1.Exploring Multi-target Effect of Erzhiwan on Improving Myocardial Injury in Ovariectomized Mice Based on Non-targeted Metabolomics
Ying YANG ; Jing HU ; Pei LI ; Ruyuan ZHU ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Haixia LIU ; Yanjing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):74-84
ObjectiveTo explore the target of Erzhiwan in reducing myocardial injury in ovariectomized mice through non-targeted myocardial metabolomics combined with experimental verification. MethodsOvariectomized mouse model was selected, 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group(estradiol valerate, 1.3×10-4 g·kg-1), Erzhiwan low and high dose groups(3.12, 9.36 g·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding dose of Erzhiwan by gavage, and the sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 12 weeks. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe myocardial morphological changes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of estrogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), hypersensitive troponin T(hs-TnT), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The non-targeted metabolomics of mouse myocardium were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were obtained. The mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt) in mouse myocardial tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated(p)-Akt were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed abnormal cardiac function, increased myocardial fiber space, cardiomyocyte atrophy, sarcoplasmic aggregation, and occasional dissolution or rupture of muscle fiber, the level of estrogen in the serum was decreased, the levels of NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, TG, TC and LDL-C were increased, and the level of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Erzhiwan could increase the level of estrogen, improve the abnormal cardiac function, reduce the pathological injury of myocardial tissue, decrease the levels of myocardial injury markers(NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α), decrease the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased the level of HDL-C(P<0.01). The results of non-targeted myocardial metabolomics showed that 31 of the 162 differential metabolites between the model group and sham operation group were significantly adjusted after administration of Erzhiwan, which were mainly glycerol phospholipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment results showed that Erzhiwan mainly affected glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) pathway and other metabolic pathways. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC, 11 types) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE, 5 types) in mouse myocardial tissue of the model group were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PC(11 types) and PE(5 types) were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissue of Erzhiwan group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were elevated(P<0.01). ConclusionErzhiwan can alleviate the pathological injury of myocardium in ovariectomized mice, improve the abnormal cardiac function, improve lipid metabolism disorder, and reduce the levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors, which involves a number of signaling and metabolic pathways in the heart, among which glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway may have key roles.
2.Screening of initial processing methods for Ligusticum sinense slice based on differential metabolites
Yu HE ; Yanjing DONG ; Qian QIN ; Danyang WU ; Conglong XU ; Shouwen ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1317-1322
OBJECTIVE To screen the primary processing methods of Ligusticum sinense slice based on differential metabolites, and provide theoretical basis for the scientific processing of L. sinense. METHODS Using 13 groups of L. sinense slice processed by fresh-cutting or traditional methods as samples, UHPLC-QE-MS was employed for metabolite identification. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to screen differential metabolites among the 13 sample groups, analyzing the effects of washing, soaking, drying methods, and drying cycles on both the relative expressions of differential metabolites and the contents of carboxylic acids and their derivatives in the samples (to reflect the total amino acid content). RESULTS Principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis both showed significant intergroup differences among the 13 sample groups. A total of 688 differential metabolites were screened from the 13 sample groups, with carboxylic acids and their derivatives showing the highest proportion. The relative expression levels of phosphatidylcholine significantly increased after washing treatment, while tryptophan expression significantly decreased after soaking treatment. Samples dried at 50-60 ℃ showed significantly increased expression of psoralen, whereas those dried at 40 ℃ showed significantly decreased expression of methyl -p- methoxycinnamate. Both washing and soaking treatments significantly reduced the total amino acid content in samples, while secondary drying significantly increased it. The three controlled-temperature drying methods maintained relatively stable total content of amino acids in samples. CONCLUSIONS The optimal processing protocol for L. sinense slice is as follows: fresh L. sinense slice should be freshly cut at the production site, undergo quick washing after soil removal, and be dried twice at 40 ℃ (before and after slicing).
3.USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 axis confers chemoresistance through decreasing doxorubicin accumulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Yang OU ; Kun ZHANG ; Qiuying SHUAI ; Chenyang WANG ; Huayu HU ; Lixia CAO ; Chunchun QI ; Min GUO ; Zhaoxian LI ; Jie SHI ; Yuxin LIU ; Siyu ZUO ; Xiao CHEN ; Yanjing WANG ; Mengdan FENG ; Hang WANG ; Peiqing SUN ; Yi SHI ; Guang YANG ; Shuang YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2593-2611
Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.
4.Scaffold and SAR studies on c-MET inhibitors using machine learning approaches.
Jing ZHANG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Weiran HUANG ; Changjie LIANG ; Wei XU ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Jun TU ; Innocent Okohi AGIDA ; Jinke CHENG ; Dong-Qing WEI ; Buyong MA ; Yanjing WANG ; Hongsheng TAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101303-101303
Numerous c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (c-MET) inhibitors have been reported as potential anticancer agents. However, most fail to enter clinical trials owing to poor efficacy or drug resistance. To date, the scaffold-based chemical space of small-molecule c-MET inhibitors has not been analyzed. In this study, we constructed the largest c-MET dataset, which included 2,278 molecules with different structures, by inhibiting the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of kinase activity. No significant differences in drug-like properties were observed between active molecules (1,228) and inactive molecules (1,050), including chemical space coverage, physicochemical properties, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles. The higher chemical diversity of the active molecules was downscaled using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) high-dimensional data. Further clustering and chemical space networks (CSNs) analyses revealed commonly used scaffolds for c-MET inhibitors, such as M5, M7, and M8. Activity cliffs and structural alerts were used to reveal "dead ends" and "safe bets" for c-MET, as well as dominant structural fragments consisting of pyridazinones, triazoles, and pyrazines. Finally, the decision tree model precisely indicated the key structural features required to constitute active c-MET inhibitor molecules, including at least three aromatic heterocycles, five aromatic nitrogen atoms, and eight nitrogen-oxygen atoms. Overall, our analyses revealed potential structure-activity relationship (SAR) patterns for c-MET inhibitors, which can inform the screening of new compounds and guide future optimization efforts.
5.Analysis of influencing factors of suicidal ideation among children and adolescents with severe autism spectrum disorder
HU Zhiming, SUN Jingyan, ZHAO Guoyong, LIU Hong, BAN Yanjing, ZHANG Rui, TIAN Li, GAO Lei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1741-1745
Objective:
To explore the influencing factors and pathways of suicidal ideation among children and adolescents with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD), so as to provide references for clarifying the impact intensity and pathways of various factors on suicidal ideation in the population.
Methods:
A cross sectional study was conducted from June 17, 2024, to January 12, 2025, involving 96 severely affected ASD children and adolescents aged 8-18 years from Tianjin. Participants were assessed using the Puberty Development Scale (PDS), Children s Alexithymia Measure (CAM), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI). The random forest Boruta algorithm was employed to screen core variables, and a Bayesian network model was constructed to analyze the influencing factors of suicidal ideation in children and adolescents with severe ASD.
Results:
Through the screening using the Boruta algorithm, the SDQ scale score, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer relationship problems and prosocial behavior were identified as the key predictors of suicidal ideation. A Bayesian network model was established with hyperactivity as the central mediating node. The impact of hyperactivity on suicidal ideation exhibited a non linear relationship: compared to the normal state (31.6%, 68.4%), the borderline state of hyperactivity was associated with a higher probability of low risk suicidal ideation (47.1%) and a lower probability of high risk suicidal ideation (52.9%). Suicidal ideation among children and adolescents with severe ASD was closely related to hyperactivity. In the state of hyperactivity, the abnormal peer relationship (95.2%) and the abnormal prosocial behavior (77.0%) were aggravated.
Conclusions
Suicide ideation among children and adolescents with severe ASD is strongly associated with hyperactivity traits. It is necessary to establish a prevention and control system centered on hyperactivity intervention to reduce this risk.
6.Epigenetic drug combination induced the expression of FMR1NB in oral carcinoma
Yuxuan ZHANG ; Huan XIE ; Yanjing WANG ; Feng LI ; Guojian WANG ; Weixia NONG ; Chang LIU ; Bin LUO ; Xiaoxun XIE ; Ning SHEN ; Qingmei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(5):761-766
Objective To investigate the effects of DNA demethylation drugs combined with histone deacetylase in-hibitors on fragile X mental retardation 1 neighbor protein (FMR1NB) expression and its promoter methylation in human oral cancer cells and try to find a strategy of weakening the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression.Methods Human oral cancer cell lines Cal27 and SCC-9 were treated with decitabine (DAC) , an inhibitor of DNA meth-yltransferase, combined with trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA), inhibitors of histone deacetylase.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) , quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of FMR1 NB and pyrosequencing was used to detect the methylation of FMR1NB promoter.Results Compared with the blank control group, DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA significantly induced the expression of FMR1NB mRNA and protein in Cal27 and SCC-9 cells.Compared with DAC alone group, FMR1NB mRNA expression of each DAC-combined drug groups significantly increased, but FMR1NB protein did not significantly change in Cal27 cells; for SCC-9 cells, except for DAC+TSA group, the mRNA and protein levels of FMR1NB significantly increased in all other groups.In addition, there was no signifi-cant difference in the expression of FMR1 NB mRNA and protein between the three-combined drugs group and two-combined drugs groups.Further methylation assay showed that the methylation level of the overall FMR1NB promot-er and its each CpG site measured were reduced to varying degrees in all treatment groups except for three-combina-tion drug group of SCC-9.Conclusion DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA can enhance the expression of FMR1NB by mediating the demethylation of FMR1NB promoter, wherein the enhanced expression effect of the com-bination of the two drugs is stronger, suggesting that they have the potential to weaken the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression and improve the immunotherapy effect of oral cancer.
7.Combined ultrasound and clinical characteristics to predict the treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathologic scars
Yanjing CHEN ; Yongshuai QI ; Zhouyue JIANG ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Ting LANG ; Yue LIN ; Min CHANG ; Yingjia LI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(7):603-608
Objective:To combine ultrasound and clinical characteristics for predicting the treatment time of strontium 90( 90Sr) radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars when the therapeutic effect meets the clinical effective criteria. Methods:From September 2022 to October 2023, 48 patients (90 lesions) with pathological scars who underwent 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were prospectively collected. The clinically effective criteria of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars were defined as a reduction of the superficial height of the scar higher than 50%. All lesions were divided into short period treatment group (2 months, 38 lesions) and long period treatment group (>2 months, 52 lesions) according to the duration of treatment when the therapeutic effect met the clinical criteria. Univariate comparative analyses of ultrasound and clinical characteristics between the two groups were performed. The statistically significant variates were used to build a multivariate logistic regression model for analyzing the independent predictors of the treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars. Results:Family history, blood flow signal, disease duration, age, and scar Young′s modulus were independent predictors of the effective treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars (all P<0.05). By using the selected variables, a predictive model was developed, area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.886 (95% CI=0.817-0.955, P<0.001), and the calibration curve showed that the model was well calibrated(χ 2=5.668, P=0.684). Conclusions:The multivariate logistic regression model with family history, blood flow signal, disease duration, age, and scar Young′s modulus could be used to predict the treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathologic scars, which can help to guide the design of treatment plan, reduce unnecessary radiation damage, and improve patient compliance.
8.Intervention effect of transcranial direct current stimulation,transcranial magnetic stimulation and music combined stimulation on mental fatigue
Zhenfeng REN ; Yong CAO ; Kaiyu MOU ; Lizhi WANG ; Huiquan WANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Yanjing WANG ; Xun BI ; Changhua JIANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2024;35(2):105-111
Objective This paper investigates the effect of a multi-physical field fusion intervention based on transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)and music on mental fatigue.Methods After fatigue induction,10 subjects received blank group stimulation,music group stimulation and tDCS-TMS-Music stimulation,respectively.tDCS stimulation sites were located in the bilateral frontal regions of the subjects,and TMS stimulation sites were located in the bilateral occipital regions of the hindbrain.Heart rate variability and reaction performance were measured before and after each intervention to determine the elimination effect of different intervention programs on mental fatigue.Results Compared with the control group,the tDCS-TMS-Music group showed significantly greater improvements in subjective mental workload,response performance,and heart rate variability.Conclusion The results of this study support that tDCS-TMS-Music can effectively alleviate mental fatigue induced by long-term cognitive performance tasks,and the intervention effect is better than music intervention and resting-state relief at the same time.
