1.Mechanism of Naoxintong Capsules Against Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats via Inhibiting Pericyte Contraction Based on RHOA/ROCK1 Pathway
Yinlian WEN ; Jinfeng SHANG ; Bohong WANG ; Wanting WEI ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Guijinfeng HUANG ; Xin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):159-167
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Naoxintong capsules on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats based on the changes of pericytes mediated by Ras homolog family member A (RHOA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) pathway. MethodsNinety rats (15 rats for each group) were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a positive control group receiving Ginkgo biloba extract (21.6 mg·kg-1), and groups receiving Naoxintong capsules at low, medium, and high doses of 55, 110, and 220 mg·kg-1 (NXT-L, NXT-M, and NXT-H groups), respectively. Except for those in the sham operation group, all rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) to establish the experiment model. Nerve function was assessed using a neurological function score. Cerebral blood flow was detected using a laser speckle contrast imager, and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated using 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining, while pericyte morphology was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Blood-brain barrier destruction was observed by Evans blue staining. Albumin and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured using assay kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRB), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), tight junction protein (ZO-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited decreased neurological function scores, higher percentage reduction in blood flow, and increased cerebral infarction rates (P<0.01). Additionally, cortical neuronal nucleus shrinkage, edema, a decreased number of Nissl bodies, reduced pericyte area, elevated albumin content in the cortex (P<0.05), and increased ischemic modified albumin levels (P<0.01) were observed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, PDGFRB, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were increased (P<0.01), while those of ZO-1 were decreased. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed improved neurological function scores, lower percentage reduction in blood flow, reduced cerebral infarction rates (P<0.01), alleviated cortical histological changes, increased number of Nissl bodies, expanded pericyte area, decreased albumin content in the cortex, and reduced ischemia-modified albumin levels (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, PDGFRB, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were decreased (P<0.01), while those of ZO-1 were increased. Among the treatment groups, the NXT-M group showed the most pronounced improvement in cerebral I/R injury. ConclusionNaoxintong capsules can restore cerebral blood supply, reduce microcirculation disturbance, and protect blood-brain barrier in rats with I/R injury. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling pathway and reduced pericyte contraction.
2.Mechanism of Naoxintong Capsules Against Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats via Inhibiting Pericyte Contraction Based on RHOA/ROCK1 Pathway
Yinlian WEN ; Jinfeng SHANG ; Bohong WANG ; Wanting WEI ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Guijinfeng HUANG ; Xin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):159-167
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Naoxintong capsules on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats based on the changes of pericytes mediated by Ras homolog family member A (RHOA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) pathway. MethodsNinety rats (15 rats for each group) were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a positive control group receiving Ginkgo biloba extract (21.6 mg·kg-1), and groups receiving Naoxintong capsules at low, medium, and high doses of 55, 110, and 220 mg·kg-1 (NXT-L, NXT-M, and NXT-H groups), respectively. Except for those in the sham operation group, all rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) to establish the experiment model. Nerve function was assessed using a neurological function score. Cerebral blood flow was detected using a laser speckle contrast imager, and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated using 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining, while pericyte morphology was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Blood-brain barrier destruction was observed by Evans blue staining. Albumin and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured using assay kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRB), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), tight junction protein (ZO-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited decreased neurological function scores, higher percentage reduction in blood flow, and increased cerebral infarction rates (P<0.01). Additionally, cortical neuronal nucleus shrinkage, edema, a decreased number of Nissl bodies, reduced pericyte area, elevated albumin content in the cortex (P<0.05), and increased ischemic modified albumin levels (P<0.01) were observed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, PDGFRB, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were increased (P<0.01), while those of ZO-1 were decreased. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed improved neurological function scores, lower percentage reduction in blood flow, reduced cerebral infarction rates (P<0.01), alleviated cortical histological changes, increased number of Nissl bodies, expanded pericyte area, decreased albumin content in the cortex, and reduced ischemia-modified albumin levels (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA, ROCK1, PDGFRB, α-SMA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were decreased (P<0.01), while those of ZO-1 were increased. Among the treatment groups, the NXT-M group showed the most pronounced improvement in cerebral I/R injury. ConclusionNaoxintong capsules can restore cerebral blood supply, reduce microcirculation disturbance, and protect blood-brain barrier in rats with I/R injury. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling pathway and reduced pericyte contraction.
