1.Analysis of the incidence and mortality trends of type 2 diabetic nephropathy in China from 1990 to 2021
Xuewei DOU ; Wenfei CUI ; Ling NIU ; Binglei YIN ; Jinjin WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):176-182
ObjectiveTo analyze the long-term trend of incidence and mortality of type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in China from 1990 to 2021. MethodsThe Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of standardized incidence rate and standardized mortality rate, and the age-period-cohort (APC) model was constructed to analyze the longitudinal age change, period and cohort effect risk ratio (RR). ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the standardized incidence rate of type 2 DKD in males and females showed an overall upward trend, with AAPC of 0.08% and 0.36%, respectively. The age-standardized mortality rate of the total population and female showed a downward trend, with AAPC of -0.61% and -1.03%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in males. APC model showed that the age effect existed: the peak age was 75-79 years old, the mortality rate of females increased, and the mortality rate of males decreased after 80-84 years old. For the effect of time period, the risk of type 2 DKD incidence in females in 2017—2021 was 1.05 times that in 2002—2006, and the risk of death in males and females in 2017—2021 was 0.84 and 0.71 times that in 2002—2006, respectively. For cohort effects, the highest risk of disease was seen in men and women born in 1967—1971, and the highest risk of death was seen in men born in 1952—1956 and women born in 1912—1916. ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2021, the standardized incidence rate of type 2 DKD in China shows an upward trend, and the standardized mortality rate shows a downward trend. It is necessary to strengthen the health behavior publicity and education of type 2 DKD, and actively carry out early screening to reduce the disease burden.
2.Stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum Suppresses Aristolochic Acid I-Induced Nephrotoxicity and DNA Adducts.
Cheng-Xian LI ; Xiao-He XIAO ; Xin-Yu LI ; Da-Ke XIAO ; Yin-Kang WANG ; Xian-Ling WANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Yu-Rong LI ; Ming NIU ; Zhao-Fang BAI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):142-152
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the protective effects of stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum (SAA) against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA adducts and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved for ensuring the safe use of Asari Radix et Rhizoma.
METHODS:
In vitro, HEK293T cells overexpressing Flag-tagged multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were constructed by Lentiviral transduction, and inhibitory effect of top 10 common pairs of medicinal herbs with Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinic on MRP3 activity was verified using a self-constructed fluorescence screening system. The mRNA, protein expressions, and enzyme activity levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) were measured in differentiated HepaRG cells. Hepatocyte toxicity after inhibition of AAI metabolite transport was detected using cell counting kit-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including: control (1% sodium bicarbonate), AAI (10 mg/kg), stir-fried SAA (1.75 g/kg) and AAI + stir-fried SAA (1.75 and 8.75 g/kg) groups, 6 mice in each group. After 7 days of continuous gavage administration, liver and kidney damages were assessed, and the protein expressions and enzyme activity of liver metabolic enzymes NQO1 and CYP1A2 were determined simultaneously.
RESULTS:
In vivo, combination of 1.75 g/kg SAA and 10 mg/kg AAI suppressed AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced dA-ALI formation by 26.7%, and these detoxification effects in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Mechanistically, SAA inhibited MRP3 transport in vitro, downregulated NQO1 expression in vivo, increased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Notably, SAA also reduced AAI-induced hepatotoxicity throughout the detoxification process, as indicated by a 41.3% reduction in the number of liver adducts (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Stir-fried SAA is a novel drug candidate for the suppression of AAI-induced liver and kidney damages. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of transporters and metabolic enzymes.
Aristolochic Acids/toxicity*
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Animals
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Humans
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NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics*
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HEK293 Cells
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Kidney/pathology*
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Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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DNA Adducts/drug effects*
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Male
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Kidney Diseases/drug therapy*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Mice
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Prunus armeniaca
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Plant Extracts
3.Research advancements in molecular glues derived from natural product scaffolds: Chemistry, targets, and molecular mechanisms.
