1.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
2.Interpretation of Chinese expert consensus on flow cytometric detection of hematological malignant cells in tissue samples
Liangmei LI ; Shuang CHEN ; Lian LI ; Zailin YANG ; Xia MAO ; Mingxia ZHU ; Hongmei JING ; Min XIAO ; Yao LIU ; Yanrong LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(11):1281-1289
Hematologic malignancies,such as lymphoma,myeloma,and myeloid neoplasms,can occur in extramedullary tissues.Traditional histopathological morphology and immunohistochemical staining have lim-itations,including time-consuming specimen processing,prolonged reporting cycles,and relatively low sensi-tivity in cases of limited cell numbers.Flow cytometry offers significant advantages in detecting tissue sam-ples,such as rapid processing,shorter reporting cycles,and high accuracy and sensitivity,making it an effective complement to histopathological and immunohistochemical methods.However,the application of flow cytome-try in tissue sample detection currently lacks standardized protocols for sample collection and preservation,single-cell suspension preparation,antibody panel design for limited samples,data analysis,and result repor-ting.To promote the standardized application of flow cytometry in detecting hematologic tumor cells in tissue samples,the Cell Analysis Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology organized experts to develop the Chinese Expert Consensus on Flow Cytometry for Detecting Hematologic Tumor Cells in Tis-sue Samples(hereinafter referred to as the Consensus).This Consensus elaborates on the technical aspects of flow cytometry for tissue sample detection,covering sample processing,antibody panel design,data analysis,reporting content,and quality management.It particularly emphasizes recommended antibody panels and data analysis methods for flow cytometry when tissue sample cell counts are low.This article aims to interpret the key points of the Consensus to facilitate its better application in clinical practice.
3.Effects of notoginsenoside R2 on palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes
Sheng-chen WANG ; Xiao-ya LI ; Xiao-shuang MAO ; Mei-rong FANG ; Xing-yu LIU ; Wen JIN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(22):3254-3258
Objective To study the effect of notoginsenoside R2(NGR2)on palmitic acid(PA)-induced lipotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Methods The H9c2 cells were divided into control group,model group and experimental-L,-H groups.The control group was treated with 10%bovine serum albumin(BSA);the model group was treated with 250 μmol·L-1 PA to establish the lipotoxicity model;the experimental-L,-H groups were treated with 50,100 μmol·L-1 NGR2 and 250 μmol·L-1 PA.The accumulation of cellular lipid droplets was observed by oil red O staining and Bodipy staining;the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid synthase(FASN),stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1(SCD1)were detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction;the protein expression levels of FASN and SCD1 were detected by Western blot.Results The absorbance of lipid droplet quantification after oil red O staining in the control group,the model group,the experimental-L,-H groups were 0.12±0.03,0.19±0.02,0.14±0.05 and 0.11±0.03;the relative fluorescence intensity quantified by Bodipy staining were(100.00±15.83)%,(249.65±6.44)%,(160.88±17.34)%and(136.84±4.83)%;FASN mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.07,1.33±0.13,1.21±0.16 and 1.05±0.09;SCD1 mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.04,1.26±0.07,1.24±0.15 and 1.02±0.09;the expression levels of FASN protein were 1.00±0.00,1.03±0.02,1.01±0.06 and 0.92±0.08;the expression levels of SCD1 protein were 1.00±0.00,1.08±0.08,0.98±0.15 and 0.87±0.18.In the above indicators,there were statistically significant differences between model group and control group,between experimental-H group and model group(P<0.05,P<0.01);there were significant differences in oil red O staining and Bodipy staining quantification of experimental-L group and model group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion NGR2 may reduce lipid accumulation and alleviate lipotoxicity in PA-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes by decreasing the mRNA and protein expression of FASN and SCD1.
