1.From Golgi Stress to Golgiphagy—a New Regulatory Model Involved in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Hai-Jun WEI ; He-Ming WANG ; Shu-Jing CHEN ; Shu-Zhi WANG ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):275-292
The Golgi body, a core organelle in eukaryotic cells, plays a critical role in protein modification, sorting, vesicular transport, and serves as a key site for lipid synthesis and glycosylation. Glucose and lipid metabolism are central processes for cellular energy maintenance and biosynthesis, and are closely linked to Golgi function. Recent studies have revealed the extensive involvement of the Golgi body in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, where maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis is crucial for normal physiological activity. Under various stress conditions such as acidosis, hypoxia, and nutrient deficiency, the Golgi body undergoes structural and functional disruption, leading to Golgi stress. This in turn activates specific signaling pathways, such as those mediated by the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 3 (CREB3) and proteoglycans, to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. Golgi stress contributes to glucose and lipid metabolic disorders by affecting the activity of insulin receptors, glucose transporters, and lipid metabolism-related enzymes. For example, Golgi stress triggers the cleavage and release of the active fragment of CREB3, which enters the nucleus and upregulates the transcription of ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) and key gluconeogenic enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). ARF4 promotes vesicle retrograde transport between the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, maintains secretory capacity, and enhances hepatic glucose output. This pathway is particularly active under high-fat or lipotoxic stress, leading to fasting hyperglycemia. When damaged Golgi components accumulate beyond a tolerable threshold, the cell initiates an autophagic response, selectively encapsulating the damaged Golgi into autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes, leading to Golgiphagy. This process results in the degradation and clearance of damaged Golgi, thereby regulating Golgi quantity, quality, and function. Golgiphagy also plays a significant role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. For instance, under high-glucose conditions, autophagic flux may be suppressed, impairing the timely clearance and renewal of damaged Golgi, compromising its normal function, and further exacerbating glucose metabolism disorders. Additionally, Golgiphagy may participate in lipid degradation and influence lipid synthesis and transport. Research indicates that Golgi stress and Golgiphagy play important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism-related diseases. For example, the leucine zipper protein (LZIP) under Golgi stress conditions can promote hepatic steatosis. In mouse primary cells and human tissues, LZIP induces the expression of apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4), which increases peripheral free fatty acid uptake, resulting in lipid accumulation in the liver and contributing to the development of fatty liver disease. This review systematically outlines the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Golgi stress and Golgiphagy, and their synergistic roles. It further elaborates on how Golgi stress and Golgiphagy participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, discusses their clinical significance in related diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity, and highlights potential novel therapeutic strategies from the perspective of Golgi-targeted medicine
2.From Golgi Stress to Golgiphagy—a New Regulatory Model Involved in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Hai-Jun WEI ; He-Ming WANG ; Shu-Jing CHEN ; Shu-Zhi WANG ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):275-292
The Golgi body, a core organelle in eukaryotic cells, plays a critical role in protein modification, sorting, vesicular transport, and serves as a key site for lipid synthesis and glycosylation. Glucose and lipid metabolism are central processes for cellular energy maintenance and biosynthesis, and are closely linked to Golgi function. Recent studies have revealed the extensive involvement of the Golgi body in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, where maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis is crucial for normal physiological activity. Under various stress conditions such as acidosis, hypoxia, and nutrient deficiency, the Golgi body undergoes structural and functional disruption, leading to Golgi stress. This in turn activates specific signaling pathways, such as those mediated by the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 3 (CREB3) and proteoglycans, to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. Golgi stress contributes to glucose and lipid metabolic disorders by affecting the activity of insulin receptors, glucose transporters, and lipid metabolism-related enzymes. For example, Golgi stress triggers the cleavage and release of the active fragment of CREB3, which enters the nucleus and upregulates the transcription of ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) and key gluconeogenic enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). ARF4 promotes vesicle retrograde transport between the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, maintains secretory capacity, and enhances hepatic glucose output. This pathway is particularly active under high-fat or lipotoxic stress, leading to fasting hyperglycemia. When damaged Golgi components accumulate beyond a tolerable threshold, the cell initiates an autophagic response, selectively encapsulating the damaged Golgi into autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes, leading to Golgiphagy. This process results in the degradation and clearance of damaged Golgi, thereby regulating Golgi quantity, quality, and function. Golgiphagy also plays a significant role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. For instance, under high-glucose conditions, autophagic flux may be suppressed, impairing the timely clearance and renewal of damaged Golgi, compromising its normal function, and further exacerbating glucose metabolism disorders. Additionally, Golgiphagy may participate in lipid degradation and influence lipid synthesis and transport. Research indicates that Golgi stress and Golgiphagy play important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism-related diseases. For example, the leucine zipper protein (LZIP) under Golgi stress conditions can promote hepatic steatosis. In mouse primary cells and human tissues, LZIP induces the expression of apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4), which increases peripheral free fatty acid uptake, resulting in lipid accumulation in the liver and contributing to the development of fatty liver disease. This review systematically outlines the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Golgi stress and Golgiphagy, and their synergistic roles. It further elaborates on how Golgi stress and Golgiphagy participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, discusses their clinical significance in related diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity, and highlights potential novel therapeutic strategies from the perspective of Golgi-targeted medicine
3. Exploration and Practice of a Generative AI-assisted Four-dimensional Integration Platform of “Teaching, Learning, Evaluation, and Research” for The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Courses
Pan CHEN ; Yang XI ; Xiao-Feng JIN ; De-Sen SUN ; Qiang CHEN ; Jun-Ming GUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):789-800
ObjectiveBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, a discipline that elucidates life phenomena at the molecular level, serves as a core foundational course in medical education. It provides the theoretical basis for studying other basic and clinical medical subjects, as well as for understanding pathogenesis, disease diagnosis, and treatment. However, its complex content and highly abstract concepts have posed a dual challenge to traditional teaching models: “inefficient instruction” and “inadequate learning outcomes”. Within limited classroom hours, how to engage students and stimulate their intrinsic motivation, and how to help them recognize, understand, and develop a passion for biochemistry from the perspective of the discipline’s essence, have long been key focuses of curriculum research. MethodsUsing the lipid metabolism chapter as an example, this study employs “Rain Classroom”, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platform, to support education in four dimensions: teaching, learning, evaluation, and research. In teaching, it assists instructors through virtual experiments, lesson preparation support, knowledge mapping, and assignment design. For learning, it serves as an intelligent study assistant for students, providing automated assignment review, enabling educational resource sharing, and facilitating personalized learning pathways. In evaluation, the platform automates assignment grading, analyzes student performance data, and offers diagnostic feedback and teaching recommendations. In research, it aids educators in collecting and analyzing teaching data, as well as searching for and summarizing relevant literature. ResultsThe results indicate that an educational model integrating teacher-led instruction, student-centered learning, and generative AI assistance significantly enhances teaching quality, students’ self-directed learning abilities, and knowledge mastery. Furthermore, with the support of generative AI, curriculum-based ideological education—focusing on cutting-edge disciplinary advances and topical medical issues—helps cultivate students’ medical spirit of “honoring life and healing the wounded”, thereby fostering the establishment of appropriate professional values. Finally, while generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, this study also analyzes potential risks in its teaching applications, emphasizing the need for both instructors and students to avoid over-reliance and to ensure that technological tools consistently serve the fundamental goals of education. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that integrating generative AI, specifically via the “Rain Classroom” platform, can effectively enhance biochemistry education. By supporting teaching, learning, evaluation, and research, this approach improves both educational effectiveness and student outcomes. It also facilitates the incorporation of cutting-edge knowledge and professional ethics, nurturing a patient-centered mindset. Additionally, the study addresses potential implementation risks to ensure that such technological tools remain aligned with the core purpose of education.
4.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
5.Construction and Evaluation of "Constitution-disease-syndrome" Trinity Model for Rodents with Qi Deficiency
Yasheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yujiang XI ; Qian ZHOU ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Qiu CHEN ; Xi MING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):274-284
The theory of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a new discipline in recent years. Constitution plays a vital role in the onset,progression,transformation,and prognosis of diseases. At present,some clinical scholars have adopted a novel diagnostic and treatment model of "constitution differentiation-disease identification-syndrome differentiation",in which constitution is regarded as a core element throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Constitution is closely associated with etiology,onset,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment. Against this background,the construction of animal models based on constitution holds far-reaching significance for advancing clinical research. This paper focuses on the construction and evaluation of rodent models with Qi-deficiency constitution,aiming to explore how to further induce Qi-deficiency syndromes and related disease states on the basis of Qi-deficiency constitution models,thereby developing an integrated animal model that embodies the trinity of "constitution-disease-syndrome". The establishment of this model not only provides a solid experimental foundation for the development of new therapies and drugs in TCM targeting specific constitutions,diseases,and syndromes,but also greatly promotes the modernization and scientific advancement of TCM theory. By comprehensively applying multidisciplinary technologies and methods,the study evaluates the model's validity,reliability,and practicality,with the aim of opening new avenues for future research in TCM and promoting the development of the field.
6.The development process, research status, and prospect of physical ablation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Yirong AN ; Ran JU ; Haoze LENG ; Shiran TAO ; Jiawei TIAN ; Ming' ; e WU ; Haoyang ZHU ; Yi LÜ ; ; Nana ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):646-651
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, and pharmacotherapy is the foremost treatment method currently. In recent decades, with the rapid development of bronchoscopic interventional therapy, endoscopic physical ablation technology presents a therapeutic effect in treating COPD, with few treatment-related side effects, showing excellent application prospects in treating COPD. Since ablation techniques in this field are emerging technologies with low patient acceptance, they are not widely used in the clinical treatment of COPD. This article reviews the development process of physical ablation techniques. Moreover, their current application status and the prospects in the field of COPD treatment are also summarized and analyzed. We hope to promote the application of physical ablation in the clinical treatment of COPD and provide practical references and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.
7.Research progress on the role of SIRT1 in heart failure.
Yang-Ming ZHANG ; Mai LYU ; Chen-Yang WU ; Yuan-Xi CHEN ; Guo-Lan MA ; An-Tao LUO
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):361-373
Heart failure (HF) is a common end-stage clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases, imposing substantial health-related burdens worldwide. With its high mortality rates and poor long-term prognosis, there is a pressing need for novel therapies. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase, has anti-cardiovascular aging properties and other cardioprotective effects, attracting much research attention in recent years. In addition, SIRT1 plays an important role in HF pathophysiology. This review summarized the roles of SIRT1 and its activators in HF, the changes of SIRT1 gene expression in cardiac tissues from animal models and HF patients, and the current status of clinical trials investigating SIRT1 activators as potential therapies for HF. This will provide new ideas for further exploration of pathological mechanisms and the development of clinical prevention strategies for HF.
Heart Failure/metabolism*
;
Sirtuin 1/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Animals
8.Misaligned light entrainment causes metabolic disorders in Chrono knockout mice.
Ruo-Han WANG ; Shao-Ying LAN ; Bo-Yuan CAO ; Xi-Ming QIN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):731-740
Most of the life forms on Earth have gradually evolved an endogenous biological clock under the long-term influence of periodic daily light-dark cycles. This biological clock system plays a crucial role in the orderly progression of life activities. In mammals, central circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus and the function of the biological clock relies on a transcription-translation negative feedback loop. As a negative regulator in this loop, the function of CHRONO is less known. To deeply explore the role of the Chrono gene in rhythm entrainment and physiology, we constructed a Chrono gene knockout mouse strain using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and analyzed its entrainment ability under different T cycles. Running wheel tests and glucose tolerance tests were also performed. The results showed that the period of the endogenous biological clock of Chrono knockout mice was prolonged, and the entrainment rate under the T21 cycle was decreased. In addition, metabolic abnormalities, including weight gain and impaired glucose tolerance, were observed in the non-entrained mice. Overall, this study reveals a crucial role of the Chrono gene in maintaining circadian rhythms and metabolic balance, providing a new perspective for understanding the relationship between the biological clock and metabolism. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Animals
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Mice, Knockout
;
Mice
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Metabolic Diseases/physiopathology*
;
Photoperiod
;
Male
;
Period Circadian Proteins/physiology*
;
Light
;
Circadian Clocks/physiology*
9.Advances in role and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients in regulating balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses in asthma patients.
Ya-Sheng DENG ; Lan-Hua XI ; Yan-Ping FAN ; Wen-Yue LI ; Yong-Hui LIU ; Zhao-Bing NI ; Ming-Chan WEI ; Jiang LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1000-1021
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple inflammatory cells and cytokines. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving various cells and cytokines. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory suggests that the pathogenesis of asthma is closely related to the dysfunction of internal organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. In contrast, modern immunological studies have revealed the central role of T helper 1(Th1)/T helper 2(Th2) and T helper 17(Th17)/regulatory T(Treg) cellular immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th1/Th2 imbalance is manifested as hyperfunction of Th2 cells, which promotes the synthesis of immunoglobulin E(IgE) and the activation of eosinophil granulocytes, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.Meanwhile, Th17/Treg imbalance exacerbates the inflammatory response in the airways, further contributing to asthma pathology.Currently, therapeutic strategies for asthma are actively exploring potential targets for regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses. These targets include cytokines, transcription factors, key proteins, and non-coding RNAs. Precisely regulating the expression and function of these targets can effectively modulate the activation and differentiation of immune cells. In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients have shown unique potential and prospects in the field of asthma treatment. Based on this, the present study systematically summarizes the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM active ingredients in treating asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune balance through literature review and analysis. These active ingredients, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, exert their effects through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of inflammatory cells, reducing the release of cytokines, and promoting the normal differentiation of immune cells. This study aims to provide a solid foundation for the widespread application and in-depth development of TCM in asthma treatment and to offer new ideas for clinical research and drug development of asthma.
Asthma/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Th2 Cells/drug effects*
;
Th17 Cells/drug effects*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects*
;
Th1 Cells/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Cytokines/immunology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
10.Medication rules of Astragali Radix in ancient Chinese medical books based on "disease-medicine-dose" pattern.
Jia-Lei CAO ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yi-Hang LIU ; Zi-Ming XU ; Xuan WANG ; Wen-Xi WEI ; He-Jia WAN ; Xing-Hang LYU ; Wei-Xiao LI ; Yu-Xin ZHANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Xian-Qing REN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):798-811
This study employed the "disease-medicine-dose" pattern to mine the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions containing Astragali Radix in ancient Chinese medical books, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines. The TCM prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were retrieved from databases such as Chinese Medical Dictionary and imported into Excel 2020 to construct the prescription library. Statical analysis were performed for the prescriptions regarding the indications, syndromes, medicine use frequency, herb effects, nature and taste, meridian tropism, dosage forms, and dose. SPSS statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were used for association rules analysis and cluster analysis. A total of 2 297 prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were collected, involving 233 indications, among which sore and ulcer, consumptive disease, sweating disorder, and apoplexy had high frequency(>25), and their syndromes were mainly Qi and blood deficiency, Qi and blood deficiency, Yin and Yang deficiency, and Qi deficiency and collateral obstruction, respectively. In the prescriptions, 98 medicines were used with the frequency >25 and they mainly included Qi-tonifying medicines and blood-tonifying medicines. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were frequently used. The medicines with high frequency mainly have warm or cold nature, and sweet, pungent, or bitter taste, with tropism to spleen, lung, heart, liver, and kidney meridians. In the treatment of sore and ulcer, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to promote granulation and heal up sores. In the treatment of consumptive disease, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 37.30 g and combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to tonify deficiency and replenish Qi. In the treatment of sweating disorder, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to consolidate exterior and stop sweating. In the treatment of apoplexy, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 7.46 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to dispell wind and stop convulsions. Astragali Radix can be used in the treatment of multiple system diseases, with the effects of tonifying Qi and ascending Yang, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and expressing toxin and promoting granulation. According to the manifestations of different diseases, when combined with other medicines, Astragali Radix was endowed with the effects of promoting granulation and healing up sores, tonifying deficiency and Qi, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and dispelling wind and replenishing Qi. The findings provide a theoretical reference and a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*
;
History, Ancient
;
Astragalus Plant/chemistry*
;
China
;
Astragalus propinquus

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