1.Yishen Tongluo Prescription Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Injury in Mouse Model of Diabetic Kidney Disease via Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Signaling Pathway
Yifei ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Shujiao ZHANG ; Shuaixing ZHANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):41-51
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yishen Tongluo prescription in protecting mice from oxidative stress injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) signaling pathway. MethodsSpecific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=50). The DKD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice in the modeling group were randomized into a model group, a semaglutide (40 μg·kg-1) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (18.2, 9.1, 4.55 g·kg-1, respectively) Yishen Tongluo prescription groups, with 10 mice in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Blood glucose and 24-h urine protein levels were measured, and the kidney index (KI) was calculated. Serum levels of creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic acid-silver methenamine, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure the levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of factors in the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group, the DKD model group showed rises in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with glomerular hypertrophy, renal tubular dilation, thickened basement membrane, mesangial expansion, and collagen deposition. Additionally, the model group showed elevated levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, lowered levels of GSH and T-AOC, up-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and down-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the semaglutide group and the medium- and high-dose Yishen Tongluo prescription groups showed reductions in blood glucose, 24-h urine protein, KI, SCr, BUN, and ALT levels, along with alleviated pathological injuries in the renal tissue. In addition, the three groups showed lowered levels of β2-MG, NGAL, KIM-1, L-FABP, NOS, and 8-OHdG, elevated levels of GSH and T-AOC, down-regulated expression of MDA and Keap1, and up-regulated expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GCLC (P<0.05). ConclusionYishen Tongluo prescription exerts renoprotective effects in the mouse model of DKD by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway, mitigating oxidative stress, and reducing renal tubular injuries.
2.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to ameliorate pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice
Yifei ZHANG ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Jiayi WANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Xi GUO ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):21-33
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated.
Conclusion
Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
3.Signal mining and analysis of adverse drug events of tirzepatide
Zeyu XIE ; Zhuoru LIANG ; Guimei ZHENG ; Weiling CAO ; Jisheng CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):956-960
OBJECTIVE To identify and analyze adverse drug event (ADE) signals associated with tirzepatide based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, providing a reference for clinical medication safety. METHODS ADE reports from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, with tirzepatide as the primary suspected drug, were extracted from the FAERS database. Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities was used to systematically categorize the selected system organ class (SOC) and preferred term of ADE. Signal mining and analysis were performed using the reporting odds ratio method and the proportional reporting ratio method. RESULTS A total of 39 229 ADE reports related to tirzepatide were obtained, including 3 934 severe ADE reports (10.03%). The majority of severe ADE reports were related to hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization (3.82%), involving 131 positive ADE signals. Among the reports with documented patient gender and age, 26 195 were female (66.77%), 7 869 were male (20.06%), and the majority of patients were aged 18-64 years (54.26%). The top three most frequently reported ADE were injection site pain, nausea, and injection site hemorrhage. Strong ADE signals not mentioned in the tirzepatide instruction included injection site coldness, starvation ketoacidosis, injection site hemorrhage, hunger, elevated adrenaline, injection site skin cracking, binge eating, skin laxity, intestinal sepsis, lack of satiety, and dysesthesia. Subgroup analysis for patient’s gender and age showed differences in the proportion of ADE reports across different SOC. Male patients or those aged≥65 years had a higher risk of gastrointestinal system disorders compared to female patients or those aged <65 years. CONCLUSIONS In clinical use of tirzepatide, in addition to monitoring ADE listed in the instruction, attention should also be paid to ADE not mentioned in the instruction, such as injection site coldness, starvation ketoacidosis, injection site hemorrhage, elevated adrenaline, and intestinal sepsis, to ensure patient safety.
4.Rapid health technology assessment of tirzepatide for diabetes mellitus type 2 and long-term weight management
Zeyu XIE ; Yinuo LIU ; Zhuoru LIANG ; Yaohua CAO ; Guimei ZHENG ; Weiling CAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1141-1146
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of tirzepatide for diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and long-term weight management, and provide evidence-based basis for clinical drug treatment and health insurance policy formulation. METHODS Computer searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CNKI and health technology assessment (HTA) official website from their inception to October 1st 2024 to collect HTA report, systematic review/ meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomic study on tirzepatide for the treatment of T2DM or for weight management. After data extraction and quality evaluation, descriptive analysis was performed on the research results. RESULTS Totally 18 papers were included, including 14 systematic reviews/meta-analyses and 4 pharmacoeconomics studies, and no HTA report was retrieved. In terms of efficacy, most results showed that the tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg were significantly better than other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in reducing glycosylated hemoglobin, body weight, and waist circumference (P<0.05). In terms of safety, compared with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, tirzepatide did not increase the incidence of gastrointestinal-related adverse events (AE), the incidence of AE of grade ≥3, or the incidence of severe hypoglycemia (P>0.05). However, tirzepatide 15 mg may significantly increased the incidence of hypoglycemia and the rate of discontinuation due to adverse reactions (P< 0.05). In terms of cost-effectiveness, based on the background of foreign pharmacoeconomic studies, tirzepatide was more cost- effective compared to semaglutide and liraglutide in the treatment of T2DM or for weight management. CONCLUSIONS Tirzepatide at doses of 10 mg and 15 mg has good efficacy and safety for the treatment of T2DM and for long-term weight management. However, when using the 15 mg dose of tirzepatide, close monitoring is required due to the risk of hypoglycemia and discontinuation due to adverse reactions it may pose. Based on pharmacoeconomic studies conducted abroad results, tirzepatide exhibits economic advantages.
6.Research on establishing gastric cancer lymph node metastasis prediction model based on machine learning and routine laboratory indicators
Jianliang YAN ; Zeyu XIE ; Rongrong JING ; Ming CUI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(6):844-849
Objective To establish a prediction model for lymph node metastasis(LNM)of gastric cancer based on routine laboratory indicators using machine learning algorithms.Methods This study collected data of 741 gastric cancer patients at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between January 2020 and January 2022 for model training and testing.Additionally,data of 102 gastric cancer patients between January 2023 and October 2023 were collected for model validation.XGBoost algorithm was used to calculate the importance of indicators and filter out a set of important indicators from 66 indicators.Five machine learning algorithms,including K-Nearest Neighbor,Support Vector Machine,Multilayer Perceptron,Random Forest and Adaboost,were constructed and trained for comparative analysis.Furthermore,the stability and accuracy of the model were further validated on the validation set.Results This study selected a set of important indicators composed of 9 routine laboratory indicators and trained the gastric cancer LNM prediction model,named V9.Additionally,through comparative experiments,it was found that the Adaboost algorithm based on the boosting strategy had the best performance,with evaluation metrics such as area under the curve,F1 score,accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity ranging from 0.833 to 0.968.The accuracy of the predictions on the validation set was 94.12%.Conclusion V9 was a gastric cancer LNM prediction model that has auxiliary clinical diagnostic value.It can be used to assess the risk of patients accurately and provide a basis for clinical decision-making.
7.Sestrin1 is involved in the regulation of gluconeogenesis in mouse liver cells
Yanfang GUO ; Chao GENG ; Xianghong XIE ; Enhui CHEN ; Zeyu GUO ; Minglong ZHANG ; Xiaojun LIU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(2):141-146
Objective To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of stress-inducing protein 1(SESN1)in liver gluconeogenesis of fasting mice.Methods RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expression of SESN1 in liver tissues of C57BL/6J mice and primary mouse hepatocytes treated with forskolin(Fsk)and dexamethasone(Dex).HepG2 cells were transfected with plasmids and the effects of SESN1 overexpression on mRNA expression of gluconeogenesis related genes PGC-1α,PEPCK and G6Pase was detected by RT-qPCR.The effect of SESN1 on the promoter activity of PGC-1α in HepG2 cells was studied using a dual luciferase reporter system.The effect of SESN1 on PGC-1α deacetylation was detected by overexpression of SESN1 and inhibition of SIRT1 expression.By knocking down SIRT1 expression,we detected whether it mediated the changes in mRNA levels of SESN1 in-duced gluconeogenesis related genes.Results The mRNA expression of SESN1 was significantly increased in liver tissues of starved C57BL/6J mice and in primary hepatocytes treated with Fsk and Dex(P<0.001).Over-expression of SESN1 in HepG2 cells promoted mRNA expression of PGC-1α,PEPCK and G6Pase(P<0.001)and promoter activity of PGC-1α(P<0.001).Over-expression of SESN1 decreased the acetylation level of PGC-1α in primary hepatocytes.Sirt family inhibitors NAM and shRNA adenovirus interfered with SIRT1 expression respective-ly,and antagonized the deacetylation effect of SESN1 on PGC-1α.The expression of PGC-1α,PEPCK and G6Pase induced by SIRT1 was also significantly impaired(P<0.000 1).Conclusions SESN1 regulates liver gluconeogene-sis in mice with a SIRT1-dependent mechanism.
8.Cost-utility analysis of 5 kinds of GLP-1RAs in the treatment of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin
Zeyu XIE ; Mengting LI ; Jia HU ; Jisheng CHEN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(6):718-723
OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of five glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP- 1RAs) in the treatment of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. METHODS Baseline data from patients in previously published meta-analysis and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted to predict survival, long-term efficacy, and costs for each group using the United Kingdom prospective diabetes study outcome model 2.1. The cost-effectiveness of 5 GLP-1RAs (liraglutide, lixisenatide, exenatide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide) was analyzed by cost- utility analysis. Sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were also performed to verify the uncertainty of basic analysis results. RESULTS A total of 21 RCTs with 6 796 patients were included. Survival analysis curves showed the superiority of semaglutide in reducing the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and dulaglutide in reducing the risk of all-cause mortality over other GLP- 1RAs. The cost-utility analysis showed that the five drugs were economically superior to inferior in the order of lixisenatide, semaglutide, exenatide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide; one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were robust. The scenario analysis results indicated that the price of semaglutide should decrease by at least 54.64% to 369.21 yuan, which is cost-effectiveness compared to lixisenatide. CONCLUSIONS For T2DM patients in China with poor glycemic control after treatment with metformin, lixisenatide and semaglutide may be considered as the preferred regimen.
9.The effects of gelatin or polydopamine-modified poly caprolactone electrospun membranes on the biological behavior and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells
Zeyu XIE ; Yanyin LIN ; Hong WANG ; Yingzhen LAI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(4):499-507
Objective:To compare the effects of gelatin(Gel)and polydopamine(PDA)modification of polycaprolactone(PCL)on the biological behaviour and osteogenic function of osteoblasts.Methods:PCL electrospun membranes were prepared by electrostatic spinning technique,PCL surface was modified by Gel and PDA respectively as G/PCL and D/PCL with chemical self-assembly tech-nique,and the physicochemical properties of the electrospun membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS)and contact angle measurement.The MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion morphology was observed by SEM,immunofluorescence staining followed by confocal microscopy(CLSM),cell proliferation at 1,3 and 5 d was tested by CCK-8 assay,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining,alizarin red staining and qRT-PCR were used to detect osteogenic gene expression of the cells.Results:A coating of PDA particles was observed on the surface of D/PCL film.FTIR and XPS showed that the characteristic peaks of Gel and PDA,and there was no obvious droplets on the surface of G/PCL and D/PCL ob-served by contact angle test.Cell density of G/PCL group was higher,the adhesion morphology was good and pseudopods were obvi-ous.CCK-8 assay showed the highest proliferation of the cells on G/PCL(P<0.05).ALP and alizarin red staining of the cells were stronger in D/PCL group than in the other 2 groups.qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression of ALP,COL-1,RUNX2 and OCN was higher in the D/PCL group than in the other 2 groups.Conclusion:Both Gel and PDA modification can enhance the cell adhesion,proliferation and osteogenic properties of PCL scaffolds,Gel modification may induce a more pronounced proliferative effect and PDA modification more pronounced osteogenic effect.
10.Effect of Stemona tuberosa Alkaloids on Apoptosis and PI3K/Akt and JNK/MAPK Signaling Pathways of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Si LIN ; Huizhen QIN ; Zeyu LI ; Liba XU ; Lingyu DENG ; Jing LUO ; Fengfeng XIE ; Miao ZHANG ; Hua ZHU ; Xiaoxun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):69-76
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids (STA) on apoptosis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (JNK/p38 MAPK) signaling pathways in human lung cancer A549 cells. MethodA549 cells were classified into blank group and STA groups (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1). Thiazole blue (MTT) assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was observed based on Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), and Bcl-2, and the expression of PI3K, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, JNK, p-JNK, p38 MAPK, and p-p38 MAPK. ResultCompared with the blank group, STA groups (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) demonstrated the increase in inhibition rate of cell proliferation (P<0.01) and cell clone inhibition rate, and decrease in cell clone formation rate (P<0.01). In comparison with the blank group, STA groups showed typical characteristics of apoptosis, such as chromatin condensation and enhanced fluorescence reaction. The apoptosis rate of STA groups was significantly higher than that of the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA had no significant influence on the total protein expression of PI3K, Akt, JNK, and p38 MAPK. However, STA (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly decreased the levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased the level of p-p38 MAPK (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA (200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly raised the level of p-JNK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSTA can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and activating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.


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