1.Necroptosis in Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage: Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms
Zhi-Fei KE ; Wen-Jing SONG ; Yun-Feng DONG ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1884-1895
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a frequent form of skeletal muscle microdamage that occurs after high-intensity, prolonged, or unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise dominated by eccentric contractions. It is commonly characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, transient loss of muscle strength, local inflammation, structural disruption of myofibers, and delayed functional recovery. Although mild EIMD may serve as a stimulus for training adaptation, excessive or insufficiently recovered muscle damage can impair exercise performance, disturb training continuity, and reduce participation in physical activity. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation, amplification, and resolution of EIMD is important for optimizing athletic training, improving post-exercise recovery, and guiding evidence-based public fitness practice. Necroptosis is a regulated form of programmed cell death mediated primarily by the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling axis. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis is closely involved in tissue injury, sterile inflammation, and repair remodeling. However, whether necroptosis acts as an initiating driver, a secondary damage amplifier, or an adaptive signal required for repair after EIMD remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in EIMD and to establish a mechanistic framework linking regulated cell death, inflammatory amplification, immune regulation, and skeletal muscle repair. Relevant studies concerning EIMD, necroptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammatory responses, immune cell recruitment, extracellular matrix remodeling, and muscle regeneration were reviewed and integrated. On this basis, the possible temporal and functional involvement of necroptosis in different phases of EIMD was analyzed. The main evidence summarized in this review suggests that EIMD is not merely a consequence of primary mechanical disruption. Instead, it develops through a dynamic sequence that includes sarcolemmal instability, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator production, immune cell infiltration, necrotic tissue clearance, and regeneration-associated remodeling. Necroptosis may participate in this process through at least two interconnected mechanisms. First, in the early or progressive phase of EIMD, activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis may promote MLKL phosphorylation and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to the release of DAMPs such as high-mobility group box 1, ATP, mitochondrial DNA, and other intracellular components. These signals may activate innate immune pathways, amplify inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, thereby aggravating secondary inflammation and extending muscle fiber injury. Second, during the resolution and repair phases, necroptosis-related signaling may also contribute indirectly to the formation of a regenerative microenvironment. By influencing the clearance of necrotic debris, the recruitment and phenotypic transition of immune cells, and the remodeling of extracellular matrix components, necroptosis may affect satellite cell activation, myogenic repair, and the eventual structural and functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle. Thus, the biological effect of necroptosis in EIMD may be context dependent rather than uniformly harmful. Its outcome may depend on exercise intensity, the extent of tissue damage, the timing of pathway activation, the involved cell types, inflammatory status, training background, age, and metabolic condition. In conclusion, necroptosis may represent an important molecular link between skeletal muscle injury, sterile inflammation, and tissue repair after damaging exercise. It may exert a dual role in EIMD by amplifying secondary damage while also contributing to repair coordination under appropriate temporal and microenvironmental conditions. Future studies should determine the activation pattern of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling after different exercise protocols, identify the major cell populations undergoing necroptosis in injured skeletal muscle, and examine whether targeted modulation of necroptosis can reduce excessive inflammation without impairing necessary regenerative responses. This review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of EIMD and for developing targeted strategies to improve skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced injury.
2.Comparative study on the predictive abilities of multiple inflammatory markers for the poor outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage
Qin HUANG ; Ziwei SONG ; Hongla KUANG ; Zhi ZHANG ; Yuping ZHU ; Lin WU ; Daojun HONG ; Jing LIN ; Min ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(2):103-108
Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between multiple inflammatory markers and poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and to compare their predictive abilities.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1,2015 to March 31,2023.According to the Modified Rankin Scale at 90 days after onset,the patients were divided into good outcome(mRS≤2 points)and poor outcome(mRS score≥3 points).Clinical information,laboratory examinations and follow-up data were compared between the two groups.Inflammatory markers include neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio(MHR),systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR),lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR),and systemic coagulation-inflammation index(SCI).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the predictors of poor prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was constructed to compare their predictive ability.Results A total of 510 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were included.Of those,297(58.2%)had good outcome,and 213(41.8%)had poor outcome.Comparison of baseline characteristics demonstrated that patients with poor prognosis had higher levels of white blood cells,neutrophils,high-density lipoprotein,fibrinogen,NLR,PLR,SIRI,SII,WMR at admission,larger baseline hematoma volume and baseline perihematomal edema volume,a higher proportion of lobar hemorrhage,older age,and lower levels of platelets,lymphocytes,LMR,and SCI(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that NLR(OR:1.081,95%CI:1.032~1.1131,P=0.001),SIRI(OR:1.089,95%CI:1.014~1.169,P=0.019),SII(OR:1.000,95%CI:1.000~1.001,P=0.011),WMR(OR:2.627,95%CI:1.267~5.445,P=0.009)were independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with ICH.In ROC analysis,the area under the curve of NLR(0.729,95%CI:0.685~0.774)was higher than SIRI(0.692,95%CI:0.645~0.738),SII(0.688,95%CI:0.641~0.735)and WMR(0.65,95%CI:0.602~0.698)for predicting poor outcomes.Conclusion NLR,SIRI,SII and WMR at admission are independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and NLR has the strongest predictive ability.
3.Comparative study on the predictive abilities of multiple inflammatory markers for the poor outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage
Qin HUANG ; Ziwei SONG ; Hongla KUANG ; Zhi ZHANG ; Yuping ZHU ; Lin WU ; Daojun HONG ; Jing LIN ; Min ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(2):103-108
Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between multiple inflammatory markers and poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and to compare their predictive abilities.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1,2015 to March 31,2023.According to the Modified Rankin Scale at 90 days after onset,the patients were divided into good outcome(mRS≤2 points)and poor outcome(mRS score≥3 points).Clinical information,laboratory examinations and follow-up data were compared between the two groups.Inflammatory markers include neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio(MHR),systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR),lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR),and systemic coagulation-inflammation index(SCI).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the predictors of poor prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was constructed to compare their predictive ability.Results A total of 510 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were included.Of those,297(58.2%)had good outcome,and 213(41.8%)had poor outcome.Comparison of baseline characteristics demonstrated that patients with poor prognosis had higher levels of white blood cells,neutrophils,high-density lipoprotein,fibrinogen,NLR,PLR,SIRI,SII,WMR at admission,larger baseline hematoma volume and baseline perihematomal edema volume,a higher proportion of lobar hemorrhage,older age,and lower levels of platelets,lymphocytes,LMR,and SCI(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that NLR(OR:1.081,95%CI:1.032~1.1131,P=0.001),SIRI(OR:1.089,95%CI:1.014~1.169,P=0.019),SII(OR:1.000,95%CI:1.000~1.001,P=0.011),WMR(OR:2.627,95%CI:1.267~5.445,P=0.009)were independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with ICH.In ROC analysis,the area under the curve of NLR(0.729,95%CI:0.685~0.774)was higher than SIRI(0.692,95%CI:0.645~0.738),SII(0.688,95%CI:0.641~0.735)and WMR(0.65,95%CI:0.602~0.698)for predicting poor outcomes.Conclusion NLR,SIRI,SII and WMR at admission are independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and NLR has the strongest predictive ability.
4.Ubiquitin ligase and deubiquitin enzyme in Alzheimer's disease function study
Yu-qing WANG ; Zhi-tao HOU ; Song-zhe LI ; Zhi-hua HAO ; Jing CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):427-433
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a multifactorial condi-tion characterized by the accumulation of toxic proteins and asso-ciated neurodegeneration.AD is distinguished by the pathologi-cal aggregation of amyloid beta(Aβ)and Tau proteins.The in-teraction between Aβ and Tau can further induce neuroinflamma-tion,mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction,and endoplasmic retic-ulum stress,exacerbating synaptic damage and neuronal death.Neuronal cells are particularly susceptible to protein misfolding due to an imbalance between protein production and degrada-tion.The ubiquitin/26S proteasome system(UPS),a major pathway for protein degradation in eukaryotic cells,plays a cruci-al role in recognizing misfolded or damaged proteins within the nervous system.In UPS,the levels of ubiquitin are tightly regu-lated by both ubiquitin ligases(E3s)and deubiquitylases(DUBs).This article reviews the involvement and mechanisms of E3s and DUBs in the pathogenesis of AD,aiming to provide novel research strategies for its treatment.
5.Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis and animal experimental study of ligustilide regulating H-type blood vessels in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Kai WANG ; Hao-nan WEN ; Zhi-jing SONG ; Yong-jia SONG ; Min SONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):583-591
Aim To explore the biological mechanism of ligustilide in the prevention and treatment of osteo-porosis by regulating H-type blood vessels,combined with animal experiments for verification,based on net-work pharmacology and molecular docking technology Methods The possible mechanism of ligustilide regu-lating H-type blood vessels to prevent osteoporosis was predicted by network pharmacology.Molecular docking technology was used to verify the binding ability of the core target EGFR to ligustilide.The rat model of osteo-porosis was established and divided into the sham group,model group,ligustilide high,medium and low dose(80,40,20 mg·kg-1)groups.The pathological changes of femur were observed by HE staining.The expressions of CD31,EMCN,OSX+and RUNX2+pro-tein in tibial metaphysis were detected by immunofluo-rescence.The expression of p-EGFR,p-PI3K and p-Akt protein was detected by Western blot.Results The results of network pharmacology showed that a total of 20 intersection targets were obtained.EGFR,PTGS2,ESR1 and ICAM1 were core targets,and mo-lecular docking showed that EGFR had a strong bind-ing ability with ligustilide.The signaling pathways of ligustilide in the prevention and treatment of osteoporo-sis by regulating the expression of H-type blood vessels were mainly enriched in PI3K-Akt,TNF,etc.Com-pared with the model group,ligustilide could signifi-cantly increase the number of trabecular bone and im-prove the destruction of bone microstructure.The ex-pression of CD31,EMCN,OSX+and RUNX2+signifi-cantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the formation of H-type blood vessels were promoted,and the expres-sion of p-EGFR,p-PI3K and p-Akt significantly in-creased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Ligusti-lide can increase the expression of H-type blood vessels in bone tissue of osteoporosis model rats,reduce the damage of bone trabecula and improve bone micro-structure effectively.EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt signa-ling pathway may be the key way to exert its biological effects.
6.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
7.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
8.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
9.Current status and suggestions on regulation of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials and preparations under regulatory system of drugs.
Li-Ping QU ; Yong-Dan XU ; Wei-Jing HE ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Nan YANG ; Min-Xian SONG ; Zhi-Qiang MIN ; Ting-Mo ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):824-832
At present, the cause of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in China has entered a new period of high-quality development. How to strengthen the foundation for the TCM industry from the source is an important issue that deserves the attention of the authorities, industry, and academia. This study systematically analyzed the regulatory system of TCM raw materials and preparations. The study took the TCM industry chain and the product life cycle as a clue and focused on the dimensions of TCM resource protection and plant cultivation(farming), production and quality supervision of TCM raw materials and preparations, and their market access and distribution. It analyzed the current situation of the regulation of TCM raw materials and preparations under the regulatory system of drugs, discussed the main problems, and put forward corresponding suggestions. The results can provide an important reference value for the subsequent improvement of the regulatory system of drugs and the construction of a prominent regulatory system of drugs in accordance with TCM characteristics.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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China
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Quality Control
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Humans
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Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
10.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
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Perfusion/methods*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Brain Injuries/etiology*
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Swine
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Male
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Hypothermia, Induced/methods*

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