1.Anti-atherosclerosis Effect and Mechanism of Siegesbeckiae Herba Water Decoction via Regulation of NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Tengyue WANG ; Mingyue ZHAO ; Xiaonan YUE ; Yuan CHEN ; Changqing LU ; Huan WANG ; Kaifang FAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):106-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba water decoction (SWD) at different doses on atherosclerosis (AS) in a mouse model induced by a high-fat diet and analyze its potential mechanism of action. MethodsThirty-six male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank control group, model group, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose SWD groups, and positive control group. Firstly, the AS mouse model was created by feeding mice a high-fat diet. After successful modeling, the low-, medium-, and high-dose SWD groups were intragastrically administered with SWD at 0.65, 1.3, 2.6 g·kg-1, respectively. The positive control group was intragastrically administered with 30 mg·kg-1 of atorvastatin calcium aqueous solution, while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution via oral gavage, all administered for 12 weeks. During the administration period, the general condition of the mice was observed and recorded daily. Before sampling, color Doppler ultrasound was performed to observe the pathological changes in atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic wall of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in aortic tissue in mice, and oil red O staining was used to detect the atherosclerotic plaque area in the aorta. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum lipid indices and the levels of interleukins (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in mice. Protein expression levels of IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed a significant increase in body weight. The results of color Doppler ultrasound showed enhanced vascular wall echo, suggesting the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. HE staining showed foam cell aggregation, fibrous connective tissue proliferation, and vascular intima injury in the aortic tissue. Oil red O staining showed a significant increase in the plaque area in the aortic tissue (P<0.01). ELISA results indicated significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in mouse serum (P<0.01), as well as significantly decreased levels of IL-4, IL-10, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the expression of IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, mice in the middle- and high-dose SWD groups showed significant weight loss. In the high-dose group, the aortic vascular wall echoes were weakened, and the atherosclerotic plaques were reduced. The aortic lesions of mice in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups were significantly alleviated. The plaque area percentage showed an inverse correlation with the administered dose in all groups treated with SWD (P<0.05). In the medium-dose SWD group, serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, and LDL were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). In the high-dose SWD group, levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, and LDL were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while IL-4, IL-10, and HDL were significantly increased (P<0.01). The IKKα and IKKβ expression was significantly decreased in the low-dose SWD group (P<0.05), and IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWD may exert therapeutic effects on AS by regulating the expression of related inflammatory factors through the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation, plaque area, and lipid content in the body.
2.The Application of Spatial Resolved Metabolomics in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Lu-Tao XU ; Qian LI ; Shu-Lei HAN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Qing-Yuan HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2346-2359
The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is fundamentally linked to complex and profound alterations in metabolic networks within the brain, which exhibit marked spatial heterogeneity. While conventional bulk metabolomics is powerful for detecting global metabolic shifts, it inherently lacks spatial resolution. This methodological limitation hampers the ability to interrogate critical metabolic dysregulation within discrete anatomical brain regions and specific cellular microenvironments, thereby constraining a deeper understanding of the core pathological mechanisms that initiate and drive NDDs. To address this critical gap, spatial metabolomics, with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) at its core, has emerged as a transformative approach. It uniquely overcomes the limitations of bulk methods by enabling high-resolution, simultaneous detection and precise localization of hundreds to thousands of endogenous molecules—including primary metabolites, complex lipids, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and essential metal ions—directly in situ from tissue sections. This powerful capability offers an unprecedented spatial perspective for investigating the intricate and heterogeneous chemical landscape of NDD pathology, opening new avenues for discovery. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the field, beginning with a discussion of the technical features, optimal application scenarios, and current limitations of major MSI platforms. These include the widely adopted matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI, the ultra-high-resolution technique of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)-MSI, and the ambient ionization method of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI)-MSI, along with other emerging technologies. We then highlight the pivotal applications of spatial metabolomics in NDD research, particularly its role in elucidating the profound chemical heterogeneity within distinct pathological microenvironments. These applications include mapping unique molecular signatures around amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) plaques, uncovering the metabolic consequences of neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and characterizing the lipid and metabolite composition of Lewy bodies. Moreover, we examine how spatial metabolomics contributes to constructing detailed metabolic vulnerability maps across the brain, shedding light on the biochemical factors that render certain neuronal populations and anatomical regions selectively susceptible to degeneration while others remain resilient. Looking beyond current applications, we explore the immense potential of integrating spatial metabolomics with other advanced research methodologies. This includes its combination with three-dimensional brain organoid models to recapitulate disease-relevant metabolic processes, its linkage with multi-organ axis studies to investigate how systemic metabolic health influences neurodegeneration, and its convergence with single-cell and subcellular analyses to achieve unprecedented molecular resolution. In conclusion, this review not only summarizes the current state and critical role of spatial metabolomics in NDD research but also offers a forward-looking perspective on its transformative potential. We envision its continued impact in advancing our fundamental understanding of NDDs and accelerating translation into clinical practice—from the discovery of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis to the development of high-throughput drug screening platforms and the realization of precision medicine for individuals affected by these devastating disorders.
