1.Role of TLR4-mediated NETs formation in isoproterenol-induced heart failure in aged mice
Huan LIU ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Zhilin WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):699-705
ObjectiveTo examine the impact of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced heart failure (HF) in aged mice. MethodsThe mice were randomly divided into Control group, Model group, TAK-242 (TLR4 inhibitor) group, LPS (TLR4 agonist) group and LPS+DNaseⅠ (NETs inhibitor) group, with 8 mice in each group. The HF model was established by continuous infusion of ISO through an osmotic pump, and TAK-242, LPS, and LPS+DNaseⅠ interventions were administered during the last week of infusion for 7 consecutive days. ELISA was used to detect the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and serum and myocardial tissue myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) and neutrophil elastase-DNA (NE-DNA) levels. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the deposition of collagen fibers in myocardial tissue. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the colocalization of Ly6G and MPO in myocardial tissue. The protein expressions of TLR4, MPO, NE and cit-H3 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in the Mode group significantly increased (P<0.01), fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the myocardial structure was significantly damaged. The myocardial collagen fiber precipitation, serum NT-pro BNP, cTnI, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α contents, MPO-DNA and NE-DNA contents in serum and myocardial tissue significantly increased (P<0.01). The co-localization of Ly6G and MPO and the expression of TLR4, MPO, NE and cit-H3 proteins in myocardial tissue significantly increased (P<0.01). After TAK-242 intervention, the above indicators were significantly reversed, while the injury was further aggravated in LPS group. DNaseⅠ treatment could partially alleviate the deterioration of myocardial structure and function induced by LPS. ConclusionTLR4 and NETs are abnormally elevated in the myocardial tissue of aged HF mice. Treatment with the TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 effectively suppresses NET formation, attenuates inflammatory responses, and enhances cardiac function in aged HF mice.
2.Effect of Radiation Therapy on Antitumor Immunity in Patients with Prostate Cancer
Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xiangdong LIU ; Bo LUO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(12):1035-1044
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common urological malignancy in men worldwide, and its incidence is increasing annually. Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment methods for PCa. However, some patients still have recurrence, local progression, and even distant metastasis after receiving radical radiotherapy. As an emerging tumor treatment strategy, immunotherapy has made great progress in the treatment of various solid tumors. Owing to the inherent immune escape mechanism of PCa, the efficacy of immunotherapy is unsatisfactory. Therefore, new combined strategies must be explored to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for PCa. With the in-depth study of the tumor immune microenvironment, the immunomodulatory effect of radiotherapy has gradually attracted attention. Researchers found that the immunomodulatory effect of radiotherapy depends on the dose. Low-dose radiotherapy can enhance tumor immunogenicity by remodeling the tumor microenvironment, whereas high-dose radiotherapy can further activate the innate immune signaling pathway by directly inducing the immunogenic necrosis of tumor cells. Therefore, the synergistic strategy of radiotherapy and immunotherapy has become a research hotspot. This work aims to review the regulatory effect of radiotherapy on PCa antitumor immunity, clarify the latest progress and potential clinical value of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy, and provide a theoretical basis and new research directions for optimizing the combination immunotherapy strategies for prostate cancer.
3.Asian consensus on normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis
Zhenggang ZHU ; Kitayama Joji ; Hyung-Ho Kim ; Jimmy Bok-Yan So ; Hui CAO ; Lin CHEN ; Xiangdong CHENG ; Jiankun HU ; Imano Motohiro ; Ishigami Hironori ; Ye Seob Jee ; Jong-Han Kim ; Yasuhiro Kodera ; Han LIANG ; Xiaowen LIU ; Sheng LU ; Yiping MOU ; Mingming NIE ; Won Jun Seo ; Yanong WANG ; Dan WU ; Zekuan XU ; Yamaguchi Hironori ; Chao YAN ; Zhongyin YANG ; Kai YIN ; Yonemura Yutaka ; Wei-Peng Yong ; Jiren YU ; Jun ZHANG ; Asian Gastric Cancer NIPS Treatment Collaborative Group ; Shanghai Anticancer Association, Committee of Peritoneal Tumor
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(4):277-294
Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is a common and lethal manifestation of advanced gastric cancer, with a median survival of only 5-11 months. This consensus was developed by 30 experts from Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore) using the Delphi method and the GRADE evidence grading system. A total of 29 statements were formulated, covering the diagnosis and assessment of GCPM, indications for laparoscopic exploration and NIPS (normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment), treatment regimens, prevention and management of complications, criteria for conversion surgery, and postoperative intraperitoneal therapy. The consensus aims to standardize clinical practice and improve the prognosis of patients with GCPM.
4.Study on the quality evaluation of Faeces Bombycis based on HPLC fingerprint and content determination
Miaoli WU ; Yunjing QIU ; Han LIN ; Xiaolin LIU ; Zhenyu LI ; Lin ZHOU ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Dongmei SUN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(7):970-977
Objective:To establish fingerprints of Faeces Bombycis and simultaneously determine the content of four amino acids; To evaluate the quality of Faeces Bombycis from different regions. The fingerprint of Faeces Bombycis was established and the contents of 4 amino acids were determined.Methods:Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) column was used for phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) pre-column derivation-high performance liquid chromatography with acetonitrile-0.1 mol/L sodium acetate solution (pH adjusted to 6.5 with acetic acid) (7:93) mixed solution, and acetonitrile-water (4:1) mixed solution were mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min; the column temperature was 35 ℃; the detection wavelength was 254 nm; the injection amount was 5 μl. The fingerprints of 17 batches of Faeces Bombycis were established, the common peaks were identified by comparison of reference materials, and the similarity evaluation and principal component analysis (PCA) were carried out. The contents of glycine, alanine, proline and phenylalanine were determined simultaneously.Results:A total of 12 common peaks were identified from the fingerprints of Faeces Bombycis, and 12 amino acids were identified. The similarity of 17 batches of samples was greater than 0.95. PCA analysis showed that the regional difference of the quality of Faeces Bombycis was not significant. Faeces Bombycis produced in Qujing city in Yunnan Province had the highest total contents of 4 amino acids.Conclusion:The method has good repeatability and can provide reference for the quality evaluation and standard improvement of Faeces Bombycis.
5.Study on establishment of UPLC fingerprint and determination of 12 components in Aiye standard decoction
Yifei MA ; Xiangyuan ZHOU ; Yuanyuan XIE ; Zhenyu LI ; Minyou HE ; Yong LIU ; Wenhui LUO ; Xian QIU ; Qiong LUO ; Roushan CHEN ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Dongmei SUN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(10):1425-1431
Objective:To establish a quality control method for Aiye standard decoction.Methods:The ultra performance liquid chromatogrphy (UPLC) column Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 C18 (2.1 mm×150 mm,1.8 μm) was used to gradient elution by acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water. 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction fingerprints were established by UPLC and the common peaks were determined in the fingerprints. The contents of 12 components were determined. The 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction were analyzed by similarity calculation, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) for analysis of differential components of Artemisiae Argyi Folium from different origins.Results:A total of 13 common peaks were marked in the fingerprints of 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction, 12 of which were identified by comparison with reference substance, including chlorogenic acid, sochlorogenic acid A, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,1,3-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, schaftoside, isochlorogenic acid B,1,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, jaceosidin and eupatilin. Similarity evaluation, PCA and HCA all classified the 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction into 2 categories. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis screened 5 differential biomarkers from 13 common peaks. The content determination results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids in samples from Hubei were significantly higher than that in samples from other areas.Conclusion:This method can effectively analyze the differences in the quality of Aiye standard decoction from different origins, and provide reference for the formulation of quality standards for Aiye standard decoction and related preparations.
6.Study on fingerprint spectra of different medicinal parts of Poria cocos
Yifei MA ; Lin ZHOU ; Xiangyuan ZHOU ; Yong LIU ; Qiong LUO ; Minyou HE ; Zhenyu LI ; Roushan CHEN ; Wenhui LUO ; Dongmei SUN ; Xiangdong CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(11):1586-1594
Objective:To establish a method for the determination of triterpenes and nucleosides in Poria based on HPLC; To accurately determine the various bioactive components in Poria.Methods:Similarity evaluation, clustering analysis and principal component analysis were used to analyze the similarities and differences of different medicinal parts of Poria, and the key chromatographic peaks that could reflect the characteristics were found.Results:The Poricoic acid A and dehydroeburiconic acid could be used as the identification basis for Poriae Cutis and White Poria; at the same time, Polyporenic acid C, dehydropachymic acid and dehydrotrametenolic acid could be used to evaluate Rubra Poria and Poriae Cutis; uridine, guanosine and adenosine may be essential ingredients for evaluating the quality of White Poria, Poriae Cutis and Rubra Poria. In different medicinal parts of Poria, the triterpenes were showed significant differences; by contrary, there were little differences among the same medicinal parts.Conclusion:This study reveals the quality differences between different medicinal parts of Poria, which can provide a scientific basis for the rational application and pharmacodynamic standardization of Poria.
7.Association between plasma trimethylamine N-oxide level and atrial fibrillation
Wentao YANG ; Qing ZHAO ; Xiangdong LI ; Yutang WANG ; Wei LIU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(4):499-504
Objective To explore the relationship between plasma trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)level and atrial fibrillation(AF)by a clinical trial.Methods Totally 257 patients with AF were enrolled including 114 patients with paroxysmal AF and 143 with persistent AF.The control group had 122 non-AF patients;Plasma TMAO level,the demographic characteristics and clinical data of patients were collected.Regression analysis was performed to identify the association between TMAO and presence of AF.Results Plasma TMAO level of patients with AF was higher than that of patients without AF(3.9[2.4-5.9]vs.2.4[1.6-3.7]μmol/L,P<0.001);Even after adjust-ment of confounding factors including age,hypertension,diabetes,heart failure and body mass index;Plasma TMAO level was still related to presence of AF(OR:1.290,95%CI:1.151-1.445;P<0.001).The plasma TMAO level of patients with persistent AF was higher than that of patients with paroxysmal AF(4.4[2.8-6.8]vs.3.2[2.2-5.0]μmol/L,P<0.01);Even after adjustment of confounding factors including age,hypertension,diabetes and heart failure and coronary heart disease;Plasma TMAO level was still related to persistent AF(OR:1.092,95%CI:1.009-1.182;P=0.029).Conclusions The level of plasma TMAO of patients with AF is higher than that of patients without AF.Elevated plasma TMAO level is related to an increased risk of AF.Elevated plasma TMAO level in patients with AF is related to an increased risk of persistent AF.
8.Comprehensive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint profiling and network pharmacology analysis for the quality assessment of Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.
Zhiwen Duan ; Haibao Qiu ; Xiaoxia Liu ; Fangping Zhang ; Wenkai Xie ; Minyou He ; Dongmei Sun ; Xiangdong Chen ; Zhenyu Li
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(3):434-444
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. (L. japonicum, Hai Jin Sha) by comparing its components without stewed (W) and stewed (S) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and chemometric analysis. Additionally, network pharmacology was employed to investigate the possible mechanisms of action of L. japonicum in the urinary calculi (UC) treatment.MethodsA fingerprinting method was established to identify components through UHPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Chemometric techniques were used to compare the L. japonicum extraction methods. Furthermore, various network pharmacological approaches were used to identify and analyze the potential targets of the identified components in relation to UC.ResultsThe W and S extracts were distributed into two distinct clusters. Significant differences in the levels of protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid were observed between S and W. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the primary targets of L. japonicum in the UC treatment were serum albumin and epidermal growth factor receptors, with potential active components including protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid.ConclusionThis study comprehensively examined the therapeutic components of L. japonicum before and after boiling, shedding light on its potential mechanisms of action in UC treatment. These findings offer valuable insights into the development and utilization of L. japonicum resources.
9.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):1860-1872
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6)dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases,especially cancers,making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot.In this study,artificial intelligence(AI)technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline,which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction(CPI)prediction models,cascade molecular docking,and molecular dynamic(MD)simulations.The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays.Among the identified compounds,Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity(IC50=5.41 nM)than that of tubastatin A(TubA)(IC50=15.11 nM),along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile(selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1),which was further verified by the Western blot analysis.Additionally,Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells,exerting desirable antiproliferative activity(IC50=2.59 μM).Furthermore,based on long-term MD simulation trajectory,the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis,thereby elucidating its binding mechanism.Moreover,the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation,thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.
10.Effects of Dahuang Tangluo Pills on Intestinal Inflammatory Injury in Type 2 Diabetes Rats Based on TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Zhongtang LIU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Dong AN ; Yankui GAO ; Min BAI ; Sichen ZHAO ; Yunhui ZHAO ; Xiaoli PEI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(2):91-98
Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Dahuang Tangluo Pills on intestinal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats based on TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were used as the blank group,and 40 ZDF(fa/fa)rats were fed with high-fat diet and then randomly divided into model group,metformin group(0.18 g/kg metformin)and TCM high-,medium-and low-dosage groups(2.16,1.08,0.54 g/kg Dahuang Tangluo Pills),respectively.The medication groups were gavaged with corresponding dosages for 12 consecutive weeks.The body mass and fasting blood glucose(FBG)of rats before and after intervention were detected.After the intervention,an oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed,the serum glucose(GLU),glycosylated serum protein(GSP),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)contents were detected.ELISA was used to detect serum fasting insulin(FINS),free fatty acids(FFA)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-22,lipopolysaccharide(LPS),secreted immunoglobulin A(SIgA)contents in colonic tissue.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue,and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Toll like receptor 4(TLR4),nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65),p-NF-κB p65,NF-κB inhibitor α(IκBα),p-IκBα,myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)and zona pellucida protein-1(ZO-1)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and FBG significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01),blood glucose significantly increased at all time points of OGTT(P<0.01),serum GLU,GSP,TG,TC,LDL-C,FINS,FFA and TNF-α,IL-6,IL-22,LPS contents in colonic tissue significantly increased,serum HDL-C and colonic tissue SIgA contents significantly decreased(P<0.01),with colonic tissue nuclear condensation,cytoplasmic dissolution,inflammatory cell infiltration.The protein expressions of TLR4,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p-IκBα and MyD88 in colonic tissue significantly increased,while the protein expressions of IκBα and ZO-1 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass and FBG significantly decreased in metformin group,TCM high-and medium-dosage groups(P<0.01),blood glucose decreased at different time points of OGTT,and serum GLU,GSP,TG,TC,LDL-C,FINS,FFA and TNF-α,IL-6,IL-22,LPS contents in colonic tissue significantly decreased,serum HDL-C and colonic tissue SIgA contents significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),with significant improvement in colonic tissue structure and reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration.The protein expressions of TLR4,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p-IκBα and MyD88 in colonic tissue significantly decreased,while the proteins expression of IκBα and ZO-1 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Dahuang Tangluo Pills may inhibit the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,reduce the release of inflammatory factors,improve intestinal inflammatory injury,restore intestinal homeostasis,thereby improving glucose and lipid metabolism and exerting therapeutic effects on T2DM.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail