1.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
2.Expert consensus: reducing free-sugar for caries prevention
Xiaojuan ZENG ; Xuenan LIU ; Min LIU ; Yan SI ; Ying ZHANG ; Jianqiang LAI ; Xianbin DING ; Chang SU ; Xiang SI ; Youguang LU ; Huancai LIN ; Shuguo ZHENG ; Wensheng RONG ; Minquan DU ; Xiaoyan OU ; Rongmin QIU ; Maigeng ZHOU ; Chunxiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(4):311-319
In modern society, sugary foods have become an integral part of many people′s lives. However, excessive sugar consumption has adverse effects on both overall health and oral health, serving as a contributing factor to the global increasing incidence in oral diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, obesity, and diabetes. In response to the health risks related to high-sugar diets, the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Dental Federation (FDI) have proposed initiatives and recommendations, with various governments implementing different policies and strategies to reduce sugar intake. Chinese government has also taken proactive measures. The "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" initiative introduced by the State Council in 2019 established a crucial benchmark in limiting the average daily intake of added sugar to 25 g per person forward to 2030. Experts from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the field of oral health have meticulously examined the impacts of sugar reduction on oral health, as well as strategies, methods, and practical considerations related to reducing sugar intake through several meeting and wrote the "Expert consensus: reducing free-sugar for caries prevention", which was subsequently reviewed and revised based on the feedback from multiple stakeholders. They have conducted thorough analyses of global trends in sugar reduction and best practices to provide valuable insights to China for crafting effective policies and strategies on sugar reduction. This consensus mainly includes the classification of free sugars, the latest scientific evidence on dental caries, recommendations from WHO on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, nutrition labeling, advertising, food reform, adjusting supply systems, education, and promotion strategies, as well as sugar reduction actions taken by various governments around the world. Combining the actual situation in China, policy recommendations and authoritative popular science knowledge on sugar reduction for caries prevention to public are proposed to advocate for experts in multiple fields to focus on sugar reduction for caries prevention, promote the work process, and provide the scientific basis for oral health educators.
3.Effects of irbesartan regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway on proliferation,migration and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells
Dong-juan WANG ; Xiang-yao LIAN ; Cui-min ZHU ; Xi-ying LYU ; Ping-ping LIN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):192-198
Objective To analyze the effects of irbesartan(IBN)regulating the stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)pathway on proliferation,migration,and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells.Methods Human lung cancer A549 cells were randomly divided into the A549 group(without treatment),radiation group(4 Gy X-ray radiation),IBN group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours),IBN+radiation group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),pcDNA3.1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),and SDF-1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1 SDF-1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation).The cell viability,colony formation,apoptosis,and migration of each group were observed.The leakage rate of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and Ang Ⅱ levels in cells were detected.Immunofluorescence method was applied to analyze the number of γH2AX focal points of cells in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins and SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway related proteins.Results Both radiation and IBN treatment inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells,promoted cell apoptosis,upregulated the number of γH2AX focal points and LDH leakage rate,upregulated the expression of Caspase-3,Bax,and Caspase-7,and downregulated the level of Ang Ⅱand expression of SDF-1,CXCR4,Bcl-2 and PCNA(P<0.05).The combined treatment of radiation and IBN further enhanced the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).And SDF-1 treat-ment effectively reversed the effects of radiation and IBN treatment on the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion IBN can limit proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells,and increase radiosensitivity by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.
4.Effects of stepped exercise rehabilitation training on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with ischemic heart disease
Min WANG ; Ruo-rong JIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Jia-xiang XIE
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(5):711-717
Objective:To explore the effects of stepped exercise rehabilitation training on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with ischemic heart disease.Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 110 patients with ischemic heart disease admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group(n=53,routine intervention program)and intervention group(n=52,additional stepped exercise rehabilitation training).After 3-month intervention,cardiopulmonary function[stroke volume(SV),cardiac index(CI),forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV)],quality of life[China questionnaire of quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CQQC)score],exercise endurance[exercise duration(ED),peak oxygen intake(VO2peak),anaerobic threshold(AT)]and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)were compared between the two groups.Results:We included 53 patients[28 males(52.83%),age 40~69(56.25±7.76)years old]in control group compared to 52 patients[27 males(51.92%),age 40~71(55.25±2.40)years old]in the intervention group after 3-month intervention.Com-pared to patients in the control group,those in the intervention group had significantly higher SV[(65.46±3.58)ml vs.(61.69±3.78)ml],CI[(2.82±0.12)L·min-1·m-2 vs.(2.54±0.09)L·min-1·m-2],FEV1[(2.50±0.06)L vs.(2.31±0.06)L],MVV[(79.66±0.82)L/min vs.(77.16±1.09)L/min],CQQC score[(65.23±2.84)points vs.(47.98±3.25)points],ED[(382.62±31.19)s vs.(353.37±36.32)s],VQ2peak[(20.05±2.43)ml·kg-1·min-2 vs.(16.86±1.61)ml·kg-1·min-2]and AT[(13.34±0.83)ml·kg-1·min-2 vs.(11.46±0.89)ml·kg-1·min-2](P<0.001 all),and significantly lower total incidence of MACE(11.54%vs.32.08%,P=0.011).Conclu-sion:Stepped exercise rehabilitation training may improve cardiopulmonary function,quality of life,and exercise endurance in patients with ischemic heart disease during the rehabilitation.
5.Angiotensin Ⅱ type 1a receptor knockout ameliorates high-fat diet induced cardiac dysfunction by attenuating ferroptosis
Xiao-xiao YIN ; Jin WANG ; Ai-yun LI ; Li-qing WANG ; Min GOU ; Xiang-ying JIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2105-2112
Aim To investigate the effect of angioten-sin Ⅱ type 1a receptor(AT1aR)knockout on cardiac dysfunction in rats with obesity and its possible molecu-lar mechanism.Methods SD rats(n=24)were used to generated the whole-body AT1 aR-deficiency rats by sgRNA and the CRISPR/Cas9 system,and the obesity model was constructed by feeding with high-fat diet(HFD).They were divided into four groups:wildtype(WT)and knockout(KO)groups with nor-mal feeding and their respective high-fat diets groups.Color ultrasound diagnostic instrument was uses to e-valuate the cardiac function;oil red O staining was a-dopted to stain the myocardial lipids;RT-PCR was used to detect the levels of GPX4 and Ptgs2 genes in myocardial tissue.Western blot was employed to detect the expression of GPX4,ferritin,Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 in rat myocardial tissue.ELISA and other kits were used to determine the lipid contents in serum and myocardium.Results It was found that high-fat feed-ing caused cardiac dysfunction,serum lipid disorders,oxidative stress and ferroptosis in SD rats.However,these changes were attenuated in AT1aR knockout rats fed with high-fat diet.Furthermore,compared with WT-HFD group,KO-HFD rats showed enhanced acti-vation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the myocardium,reduced ferroptosis,decreased lipid accumulation,and reduced cardiac dysfunction.Conclusion AT1aR knockout can improve HFD-induced cardiac dysfunc-tion by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing the degree of ferroptosis.
6.Effects of key molecules in m6A methylation modification on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus
Zhi-rong CHENG ; Min YAO ; Xue-yun LI ; Chao-jie CHAI ; Pin-xiang DANG ; Si-yu WANG ; Fang-lin ZHANG ; Xin LYU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):150-157
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)and methyltransferase methyltransferase like protein 3(METTL3),key molecules in N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification,on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV).Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by packaging the FTO and green fluorescent protein into lentiviral vectors.Neuro2a cells,a mouse neuroblastoma cell line,were infected with the lentivirus,and stable FTO-expressing cell lines were obtained through puromycin selection.Successful overexpression of FTO was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy,real-time quantitative PCR,and western blot analysis.When Neuro2a cells overexpressing FTO were infected with JEV,the overexpression of FTO decreased JEV replication in the cells,and increased the expression of interferon(IFN)and related molecules.Additionally,treatment of JEV-infected Neuro2a cells with the METTL3-specific inhibitor STM2457 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in JEV replication and viral protein expression.These findings suggested that lowering m6A methylation levels inhibits JEV replication,thus shedding light on the regulatory role of methylation modification in JEV replication.
7.Mechanism of cofilin in regulating prostate cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies
Fang-zhi FU ; Li-tong WU ; En-min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Biao WANG ; Qing ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1206-1211
The molecular mechanisms underlying the develop-ment and metastasis of prostate cancer remain elusive.This comprehensive review delves into the intricate role of cofilin,an actin-binding protein,in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.Cofilin is a significant protein in cytoskeletal dynamics,and any dysregulation may result in the morphological changes in normal cells and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.Research has revealed that the activity of cofilin is regula-ted by various mechanisms,including phosphorylation/dephos-phorylation and interactions with other molecules.Moreover,this review discusses promising therapeutic interventions,such as co-filin inhibitors and gene therapy,which have demonstrated effica-cy in preclinical models.The challenge of clinically preventing the transition to castration-resistant prostate cancer and tumor metastasis is widely recognized,necessitating the development of precise drug treatments and biomarker identification.As a key regulatory protein,cofilin provides a more comprehensive refer-ence for the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases.
8.Corylin inhibits Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by modulating SIRT1-/NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway
Min TAN ; Li-duan HUANG ; Yan-hong HOU ; Xiang-yue HU ; Jing CHEN ; Xian-qing WANG ; Shan HUANG ; Yi CAI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1142-1148
Aim To investigate the role of corylin in angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced cardiomyocyte hy-pertrophy and its underlying mechanisms.Methods An Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established and treated with corylin.Real-time PCR was employed to assess hypertrophic gene mRNA expression,and immunofluorescence was used to meas-ure cardiomyocyte surface area.Western blot and en-zyme activity assay kits were used to evaluate SIRT1 expression and activity.Results Corylin markedly mitigated Ang Ⅱ-induced hypertrophic gene expression and cardiomyocyte surface area enlargement.Moreo-ver,it prevented the Ang Ⅱ-mediated decline in SIRT1 protein levels and deacetylase activity.Further investi-gation indicated that corylin inhibited Ang Ⅱ-driven NF-κB transcriptional activity and the expression of its downstream target genes,such as TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β.Notably,SIRT1 silencing abolished the protective effects of corylin against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,as well as its regulation of the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.Conclusion Corylin suppresses cardiomyo-cyte hypertrophy by modulating the SIRT1-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Clinical Efficacy of Tianma Xiongling Zhixuan Tablets in Treating Patients with Hypertension of the Type of Hyperactivity of Liver Yang or Combined with Phlegm and Blood Stasis,and Analysis of Plasma Metabolomics
Zhi-xiang CHEN ; Jun-liu HU ; Man WANG ; Fei-ying WANG ; Yao-wu CHEN ; Mao-wen WANG ; Meng-li JI ; Hui-hui LIU ; Jian-min FAN ; Wen ZHANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2138-2153
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets in treating hypertension patients with liver yang hyperactivity or comorbid phlegm-stasis syndrome and explore its therapeutic mechanisms through plasma metabolomics.Methods:Thirty-six hypertension patients(4 dropouts)diagnosed with liver yang hyperactivity or phlegm-stasis syndrome were enrolled as the treatment group from June 2022 to September 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine,while 30 healthy volunteers with balanced constitutions were recruited as the blank group.Plasma samples were collected from patients pre-and post-treatment and from healthy volunteers.Clinical outcomes,including syndrome scores,office blood pressure(BP),and 24-hour ambulatory BP,were recorded.Plasma metabolomic profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).Results:Compared with baseline,Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets significantly reduced traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores(P<0.01),office systolic/diastolic BP(P<0.01),and 24-hour ambulatory BP parameters(24-hour mean BP,daytime/nighttime mean BP;all P<0.01).Metabolomic analysis identified 45 differential metabolites between the blank group and pretreatment patients,and 64 metabolites altered post-treatment(VIP>1,P<0.05).Enrichment analysis of 16 overlapping endogenous metabolites revealed that Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets primarily modulated arachidonic acid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism pathways.Conclusion:Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in hypertension patients with liver yang hyperactivity or phlegm-stasis syndrome,potentially mediated through regulation of arachidonic acid and sphingolipid metabolism.
10.Effects of irbesartan regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway on proliferation,migration and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells
Dong-juan WANG ; Xiang-yao LIAN ; Cui-min ZHU ; Xi-ying LYU ; Ping-ping LIN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):192-198
Objective To analyze the effects of irbesartan(IBN)regulating the stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)pathway on proliferation,migration,and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells.Methods Human lung cancer A549 cells were randomly divided into the A549 group(without treatment),radiation group(4 Gy X-ray radiation),IBN group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours),IBN+radiation group(1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),pcDNA3.1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation),and SDF-1 group(transfected with pcDNA3.1 SDF-1+1 μmol/L IBN treatment for 24 hours+4 Gy X-ray radiation).The cell viability,colony formation,apoptosis,and migration of each group were observed.The leakage rate of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and Ang Ⅱ levels in cells were detected.Immunofluorescence method was applied to analyze the number of γH2AX focal points of cells in each group.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins and SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway related proteins.Results Both radiation and IBN treatment inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells,promoted cell apoptosis,upregulated the number of γH2AX focal points and LDH leakage rate,upregulated the expression of Caspase-3,Bax,and Caspase-7,and downregulated the level of Ang Ⅱand expression of SDF-1,CXCR4,Bcl-2 and PCNA(P<0.05).The combined treatment of radiation and IBN further enhanced the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).And SDF-1 treat-ment effectively reversed the effects of radiation and IBN treatment on the changes of the above indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion IBN can limit proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells,and increase radiosensitivity by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.

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