3.Characterization of genomic islands and virulence factors of clinical isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Hainan Province,China
Xiao-Ying FU ; Huan LI ; Sha LI ; Li-Cheng WANG ; Chong-Zhen WANG ; Yuan-Li LI ; Hai CHEN ; Xiong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(4):359-368,390
The genomic island(GI)characteristics and virulence factor differences of clinical isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Hainan Province,China were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for diagnosis and treatment of melioidosis.In total,52 B.pseudomallei isolates were collected for detection of virulence-related GIs by PCR.The whole genome sequence annotation format file was submitted on Islandviwer 4 platform,and the genomes of the same species and close relatives were added for comparison.Two algorithms,SIGI-HMM and IslandPath-DIMOB,were integrated to predict GIs and sequence a-lignments were conducted to identify specific GIs and differences in virulence factors.The genomes of 52 clinical strains could be divided into three branches based on evolutionary distance,with 82.69%(43/52)of strains concentrated in branch 1.In to-tal,828 GIs were identified among the 52 B.pseudomallei genomes,which formed 157 GI clusters based on sequence similari-ty.GIs accounted for 2.05%-6.38%of the genome content.While GI clusters 1 and 2 were present in all strains,a total of 84(53.50%)GI clusters only clustered within a single genome isolate.Of 10 GI likely specific clusters,five were from the same genus,two from another genus,and three with uncertain origins.Moreover,25 GI clusters were associated with virulence,which included eight shared by B.pseudomallei BP76 and BP169,which had the highest number of virulence-associated GIs among all isolates.O the 52 B.pseudomallei isolates,variations were identified in the virulence genes fhaB1,fhaB2,BPSL1661,cheY1,wzM,tssH-5/clpV,tssA-5,boaA,and boaB.Comparisons of these findings with clinical isolates from Thailand and Australia showed that B.pseudomallei isolates from Hainan had significant differences in the sequences of boaA,boaB,cheY1,and chbp.Additionally,fhaB1,fhaB3,and bimA displayed significant variations specifically within the Australian isolates.B.pseudomallei GI was conserved and specific to Hainan.The identification of specific GI and virulence factors was useful to clarify the source of horizontal gene transfer and differences in virulence at the molecular level.
4.Differences in emotional behavior between male and female mice with Maoa c.1409 T>C synonymous mutation
Kaixin LI ; Guanglin LIU ; Qianqian YUAN ; Fanglin LIU ; Huan CHEN ; Hongwei HOU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(10):1295-1306
Objective To investigate the effect of the monoamine oxidase A(MAOA),Maoa c.1409 T>C synonymous mutation on anxiety,fear,and other emotional behaviors in mice.Methods In this study,CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to construct a mouse model of a single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)synonymous mutation.We evaluated the differential effect of this gene between males and females through animal behavior and gene expression studies in animal models.In terms of animal behavior,an open field test,elevated plus maze test,defensive burial experiment,forced swimming test,and 3D behavioral analysis were used.Other method were used to evaluate behavioral differences between male and female mice with polymorphisms in Maoa synonymous mutant genes.Results The result of the open field experiment showed that the residence time of female SNP mice in the central area was significantly higher than that of male SNP mice(P<0.001).In the elevated cross maze experiment,the EPM result showed that the time and frequency of male SNP mice entering the open arm were higher than those of female SNP mice,but there was no significant difference.The defensive burial test showed that the number and duration of excavations by female SNP mice in response to rat urine were significantly reduced(P<0.01).The FST showed that SNP females had shorter immobility time and longer swimming time(P<0.05),and thus their depression was lower than males.3D-AI fine behavior analysis showed no significant male and female differences,except for the movement trajectory and climbing behavior of mice.The MAOA enzyme content of female SNP mice was significantly lower than that of male SNP mice(P<0.001),but there was no significant difference in enzyme activity between male and female SNP mice.Conclusions The synonymous mutation of Maoa c.1409 T>C acts by affecting the expression of MAOA and may have different fear,anxiety,and mood effects in male and female SNP mice.
