1.Garcinol inhibits proteasome and suppresses tumor growth via targeting RPN6
Ying YU ; Xi-song KE ; Xue ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):408-416
Garcinol, a benzenetriol compound extracted from
2.A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stone Needle Thermocompression and Massage for Treating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Shoulder and Back:A Secondary Analysis of Muscle Elasticity as a Mediator
Jingjing QIAN ; Yuanjing LI ; Li LI ; Yawei XI ; Ying WANG ; Cuihua GUO ; Jiayan ZHOU ; Yaxuan SUN ; Shu LIU ; Guangjing YANG ; Na YUAN ; Xiaofang YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):935-940
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group, with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes, three times per week; the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement, as the primary outcome, was assessed using the Global Pain Scale (GPS) at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms, a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration, the between-group mean difference was -8.8 [95% CI (-18.2, -0.7), P<0.05]. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity, with a mediation effect size of -1.5 [95% CI (-2.0, -0.9), P = 0.024], accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.
3.PANoptosis: a New Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Xin-Nong CHEN ; Ying-Xi YANG ; Xiao-Chen GUO ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Na-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1113-1125
The innate immune system detects cellular stressors and microbial infections, activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to eliminate intracellular pathogens and maintain homeostasis. Among these pathways, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis represent the most characteristic forms of PCD. Although initially regarded as mechanistically distinct, emerging research has revealed significant crosstalk among their signaling cascades. Consequently, the concept of PANoptosis has been proposed—an inflammatory cell death pathway driven by caspases and receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs), and regulated by the PANoptosome, which integrates key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The core mechanism of PANoptosis involves the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, a macromolecular complex composed of three structural components: sensor proteins, adaptor proteins, and effector proteins. Sensors detect upstream stimuli and transmit signals downstream, recruiting critical molecules via adaptors to form a molecular scaffold. This scaffold activates effectors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that culminate in PANoptosis. The PANoptosome is regulated by upstream molecules such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which function as molecular switches to control PANoptosis. Targeting these switches represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, PANoptosis is influenced by organelle functions, including those of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, highlighting organelle-targeted interventions as effective regulatory approaches. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, are profoundly impacted by PCD. Extensive crosstalk among multiple cell death pathways in CVDs suggests a complex regulatory network. As a novel cell death modality bridging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, PANoptosis offers fresh insights into the complexity of cell death and provides innovative strategies for CVD treatment. This review summarizes current evidence linking PANoptosis to various CVDs, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxic injury, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and vascular toxic injury, thereby providing critical clinical insights into CVD pathophysiology. However, the current understanding of PANoptosis in CVDs remains incomplete. First, while PANoptosis in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells has been implicated in CVD pathogenesis, its role in other cell types—such as vascular endothelial cells and immune cells (e.g., macrophages)—warrants further investigation. Second, although pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate the PANoptosome in infectious diseases, the stimuli driving PANoptosis in CVDs remain poorly defined. Additionally, methodological challenges persist in identifying PANoptosome assembly in CVDs and in establishing reliable PANoptosis models. Beyond the diseases discussed, PANoptosis may also play a role in viral myocarditis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, necessitating further exploration. In conclusion, elucidating the role of PANoptosis in CVDs opens new avenues for drug development. Targeting this pathway could yield transformative therapies, addressing unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular medicine.
4.Mechanism of Kidney-tonifying and Liver-regulating Cyclical Therapy and Formula in Improving Endometrial Receptivity during "Implantation Window" in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome via miR-140-5p/VEGF Pathway
Quan LIU ; Yiqing HE ; Ying ZHANG ; Xi WANG ; Shuo YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):100-109
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy and its formula in regulating endometrial receptivity during the "implantation window" in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MethodsSix rats were randomly selected from 36 SPF SD female rats as the normal group, and the remaining rats were administered letrozole to induce a PCOS model. By using a random number method, the rats were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Xiaoyaosan group (11.97 g·kg-1), Sanzi Yangmo decoction group (28.35 g·kg-1), cyclical therapy group (11.97/28.35 g·kg-1), and aspirin group (8 × 10-3 mg·kg-1). After 12 days of continuous administration by gavage (equivalent to three estrous cycles), female and male rats were co-housed. On the fifth day of pregnancy, the number of blastocyst implantation in each group was counted. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of rat endometrial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in rat serum. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and integrin(ITG) αvβ3 in rat endometrial blood vessels. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-140-5 P, VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), PR, ER, AR, and ITGαvβ3 in rat endometrium. ResultsCompared with normal group, the estrous cycle of the rats in model group continued to be in the estrus interval and the estrous cycle lost regular changes. The endometrium was significantly thinner, the number of uterine glands and blood vessels were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the pregnancy rate was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, each drug group restored the regular estrous cycle to varying degrees, and the endometrial thickness and the number of blood vessels were significantly improved (P<0.01). The pregnancy rate of each drug group increased, and the effect of the cycle therapy group could reach the normal level. The results of molecular biology experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the levels of serum E2 and P in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression of VEGF, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), the expression of AR protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the serum E2 level in the Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased (P<0.01).The levels of E2 and P in serum of rats in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group, cycle therapy group and aspirin group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of AR protein in each drug group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF and ITGαvβ3 protein in Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, ER and PR protein in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group was increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, PR, ER and ITGαvβ3 protein in the cycle therapy group and the aspirin group increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA in each drug group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in each drug group increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with Xiaoyaosan group and Sanzi Yangmo decoction group, the expression of miR-140-5P, VEGFR2, ER, PR, AR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in the cycle therapy group were significantly different (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy may reduce the activity of miR-140-5P, target the upregulation of VEGF expression, mediate angiogenesis, and promote endometrial angiogenesis, thereby playing a synergistic role in improving endometrial receptivity in PCOS-induced infertility. Its efficacy in increasing pregnancy rates surpasses that of Xiaoyaosan or Sanzi Yangmo decoction used alone.
5.Mechanism of Kidney-tonifying and Liver-regulating Cyclical Therapy and Formula in Improving Endometrial Receptivity during "Implantation Window" in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome via miR-140-5p/VEGF Pathway
Quan LIU ; Yiqing HE ; Ying ZHANG ; Xi WANG ; Shuo YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):100-109
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy and its formula in regulating endometrial receptivity during the "implantation window" in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MethodsSix rats were randomly selected from 36 SPF SD female rats as the normal group, and the remaining rats were administered letrozole to induce a PCOS model. By using a random number method, the rats were divided into the following groups: normal group, model group, Xiaoyaosan group (11.97 g·kg-1), Sanzi Yangmo decoction group (28.35 g·kg-1), cyclical therapy group (11.97/28.35 g·kg-1), and aspirin group (8 × 10-3 mg·kg-1). After 12 days of continuous administration by gavage (equivalent to three estrous cycles), female and male rats were co-housed. On the fifth day of pregnancy, the number of blastocyst implantation in each group was counted. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of rat endometrial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in rat serum. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and integrin(ITG) αvβ3 in rat endometrial blood vessels. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-140-5 P, VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), PR, ER, AR, and ITGαvβ3 in rat endometrium. ResultsCompared with normal group, the estrous cycle of the rats in model group continued to be in the estrus interval and the estrous cycle lost regular changes. The endometrium was significantly thinner, the number of uterine glands and blood vessels were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the pregnancy rate was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, each drug group restored the regular estrous cycle to varying degrees, and the endometrial thickness and the number of blood vessels were significantly improved (P<0.01). The pregnancy rate of each drug group increased, and the effect of the cycle therapy group could reach the normal level. The results of molecular biology experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the levels of serum E2 and P in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression of VEGF, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), the expression of AR protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the serum E2 level in the Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased (P<0.01).The levels of E2 and P in serum of rats in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group, cycle therapy group and aspirin group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of AR protein in each drug group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF and ITGαvβ3 protein in Xiaoyaosan group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, ER and PR protein in Sanzi Yangmo decoction group was increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, PR, ER and ITGαvβ3 protein in the cycle therapy group and the aspirin group increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of miR-140-5P and AR mRNA in each drug group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, ER, PR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in each drug group increased to varying degrees (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with Xiaoyaosan group and Sanzi Yangmo decoction group, the expression of miR-140-5P, VEGFR2, ER, PR, AR and ITGαvβ3 mRNA in the cycle therapy group were significantly different (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and liver-regulating cyclical therapy may reduce the activity of miR-140-5P, target the upregulation of VEGF expression, mediate angiogenesis, and promote endometrial angiogenesis, thereby playing a synergistic role in improving endometrial receptivity in PCOS-induced infertility. Its efficacy in increasing pregnancy rates surpasses that of Xiaoyaosan or Sanzi Yangmo decoction used alone.
6.Criteria and prognostic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation
Meng SHA ; Jun WANG ; Jie CAO ; Zhi-Hui ZOU ; Xiao-ye QU ; Zhi-feng XI ; Chuan SHEN ; Ying TONG ; Jian-jun ZHANG ; Seogsong JEONG ; Qiang XIA
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(Suppl):S285-S300
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.
7.Criteria and prognostic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation
Meng SHA ; Jun WANG ; Jie CAO ; Zhi-Hui ZOU ; Xiao-ye QU ; Zhi-feng XI ; Chuan SHEN ; Ying TONG ; Jian-jun ZHANG ; Seogsong JEONG ; Qiang XIA
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(Suppl):S285-S300
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.
8.Criteria and prognostic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation
Meng SHA ; Jun WANG ; Jie CAO ; Zhi-Hui ZOU ; Xiao-ye QU ; Zhi-feng XI ; Chuan SHEN ; Ying TONG ; Jian-jun ZHANG ; Seogsong JEONG ; Qiang XIA
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(Suppl):S285-S300
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.
9.Correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrointestinal tumor in the physical examination population in Xi'an City
Lin HE ; Yudong MU ; Ying SUN ; Zhimin YUAN ; Jun YUAN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):104-108
Objective To analyze the spatial distribution of Helicobacter Pylori (Hp) infection and its correlation with gastrointestinal tumors in the physical examination population of Xi'an city, and to provide reference for the prevention of gastrointestinal tumors in this area. Methods A total of 23 200 subjects who underwent physical examination in 25 public hospitals in Xi'an from January 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research objects. The basic Information of the patients was derived through the Hospital Information System (HIS), and all subjects underwent 13C-breath test and gastroenterological endoscope. ArcGIS 10.6 software was used to draw a statistical map of Hp infection in Xi 'an for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Hp infection in patients with different gastrointestinal tumors was analyzed. Results In this study population, there were 10 858 cases of Hp infection , with an infection rate of 46.80% ; among them , 5 491 cases were male, with an infection rate of 46.60% , and 5,367 cases were female, with an infection rate of 47.01% , and there was no significant difference in the infection rate between genders (P>0.05). The prevalence of HP infection was higher in the 30-year-old and 20-year-old groups, 55.62% and 42.71%, respectively, and the infection rate showed a first increase and then a decreasing trend with age (χ2trend = 6201.21, 6945.22 , P<0.001 ). The spatial distribution of Hp infection rate in the physical examination population of each administrative region county in Xi'an was globally spatially positively correlated, with spatial clustering (Moran's I=0.14, P=0.02). Local spatial autocorrelation showed that the five districts and counties presented high-high clustering. A total of 418 cases of gastrointestinal tumors were detected, with a detection rate of 1.80% , including 156 cases of gastric cancer , 85.90% of Hp infection rate, 106 cases of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 83.02% of Hp infection rate, 98 cases of colon cancer, 80.61% of Hp infection rate, 58 cases of rectal cancer, 84.48% of Hp infection rate, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=13.49, 16.16, 17.27, 24.66, P<0.05 for all). Conclusion The distribution of Hp infection in the physical examination population of Xi'an city has the characteristics of spatial aggregation and is related to gastrointestinal tumor diseases. It is suggested to carry out Hp infection education for the population in key areas to prevent the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumor diseases.
10.Effect of paeoniflorin on aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod
Ying-Ying JIN ; Le SHI ; Yong-Xi HAO ; Fan TANG ; Wen-Hui JIANG ; Tao LIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):683-687
Objective To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod.Methods THP-1 cells were treated with phorbol ester(PM A)to differentiate into macrophages.The cells were divided into control group,model group and low,medium,high dose experimental group.The cells in the control group were cultured normally;in the model group,2 μg·mL-1 resiquimod was used to stimulate macrophages for 24 h to induce aerobic glycolysis.The low,medium and high dose experimental groups were treated with 1,10 and 100 μmol·L-1 paeoniflorin for 24 h on the basis of the model group.Cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method.Lactate and glucose determination kit were used to detect lactate secretion and glucose consumption of cells in each group.The protein and mRNA expression levels of(PKM2)and(LDHA)were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polynucleotide chain reaction(q-PCR)respectively.Immunofluorescence method was used to compare the fluorescence intensity of PKM2 in each group.Results After 24 h stimulation of THP-1 cells with 2 μg·mL-1 resiquimod,the glucose contents in cell culture supernatants of control group,model group and low,medium and high dose experimental groups were(14.70±0.44),(9.83±0.43),(10.68±0.29),(11.79±0.33)and(13.63±0.74)mmol·L-1;the lactate secreted by cells were(6.17±0.48),(11.94±0.55),(9.08±0.55),(7.79±0.66)and(6.50±0.55)mmol·L-1;the protein expression levels of PKM2 in cells were 1.00±0.00,1.33±0.18,1.02±0.17,0.74±0.17 and 0.73±0.18;the protein expression levels of LDHA were 1.00±0.00,1.20±0.09,0.90±0.14,0.76±0.12 and 0.78±0.17;the PKM2 mRNA levels were 1.00±0.09,2.11±0.23,1.98±0.31,1.38±0.25 and 0.93±0.32;the LDHA mRNA levels were 1.00±0.13,1.85±0.25,1.44±0.21,0.91±0.24 and 0.96±0.14;the average fluorescence intensities of PKM2 were 136.41±33.63,217.94±5.33,210.27±1.03,204.14±3.27 and 186.79±14.03.Compared with control group,the above indicators in model group showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05,P<0.01);compared with model group,the differences in the above indicators in medium and high dose experimental group were all statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Paeoniflorin can inhibit the aerobic glycolysis of macrophages induced by resiquimod.


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