1.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
2.Eplerenone alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in mice by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization through Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB pathway
Chi XIAO ; Jing CAI ; Zi-hang WANG ; Yong-zheng ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Lu-feng CHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):726-737
Aim To investigate the effect of eplerenone(EPL)on the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on voltage-gated potassium channel 1.3(Kv1.3)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)to inhibit macrophage M1 polarization in mice.Methods Bioinformatics technology was used to screen disease pathways and targets,and the binding affinity and stability of EPL-Kv1.3 complex system were calculated.A mouse model of RA was established and treated with EPL by intragastric administration for 42 days.The indicators reflecting drug remission of RA were recorded and detected.RAW264.7 cells were treated with EPL to detect the indicators reflecting the effect of drugs on macrophage M1 polarization,and to verify the upstream and downstream key targets of re-lated signaling pathways mediated by drugs.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the disease targets were mainly involved in inflammatory response and NF-κB signaling pathway,and EPL-Kv1.3 had high affinity and stable binding.In animal experiments,the detec-tion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(CCP-Ab)and joint score indicated the successful establish-ment of the model.Compared with the model group,EPL could reduce the toe redness and swelling score,alleviate the plantar redness and swelling,synovial swelling,and reduce fibrosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration in mice.The medium-dose and high-dose EPL groups reduced the HE staining score(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the high-dose EPL group reduced the serum RF in mice(P<0.01).CCK-8 results showed that low,medium and high doses of EPL had no effect on the activity of RAW264.7 macrophages(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,EPL treatment significantly reduced the contents of IL-6,TNF-α and NO in supernatant of the cells(P<0.01),reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-KB-p65 in the high-dose EPL group,reduced the M1 polarization and increased the proportion of M2 polarization in the medium and high-dose EPL groups(P<0.01).The mRNA levels of MyD88,IκB-α,NF-κB-p65,NF-KB-p50,IL-1 β and iNOS were significantly reduced in each dose group of EPL(P<0.01).EPL significantly increased the pro-tein expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01)and decreased the protein expression of Kv1.3,MyD88,p-IκB-α/IκB-α,p-p65/p65,IL-1 β and iNOS(P<0.05).Conclusion EPL may play an immunomodulatory role in relieving RA in mice by regulating Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB path-way,reducing macrophage M1 polarization and amelio-rating macrophage-associated inflammatory response.
3.Expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cisplatin resistance
Xiao LIU ; Xiaokai YAN ; Min CHEN ; Shu YANG ; Chenrui GUO ; Yajun WANG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(12):1726-1732
Objective:To investigate the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP)resistance.Methods:This study analyzed multiple publicly available datasets, including GSE207611, GSE186205, GSE73978, GSE217845, and GSE238163 from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)datasets.These datasets comprise gene expression data and single-cell sequencing data from pancreatic cancer cell lines and patients, which were utilized to examine the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene and its association with cisplatin resistance.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) value along with the confidence interval ( CI) were calculated.Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data analysis were conducted. Results:The differential expression of the SLFN11 gene between tumor and adjacent normal tissues was statistically significant( P<0.05). The AUC value for SLFN11 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer was 0.761.SLFN11, along with its associated genes PTN and SLC15A3, collectively influenced the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.Results from single-cell sequencing demonstrated high expression of SLFN11 in mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusions:The SLFN11 gene demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer and may play a role in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance.
4.Correlation between Serum Ferritin Levels and the Efficacy of Platelet Transfusion in Patients with Malignant Hematological Diseases
Yi-Yao LI ; Xiao-Yun GAO ; Hang GUAN ; Yu BAI ; Jun-Hui JIA ; Wei BAI ; Yan-Hui DI ; Hua TIAN ; Li-Duo KOU ; Xin-Hua WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1779-1783
Objective:To explore the correlation between serum ferritin(SF)levels and the efficacy of platelet transfusion in patients with malignant hematological diseases.Methods:Patients with malignant hematological diseases who received repeated transfusions of apheresis platelets in Department of Hematology of Aerospace Center Hospital in 2023 were selected.The platelet corrected count increment(CCI)was used to evaluate the efficacy of platelet transfusion.The correlations between sex,age,disease type,transplantation history,red blood cell transfusion history,and SF level and the efficacy of platelet transfusion were analyzed.Results:A total of 87 patients were included,with a cumulative 326 person-times platelet transfusions.As suggested by one-way analysis of variance,compared with the patients in the age groups of 24-45 years old and 46-66 years old,the patients in the age group of 2-23 years old had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.004,P=0.004).There was no significant difference in the efficacy of platelet transfusion between the patients in the age group of 24-45 years old and those in the age group of 46-66 years old(P=0.876).Compared with the patients who had a history of red blood cell transfusion within 3 days,the patients without a history of red blood cell transfusion within 3 days had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P<0.001).Compared with the groups with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L and>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels<1.44 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.028,P<0.001).Compared with the group with SF levels>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.001).After adjusting for age and the history of red blood cell transfusion,the transfusion efficacy of the group with SF levels<1.44 ng/L was better than that of the groups with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L and>2.78 ng/L(P=0.021,P<0.001);Compared with the group with SF levels>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.001).Both univariate and multivariate linear regression models showed that SF levels were negatively correlated with the efficacy of platelet transfusion(P<0.001).Conclusion:There is a negative correlation between SF levels and the efficacy of platelet transfusion in patients with malignant hematological diseases.Detection of SF levels may provide guidance for predicting the efficacy of platelet transfusion.
5.Resveratrol mediates miR-155 regulation of SIRT1 to inhibit myocardial injury in sepsis rats
Xiao-hang LU ; Yuan-yuan GAO ; Xiao-juan LI ; Xue-lian HU ; Yu-qiao WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):209-214
Objective To explore the protective effect of resveratrol on myocardial damage caused by sepsis in rats.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,experimental group and combined group,with 10 rats in each group.Except the control group,the other rats were intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg·kg-1 lipopolysaccharide,while the control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline.Two hours before modeling,the experimental group and combinated group were given 50 mg·kg-1 resveratrol by gavage,and the control group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage.The combined group was injected with 10 nmol of micro RNA-155(miR-155)agomir through the tail vein,and the other group was injected with equal volume of normal saline through the tail vein.Left ventricular function parameters of rats were measured by echocardiography.The level of myocardial injury markers was detected by colorimetry.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of miR-155.The expression of sirtuin 1(SIRT1)and related proteins of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.Results The left ventricular ejection fraction of control group,model group and experimental group were(80.78±12.85)%,(55.92±7.86)%and(71.55±10.71)%,respectively;left ventricular fractional shortening were(34.08±5.75)%,(22.92±2.96)%,(28.72±4.25)%,respectively;left ventricular end disatolic diameter were(3.12±0.46),(6.34±0.69),(4.95±0.57)mm,respectively;the left ventricular end systolic diameter were(5.98±0.65),(7.24±0.80),(6.16±0.78)mm,respectively;the fractional shortening were(38.91±5.38)%,(22.67±3.53)%,(30.74±3.97)%,and the expression levels of creatine kinase-MB were(661.56±85.44),(1181.41±142.14),(915.02±105.19)U·L-1,respectively;the expressions levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ were(148.17±28.48),(448.17±60.34)and(375.44±49.01)ng·mL-1,respectively.The expression of miR-155 in control group,model group,experimental group and combined group were 1.00±0.12,3.79±0.45,1.87±0.23 and 4.03±0.49,respectively;the protein relative expression levels of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)were 1.00±0.08,5.04±0.59,2.73±0.35,5.58±0.63,respectively;the protein relative expression levels of inhibitor of NF-κB-β were 1.00±0.11,3.03±0.37,1.35±0.15 and 2.89±0.34,respectively;the protein relative expressions of inhibitor of NF-κB-α were 1.00±0.13,0.86±0.08,1.21±0.18,0.77±0.09,respectively;the protein relative expression levels of SIRT1 were 1.00±0.16,0.66±0.07,0.93±0.14,0.54±0.06,respectively.The above indicators of the model group were compared with the control group,the experimental group were compared with the model group,and the above indicators of the combined group were compared with the experimental group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Resveratrol can alleviate myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in sepsis rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the expression of miR-155,up-regulating the level of SIRT1,and inhibiting the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway.
6.Expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cisplatin resistance
Xiao LIU ; Xiaokai YAN ; Min CHEN ; Shu YANG ; Chenrui GUO ; Yajun WANG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(12):1726-1732
Objective:To investigate the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP)resistance.Methods:This study analyzed multiple publicly available datasets, including GSE207611, GSE186205, GSE73978, GSE217845, and GSE238163 from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)datasets.These datasets comprise gene expression data and single-cell sequencing data from pancreatic cancer cell lines and patients, which were utilized to examine the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene and its association with cisplatin resistance.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) value along with the confidence interval ( CI) were calculated.Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data analysis were conducted. Results:The differential expression of the SLFN11 gene between tumor and adjacent normal tissues was statistically significant( P<0.05). The AUC value for SLFN11 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer was 0.761.SLFN11, along with its associated genes PTN and SLC15A3, collectively influenced the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.Results from single-cell sequencing demonstrated high expression of SLFN11 in mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusions:The SLFN11 gene demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer and may play a role in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance.
