1.Mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription Against Damage to Hippocampal Synaptic Microenvironment via Suppressing GluR2/Parkin Signal-mediated Mitophagy in Rats with Diabetes-related Depression
Jian LIU ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyuan LIN ; Wei LI ; Yuhong WANG ; Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):104-112
ObjectiveTo reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription against damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment via suppressing glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)/Parkin signal-mediated mitophagy in rats with diabetes-related depression (DD). MethodsEighty male SD rats underwent adaptive feeding for 5 days before the study. Ten rats were randomly assigned to the normal group. The model of DD rats was established with the rest by 2-week high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ) tail intravenous injection + 28 days of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with isolation. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a GluR2 blocker group (5 μg·kg-1), a GluR2 agonist group (10 μg·kg-1), a metformin + fluoxetine group (0.18 g·kg-1 metformin + 1.8 mg·kg-1 fluoxetine), and high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups (20.52 and 10.26 g·kg-1, respectively). The rats in the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group were continuously injected with CNQX and Cl-HIBO in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus once a week starting from stress modeling, respectively, while the metformin + fluoxetine group and the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups were continuously given intragastric administration for 28 d at the same time of stress modeling. Depression-like behavior was evaluated by open field and forced swimming experiments. The levels of serum insulin and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in hippocampus were detected by biochemical analysis. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in hippocampus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons were evaluated by Golgi staining. Western blot detected the expression levels of GluR2 and Parkin proteins in hippocampus. The expression levels of GluR2, Parkin, regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein 3 (RIMS3), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited reduced total activity distance in the open field and increased immobility time in forced swimming (P<0.01), lowered levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.01), increased autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons, significantly damaged morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, decreased expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95 in hippocampus, and an increased Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group showed aggravation and alleviation of the above abnormal changes, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The above depression-like behavior was significantly improved in the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups to different degrees. Specifically, the two groups saw elevated levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), restrained increase in autophagosomes and damage to morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, up-regulated protein expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95, and down-regulated Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionZuogui Jiangtong Jieyu prescription can ameliorate the mitophagy-mediated damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment in DD rats, the mechanism of which might be related to the regulation of GluR2/Parkin signaling pathway.
2.Effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on hippocampal H3K18la modification in a rat model of diabetes mellitus complicated with depression and prediction of related regulatory genes
Hui YANG ; Wei LI ; Shihui LEI ; Jinxi WANG ; Zhuo LIU ; Pan MENG ; Lin LIU ; Fan JIANG ; Yuhong WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(6):791-801
Objective:
To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZGJTJYF) on histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) in the hippocampus of rats with diabetes mellitus complicated with depression (DD) and predict the regulatory genes of H3K18la.
Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model, and positive drug (metformin [0.18 g/kg] and fluoxetine [1.8 mg/kg]) groups, and the three groups were treated with high, medium, and low ZGJTJYF doses (20.52, 10.26, and 5.13 g/kg, respectively), with 10 rats per group. After treatment, the forced swimming and water maze tests were performed to assess depressive-like behaviors and cognitive function. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure blood insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lactate levels, and lactate content in the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect H3K18la expression in the hippocampus. Cleavage Under Targets and lagmentation(CUT&Tag) experiments targeted hippocampal H3K18la epigenetic modification regions to analyze the transcription factors bound by H3K18la. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Protein-Protein Interaction networks were constructed to identify key pathways and target genes regulated by H3K18la.
Results:
Compared with the normal group, the model group rats showed prolonged immobility time in the forced swim test, increased escape latency in the water maze experiment, decreased target quadrant distance ratio (P<0.01), increased serum lactate content, and decreased lactate content in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.01), as well as decreased H3K18la protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGJTJYF reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test and the escape latency in the water maze test (P<0.01), while the distance ratio in the target quadrant increased (P<0.01) in model rats. Lowered fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) were also observed. ZGJTJYF also increased the lactate content and H3K18la protein expression in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.05, P<0.01). The DNA sequences bound by H3K18la were predominantly enriched at the transcription start sites. ZGJTJYF modulated H3K18la-associated pathways, including cell adhesion junctions, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, stem cell pluripotency regulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and insulin resistance, leading to the identification of 12 target genes.
Conclusion
ZGJTJYF enhances hippocampal lactate levels and H3K18la modification in DD rats, which may regulate neural cell interactions, neurogenic stem cell function, TGF-β signaling, MAPK signaling, and insulin resistance pathways.
3.Engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 targeted delivery of extracellular PD-L1-mFc fragment for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Yuhong WANG ; Lin HU ; Lei WANG ; Chonghai ZHANG ; Wenhao SHEN ; Hongli YANG ; Min LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Mengmeng XU ; Muxing ZHANG ; Kai YANG ; Xiaopeng TIAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):6019-6033
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder involving complex immune regulation, where balancing localized and systemic immunosuppression is a key challenge. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy by engineering the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). We removed endogenous plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2 from wild-type EcN and expressed the mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa)-mFc fusion protein on the bacterial surface using a cytolysin A (ClyA) fragment. This modification stabilized mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa) protein expression and promoted its recruitment to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The engineered strain, EcNΔpMUT1/2-ClyA-mPD-L1-mFc (EcN-ePD-L1-mFc), features conditional ePD-L1-mFc expression under the araBAD promoter, enhancing gut-targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. This strain improved treatment targeting and efficiency by enabling direct ePD-L1-mFc interaction with immune cells at inflammation sites. OMVs from this strain induced Treg proliferation, inhibited effector T cell proliferation in vitro, and significantly improved intestinal inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier repair in vivo. Additionally, the bacterium restored intestinal microbiota balance, increasing Lactobacillaceae and reducing Bacteroides. This study highlights the engineered bacterium's potential for targeted intestinal immune modulation and offers a novel local IBD treatment approach with promising clinical prospects.
4.The integration of machine learning into traditional Chinese medicine.
Yanfeng HONG ; Sisi ZHU ; Yuhong LIU ; Chao TIAN ; Hongquan XU ; Gongxing CHEN ; Lin TAO ; Tian XIE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101157-101157
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system distinctive and effective in treating cancer, depression, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and other diseases. However, the relatively abstract diagnostic methods of TCM lack objective measurement, and the complex mechanisms of action are difficult to comprehend, which hinders the application and internationalization of TCM. Recently, while breakthroughs have been made in utilizing methods such as network pharmacology and virtual screening for TCM research, the rise of machine learning (ML) has significantly enhanced their integration with TCM. This article introduces representative methodological cases in quality control, mechanism research, diagnosis, and treatment processes of TCM, revealing the potential applications of ML technology in TCM. Furthermore, the challenges faced by ML in TCM applications are summarized, and future directions are discussed.
5.Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors with or without PD-1 inhibitors for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis
ZHOU Xiaoyan ; CHEN Yong ; WANG Yuanyuan ; WANG Xiaoxian ; LIU Jie ; LIN Yuhong
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(11):1136-1145
[摘 要] 目的:系统评估经动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)和酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(TKI)联合(TT)联合或不联合PD-1抗体(PD-1Ab)治疗晚期肝细胞癌(aHCC)的疗效与潜在不良反应(AE)。方法:检索PubMed、中国知网(CNKI)、Embase、Web of Science等数据库,时限为各数据库建库始至2024年1月31日。由2位评价员独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的偏倚风险后,采用Stata16.0软件进行Meta分析。结果:纳入17项研究,共2 334例aHCC患者。Meta分析结果显示,与TT疗法相比,PD-1Ab的加入能显著改善aHCC患者的总生存期(OS)[HR = 0.44,95% CI(0.36,0.51),P < 0.000 01]和无进展生存期(PFS)[HR = 0.47,95% CI(0.42,0.52),P < 0.000 01],同时提高aHCC患者的客观缓解率(ORR)[HR = 1.65,95% CI(1.46,1.86),P < 0.000 01]和疾病控制率(DCR)[HR = 1.26,95% CI(1.15,1.38),P < 0.000 01];不同基线资料如ECOG-PS、肝外转移与否、BCLC分期、肿瘤大小、Child-Pugh评分及肝门静脉侵犯与否等aHCC患者均可从TT PD-1Ab疗法中获益;两治疗方案间全级别与 ≥3级AE的总发生率无显著差异,但高血压、甲状腺功能减退及反应性皮肤血管增生等症状在接受TT PD-1Ab治疗的患者中更为常见。结论:相较于TT疗法,PD-1Ab的加入可显著延长aHCC患者OS和PFS,并提高其整体ORR与DCR;TT PD-1Ab治疗组患者发生全级别及≥ 3级AE的整体发生率没有显著增加,整体耐受性良好,但在高血压、皮肤与黏膜及甲状腺AE上有较高的发生率,应予以重视。
6.Meta-analysis of potential biomarkers for predicting clinical efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in malignancies
Yuhong LIN ; Zhibing LIN ; Xiaoxian WANG ; Jie LIU ; Yuehua FANG ; Xiaoyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(5):931-938
Objective:To explore potential biomarkers that can predict the clinical efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in malig-nancies.Methods:The PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang and VIP databases were searched from the establishment of the database to September 20,2022.After literature screening,data extraction and the risk of bias were evaluated independently by two evaluators,the Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 and STATA16.0 software.Results:This paper included 18 studies with a total of 4 018 patients.Tumor patients with a high tumor mutational burden(TMB)were found to have higher overall survival(OS)(P=0.003,P=0.01)and progression-free survival(PFS)(P=0.000 2,P=0.04)with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors within 1 year and 2 years of follow-up.At different follow-up times,with 1%as the critical value,there was no statistical significance in the level of PD-L1 ex-pression as a biomarker for predicting OS and PFS of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors(P>0.05).Conclusion:TMB can be used as a biological indicator to predict the clinical efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with malignant tumors within 2 years after treatment,but whether its efficacy can last longer remains to be further studied.PD-L1 single test is not currently a biomarker for predicting the bene-fit of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
7.Construction of evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students based on improved Miller's pyramid theory
Fang LIN ; Yuanyuan PANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jiehong LI ; Yuhong SUN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(18):2457-2463
Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students, so as to provide a basis for the evaluation of clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students.Methods:Based on the improved Miller's pyramid theory, a preliminary evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of nursing undergraduate students was formed by literature analysis and semi-structured interview method. From April to July 2023, purposive sampling was used to select 20 experts in nursing education, clinical nursing teaching, and other fields. After two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, a final evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students was formed, and the weights of each index were determined.Results:After two rounds of consultation, the effective response rates of the questionnaire were 95.00% (19/20) and 100.00% (19/19), respectively. The expert authority coefficients were 0.86 and 0.88, and the Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.226 and 0.183 ( P<0.01). The final established evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students included five primary indicators, 13 secondary indicators, and 56 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:Based on the improved Miller's pyramid theory, the evaluation index system for clinical practice effectiveness of undergraduate nursing students constructed is scientific, reliable, and practical, which can provide reference for the evaluation of clinical practice for undergraduate nursing students.
8.Therapeutic effects of tofacitinib on steroid-resistant immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis
Yuchen XU ; Jian ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Jinyi LIN ; Yuhong ZHOU ; Leilei CHENG ; Junbo GE
China Oncology 2024;34(4):400-408
Background and purpose:Outcomes for cancer patients with steroid-resistant immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis(srICIAM)are poor.Intensified immunosuppressive therapies,including tofacitinib,a novel Janus kinase(JAK)inhibitor,may have some therapeutic benefits.However,due to the lack of sufficient clinical data,the effectiveness of such treatments and their impact on cardiovascular outcomes remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of tofacitinib on srICIAM.Methods:This retrospective case-control study included 36 malignant tumor patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from July 2019 to May 2022 and developed srICIAM.Patients receiving corticosteroids in combination with tofacitinib were assigned to the tofacitinib group(n=19),while those not treated with tofacitinib were allocated to the control group(n=17).The study compared clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,and imaging results between the two groups.Additionally,follow-up was conducted to monitor the incidence of cardiovascular endpoints in these patients.The research plan was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University(Approval Number:B2021-275R).This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.Results:Compared to the control group,and with no significant difference in the cumulative dose and duration of corticosteroids(P<0.05),the tofacitinib group showed a shorter myocarditis recovery time(median recovery time:86.5 days vs 126.5 days,P=0.021).The myocarditis-related mortality rate was significantly lower in the tofacitinib group than in the control group(5%vs 35%,P=0.025).Conclusion:Tofacitinib may reduce mortality and promote cardiac recovery in srICIAM patients without impeding the anti-tumor effect.It may become one of the potential treatment strategies in the future.
9.Progress in the development of mRNA vaccine and its delivery systems for anti-tumor immunotherapy
Meiyi XIN ; Yuhong LIN ; Kai ZHAO
China Oncology 2024;34(5):509-516
Due to the drawbacks of low specificity and high risk of side effects of traditional anti-tumor treatments in clinical practice,novel anti-tumor immunotherapy has received attention and has been gradually applied.Tumor immunotherapy is to enhance the anti-tumor immune response by regulating the body's immune system in order to achieve control and killing of tumors.Tumor immunotherapies include immune checkpoint blockade therapy,over-the-counter cellular immunotherapy and tumor vaccines.Among them,the tumor vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce specific immune cells or antibodies by delivering tumor cell-specific antigens thereby eliminating the tumor cells for the purpose of treating the tumor.In recent years,The field of mRNA vaccines is developing rapidly,and the required mRNA in the synthesis and preparation of the process has been developed and matured,laying a good foundation for the research of tumor mRNA vaccine.Because of the fact that mRNA is easily degraded and cannot enter the cell autonomously,this vaccine requires a suitable delivery vehicle to be successfully taken up by the cell to be effective.Therefore,the development of mRNA vaccine delivery systems has become critical for their better utilization,which is also an important part of whether mRNA vaccines can be developed and utilized for the clinical stage in the field of tumor therapy.This paper briefly introduced the immunotherapeutic methods for tumors,types of tumor vaccines and the mechanism of action and preparation methods of tumor mRNA vaccines,reviewed the research progress and related applications of mRNA vaccines and their common delivery systems in immunotherapy for tumor treatment,and summarized the tumor mRNA vaccines that entered into the phase of clinical trials with the aim of providing assistance for the research of mRNA vaccines for tumors in the future.
10.Expert consensus on irrigation and intracanal medication in root canal therapy
Zou XIAOYING ; Zheng XIN ; Liang YUHONG ; Zhang CHENGFEI ; Fan BING ; Liang JINGPING ; Ling JUNQI ; Bian ZHUAN ; Yu QING ; Hou BENXIANG ; Chen ZHI ; Wei XI ; Qiu LIHONG ; Chen WENXIA ; He WENXI ; Xu XIN ; Meng LIUYAN ; Zhang CHEN ; Chen LIMING ; Deng SHULI ; Lei YAYAN ; Xie XIAOLI ; Wang XIAOYAN ; Yu JINHUA ; Zhao JIN ; Shen SONG ; Zhou XUEDONG ; Yue LIN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):26-35
Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.


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