1.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
2.Development of a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay for the sensitive detection of total and integrated HIV-1 DNA
Lin YUAN ; Zhiying LIU ; Xin ZHANG ; Feili WEI ; Shan GUO ; Na GUO ; Lifeng LIU ; Zhenglai MA ; Yunxia JI ; Rui WANG ; Xiaofan LU ; Zhen LI ; Wei XIA ; Hao WU ; Tong ZHANG ; Bin SU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(6):729-736
Background::Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.Methods::The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4 +) T-cell counts, CD8 + T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed. Results::The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6-6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log 10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8-16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log 10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA ( r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8 + T-cell counts. Conclusions::This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.
3.Synthesis of phenylacetamide derivatives and their protective effects on islet cell damage induced by palmitic acid
Ai-Yun LI ; Li GUAN ; Wan-Zhen SU ; Yang-Yang LU ; Sheng-Jie ZHANG ; Wei-Ze LI ; Xiang-Ying JIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1130-1136
Aim To design and synthesize a series of phenylacetamide derivatives with different substituted phenylacetic acid as raw materials,and to investigate the protective effects of the compound on the damage of pancreatic β cells induced by palmitate acid(PA).Methods Min6 cells were cultured and divided into B blank control group,PA treatment group and PA+compounds group.The viability of Min6 cells was de-tected by CCK-8.The protein expressions of TXNIP and NLRP3 were observed by Western blot.MDA con-tent and SOD activity were detected by MDA and SOD kit.The insulin secretion of Min6 islet cells was meas-ured with insulin ELISA kit.Results A total of 10 phenylacetamide derivatives were designed and synthe-sized.Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and ESI-MS.Pharmacological activity study showed that most of the compounds had protective effects on islet βcells,among which LY-6 and LY-8 had stronger pro-tective effects than PA model group,with the cell via-bility of 61.4%,and LY-6 had the highest cell activi-ty,reaching to 104.9%.Compared with PA group,the protein expression of TXNIP and NLRP3 decreased in LY-6 and LY-8 groups,MDA content decreased and SOD activity increased,and insulin secretion of Min6 cell increased.Conclusions LY-6 and LY-8 inhibit TXNIP expression and decrease the activation of NL-RP3 inflammasome,and decrease the production of MDA and increase SOD activity,and thus reducing is-let β cells apoptosis and increasing insulin secretion.Therefore,the compound LY-6 could serve as a poten-tial anti-diabetic new chemical entity.
4.Clinical Characteristics and Survival Analysis of Single Center Adult Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase
Xia-Xia JIAO ; Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Jing PAN ; Lei-Na SONG ; Cai-Qin LIN ; Hui-Zhen SHI ; Bin ZHU ; Su-Li WANG ; Shao-Ying PAN ; Zhi-Yong DING ; Wen-Li ZHAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1381-1387
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of single center adult chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase(CML-CP).Methods:Clinical data of 41 adult CML-CP patients in Department of Hematology,Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital from January 2015 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients between<60 years group and ≥ 60 years group were compared.Results:The 41 patients included 27(65.9%)males and 14(34.1%)females.The median age of the patients was 56(19-84)years,with 22 cases(53.7%)<60 years and 19 cases(46.3%)≥60 years.Univariate analysis indicated that the proportions of patients with comorbidities,intermediate/high-risk Sokal score,myelofibrosis,and lactate dehydrogenase ≥1 000 U/L were significantly increased in ≥60 years group compared with<60 years group at initial diagnosis(all P<0.05).There were no statistical differences in the distribution of sex,ELST score,white blood cell count,platelet count,peripheral blood basophil percentage,peripheral blood eosinophil percentage and bone marrow primitive cell percentage between the two groups(P>0.05).The proportion of patients taking reduced-dose imatinib in≥60 years group significantly increased(P<0.001).Patients<60 years had a higher proportion of molecular biological remission after treatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)than patients ≥ 60 years(P<0.001).The incidence of non-hematologic adverse reactions to TKI therapy significantly increased in patients ≥ 60 years(P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that no adverse factors affecting the efficacy and prognosis of TKI.Conclusion:Compared with adult CML-CP patients<60 years,patients ≥ 60 years gain fewer benefits from TKI treatment and increased adverse reactions.
