1.Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua Prescription Regulates cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Inflammation and Ameliorate No-reflow Phenomenon in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Sijia WU ; Yingying LI ; Haonan WU ; Xiang LI ; Lingfeng ZHOU ; Huamin ZHANG ; Danli TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):99-107
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the protective effects of the Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua prescription(TYTZP) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via regulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-six 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, ticagrelor group (32.4 mg·kg-1), RU320521 (RU.521cGAS inhibitors) group (5 mL·kg-1), groups of TYTZP with low dose (3.6 g·kg-1), medium dose (7.2 g·kg-1), and high dose (14.4 g·kg-1), with eight rats per group. The ticagrelor group and groups of TYTZP with different doses received pre-treatment for seven days according to their respective protocols. The RU.521 group received an intraperitoneal injection one hour before modeling. A rat model of the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in situ. Myocardial no-reflow area was determined by thioflavin staining. Histopathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. Myocardial microcirculation function change was observed by using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography. The myocardial enzyme levels in the serum were measured by serum biochemical analysis. The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) levels were detected by using PicoGreen. The protein expression of cGAS, STING, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. The levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTNⅠ), cardiac troponin T (cTNT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a significantly increased myocardial no-reflow area (P<0.01). Myocardial fiber rupture and disarray and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining. The ultrasound results indicated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography showed that the peak time of myocardial blood perfusion was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cTNⅠ, cTNT, and dsDNA were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the myocardial protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB p65 were upregulated (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that the inflammatory factors in the serum such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the group of the TYTZP significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzyme, troponins, and dsDNA (P<0.01, P<0.05), improved cardiac function and myocardial microcirculation, alleviated histopathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, inhibited activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and inhibited inflammatory response. ConclusionThe TYTZP mitigates the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its mechanism is associated with inhibiting the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway and attenuating inflammatory responses.
2.Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua Prescription Regulates cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Inflammation and Ameliorate No-reflow Phenomenon in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Sijia WU ; Yingying LI ; Haonan WU ; Xiang LI ; Lingfeng ZHOU ; Huamin ZHANG ; Danli TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):99-107
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the protective effects of the Tanyu Tongzhi Youhua prescription(TYTZP) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via regulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty-six 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, ticagrelor group (32.4 mg·kg-1), RU320521 (RU.521cGAS inhibitors) group (5 mL·kg-1), groups of TYTZP with low dose (3.6 g·kg-1), medium dose (7.2 g·kg-1), and high dose (14.4 g·kg-1), with eight rats per group. The ticagrelor group and groups of TYTZP with different doses received pre-treatment for seven days according to their respective protocols. The RU.521 group received an intraperitoneal injection one hour before modeling. A rat model of the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in situ. Myocardial no-reflow area was determined by thioflavin staining. Histopathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. Myocardial microcirculation function change was observed by using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography. The myocardial enzyme levels in the serum were measured by serum biochemical analysis. The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) levels were detected by using PicoGreen. The protein expression of cGAS, STING, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. The levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTNⅠ), cardiac troponin T (cTNT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a significantly increased myocardial no-reflow area (P<0.01). Myocardial fiber rupture and disarray and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining. The ultrasound results indicated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography showed that the peak time of myocardial blood perfusion was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cTNⅠ, cTNT, and dsDNA were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the myocardial protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB p65 were upregulated (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that the inflammatory factors in the serum such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the group of the TYTZP significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzyme, troponins, and dsDNA (P<0.01, P<0.05), improved cardiac function and myocardial microcirculation, alleviated histopathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, inhibited activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and inhibited inflammatory response. ConclusionThe TYTZP mitigates the no-reflow phenomenon in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its mechanism is associated with inhibiting the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway and attenuating inflammatory responses.
3.Effects of leonurine on myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease by regulating the GAS6/Axl signaling pathway
Wangtao MENG ; Dongling CUI ; Dongjing WU ; Chao CHEN ; Yingying ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):51-56
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of leonurine on growth arrest-specific protein-6 (GAS6)/Axl signaling pathway, and clarify its mechanism of alleviating myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease. METHODS The rat model of coronary heart disease was constructed; successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into model group, leonurine low- dose and high-dose groups (intragastric administration of leonurine 25, 100 mg/kg+intraperitoneal injection of normal saline 75 mg/kg), and leonurine high-dose+GAS6/Axl signaling pathway inhibitor group (intragastric administration of leonurine 100 mg/kg+ intraperitoneal injection of R428 75 mg/kg), with 12 rats in each group. Additional 12 normal rats were selected as control group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine; control group and model group were given a constant volume of normal saline intragastrically and intraperitoneally, once a day, for 48 consecutive days. After administration, the heart function of rats, and serum levels of inflammatory factors and myocardial injury markers were detected; the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed; the myocardial cell apoptosis rate, the expressions of apoptosis and GAS6/Axl signaling pathway-related proteins were determined. RESULTS Compared with control group, model group showed disorders in the arrangement of myocardial cells and myocardial fibers, hypertrophy of myocardial cells, and nuclear condensation; left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fractional shortening, ratio of early-diastolic and late-diastolic motion velocity of the mitral ring, the protein expression of GAS6, B-cell lymphoma 2/B-cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein and phosphorylated Axl/Axl ratios were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, creatine kinase isoenzyme, troponin Ⅰ and myoglobin, the cell apoptosis rate, and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio were increased significantly (P<0.05). Leonurine could obviously improve the above pathological conditions and detection indicators (P<0.05), and the effect of leonurine high-dose group was more significant than that of leonurine low-dose group (P<0.05); R428 treatment could reverse the ameliorating effect of high-dose of leonurine on myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Leonurine can alleviate myocardial injury in rats with coronary heart disease, and its mechanism of action is related to the activation of the GAS6/Axl signaling pathway.
4.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
5.Dynamic Sequential Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Kidney Collaterals"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Mingyang CAI ; Yingying JIANG ; Jingjing WU ; Wenqing PAN ; Zichao DING ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1007-1010
Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals", it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure, qi and liquid imbalance, and kidney collaterals impairment, and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore, regulate qi and fluid, and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic, guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages, including early stage of the disease, hormone induction stage, hormone reduction stage, hormone maintenance stage, the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency, modified Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤) was applied to warm yang and drain water; for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire, modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill (知柏地黄丸) plus Erzhi Pill (二至丸) was used to enrich yin and reduce fire; for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency, modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤) was used to boost qi and nourish yin; for hormone maintenance stage, modified Shenqi Pill (肾气丸) was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile, the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals, so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.
6.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
7.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
8.The Oncogenic Role of TNFRSF12A in Colorectal Cancer and Pan-Cancer Bioinformatics Analysis
Chuyue WANG ; Yingying ZHAO ; You CHEN ; Ying SHI ; Zhiying YANG ; Weili WU ; Rui MA ; Bo WANG ; Yifeng SUN ; Ping YUAN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):212-228
Purpose:
Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A.
Results:
TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.
9.The Oncogenic Role of TNFRSF12A in Colorectal Cancer and Pan-Cancer Bioinformatics Analysis
Chuyue WANG ; Yingying ZHAO ; You CHEN ; Ying SHI ; Zhiying YANG ; Weili WU ; Rui MA ; Bo WANG ; Yifeng SUN ; Ping YUAN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(1):212-228
Purpose:
Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A.
Results:
TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased nuclear factor кB (NF-κB) signaling and significant upregulation of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.
10.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

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