1.Study on The Anti-aging Effects of Longevity-enriched Metabolite Dimethylglycine
Jie HU ; Gong-Yu PU ; Jun-Lin LI ; Ju CAO ; Zhi-Xin LIN ; Wei-Wei AN ; Xue-Meng LI ; Jing AN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1048-1061
ObjectiveThe exacerbating trend of global population aging poses profound socioeconomic and public health challenges, making the comprehensive elucidation of biological aging mechanisms and the discovery of effective anti-aging interventions an urgent priority in the life sciences. Based on our previous serum metabolomics findings that dimethylglycine, an intermediate metabolite of amino acid metabolism naturally present in the human body, was significantly enriched in the serum of longevity families, this study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of dimethylglycine both in living organisms and in controlled laboratory environments, and to preliminarily elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. While existing literature indicates that dimethylglycine possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, its direct anti-aging efficacy and the specific molecular pathways through which it operates remain largely unexplored. MethodsTo comprehensively evaluate the anti-aging properties of dimethylglycine, we utilized replicative senescent human embryonic lung fibroblasts, specifically the WI-38 cell line, as an experimental model in a controlled laboratory environment. Cell viability and safety were thoroughly assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays across various concentrations of dimethylglycine. The impact of dimethylglycine on cellular senescence phenotypes, oxidative stress, and proliferative capacity was evaluated via senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, reactive oxygen species fluorescence detection, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Furthermore, the molecular alterations of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and core senescence signaling pathways were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the messenger RNA levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of p16 and p21 protein expression levels. For the living organism model, the wild-type nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate systemic physiological effects. We conducted a comprehensive lifespan analysis at 20°C, heat stress resistance survival assays at 35℃, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, lipofuscin accumulation tracking, intracellular reactive oxygen species measurement, and Oil Red O staining to ascertain systemic lipid accumulation. Additionally, network pharmacology bioinformatics tools, including PharmMapper and STRING databases, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were utilized to predict target pathways, alongside highly detailed molecular docking simulations utilizing SwissDock and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler to examine interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein. ResultsThe experimental outcomes robustly demonstrate the potent anti-aging capabilities of dimethylglycine. At the cellular level, toxicity analyses firmly confirmed that dimethylglycine is highly safe; continuous treatment with 50 mol/L and 70 mol/L of dimethylglycine for 5 d did not induce any cellular membrane damage or cytotoxicity, but rather actively promoted cellular proliferation. Utilizing the optimal standardized concentration of 50 mol/L, dimethylglycine treatment significantly ameliorated senescent phenotypic markers in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which was evidenced by a drastic and highly significant reduction in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cell percentage (P<0.000 1) and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels (P<0.000 1), alongside a marked increase in the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive proliferation rate (P=0.003 5). On a molecular expression scale, dimethylglycine significantly downregulated the messenger RNA expression of multiple core senescence-associated secretory phenotype inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1. Concurrently, it effectively suppressed the protein expression of critical cell cycle arrest markers, diminishing p16 protein levels by 57.3% (P=0.000 4) and p21 protein levels by 27.2% (P=0.000 7). In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans animal model, dimethylglycine significantly extended the mean lifespan from 20.402 d to an impressive 23.066 d (P<0.000 1) and notably enhanced overall survival rates under severe heat stress environmental conditions (P=0.017). Furthermore, systemic dimethylglycine intervention significantly mitigated age-related physiological decline by decreasing bodily lipofuscin accumulation (P<0.000 1), significantly reducing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, lowering systemic reactive oxygen species fluorescence (P=0.008), and effectively alleviating overall fat accumulation (P<0.000 1). Mechanistically, extensive network pharmacology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses strongly revealed that the potential targets of dimethylglycine are significantly enriched in fundamental drug metabolism and oxidative stress response pathways. Precision molecular docking simulations conclusively demonstrated that dimethylglycine forms highly stable structural interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein, specifically highlighting the definitive formation of 5 stable hydrogen bonds involving serine 365, leucine 366, and serine 429 residues, as well as two critical salt bridge formations with arginine 97 and histidine 368 residues. It is additionally predicted to interact favorably with glutathione S-transferase family proteins. ConclusionDimethylglycine exhibits a profoundly significant and multifaceted anti-aging activity at both the cellular and entire living animal levels. By powerfully alleviating oxidative stress, heavily suppressing the core p16 and p21-dependent cellular senescence signaling pathways, and substantially mitigating the detrimental senescence-associated secretory phenotype, dimethylglycine effectively delays fundamental cellular senescence processes and drastically extends whole-organism lifespan. The biological mechanisms driving these robust protective effects are highly likely closely associated with its direct stable interactions with crucial metabolic and detoxifying enzyme systems, such as cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 and glutathione S-transferase family proteins, thereby systemically improving metabolic dysregulation and restoring critical redox homeostasis. This comprehensive study provides highly solid experimental evidence supporting dimethylglycine as a highly potent and safe potential anti-aging intervention agent, while simultaneously offering a clear molecular mechanistic explanation for the previously documented high abundance of dimethylglycine observed within exceptionally long-lived human populations.
2.Network meta-analysis of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease associated with antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of breast cancer
Xiaohan WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Fang YANG ; Keming CAO ; Jingxin WANG ; Wenxin XUE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1370-1375
OBJECTIVE To compare the risk of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with different antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) in the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Embase and other Chinese and English databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from the inception to June 15, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) about pneumonitis and ILD associated with ADC (T-DM1, T-DXd, SG, Dato-DXd, SHR-A1811,ARX788, and T-Duo) in the treatment of breast cancer were included. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, a network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 software, and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA) of all interventions were ranked. RESULTS A total of 19 RCTs involving 10 556 patients were included. The overall incidence of pneumonitis with ARX788 and T-DXd was significantly higher than that with T-DM1, T-DM1 plus TPC(T-DM1combined with pertuzumab or atezolizumab), TPC(treatment of primary care), and SG ( P <0.05), for grade 1-2 pneumonitis, ARX788 and T-DXd showed significantly higher incidence than T-DM1, T-DM1 plus TPC, and TPC ( P <0.05). For both indicators, ARX788 and T-Duo were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. For the incidence of grade ≥3 pneumonitis, T-DXd and T-DM1 were significantly higher than SG ( P <0.05), T-Duo and Dato-DXd were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. For overall incidence of ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than T-DM1, SHR-A1811, TPC, and SG ( P <0.05), for the incidence of grade 1-2 ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than T-DM1, SHR-A1811, and TPC ( P <0.05), for the incidence of grade ≥3 ILD, ARX788 was significantly higher than TPC ( P <0.05). For three indicators above, ARX788 and T-DXd combined with pertuzumab were ranked as the top two by SUCRA. CONCLUSIONS Compared with other ADCs, ARX788 and T-Duo are associated with a higher risk of pneumonitis and ILD in patients with breast cancer.
3.Research progress on variety breeding of root- and rhizome-derived traditional Chinese medicine.
Yan CHEN ; Miao-Yin DONG ; Zhan-Feng CAO ; Xue-Zhou LIU ; Meng-Fei LI ; Jian-He WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):363-383
Germplasm degeneration occurs during the long-term cultivation of root-and rhizome-derived traditional Chinese medicine(RR-TCM), which seriously restricts the high-quality development of their industry. Therefore, it is urgent to solve the problem of germplasm degeneration through variety breeding. In this paper, based on previously published research articles, monographs, and news reports, the research progresses on the number and origins, breeding methods, and selection of new varieties of RR-TCM listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Edition 2020) were summarized and analyzed. The results show that there are 169 kinds of RR-TCM listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Edition 2020), originated from 223 origins with three breeding methods(i.e., seed propagation, vegetative reproduction, and tissue culture), and there are 215 species derived from seed propagation, 177 species derived from vegetative reproduction, and 164 species derived from tissue culture. To date, there are 62 origins breeding new varieties through conventional breeding, cross breeding, mutation breeding, ploidy breeding, or modern biotechnology breeding methods, including 57 origins breeding 145 new varieties through conventional breeding, 10 origins breeding 43 new varieties through mutation breeding, and seven origins breeding 12 new varieties through cross breeding method. They are used mainly to improve yield, disease resistance, and active ingredient content, but only a few new varieties have been widely used. This review will provide useful references in variety breeding, quality breeding, and standardized planting of RR-TCM.
Plant Breeding/methods*
;
Plant Roots/growth & development*
;
Rhizome/growth & development*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Plants, Medicinal/classification*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
4.Visual analysis of dynamics and hotspots of biomechanics research on diabetic foot based on WoSCC.
Zhe WANG ; Wei-Dong LIU ; Jun LU ; Hong-Mou ZHAO ; Xue-Fei CAO ; Yun-Long ZHANG ; Xin CHANG ; Liang LIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(9):902-909
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the current research status and hotspots in the field of biomechanics of diabetic foot by bibliometric analysis methods.
METHODS:
Literatures related to biomechanics of diabetic foot published in the Web of Scienc Core Collection (WoSCC) from 1981 to 2024 were searched. CiteSpace software and R language bibliometrics plugin were used to conduct a visual analysis of annual publication volume of the literature, including publication volume of each country and region, the publication situation of authors and institutions, the citation situation of individual literature, and the co-occurrence network of keywords.
RESULTS:
Totally 996 literatures were included, and the number of published papers increased steadily. The United States (261 papers) and China (89 papers) were the top two countries in terms of the number of published papers. The mediating centrality of the United States was 0.94, and that of China was 0.01. Scholars such as Cavanagh and institutions like the Cleveland Clinic were at the core of research in this field. High-frequency keywords include plantar pressure (plantar pressure), diabetic foot (diabetic foot), ulceration (ulcer), etc. The research focuses on plantar pressure, ulcer formation and prevention, etc.
CONCLUSION
Biomechanical research on diabetic foot mainly focuses on the pressure distribution on the sole of the foot, callus formation, mechanical analysis of soft tissues on the sole of the foot, and the study of plantar decompression caused by Achilles tendon elongation. The research trend has gradually shifted from focusing on joint range of motion to gait and the design of braces and assistive devices, and has begun to pay attention to muscle strength, gait imbalance and proprioception abnormalities.
Humans
;
Diabetic Foot/physiopathology*
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Bibliometrics
5.Analysis and clinical characteristics of SLC26A4 gene mutations in 72 cases of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
Yuqing LIU ; Wenyu XIONG ; Yu LU ; Lisong LIANG ; Kejie YANG ; Li LAN ; Wei HAN ; Qing YE ; Min WANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Fangying TAO ; Zuwei CAO ; Wei HUANG ; Xue YANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(7):603-609
Objective:To explore the genetic and clinical characteristics of Guizhou patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct(EVA) syndrome through combined SLC26A4 variant analysis and clinical phenotype analysis. Methods:Seventy-two EVA patients underwent comprehensive genetic testing using a multiplex PCR-based deafness gene panel and next-generation sequencing(NGS). The audiological and temporal bone imaging characteristics were compared across mutation subtypes. Results:A total of 27 pathogenic loci of SLC26A4 were detected in 72 patients, including c.919-2A>G in 79.2%(57/72). A novel deletion(c.1703_1707+6del) was discovered. Among 65 cases, truncated mutations were 89.2%(58/65), 52.3%(34/65), 28(43.1%) and 7(10.8%). No significant differences were observed in the midpoint diameter of the vestibular aqueduct and the incidence of incomplete partitioning typeⅡ(IP-Ⅱ) of the cochlea among the three groups of patients. Moreover, there was no difference in the midpoint diameter of different vestibular pipes or the combination with IP-Ⅱ. Conclusion:The most common mutation site of SLC26A4 in EVA patients in Guizhou is c.919-2A>G, though genotype-phenotype correlations remain elusive. The detection of 27 mutation sites and the discovery of new mutation sites suggested the precise diagnostic significance of NGS technology in EVA patients in Guizhou.
Humans
;
Sulfate Transporters
;
Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities*
;
Mutation
;
Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Male
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Female
;
Child
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Adolescent
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Child, Preschool
;
Adult
;
Young Adult
;
Phenotype
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High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
6.Functional aptamer evolution-enabled elucidation of a melanoma migration-related bioactive epitope.
Hong XUAN ; Siqi BIAN ; Qinguo LIU ; Jun LI ; Shaojin LI ; Sharpkate SHAKER ; Haiyan CAO ; Tongxuan WEI ; Panzhu YAO ; Yifan CHEN ; Xiyang LIU ; Ruidong XUE ; Youbo ZHANG ; Liqin ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3196-3209
Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
7.Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase: An important controller in maintaining mesenchymal stem cell-mediated immunomodulatory homeostasis.
Yufei HUI ; Xue JIAO ; Li YANG ; Dejin LU ; Yanbo HAN ; Wen YANG ; Yanli CAO ; Yuxi MIAO ; Shiqiang GONG ; Minjie WEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3404-3418
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases due to their potent immunomodulatory properties. Several studies have demonstrated that MSC-mediated immunomodulation is complex and bidirectional, with the in vivo microenvironment influencing the direction of this modulation. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive factor, has been identified as a key "switch" in the immunomodulatory role of MSCs. In this review, we explore how IDO functions as a critical regulator of MSC immunoregulatory plasticity. We delve into the mechanisms by which changes in IDO expression affect the function of various immune cells, summarize relevant research and clinical advances regarding the role of IDO expression in MSC-based therapies for various diseases, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target IDO to enhance the stability of MSC therapeutic effects. This provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MSCs as safer and more effective clinical therapeutic agents.
8.Sleep disorder and mental fatigue in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Cunsheng WEI ; Yingying XUE ; Qian LI ; Xiaorong YU ; Meng CAO ; Junying JIANG ; Xuemei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1061-1064
Objective To explore the sleep quality and mental fatigue level in elderly patients with cerebrovascular small disease(CSVD).Methods A total of 222 patients aged over 65 years old hospitalized due to chronic diseases in Department of Neurology of the Affiliated Jiangning Hospi-tal of Nanjing Medical University from August 2022 to June 2024 were recruited prospectively and continuously.According to the CSVD score,they were divided into a CSVD group(CSVD score≥1,148 cases)and a non-CSVD group(CSVD score=0,74 cases).All the patients were evaluated by sleep quality,fatigue and neuropsychological scale when they were fully cooperated and in good condition.Subsequently,the patients in the CSVD group were further assigned into a good sleep subgroup(117 cases)and a poor sleep subgroup(31 patients).Results The CSVD group had significantly higher total score of Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),sleep quality score,sleep disturbance score,total score of self-rating fatigue,and mental fatigue score than the non-CSVD group(P<0.01).The sleep quality score,sleep disturbance score,and mental fatigue score were risk factors for CSVD(P<0.05).The mental fatigue score was significantly higher in the CSVD patients with poor sleep than those with good sleep(4.13±1.15 vs 2.50±1.92,P<0.01).Conclusion Elderly CSVD patients were more likely to have decreased sleep quality and mental fatigue,and among them,those with poor sleep quality are prone to having mental fatigue than those with good sleep.
9.Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults (version 2025)
Bobin MI ; Faqi CAO ; Weixian HU ; Wu ZHOU ; Chenchen YAN ; Hui LI ; Yun SUN ; Yuan XIONG ; Jinmi ZHAO ; Qikai HUA ; Xinbao WU ; Xieyuan JIANG ; Dianying ZHANG ; Zhongguo FU ; Dankai WU ; Guangyao LIU ; Guodong LIU ; Tengbo YU ; Jinhai TAN ; Xi CHEN ; Fengfei LIN ; Zhangyuan LIN ; Dongfa LIAO ; Aiguo WANG ; Shiwu DONG ; Gaoxing LUO ; Zhao XIE ; Dong SUN ; Dehao FU ; Yunfeng CHEN ; Changqing ZHANG ; Kun LIU ; Deye SONG ; Yongjun RUI ; Fei WU ; Ximing LIU ; Junwen WANG ; Meng ZHAO ; Biao CHE ; Bing HU ; Chengjian HE ; Guanglin WANG ; Xiao CHEN ; Guandong DAI ; Shiyuan FANG ; Wenchao SONG ; Ming CHEN ; Guanghua GUO ; Yongqing XU ; Lei YANG ; Wenqian ZHANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Xin TANG ; Hua CHEN ; Weiguo XU ; Shuquan GUO ; Yong LIU ; Xiaodong GUO ; Zhewei YE ; Liming XIONG ; Tian XIA ; Hongbin WU ; Qisheng ZHOU ; Mengfei LIU ; Yiqiang HU ; Yanjiu HAN ; Hang XUE ; Kangkang ZHA ; Wei CHEN ; Zhiyong HOU ; Bin YU ; Jiacan SU ; Peifu TANG ; Baoguo JIANG ; Guohui LIU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(5):421-432
Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.
10.TPMGD: A genomic database for the traditional medicines in Pakistan.
Rushuang XIANG ; Huihua WAN ; Wei SUN ; Baozhong DUAN ; Weiqian CHEN ; Xue CAO ; Sifan WANG ; Chi SONG ; Shilin CHEN ; Yan WANG ; Atia-Tul WAHAB ; M IQBAL CHOUDHARY ; Xiangxiao MENG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):87-93
OBJECTIVE:
In Pakistan, traditional medicines are an important component of the medical system, with numerous varieties and great demands. However, due to the scattered resources and the lack of systematic collection and collation, adulteration of traditional Pakistani medicine (TPM) is common, which severely affects the safety of their medicinal use and the import and export trades. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically organize and unify the management of TPM and establish a set of standards and operable methods for the identification of TPM.
METHODS:
We collected and organized the information on 128 TPMs with regard to their medicinal parts, efficacy, usage, and genetic material, based on Pakistan Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine: Pharmaceutical Codex. The genetic information of TPM is summarized from national center for biotechnology information (NCBI) and global pharmacopoeia genome database (GPGD). Furthermore, we utilized bioinformatics technology to supplement the chloroplast genome (cp-genome) data of 12 TPMs. To build the web server, we used the Linux + Apache + MySQL + PHP (LAMP) system and constructed the webpage on a PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) model view controller (MVC) framework.
RESULTS:
We constructed a new genomic database, the traditional Pakistani medicine genomic database (TPMGD). This database comprises five entries, namely homepage, medicinal species, species identification, basic local alignment search tool (BLAST), and download. Currently, TPMGD contains basic profiles of 128 TPMs and genetic information of 102 TPMs, including 140 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and 119 mitochondrial genome sequences from Bombyx mori, 1 396 internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences and 1 074 intergenic region (psbA-trnH) sequences specific to 92 and 83 plant species, respectively. Additionally, TPMGD includes 199 cp-genome sequences of 82 TPMs.
CONCLUSION
TPMGD is a multifunctional database that integrates species description, functional information inquiry, genetic information storage, molecular identification of TPM, etc. The database not only provides convenience for TPM information queries but also establishes the scientific basis for the medication safety, species identification, and resource protection of TPM.

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