) descriptors with in vitro experimental validation to repurpose novel hDAT-targeting drugs. Initially, WHALES descriptors facilitated a similarity search, employing four benztropine-like atypical inhibitors known to bind hDAT's allosteric site as templates. Consequently, from a compound library of 4,921 marketed and clinically tested drugs, we identified 27 candidate atypical inhibitors. Subsequently, ADMETlab was employed to predict the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of these candidates, while induced-fit docking (IFD) was performed to estimate their binding affinities. Six compounds were selected for in vitro assessments of neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitory activities. Among these, three exhibited significant inhibitory potency, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.753 μM, 0.542 μM, and 1.210 μM, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and end-point binding free energy analyses were conducted to elucidate and confirm the inhibitory mechanisms of the repurposed drugs against hDAT in its inward-open conformation. In conclusion, our study not only identifies promising active compounds as potential atypical inhibitors for novel therapeutic drug development targeting hDAT but also validates the effectiveness of our integrated computational and experimental workflow for drug repurposing.
9.Concordance and pathogenicity of copy number variants detected by non-invasive prenatal screening in 38,611 pregnant women without fetal structural abnormalities.
Yunyun LIU ; Jing WANG ; Ling WANG ; Lin CHEN ; Dan XIE ; Li WANG ; Sha LIU ; Jianlong LIU ; Ting BAI ; Xiaosha JING ; Cechuan DENG ; Tianyu XIA ; Jing CHENG ; Lingling XING ; Xiang WEI ; Yuan LUO ; Quanfang ZHOU ; Ling LIU ; Qian ZHU ; Hongqian LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):499-501
10.Total 3D laparoscopic ileal ureters replacement for bilateral ureters combined with bladder augmentation in the management of post-radiotherapy bilateral ureteral strictures and contracted bladder
Wanwei HUANG ; Xianshen SHA ; Yibao ZHANG ; Guohao WU ; Feng LUO ; Zhihui CHEN ; Dongming YE ; Xue-song LI ; Caiyong LAI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(4):789-795
Objective:To retrospectively evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of total 3D laparo-scopic ileal ureters replacement for bilateral ureters combined with bladder augmentation in patients with post-radiotherapy long-segment bilateral ureteral strictures and contracted bladder.Methods:Clinical data of two patients(aged 72 and 54 years)with radiation-induced long-segment bilateral ureteral stric-tures and reduced bladder capacity,treated at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from Octo-ber 2023 to June 2024,were analyzed.Both presented with bilateral flank pain,recurrent chills/fever,urinary frequency,and urgency.Preoperative ureteral stricture lengths were measured as follows:left 10.4 cm and right 8.7 cm in the first case;left 10.6 cm and right 11.7 cm in the second case.Bladder capacity assessed by nephrostomy-assisted antegrade urography was 90 mL and 130 mL respectively.Both underwent single-position,one-stage totally 3D laparoscopic bilateral ileal ureteral replacement and blad-der augmentation based on membrane anatomy principles,with regular postoperative follow-up.Results:Procedures were completed by the same experienced urologist.Operative times were 420 min and 355 min,with intraoperative blood loss of 50 mL(no transfusion required).Postoperative bowel function re-sumed at the end of 4.5 and 3 days.No major perioperative complications occurred.Ureteral stents were removed at 2 months postoperatively,with imaging showing improved hydronephrosis,unobstructed ure-teral drainage,symmetrical bladder morphology,and smooth walls.Postoperative bladder capacities were 230 mL and 250 mL.Follow-up durations were 10 and 8 months.Both patients experienced significant relief of flank pain and lower urinary tract symptoms.No complications(enteric fistula,urinary fistula,or metabolic acidosis)were observed.At the final follow-up,one patient had mildly elevated serum cre-atinine,while the other showed reduced levels compared with preoperative values;both remained stable.Conclusion:Membrane anatomy-based dissection facilitates safe mobilization of fibrotic ureters with mini-mal bleeding and collateral damage.Total intracorporeal 3D laparoscopic ileal ureters replacement for bi-lateral ureters combined with bladder augmentation effectively addresses long-segment ureteral obstruction and improves bladder capacity.This approach is technically safe and feasible,though further validation with larger clinical cohorts is warranted.

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