7.Correlation between Serum Ferritin Levels and the Efficacy of Platelet Transfusion in Patients with Malignant Hematological Diseases
Yi-Yao LI ; Xiao-Yun GAO ; Hang GUAN ; Yu BAI ; Jun-Hui JIA ; Wei BAI ; Yan-Hui DI ; Hua TIAN ; Li-Duo KOU ; Xin-Hua WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1779-1783
Objective:To explore the correlation between serum ferritin(SF)levels and the efficacy of platelet transfusion in patients with malignant hematological diseases.Methods:Patients with malignant hematological diseases who received repeated transfusions of apheresis platelets in Department of Hematology of Aerospace Center Hospital in 2023 were selected.The platelet corrected count increment(CCI)was used to evaluate the efficacy of platelet transfusion.The correlations between sex,age,disease type,transplantation history,red blood cell transfusion history,and SF level and the efficacy of platelet transfusion were analyzed.Results:A total of 87 patients were included,with a cumulative 326 person-times platelet transfusions.As suggested by one-way analysis of variance,compared with the patients in the age groups of 24-45 years old and 46-66 years old,the patients in the age group of 2-23 years old had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.004,P=0.004).There was no significant difference in the efficacy of platelet transfusion between the patients in the age group of 24-45 years old and those in the age group of 46-66 years old(P=0.876).Compared with the patients who had a history of red blood cell transfusion within 3 days,the patients without a history of red blood cell transfusion within 3 days had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P<0.001).Compared with the groups with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L and>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels<1.44 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.028,P<0.001).Compared with the group with SF levels>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.001).After adjusting for age and the history of red blood cell transfusion,the transfusion efficacy of the group with SF levels<1.44 ng/L was better than that of the groups with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L and>2.78 ng/L(P=0.021,P<0.001);Compared with the group with SF levels>2.78 ng/L,the group with SF levels of 1.44-2.78 ng/L had a better efficacy of platelet transfusion(P=0.001).Both univariate and multivariate linear regression models showed that SF levels were negatively correlated with the efficacy of platelet transfusion(P<0.001).Conclusion:There is a negative correlation between SF levels and the efficacy of platelet transfusion in patients with malignant hematological diseases.Detection of SF levels may provide guidance for predicting the efficacy of platelet transfusion.
8.Eplerenone alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in mice by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization through Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB pathway
Chi XIAO ; Jing CAI ; Zi-hang WANG ; Yong-zheng ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Lu-feng CHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):726-737
Aim To investigate the effect of eplerenone(EPL)on the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on voltage-gated potassium channel 1.3(Kv1.3)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)to inhibit macrophage M1 polarization in mice.Methods Bioinformatics technology was used to screen disease pathways and targets,and the binding affinity and stability of EPL-Kv1.3 complex system were calculated.A mouse model of RA was established and treated with EPL by intragastric administration for 42 days.The indicators reflecting drug remission of RA were recorded and detected.RAW264.7 cells were treated with EPL to detect the indicators reflecting the effect of drugs on macrophage M1 polarization,and to verify the upstream and downstream key targets of re-lated signaling pathways mediated by drugs.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the disease targets were mainly involved in inflammatory response and NF-κB signaling pathway,and EPL-Kv1.3 had high affinity and stable binding.In animal experiments,the detec-tion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(CCP-Ab)and joint score indicated the successful establish-ment of the model.Compared with the model group,EPL could reduce the toe redness and swelling score,alleviate the plantar redness and swelling,synovial swelling,and reduce fibrosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration in mice.The medium-dose and high-dose EPL groups reduced the HE staining score(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the high-dose EPL group reduced the serum RF in mice(P<0.01).CCK-8 results showed that low,medium and high doses of EPL had no effect on the activity of RAW264.7 macrophages(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,EPL treatment significantly reduced the contents of IL-6,TNF-α and NO in supernatant of the cells(P<0.01),reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-KB-p65 in the high-dose EPL group,reduced the M1 polarization and increased the proportion of M2 polarization in the medium and high-dose EPL groups(P<0.01).The mRNA levels of MyD88,IκB-α,NF-κB-p65,NF-KB-p50,IL-1 β and iNOS were significantly reduced in each dose group of EPL(P<0.01).EPL significantly increased the pro-tein expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01)and decreased the protein expression of Kv1.3,MyD88,p-IκB-α/IκB-α,p-p65/p65,IL-1 β and iNOS(P<0.05).Conclusion EPL may play an immunomodulatory role in relieving RA in mice by regulating Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB path-way,reducing macrophage M1 polarization and amelio-rating macrophage-associated inflammatory response.
9.Energy-resolved Mass Spectrometry-Strengthened Structural Identification and Empirical Justification of Glucuronidation Metabolites for Chrysophanol and Physcion
Xiao-Yun LI ; Hang-Yun HE ; Mao-Dong WANG ; Yu-Xuan ZHOU ; Hui JIN ; Qian WANG ; Yue-Lin SONG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):652-659,中插29-中插30
Chrysophanol(Chr)and physcion(Phy)are primary active ingredients of a well-known traditional Chinese medicine namely rhubarb(Chinese name:Dahuang),and their glucuronides have been revealed as the dominant forms presenting in rats after oral administration.Either Chr or Phy has two glycosylation sites,resulting in a pair of positional isomers for glucuronides of either compound(CG1&CG2 and PG1&PG2).To confirmatively identify these glucuronides,energy-resolved mass spectrometry(ER-MS)was used to pursue the fragmentation trajectories of the targeted fragment ions,and the resultant breakdown graphs that were described by the optimal collision energy(OCE)were expected to exhibit the differences of glycosidic bond cleavage between the isomers.Quantum chemical calculation was thereafter conducted to produce the bond dissociation energy(BDE)of the glycosidic bonds.The isomers were unambiguously identified through applying the positive correlation rule between OCE and BDE.Fortunately,the glucuronides of Chr and Phy in vivo were observed through liver microsomes incubationin vitro.ER-MS was utilized to collect the Gaussian-shaped breakdown graphs in response to the neutral loss of 176 Da,and the absolute values of OCE were compared between positional isomers.The results revealed that CG1(-32.31 eV)>CG2(-31.61 eV),and nonetheless,PG1(-30.00 eV)
10.Effects of Qingre Qudu Decoction for fumigation combined with three-gap drainage on wound healing and serum inflammatory factors in patients with acute perianal abscess
Wei YANG ; Bin XIAO ; Jing QIAO ; Man WANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Shuai JIANG ; Sizhu LI ; Lili YANG ; Jiamin HANG ; Heng JIA
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(7):908-912
Objective:To explore the effects of Qingre Qudu Decoction for fumigation combined with three-gap drainage on wound healing and serum inflammatory factors in patients with acute perianal abscess.Methods:Randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 117 patients with acute perianal abscess in the hospital were enrolled as the observation objects between August 2022 and May 2024. According to random number table method, they were divided into observation group (59 cases) and control group (58 cases). Both groups received three-gap drainage therapy. On basis of three-gap drainage, control group was given potassium permanganate, while observation group was given Qingre Qudu Decoction for fumigation. All patients were treated for 14 d. The growth of granulation tissue and wound secretions before and after treatment was evaluated. VAS scale was used to evaluate the degree of incision pain, and Wexner score was used to assess incontinence; ELISA was used to detect serum activator A (ACTA), immunoturbidimetry was used to detect serum CRP, and radioimmunoassay was used to detect serum IL-6 levels. The occurrence of complications and abscess recurrence during treatment was recorded, and clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was 96.61% (57/59), while that of the control group was 82.76% (48/58), with statistical significance ( χ2=6.10, P=0.014). After treatment, scores of granulation tissue growth and wound secretions in observation group, and scores of VAS and Wexner incontinence in observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t=9.66, 5.00, 7.98, 3.65, P<0.001), and wound healing time was shorter than that in control group ( t=8.41, P<0.001). After treatment, levels of serum ACTA, CRP and IL-6 in observation group were lower than those in control group ( t=15.30, 2.08, 19.34, P<0.01 or P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was 6.78% (4/59), while in the control group it was 27.59% (16/58), with statistical significance ( χ2=8.93, P=0.003). Conclusion:Qingre Qudu Decoction for fumigation combined with three-gap drainage can relieve postoperative incision pain, inhibit inflammatory response, accelerate the recovery of wound and promote the recovery of anal function and improve clinical efficacy.


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