5.The biologically and ecologically important natural products from the Chinese sea hare Bursatella leachii:structures,stereochemistry and beyond
Xinyuan ZHANG ; Mingzhi SU ; Mingxin ZHU ; Sha CHEN ; Zhen GAO ; Yuewei GUO ; Xuwen LI
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2024;22(11):1030-1039
A novel amide alkaloid,bursatamide A(1),featuring an unprecedented propyl-hexahydronaphthalene carbon frame-work,was isolated from the infrequently studied sea hare Bursatella leachi,alongside a new 3-phenoxypropanenitrile alkaloid,bursatellin B(2),and twelve known compounds.The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic data analyses,while their relative and absolute configurations(ACs)were established through total synthesis and a series of quantum chem-ical calculations,including calculated electronic circular dichroism(ECD)spectra,optical rotatory dispersion(ORD)methods,and DP4+probability analyses.Bursatamide A(1)demonstrated inhibitory effects against the human pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocyt-ogenes and Vibrio cholerae.Erythro-bursatellin B(21),a diastereoisomer of 2,exhibited notable antibacterial activity against the fish pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus parauberis FP KSP28,with an MIC90 value of 0.0472 μg·mL-1.
6.Simultaneou determination of twenty-eight constituents in Dayuan Drink by UPLC-MS/MS
Yu-Jie HOU ; Xin-Jun ZHANG ; Ming SU ; Xin-Rui LI ; Yue-Cheng LIU ; Yu-Qing WANG ; Dan-Dan SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Kang-Ning XIAO ; Long-Yun DUAN ; Lei CAO ; Zhen-Yu XUAN ; Shan-Xin LIU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(11):3545-3552
AIM To establish a UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous content determination of gallic acid,protocatechuic acid,neomangiferin,catechin,caffeic acid,mangiferin,isomangiferin,albiflorin,paeoniflorin,vitexin,liquiritin,scutellarin,baicalin,liquiritigenin,timosaponin BⅡ,quercetin,wogonoside,benzoylpaeoniflorin,isoliquiritigenin,honokiol,magnolol,norarecaidine,arecaidine,arecoline,epicatechin,baicalein,glycyrrhizinate and wogonin in Dayuan Drink.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35℃thermostatic Syncronis C18 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of 0.1%formic acid-acetonitrile flowing at 0.3 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and electron spray inoization source was adopted in positive and negative ion scanning with select reaction monitoring mode.RESULTS Twenty-eight constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2≥0.991 0),whose average recoveries were 95.60%-103.53%with the RSDs of 0.60%-5.45%.CONCLUSION This rapid,simple,selective,accurate and reliable method can be used for the quality control of Dayuan Drink.
7.Design of medical positive pressure protective suit for long-voyage aeromedical evacuation
Yu-Juan SU ; Li-Qun WANG ; Ya-Di ZHANG ; Xiang-Yi YANG ; Zhen-Yao SONG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(11):113-116
Objective To develop a medical positive pressure protective suit for long-voyage aeromedical evacuation to realize protective isolation and drinking water and energy supply for medical personnel during long-voyage aeromedical evacuation of respiratory infectious disease patients.Methods The medical positive pressure protective suit had a one-piece structure,with its main part made of hydroentangled non-woven fabric,head and forebreast parts made of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate anti-fog material and wearing-and taking-off parts sealed with zipper and autohesion,which was equipped with a portable positive pressure air supply device,an airborne centralized positive pressure air supply device and a monitoring and warning device.The portable positive pressure air supply device was fixed in the back of the suit at the waist,the airborne device was made by modifying the commercially available positive pressure air supply fan,and the monitoring and warning device monitored the air supply volume of the fan,the battery power and the pressure inside the suit.Results The suit behaved well in protection,clean fresh air supply without time limitation and facilitating hydration and energy replenishment of medical personnel by forming three activity spaces.Conclusion The suit developed can continuously provide a clean and comfortable microenvironment,meeting the requirements of medical personnel for protection and hydration and energy replenishment during long-voyage aeromedical evacuation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(11):113-116]
8.Feasibility of Using Serum, Plasma, and Platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine as Peripheral Biomarker for the Depression Diagnosis and Response Evaluation to Antidepressants: Animal Experimental Study
Zuanjun SU ; Zhicong CHEN ; Jinming CAO ; Canye LI ; Jingjing DUAN ; Ting ZHOU ; Zhen YANG ; Yuanchi CHENG ; Zhijun XIAO ; Feng XU
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2024;22(4):594-609
Objective:
Whether peripheral blood 5-hydroxytrptamine (5-HT) levels serve as biomarker for depression diagnosis/response evaluation has not been well determined. This work was explored to address this inconclusive issue.
Methods:
Animals were randomized into normal control group (NC, n = 10) and chronic unpredictable mild stress model group (CUMS-model, n = 20), respectively. Animals in CUMS-model group were subjected to chronic stress, then they were randomly subdivided into CUMS subgroup and CUMS + fluoxetine subgroup (CUMS + FLX). After FLX treatment, blood and tissues were collected. 5-HT and relevant protein expression were measured.
Results:
In mice model, there was a significant increase in serum and a significant reduction in plasma 5-HT levels in CUMS-model group versus NC group, while platelet 5-HT levels change little. After FLX treatment, serum and platelet 5-HT levels were significantly decreased in CUMS + FLX subgroup, while plasma 5-HT levels had not much change versus CUMS subgroup. Chronic stress enhanced colon and platelet serotonin transporter (SERT) expression and FLX treatment mitigated SERT expression. In rats’ model, there was a significant increase in serum 5-HT levels while plasma and platelet 5-HT levels showed little change in CUMS group versus NC group. After FLX treatment, serum, plasma and platelet 5-HT levels were significantly decreased in CUMS + FLX subgroup versus CUMS subgroup. The profile of relevant proteins expression changed by FLX were like those in mice.
Conclusion
Serum 5-HT levels might serve as a potential biomarker for depression diagnosis, meanwhile serum and platelet 5-HT levels might respond to antidepressant treatment.
9.Feasibility of Using Serum, Plasma, and Platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine as Peripheral Biomarker for the Depression Diagnosis and Response Evaluation to Antidepressants: Animal Experimental Study
Zuanjun SU ; Zhicong CHEN ; Jinming CAO ; Canye LI ; Jingjing DUAN ; Ting ZHOU ; Zhen YANG ; Yuanchi CHENG ; Zhijun XIAO ; Feng XU
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2024;22(4):594-609
Objective:
Whether peripheral blood 5-hydroxytrptamine (5-HT) levels serve as biomarker for depression diagnosis/response evaluation has not been well determined. This work was explored to address this inconclusive issue.
Methods:
Animals were randomized into normal control group (NC, n = 10) and chronic unpredictable mild stress model group (CUMS-model, n = 20), respectively. Animals in CUMS-model group were subjected to chronic stress, then they were randomly subdivided into CUMS subgroup and CUMS + fluoxetine subgroup (CUMS + FLX). After FLX treatment, blood and tissues were collected. 5-HT and relevant protein expression were measured.
Results:
In mice model, there was a significant increase in serum and a significant reduction in plasma 5-HT levels in CUMS-model group versus NC group, while platelet 5-HT levels change little. After FLX treatment, serum and platelet 5-HT levels were significantly decreased in CUMS + FLX subgroup, while plasma 5-HT levels had not much change versus CUMS subgroup. Chronic stress enhanced colon and platelet serotonin transporter (SERT) expression and FLX treatment mitigated SERT expression. In rats’ model, there was a significant increase in serum 5-HT levels while plasma and platelet 5-HT levels showed little change in CUMS group versus NC group. After FLX treatment, serum, plasma and platelet 5-HT levels were significantly decreased in CUMS + FLX subgroup versus CUMS subgroup. The profile of relevant proteins expression changed by FLX were like those in mice.
Conclusion
Serum 5-HT levels might serve as a potential biomarker for depression diagnosis, meanwhile serum and platelet 5-HT levels might respond to antidepressant treatment.
10.Role and possible mechanism of pseudogene FMO6P in inhibiting invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer
Xiongyan WU ; Zhen LI ; Zhenjia YU ; Liping SU
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2024;29(2):161-169
Objective To determine the expression and clinical significance of pseudogene FMO6P in gastric cancer,and explore its functions and underlying molecular mechanism in regulating the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.Methods The expression level of FMO6P in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines was detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells were detected by transwell assay.The effect of FMO6P on the tumor formation and peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer cells were evaluated by injecting FMO6P-overexpressing gastric cancer cells into the subcutaneous or peritoneal cavity of nude mice respectively.The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers,including E-cadherin,N-cadherin,ZEB1,MMP2,and the activation of AKT/mTOR pathway in FMO6P-overexpressing or knockdown gastric cancer cells were measured by Western blot.Results The expression of FMO6P was significantly reduced in tumor tissues compared to its adjacent non-tumor tissues of gastric cancer,FMO6P expression level in tumor tissues was correlated with tumor size and TNM stage.Overexpression of FMO6P significantly inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of gastric cancer cells,while downregulation of FMO6P expression promoted the invasion and migration ability of gastric cancer cells.Overexpression of FMO6P in gastric cancer cells significantly inhibited the subcutaneous tumor formation and peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer cells in nude mice.Moreover,overexpression of FMO6P promoted the expression of E-cadherin,and inhibited the expression of N-cadherin,ZEB1,and MMP2 in gastric cancer cells.The phosphorylation levels of AKT and mTOR were also downregulated in gastric cancer cells overexpressing FMO6P.Conclusions All these findings suggested that pseudogene FMO6P suppresses the invasion and migration potential of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo,which is possibly through the inhibition of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

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