1.The mechanism of Laggerae Herba in improving chronic heart failure by inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway
Jinling XIAO ; Kai HUANG ; Xiaoqi WEI ; Xinyi FAN ; Wangjing CHAI ; Jing HAN ; Kuo GAO ; Xue YU ; Fanghe LI ; Shuzhen GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):343-353
Objective:
To investigate the role and mechanism of the heat-clearing and detoxifying drug Laggerae Herba in regulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis and improve chronic heart failure induced by transverse aortic arch constriction in mice.
Methods:
Twenty-four male ICR mice were divided into the sham (n=6) and transverse aortic arch constriction groups (n=18) according to the random number table method. The transverse aortic arch constriction group underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to establish models. After modeling, the transverse aortic arch constriction group was further divided into the model, captopril, and Laggerae Herba groups according to the random number table method, with six mice per group. The captopril (15 mg/kg) and Laggerae Herba groups (1.95 g/kg) received the corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the sham operation and model groups were administered the same volume of ultrapure water by gavage once a day for four consecutive weeks. After treatment, the cardiac function indexes of mice in each group were detected using ultrasound. The heart mass and tibia length were measured to calculate the ratio of heart weight to tibia length. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the pathological changes in myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron deposition in myocardial tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glutathione (GSH) contents in mice serum. Colorimetry was used to detect the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice serum. Western blotting was used to detect the Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) protein expressions in mice cardiac tissue.
Results:
Compared with the sham group, in the model group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of mice decreased, the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) increased, the left ventricular anterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVAWs) and left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length increased, the myocardial tissue morphology changed, myocardial fibrosis increased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells increased, iron deposition appeared in myocardial tissue, the serum NT-proBNP and MDA levels increased, the GSH level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the captopril and Laggerae Herba groups, the EF, FS, and LVAWs increased, the LVESV and LVESD decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length decreased, the myocardial cells were arranged neatly, the degree of myocardial fibrosis decreased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, the serum NT-proBNP level decreased, and the GSH level increased. Compared with the model group, the LVPWs increased, the iron deposition in myocardial tissue decreased, the serum MDA level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue increased (P<0.05) in the Laggerae Herba group.
Conclusion
Laggerae Herba improves the cardiac function of mice with chronic heart failure caused by transverse aortic arch constriction, reduces the pathological remodeling of the heart, and reduces fibrosis. Its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.
2.Effects of Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (消肿止痛合剂) on Angiogenesis and the Dll4/Notch1 Signaling Pathway in Wound Tissue of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Model Rats
Xiao HAN ; Tao LIU ; Yuan SONG ; Jie CHEN ; Jiaxuan SHEN ; Jing QIAO ; Hengjie WANG ; Lewen WU ; Yazhou ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1695-1703
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential machanism of Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (消肿止痛合剂, XZM) in the treatment of diabetes foot ulcer (DFU). MethodsFifty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, XZM group, inhibitor group, XZM plus inhibitor group (combination group), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats were fed with high-sugar, high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin, and subjected to skin defect to establish DFU model. After successful modeling, the XZM group and the combination group were given 1 ml/(100 g·d)of XZM by gavage, while the blank group, model group, and inhibitor group were all given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection by gavage. Thirty minutes later, the inhibitor group and the combination group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/(kg·d) of Notch1 inhibitor DAPT. All groups were treated once a day. After 14 days of administration, the skin tissue from the dorsal foot of the blank group rats and wound tissue from the other groups were collected. The pathological changes of granulation tissue in the wound were detected using hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The microvascular density (MVD) in wounds was detected through immunohistochemical staining. Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 homolog (Notch1), Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4), Delta-like ligand 4 (VEGF), and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2), respectively. ResultsHistological results showed that the epidermal structure in the dorsal foot skin tissue of the rats in the blank group was intact. In the wound tissue of the model group, the epidermis exhibited excessive keratinization, vacuolar cytoplasm, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the tissue, while in the XZM group, a large amount of scab formation was observed in the epidermis, with no significant inflammatory cell infiltration and a noticeable increase in fibroblasts. In the combination group and the inhibitor group, partial epidermal scab formation was observed in the wound tissue with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to those in the blank group, the MVD in the wound tissue increased in the model group, as well as the mRNA expression and protein levels of Notch1 and Dll4, while VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA expression and protein levels significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to those in the model group, the MVD in the wound tissue of all medication groups significantly increased, and the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 and Dll4 decreased, while VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA expression and protein levels increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the XZM group, the inhibitor group and the combination group showed decreased MVD in wound tissue, increased Notch1 and Dll4 mRNA and protein levels, and decreased expression of VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA and proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionXZM can effectively promote wound healing in DFU rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of Dll4/Notch1 signaling pathway in the wound tissue, therey promoting angiogenesis.
3.Effects of RBM15 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through ATAD3A
ZHANG Chunnian ; HE Jing ; XIAO Juan ; GU Liqin ; HAN Xianhua
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(10):1036-1043
[摘 要] 目的:探讨RNA结合蛋白15(RBM15)通过三磷酸腺苷酶家族蛋白3A(ATAD3A)调控Wnt/β-catenin通路对宫颈癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响。方法:利用TCGA数据库分析宫颈癌组织中RBM15 mRNA表达水平及其与患者预后的关系。收集2024年1月至10月期间在赣州市人民医院手术切除的32例宫颈癌组织及癌旁组织标本,以及宫颈癌细胞HeLa、MS-751、C-33A和SiHa,通过免疫组化、WB法检测宫颈癌组织和细胞中RBM15的表达水平。利用SRAMP在线数据库筛选ATAD3A mRNA的m6A修饰位点。通过RNA免疫沉淀实验、RNA衰变实验及挽救实验鉴定RBM15与ATAD3A mRNA的相互作用。采用RNA干扰技术和病毒感染技术,在宫颈癌HeLa和SiHa细胞敲低或过表达RBM15和ATAD3A,qPCR和WB法检测mRNA和蛋白表达,CCK-8法、划痕实验和Transwell实验检测各组细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。结果:宫颈癌组织中RBM15 mRNA和蛋白阳性率均显著高于癌旁组织(均P < 0.001)。宫颈癌HeLa、MS-751、C-33A和SiHa细胞RBM15蛋白表达水平显著高于正常宫颈细胞Ect1/E6E7(均P < 0.01)。RBM15 mRNA高表达组患者5年无进展生存率低于低表达组患者(P < 0.01)。宫颈癌组织中ATAD3A的表达水平显著高于癌旁组织(P < 0.001),RBM15 mRNA与ATAD3A mRNA呈正相关(r = 0.601,P < 0.05)。ATAD3A mRNA的501、5 312、12 137位点存在高可信度的m6A修饰位点。HeLa、SiHa细胞中过表达RBM15后,ATAD3A mRNA和蛋白表达升高,而敲低RBM15后,ATAD3A mRNA和蛋白表达降低(均P < 0.001)。RNA免疫沉淀实验显示,与IgG组相比,RBM15抗体的免疫沉淀中ATAD3A mRNA显著富集(均P < 0.001)。MeRIP-qPCR实验显示,ATAD3A mRNA 501、5 312、12 137位点均存在明显的m6A甲基化富集(均P < 0.001)。RNA衰变实验显示,敲低RBM15能降低HeLa、SiHa细胞ATAD3A mRNA的半衰期和稳定性(均P < 0.001)。敲低HeLa、SiHa细胞RBM15的表达,显著抑制癌细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭,Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白Wnt3、β-catenin、vimentin表达均显著降低(均P < 0.001);而过表达ATAD3A可完全逆转上述抑制作用(均P < 0.001)。结论:RBM15通过m6A修饰ATAD3A mRNA调控Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,从而促进宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭。
4.Inflammatory mechanisms and potential drug targets in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Xiao-Jing HAN ; Qi-Qi HAN ; Feng QIAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(5):828-832
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)is a progressive,chronic mesenchymal lung disease,which is difficult to cure.There are many factors that lead to pulmonary fibrosis,such as smoking,external environmental pollution,drugs,viral infec-tions,etc.Alveolar epithelial injury,myofibroblast growth,and collagen deposition are characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fi-brosis,which in turn leads to dysfunction of functional gas ex-change,respiratory failure,and even death.The pathological mechanism of IPF is unknown and there is a lack of curative drugs,and the morbidity and mortality rate remain high.There-fore,it is urgent to explore the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibro-sis and find new treatment strategies.In this review,we summa-rize the inflammatory mechanisms by which macrophages mediate pulmonary fibrosis,the role of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmona-ry fibrosis,and the possible potential drug targets.
5.Research progress on neurobiological mechanisms underlying antidepressant effect of ketamine
Dong-Yu ZHOU ; Wen-Xin ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing ZHAI ; Dan-Dan CHEN ; Yi HAN ; Ran JI ; Xiao-Yuan PAN ; Jun-Li CAO ; Hong-Xing ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1622-1627
Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a prevalent con-dition associated with substantial impairment and low remission rates.Traditional antidepressants demonstrate delayed effects,low cure rate,and inadequate therapeutic effectiveness for man-aging treatment-resistant depression(TRD).Several studies have shown that ketamine,a non-selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)antagonist,can produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects.Ketamine has demonstrated efficacy for reducing suicidality in TRD patients.However,the pharmaco-logical mechanism for ketamine's antidepressant effects remains incompletely understood.Previous research suggests that the an-tidepressant effects of ketamine may involve the monoaminergic,glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems.This paper provides an overview of the pharmacological mechanism for ketamine's anti-depressant effects and discuss the potential directions for future research.