4.Tick-borne pathogens infection of rodents at the border of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Zhuo WANG ; Qiong WU ; Xiao-Yang HUANG ; Guan-Peng HUANG ; You-Xin MA ; En-Rong MAO ; Guo-Shuang LENG ; Hong-Min ZHAO ; Bing LI ; Yi-Min WU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(4):323-327
To investigate the existence of tick-borne pathogens infection of rodents at the border of China and the Demo-cratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK).PCR was used to detect the spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR)ompA gene,Ehrlichia chaffeensis(Ec)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum(Ap)16S rRNA,Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis(CNm)groEL gene,Bartonella(Ba)rpoB gene,and Francisella tularensis(Ft)fopA gene in rodents samples collected from Ji'an of Jilin province and Kuandian of Liaoning Province.The positivity rates of 132 wild rats spleen samples,SFGR,Ec,Ap,CNm,Ba,and Ft were 9.85%,12.88%,5.30%,3.79%,51.52%,and 6.06%,respectively,with statistical differences in in-fection rates(x2=149.236,P=0.000).The infection rate of Ba was the highest in wild rats in this area.There was no signifi-cant difference in the infection rate of SFGR,Ec,Ap,CNm,and Ft among different rats species,but there were significant differences in the infection rate of Ba(x2=13.36,P=0.010).The infection rate of Apodemus agrarius was the highest.A-mong 132 wild rats specimens,the coinfection rate of the two pathogens was 15.9%(21/132),with Ba as the main species(15/132),and two cases of coinfection with three pathogens were detected.The infection of six tick-borne pathogens is common in wild rats at the China/DPRK border.Co-infection of two or three pathogens indicates a risk of multiple tick-borne pathogens and mixed natural foci of multiple tick-borne infec-tious diseases.
5.Research advances in application of 6-min walk test in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Jiayao FENG ; Fengjie LYU ; Ling LIN ; Wei HUANG ; Min MAO ; Shuang XIAO ; Ping TANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(13):2065-2069
The 6-min walk test(6MWT)is an effective tool to assess the cardiopulmonary function and exercise tolerance,and is widely used in clinical practice to assess the exercise capacity in the patients with car-diopulmonary disease.Pulmonary hypertension(PH)is a serious cardiovascular disease manifested by a con-tinuous increase in pulmonary circulatory pressure,which limits the right heart function and eventually devel-ops into the right heart failure,moreover its clinical manifestations lack specificity,making diagnosis difficult.With the development of PH diagnosis and treatment technology,the medical staffs have paid more and more attention to the application of 6MWT in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of the patients with PH.This article reviews the characteristics of 6MWT,its application in PH,and its limitations and future prospects in order to help clinic to better understand the role of 6MWT in the whole disease course of the patients with PH,and encourage the medical care staffs to broadly apply and improve 6MWT to make it to be more reliable clinical evidence.
6.Effects of notoginsenoside R2 on palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes
Sheng-chen WANG ; Xiao-ya LI ; Xiao-shuang MAO ; Mei-rong FANG ; Xing-yu LIU ; Wen JIN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(22):3254-3258
Objective To study the effect of notoginsenoside R2(NGR2)on palmitic acid(PA)-induced lipotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Methods The H9c2 cells were divided into control group,model group and experimental-L,-H groups.The control group was treated with 10%bovine serum albumin(BSA);the model group was treated with 250 μmol·L-1 PA to establish the lipotoxicity model;the experimental-L,-H groups were treated with 50,100 μmol·L-1 NGR2 and 250 μmol·L-1 PA.The accumulation of cellular lipid droplets was observed by oil red O staining and Bodipy staining;the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid synthase(FASN),stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1(SCD1)were detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction;the protein expression levels of FASN and SCD1 were detected by Western blot.Results The absorbance of lipid droplet quantification after oil red O staining in the control group,the model group,the experimental-L,-H groups were 0.12±0.03,0.19±0.02,0.14±0.05 and 0.11±0.03;the relative fluorescence intensity quantified by Bodipy staining were(100.00±15.83)%,(249.65±6.44)%,(160.88±17.34)%and(136.84±4.83)%;FASN mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.07,1.33±0.13,1.21±0.16 and 1.05±0.09;SCD1 mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.04,1.26±0.07,1.24±0.15 and 1.02±0.09;the expression levels of FASN protein were 1.00±0.00,1.03±0.02,1.01±0.06 and 0.92±0.08;the expression levels of SCD1 protein were 1.00±0.00,1.08±0.08,0.98±0.15 and 0.87±0.18.In the above indicators,there were statistically significant differences between model group and control group,between experimental-H group and model group(P<0.05,P<0.01);there were significant differences in oil red O staining and Bodipy staining quantification of experimental-L group and model group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion NGR2 may reduce lipid accumulation and alleviate lipotoxicity in PA-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes by decreasing the mRNA and protein expression of FASN and SCD1.
