1.Effect and Mechanism of Wulingsan Decoction in Protecting Blood Brain Barrier and Ameliorating Cerebral Edema after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice
Damei TAO ; Huihong LI ; Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yunfei DENG ; Wei WEI ; Xiehua XUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):1-9
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Wulingsan on cerebral edema after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in mice and explore the treatment mechanism. MethodsThe mouse model of ICH was established by injection of collagenase into the caudate nucleus. Mice were randomly assigned into the following groups: sham, ICH, intervention before modeling with low-dose and high-dose (3.69, 11.07 g·kg-1, respectively) Wulingsan, and intervention after modeling with high-dose Wulingsan. The modified neurological severity score (mNSS) was recorded, and the small animal MRI T2 sequential scanning was performed to measure the volume of cerebral hemorrhage after the modeling of ICH in each group. The Y-maze test, open field test, and Morris water maze test were conducted to evaluate the neurological behaviors of mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), neuronal nuclei (NeuN), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the brain tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AQP4, Claudin-5, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the hematoma area. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the ICH group showed increases in the mNSS, the cerebral hemorrhage volume, and the escape latency in the Morris water maze test (P<0.01), decreases in the times of touching the platform and times of entering the quadrant where the platform was located in the Morris water maze test, and reductions in the spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test and the ratio of distance of center travel to total travel distance in the open field test (P<0.01). Moreover, pathological changes such as cell disarrangement, cell space enlargement, and cell swelling were observed in the ICH group. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the ICH group had higher proportions of AQP4- and GFAP-positive cells and lower proportion of NeuN-positive cells than the sham group (P<0.01). Compared with the sham group, the ICH group showed an up-regulated protein level of AQP4 and down-regulated protein levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the ICH group, the intervention with Wulingsan decreased the mNSS, the volume of cerebral hemorrhage, and the escape latency in the Morris water maze test (P<0.05, P<0.01), while increasing the times of touching the platform and times of entering the quadrant where the platform was located in the Morris water maze test, the spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test, and the ratio of distance of center travel to total travel distance in the open field test (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, the intervention with Wulingsan alleviated the pathological changes in the brain tissue after ICH, decreased the proportion of AQP4- and GFAP-positive cells (P<0.01), increased the proportion of NeuN-positive cells (P<0.01), down-regulated the protein level of AQP4 (P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). ConclusionThe intervention with Wulingsan could reduce the neural function score and the cerebral hemorrhage volume, up-regulate the expression of Claudin-5 and ZO-1, and down-regulate the expression of AQP4 to ameliorate the neurological function defect and cerebral edema after ICH, thereby protecting the brain.
2.Relationship between processed food consumption and blood pressure of students in a university in Yunnan Province
LIU Yueqin, YANG Jieru, DENG Feifei, XU Zhen, ZI Chengyuan, KONG Jing, XUE Yanfeng, WANG Yuan, WU Huijuan, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(9):1340-1344
Objective:
To explore the relationship between processed food consumption and blood pressure level of students in a university in Yunnan Province, so as to provide the reference for preventing hypertension in university students.
Methods:
In October 2021, a cluster sampling method was used to select 4 781 freshmen from a university in Kunming, Yunnan Province. The frequency of processed food consumption of university students was assessed by using the dietary frequency questionnaire, and height, weight and blood pressure were measured. Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the differences in blood pressure level of university students with different demographic variables, and the association between processed food consumption and blood pressure level was analyzed with a generalized linear model.
Results:
Among the students of a university in Yunnan Province, the detection rates of systolic prehypertension and hypertension were 33.86% and 1.23%, and the detection rates of diastolic prehypertension were 32.13% and hypertension 7.22%. The results of generalized linear model analysis showed that after controlling for demographic variables and other variables that might affect the blood pressure level of university students, the consumption of processed food (bread and cake: β =0.15, 95% CI =0.01-0.29) and ultra processed food (coffee beverage: β =-0.29, 95% CI =-0.54--0.03) were associated with systolic blood pressure level( P <0.05). The consumption of processed food (salted duck egg: β =0.21, 95% CI =0.01-0.41) was correlated with the diastolic blood pressure of college students ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Processed food consumption in university students may increase the risk of high blood pressure.The education of healthy eating among college students should be strengthened to reduce the consumption of processed foods.
3.Mechanism of chrysophanol in improving acute kidney injury induced by ischemia reperfusion
Xue YANG ; Yan-qing WANG ; Min DENG ; Lu TIE ; Lin-lin LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1295-1305
Kidney ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Recent studies have reported that chrysophanol may have a renal protective effect, but its specific impact and mechanism on IRI remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of chrysophanol on AKI induced by IRI. By utilizing a unilateral kidney IRI mouse model, histopathological changes in the kidney, serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen, and protein expressions of apoptosis and mitophagy in kidney tissue were examined. Additionally, a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model of human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells was established to measure mitochondrial membrane potential levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Functional enrichment analysis was performed to screen relevant targets of chrysophanol and AKI, and to verify key targets and pathways. The animal experiments conducted in this study were ethically approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Peking University (No. LA2021503). The findings indicate that the IRI group exhibited elevated levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen in serum, significant renal tissue damage, and increased expression of renal injury markers (KIM1), apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved-caspase 3, caspase 3, cytochrome C), and mitochondrial autophagy protein (PINK1) compared to the sham surgery group. Chrysophanol treatment ameliorated the aforementioned pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner in an IRI model. Additionally, it exhibited significant improvements in mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of ROS production in HK-2 cells subjected to H/R conditions. Through network pharmacological analysis, HSP90AA1 and PIK3R1 were identified as key targets primarily enriched in the phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation confirmed that chrysophanol significantly decreased
4.Construction and evaluation of novel self-assembled nanoparticles of Herpetospermum caudigerum Wall.
Yu-wen ZHU ; Xiang DENG ; Li CHEN ; Jian-tao NING ; Yu-ye XUE ; Bao-de SHEN ; Ling-yu HANG ; Hai-long YUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):448-454
It has become an industry consensus that self-assembled nanoparticles (SAN) are formed by molecular recognition of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine during the decoction process. The insoluble components in the decoction are mostly in the form of nanoparticles, which can improve the problem of poor water solubility. However, the transfer rate of these insoluble components in the decoction is still very low, which limits the efficacy of the drug. This study aimed to refine the traditional decoction self-assembly phenomenon. The self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed by micro-precipitation method (MP-SAN), and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, stability index and morphology. The formation of MP-SAN and alterations in related physicochemical properties were evaluated using modern spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques. The quality value transmitting pattern of lignan components within the MP-SAN was assessed
5.Myricetin attenuates renal fibrosis by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress
Dong-xue LI ; Zhou HUANG ; Han-yu WANG ; Zhi-hao ZHANG ; Ning-hua TAN ; Xue-yang DENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):359-367
This paper investigates the effect of myricetin (MYR) on renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in mice and its mechanism. The animal experiment has been approved by the Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University (NO: 2022-10-020). Thirty-five ICR mice were divided into control, UUO, UUO+MYR, CBDL and CBDL+MYR groups. H&E and Masson staining were used to detect pathological changes in kidney tissues. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in renal tissue, and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity detection kit (WST-8) was used to detect the changes of total SOD in renal tissue of CBDL mice.
6.Influencing factors of peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis and distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria
Yuhe MAO ; Dan XIAO ; Shengjing DENG ; Shaoqing XUE
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(3):257-261
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis(PDAP)and the distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria.Methods The clinical data of 257 patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis(PD)and regular follow-up in Meizhou People's Hospital from January 2012 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the occurrence of PDAP,the patients were divided into the PDAP group(n=102)and the non-PDAP group(n=155).The exhaled liquid(5-10 mL)was extracted with a sterile syringe,and the pathogen was identified by blood culture method.General data such as gender,age,primary disease,education level,whether complicated with hypertension/diabetes/cardiovascular diseases,whether keeping pets or poultry,body mass index(BMI)and dialysis duration were collected.Fasting elbow venous blood was drawn in the morning of the next day after diagnosis,the levels of hemoglobin(Hb),albumin(ALB),serum potassium,serum phosphorus,and serum calcium were detected.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and urea clearance index(UCI)were recorded.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of PDAP in PD patients.Results There were 217 cases of PDAP in 102 patients with PDAP,and 124 cases(57.14%)were positive for pathogen culture.A total of 127 pathogenic bacteria were isolated,including 84 Gram-positive strains(66.14%),39 Gram-negative strains(30.71%)and 4 Fungi strains(3.15%).Among the 84 strains of Gram-positive bacteria,there were 25 strains of staphylococcus epidermidis(29.76%),17 strains of staphylococcus aureus(20.24%),12 strains of staphylo-coccus haemolyticus(14.29%),8 strains of staphylococcus warneri(9.52%),10 strains of streptococcus salivarius(11.90%),5 strains of streptococcus sanguis(5.95%),and 7 other strains(8.33%).Among the 39 strains of Gram-nega-tive bacteria,there were 20 strains of escherichia coli(51.28%),6 strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa(15.38%),6 strains of acinetobacter baumannii(15.38%),5 strains of klebsiella pneumoniae(12.82%),and 2 strains of enterobacter cloacae(5.13%).Among the 4 strains of Fungi,there were 3 strains of near-smooth candida(75.00%)and 1 strain of candida glabrata(25.00%).There was no significant difference in gender,age,primary disease,education level,BMI,and the propor-tion of comorbidities with hypertension,diabetes and cardiovascular diseases between the PDAP and non-PDAP groups(P>0.05).The proportion of patients keeping pets or poultry in the PDAP group was higher than that in the non-PDAP group,and the dialysis duration was longer than that in the non-PDAP group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in serum phosphorus,serum calcium,eGFR and UCI between the PDAP and non-PDAP groups(P>0.05).The levels of Hb,ALB and serum potassium in the PDAP group were significantly lower than those in the non-PDAP group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that keeping pets or poultry and long dialysis duration were risk factors for PDAP in PD patients(P<0.05).High Hb and ALB levels were protective factors for PDAP in PD patients(P<0.05).There was no correlation between serum potassium and PDAP in PD patients(P>0.05).Conclusion Gram-positive bacteria are the main pathogenic bacteria of PDAP,among which staphylococcus epidermidis is the predominant one.Keeping pets or poultry and long dialysis duration are risk factors for PDAP,while high Hb and ALB levels are protective factors for PDAP in PD patients.
7.Establishment and validation of a predictive model for the progression of pancreatic cystic lesions based on clinical and CT radiological features
Wenyi DENG ; Feiyang XIE ; Li MAO ; Xiuli LI ; Zhaoyong SUN ; Kai XU ; Liang ZHU ; Zhengyu JIN ; Xiao LI ; Huadan XUE
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2024;24(1):23-28
Objective:To construct a machine-learning model for predicting the progression of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) based on clinical and CT features, and to evaluate its predictive performance in internal/external testing cohorts.Methods:Baseline clinical and radiological data of 200 PCLs in 177 patients undergoing abdominal thin slice enhanced CT examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. PCLs were divided into progressive and non-progressive groups according to whether the signs indicated for surgery by the guidelines of the European study group on PCLs were present during three-year follow-up. 200 PCLs were randomly divided into training (150 PCLs) and internal testing cohorts (50 PCLs) at the ratio of 1∶3. 15 PCLs in 14 patients at Jinling Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University from October 2011 to May 2020 were enrolled as external testing cohort. The clinical and CT radiological features were recorded. Multiple feature selection methods and machine-learning models were implemented and combined to identify the optimal machine-learning model based on the 10-fold cross-validation method. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and area under curve (AUC) was calculated. The model with the highest AUC was determined as the optimal model. The optimal model's predictive performance was evaluated on testing cohort by calculating AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Permutation importance was used to assess the importance of optimal model features. Calibration curves of the optimal model were established to evaluate the model's clinical applicability by Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results:In training and internal testing cohorts, the progressive and non-progressive groups were significantly different on history of pancreatitis, lesions size, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation, thick cyst wall, presence of septation and thick septation (all P value <0.05) In internal testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on gender, lesion calcification and pancreatic atrophy (all P value <0.05). In external testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on lesions size and pancreatic duct dilation (both P<0.05). The support vector machine (SVM) model based on five features selected by F test (lesion size, thick cyst wall, history of pancreatitis, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation) achieved the highest AUC of 0.899 during cross-validation. SVM model for predicting the progression of PCLs demonstrated an AUC of 0.909, sensitivity of 82.4%, specificity of 72.7%, and accuracy of 76.0% in the internal testing cohort, and 0.944, 100%, 77.8%, and 86.7% in the external testing cohort. Calibration curved showed that the predicted probability by the model was comparable to the real progression of PCLs. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test affirmed the model's consistency with actual PCLs progression in testing cohorts. Conclusions:The SVM model based on clinical and CT features can help doctors predict the PCLs progression within three-year follow-up, thus achieving efficient patient management and rational allocation of medical resource.
8.Assessment of respiratory protection competency of staff in healthcare facilities
Hui-Xue JIA ; Xi YAO ; Mei-Hua HU ; Bing-Li ZHANG ; Xin-Ying SUN ; Zi-Han LI ; Ming-Zhuo DENG ; Lian-He LU ; Jie LI ; Li-Hong SONG ; Jian-Yu LU ; Xue-Mei SONG ; Hang GAO ; Liu-Yi LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(1):25-31
Objective To understand the respiratory protection competency of staff in hospitals.Methods Staff from six hospitals of different levels and characteristics in Beijing were selected,including doctors,nurses,medical technicians,and servicers,to conduct knowledge assessment on respiratory protection competency.According to exposure risks of respiratory infectious diseases,based on actual cases and daily work scenarios,content of respira-tory protection competency assessment was designed from three aspects:identification of respiratory infectious di-seases,transmission routes and corresponding protection requirements,as well as correct selection and use of masks.The assessment included 6,6,and 8 knowledge points respectively,with 20 knowledge points in total,all of which were choice questions.For multiple-choice questions,full marks,partial marks,and no mark were given respective-ly if all options were correct,partial options were correct and without incorrect options,and partial options were correct but with incorrect options.Difficulty and discrimination analyses on question of each knowledge point was conducted based on classical test theory.Results The respiratory protection competency knowledge assessment for 326 staff members at different risk levels in 6 hospitals showed that concerning the 20 knowledge points,more than 60%participants got full marks for 6 points,while the proportion of full marks for other questions was relatively low.Less than 10%participants got full marks for the following 5 knowledge points:types of airborne diseases,types of droplet-borne diseases,conventional measures for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infec-tion with respiratory infectious diseases,indications for wearing respirators,and indications for wearing medical protective masks.Among the 20 knowledge questions,5,1,and 14 questions were relatively easy,medium,and difficult,respectively;6,1,4,and 9 questions were with discrimination levels of ≥0.4,0.30-0.39,0.20-0.29,and ≤0.19,respectively.Conclusion There is still much room for hospital staff to improve their respiratory protection competency,especially in the recognition of diseases with different transmission routes and the indications for wearing different types of masks.
9.Test of the ability of HPV L1 conserved sequence polypeptide to antisera to degrade HPV6 infection
Jinfang DENG ; Zhiying LI ; Bing XUE ; Changyi XIAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(1):78-81
Objective:To determine whether human papillomavirus(HPV L1)C-terminal conserved sequence antibodies with cross-reactive major capsid proteins of different types of HPV L1 have the ability to degrade HPV6 infection.Methods:Condyloma specimens were collected,HPV6 infection cases were identified from the collected samples,and virus was extracted.Polypeptide anti-sera were diluted in different proportions,and then co-cultured and neutralized with the resulting virus,then removed to contact mono-layer-cultured human immortalized keratinocytes and tested by HPV6 disease using PCR.Content of HPV6 DNA in human immortalized keratinocytes was exposed,and the presence of HPV6 L1 protein in this cells was tested by ELISA.Results:Human immortalized ke-ratinocytes infected with HPV6 virus neutralization at different dilution concentrations,the PCR products of their DNA extracts were electrophoresis and showed positive bands of HPV6 specificity zone at 280 bp of the gel,and the intensity of positive bands gradually decreased with increasing antiserum concentration.Protein extracted from human immortalized keratinocytes exposed to anti-serum neutralizing virus was tested by ELISA,and the amount of HPV L1 protein showed the same gradient trend as the above PCR test results,and the difference were statistically significant.Conclusion:It is preliminarily proved that HPV6 L1 conserved sequence polypeptide antisera can partially degrade the infection ability of the virus,and it has the value of studying more HPV neutralization types.
10. Effect of alisol A on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by protecting blood brain barrier and its mechanism
Yun-Fei DENG ; Hui-Hong LI ; Yang-Jie ZHOU ; Wei WEI ; Xie-Hua XUE ; Xie-Hua XUE ; Xie-Hua XUE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):83-90
Aim To investigate whether alisol A (AA) could improve the blood brain barrier (BBB) mediated cortex cerebral ischemia-repeifusion injury (CIRI) by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Methods The global cerebral ischemia- reperfusion (GCI/R) model in mice was established, and the AA was intragastric injected subsequently for seven days. The modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), open field test and Y-maze test were applied to detect neurological function. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to detect relevant neu- rosubstance metabolism in cortex of mice. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was employed to observe the ultrastructure of BBB in cortex. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the MMP-9 level in cortex. The binding possibility of A A and MMP-9 was determined by molecular docking. Results Compared with Sham group, mice in GCI/R group have an increased mNSS score but decreased at total distance and center distance to total distance ratio in open field test as well as alternation rate in Y-maze test (P<0.01). While mice in GCI/R + AA group have a decreased mNSS score but increased at total distance and center distance to total distance ratio in open field test as well as alternation rate in Y-maze test (P<0.01) compared with GCI/R group. MRS results found that in cortex of GCI/R group mice, the level of GABA and NAA significantly decreased while the Cho, mI and Tau level increased (P<0.01). Whereas in GCI/R + AA group mice, the GABA and NAA level increased and the Cho, ml and Tau decreased significantly (P<0.01). By TEM we observed that the basilemma of cerebral microvessels collapsed, the lumen narrowed, the endothelial cells were active and plasma membranes ruffled, gaps between cells were enlarged and tight junctions were damaged and the end feet of astrocytes were swollen in GCI/R group mice. While in GCI/R + AA group mice, the lumen was filled, plasma membranes of endothelial cells were smooth, tight junctions were complete and end feet of astrocytes were in normal condition. Western blot and immunohistochemistry both found that the MMP-9 level increased in GCI/R group mice (P < 0.01) and decreased in GCI/R + AA group mice (P < 0.05). Molecular docking proved the binding between aliso A and MMP9 through TYR-50 and ARG-106, and the binding energy was calculated as -6.24 kcal · mol


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