1.Remyelination Regulated by microRNAs in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review
Manjing LI ; Qi LI ; Qingsen RAN ; Kunni CHEN ; Xinke DU ; Lina YANG ; Chunxia NIE ; Qing YANG ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaogang WENG ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaoxin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):223-231
Demyelination of the central nervous system often occurs in neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The myelin sheath, a layer of myelin membrane wrapping the axon, plays a role in the rapid conduction and metabolic coupling of impulses for neurons. The exposure of the axon will lead to axonal degeneratio, and further neuronal degeneration, which is the main cause of dysfunction and even disability in patients with demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the demyelination of mature myelin sheath, remyelination disorder is also one of the major reasons leading to the development of the diseases. The myelin sheath is composed of oligodendrocytes (OLs) derived from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) which are differentiated from neural stem cells (NSCs). The process of myelin regeneration, i.e., remyelination, is the differentiation of NSCs into OLs. Recent studies have shown that this process is regulated by a variety of genes. MicroRNAs, as important regulators of neurodegenerative diseases, form a complex regulatory network in the process of myelin regeneration. This review summarizes the main molecular pathways of myelin regeneration and microRNAs involved in this process and classifies the mechanisms and targets. This review is expected to provide a theoretical reference for the future research on the treatment of demyelinating diseases by targeting the regulation of microRNAs.
2.Effects of Jiaohong Pills and Its Prescription on Scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's Disease Mice
Lijinchan DONG ; Weiyan CAI ; Li FENG ; Qing YANG ; Mengting LI ; Yanli WANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Xiaogang WENG ; Yajie WANG ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Xiaoru HU ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):37-45
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Jiaohong pills (JHP) and its prescription, Pericarpium Zanthoxyli (PZ) and Rehmanniae Radix (RR) cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and its mechanism through pharmacodynamic and metabolomics study. MethodThe animal model of AD induced by scopolamine was established and treated with PZ, RG and JHP, respectively. The effects of JHP and its formulations were investigated by open field test, water maze test, object recognition test, avoidance test, cholinergic system and oxidative stress related biochemical test. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of cerebral cortex was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). ResultThe behavioral data showed that, compared with the model group, the discrimination indexes of the high dose of JHP, PZ and RR groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). The staging rate of Morris water maze test in the PZ, RR, high and low dose groups of JHP was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the crossing numbers in the PZ, JHP high and low dose groups were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the number of errors in the avoidance test were significantly reduced in the PZ and high-dose JHP groups (P<0.01), and the error latencies were significantly increased in the JHP and its prescription drug groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the activities of acetylcholinesterase in the cerebral cortex of the two doses of JHP group and the PZ group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the high-dose JHP group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the level of acetylcholine was significantly increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the contents of malondialdehyde in the serum of the two dose groups of JHP decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of metabolomics study of cerebral cortex showed that 149 differential metabolites were identified between the JHP group and the model group, which were involved in neurotransmitter metabolism, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acid metabolism. ConclusionJHP and its prescription can antagonize scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction, regulate cholinergic system, and reduce oxidative stress damage. The mechanism of its therapeutic effect on AD is related to the regulation of neurotransmitter, energy, amino acid metabolism, and improvement of oxidative stress.
3.A Review of Theoretical Research on Interpretation of Scientific Connotation of Compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds
Shiyun GUO ; Zhihao DENG ; Yan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoxin ZHU ; Yujie LI ; Ying CHEN ; Qing YANG ; Yi SUN ; Yajie WANG ; Qi LI ; Weiyan CAI ; Xiaogang WENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):338-344
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of application in China and has consistently played a vital role in treating diseases and saving lives. TCM prescriptions (compounds) constitute the primary form of clinical TCM treatment and significantly differ from western medicine (chemicals) due to the diverse composition and chemical constituents of TCM (compounds). Nevertheless, the potential multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action characteristics of TCM prescriptions also demonstrate their possible (complementary) therapeutic advantages when compared with single-component chemical drugs. Therefore, driven by the development of modern science and technology and the demands of the modernization and internationalization of TCM, modern theories regarding the complexity of TCM prescription effects have been continuously proposed: Different from the abstract language of traditional prescription theory, the modern TCM prescription theory is more inclined to illustrate the connotation of prescription compatibility concretely and vividly from an experimental and scientific perspective. In this paper, new theories on the complexity of TCM prescriptions proposed in recent years are summarized to provide research references and ideas for the greater role of TCM prescriptions and a better scientific understanding.
4.Intervention of traditional Chinese patent medicine based on syndrome differentiation in female patients after percutaneous coronary intervention due to acute coronary syndrome: a nationwide multicenter prospective cohort study
Ruina BAI ; Feng GU ; Yajie CAI ; Song SHENG ; Qiaoning YANG ; Ruixi XI ; Lizhi LI ; Dazhuo SHI
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(9):1073-1080
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of discriminative application of Chinese patent medicines in female patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods:The study population was from the Chinese Patent Medicine (CPM) trial. CPM trial was a multicenter prospective cohort study, which enrolled patients from 40 centers in mainland China between February 2012 and December 2015, with the discriminative use of Chinese patent medicines as the exposure factor. Female patients with ACS after PCI who completed 36-month follow-up were included in this analysis, and were divided into a conventional treatment group (using conventional western medicine recommended by the guidelines) and a group with the discriminative use of proprietary Chinese medicines (on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, discriminative use of Qishen Yiqi dropping pills for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, Guanxin Danshen dropping pills for blood stasis syndrome, and Danlou tablets for phlegm and blood stasis syndrome combined with the conventional western medicine). The primary endpoint event was a composite endpoint event including cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and emergency revascularization surgery. Secondary endpoint events were composite endpoint events including readmission for ACS, heart failure, stroke, and other thrombotic events. Adverse events were collected. Cox proportional risk model was used to assess the effect of discriminatory application of Chinese patent medicine on endpoint events, and sensitivity analysis was performed by comparing the results with propensity score matching analysis.Results:A total of 748 female ACS post-PCI patients were included in the analysis, aged (63.2±8.3) years. There were 370 patients in the group of discriminative application of Chinese patent medicines and 378 patients in the conventional treatment group. There were 37 cases (10.0%) and 58 cases (15.3%) of primary endpoint events in the discriminatory application of Chinese patent medicines group and the conventional treatment group, respectively. Cox analysis showed that the risk of primary endpoint in the discriminatory application of Chinese patent medicines group was lower than that in the conventional treatment group after adjusting for confounding factors (adjusted HR=0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.96, P=0.031). There were 38 (10.3%) and 57 (15.1%) cases of secondary endpoint events in the two groups, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of secondary endpoint events in the discriminatory application of Chinese patent medicine group was lower than that in the conventional treatment group after adjusting for confounders (adjusted HR=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.87, P=0.001). The results of propensity score matching analysis also showed that Chinese patent medicines based on discriminatory application could reduce the risk of primary endpoint ( HR=0.62,95% CI 0.40-0.97 ,P=0.033) and second endpoint ( HR=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.87, P=0.009) significantly. There was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups (12.4% (46/370) vs. 10.3% (39/378), P=0.362). Conclusion:On the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, discriminatory application of Chinese patent medicines can reduce the risk of endpoints in female patients after PCI due to ACS without significant adverse effects.
5.Sleep structure of Parkinson's disease patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and its correlations with cognitive function, depressive state and motor function
Yajie JI ; Hailin LIU ; Xuping ZHANG ; Weiwei CAI ; Bianli YIN ; Zhihui DUAN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(19):27-32
Objective To investigate the sleep structure of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its correlations with cognitive function, depressive state and motor function. Methods A total of 120 PD patients were enrolled in this study, and divided into PD+RBD group (
6.Modulation of type I interferon signaling by natural products in the treatment of immune-related diseases.
Shuo LI ; Guifang FAN ; Xiaojiaoyang LI ; Yajie CAI ; Runping LIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2023;21(1):3-18
Type I interferon (IFN) is considered as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Proper activation or inhibition of type I IFN signaling is essential for host defense against pathogen invasion, tumor cell proliferation, and overactive immune responses. Due to intricate and diverse chemical structures, natural products and their derivatives have become an invaluable source inspiring innovative drug discovery. In addition, some natural products have been applied in clinical practice for infection, cancer, and autoimmunity over thousands of years and their promising curative effects and safety have been well-accepted. However, whether these natural products are primarily targeting type I IFN signaling and specific molecular targets involved are not fully elucidated. In the current review, we thoroughly summarize recent advances in the pharmacology researches of natural products for their type I IFN activity, including both agonism/activation and antagonism/inhibition, and their potential application as therapies. Furthermore, the source and chemical nature of natural products with type I IFN activity are highlighted and their specific molecular targets in the type I IFN pathway and mode of action are classified. In conclusion, natural products possessing type I IFN activity represent promising therapeutic strategies and have a bright prospect in the treatment of infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Biological Products/therapeutic use*
;
Immunity, Innate
;
Signal Transduction
;
Interferon Type I/metabolism*
7.Analysis of the registered dietitian competence assessment examination during 2017-2021 in China
Xiaoli WANG ; Yajie ZHANG ; Jing LIAO ; Aiguo MA ; Wei CAI ; Junsheng GUO ; Ya LIU ; Xiuhua SHEN ; Yuexin YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2022;30(5):300-305
Objective:To analyze the competence assessment examinations of registered dietitians in China during 2017-2021 to inform the training of dietetic professionals.Methods:A systematic review was conducted about the composition and changing trends of examination participants during 2017-2021. Participants were divided into subgroups based on gender, age, education, professional background and affiliations and the qualification rate was compared across different subgroups.Results:The number of examination participants showed an increasing trend overall, with the majority being females and aged 26-35 years. The ratio of participants with bachelor's: master's: doctor's degree was about 15: 9: 1. The proportion of participants majoring in nutrition science decreased from 32.1% to 20.3%, while that of participants majoring in other medical and food sciences increased. Among participants from healthcare institutions, a decreasing proportion of participants were with a major in nutrition science, while this proportion among participants from companies were stable at 38.8% to 50.2%. The average qualification rate was 35.7%, showing no significant differences among different gender and age groups. But the qualification rate varied significantly across subgroups with different education level, professional background, and affiliations ( P < 0.05). Subgroups with more advanced degrees showed higher qualification rate and the best rate was observed in the subgroups with professional background in nutrition science and from nutrition-related institutions. Conclusion:The training of dietetic professionals in China should be improved, lifelong learning should be promoted in nutrition practitioners, and the sustainable development of dietitians should be impelled.
8.Integrative lipidomic and transcriptomic study unravels the therapeutic effects of saikosaponins A and D on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Xiaojiaoyang LI ; Junde GE ; Yajing LI ; Yajie CAI ; Qi ZHENG ; Nana HUANG ; Yiqing GU ; Qi HAN ; Yunqian LI ; Rong SUN ; Runping LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(11):3527-3541
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prominent causes of chronic liver diseases and malignancies. However, few therapy has been approved. Radix Bupleuri (RB) is the most frequently used herbal medicine for the treatment of liver diseases. In the current study, we aim to systemically evaluate the therapeutic effects of saikosaponin A (SSa) and saikosaponin D (SSd), the major bioactive monomers in RB, against NAFLD and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that both SSa and SSd improved diet-induced NAFLD. Integrative lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that SSa and SSd modulated glycerolipid metabolism by regulating related genes, like
9.Impact of gene dosage on recombinant transglutaminase production of Pichia pastoris.
Xiaoping SONG ; Yajie WANG ; Jingjing CAI ; Yin YU ; Li GUAN ; Yuting ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2020;36(8):1679-1688
Based on the rDNA sequence of Pichia pastoris, a multi-copy gene expression vector of transglutaminase (pPICZα-rDNA-mtg) was constructed and transformed to the host strain (pGAP9-pro/GS115) expressing pro peptide, to obtain the co-expression strain pro/rDNA-mtg (GS115). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to analyze transglutaminase gene copy number in the 4 positive strains. We further studied the effect of gene copy on the enzyme production of recombinant Pichia pastoris as well as high-density fermentation of higher expression strain in a 3-L fermenter. The mtg copy numbers of the 4 positive strains were 2.21, 3.36, 5.72 and 7.62 (mtg-2c, mtg-3c, mtg-6c and mtg-8c), respectively, and the enzyme production capacity and protein expression level were mtg-3c>mtg-2c>mtg-6c>mtg-8c. Mtg-3c and mtg-6c of high-density fermentation had the highest enzymatic activity and enzymatic activity per unit wet weight in the supernatant of 3.12 U/mL, 52.1 U/g (wet weight) and 2.07 U/mL and 36.5 U/g (wet weight), respectively. In terms of enzyme activity per unit wet weight, mtg-3c is 1.4 times higher than that of mtg-6c. The activity of purified enzyme (mtg-3c) was up to 7.21 U/mL and the protein concentration was 437.2 μg/mL. By analyzing the effect of mtg copy number on the enzyme production of recombinant strains, mtg-3c is suitable for the co-expression of two genes (pro and mtg) in pro/rDNA-mtg, and its enzyme activity is related to higher protein secretion of the strain.
10.Association of physical activity and sedentary behavior with 20 m shuttle run test performance among children
LAI Lijuan, CAI Li, ZENG Xia, LYU Yajie, TAN Weiqing, CHEN Yajun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2019;40(12):1771-1774
Objective:
To investigate the independent and joint associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SRT) performance among children.
Methods:
Using cluster random sampling method, a total of 1 144 children aged 6-12 years from 1 urban primary school in Guangzhou were selected and completed the questionnaire survey, physical examination, and 20 m SRT. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were collected through questionnaire. Poor performance on 20 m SRT run test was defined as standard Z score ≤0, which was calculated according to gender, age-specific mean and standard deviation. Based on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (≥60 min/d, 30-<60 min/d, or <30 min/d) and sedentary behavior levels (cut-off point: the gender, age-specific 50th percentile value), all participants were divided into six subgroups. Multiple linear regression and Logistic regression were used to analyze the independent and joint associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with 20 m SRT performance, respectively.
Results:
Low level of physical activity (β=-2.99, P<0.05) and high sedentary behavior (β=-1.75, P<0.05) were independently correlated with lower 20 m SRT performance. Compared with the reference group (MVPA≥60 min/d and low sedentary behavior), the risk for low performance on 20 m SRT was higher in those with MVPA<30 min/d, or those with high sedentary behavior. The risk for poor performance on 20 m SRT was gradually elevated with decreased physical activity levels in combination with higher level of sedentary behavior(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Physical activity and sedentary behavior were independently related to 20 m SRT performance among children. There is a clear does-response association, with elevated risks for poor performance on 20 m SRT with decreased physical activity levels in combination with higher level of sedentary behavior.


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