Lina YIN ; Tingting NIU ; Ling LI ; Wei YU ; Bo HAN ; Asma REHMAN ; Kewu ZENG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):235-245
The mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains unclear. Historically, research on TCM has mainly focused on exploring the mechanisms of active components acting on single targets. However, it is insufficient to explain the complex mechanisms by which these active components in TCM treat diseases. In recent years, the emergence of molecular glues (MGs) theory has provided new strategies to address this issue. MGs are small molecules that can promote interactions between proteins at their interface. The characteristic of MGs is to establish connections between diverse protein structures, thereby enabling a chemically-mediated proximity effect that triggers a wide spectrum of biological functions. Natural products are the result of billions of years of evolutionary processes in the natural environment. Thus, the extensive structural diversity of natural products renders them a rich source of MGs, including polyketides, terpenoids, steroids, lignans, organic acids, alkaloids and other classes. Currently, several well-known natural MGs, including the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506), as well as the anticancer agent taxol, have been incorporated into clinical practice. Meanwhile, the advancement of new technologies is propelling the discovery of novel MGs from natural products. Thus, we primarily summarize a growing variety of MGs from natural origins reported in recent years and categorize them based on the chemical structural types. Moreover, the main sources of TCM are natural products. The discovery of natural MGs promises to provide a new perspective for the elucidation of the molecular mechanism behind the efficiency of TCM. In summary, this review aims to provide insights from the perspective of natural products that could potentially influence TCM and modern drug development.
4.Effect of the axial position of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens on the early postoperative vault changes
Yi-lin XU ; Qian JIAN ; Xun CHEN ; Yin-jie JIANG ; Ling-ling NIU ; Xiao-ying WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):83-90
Objective To observe the early changes of vault after implantation of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantable collamer lens(ICL),and investigate the effect of different implantation axes on the early vault changes.Methods A prospective,parallel cohort study was performed,enrolling a total of 124 eyes of who underwent ICL(V4c)implantation in the refractive clinic.The changes of vault were observed by scheimpflug tomography(Pentacam)and anterior segment optical coherence tomography(CASIA2)at 1 day,1 week and 1 month after surgery.Results The ICL vault declined significantly by approximately(108.2±82.4)μm 1 week after surgery with the proportion of 16.6%±12.1%compared with the values 1 day after surgery(P<0.001),and then remained stable.Within 1 month after surgery,excluding the difference in vault baseline at 1 day after surgery,the proportion of vault decline in the middle vault group(250-749 μm)and the high vault group(≥750 μm)was similar,and there was no statistically significant difference.We analyzed the relationship between ICL axial directions and vault and found that the vault decline of the horizontal ICL group stabilized quickly at 1 week after surgery,and the vault decline of the vertical ICL group was more significant within 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion The vault of the ICL shows a downward trend in the early stage after implantation.The middle vault group and ICL in the horizontal position stabilizes faster,and the downward trend of the high vault group or ICL in the vertical position is more obvious.
5.Effect of the axial position of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens on the early postoperative vault changes
Yi-lin XU ; Qian JIAN ; Xun CHEN ; Yin-jie JIANG ; Ling-ling NIU ; Xiao-ying WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):83-90
Objective To observe the early changes of vault after implantation of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantable collamer lens(ICL),and investigate the effect of different implantation axes on the early vault changes.Methods A prospective,parallel cohort study was performed,enrolling a total of 124 eyes of who underwent ICL(V4c)implantation in the refractive clinic.The changes of vault were observed by scheimpflug tomography(Pentacam)and anterior segment optical coherence tomography(CASIA2)at 1 day,1 week and 1 month after surgery.Results The ICL vault declined significantly by approximately(108.2±82.4)μm 1 week after surgery with the proportion of 16.6%±12.1%compared with the values 1 day after surgery(P<0.001),and then remained stable.Within 1 month after surgery,excluding the difference in vault baseline at 1 day after surgery,the proportion of vault decline in the middle vault group(250-749 μm)and the high vault group(≥750 μm)was similar,and there was no statistically significant difference.We analyzed the relationship between ICL axial directions and vault and found that the vault decline of the horizontal ICL group stabilized quickly at 1 week after surgery,and the vault decline of the vertical ICL group was more significant within 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion The vault of the ICL shows a downward trend in the early stage after implantation.The middle vault group and ICL in the horizontal position stabilizes faster,and the downward trend of the high vault group or ICL in the vertical position is more obvious.
6.Euonymus alatus delays progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice by regulating EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway
Jinjin WANG ; Wenfei CUI ; Xuewei DOU ; Binglei YIN ; Yuqi NIU ; Ling NIU ; Guoli YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1243-1255
Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Euonymus alatus for diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods TCMSP,PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to obtain the active ingredients in Euonymus alatus and their targets.GEO database and R language were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in DKD.The therapeutic targets of DKD were obtained using GeneCards,DisGeNet,OMIM and TTD databases.The protein-protein interaction network and the"drug-component-target-disease"network were constructed for analyzing the topological properties of the core targets,which were functionally annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses.Molecular docking was performed for the core targets and the main pharmacologically active components,and the results were verified in db/db mice.Results Analysis of GSE96804,GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets(including 60 DKD patients and 45 normal samples)identified 111 differentially expressed genes in DKD.Network pharmacology analysis obtained 161 intersecting genes between the target genes of Euonymus alatus and DKD,including the key core target genes SRC,EGFR,and AKT1.The core active ingredients of Euonymus alatus were quercetin,kaempferol,diosmetin,and naringenin,which were associated with responses to xenobiotic stimulionus and protein phosphorylation and regulated EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways.Molecular docking suggested good binding activities of the core active components of Euonymus alatus with the core targets.In db/db mouse models of DKD,treatment with Euonymus alatus obviously ameliorated kidney pathologies,significantly inhibited renal expressions of SRC,EGFR and AKT1,and delayed the progression of DKD.Conclusion Euonymus alatus contains multiple active ingredients such as quercetin,kakaferol,diosmetin,naringenin,which regulate the expressions of SRC,EGFR,and AKT1 to affect the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway to delay the progression of DKD.
7.Correlation between related carotid ultrasound parameters and severity of coronary atherosclerosis
Ying XU ; Yin-Ling NIU ; Xia LI
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2024;33(1):75-79
Objective:To study correlation between related carotid ultrasound parameters and severity of coronary atherosclerosis(AS).Methods:According to number of diseased coronary arteries,a total of 116 patients with cor-onary heart disease diagnosed by coronary angiography in our hospital were divided into single vessel coronary dis-ease group(n=38,single group),double vessel coronary disease group(n=39,double group)and ≥3 vessel coro-nary disease group(n=39,multiple group).Another 41 healthy subjects were simultaneously regarded as healthy control group.General clinical data and carotid ultrasound parameters were compared among all groups,and corre-lation among them and AS severity was analyzed.Results:Compared with healthy control group,there were signifi-cant rise in levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)and Crouse score in single,double and multiple groups,and significant re-ductions in plaque echo gray-scale median(GSM)in double and multiple groups.Compared with single group,there were significant rise in levels of TG and LDL-C,Gensini score and Crouse score in double and multiple groups and TC level in multiple group,and significant reduction in plaque echo GSM in multiple group.Compared with double group,there were significant rise in TC level,Gensini score and Crouse score,and significant reduction in plaque echo GSM in multiple group(P<0.05 or<0.01).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that Gensini score was significant positively correlated with Crouse score in these patients(r=0.580,P=0.001).Spearman correla-tion analysis indicated that IMT was significant positively correlated with number of diseased coronary arteries(r=0.582,P=0.001),and plaque echo GSM was significant inversely correlated with it(r=-0.518,P=0.001)in these patients.Conclusion:Related carotid ultrasound parameters are significantly correlated with severity of coro-nary atherosclerosis.
8.Euonymus alatus delays progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice by regulating EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway
Jinjin WANG ; Wenfei CUI ; Xuewei DOU ; Binglei YIN ; Yuqi NIU ; Ling NIU ; Guoli YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1243-1255
Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Euonymus alatus for diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods TCMSP,PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to obtain the active ingredients in Euonymus alatus and their targets.GEO database and R language were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in DKD.The therapeutic targets of DKD were obtained using GeneCards,DisGeNet,OMIM and TTD databases.The protein-protein interaction network and the"drug-component-target-disease"network were constructed for analyzing the topological properties of the core targets,which were functionally annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses.Molecular docking was performed for the core targets and the main pharmacologically active components,and the results were verified in db/db mice.Results Analysis of GSE96804,GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets(including 60 DKD patients and 45 normal samples)identified 111 differentially expressed genes in DKD.Network pharmacology analysis obtained 161 intersecting genes between the target genes of Euonymus alatus and DKD,including the key core target genes SRC,EGFR,and AKT1.The core active ingredients of Euonymus alatus were quercetin,kaempferol,diosmetin,and naringenin,which were associated with responses to xenobiotic stimulionus and protein phosphorylation and regulated EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways.Molecular docking suggested good binding activities of the core active components of Euonymus alatus with the core targets.In db/db mouse models of DKD,treatment with Euonymus alatus obviously ameliorated kidney pathologies,significantly inhibited renal expressions of SRC,EGFR and AKT1,and delayed the progression of DKD.Conclusion Euonymus alatus contains multiple active ingredients such as quercetin,kakaferol,diosmetin,naringenin,which regulate the expressions of SRC,EGFR,and AKT1 to affect the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway to delay the progression of DKD.
9.Darbepoetin alfa injection versus epoetin alfa injection for treating anemia of Chinese hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney failure: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority Phase III trail
Nan CHEN ; Changying XING ; Jianying NIU ; Bicheng LIU ; Junzhou FU ; Jiuyang ZHAO ; Zhaohui NI ; Mei WANG ; Wenhu LIU ; Jinghong ZHAO ; Ling ZHONG ; Xiongfei WU ; Wenge LI ; Yuqing CHEN ; Wei SHI ; Jianghua CHEN ; Aiping YIN ; Ping FU ; Rong WANG ; Gengru JIANG ; Fanfan HOU ; Guohua DING ; Jing CHEN ; Gang XU ; Yuichiro KONDO ; Yuliang SU ; Changlin MEI
Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine 2022;08(1):59-70
Background::Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that mainly regulates erythropoiesis. In patients with chronic renal failure with anemia, darbepoetin alfa can stimulate erythropoiesis, correct anemia, and maintain hemoglobin levels. This study was designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injections as being not inferior to epoetin alfa injections (Recombinant Human Erythropoietin injection, rHuEPO) when maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels within the target range (10.0-12.0 g/dL) for the treatment of renal anemia.Methods::Ninety-five patients were enrolled in this study from April 15, 2013 to April 10, 2014 at 25 sites. In this study, patients ( n = 95) aged 18-70 years were randomized into a once per week intravenous darbepoetin alfa group ( n = 56) and a twice or three times per week intravenous epoetin alfa group ( n = 39) for 28 weeks, who had anemia with hemoglobin levels between 6 g/dL and 10 g/dL due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and were undergoing hemodialysis or hemofiltration with ESA-naive (erythropoiesis stimulating agent-naive). The primary efficacy profile was the mean Hb level (the non-inferiority margin was -1.0 g/dL, week 21-28); the secondary efficacy profiles were the Hb increase rate (week 0-4), the target Hb achievement cumulative rate and time, the change trends of the Hb levels, and the target Hb maintenance ratio. Adverse events (AEs) were observed and compared, and the efficacy and safety were analyzed between the two treatment groups. Additionally, the frequencies of dose adjustments between the darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa groups were compared during the treatment period. SAS? software version 9.2 was used to perform all statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics were used for all efficacy, safety, and demographic variable analyses, including for the primary efficacy indicators. Results::The mean Hb level was 11.3 g/dL in the darbepoetin alfa group and 10.7 g/dL in the epoetin alfa group, respectively; the difference of the lower limits of the 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the two groups was 0.1 g/dL (>-1.0 g/dL), and non-inferiority was proven; the Hb levels started to increase in the first four weeks at a similar increase rate; no obvious differences were observed between the groups in the target Hb achievement cumulative rates, and the Hb levels as well as the target Hb level maintenance rate changed over time. The incidence of AEs was 62.5% in the darbepoetin alfa group and 76.9% in the epoetin alfa group. All the adverse events observed in the study were those commonly associated with hemodialysis.Conclusion::Darbepoetin alfa intravenously once per week can effectively increase Hb levels and maintain the target Hb levels well, which makes it not inferior to epoetin alfa intravenously twice or three times per week. Darbepoetin alfa shows an efficacy and safety comparable to epoetin alfa for the treatment of renal anemia.
