1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Bioinformatics analysis of efferocytosis-related genes in diabetic kidney disease and screening of targeted traditional Chinese medicine.
Yi KANG ; Qian JIN ; Xue-Zhe WANG ; Meng-Qi ZHOU ; Hui-Juan ZHENG ; Dan-Wen LI ; Jie LYU ; Yao-Xian WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4037-4052
This study employed bioinformatics to screen the feature genes related to efferocytosis in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and explores traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) regulating these feature genes. The GSE96804 and GSE30528 datasets were integrated as the training set, and the intersection of differentially expressed genes and efferocytosis-related genes(ERGs) was identified as DKD-ERGs. Subsequently, correlation analysis, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network construction, enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed. Consensus clustering was conducted on DKD patients based on the expression levels of DKD-ERGs, and the expression levels, immune infiltration characteristics, and gene set variations between different subtypes were explored. Eight machine learning models were constructed and their prediction performance was evaluated. The best-performing model was evaluated by nomograms, calibration curves, and external datasets, followed by the identification of efferocytosis-related feature genes associated with DKD. Finally, potential TCMs that can regulate these feature genes were predicted. The results showed that the training set contained 640 differentially expressed genes, and after intersecting with ERGs, 12 DKD-ERGs were obtained, which demonstrated mutual regulation and immune modulation effects. Consensus clustering divided DKD into two subtypes, C1 and C2. The support vector machine(SVM) model had the best performance, predicting that growth arrest-specific protein 6(GAS6), S100 calcium-binding protein A9(S100A9), C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1), 5'-nucleotidase(NT5E), and interleukin 33(IL33) were the feature genes of DKD. Potential TCMs with therapeutic effects included Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapax, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma, which mainly function to clear heat, replenish deficiency, activate blood, resolve stasis, and promote urination and drain dampness. Molecular docking revealed that the key components of these TCMs, including β-sitosterol, quercetin, and sitosterol, exhibited good binding activity with the five target genes. These results indicated that efferocytosis played a crucial role in the development and progression of DKD. The feature genes closely related to both DKD and efferocytosis, such as GAS6, S100A9, CX3CL1, NT5E, and IL33, were identified. TCMs such as Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapa, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma may provide a new therapeutic strategy for DKD by regulating efferocytosis.
Humans
;
Computational Biology
;
Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology*
;
Protein Interaction Maps
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Phagocytosis/genetics*
;
Efferocytosis
3.Changing Pattern of Fungal Communities and Isoflavone Content during Fermentation of Sojae Semen Praeparatum
Xin ZHANG ; Aijing MA ; Yuguang ZHENG ; Dan ZHANG ; Chunyan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):175-181
ObjectiveTo reveal the changing pattern of fungal communities and isoflavone content during the fermentation of Sojae Semen Praeparatum. MethodsInternal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplicon sequencing was used to analyze the changes in fungal communities during the fermentation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the composition and content of isoflavones. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to identify fungal communities positively correlated with isoflavone content. ResultsDuring the fermentation of Sojae Semen Praeparatum, the abundance of Penicillium continued to increase and became the dominant genus from the "yellow cladding" to the early "secondary fermentation" stage (9 days). However, in the mid-to-late "secondary fermentation" stage (12-21 days), the abundance of Penicillium decreased, while the abundance of Barnettozyma increased rapidly, becoming the dominant genus during the later stages (18-21 days). Alpha diversity analyses showed that fungal diversity was higher in the "secondary fermentation" stage than in the "yellow cladding" stage. Beta diversity analyses showed greater variability in fungal communities during the "yellow cladding" stage, with relatively stable fungal communities during the "secondary fermentation" stage. The aglycone isoflavone content exhibited a gradual increase, rising from 5.56% at the start of fermentation to 96.84% by the end. In contrast, the glucoside isoflavone content experienced a corresponding decline, decreasing from 94.44% to 3.16%. Spearman analysis showed that Penicillium, Barnettozyma, and Ilyonectria were positively correlated with the contents of daidzein, glycitein, and genistein, and promoted the conversion of isoflavones from glucoside to aglycone forms. ConclusionThe fungal communities of Penicillium, Barnettozyma, and Ilyonectria promote the conversion of isoflavones from glucoside to aglycone forms during the fermentation of Sojae Semen Praeparatum. The findings provide an important reference for improving the scalability and quality of Sojae Semen Praeparatu fermentation.
4.The causal association between circulating zinc, magnesium, and other minerals with autism spectrum disorder: a Mendelian randomization study.
Bing-Quan ZHU ; Sai-Jing CHEN ; Tian-Miao GU ; Si-Run JIN ; Dan YAO ; Shuang-Shuang ZHENG ; Jie SHAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(9):1098-1104
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the causal association between circulating levels of zinc, magnesium, and other minerals and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
METHODS:
A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed using summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies of European populations, including 18 382 ASD cases and 27 969 controls. Genetic data for iron, calcium, and magnesium were obtained from the UK Biobank, and data for zinc and selenium were sourced from an Australian-British cohort. A total of 351 genetic instrumental variables were selected. Causal inference was performed using inverse-variance weighting as the primary analysis method. Sensitivity analyses were performed by Cochran's Q test and MR-PRESSO global test to assess the robustness of the findings.
RESULTS:
No statistically significant causal effect was observed for circulating zinc, magnesium, calcium, selenium, or iron levels on ASD risk (all P>0.05). The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals from the inverse-variance weighting analysis were 0.934 (0.869-1.003) for zinc, 1.315 (0.971-1.850) for magnesium, 1.055 (0.960-1.159) for calcium, 1.015 (0.953-1.080) for selenium, and 0.946 (0.687-1.303) for iron. Sensitivity analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in the causal association between circulating calcium and ASD (P=0.006), while the effect estimate remained stable after MR-PRESSO correction (P=0.487). The causal effect estimates for the remaining minerals demonstrated good robustness.
CONCLUSIONS
This study did not find significant evidence supporting a causal association between circulating zinc, magnesium, calcium, selenium, or iron levels and ASD risk, providing important clues for the etiology of ASD and precision nutritional interventions.
Humans
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics*
;
Magnesium/blood*
;
Zinc/blood*
;
Minerals/blood*
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Selenium/blood*
5.The Effect of Histone Deacetylase on the Pathogenesis of Burkitt Lymphoma.
Chun-Tuan LI ; Bing-Bing LI ; Dan WENG ; Wan-Lin YANG ; Shao-Xiong WANG ; Yan ZHENG ; Dan WANG ; Xiong-Peng ZHU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):796-801
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of Burkitt lymphoma cells, and the changes in related signaling molecules in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, so as to explore the pathogenesis of Burkitt lymphoma.
METHODS:
HDAC levels in Burkitt lymphoma were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. CA46 and RAJI cells were treated with the HDAC selective inhibitor VPA. CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of cells. Western Blot was used to measure the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway proteins and their phosphorylation levels.
RESULTS:
The expression levels of classⅠ HDAC in Burkitt lymphoma were higher than those in normal cells, and the HDAC1 inhibitor VPA could inhibit the proliferation of CA46 and RAJI cells. VPA decreased HDAC expression in CA46 and RAJI cells, inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway molecules AKT and p70S6K, increased the expression of apoptotic proteins Cleaved Caspase-3, Cleaved Caspase-8, Cleaved Caspase-9 and Bax, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and PARP.
CONCLUSION
Inhibition of HDAC activity can Attenuate the proliferation of Burkitt lymphoma cells and induce apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activity.
Humans
;
Burkitt Lymphoma/pathology*
;
Apoptosis
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Signal Transduction
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Histone Deacetylases/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology*
;
Phosphorylation
6.Analysis of Gene Mutations Distribution and Enzyme Activity of G6PD Deficiency in Newborns in Guilin Region.
Dong-Mei YANG ; Guang-Li WANG ; Dong-Lang YU ; Dan ZENG ; Hai-Qing ZHENG ; Wen-Jun TANG ; Qiao FENG ; Kai LI ; Chun-Jiang ZHU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1405-1411
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the distribution characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) mutations and their enzyme activity in newborns patients with G6PD deficiency in Guilin region.
METHODS:
From July 2022 to July 2024, umbilical cord blood samples from 4 554 newborns in Guilin were analyzed for G6PD mutations using fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis. Enzyme activity was detected in 4 467 cases using the rate assay.
RESULTS:
Among 4 467 newborns who underwent G6PD activity testing, 162 newborns (3.63%) were identified as G6PD-deficient, including 142 males (6.04%) and 20 females (0.94%), the prevalence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.001). Genetic analysis of 4 554 newborns detected G6PD mutations in 410 cases (9%), including 171 males (7.13%) and 239 females (11.09%), with a significantly higher mutation detection rate in females than in males (P < 0.001). A total of nine single mutations and four compound heterozygous mutations were identified. The most common mutations were c.1388G>A (33.66%), c.1376G>T (23.66%) and c.95A>G (16.34%). Among newborns who underwent both enzyme activity and genetic mutation testing, males with G6PD mutations had significantly lower enzyme activity than that of females with G6PD mutations(P < 0.001). Specifically, among newborns carrying the mutations c.1388G>A, c.1376G>T, c.95A>G, c.1024C>T or c.871G>A, males consistently exhibited lower enzymatic activity than females with the same mutations (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in male G6PD-deficient newborns, the enzyme activity levels in those carrying c.1388G>A, c.1376G>T, c.95A>G, c.1024C>T, or c.871G>A were lower than those in both the control group and the c.519C>T group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study provides a comprehensive profile of G6PD deficiency incidence and mutation spectrum in the Guilin region. By analyzing enzyme activity and genetic mutation results, this study provides insights into potential intervention strategies and personalized management approaches for the prevention and treatment of neonatal G6PD deficiency in the region.
Humans
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/epidemiology*
;
Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Mutation
;
China/epidemiology*
7.The application of surgical robots in head and neck tumors.
Xiaoming HUANG ; Qingqing HE ; Dan WANG ; Jiqi YAN ; Yu WANG ; Xuekui LIU ; Chuanming ZHENG ; Yan XU ; Yanxia BAI ; Chao LI ; Ronghao SUN ; Xudong WANG ; Mingliang XIANG ; Yan WANG ; Xiang LU ; Lei TAO ; Ming SONG ; Qinlong LIANG ; Xiaomeng ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Renhui CHEN ; Zhaohui LIU ; Faya LIANG ; Ping HAN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(11):1001-1008
8.Spermidine inactivates proteasome activity and enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer.
Dan FENG ; Jian ZHANG ; Huanmin NIU ; Xiaoxue ZHENG ; Mengqi JIA ; Qiqi LU ; Jing WANG ; Wenxue GUO ; Qi SUN ; Huiqing YUAN ; Hongxiang LOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2095-2113
The elevated polyamines, amine-rich molecules with diverse functions in pathophysiology processes, are implicated in contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Whether and how they affect the efficacy of chemotherapy is incompletely understood. Our screening assays reveal that the supplement with a low dose of spermidine (Spd), one of the polyamines, enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular Fe2+ levels in vitro. Combination treatment with Spd and a low dose of ferroptosis inducer erastin synergistically augments anti-tumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity in mice. Analysis of RNA-seq data indicates that heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of heme to release Fe2+, is significantly upregulated in response to Spd and erastin cotreatment. Spd mediated the hypusine modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) promotes the translation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), subsequently leading to elevation of HMOX1. Moreover, Spd and erastin significantly inhibit proteasome activity which results in a decrease in proteasomal degradation of NRF2, although many proteasome-related genes are induced either by Spd or Spd plus erastin. Thus, in addition to its pro-oncogenic activity, the supplement of Spd improves antitumor activity in combination with ferroptosis inducers and offers an optional approach to cancer treatment.
9.A cisplatin prodrug-based self-assembling ozone delivery nanosystem sensitizes radiotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
Tianyue XU ; Dan ZHENG ; Meixu CHEN ; Linlin SONG ; Zhihui LIU ; Yan CHENG ; Yujie ZHAO ; Liwen HUANG ; Yixuan LI ; Zhankun YANG ; Cong LI ; Biao DONG ; Jing JING ; Hubing SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2703-2722
Lacking therapeutic targets highlights the crucial roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To relieve the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy combination regimen, we design and develop a self-assembled micelle nanosystem consisting of perfluorocarbon chain-modified cisplatin prodrug. By incorporating perfluorodecalin, this nanosystem can effectively carry ozone and promote irradiation-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. By leveraging the perfluorocarbon sidechain, the nanosystem exhibits efficient internalization by TNBC cells and effectively escapes from lysosomal entrapment. Under X-ray irradiation, ozone-generated ROS disrupts the intracellular redox balance, thereby facilitating the release of cisplatin in a reduction-responsive manner mediated by reduced glutathione. Moreover, oxygen derived from ozone decomposition enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Notably, the combination of irradiation with ozone-loaded cisplatin prodrug nano system synergistically prompts antitumor efficacy and reduces cellular/systemic toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the combo regimen remodels the tumor microenvironment into an immune-favored state by triggering immunogenic cell death and relieving hypoxia, which provides a promising foundation for a combination regimen of immunotherapy. In conclusion, our nanosystem presents a novel strategy for integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to optimize the efficacy and safety of TNBC clinical treatment.
10.The impact of migration experience on the chronic disease of rural older adults:Based on CHARLS 2011-2020 data
Dan TANG ; Xing-yu LI ; Zheng-min GONG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(5):50-57
Objective:To analyze the effect of migration experiences during working age on the status of chronic disease development among rural older adults.Methods:Based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),this study applied regression model and group-based trajectory model to examines the impact of migration experience on the status and growth trajectories of chronic diseases among rural older adults.Results:(1)Rural older adults with migration experience are more likely to develop chronic diseases and have a greater number of chronic disease in later life.(2)Rural older adults with migration experiences have a higher starting point and a faster rate of growth trajectory of chronic disease.Suggestions:It is necessary to strengthen occupational protection and health education for the rural-urban migrant population,reinforce the intervention and management of chronic diseases for the returning population,and improve the whole life-cycle medical insurance system,to break the disadvantageous cumulative effect of migration experience on health.

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