1.LSS deficiency ameliorates MASLD by downregulating NPC1L1 and activating the CD36/TLR4/JNK pathway
Zihan WANG ; Hongmei BAI ; Qingya HE ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Jian ZHONG ; Xiaoli JIANG ; Sumei ZHANG ; Shengquan ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):812-818
ObjectiveTo investigate whether intestinal deficiency of lanosterol synthase (LSS), a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, influences the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by regulating intestinal cholesterol absorption and immune response. MethodsLSS heterozygous knockout (LSS+/-) mice and wild-type (WT) controls were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or regular chow (CHOW). The model was validated by genotyping. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by HE and oil red O staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of NPC1L1 and CD36 proteins in the intestine. Western blot analysis was performed to measure JNK phosphorylation and TLR4 protein levels in intestinal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-6. ResultsLSS+/- mice were successfully validated by genotyping and reduced intestinal LSS protein expression. HE and oil red O staining of liver sections showed that, compared with WT mice fed a CHOW diet, WT mice fed a HFD exhibited a marked increase in hepatic lipid vacuoles. In contrast, compared with HFD-fed WT mice, HFD-fed LSS+/- mice displayed significantly attenuated hepatic lipid deposition and reduced serum ALT levels (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, compared with WT mice, the expression of the cholesterol absorption protein NPC1L1 in the intestinal villi of LSS+/- mice was downregulated under both CHOW and HFD conditions (PHFD<0.001). Conversely, the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/- mice (PCHOW<0.05, PHFD<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated that, compared with WT mice, TLR4 protein expression in the intestines of LSS+/- mice significantly increased under both CHOW and HFD conditions (both P<0.05). JNK phosphorylation level was significantly elevated in LSS+/- mice under CHOW condition (both P<0.05). Under HFD condition, total JNK protein expression increased, but its phosphorylation level showed no significant change. qPCR analysis showed that, compared with WT mice, the mRNA levels of TLR4 (PCHOW<0.01, PHFD<0.000 1) and IL-6 (PCHOW<0.001, PHFD<0.01) were significantly upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/-mice. ConclusionLSS deficiency counteracts hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a synergistic reprogramming involving restricted intestinal cholesterol absorption, enhanced fatty acid utilization, and activation of immune pathways, suggesting intestinal LSS as a potential therapeutic target of MASLD.
2.Construction and Evaluation of Mouse Models Simulating Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Pneumonitis
Zhiqun GONG ; Xiwu RAO ; Tianyi ZHANG ; Rongchen WU ; Mingnan YE ; Chunxi JIANG ; Sumei WANG ; Yanjuan ZHU ; Xiaoshu CHAI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(4):498-506
ObjectiveTo construct and evaluate a mouse model that simulates the pathological progression of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonitis (CIP), in order to address the critical issue of the lack of standardized animal models in this research field. MethodsThirty-five SPF-grade 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n=5), a bleomycin (BLM) group (n=15), and a BLM+programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody (BLM+PD-1) group (n=15). Corresponding drugs were administered via intraperitoneal injection for intervention. The general condition, body weight changes, survival rate, and pulmonary histopathological alterations were systematically monitored. ResultsCompared with the BLM group, the BLM+PD-1 group exhibited significantly more severe pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by progressive body weight loss and more severe deterioration of general conditions. Histopathological examination showed that pulmonary inflammation was alleviated 4 weeks post-modeling in the BLM group. In contrast, pulmonary lesions continued to worsen in the BLM+PD-1 group, with no evidence of resolution of inflammation 28 days post-modeling. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the positive expression rate of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in lung tissues reached 34.28% in the BLM+PD-1 group 14 days post-modeling, which was markedly higher than that in the BLM group (24.02%, P < 0.000 1). The positive expression rate of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was 12.40% in the BLM+PD-1 group 14 days post-modeling, nearly twice the level in the BLM group (5.87%). 28 days post-modeling, the positive expression rate of α-SMA remained at 7.72% in the BLM+PD-1 group, while it declined to 3.38% in the BLM group. ConclusionThe addition of a PD-1 inhibitor to bleomycin treatment accelerates the progression of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and effectively recapitulates the pathological process of lung injury and fibrosis driven by aberrant immune activation during clinical immunotherapy. Accordingly, this study successfully establishes a dynamic CIP animal model recapitulating the progression from early inflammatory response to pulmonary fibrosis. This model addresses the critical shortage of animal models for this condition and offers an experimental platform for further mechanistic studies and the development of therapeutic strategies.
3.Effect of hypoxic environment on tumor cell apoptosis mediated by the antitumor drug pemetrexed
Wenjing ZHOU ; Ruomu GE ; Zihan WANG ; Xiaoli JIANG ; Jian ZHONG ; Qingya HE ; Shengquan ZHANG ; Sumei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1208-1214
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of hypoxia on pemetrexed (PE)-mediated apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells. MethodsA549 cells were cultured under 21% O₂ (normoxia) or 1% O₂ (hypoxia), and treated with 8 μmol/L PE for 48 h. The cells were divided into normoxic control group, normoxic vehicle group, normoxic drug-treated group, hypoxic control group, hypoxic vehicle group and hypoxic drug-treated group. Trypan blue staining was used to observe cell death after PE intervention under normoxia and hypoxia. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect cell apoptosis rate. Wound healing assay was used to assess cell migration. Western blot was performed to detect the protein levels of MRP-1, Cleaved Caspase-3, E-Cadherin and N-Cadherin. ResultsTrypan blue staining results showed that the cell death rate was reduced in PE-treated cells under hypoxia compared with the normoxic PE group (P<0.001). Flow cytometry results indicated that PE induced cell apoptosis under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions.However, the apoptosis rate of the normoxic PE group was significantly higher than that of the hypoxic PE group (P<0.000 1). Wound healing assay showed that the migration distance of A549 cells decreased after PE treatment for 24 h and 48 h under normoxia and hypoxia when compared with the control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found between the normoxic PE group and the hypoxic PE group. Western blot results revealed that MRP-1 expression was markedly higher in hypoxic PE-treated cells than in normoxic PE-treated cells (P<0.000 1). Compared with the control group, Cleaved Caspase-3 expression was upregulated in A549 cells following PE intervention under normoxia (P<0.05), whereas no obvious alteration in Cleaved Caspase-3 expression was detected in hypoxic PE-treated cells. Under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, PE treatment downregulated the expression of E-Cadherin (P<0.000 1,P<0.001) and N-Cadherin (P<0.05,P<0.000 1). In addition, the expression levels of E-Cadherin and N-Cadherin in the hypoxic PE group were significantly lower than those in the normoxic PE group (all P<0.000 1). ConclusionHypoxia significantly attenuates the pro-apoptotic effect of PE on A549 cells and blocks Cleaved Caspase-3 activation. This mechanism may be related to hypoxia-induced MRP-1 overexpression and reduced drug accumulation. Interfering with MRP-1 or restoring the activity of the apoptosis pathway may serve as a novel strategy to overcome hypoxia-induced drug resistance.
4.Phase Ⅲ, multicenter, randomized comparative study of LY01005 and Zoladex ? for patients with premenopausal breast cancer
Xiying SHAO ; Qingyuan ZHANG ; Zhaofeng NIU ; Man LI ; Jingfen WANG ; Zhanhong CHEN ; Ruizhen LUO ; Guangdong QIAO ; Jianguo WANG ; Liyuan QIAN ; Ronghua YANG ; Zhendong CHEN ; Jian WANG ; Yumin YAO ; Jianghua OU ; Tao SUN ; Qiao CHENG ; Yongsheng WANG ; Jian HUANG ; Hongying ZHAO ; Wuyun SU ; Zhong OUYANG ; Yu DING ; Lilin CHEN ; Sumei YANG ; Mengsheng CUI ; Aimin ZANG ; Enxiang ZHOU ; Peizhi FAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Qiang LIU ; Yuee TENG ; Hui LI ; Jianyun NIE ; Jin YANG ; Xiaojia WANG ; Zefei JIANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(4):340-348
Background:To compare the efficacy and safety of monthly administrations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists LY01005 and Zoladex ? in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer. Methods:From October 2020 to November 2021, 188 premenopausal breast cancer patients were enrolled in 34 hospitals and randomized 1:1 to receive either LY01005 or Zoladex ? every 28 days for a total of three injections. All patients concomitantly received oral tamoxifen (TAM). The primary efficacy endpoint was cumulative probability of maintaining menopausal level [oestradiol (E2) ≤30 pg/ml] from day 29 to day 85. The second efficacy endpoint included changes in E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) compared with the baseline. Pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety were analyzed. The study also evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of LY01005. Results:A total of 188 patients were randomised and 187 patients received either LY01005 or Zoladex ?. Cumulative probabilities of maintaining menopausal level (E2≤30 pg/ml) from day 29 to day 85 were 93.1% for LY01005 and 86.3% for Zoladex ?. The between-group difference was 6.8% (95% CI: -2.3%, 15.9%) and primary efficacy in the LY01005 group was not inferior to that in the Zoladex ? group. Changes in E2, LH, and FSH levels compared with the baseline were equivalent between the two groups (E2: 89.34% to 90.23% vs. 82.11% to 85.02%; LH: 88.89% to 95.52% vs. 89.70% to 97.02%; FSH: 75.36% to 80.85% vs.73.07% to 80.24%, respectively). After three consecutive doses of LY01005, the LH and FSH levels of the subjects showed a transient increase after the first dose, reached a peak on the second day and then started to decrease. The LH and FSH reached a lower level and remained at or below that level until the 85th day. Both treatments were well-tolerated. Conclusion:LY01005 is as effective as Zoladex ? in suppressing E2 to menopausal levels in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer, with a similar safety profile.