5.Report of six cases with mast cell leukemia and a literature review
Feng ZHU ; Yuan YU ; Chunyan CHEN ; Wenbing DUAN ; Qian JIANG ; Rui YAN ; Yu SUN ; Yanqiu HAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Huan WANG ; Qiurong ZHANG ; Suning CHEN ; Wanhui YAN ; Mengjie CAI ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Jia YIN ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;63(10):996-1000
From October 2021 to February 2023, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of six patients (three male and three female, median age: 54 years, age range: 29-73 years) with mast cell leukemia (MCL) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The Mastocytosis Collaborative Network of China). All patients had acute MCL, with at least one C-finding present. The main clinical presentations were hypoalbuminemia ( n=4), fatigue ( n=3), fever ( n=2), abdominal discomfort ( n=2), osteolytic lesions ( n=2), dizziness ( n=1), skin flushing ( n=1), and weight loss ( n=1). Splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were noted in six and three patients, respectively. Six patients were strongly positive for CD117, five were positive for CD30 and CD25, and four were positive for CD2. Four patients had a normal karyotype and two patients had an abnormal karyotype. Gene mutations were detected in 4/6 cases. The median serum tryptase level was 24.9 (range: 20.1-171.9) μg/L. Two patients were treated with venetoclax and azacitidine for induction (one patient achieved partial remission by combination with afatinib, while there was no remission after combination with dasatinib in the other patient). Two patients did not achieve complete remission despite treatment with cladribine and imatinib, respectively. One patient treated with interferon combined with glucocorticoids was lost to follow-up, and one patient abandoned treatment. The follow-up time ranged from 1.1 to 21.7 months. Three patients died and two survived. Overall, MCL is a rare subtype of systemic mastocytosis with heterogeneous clinical course, and these patients have poor outcome. A better understanding of the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of MCL is urgently needed.
6.Catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus pas-teuri:one case report
Chong-Zhen WANG ; Shan ZHONG ; Li-Xia XU ; Li-Cheng WANG ; Xiao-Ying FU ; Huan LI ; Yuan-Li LI ; Xiong ZHU ; Hai CHEN ; Dong-Ke CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(8):1040-1043
One patient was admitted to a hospital due to"sepsis,chronic kidney disease,type 2 diabetes,shock,and cerebral infarction".Patient's blood specimen was taken for clinical examination.Aerobic and anaerobic culture results of catheter blood and venous blood were both positive.The pathogen was identified as Staphylococcus pas-teuri by VITEK MS,and the patient was diagnosed as catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Staphylo-coccus pasteuri.Clinical empirical use of piperacillin for anti-infection treatment was ineffective,and vancomycin was eventually used for treatment based on in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Patient's condition improved after removing the venous catheter.There are currently no reported cases of Staphylococcus pasteuri in China.Ear-ly identification of pathogen and adjustment of treatment plans based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results are crucial for effective treatment of this case.
7.Effects of Questionnaire-Based Psychological Survey Methods on the Evaluation Results in a Patient Cohort
Yueyao XU ; Wenwen CHEN ; Ling LI ; Li YUAN ; Mengxian HUANG ; Yuanyuan QU ; Huan SONG ; Jianwei ZHU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2024;46(3):324-328
Objective To assess the influences of self-and interviewer-administered methods on the scores of anxiety and depression questionnaires among the patients with sports injuries.Methods A total of 532 participants with sports injuries treated in the Sports Medicine Center of West China Hospital,Sichuan University from November 2022 to May 2023 were included.They were randomly assigned to either the interviewer-administered group(n=270)or the self-administered group(n=262)to complete the generalized anxiety disorder(GAD-7)and the patient health questionnaire(PHQ-9)scales.The total scores and prevalence rates of anxiety and depres-sion were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in gender,occupation,or surgical site between the two groups(all P>0.05).The self-administered group had higher scores of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales than the interviewer-administered group(P<0.001,P<0.001).A greater proportion of participants in the self-administered group than in the interview-administered group met the criteria for mild to moderate anxiety and depression(P<0.001,P=0.002).The prevalence rates of moderate to se-vere anxiety(GAD-7 ≥10)and depression(PHQ-9 ≥10)showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.761,P=0.086).Conclusion This study demonstrates that the participants in the self-administered group are more likely to report mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression than those in the interviewer-administered group.
