1.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
2.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
3.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
4.Prediction Study on Potential Suitable Habitats for Vitex negundo in China Based on the MaxEnt Model
Qingni PENG ; Pengfei ZHANG ; Xianping YANG ; Mengfei SUI ; Ming ZHANG ; Binbin YAN ; Xiufu WAN ; Zihua ZHANG ; Jian YANG ; Sheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(6):8-12
Objective To predict the potential suitability distribution of Vitex negundo in China;To analyze the key environmental factors influencing its suitability distribution.Methods Based on the geographic distribution data of Vitex negundo from 196 sites across China and 55 environmental variables,the Maximum Entropy(MaxEnt)model and ArcGIS 10.2 were employed to predict the potential distribution of suitable habitats for Vitex negundo in China.Results The constructed MaxEnt prediction model demonstrated high reliability.The primary environmental factors influencing the suitable distribution of Vitex negundo included the average temperature from June to October,precipitation in April and November,the mean temperature of the warmest season,soil type,and vegetation type.The predicted suitable habitats for Vitex negundo would be widely distributed,primarily concentrated in Jiangxi,central and southern Anhui,northwestern Zhejiang,eastern and northeastern Hunan,as well as eastern and southeastern Hubei.Conclusion The predicted potential distribution of Vitex negundo in China can provide a valuable reference for the conservation and sustainable utilization of this medicinal resource.
5.A prospective study of impact of spicy food intake on risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease in residents aged 30-79 years
Ziyang LUO ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xia WU ; Xiaoyu CHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Xueli ZHANG ; Jun LYU ; Canqing YU ; Pei PEI ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Xianping WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1150-1159
Objective:To explore the association between spicy food intake and the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular diseases.Methods:Data were collected from the China Kadoorie Biobank project conducted in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province. Using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, we analyzed the associations of the frequency of spicy food intake, spicy level, types of spicy food, and the age when regular intake of spicy food began (intake in 1 day/week), with the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the associations with the risks for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) were analyzed.Results:A total of 54 859 study participants were included in the study, in whom 49 320 had spicy food intake (89.90%). In these participants, 37 680 (68.69%) had spicy food intake in 6-7 days/week, 5 036 (9.18%) had spicy food intake in 1-5 days/week, and 6 604 (12.03%) had spicy food intake once a week; 5 539 (10.10%) had never/almost never had spicy food intake. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of spicy food was associated with reduced risks for IHD (intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.95), cerebrovascular diseases (intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.96), and IS (intak in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.95). With the increase of spicy food intake frequency, the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease decreased (intake in 1-5 days/week: HR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98; intake in 6-7 days/week: HR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94) (trend test P<0.001). However, no statistical association was found between spicy food intake and the risk for HS. In terms of spicy level, after adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of spicy food was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease (moderate: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and cerebrovascular disease (moderate: HR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97). With the increase of spicy level, the risk for IHD decreased (moderate: HR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.93; strong: HR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.95) (trend test P<0.001). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared with those who never/almost never had spicy food intake, intake of any type of spicy food was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD, and cerebrovascular disease. Regulat intake of spicy food from age 0-10 years was associated with reduced risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD, and cerebrovascular disease. Regular intake of spicy food from age 11-20 years reduced the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular disease and IHD. There was no significant association between the regular intake of spicy food from age 21-79 years and the risks for cardio/cerebrovascular disease, IHD and cerebrovascular disease. Conclusion:The intake of spicy food could reduced the risk for cardio/cerebrovascular diseases, IHD, cerebrovascular diseases and IS in residents aged 30-79 years in Sichuan.
6.A prospective study of the effect of physical activity on mortality risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Sichuan Province
Ying ZHANG ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Xia WU ; Xiaoyu CHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Xu HAN ; Jun LYU ; Canqing YU ; Pei PEI ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Xianping WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1347-1353
Objective:To investigate the effect of physical activity on mortality risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Sichuan Province.Methods:Based on baseline data from 2004 to 2008 from the China Kadoorie Biobank project site in Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province, a total of 8 501 COPD patients aged 30-79 years were enrolled and followed up for a long period to determine mortality outcomes. Quartiles were used to group physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the effect of physical activity level on mortality outcomes.Results:As of December 31, 2017, the cumulative follow-up of the participants totaled 85 600.58 person-years (mean follow-up duration: 10.07 years). During this period, a total of 2 000 deaths were recorded, yielding a cumulative mortality rate of 23.53%. Among these deaths, 665 were attributed to COPD, corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 7.82%; and 1 116 were attributed to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 13.13%. The Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, total physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of mortality from COPD, CVD, and all causes in patients with COPD. Compared with the low-level group of total physical activity, the medium-high-level group had the lowest risk of COPD mortality, with an HR of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.30-0.49). The high-level group had the lowest risk of CVD death and all-cause death, with HRs of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.37-0.56) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.48-0.64), respectively. The lowest risk of COPD death and CVD death was found in the medium-high level of work-based physical activity group, with HRs of 0.36 (95% CI: 0.28-0.46) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.36-0.51), respectively; the risk of all-cause mortality was lowest in the medium-high and high-level groups, with HRs values of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.46-0.61) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.45-0.61). The risk of COPD death was lowest in the high-level transportation physical activity group, with an HR of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.53-0.83), and the risk of CVD and all-cause death was lowest in the medium-high level group, with HRs of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53-0.76) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84), respectively. The risk of COPD death and CVD death was the lowest in the high-level domestic physical activity group, with HRs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61-0.95), respectively, and the risk of all-cause death was the lowest in the medium-high level group, with an HR of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.94). There is no statistical association between leisure physical activity and the risk of death from three types of diseases. Conclusions:Total physical activity, including work-based, transportation-based, and domestic physical activity, reduced the risk of COPD, CVD, and all-cause mortality in patients with COPD in Sichuan Province. The magnitude of mortality risk was influenced by the type and level of physical activity.
7.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
8.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
9.Clinical pharmacists participated in antithrombotic therapy and analysis in a patient with lower limb venous thrombosis after atrial septal defect occlusion
Li YANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Xianping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(1):99-104
This paper reports the clinical pharmacist's participation in the treatment of a patient with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis(DVT)after atrial septal defect(ASD)occlusion.The patient developed lower extremity venous thrombosis after ASD occlusion.The clinical pharmacist evaluated the risk of thrombus and bleeding referring to the domestic and foreign literature and considering the patient's age,symptoms,liver and kidney function and medical history.They suggested that the patient was given antithrombotic therapy of nadroparin calcium injection combined with aspirin.Iliac vein thrombosis and cardiac thrombosis were excluded during hospitalization.The patient's symptoms of lower extremity DVT were significantly improved,hence the antithrombotic therapy was not further adjusted.After the antithrombotic therapy,the swelling in the patient's lower extremities had subsided,and the lower extremity DVT was effectively controlled,with no bleeding points observed throughout the body.The patient was discharged from hospital,and the clinical pharmacist suggested the antithrombotic therapy plan that was aspirin combined with rivaroxaban for 3-6 months,and advised the patient to pay attention to the bleeding tendency during medication.The clinician adopted the suggestion.After discharge,venous bilateral doppler ultrasonography of lower extremity showed no evidence of deep vein thrombosis.The clinical pharmacist assisted clinicians to develop individualized antithrombotic therapy and conducted the whole process of pharmaceutical care.This controlled the patient's condition effectively,ensured the safety and effectiveness of drug use,and could provide reference for the management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with venous thrombosis after ASD occlusion.
10.Research progress of basic helix-loop-helix E40 in immune cells
Zhenjie LUO ; Dengrong ZHANG ; Chunyao LIU ; Ling GAO ; Xianping LONG ; Song WANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1512-1516
Immune cells are formed by the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow,in-cluding lymphocytes,macrophages,etc,which participate in the immune defense,immune stability and immune monitoring of the body,and are an indispensable basic component of the immune system.Basic helix-loop-helix family member E40(BHLHE40)has been shown to play an important role in adipogenesis,tumorigenesis,circadian rhythm and hypoxia response.Recently,it was found that BHLHE40 plays a key role in the cell cycle,proliferation and cytokine production of immune cells.This article will review the discovery,naming,structure,and mechanism of BHLHE40 in various periods,as well as it's research progress in immune cells,in order to provide new target for the treatment of immune-related diseases at the genetic level.

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