9.Effects of dexmedetomidine assisted postoperative analgesia on sleep quality in elderly patients after abdominal surgery
Tianhui CHEN ; Yingshan ZHANG ; Jiyuan LI ; Yanjing ZHANG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yiwen ZHANG
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(9):928-932
Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine used to supplement analgesia on sleep quality in elderly patients after abdominal surgery.Methods Ninety-eight elderly patients,56 males and 42 females,aged 65-80 years,BMI 18.5-25.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,who un-derwent elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were selected and divided into two groups using the random number table method:dexmedetomidine group(group D)and control group(group C),49 pa-tients in each group.The two groups were used the same drugs for induction and maintenance of anesthesia,with different analgesic formulas after surgery.Analgesia formula in group C was sufentanil 2 μg/kg,tropi-setron 4 mg,and normal saline to 100 ml,and in group D was sufentanil 2 μg/kg,dexmedetomidine 5μg/kg,tropisetron 4 mg,and normal saline to 100 ml.In the form of questionnaire survey,consensus sleep diary(CSD)was used to record the patient's sleep latency,number of awakenings and duration of waking after sleep 1 day before surgery and 1 day,3,and 7 days after surgery,and then the actual sleep time and sleep efficiency were calculated.The patient's venous blood was collected at 5:00 to 7:00 in the morning to detect serum melatonin,interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)concentration.Extubation time,the incidence of cough,agitation,respiratory depression,postoperative bradycardia,nausea and vomiting,lethargy,urinary retention,and other adverse reactions were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the sleep latency was significantly reduced,the actual sleep time and the sleep efficiency were significantly increased 1 day,3,and 7 days after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with group C,the concentration of postoperative melatonin in group D were significantly increased 1 day,3,and 7 days after surgery(P<0.05),the concentration of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α in group D were significantly reduced 1 and 3 days after surgery(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of ad-verse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with dexme-detomidine assisted in elderly patients after abdominal surgery can improve sleep efficiency,increase sleep time and postoperative sleep quality,which may be related to the changes of melatonin and inflammatory factors after surgery.
10.BMP7 expression in mammalian cortical radial glial cells increases the length of the neurogenic period.
Zhenmeiyu LI ; Guoping LIU ; Lin YANG ; Mengge SUN ; Zhuangzhi ZHANG ; Zhejun XU ; Yanjing GAO ; Xin JIANG ; Zihao SU ; Xiaosu LI ; Zhengang YANG
Protein & Cell 2024;15(1):21-35
The seat of human intelligence is the human cerebral cortex, which is responsible for our exceptional cognitive abilities. Identifying principles that lead to the development of the large-sized human cerebral cortex will shed light on what makes the human brain and species so special. The remarkable increase in the number of human cortical pyramidal neurons and the size of the human cerebral cortex is mainly because human cortical radial glial cells, primary neural stem cells in the cortex, generate cortical pyramidal neurons for more than 130 days, whereas the same process takes only about 7 days in mice. The molecular mechanisms underlying this difference are largely unknown. Here, we found that bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) is expressed by increasing the number of cortical radial glial cells during mammalian evolution (mouse, ferret, monkey, and human). BMP7 expression in cortical radial glial cells promotes neurogenesis, inhibits gliogenesis, and thereby increases the length of the neurogenic period, whereas Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling promotes cortical gliogenesis. We demonstrate that BMP7 signaling and SHH signaling mutually inhibit each other through regulation of GLI3 repressor formation. We propose that BMP7 drives the evolutionary expansion of the mammalian cortex by increasing the length of the neurogenic period.
Animals
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Mice
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Humans
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Ependymoglial Cells/metabolism*
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Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism*
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Ferrets/metabolism*
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Cerebral Cortex
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Neurogenesis
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Mammals/metabolism*
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Neuroglia/metabolism*
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Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7/metabolism*


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