1.Bioinformatics Reveals Mechanism of Schisandrin B in Inhibiting Ferroptosis to Ameliorate Methionine and Choline Deficiency-induced Fatty Liver Disease in Mice
Zhifeng ZHU ; Wenting LI ; Yongjun CAO ; Yuanyuan LIN ; Yifei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):74-83
ObjectiveNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic stress liver injury. Ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. Exploring the efficacy and mechanism of schisandrin B in treating NAFLD facilitates the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsThe molecular structure of schisandrin B was obtained by searching against PubChem, and the related targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction. The active ingredients and their targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the high-throughput experiment- and reference-guide database of traditional Chinese medicine (HERB). GeneCards and FerrDb were searched for the targets of NAFLD and ferroptosis. The common targets were taken as the core targets, and the protein-protein interaction network of the core targets was established. DAVID was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Finally, molecular docking was performed between schisandrin B and core targets, and the binding energy was calculated. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a methionine and choline-deficiency (MCD) diet for the modeling of NAFLD. Mice were randomized into normal, model, positive drug (essentiale), and low- and high-dose schisandrin B groups. The body mass and liver index of mice were measured after drug administration. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum and those of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and Fe2+ in the liver homogenate were measured by biochemical assay kits. The pathological changes of the liver tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and red oil O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in the serum. Western blotting and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), transferrin, and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) in the liver tissue. ResultsA total of 2 370, 2 547, and 1 451 targets of schisandrin B, NAFLD, and ferroptosis were obtained, in which 90 common targets were shared by the three. Enrichment analyses predicted 505 GO terms and 92 KEGG pathways. Molecular docking suggested that schizandrin B had strong binding affinity with the key targets of ferropstosis (SLC7A11 and SLC3A2). Animal experiments showed that schizandrin B significantly decreased the liver index, lowered the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced lipid accumulation in the liver of NAFLD mice. In addition, schisandrin B significantly lowered the levels of MDA, 4-HNE, and Fe2+, elevated the level of GSH, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of SLC7A11, SLC3A2, and GPX4, and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of transferrin in the liver tissue. ConclusionSchisandrin B can alleviate NAFLD by inhibiting ferroptosis in hepatocytes.
2.The Development of Chinese Herbal Formulae for Non-severe COVID-19 Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology and Investigation of Its Action Mechanisms
Wenting HUANG ; Liansheng QIAO ; Di YAN ; Tengwen LIU ; Hongmei CAO ; Hongyan GUO ; Zhi ZHANG ; Jing CHENG ; Lan XIE ; Qingquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):103-112
ObjectiveTo develop traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae for the treatment of nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism. MethodsThe dysregulated signaling pathways were determined in macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients and in lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro based on transcriptome analysis. A total of 102 TCM formulae for the clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were collected through literature. The pathway-reversing rates of these formulae in macrophages and lung epithelial cells were evaluated based on signature signaling pathways, and the basic formula was determined in conjunction with TCM theory. The commonly used Chinese materia medica for nonsevere COVID-19 were summarized from the 102 TCM formulae as abovementioned. And together with the screening results from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, a “Chinese materia medica pool” was esta-blished for the development of TCM formulae for COVID-19. The regulatory effects of each herb on signaling pathways were obtained based on targeted transcriptome analysis. Oriented at reversing dysregulated signaling pathways of COVID-19, the calculation was carried out, and the artificial intelligent methods for compositing formulae, that are exhaustive method and parallel computing, were used to obtain candidate compound formulas. Finally, with reference to professional experience, an innovative formula for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 was developed. The ethanol extract of the formula was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effects by detecting the mRNA expression of interleukin 1b (Il1b), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Cxcl2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2), nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in RAW264.7 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). ResultsIn macrophages and lung epithelial cells, 34 dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 were identified respectively. The effects of the 102 formulae for clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were evaluated based on the dysregulated signaling pathways and targeted transcriptome, and the result showed that Yinqiao Powder and Pingwei Powder (银翘散合平胃散, YQPWP) ranked first, reversing 91.18% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in macrophages and 100% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in lung epithelial cells. Additionally, YQPWP had the function of scattering wind and clearing heat, resolving toxins and removing dampness in accordance with the pathogenesis of wind-heat with dampness in COVID-19. It was selected as the basic formula, and was further modified and optimized to develop an innovative fomula Qiaobang Zhupi Yin (翘蒡术皮饮, QBZPY) based on expert experience and artificial intelligence in composing formulae. QBZPY can reverse all the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 in macrophages and lung epithelial cells, with the reversing rates of 100%. The chief medicinal of QBZPY, including Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae), Xixiancao (Herba Siegesbeckiae) and Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii), can down-regulate multiple signaling pathways related with virus infection, immune response, and epithelial damage. RT-qPCR results indicated that compared with the model group, the QBZPY group down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il1b, tumor necrosis factor (Tnf), Cxcl2, Cxcl10, Ccl2, Nos2 and Ptgs2 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionBased on targeted transcriptome analysis, expert experience in TCM and artificial intelligence, QBZPY has been developed for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19. The ethanol extract of QBZPY has been found to inhibit mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory genes in a cellular inflammation model.
3.Clinical Effect of Jianpi Huoxue Prescription Combined with Acupuncture on Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Gastric Blood Stasis and Its Impact on Inflammatory Indicators and Gastric Mucosal Function
Wenting KANG ; Zhaohong SHI ; Song LIU ; Shu ZHANG ; Tuo SHI ; Lin YANG ; Dan CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):103-110
ObjectiveTo explore the application effect of Jianpi Huoxue prescription combined with acupuncture in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) of gastric blood stasis type. MethodA total of 86 patients with CAG admitted to Wuhan First Hospital from November 2021 to March 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine, while the observation group was treated with Jianpi Huoxue prescription combined with acupuncture. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, pathological score, negative conversion rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), inflammatory indicators [neutrophils/lymphocytes (NLR) and interleukin (IL)-1β], changes in levels of gastric protease (PG) Ⅰ, PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ, and gastrin-17 (G-17), and drug safety during treatment were observed after treatment in both groups. ResultAfter treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group [95.35% (41/43)] was significantly better than that of the control group [79.07% (34/43)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.108, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of the primary and secondary TCM syndromes in the observation group and the control group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of primary and secondary TCM syndromes in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological scores of gastric mucosa atrophy, activity, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia were significantly lower in the observation group and control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological scores of gastric mucosa atrophy, activity, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Hp conversion rate in the observation group was significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of inflammatory indicators NLR and IL-1β in the observation group and control group were significantly lower (P<0.05), and the levels of inflammatory indicators NLR and IL-1β in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of PGI and PGⅠ/PGⅡ in the observation group and control group were significantly higher (P<0.05), and the levels of PGI and PGⅠ/PGⅡ in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the G-17 level of the observation group and the control group was different at different time points (P<0.05), and the G-17 level of the observation group was higher at different time points than that of the control group (P<0.05). The G-17 level of the observation group had an increasing trend compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionThe combination of Jianpi Huoxue prescription and acupuncture can effectively alleviate symptoms, increase Hp negative conversion rate, inhibit inflammation, and regulate PG and G-17 levels in CAG patients, thus controlling or even reversing gastric mucosal atrophy and reducing the probability of its progression to gastric cancer.
4.Infections and epidemiological characteristics of viral myocarditis in Wuxi Region
Ze XU ; Ting LI ; Wenting CAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(3):107-110
Objective To analyze the epidemic situation and pathological characteristics of viral myocarditis in Wuxi region, laying the foundation for epidemiological research on viral myocarditis. Method A total of 8 000 patients with viral myocarditis from 2013 to 2022 were included. The basic data and infection status of patients diagnosed with viral myocarditis within 10 years were statistically analyzed, and the serum of the patients was tested for Coxsackie B virus nucleic acid. Results Viral myocarditis is mainly caused by Coxsackie B virus infection, with a confirmed positive rate of 69.24%. The main types of infected viruses are B3 and B4, with 29.31% and 33.87%, respectively. The infection of viral myocarditis varies with age, and the positive rate in children is higher at 69.29%, with statistical differences among different age groups(χ2=1210.344 , P<0.001). The infection rate of Coxsackie B virus was 38.21% in males and 31.03% in females, with a statistically significant difference(χ2=155.032 , P<0.001). Conclusion In the past 10 years, the infection rate of suspected viral myocarditis in children in Wuxi region has been higher than that in adults, and the incidence of COVID-19 B group virus infection is higher in men, with B3 and B4 being the main cases. It is necessary to increase prevention efforts in children and young men.
5.Regulation effect of dopamine on sepsis-associated macrophage functions and the mechanisms involved
Wenting SONG ; Yinfeng ZHANG ; Bailu DU ; Xi MO ; Qing CAO
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2024;31(1):52-56
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host disordered response to infections.As one of the most important innate immune cells in the body,macrophages can maintain the immune homeostasis by recruiting other immune cells,clearing pathogens,presenting antigens,and play important regulatory roles in infectious diseases such as sepsis by releasing inflammatory factors.As a critical neurotransmitter,dopamine not only participates in the neurological processes such as learning and cognition,but also regulates the immune processes,including regulating the activation,proliferation and functional changes of immune cells such as neutrophils,lymphocytes,monocytes and macrophages.Current studies demonstrate that during the infection and inflammation process of sepsis,the phagocytosis,polarization,and release of inflammatory factors of macrophages are regulated by dopamine.This review summarized the recent research progress on the regulatory functions and the underlying mechanisms of dopamine on macrophages in sepsis.
6.GC Fingerprint and Multi-component Content Determination of Xiangsha Yangwei
Yiqing MAO ; Liqing TONG ; Ying ZHU ; Qing ZHANG ; Wenting LIU ; Yu CAO
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(1):115-121
Objective To establish the method of fingerprint and content determination of multi-component for Xiangsha Yangwei pill by gas chromatography(GC).Methods The GC fingerprint of Xiangsha Yangwei pill was found,and the peak attribution was carried out.The contents of limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone,and α-cyperone were determined.Results The fingerprint similarity of 56 batches of Xiangsha Yangwei pill were 0.33-0.99,28 common peaks were confirmed,and 14 known components were identified.Limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone and α-cyperone showed good linearity within the determined ranges(14.30-286.08,24.52-490.44,16.14-322.88,9.40-187.95,15.39-307.83,25.78-515.60,19.95-398.90,and 24.87-497.30 μg·mL-1).The average recoveries were 101.20%,97.90%,93.97%,94.23%,102.94%,100.54%,99.16%,and 98.31%;with the RSDs were 2.41%,1.48%,1.65%,2.00%,1.93%,2.30%,2.07%,and 2.38%,respectively.The concentrations of eight components were 0.2-959.1,0.3-420.4,1.0-542.6,0.0-64.5,0.0-364.2,0.0-339.6,0.0-130.7,0.0-82.0 μg·g-1,respectively.Conclusion The fingerprint and multi-component determination method can be used for the quality control and evaluation of Xiangsha Yangwei pill.
7.Effects of infusion of irritant drugs on patients with midline catheter
Wenting XU ; Chang LIU ; Xiangyun LI ; Jie WANG ; Xiuzhu CAO ; Linfang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(30):2351-2357
Objective:To explore the effects of infusion of irritant medications on the patients with midline catheter based on propensity score matching method and provide reference for medications infusion through midline catheter.Methods:Through a retrospective cohort study, the clinical data of 1 539 patients with midline catheter placement in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2019 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into irritant medications group ( n=1 120) and non-irritant medications group ( n=419) according to the characteristics of the medications they were infused with, and then compared the patients of the two groups with midline catheter-related complications and catheter indwelling time based on the propensity score matching. Results:Among 1 539 patients, there were 656 males and 883 females, aged 18-92 (59.30 ± 18.76) years old. Before propensity score matching, there were statistically significant differences in age: (58.09 ± 18.72) years old, (62.55 ± 18.50) years old; hypertension:496 cases, 210 cases; diabetes:266 cases, 129 cases; white blood cell count:7.50(5.50, 9.70) × 10 9/L, 7.00(5.10, 9.50) × 10 9/L between the irritant medications group and non-irritant medications group ( t=4.18, χ2=4.18, 7.92, Z=-1.98, all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were 412 patients in the irritant medications group and 412 patients in the non-irritant medications group, and there was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups (all P>0.05). After propensity score matching, the rates of oozing, bleeding, catheter occlusion, catheter-related thrombosis, catheter dislodgement and total catheter complications between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). The catheter indwelling time in the irritant medications group was 10.00 (5.25, 16.75) days, which was longer than that in the non-irritant medications group for 6.00 (4.00, 11.00) days, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-7.25, P<0.05). Conclusions:Infusion of irritant medications has no effect on the outcome of midline catheter, but monitoring and catheter maintenance should be strengthened in order to reduce the occurrence of cutheter related complications.
8.LINC00926 promotes pyroptosis of hypoxia-induced human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells by recruiting ELAVL1.
Yong JIANG ; Wenting GE ; Ying ZHAO ; Yuge WU ; Yiming HUO ; Lanting PAN ; Shuang CAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(5):807-814
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the regulatory role of the long non-coding RNA LINC00926 in pyroptosis of hypoxia-induced human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and explore the molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
HUVECs were transfected with a LINC00926-overexpressing plasmid (OE-LINC00926), a siRNA targeting ELAVL1, or both, followed by exposure to hypoxia (5% O2) or normoxia. The expression of LINC00926 and ELAVL1 in hypoxia-treated HUVECs was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and the levels of IL-1β in the cell cultures was determined with ELISA. The protein expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1 and NLRP3) in the treated cells were analyzed using Western blotting, and the binding between LINC00926 and ELAVL1 was verified with RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay.
RESULTS:
Exposure to hypoxia obviously up-regulated the mRNA expression of LINC00926 and the protein expression of ELAVL1 in HUVECs, but did not affect the mRNA expression of ELAVL1. LINC00926 overexpression in the cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, increased IL-1β level and enhanced the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins (all P < 0.05). LINC00926 overexpression further up-regulated the protein expression of ELAVL1 in hypoxia-exposed HUVECs. The results of RIP assay confirmed the binding between LINC00926 and ELAVL1. ELAVL1 knockdown significantly decreased IL-1β level and the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins in hypoxia-exposed HUVECs (P < 0.05), while LINC00926 overexpression partially reversed the effects of ELAVL1 knockdown.
CONCLUSION
LINC00926 promotes pyroptosis of hypoxia-induced HUVECs by recruiting ELAVL1.
Humans
;
Caspase 1
;
ELAV-Like Protein 1
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
;
Pyroptosis
;
RNA, Messenger
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
;
Cell Hypoxia
9.Chronic kidney disease and cerebral microbleeds
Yan YAN ; Xiaoxing NI ; Yuan FENG ; Wenting ZHANG ; Shugang CAO ; Mingwu XIA
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2023;31(5):367-372
Because the brain and kidneys share a common basis for small vessel lesions, the related research on cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gradually increasing. The development of neuroimaging technology has significantly increased the detection rate of CMBs, but there is still controversy over whether CKD will increase the incidence of CMBs. This article reviews the relationship between CKD and CMBs, pathogenesis, biomarkers, and treatment.
10.Analysis of influencing factors of community elderly health services by general practitioners from the perspective of social ecology
Haibo ZHANG ; Wenting WEN ; Jiayu CAO ; Jingjie GONG ; Shucheng XU ; Junlong SHEN ; Jun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2023;39(2):135-140
Objective:To identify the influencing factors for community elderly health services provided by general practitioners (GPs) using the social ecological theory, for reference in improving their participation and satisfaction.Methods:According to the social ecological theory, an ecological model for GPs to carry out community elderly health services was constructed from four levels: public policy ecology, community health service ecology, interpersonal relationship ecology, and individual characteristics ecology of general practitioners. A survey questionnaire was designed with six latent variables: public health policy support, public health service and basic medical service supply, doctor-patient relationship, individual participation and individual satisfaction. The questionnaire was distributed to 220 GPs from 11 primary healthcare institutions in Jiangsu province, China, who were randomly selected between October and November 2021. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses of the model were conducted using AMOS 25.0.Results:A total of 207 valid questionnaires were collected, and all the KMO values of the six latent variables were greater than 0.7, while the composite reliability values and average variance extracted values greater than 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. Both the reliability and validity of the data met the analysis requirements. Exploratory analysis revealed that public health policy support had a direct positive effect on both public health service and basic medical service supply (both effect sizes being 0.37). Public health service had a direct positive effect on doctor-patient relationship, individual participation and individual satisfaction (effect sizes being 0.52, 0.22, and 0.31, respectively). The direct effect of basic medical service supply on doctor-patient relationship was not significant (effect size being 0.03), but it had a direct positive effect on public health service (effect size being 0.46). Doctor-patient relationship had a direct positive effect on individual participation (effect size being 0.51), but its direct effect on individual satisfaction was not significant (effect size being 0.06). Individual participation had a direct positive effect on individual satisfaction (effect size being 0.52). Conclusions:By optimizing the public policy ecosystem, community health service ecosystem, and interpersonal relationship ecosystem, the participation and satisfaction of general practitioners can be systematically improved.


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