1.Mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang in Regulating Microglia Polarization to Improve Diabetic Cognitive Impairment
Hui FENG ; Chunxiang ZHOU ; Tianyi REN ; Weiwei TAO ; Yun LING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):1-10
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang on cognitive function in db/db mice with diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI). MethodsThirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group, dapagliflozin group (1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), low-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (6.24 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (24.96 g·kg-1·d-1). Eight db/m mice served as the normal group. All mice were administered the corresponding treatment once daily by gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were dynamically monitored. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in hippocampal tissue. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the co-expression of M1 microglial marker CD16/32 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), synapsin (SYN), nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased body weight and FBG levels (P<0.01), significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings in the Morris water maze test (P<0.01), disordered arrangement of hippocampal neurons, nuclear pyknosis, increased neuronal necrosis, reduced Nissl bodies, decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYN (P<0.01), increased CD16/32+ /IBA1+ positive rate, elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, and an increased p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the dapagliflozin group exhibited significantly reduced FBG levels at weeks 5 and 10 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased body weight. The high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group showed significantly reduced FBG at week 10 (P<0.05). Escape latency was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 of the water maze test in the dapagliflozin group and on day 5 in the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (P<0.05). Platform crossings were significantly increased in both the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (P<0.05). Hippocampal pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees in the dapagliflozin group and the low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang groups, with significantly increased expression of PSD-95 and SYN (P<0.01). Further studies revealed that both low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang reduced hippocampal IL-1β levels and the CD16/32+/IBA1+ positive rate of microglia, while the high-dose group also significantly reduced hippocampal TNF-α levels and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can improve hyperglycemia, cognitive dysfunction, and synaptic damage in DCI, inhibit M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.
2.Mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang in Regulating Microglia Polarization to Improve Diabetic Cognitive Impairment
Hui FENG ; Chunxiang ZHOU ; Tianyi REN ; Weiwei TAO ; Yun LING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):1-10
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang on cognitive function in db/db mice with diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI). MethodsThirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group, dapagliflozin group (1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), low-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (6.24 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (24.96 g·kg-1·d-1). Eight db/m mice served as the normal group. All mice were administered the corresponding treatment once daily by gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were dynamically monitored. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in hippocampal tissue. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the co-expression of M1 microglial marker CD16/32 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), synapsin (SYN), nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased body weight and FBG levels (P<0.01), significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings in the Morris water maze test (P<0.01), disordered arrangement of hippocampal neurons, nuclear pyknosis, increased neuronal necrosis, reduced Nissl bodies, decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYN (P<0.01), increased CD16/32+ /IBA1+ positive rate, elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, and an increased p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the dapagliflozin group exhibited significantly reduced FBG levels at weeks 5 and 10 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased body weight. The high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group showed significantly reduced FBG at week 10 (P<0.05). Escape latency was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 of the water maze test in the dapagliflozin group and on day 5 in the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (P<0.05). Platform crossings were significantly increased in both the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group (P<0.05). Hippocampal pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees in the dapagliflozin group and the low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang groups, with significantly increased expression of PSD-95 and SYN (P<0.01). Further studies revealed that both low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang reduced hippocampal IL-1β levels and the CD16/32+/IBA1+ positive rate of microglia, while the high-dose group also significantly reduced hippocampal TNF-α levels and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can improve hyperglycemia, cognitive dysfunction, and synaptic damage in DCI, inhibit M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.
3.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
4.Tongue squamous cell carcinoma-targeting Au-HN-1 nanosystem for CT imaging and photothermal therapy.
Ming HAO ; Xingchen LI ; Xinxin ZHANG ; Boqiang TAO ; He SHI ; Jianing WU ; Yuyang LI ; Xiang LI ; Shuangji LI ; Han WU ; Jingcheng XIANG ; Dongxu WANG ; Weiwei LIU ; Guoqing WANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):9-9
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a prevalent malignancy that afflicts the head and neck area and presents a high incidence of metastasis and invasion. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential for enhancing the quality of life and the survival rates of TSCC patients. The current treatment modalities for TSCC frequently suffer from a lack of specificity and efficacy. Nanoparticles with diagnostic and photothermal therapeutic properties may offer a new approach for the targeted therapy of TSCC. However, inadequate accumulation of photosensitizers at the tumor site diminishes the efficacy of photothermal therapy (PTT). This study modified gold nanodots (AuNDs) with the TSCC-targeting peptide HN-1 to improve the selectivity and therapeutic effects of PTT. The Au-HN-1 nanosystem effectively targeted the TSCC cells and was rapidly delivered to the tumor tissues compared to the AuNDs. The enhanced accumulation of photosensitizing agents at tumor sites achieved significant PTT effects in a mouse model of TSCC. Moreover, owing to its stable long-term fluorescence and high X-ray attenuation coefficient, the Au-HN-1 nanosystem can be used for fluorescence and computed tomography imaging of TSCC, rendering it useful for early tumor detection and accurate delineation of surgical margins. In conclusion, Au-HN-1 represents a promising nanomedicine for imaging-based diagnosis and targeted PTT of TSCC.
Tongue Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging*
;
Animals
;
Gold/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Photothermal Therapy/methods*
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
;
Photosensitizing Agents
;
Metal Nanoparticles
;
Humans
;
Cell Line, Tumor
5.Clinical characteristics and transfusion strategies of delayed serological transfusion reactions caused by platelet transfusion in tumor patients
Min LIU ; Tao PENG ; Jingjing YU ; Ruijuan ZHAO ; Weiwei FANG ; Juan CAI ; Simeng CHEN ; Xiying LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(5):491-494,500
Objective To analyze the clinical manifestations of delayed serological transfusion reactions(DSTR)after platelet transfusion in tumor patients,and to explore the transfusion strategy.Methods Clinical data and laboratory test re-sults of patients with positive antibody screening were analyzed after platelet transfusion in our hospital from January 1,2015 to June 30,2023,and the incidence rate,clinical characteristics and transfusion strategy of patients with DSTR were ana-lyzed.Results A total of 2 553 patients with 6 057 platelet transfusions were reviewed.Eight patients developed DSTR and received a total of 21 therapeutic amounts of platelets,and 5 patients were subsequently transfused with red blood cells.Rh system antibodies were detected in 7 cases(4 anti-E,1 anti-c/E,1 anti-C and 1 anti-c)and Kell system antibodies in 1 case.Conclusion Tumor patients may also develop DSTR after platelet transfusion.It is necessary to pay close attention to the antibody situation and perform matched transfusion when transfusing blood again.
6.Effect of home exercise on pain, function and quality of life after operation for rotator cuff injury
Ting YANG ; Jingjie ZHOU ; Tao WANG ; Weiwei ZHU ; Fengming CHU ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(12):1461-1472
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of home exercise on pain, function and quality of life after operation for rotator cuff injury. MethodsFrom June, 2023 to June, 2024, 45 patients after operation for rotator cuff injury were selected from Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University and Xuzhou Central Hospital, and randomly divided into conventional group (n = 15), home-based group (n = 15) and combined group (n = 15). The conventional group received an eight-week routine rehabilitation program in hospital, the home-based group received an eight-week home exercise prescription training, and the combined group first received four weeks of routine rehabilitation in hospital, and followed by four weeks of home exercise prescription training. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA), Constant-Murley Score (CMS), range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, and the Short-form of Health Survey-36 (SF-36) before treatment, and four and eight weeks after treatment. ResultsVAS scores decreased in all the three groups four and eight weeks after treatment (Z > 2.964, P < 0.001), which was the most in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (|Z| > 2.531, P < 0.05). The main effect of time was significant in scores of UCLA, CMS, and physical health and mental health of SF-36 (F > 498.102, P < 0.001), which improved after treatment (P < 0.001). The main effect of group was significant in score of mental health of SF-36 (F = 7.408, P = 0.002), which was the most in the home-based group four and eight weeks after treatment (P < 0.01). The interaction was significant in score of physical health of SF-36 (F = 10.138, P < 0.001), which was the least in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). The main effect of time was significant in every direction of ROM, which improved after treatment (P < 0.001). The interaction was significant in ROM of abduction and external rotation (F > 4.059, P < 0.01), and almost significant in ROM of flexion (F = 2.412, P = 0.055). However, ROM of flexion was less in the home-based group than in the combined group four weeks after treatment (P = 0.047), which was less in the home-based group than in the conventional group eight weeks after treatment (P = 0.042); ROM of abduction was the least in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (P < 0.01), which was less in the home-based group than in the combined group eight weeks after treatment (P = 0.046); ROM of external rotation was less in the home-based group than in the combined group four weeks after treatment (P = 0.022). ConclusionHome exercise is effective on pain, function and quality of life in patients after operation for rotator cuff injury. There are benefits with both home exercise and institution-based rehabilitation, and almost the same in a whole eight weeks after treatment.
7.Effects of Yueju Pill on Depressive Behavior,Functional Dyspepsia and PACAP/PAC1-R Expression in CUMS Mice
Yan WANG ; Tiantian GAO ; Ziying WANG ; Gang CHEN ; Weiwei TAO
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(3):261-267
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of Yueju Pill on depression and gastrointestinal function in depressed co-morbid functional dyspepsia mice.METHODS C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,Yueju Pill low-dose group,Yueju Pill high-dose group and positive drug group.A co-morbidity model was constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS),and the mice were assessed for depression-like behaviour and neuronal damage by behavioural tests and Nissl staining;gastrointestinal function was assessed by HE staining of gastric and intestinal tissues,gastric emptying rate,and small intestinal propul-sive rate;PACAP,VIP,IL-6,TNF-α,and BDNF expression were detected by ELISA;PAC1-R,Vipr1,and Vipr2 protein expres-sion were detected by protein immunoblotting.RESULTS Mice in the model group showed depression-like behaviour,reduced num-ber of hippocampal nidus,slowed gastrointestinal motility,elevated serum inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced expression of PACAP,VIP,and BDNF(P<0.05,P<0.01),The PAC1-R,VPAC1-R,VPAC2-R expression de-creased in the hippocampus and gastric sinus,duodenal tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the low and high dose groups of Yueju Pill improved the above indexes except for Vipr1 and Vipr2(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Yueju Pill can reduce inflammatory factors through PACAP/PAC1-R,increase the level of BDNF,and improve the depression-like behaviour and gastrointestinal dysfunction in CUMS mice.
8.Discussion on the Pathogenesis of Turbid Evil Invading the Clear Orifice in Diabetic Cognitive Impairment Based on Metabol-ic Reprogramming
Hui FENG ; Yun LING ; Chunxiang ZHOU ; Weiwei TAO
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(8):759-764
The diabetic cognitive impairment(DCI)starts insidiously and can further develop into dementia.Early prevention and treatment are the key measure."Turbidity"refers to the body's metabolic products or the substances that cannot be transported and transformed normally,which is the breeding ground for DCI.The improper diet of diabetes patients leads to the imbalance of spleen and stomach absorption and induces the accumulation of essence into sugar turbidity.When the turbid remains for a long period of time,it will turn into phlegm,stasis,and turbid toxins and damage the clear orifice,resulting in cognitive impairment,which belongs to the category of"turbid evil invading the clear orifice".Neuroinflammation is a key factor inducing DCI,which is mainly regulated by meta-bolic reprogramming.As the direct product of metabolic reprogramming,lipid and lactate accumulation are key mediators of neuroin-flammation,along with high glucose,belonging to the category of"turbid evil"in traditional Chinese medicine.Metabolic reprogram-ming in the microenvironment of diabetes induces lactate and lipid accumulation,and mediates neuroinflammation,which is quite con-sistent with the development of TCM pathogenesis of"turbid evil invading the orifices".This paper aims to explore the modern biologi-cal understanding of the pathogenesis of turbid evil invading the clear orifice in DCI from the perspective of metabolic reprogramming,and to provide new ideas for its research of prevention and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine.
9.YAP inhibits extracellular matrix catabolism of nucleus pulposus cells by promoting autophagy
Weiwei YI ; Qiuyu TANG ; Bailong TAO ; Kaiting LI ; Dawu WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(10):1107-1114
Objective To investigate the effect of Yes-associated protein(YAP)on intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells and its possible mechanism.Methods The relatively normal and degenerative intervertebral disc tissues of patients who underwent lumbar surgery in our hospital from March 2021 to July 2022 were harvested,and then the expression of YAP in the tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry assay and Western blotting.Human primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and primarily cultured,and treated with IL-1β to induce degeneration.Then the cells was divided into control group,IL-1β group,IL-1β+LV-YAP group,IL-1β+YAP-siRNA group,and IL-1β+LV-YAP+3-MA group.Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of the proteins related to extracellular matrix catabolism and autophagy in each group.Finally,a rat model of disc degeneration was established,and the expression of YAP and LC3 and disc degeneration were observed with MRI,Alcian blue staining and immunohistochemistry.Results The expression level of YAP was significantly lower in the degraded disc tissues than the relatively normal disc tissues(P<0.05).The IL-1β+LV-YAP group had significantly increased protein levels of Collagen Ⅱ,Aggrecan,and LC3-11(P<0.05),and decreased levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13(P<0.05)when compared with the cells after IL-1β treatment,whereas the IL-1β+YAP-siRNA group showed the exact opposite effects.What's more,pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA resulted in decreased number of GFP-LC3 positive particles and protein levels of Collagen Ⅱ,Aggrecan and LC3-Ⅱ(P<0.05),and increased protein expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13(P<0.05)in comparison with the conditions in the IL-1β+LV-YAP group.Furthermore,YAP overexpression promoted LC3 expression and inhibited disc degeneration in rat model of disc degeneration.Conclusion YAP overexpression can inhibit extracellular matrix degradation by promoting autophagy in human nucleus pulposus cells and thus delaying disc degeneration.
10.Progress on the Main Mechanism Affecting Flap Survival
Jinpeng LI ; Jie GUO ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Yuan SONG ; Weiwei WANG ; Zhijun HE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;16(2):416-422
Flap surgery is a complex surgical procedure that has become an effective method for the treatment of many diseases and traumas. Flap survival is closely related to a variety of factors including cellular autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) function, and vascular regeneration. Cellular autophagy maintains intracellular homeostasis and plays a key role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and promoting injury repair. Excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses pose a threat to flaps, affecting their survival and successful transplantation. Endothelial cells are involved in vascular regeneration through proliferation, migration, and production of angiogenic factors, and vascular endothelial growth factor directly promotes blood vessel formation and maintains endothelial cell function.MSCs play an important role in promoting flap survival and tissue repair due to their unique biological properties and multiple mechanisms of action. The multiple roles played by cellular autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, MSCs function, and vascular regeneration in influencing postoperative flap survival are hereby elaborated. The aim is to provide a basis for the clinical application of regulating the above factors to improve postoperative flap survival, improve the success rate of flap surgery, reduce complications, and bring more hope for the recovery and quality of life of patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail