1.Flavonoids Intervene in Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway: A Review
Qihui QIU ; Chang LIU ; Xiaotong YAN ; Jinwei HAN ; Hui SUN ; Fengting YIN ; Yuhang WANG ; Mengmeng WANG ; Xijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):300-309
Diabetic nephropathy (DKD), as a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Its clinical manifestations include increased urinary protein excretion, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex and involves multiple factors, including disordered glucose metabolism, hemodynamic alterations, and oxidative stress. Although modern medical approaches can alleviate certain symptoms, they still have limitations such as insufficient therapeutic targeting and prominent adverse effects. The transforming growth factor-β/Smad (TGF-β/Smad) signaling pathway is not only a tissue fibrosis pathway that has attracted considerable attention in recent years, but also regulates multiple protein molecules, including the glomerular podocyte slit diaphragm protein Podocin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby participating in various pathological processes and ultimately mediating renal injury. Flavonoid compounds, owing to their sustained pharmacological effects, broad spectrum of action, and high safety profile, have become ideal candidates for targeted therapy research in DKD. Existing studies have shown that these compounds can exert inhibitory effects on renal fibrosis, alleviate inflammatory responses, protect podocytes, and reduce oxidative stress by regulating the interactions between the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the aforementioned protein molecules, thereby maintaining renal structure and function, reducing proteinuria, and significantly improving DKD lesions. This review briefly outlines the composition and functions of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, elucidates the mechanisms by which this pathway regulates DKD, and focuses on summarizing major studies from the past decade on flavonoid-based interventions in DKD through targeted inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore, it discusses the considerable therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of this disease, aiming to provide a scientific basis for future clinical prevention and treatment of DKD and to promote the development of targeted drugs.
2.Comprehensive analysis of the antibacterial activity of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Qingqing CHEN ; Yuhang DING ; Zhongyi LI ; Xingyu CHEN ; Aliya FAZAL ; Yahan ZHANG ; Yudi MA ; Changyi WANG ; Liu YANG ; Tongming YIN ; Guihua LU ; Hongyan LIN ; Zhongling WEN ; Jinliang QI ; Hongwei HAN ; Yonghua YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):604-613
Given the increasing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, the antimicrobial properties of naphthoquinones have recently attracted significant attention. While 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have been extensively studied, the antibacterial properties of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives remain relatively unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis of the antibacterial activity of 35 naturally sourced and chemically synthesized derivatives of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing identified three compounds with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with one compound (PNP-02) demonstrating activity comparable to vancomycin in minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that PNP-02 adversely affects the cell wall and cell membrane of MRSA. Mechanistic investigations, including proteomic sequencing analyses, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, indicated that PNP-02 compromises cell membrane integrity by inhibiting arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inducing bacterial death. In an in vivo mouse model of skin wound healing, PNP-02 exhibited antibacterial efficacy similar to vancomycin. The compound demonstrated low toxicity to cultured human cells and in hemolysis assays and remained stable during serum incubation. These findings suggest that PNP-02 possesses promising bioactivity against MRSA and represents a potential novel antibacterial agent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*
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Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*
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Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage*
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Animals
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Mice
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Humans
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Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology*
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Molecular Structure
3.Hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplantation from the same donor in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and literature review
Yan YIN ; Zilin QUAN ; Li SONG ; Zhonglin FENG ; Dongmei CUI ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yuhang HU ; Qinghua ZHOU ; Xiaoli KANG ; Junjie LIAO ; Qizhen LIANG ; Suijin WU ; Hongmei WU ; Shuangxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(9):691-695
The paper reports a 32-year-old female acute myeloid leukemia patient who developed graft-versus-host disease after paternal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which subsequently led to renal thrombotic microangiopathy. She subsequently required a kidney transplant from the same donor 5 years later due to renal failure. Considering that both the bone marrow and kidney were from the same donor and the recovery of renal function was favorable, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued after a short course of anti-rejection treatment, with maintained stable kidney function. This case suggests that under the condition of high chimerism, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and kidney transplantation from the same donor can achieve immune tolerance, potentially improving solid organ transplantation success rate. The findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for solid organ transplantation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
4.Riboflavin reduces the range of ischemic stroke infarction by inhibiting the neuronal apoptosis in mice
Wei YANG ; Juan PANG ; Yuhang XIA ; Jun LI ; Han YANG ; Fenqing SHANG ; Junru YIN
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(1):25-31
Objective:To investigate the effect of riboflavin on cerebral infarction volume and the possible mecha-nism of apoptotic factors with cerebral ischemic injury in mice.Methods:Eighteen C57BL/6J male mice were divided into the sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group and riboflavin intervention group(MCAO+RF)randomly.TTC staining was used to observe the infarction of the cerebral tissues;Quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression of tumor protein p53(p53),cytochrome C(CytC),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X(Bax),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(caspase-3),poly ADP-ribose poly-merase(PARP),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-6(caspase-6)and apoptosis inducing factor(AIF)in different groups,to study the possible mechanism of riboflavin inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.The proteins expression of acetyl-p53(AC-p53),caspase-3 and PARP were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Compared with the MCAO group,the cerebral infarct volume of the MCAO+RF group was obviously reduced(P<0.01);The relative expression of p53,CytC,caspase-3,PARP,caspase-6 and AIF were significantly lower in the MCAO+RF group(P<0.05).Addition-ally,significant differences were observed in the proteins expression of AC-p53,caspase-3 and PARP between the MCAO group and MCAO+RF group.Conclusion:Riboflavin has a protective effect against cerebral ischemic injury,which is possibly realized by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis through multiple pathways.
5.Riboflavin reduces the range of ischemic stroke infarction by inhibiting the neuronal apoptosis in mice
Wei YANG ; Juan PANG ; Yuhang XIA ; Jun LI ; Han YANG ; Fenqing SHANG ; Junru YIN
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(1):25-31
Objective:To investigate the effect of riboflavin on cerebral infarction volume and the possible mecha-nism of apoptotic factors with cerebral ischemic injury in mice.Methods:Eighteen C57BL/6J male mice were divided into the sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group and riboflavin intervention group(MCAO+RF)randomly.TTC staining was used to observe the infarction of the cerebral tissues;Quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression of tumor protein p53(p53),cytochrome C(CytC),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X(Bax),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(caspase-3),poly ADP-ribose poly-merase(PARP),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-6(caspase-6)and apoptosis inducing factor(AIF)in different groups,to study the possible mechanism of riboflavin inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.The proteins expression of acetyl-p53(AC-p53),caspase-3 and PARP were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Compared with the MCAO group,the cerebral infarct volume of the MCAO+RF group was obviously reduced(P<0.01);The relative expression of p53,CytC,caspase-3,PARP,caspase-6 and AIF were significantly lower in the MCAO+RF group(P<0.05).Addition-ally,significant differences were observed in the proteins expression of AC-p53,caspase-3 and PARP between the MCAO group and MCAO+RF group.Conclusion:Riboflavin has a protective effect against cerebral ischemic injury,which is possibly realized by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis through multiple pathways.
6.Hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplantation from the same donor in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and literature review
Yan YIN ; Zilin QUAN ; Li SONG ; Zhonglin FENG ; Dongmei CUI ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yuhang HU ; Qinghua ZHOU ; Xiaoli KANG ; Junjie LIAO ; Qizhen LIANG ; Suijin WU ; Hongmei WU ; Shuangxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(9):691-695
The paper reports a 32-year-old female acute myeloid leukemia patient who developed graft-versus-host disease after paternal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which subsequently led to renal thrombotic microangiopathy. She subsequently required a kidney transplant from the same donor 5 years later due to renal failure. Considering that both the bone marrow and kidney were from the same donor and the recovery of renal function was favorable, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued after a short course of anti-rejection treatment, with maintained stable kidney function. This case suggests that under the condition of high chimerism, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and kidney transplantation from the same donor can achieve immune tolerance, potentially improving solid organ transplantation success rate. The findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for solid organ transplantation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
7.Deficiency of ASGR1 Alleviates Diet-Induced Systemic Insulin Resistance via Improved Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity
Xiaorui YU ; Jiawang TAO ; Yuhang WU ; Yan CHEN ; Penghui LI ; Fan YANG ; Miaoxiu TANG ; Abdul SAMMAD ; Yu TAO ; Yingying XU ; Yin-Xiong LI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2024;48(4):802-815
Background:
Insulin resistance (IR) is the key pathological basis of many metabolic disorders. Lack of asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1) decreased the serum lipid levels and reduced the risk of coronary artery disease. However, whether ASGR1 also participates in the regulatory network of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism remains unknown.
Methods:
The constructed ASGR1 knockout mice and ASGR1-/- HepG2 cell lines were used to establish the animal model of metabolic syndrome and the IR cell model by high-fat diet (HFD) or drug induction, respectively. Then we evaluated the glucose metabolism and insulin signaling in vivo and in vitro.
Results:
ASGR1 deficiency ameliorated systemic IR in mice fed with HFD, evidenced by improved insulin intolerance, serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of IR index, mainly contributed from increased insulin signaling in the liver, but not in muscle or adipose tissues. Meanwhile, the insulin signal transduction was significantly enhanced in ASGR1-/- HepG2 cells. By transcriptome analyses and comparison, those differentially expressed genes between ASGR1 null and wild type were enriched in the insulin signal pathway, particularly in phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT signaling. Notably, ASGR1 deficiency significantly reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis.
Conclusion
The ASGR1 deficiency was consequentially linked with improved hepatic insulin sensitivity under metabolic stress, hepatic IR was the core factor of systemic IR, and overcoming hepatic IR significantly relieved the systemic IR. It suggests that ASGR1 is a potential intervention target for improving systemic IR in metabolic disorders.
8.SnoRNAs:The promising targets for anti-tumor therapy
Xiaoyun HU ; Wanlin CUI ; Min LIU ; Fangxiao ZHANG ; Yingqi ZHAO ; Mingrong ZHANG ; Yuhang YIN ; Yalun LI ; Ying CHE ; Xianglong ZHU ; Yuxuan FAN ; Xiaolan DENG ; Minjie WEI ; Huizhe WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(11):1588-1602
Recently,small nucleolar RNAs(snoRNAs)have transcended the genomic"noise"to emerge as pivotal molecular markers due to their essential roles in tumor progression.Substantial evidence indicates a strong association between snoRNAs and critical clinical features such as tumor pathology and drug resistance.Historically,snoRNA research has concentrated on two classical mechanisms:2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation.This review specifically summarizes the novel regulatory mecha-nisms and functional patterns of snoRNAs in tumors,encompassing transcriptional,post-transcriptional,and post-translational regulation.We further discuss the synergistic effect between snoRNA host genes(SNHGs)and snoRNAs in tumor progression.More importantly,snoRNAs extensively contribute to the development of tumor cell resistance as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.Accordingly,we provide a comprehensive review of the clinical diagnosis and treatment associated with snoRNAs and explore their significant potential as novel drug targets.
9.SnoRNAs: The promising targets for anti-tumor therapy.
Xiaoyun HU ; Wanlin CUI ; Min LIU ; Fangxiao ZHANG ; Yingqi ZHAO ; Mingrong ZHANG ; Yuhang YIN ; Yalun LI ; Ying CHE ; Xianglong ZHU ; Yuxuan FAN ; Xiaolan DENG ; Minjie WEI ; Huizhe WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(11):101064-101064
Recently, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have transcended the genomic "noise" to emerge as pivotal molecular markers due to their essential roles in tumor progression. Substantial evidence indicates a strong association between snoRNAs and critical clinical features such as tumor pathology and drug resistance. Historically, snoRNA research has concentrated on two classical mechanisms: 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation. This review specifically summarizes the novel regulatory mechanisms and functional patterns of snoRNAs in tumors, encompassing transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation. We further discuss the synergistic effect between snoRNA host genes (SNHGs) and snoRNAs in tumor progression. More importantly, snoRNAs extensively contribute to the development of tumor cell resistance as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Accordingly, we provide a comprehensive review of the clinical diagnosis and treatment associated with snoRNAs and explore their significant potential as novel drug targets.
10.Epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever in Zhejiang Province, 2011-2023
YIN Shujuan ; LIU Ying ; XING Yuhang
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(11):1405-
Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of dengue fever in Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2023, and provide a scientific basis for formulating dengue prevention and control strategies in Zhejiang Province. Methods The data of dengue fever cases in Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2023 were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive and statistical analyses of the gender, age, occupation, seasonal distribution, regional distribution, and the time interval from onset to diagnosis of dengue fever imported cases and indigenous cases were conducted using SPSS26.0 software. Results A total of 3 021 cases of dengue fever were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2023, including 1 421 imported cases and 1 600 indigenous cases. There were 1 692 males and 1 329 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.27∶1. The proportion of males among imported cases (62.28%) was higher than that of indigenous cases (50.44%) (χ2=42.838, P<0.001). The indigenous cases were mainly concentrated in 40 to <70 years old, while the imported cases were mainly concentrated in 20 to <50 years old, with the age of the indigenous cases being higher than that of the imported cases (Z=-18.435, P<0.001). The occupations of the cases were mainly business service, workers/migrant workers, retirees, domestic workers and unemployed people, and farmers. Among imported cases, the highest proportion was in business service workers (23.29%), while among local cases, the highest proportion was in retirees (24.38%). The occupational distribution difference between imported and indigenous cases was statistically significant (χ2=331.903, P<0.001). The indigenous cases predominantly occurred from August to October, while imported cases were reported throughout the year, mainly occurring from June to October, among which domestic imported cases mainly appeared from July to December, and imported cases from abroad could occur throughout the year. In addition to the period of COVID-19 prevention and control, the number of counties (cities and districts) reporting dengue cases in Zhejiang Province increased year by year from 2011 to 2023, with 96.67% of counties (cities and districts) reporting dengue cases, of which 51.11% counties reported indigenous cases. There was a statistically significant difference in the interval from onset to confirmation between imported cases and indigenous cases (Z=-3.269, P=0.001). Conclusions There are obvious seasonal, population, and regional distribution patterns of dengue fever in Zhejiang Province. Attention should be paid to the dynamics of dengue fever outbreaks in Yunnan border areas and Guangdong, and the control of imported cases, vector surveillance and control, and prevention and control work in key areas should be further strengthened. In 2023, the epidemic situation of dengue fever in Zhejiang Province is grim, with a substantial increase in imported cases and gradual expansion of epidemic coverage, which will remain the focus of infectious disease prevention and control in Zhejiang Province in the future.

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