1.Detoxification Strategies of Triptolide: A Review
Wenchen WANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shuangjie WU ; Zhenggen LIAO ; Wei DONG ; Xinli LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):278-287
Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb belonging to the genus Tripterygium in the Celastraceae family, which has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and dampness, and invigorating blood circulation to relieve pain, and is used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, lupus erythematosus, scabies, and stubborn tinea. Its chemical composition is diverse. Among them, triptolide(TP) is one of the main active and toxic components of T. wilfordii. It has significant biological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and immunosuppression. However, it causes serious adverse reactions such as liver and kidney function damage and reproductive system disorders. At the same time, TP has poor water solubility and low bioavailability, and the enhancement of bioavailability by increasing the dosage undoubtedly improves the exposure of the drug in non-target organs, leading to the occurrence of adverse reactions, and these largely limit the clinical application of TP. Based on this, this article extracted relevant data from the Web of Science, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) databases, summarized the research on the adverse reactions of TP in recent years, and reviewed the progress of toxicity reduction research from the perspectives of structural modification, novel drug delivery systems, and compatibility. Structural modification can precisely alter the chemical structure of TP, reduce the activity of its toxic groups, and retain its biological activity while fundamentally reducing the occurrence of adverse reactions. New drug delivery systems can achieve targeted delivery of TP, increase its concentration in target organs, and reduce its exposure in non-target organs, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing adverse effects. In addition, the combination of TP with Chinese medicine compound, single-flavored Chinese medicine or monomer can reduce the adverse effects of TP and enhance the efficacy to different degrees, which is of clinical value. This paper systematically explains attenuation research from the above three perspectives, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the full utilization of biological activity and drug development of TP.
2.Clinical characteristics and genetics functional analysis of two children with Spinal muscular atrophy
Wenchen HUANG ; Jinli BAI ; Hong WANG ; Yuwei JIN ; Xiaoyin PENG ; Xiushan GE ; Hui JIAO ; Yujin QU ; Fang SONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1187-1194
Objective:To explore the characteristics of SMN1 gene variants and carry out functional verification for two children with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods:Two male children with complicated SMA diagnosed at the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics respectively in July 2021 and April 2022 due to delayed or retrograde motor development were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the children were collected. Primary culture of skin fibroblasts was carried out, and peripheral blood samples were collected from both children and their parents. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, combined long-range PCR and nested PCR, and Sanger sequencing were carried out to detect the copy number and variants of the SMN1 gene. Absolute quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the transcriptional level of the SMN gene, expression of the SMN protein, and the number of functional SMN protein complexes (gems body), respectively. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics (Ethics No. SHERLLM2021009). Results:Child 1, a 1-year-old boy, was clinically diagnosed with type 1 SMA. Child 2, a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy, was clinically diagnosed with type 3 SMA. Both children were found to harbor a paternally derived SMN1 deletion and a maternally derived SMN1 gene variant, namely c. 824G>T (p.Gly275Val) and c. 884A>T (p.*295Leu). Compared with the normal controls and carriers, the levels of full-length SMN1 transcripts in their peripheral blood and skin fibroblast cell lines were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the levels of SMN protein normalized to that of β-actin, and the numbers of gems bodies in the primary fibroblast cells were also significantly lower ( P<0.05). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were classified as likely pathogenic (PS3+ PM3+ PM5+ PP3; PS3+ PM3+ PM4+ PP3). Following the diagnosis, both children had received nusinersen treatment. Although their motor function was improved, child 1 still died at the age of 2 due to severe pulmonary infection. The walking ability of child 2 was significantly improved, and his prognosis appeared to be good. Conclusion:Two cases of clinically complicated SMA have been confirmed by genetic testing and experimental studies, which has provided a reference for their accurate treatment.
