ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4） signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， sham-operation group， model group， trimetazidine group （5.4 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose group （3.51， 7.02，14.04 g·kg^-1） of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome， and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted， while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed， and indicators such as electrocardiogram， echocardiography， and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid （12-HETE） and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe²⁺， lipid peroxidation （LPO）， glutathione （GSH）， and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide （GSSG） in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， ACSL4， and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 （LPCAT3） in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage， bow-back elevation of the ST segments， elevated T waves， J-point elevation， and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS） （P<0.01）. Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood （low， medium， and high rate of shear） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken， and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles， and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of GSH was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated， and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The differences in whole-blood viscosity （low， medium， and high rate of shear） were all significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology， structure， and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway， thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral helper T (T PH ) cells are uniquely positioned within pathologically inflamed non-lymphoid tissues to stimulate B-cell responses and antibody production. However, the phenotype, function, and clinical relevance of T PH cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are currently unknown. METHODS: Blood, tumor, and peritumoral liver tissue samples from 39 HCC patients (Sep 2016-Aug 2017) and 101 HCC patients (Sep 2011-Dec 2012) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were used. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the expression, phenotype, and function of T PH cells. Log-rank tests were performed to evaluate disease-free survival and overall survival in samples from 39 patients and 101 patients with HCC. T PH cells, CD19 + B cells, and T follicular helper (T FH ) cells were cultured separately in vitro or isolated from C57/B6L mice in vivo for functional assays. RESULTS: T PH cells highly infiltrated tumor tissues, which was correlated with tumor size, early recurrence, and shorter survival time. The tumor-infiltrated T PH cells showed a unique ICOS hi CXCL13 + IL-21 - MAF + BCL-6 - phenotype and triggered naïve B-cell differentiation into regulatory B cells. Triggering programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) induced the production of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) by T PH cells, which then suppressed tumor-specific immunity and promoted disease progression. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of T PH cell-regulatory B-cell-mediated immunosuppression and provides an important perspective for determining the balance between the differentiation of protumorigenic T PH cells and that of antitumorigenic T FH cells in the HCC microenvironment.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Middle Aged ; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-21 ; Aged ; Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism*

Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Chinese agarwood comprises the resin-containing wood of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg., traditionally utilized for treating asthma, cardiac ischemia, and tumors. However, comprehensive research regarding its anti-GC effects and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, Chinese agarwood petroleum ether extract (CAPEE) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against human GC cells, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for AGS, HGC27, and MGC803 cells of 2.89, 2.46, and 2.37 μg·mL^-1, respectively, at 48 h. CAPEE significantly induced apoptosis in these GC cells, with B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) associated X protein (BAX)/BCL-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK) likely mediating CAPEE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, CAPEE induced G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest in human GC cells via activation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage-p21-cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) signaling axis, and increased Fe²⁺, lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby inducing ferroptosis. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting analyses revealed CAPEE-mediated upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human GC cells. RNA interference studies demonstrated that HO-1 knockdown reduced CAPEE sensitivity and inhibited CAPEE-induced ferroptosis in human GC cells. Additionally, CAPEE administration exhibited robust in vivo anti-GC activity without significant toxicity in nude mice while inhibiting tumor cell growth and promoting apoptosis in tumor tissues. These findings indicate that CAPEE suppresses human GC cell growth through upregulation of the DNA damage-p21-cyclin D1/CDK4 signaling axis and HO-1-mediated ferroptosis, suggesting its potential as a candidate drug for GC treatment.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1/genetics* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/genetics* ; DNA Damage/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry* ; Up-Regulation/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in regulating the inflammatory response of neutrophil through the leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein 1(LRG1)/Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK1)signaling.Methods HL-60 cells were treated with 1 μmol/L all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)and 12.5 μL/mL dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)for 72 h and 96 h,and the morphological changes were observed by Wright-Giemsa staining.The expression of CD11b was detected by flow cytometry.LPS induced the activation of dHL-60 and human peripheral blood neutrophils.The transcription and secretion levels of LRG1,ROCK1 and inflammatory cytokines were detected by qPCR and ELISA,respectively.The expression levels of LRG1 and ROCK1 after the activation of dHL-60 were detected by Western blotting.Furthermore,dHL-60 was treated with the recombinant protein LRG1 and ROCK1 inhibitor Y-27632;the transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by qPCR.Results Neutrophils were activated by LPS.The expression levels of LRG1 and ROCK1 were significantly increased,and the transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased.The recombinant protein LRG1 activated dHL-60 in vitro,and the transcription levels of ROCK1 and inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased.Using the ROCK1 inhibitor Y-27632,the production levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced.Conclusion LPS can regulate the production levels of neutrophil inflammatory cytokines through activating the LRG1/ROCK1 signaling,thus exacerbating the inflammatory response.

Objective To explore the value of controlling nutritional status(CONUT)score and related inflammatory indicators in predicting the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)patients,to provide a reference for better clinical assessment and individualized treatment plan.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients with ccRCC admitted to four comprehensive hospitals in Yibin during 2010 and 2018.Patients'medical and follow-up records were collected,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the area under the curve(AUC)and optimal cut-off value of CONUT score and related indicators.Survival curve was plotted with Kaplan-Meier method,and the influencing factors of prognosis were analyzed with Log-rank test and Cox regression.Results During the follow-up of 62(53,71)months,37(28.03％)deaths occurred.The disease-specific survival(DSS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were 51(41,58)and 46(35,56)months,respectively.The 3-year and 5-year DSS and PFS were 84.09％and 71.97％,and 75.00％and 71.97％,respectively.The AUC of CONUT score,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR)were 0.980,0.905,0.899 and 0.884,respectively,with the optimal cut-off values of 3.50,3.19,89.07 and 3.56,respectively.Cox regression showed that CONUT score(HR=0.042,95％CI:0.013-0.140)and PLR(HR=0.182,95％CI:0.045-0.744)were associated with DSS;CONUT score(HR=0.029,95％CI:0.010-0.086)and LMR(HR=2.984,95％CI:1.227-7.258)were associated with PFS.Conclusion The prognosis of ccRCC patients is related to their nutritional,immune,and inflammatory status.CONUT score and inflammatory factors(PLR,LMR)may be important predictors of DSS and PFS.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pharmacodynamics of Wujiashen Gejiejing on rats with deficiency of lung qi. METHODS The rat model of deficiency of lung qi was established by sawdust fumigation. By comparing the general activity state, blood acid-alkali indexes, biochemical indexes related to chronic bronchitis and airway histological characteristics of rats in each group, the pharmacodynamics of Wujiashen Gejiejing on rats with deficiency of lung qi was evaluated. RESULTS Compared with model group, after the Wujiashen Gejiejing intervention, the body weight of the rats significantly increased; the levels of p(O2) and SaO2 in blood were significantly increased(P<0.001), p(CO2) was significantly decreased(P<0.05), and pH had a tendency to increase; the levels of endothelin(ET) and IL-1β in serum were significantly decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the levels of TNF-α in serum had a decreasing trend. The damaged lung structures were significantly improved. CONCLUSION Wujiashen Gejiejing can significantly improve the activity state and improve hypoxemia and hypercapnia of lung qi deficiency syndrome, improve the damaged lung structure and the function of lung ventilation, and has obvious anti-inflammatory effect. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and ET.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of three individualized drug delivery tools， i.e. JPKD， SmartDose and NextDose， in predicting tacrolimus dose and blood concentration after kidney transplantation， and analyze the influential factors of prediction accuracy. METHODS The clinical data of adult hospitalized patients treated with tacrolimus after kidney transplantation from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected. Three individualized dosing tools， i.e. JPKD， SmartDose and NextDose， were used to predict the dose and plasma concentration of tacrolimus. The absolute prediction error （APE） and prediction error （PE） between the measured value and the predicted value， and prediction success rate were calculated （APE＜30% indicating a good forecast）. Pearson assay or Spearman assay was used to analyze the correlation between the predicted dosage and actual dosage， as well as the predicted and measured blood concentration values using three software； univariate analysis was used to investigate the influential factors for prediction accuracy of JPKD， SmartDose and NextDose. RESULTS A total of 110 hospitalized patients were included in this study， and tacrolimus doses and plasma concentrations were monitored. The predicted doses of JPKD， SmartDose and NextDose were （2.0±0.7）， （2.7±1.9）， （1.8±0.8） mg， their measured value was （1.9±0.6） mg， and the correlation coefficients between the predicted values and the measured value were 0.841， 0.450， 0.247 （P＜0.001）； the median APEs were 6.00%， 52.07% and 30.40%， and the median PEs were 5.00%， 18.50% and －3.50%； the prediction success rates were 98.45%， 30.05% and 49.22%. The predicted values of tacrolimus concentrations using JPKD， SmartDose， NextDose were （6.74±3.36）， （6.93±5.02）， 9.00（5.80±12.60） ng/mL， the measured value was 8.64（7.11，9.77） ng/mL， and the correlation coefficients between the predicted values and the measured value were 0.997 （P＜0.001）， －0.066 （P＝0.360）， 0.920 （P＜0.001）. The median APEs were 5.54%， 45.91% and 35.56%， and PEs were －4.94% （median）， －17.050% （median） and 36.93% （average value）； the prediction success rates were 97.93%， 32.64% and 37.31%. Univariate analysis showed that the dosage， blood concentration， body weight， transplantation time and others were related to the prediction accuracy （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The good prediction rates of tacrolimus dose and blood concentration in kidney transplant patients using three personalized drug delivery tools， from high to low， are JPKD， NextDose， and SmartDose， suggesting that JPKD can be prioritized in clinical use.

Objective To study the medication law of Professor Qian Ying in the treatment of primary liver cancer based on data mining technology;To provide ideas for the clinical treatment of primary liver cancer.Methods Outpatient TCM prescriptions of Professor Qian Ying for the treatment of liver cancer from November 2008 to August 2020 were collected,and a data table was established after sorting.The drug frequency,property and taste and tropism were analyzed using Excel 2019.The medical case analysis module of the Great Physician Inheritance Platform was used to analyze the core drugs,the symbiosis analysis between drug pairs,the drug association analysis,and the drug clustering analysis of the screened TCM prescriptions.Results Totally 108 prescriptions were included,involving 188 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 1 322 times.High-frequency drugs included Hedyotis Sinensis,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Visci Herba,Curcumae Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.The medicinal properties were mainly cold,mild and warm,and the tastes were mainly bitter,sweet and pungent,and the main meridians were liver meridians,spleen meridians,kidney meridians and stomach meridians.There were 9 pairs of high frequency drug combinations in drug association,such as Curcumae Radix-Polygoni Orientalis Fructus,Visci Herba-Curcumae Rhizoma.In the correlation analysis of drug disease,the ones with higher correlations include"stomachache-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma""abdominal mass-Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium""tinnitus-Adenophorae Radix,Lycii Fructus,Visci Herba""prolonged sublingual collaterals-Curcumae Rhizoma,Polygoni Orientalis Fructus,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma"and so on.Drug clustering could be divided into three potential drug clusters.Conclusion Professor Qian Ying often uses heat-clearing drugs,tonifying drugs,and promoting qi and blood circulation drugs to treat liver cancer,with Huqi Powder as the main formula and modified according to the syndromes.Clearing heat and detoxifying,soothing liver and relieving depression,removing blood stasis and regulating collatrals are used to treat its symptoms,and tonifying qi and invigorating spleen,regulating liver and nourishing liver and kidney are used to treat its essence.

Objective:To prepare a humanized monoclonal antibody against periostin and establish a stable cell line.Meth-ods:Based on anti-periostin mouse monoclonal antibody developed by our laboratory,total RNA was extracted,and variable region sequences were obtained by RT-PCR amplification of VH and VL genes.The mouse antibody CDR region was transplanted into the human antibody framework receptor region,and the gene was subcloned into the expression vector PATX-GS2,and stably transfected into CHO cells.Monoclonal cell lines were obtained by MSX pressure screening and limited dilution.Results:VH and VL genes were amplified by RT-PCR,and the sequence of the light and heavy chain variable region were determined.Antibody humanization were successfully stablished by CDR transplantation method a murine antibody to a human framework,and a eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed,which was transfected into CHO cells for expression,and human anti-periostin antibody was successfully obtained.ELISA and Western blot results showed that the humanized antibody had good anti-periostin activities and binding affinity.Conclu-sion:In this study,anti-periostin humanized monoclonal antibody has been successfully prepared,which can specifically bind to peri-ostin proteins in vivo and have biological activity,providing scientific data for the precise treatment of retinal fibrosis,tissue and organ fibrosis,and malignant tumors.

Objective To conduct basic research on the structure and function of the heart in cynomolgus monkeys older than 10 years to provide data for animal selection in elderly disease research.Methods A total of 144 cynomolgus monkeys＞10 years old were selected as research subjects,including 37 females and 66 males in the 10～15 years group,and 21 females and 20 males in the 16～20 years group.Basic data on cardiac structure and function in middle-aged and elderly cynomolgus monkeys were obtained through comparative analysis of general indicators(body mass index,blood pressure,and heart rate),blood biochemical indicators(blood glucose,blood lipids,and ion indicators),and cardiac structure and function indicators.Results General indicators for the 10～15 years and 16～20 years groups were compared.As age increased,the blood pressure and heart rate of female and male monkeys increased,and there was a significant difference in blood pressure changes between male monkeys.A comparison of two sets of blood biochemical indicators showed that,as age increased,blood glucose,triglycerides,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood calcium,blood sodium,and blood potassium increased,while lactate dehydrogenase decreased,in female and male monkeys.Among these,blood glucose,triglycerides(males),total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(males),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(males),blood calcium,blood sodium,blood potassium,and lactate dehydrogenase showed significant changes.A comparison of cardiac contractile function between the two groups showed that,as age increased,the anterior and posterior diameters of the left atrium significantly decreased in both female and male monkeys.Female monkeys showed a significant decrease in the interventricular septal end systolic diameter,left ventricular end diastole and systolic diameters,left ventricular end diastolic and systolic volumes,and left ventricular mass index,while no significant changes were seen in male monkeys.A comparison of diastolic function between the two groups showed that,as age increased,the late diastolic velocity of the mitral valve decreased significantly in male monkeys,while the early diastolic velocity of the left ventricular sidewall increased significantly in female monkeys.Correlation analysis was conducted between the metabolic indicators and the cardiac structure and function indicators of female and male monkeys.The correlations between metabolic indicators and cardiac structure and function indicators were weak in female monkeys,for which the maximum absolute Γ value did not exceed 0.39.However,the correlations between metabolic indicators and cardiac structure and function indicators were relatively strong in male monkeys,for which the maximum absolute Γ value reached 0.66.Conclusions Based on ultrasound analysis combined with metabolic indicators,the heart function of cynomolgus monkeys was studied,and basic data related to the structure and function of the heart in middle-aged and elderly cynomolgus monkeys were obtained.As age increased,blood glucose and lipid indicators increased in cynomolgus monkeys,while cardiac systolic and diastolic functions show a downward trend,similar to changes in middle-aged and older adult human populations.These data provide support for animal selection in research on age-related diseases related to heart function.