1.Deubiquitinase OTUD6A alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury by targeting EZH2 to reduce cell death in hepatocytes.
Yanni ZHAO ; Tianyang JIN ; Tingxin XU ; Yi FANG ; Qingsong ZHENG ; Wu LUO ; Weiwei ZHU ; Yue CHEN ; Jiong WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Wei ZUO ; Lijiang HUANG ; Guang LIANG ; Yi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4772-4788
Acetaminophen (APAP) is the primary cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 6A (OTUD6A), a recently discovered deubiquitinase of the OTU family, has been primarily studied in tumor contexts. However, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of OTUD6A in the pathogenesis of AILI. Our findings demonstrated a substantial upregulation of OTUD6A in both the liver tissue and isolated hepatocytes of mice following APAP stimulation. OTUD6A knockout exacerbated APAP-induced inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and liver injury, whereas OTUD6A overexpression alleviated these pathologies. Mechanistically, OTUD6A directly interacted with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and selectively removed K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from EZH2, enhancing its stability. This resulted in increased protein levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death in hepatocytes. Collectively, our research uncovers a novel role for OTUD6A in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury by promoting EZH2 stabilization.
2.Comparison of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic activities of formulated granules versus traditional decoction of Yinqiao Powder.
Zhuolin GUO ; Zhiheng ZHANG ; Xindeng GUO ; Weiwei YANG ; Zhiqing LIANG ; Jinying OU ; Huihui CAO ; Zibin LU ; Linzhong YU ; Junshan LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):1003-1012
OBJECTIVES:
To compare the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects of Yinqiao Powder (YQS) formulated granules and decoction.
METHODS:
We first evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the two dosage forms of YQS in a LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. We further constructed zebrafish models of inflammation by copper sulfate exposure, caudal fin transection, or LPS and Poly (I:C) microinjection, and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects of YQS granules and decoction by examining neutrophil aggregation and HE staining findings. In a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by intratracheal LPS instillation, the effects of YQS gavage at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg on lung pathologies were evaluated by calculating lung wet-dry weight ratio and using HE staining, ELISA and Western blotting. The microbroth dilution method was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of YQS. Mouse pain models established by hot plate and intraperitoneal injection of glacial acetic acid were used to evaluate the analgesic effects of YQS at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg.
RESULTS:
Both YQS granules and decoction significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expressions and p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) phosphorylation level in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and obviously inhibited neutrophil aggregation in the zebrafish models. In ALI mice, YQS granules and decoction effectively ameliorated lung injury, lowered lung wet-dry weight ratio, and reduced p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) expression and TNF-α and IL-6 levels. YQS produced obvious antibacterial effect at the doses of 15.63 and 31.25 mg/mL, and significantly reduced body torsion and increased pain threshold in the mouse pain models.
CONCLUSIONS
The two dosage forms of TQS have similar anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects with only differences in their inhibitory effect on TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expressions in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.
Animals
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Mice
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*
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Analgesics/pharmacology*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
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Zebrafish
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Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
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Powders
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
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Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy*
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Interleukin-6/metabolism*
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Lipopolysaccharides
3.Removal of plaque biofilm by a 3D-printed precision pericoronal irrigator for impacted wisdom teeth:an in vitro study
Xiaoting WANG ; Zhenxin HUANG ; Weiwei GUO ; Jianye SONG ; Liang ZHOU ; Rouyi WEI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(7):734-741
Objective To prepare an advanced irrigation device equipped with a specialized nozzle designed to access the pericoronal blind sac of impacted wisdom teeth,and evaluate its efficacy in plaque removal.Methods 3D-printer was utilized to develop pericoronal models simulating mandibular wisdom teeth with high vertical impaction and varying soft tissue coverage(0%,25%,50%,and 75%,respectively)and personalized pericoronal irrigator.The obtained pericoronal models were randomly divided into 3 groups,treated with personalized precision pericoronal flushing,routine flushing and brushing,respectively,and,under a pressures of 45 psi or 75 psi(1 psi=6 894.76 Pa),were performed to clean the test surfaces of plaque-biofilm-obstructed wisdom teeth,respectively.Images of the tooth surfaces were analyzed before and after cleaning,and the cleaning rate was calculated using Python software.Results For wisdom teeth with 50%and 75%pericoronal soft tissue coverage,at a pressure of 45 psi,the precision pericoronal flushing group demonstrated significantly higher cleaning rate when compared to the brushing and routine flushing groups(P<0.05).At 0%and 25%pericoronal soft tissue coverage,the precision pericoronal flushing and brushing groups exhibited significantly higher cleaning rates than the routine flushing group(P<0.05).Furthermore,at 75 psi,the precision pericoronal flushing group achieved a significantly higher cleaning rate across all 4 levels of pericoronal soft tissue coverage than both the routine flushing and brushing groups(P<0.05).Notably,the precision pericoronal flushing group at 75 psi obtained significantly higher cleaning rate than at 45 psi across 0%,25%,and 50%pericoronal soft tissue coverage(P<0.05).Conclusion The precision pericoronal irrigation device demonstrates significantly superior cleaning efficacy for vertically impacted mandibular third molars compared to conventional irrigation devices and manual tooth brushing.It is an effective device for preventing and treating pericoronitis.
