1.Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked in a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced immune-mediated liver injury
Zhenzhen PAN ; Ling XU ; Xianru ZHU ; Zihao FAN ; Yaling CAO ; Yinkang MO ; Sai YAN ; Feng REN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X) in immune-mediated liver injury (ILI), and to clarify its mechanism by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-dependent apoptotic pathway and its association with the clinical progression of hepatitis B. MethodsMice were given injection of concanavalin A (ConA) via the caudal vein to establish a model of ILI, PBS (control group) and different concentrations of ConA were injected into the tail vein of hepatocyte-specific DDX3X-knockout mice (DDX3XΔHep and DDX3X-flox mice (DDX3Xfl/fl), respectively.. The log-rank survival analysis, measurement of the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HE staining of liver tissue were performed to assess liver injury, and qRT-PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and DDX3X in liver tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA, 100 mg/kg) was performed to inhibit ERS. Serum samples (n=30) and liver tissue samples (n=6) were collected from healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and hepatitis B virus-associated liver failure (HBV-LF) patients; ELISA was used to measure the serum level of DDX3X, and qRT-PCR/Western Blot was used to analyze the expression of targets in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group of mice, the expression of DDX3X in the liver of mice induced by ConA was significantly increased after liver injury (P<0.05), and hepatocyte-specific DDX3X knockout increased the 72-hour survival rate of mice by 55% (compared with 20% in the DDX3Xfl/fl group), with significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT and AST (P<0.000 1) and the expression levels of the ERS markers GRP78 and CHOP (P<0.05). After ERS was inhibited by 4-PBA, there was alleviation of liver injury (with reductions in ALT and AST, P <0.001) and a reduction in DDX3X expression (P<0.01). The analysis of clinical samples showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of liver DDX3X in CHB patients and HBV-LF patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (all P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the serum level of DDX3X in HBV-LF patients (P<0.000 1). ConclusionDDX3X exacerbates ILI by regulating the ERS-dependent apoptotic pathway (GRP78/CHOP), and its expression is associated with the progression of hepatitis B. Therefore, it can be used as a potential therapeutic target.
2.Association between urinary levels of six per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Ziyi LIU ; Luming YAN ; Tingting JIANG ; Yaling LI ; Chao ZHANG ; Jiahu HAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):174-181
Background Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can influence gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, current studies on their association are limited and have yielded inconsistent findings. Objective To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PFAS, as measured by urinary concentrations in early pregnancy, and the risk of developing GDM. Methods Based on the Wuhu Birth Cohort in Anhui Province conducted between 2020 and 2023, this study included
3.Research advances on the intergenerational transmission of adolescent health behaviors
WANG Yating, CAO Meijuan, ZENG Yaling, CHEN Qi
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):291-295
Abstract
To improve adolescent health behavior, the study summarizes and analyzes the performance, pathways of transmission, and influencing factors of the intergenerational transmission of adolescent health behaviors from the perspective of intergenerational transmission. The study emphasizes the need to deepen research on the intergenerational transmission of adolescent health behaviors, promote multidisciplinary and cross team collaboration, and shift adolescent health care from individual focused care to a holistic approach that prioritizes family and community culture. Simultaneously, an action framework should be established to block the intergenerational transmission of health risk behaviors, with a focus on childhood and adolescence. Additionally, parent-child participatory health education and health promotion activities should be carried out under a tripartite coordinated intervention model involving the community, school, and family, collectively fostering the development of healthy behaviors among adolescents.
4.Application and development of pulsed electric field ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Zhen WANG ; Ming LIANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Jingyang SUN ; Yaling HAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):270-276
With the continuous development of China's aging society and the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in China has been increasing in recent years. Among them, atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia disease. In recent years, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been continuously applied to AF treatment as a novel treatment. This paper first introduces the principle of PFA applied to AF treatment, and introduces the research progress of PFA in different directions, such as the comparison of different ablation methods, the study of physical parameters, the study of ablation area, the study of tissue specificity and clinical research. Then, the clinical prior research of PFA is discussed, including the use of simulation software to obtain the simulation effect of different parameters, the evaluation of ablation effect during animal research, and finally the current AF treatment. Various prior studies and clinical studies are summarized, and suggestions are made for the shortcomings found in the study of AF treatment and the future research direction is prospected.
5.Association of the adipokine Chemerin with the development and progression of liver fibrosis
Xinyuan ZHANG ; Nuoqi ZHANG ; Guohui YU ; Wenshuai REN ; Yaling WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):164-169
Liver fibrosis is the common pathological process in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis, and it greatly affects the prognosis of patients with chronic liver diseases. As a novel adipokine, Chemerin participates in the metabolism of glucose and lipids and inflammation, and various studies have shown that the expression level of Chemerin is correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis, suggesting that Chemerin may be involved in the process of liver fibrosis by regulating metabolism and inflammation. Chemerin has shown certain potential in the auxiliary diagnosis of liver fibrosis and the intervention against the progression of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the potential role and mechanism of action of Chemerin in the process of liver fibrosis, in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis.
