1.Correlation of the interaction between uric acid and inflammatory factors and hyperuricemia in overweight/obese patients
Zengyun YUAN ; Yuan LIU ; Xin LIU ; Guangquan LI ; Pei ZHONG ; Yuanting YING ; Xuezhi YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):171-174
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the interaction of uric acid and inflammatory factors and hyperuricemia in overweight/obese patients. Methods The personnel with hyperuricemia who underwent physical examination in our hospital from September 2021 to September 2022 were selected as the study subjects, and they were divided into 100 cases of overweight group and 90 cases of obese group according to the BMI index; 120 cases of healthy and non-hyperuricemic personnel were randomly selected as the control group; venous blood of the three groups was collected in 5 mL after 8 h of fasting, and were tested respectively for serum uric acid, lipid indexes and inflammatory factors: IL-6, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10. Results Glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL were significantly higher in the obese group versus the overweight group (P<0.001), while HDL was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.001), and these changes were more pronounced in the obese group (P<0.001).The Pearson correlation coefficient pointed out that the levels of serum uric acid in patients with hyperuricosuric acid were significantly associated with the pro-inflammatory factors IL- 6, IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were significantly positively correlated (P<0.001), whereas they were significantly negatively correlated with the anti-inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-10 (P<0.001). Conclusion High uric acid levels in overweight/obese patients can cause enhanced inflammatory responses and reduced expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors, and the interaction between uric acid and pro-inflammatory factors aggravates the condition of patients with hyperuricemia.
2.Strategies of HIV-1 Vaccines Based on mRNA Platforms
Pei LIU ; Zhong-Yue FANG ; Xin-Xin CHEN ; Shao-Wei LI ; Ying GU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):826-839
Since its emergence in the 1980s, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused a global pandemic, posing a severe threat to human life and health as well as social development. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively curbs HIV transmission and antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly extends the lifespan of patients, vaccines remain a pivotal tool for blocking transmission and ending the pandemic. The high genetic variability of HIV-1, the glycan shield of its envelope glycoproteins, and the long-term persistence of latent reservoirs have repeatedly led to bottlenecks in traditional vaccine strategies. In recent years, mRNA technology has offered a novel approach to addressing these challenges, leveraging advantages such as sequence programmability, short production cycles, native conformational expression of antigens, and self-adjuvant effects. In recent years, mRNA vaccine technology has emerged as a transformative solution to longstanding vaccinology challenges, characterized by its sequence programmability, rapid production cycles, native conformational antigen expression, and intrinsic self-adjuvanting properties. Unlike traditional platforms reliant on pathogen culture or recombinant proteins, mRNA vaccines can be expeditiously designed and updated based solely on viral genomic sequences. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA facilitates endogenous antigen expression and presentation, simultaneously eliciting potent humoral and cellular immune responses. Within this landscape, self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) further extends in vivo antigen expression to enhance the persistence of immune responses. Moreover, the LNP delivery system not only protects mRNA from degradation and mediates endosomal escape but also synergizes with mRNA to optimize immune activation via self-adjuvant effects. Importantly, mRNA platforms circumvent the pre-existing immunity associated with viral vectors and the genomic integration risks of DNA vaccines, positioning them as a cornerstone for global pandemic preparedness. This review systematically delineates recent advances in mRNA technology for HIV-1 vaccine development, focusing on four pivotal research frontiers. First, mRNA innovations building upon the RV144 trial optimize antigens through codon modification and multivalent designs to induce more durable and broad-spectrum immunity. Second, particulate mRNA vaccine strategies, utilizing virus-like particles (VLPs) and ferritin nanoparticles, achieve in situ antigen self-assembly, significantly enhancing B cell activation and reducing infection risks in non-human primate models. Third, germline-targeting mRNA vaccines address the low-affinity barrier of broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAp) precursors, efficiently activating rare precursor B cells and promoting affinity maturation. Fourth, therapeutic mRNA vaccines offer unique advantages for an HIV functional cure; combining immunogens with mRNA-encoded adjuvants potentiates cellular immunity, while LNP-mediated “shock-and-kill” strategies specifically activate latent reservoirs to guide immune clearance. Comparative analyses with traditional platforms reveal that mRNA technology redefines antigen production and presentation, simulating chronic infection through sustained expression and enabling dual-pathway presentation via endogenous synthesis. Furthermore, we explore the mechanistic innovations of mRNA vaccines in inducing bNAps: sustained in vivo production prolongs the activation window for precursor B cells and maintains germinal center (GC) reactions; endogenously expressed antigens adopt native conformations to expose conserved epitopes; and self-adjuvanting effects modulate the functions of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and follicular helper T cells (Tfh), driving somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. We also address critical clinical translation challenges, including immune durability, adaptability to special populations, and large-scale LNP manufacturing, while proposing targeted optimization strategies. In conclusion, this review establishes a theoretical framework for utilizing mRNA technology to overcome HIV-1 immune escape, transitioning from a descriptive paradigm to a problem-solving-based synthesis of evidence. By integrating preclinical and early clinical data, we bridge the gap between basic design and translational verification. mRNA technology is poised to become a central pillar inHIV-1 prevention and therapy, providing a robust toolset to achieve the global goal of ending the AIDS pandemic and offering a blueprint for vaccine development against other recalcitrant infectious diseases.
3.Diagnostic Value of Transrectal Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Rectal Cancer With Intestinal Stenosis.
Qin FANG ; Qin-Xue LIU ; Min-Ying ZHONG ; Wei-Jun HUANG ; Yi-de QIU ; Guo-Liang JIAN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(5):738-743
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis caused by tumors. Methods Forty-nine patients with rectal cancer underwent transrectal CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery.Intraoperative tumor localization and postoperative pathological results were taken as the gold standard for diagnosis.The differences in T stage,localization,and tumor length of rectal cancer were compared between the two methods. Results The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in diagnosing T stage were 75.5% (36/49) and 67.3% (33/49),which had no significant difference (χ2=0.8,P=0.371).The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in judging tumor localization were 79.5% (39/49) and 77.5% (38/49),which had no significant difference (χ2=0.061,P=0.806).The measurement results of tumor length in pathological examination had no significant difference from the transrectal CEUS results (t=1.42,P=0.162) but a significant difference from the MRI results (t=3.38,P=0.001).Furthermore,transrectal CEUS detected 8 (16.3%) cases of colonic polyps among the 49 patients,while MRI did not detect colon lesions. Conclusions Transrectal CEUS has good consistency with MRI in T staging and localization judgement of rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis,and this method can more accurately evaluate the tumor length and simultaneously evaluate whether there is a lesion in the entire colon at the proximal end of stenosis.It can be used as a supplementary examination before rectal cancer treatment in clinical practice.
Humans
;
Rectal Neoplasms/complications*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Contrast Media
;
Ultrasonography
;
Adult
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Constriction, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Intestinal Obstruction/etiology*
4.Diagnostic Value of Intestinal Ultrasound for Patients With Chronic Abdominal Pain or Diarrhea.
Ke-Xin CHEN ; Min-Ying ZHONG ; Qin-Xue LIU ; Guo-Liang JIAN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(5):751-757
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for organic lesions in the intestines of patients with chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea. Methods The IUS signs in 263 patients with chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea were retrospectively analyzed.With the endoscopic examination results as the gold standard,comparison was performed for the IUS signs between the groups with positive and negative endoscopic results,as well as between the inflammatory bowel disease group and the non-specific intestinal inflammation group of positive cases.Furthermore,the detection rates of IUS in different intestinal segments were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of IUS in the diagnosis and localization of intestinal lesions. Results Among the 263 patients,194 (73.8%) and 69 (26.2%) patients were in the groups with positive and negative endoscopic results,respectively.The diagnosis sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of IUS were 82.0%,71.0%,and 79.1%,respectively.The proportions of positive IUS signs in the group with positive endoscopic results were higher than that in the group with negative endoscopic results (all P<0.001).The proportions of positive IUS signs in the inflammatory bowel disease group were higher than those in the non-specific bowel inflammation group (all P<0.001).When the lesion was located in the ileum,ileocecal region,and colon,IUS demonstrated good consistency with endoscopic results in locating the lesion (kappa=0.642,0.686,and 0.601,respectively),with sensitivity and specificity of 82.7% (95%CI=75.4%-88.6%) and 81.5% (95%CI=73.5%-87.9%),73.7% (95%CI=62.3%-83.1%) and 93.0% (95%CI=88.4%-96.2%),and 68.9% (95%CI=58.3%-78.2%) and 89.6% (95%CI=84.1%-93.7%),respectively. Conclusions IUS can be used for screening the patients with chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea to detect organic lesions in the intestines. Moreover,it can effectively locate the affected intestinal segment,which is helpful for the monitoring and follow-up of intestinal diseases.
Humans
;
Diarrhea/diagnostic imaging*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Abdominal Pain/diagnostic imaging*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Ultrasonography
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Intestines/diagnostic imaging*
;
Adolescent
;
Chronic Disease
;
Sensitivity and Specificity
;
Aged, 80 and over
5.Medical researchers' knowledge and attitudes toward electronic informed consent in clinical research.
Xin TAN ; Ying WU ; Yuqiong ZHONG ; Xing LIU ; Xiaomin WANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(2):290-300
OBJECTIVES:
Obtaining informed consent from research participants is an ethical and legal obligation for medical researchers in clinical studies. Electronic informed consent (eIC) is increasingly being adopted in clinical research worldwide. However, there is limited data on Chinese medical researchers' knowledge and attitudes toward eIC. This study aims to investigate their knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors regarding eIC use in clinical research.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified random sampling. From June to August 2022, medical researchers from 8 tertiary hospitals were surveyed via an online platform (Wenjuanxing). A self-developed eIC knowledge questionnaire and attitude scale were used to assess participants' understanding and perceptions of eIC. Univariate analysis was employed to explore factors influencing attitude scores and the correlation between knowledge and attitudes. A generalized linear model was used to analyze associations between demographic characteristics and attitude scores, including the frequency of difficulties in using smartphones or computers, preferred device for using eIC, and their interaction effects. Stratified analysis was further performed for significant interactions.
RESULTS:
A total of 399 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean accuracy rate on the eIC knowledge questionnaire was (94.88±15.50)%. Of the respondents, 74.9% had heard of eIC, and 84.5% preferred using mobile devices over computers to access eIC. The median attitude score was 3.41 (3.18, 3.76), indicating generally positive attitudes. Specifically, 81.7% found eIC more convenient than paper-based consent, 79.7% considered it more efficient, and 51.1% believed it could fully replace paper forms. However, 60.7% expressed concerns about data security and privacy, and 89.7% believed that relevant laws and regulations need improvement. Spearman correlation analysis showed a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.171, P=0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that the frequency of difficulty using devices and preferred device for eIC were significantly associated with attitude scores (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the generalized linear model demonstrated that participants who occasionally experienced had difficulty using devices had significantly lower attitude scores compared to those who never had difficulty (β=-0.040, 95% CI -0.071 to -0.009, P=0.012). Those who preferred using PCs had significantly lower attitude scores than those who preferred mobile devices (β=-0.066, 95% CI -0.108 to -0.023, P=0.002). Interaction analysis showed a significant interaction analysis showed a significant interaction between age and preferred device (P=0.011), particularly among participants aged ≥45-year (P<0.001). No other interactions were found to be significant (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Medical researchers in China generally have a high level of knowledge and positive attitudes toward eIC, though concerns remain regarding data security and privacy. Future promotion of eIC in Chinese clinical research should be grounded in ethical considerations and address the specific needs of older users and mobile device users, while also enhancing researchers' competencies in using digital tools and eIC systems.
Humans
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Informed Consent
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Female
;
Male
;
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
;
Adult
;
Biomedical Research
;
Research Personnel/psychology*
;
Middle Aged
;
China
6.A small molecule cryptotanshinone induces non-enzymatic NQO1-dependent necrosis in cancer cells through the JNK1/2/Iron/PARP/calcium pathway.
Ying HOU ; Bingling ZHONG ; Lin ZHAO ; Heng WANG ; Yanyan ZHU ; Xianzhe WANG ; Haoyi ZHENG ; Jie YU ; Guokai LIU ; Xin WANG ; Jose M MARTIN-GARCIA ; Xiuping CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):991-1006
Human NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a flavoenzyme expressed at high levels in multiple solid tumors, making it an attractive target for anticancer drugs. Bioactivatable drugs targeting NQO1, such as β-lapachone (β-lap), are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. β-Lap selectively kills NQO1-positive (NQO1+) cancer cells by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) via catalytic activation of NQO1. In this study, we demonstrated that cryptotanshinone (CTS), a naturally occurring compound, induces NQO1-dependent necrosis without affecting NQO1 activity. CTS selectively kills NQO1+ cancer cells by inducing NQO1-dependent necrosis. Interestingly, CTS directly binds to NQO1 but does not activate its catalytic activity. In addition, CTS enables activation of JNK1/2 and PARP, accumulation of iron and Ca2+, and depletion of ATP and NAD+. Furthermore, CTS selectively suppressed tumor growth in the NQO1+ xenograft models, which was reversed by NQO1 inhibitor and NQO1 shRNA. In conclusion, CTS induces NQO1-dependent necrosis via the JNK1/2/iron/PARP/NAD+/Ca2+ signaling pathway. This study demonstrates the non-enzymatic function of NQO1 in inducing cell death and provides new avenues for the design and development of NQO1-targeted anticancer drugs.
7.Antithrombotic effect in zebrafish of a fibrinolytic protein EPF3 from Dilong (Pheretima vulgaris Chen) and its transport mechanism in Caco-2 monolayer through cell bypass pathway.
Wan-Ling ZHONG ; Jian-Qiong YANG ; Hai LIU ; Ya-Li WU ; Hui-Juan SHEN ; Peng-Yue LI ; Shou-Ying DU
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(4):415-428
OBJECTIVE:
EPF3 is a fibrinolysin monomer isolated and purified from Pheretima vulgaris Chen, an earthworm used in traditional Chinese medicine as Dilong for treating blood stasis syndrome. Its composition, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities, and relevant mechanisms have been confirmed through in vitro experiments. However, whether it has antithrombotic effects in vivo and can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract is unknown. This study evaluates the antithrombotic effect in zebrafish and investigates the gastrointestinal stability and intestinal absorption mechanism of this protein in vitro.
METHODS:
The antithrombotic effect of EPF3 in vivo was verified using the zebrafish thrombus model induced by arachidonic acid and FeCl3. Then, the protein bands of EPF3 incubated with simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), and homogenate of Caco-2 cells (HC2C) were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to evaluate its gastrointestinal stability. Finally, the transport behavior and absorption mechanism of EPF3 were studied using Caco-2 cell monolayer.
RESULTS:
EPF3 could significantly enhance the returned blood volume and blood flow velocity in zebrafish with platelet aggregation thrombus induced by arachidonic acid. It could also prolong the formation time of tail artery thrombus and increase the blood flow velocity in zebrafish with vessel injury thrombus induced by FeCl3. EPF3 was stable in SIF and HC2C and unstable in SGF. The permeability of EPF3 in Caco-2 monolayer was time-dependent and concentration-dependent. The efflux ratio was less than 1.2 during transport, and the transport behavior was not affected by inhibitors. EPF3 could reversibly reduce the expression of tight junction-related proteins, including zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in Caco-2 cells.
CONCLUSION
EPF3 could play a thrombolytic and antithrombotic role in zebrafish. It could be transported and absorbed into the intestine through cellular bypass pathway by opening the intestinal epithelium tight junction. This study provides a scientific explanation for the antithrombotic effect of earthworm and provides a basis for the feasibility of subsequent development of EPF3 as an antithrombotic enteric-soluble preparation. Please cite this article as: Zhong WL, Yang JQ, Liu H, Wu YL, Shen HJ, Li PY, Du SY. Antithrombotic effect in zebrafish of a fibrinolytic protein EPF3 from Dilong (Pheretima vulgaris Chen) and its transport mechanism in Caco-2 monolayer through cell bypass pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 415-428.
Animals
;
Zebrafish
;
Humans
;
Caco-2 Cells
;
Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology*
;
Thrombosis/drug therapy*
;
Intestinal Absorption
8.Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey.
Xiao-Chao LUO ; Jia-Li LIU ; Ming-Hong YAO ; Ye-Meng CHEN ; Arthur Yin FAN ; Fan-Rong LIANG ; Ji-Ping ZHAO ; Ling ZHAO ; Xu ZHOU ; Xiao-Ying ZHONG ; Jia-Hui YANG ; Bo LI ; Ying ZHANG ; Xin SUN ; Ling LI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(6):630-640
BACKGROUND:
The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment.
OBJECTIVE:
This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS:
The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES.
RESULTS:
This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs.
CONCLUSION
The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
;
Humans
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Placebo Effect
;
Placebos
;
Treatment Outcome
9.Effectiveness analysis of midline versus paramedian approaches for ultrasound-guided combined spinal-epidural anesthesia
Ying ZHOU ; Minqiang LIU ; Xiangpeng ZHONG ; Bo REN ; Qiang WU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2388-2392
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of the median and paramedian approaches in ultrasound-guided combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for patients with hemorrhoidectomy and to evaluate the differences between the two techniques.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 90 AIDS patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia from February 2024 to March 2025.The patients were categorized into two groups based on the ultrasound-guided puncture approach:a midline approach group and a paramedian approach group.In the midline approach group,anatomical landmarks such as the spinous process space,facet joint,and transverse process were identified in the transverse axial plane for accurate localiza-tion.The puncture site was determined as the midpoint of the interspinous space along the spinal midline,and an out-of-plane puncture technique was utilized.In the paramedian approach group,positioning was performed by scanning the lamina in the sagittal oblique plane.The dorsal complex structure space with the clearest visibility was centered under the probe,and an in-plane puncture technique was applied,with the needle advanced from the caudal to the cephalad direction to complete the combined spinal-epidural procedure.Data regarding puncture performance,complications,and anesthetic efficacy were systematically recorded and assessed for both groups.Results Intergroup analysis demonstrated that the paramedian approach group exhibited significantly fewer total puncture attempts and a higher success rate on the first attempt(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the need to change puncture levels or modify the puncture approach(P>0.05).The midline approach group showed a significantly higher incidence of paresthesia and a greater frequency of post-operative puncture site tenderness at two days post-surgery compared to the paramedian approach group(P<0.05).Anesthetic efficacy was comparable between the two groups,with no statistically significant difference detected(P>0.05).Conclusions In hemorrhoidectomy procedures for AIDS patients,the paramedian approach demon-strates advantages over the median approach in terms of puncture success and reduced complications associated with ultrasound-guided combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.However,no significant difference in anesthetic efficacy is observed between the two approaches.
10.Role of STING/ACSL4 signaling pathway in alleviation of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration-induced ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells
Jieyu MIN ; Liunian YING ; Meiyan LIU ; Jingfeng CHEN ; Qing ZHANG ; Yi ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(5):603-610
Objective:To evaluate the role of interferon gene stimulator/long-chain ester acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (STING/ACSL4) signaling pathway in alleviation of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R)-induced ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods:The close juxial tubule epithelial cells of human renal cortex were selected and divided into 9 groups ( n=78 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group ), OGD/R group, OGD/R + 25 μmol/L ciprofol group (HC25 group), OGD/R + 50 μmol/L ciprofol group (HC50 group), OGD/R + 100 μmol/L ciprofol group (HC100 group), virus control (NC) group, OGD/R + NC group, OGD/R + ciprofol + NC group (OGD/R+ Cip+ NC group), and OGD/R + ciprofol + STING overexpression lentivirus group (OGD/R+ Cip+ OE-STING group). The OGD/R model was developed by subjecting the cells to O 2-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 4 h followed by restoration of O 2-glucose supply for 20 h. Ciprofol at a final concentration of 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L was added to the medium during OGD/R in HC25, HC50, and HC100 groups, respectively. The cells were subjected to conventional culture after infection with the control virus of the STING overexpression lentivirus in NC group. The OGD/R model was developed after the cells were infected with control virus in OGD/R+ NC group. In OGD/R+ Cip+ NC group and OGD/R+ Cip+ OE-STING group, the cells were infected with control virus and STING overexpression lentivirus, respectively, and ciprofol 50 μmol/L was added to the medium during OGD/R. Cell damage parameters included the cell viability and activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in supernatant. The oxidative stress parameters included the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Mitochondrial damage parameters included the mitochondrial area and branch length, content of mitochondrial 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and DNA expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (mtND1, mtND2) and cytochrome oxidase (COX-1). The ferroptosis parameters included Fe 2+ content and expression of STING, ACSL4, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) protein and mRNA. Results:Compared with group C, the activity of LDH in the supernatant was significantly increased, the cell viability was decreased, the ROS activity, MDA content, and Fe 2+ content were increased, the GSH content was decreased, the expression of ACSL4, cGAS, STING, NF-κB protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of GPX4 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, the content of 8-OHdG in mtDNA was increased, the DNA expression of cytoplasmic mtND1, mtND2 and COX-1 was up-regulated, and the mitochondrial area and branch length were increased in group OGD/R ( P<0.05). Compared with OGD/R group, the cell viability and GSH content were significantly increased, the MDA content and Fe 2+ content were decreased, the expression of ACSL4, cGAS, STING, NF-κB protein and mRNA was down-regulated, the expression of GPX4 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the content of 8-OHdG in mtDNA was decreased, and the DNA expression of cytoplasmic mtND1, mtND2 and COX-1 was up-regulated in HC50 group ( P<0.05). Compared with OGD/R+ Cip+ NC group, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the ROS activity was increased, the expression of ACSL4, cGAS and NF-κB protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of GPX4 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the DNA expression of cytoplasmic mtND1, mtND2 and COX-1 was up-regulated in OGD/R+ Cip+ OE-STING group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Ciprofol may exert cytoprotective effects by alleviating ferroptosis during OGD/R in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting STING/ACSL4 signaling pathway.


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