4.Research progress in moxibustion for treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Shuo LI ; Dongdong LU ; Qiuhui LIANG ; Quanxin LIU ; Weiwei JIAO ; Ying ZHEN ; Min DENG ; Lingyun WEN ; Jinbao WANG ; Yanxia CAO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1327-1331
TCM believes that the main pathogenesis of gastrointestinal dysfunction (GD) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is spleen and stomach weakness, liver and stomach disharmony, liver depression and spleen deficiency, and intestinal depression. Moxibustion in the treatment of GD after LC can avoid the aggravation of gastrointestinal burden caused by oral drugs. The intervention methods mainly include suspension moxibustion, umbilical moxibustion, heat sensitive moxibustion, thunder fire moxibustion, warm acupuncture, partition moxibustion, etc. Moxibustion is often performed on the acupoints in liver meridian, spleen meridian, stomach meridian, small intestine meridian, large intestine meridian and Conception Vessel, such as Taichong (LR3), Ganshu (BL18), Yinlingquan (SP9), Zusanli (ST36), Tianshu (ST25), Wangu (SI4), Hegu (LI4), Zhongwan (CV12), Shenque (CV8) and Qihai (CV6). At present, most studies combined with moxibustion on the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment can significantly improve the efficacy, and have certain advantages in improving gastrointestinal motility decline, intestinal flora imbalance, first exhaust time, gastrointestinal hormone level disorder and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. However, there are still some problems in the existing research: small sample size of clinical research, not perfect scoring scale, not unified treatment plan and operation standard, relatively scarce basic research, relatively simple acupoint research, lack of biochemical evaluation indicators, and the research of national moxibustion needs to be explored and improved in the future.
5.Research progress on kinesiophobia in patients with atrial fibrillation
Weiwei TANG ; Jue YAO ; Jingyan LIANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(16):123-127,141
Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent rapid arrhythmia.Patients often develop kinesiophobia and avoidance behaviors due to reduced exercise tolerance and recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation symptoms,which adversely affect cardiac rehabilitation outcomes.This study reviewed the definition,occurrence mechanisms,assessment tools,influencing factors,and intervention measures of kinesio-phobia in patients with atrial fibrillation,aiming to provide references for implementing nursing prac-tices and promoting exercise rehabilitation in these patients.
6.Effect of Tongluo Juanbi Granules on Inflammatory Injury and Apoptosis of Osteoarthritis Based on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Qi QI ; Liang OU ; Weichen HUANG ; Zehua CHEN ; Daoqing XU ; Weiwei HU ; Jingjing LI ; Jianjun KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):29-36
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tongluo Juanbi granules on chondrocyte apoptosis and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and study the mechanism of Tongluo Juanbi granules in the prevention and treatment of KOA. MethodThirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to the following five groups (n=6): sham group, model group, low-dose and high-dose groups of Tongluo Juanbi granules (4.1 and 8.2 g·kg-1·d-1), and celecoxib group (10.9 mg·kg-1·d-1). The KOA model was established by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) for six weeks. Six weeks after the modeling, the drug was given once a day for eight weeks. The pathological changes of cartilago articularis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to detect chondrocyte apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in synovial fluid. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultCompared with the sham group, the cartilago articularis of the model group significantly degenerated. Mankin's score was increased (P<0.01), and the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid were increased (P<0.01). The number of apoptosis of chondrocytes was increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in cartilage tissue were up-regulated (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, chondrocyte degeneration in both low-dose and high-dose groups of Tongluo Juanbi granules was improved, and Mankin's score was decreased (P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01), and the number of apoptosis of chondrocytes was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in cartilage tissue were down-regulated (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were up-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, in the above observation indicators, the high-dose group of Tongluo Juanbi granules was significantly superior to the low-dose group of Tongluo Juanbi granules. ConclusionTongluo Juanbi granules could inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis in rabbits with KOA and improve cartilage degeneration, which may be related to inhibiting inflammatory responses mediated by TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
7.Role of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β inflammasome pathway in formation of aortic dissection in mice
Jun XIANG ; Ling HE ; Hongzhi XU ; Weiwei LIANG ; Tailuan PENG ; Shuliang WEI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(7):705-714
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β inflammasome pathway in the formation of aortic dissection in mice.Methods Fifty male C57BL/6 mice(3 weeks old,body weight 10~13 g)were divided into control group(n =10,normal diet),β-aminopropionitrile(BAPN)group[n =20,drink water containing 1 g/(kg·d)BAPN],and BAPN+MCC950 group[n=20,drink water containing 1 g/(kg·d)BAPN and intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/(kg·d)NLRP3 inhibitor,MCC950]by random sampling.Water intake,body weight,incidence of aortic dissection and aortic dissection-related mortality were recorded.The inflammatory infiltration in the aorta was observed with HE staining,elastic fiber breakage was observed by elastic Van Gieson(EVG)staining,average fluorescence intensity of NLRP3,IL-1β,α-SMA and OPN was detected by immunofluorescence assay,and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC,IL-1β,α-SMA and OPN were measured with Western blotting.Results No aortic dissection or death was observed in the control group.The BAPN group had an incidence of aortic dissection of 80%,aortic dissection-related mortality of 35%,and obvious broken elastic fibers and inflammatory infiltrate in the aortic wall,and increased expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC and IL-1 β,decreased contractile α-SMA and increased synthetic protein OPN when compared with the control group(P<0.05).While MCC950 treatment decreased the incidence of aortic dissection(80%vs 35%,P=0.004)and aortic dissection-related mortality(35%vs 15%,P=0.144),alleviated the broken elastic fibers and inflammatory infiltrate in the aortic wall,and down-regulated the expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC and IL-1β,enhanced contractile α-SMA and decreased the synthetic protein when compared with the BAPN group(P<0.05).Conclusion The occurrence of aortic dissection in mice is associated with activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β inflammasome pathway.NLRP3 inhibitor,MCC950,can reduce the occurrence of aortic dissection and show a protective effect on blood vessels.
8.Application of IDEAS model-based preoperative nursing in patients with early esophageal cancer undergoing ESD for the first time
Lingming ZHANG ; Mei LIANG ; Weiwei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(28):3913-3916
Objective:To explore the application effect of IDEAS model-based preoperative nursing in early esophageal cancer patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the first time.Methods:A total of 130 patients with early esophageal cancer who underwent ESD for the first time in Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from May 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study objects by the convenient sampling method. The patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group by random number table method, with 65 cases in each group. The control group received routine preoperative care, while the experimental group received the IDEAS model-based preoperative care based on the control group. Chinese version of Medical Coping Questionnaire, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and Nursing Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to evaluate the effect of intervention.Results:30 minutes before entering the gastroscopy room, the score of face dimension in Chinese version of Medical Coping Questionnaire in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, while the scores of avoidance and submission dimensions were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01). After entering the gastroscopy room, the heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure of the experimental group were lower than those of control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01). The total satisfaction of nursing in the experimental group was higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The IDEAS model-based preoperative care can increase the positive coping strategies of early esophageal cancer patients undergoing ESD surgery for the first time, reduce their cardiovascular stress response and improve patients' satisfaction with nursing.
9.Advances in application of organoids to research on radiotherapy of tumors
Liang CHEN ; Yiyin LIANG ; Weiwei ZHANG ; Jiaojiao TONG ; Huojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(6):543-548
Organoids are in vitro-cultured three-dimensional (3D) miniature structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells or adult stem cells from healthy individuals or patients. Compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell lines or animal models, organoids are regarded as more promising high-fidelity models, possessing unique advantages in terms of disease modeling, drug development, the establishment of living biobanks, and the exploration of personalized treatment. Over recent years, the rapid development of organoid technology has brought new hopes for innovating preclinical experimental tumor models and promoting clinical personalized diagnosis and treatment. This review is intended to introduce the development status and latest progress of organoids in the field of radiotherapy for tumors, explore the advantages and limitations of organoid models for cancer, and prospect for its application in the field of radiotherapy.
10.Acupotomy ameliorates knee osteoarthritis-related collagen deposition and fibrosis in rabbit skeletal muscle through the TGF-β/Smad pathway
Tingyao Hu ; Einar Khavaza ; Chuxi Liang ; Longfei Xing ; Xilin Chen ; Yue Xu ; Weiwei Ma ; Farid Mokhtari ; Juan Lu ; Changqing Guo
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(3):376-385
Objective:
To investigate the effects of acupotomy on skeletal muscle fibrosis and collagen deposition in a rabbit knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model.
Methods:
Rabbits (n = 18) were randomly divided into control, KOA, and KOA + acupotomy (Apo) groups (n = 6). The rabbits in the KOA and Apo groups were modeled using the modified Videman's method for 6 weeks. After modeling, the Apo group was subjected to acupotomy once a week for 3 weeks on the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and anserine bursa tendons around the knee. The behavior of all animals was recorded, rectus femoris tissue was obtained, and histomorphological changes were observed using Masson staining and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad 3, Smad 7, fibrillar collagen types I (Col-I) and III (Col-III) was detected using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
Histological analysis revealed that acupotomy improved the microstructure and reduced the collagen volume fraction of rectus femoris, compared with the KOA group (P = .034). Acupotomy inhibited abnormal collagen deposition by modulating the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and mRNA, thus preventing skeletal muscle fibrosis. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis revealed that in the Apo group, Col-I, and Col-III protein levels were significantly lower than those in the KOA group (both P < .01), same as Col-I and Col-III mRNA levels (P = .0031; P = .0046). Compared with the KOA group, the protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad 3 were significantly reduced (both P < .01), as were the mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and Smad 3 (P = .0007; P = .0011). Conversely, the levels of protein and mRNA of Smad 7 were significantly higher than that in the KOA group (P < .01; P = .0271).
Conclusion
Acupotomy could alleviate skeletal muscle fibrosis and delay KOA progress by inhibiting collagen deposition through the TGF-β/Smad pathway in the skeletal muscle of KOA rabbits.


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