1.Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Sanwei Doukoutang to Improve Cognitive Dysfunction in 5×FAD Mice Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Shuran LI ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Yanyan BAO ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xinwei WANG ; Xinying LI ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; LIUXIAN ; Mengyao CUI ; Qingshan LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):54-60
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang (SWDK) on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group, total ginsenoside group(0.04 g·kg-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of SWDK (32.60, 16.30, 8.15 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group, and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group, male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic dense substance 95 (PSD95) in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The protein levels of BDNF, Wnt family member 3A(Wnt3a), and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice, the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed (P<0.01), significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time (P<0.05). The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95(P<0.01) in the serum of mice were reduced, and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes, the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds (P<0.01), significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), obviously higher percentage of Freezing time (P<0.05), and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP (P<0.05, P<0.01), PSD95 (P<0.01), increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue, and obviously elevated levels of BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.
2.Establishment and Application of Animal Models for Disease-syndrome Combination in Viral Pneumonia: A Review
Dan XIE ; Shuran LI ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Jing SUN ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Xian LIU ; Mengyao CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):61-69
Currently, viral pneumonia (VP) presents a major challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of VP is guided by the core concept of strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors rather than targeting specific pathogens, alongside a holistic approach of syndrome differentiation and treatment. By summarizing the clinical syndromes of patients, the core pathogenesis was clarified to achieve individualized therapy. Animal models for disease-syndrome combination integrate the etiology and pathogenesis of VP and simulate the individualized manifestations of patients at different disease stages, providing an experimental platform for elucidating the theoretical basis of TCM in treating VP and promoting the development of effective TCM formulations. However, there are limitations in the application and promotion of disease-syndrome combination animal models due to the lack of standardization and normalization of model construction systems, which arise from diverse species selection, compound modeling methods, and multidimensional evaluation indicators. This paper systematically reviewed the recent research on animal models for disease-syndrome combination in VP from the perspective of species selection, modeling methods, evaluation indicators, and application status. Furthermore, it summarized the advantages and limitations of existing models, identifies future directions for improvement, and proposes optimization strategies. This review provides a reference for establishing standardized and normalized animal models for disease-syndrome combinations in VP, supporting the theoretical modernization of TCM in preventing and controlling emerging respiratory infectious diseases, and contributing to the development of new TCM drugs.
3.Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Sanwei Doukoutang to Improve Cognitive Dysfunction in 5×FAD Mice Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Shuran LI ; Yaxin WANG ; Jing SUN ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Dan XIE ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Yanyan BAO ; Qiyue SUN ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xinwei WANG ; Xinying LI ; Xihe CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; LIUXIAN ; Mengyao CUI ; Qingshan LIU ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):54-60
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang (SWDK) on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group, total ginsenoside group(0.04 g·kg-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of SWDK (32.60, 16.30, 8.15 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group, and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group, male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic dense substance 95 (PSD95) in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The protein levels of BDNF, Wnt family member 3A(Wnt3a), and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice, the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed (P<0.01), significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time (P<0.05). The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95(P<0.01) in the serum of mice were reduced, and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes, the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds (P<0.01), significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), obviously higher percentage of Freezing time (P<0.05), and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP (P<0.05, P<0.01), PSD95 (P<0.01), increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue, and obviously elevated levels of BDNF, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity, allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.
4.Establishment and Application of Animal Models for Disease-syndrome Combination in Viral Pneumonia: A Review
Dan XIE ; Shuran LI ; Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Jing SUN ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Xian LIU ; Mengyao CUI ; Xiaowei YANG ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):61-69
Currently, viral pneumonia (VP) presents a major challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of VP is guided by the core concept of strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors rather than targeting specific pathogens, alongside a holistic approach of syndrome differentiation and treatment. By summarizing the clinical syndromes of patients, the core pathogenesis was clarified to achieve individualized therapy. Animal models for disease-syndrome combination integrate the etiology and pathogenesis of VP and simulate the individualized manifestations of patients at different disease stages, providing an experimental platform for elucidating the theoretical basis of TCM in treating VP and promoting the development of effective TCM formulations. However, there are limitations in the application and promotion of disease-syndrome combination animal models due to the lack of standardization and normalization of model construction systems, which arise from diverse species selection, compound modeling methods, and multidimensional evaluation indicators. This paper systematically reviewed the recent research on animal models for disease-syndrome combination in VP from the perspective of species selection, modeling methods, evaluation indicators, and application status. Furthermore, it summarized the advantages and limitations of existing models, identifies future directions for improvement, and proposes optimization strategies. This review provides a reference for establishing standardized and normalized animal models for disease-syndrome combinations in VP, supporting the theoretical modernization of TCM in preventing and controlling emerging respiratory infectious diseases, and contributing to the development of new TCM drugs.
6.High expression of DTX2 promotes proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells.
Zhennan MA ; Fuquan LIU ; Xuefeng ZHAO ; Xiaowei ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):829-836
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of DTX2 in regulating biological behaviors of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells (CRC/OXA cells).
METHODS:
CCK8 assay was used to determine the inhibition rate of oxaliplatin-treated CRC cells. A CRC/OXA cell line was constructed, in which DTX2 expression level was detected. The cells were transfected with a DTX2-shRNA plasmid or co-transfected with DTX2-shRNA and pcDNA-Notch2, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were evaluated using plate cloning assay, scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. The expression levels of Notch2, NICD and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins of the transfected cells were detected with Western blotting. In a nude mouse model bearing SW620/OXA cell xenografts, the effects of DTX2 knockdown and Notch2 overexpression in the implanted cells on tumor growth and protein expressions were tested.
RESULTS:
The IC50 of oxaliplatin was 6.00 μmol/L in SW620 cells and 8.00 μmol/L in LoVo cells. CRC/OXA cells showed a significantly increased expression of DTX2. DTX2 knockdown in CRC/OXA cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects were reversed by co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-Notch2. DTX2 knockdown significantly reduced the expression levels of Notch2, NICD and vimentin proteins and increased E-cadherin expression in CRC/OXA cells, and co-transfection with pcDNA-Notch2 potently attenuated the changes in these proteins. In the tumor-bearing mice, DTX2 overexpression obviously promoted the growth of SW620/OXA cell xenograft, enhanced the protein expressions of Notch2, NICD and vimentin, and lowered the expression of E-cadherin.
CONCLUSIONS
High expression of DTX2 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC/OXA cells through the Notch2 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential of DTX2 as a target to improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Oxaliplatin
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
;
Receptor, Notch2/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Movement
;
Organoplatinum Compounds/pharmacology*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Mice
7.Developing a polygenic risk score for pelvic organ prolapse: a combined risk assessment approach in Chinese women.
Xi CHENG ; Lei LI ; Xijuan LIN ; Na CHEN ; Xudong LIU ; Yaqian LI ; Zhaoai LI ; Jian GONG ; Qing LIU ; Yuling WANG ; Juntao WANG ; Zhijun XIA ; Yongxian LU ; Hangmei JIN ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Luwen WANG ; Juan CHEN ; Guorong FAN ; Shan DENG ; Sen ZHAO ; Lan ZHU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(4):665-674
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans
;
Female
;
Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Risk Assessment/methods*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Multifactorial Inheritance
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Adult
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Genetic Risk Score
;
East Asian People
8.Establishment of collection methods and laboratory testing methods for active pharmaceutical ingredient in the workplace air
Xiaowei FANG ; Zhonglin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Yuan SUN ; Xiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(6):457-462
Objective:To establish collection methods and laboratory testing methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 9 typical active pharmaceutical ingredient in the workplace air.Methods:In December 2021, a mixed solution of nine analytes was prepared and then dispersed in aerosol state to simulate sampling. Glass fiber filter membrane was selected as air collector and collected active pharmaceutical ingredient in the air at a rate of 2.0 L/min for 15 minutes. Then, the obtained filter membrane samples were eluted with 25%ACN/75%MeOH. Finally, the eluent was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed with liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.Results:This method could effectively collect active pharmaceutical ingredient in the air, with an average sampling efficiency of more than 98.5%. The linear correlation coefficient r was greater than 0.9990. The lower limit of quantification for each analyte ranged from 0.6~500.0 ng/ml, and the average recovery rate ranged from 97.6%~102.5%.Conclusion:This method could simultaneously collect 9 active pharmaceutical ingredient in the workplace air, and could provide accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis in subsequent laboratory tests.
9.A real-world study of first-line albumin-bound paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer in China
Juan DU ; Xin QIU ; Jiayao NI ; Qiaoli WANG ; Fan TONG ; Huizi SHA ; Yahui ZHU ; Liang QI ; Wei CAI ; Chao GAO ; Xiaowei WEI ; Minbin CHEN ; Zhuyin QIAN ; Maohuai CAI ; Min TAO ; Cailian WANG ; Guocan ZHENG ; Hua JIANG ; Anwei DAI ; Jun WU ; Minghong ZHAO ; Xiaoqin LI ; Bin LU ; Chunbin WANG ; Baorui LIU
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(11):1038-1048
Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.
10.Cardiovascular safety of sitagliptin added to metformin in real world patients with type 2 diabetes
Zuoxiang LIU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Houyu ZHAO ; Siyan ZHAN ; Feng SUN
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(3):424-430
Objective:To assess the safety of sitagliptin added to metformin on cardiovascular adverse events in real world patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:Real world data from Yinzhou Regional Health Care Database were used to select T2DM patients with diagnosis and treatment records in the platform from January 1,2017 to December 31,2022.According to drug prescription records,the patients were divided into metformin plus sitagliptin group(combination group)and metformin monotherapy group(monotherapy group).A series of retrospective cohorts were constructed according to the index date.Finally,full retrospective cohorts were constructed according to propensity score model,including baseline covariates that might be related to outcomes,to match the subjects in the combination group and monotherapy group for the purpose of increasing the comparability of baseline characteristics.The participants were followed up from the index date until the first occurrence of the following events:Diagnosis of outcomes,death,or the end of the study period(December 31,2022).Cox proportional risk model was used to estimate the hazard ratio(HR)and 95%confidence interval(CI)of sitagliptin added to metformin on 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events(3P-MACE)combination outcome and secondary cardiovascular outcomes.Results:Before propensity score matching,the proportion of the pa-tients in combination group using insulin,α glucosidase inhibitors,sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibi-tors(SGLT-2I)and glienides at baseline was higher than that in monotherapy group,and the baseline fasting blood glucose(FBG)and hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)levels in combination group were higher than those in monotherapy group.After propensity score matching,5 416 subjects were included in the combination group and the monotherapy group,and baseline characteristics were effectively balanced be-tween the groups.The incidence densities of 3P-MACE were 6.41/100 person years and 6.35/100 per-son years,respectively.Sitagliptin added to metformin did not increase or decrease the risk of 3P-MACE compared with the metformin monotherapy(HR=1.00,95%CI:0.91-1.10).In secondary outcomes analysis,the incidence of cardiovascular death was lower in the combination group than in the monothera-py group(HR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.85),and no association was found between sitagliptin and the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke(HR=1.12,95%CI:0.89-1.41;HR=0.99,95%CI:0.91-1.12).Conclusion:In T2DM patients in Yinzhou district of Ningbo,compared with metformin alone,sitagliptin added to metformin may reduce the risk of cardiovascular death,and do not increase the inci-dence of overall cardiovascular events.The results of this study can provide real-world evidence for post-marketing cardiovascular safety evaluation of sitagliptin.

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