7.Observation of the Curative Effect of the Dexamethasone Vitreous Cavity Implant for the Treatment of Irvine-Gass Syndrome.
Yu MAO ; Li Qin GAO ; Li Yun JIA ; Si Meng HOU ; Yuan Yuan XIAO ; Xi Wen JI ; Shuang WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2023;36(8):725-731
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone vitreous cavity implants (Ozurdex) for the treatment of macular edema (Irvine-Gass Syndrome) after cataract surgery.
METHOD:
Eight patients (eight eyes) with Irvine-Gass syndrome were enrolled for vitreous injections with Ozurdex. The patients included six men (six eyes) and two women (two eyes) with a mean age of 67.12 ± 11.92 years. Changes in the patients best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure were compared before and after treatment.
RESULT:
The mean visual acuity BCVA of the patients was 0.81 ± 0.26 before implantation, which improved to 0.20 ± 0.12, 0.13 ± 0.09, and 0.15 ± 0.13 at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001). The patient's mean CMT before implantation was 703.00 ± 148.88 μm, and it reduced to 258.87 ± 37.40 μm, 236.25 ± 28.74 μm, and 278.00 ± 76.82 μm at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The dexamethasone vitreous cavity implant (Ozurdex) is a safe and effective treatment, which can effectively improve patient's visual acuity and reduce macular edema associated with cataract surgery.
Male
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Humans
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Aged
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Macular Edema/etiology*
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Dexamethasone/therapeutic use*
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Intraocular Pressure
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Prostheses and Implants
;
Cataract
8.Clinical follow-up analysis of multidisciplinary treatment of children with spinal muscular atrophy.
Yu XIA ; Yi Jie FENG ; Mei YAO ; Jia Ning JIN ; Jia WEI ; Yi Qin CUI ; Ling Shuang WANG ; Ting Ting CHEN ; Xiao Yang CHEN ; Hai Bing LI ; Jing Fang XU ; Qi LONG ; Yuan JIANG ; Jin Ling LIU ; Jin Gan LOU ; Feng GAO ; Shan Shan MAO
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2022;60(11):1134-1139
Objective: To analyze the follow-up and clinical effect of multidisciplinary treatment on the children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: The clinical data including nutritional status, respiratory function, bone health and motor function of 45 children with SMA who received multidisciplinary management 1-year follow-up in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from July 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. Comparisons before and after management were performed using paired-samples t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, etc. Results: The age of 45 patients (25 boys and 20 girls) was 50.4 (33.6, 84.0) months at the enrollment, with 6 cases of type 1, 22 cases of type 2, and 17 cases of type 3 respectively. After the multidisciplinary management, the cases of SMA patients with malnutrition decreased from 22 to 12 (P=0.030), the level of vitamin D were significantly increased ((45±17) vs. (48±14) nmol/L, t=-4.13, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the forced vital capacity %pred, the forced expiratory volume at 1 second %pred, and the peak expiratory flow %pred ((76±19)% and (76±21)%, (81±18)% and (79±18)%, (81±21)% and (78±17)%; t=-0.24, 1.36, 1.21; all P>0.05). The Cobbs angle of scoliosis also improved significantly (8.0°(0°, 13.0°) vs. 10.0°(0°, 18.5°), Z=-3.01, P=0.003). The Hammersmith functional motor scale expanded scores of children with SMA type 2 and type 3 both showed significant elevation (11.0 (8.0, 18.0) vs. 11.0 (5.0, 18.5) scores, 44.0 (36.5, 53.0) vs. 44.0 (34.0, 51.5) scores, Z=2.44, 3.11, P=0.015, 0.002). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary management is beneficial for delaying the progression of the multi-system impairments of SMA patients, such as malnutrition, restrictive ventilation dysfunction and scoliosis.
Child
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Male
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Female
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Humans
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Child, Preschool
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Scoliosis
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Retrospective Studies
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Follow-Up Studies
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Muscular Atrophy, Spinal
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Malnutrition
9.Pathological Change of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Different Tongue Coatings by Circular Multi-Omics Integrated Analysis.
Yi-Shuang TANG ; Jian-Chun GUO ; Lin XU ; Xiao-Na ZHANG ; Xiao-Ping SHEN ; Ya-Mei HAI ; Yu-Feng MAO ; Yi-Yang HU ; Yu ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2022;28(1):28-35
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the circular pathological changes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients according to the tongue diagnosis.
METHODS:
Totally 41 CHB patients with typical white tongue coating (WTC) or yellow tongue coating (YTC) were enrolled and 14 healthy volunteers with normal tongue manifestation served as controls. The mRNA expression of peripheral leukocytes was detected by GeneChips, and 9 genes were randomly selected for expression validation. Circular metabolites were detected by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Biological information was analyzed based on ingenuity pathways analysis or metabolomics database and the integrated networks were constructed by ClueGO.
RESULTS:
A total of 945 and 716 differentially expressed genes were found in patients with WTC and YTC relative to healthy volunteers respectively. The biological information analysis indicated that CHB patients had obviously increased functions in cell death, apoptosis and necrosis (Z-score ⩾2, P<0.05) and decreased activation in T lymphocytes (Z-score ⩽-2, P<0.05), regardless of the tongue manifestation. Compared to patients with WTC, the YTC patients were predicted to be more active in functions related to virus replication (Z-score ⩾2, P<0.05), and the content of circular fatty acids, such as oleic acid (P=0.098) and lauric acid (P=0.035), and citric acid cycle-related metabolites were higher in the YTC patients (P<0.1). The integrated analysis based on differential genes and metabolites indicated that the most difference in the biological function network between the WTC and YTC patients was tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 mediated-nuclear factor kappa-B activation process.
CONCLUSIONS
CHB patients with YTC had more severe inflammation and fatty acids metabolism aberrant than patients with WTC. The results facilitate the modern pathological annotation of Chinese medicine tongue diagnosis theory and provide a reference for the interpretation of pharmacological mechanisms of Chinese medicine treatment.
Fatty Acids
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Hepatitis B virus/genetics*
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Hepatitis B, Chronic
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Humans
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Metabolomics
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T-Lymphocytes
;
Tongue
10.Quality value transfer of substance benchmarks in Huanglian Decoction.
Mei-Mei PENG ; Shuang GUO ; Lu WANG ; Jing MAO ; Hui XIE ; Xiao-Li ZHAO ; Jin-Cai HOU ; Yong GUO ; Tu-Lin LU ; Chun-Qin MAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(2):313-323
Following the preparation of substance benchmarks in Huanglian Decoction from 18 batches, the method for detecting their characteristic spectra was established to identify the similarity range and peak attribution. The content and transfer rate ranges of the index components coptisine, palmatine, berberine, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, 6-gingerol, and cinnamaldehyde and the extraction amount were combined for analyzing the quality value transfer from the Chinese medicinal pieces to substance benchmarks and clarifying the key quality attributes of substance benchmarks in Huanglian Decoction. The results showed that the substance benchmarks in Huang-lian Decoction of 18 batches exhibited good similarity in characteristic spectra(all greater than 0.98). There were 17 characteristic peaks identified in the substance benchmarks of Huanglian Decoction, including 10 from Coptidis Rhizoma, 3 from Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle(processed with water), 1 from Zingiberis Rhizoma, and 3 from Cinnamomi Ramulus. The contents and average transfer rates of the index components were listed as follows: coptisine 2.20-6.46 mg·g~(-1) and 18.50%±2.93%; palmatine 3.03-8.13 mg·g~(-1) and 26.56%±4.69%; berberine 7.71-22.29 mg·g~(-1) and 17.34%±3.00%; liquiritin 0.88-2.18 mg·g~(-1) and 9.88%±4.88%; glycyrrhizic acid 1.83-4.44 mg·g~(-1) and 8.50%±3.72%; 6-gingerol 0.56-1.43 mg·g~(-1) and 11.36%±2.37%; cinnamaldehyde 1.55-3.48 mg·g~(-1) and 19.02%±4.36%. The extraction amount of the substance benchmarks from the 18 batches was controlled at 10.65%-13.88%. In this paper, the quality value transfer of substance benchmarks in Huanglian Decoction was analyzed based on the characteristic spectra, the index component contents and the extraction amount, which has provided a basis for the subsequent development of Huanglian Decoction and the quality control of its related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
;
Quality Control

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