6.Ginkgo biloba extract activates Nrf2/ARE pathway to improve vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia in rats
Sheng-Yong SI ; Hong-Man LI ; Si-Si MIAO ; Xiao HAN ; Zhi-Jing LI ; Chao-Jun WEI ; Da-Nan LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1837-1844
Aim To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)on vascular endothelial dysfunc-tion induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)in rats and its related mechanisms.Methods The CIH rat model was established,and 50 and 100 mg·kg-1 GBE was administered by intragastric administration.The systolic blood pressure(SBP)of the tail artery was detected in each group.HE staining was used to detect the morphology of aorta tissue.DAF-FM DA staining and nitric reductase assay were used to detect NO levels.ELISA was used to detect serum ET-1,TNF-α and IL-6 levels.DHE staining was used to de-tect reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels of aortic tis-sue.Kits were used to detect the serum levels of MDA,SOD and GSH-Px.Western blot was used to detect the levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,nucleus Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 of aortic tissue.Results GBE sig-nificantly decreased the levels of SBP,ET-1,ROS,MDA,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,TNF-α and IL-6,and sig-nificantly increased the levels of NO,SOD,GSH-Px,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 in CIH rats.GBE sig-nificantly improved the histomorphology of aorta in CIH rats.Conclusions GBE can improve vascular endo-thelial dysfunction and reduce blood pressure in CIH model rats.The mechanism may be related to the acti-vation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and the inhibition of oxi-dative stress and inflammation by GBE.
7.Carnosine attenuates OGD/R damage to BV2 cells by inhibiting ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis
Rui-Li RAN ; Yu-Tong WANG ; Jun-Qiu SONG ; Jiang BIAN ; De-Wei WANG ; Xiao-Han JIANG ; Fu-Lin YOU ; Jing YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2150-2158
Aim To investigate the protective effect of carnosine on BV2 cell damage induced by oxygen-glu-cose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)and its role in mediating pyrodeath through the ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway.Methods BV2 cells were randomly divided into the control group(Con),model group(OGD/R),carnosine group(OGD/R+CAR),inhibitor group(OGD/R+MCC950),and carnosine+inhibitor group(OGD/R+CAR+MCC950).The cell survival rate was detected by MTT assay.The release rate of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in cell supernatant was detected by microenzyme labeling method.Cell damage was as-sessed using Hoechst 33342/SYTOX Green staining.ROS levels in cells were detected by DCFH-DA.The nucleation level of NF-κB p65 was observed by immu-nofluorescence.The protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were detected by Western blot.The levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.Results Com-pared with Con group,the survival rate of cells in the OGD/R group was significantly reduced,LDH release was significantly raised,cell morphology was damaged,and the positive rate of SYTOX Green was significantly elevated with ROS level in cells.The fluorescence in-tensity of NF-κB p65 in the nucleus increased,and the protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N increased significantly,and the levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in the cell superserum in-creased significantly.Compared with the OGD/R group,the survival rate of cells in other groups in-creased significantly,the LDH release rate significantly decreased,and the cell damage was improved to a cer-tain extent.The positive rate of SYTOX Green and ROS production in cells significantly decreased,and the fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 in nucleus markedly decreased.The expression levels of related proteins and the levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in cell super-natant significantly decreased.Conclusion Carnosine can protect BV2 cells from OGD/R-induced damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and NF-κB activation,then inhibiting NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway.
8.Research progress on molecular mechanism underlying neuropsychiatric diseases involving NMDA receptor and α2 adrenergic receptor
Wen-Xin ZHANG ; Dong-Yu ZHOU ; Yi HAN ; Ran JI ; Lin AI ; An XIE ; Xiao-Jing ZHAI ; Jun-Li CAO ; Hong-Xing ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(12):2206-2212
Glutamate,norepinephrine,and their receptors com-prise the glutamatergic and norepinephrine systems,which mu-tually affect each other and play essential roles in mediating vari-ous neuropsychiatric diseases.This paper reviews the functions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDA-R)and α2-adrenergic receptor(α2-AR)and their functional crosstalk at the molecular level in brain in common neuropsychiatric diseases,which would benefit our understanding of neuropathophysiology of psychiatric diseases,drug development and optimization of clinical neuro-psychopharmacology.
