1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Simultaneous TAVI and McKeown for esophageal cancer with severe aortic regurgitation: A case report
Liang CHENG ; Lulu LIU ; Xin XIAO ; Lin LIN ; Mei YANG ; Jingxiu FAN ; Hai YU ; Longqi CHEN ; Yingqiang GUO ; Yong YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):277-280
A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
4.Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ameliorates ovarian granulosa cell aging in rats by activating CAMKK2/AMPK/MCU signaling pathway
Xiao-dan LIU ; Chen LING ; Lu LIU ; Jing PU ; Hai-bin MA ; Hui-ming MA ; Wen-ping ZHANG ; Dong-mei CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1116-1125
Aim To explore the mechanism of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide(LbGP)improving aging in rat primary ovarian granulosa cells.Methods This study divided the cells into a normal group,a DOX group,and four different LbGP concentration treatment groups post-DOX intervention.Results Cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8,EDU,and Ki67 assays,while aging markers and mitochondrial function-related fac-tors were detected using immunofluorescence and West-ern blotting.The results showed that,compared to the DOX group,LbGP treatment significantly increased cell viability(P<0.05)and promoted proliferation(P<0.05).Post LbGP treatment,the β-galactosidase-posi-tive area in cells was significantly reduced compared to the DOX group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence re-sults indicated that,compared to the DOX group,levels of p21 and γH2AX significantly decreased(P<0.05),while pRB increased(P<0.05)after LbGP treatment.Western blot results showed that,compared to the DOX group,the aging phenotype proteins p21 and p53 significantly decreased(P<0.05),and pRB notably increased(P<0.05)in the LbGP treatment group.The release of cytC into the cytoplasm and the activated caspase-9 significantly decreased(P<0.05);levels of CAMKK2,pAMPK,and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis regulator MCU increased(P<0.05);nuclear energy metabolism-related proteins SirT1,PGC1α/β and ATP5A1 significantly increased(P<0.05);compared to the DOX group,ROS levels significantly decreased after LbGP treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions The results suggest that LbGP can ameliorate DOX-induced aging in rat primary ovar-ian granulosa cells,potentially through the upregulation of the CAMKKβ/AMPK signaling pathway,thereby im-proving mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and increas-ing the expression levels of cell energy metabolism-re-lated regulatory proteins.This provides an experimen-tal basis for LbGP's potential role in supporting the im-provement of ovarian function.
5.Analysis and suggestions for the FDA drug labeling rules on cardiac safety risk warnings
Wei LIU ; Xiao-qing XING ; Yu-qing REN ; Qian SHEN ; Yue ZHOU ; Nan ZHANG ; Fu-meng LIANG ; Fang-fang WANG ; Hai-yan LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):235-239
Objective To improve and refine the relevant regulations and guiding principles of warnings on drug instructions and labels in China.Methods This paper sorted out the drug instructions of small molecule anti-tumor drugs listed by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)from 2005 to 2022,included the drugs mentioned in the QT interval prolongation risk,analyzed the clinical research and QT research results,and sorted out the identification and warning rules of the instructions.Results A total of 35 drugs were included,4 drugs wrote the risk of QT interval prolongation in the black box warning,21 drugs were wrote in the warning and precautions position,6 drugs were wrote in the adverse reaction section,and 2 drugs were only described under clinical pharmacology section.According to the severity of the QT interval prolongation caused by the drug and whether there were serious clinical consequences,they were displayed in the warnings(black box warnings),precautions(warnings and precautions)and adverse reactions in the instructions.Conclusion The aim of this article is to provide a reference for the writing of QT risk warning information of the instructions of domestic drug production enterprises and regulatory departments.It is recommended to clarify the severity of drug safety and the location of the instructions in clinical research,and continue to carry out safety monitoring and update the instructions in time after listing.