3.Progress in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia
Xiaolu ZHU ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(2):179-185
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease of myeloid hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Although new drugs have emerged in recent years, the status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in AML still remains irreplaceable. This article reviews the adjustment of indications for HSCT in AML, donor selection, and updates of conditioning regimens, new prevention strategies for post-transplant relapse, new targeted drugs, immunotherapy combined with HSCT to improve the prognosis of relapsed and refractory AML, and optimization of transplantation technology for elderly AML.
4.Intrinsic specific TGF-β signaling in myofibers attenuates mouse acute skeletal myositis via LRP1
Qihui CAI ; Haiqiang LAN ; Bojun XIAN ; Nan WANG ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Xiaolu NIU ; Xinyu HU ; Chen LI ; Junyi XIE ; Zhaohong LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1365-1374
AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.
5.Investigation and influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in elderly patients with ischemic stroke
Hong RAN ; Yan REN ; Xiaolu HUANG ; Xiaodan HAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):123-126
Objective To explore enteral nutrition support and analyze its influencing factors in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 328 patients with ischemic stroke in General Hospital of Western Theater Command were enrolled for nutritional screening between July 2020 and February 2024. Corresponding nutritional support plans were selected to investigate the compliance of patients with enteral nutrition support. Patients were divided into a standard group (n=140) and a non-standard group (n=97) based on whether their calorie intake met the standard. The effects of different clinical characteristics on enteral nutrition support were explored, and logistic analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-standard enteral nutrition support. Results In the 328 patients with ischemic stroke, proportions of total parenteral nutrition support, total enteral nutrition support, and parenteral/enteral nutrition support were 25.30%, 27.74% and 46.95%, respectively. The proportions of vomiting or regurgitation, gastric residual volume >100 mL, mechanical ventilation and use of antibiotics >2 in the non-standard group were higher than those in the standard group (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that the above clinical characteristics were risk factors influencing patients with enteral nutrition support and parenteral/enteral nutrition support. Conclusion Vomiting or regurgitation , gastric residual volume, mechanical ventilation, and amount of antibiotics used are important influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in patients. Clinicians should pay attention to the above clinical characteristics.
6.Association of MEN1 gene with prognosis and immune infiltration of breast cancer
Xiaolu SUN ; Yandong HUANG ; Lianxiang WANG ; Daxi WU ; Hejing HUANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(1):79-88
Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1)gene in breast cancer.Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database was used to analyze the relationship between MEN1 gene and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer.Kaplan-Meier method was used to observe the effect of MEN1 on survival of breast cancer patients.Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG),and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to predict the function and signaling pathways of MEN1 related and interacting genes.Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER)and single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)were used to investigate the correlation between the level of immune infiltration and MEN1 expression in breast cancer.Results MEN1 was highly expressed in breast cancer patients,and its expression level was related to PAM50 subtype and menopause status(both P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high MEN1 expression was associated with poor clinical outcome(P=0.019).GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MEN1 related and interacting genes were involved in biological processes(histone modification,histone-lysine methylation),cell components(methyltransferase complex and histone methyltransferase complex),molecular functions(histone-methyltransferase activity),and functional pathways(transcriptional disorders in tumors).GSEA identified that the highly expressed MEN1 phenotype was involved in vesicle-mediated transport,complement cascade,B-cell receptor signaling,lymphocyte-non-lymphocyte interaction,interleukin signaling,and cytokine signaling pathways in the immune system.CancerSEA single cell sequencing results indicated that the expression of MEN1 was positively correlated with angiogenesis in MDA-MB-231 cells(P<0.05).TIMER analysis found that MEN1 in breast cancer was negatively correlated with the infiltration levels of macrophages and CD8+T cells,and positively correlated with the infiltration level of CD4+T cells(all P<0.05).ssGSEA showed that the infiltration levels of 18 types of immune cells were negatively correlated with MEN1 expression(all P<0.05).Conclusion High MEN1 level is associated with poor survival and immune infiltration in breast cancer patients.
