1.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
2.The Impact of Pcdh15 Deficiency on Cellular Energy Metabolism and Oxidative Stress, and Its Role and Mechanism in Hearing Loss
Ying LAN ; Yang WU ; Shijie ZHAO ; Jun TANG ; Xingming LIANG ; Tao HOU ; Lu PENG ; Yongpeng LI ; Xinxing ZHAO ; Shihua YIN
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(2):129-144
Objectives:
. This study aimed to explore the role of the Pcdh15 gene in hearing maintenance and to examine the effects of its deficiency on cochlear structure, cochlear function, and hearing loss in mice.
Methods:
. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate Pcdh15 knockout (KO) mice. Auditory function was evaluated using hearing tests, while histological approaches were employed to assess morphological changes in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on cochlear tissue from postnatal day 18 (P18) wild-type (WT) and Pcdh15 KO mice to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were subjected to functional annotation and pathway analysis, with particular emphasis on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using flow cytometry and DCFH-DA assays.
Results:
. Pcdh15 KO mice exhibited progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which worsened to profound deafness by P18. Notably, cochlear hair cells and SGNs showed substantial loss and pronounced morphological abnormalities, particularly within the basal high-frequency region. RNA-seq analysis identified 1,359 DEGs, including 1,024 downregulated and 335 upregulated genes. Pathway analysis indicated that Pcdh15 deficiency was associated with inhibition of the OXPHOS pathway, potentially disrupting mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, IV, and V and thereby impairing energy production and ATP metabolism. In addition, early-stage cochleae from KO mice demonstrated elevated ROS levels and increased oxidative stress, suggesting that redox imbalance may contribute to hearing damage.
Conclusion
. Pcdh15 plays a critical role in hearing maintenance. Its deficiency is associated with severe hearing loss and marked cochlear abnormalities, which are linked to inhibition of OXPHOS, disruption of energy metabolism, and exacerbation of oxidative stress. Together, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying hearing loss and suggest potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
3.The risk prediction value of Gd-EOB-MRI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system classification for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk populations
Jie SHI ; Yafei WU ; Ying LIANG ; Zhanling DING ; Junjie LIU ; Danke SU ; Shengfa ZHAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(9):1503-1507
Objective To explore the risk prediction value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(Gd-EOB-MRI)liver imaging reporting and data system version 2018(LI-RADS v2018)with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)LI-RADS version 2017(LI-RADS v2017)in high-risk patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 122 high-risk patients for HCC(with a total of 134 liver lesions)who underwent both Gd-EOB-MRI and CEUS examination at the same time and obtained pathological results within one month were retrospectively col-lected.The nodules were classified according to the CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 criteria,and the LI-RADS classification results of the two imaging methods were subjected to Cohen's Kappa test.Using pathological results as the gold stand-ard,the diagnostic efficacy of LI-RADS v2018 and LI-RADS v2017 with LR-5 as the standard for HCC was calculated separately.Results The overall consistency between the Gd-EOB-MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 classification standards was good(Kappa=0.691,P<0.001).Using LR-5 as the standard for diagnosing HCC,the sensitivity of Gd-EOB-MRI and CEUS was 84.7%and 81.2%,the specificity was 79.6%and 73.5%,the positive predictive value was 87.8%and 84.1%,the negative predictive value was 75.0%and 69.2%,and the accuracy was 82.8%and 78.4%,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic efficacy of the diagnosis of HCC by LR-5 between the two imaging methods(P>0.05).Conclusion The Gd-EOB-MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 classifica-tion standards show good overall agreement.The diagnostic efficacy of Gd-EOB-MRI for HCC using LR-5 classification is better than that of CEUS.
4.Dihydromyricetin attenuates Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice through activation of AMPK/PPAR-α signaling pathway
Xiao-ying ZHANG ; Jia-jia WU ; Qi SI ; Guo-xiu WU ; Liang ZHANG ; Zhi-ying ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1914-1921
Aim To investigate the effect of dihydro-myricetin(DMY)on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertro-phy in mice and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into control group,Ang Ⅱ group,Ang Ⅱ+catopril 12.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,AngⅡ+DMY 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,and Ang Ⅱ+DMY 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,with 10 mice in each group.The control mice were given saline by gavage,the drug intervention group was given DMY,and the positive drug group was given captopril;the mice in all groups except the control group were in-jected subcutaneously with Ang Ⅱ 1.0mg·kg-1·d-1.After four weeks,heart weight/body weight(HW/BW)and left ventricular weight/body weight(LVW/BW)ratios were calculated.The mRNA ex-pression of the fetal genes atrial natriuretic factor(ANF),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC),adenosine triphosphate 5β-subunit(ATP 5β)and uncoupling protein 2(UCP2)were monitored,and the morphological changes of car-diac tissue were observed.Secondly,the creatine ki-nase isoenzyme(CK-MB),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),free fatty acids(FFA)and lactic acid in ser-um were investigated.Lastly,the expression of AMP-activated proteinkinase(AMPK),peroxisome prolifer-ator-activated receptor alpha(PPAR-α)and T-cell nu-clear factor cytoplasmic 4(NFATc4)protein expres-sion were also detected.The Ang Ⅱ-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established and treated with the AMPK inhibitor compound C.The mRNA of ANF,BNP,β-MHC and the protein expres-sion of AMPK/PPAR-α were analyzed.Results DMY intervention significantly reduced HW/BW and LVW/BW in mice,fetal genes ANF,BNP,β-MHC and UCP2 mRNA expression decreased,whereas ATP 5 β mRNA increased,and the degree of hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was alleviated.In addition,the serum levels of CK-MB,LDH,FFA and lactic acid were re-duced in DMY treated groups.Finally,DMY upregu-lated the protein expression of P-AMPK,AMPK and PPAR-α,and downregulated protein expression of NFATc4.In the Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hyper-trophy model,DMY pretreatment reduced the mRNA expression of fetal genes(ANF,BNP,β-MHC).However,when AMPK was inhibited by compound C,the expression of these fetal genes rebounded,accom-panied by decreased protein levels of AMPK and PPAR-α.Conclusions DMY can improve Ang Ⅱ-in-duced myocardial hypertrophy in mice by ameliorating disorders of glycolipid metabolism and increasing ener-gy supply to cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism is re-lated to the activation of the AMPK/PPAR-α pathway and the inhibition of NFATc4 expression.
5.Influence of pulse interval time on the effectiveness of labour analgesia for primiparous and transient mothers
Ying ZHOU ; Liang ZHANG ; Yingying SUN ; Yong LIU ; Qiang WU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(7):985-990
Objective To investigate the effects of varying pulse intervals in the programmed intermittent epidural bolus(PIEB)mode on labor analgesia in primiparous and multiparous women,and to evaluate the differ-ences in analgesic outcomes between these two groups.Methods A total of 60 primiparous and 60 multiparous women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups:a 45-minute pulse interval group(P45 group,n=30)and a 60-minute pulse interval group(P60 group,n=30).Epidural labor anal-gesia was initiated when cervical dilation reached 1~3 cm.The programmed intermittent epidural bolus(PIEB)mode was started 45 minutes after analgesia commencement in the P45 group and 60 minutes after analgesia com-mencement in the P60 group.Each pulse delivered 10 ml of a solution containing 0.08%ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/ml sufentanil.Pain scores were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)at five specific time points:baseline(t0),1 hour post-analgesia initiation(t1),2 hours post-analgesia initiation(t2),full cervical dilation(t3),and delivery(t4).Secondary outcomes included Bromage scores,the number of patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)button presses,total drug consumption,and adverse reactions.Results In primiparous women,the VAS score at t1 was significantly lower in the P45 group compared to the P60 group(P<0.05),whereas no significant differences were observed in VAS scores between the two groups at t2—t4.The median PCA press count was also significantly lower in the P45 group than in the P60 group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of total drug consumption,Bromage scores,or the incidence of adverse events(P>0.05).In multiparous women,no significant differences were found in VAS scores,Bromage scores,or PCA press counts between the P45 and P60 groups at any time point(P>0.05).Conversely,total drug consumption was significantly higher in the P45 group compared to the P60 group(P<0.05).Conclusions For primiparous women,a 45-minute pulse interval in the PIEB mode not only provides superior labor analgesia but also significantly reduces the frequency of PCA presses without escalating the risk or severity of motor block or adverse events.For multiparous women,the pulse interval does not substantially influence the effectiveness of labor analgesia.These findings contribute valuable new evidence for refining clinical labor analgesia protocols.
6.A Cross-sectional Study of Blood Glucose and Biochemical Indicators in Pediatric Patients with Hepatic Glycogen Storage Disease
Ni MA ; Haotian WU ; Ying WANG ; Jing YANG ; Danxia LIANG ; Min YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):132-137
[Objective]Patients with hepatic glycogen storage disease(GSD)have recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia.This study aimed to investigate and analyze blood glucose and biochemical indicators in pediatric patients with hepatic GSD,thus provide data support for hypoglycemia prevention and its clinical management.[Methods]A cross-sectional field study was conducted among patients with hepatic GSD treated in the Department of Pediatrics of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital on July 14,2024.We collected the peripheral blood samples of the patients and their healthy family controls on site,then analyzed and compared their blood glucose and biochemical indicators.[Results]Of the 44 patients with hepatic GSD,there were 34 males and 10 females,including GSD Ib(n=14),GSD Ia(n=15),GSD Ⅲ(n=2),GSD Ⅵ(n=7)and GSD Ⅸ(n=6).The average age was 7.60(5.08-11.98)years.All patients were on uncooked cornstarch(UCCS)therapy.Of the patients,77.3%(34/44)had hepatomegaly,61.4%(27/44)had recurrent hypoglycemia,61.4%(27/44)had blood glucose≤3.9 mmol/L,18.2%(8/44)had blood glucose≤2.8 mmol/L,and none of the 8 cases was GSD Ib.The lowest blood glucose level was 1.19 mmol/L and no episodes of hypoglycemia occurred.Of the family control subjects,65.9%(29/44)had blood glucose≤3.9 mmol/L.There was no significant difference in hypoglycemia prevalence between hepatic GSD group and control group(P=0.658).The hepatic GSD patients had hyperlactacemia,hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia prevalence rates of 65.9%,45.5%and 9.1%,respectively,as compared with 18.2%,43.2%and 15.9%,respectively,for the family control subjects.No significant difference was found in the prevalence rates of hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia between the two groups(P=0.830 and P=0.334,respectively).[Conclusions]Asymptomatic hypoglycemia is common in patients with hepatic GSD,especially in non-GSD-Ib patients.It is necessary to optimize the diet management of UCCS,conduct dynamic blood glucose monitoring and follow a light diet,so as to decrease hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia,avoid and reduce the serious adverse reactions and complications caused by severe hypoglycemia.
7.Factors affecting the effectiveness of high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury
Yixing LU ; Xiaolong SUN ; Xiao XI ; Xiangbo WU ; Tao HAN ; Xinyu LIU ; Qiaozhen LI ; Guiqing CHENG ; Chunqiu DAI ; Ying LIANG ; Hua YUAN
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(3):226-231
Objective:To explore the factors associated with the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:This was a retrospective study of 89 SCI survivors with NP receiving high-frequency rTMS. Those with a ≥30% reduction in their Numeric Rating Scales (NRS) scores after 2 weeks of treatment were termed Responders ( n=36), with the others classified as non-responders ( n=53). Demographic data (gender, education level, age), SCI characteristics (injury etiology, injury severity, neurological injury level, injury duration), NP characteristics (pain type, pain intensity, analgesic use), functional assessment (Modified Ashworth Scale score, Spinal Cord Independence Measure score, Modified Barthel Index score, American Spinal Injury Association motor/sensory score) were collected. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used for variable selection, followed by binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with treatment efficacy. Results:Among the 89 patients, 36 (40.4%) were Responders to high-frequency rTMS. Binary logistic regression revealed that those with a cervical spinal cord injury and/or spasticity and women were more likely to respond to high-frequency rTMS.Conclusions:Female gender, cervical spinal cord injury, and spasticity are independent factors predicting rTMS efficacy in treating SCI, with spasticity demonstrating the strongest association.
8.The risk prediction value of Gd-EOB-MRI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system classification for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk populations
Jie SHI ; Yafei WU ; Ying LIANG ; Zhanling DING ; Junjie LIU ; Danke SU ; Shengfa ZHAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(9):1503-1507
Objective To explore the risk prediction value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(Gd-EOB-MRI)liver imaging reporting and data system version 2018(LI-RADS v2018)with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)LI-RADS version 2017(LI-RADS v2017)in high-risk patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 122 high-risk patients for HCC(with a total of 134 liver lesions)who underwent both Gd-EOB-MRI and CEUS examination at the same time and obtained pathological results within one month were retrospectively col-lected.The nodules were classified according to the CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 criteria,and the LI-RADS classification results of the two imaging methods were subjected to Cohen's Kappa test.Using pathological results as the gold stand-ard,the diagnostic efficacy of LI-RADS v2018 and LI-RADS v2017 with LR-5 as the standard for HCC was calculated separately.Results The overall consistency between the Gd-EOB-MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 classification standards was good(Kappa=0.691,P<0.001).Using LR-5 as the standard for diagnosing HCC,the sensitivity of Gd-EOB-MRI and CEUS was 84.7%and 81.2%,the specificity was 79.6%and 73.5%,the positive predictive value was 87.8%and 84.1%,the negative predictive value was 75.0%and 69.2%,and the accuracy was 82.8%and 78.4%,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic efficacy of the diagnosis of HCC by LR-5 between the two imaging methods(P>0.05).Conclusion The Gd-EOB-MRI LI-RADS v2018 and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 classifica-tion standards show good overall agreement.The diagnostic efficacy of Gd-EOB-MRI for HCC using LR-5 classification is better than that of CEUS.
9.Interpretation of the Standard Establishment Approach and Compilation Rationale for Metallic Pharmaceutical Packaging Standard Development in the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China
Fangfang ZHANG ; Rong CAI ; Wanling LAN ; Lei CHEN ; Lin YAO ; Hao DING ; Weiyi LU ; Yaju ZHOU ; Fenglan ZHANG ; Yuan LIU ; Kai XU ; Liang CHANG ; Yan LIU ; Feifei JIA ; Ying LI ; Yan JIANG ; Dandan WANG ; Shengli WU ; Yong SHEN ; Xiangwei XU ; Yanggege LYU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(11):1745-1751
To analyze the standard establishment approach and compilation rationale for metallic pharmaceutical packaging standard development in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China.This article systematically explained the background and process of establishing the guiding principles for metallic materials and containers used in pharmaceutical packaging in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia through basic information,relevant domestic and international standards,the establishment of key quality attributes of metallic pharmaceutical packaging materials,and the construction of metallic pharmaceutical packaging material standards.The newly established guidelines,the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China 9625,prioritized product critical quality attributes(CQAs)and real-world applicability.This dual emphasis on rigidity and adaptability enhances drug safety,meets the regulatory requirements,and promotes the globalization and scientific advancement of China's pharmaceutical packaging industry.
10.Dihydromyricetin attenuates Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice through activation of AMPK/PPAR-α signaling pathway
Xiao-ying ZHANG ; Jia-jia WU ; Qi SI ; Guo-xiu WU ; Liang ZHANG ; Zhi-ying ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1914-1921
Aim To investigate the effect of dihydro-myricetin(DMY)on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiac hypertro-phy in mice and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into control group,Ang Ⅱ group,Ang Ⅱ+catopril 12.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,AngⅡ+DMY 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,and Ang Ⅱ+DMY 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 group,with 10 mice in each group.The control mice were given saline by gavage,the drug intervention group was given DMY,and the positive drug group was given captopril;the mice in all groups except the control group were in-jected subcutaneously with Ang Ⅱ 1.0mg·kg-1·d-1.After four weeks,heart weight/body weight(HW/BW)and left ventricular weight/body weight(LVW/BW)ratios were calculated.The mRNA ex-pression of the fetal genes atrial natriuretic factor(ANF),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC),adenosine triphosphate 5β-subunit(ATP 5β)and uncoupling protein 2(UCP2)were monitored,and the morphological changes of car-diac tissue were observed.Secondly,the creatine ki-nase isoenzyme(CK-MB),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),free fatty acids(FFA)and lactic acid in ser-um were investigated.Lastly,the expression of AMP-activated proteinkinase(AMPK),peroxisome prolifer-ator-activated receptor alpha(PPAR-α)and T-cell nu-clear factor cytoplasmic 4(NFATc4)protein expres-sion were also detected.The Ang Ⅱ-induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established and treated with the AMPK inhibitor compound C.The mRNA of ANF,BNP,β-MHC and the protein expres-sion of AMPK/PPAR-α were analyzed.Results DMY intervention significantly reduced HW/BW and LVW/BW in mice,fetal genes ANF,BNP,β-MHC and UCP2 mRNA expression decreased,whereas ATP 5 β mRNA increased,and the degree of hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was alleviated.In addition,the serum levels of CK-MB,LDH,FFA and lactic acid were re-duced in DMY treated groups.Finally,DMY upregu-lated the protein expression of P-AMPK,AMPK and PPAR-α,and downregulated protein expression of NFATc4.In the Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hyper-trophy model,DMY pretreatment reduced the mRNA expression of fetal genes(ANF,BNP,β-MHC).However,when AMPK was inhibited by compound C,the expression of these fetal genes rebounded,accom-panied by decreased protein levels of AMPK and PPAR-α.Conclusions DMY can improve Ang Ⅱ-in-duced myocardial hypertrophy in mice by ameliorating disorders of glycolipid metabolism and increasing ener-gy supply to cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism is re-lated to the activation of the AMPK/PPAR-α pathway and the inhibition of NFATc4 expression.

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