6.Dosimetry effect of fluence smoothing in Monaco Treatment Planning System for short-course volumetric modulated arc therapy of preoperative rectal cancer
Yao XIAO ; De-li ZHOU ; Kun-pu SU ; Lin-shan LI ; Meng-yuan SI ; Yan-hai LIU ; Chuan CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(5):48-53
Objective To investigate the dosimetric differences in preoperative short-course volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for rectal cancer using different fluence smoothing(FS)levels in the Monaco Treatment Planning System(Monaco TPS).Methods Twenty rectal cancer patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant short-course VMAT at some hospital from September 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected.Four groups of radiotherapy plans were formulated using the Monaco TPS for each case,which were classified into an off group,a low group,a medium group and a high group based on the FS levels.Then the four groups were compared in terms of the dosimetric parameters,monitor unit and number of the segments in the planning target volume(PTV)and organ at risk(OAR).Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software.Results All the four groups had the doses to the target volume meeting clinical requirements,which had no significant differences in the doses to 5%(D5%)and 95%(D95%)to the target volume and the maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin),mean dose(Dmean)and conformity index(all P>0.05).Statistical differences were found between the homogeneity indexes of the four groups(P<0.05),with the medium group behaving the best.The number of the segments rose while the mornitor units decreased siginificantly with the increase of FS levels,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the V25,V20,V15 and V10 of the small intestine,the V25 and V20 of the bladder and the V15 and V10 of the left and right femur(all P>0.05).Conclusion In preoperative short-course VMAT for rectal cancer,clinical requirements can be met with different FS levels in the Monaco TPS,and medium-level FS results in optimal overall dose distribution in terms of treatment planning.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):48-53]
7.Relationship Between CMTM4 Expression and Clinicopathological Features in Cervical Cancer and the Study of Mechanism
Jian-Hui LIU ; Jing ZHOU ; Hai-Yan WANG ; An-Qi YANG ; Xiao-Ying A ; Jia-Liang WANG ; Qing-Fen MU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(2):296-304
Abnormal expression of CMTM4 protein is closely related to tumour occurrence,development and prognosis.Although the important role of CMTM4 in tumours has been gradually manifested,its spe-cific mechanism of action in cervical cancer remains unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CMTM4 expression and clinicopathological features in cervical cancer and study its mechanism.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of CMTM4 in cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues,and it was found that CMTM4 was significantly under-ex-pressed in cervical cancer tissues(P<0.001).The chi-square test analysed the relationship between high and low CMTM4 expression and the clinical and pathological characteristics of cervical cancer pa-tients and results found that CMTM4 expression was correlated with the number of births,HPV infection status,pathological type,FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis.Data from Western blot and RT-qPCR found that CMTM4 protein and mRNA levels in HaCaT cells were significantly higher than that of C-33A cells,HeLa cells,U14 cells,and HT-3 cells.Among them,the most significant change in CMTM4 ex-pression was observed in C-33A cells,so the C-33A cell line was selected for subsequent overexpression experiments.CCK-8 analysis found that the proliferation ability of C-33A cervical cancer cells in the pcDNA-CMTM4 group was significantly lower than that in the pcDNA-NC group(P<0.001).Flow cy-tometry and Western blot results indicated that CMTM4 overexpression promoted apoptosis(P<0.001),significantly increased Bax(P<0.001)and cleaved caspase 3(P<0.05)protein levels,and significant-ly decreased Bcl-2 protein level(P<0.01).Western blot results further found that CMTM4 overexpres-sion significantly reduced the protein levels of p-PI3K(P<0.001)and p-AKT(P<0.01),but did not affect the protein levels of PI3K and AKT(P>0.05).The above findings indicated that CMTM4 gene expression was down-regulated in cervical cancer,and CMTM4 overexpression inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway.Therefore,CMTM4 may be used as a biological marker for screening cervical cancer.
8.Influencing factors of recurrence after gallbladder stones combine with common bile duct multiple stones and establishment and verification of nomogram prediction model
Peng LIU ; Fu-cheng LIU ; Xin ZHAO ; Hai-peng QIAO ; Xiao-feng LIU ; Zheng YANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(1):1-6
Objective:Analyze the influencing factors of postoperative recurrence of common bile duct stones in patients with gallstones and multiple common bile duct stones,and evaluate the application value of nomogram predic-tion models.Methods:Collected clinical data of 587 patients with gallstones and multiple common bile duct stones who underwent surgical treatment at Beijing Fengtai Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024.They were divided into a training cohort(n=410)and a validation cohort(n=177)according to a 7∶3 ratio.Analyzed the influencing factors of postoperative recurrence of common bile duct stones in patients with gallstones and multiple common bile duct stones,and constructed a nomogram prediction model based on this.Results:The recurrence rate of postoperative common bile duct stones in the training queue was 38.05%(156/410).Age,BMI,intrahepatic bile duct stones,initial course of dis-ease,duodenal diverticulum,biliary tract infection,history of biliary surgery,thickness of the common bile duct wall,num-ber of multiple stones in the common bile duct,diameter of the common bile duct,and dysfunction of the Oddis sphincter in the duodenal papilla during ERCP examination are independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with gallbladder stones combined with multiple stones in the common bile duct(P<0.05).The AUC of the constructed nomo-gram prediction model in the training queue and validation queue were 0.854 and 0.889,respectively.The Hosmer Lem-eshow fitting test results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the predicted probability and the actual probability of the prediction model(x2=3.952,P=0.865),indicating that this model has good predictive abil-ity.Conclusion:The nomogram prediction model based on various risk factors can effectively predict the risk of post-operative common bile duct stone recurrence in patients with gallstones and multiple common bile duct stones.
