1.Further Recognization of Disease Name in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Micropathologic Phenotypes
Hongfei WU ; Yushi CUI ; Yun GAO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Mingyuan WANG ; Xingping ZHANG ; Zhilong ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1089-1093
This paper interprets the disease name related to bi (痹) disease in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi, bone bi, and tendon bi, and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type, cartilage-meniscus type, and subchondral bone type, the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation, bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling, and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.
2.Impact of capsaicin on the gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptides expression of Anopheles stephensi
ZHENG Dan ; LIU Zhilong ; WANG Jing
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):15-
Objective To investigate the effects of capsaicin on gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptide expression of Anopheles stephensi, providing experimental references for the application of capsaicin in mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Anopheles stephensi were continuously fed with sugary water containing capsaicin or DMSO for the capsaicin-treated group and the control, respectively. The DNA of the female mosquito's midguts and gut bacteria was extracted. Bacterial 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to analyze and compare the bacteria diversity, gut flora composition, relative abundance, and total bacterial load in female mosquitoes’ midgut between the control and capsaicin treatment groups. Total RNA was extracted from the midguts of the two groups of Anopheles mosquitoes, and the transcriptional levels of important antimicrobial peptides were detected and compared by reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results A total of 10 phyla, 11 classes, 28 orders, 43 families, and 62 genera were identified in the two groups. The capsaicin-treated group had fewer taxa, with significantly reduced bacterial diversity, and different community composition and relative abundance of the flora compared to the control group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes predominated in both two groups. At the order level, Flavobacteriales, Acetobacterales, Pseudomonadales, and Lactobacillales were the dominant bacteria, with reduced relative abundance of Pseudomonadales and Acetobacterales and increased relative abundance of Flavobacteriales and Lactobacillales in the capsaicin-treated group. At the genus level, Elizabethkingia was predominantly abundant in both samples, with higher relative abundance of Elizabethkingia, Leuconostoc, and Gluconobacter in the capsaicin-treated group, while Asaia and Acinetobacter had significantly lower relative abundance compared to the control group. In addition to these changes, the total bacterial load was increased and the transcriptional levels of attacin C, cecropin A, and defensin were significantly decreased by capsaicin treatment. Conclusions Capsaicin treatment significantly affects the composition of the gut flora in Anopheles stephensi and increases the total bacterial load while inhibiting the expression of antimicrobial peptides. Based on the analysis, it indicates that capsaicin might affect the fecundity and vector competence of Anopheles by changing the energy metabolism and immune-related bacteria.
3.Mechanism of Urolithin A Inhibiting the Growth of Hepatoma Cells by Regulating Aerobic Glycolysis
Hongliu HU ; Zhilong HE ; Zhuan WANG ; Lihe JIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(8):1047-1055
OBJECTIVE
To explore the molecular mechanism of urolithin A inhibition of human hepatoma cells growth.
METHODS
Hepatoma Huh-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of urolithin A(Uro-A). The inhibition rate of Huh-7 cells survival was detected by CCK-8 assay and the IC50 was calculated. Cell proliferation was detected by colony formation assay and cell migration ability was assessed by cell wound healing experiment. Glucose uptake and lactate level in culture medium through colorimetry and the ATP production in cell through chemiluminescence method was analyzed. Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression levels of glucose transporter(GLUT1), key enzymes of glycolysis(HK2, PFKM, LDHA), p53, p-p38 and Bcl-2 after treatment with different concentrations of Uro-A. Flow cytometry and TUNEL method were used to detect apoptosis rate.
RESULTS
The results of CCK-8 showed that Uro-A significantly inhibited the proliferation of Huh-7 cells, and the IC50 was(48.54±1.21) μmol·L−1. The ability of clone formation and migration decreased after Uro-A treatment. Cellular glucose uptake and level of lactic acid and ATP production were down regulated in Huh-7 cells treated with Uro-A. The results showed that expression of glycolytic key proteins GLUT1, PKM2, LDHA and HK2 decreased. Western Blotting further research indicated that the p53 and p-p38 were activated, while the Bcl-2 was down-regulated. Flow cytometry data and TUNEL method revealed that the induction of apoptosis by Uro-A was remarkably increased.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that Uro-A can suppress Huh-7 cell proliferation and migration. The possible mechanism is the inhibition of glycolysis by p53, p-p38 and Bcl-2, which prevent cell growth and finally induce apoptosis.
