1.Correlation analysis of inflammatory markers (NLR/PLR/SII) with the severity of intrauterine adhesions
Ying WANG ; Xuan XU ; Longyu ZHANG ; Rong WU ; Jingjing HU ; Wenjuan YANG ; Xiao WU ; Zhaolian WEI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):146-150
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the severity of intrauterine adhesions (IUA). MethodsThe retrospective study included 380 patients who underwent transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) from December 2019 to March 2025. Based on the American Fertility Society (AFS) classification, patients were divided into mild (n=61), moderate (n=225), and severe (n=94) groups. NLR, PLR, and SII were calculated from preoperative blood tests. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis test and ordinal Logistic regression. ResultsNLR, PLR, and SII were significantly higher in the severe IUA group compared to the mild group (P<0.05), with SII showing the strongest predictive ability (OR=1.004, P=0.001). The number of intrauterine procedures was an independent risk factor (OR=1.27/level, P=0.016). The predictive model [Logit(P)=-0.676+0.241×operation times+0.004×SII] effectively identified severe IUA cases. ConclusionInflammatory markers (particularly SII) are correlated with IUA severity and may serve as non-invasive tools for clinical assessment.
2.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
3.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
4.Mechanism of action of Qingjie Huagong decoction reducing inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis based on PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiao-dong ZHU ; Min-chao FENG ; Kun-rong LIU ; Ying BAN ; Pan SU ; Chuan-feng XUAN ; Xiao-yi HUANG ; De-wen LI ; Xi-ping TANG ; Guo-zhong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):978-984
Aim To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qingjie Huagong decoction in modulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis(AP)mice.Methods Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into Blank group,Model group,Ustekin group,and Qingjie Hua-gong decoction group,with six mice in each group.The AP model was prepared by using rain frogin.Serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α lev-els were detected by ELISA;the pancreatic pathology was detected by HE staining;the expressions of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNAs were de-tected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot,and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed obvious pathological damage to the pancreas,with significantly higher serum α-AMS,PN-LP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels(P<0.01),and significantly higher levels of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the Qingjie Huagong decoction group and the ustekin group improved the histopathological changes in the pancreas of AP mice,decreased the serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels,and down-reg-ulated the expression levels of pancreatic PI3K,AKT,NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Qingjie Huagong decoction may inhibit the inflammatory response and protect pancreat-ic tissues by regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
6.Mechanism of action of Qingjie Huagong decoction reducing inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis based on PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiao-dong ZHU ; Min-chao FENG ; Kun-rong LIU ; Ying BAN ; Pan SU ; Chuan-feng XUAN ; Xiao-yi HUANG ; De-wen LI ; Xi-ping TANG ; Guo-zhong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):978-984
Aim To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qingjie Huagong decoction in modulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis(AP)mice.Methods Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into Blank group,Model group,Ustekin group,and Qingjie Hua-gong decoction group,with six mice in each group.The AP model was prepared by using rain frogin.Serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α lev-els were detected by ELISA;the pancreatic pathology was detected by HE staining;the expressions of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNAs were de-tected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot,and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed obvious pathological damage to the pancreas,with significantly higher serum α-AMS,PN-LP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels(P<0.01),and significantly higher levels of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the Qingjie Huagong decoction group and the ustekin group improved the histopathological changes in the pancreas of AP mice,decreased the serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels,and down-reg-ulated the expression levels of pancreatic PI3K,AKT,NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Qingjie Huagong decoction may inhibit the inflammatory response and protect pancreat-ic tissues by regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
7.Analysis on the disease burden trend and attributable risk factors of common gynecological cancers in China from 1990 to 2021
Xiao-hui ZHOU ; Yi-xin ZOU ; Zhuo-ying LI ; Yu-xuan XIAO ; Dan-dan TANG ; Yu-xin ZHOU ; Pei-wen LU ; Qun XU ; Yong-bing XIANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):783-793
Objective To describe and analyze the current status,changing trend and influencing factors of the disease burden of cervical,endometrial and ovarian cancer in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods Data on incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life year(DALY),and other indicators for cervical,endometrial and ovarian cancer were collected from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease database.Joinpoint regression models were used to analyze time trends,and age-period-cohort(APC)models assessed their impact on incidence and mortality.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the sociodemographic index(SDI)and the cancer indicators.Finally,the attributable risk factors for the disease burden were analyzed.Results From 1990 to 2021,age-standardized incidence rates of cervical and endometrial cancers in China significantly increased,while ovarian cancer showed no significant change.Age-standardized mortality,DALY,and years of life lost due to premature death(YLL)decreased significantly.The disease burden was heavier in middle-aged and older groups.APC model indicated an increase in cervical cancer incidence and a decrease in mortality over time.Furthermore,the incidence risks of cervical and endometrial cancers were elevated in successive birth cohorts,whereas a lower risk was observed for ovarian cancer.Correlation analysis showed significant associations between cancer incidence and mortality with SDI.Obesity has significantly contributed to the disease burden of common gynecologic cancers in China.Conclusion Mortality rates of cervical,endometrial and ovarian cancer have declined,while the incidence of cervical and endometrial cancers has significantly increased.The trends in incidence and mortality are influenced by age,period and cohort effects.Future efforts should focus on controlling risk factors like obesity to reduce the disease burden.
8.Functional Analysis of the Promoter of the deSUMOylation Enzyme senp8 and Its Relationship with Lipid Metabolism in Yellow Catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)
Fu-Xuan DUAN ; Zhi-Wei HAO ; Tao LIU ; Chang-Chun SONG ; Tian-Hua ZHANG ; Chong-Chao ZHONG ; Xiao-Ying TAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):607-616
To investigate the transcriptionally regulatory mechanism of the senp8 promoter in yellow cat-fish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco);this study used P.fulvidraco as the research subject.Dual-luciferase re-porter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were employed to analyze the functional activity of the promoter;coupled with in vivo experiments.The results indicated that the 2 045 bp senp8 promoter se-quence contained key transcription factor binding sites such as SP1;TATA-Box;CCAAT-Box;SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ.The binding sites of SREBP1(-901/-910 bp);PPARα(-1 291/-1 308 bp);and PPARγ(-1 292/-1 306 bp)in the senp8 promoter positively regulate its activity;and oleic acid or palmitic acid promote this binding.Furthermore;high-fat feeding promoted the expression of the senp8 gene and its protein in the liver of P.fulvidraco;oleic acid or palmitic acid treatment significantly en-hanced the activity of the senp8 promoter;and this enhancement could be achieved through the regulatory effects of SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ response elements.Additionally;high-fat feeding influenced the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to deSUMOylation modification in the liver of P.fulvidraco.This study provides new insights into the relationship between deSUMOylation modification and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the vertebrates.
9.Functional Analysis of the Promoter of the deSUMOylation Enzyme senp8 and Its Relationship with Lipid Metabolism in Yellow Catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)
Fu-Xuan DUAN ; Zhi-Wei HAO ; Tao LIU ; Chang-Chun SONG ; Tian-Hua ZHANG ; Chong-Chao ZHONG ; Xiao-Ying TAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):607-616
To investigate the transcriptionally regulatory mechanism of the senp8 promoter in yellow cat-fish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco);this study used P.fulvidraco as the research subject.Dual-luciferase re-porter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were employed to analyze the functional activity of the promoter;coupled with in vivo experiments.The results indicated that the 2 045 bp senp8 promoter se-quence contained key transcription factor binding sites such as SP1;TATA-Box;CCAAT-Box;SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ.The binding sites of SREBP1(-901/-910 bp);PPARα(-1 291/-1 308 bp);and PPARγ(-1 292/-1 306 bp)in the senp8 promoter positively regulate its activity;and oleic acid or palmitic acid promote this binding.Furthermore;high-fat feeding promoted the expression of the senp8 gene and its protein in the liver of P.fulvidraco;oleic acid or palmitic acid treatment significantly en-hanced the activity of the senp8 promoter;and this enhancement could be achieved through the regulatory effects of SREBP1;PPARα;and PPARγ response elements.Additionally;high-fat feeding influenced the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to deSUMOylation modification in the liver of P.fulvidraco.This study provides new insights into the relationship between deSUMOylation modification and the regulation of lipid metabolism in the vertebrates.
10.Feasibility study of using clinical trial individual-level data sample bank as external control to support drug and device development:taking transcatheter aortic valve replacement device as an example
Xiao-ying LIN ; Chi-lie DANZENG ; Duo-er WANG ; Ying-xuan ZHU ; Ye LU ; Fan GAO ; Yuan-xin LI ; Meng-zhu SU ; Zi-long ZHANG ; Min CHEN ; Qi-ze LI ; Ru JIANG ; Yan-yan ZHAO ; Yang WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):459-466
Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.


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