3.Current status and related research progress of mechanical thrombectomy in large core ischemic stroke of anterior circulation
Wenxian JIANG ; Shuqing WANG ; Wenchen TANG ; Qiyang HU ; Rong XIAO ; Yuzhuo KANG ; Yijie ZHOU
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2023;32(12):1256-1262
In recent years,mechanical thrombectomy has been the most important research progress in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction,especially the positive results of five endovascular therapy studies in 2015 has rewritten its clinical guidelines.However,the focus of these studies was mainly on the small vessel infarction(SVI),and the inclusion criteria of these studies include the following aspects:ASPECTS ≥6 points,Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score within 6 hours after stroke onset,the infarct volume<70 mL within 6-24 hours after stroke onset,and the presence of image mismatch or the presence of mismatch between clinical condition and perfusion imaging.The above studies excluded patients with ASPECTS<6 points or infarct volume ≥70 mL of large core infarction(LCI).With the continuous progress of the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke(AIS),the mechanical thrombectomy therapy strategy has crossed from the"time window"to the"tissue window",meanwhile,the therapeutic goal of mechanical thrombectomy has also moved from treating SVI to a new era of treating LCI that has been a very hot topic recently.Whether endovascular treatment is beneficial for patients with LCI remains uncertain.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review concerning the relevant research progress in endovascular therapy for anterior circulation large core ischemic stroke,including the imaging determination and study inclusion criteria of LCI,the postoperative blood pressure management,and the factors influencing ineffective recanalization and prognosis.(J Intervent Radiol,2023,32:1256-1262)
4.Influences of the copy number of SMN2 and transcript level of fl-SMN2 on the phenotype and survival of spinal muscular atrophy
Shijia OUYANG ; Jinli BAI ; Yuwei JIN ; Hong WANG ; Wenchen HUANG ; Xiaoyin PENG ; Xiushan GE ; Hui JIAO ; Yujin QU ; Fang SONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2023;38(11):863-868
Objective:To explore the distribution of the copy number of survival motor neuron gene 2 ( SMN2) and the transcript level of the full-length SMN2 ( fl-SMN2) transcript level in patients with type 1-3 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and to evaluate their influences on disease severity, progression, and prognosis. Methods:It was a retrospective study involving 78 therapy-naive SMA patients with SMN1 gene homozygous deletion who were diagnosed and treated in the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2019 to December 2021.Cross-sectional clinical data, including age at onset, motor milestones, and complications were recorded.They were followed up for monitoring motor function degeneration and survival.The copy number of SMN2 and the transcript level of fl-SMN2 were detected.Differences between groups were compared by the Student′s t-test or One- Way ANOVA or Chi- square test.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis, and Kendall′ s tau- c was performed to assess the correlation of these two biomarkers with SMA phenotypes, age at onset, motor milestones, and survival. Results:Of the 78 SMA patients, there were 17 cases (21.8%) of type 1, 34 cases(43.6%) of type 2, and 27 cases(34.6%) of type 3.Seven cases(41.2%) type 1 SMA patients died, with a median survival time of 11 months, and no deaths were observed in type 2 and type 3 SMA patients.There was a significant difference in the median age at onset among SMA patients with 2, 3, and 4 copies of SMN2 (1.8, 12.0, and 24.0 months, respectively; F=4.943, P=0.01). The mean transcript level of fl-SMN2 in type 1, 2 and 3 SMA patients were 196.25±68.79, 331.21±108.79 and 455.69±122.27, respectively ( F=37.154, P<0.001). The survival rate of SMA with 2 SMN2 copies at 1, 2, and 5 years were 50.5%, 0, and 0, respectively, and their median survival age was 7 months.The survival rate of SMA with 3 and 4 SMN2 copies at 5 years were 97.4% and 100.0%, respectively.Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the transcript level of fl-SMN2 and phenotype severity ( Kendall′ s tau- c=-0.444, P<0.001), and the transcript level of fl-SMN2 of the survival group was much higher than that of the death group (342.93±125.74 vs.212.14±92.31). More copies of SMN2 and higher transcript level of fl- SMN2 indicated more motor function acquisitions (head control, sitting and walking) ( P<0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the transcription level of fl-SMN2 between the undegenerated group and the degenerated group in sitting and standing ( F=5.432, P=0.023 and F=4.315, P=0.047, respectively). Conclusions:Both the copy number of SMN2 and the transcript level of fl-SMN2 are correlated with SMA severity, survival, and motor milestones, serving as valuable biomarkers for evaluating phenotypic severity of SMA.The transcript level of fl-SMN2 s may play an important role in the degeneration of sitting and standing.
5.Analysis of influencing factors for poor effect of short-term electrical spinal cord stimulation in treatment of postherpetic neuralgia
Jingwei ZHANG ; Wenchen JIANG ; Zhun WANG ; Huanmin DU ; Weiguo XU ; Yongjin HE
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2023;43(5):575-579
Objective:To analyze the factors influencing the poor effect of short-term electrical spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).Methods:The medical records of PHN patients of either sex, aged 40-85 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who received short-term electrical spinal cord stimulation from July 2017 to July 2022, were retrospectively collected. The therapeutic effect was evaluated using the modified MacNab criteria at 3 months after operation, and the patients were divided into good efficacy group (excellent and good efficacy) and poor efficacy group (fair and poor efficacy). General information, disease course, lesion site, complicated diseases, ossification of the yellow ligament in the diseased spinal segment, severity of pain in the herpetic stage, standard antiviral therapy in the herpetic stage (for more than 7 days) and use of neurotrophic drugs in the herpetic stage (for more than 7 days) were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors for the poor effect of electrical spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of PHN.Results:A total of 168 patients were eventually enrolled, among which 69 had poor curative effect, and the rate of poor curative effect was 41.1%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the patient′s age ( OR=2.230, P=0.015), course of disease ( OR=2.191, P=0.027), complication with diabetes mellitus( OR=8.859, P=0.010), ossification of ligamentum flavum at the same segment ( OR=6.602, P=0.019), severity of pain in the herpetic stage ( OR=5.788, P=0.038) and non-standard antiviral therapy in the herpetic stage ( OR=6.765, P=0.021) were the influencing factors for the poor effect of electrical spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of PHN. Conclusions:Age, course of disease, complication with diabetes mellitus, ossification of ligamentum flandum at the same segment, severity of pain in the herpetic stage and non-standard antiviral therapy in the herpetic stage are the factors influencing the poor effect of short-term electrical spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of PHN.
6.Recent advance in apnea test in adult brain death
Lin HAN ; Yanjuan WANG ; Haifeng WANG ; Wenchen LI
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2023;22(7):740-746
Apnea test (AT) is a key step in the diagnosis of adult brain death, which provides important basis for the loss of brainstem function in patients with adult brain death. In recent years, with extensive development of adult brain death determination and organ donation transplantation, discussion and research of AT have been gradually promoted. In formulation of adult brain death criteria, countries have paid more attention to the standardization and normalization of AT implementation, and medical staffs have improved the AT implementation process. This article reviews the current AT implementation standards, conventional AT procedures and complications, modified AT exploration, AT implementation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and treatments and auxiliary examinations after AT failure, in order to deepen the understanding and cognition of adult brain death determination physicians on AT, and promote AT development in a more standardized and orderly way.
7.Intervention effect of physical exercise on silicotic mice
Fuyu JIN ; Xiaojing WANG ; Wenjing LIU ; Yaqian LI ; Xuemin GAO ; Wenchen CAI ; Na MAO ; Heliang LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(9):997-1004
Background Pneumoconiosis is the most serious occupational disease in China, and silicosis accounts for about half of it. Any intervention effect of physical exercise as the key and core of lung rehabilitation training on silicosis is still unclear. Objective To explore potential intervention effect of physical exercise on silicotic mice. Methods Forty SPF C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups, 10 in each group, including a control group, a physical exercise group, a silicosis model group, and a silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group. Silicotic mouse model was established by using 50 μL SiO2 suspension (200 mg·mL−1). A treadmill was used to prepare mice receiving physical exercise at 0° inclination, 12.3 m·min−1, 60 min·d−1, 5 d·week−1 for 4 weeks. Pathological morphology of lung tissues was evaluated after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; deposition of collagen in lung tissues was evaluated after Van Gieson (VG) staining; expression of p-protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) was detected by immunofluorescence staining; expressions of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (p21) and p-p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress signal factors [p-inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (p-IRE-1α), p-PERK, and p-eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (p-eIF-2α)], senescence signal factors (p-p53, p21, and p16), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal factors [p-p38, p-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK), and p-stress-activated protein kinase (p-JNK)] were detected by Western blotting. Results After designed acute SiO2 exposure, the images of micro computed tomography (CT) showed high density shadows in lung tissues of the silicotic mice and less shadows in lung tissues of the physical exercise intervention mice. After HE staining, the proportions of silicotic nodule area in lung tissues was (18.67±3.89) % in the silicosis model group, and significantly decreased to (8.78±1.05) % in the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group (P<0.05). After VG staining, the proportion of collagen fiber area of lung tissues was (10.37±2.18) % in the silicosis model group, and significantly decreased to (4.35±0.89) % in the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group (P<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that in the silicosis model group, the expression of p-PERK increased at the location of silicotic nodules, while in the silicotic model + physical exercise intervention group, the expression of p-PERK decreased. The immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expression of p21 and p-p38 increased in the lung tissues of the silicosis model group; the expression of p21 and p-p38 decreased in the lung tissues of the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group. The results of Western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the expression levels of p-IRE-1α (0.11±0.03), p-PERK (0.95±0.40), p-eIF-2α (3.53±0.91), p-p53 (1.78±0.07), p21 (1.98±0.10), p16 (1.26±0.17), p-p38 (0.41±0.09), p-ERK (0.42±0.05), and p-JNK (3.20±1.23) of the silicosis model group were all upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the silicosis model group, the expression levels of p-IRE-1α (0.03±0.01), p-PERK (0.31±0.12), p-eIF-2α (0.30±0.06), p-p53 (0.76±0.08), p21 (0.18±0.11), p16 (0.70±0.24), p-p38 (0.03±0.00), p-ERK (0.19±0.03), and p-JNK (0.46±0.21) of the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group were downregulated (P<0.05). Conclusion Physical exercise may alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in silicotic mice, and inhibit abnormal expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress signal, MAPK signal, and senescent signal.
8.Irreversible electroporation ablation technique in treatment of esophageal cancer
Yanmin XIA ; Jianfei ZHU ; Wenchen WANG ; Tao JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2021;28(09):1095-1101
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and safety of irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation technique on esophageal cancer. Methods An ECM830 electroporator was used for IRE treatment on esophageal cancer cells EC109 and KYSE30. According to the different electric field intensity, five groups were assigned: a control group, a 500 V/cm group, a 1 000 V/cm group, a 1 500 V/cm group, and a 2 000 V/cm group. After 24 h, methyl thiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) was used to detect the cell proliferation of each group. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression of apoptosis proteins in cells before or after IRE treatment. Eight healthy BALB/c nude mice were equally divided into two groups: a control group (n=4) and an IRE group (n=4). EC109 was used to establish subcutaneous transplantation tumors and subsequently the mice in the IRE group were treated with flat electrode. The weight and volume of tumors were measured after 14 days. Ten healthy New Zealand white rabbits were equally divided into two groups: a control group (n=5) and an IRE group (n=5). After exposing the abdominal cavity, the abdominal esophagus of the IRE group was treated with flat electrode. Seven days later, the esophagus was extracted for HE and Masson staining. Results When the electric field intensity was low (500 V/cm), there was no change in esophageal cancer cells proliferation after IRE treatment compared to the control group (EC109: P=0.385, KYSE30: P=0.600). With the increase of electric field intensity, the influence of IRE on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cell gradually increased. When it reached 2 000 V/cm, there was basically no cell viability after IRE treatment (P<0.001). The results of Western blotting showed that the expression of cleaved caspase-3 increased after IRE treatment (P<0.01). Animal experiments indicated that the weight and volume of tumors in nude mice reduced (P<0.05) and the growth of tumors was slowed down after IRE treatment. In addition, the parenchymal cells of rabbit esophagus were largely damaged, while interstitial tissues such as fibers were well preserved. Conclusion IRE ablation has the potential to inhibit the proliferation of esophageal cancer cell and slow down the tumor growth.What’s more, it is safe for the esophagus.
9.Research of prognostic immunophenotypes in 163 patients of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Xin YANG ; Shu CHEN ; Yu QI ; Xiaoying XU ; Xue GUAN ; Yichen YANG ; Yanxue LIU ; Yuhong GUO ; Wenchen GONG ; Yanan GAO ; Xianhuo WANG ; Wei LI ; Lanfang LI ; Kai FU ; Huilai ZHANG ; Bin MENG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2021;42(6):487-494
Objective:To screen and analyze the prognostic protein biomarkers of DLBCL, and to explore their value in the prognostic evaluation.Methods:163 cases of confirmed DLBCLs from January 2011 to December 2016 were collected with their clinical, pathological and follow-up data, which were all from our hospital. The expression of protein markers were tested using immunohistochemical staining (IHC) . The immune phenotypes independent of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) that affect overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of DLBCL were explored by COX regression model, and the effect of their co-expression on the prognosis were also analyzed.Result:BCL6 negative (PFS: HR=1.652, 95% CI 1.030-2.649, P=0.037) , P53 positive (OS: HR=1.842, 95% CI 1.008-3.367, P=0.047) , and BCL2 strong positive expressions (S+) (OS: HR=2.102, 95% CI 1.249-3.537, P=0.005; PFS: HR=2.126, 95% CI 1.312-3.443, P=0.002) are adverse prognostic factors of DLBCL that are independent of IPI. BCL6 - (PFS: HR=2.042, 95% CI 1.021-4.081, P=0.043) , P53 + (OS: HR=3.069, 95% CI 1.244-7.569, P=0.015) and BCL2 S+ (OS: HR=2.433, 95% CI 1.165-5.082, P=0.018; PFS: HR=3.209, 95% CI 1.606-6.410, P=0.001) are adverse prognostic factors in the group of age≤60-year-old; in the group of IPI score 0-2, cases with BCL6 - (OS: HR=2.467, 95% CI 1.322-4.604, P=0.005; PFS: HR=2.248, 95% CI 1.275-3.965, P=0.005) and BCL2 S+ (PFS: HR=2.045, 95% CI 1.119-3.735, P=0.020) have worse prognosis. The co-expression of BCL6 - and BCL2 S+ has significant influence on prognosis of DLBCL ( P=0.005 and P<0.001) , in which BCL6 +/non-BCL2 S+ ( n=86) has the best prognosis[3-year-OS (71.6±4.9) %, 3-year-PFS (67.0±5.1) %], and BCL6 -/BCL2 S+ ( n=10) has the worst prognosis[3-year-OS (20.0±12.6) %, 3-year-PFS (10.0±9.5) %]; the co-expression of BCL6 - and P53 + has no significant influence on prognosis ( P=0.061 and P=0.089) , however, those cases with BCL6 +/P53 - ( n=98) often get better prognosis[3-year-OS (70.6±4.7) %, 3-year-PFS (64.6±4.9) %] than others; the co-expression of P53 + and BCL2 S+ has significant influence on prognosis of DLBCL ( P<0.001 and P<0.001) , and P53 +/BCL2 S+ ( n=5) has the worst prognosis (3-year-OS and 3-year-PFS are both 0) ; BCL2 S+ cases get shorter OS and PFS, regardless of the expression of BCL6 and P53. Conclusion:The expression and co-expression of BCL6 negative, P53 positive and BCL2 S+ have certain value in the prognostic evaluation of DLBCL, especially in the group of age≤60-year-old and IPI score 0-2.
10.Clinicopathological features of intravascular peripheral T-cell lymphoma
Xue GUAN ; Yichen YANG ; Yu QI ; Wenchen GONG ; Xiaoying XU ; Yalei WANG ; Yuhong GUO ; Ye LUO ; Lin SUN ; Kai FU ; Bin MENG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2021;42(7):583-590
Objective:To summarize the clinical and pathological features of intravascular NK and T cell lymphoma for better understanding of such disease to reduce misdiagnosis and miss-diagnosis.Methods:Clinical and pathological features were analyzed retrospectively in one case of intravascular peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (IVPTCL, NOS) , with literatures review.Results:The case presented in this study was a 66-year-old man. PET/CT scan showed multiple lymph nodes enlargement throughout the body. Normal lymph node structure could not be observed by tissue biopsy, while lymph follicles were partially disrupted. High-power light microscope revealed a large number of blood vessels with diffuse proliferation and dilation, where atypical lymphoid cell mass was restricted in the lumen and partially infiltrated the large blood vessel wall. These tumor cells were medium to large with moderate cytoplasm. The nucleus was irregular, single or multiple nucleoli could be seen, chromatin was condensed, some were empty and bright, and mitotic figures could be seen. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the neoplastic cells were positive for expression of CD3, CD43, CD8, GrB, TIA-1 and perforin. EBER in situ hybridization result was negative. Polymerase chain reaction test identified a clonal gene rearrangement of T-cell receptor γ. The patient was treated with CHOP in combination with chidamide, but died of infection and cardiopulmonary failure within 2 months. 56 cases of intravascular NK/T cell lymphoma with definite classification were collected from relevant literatures, including 47 cases with nasal type of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (27 were male and 20 were female) , 8 cases with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (3 males and 5 females) , and only one case with de nova IVPTCL, NOS in brain. We report the second case of IVPTCL,NOS, and notably originated from lymph node for the first time.Conclusions:Intravascular NK/T cell lymphoma is a highly aggressive disease with no effective treatment at present. Involvement of Lymph node has rarely been reported, and further studies on more cases are necessary.

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