5.Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal associations between blood metabolites and two autoimmune thyroid diseases
Yi MENG ; Minghao JIANG ; Yanxin ZHANG ; Youjie ZENG ; Sumei XU ; Dai LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(7):1451-1463
Background and Aims:Autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD)are closely associated with metabolic dysregulation,but the causal role of specific metabolites remains unclear.This study aimed to systematically evaluate the causal relationships between approximately 1 400 blood metabolites and two major AITD subtypes-Graves'disease(GD)and Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)-using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach,to identify potential risk or protective metabolites and provide genetic evidence for mechanistic studies and targeted metabolic interventions.Methods:Summary-level genome-wide association study(GWAS)data for blood metabolites and AITDs were analyzed using inverse-variance weighted MR as the primary method,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median,and mode-based methods.Heterogeneity,pleiotropy,and robustness were assessed through Cochran's Q test,horizontal pleiotropy test,and leave-one-out analyses.Results:Forty-nine metabolites showed significant causal associations with GD and 89 with HT.Hexanoylglutamine and ceramide(d18∶1/16∶0)were identified as GD risk factors,while N2,N2-dimethylguanosine and β-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine were protective.Pregnanediol sulfate and theobromine were associated with increased HT risk,whereas dihomo-linolenate(20:3n3 or n6)and caprylate appeared protective.The α-ketoglutarate/succinate ratio was positively associated with both diseases,suggesting a shared metabolic risk pathway.Conclusion:This MR study provides genetic evidence supporting causal links between multiple blood metabolites and GD or HT.Several metabolites may serve as predictive or protective biomarkers,offering novel insights into the pathophysiology,early screening,and personalized metabolic intervention strategies for AITDs.
6.Establishment of UPLC-ELSD Fingerprint and Determination of 9 Components of Xuemai Shutong Granules
Sumei LI ; Xiaoli BI ; Weitao CHEN ; Aili XU ; Guanlin XIAO ; Jingnian ZHANG ; Jieyi JIANG ; Yangxue LI
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):648-655
Objective To establish the fingerprint of Xuemai Shutong granules by UPLC-ELSD and determine the contents of 9 components in the preparation simultaneously.Methods The UPLC-ELSD was used to establish the fingerprint of Xuemai Shutong granules,and determine the content of its 9 components.The similarity evaluation system,systematic,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to evaluate the quality of different batches of preparation.Results The similarity degrees of UPLC-ELSD fingerprints of 11 batches of Xuemai Shutong granules were from 0.929 to 0.978,17 common peaks were calibrated,of which 11 peaks were identified:peak 3(notoginsenoside R1),peak 4[ginsenoside Rg,(Re)],peak 5(notoginsenoside R2),peak 6(ginsenoside Rb,),peak 9(astragaloside Ⅳ),peak 10(ginsenoside Rk3),peak 11(ginsenoside Rh4),peak 12[20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3],peak 13[20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3],peak 14(ginsenoside Rk1),peak 15(ginsenoside Rg5).The stoichiometric analysis divided 11 batches of samples into 2 classes,and the 2 principal components in PCA analysis reflected the information of 17common peaks,10 peaks which affected the quality difference are screened out.The linear relationship of the 9 components was good in their respective quality ranges in the content analysis(r>0.999 2),the average recovery rate were between 95.02%-97.78%and the RSD were 0.69%-1.70%(n=6).The contents of notoginsenoside R1,notoginsenoside R2,ginsenoside Rb1,astragaloside Ⅳ,ginsenoside Rh4,20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3,20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3,ginsenoside Rk1 ginsenoside Rg5 in the 11 batches of Xuemai Shutong granules were 0.087 5-0.187 6,0.494 3-0.688 6,0.448 1-0.705 5,0.192 2-0.270 8,1.492 5-2.077 6,0.316 0-0.463 8,0.254 5-0.382 0,0.117 6-0.163 9,3.407 7-4.706 4 mg·g-1,respectively.Conclusions The established fingerprint and content determination method was accurate and reliable,which can improve the quality standard of Xuemai Shutong granules,and provide reference for its overall quality evaluation.
7.Establishment of UPLC-ELSD Fingerprint and Determination of 9 Components of Xuemai Shutong Granules
Sumei LI ; Xiaoli BI ; Weitao CHEN ; Aili XU ; Guanlin XIAO ; Jingnian ZHANG ; Jieyi JIANG ; Yangxue LI
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):648-655
Objective To establish the fingerprint of Xuemai Shutong granules by UPLC-ELSD and determine the contents of 9 components in the preparation simultaneously.Methods The UPLC-ELSD was used to establish the fingerprint of Xuemai Shutong granules,and determine the content of its 9 components.The similarity evaluation system,systematic,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to evaluate the quality of different batches of preparation.Results The similarity degrees of UPLC-ELSD fingerprints of 11 batches of Xuemai Shutong granules were from 0.929 to 0.978,17 common peaks were calibrated,of which 11 peaks were identified:peak 3(notoginsenoside R1),peak 4[ginsenoside Rg,(Re)],peak 5(notoginsenoside R2),peak 6(ginsenoside Rb,),peak 9(astragaloside Ⅳ),peak 10(ginsenoside Rk3),peak 11(ginsenoside Rh4),peak 12[20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3],peak 13[20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3],peak 14(ginsenoside Rk1),peak 15(ginsenoside Rg5).The stoichiometric analysis divided 11 batches of samples into 2 classes,and the 2 principal components in PCA analysis reflected the information of 17common peaks,10 peaks which affected the quality difference are screened out.The linear relationship of the 9 components was good in their respective quality ranges in the content analysis(r>0.999 2),the average recovery rate were between 95.02%-97.78%and the RSD were 0.69%-1.70%(n=6).The contents of notoginsenoside R1,notoginsenoside R2,ginsenoside Rb1,astragaloside Ⅳ,ginsenoside Rh4,20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3,20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3,ginsenoside Rk1 ginsenoside Rg5 in the 11 batches of Xuemai Shutong granules were 0.087 5-0.187 6,0.494 3-0.688 6,0.448 1-0.705 5,0.192 2-0.270 8,1.492 5-2.077 6,0.316 0-0.463 8,0.254 5-0.382 0,0.117 6-0.163 9,3.407 7-4.706 4 mg·g-1,respectively.Conclusions The established fingerprint and content determination method was accurate and reliable,which can improve the quality standard of Xuemai Shutong granules,and provide reference for its overall quality evaluation.
8.Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal associations between blood metabolites and two autoimmune thyroid diseases
Yi MENG ; Minghao JIANG ; Yanxin ZHANG ; Youjie ZENG ; Sumei XU ; Dai LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(7):1451-1463
Background and Aims:Autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD)are closely associated with metabolic dysregulation,but the causal role of specific metabolites remains unclear.This study aimed to systematically evaluate the causal relationships between approximately 1 400 blood metabolites and two major AITD subtypes-Graves'disease(GD)and Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)-using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach,to identify potential risk or protective metabolites and provide genetic evidence for mechanistic studies and targeted metabolic interventions.Methods:Summary-level genome-wide association study(GWAS)data for blood metabolites and AITDs were analyzed using inverse-variance weighted MR as the primary method,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median,and mode-based methods.Heterogeneity,pleiotropy,and robustness were assessed through Cochran's Q test,horizontal pleiotropy test,and leave-one-out analyses.Results:Forty-nine metabolites showed significant causal associations with GD and 89 with HT.Hexanoylglutamine and ceramide(d18∶1/16∶0)were identified as GD risk factors,while N2,N2-dimethylguanosine and β-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine were protective.Pregnanediol sulfate and theobromine were associated with increased HT risk,whereas dihomo-linolenate(20:3n3 or n6)and caprylate appeared protective.The α-ketoglutarate/succinate ratio was positively associated with both diseases,suggesting a shared metabolic risk pathway.Conclusion:This MR study provides genetic evidence supporting causal links between multiple blood metabolites and GD or HT.Several metabolites may serve as predictive or protective biomarkers,offering novel insights into the pathophysiology,early screening,and personalized metabolic intervention strategies for AITDs.
