1.Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on Mice with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy
Li GUO ; Hengwen CHEN ; Cun ZHAN ; Zhenzhen YING ; Zuomin WU ; Shaoju JIN ; Shangmei CAO ; Shengming HUANG ; Jin WANG ; Xiaotao YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):34-43
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) in mice via the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1/E3 ubiquitin ligase (PINK1/Parkin) signaling pathway-mediated mitophagy, and to explore the underlying mechanism by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang improves CI/RI. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12 per group): Sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups (8.84, 17.68, 35.36 g·kg-1·d-1), and an aspirin group (13.00 mg·kg-1·d-1). Neurological deficit scores were assessed using the Zea-Longa method. Cerebral infarct volume ratio was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes and neuronal injury in brain tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondrial ultrastructure in brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ), and p62 in brain tissues were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the MCAO/R model group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Severe cortical injury on the infarct side was observed, characterized by decreased neuronal density, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, a marked reduction in Nissl bodies, dissolution of Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm of some pyramidal neurons, and blurred cellular boundaries. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased significantly (P<0.01). Mitochondria exhibited cristae membrane rupture and matrix vacuolation, with rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and formation of autophagosomes, the number of which increased significantly. Serum SOD activity decreased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content increased significantly (P<0.01). In infarcted brain tissues of model mice, the relative mRNA expression and protein levels of PINK1, Parkin and LC3B were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), whereas p62 mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed significantly decreased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Neuronal density increased significantly, cytoplasmic vacuolation was alleviated, nuclear morphology tended to be more regular and clearer, Nissl body density increased significantly with reduced dissolution and improved contour clarity. The mitochondrial cristae structure was partially restored, with some mitochondria showing autophagosome encapsulation, and the degree of mitochondrial damage was alleviated. Serum SOD activity increased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content decreased significantly. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while p62 mRNA and protein expression in the low- and medium-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. ConclusionModified Buyang Huanwu Tang can upregulate the protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and downregulate p62 protein expression, suggesting that it may improve CI/RI by regulating the expression of proteins related to the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway. Regulation of the mitophagy pathway may be one of the mechanisms by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang alleviates CI/RI in mice.
2.Analysis of Pharmacodynamic Material Basis, Mechanisms, and Efficacy-related Quality Markers of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix with Different Therapeutic Effect
Xiaowei MENG ; Zhenzhen YANG ; Wenting WU ; Ronghua LIU ; Yongmei GUAN ; Hui OUYANG ; Liping HUANG ; Yaqi WANG ; Qiong LI ; Huanhuan DONG ; Jianping GONG ; Weifeng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):269-281
Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix are the dried roots of Pueraria lobata and Pueraria thomsonii of the Leguminosae family, respectively. Since their separate inclusion in the 2005 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the two herbs have been individually recorded. Although they share the same functions and indications, the required content of puerarin differs by a factor of up to eightfold between them. The current quality standard relies solely on a single indicator, puerarin, which fails to reflect the correlation between chemical constituents and core therapeutic effects. This has resulted in prominent issues of mixed use in clinical practice and production, thereby constraining the high-quality development of the industry. Modern research has demonstrated that Puerariae Lobatae Radix contains a comprehensive range and higher content of isoflavonoid constituents, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix is rich in starch and polysaccharides. Puerariae Lobatae Radix exhibits stronger effects in antipyresis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and central analgesia, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix demonstrates greater advantages in anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia, and peripheral analgesia. Based on this, the chemical material bases of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix at both the macromolecule and micromolecule levels were systematically reviewed and compared. The pharmacodynamic material bases and mechanisms of action underlying their three core therapeutic effects, namely "relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat", "promoting fluid production to quench thirst", and "dredging channels and activating collaterals", were summarized. The most highly correlated common metabolic pathway shared by both herbs for these three therapeutic effects is the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and their common core target is prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). This review provided clinical application recommendations based on the therapeutic differences between the two herbs, elucidated the scientific connotation of their "same origin but different effects", and, grounded in the quality marker (Q-Marker), proposed the concept of efficacy-related Q-Marker based on "substance-efficacy-syndrome" association, as well as a novel strategy for efficacy-oriented quality evaluation. Preliminary screening of quality markers associated with different therapeutic effects was also conducted. This study aims to provide critical scientific evidence for the precise clinical application of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix, the improvement of quality standards, and the high-quality development of the industry.
3.Prevalence and influencing factor of high myopia with fundus lesions in active-duty military personel
Shuqi SONG ; Di HUANG ; Xiaojuan LI ; Xueying WANG ; Zhenzhen WU ; Yongfeng SUN
International Eye Science 2026;26(10):1860-1864
AIM:To investigate the prevalence of ocular fundus lesions among active-duty military personnel with high myopia and to analyze the associated influencing factors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Subjects included military personnel with high myopia(≤-6.00 D)and elongated axial length(≥26 mm). A systematic evaluation protocol was implemented, consisting of standardized questionnaires, general physical health examinations, and comprehensive ophthalmic assessments. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to screen for fundus lesions in highly myopic subjects, and the prevalence of related lesions was calculated. Axial length, refractive error, best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and macular ganglion cell complex(GCC)thickness were measured. Univariate analysis was performed to compare differences in the above parameters between highly myopic subjects with and without concomitant fundus lesions. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was further applied to identify risk factors for fundus lesions.
RESULTS:A total of 134 male patients(268 eyes)were enrolled, with the mean age of 24.5±3.2 y. Of the 268 eyes, 123 eyes(45.9%)showed positive signs of fundus lesions. Among these, parapapillary blood flow density reduction was found in 84 eyes(31.3%), GCC thinning in 46 eyes(17.2%), drusen in 8 eyes(3.0%), optic disc edema in 7 eyes(2.6%), retinoschisis in 6 eyes(2.2%), and choroidal excavation in 3 eyes(1.1%). BCVA was significantly lower in highly myopic patients with retinoschisis than in those without retinoschisis(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that refractive error, axial length, and posterior scleral expansion were associated with the occurrence of fundus lesions(P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that axial length(OR=2.52, 95%CI: 1.67-3.80, P<0.001)and posterior scleral expansion(OR=3.12, 95%CI: 1.65-5.92, P<0.01)were significant risk factors for fundus lesions in highly myopic military personnel.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of fundus lesions is relatively high among active-duty military personnel with high myopia. Peripapillary flow density reduction and GCC thinning are the most common manifestations in this population. Increased axial length and posterior scleral ectasia are significant contributing factors. It is recommended that OCT be incorporated into routine ophthalmic examinations for these military personnel, thereby providing a basis for the early detection and intervention of fundus lesions.
4.Expression of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in Neuroblastoma and its Correlation with MYCN Expression
Yixi WU ; Rui PAN ; Yang YANG ; Liang FENG ; Weirui WU ; Zhenzhen FANG ; Weiwei QI ; Xia YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(2):227-237
ObjectiveTo explore the key genes influencing diacylglycerol metabolism in neuroblastoma (NB), clarify the expression and clinical significance of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) in NB, and provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of NB. MethodsNB transcriptome data were obtained from GEO (GSE49710) and TCGA (TARGET-NBL) databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) commonly upregulated in MYCN-amplified groups were screened, and the key gene DGAT2 was identified by intersecting the screened DEGs with the diacylglycerol metabolism-related gene set followed by prognostic analysis and comparison. The expression of DGAT2 was analyzed via the R2 database. The potential impact of DGAT2 on the immune microenvironment was explored by combining the single-cell dataset GSE137804. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression level of DGAT2 and its correlation with MYCN expression in 55 clinical NB tissues and mouse xenograft tumor tissues. ResultsA total of 907 DEGs commonly upregulated in the MYCN-amplified groups were screened, among which three DEGs were highly expressed in the diacylglycerol metabolism-related gene set (P<0.05). After comparison, DGAT2 was found to have the most significant impact on prognosis (HR=1.4, 95% CI:1.2,1.7; P=5.41×10-7). Survival analysis showed that patients with high DGAT2 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival. Single-cell analysis revealed that high expression of DGAT2 led to an immunosuppressive microenvironment in NB. IHC results showed that the expression of DGAT2 in NB tissues was significantly positively correlated with MYCN expression in the tumor tissue microarrays of clinical NB patients and the tissues of mouse ectopic xenograft tumors (rs=0.369 4,P<0.01). ConclusionsDGAT2 is highly expressed in MYCN-amplified NB, and may independently predict poor prognosis in NB patients. It is expected to become a diagnostic marker for NB and a potential therapeutic target for MYCN-amplified NB.
5.Effects of long-chain non-coding RNA U73166 on proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting miR-618 and its mechanism
Zhenzhen LIU ; Wei LIU ; Lina GUAN ; Nan WU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(3):264-270
Objective:To analyze the expression of long-chain non-coding RNA U73166 in lung cancer tissues and its relationship with patients′ prognosis, and to explore the effects of silencing U73166 on proliferation and invasion of lung cancer H1299 cells and its regulatory mechanism. Methods:The expression level of U73166 in lung cancer tissues and normal tissues, as well as its correlation with lung cancer patients′ overall survival, were analyzed using the gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) database. After culturing, H1299 cells were divided into a control group and a transfection group based on treatment conditions, and were transfected with 25 μmol/L of U73166 negative control and U73166 inhibitor, respectively. The effects of silencing U73166 on the relative expression of U73166 and microRNA-618 ( miR-618) genes in H1299 cells were assessed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR method. A cell counting kit-8 assay was used to evaluate the impact of silencing U73166 on the viability of H1299 cells. A transwell invasion assay was performed to detect the invasive ability of H1299 cells. The Linc2GO database and a dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and verify the binding site between U73166 and miR-618. Western blotting was used to analyze the relative expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), and phosphorylated signal-transducing adaptor molecule 1 (p-STAM1) in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to evaluate the effects of silencing U73166 on this pathway in H1299 cells. Data were analyzed by an independent sample t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results:Analysis of the GEPIA database revealed that U73166 relative expression level in lung cancer tissues ( n=383) was significantly higher than that in normal tissues ( n=347) ( P<0.01). The overall survival of lung cancer patients with low U73166 expression [(245±2) months] was longer than that of patients with high U73166 expression [(167±2) months] ( P<0.05). The relative expression of U73166 were 7.81±0.99 in the control group and 1.01±0.26 in the transfection group, respectively, and the relative expression of miR-618 were 1.03±0.20 in the control group and 4.83±1.27 in the transfection group, respectively. Silencing U73166 significantly downregulated its expression ( t=6.66, P<0.01) and upregulated the relative expression of miR-618 ( t=2.96, P<0.01) in H1299 cells. After silencing U73166, the absorbance values of H1299 cells in the transfection group on days 2, 3, 4, and 5 (0.36±0.04, 0.74±0.05, 1.07±0.09, and 1.18±0.10) were significantly lower than those in the control group (0.55±0.03, 1.20±0.08, 1.63±0.07, and 1.90±0.07) ( P<0.05, 0.01). The number of invasive cells in the control and transfection groups were 52.03±6.08 and 19.92±3.78, respectively. There were significantly fewer invasive cells in the transfection group ( t=4.49, P<0.01). After transfection with wild-type U73166, the relative luciferase activity in the miR-618 group (0.32±0.05) was significantly lower than that in the miR-negtive control group (0.96±0.15) ( t=4.02, P<0.01). However, after transfection with mutant U73166, there was no statistically significant difference in relative luciferase activity between the miR-618 group (1.01±0.15) and the miR-negtive control group (1.03±0.11) ( t=0.09, P>0.05). The relative expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-STAM1 proteins in the transfection group were 2.08±0.21, 1.36±0.20, and 0.55±0.12, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those in the control group (3.72?±?0.29, 5.56?±?0.19, and 4.38±0.17) (all P<0.01). Conclusions:U73166 is highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and lung cancer cells, and its expression is related to lung cancer patients′ overall survival. Silencing U73166 can target miR-618, which inhibits the proliferation and invasion of H1299 cells.
6.Discussion on the Intestinal Immune Mechanism and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Hashimoto Thyroiditis Based on"Wood Depression and Earth Stagnation"
Guijie WANG ; Yukun WU ; Zongliang YU ; Zhenzhen QIAN ; Jianxin WANG ; Rui GAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):172-176
Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)is one of the most common autoimmune diseases."Wood depression and earth stagnation"is its important pathogenesis.Liver depression and qi stagnation,wood depression multiplies the earth,spleen deficiency and earth stagnation,phlegm and blood stasis intermingle,resulting in wood depression and earth stagnation.Or middle-earth stagnation insults wood in turn,liver yang deficiency,wood depression,and failure to disperse and discharge,resulting in earth stagnation and wood depression.It may be related to the intestinal immune mechanism in modern medical study.Based on the theory of"wood depression and earth stagnation",this article discussed the pathogenesis of HT from the perspective of wood depression and imbalance of microbe-gut-brain axis,earth stagnation and dysbiosis of intestinal flora,damage to the intestinal barrier,and proposed the treatment principles,i.e.,"disperse stagnated liver qi for relieving qi stagnation,ascend yang and regulate qi""eliminate stagnation and remove turbidity,invigorate spleen and restore normal movement",which could provide the ideas for mechanism research and clinical treatment of HT.
7.LAMB1 regulates the expression of glutamate receptors in mouse cerebral cortical neurons through the ERK/F-actin pathway
Zhenzhen LI ; Kexin LIU ; Wanneng LIU ; Zhiwei DOU ; Shuai WANG ; Yang TANG ; Ceng LUO ; Shengxi WU
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(5):549-555
Objective:To evaluate the role and molecular mechanism of laminin β1(LAMB1)in cortical neurons in regulation of glutamate receptors.Methods:Recombinant lentivirus(LV-shLamb1)-mediated knockdown of LAMB1 expression in mouse primary cortical neurons was performed,followed by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot to detect changes in F-actin,glutamate receptor subtypes(AMPA receptors GluR1/GluR2,NMDA receptors NR1/NR2A),and ERK-related protein expression in cortical neurons.Results:LV-shLamb1 significantly inhibited LAMB1 expression in mouse cortical neurons.Concurrently,LV-shLamb1 markedly increased F-actin polymerization,as well as the expression of AMPA receptor subunits GluR1 and GluR2,and NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2A.Further,Western blot detection showed that the phosphorylation level of ERK was significantly increased after LV-shLamb1 infec-tion.Conclusion:LAMB1 is expressed in cortical neurons.Suppression of LAMB1 expression in mouse cortical neu-rons activates the ERK pathway,which in turn promotes the polymerization of the cytoskeletal protein F-actin and the expression of glutamate receptors.This suggests that LAMB1 may regulate F-actin homeostasis and glutamate receptor levels through the ERK pathway,thereby playing a potentially important role in neuronal function.
8.MR modulated flip angle technique in refocused imaging with extended echo train contrast enhanced T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery(MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR)sequence for detecting skull metastases
Junhong LIU ; Junhui YUAN ; Zhenzhen ZHANG ; Suya QIAO ; Huiyuan YANG ; Dongqiu SHAN ; Yue WU ; Chunmiao XU ; Xuejun CHEN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(8):516-519
Objective To explore the value of MR modulated flip angle technique in refocused imaging with extended echo train(MATRIX)contrast enhanced(CE)T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery(T1 FLAIR)for detecting skull metastases.Methods Forty-four patients with malignant tumors who underwent head MR scanning for screening skull metastasis were prospectively enrolled,and skull metastasis were then confirmed by pathology or imaging examinations,including MRI,CT,radionuclide bone imaging(BS),PET/CT and follow-up.Head MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR(group A),3D gradient recalled echo_fast spin echo with magnetization preparation(GRE_fsp)CE-T1 FLAIR(group B)and fast spin echo(FSE)CE-T1 FLAIR(group C)images of all 44 cases were acquired.The subjective scores(including images quality and diagnostic confidence)and objective evaluation results of images were compared among groups.Taken BS or PET/CT results as standards,the efficacy of 3 kinds of images for detecting skull metastases was calculated.Results The subjective scores of images quality and diagnostic confidence,as well as signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in group A and C were all higher than those in group B(all P<0.001),and signal intensity(SI)metastases in group A was higher than those in group B and C(both P<0.05).No significant difference of subjective score and SNR was found between groups A and C,nor of SImetastases between groups B and C(all P>0.05).Totally 102 skull metastases were diagnosed with PET/CT or BS,while 129,151 and 115 lesions were detected in group A,B and C,respectively,with accuracy rate of 79.07%(102/129),67.55%(102/151)and 88.70%(102/115),respectively.Conclusion MATRIX CE-T1 FLAIR sequence could be used to detect skull metastases.
9.Research progress in animal models of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury
Yihan ZHANG ; Zhenzhen HUANG ; Haiting FAN ; Wenbin WU ; Chaochao ZHANG ; Jinxia MI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(8):1235-1246
The global incidence rate of cancer is increasing yearly,and chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury has become a crucial factor affecting patients'therapeutic prognosis;however,there is currently a lack of effective therapeutic drugs to address this issue.There is thus an urgent need to establish more ideal animal models of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury,to support the exploration of its pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic drugs.This review considered relevant literature published during the period from 2019 to 2024,to provide a comprehensive summary and analysis from several perspectives,including the selection of experimental animals,chemotherapeutic drugs and modeling method,evaluation indicators,and practical applications.Furthermore,we highlight several existing issues with current models,including the lack of standardized modeling method,insufficient research on models with a tumor background,and inadequate exploration of novel cell death mechanisms.This collation of the literature also revealed the gradual emergence of traditional Chinese medicine as a research hotspot,with potential for the treatment of gastrointestinal mucosal injury.Further studies of effective medicines are warranted to identify interventional strategies for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury.
10.Subtypes and duration of postoperative delirium in elderly hip fracture patients and its impact on survival rate
Xiuling WU ; Juhong LOU ; Zhenzhen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(7):933-939
Objective:To explore the subtypes and duration of postoperative delirium in elderly hip fracture patients and analyze the impact of delirium in 6 months postoperative mortality.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select elderly hip fracture patients who underwent surgery at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from April 2021 to October 2023. General information and cognitive status were assessed using a demographic survey and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Postoperative delirium was evaluated and recorded twice daily for one week after surgery, distinguishing delirium subtypes. The differences in all-cause mortality within 6 months post-surgery among patients with different delirium subtypes were compared. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of each subtype and duration of delirium on mortality.Results:A total of 662 questionnaires were distributed, with 659 valid responses (valid response rate was 99.55%). Among the 659 elderly hip fracture patients, 249 cases (37.78%) experienced delirium. Based on the occurrence and subtype of postoperative delirium, patients were divided into four groups: non-delirium group ( n=410), hyperactive group ( n=95), hypoactive group ( n=66), and mixed group ( n=88). At the end of the 6 months follow-up, 91 patients had died. The mortality rates were 8.05% (33/410) in the non-delirium group, 11.58% (11/95) in the hyperactive group, 39.39% (26/66) in the hypoactive group, and 23.86% (21/88) in the mixed group, with statistically significant differences among the groups ( P<0.01). Time-dependent Cox regression analysis indicated that the duration of delirium was independently associated with 6 months postoperative mortality in the hypoactive group [ HR=2.420, P<0.01] and the mixed group [ HR=3.049, P<0.01] . Conclusions:The incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly hip fracture patients is moderately high, with hyperactive delirium being the most common subtype. Hypoactive and mixed delirium subtypes are independently associated with increased 6 months postoperative mortality. Prolonged delirium duration further increases the risk of death.

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