1.High intensity forced ultrasound-driven ferroptosis as a strategy for anti-tumor immune priming.
Xuejing LI ; Jiayi WU ; Ruizhe XU ; Xifeng QIN ; Siyu WANG ; Wuli YANG ; Zhiqing PANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3788-3804
Cold tumors have a poor response to tumor immunotherapy due to low immune cell infiltration and the ability to evade immune attacks. Converting cold tumors into hot tumors can enhance the clinical effectiveness of anti-tumor immunotherapy. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-invasive treatment can damage tumors through mechanical effects, but there is a lack of research on its cytotoxic mechanisms at the cellular level and its role in inducing anti-immune responses. In this study, the role of HIFU in triggering tumor ferroptosis by disrupting the GSH/GSSG balance through mechanochemical action and the associated anti-tumor immune priming effect were investigated. The use of a nano-enhancer loaded with PFOB combined with HIFU could enhance ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer at a specific stage of tumor growth (UTGR = 0) while promoting the conversion of a cold tumor into a hot tumor, thereby improving the immune response. Overall, this provides valuable guidance for the clinical application of HIFU in tumor immunotherapy.
2.Effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on immune function,intestinal morphol-ogy and microflora of Sichuan white geese
Dezhi ZHANG ; Xifeng LI ; Fuxing GUI ; Chonghua ZHONG ; Huan HUANG ; Pingrui YANG ; Yongfeng HAO ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(2):369-378
This experiment was conducted to study the effects of replacing feed protein by Herme-tia illucens larvae meal on immune function,intestinal morphology and microflora of Sichuan white geese.A total of 64 healthy 1-day-old Sichuan white geese were randomly allocated into 4 groups with 4 replicates in each group and 4 geese in each replicate,namely the control group,the 2%HILM,4%HILM and 8%HILM groups fed diets contained 0%,2%,4%and 8%of HILM,re-spectively.The experimental period was 40 days.The results showed that compared with the con-trol group,8%HILM increased the levels of serum IgG1,IgG2a and complement C3,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).4%HILM significantly increased the expression level of CD4(P<0.05),and 8%HILM significantly increased the expression level of IL-10(P<0.05).The ratio of villus length to crypt depth(VH/CD)in the jejunum and ileum in 4%HILM group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The SIgA level of jejunum was significantly increased in all HILM replacement groups(P>0.05).The abundance of Bacteroides in 4%HILM group were extremely significantly increased(P<0.01),and the abundance of Bilophila and Bilophila wadsworthia were significantly decreased in all HILM replacement groups(P<0.05).In conclu-sion,HILM can enhance the immune function of Sichuan white geese,improve the intestinal mor-phology of jejunum and ileum,enhance the local mucosal immunity of jejunum,increase the abun-dance of beneficial bacteria in cecum and decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria in cecum,and protect intestinal health.
3.Revealing potential mechanism of Danggui Buxue decoction in regulating immuno-suppression via PI3K-AKT signaling pathway using network pharmacology and in vivo experiment
Huan HUANG ; Pingrui YANG ; Xifeng LI ; Fuxing GUI ; Yutao LI ; Li ZHANG ; Shuo LIU ; Yufei XIE ; Hongxu DU ; Shicheng BI ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(2):350-361
Danggui Buxue decoction(DBD)is a classic prescription with immunomodulatory and hematopoietic effects.Previous studies have shown the DBD has potential to be used as an oral im-mune booster.However,its immunomodulatory effects and mechanism of action have not been thoroughly studied,especially the protective mechanism of immunomodulatory regulation in the state of immunosuppressive is still unclear.The aim of this study was to explore the protective mechanism of DBD in the immunosuppressive state using network pharmacology combined with animal experiments verification.The active components,core targets and signaling pathways of DBD in treating immunosuppression were obtained using network pharmacology tools.On this ba-sis,the active components of DBD were identified using HPLC-MS,and in vivo studies were con-ducted at the same time.The key active components of DBD obtained using network pharmacology included quercetin,kaempferol and formononetin.The core targets included TP53,RELA,TNF,AKT1,and IL-6.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)may play an important role in the treatment of immunosuppres-sive diseases using DBD.Molecular docking confirmed that each core target had good binding activ-ity with its corresponding compounds.Animal experiments showed that after DBD intervention,the mRNA gene and protein expression of RELA,TNF,and IL-6 in the serum was significantly down-regulated.The mRNA expression of PI3K and AKT in the ileum and PI3K protein expression were also downregulated.In conclusion,DBD exerts its role in treating immunosuppressive diseases by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
4.Effect and mechanism of Macleaya cordata extract promoting the growth per-formance of Sichuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis
Yufei XIE ; Pingrui YANG ; Xifeng LI ; Huan HUANG ; Fuxing GUI ; Jingxuan NI ; Shich-eng BI ; Yongfeng HAO ; Chonghua ZHONG ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):2040-2050
To explore the effect of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)on growth performance and serum biochemistry of Sichuan White Geese,and to analyze its mechanism of action by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology combined with animal experiments verification.A total of 90 1-day-old healthy goslings were randomly divided into 5 groups with 18 goslings per group after 5 d of adaptive feeding.The control group(CON)was fed with basal diet,the antibiotic group(CTC)was supplemented with 450 mg/kg chlortetracycline premix,and the low MCE group(MCEL),medium MCE group(MCEM)and high MCE group(MCEH)were supple-mented with 200,300 and 400 mg/kg MCE,respectively.The experimental period was 21 d.On the basis of the above experiments,Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of MCE to promote geese growth from the levels of antioxidant,immune and apoptosis,and the expression levels of the core target genes were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The results showed that compared with the CON group,MCE supplementation could increase the average daily weight gain,decrease the ratio of feed to gain,significantly increase the contents of serum GH,T3,T4,TP and ALB(P<0.05),and significantly decrease the contents of serum AST and TG(P<0.05).Network pharmacology analysis predicted 2 active ingredient and 237 active ingredient targets,and concluded that the mechanism of MCE promoting the growth of Sichuan White Geese may be related to the role of 5 key targets such as SRC,HSP90AA1,CASP3,ESR1 and MAPK14,and the action of MAPK,apop-tosis and other signaling pathways.Molecular docking results showed that the active ingredients of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in MCE could act through MAPK14.The validation results of core targets showed that MCE could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of CytC,CASP2,CASP3 and CASP9 in spleen(P<0.05)and significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of Mcl-1(P<0.05).These results indicated that MCE could promote the growth performance of Si-chuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis,promoting the secretion of serum growth-related hor-mones and improving biochemical indicators.
5.Effect and mechanism of Macleaya cordata extract promoting the growth per-formance of Sichuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis
Yufei XIE ; Pingrui YANG ; Xifeng LI ; Huan HUANG ; Fuxing GUI ; Jingxuan NI ; Shich-eng BI ; Yongfeng HAO ; Chonghua ZHONG ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):2040-2050
To explore the effect of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)on growth performance and serum biochemistry of Sichuan White Geese,and to analyze its mechanism of action by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology combined with animal experiments verification.A total of 90 1-day-old healthy goslings were randomly divided into 5 groups with 18 goslings per group after 5 d of adaptive feeding.The control group(CON)was fed with basal diet,the antibiotic group(CTC)was supplemented with 450 mg/kg chlortetracycline premix,and the low MCE group(MCEL),medium MCE group(MCEM)and high MCE group(MCEH)were supple-mented with 200,300 and 400 mg/kg MCE,respectively.The experimental period was 21 d.On the basis of the above experiments,Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of MCE to promote geese growth from the levels of antioxidant,immune and apoptosis,and the expression levels of the core target genes were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The results showed that compared with the CON group,MCE supplementation could increase the average daily weight gain,decrease the ratio of feed to gain,significantly increase the contents of serum GH,T3,T4,TP and ALB(P<0.05),and significantly decrease the contents of serum AST and TG(P<0.05).Network pharmacology analysis predicted 2 active ingredient and 237 active ingredient targets,and concluded that the mechanism of MCE promoting the growth of Sichuan White Geese may be related to the role of 5 key targets such as SRC,HSP90AA1,CASP3,ESR1 and MAPK14,and the action of MAPK,apop-tosis and other signaling pathways.Molecular docking results showed that the active ingredients of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in MCE could act through MAPK14.The validation results of core targets showed that MCE could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of CytC,CASP2,CASP3 and CASP9 in spleen(P<0.05)and significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of Mcl-1(P<0.05).These results indicated that MCE could promote the growth performance of Si-chuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis,promoting the secretion of serum growth-related hor-mones and improving biochemical indicators.
6.Effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on immune function,intestinal morphol-ogy and microflora of Sichuan white geese
Dezhi ZHANG ; Xifeng LI ; Fuxing GUI ; Chonghua ZHONG ; Huan HUANG ; Pingrui YANG ; Yongfeng HAO ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(2):369-378
This experiment was conducted to study the effects of replacing feed protein by Herme-tia illucens larvae meal on immune function,intestinal morphology and microflora of Sichuan white geese.A total of 64 healthy 1-day-old Sichuan white geese were randomly allocated into 4 groups with 4 replicates in each group and 4 geese in each replicate,namely the control group,the 2%HILM,4%HILM and 8%HILM groups fed diets contained 0%,2%,4%and 8%of HILM,re-spectively.The experimental period was 40 days.The results showed that compared with the con-trol group,8%HILM increased the levels of serum IgG1,IgG2a and complement C3,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).4%HILM significantly increased the expression level of CD4(P<0.05),and 8%HILM significantly increased the expression level of IL-10(P<0.05).The ratio of villus length to crypt depth(VH/CD)in the jejunum and ileum in 4%HILM group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The SIgA level of jejunum was significantly increased in all HILM replacement groups(P>0.05).The abundance of Bacteroides in 4%HILM group were extremely significantly increased(P<0.01),and the abundance of Bilophila and Bilophila wadsworthia were significantly decreased in all HILM replacement groups(P<0.05).In conclu-sion,HILM can enhance the immune function of Sichuan white geese,improve the intestinal mor-phology of jejunum and ileum,enhance the local mucosal immunity of jejunum,increase the abun-dance of beneficial bacteria in cecum and decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria in cecum,and protect intestinal health.
7.Revealing potential mechanism of Danggui Buxue decoction in regulating immuno-suppression via PI3K-AKT signaling pathway using network pharmacology and in vivo experiment
Huan HUANG ; Pingrui YANG ; Xifeng LI ; Fuxing GUI ; Yutao LI ; Li ZHANG ; Shuo LIU ; Yufei XIE ; Hongxu DU ; Shicheng BI ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(2):350-361
Danggui Buxue decoction(DBD)is a classic prescription with immunomodulatory and hematopoietic effects.Previous studies have shown the DBD has potential to be used as an oral im-mune booster.However,its immunomodulatory effects and mechanism of action have not been thoroughly studied,especially the protective mechanism of immunomodulatory regulation in the state of immunosuppressive is still unclear.The aim of this study was to explore the protective mechanism of DBD in the immunosuppressive state using network pharmacology combined with animal experiments verification.The active components,core targets and signaling pathways of DBD in treating immunosuppression were obtained using network pharmacology tools.On this ba-sis,the active components of DBD were identified using HPLC-MS,and in vivo studies were con-ducted at the same time.The key active components of DBD obtained using network pharmacology included quercetin,kaempferol and formononetin.The core targets included TP53,RELA,TNF,AKT1,and IL-6.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)may play an important role in the treatment of immunosuppres-sive diseases using DBD.Molecular docking confirmed that each core target had good binding activ-ity with its corresponding compounds.Animal experiments showed that after DBD intervention,the mRNA gene and protein expression of RELA,TNF,and IL-6 in the serum was significantly down-regulated.The mRNA expression of PI3K and AKT in the ileum and PI3K protein expression were also downregulated.In conclusion,DBD exerts its role in treating immunosuppressive diseases by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
8.Exploring the mechanism of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair in the treatment of osteoporosis by network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics
Minjuan WANG ; Ting WANG ; Xifeng ZHAI ; Yang LI ; Lei CAO ; Jiawei HU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2024;47(4):364-374
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair in the treatment of osteoporosis through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics methods. Methods:Search the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and relevant literature to screen the active compounds of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair. Using TargetNet, SwissTargetPrediction, and STITCH databases to predict the target of active compounds. GeneCards, OMIM, TTD and DisGeNET databases were used to screen the related targets of osteoporosis, and the intersection targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 online tool. Using STRING database for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Construct a network diagram using Cytoscape 3.8.2 software and perform network feature analysis to determine key targets and core compounds. Using R 3.6.3 software for gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway analysis. Apply SYBYL-X 2.1.1 software to perform molecular docking between core compounds and key targets, and use GROMACS 2021.6 software for molecular dynamics simulation. Results:Totally 47 active compounds, 329 targets related to compounds, 4 604 targets related to osteoporosis, and 210 intersecting targets of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair were selected. Network feature analysis showed that luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, chryseriol, and pinoresinol were core compounds, while protein kinase B1(Akt1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), steroid receptor coactivator (Src), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (CASP3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and JUN were key targets. GO analysis showed that biological process (BP) mainly involve cellular hormone metabolism, intracellular receptor signaling pathways, oxidative stress responses, hormone metabolism processes, etc. Cell component (CC) mainly involved membrane rafts, membrane microregions, membrane regions, transcription factor complexes, etc. Molecular function (MF) mainly involved nuclear receptor activity, transcription factor activity, steroid hormone receptors, hormone binding, etc. KEGG analysis showed that the signaling pathways of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair in the treatment of osteoporosis mainly included osteoclast differentiation, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the core compounds could accurately bind to the active sites of key target proteins, and molecular dynamics analysis further verified the binding stability between the core compounds and key target proteins. Conclusions:The combination of Eucommiae Cortex- Epimedii Folium herbal pair has the characteristics of multiple components, targets, and pathways in the treatment of osteoporosis, laying a theoretical foundation for its clinical use.
9.Correlation between serum leptin, adiponectin levels and bone metabolism indexes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis
Ling ZHANG ; Xifeng HE ; Jing ZHANG ; Caixia YANG ; Yuanxia WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2024;18(4):544-548
Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum leptin (LEP), adiponectin (ADP) levels and bone metabolism indexes in pregnant GDM women complicated with osteoporosis.Methods:A total of 120 GDM patients admitted to our hospital from Dec. 2020 to Dec. 2023 were included as the observation group, and 30 healthy pregnant women were chosen as the control group. The levels of serum LEP, ADP, bone metabolism indexes [parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, amino terminal and middle osteocalcin (N-MID) ] were compared. The relationship between serum LEP, ADP and PTH, ALP, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and N-MID was analyzed by Pearson correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum LEP and ADP levels in gestational diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis.Results:The observation group had higher LEP level, but lower ADP, PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and N-MID level ( t=10.08, 7.19, 12.70, 15.05, 20.54, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in ALP between the two groups ( t=0.78, P>0.05) ; 25 had osteoporosis and 95 did not. LEP levels in the osteoporosis subgroup were significantly higher than those in the non-osteoporosis subgroup, and ADP, PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and N-MID levels were significantly lower ( t=4.44, 3.06, 3.51, 3.18, 3.00, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ALP level between the two groups ( t=0.38, P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum LEP and ADP were significantly correlated with PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and N-MID in pregnant GDM women ( P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum LEP, ADP and combined test in pregnant GDM women complicated with osteoporosis were 0.723, 0.650 and 0.755, respectively. Conclusion:Serum LEP level increases and ADP level decreases significantly in pregnant GDM women complicated with osteoporosis, which is closely related to bone metabolism indexes, and can assist in early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis.
10.Study on primary screening technique for children with autism spectrum disorder
Yuying HE ; Chunmei WEN ; Yingyu YAN ; Xifeng YANG ; Lei LONG ; Wuyue YANG ; Xiaoyan YANG ; Jingjing ZHENG ; Yang ZHOU ; Yanni CHEN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(1):81-86
To explore screening tools for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are convenient for primary hospitals, it can provide basic data for formulating ASD prevention policies. This was a cross-sectional study by cluster sampling. Huyi District and Xincheng District were extracted for investigation in Xi′an City. From July 2021 to September 2022, all children aged from 3 months to 36 months who live in the two districts were subjected to primary screening. The child care physician used the routine screening tool "warning signs checklist for screening psychological, behavioral and developmental problems of children" and cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism", the children who were positive in the initial screening were referred to the district level maternal and child health hospital for re-screening, and those who were positive in the re-screening were referred to Xi ′an Children′s Hospital for diagnosis. The results showed that a total of 17 905 children aged from 3 months to 36 months were initially screened in the two districts, including 10 588 children aged from 18 months to 36 months, 50 children who were positive in the initial screening and 50 children who were re-screened. 23 children (18 boys and 5 girls) were diagnosed with ASD. The prevalence rate of ASD in children was 2.17‰ (95% confidence interval:1.29‰-3.06‰). 42 children were positive for "warning signs checklist" at the preliminary screening, and 19 were confirmed as ASD. 27 children were positive for "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening, and 23 were confirmed with ASD. The "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening and diagnosis of consistent rate was higher than the "warning signs checklist", two kinds of screening methods comparison were statistically significant difference in the odds of consistent (χ 2=11.01, P=0.001). In conclusion, relying on the three-level network of maternal and child health care, it is conducive to the whole process management of screening and diagnosis of children with ASD, and to guide the formulation of prevention policies. The cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism" can assist the identification of children with ASD based on the "warning signs checklist", which is simple, effective and suitable for promotion in the community health care.

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