4.The application of minimally-invasive interventional technique in the clinical treatment of symptomatic polycystic liver disease and its recent advances
Yining LIANG ; Zhenhua DU ; Zhilong WANG ; Taiyang ZUO
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2024;33(2):208-212
Clinically,polycystic liver disease(PLD)is a rare genetic disease.Most patients have no clinical symptoms,and a few patients with symptomatic PLD complicated by serious complications need to be treated.Liver transplantation is the only radical treatment for patients with symptomatic PLD.However,most patients are not able to receive liver transplantation due to a lack of donors,expensive surgical cost,and high risk.Because of its many advantages such as less trauma,fast recovery,repeatable,high safety and fewer complications,the minimally-invasive interventional techniques,represented by percutaneous cyst sclerotherapy and transcatheter arterial embolization,have been successfully employed for the treatment of symptomatic PLD in recent years,moreover,its clinical effect has been recognized by both doctors and patients.Therefore,as it can improve the local symptoms and the quality of life of patients,the therapy using minimally-invasive interventional technique will become the development direction for the treatment of symptomatic PLD.This article aims to make a comprehensive review concerning the principle,mechanism,guiding mode,clinical application,advantages and disadvantages,and related complications of percutaneous cyst sclerotherapy and transcatheter arterial embolization therapy in the treatment of symptomatic PLD.
5.SOX7 inhibits colorectal cancer proliferation,invasion and migration through the SHP-2/Wnt/β-catenin/ROS pathway
Xueliang WU ; Likun WANG ; Hongqing MA ; Shaodong LI ; Yan LIANG ; Zhilong HUI ; Lei HAN ; Jun XUE
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(7):1237-1243
Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which SOX7 regulates the SHP-2/Wnt/β-cate-nin/ROS pathway,affecting the proliferation,invasion,and migration of colorectal cancer cells.Methods Twenty nude mice with subcutaneously transplanted tumor models were randomly divided into four groups:SOX7 NC(n=5),SOX mimic(n=5),SOX7 NC+PHPS1(n=5),and SOX7 mimic+PHPS1(n=5)to observe tumor growth.Human colorectal cancer cell line SW480 cells were transfected via lipofection and divided into six groups:SOX7 NC,SOX7 mimic,SOX7 NC+H2 O2,SOX7 mimic+H2O2,SOX7 NC+PHPS1,and SOX7 mimic+PHPS1.The ex-pression of SHP-2/Wnt/β-catenin/ROS pathway-related proteins in SW480 cells of each group was detected by Western blot.The invasion and migration capabilities of SW480 cells were assessed through scratch and Transwell invasion assays,while cell proliferation was evaluated using CCK-8.Results In vivo experiments demonstrated that tumors in the SOX7 mimic group were significantly smaller than those in the SOX7 NC group(P<0.01).Tumors treated with PHPS1 intervention exhibited a significant increase in volume.There was no statistical significance in the difference in tumor volume between the SOX7 mimic+PHPS1 group and the SOX7 NC+PHPS1 group.In vitro experiments revealed that SOX7 mimic inhibited the expression of Wnt,β-catenin,NOX2,NOX4,PI3K,P-PI3K,AKT,P-AKT proteins(P<0.01),and promoted the expression of p-SHP-2 protein(P<0.01).The addition of hydrogen peroxide and SHP-2 inhibitor reversed the effects of SOX7 on SW480 cells(P<0.05),and significantly promoted the expression levels of Wnt,β-catenin,NOX2,NOX4,PI3K,P-PI3K,AKT,P-AKT proteins,with no sig-nificant difference,while significantly reducing the expression levels of SHP-2,p-SHP-2 proteins,with no significant difference.PHPS1 inhibited the expression of SHP-2,p-SHP-2 proteins(P<0.05)and upregulated the expression of Wnt,β-catenin,NOX2,NOX4,PI3K,P-PI3K,AKT,P-AKT proteins(P<0.05).Scratch,Transwell invasion and migration assays,and CCK-8 experiments indicated that SOX7 suppressed the migration,invasion,and proliferation of SW480 cells through oxidative stress and the SHP-2 pathway(P<0.01),while H2O2 and PHPS1 intervention promoted the migration,invasion,and proliferation of SW480 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion SOX7 can suppress the proliferation,invasion,and migration of colorectal cancer by targeting the SHP-2/Wnt/β-catenin/ROS pathway.
