1.Necroptosis in Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage: Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms
Zhi-Fei KE ; Wen-Jing SONG ; Yun-Feng DONG ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1884-1895
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a frequent form of skeletal muscle microdamage that occurs after high-intensity, prolonged, or unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise dominated by eccentric contractions. It is commonly characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, transient loss of muscle strength, local inflammation, structural disruption of myofibers, and delayed functional recovery. Although mild EIMD may serve as a stimulus for training adaptation, excessive or insufficiently recovered muscle damage can impair exercise performance, disturb training continuity, and reduce participation in physical activity. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation, amplification, and resolution of EIMD is important for optimizing athletic training, improving post-exercise recovery, and guiding evidence-based public fitness practice. Necroptosis is a regulated form of programmed cell death mediated primarily by the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling axis. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis is closely involved in tissue injury, sterile inflammation, and repair remodeling. However, whether necroptosis acts as an initiating driver, a secondary damage amplifier, or an adaptive signal required for repair after EIMD remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in EIMD and to establish a mechanistic framework linking regulated cell death, inflammatory amplification, immune regulation, and skeletal muscle repair. Relevant studies concerning EIMD, necroptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammatory responses, immune cell recruitment, extracellular matrix remodeling, and muscle regeneration were reviewed and integrated. On this basis, the possible temporal and functional involvement of necroptosis in different phases of EIMD was analyzed. The main evidence summarized in this review suggests that EIMD is not merely a consequence of primary mechanical disruption. Instead, it develops through a dynamic sequence that includes sarcolemmal instability, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator production, immune cell infiltration, necrotic tissue clearance, and regeneration-associated remodeling. Necroptosis may participate in this process through at least two interconnected mechanisms. First, in the early or progressive phase of EIMD, activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis may promote MLKL phosphorylation and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to the release of DAMPs such as high-mobility group box 1, ATP, mitochondrial DNA, and other intracellular components. These signals may activate innate immune pathways, amplify inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, thereby aggravating secondary inflammation and extending muscle fiber injury. Second, during the resolution and repair phases, necroptosis-related signaling may also contribute indirectly to the formation of a regenerative microenvironment. By influencing the clearance of necrotic debris, the recruitment and phenotypic transition of immune cells, and the remodeling of extracellular matrix components, necroptosis may affect satellite cell activation, myogenic repair, and the eventual structural and functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle. Thus, the biological effect of necroptosis in EIMD may be context dependent rather than uniformly harmful. Its outcome may depend on exercise intensity, the extent of tissue damage, the timing of pathway activation, the involved cell types, inflammatory status, training background, age, and metabolic condition. In conclusion, necroptosis may represent an important molecular link between skeletal muscle injury, sterile inflammation, and tissue repair after damaging exercise. It may exert a dual role in EIMD by amplifying secondary damage while also contributing to repair coordination under appropriate temporal and microenvironmental conditions. Future studies should determine the activation pattern of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling after different exercise protocols, identify the major cell populations undergoing necroptosis in injured skeletal muscle, and examine whether targeted modulation of necroptosis can reduce excessive inflammation without impairing necessary regenerative responses. This review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of EIMD and for developing targeted strategies to improve skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced injury.
2.Self-management behavior of maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension:a latent profile analysis
Wen SONG ; Yanqiu WENG ; Xinrui LIANG ; Jiao YU ; Yan XIE ; Qiqi ZHAO
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(3):280-285
Objective To explore the potential characteristics of self-management behavior in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension and determine the influencing factors of different characteristics,so as to provide reference for improving self-management behavior.Methods A total of 192 maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension who received dialysis in The First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University from May to September 2022 were enrolled by convenience sampling.A general information questionnaire,hypertension self-management behavior scale,Morisky medication adherence scale-8 items,and medication adherence self-efficacy scale-revision(MASES-R)were used to investigate the potential categories of self-management behavior in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension,and the predictive indicators of each category were analyzed by latent profile analysis.Results Three latent categories of self-management behavior in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension were identified:low self-management behavior,moderate self-management behavior,and high self-management behavior.Medication adherence and medication adherence self-efficacy were predictors of high self-management behavior.Monitoring blood pressure once daily was a predictor of moderate self-management behavior.Conclusion There is significant self-management characteristics among maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension.These characteristics and risk factors should be identified early to help patients improving their self-management.
3.Mechanism of senegenin in improving lipopolysacchride-induced inflammatory response of BV2 microglial cell
Bing-Tao MU ; Min-Fang GUO ; Jing-Wen YU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Feng-Jun YANG ; Si-Wei JIA ; Qing SU ; Tao MENG ; Cun-Gen MA ; Jie-Zhong YU ; Li-Juan SONG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(2):188-196
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Senegenin(SEN)alleviates microglial inflammatory response through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway.Methods BV2 mouse microglia cells were randomly divided into control group,model group,SEN group and MCC950 group.Cells in control group were not treated,and cells in model group were added with 1 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide(LPS);Cells in SEN group were added with 1 μg/ml LPS+4 μmol/L SEN,and cells in MCC950 group were added with 1 μg/ml LPS+10 μmol/L MCC950 for 24 hours.CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of SEN on the viability of BV2 cells.Griess method was used to determine the release amount of nitric oxide(NO)in the supernatant.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,lymphocyte apoptosis-associated spect-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),caspase-1,interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 mRNA.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression levels of ASC,IL-1β,Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1).Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC,IL-1β,IL-18,Nrf2,HO-1,nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).Results The results of CCK-8 method showed that there was no significant difference in the viability of BV2 cells treated with 2~20 μmol/L SEN compared with control group(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the viability of BV2 cells in model group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the viability of BV2 cells in 4 μmol/L SEN group was significantly restored(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the results of Griess method showed that the release amount of NO in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05);the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05);the results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 proteins in cells of model group increased significantly(P<0.05),and the immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expression levels of iNOS and NF-κB protein in cells of model group increased,and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 decreased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the release amount of NO in cells of SEN group and MCC950 group decreased,and the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA and proteins decreased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);in the SEN group,the expression levels of iNOS and NF-κB decreased,and immunofluorescence staining showed that Nrf2 was translocated into the nucleus,and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins increased significantly,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusions SEN could alleviate the inflammatory response of mouse microglia cells induced by LPS and inhibit the activation and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome,with an effect comparable to that of the inflammasome inhibitor MCC950.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of upstream factors Nrf2 and HO-1.
4.Research progress on the molecular mechanisms of PANoptosis and its role in some diseases
Yu-Qi SONG ; Wen-Ming YANG ; Tao-Hua WEI ; Yu-Long YANG ; Zi-Long LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(2):221-231
Cellular death in the body can occur through different processes,including apoptosis,pyroptosis and necrotic apoptosis,etc.PANoptosis is a newly discovered form of inflammatory cell death in recent years.It can be triggered by various stimulating factors and integrates multiple components that can induce cell death to assemble into various types of macromolecular complexes-PANoptosome,which then mediates cell death.Given the impact of PANoptosis on the entire disease spectrum,promoting or inhibiting its occurrence process may prevent the development of various diseases.The review summarizes the research progress on the occurrence mechanism of PANoptosis and its role in some diseases,and explores the crosstalk among multiple programmed cell death pathways,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of related diseases.
5.Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute aortic dissection:a multicenter 10-year retrospective cohort study
Zi-Xuan LIU ; Hui-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Dan ZHONG ; Xing-Wei HE ; Wen-Hua WANG ; Dan YU ; Bao-Quan ZHANG ; Chun-Wen LI ; He-Song ZENG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):917-924
Objective To investigate the role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)in predicting the in-hospital mortality risk of patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD)in multicenter hospitals.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted.Clinical data were collected from 2642 AAD patients who were hospitalized in five teaching hospitals:Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Henan Provincial People's Hospital,Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University,and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between August 2010 and December 2021.According to the quartiles of serum NLRlevels,the patients were divided into four groups:first quartile(Q1,n=660),second quartile(Q2,n=661),third quartile(Q3,n=661),and fourth quartile(Q4,n=660).The clinical characteristics and biochemical indicators of each group were compared.Partial correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between NLR and cardiovascular parameters.Restricted cubic splines,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,and Cox regression models were employed to evaluate the association between NLR levels and in-hospital mortality risk in AAD patients.Results The median age of all patients was 54[interquartile range(IQR):46-63]years,including 2096 males and 546 females.Compared with Q1-Q3 groups,patients inQ4group had a lower incidence of smoking history and diabetes history,and were more likely to have DeBakey type Ⅰ AAD(P<0.05).Additionally,the levels of aspartate aminotransferase,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,creatinine,and D-dimer in Q4 group were higher,while the levels of triglycerides and C-reactive protein(CRP)were lower(P<0.01).The results of partial correlation analysis showed that the plasma NLR level was positively correlated with D-dimer(r=0.43,P<0.01)and creatinine(r=0.16,P<0.01).The restricted cubic spline function in the Cox model revealed a significant non-linear relationship between the plasma NLR level and clinical outcomes in AAD patients(P<0.01).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients in Q4 group had the highest in-hospital mortality rate compared with Q1-Q3 groups(P<0.0001).Furthermore,multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that compared with Q1 group,the hazard ratio(HR)of NLR in Q4 group was 1.77(95%CI 1.33-2.37,P<0.001),which was an independent risk factor for the primary endpoint events.Conclusion A higher plasma NLR level is significantly associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events in AAD patients,and this association remains significant even after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as the multicenter visiting hospitals.
6.Preparation of borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine
Jing WEN ; Jun-song NIU ; Yu-zhen WU ; Jie DENG ; Nan LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2522-2529
AIM To prepare the borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine.METHODS The equilibrium solubilities of tetramethylpyrazine in different oil phases,emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers were determined,after which compatibility experiment was performed,and pseudo-ternary phase diagram was drawn.With Km value,oil phase proportion and water phase consumption as influencing factors,particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading as evaluation indices,the formulation was optimized by central composite design-response surface method.The drug-loaded nanoemulsion was dispersed into carbomer 940 gel matrix to prepare nanoemulsion gel,then the physicochemical properties,in vitro drug release and transdermal absorption properties were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 3.31∶6.16∶1.56∶88.97 for eutectic mixture-EL-40-1,2-propylene glycol-water ratio,the particle size,PDI and saturated drug loading were 37.85 nm,23.04 and 5.82 mg/g,respectively.The obtained white,semi-solid nanoemulsion gel demonstrated the average pH value and viscosity of 6.68±0.07 and(289.69±1.06)mPa·s,respectively,whose in vitro drug release accorded with Higuchi equation,and the accumulative permeability per unit area was(2 048.23±55.6)μg/cm2 within 24 h,which were 3.72 and 1.21 times higher than those of hydrogel and aqueous solution,respectively.CONCLUSION The borneol-menthol eutectic mixture-loaded nanoemulsion gel of tetramethylpyrazine meets preparation requirements,thus can achieve the effective transdermal delivery of raw medicine.
7.Influences of sleep on attention and intervention strategies:current progress
Yu YIN ; Qing WEN ; Lun SONG ; Hui PENG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(8):611-618
Sleep is essential for organisms.Sleep disorders,such as insomnia,sleep fragmenta-tion,and sleep deprivation,deeply impact the physical activity and mental health of humans.The signifi-cant role of sleep in brain function has been well accepted in recent years.This article aims to summarize the research related to sleep disorders,sleep-wake control,the relationships between sleep and atten-tion,and the potential underlying mechanisms.Current interventions are also outlined in the hope of providing insights into sleep and cognitive function.
8.Synthesis of A New Naphthalenesulfonamide-based"Turn-on"Fluorescent Probe for Rapid Detection of Glyphosate
Rong-Rong ZHAO ; Hong-Lin LIU ; Ying-Ping HUANG ; Cui-Wen DENG ; Song-Yan LI ; Shui-Lian YU ; Mao-Sheng TAO ; Yi-Qun TIAN ; Xi YUAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):903-913
Widespread utilization of glyphosate has led to environmental residues,posing potential threats to ecological systems and human health.Traditional methods for detection of glyphosate are limited by specialized equipment and operational techniques,resulting in inefficient responses.Therefore,it is urgent to develop a convenient,sensitive and accurate detection method for detection of glyphosate.Herein,a new naphthalenesulfonamide-based"Turn-on"fluorescent probe was synthesized using 2-chloroaniline and dansyl chloride as raw materials through a one-step process,which showed a good linear relationship between the glyphosate concentration in concentration range of 0.003-70 μmol/L and the fluorescence intensity(R2=0.995),with a detection limit of 2.73 nmol/L(S/N=3).Analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)were used to investigate the interaction mechanism between the fluorescent probe and glyphosate.The results indicated that a nucleophilic substitution reaction occurred between the probe and the secondary amine(—NH—)of glyphosate,inducing a photoinduced electron transfer(PET)effect which enhanced the fluorescence intensity by 11.2 times.The probe showed good anti-interference ability towards coexisting metal ions,anions and pesticides in water.When applied to determination of glyphosate in the samples such as tap water,river water(Xiangxi River Reservoir),soil,soybeans,and corn,the spiking recoveries ranged from 94.7%to 109.9%,demonstrating the high accuracy and broad applicability of this detection method.A portable test strip based on this fluorescent probe was developed for rapid semi-quantitative analysis of glyphosate.The developed method was rapid,sensitive,and portable,providing theoretical and technical support for on-site measurement of environmental contaminants.
9.Recent Advances in Solid Phase Extraction-Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Coupling Technologies Based on Novel Adsorbent Materials
Pei-Yuan LU ; Yu-Hao WEN ; Ding-Ding JIANG ; Xian-Wei WANG ; Jia-Mian GUAN ; Gao-Song SHAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1597-1606
Solid-phase extraction(SPE)combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS)has emerged as a promising analytical technique for detection and analysis of trace components in complex sample matrices.SPE enriches analytes through selective adsorption and solvent elution,effectively increasing the concentration and signal intensity.SERS enables ultra-sensitive and highly selective molecular analysis through the use of SERS-active substrates engineered to amplify Raman signals.The integration of these two techniques overcomes the limitations of conventional Raman spectroscopy in low-concentration detection field,while significantly improving sample preparation efficiency and analytical accuracy.This review provided a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of three SPE-SERS coupling modes,including two-step,one-step,and online integration.Special emphasis was placed on recent advancements in one-step SPE-SERS approaches based on novel functional adsorbent materials such as graphene,metal-organic frameworks,covalent organic frameworks,and molecularly imprinted polymers.Furthermore,future directions and development prospects of SPE-SERS technology were discussed.
10.Therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and gut dysbiosis.
Meng-Jie ZHU ; Yi-Jie SONG ; Pei-Li RAO ; Wen-Yi GU ; Yu XU ; Hong-Xi XU
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):297-308
OBJECTIVE:
Prunella vulgaris L. has long been used for liver protection according to traditional Chinese medicine theory and has been proven by modern pharmacological research to have multiple potential liver-protective effects. However, its effects on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are currently uncertain. Our study explores the effects of P. vulgaris polysaccharides on NASH and intestinal homeostasis.
METHODS:
An aqueous extract of the dried fruit spikes of P. vulgaris was precipitated in an 85% ethanol solution (PVE85) to extract crude polysaccharides from the herb. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) was administrated to male C57BL/6 mice to establish a NASH animal model. After 4 weeks, the PVE85 group was orally administered PVE85 (200 mg/[kg·d]), while the control group and CDAHFD group were orally administered vehicle for 6 weeks. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and other methods were used to assess the impact of PVE85 on the liver in mice with NASH. 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis was employed to evaluate the gut microbiota abundance and diversity in each group to examine alterations at various taxonomic levels.
RESULTS:
PVE85 significantly reversed the course of NASH in mice. mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators associated with NASH and protein expression of hepatic nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) were significantly reduced after PVE85 treatment. Moreover, PVE85 attenuated the thickening and cross-linking of collagen fibres and inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related mRNAs in the livers of NASH mice. Intriguingly, PVE85 restored changes in the gut microbiota and improved intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by NASH by increasing the abundance of Actinobacteria and reducing the abundance of Proteobacteria at the phylum level. PVE85 had significant activity in reducing the relative abundance of Clostridiaceae at the family levels. PVE85 markedly enhanced the abundance of some beneficial micro-organisms at various taxonomic levels as well. Additionally, the physicochemical environment of the intestine was effectively improved, involving an increase in the density of intestinal villi, normalization of the intestinal pH, and improvement of intestinal permeability.
CONCLUSION
PVE85 can reduce hepatic lipid overaccumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in an animal model of CDAHFD-induced NASH and improve the intestinal microbial composition and intestinal structure. Please cite this article as: Zhu MJ, Song YJ, Rao PL, Gu WY, Xu Y, Xu HX. Therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and gut dysbiosis. J Integr Med. 2025; 2025; 23(3): 297-308.
Animals
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy*
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Male
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Dysbiosis/drug therapy*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Polysaccharides/therapeutic use*
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Prunella/chemistry*
;
Mice
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Liver/metabolism*
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Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Diet, High-Fat

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