8.Scholars'consensus on the construction and development of chinese medical humanities:summary of"seminar on the construction of Chinese medical humanities"held in Harbin in August 2023
Jinfan WANG ; Mei YIN ; Yue WANG ; Huan LIU ; Zhong HE ; Yunzhang LIU ; Rui DENG ; Min CHEN ; Junrong LIU ; Yongfu CAO ; Donghong WANG ; Hongjiang ZHANG ; Fengxiang LU ; Yu CHENG ; Yuan HE ; Fang SHAN
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;37(2):248-252
On August 2-4,2023,the"Third Summit Forum on'Building a Community of Shared Future for Doctors and Patients'"was jointly organized by institutions such as the Chinese Medical Ethics,the Hospital Humanities Management and Talent Training Special Committee of the China Population and Culture Promotion Association,Center for Ethical Studies of Renmin University of China,the Newspaper for China's Physicians,the China Health Law Society,the China Anti-Cancer Association,and the China Association For Ethical Studies in Harbin.The conference arranged a sub-forum for the"Seminar on the Construction of Chinese Medical Humanities",with domestic medical humanities scholars attending the conference.After heated discussions at the seminar,the Scholars'Consensus on the Construction and Development of Chinese Medical Humanities was formed.It was proposed that in the new era,it is urgent to build the medical humanities discipline,as well as lead the academic integration and development of medical humanities under the core socialist values.At the same time,for the construction of the medical humanities discipline,it is necessary to optimize the organizational mechanism,prosper and develop the overall framework of the medical humanities discipline,accelerate the construction of a professional teaching team for the medical humanities discipline,promote the establishment of a new carrier medical humanities education and teaching in cultivating morality and nurturing talents,as well as focus on solving problems related to the cultivation of medical humanities graduate students.
9.Bioequivalence study of ritonavir tablets in Chinese healthy subjects
Yuan-Yuan XU ; Chuan-Shu WANG ; Shao-Chun CHEN ; Jia-Xiang DING ; Xue-Feng WANG ; He-Yue WANG ; Jing XIE ; Huan ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1502-1506
Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence of a single oral dose of ritonavir in fasted and fed conditions in healthy Chinese adult subjects with the test and reference formulations.Methods A single-center,open-label,randomized,single-dose,two-periods,two-sequence crossover design was used,and 64 subjects were enrolled in both the fasted and fed groups.The subjects received 100 mg of the test preparation or reference preparation orally per cycle,and the drug concentration of ritonavir in plasma was detected using the high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by a non-compartment model,and SAS 9.4 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Arithmetic mean values of the main pharmacokinetic parameters of the subject formulation of ritonavir tablets and the reference formulation in the fasting group:Cmax were(791.90±400.20)and(809.60±449.14)ng·mL-1;AUC0_t were(6 072.61±2 631.98)and(6 296.30±3 388.95)ng·h·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(6 129.59±2 655.57)and(6 347.26±3 434.12)ng·h·mL-1,respectively.Arithmetic mean values of the main pharmacokinetic parameters of the subject formulation of ritonavir tablets and the reference formulation in the fed group:Cmax were(512.37±233.60)and(521.74±223.87)ng·mL-1;AUC0_t were(4 203.43±2 221.33)and(4 200.13±1 993.50)ng·h·mL-1;AUC0_∞ were(4 259.21±2 266.88)and(4 259.63±2 044.12)ng·h·mL-1.The 90%confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of Cmax,AUC0_t and AUC0_∞ of the prototype drug ritonavir in plasma after oral administration of 100 mg of the test and reference formulations of ritonavir tablets under fasting and fed conditions fell within the 80.00%to 125.00%equivalence interval.Conclusion The test and reference formulations of ritonavir tablets were bioequivalent under fasting and postprandial conditions.
10.Research status of traditional Chinese medicine monomer,drug-to-drug groups and compound formula in the treatment of endometriosis
Bin YUE ; Yuan-Huan CHEN ; Quan-Sheng WU ; Xiao-Hua ZHANG ; Yuan CHENG ; Hao MEI ; Can-Can HUANG ; Zuo-Liang ZHANG ; Xiu-Jia JI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2283-2287
Interventions for endometriosis(EMs)include surgical excision of lesions and hormonal therapy,which usually have limited efficacy and adverse drug reactions.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the multi-component and multi-target characteristics,which can help patients achieve good clinical benefits by intervening in different parts of the disease.In this paper,we briefly discuss the modern pharmacology of Sanlang and Curcuma longa,and deeply summarize the possible mechanisms of action of TCM monomer and classical compound extracts and their active ingredients through signal pathways in inflammation,immune system,angiogenesis,hormone regulation,etc.,so as to provide theoretical bases for the clinical use of TCM monomers,drug-to-drug groups and compounds in the treatment of EMs.

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