1.Molecular mechanism of Siwu Decoction in treating premature ovarian insufficiency based on mitophagy pathway modulated and mediated by estrogen receptor subtype.
Si CHEN ; Ze-Ye ZHANG ; Nan CONG ; Jiao-Jiao YANG ; Feng-Ming YOU ; Yao CHEN ; Ning WANG ; Pi-Wen ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2173-2183
In this study, we explored the pharmacological effects of Siwu Decoction in treating premature ovarian insufficiency(POI) and its molecular mechanism based on the mitophagy pathway modulated and mediated by estrogen receptor(ER) subtypes. Female Balb/c mice were divided into a control group, model group, as well as high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction. The POI mice model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. The high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction were administered intragastrically with Siwu Decoction each day for 14 days. During this period, we monitored the estrous cycle and body weight of the mice and calculated the ovarian index. The morphology of the ovaries was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the number of primordial follicles was counted. The apoptosis of the ovarian tissue was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH), apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins, ER subtypes, and the expression levels of key proteins of its mediated molecular pathways were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. KGN cells were divided into a control group, model group, Siwu Decoction group, and gene silencing group. The apoptosis model was induced by H_2O_2, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1) gene silencing was induced by siRNA transfection. The Siwu Decoction group and gene silencing group were added to the medium containing Siwu Decoction. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated-β-galactosidase. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins were detected by Western blot. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the model group, the mice in the high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction significantly recovered the rhythm of the estrous cycle, and the levels of ovarian index, number of primordial follicles, and expression of AMH, representative indexes of ovarian function, were significantly higher, suggesting that the level of ovarian function was significantly improved. The expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins, cytochrome C(Cyt C), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(caspase 3), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), and mitophagy-associated indicator(Beclin 1) were significantly decreased, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 was significantly elevated. The positive area of TUNEL was significantly reduced, suggesting that the apoptosis level of the ovaries was significantly reduced. The expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and sequestosome 1(p62) were significantly reduced, suggesting that the level of ovarian mitophagy was significantly down-regulated. The expression levels of ERα and ERβ were significantly elevated, and the ratio of ERα/ERβ was significantly reduced. The expression levels of key proteins in the pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt), were significantly reduced, suggesting that the regulation of ER subtypes and the mediation of PI3K/Akt pathway were the key mechanisms. In vitro experiments showed that compared with the model group, the proportion of senescent cells in the Siwu Decoction group was significantly reduced. Cyt C, caspase 3, Beclin 1, Parkin, and p62 were significantly reduced, which was in line with in vivo experimental results. The proportion of senescent cells and the expression level of the above proteins were further significantly reduced after PINK1 silencing. It can be seen that Siwu Decoction can regulate the expression level and proportion of ER subtypes in KGN cells, then mediate the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit excessive mitophagy and apoptosis, and exert therapeutic effects of POI.
Animals
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Female
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Mitophagy/drug effects*
;
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/physiopathology*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Humans
;
Receptors, Estrogen/genetics*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Ovary/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Anti-Mullerian Hormone/genetics*
2.Development and Initial Validation of the Multi-Dimensional Attention Rating Scale in Highly Educated Adults.
Xin-Yang ZHANG ; Karen SPRUYT ; Jia-Yue SI ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Ting-Ting WU ; Yan-Nan LIU ; Di-Ga GAN ; Yu-Xin HU ; Si-Yu LIU ; Teng GAO ; Yi ZHONG ; Yao GE ; Zhe LI ; Zi-Yan LIN ; Yan-Ping BAO ; Xue-Qin WANG ; Yu-Feng WANG ; Lin LU
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2025;40(2):100-110
OBJECTIVES:
To report the development, validation, and findings of the Multi-dimensional Attention Rating Scale (MARS), a self-report tool crafted to evaluate six-dimension attention levels.
METHODS:
The MARS was developed based on Classical Test Theory (CTT). Totally 202 highly educated healthy adult participants were recruited for reliability and validity tests. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Criterion validity was analyzed by correlating MARS scores with the Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and the Attention Network Test (ANT).
RESULTS:
The MARS comprises 12 items spanning six distinct dimensions of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, shifting attention, selective attention, divided attention, and response inhibition.As assessed by six experts, the content validation index (CVI) was 0.95, the Cronbach's alpha for the MARS was 0.78, and the test-retest reliability was 0.81. Four factors were identified (cumulative variance contribution rate 68.79%). The total score of MARS was correlated positively with THAT (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) and ACS (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) and negatively with ANT's reaction time for alerting (r = -0.31, P = 0.049).
CONCLUSIONS
The MARS can reliably and validly assess six-dimension attention levels in real-world settings and is expected to be a new tool for assessing multi-dimensional attention impairments in different mental disorders.
Humans
;
Adult
;
Male
;
Attention/physiology*
;
Female
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Middle Aged
;
Reproducibility of Results
;
Young Adult
;
Psychometrics
3.Associations of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with male infertility and intrauterine insemination outcomes.
Yang-Yang WAN ; Xiao-Yun SHI ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Shun BAI ; Xin CHEN ; Si-Yao LI ; Xiao-Hua JIANG ; Li-Min WU ; Xian-Sheng ZHANG ; Juan HUA
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):219-224
Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation ( P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Humans
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Male
;
Ureaplasma Infections/complications*
;
Female
;
Infertility, Male/therapy*
;
Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification*
;
Pregnancy
;
Adult
;
Pregnancy Outcome
;
Semen Analysis
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Insemination, Artificial
;
Semen/microbiology*
;
China
4.Effect of Hesperidin on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Related Depression in Rats through Gut-Brain Axis Pathway.
Hui-Qing LIANG ; Shao-Dong CHEN ; Yu-Jie WANG ; Xiao-Ting ZHENG ; Yao-Yu LIU ; Zhen-Ying GUO ; Chun-Fang ZHANG ; Hong-Li ZHUANG ; Si-Jie CHENG ; Xiao-Hong GU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):908-917
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis.
METHODS:
Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats.
RESULTS:
Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
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Hesperidin/therapeutic use*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Depression/drug therapy*
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Male
;
Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*
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Brain/metabolism*
;
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
;
Serotonin/metabolism*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
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Rats
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Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects*
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Chronic Disease
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Colon/drug effects*
5.Lu'e Biyan Formula for Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis Patients with Fei (Lung)-Qi Deficiency-Coldness Syndrome: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Ming-Yue JIA ; Mei-Yi ZHANG ; Si-Yao XIAO ; Yang YU ; Xiang SHAO ; Chun-Sheng HAN ; Gui-Ling HAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(11):1029-1036
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical effect and safety of Lu'e Biyan Formula (LBF) combined with loratadine in the treatment of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (AR) patients with Fei (Lung)-qi deficiency-coldness (FQDC) syndrome.
METHODS:
From September 2023 to December 2024, moderate to severe AR patients with FQDC syndrome were recruited from the Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Pulmonary Diseases Part 1, China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to a test group and a control group by using a random number table at a ratio of 1:1. Both groups received oral loratadine tablets (10 mg, once daily) for 2 weeks. In addition, the test group received oral LBF (30 mL, twice daily), and the control group received a placebo of LBF. Changes in the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Total Non-nasal Symptom Score (TNNSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), and Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores before and after treatment were compared between groups. Moreover, the total effective rates and disease recurrence rates were compared. Adverse events (AEs) during the study period were also recorded.
RESULTS:
Totally 109 participants were recruited, and the full analysis set included 105 cases, 54 in the test group and 51 in the control group. Compared with the pre-treatment values, the scores of sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, TNSS, TNNSS, VAS, RQLQ, and CM syndrome were significantly reduced in both groups at 1 and 2 weeks post-treatment and 12 weeks post-drug withdrawal (P<0.01). After treatment, the aforementioned scores in the test group were all markedly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, the total effective rate in the test group was higher than that in the control group (98.15% vs. 70.59%, P<0.01). After 12 weeks of drug withdrawal, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between groups (13.21% vs. 22.22%, P>0.05). No obvious AEs were observed in either group following treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of LBF with loratadine can effectively alleviate the symptoms of moderate to severe AR patients with FQDC syndrome, thereby improving their quality of life. This therapy demonstrated both precise effect and high safety. (Trial registration No. ITMCTR2025000589).
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Male
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Rhinitis, Allergic/drug therapy*
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Female
;
Adult
;
Double-Blind Method
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Quality of Life
;
Qi
;
Middle Aged
;
Loratadine/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Syndrome
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Lung/drug effects*
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Young Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
6.Comparison and study of multiple scales results in children with cochlear reimplantation, mainly the speech, spatial, and other qualities of hearing scale for parents.
Tian NI ; Jinyuan SI ; Haotian LIU ; Xinyi YAO ; Xiangling ZHANG ; Huilin YIN ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiuyong DING ; Yu ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(5):433-442
Objective:To compare the outcomes of multiple scales, primarily the speech, spatial, and other qualities of hearing scale for parents(SSQ-P), in children with ipsilateral vs. Contralateral cochleareimplantat ion(CRI). Methods: A total of 69 children who received cochlear implantation surgery from April 1999 to June 2024 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the implantation was on the same side. General information such as gender, age, age at initial implantation and reimplantation was collected. The primary caregivers of the children were followed up by telephone using the categories of auditory performance(CAP), speech intelligibility rating(SIR), and SSQ-P questionnaires. Statistical methods including stepwise regression, linear regression, and permutation tests were employed to investigate if there were any statistically significant differences in the scores of CAP, SIR, SSQ-P total, SSQ-P speech perception, SSQ-P spatial hearing, and SSQ-P auditory quality dimensions between the ipsilateral and contralateral reimplantation groups. Results:Of the 69 children included, 62 were in the ipsilateral reimplantation group with a mean age of 11.1 years, and 7 were in the contralateral reimplantation group with a mean age of 11.7 years. Statistical analysis showed that patients in the contralateral reimplantation group had significantly lower SSQ-P total scores (P<0.05) and spatial hearing dimension scores (P<0.05) than those in the ipsilateral reimplantation group after controlling for the corresponding confounders. Conclusion:The effect of ipsilateral reimplantation of cochlear implants is superior to that of contralateral reimplantation in terms of overall auditory function and spatial hearing in daily life for children, but the mechanisms require further investigation.
Humans
;
Cochlear Implantation
;
Child
;
Parents
;
Speech Perception
;
Male
;
Cochlear Implants
;
Female
;
Hearing
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Speech
;
Child, Preschool
7.Effects of key molecules in m6A methylation modification on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus
Zhi-rong CHENG ; Min YAO ; Xue-yun LI ; Chao-jie CHAI ; Pin-xiang DANG ; Si-yu WANG ; Fang-lin ZHANG ; Xin LYU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):150-157
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)and methyltransferase methyltransferase like protein 3(METTL3),key molecules in N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification,on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV).Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by packaging the FTO and green fluorescent protein into lentiviral vectors.Neuro2a cells,a mouse neuroblastoma cell line,were infected with the lentivirus,and stable FTO-expressing cell lines were obtained through puromycin selection.Successful overexpression of FTO was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy,real-time quantitative PCR,and western blot analysis.When Neuro2a cells overexpressing FTO were infected with JEV,the overexpression of FTO decreased JEV replication in the cells,and increased the expression of interferon(IFN)and related molecules.Additionally,treatment of JEV-infected Neuro2a cells with the METTL3-specific inhibitor STM2457 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in JEV replication and viral protein expression.These findings suggested that lowering m6A methylation levels inhibits JEV replication,thus shedding light on the regulatory role of methylation modification in JEV replication.
8.Chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity
Si-fan YAO ; Wu-hui SUN ; Yi ZHANG ; Wen AI ; Xue-jing LI ; Bi-qing ZHAO ; Xiao-jiang ZHOU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2243-2249
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa Willd.and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity.METHODS Silica gel,D101 macroporous adsorption resin and semi-preparative RP-HPLC were used for isolated and purified,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol(1),dimethyl 3,3'-[oxybis(4,1-phenylene)](2E,2'E)-diacrylate(2),N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-tryptophan methyl ester(3),N-acetyltryptophan methyl ester(4),N-(methoxycarbonyl)-tryptophan methyl ester(5),(3β,5α,17β)-4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norandrostane-3,17-diol(6),3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane(7),pregnenolone(8),3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(9),dehydrovomifoliol(10),loliolide(11),2,2'-oxybis(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(12),dibutyl phthalate(13),4-methoxycinnamic acid(14),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(15),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(16),kaempferol(17),quercetin(18).The IC50 values of compounds 1,7 and 8 on HepG2 cells were(17.27±0.92),(19.11±2.14)and(7.53±1.09)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-16 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1,7 and 8 have anti-hepatoma activity.
9.Mechanism of mitochondrial DNA-ROS-Drp1 axis in regulating phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells
Chenqing LI ; Yanyan HE ; Yingkun HE ; Bing ZHANG ; Jia LIANG ; Yao LIU ; Chenming SI ; Yang LIU ; Yu WANG ; Chi MA ; Tianxiao LI
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(10):997-1012
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) axis in regulating phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods:(1) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group were transfected with 50 nmol/L Drp1 siRNA for 48 h; cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After another 24 h of culture, Drp1 expression in VSMCs, and mitochondrial Drp1 and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) expressions were detected by Western blotting, and changes in mitochondrial morphology were detected by mitochondrial fluorescent staining. (2) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a mitochondrial fission inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 50 μmol/L Mdivi-1 for 2 h; and cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 hours of continued culture, expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle protein 22-α (SM22-α), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; invasion and migration abilities of VSMCs were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. (3) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a N-acetylcysteine (NAC)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 5 mmol/L NAC for 1 h; cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 h of continued culture, expressions of Drp1, phosphorylated (p)-Drp1, α-SMA, SM22-α, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; changes in mitochondrial morphology were detected by mitochondrial fluorescent staining; intracellular ROS level was detected by 2', 7' -dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe; cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. (4) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 2 μmol/L 5-Aza-dC for 1 h; and then, cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 h of continued culture, agarose gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the methylation degree in the mitochondrial D-loop region; intracellular ROS level was detected using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe; expressions of mitochondrial DNMT1, α-SMA, SM22-α, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively.Results:(1) Compared with the control group and synthetic VSMCs group, the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased Drp1 protein expression and decreased Mfn2 protein expression in the mitochondria ( P<0.05); compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased Drp1 protein expression and increased Mfn2 protein expression in the mitochondria ( P<0.05). Results of mitochondrial fluorescent staining showed that mitochondria in the control group were with filamentous structure, while mitochondrial fission in the synthetic VSMCs group was enhanced, and morphology of mitochondria in the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group tended to be continuous and complete. (2) Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster cell scratch healing; compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower cell scratch healing. (3) Compared with the control group (1.10±0.02), the synthetic VSMCs group (1.53±0.02) had significantly increased p-Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group (0.90±0.02) had statistically decreased p-Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Results of mitochondrial fluorescent staining showed that mitochondria in cells of the control group were in a filamentous structure, while mitochondrial fission in cells of the synthetic VSMCs group was enhanced, and morphology of mitochondria in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group tended to be continuous and complete. Results of DCFH-DA fluorescent probe showed that ROS level in the synthetic VSMCs group was higher than that in the control group, and ROS level in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group was lower than that in the synthetic VSMCs group. Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster cell scratch healing; compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower cell scratch healing. (4) Results of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased methylation rate in the mitochondrial D-loop region ( P<0.05); compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased methylation rate in the mitochondrial D-loop region ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had statistically increased mitochondrial DNMT1 protein expression (1.03±0.03 vs. 0.55±0.03, P<0.05); and compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group (0.62±0.03) had significantly decreased mitochondrial DNMT1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Results of DCFH-DA fluorescent probe showed that ROS level in the synthetic VSMCs group was higher than that in the control group; ROS level in the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group was lower than that in the synthetic VSMCs group. Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster scratch healing. Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower scratch healing. Conclusion:The mtDNA-ROS-Drp1 axis may regulate the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs by modulating mitochondrial epigenetic modifications.
10.Preparation and In Vitro Degradation Characteristics Analysis of Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)Microspheres Based on Microfluidic Process
Bao-Cheng WANG ; Cong-Yu MA ; Ke WANG ; Si-Tong ZHENG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Yue-Mei ZHAO ; Xun ZHAO ; Jian-Bin PAN ; Zheng-Song GAO ; Hai-Wei SHI ; Yao-Zuo YUAN ; Hong-Yuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):621-630
Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)(PLGA)is a key excipient in long-acting sustained-release preparations,and its degradation properties directly affect the drug release behavior.In this study,PLGA microspheres were prepared by microfluidic techniques,and the morphology changes of the microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).In alkaline environment,due to the accelerated hydrolysis of ester bonds,the surface of the microspheres was rapidly dissolved and eroded,and the degradation rate was significantly higher than that in acidic environment.High temperature accelerated the degradation of PLGA microspheres.Under neutral and alkaline conditions,the microspheres showed aggregation and adhesion.Under acidic conditions,the microspheres gradually decomposed into irregular fragments.The high ionic strength further promoted the surface corrosion of the microspheres,especially under extreme pH conditions.Simultaneously,PLGA microspheres encapsulating coumarin were prepared to simulate the microsphere formulation.The release rate of coumarin after degradation of the microspheres under different conditions was observed by measuring the absorbance with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.The results were consistent with those of the blank microspheres.This study revealed that the degradation of PLGA microspheres was significantly pH-dependent,temperature sensitive and ion strength responsive.These findings not only helped to understand and optimize the long-term stability and controlled release performance of drug-carrying microspheres,but also provided a theoretical basis for further improvement of PLGA-based drug carrier design.

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