9.Phase Ⅲ, multicenter, randomized comparative study of LY01005 and Zoladex ? for patients with premenopausal breast cancer
Xiying SHAO ; Qingyuan ZHANG ; Zhaofeng NIU ; Man LI ; Jingfen WANG ; Zhanhong CHEN ; Ruizhen LUO ; Guangdong QIAO ; Jianguo WANG ; Liyuan QIAN ; Ronghua YANG ; Zhendong CHEN ; Jian WANG ; Yumin YAO ; Jianghua OU ; Tao SUN ; Qiao CHENG ; Yongsheng WANG ; Jian HUANG ; Hongying ZHAO ; Wuyun SU ; Zhong OUYANG ; Yu DING ; Lilin CHEN ; Sumei YANG ; Mengsheng CUI ; Aimin ZANG ; Enxiang ZHOU ; Peizhi FAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Qiang LIU ; Yuee TENG ; Hui LI ; Jianyun NIE ; Jin YANG ; Xiaojia WANG ; Zefei JIANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(4):340-348
Background:To compare the efficacy and safety of monthly administrations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists LY01005 and Zoladex ? in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer. Methods:From October 2020 to November 2021, 188 premenopausal breast cancer patients were enrolled in 34 hospitals and randomized 1:1 to receive either LY01005 or Zoladex ? every 28 days for a total of three injections. All patients concomitantly received oral tamoxifen (TAM). The primary efficacy endpoint was cumulative probability of maintaining menopausal level [oestradiol (E2) ≤30 pg/ml] from day 29 to day 85. The second efficacy endpoint included changes in E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) compared with the baseline. Pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety were analyzed. The study also evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of LY01005. Results:A total of 188 patients were randomised and 187 patients received either LY01005 or Zoladex ?. Cumulative probabilities of maintaining menopausal level (E2≤30 pg/ml) from day 29 to day 85 were 93.1% for LY01005 and 86.3% for Zoladex ?. The between-group difference was 6.8% (95% CI: -2.3%, 15.9%) and primary efficacy in the LY01005 group was not inferior to that in the Zoladex ? group. Changes in E2, LH, and FSH levels compared with the baseline were equivalent between the two groups (E2: 89.34% to 90.23% vs. 82.11% to 85.02%; LH: 88.89% to 95.52% vs. 89.70% to 97.02%; FSH: 75.36% to 80.85% vs.73.07% to 80.24%, respectively). After three consecutive doses of LY01005, the LH and FSH levels of the subjects showed a transient increase after the first dose, reached a peak on the second day and then started to decrease. The LH and FSH reached a lower level and remained at or below that level until the 85th day. Both treatments were well-tolerated. Conclusion:LY01005 is as effective as Zoladex ? in suppressing E2 to menopausal levels in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer, with a similar safety profile.
10.Clinical Practice Guidelines for TCM in Children with Adenoidal Hypertrophy
Bin YUAN ; Zhiyan JIANG ; Huaan MA ; Mei HAN ; Zhuyun LIU ; Xianzhi REN ; Weiwei LI ; Sumei WANG ; Xueqing ZHANG ; Xiaohui ZHU ; Lei WANG ; Chanchan HU ; Jun MA ; Tianhan WANG ; Shuo LI
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(2):184-189
Literature related to children's adenoid hypertrophy was retrieved to form an expert questionnaire.According to the group standard writing rules of the China Association of Chinese Medicine,the peer consultation,quality evaluation and suitability eval-uation were completed through three rounds of Delphi expert questionnaire surveys and expert discussion meetings,and the Clinical Practice Guidelines for TCM in Children with Adenoidal Hypertrophy was finally formed.The guidelines have been formulated to clarify the scope of application of the guidelines,normative reference documents,terms and definitions,diagnosis,syndrome differentiation,treatment,prevention and care,and to provide an important reference for the clinical practice and diagnosis and treatment norms of tra-ditional Chinese medicine for children with adenoid hypertrophy.

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