1.Effect of fluoride exposure on endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial calcium transfer and apoptosis in primary nerve cells
Yongheng LU ; Shuang ZHU ; Feiyan ZHAO ; Fujun AI ; Yanjie LIU ; Yangting DONG ; Zhizhong GUAN ; Na WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):111-119
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neuronal damage caused by continuous excessive fluoride exposure is related to Ca2+overload,but the mechanism of Ca2+flow conversion between intracellular calcium stores and cell apoptosis damage is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fluoride exposure on Ca2+transport channel proteins and apoptosis levels in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane of primary cultured neural cells.METHODS:Primary nerve cells of neonatal SD rats were cultured in vitro and identified by immunofluorescence staining with neuronal nucleus-specific antibody up to day 7.The nerve cells were divided into control group(containing 0 mmol/L sodium fluoride),low fluoride group(containing 0.5 mmol/L sodium fluoride),and high fluoride group(containing 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride).The cell morphological changes were observed by light microscope 24 hours after fluorine exposure.The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 and calcium transfer-related pathways VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R were detected using western blot assay.The expression levels of VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Ca2+levels were detected by Rhood-2AM Ca2+probe.Mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit was used to detect the change in mitochondrial membrane potential.The level of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The purity of neurons cultured on day 7 had been determined to be over 90%,with few impurities,good growth status,and tight cell network connections,meeting the requirements of subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the control group,growth of neural cell clusters in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group increased;the processes were broken;the cell body was rounded,and the connection network between cells was destroyed.Compared with the low-fluoride group,the cell damage changes in the high-fluoride group were more obvious.(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R were increased in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group(P<0.05),and the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of VDAC1 and GRP75 mRNA in the low-fluoride group was significantly increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R mRNA in the high-fluoride group were significantly increased(P<0.01).(4)The level of cell apoptosis increased significantly after fluoride exposure,and the high-fluoride group was significantly higher than the control and low-fluoride groups(P<0.01).(5)After fluoride exposure,the concentration of mitochondrial Ca2+in nerve cells increased significantly(P<0.05),the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P<0.01),and the degree of damage in the high-fluoride group was more obvious(P<0.05).The results show that fluoride exposure impairs the morphological structure of primary neural cells,resulting in upregulation of Ca2+transfer pathway protein expression between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria,mitochondrial Ca2+overload,mitochondrial damage,and increased levels of apoptosis.
2.Effect of fluoride exposure on endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial calcium transfer and apoptosis in primary nerve cells
Yongheng LU ; Shuang ZHU ; Feiyan ZHAO ; Fujun AI ; Yanjie LIU ; Yangting DONG ; Zhizhong GUAN ; Na WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):111-119
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neuronal damage caused by continuous excessive fluoride exposure is related to Ca2+overload,but the mechanism of Ca2+flow conversion between intracellular calcium stores and cell apoptosis damage is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fluoride exposure on Ca2+transport channel proteins and apoptosis levels in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane of primary cultured neural cells.METHODS:Primary nerve cells of neonatal SD rats were cultured in vitro and identified by immunofluorescence staining with neuronal nucleus-specific antibody up to day 7.The nerve cells were divided into control group(containing 0 mmol/L sodium fluoride),low fluoride group(containing 0.5 mmol/L sodium fluoride),and high fluoride group(containing 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride).The cell morphological changes were observed by light microscope 24 hours after fluorine exposure.The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 and calcium transfer-related pathways VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R were detected using western blot assay.The expression levels of VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Ca2+levels were detected by Rhood-2AM Ca2+probe.Mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit was used to detect the change in mitochondrial membrane potential.The level of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The purity of neurons cultured on day 7 had been determined to be over 90%,with few impurities,good growth status,and tight cell network connections,meeting the requirements of subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the control group,growth of neural cell clusters in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group increased;the processes were broken;the cell body was rounded,and the connection network between cells was destroyed.Compared with the low-fluoride group,the cell damage changes in the high-fluoride group were more obvious.(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R were increased in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group(P<0.05),and the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of VDAC1 and GRP75 mRNA in the low-fluoride group was significantly increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R mRNA in the high-fluoride group were significantly increased(P<0.01).(4)The level of cell apoptosis increased significantly after fluoride exposure,and the high-fluoride group was significantly higher than the control and low-fluoride groups(P<0.01).(5)After fluoride exposure,the concentration of mitochondrial Ca2+in nerve cells increased significantly(P<0.05),the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P<0.01),and the degree of damage in the high-fluoride group was more obvious(P<0.05).The results show that fluoride exposure impairs the morphological structure of primary neural cells,resulting in upregulation of Ca2+transfer pathway protein expression between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria,mitochondrial Ca2+overload,mitochondrial damage,and increased levels of apoptosis.
3.Rational use of drug and scientific regulation based on effect-toxicity bidirectional action of Gardeniae Fructus.