9.Molecular Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Low-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Relapse
Yun-Fei GAO ; Ye-Hui TAN ; Long SU ; Hai LIN ; Su-Jun GAO ; Xiao-Liang LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1551-1557
Objective:To investigate the molecular characteristics of low-risk acute myeloid leukemia(AML)at recurrence,and analyze the factors affecting retreatment efficacy and prognosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and laboratory data of 31 patients with newly diagnosed low-risk AML who relapsed during consolidation treatment or follow-up after treatment in our hospital from April 2017 to January 2023.Gene mutations before and after relapse were compared,retreatment efficacy following relapse was evaluated,and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors influencing treatment efficacy and prognosis.Results:Gene sequencing results after relapse showed that the most common newly acquired mutation was FLT3-ITD,while RAS mutation detected at initial diagnosis were predisposed to loss of expression during relapse.The median overall survival(OS)after relapse for the entire cohort was 349(170-528)days,with non-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)group and HSCT group demonstrating median survival times of 210(106-314)days and not reached,respectively(P=0.001).Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥60 years was a significant risk factor for achieving remission after retreatment in initially diagnosed low-risk AML patients who experienced relapse(OR=18.222,95%CI:1.188-279.597,P=0.037).Additionally,DNMT3A mutation was identified as an independent risk factor for OS(HR=13.165,95%CI:2.018-85.877,P=0.007),while HSCT post-relapse demonstrated significant survival benefits(HR=0.133,95%CI:0.025-0.698,P=0.017)and served as an independent protective factor for OS.Conclusion:Relapsed low-risk AML is often associated with loss of RAS and novel mutations in FLT3-ITD.Age ≥ 60 years and DNMT3A mutations were identified as independent adverse factors for achieving subsequent remission and post-relapse survival,respectively,while HSCT significantly improved patient outcomes.
10.Predictive value of ox-LDL combined with ECG ischaemia grading for MACE after PCI in STEMI pa-tients
Ya-zhao SUN ; Gang LI ; Shu-yan ZHANG ; Pei SUN ; Hai-lin LI ; Ling-xiao ZHANG ; Bin LIU ; Dong-sheng LIU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):199-204
Objective:The predictive value of oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)and electrocardiogram(ECG)ischaemia grade for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)was assessed by a retrospective cohort study de-sign.Methods:A total of 336 STEMI patients admitted to Cangzhou People's Hospital between October 2019 and May 2022 were selected,and the medical record information was obtained through the hospital medical record sys-tem,and all patients received PCI and physician-recommended basic treatment.With occurrence of MACE with in 12-month follow-up as the evaluation index,they were divided into MACE group(n=65)and no MACE group(n=271).Multifactorial Logistic regression model was used to study the influencing factors of MACE after PCI in STEMI patients,and Spearman test for association of ox-LDL level,ECG ischaemia grade with MACE after PCI.ROC curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of ox-LDL,ECG ischaemia grade and their combination for MACE after PCI.Results:The overall MACE incidence was 19.35%.Compared with patients in no MACE group,those in MACE group had significant higher ox-LDL level[46.34(29.46,66.29)U/L vs.33.00(23.02,50.03)U/L]and proportion of ECG grade Ⅲ ischaemia(64.62%vs.42.80%)(P<0.01 all).Multifactorial Logistic re-gression analysis showed that ox-LDL(OR=1.022,95%CI 1.011~1.033,P=0.001)and ECG grade Ⅲ ischae-mia(OR=1.878,95%CI 1.007~3.504,P=0.048)were the independent risk factors of post-PCI MACE in STEMI patients.Spearman test showed that ox-LDL and ECG grade Ⅲ ischaemia were positively correlated with post-PCI MACE(r=0.209,0.173,P<0.001 all).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of ox-LDL,ECG grade Ⅲ ischaemia and their combination in predicting post-PCI MACE were respectively 0.653(95%CI 0.599~0.704),0.609(95%CI 0.555~0.662)and 0.758(95%CI 0.709~0.803),in which the predictive value of the combination of the two was significantly higher than any single detection(Z=2.030,3.097,P=0.042,0.002).Conclusion:ox-LDL combined with ECG ischaemia grading has a high predictive value for the occurrence of MACE with in 12 months after PCI in STEMI patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail