1.Targeted screening and profiling of massive components of colistimethate sodium by two-dimensional-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on self-constructed compound database.
Xuan LI ; Minwen HUANG ; Yue-Mei ZHAO ; Wenxin LIU ; Nan HU ; Jie ZHOU ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Sheng TANG ; Jian-Bin PAN ; Hian Kee LEE ; Yao-Zuo YUAN ; Taijun HANG ; Hai-Wei SHI ; Hongyuan CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):101072-101072
In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.
2.A novel feedback loop: CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 in cardiac fibrosis.
Yuan JIANG ; Bowen ZHANG ; Bo ZHANG ; Xinhua SONG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Wei ZENG ; Liyang ZUO ; Xinqi LIU ; Zheng DONG ; Wenzheng CHENG ; Yang QIAO ; Saidi JIN ; Dongni JI ; Xiaofei GUO ; Rong ZHANG ; Xieyang GONG ; Lihua SUN ; Lina XUAN ; Berezhnova Tatjana ALEXANDROVNA ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Mingyu ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG ; Chaoqian XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5192-5211
Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.
3.Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating HuR to Suppress hsa_circ_0057552
Rui YANG ; Bian-Li GU ; Lin-Lin SHI ; Shuo-Xuan LI ; Yao-Wu LANG ; Zhi-Xiang ZUO ; She-Gan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(11):1678-1686
Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P<0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P<0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P<0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.
4.Exploring the Current Status of Research on the Mechanism of Acupuncture Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease in Animal Experiments Using Visual Analysis Methods
Jiheng ZUO ; Xuan YANG ; Donghua LI ; Zidong WANG ; Zhigang LI ; Huiling TIAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(2):346-354
Objective In this paper,CiteSpace(V6.3.R1)was used to sort out and summarize the experimental study on the mechanism and development trend of acupuncture intervention in Alzheimer's disease(AD),so as to provide basis and suggestions for subsequent research.Methods Relevant literatures on the mechanism of acupuncture intervention in AD were retrieved from CNKI database from March 1997 to March 2024.CiteSpace(V6.3.R1)software was used to visually display keywords,draw corresponding maps,and discuss the hot spots of acupuncture intervention mechanism in AD.Results After screening,a total of 397 articles were included in this study.The mechanism of acupuncture intervention in AD mainly focuses on the regulation of synaptic plasticity,regulation of neurotransmitter release,regulation of neuroinflammation,regulation of apoptosis,influence on mitochondrial autophagy,anti-oxidative stress and so on.Conclusion Acupuncture intervention in AD has developed rapidly,involving Notch1/Hes signaling pathway,Shh signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and other signaling pathways.The research heat of TCM acupuncture intervention in AD continues to rise,and various research teams have harvested rich research results,diversified research hotspots,and in-depth exploration of acupuncture treatment of AD has rich clinical value.
5.Advances in fat mass and obesity-related protein-mediated N6-adenylate methylation in atherosclerosis
Zhuoyi XIE ; Songtao CHEN ; Xuan SUN ; Peijuan YANG ; Yali CHEN ; Qinjun GUI ; Jianhong ZUO
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(3):257-263
N6-methyladenosine(m6A)is the most common mRNA modification in eukaryotes,and fat mass and obesity-related protein(FTO),are its demethylases,which efficiently remove the modification of m6A mRNA,and is strongly associated with obesity.Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the blood vessel wall driven by lipids.It was found that FTO-mediated m6A may influence the process of atherosclerosis through lipid metabolism,oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,and macrophage foaminess.
6.Targeted screening and profiling of massive components of colistimethate sodium by two-dimensional-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on self-constructed compound database
Xuan LI ; Minwen HUANG ; Yue-Mei ZHAO ; Wenxin LIU ; Nan HU ; Jie ZHOU ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Sheng TANG ; Jian-Bin PAN ; Kee-Lee HIAN ; Yao-Zuo YUAN ; Taijun HANG ; Hai-Wei SHI ; Hongyuan CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):401-410
In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics.Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges.A two-dimensional(2D)liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium(CMS).A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated.For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS,a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution(HR)mass spectrum database of CMS components was established.The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library(PCDL)software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening.On this basis,the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned.The molecular formula,group composition,and origins of a total of 99 compounds,of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95%of CMS components,were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL.This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h,providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.
7.Change Law in Material Basis of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma During Nine-time Repeating Steaming and Sun-drying Processing Based on Characteristic Chromatogram and Chemometrics
Xuan AO ; Taotao LIU ; Miao YU ; Lan WANG ; Xiaojie YIN ; Jingyu ZUO ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):191-198
ObjectiveTo characterize the changes in the overall chemical profile and key index components during nine-time repeating steaming and sun-drying processing of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and to reveal the change law of its material basis. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to analyze the changes in the overall chemical profile of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces, and the contents of 15 main active components such as chrysophanol-8-O-β-D-glucoside, chrysophanol and gallic acid in the process of nine-time repeating steaming and sun-drying were determined. Combined with chemometrics, the contents and quantity ratio relationships of the glycosides, aglycones and tannins during the processing of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed, and the partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) and cluster analysis of the main components in different steaming times were conducted, the statistically significant differential markers were selected with the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. ResultsIn the nine-time repeating steaming and sun-drying process of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, there were certain regularity in the number and peak area of characteristic peaks and the steaming and sun-drying times, the anthraquinone glycosides and aglycones could be roughly divided into three stages, including rapid change stage, fluctuation change stage and stable stage, and the total amount of tannins showed a decreasing trend. However, the ratios between the three components mentioned above tended to stabilize after five rounds of steaming and sun-drying. The results of PLS-DA and cluster heatmap showed that the content of each component in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma fluctuated greatly during the 1-4 steaming and sun-drying processes, while the content of each component was relatively close during the 5-9 steaming and sun-drying processes. After screening, it was found that chrysophanol, emodin, chrysophanol-8-O-β-D-glucoside, rhein, physcion and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside could be used as the index components for distinguishing the processed products of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma with different steaming and sun-drying times. ConclusionThe changes in the properties and efficacy of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma caused by the processing of nine-time repeating steaming and sun-drying are due to the changes in the composition and ratio of various glycosides and complex tannins in this herb, which is also the key to the formation of its characteristic of "purgation with supplement". This study can provide a basis for the research on the processing mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and the establishment of processing specifications.
8.Application of concentrated growth factor in treatment of chronic wounds
Chaoqi ZUO ; Zhiqiang ZHANG ; Nan CAO ; Xuan GUO ; Kai XIE ; Haixia WANG ; Guangliang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(32):6971-6978
BACKGROUND:Current treatment strategies for chronic non-healing wounds have shown unsatisfactory results,necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.Concentrated growth factors,rich in high-concentration growth factors and possessing a stable natural three-dimensional structure,have demonstrated significant application value in the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds.OBJECTIVE:To review the current status of concentrated growth factor application in chronic non-healing wounds,analyze the shortcomings of concentrated growth factor in clinical applications,and propose constructive suggestions and prospects.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,and VIP databases were searched with the key words of"concentrated growth factor,platelet concentrate products,chronic wound,chronic ulcer,wound healing,platelet-rich plasma,platelet-rich fibrin"in Chinese.PubMed was searched with the key words of"CGF,concentrated growth factor,platelet concentrate products,chronic wound,chronic ulcer,wound healing,PRP,PRF,platelet-rich plasma,platelet-rich fibrin"in English.The articles published from 2000 to 2024 were searched and further analyzed and summarized after screening.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Concentrated growth factor,with its diverse application forms,high concentration of growth factors,natural three-dimensional structure,compatibility with various material technologies,relatively low cost,and ease of operation,has demonstrated significant clinical value in the treatment of chronic wounds.Numerous researchers have validated its positive effects in chronic wound therapy through clinical applications.However,there is currently no clear consensus on standardized concentrated growth factor application protocols,and certain deficiencies have been revealed in practical applications,including issues with dosage,centrifugation settngs,identification schemes,and preparation methods for different forms of concentrated growth factor.There is substantial room for research on concentrated growth factor,and it is believed that with a clear consensus on its application in the future,concentrated growth factor could play a significant role in clinical practice.
9.Advances in fat mass and obesity-related protein-mediated N6-adenylate methylation in atherosclerosis
Zhuoyi XIE ; Songtao CHEN ; Xuan SUN ; Peijuan YANG ; Yali CHEN ; Qinjun GUI ; Jianhong ZUO
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(3):257-263
N6-methyladenosine(m6A)is the most common mRNA modification in eukaryotes,and fat mass and obesity-related protein(FTO),are its demethylases,which efficiently remove the modification of m6A mRNA,and is strongly associated with obesity.Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the blood vessel wall driven by lipids.It was found that FTO-mediated m6A may influence the process of atherosclerosis through lipid metabolism,oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,and macrophage foaminess.
10.Exploring the Current Status of Research on the Mechanism of Acupuncture Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease in Animal Experiments Using Visual Analysis Methods
Jiheng ZUO ; Xuan YANG ; Donghua LI ; Zidong WANG ; Zhigang LI ; Huiling TIAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(2):346-354
Objective In this paper,CiteSpace(V6.3.R1)was used to sort out and summarize the experimental study on the mechanism and development trend of acupuncture intervention in Alzheimer's disease(AD),so as to provide basis and suggestions for subsequent research.Methods Relevant literatures on the mechanism of acupuncture intervention in AD were retrieved from CNKI database from March 1997 to March 2024.CiteSpace(V6.3.R1)software was used to visually display keywords,draw corresponding maps,and discuss the hot spots of acupuncture intervention mechanism in AD.Results After screening,a total of 397 articles were included in this study.The mechanism of acupuncture intervention in AD mainly focuses on the regulation of synaptic plasticity,regulation of neurotransmitter release,regulation of neuroinflammation,regulation of apoptosis,influence on mitochondrial autophagy,anti-oxidative stress and so on.Conclusion Acupuncture intervention in AD has developed rapidly,involving Notch1/Hes signaling pathway,Shh signaling pathway,NF-κB signaling pathway,PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and other signaling pathways.The research heat of TCM acupuncture intervention in AD continues to rise,and various research teams have harvested rich research results,diversified research hotspots,and in-depth exploration of acupuncture treatment of AD has rich clinical value.

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