6.Skin pharmacokinetics of inositol nicotinate in heparin sodium inositol nicotinate cream
Yaling CUI ; Qiong WU ; Liangyu MA ; Bei HU ; Dong YAO ; Zihua XU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):6-9
Objective To establish an HPLC method to determine the concentration of inositol nicotinate(IN) in rat skin, and study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of IN after transdermal administration of heparin sodium inositol nicotinate cream in rats. Methods HPLC method was used to establish a simple and rapid analytical method for the determination of IN concentration in the skin of rats at different time points after administration. The established method was used to study the pharmacokinetics of IN after transdermal administration of heparin sodium inositol nicotinate cream in rats, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were fitted with DAS software. Results The linearity of the analytical method was good in the concentration range of 0.25-20 μg/ml, the quantitative limit was 0.25 μg/ml, and the average recovery rate was 96.18%. The pharmacokinetic parameters of IN after transdermal administration of heparin sodium inositol nicotinate cream in rats were as follows: t1/2 was (4.555±2.054) h, Tmax was (6±0)h, Cmax was (16.929±2.153)mg/L, AUC0−t was (150.665±16.568) mg·h /L ,AUC0−∞ was (161.074±23.917) mg·h /L, MRT(0−t) was (9.044±0.618)h, MRT(0−∞) was (10.444±1.91) h, CLz/F was (0.19±0.03) L/(h·kg), and Vz/F was (1.19±0.437) L/(h·kg). Conclusion IN could quickly penetrate the skin and accumulate in the skin for a long time, which was beneficial to the pharmacological action of drugs on the lesion site for a long time. The method is simple, rapid, specific and reproducible, which could be successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of IN after transdermal administration in rats.
7.Study on the efficacy and mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in the treatment of constipation
Ying CHEN ; Zihua XU ; Bei HU ; Yaling CUI ; Huan GAO ; Qiong WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):10-16
Object To study the efficacy and potential mechanism of Tongbianling capsule in constipation. Methods The effects of Tongbianling capsule on intestinal motility in normal mice and carbon powder propulsion rate in small intestine of constipation model mice after were observed administration. The potential targets and key pathways of Tongbianling capsule in treating constipation were identified through network pharmacology. To verify the mechanism, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and CASP3 proteins in mouse colon tissue was detected by the western blot. Results The time for mice to excrete the first black stool was shortened and the number of fecal particles was increased in Tongbianling capsule administration group, and the carbon powder propulsion rate of mice in each Tongbianling capsule administration group was increased. The results of network pharmacology showed that treatment of constipation by Tongbianling capsule may be related to signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and 5-HT. The protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and CASP3 in mouse colon tissue could be significantly downregulated in administration group. Conclusion Tongbianling capsule could effectively promote intestinal peristalsis in mice, increase the frequency of defecation, and effectively treat constipation. The mechanism of its action may be related to the direct or indirect regulation of intestinal motility by the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
8.Mechanism of Modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in Antagonising Ectopic Endometrial Tissue Fibrosis Based on Cellular Pyroptosis Mediated by TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 Signaling Pathway
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Xiangyu LIN ; Bin YUE ; Zhirui ZHANG ; Yinan WANG ; Yaling YANG ; Dongqing WEI ; Cancan HUANG ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):19-28
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in antagonizing cellular pyroptosis and fibrosis in ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group (n = 12) and a modeling group (n = 60). The rats in the sham-operated group underwent a caesarean section, while the rats in the modeling group were used to establish an endometriosis model through the auto-transplantation method. After successful modeling, the animals were randomly divided into the model group, progesterone group (0.25 mg·kg-1), and modified Shaofu Zhuyutang low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (7.5, 15, 30 g·kg-1), with 12 animals in each group. After 4 weeks of drug administration, voluntary activity and heat pain latency were observed. The rats were sacrificed for tissue collection, and Masson staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the endometrial tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the protein expression area of tumor necrosis factor-related factor 6 (TRAF6) and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the endometrial tissues. Western blot was employed to measure the relative expression of TRL4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TRAF6, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and NLPR3 proteins in endometrial tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, rats in the model group showed reduced voluntary activity and shorter heat pain latency. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were elevated. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins were increased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD was enhanced. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and NLPR3 proteins, along with the expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA, were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in the progesterone group and the modified Shaofu Zhuyutang medium- and high-dose groups exhibited improved voluntary activity, longer heat pain latency, the fibrosis of endometrial tissue is alleviated. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were decreased. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins decreased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD weakened. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, p-NF-κB p65, NLPR3 proteins, and TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA expression were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may play a therapeutic role in endometriosis by interfering with key proteins in the TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 signaling pathway, reducing NLRP3 inflammasome-induced cellular pyroptosis, antagonizing the fibrosis process in ectopic endometrial tissues, improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the pelvic cavity, and alleviating pain.
9.Mechanism of Modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in Treatment of Endometriosis Based on EGFR/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Yaling YANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Zuoliang ZHANG ; Xiangyu LIN ; Jiaxing WANG ; Cancan HUANG ; Xiujia JI ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):29-38
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang on key proteins of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in SD rats with endometriosis. MethodsAfter successful establishment of an endometriosis model in 60 female SD rats of SPF grade via the auto-transplantation method, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, modified Shaofu Zhuyutang high-, medium-, and low-dose groups, and a gestrinone group, with another 12 rats serving as a blank group. The blank and model groups were administered 10 mL·kg-1 normal saline, while the high-, medium-, and low-dose groups received 30, 15, and 7.5 g·kg-1 modified Shaofu Zhuyutang, respectively. The gestrinone group was administered 0.25 mg·kg-1 gestrinone suspension. After four weeks of treatment, uterine contractions were induced with 2 U of oxytocin, and the writhing response of rats was observed. After 24 h, the rats were euthanized, and the weight and volume of ectopic endometrial tissue were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in endometrial tissues, while the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to evaluate the apoptosis rate of endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the relative expression areas of the B-cell lymphoma-2 gene-associated promoter (Bad) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) proteins in endometrial tissues. Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGFR were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative protein expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), Akt, and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in endometrial tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed endometrial thickening, glandular and mesenchymal hyperplasia, a significant decrease in the relative expression area of Bad in ectopic endometrial tissues, a significant increase in the relative expression area of Bcl-2, and a significant reduction in the apoptosis rate as indicated by TUNEL staining. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, EGF, and EGFR were significantly elevated (P<0.01). The relative protein expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt, as well as the mRNA expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, and Akt, were also significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high- and medium-dose groups of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang and the gestrinone group exhibited reduced glandular and mesenchymal hyperplasia to varying degrees, with dilated glandular lumens. The number of writhing responses was significantly reduced, the latency to writhing response was significantly prolonged, and the weight and volume of ectopic endometrial tissue were significantly decreased. The relative expression area of Bad in ectopic endometrial tissue was significantly increased, the relative expression area of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate was significantly elevated as shown by TUNEL staining. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, EGF, and EGFR were significantly reduced, and the relative protein expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt, as well as the mRNA expression levels of EGFR, PI3K, and Akt, were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may exert therapeutic effects on endometriosis by interfering with key proteins of the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis in ectopic endometrial tissue.
10.Effect of Modified Shaofu Zhuyutang on Ferroptosis in Ectopic Endometrial Tissues of Rats with Endometriosis Based on MDM4/p53/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Xiangyu LIN ; Wanrun WANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Yaling YANG ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):39-47
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in inducing ferroptosis in ectopic endometrial tissues of rats with endometriosis through the murine double minute 4 (MDM4)/tumor suppressor p53/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (n = 10), a sham-operated group (n = 10), and a modeling group (n = 50). The sham-operated group underwent laparotomy, while the modeling group was subjected to the autotransplantation method to establish an endometriosis model. After successful modeling, the animals were randomly assigned to the model group, progesterone group (0.25 mg·kg-1), and modified Shaofu Zhuyutang high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (30, 15, and 7.5 g·kg-1, respectively), with 10 rats per group. After four weeks of drug administration, the rats were euthanized for sample collection. The weight and volume of ectopic endometrial tissues were recorded for each group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe ultrastructural changes in endometrial tissues, while Prussian blue staining was used to assess iron ion deposition. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative levels of Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues were determined by colorimetric assay. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensities of GSH and GPX4 in endometrial tissues. The relative expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), MDM4, p53, and GPX4 proteins were detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, MDM4, p53, and GPX4. ResultsCompared with the blank and sham-operated groups, the model group exhibited reduced ferroptotic damage in ultrastructural observations, decreased ferroptotic aggregates and positive iron ion expression area on Prussian blue staining, elevated serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, reduced Fe2+ and MDA content, increased GSH content in endometrial tissues, and enhanced GSH and GPX4 fluorescence intensities (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, MDM4, and GPX4 were elevated, while those of p53 were decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the progesterone group and the modified Shaofu Zhuyutang high- and medium-dose groups, ferroptotic damage in ultrastructural observations was exacerbated to varying degrees by TEM, and ferroptotic aggregates and positive iron ion expression areas were increased on Prussian blue staining. Serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased, Fe2+ and MDA content increased, and GSH content decreased in endometrial tissues. GSH and GPX4 fluorescence intensities weakened, while the protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, MDM4, and GPX4 decreased, and those of p53 increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusionmodified Shaofu Zhuyutang may exert therapeutic effects in endometriosis by inducing ferroptosis in ectopic endometrial tissues, alleviating inflammatory responses, and modulating key proteins in the MDM4/p53/GPX4 signaling pathway.


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