Shuang CUI ; Jing-Zhuo TIAN ; Ai-Hua LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3635-3644
Gardeniae Fructus, a traditional Chinese medicine, has significant pharmacological activities such as clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting bile secretion and protecting liver injury. It is widely used in clinical practice for treating conditions like fever-induced restlessness, damp-heat jaundice, dysuria with pain, and fire-toxin sores. Gardeniae Fructus has been included in "list of items that are both food and medicine", so it is also used as an ingredient in food and health products. However, recent toxicological studies have shown that Gardeniae Fructus has certain potential hepatotoxicity, and its improper use may pose a risk. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the dual regulatory effects and their scientific connotations of Gardeniae Fructus on efficacy and toxicity. Based on the current progress in clinical, pharmacological and toxicological researches, this paper will discuss the characteristics and possible mechanisms of the dual effects of efficacy and toxicity of Gardeniae Fructus, and propose thoughts on the rational clinical use and scientific supervision of Gardeniae Fructus.
Animals
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Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Fruit/chemistry*
;
Gardenia/chemistry*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Liver/drug effects*
4.Quality improvement of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets based on HPLC fingerprints and content determination
Guang-li AI ; Xin WANG ; Ji LI ; Ting-ting LI ; Xiao LUO ; Shuang-cheng MA
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(11):3548-3554
AIM To improve the quality of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets.METHODS The HPLC fingerprints were established,after which the contents of neochlorogenic acid,chlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,forsythoside I,forsythoside A,quercitrin,3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid,4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid,baicalin,oroxyloside,wogonin and baicalein were determined.The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Waters XBridge C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm.Subsequently,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were adopted.RESULTS There were 21 common peaks in the fingerprints for 22 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.85.Twelve constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R20.999 8),whose average recoveries were 93.68%-101.16%with the RSDs of 0.95%-2.35%.Baicalin,wogonin and forsythoside A were taken as quality differential components.CONCLUSION This simple and accurate method can be used for the quality control of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets.
5.Interpretation review of the 2024 consensus on Exercise Therapy for Chronic Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease
Xue BAI ; Xiuni GAN ; Xiang AI ; Shuang FENG ; Miao HUANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(3):731-737
In February 2024,the European Society of Cardiology(ESC)Working Group on Aortic and Peripheral Vascular Diseases,in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Medicine(ESVM)and the European Society for Vascular Surgery(ESVS),published the Consensus on Exercise Therapy for Chronic Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease.This document provides evidence-based recommendations for estab-lishing comprehensive exercise programs,offering optimal therapeutic strategies for symptomatic chronic pe-ripheral artery disease(PAD)patients.Specifically,it proposes different exercise training regimens.This re-view interprets the consensus core components to inform evidence-based exercise therapy recommendations for PAD management in China.
7.Xiaoshuantongmai Decoction regulates JAK2/STAT3 to affect the function of dendritic cells in treatment of deep vein thrombosis
Yunhong ZHANG ; Shuang AI ; Chu CHU ; Yurou WANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Huiyan ZU ; Nannan FAN ; Bin WANG ; Xia LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(4):769-774
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xiaoshuantongmai Decoction(XSTMD)targeting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to regulate the function of dendritic cells(DCs)in treatment of deep vein thrombosis(DVT).Methods:After treatment of DVT with XSTMD,expressions of fibrinogen beta chain(FGB)and D-dimer(D2D)protein in plasma of patients with DVT were detected by ELISA,proportion of plasmacytoid dendritic cell(pDC)and conventional dendritic cell(cDC),and expression of HLA-DR protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with DVT were detected by flow cytometry,expressions of CD80 and CD86 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR,Western blot was used to detect protein levels of JAK2,STAT3 and phosphory-lation(p-JAK2 and p-STAT3)in PBMC of DVT patients and mice.LPS-induced mouse DC2.4 cells were treated with XSTMD drug-containing serum.Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3.ELISA was used to detect protein levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in cell culture supernatant.Results:After treatment with XSTMD,weight and length of thrombus were significantly reduced in mice with DVT(P<0.001).Compared with before treatment,expressions of FGB and D2D were significantly decreased in plasma of DVT patients(P<0.001),proportion of pDC was significantly increased,while pro-portion of cDC was significantly decreased in PBMC of DVT patients(P<0.01),expression of HLA-DR protein and mRNA levels of CD80 and CD86 were significantly decreased in PBMC of DVT patients(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)after treatment with XSTMD.Levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein were significantly increased in PBMC from DVT patients and mice treated with XSTMD(P<0.05).After treatment with serum containing XSTMD,protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 induced by LPS were significantly increased in murine DC2.4 cells(P<0.05).Protein expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased,while protein expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were significantly increased in cell supernatant(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion:XSTMD effectively treats DVT by pre-cisely regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to promote the differentiation of DCs into pDC and alleviate inflammatory injury.
8.Xiaoshuantongmai Decoction regulates JAK2/STAT3 to affect the function of dendritic cells in treatment of deep vein thrombosis
Yunhong ZHANG ; Shuang AI ; Chu CHU ; Yurou WANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Huiyan ZU ; Nannan FAN ; Bin WANG ; Xia LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(4):769-774
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xiaoshuantongmai Decoction(XSTMD)targeting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to regulate the function of dendritic cells(DCs)in treatment of deep vein thrombosis(DVT).Methods:After treatment of DVT with XSTMD,expressions of fibrinogen beta chain(FGB)and D-dimer(D2D)protein in plasma of patients with DVT were detected by ELISA,proportion of plasmacytoid dendritic cell(pDC)and conventional dendritic cell(cDC),and expression of HLA-DR protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with DVT were detected by flow cytometry,expressions of CD80 and CD86 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR,Western blot was used to detect protein levels of JAK2,STAT3 and phosphory-lation(p-JAK2 and p-STAT3)in PBMC of DVT patients and mice.LPS-induced mouse DC2.4 cells were treated with XSTMD drug-containing serum.Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3.ELISA was used to detect protein levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in cell culture supernatant.Results:After treatment with XSTMD,weight and length of thrombus were significantly reduced in mice with DVT(P<0.001).Compared with before treatment,expressions of FGB and D2D were significantly decreased in plasma of DVT patients(P<0.001),proportion of pDC was significantly increased,while pro-portion of cDC was significantly decreased in PBMC of DVT patients(P<0.01),expression of HLA-DR protein and mRNA levels of CD80 and CD86 were significantly decreased in PBMC of DVT patients(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)after treatment with XSTMD.Levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein were significantly increased in PBMC from DVT patients and mice treated with XSTMD(P<0.05).After treatment with serum containing XSTMD,protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 induced by LPS were significantly increased in murine DC2.4 cells(P<0.05).Protein expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased,while protein expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were significantly increased in cell supernatant(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion:XSTMD effectively treats DVT by pre-cisely regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to promote the differentiation of DCs into pDC and alleviate inflammatory injury.
9.Quality improvement of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets based on HPLC fingerprints and content determination
Guang-li AI ; Xin WANG ; Ji LI ; Ting-ting LI ; Xiao LUO ; Shuang-cheng MA
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(11):3548-3554
AIM To improve the quality of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets.METHODS The HPLC fingerprints were established,after which the contents of neochlorogenic acid,chlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,forsythoside I,forsythoside A,quercitrin,3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid,4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid,baicalin,oroxyloside,wogonin and baicalein were determined.The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Waters XBridge C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm.Subsequently,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were adopted.RESULTS There were 21 common peaks in the fingerprints for 22 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.85.Twelve constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R20.999 8),whose average recoveries were 93.68%-101.16%with the RSDs of 0.95%-2.35%.Baicalin,wogonin and forsythoside A were taken as quality differential components.CONCLUSION This simple and accurate method can be used for the quality control of Compound Yuxingcao Tablets.
10.Effect of percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on immune function and postoperative recovery in patients with total knee arthroplasty.
Xiao-Ting LU ; Rong-Rong DUAN ; Xiao-Yu QIN ; Wei-Hua HUANG ; Sheng-Shuang DING ; Jie ZHANG ; Chun-Ai WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(12):1213-1218
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate clinical effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimlation (TEAS) on perioperative immune function and postoperative recovery in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
METHODS:
From November 2021 to July 2022, 80 patients with unilateral TKA were selected and divided into TEAS group and sham TEAS group according to different treatment methods. There were 40 patients in TEAS group, including 9 males and 31 females;aged from 61 to 79 years old with an average of (66.90±5.86) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 19.53 to 30.47 kg·m-2 with an average of (25.34±2.83) kg·m-2;21 patients on the left side, 19 patients on the right side;according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), 30 patients with gradeⅡ, 10 patients with grade Ⅲ;TEAS were administered at the bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6) and non-operative Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points from 30 min before anesthesia to the end of operation, the frequency was 2/10 Hz, current intensity was tolerable and/or muscle rhythmic twitches of limbs were performed. There were 40 patients in sham TEAS group, including 9 males and 31 females;aged from 60 to 80 years old with an average of (67.35±4.29) years old;27 patients on the left side and 13 patients on the right side;BMI ranged from 20.02 to 30.09 kg·m-2 with an average of (25.02±2.23) kg·m-2;28 patients with gradeⅡand 12 patients with grade Ⅲ according to ASA;Electrodes were attached to the same points without electrical stimulation. Percentage contents of 24 h CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells, postoperative infection, incidence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and pruritus within 48 h after surgery, the first time on the ground, length of hospital stay and quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) score were compared between two groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with pseudoteas group, expressions of CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes in TEAS group were significantly increased at 24 h after surgery (P<0.05). The incidence of nausea within 48 h after surgery and the time spent on the ground early after surgery were significantly decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative secondary infection, adverse reactions such as vomiting, abdominal distension, pruritus and hospitalization days (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation could improve perioperative cellular immunity in patients with total knee replacement, alleviate immunosuppression, reduce incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, and promote early postoperative recovery.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Aged
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Middle Aged
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Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee
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Acupuncture Points
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Postoperative Period
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Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods*
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Recovery of Function

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