1.Erjingwan Alleviate Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis in Skeletal Muscle Cells of Sarcopenia via SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Long SHI ; Yang LI ; Hongyu YAN ; Tianle ZHOU ; Zhiwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):57-66
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the classical Chinese medicine compound prescription Erjingwan on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells in a mouse model of sarcopenia and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57/BL6 male mice were randomized into a control group, a model group, and groups with different doses of Erjingwan (8,16,32 g·kg-1). The mouse model of sarcopenia was established by D-gal-induced skeletal muscle senescence. The body weight and grip strength of mice treated with different doses of Erjingwan were examined to evaluate their physiological functions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum samples of mice, and biochemical tests were conducted to quantify the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the serum. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of drug intervention, the model group exhibited significant reductions in body weight and grip strength (P0.01) compared with the control group. Compared with the model group, all doses of Erjingwan increased the body weight in mice at week 8 (P0.01) and grip strength from week 6 (P0.01). HE staining revealed clear muscle fiber structure in the control group, muscle fiber rupture and atrophy in the model group, and dose-dependent repair of muscle fiber structure in the Erjingwan groups. Masson staining showed minimal collagen fibers and mild fibrosis in the control group, collagen fiber proliferation and severe fibrosis in the model group, and collagen proliferation with dose-dependent inhibition of fibrosis in the Erjingwan groups. ELISA results showed that serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in the model group compared with those in the control group (P0.01). After intervention, the low-dose Erjingwan group exhibited a decreased TNF-α level (P0.05), while the medium and high-dose groups showed decreases in both TNF-α and IL-6 levels (P0.01). Biochemical assays revealed that the model group had decreased SOD and GSH levels (P0.01) and an increased MDA level (P0.01) compared with the control group. The medium and high-dose Erjingwan groups exhibited increases in SOD and GSH levels (P0.01) and decreases in MDA level (P0.01), compared with the model group. WB and Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the model group presented down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 in the muscle tissue (P0.01) and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bax (P0.01). Compared with the model group, Erjingwan at different doses up-regulated the protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 (P0.01) and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax (P0.01) in the muscle tissue. Low-dose Erjingwan elevated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P0.05, P0.01), and medium and high-dose Erjingwan up-regulated the mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 (P0.01). ConclusionErjingwan reduced the content of inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle cells, improved the antioxidant capacity, and attenuated pathological changes and fibrosis in the muscle of the mouse model of sarcopenia by regulating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, inflammatory response, and apoptosis network.
2.Erjingwan Alleviate Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis in Skeletal Muscle Cells of Sarcopenia via SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Long SHI ; Yang LI ; Hongyu YAN ; Tianle ZHOU ; Zhiwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):57-66
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the classical Chinese medicine compound prescription Erjingwan on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells in a mouse model of sarcopenia and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57/BL6 male mice were randomized into a control group, a model group, and groups with different doses of Erjingwan (8,16,32 g·kg-1). The mouse model of sarcopenia was established by D-gal-induced skeletal muscle senescence. The body weight and grip strength of mice treated with different doses of Erjingwan were examined to evaluate their physiological functions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum samples of mice, and biochemical tests were conducted to quantify the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the serum. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of drug intervention, the model group exhibited significant reductions in body weight and grip strength (P0.01) compared with the control group. Compared with the model group, all doses of Erjingwan increased the body weight in mice at week 8 (P0.01) and grip strength from week 6 (P0.01). HE staining revealed clear muscle fiber structure in the control group, muscle fiber rupture and atrophy in the model group, and dose-dependent repair of muscle fiber structure in the Erjingwan groups. Masson staining showed minimal collagen fibers and mild fibrosis in the control group, collagen fiber proliferation and severe fibrosis in the model group, and collagen proliferation with dose-dependent inhibition of fibrosis in the Erjingwan groups. ELISA results showed that serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in the model group compared with those in the control group (P0.01). After intervention, the low-dose Erjingwan group exhibited a decreased TNF-α level (P0.05), while the medium and high-dose groups showed decreases in both TNF-α and IL-6 levels (P0.01). Biochemical assays revealed that the model group had decreased SOD and GSH levels (P0.01) and an increased MDA level (P0.01) compared with the control group. The medium and high-dose Erjingwan groups exhibited increases in SOD and GSH levels (P0.01) and decreases in MDA level (P0.01), compared with the model group. WB and Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the model group presented down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 in the muscle tissue (P0.01) and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bax (P0.01). Compared with the model group, Erjingwan at different doses up-regulated the protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 (P0.01) and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax (P0.01) in the muscle tissue. Low-dose Erjingwan elevated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P0.05, P0.01), and medium and high-dose Erjingwan up-regulated the mRNA levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 (P0.01). ConclusionErjingwan reduced the content of inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle cells, improved the antioxidant capacity, and attenuated pathological changes and fibrosis in the muscle of the mouse model of sarcopenia by regulating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, inflammatory response, and apoptosis network.
3.Central nervous mechanisms underlying effects of cognitive impairment on dual-task stance:functional near-infrared spectroscopy analysis
Zhiwen DONG ; Cong YU ; Yan CHEN ; Jianjun DING
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(17):3579-3587
BACKGROUND:Elderly people with mild cognitive impairment experience a decline in postural control ability due to cognitive function decline,making them more prone to falls.The dual-task paradigm,which more closely mirrors daily life,is often used to assess postural control ability.However,previous dual-task studies on cognition and postural control in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment have mainly focused on the external manifestations of postural control,with direct evidence of central nervous mechanisms still lacking.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the activation characteristics of the cerebral somatic sensorimotor cortex in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment while performing the dual task of stance postural control and spatial working memory.METHODS:Participants were screened using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment,enrolling 16 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment and 17 healthy older people.They performed five task tests:spatial working memory,dual-feet balance stance,Romberg stance,dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory,and dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy and a three-dimentional force platform were used simultaneously to collect data on cerebral cortex(20 channels)hemodynamics and center of pressure swing trajectory.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In Romberg stance,dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory,and dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory tasks,center of pressure displacements in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were significantly greater in mild cognitive impairment elderly people than that in normal elder people(P<0.05).In dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory task,ΔHbO2 at channel 15(right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area)was significantly greater in mild cognitive impairment elderly people than that in normal elder people(P<0.05).In dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory task,ΔHbO2 at channels 15 and 17(right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area)was significantly greater in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment compared with the healthy older people(P<0.05).In dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory task,a significantly positive correlation in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment(r=0.659,P<0.05)and a strong positive correlation in the healthy older people were observed between center of pressure displacement in medial-lateral direction and ΔHbO2 at channel 15(r=0.840,P<0.05).The results indicate that compared with the cognitively normal healthy older people,the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment showed weaker stance postural control capability during the dual task of stance postural control and spatial working memory,with higher activation levels in the right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area.The increased brain resource allocation for lateral postural control may represent the brain compensation mechanism in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment due to cognitive decline leading to weakened stance postural control ability.
4.Research on emotion recognition methods based on multi-modal physiological signal feature fusion.
Zhiwen ZHANG ; Naigong YU ; Yan BIAN ; Jinhan YAN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):17-23
Emotion classification and recognition is a crucial area in emotional computing. Physiological signals, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), provide an accurate reflection of emotions and are difficult to disguise. However, emotion recognition still faces challenges in single-modal signal feature extraction and multi-modal signal integration. This study collected EEG, electromyogram (EMG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) signals from participants under three emotional states: happiness, sadness, and fear. A feature-weighted fusion method was applied for integrating the signals, and both support vector machine (SVM) and extreme learning machine (ELM) were used for classification. The results showed that the classification accuracy was highest when the fusion weights were set to EEG 0.7, EMG 0.15, and EDA 0.15, achieving accuracy rates of 80.19% and 82.48% for SVM and ELM, respectively. These rates represented an improvement of 5.81% and 2.95% compared to using EEG alone. This study offers methodological support for emotion classification and recognition using multi-modal physiological signals.
Humans
;
Emotions/physiology*
;
Electroencephalography
;
Support Vector Machine
;
Electromyography
;
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
;
Galvanic Skin Response/physiology*
;
Machine Learning
;
Male
5.Central nervous mechanisms underlying effects of cognitive impairment on dual-task stance:functional near-infrared spectroscopy analysis
Zhiwen DONG ; Cong YU ; Yan CHEN ; Jianjun DING
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(17):3579-3587
BACKGROUND:Elderly people with mild cognitive impairment experience a decline in postural control ability due to cognitive function decline,making them more prone to falls.The dual-task paradigm,which more closely mirrors daily life,is often used to assess postural control ability.However,previous dual-task studies on cognition and postural control in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment have mainly focused on the external manifestations of postural control,with direct evidence of central nervous mechanisms still lacking.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the activation characteristics of the cerebral somatic sensorimotor cortex in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment while performing the dual task of stance postural control and spatial working memory.METHODS:Participants were screened using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment,enrolling 16 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment and 17 healthy older people.They performed five task tests:spatial working memory,dual-feet balance stance,Romberg stance,dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory,and dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy and a three-dimentional force platform were used simultaneously to collect data on cerebral cortex(20 channels)hemodynamics and center of pressure swing trajectory.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In Romberg stance,dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory,and dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory tasks,center of pressure displacements in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were significantly greater in mild cognitive impairment elderly people than that in normal elder people(P<0.05).In dual task of dual-feet balance stance and spatial working memory task,ΔHbO2 at channel 15(right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area)was significantly greater in mild cognitive impairment elderly people than that in normal elder people(P<0.05).In dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory task,ΔHbO2 at channels 15 and 17(right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area)was significantly greater in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment compared with the healthy older people(P<0.05).In dual task of Romberg stance and spatial working memory task,a significantly positive correlation in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment(r=0.659,P<0.05)and a strong positive correlation in the healthy older people were observed between center of pressure displacement in medial-lateral direction and ΔHbO2 at channel 15(r=0.840,P<0.05).The results indicate that compared with the cognitively normal healthy older people,the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment showed weaker stance postural control capability during the dual task of stance postural control and spatial working memory,with higher activation levels in the right pre-motor cortex and supplementary motor area.The increased brain resource allocation for lateral postural control may represent the brain compensation mechanism in the elderly people with mild cognitive impairment due to cognitive decline leading to weakened stance postural control ability.
6.Research progress of uterine endometrial epithelial cell organoids in the field of reproduction
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(5):576-582
In recent years,significant progress has been made in the study of endometrial epitheli-al organoids in the field of reproduction.Traditional two-dimensional cell culture models and animal ex-periments fail to accurately replicate the three-di-mensional structure and physiological functions of the endometrium,limiting the in-depth exploration of its normal physiological mechanisms and related disease mechanisms.Emerging organoid technolo-gies have provided new avenues for research.These organoids,formed by self-organization of stem cells or progenitor cells in a three-dimensional culture system,faithfully recapitulate the character-istics of endometrial glands in situ.Not only can these organoid models mimic the changes in the endometrium at different stages of the menstrual cycle,but they can also simulate the interaction be-tween the fertilized embryo and the endometrium.Moreover,organoid systems have become essential tools for fundamental research in the field of repro-duction and for disease research,including studies related to reproductive biology,drug screening and development,disease mechanism exploration,drug action mechanisms,drug combination therapies,and targeted therapies.These studies have provid-ed novel insights and methods for a deeper under-standing of the biological properties of the endome-trium,its disease mechanisms,and the develop-ment of therapeutic strategies for related disorders.
7.Investigation of a kindergarten norovirus outbreak and detoxification time of infected children in Wuhan
PEI Hongbing, YAN Zhiwen, WU Xiaomin, QI Li, WU Changhan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(8):1191-1194
Objective:
To analyze the characteristics of a norovirus outbreak in a kindergarten, and factors affecting the detoxification time, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted control measures.
Methods:
On February 24,2023, the basic personal information, clinical manifestations,morbidity and treatment of 16 kindergarten cases with a norovirus outbreak in Wuhan were collected. Anal swabs were collected every 7 d after the outbreak to detect norovirus. Chisquare test was used for comparison of intergroup rates. The comparison of detoxification time between different groups was conducted by Logrank test, and the influencing factors of detoxification time in cases were analyzed by Cox multiple regression analysis.
Results:
From February 19-28, 2023, a total of 18 cases were reported and 16 of them participated in the detoxication time monitoring. In the first, second, third and fourth sampling after the outbreak, the positive rates were 60.00%, 100.00%, 75.00% and 0, respectively. The reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct values) were (25.83±5.74, 28.83±5.55, 36.13±4.30), and undetected, respectively. The median time of detoxification was 19.42 d with 95%CI=(18.21-20.64)d. The results of Cox regression showed that the detoxication time was shorter in the treatment group than in the nontreatment group[HR(95%CI)=5.09(1.39-18.58), P<0.05].
Conclusion
Children infected with norovirus has a long duration of detoxification,and case management, which could be shortened by drugs, and disinfection should be strengthened after the case returned to school.
8.Phosphatidic acid-enabled MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration: Translational implication in liver failure.
Jiawen ZHOU ; Xinyue SUN ; Xuelian CHEN ; Huimin LIU ; Xiulian MIAO ; Yan GUO ; Zhiwen FAN ; Jie LI ; Yong XU ; Zilong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):256-272
Liver regeneration following injury aids the restoration of liver mass and the recovery of liver function. In the present study we investigated the contribution of megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1), a transcriptional modulator, to liver regeneration. We report that both MKL1 expression and its nuclear translocation correlated with hepatocyte proliferation in cell and animal models of liver regeneration and in liver failure patients. Mice with MKL1 deletion exhibited defective regenerative response in the liver. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MKL1 interacted with E2F1 to program pro-regenerative transcription. MAPKAPK2 mediated phosphorylation primed MKL1 for its interaction with E2F1. Of interest, phospholipase d2 promoted MKL1 nuclear accumulation and liver regeneration by catalyzing production of phosphatidic acid (PA). PA administration stimulated hepatocyte proliferation and enhanced survival in a MKL1-dependent manner in a pre-clinical model of liver failure. Finally, PA levels was detected to be positively correlated with expression of pro-regenerative genes and inversely correlated with liver injury in liver failure patients. In conclusion, our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration. Screening for small-molecule compounds boosting MKL1 activity may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat acute liver failure.
9.Tobacco retailer outside middle schools in Wuhan City and its impact on smoking behavior among students
YAN Zhiwen, YAO Guang, PEI Hongbing, WU Changhan, WU Lin, ZUO Yuting, GUO Yan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(2):218-222
Objective:
To understand the distribution of tobacco retailer within 100 meters outside middle schools in Wuhan City and its impact on smoking behavior of middle school students, so as to provide basis and feasible suggestions for the development of tobacco control policy for adolescents.
Methods:
From February to May 2023, a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 20 middle schools from 4 districts in Wuhan City. To investigate the distribution of tobacco retailer within 100 metres outside the school and the sale of tobacco to minors. A total of 4 882 students were surveyed using the core questions of the 2021 Chinese Adolescent Tobacco Prevalence Questionnaire. Fisher exact probability test, Chi square test and Chi square trend test were used for statistical analysis.
Results:
Nearly 70.00% of middle schools had tobacco retailer within 100 metres, with an average of (1.10±0.97) per middle school. The awareness rate (100.00%) and labeling rate (87.50%) of licensed tobacco retailer were higher than those of non licensed tobacco retailer (33.33%, 16.67%) ( P <0.05). The rates of tried smoking, current smoking and buying cigarettes within 30 days were 7.13%, 1.99% and 2.54%, respectively. The rates of students who tried smoking ( 8.58 %), current smoking (2.29%) and buying cigarettes within 30 days (2.85%) in schools with tobacco retailer within 100 metres were higher than those in schools without tobacco retailer (3.79%, 1.28%, 1.83%)( χ 2=35.80, 5.37, 4.37 , P <0.05). And as the grade increased, the rates of tried smoking, current smoking and buying cigarettes among middle school students all showed an upward trend ( χ 2 trend =66.20, 36.10, 16.17, P <0.05).
Conclusions
Middle school students in Wuhan City have high tobacco availability. The findings suggest that school ban should be extended from 50 meters to 100 meters, and the regulatory authorities must strictly prohibit selling tobacco products to minors at tobacco retailer.
10.Comparison of RCB grading and MP grading for prognosis of non-specific breast invasive cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Zhiwen GE ; Yuan'e LIAN ; Qiaoling ZHENG ; Yinghong YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(9):947-954
Purpose To analyze the impact of clinicopatho-logical factors on residual tumor burden(RCB)grading system and Miller-Payne(MP)grading system in non-specific invasive breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,and to explore the predictive value of the two grading systems for patient survival.Methods The clinical data of 177 patients with non-specific invasive breast cancer diagnosed by preoperative punc-ture and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were retrospec-tively analyzed.The relationship of RCB grading system or MP grading system with disease free survival(DFS)and overall sur-vival(OS)was studied,and the value of the two systems in predicting prognosis was analyzed and compared.Results RCB grading was related to menstrual status,histological grading be-fore treatment,and lymph node metastasis after treatment;MP grading was related to pre-treatment histological grading,post-treatment lymph node metastasis,and pre-treatment molecular typing.By evaluating the ROC curve of recurrence and survival and comparing the area under curve(AUC),it was shown that RCB grading system was superior to MP grading system in pre-dicting recurrence and evaluating survival.Univariate and multi-variate survival analysis showed that pre-treatment clinical stag-ing,post-treatment lymph node metastasis,and RCB grading were independent factors for DFS.Pre-treatment clinical stag-ing,pre-treatment molecular typing,and RCB grading were in-dependent factors for OS,while MP grading was not an inde-pendent factor for DFS and OS.Conclusion RCB grading sys-tem has a higher predictive value for patient survival than MP grading system.RCB grading evaluation system is recommended as evaluation system for non-specific invasive breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail