1.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
2.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
3.Genetic and clinical characteristics of children with RAS-mutated juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
Yun-Long CHEN ; Xing-Chen WANG ; Chen-Meng LIU ; Tian-Yuan HU ; Jing-Liao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Ye GUO ; Yao ZOU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Ying-Chi ZHANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Wen-Yu YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):548-554
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022.
RESULTS:
A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy*
;
Mutation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child
;
Infant
;
GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
;
Prognosis
4.Avatrombopag for platelet engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children: a retrospective clinical study.
Xin WANG ; Yuan-Yuan REN ; Xia CHEN ; Chao-Qian JIANG ; Ran-Ran ZHANG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Li-Peng LIU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Yao ZOU ; Fang LIU ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Wen-Yu YANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Ye GUO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(10):1233-1239
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in promoting platelet engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children, compared with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 pediatric patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from April 2023 to August 2024. Based on medications used during the periengraftment period, patients were divided into two groups: the avatrombopag group (n=15) and the rhTPO group (n=38).
RESULTS:
At days 14, 30, and 60 post-transplant, platelet engraftment was achieved in 20% (3/15), 60% (9/15), and 93% (14/15) of patients in the avatrombopag group, and in 39% (15/38), 82% (31/38), and 97% (37/38) in the rhTPO group, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in platelet engraftment rates at each time point, cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment, overall survival, and relapse-free survival (all P>0.05). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that acute graft-versus-host disease was an independent risk factor for delayed platelet engraftment (P=0.043).
CONCLUSIONS
In children undergoing allo-HSCT, avatrombopag effectively promotes platelet engraftment, with efficacy and safety comparable to rhTPO, and represents a viable therapeutic option.
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Infant
;
Adolescent
;
Transplantation, Homologous
;
Blood Platelets/drug effects*
;
Thiazoles/therapeutic use*
;
Thrombopoietin/therapeutic use*
;
Thiophenes
5.Application prospects of robotic gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma
Leping LI ; Yongjian ZHANG ; Ronghua ZHANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kun XIAO ; Qi ZOU ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;40(8):597-600
Radical gastrectomy is the most important treatment for gastric cancer. In recent years, robot-assisted surgical systems have demonstrated significant potential in gastric cancer treatment, thanks to their minimally invasiveness, precise, and fast recovery features. As clinical research continues to deepen, a growing body of evidence has confirmed that robot-assisted gastrectomy offers distinct advantages, such as improved efficiency in lymph node dissection and a reduced incidence of postoperative complications. But at the same time, robotic surgery still has some shortcomings such as high cost, long operation time and lack of force feedback. With the emergence of high-level evidence-based medical evidence and the application of domestic robot system, robot radical gastrectomy will be further promoted and applied. Robotic surgery has broad application prospects, and further advances in techniques are expected in future in the direction of single-port, intelligent, automation and multi-technology integration .
6.Application prospects of robotic gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma
Leping LI ; Yongjian ZHANG ; Ronghua ZHANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kun XIAO ; Qi ZOU ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;40(8):597-600
Radical gastrectomy is the most important treatment for gastric cancer. In recent years, robot-assisted surgical systems have demonstrated significant potential in gastric cancer treatment, thanks to their minimally invasiveness, precise, and fast recovery features. As clinical research continues to deepen, a growing body of evidence has confirmed that robot-assisted gastrectomy offers distinct advantages, such as improved efficiency in lymph node dissection and a reduced incidence of postoperative complications. But at the same time, robotic surgery still has some shortcomings such as high cost, long operation time and lack of force feedback. With the emergence of high-level evidence-based medical evidence and the application of domestic robot system, robot radical gastrectomy will be further promoted and applied. Robotic surgery has broad application prospects, and further advances in techniques are expected in future in the direction of single-port, intelligent, automation and multi-technology integration .
7.Pathogenic investigation of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in kindergarten children in Tongzhou District, Beijing City in 2023
Lin ZOU ; Chong ZHANG ; Ling TONG ; Xiao LIU ; Jing MA ; Jianguo WANG ; Fang WANG ; Xiang GAO ; Lu XI ; Jianming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1150-1153
The study focused on individuals with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms) in three kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing City, in April 2023. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect common respiratory pathogens in the collected specimens. Positive specimens were subjected to sequencing analysis of the highly variable region of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) G protein, homology analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 25 fever cases were collected from 3 kindergartens, aged 3-8 years old, with an age M ( Q1, Q3) of 4 (3.5, 5) years old. Ten confirmed cases of HRSV positive were screened and detected using the fluorescent quantitative PCR method, with a total detection rate of 40% (10/25). Typing identification and sequencing analysis confirmed that the main epidemic type was HRSV subtype B, which was highly homologous and closely related to previous epidemic strains in the region. Through pathogen investigation and analysis, it was preliminarily determined that this epidemic was dominated by HRSV subtype B.
8.Homocysteine levels are associated with diabetes mellitus in Chinese with H-type hypertension
Dejian FU ; Wanbao GONG ; Xiaomin BAO ; Bo YANG ; Feng WANG ; Yubing QIAO ; Yuanjiang WU ; Guangzhen CHEN ; Weixun SUN ; Qiongzhi XIAO ; Wenbo ZOU ; Ning FANG
Nutrition Research and Practice 2024;18(4):511-522
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:
The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers.
SUBJECTS/METHODS:
This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus.
RESULTS:
The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables.
CONCLUSION
In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.
9.Effect and Mechanism of Action of Epimedii Folium Polysaccharides on Mice with Exercise-induced Fatigue Based on p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yue ZOU ; Min XIAO ; Yuhao MENG ; Kunyang TANG ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):20-28
ObjectiveTo study the effects of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides on mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore its possible mechanism of action. MethodICR male mice screened by swimming training were randomly divided into a control group, model group, vitamin C group, and low, medium, and high dose groups of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides, with eight mice in each group. The exercise-induced fatigue model was established by weight-bearing swimming training in each group except for the control group. After two weeks of weight-bearing swimming, the Epimedii Folium polysaccharide groups were given 100, 200, 400 mg∙kg-1 of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides by gavage, and the vitamin C group was given 200 mg∙kg-1 of vitamin C by gavage. The control group and the model group were given equal amounts of saline for 14 d. At the end of the experimental period, the body mass of the mice in each group and the time of last swimming due to exhaustion were recorded. Serum urea nitrogen (BUN), lactic acid (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidation (GSH-Px), myoglycogen (MG) in skeletal muscle, hepatic glycogen (HG) in the liver were detected by kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in muscle tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphorylation (p)-p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p-NF-κB, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in muscle tissue. The immunofluorescence (IF) method was used to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in skeletal muscle tissue of mice in each group. ResultCompared with the control group, the body mass of mice in the model group decreased, and the time of last swimming due to exhaustion decreased (P<0.01). In addition, there were significantly higher serum levels of the fatigue metabolites LA, LDH, BUN, and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01) and decreased levels of MG, HG, SOD, and GSH-Px (P<0.01). The protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, p-NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in skeletal muscle tissue were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the body mass and time of last swimming due to exhaustion of the mice in the low, medium, and high dose groups of Epimedii Folium polysaccharides and the vitamin C group were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the contents of LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of MG, HG, SOD, and GSH-Px increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK, ERK, p-NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in skeletal muscle tissue decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionEpimedii Folium polysaccharides can play a role in alleviating exercise-induced fatigue by inhibiting the p38 MARK/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the accumulation of metabolites, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, increasing the glycogen content of the body, and reducing inflammation in skeletal muscle.
10.Effects of matrine on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of neuroblastoma cells
Nan-Jing LIU ; Dong-Juan WANG ; Fang-Jie LIU ; Wen-Xia HUANG ; Lin ZOU ; Xiao-Yan HE
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2048-2052
Objective To observe the effects of matrine on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of human neuroblastoma cells,and to investigate its potential mechanism.Methods This study was divided into AS experimental group(SK-N-AS cells treated with IC50 concentration of matrine),AS blank group(SK-N-AS cells cultured under normal conditions),AS control group(SK-N-AS cells treated with an equal amount of dimethyl sulfoxide),DZ experimental group(SK-N-DZ cells treated with IC50 concentration of matrine),DZ blank group(SK-N-DZ cells cultured under normal conditions),and DZ control group(SK-N-DZ cells treated with an equal amount of dimethyl sulfoxide).Scratch assay and Transwell chamber were used to measure the effect of matrine on the migration and invasion.The expression of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin were tested by Western blot.Results After different intervention,the migration percentages of AS blank group,AS control group,AS experimental group,DZ blank group,DZ control group and DZ experimental group were(66.32±3.12)%,(65.27±3.44)%,(23.73±0.79)%,(46.25±4.68)%,(44.15±5.60)%and(16.77±3.52)%,respectively;the number of invasive cells were 870.45±19.32,865.32±23.39,492.74±16.81,1 198.10±43.71,1 203.03±71.91 and 891.69±42.62,respectively;the expression levels of E-cadherin protein were(100.00±11.72)%,(105.65±13.11)%,(477.20±29.71)%,(100.00±12.54)%,(97.78±12.77)%and(240.53±12.23)%,respectively;the expression levels of N-cadherin protein were(100.00±15.44)%,(103.90±10.76)%,(43.52±9.96)%,(100.00±10.12)%,(104.95±10.49)%and(38.39±8.70)%,respectively;Vimentin protein expression levels were(100.00±9.51)%,(97.39±11.33)%,(59.13±10.25)%,(100.00±13.20)%,(96.27±11.01)%and(47.67±9.48)%,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the AS group and the AS blank group(P<0.01,P<0.001),and there were statistically significant differences between the above indexes in the DZ group and the DZ blank group(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion Matrine inhibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of neuroblastoma SK-N-AS and SK-N-DZ cells,potentially through suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

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