6.Correlationship between total proteins SUMOylation and papillary thyroid carcinoma in males
Qiao WU ; Wei LIU ; Jiaojiao ZHENG ; Cong WANG ; Zhilong AI
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2024;29(4):336-344
Objective To investigate the relationship between protein SUMOylation level and the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)in males.Methods Protein SUMOylation levels in PTC was analyzed by bioinformatics based on GTEx and TCGA databases and validated by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting in our clinical pairs specimens.The mRNA expression of the protein SUMOylation associated genes were measured by fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)in surgical pairs specimens.Results The expression level of SUMOylation in the tumor tissues of PTC showed an elevated trend(P<0.05),and was associated with poor prognosis of the patients by TCGA and GTEx databases analysis(P=0.021).In the clinical samples of our hospital,it was verified that the level of SUMOylation in tumor tissues was higher than that of the paired non-tumor tissues(P<0.05).However,qRT-PCR showed no significant changes in the transcriptional level of the protein SUMOylation associated genes in most cases.Conclusions Protein SUMOylation in thyroid tumor tissues were higher than that in paired non-tumor tissues,and the higher SUMOylation levels levels in tumor tissues were,the shorter overall survival time of the patients was.
7.Effects of simplified Tai Chi intervention on rehabilitation and neuromuscular control in individuals with chronic ankle instability
Guocai XU ; Huiru TANG ; Zhilong FAN ; Jiangna WANG ; Cui ZHANG ; Xiangkun NIE
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2024;43(9):681-688
Objective To explore the effect of 12-week simplified Tai Chi training on rehabilitation and neuromuscular control in individuals with chronic ankle instability(CAI).Methods Thirty-four partic-ipants with CAI were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group,each of 17.The control group received 12-week health education,while the experimental group underwent simpli-fied Tai Chi training for the same length.Before and after the intervention,both groups were evaluat-ed their self-reported instability feeling,ankle muscle strength,proprioception and dynamic postural stability.Results After intervention,a significant increase was observed in the average Cumberland An-kle Instability Tool(CAIT),the maximum extension distance in the posteromedial and posterolateral di-rections of the modified Star Excursion Balance Test(mSEBT)in,as well as the ankle peak torque in plantarflexion,inversion and eversion(P<0.05)in the experimental.Moreover,the ankle passive motion proprioceptive threshold in plantarflexion and inversion decreased significantly in the experimental group after intervention(P<0.05).Meanwhile,after intervention,the average CAIT score,maximum ex-tension distances in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions in the mSEBT,and the ankle peak torques in plantarflexion,inversion and eversion of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05),while the ankle passive motion proprioceptive threshold in plantarflex-ion was significantly lower than the latter(P<0.05).Conclusion Twelve-week simplified Tai Chi train-ing can improve the clinical subjective instability of CAI participants,maybe related to the improve-ment of ankle muscle strength,proprioception and dynamic postural stability.Therefore,it is suggest-ed that simplified Tai Chi should be one of the rehabilitation methods for CAI patients.
8.Real-world Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2-positive Breast Cancer with TCbHP Versus AC-THP
Dan GENG ; Chongzhu HU ; Xin HAO ; Rui SONG ; Jiujie WANG ; Ying DAI ; Pengpeng PU ; Jianchao GAO ; Liang ZHANG ; Na LIU ; Haoyun ZHANG ; Zhilong FENG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2023;50(8):782-787
Objective To compare the efficacy, safety, and survivability of TCbHP versus AC-THP in the neoadjuvant therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer in real-world. Methods Clinical data of patients with HER2 positive breast cancer, who have received TCbHP or AC-THP as neoadjuvant therapy and completed surgery in 11 third-class hospitals in various cities of Hebei Province, were retrospectively collected.The total pathological complete remission (tpCR) rate, the incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse reactions and the completion rate of the given approaches were compared. Results A total of 110 cases were collected, including 78 cases in the TCbHP group and 32 cases in the AC-THP group.The tpCR rate of the TCbHP group was higher than that of the AC-THP group, but the difference was not statistically significant (64.10%
9.Analysis of urine Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein level and related factors of middle-aged and elderly people in Mianyang
Yurong ZHANG ; Kun FANG ; Renfei ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Yang LIU ; Ping YANG ; Yan WU ; Lei LI ; Yuanyu ZHAO ; Zhilong CAI ; Jia YANG ; Dan YUAN
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(1):53-58
ObjectiveTo investigate the Alzheimer-associated neurofilament protein (AD7c-NTP) in urine of middle-aged and elderly people and its correlation between common metabolites. MethodsA total of 1 150 middle-aged and elderly people who did their physical exmanination in the health examination center of the Sichuan Science City Hospital and the Third Hopital of Mianyang were recruited from March 2017 to March 2020. The level of urine AD7c-NTP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and common metabolites in blood were measured by biochemical analyzer. Based on urine AD7c-NTP level ≤1.5 ng/mL, the objects was divided into normal group (n=956) and elevated group (n=194). Thier demographic data and blood biochemical indicators were collected. ResultsThe urine AD7c-NTP level in middle-aged and elderly people was 0.60(0.30~1.20) ng/mL. The urine AD7c-NTP level was higher in women than that in men [1.04(0.40~1.30) ng/mL vs. 0.84(0.30~1.00) ng/mL, Z=4.202, P˂0.01]. And the urine AD7c-NTP level was lower in the normal group than that in the elevated group [0.50(0.30~0.90) ng/mL vs. 2.10(1.70~2.10) ng/mL, Z=22.035, P˂0.01]. The results of the univariate comparison showed that, the differences between the two groups in age (Z=6.545), fasting glucose (Z=3.506), blood uric acid (Z=2.574), urea nitrogen (Z=2.891), creatinine (Z=2.243), total bilirubin (Z=3.936), glutathione (Z=0.969), total cholesterol (t=3.956) and low density lipoprotein (Z=-5.678) were were statistically significant (P˂0.05 or 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that, the urine AD7c-NTP level was positively correlated with age and the levels of urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (r=0.177, 0.178, 0.171, 0.109, 0.149, P˂0.01), and negatively correlated with the level of total bilirubin (r=-0.172, P˂0.01). Conclusionthe urine AD7c-NTP level in middle-aged and elderly females was signifitcantly higher than in middle-aged and elderly males.The urine AD7c-NTP level of middle-aged and elderly people was positively correlated with age, urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, and negatively correlated with total bilirubin.
10.Melatonin Attenuates Mitochondrial Damage in Aristolochic AcidInduced Acute Kidney Injury
Jian SUN ; Jinjin PAN ; Qinlong LIU ; Jizhong CHENG ; Qing TANG ; Yuke JI ; Ke CHENG ; Rui WANG ; Liang LIU ; Dingyou WANG ; Na WU ; Xu ZHENG ; Junxia LI ; Xueyan ZHANG ; Zhilong ZHU ; Yanchun DING ; Feng ZHENG ; Jia LI ; Ying ZHANG ; Yuhui YUAN
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2023;31(1):97-107
Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN).AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.


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