7.Study on the top-down facial recognition pathway in adults with amblyopia based on event-related potentials
Xiaolu MING ; Gantian HUANG ; Longqian LIU
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(7):546-553
Objective To investigate the neural processing characteristics of the top-down pathway in adults with amblyopia during face perception tasks,with a focus on event-related potential components(P1,N170),thereby elucida-ting the role of top-down pathways in face cognition.Methods Sixteen amblyopic patients(amblyopia group)and fif-teen healthy controls(control group)were recruited.Participants performed a face perception task designed in E-Prime 3.0,while behavioral metrics[false alarm rate(FAR),reaction time(RT)]and neural responses were recorded using a 64-channel EEG cap.EEG data underwent time-domain analysis,comparing group differences in behavioral performance and neurophysiological responses(mean amplitudes of P1 and N170 components).Results Preliminary behavioral analy-sis showed no significant differences in FAR or RT between groups(all P>0.05).No significant differences were observed in P1 amplitude across any main effects or interactions(all P>0.05).The mean P1 amplitude did not differ significantly between the amblyopia and control groups(P>0.05).For the N170 component,significant main effects and interactions were identified across electrode sites and experimental conditions:electrode main effect:F(3,63)=29.064,P=0.000,η2=0.581;condition main effect:F(2,42)=23.677,P=0.000,η2=0.530;electrode × condition interaction:F(6,126)=5.846,P=0.002,η2=0.218.Notably,the mean N170 amplitude showed no significant group difference between amblyopic patients and healthy controls(P>0.05).Conclusion Early visual processing(P1)remains intact in amblyopic patients,where-as altered N170 dynamics across electrodes and conditions suggest compensatory engagement of top-down pathways during face recognition in amblyopia.
8.Detection of Adulterated Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.in Juhong Pills Based on National Drug Sampling and Testing
Ping XUE ; Xiaolu ZHANG ; Jiali ZHANG ; Qiangyan HUANG ; Zhengrong GU ; Minhong LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(9):1410-1417
Objective To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of peimine,peiminine,and hupehenine in Juhong pills,to investigate the raw material usage of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.,and to preliminarily develop a detection approach for identifying adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia.Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 SB C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.7 μm)with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-methanol(1∶1)and 0.1%formic acid under gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 0.3 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 35℃,and the injection volume was 2 μL.Electrospray ionization(ESI)in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring were employed to quantify the three components in 170 batches of Juhong pills.Simulated positive samples with varying adulteration ratios of Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia were prepared to establish a simple yet efficient detection limit for adulteration.Results Three components showed good linear correlation within their ranges(r≥0.997 5),and the averaged recoveries ranged from 92.0%-106.2%.A total of 61 batches were suspected of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration with Fritillaria hupehensis Hsiao et K.C.Hsia in raw material inputs,with the peimine to peiminine ratio below 1.15.Among these samples,27 batches were large honey-bound pills with hupehenine levels of 2.636-9.939 μg·g-1;34 batches were water-honeyed pills showing significantly higher hupehenine contamination at 6.752-48.137 μg·g-1.Conclusion The established method is simple,reliable,and accurate for the quality control of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.adulteration in Juhong pills without imposing significant additional costs.
9.Study on the top-down facial recognition pathway in adults with amblyopia based on event-related potentials
Xiaolu MING ; Gantian HUANG ; Longqian LIU
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(7):546-553
Objective To investigate the neural processing characteristics of the top-down pathway in adults with amblyopia during face perception tasks,with a focus on event-related potential components(P1,N170),thereby elucida-ting the role of top-down pathways in face cognition.Methods Sixteen amblyopic patients(amblyopia group)and fif-teen healthy controls(control group)were recruited.Participants performed a face perception task designed in E-Prime 3.0,while behavioral metrics[false alarm rate(FAR),reaction time(RT)]and neural responses were recorded using a 64-channel EEG cap.EEG data underwent time-domain analysis,comparing group differences in behavioral performance and neurophysiological responses(mean amplitudes of P1 and N170 components).Results Preliminary behavioral analy-sis showed no significant differences in FAR or RT between groups(all P>0.05).No significant differences were observed in P1 amplitude across any main effects or interactions(all P>0.05).The mean P1 amplitude did not differ significantly between the amblyopia and control groups(P>0.05).For the N170 component,significant main effects and interactions were identified across electrode sites and experimental conditions:electrode main effect:F(3,63)=29.064,P=0.000,η2=0.581;condition main effect:F(2,42)=23.677,P=0.000,η2=0.530;electrode × condition interaction:F(6,126)=5.846,P=0.002,η2=0.218.Notably,the mean N170 amplitude showed no significant group difference between amblyopic patients and healthy controls(P>0.05).Conclusion Early visual processing(P1)remains intact in amblyopic patients,where-as altered N170 dynamics across electrodes and conditions suggest compensatory engagement of top-down pathways during face recognition in amblyopia.
10.Intrinsic specific TGF-β signaling in myofibers attenuates mouse acute skeletal myositis via LRP1
Qihui CAI ; Haiqiang LAN ; Bojun XIAN ; Nan WANG ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Xiaolu NIU ; Xinyu HU ; Chen LI ; Junyi XIE ; Zhaohong LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1365-1374
AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail