1.Gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolites regulated by Wuji Wan to attenuate colitis through AhR signaling activation.
Wanghui JING ; Sijing DONG ; Yinyue XU ; Jingjing LIU ; Jiawei REN ; Xue LIU ; Min ZHU ; Menggai ZHANG ; Hehe SHI ; Na LI ; Peng XIA ; Haitao LU ; Sicen WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):205-223
Disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier caused by gut dysbiosis and metabolic imbalance is the underlying pathology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Traditional Chinese medicine Wuji Wan (WJW) is commonly used to treat digestive system disorders and showed therapeutic potential for IBD. In this interdisciplinary study, we aim to investigate the pharmacological effects of WJW against experimental colitis by combining functional metabolomics and gut-microbiota sequencing techniques. Treatment with WJW altered the profile of the intestinal microbiota and notably increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, thereby facilitating the conversion of tryptophan into indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indoleacrylic acid (IA). These indole derivatives activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, which reduced colonic inflammation and restored the expression of intestinal barrier proteins. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of WJW on gut barrier function improvement and tryptophan metabolism were disappeared in the absence of gut microbiota. Finally, pre-treatment with the AhR antagonist CH-223191 confirmed the essential role of IAA-mediated AhR activation in the therapeutic effects of WJW. Overall, WJW enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced colonic inflammation in a murine colitis model by modulating Lactobacillus-IAA-AhR signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into colitis pathogenesis and presents an effective therapeutic and preventive approach against IBD.
2.Enhanced BBB penetration and microglia-targeting nanomodulator for the two-pronged modulation of chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
Ya WEI ; Xue XIA ; Xiaorong WANG ; Wenqin YANG ; Siqin HE ; Lulu WANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Yang ZHOU ; Feng CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Fu PENG ; Guobo LI ; Zheng XU ; Jintao FU ; Huile GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1098-1111
Intervention in chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low permeability of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and non-selective distribution in the brain severely restrict AD drugs' disease-modifying efficacy. Here, an immunosuppressant TREM2-lowing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and resveratrol co-loaded cationic liposome is developed as an immune reprogramming nanomodulator modified by acid-cleavable BBB-targeting peptide and microglia-targeting peptide (Res@TcMNP/ASO) for AD management. Res@TcMNP/ASO can enter brain endothelial cells via D-T7 peptides. Then D-T7 undergoes an acid-responsive cleavage, facilitating the escape of Res@MNP/ASO from endo/lysosomes to cross the BBB. The detached Res@MNP/ASO specifically targets M1-phenotype microglia via exposed MG1 peptides to prompt the simultaneous delivery of two drugs into activated microglia. This nanomodulator can not only restore the immune function of microglia through TREM2-lowing ASO but also mitigate the immune stimulation to microglia caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through resveratrol, thereby synergistically inhibiting the chronic activation of microglia to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD. Our results indicate that this combination treatment can achieve significant behavioral and cognitive improvements in late APP/PS1 mice.
3.Erratum: Author correction to "Up-regulation of glyclipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication" Acta Pharm Sin B 9 (2019) 769-781.
Menghao HUANG ; Hu LI ; Rong XUE ; Jianrui LI ; Lihua WANG ; Junjun CHENG ; Zhouyi WU ; Wenjing LI ; Jinhua CHEN ; Xiaoqin LV ; Qiang LI ; Pei LAN ; Limin ZHAO ; Yongfeng YANG ; Zonggen PENG ; Jiandong JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1721-1721
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].
4.Cannabidiol alleviates methamphetamine addiction via targeting ATP5A1 and modulating the ATP-ADO-A1R signaling pathway.
Sha JIN ; Cong LIN ; Peipei LI ; Xue WANG ; Yibo WANG ; Cong ZHANG ; Xuenan WANG ; Yinghua PENG ; Haohong LI ; Yuyuan LU ; Xiaohui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5261-5276
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, shows great promise in treating methamphetamine (METH) addiction. Nonetheless, the molecular target and the mechanism through which CBD treats METH addiction remain unexplored. Herein, CBD was shown to counteract METH-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. Additionally, CBD mitigated the adverse effects of METH, such as cristae loss, a decline in ATP content, and a reduction in membrane potential. Employing an activity-based protein profiling approach, a target fishing strategy was used to uncover CBD's direct target. ATP5A1, a subunit of ATP synthase, was identified and validated as a CBD target. Moreover, CBD demonstrated the ability to ameliorate METH-induced ubiquitination of ATP5A1 via the D376 residue, thereby reversing the METH-induced reduction of ATP5A1 and promoting the assembly of ATP synthase. Pharmacological inhibition of the ATP efflux channel pannexin 1, blockade of ATP hydrolysis by a CD39 inhibitor, and blocking the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) all attenuated the therapeutic benefits of CBD in mitigating METH-induced behavioral sensitization and CPP. Moreover, the RNA interference of ATP5A1 in the ventral tegmental area resulted in the reversal of CBD's therapeutic efficacy against METH addiction. Collectively, these data show that ATP5A1 is a target for CBD to inhibit METH-induced addiction behaviors through the ADO-A1R signaling pathway.
5.Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm.
Xiao-Jie LI ; Le CHANG ; Yang MI ; Ge ZHANG ; Shan-Shan ZHU ; Yue-Xiao ZHANG ; Hao-Yu WANG ; Yi-Shuang LU ; Ye-Xuan PING ; Peng-Yuan ZHENG ; Xia XUE
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(4):445-456
OBJECTIVE:
Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is a risk factor that correlates with poor prognosis across multiple tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to define HCC subtypes based on CRD and explore their individual heterogeneity.
METHODS:
To quantify CRD, the HCC CRD score (HCCcrds) was developed. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified CRD module genes and defined CRD-related HCC subtypes in The Cancer Genome Atlas liver HCC cohort (n = 369), and the robustness of this method was validated. Furthermore, we used bioinformatics tools to investigate the cellular heterogeneity across these CRD subtypes.
RESULTS:
We defined three distinct HCC subtypes that exhibit significant heterogeneity in prognosis. The CRD-related subtype with high HCCcrds was significantly correlated with worse prognosis, higher pathological grade, and advanced clinical stages, while the CRD-related subtype with low HCCcrds had better clinical outcomes. We also identified novel biomarkers for each subtype, such as nicotinamide n-methyltransferase and myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate-like 1.
CONCLUSION
We classify the HCC patients into three distinct groups based on circadian rhythm and identify their specific biomarkers. Within these groups greater HCCcrds was associated with worse prognosis. This approach has the potential to improve prediction of an individual's prognosis, guide precision treatments, and assist clinical decision making for HCC patients. Please cite this article as: Li XJ, Chang L, Mi Y, Zhang G, Zhu SS, Zhang YX, et al. Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 445-456.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology*
;
Liver Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Machine Learning
;
Computational Biology
6.The Sequential Mediating Roles of Body Pain and Self-Reported Health Status in the Relationship between Sleep Duration and Life Satisfaction.
Jia Feng LI ; Xue Wei FU ; Dan YANG ; Ye WANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yang PENG ; Feng Hao YANG ; Yu Chen ZHAN ; Yu WANG ; Xiang Dong TANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):47-55
OBJECTIVE:
This study examines the sequential mediating roles of body pain and self-reported health in the association between sleep duration and self-reported life satisfaction among elderly Chinese adults.
METHODS:
Data from the fifth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) were used to analyse the relationships between sleep duration and body pain, self-reported health, and life satisfaction through logistic regression and Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) analyses. The sequential mediation effects of body pain and self-reported health status were examined via chain mediation analysis.
RESULTS:
Logistic regression analysis showed that sleeping fewer than 6 hours or 6-7 hours was linked to higher risks of body pain, poor health, and dissatisfaction with life compared to sleeping 7-8 hours (all P < 0.05). Additionally, those sleeping more than 9 hours also had increased risks of poor health and dissatisfaction with life compared to those sleeping 7-8 hours (all P < 0.05). Chain mediation analysis showed that body pain and self-reported health status sequentially mediated 46.15% of the association between sleep duration and life satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Body pain and self-reported health may shape the relationship between sleep duration and life satisfaction in elderly Chinese adults.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Personal Satisfaction
;
Sleep
;
Health Status
;
Self Report
;
China
;
Middle Aged
;
Longitudinal Studies
;
Pain/psychology*
;
Sleep Duration
7.Research Advances in the Construction and Application of Intestinal Organoids.
Qing Xue MENG ; Hong Yang YI ; Peng WANG ; Shan LIU ; Wei Quan LIANG ; Cui Shan CHI ; Chen Yu MAO ; Wei Zheng LIANG ; Jun XUE ; Hong Zhou LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):230-247
The structure of intestinal tissue is complex. In vitro simulation of intestinal structure and function is important for studying intestinal development and diseases. Recently, organoids have been successfully constructed and they have come to play an important role in biomedical research. Organoids are miniaturized three-dimensional (3D) organs, derived from stem cells, which mimic the structure, cell types, and physiological functions of an organ, making them robust models for biomedical research. Intestinal organoids are 3D micro-organs derived from intestinal stem cells or pluripotent stem cells that can successfully simulate the complex structure and function of the intestine, thereby providing a valuable platform for intestinal development and disease research. In this article, we review the latest progress in the construction and application of intestinal organoids.
Organoids/cytology*
;
Intestines/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Pluripotent Stem Cells
8.Short-term Effects of Fine Particulate Matter and its Constituents on Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: A Time-stratified Case-crossover Study.
Jing Wei ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Peng Fei LI ; Yan Dan XU ; Xue Song ZHOU ; Xiu Li TANG ; Jia QIU ; Zhong Ao DING ; Ming Jia XU ; Chong Jian WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):389-393
9.Burden of Headache Disorders in China and its Provinces, 1990-2021.
Zhe LIU ; Xue Hua HU ; Lin YANG ; Jin Lei QI ; Jiang Mei LIU ; Li Jun WANG ; Mai Geng ZHOU ; Peng YIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):547-556
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the prevalence and burden of headache disorders in China and its provinces from 1990 to 2021.
METHODS:
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, the number of prevalent cases, prevalence rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized DALY rates were analyzed by sex, age group, and province for headache disorders and their subtypes (migraine and tension-type headache [TTH]) between 1990 and 2021. Percentage changes during this period were also estimated.
RESULTS:
In 2021, approximately 426 million individuals in China were affected by headache disorders, with an age-standardized prevalence rate of 27,582.61/100,000. The age-standardized DALY rate for all headache disorders was 487.15/100,000. Between 1990 and 2021, the number of prevalent cases increased by 37.78%, while the prevalence of all headache disorders, migraine, and TTH increased by 6.92%, 7.57%, and 7.86%, respectively. The highest prevalence was observed in the 30-34 age group (39,520.60/100,000). Migraine accounted for a larger proportion of DALYs attributable to headache disorders, whereas TTH has a greater impact on its prevalence. In 2021, the highest age-standardized DALY rates for headache disorders were observed in Heilongjiang (617.85/100,000) and Shanghai (542.86/100,000).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of headache disorders is increasing in China. Effective health education, improve diagnosis and treatment are essential, particularly for middle-aged working populations and women of childbearing age.
Humans
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China/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Prevalence
;
Young Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Aged
;
Child
;
Headache Disorders/epidemiology*
;
Disability-Adjusted Life Years
;
Child, Preschool
;
Cost of Illness
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Infant
;
Aged, 80 and over
10.Serum Lipidomics Profiling to Identify Potential Biomarkers of Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study in Chinese Adults.
Ji Jun SHI ; Zu Jiao NIE ; Shu Yao WANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xin Wei LI ; Jia Ling YAO ; Yi Bing JIN ; Xiang Dong YANG ; Xue Yang ZHANG ; Ming Zhi ZHANG ; Hao PENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):918-925
OBJECTIVE:
Lipid oxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may be contribute to the development of Ischemic stroke (IS). However, the lipid profiles associated with IS have been poorly studied. We conducted a pilot study to identify potential IS-related lipid molecules and pathways using lipidomic profiling.
METHODS:
Serum lipidomic profiling was performed using LC-MS in 20 patients with IS and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were simultaneously performed to identify the differential lipids. Multiple testing was controlled for using a false discovery rate (FDR) approach. Enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst software.
RESULTS:
Based on the 294 lipids assayed, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were used to distinguish patients with IS from healthy controls. Fifty-six differential lipids were identified with an FDR-adjusted P less than 0.05 and variable influences in projection (VIP) greater than 1.0. These lipids were significantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism (FDR-adjusted P = 0.009, impact score = 0.216).
CONCLUSIONS
Serum lipid profiles differed significantly between patients with IS and healthy controls. Thus, glycerophospholipid metabolism may be involved in the development of IS. These results provide initial evidence that lipid molecules and their related metabolites may serve as new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for IS.
Humans
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Pilot Projects
;
Lipidomics
;
Male
;
Female
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Middle Aged
;
Ischemic Stroke/blood*
;
Aged
;
China
;
Lipids/blood*
;
Adult
;
Case-Control Studies
;
East Asian People

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