10.Efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injection replacing epoetin alfa injection for the treatment of renal anemia in Chinese hemodialysis patients: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority phase III trial
Bicheng LIU ; Nan CHEN ; Jinghong ZHAO ; Aiping YIN ; Xiongfei WU ; Changying XING ; Gengru JIANG ; Junzhou FU ; Mei WANG ; Rong WANG ; Jianying NIU ; Ping FU ; Zhaohui NI ; Fanfan HOU ; Jiuyang ZHAO ; Jing CHEN ; Yuqing CHEN ; Wei SHI ; Jianghua CHEN ; Wenge LI ; Gang XU ; Ling ZHONG ; Wenhu LIU ; Guohua DING ; Yuichiro KONDO ; Changhe YUE ; Changlin MEI
Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine 2022;08(2):134-144
Background::This study was to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injection replacing epoetin alfa injection (recombinant human erythropoietin injection, rHuEPO) for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney failure in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis.Method::This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, intergroup parallel control phase III noninferiority trial from April 19, 2013 to September 9, 2014 at 25 sites. In this study, the members of the darbepoetin alfa group underwent intravenous administration once per week or once every two weeks. The members of the control drug epoetin alfa group underwent intravenous administration two or three times per week. All subjects underwent epoetin alfa administration during the 8-week baseline period. After that, subjects were randomly assigned to the darbepoetin alfa group or epoetin alfa group. The noninferiority in the changes of the average Hb concentrations from the baseline to the end of the evaluation period (noninferiority threshold: -1.0 g/dl) was tested between the two treatments. The time-dependent hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the maintenance rate of the target Hb concentration (the proportion of subjects with Hb concentrations between 10.0 and 12.0 g/dl) were also evaluated. Iron metabolism, including changes in the serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and comparisons of the dose adjustments between the two groups during the treatment period were analyzed further. Adverse events (AEs) were also observed and compared, and the safety was analyzed between the two treatment groups. The conversion rate switching from epoetin alfa to darbepoetin alfa was also discussed. SAS ? software version 9.2 was used to perform all statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics were used for all efficacy, safety, and demographic variable analyses, including for the primary efficacy indicators. Results::Four hundred and sixty-six patients were enrolled in this study, and ultimately 384 cases were analyzed for safety, including 267 cases in the darbepoetin alfa group and 117 cases in the epoetin alfa group. There were 211 cases in the per-protocol set, including 152 cases in the darbepoetin alfa group and 59 cases in the epoetin alfa group. The changes in the average Hb concentrations from the baseline to the end of the evaluation period were -0.07 and -0.15 g/dl in the darbepoetin alfa group and epoetin alfa group respectively. The difference between the two groups was 0.08 g/dl (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.22 to 0.39), and the lower limit of the 95% CI was -0.22 > -1.0 g/dl. The average Hb concentrations of the two groups were 10.88-11.43 g/dl (darbepoetin alfa) and 10.91-11.38 g/dl (epoetin alfa) during the study period of Weeks 0-28, with the maintenance rates of the target Hb concentration ranging within 71%-87% and 78%-95% in the darbepoetin alfa group and epoetin alfa group respectively. During the period of comparison between the two groups, the incidence of AEs in the darbepoetin alfa group was 61.42%, while in the epoetin alfa group it was 56.41%. All of the adverse events and reactions in the study were those commonly associated with hemodialysis.Conclusion::The overall efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa for the treatment of Chinese renal anemia patients undergoing hemodialysis are consistent with those of epoetin alfa.

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