1.Comparison of Efficacy and Mechanism in Warming Yang and Dispersing Cold of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata Processed by ZHANG Zhongjing's Method and Pharmacopoeia Method
Mingjie JIAO ; Qian CHEN ; Shuyu YAN ; Yiyan SONG ; Jia ZHANG ; Fei LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):207-217
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of decoctions from four kinds of processed products of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata(ARLP) in deficiency-cold syndrome. MethodsA total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Shengfupian(SFP) group, Paofuzi(PFZ) group, Heishunpian(HSP) group and Paofupian(PFP) group with 6 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats in other groups were administered hydrocortisone sodium succinate via intramuscular injection to induce a cold deficiency syndrome model. After 14 consecutive days, each ARLP decoction pieces was administered via continuous gastric lavage at a dose of 12 g·kg-1·d-1 for 7 d, while the control and model groups received an equivalent volume of physiological saline. After the end of administration, body weight, spleen weight and thymus weight were measured for calculating the spleen and thymus indexes. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of adrenal tissue. The fully automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to measure the total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) and lactate(LAC) levels in serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the contents of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid(17-OHCS), cortisol(CORT), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyrotropin(TSH), immunoglobulin(Ig) M, IgG, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP). Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of protein kinase A(PKA), cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB), silent information regulator 1(Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α). And high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of major alkaloids, followed by Pearson correlation analysis with pharmacodynamic indicators. ResultsAfter modeling, compare with the control group, the model rats exhibited symptoms such as lethargy and loose stools, mild abnormalities were observed in adrenal tissue structure, and both spleen and thymus indices were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Thyroid, adrenal and immune system functions were suppressed, with decreased serum cAMP level and significantly elevated cGMP level(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the adrenal injury by hydrocortisone sodium succinate were repaired and the spleen index were increased significantly in all four ARLP groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). The thymus index in SFP and PFZ groups were increased significantly(P<0.05). The contents of T3, TSH, 17-OHCS and CORT were increased significantly in SFP and PFZ groups(P<0.05). In addition, the content of IgG in SFP, PFZ and PFP groups were increased significantly(P<0.01), while the content of IgM in PFZ and HSP groups were also increased significantly(P<0.05). Regarding the cyclic nucleotide system, PFZ significantly elevated cAMP level while reducing cGMP level(P<0.05), exhibiting the most pronounced effect among the four decoction pieces. For energy metabolism indicators, PFZ significantly improved abnormal markers including TC, TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). HSP showed marked improvement effects on TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). Both PFZ and SFP significantly elevated the expression levels of PKA, CREB, Sirt1, and PGC-1α proteins(P<0.01). Additionally, the diester alkaloids in ARLP showed a strong positive correlation with TG, IgG, and CORT, a strong negative correlation with LAC, a moderate positive correlation with T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. Monomeric alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TG and IgG, strong negative correlations with LAC, moderate positive correlations with CORT and T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. However, the content of water-soluble alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TC, LDH, 17-OHCS, T3, TSH, and thymus index, moderate positive correlations with cAMP, CORT, T4, and spleen index, and moderate negative correlation with cGMP. ConclusionAmong different processed ARLP decoction pieces, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method exhibits the most potent warming and cold-dispelling effects. Its pharmacological actions are mediated through regulating the thyroid, adrenal, immune, cyclic nucleotide systems, and material-energy metabolism pathways. Among these, water-soluble alkaloids show strong or moderate correlations with more indicators of deficiency-cold syndrome and exhibit the highest content in PFZ. Therefore, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method may exert its warming and cold-dispelling effects through water-soluble alkaloids.
2.Expression characteristics of galectin-3 in silicosis and its mechanism in promoting pulmonary fibrosis via TGF-β1/Smads pathway
Ying CAO ; Xuxi CHEN ; Shuyu GONG ; Ling ZHANG ; Yuqin YAO ; Wen DU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):643-650
Background Silicosis, caused by inhalation of silica (SiO2) dust, remains the most prevalent occupational pneumoconiosis in China. While galectin-3 (Gal-3) is known to play pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic roles in various diseases, its specific mechanism in the pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully clarified. Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Gal-3 in silicosis using clinical samples of silicosis and a silicosis mouse model. Methods Lung nodule biopsy samples were collected from patients with stage III pneumoconiosis. Concurrently a silicosis mouse model was constructed via non-exposed tracheal intubation with instillation of a SiO2 suspension. The expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis model mice were then detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on both human and murine lung samples to analyze the expression of the Gal-3-encoding gene Lgals3 across different cell types. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of SiO2 suspension for 24 h and 48 h; the expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The Gal-3 inhibitor TD139 was used to intervene in the SiO2-induced in vitro macrophage model, and Western blot was used to detect the intracellular expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Finally, mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908 were treated with varying concentrations of recombinant mouse Gal-3 protein (rmGal-3) for 48 h, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers [(Collagen I, Collagen III, Fibronectin, and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and proteins associated with the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Results RT-qPCR and IHC staining showed that both the gene and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly elevated at all consecutive time points in the silicosis mouse model (P < 0.05). scRNA-seq revealed that Lgals3 was aberrantly highly expressed in lung tissues from pneumoconiosis patients and silicosis mouse models, with the highest expression observed in macrophages. After treatment of macrophages with different concentrations of SiO2 for 24 h and 48 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly upregulated compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Following TD139 intervention, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 in dust-exposed macrophages were markedly downregulated (P < 0.0001). After 48 h of stimulation with rmGal-3, the protein expression levels of Collagen I, Fibronectin, and α-SMA in mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908) were significantly increased in all treatment groups compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, Gal-3 treatment markedly upregulated TGF-β1 protein expression in Mlg2908 cells and enhanced the phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Gal-3 is abnormally expressed in silicotic lung tissues, which primarily originates from macrophages, and inhibition of Gal-3 suppresses SiO2-induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses. In addition, Gal-3 promotes fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production by activating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
3.Expression characteristics of galectin-3 in silicosis and its mechanism in promoting pulmonary fibrosis via TGF-β1/Smads pathway
Ying CAO ; Xuxi CHEN ; Shuyu GONG ; Ling ZHANG ; Yuqin YAO ; Wen DU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):643-650
Background Silicosis, caused by inhalation of silica (SiO2) dust, remains the most prevalent occupational pneumoconiosis in China. While galectin-3 (Gal-3) is known to play pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic roles in various diseases, its specific mechanism in the pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully clarified. Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Gal-3 in silicosis using clinical samples of silicosis and a silicosis mouse model. Methods Lung nodule biopsy samples were collected from patients with stage III pneumoconiosis. Concurrently a silicosis mouse model was constructed via non-exposed tracheal intubation with instillation of a SiO2 suspension. The expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis model mice were then detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on both human and murine lung samples to analyze the expression of the Gal-3-encoding gene Lgals3 across different cell types. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of SiO2 suspension for 24 h and 48 h; the expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The Gal-3 inhibitor TD139 was used to intervene in the SiO2-induced in vitro macrophage model, and Western blot was used to detect the intracellular expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Finally, mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908 were treated with varying concentrations of recombinant mouse Gal-3 protein (rmGal-3) for 48 h, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers [(Collagen I, Collagen III, Fibronectin, and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and proteins associated with the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Results RT-qPCR and IHC staining showed that both the gene and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly elevated at all consecutive time points in the silicosis mouse model (P < 0.05). scRNA-seq revealed that Lgals3 was aberrantly highly expressed in lung tissues from pneumoconiosis patients and silicosis mouse models, with the highest expression observed in macrophages. After treatment of macrophages with different concentrations of SiO2 for 24 h and 48 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly upregulated compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Following TD139 intervention, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 in dust-exposed macrophages were markedly downregulated (P < 0.0001). After 48 h of stimulation with rmGal-3, the protein expression levels of Collagen I, Fibronectin, and α-SMA in mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908) were significantly increased in all treatment groups compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, Gal-3 treatment markedly upregulated TGF-β1 protein expression in Mlg2908 cells and enhanced the phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Gal-3 is abnormally expressed in silicotic lung tissues, which primarily originates from macrophages, and inhibition of Gal-3 suppresses SiO2-induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses. In addition, Gal-3 promotes fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production by activating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
4.Dynamic prediction of JC polyomavirus reactivation after kidney transplantation
Mengyao LI ; Chengfeng ZHANG ; Difei REN ; Xin LIANG ; Shuyu CHEN ; Yushi PENG ; Yanjie WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Jian XU ; Zheng CHEN ; Yun MIAO ; Yibin WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(4):635-643
Objective To construct a dynamic prediction model for JC polyomavirus (JCV) reactivation after kidney transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 128 recipients who met the inclusion criteria and received kidney transplantation in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, from June 2021 to December 2024. Dynamic Cox regression and dynamic restricted mean survival time (RMST) regression based on the landmark method were adopted to establish the dynamic prediction models, and Monte Carlo cross-validation was used to evaluate model performance. Results The dynamic models could predict the incidence and onset time of JCV reactivation within the subsequent 3 months according to covariates at each landmark time point from the 1st to the 6th month after transplantation. Remuzzi score, body mass index and warm ischemia time were independent risk factors for JCV reactivation, while a history of urinary BK polyomavirus reactivation served as a protective factor. The median values of the area under the curve, C-index and Brier score of the dynamic Cox model were 0.873, 0.851 and 0.065 respectively, and the C-index of the dynamic RMST model was 0.829, all of which were superior to those of the static model. Conclusions The landmark-based dynamic models exhibit excellent predictive performance, which may integrate baseline data and post-transplant follow-up information to realize dynamic assessment of the risk and time window of JCV reactivation, thereby providing evidence for optimizing post-operative monitoring and individualized intervention strategies.
5.Exploration of Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling Improvement in Rats at Different Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Qibai Pingfei Capsules Based on TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Lu ZHANG ; Li FANG ; Shuyu XU ; Xue LIANG ; Jie ZHU ; Xiangli TONG ; Zegeng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):48-56
ObjectiveTo investigate the improvement effect of Qibai Pingfei capsules on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats at different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to analyze its possible mechanism of action. MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, an early COPD model group, an advanced COPD model group, an early-intervention high-dose group, a late-intervention high-dose group, an early-intervention low-dose group, a late-intervention low-dose group, an early-intervention pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group, and a late-intervention PDTC group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of early COPD was constructed by using cigarette smoke combined with airway infusion using lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and a rat model of advanced COPD was constructed by using airway infusion with LPS, cigarette smoke, and hypoxia. All groups except the normal group were given LPS airway drops on days 1 and 14 of the experiment, smoked for 1 h per day, and administered the drug once a day for 40 weeks from day 15 onward. In the high- and low-dose groups, rats were given 1 g·kg-1 and 250 mg·kg-1 Qibai Pingfei capsules, respectively by gavage, and in PDTC groups, rats were given 100 mg·kg-1 of PDTC by intraperitoneal injection. The advanced COPD model group underwent 6 h of hypoxia per day in weeks 5-6. Lung function and mean pulmonary artery pressure were tested in rats. Morphologic changes in lung tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining. Collagen deposition in lung tissues was examined by Masson staining, and the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in lung tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of inflammatory cells in the alveolar lavage fluid of rats in each group was detected by Giemsa staining, and the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB), TNF-α, vascular endothelial-cadherin(VE-cadherin), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31) was detected by Western blot in the lung tissues of rats. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s (FEV0.3), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV0.3/FVC ratio related to lung function (P<0.05), thickening of pulmonary vasculature, increased collagen deposition in the lungs, and enhanced mean pulmonary arterial pressure and expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05). Additionally, the model group also exhibited increased numbers of macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils (P<0.05), significantly higher protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, and α-SMA (P<0.05), and significantly lower protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 (P<0.05). Lung function was significantly improved in the Qibai Pingfei capsules groups compared with the model group (P<0.05), with mean pulmonary arterial pressure reduced and pulmonary vascular thickening and collagen deposition in the lungs ameliorated. The Qibai Pingfei capsules groups also showed reduced expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05) and decreased numbers of macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils (P<0.05), as well as reduced protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, and α-SMA (P<0.05) and elevated protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 (P<0.05) in rat lung tissues. ConclusionQibai Pingfei capsules inhibits inflammatory response and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus improving pulmonary vascular remodeling in COPD model rats and showing therapeutic effects in the early stage of COPD.
6.Quality Evaluation of Clinical Guidelines for Acute Myocardial Infarction Based on AGREE Ⅱ
Shuyu GUAN ; Tianying CHANG ; Jiankang WANG ; Hang SHANG ; Yueying ZHANG ; Jiajuan GUO ; Yingzi CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):201-209
ObjectiveThis paper used the AGREE Ⅱ guideline evaluation tool to evaluate the quality of 14 clinical guidelines for acute myocardial infarction,aiming to provide reference for the formulation and improvement of the guidelines. MethodsClinical guidelines and expert consensus related to acute myocardial infarction were searched by web search. The search period ranges from January 1,2019 to November 1,2024 in CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,SinoMed,Web of Science,OVID, the International Guidelines Collaboration Network (GIN),the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE),Yimaitong, and other platforms. Three researchers independently screened the literature and used AGREE Ⅱ to score the screening results. After ensuring that the researchers have a consistent understanding of each guideline,the quality of the guidelines was evaluated. After that,the ratings were analyzed by layer according to the issuing agency,category,method of formulation,and funding situation and compared longitudinally by rating time. The clinical guidelines and expert consensus were compared in terms of content and evidence. ResultsA total of 14 guidelines and consensus were included. The results of AGREE Ⅱ in the six areas in descending order were scope and purpose (62.82%±10.43%),rigor (62.40%±12.77%),editorial independence (62.11%±22.26%),participants (61.42%±11.65%),clarity of expression (59.98%±9.62%),and application (52.94%±16.90%) . Eleven of the guidelines were at level B, and three were at level A. In the stratified analysis,the score of the guideline formulated by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association was lower. There was little difference between the scores of Chinese/Western and Western medicine guidelines. The average score of the guidelines was higher than the consensus. Funded guidelines and consensus scores were higher. In the longitudinal comparison,the highest number of guidelines were developed in 2020 and 2021,while those developed in 2023 scored the highest. In the differential comparison analysis,the content of the guidelines was more comprehensive, and the evidence level was higher,while the content of the consensus was more novel, and the evidence was less. ConclusionThe AGREE Ⅱ score of the clinical guidelines for acute myocardial infarction is generally moderate,and there is room for improvement in terms of applicability. At the same time,the content quality of expert consensus should be improved,and more efforts should be made to develop and apply Chinese medicine guidelines for complications such as heart failure and microcirculatory obstruction after acute myocardial infarction.
7.Immediate Effects and Differences in Brain Functional Connectivity of Electroacupuncture at Hegu During Different Time Periods
Shuyu XU ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xinyuan LIU ; Weixian LI ; Guojie SUN ; Qing TIAN ; Yanjun DU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(5):1244-1252
Objective To provide experimental evidence for selecting acupuncture timing in clinical practice,the optimal time for enhancing the brain effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)by observing brain imaging data,hemodynamic changes and differences in brain functional connectivity across the twelve traditional Chinese time periods were determined.Methods Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 12 groups corresponding to each of the twelve time periods(Zi,Chou,Yin,Mao,Chen,Si,Wu,Wei,Shen,You,Xu,Hai),with 3 mice per group.Each mouse received electroacupuncture stimulation using the same protocol.Brain imaging data and dynamic hemodynamic changes were collected using functional ultrasound imaging(FUS)ultrasound imaging technology every 0.4 s over a total duration of 420 s,covering pre-acupuncture(resting state),during acupuncture(task state),and post-acupuncture(post-task state)phases.The hippocampal region(HIP)was used as the observation point to analyze changes in functional connectivity between HIP and other brain regions before and after acupuncture.Results Compared to other time periods,the Mao group exhibited the largest whole-brain activation area and the highest average activation signal intensity.The hemodynamic signal increase in the hippocampal region was more pronounced,and the post-acupuncture blood flow signal intensity remained significantly higher than the pre-acupuncture resting state.Functional connectivity data revealed that,using 0.2 as the standard value,the Mao group showed the greatest number of altered brain regions before and after acupuncture.Notably,only in the Mao group was there a significant enhancement in connectivity between the bilateral hippocampal regions.Conclusion The immediate effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)and brain functional connectivity vary significantly across different time periods,aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of meridian qi and blood flow.Mao time is identified as the optimal period.
8.Buyang Huanwu Decoction delays vascular aging in rats through exosomal miR-590-5p signal-mediated macrophage polarization
Shuyu TU ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Chenghui LI ; Danping HUANG ; Li ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1251-1259
Objective To investigate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD)on vascular aging.Methods Eighteen male SD rats were randomized into young group,intraperitoneal D-galactose injection-induced aging group,and BYHWD gavage group.The changes in pulse wave velocity(PWV),vascular SA-β-gal activity,and expressions of p16,p21 and SA-β-gal of the rats were examined.Serum exosomes were isolated from the rats,and after characterization using NTA and TEM and for surface markers and vascular cell markers,were examined for miR-590-5p expression using qRT-PCR.The M1/M2 macrophage ratio and cytokine levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR.Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out to predict the potential target genes of miR-590-5p and validate its targeting relationship with SLC8A3,whose expressions were detected in the vascular tissues of the rats by Western blotting.Results Compared with the young rats,the aging rats exhibited significantly increased PWV in the abdominal aorta with elevated vascular expressions of p16,p21 and SA-β-gal,which were all reversed by BYHWD treatment.The isolated serum exosomes were positive for CD63,CD81,CD31 and SM-22,and the exosomes from aging rats showed significantly downregulated expression of miR-590-5p,which was upregulated after BYHWD treatment.The aging rat vessels showed an increased M1/M2 macrophage ratio with elevated M1-specific cytokines and reduced M2-specific cytokines,and BYHWD treatment effectively inhibited M1 polarization of the macrophages.Pearson analysis revealed a negative correlation between exosomal miR-590-5p upregulation and the M1/M2 ratio.Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assays confirmed that miR-590-5p targets SLC8A3.Western blotting demonstrated increased SLC8A3 expression in aging rat vessels,which was downregulated after BYHWD treatment.Conclusion BYHWD attenuates vascular aging in rats by modulating macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing vascular inflammation via exosomal miR-590-5p-mediated downregulation of SLC8A3.
9.Synthesis of the serotonin derivative 5-PT and establishment of a research system for protein serotonylation
Shuyu XIAO ; Aziguli TULAMATI ; Yan YANG ; Zhigang ZHANG ; Xiaomei YANG ; Chang DU ; Xueli ZHANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):211-221
Objective·To establish a research framework for serotonylation of proteins and to provide a methodological basis for the identification of serotonylated proteins.Methods·The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases were used to analyze the expression of the transglutaminase 2(TGM2)gene,which encodes the key enzyme for serotonylation,and the solute carrier family 6(SLC6A4)gene,which encodes the serotonin transporter(SERT),in normal and pan-cancer tissues.5-Propargyltryptamide(5-PT),a serotonin derivative,was synthesized stepwise from serotonin hydrochloride,and its structure was characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H-NMR),carbon nuclear magnetic resonance(13C-NMR),and time-of-flight mass spectrometry(TOF-MS).The intracellular uptake of 5-PT in the human pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1 and mouse immune cells,including CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,and bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs),was detected by using flow cytometry.Click chemistry,co-immunoprecipitation,and mass spectrometry analysis techniques were employed to identify serotonylated proteins,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis was performed.Results·Bioinformatics analysis indicated that TGM2 and SLC6A4 were widely expressed in various normal tissues and across pan-cancer tissues.The flow cytometry results showed that the synthesized 5-PT can be taken up into the human pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1 and mouse immune cells,including CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,and BMDMs,via the SERT.Mass spectrometry analysis data showed that a significant amount of serotonylated proteins were enriched in various cells treated with 5-PT.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins were involved in important pathways related to glycolysis and amino acid synthesis.Conclusion·By using the synthesized 5-PT,multiple serotonylated proteins are enriched in various cell types.A research system for identifying serotonylated proteins has been successfully established,providing a relatively simple and efficient method for studying protein serotonylation.
10.Dosimetric comparison of tomotherapy,static IMRT and VMAT techniques in radiotherapy for cervical cancer
Liangqian GOU ; Shuyu WU ; Huaying LIAO ; Yushan YANG ; Guoqian ZHANG ; Hui YU ; Xiaohui WANG ; Shuxu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(4):429-434
Objective To compare the dosimetric disparities among static intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT),volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT),and tomotherapy(TOMO)techniques in cervical cancer radiotherapy for providing data support for clinical decision-making scheme of radiotherapy.Methods The clinical data of 19 cervical cancer patients,treated at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University from February to May in 2024,were analyzed.Three plans were devised for each case using IMRT,VMAT,and TOMO techniques,followed by dosimetric evaluation in terms of various metrics such as dose volume parameters of the target areas as well as organs-at-risk(OAR),conformity index(CI),homogeneity index(HI),and delivery time.Results All 3 plans met the clinical prescription requirements for the target areas.Compared with static IMRT and VMAT,TOMO had significantly lower Dmean and Dmaxof PCTV and PGTVnd.For OAR,TOMO demonstrated significant advantages over IMRT and VMAT in the Dmean of the bladder,the Dmean,Dmax,V30,V40of the rectum,the Dmean,Dmax,V20,V30of left and right femoral heads,and the Dmean,V20,V50of the pelvis(P<0.05).In addition,the TOMO group showed significantly higher CI for both PCTV and PGTVnd as compared with IMRT and VMAT groups,and lower PGTVnd HI than IMRT group(all P<0.05).Although there was trivial difference among 3 groups in term of PCTV HI,TOMO group performed slightly better than the other two groups.Notably,VMAT technique had the shortest treatment time.Conclusion In various treatment modalities for cervical cancer,TOMO is superior to IMRT and VMAT in terms of target dose coverage,OAR dose distribution,CI,and HI.However,VMAT has the highest efficiency.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail