1.Study on the safety and efficacy of micro-perfusion device for preserving isolated porcine limbs
Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Shen LI ; Man YUAN ; Xiwei PENG ; Jia LÜ ; Sice WANG ; Zhibo JIA ; Xiangyu SONG ; Yixuan ZHU ; Chonghui LI ; Moling XIAO ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):422-431
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a self-developed micro-normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) system (micro-perfusion device) for preserving isolated porcine limbs. Methods Five healthy Landrace pigs were selected, and their left and right forelimbs were randomly divided into the NMP group and static cold storage (SCS) group. The NMP group was perfused with the self-developed micro-perfusion device and polymerized hemoglobin perfusate for 32 hours at normothermia, while the SCS group was preserved at 4 ℃. Hemodynamic parameters such as perfusion pressure and flow were monitored. The pH value, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), lactic acid (Lac), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the perfusate were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to assess the muscle tissue structure, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was employed to evaluate muscle cell apoptosis, and immunohistochemistry staining was applied to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. A mixed-effects model was used to analyze the effects of time and treatment methods on tissue structure, cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors. Results The device could stably maintain a perfusion pressure of (69±15) mmHg and a flow rate of (117±42) mL/min. The pH value and electrolytes of the perfusate were generally stable, with PO2 maintained at a high level. Lac was maintained at 5.38(3.81, 6.45) mmol/L, while CK and LDH increased over time. After 32 hours of perfusion in the NMP group, both the myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate were better than those in the SCS group. Mixed-effects model analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate per unit time (both P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in TNF-α and IL-6 between the two groups, and mixed-effects model analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on TNF-α and IL-6 per unit time (both P > 0.05). Conclusions The micro-perfusion device used in this study may achieve 32-hour normothermic preservation in a porcine limb amputation model, maintain basic metabolism and ionic homeostasis, reduce muscle structural damage and cell apoptosis without inducing additional inflammatory responses. This technology is expected to significantly extend the time window for replantation of amputated limbs in disaster rescue and long-distance transportation, providing an important technical basis for clinical translation and subsequent replantation research.
2.Mitophagy regulates bone metabolism
Hanmin ZHU ; Song WANG ; Wenlin XIAO ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xi ZHOU ; Ye HE ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1676-1683
BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.
3.Association of mitochondrial DNA copy number with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and its mediating role in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Tong LIU ; Chazhen LIU ; Peiyun ZHU ; Ping LIAO ; Xin HE ; Jian QI ; Qin YAN ; Yuan LU ; Wenjing WANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):581-585
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and cognitive dysfunction, and its mediating role between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA case-control study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2021 at the Shanghai Yangpu District Central Hospital, China. A total of 193 subjects were recruited and divided into two groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): normal control (NC) group (n=95) and cognitive impairment group (n=98). The prevalence of T2DM was determined on the basis of medical history, while mtDNAcn in peripheral blood samples was quantified using realtime fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ResultsUnivariate analyses revealed that the mean mtDNAcn in the cognitive impairment group was 0.76±0.37, significantly lower than that in the NC group (1.06±0.45) (P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that higher mtDNAcn was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (OR=0.315, 95%CI: 0.125‒0.795). Additionaly, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between mtDNAcn and the total MoCA score (r=0.381, P<0.01). Morever, T2DM history (OR=2.741, 95%CI: 1.002‒7.497) and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (OR=1.796, 95%CI: 1.190‒2.711) were identified as risk factors for cognitive impairment. Mediation analyses indicated that mtDNAcn served as a mediator between T2DM/HbA1c and the risk of cognitive impairment, with proportions of mediating effect of 9.04% and 9.18%, respectively. ConclusionPatients with mild and moderate cognitive impairment have significantly lower mtDNAcn than those with normal cognitive function. Reduced mtDNAcn is an influencing factor for cognitive dysfunction and may play a mediating role in the association between T2DM and mild to moderate cognitive impairment.
4.Molecular Mechanism of Danshen Tongluo Formula in Intervention of Coronary Artery Disease-dominated Panvascular Disease
Jiawen CHENG ; Chao LIU ; Jie WANG ; Yongmei LIU ; Wenjing LIAN ; Chengzhi HOU ; Chenyang ZHU ; Cheng MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):86-93
ObjectiveEndothelial cell dysfunction being the core link. This study explores the molecular mechanism of Danshen Tongluo formula in treating coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease with endothelial cell changes as the core through animal experiments and single-cell transcriptome sequencing. MethodsA rat model of coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease was established by ligating the left anterior coronary artery. Rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, and a Danshen Tongluo formula (28 mg·kg-1·d-1) group. The efficacy was evaluated by examining the cardiac ultrasound, determination of the plasma level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and pathological staining. After single-cell sequencing, SingleR package, public datasets, and related literature were used for annotation of the cells. Cell chat was used for intercellular communication and ligand-receptor analysis, and scmetabolism was used for metabolic analysis of endothelial cells. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that Danshen Tongluo formula reduced the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP ) level (P<0.05), ameliorated myocardial cell damage and fibrosis, and increase left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) in the rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction(P<0.05). Single-cell sequencing results showed that Danshen Tongluo formula increased the proportion of arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and capillary-arterial endothelial cells, while reducing the proportion of capillary-venous endothelial cells. In addition, this formula increased the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with cardiomyocytes and M1 macrophages and reduced the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with fibroblasts and T cells. Danshen Tongluo formula upregulated CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in endothelium-B cells and Ptprm-Ptprm signaling in endothelial endothelial cells, while downregulating Mif-(CD74+CXCR44) signaling in endothelium-M1 macrophages and Mif-(CD74+CD44) signaling in endothelium-M2 macrophages. It reduced the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis and increased the glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation ratio in endothelial cells. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and venous capillary endothelial cells can all regulate oxidative phosphorylation, cell adhesion molecules, and tyrosine metabolism. Lymphatic endothelial cells regulate immunity and vascular constriction to participate in the metabolism of various amino acids and fatty acids. ConclusionDanshen Tongluo Formula can ameliorate coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease by changing the composition of endothelial cells and regulating the communication between myocardial endothelial cells and non-endothelial cells.
5.Paroxetine alleviates dendritic cell and T lymphocyte activation via GRK2-mediated PI3K-AKT signaling in rheumatoid arthritis.
Tingting LIU ; Chao JIN ; Jing SUN ; Lina ZHU ; Chun WANG ; Feng XIAO ; Xiaochang LIU ; Liying LV ; Xiaoke YANG ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Chao TAN ; Xianli WANG ; Wei WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):441-451
BACKGROUND:
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) could participate in the regulation of diverse cells via interacting with non-G-protein-coupled receptors. In the present work, we explored how paroxetine, a GRK2 inhibitor, modulates the differentiation and activation of immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
The blood samples of healthy individuals and RA patients were collected between July 2021 and March 2022 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were used to induce the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Flow cytometry analysis was used to characterize the differentiation and function of dendritic cells (DCs)/T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to explore the specific molecular mechanism.
RESULTS:
In patients with RA, high expression of GRK2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes, accompanied by the increases of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In animal model, a decrease in regulatory T cells (T regs ), an increase in the cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8 + ) T cells, and maturation of DCs were observed. Paroxetine, when used in vitro and in CIA mice, restrained the maturation of DCs and the differentiation of CD8 + T cells, and induced the proportion of T regs . Paroxetine inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 in DCs and T cells. Simultaneously, paroxetine upregulated the expression of programmed death ligand 1, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, paroxetine inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR metabolic pathway in both DCs and T cells. This was associated with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in the utilization of glucose and lipids, particularly in DCs. Paroxetine reversed PI3K-AKT pathway activation induced by 740 Y-P (a PI3K agonist) through inhibiting the interaction between GRK2 and PI3K in DCs and T cells.
CONCLUSION
Paroxetine exerts an immunosuppressive effect by targeting GRK2, which subsequently inhibits the metabolism-related PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway of DCs and T cells in RA.
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2/metabolism*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology*
;
Animals
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Dendritic Cells/metabolism*
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Paroxetine/therapeutic use*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Mice
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Humans
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Male
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
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Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects*
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Female
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T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
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Middle Aged
6.Study on Functional Substance Basis of Jinhong Tablet Based on GES-1 Cell Model and Mouse Gastric Organoid Model
Lihao XIAO ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Gaoshuang ZHU ; Yujiao YAN ; Xinzhuang ZHANG ; Liang CAO ; Zhenz-hong WANG ; Xiaoxue FAN ; Tong ZHANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(7):869-880
OBJECTIVE To explore the functional substance basis of Jinhong Tablet in the treatment of chronic superficial gastri-tis(CSG).METHODS Three different models were constructed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,func-tional material basis of Jinhong Tablet:inflammatory model in human gastric epithelial cells(GES-1)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS),LPS-induced inflammatory model in mouse gastric organoids,and ethanol-induced oxidative damage model in GES-1 cells.MTS assay was performed to detect cell proliferation activity;qPCR was applied to measure the relative mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interleukin-8(IL-8)in cells and gastric organoids;and the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells were detected.RESULTS Jinhong Tablet and 10 functional components significantly reduced the relative expression of inflammation-relat-ed genes TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-8 in LPS-induced GES-1 cells and gastric organoids,suggesting that these 10 components are the functional substance basis for the anti-inflammatory effects of Jin Hong Tablet.Jin Hong Tablet and 11 functional components markedly decreased the levels of MDA and ROS and increased the activity of SOD,indicating that these 11 components were the func-tional substance basis of the antioxidant effects of Jinhong Tablet.CONCLUSION Through in vitro cell and gastric organoid experi-ments,it has been preliminarily determined that allocryptopine,corydaline,dehydrocorydaline,palmatine hydrochloride,chlorogenic acid,costunolide,rutin,quercitrin,dehydrocostus lactone,tetrahydrocoptisine,isochlorogenic acid B,toosendanin,protopine,and quercetin are the functional material basis of Jinhong Tablet in treating CSG,accumulating scientific evidence for the enhancement of the quality standards of Jinhong Tablet.
7.The construction of the clinical-CT imaging model for predicting the incidence of brain metastasis in lung cancer
Yue ZHU ; Zhihuai ZHOU ; Jian WANG ; Wenjing CHEN ; Yanchen DU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(3):404-409
Objective To investigate the value of constructing a risk prediction model of brain metastasis in lung cancer based on clinical-CT imaging.Methods The clinical and CT imaging data of 208 patients with lung cancer confirmed by surgical pathology or puncture biopsy were analyzed retrospectively,including 98 patients in the metastasis group and 110 patients in the non-metastasis group.Univariable and binary logistic regression analyses were performed between the two groups,and the clinical,CT imaging,and clinical-CT imaging models were constructed according to the selected independent risk factors.Prediction model performance was eval-uated with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results Multivariate analysis showed that T stage,pathological type,radiotherapy and chemotherapy,surgery,long diameter(LD),short diameter(SD),minimum CT value(CTmin)were the independent risk factors for predicting brain metastasis in lung cancer(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of clinical,CT imaging and clinical-CT imaging models were 0.925,0.764,0.941,respectively.DeLong test analysis showed that the AUC of clinical-CT imaging model,clinical model and CT imaging model was statistical difference(Z=2.093,5.777,all P<0.05).The calibration curve suggested a good fit of the clinical-CT imaging model.The DCA suggested that the clinical-CT imaging model demonstrates good clinical benefits.Conclusion The clinical-CT imaging model can effectively predict the occurrence of brain metastasis in lung cancer,which is helpful to guide the development of accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
8.Analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus coinfections in 111 patients with newly diagnosed syphilis at a hospital in Nanjing
Shixuang ZHAO ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Wenjing LE ; Biwei WANG ; Yali CHEN ; Lu GAN ; Sai LI ; Xiaofen ZHU ; Xiaohong SU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(3):234-238
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) coinfections among patients with newly diagnosed syphilis at a hospital in Nanjing. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with newly diagnosed syphilis at the STD Clinic, Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Nanjing, China from May 2023 to April 2024. Urethral, cervical or rectal swabs were collected according to the gender and types of sexual behavior of the patients. Screening tests for CT, NG and HPV infections were then performed by nucleic acid amplification testing. High-risk HPV testing was performed only in female patients. Univariate analysis was carried out to investigate risk factors associated with CT infection. The chi-square test, chi-square test with continuity correction, or Fisher's exact test was chosen based on the sample size and expected values.Results:A total of 111 newly diagnosed syphilis patients with test specimens were collected, including 71 males (64%) and 40 females (36%), and their ages ranged from 16 to 87 years; there were 82 patients with early syphilis and 29 with late latent syphilis; the number of sexual partners in the past 3 months ranged from 0 to 3. Among the 60 male patients with early syphilis, 1 (1.7%) was co-infected with NG, and 12 (20%) with CT; among the 16 men who have sex with men, 7 (43.8%) were co-infected with CT, while 5 (11.4%) of the 44 heterosexual patients were co-infected with CT, showing a significant difference in CT infection rates between the two groups ( χ2 = 5.80, P = 0.016). Among the 22 female patients with early syphilis, 1 (4.5%) was co-infected with NG, and 8 (36.4%) with CT; among the 12 female patients aged < 25 years, 8 (66.7%) were infected with CT, while none of the 7 patients aged 25-44 years or the 3 patients aged ≥ 45 years were infected with CT, showing a significant difference in CT infection rates among the 3 age groups ( P = 0.005) ; among the 16 female patients with 1 sexual partner in the past 3 months, 3 were infected with CT, while 5 were infected with CT in the 6 female patients with 2-3 sexual partners in the past 3 months, with a significant difference in CT infection rates between the two groups ( P = 0.011). Out of the 40 female patients with syphilis, 16 (40%) were co-infected with high-risk HPV; the HPV infection rates did not differ among different age groups (age groups of < 25 years, 25-44 years, ≥ 45 years: 8/14, 2/9, 6/17, respectively; P = 0.265) . Conclusion:The CT infection rate was relatively high in patients with newly diagnosed early syphilis, and a relatively high infection rate of high-risk HPV was observed in female patients with syphilis aged < 25 years.
9.Impact of elevated arterial blood pressure on bioprosthetic valve calcification and failure after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
Wenjing SHENG ; Qifeng ZHU ; Hanyi DAI ; Dao ZHOU ; Xianbao LIU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(2):154-160
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as the standard treatment for severe aortic stenosis, demonstrating comparable efficacy to traditional surgery in low and intermediate-risk patients. However, the bioprosthetic valves utilized in TAVR have a limited lifespan, and bioprosthetic valve failure, including calcification, rupture or infection may develop, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Elevated blood pressure has been identified as a key factor in aortic valve calcification, and its role in bioprosthetic valve failure is gaining increasing attention. Hypertension may accelerate the calcification process and exacerbate valve failure due to increased mechanical stress on the valve, activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and enhanced thrombus formation. Furthermore, elevated blood pressure interacts with prosthesis mismatch and paravalvular leak, jointly affecting valve durability. This review explores the impact of elevated blood pressure on bioprosthetic valve calcification and failure after TAVR, and emphasizes the importance of blood pressure control, optimized preoperative assessment, and appropriate valve selection in reducing valve failures.
Humans
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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/adverse effects*
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Calcinosis/etiology*
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Bioprosthesis
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Heart Valve Prosthesis/adverse effects*
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Prosthesis Failure
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Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery*
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Aortic Valve/surgery*
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Hypertension/physiopathology*
10.High-dose daptomycin as salvage therapy for staphylococcal left-sided infective endocarditis: a retrospective analysis of 14 cases
Liying ZHU ; Wenjing WANG ; Zhen TAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2025;18(3):199-203
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of high-dose daptomycin as salvage therapy for staphylococcal left-sided infective endocarditis(IE).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 14 patients with staphylococcal left-sided IE who received high-dose daptomycin(≥8 mg·kg?1·d?1)as salvage therapy at Nanjing First Hospital between November 2016 and February 2022. Data on clinical characteristics,laboratory and imaging findings,treatment regimens,and outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results:Among the 14 patients,9 had prosthetic valve endocarditis. Echocardiographic findings included vegetations( n=9),paravalvular leakage( n=6),and paravalvular abscesses( n=2);4 patients had ≥2 valvular lesions. Pathogens were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA, n=3),methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus(MSSA, n=2),and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS, n=9). Clinical treatment success was achieved in 8 patients. Treatment failure occurred in 6 patients,including 2 deaths,one discontinued medication due to hypersensitivity reaction and one discontinued medication due to elevated creatine phosphokinase(CK)levels. Conclusion:High-dose daptomycin demonstrates moderate efficacy as salvage therapy for staphylococcal left-sided IE. However,adverse reactions,including hypersensitivity and elevated CK levels,necessitate vigilant clinical monitoring.

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