9.Comparison on efficacy of MRI-transrectal ultrasound software fusion-guided biopsy and cognitive fusion-guided biopsy for detecting prostate cancer
Jing YANG ; Hao FENG ; Han XIA ; Yanhui MA ; Xiao XIAO ; Zhiyuan WANG ; Wenjuan XU ; Zheng WANG ; Qibing FAN ; Yuyong SHEN ; Jing DING ; Tingyue QI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(7):403-407
Objective To compare the efficacy of MRI-transrectal ultrasound(TRUS)software fusion-guided biopsy and cognitive fusion-guided biopsy for detecting prostate cancer(PC).Methods Data of 120 patients with suspected PC(127 lesions)who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy with 2-3 times of target biopsy(TB)and 10 times of system biopsy were retrospectively analyzed.According to TB guidance methods,73 cases(78 lesions)received MRI-TRUS software fusion-guided biopsy were classified into group A,and 47 cases(49 lesions)received cognitive fusion-guided biopsy were classified into group B.The positive rate of PC,clinic significant PC(csPC)and PC in different sized lesions by TB were compared between groups,and the positive rate of PC between 2 or 3 times TB was also compared within each group.Results The positive rate of PC and csPC detected by TB was 55.13%(43/78)and 39.74%(31/78)in group A,53.06%(26/49)and 34.69%(17/49)in group B,respectively,no significant difference was found(all P>0.05).The positive rate of PC in lesions with the maximum diameter≤10 mm detected by TB in group A was higher than that in group B(P<0.05),but no significant difference of lesions with the maximum diameter>10 mm and<15 mm nor≥15 mm was found between groups(all P>0.05).No significant difference of positive rate of PC was found between 2 and 3 times TB in group A(P>0.05),while positive rate of PC of 3 times TB was significantly higher than that of 2 times TB in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion MRI-TRUS software fusion-guided biopsy had positive rate of PC and csPC similar to that of cognitive fusion-guided biopsy,but was helpful for reducing times of TB and increasing detecting rate for lesions with the maximum diameter≤10 mm.
10.Clinical Analysis of 25 Cases of Acquired Hemophilia A in a Single Center
Yu-Jie GUO ; Huan HAN ; Xiao LI ; Zhi-Yun NIU ; Jing-Yu ZHANG ; Yan WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(6):1829-1833
Objective:To explore the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A (AHA ) based on the analysis of clinical data.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,treatment,and outcomes of 25 patients diagnosed with AHA who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Results:Among all patients,11 cases had secondary factors,including 5 cases of autoimmune diseases,3 cases of pregnancy-related disease,1 case of pemphigoid,1 case of Graves'disease,and 1 case of monoclonal gammaglobulinemia of unknown significance (MGUS ).The bleeding sites include the skin,mucous membrane,muscle,joint cavity and brain tissue.Twenty-three patients were treated with prednisone combined with cyclophosphamide (CP regimen),one patient with rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide because of femoral head necrosis,and one case with rituximab monotherapy because of gastrointestinal bleeding after prednisone treatment. Among them,23 cases achieved complete remission (CR),2 cases were partial remission (PR),and 8 cases relapsed after CR.All of 10 patients including 2 cases with PR and 8 relapsed cases after CR were treated with rituximab.At last,8 patients achieved CR,and 2 patients (both were patients with recurrence after first CR)achieved PR.These two patients achieving PR were treated with low-dose rituximab combined with bortezomib (RB regimen ).One patient reached CR after 4 cycles and the other reached CR after 6 cycles of RB regimen.After CR,4 of the 10 patients treated with rituximab received maintenance therapy with rituximab monotherapy for 1.5 to 2 years,in which,none of them relapsed.Among the 6 patients who did not receive maintenance therapy,4 patients relapsed after CR,and the median time to relapse was 15 months.Eight patients treated with CP regimen developed common infections,and two patients treated with rituximab developed severe pneumonia.All 25 patients survived until the end of follow-up.Conclusion:Skin ecchymosis,mucous hemorrhage and muscle hematoma are the most common hemorrhagic manifestations in AHA,and joint hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage can also occur.CP regimen is the preferred option of first-line therapy for AHA.Rituximab can be used for patients with steroid contraindication or who failed to respond to the above therapy or relapsed after effective treatment,and maintenance therapy is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence.Meanwhile,close attention should be paid to the occurrence of infection events during rituximab treatment.Rituximab in combination with bortezomib can also be used in patients with refractory or relapsing AHA.


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