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.Research advances in PCSK9 inhibitors in ischemic stroke
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2024;41(7):668-672
PCSK9 inhibitors are a new type of drug used to reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.In recent years,PCSK9 inhibitors have exhibited certain potential in the treatment of ischemic stroke;however,the research in ischemic stroke is still in its early stages,and further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of PCSK9 in-hibitors.This article summarizes the mechanism of action of PCSK9 inhibitors in ischemic stroke in recent years and ana-lyzes their potential for future application.
4.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.
5.Ultrasound-optimized hydrogel scaffold used to promote transdermal delivery of gold nanoparticles
Yuxin GUO ; Hao WANG ; Mingqi LI ; Yueying CHEN ; Juhong PAN ; Xin HUANG ; Zhiwen WANG ; Qing ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(15):2330-2337
BACKGROUND:Gold nanoparticles are of great significance in the development of multifunctional transdermal drug delivery systems.Smaller gold nanoparticles can penetrate the dermis through the intercellular pathway,but are limited to their easy agglomeration and colloidal morphology,which makes it difficult to exert effects on low delivery efficiency. OBJECTIVE:To develop an ultrasound-optimized hydrogel delivery system by combining phase change nanodroplets with bio-adhesive hydrogel for percutaneous delivery of gold nanoparticles. METHODS:The ultrasound-responsive nanodroplets loaded with gold nanoparticles were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation method and loaded into the polydopamine-modified methylacryloyl gelatin hydrogel to prepare a composite hydrogel scaffold.The structure and chemical composition of the ultrasound-responsive nanogold carrier were characterized.The microstructure,porosity,permeability,rheology,in vitro hemostasis,and antibacterial properties of the composite hydrogel were characterized.The cell compatibility of the hydrogel scaffold was evaluated by live/dead staining,and the optimization effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the permeability,porosity,and mechanical properties of hydrogel were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy proved the successful construction of nanogold carriers.The particle size and potential results demonstrated that the synthesized nanoscaled ultrasonic responsive carrier had good stability.(2)Live/dead cell staining proved that the prepared composite hydrogel scaffold had certain biocompatibility.(3)Scanning electron microscopy exhibited that the prepared composite hydrogel scaffold had a porous network structure,and numerous pores of about 2 μm appeared inside the macropores after the addition of nanodroplets and ultrasonic irradiation.The permeability experiment displayed that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound could optimize the porosity and permeability of hydrogel materials.The hemostatic performance of the composite hydrogel scaffold was better than that of the hemostatic sponge and polydopamine@methylacrylylated gelatin hydrogel scaffold.Under the irradiation of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound,the composite hydrogel scaffolds had good antioxidant effects and antibacterial properties.(4)Thermal imaging results manifested that gold nanoparticles were encapsulated in ultrasound-responsive nanobubbles,and more uniform dispersion could be obtained under ultrasonic excitation.(5)The results of the mechanical property test demonstrated that the storage modulus of the hydrogel increased before and after loading gold nanoparticles-nanodroplets,which showed stronger mechanical properties.The elongation at break was 122%,and the ductility was better than that without gold nanoparticles-nanodroplets(P<0.05).(6)These findings indicate that the composite hydrogel scaffold has good biocompatibility,antibacterial property,oxidation resistance,and hemostatic effect.
6.Evaluation of the quality of Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing published in 2022
Yingfeng ZHOU ; Shizheng DU ; Xiaoju ZHANG ; Zhiwen WANG ; Liqing YUE ; Xufei LUO ; Yan HU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(20):2538-2546
Objective To evaluate the scientificity,transparency and applicability of Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing published in 2022,in order to improve the quality of guidelines and consensuses.Methods Databases including Medline,Embase,Web of Science,CBM,CNKI,WanFang database,Chinese Medical Journal,and related websites were electronically searched,as well as China Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan medical journals,to collect Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing from January to December 2022.STAR tool was used to evaluate the quality of each guidelines and consensuses by 3 assessors independently.Total score,scoring rate of each domain and item were adopted to analyze the outcomes.Results A total of 3 guidelines and 33 expert consensuses were included.The total guidelines and expert consensuses STAR score(33.5±14.3).The quality of guidelines and consensuses was low.The quality of guidelines was moderate with average score of 55.1,and the quality of consensuses was low with average score of 31.5.The included guidelines and consensuses had a highest score rate(52.4%)in the domain of recommendation.Among 39 items of STAR tool,the top 4 items including listing participants and institutions,explaining additional instructions for implementation,describing consensus method,and listing references for recommendations had a high score rate of 100%,83.3%,77.8%,75.0%respectively.However,the items of registration,providing registration information,protocols being searched on public platforms and explaining the role of funding had a low score rate,urgent need for attention and upgrading.Conclusion The overall quality of the Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing published in 2022 was low.As a medical and nursing practice guidance document,the quality of guidelines and expert consensuses should be improved by encouraging registration,strengthening management of interest conflict,enhancing the rigor of guideline developing process,and expanding the dissemination.
7.Quality evaluation of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction based on UPLC fingerprint and multi-index determination
Fangping ZHANG ; Cuijie WEI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Wenkai XIE ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Zhiwen DUAN ; Yongwei FENG ; Minyou HE ; Roushan CHEN ; Dongmei SUN ; Lin ZHOU ; Zhenyu LI
China Pharmacist 2024;28(11):397-405
Objective To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)fingerprint and multi-index content determination method of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction.Methods 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus from different producing areas were collected,Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was prepared according to Technical Requirements for Quality Control and Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules,and the extract rate was calculated.UPLC was used to establish the fingerprint of 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and determine the contents of 11-O-mogroside V,kaempferitrin and mogroside V,which were the main effective components.The chemometrics analysis was used to evaluate the quality of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and find possible quality markers.Results The extraction rate of 15 batches Siraitiae fructus standard decoction ranged from 24.79%to 34.95%.There were 16 common peaks in the fingerprint,and 4 components were identified.The Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was divided into 2 categories by chemometrics analysis,among which samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi were in one category and samples from Guilin,Guangxi were in another category.Seven differential markers were screened out under the condition of variable importance projection value,and the order was as follows:peak 8>peak 7>peak 5>peak 12(kaempferitrin)>peak 1>peak 13>peak 4.The contents of kaempferitrin,11-O-mogroside V and mogroside V in samples from Guilin,Guangxi were slightly higher than those in samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi.Conclusion The UPLC fingerprint and content determination method established in this study are feasible,which can provide a basis for the quality evaluation of Siraitiae fructus.The results of principal component analysis show that kaempferol is likely to become a quality marker of Siraitiae fructus.
8.A Clinical Study on the Intervention of a Comprehensive Program of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Yanji ZHOU ; Yi AN ; Yuan LEI ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiaoming YANG ; Hui SHAO ; Naiwen ZHANG ; Zhiwen WENG ; Changxin LIU ; Xiyou WANG ; Changhe YU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;25(6):2188-2195
Objective To preliminarily verify the effectiveness and safety of bloodletting combined with drug bamboo cups in intervention of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis,and to explore the prognostic factors that affect the efficacy of TCM regimens in the treatment of DLSS.Methods 64 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were enrolled.Bloodletting combined with drug bamboo cup intervention was used.Acupoints were selected and treated with the same length of the governor channel of the lumbar spine,the first and second side lines of the bladder meridian and Ashi point,weekly 2 times,8 times per course,2 consecutive courses of treatment.Before treatment,after treatment,and 1 month follow-up,the changes of the patient's lumbar spinal stenosis specific scale(SSM),modified Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI),and 12 health survey summary scores(SF-12)were observed.Using SSM symptom or function score≥0.5,the criteria for grouping were first single-factor analysis,and then logistic regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of the treatment.Results After 2 courses of treatment,the patient's SSM symptom score(2.25±0.56),SSM function score(2.06±0.67),ODI index(15.49±8.72),and SF-12 physiological score(36.31±7.35)were more significant than before treatment Improved,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),the SF-12 psychological score(49.70±9.47),the difference was not statistically significant compared with before treatment(P>0.05);the patient's SSM symptom score(2.22±0.54)was followed up for one month,SSM function score(2.09±0.66),ODI index(15.53±8.23),SF-12 physiological score(36.55±7.25),SF-12 psychological score(50.62±9.17),which are significantly better than before treatment,and the difference is statistically significant(P<0.05),the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05)after 2 courses of treatment.The univariate logistic regression analysis of each influencing factor showed that:BMI,baseline symptom dimension,baseline functional dimension,foraminal stenosis,lateral recess stenosis,and two-stage stenosis had statistically significant differences between the effective and ineffective groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Bloodletting combined with drug bamboo cups has a certain clinical effect on degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
9.High preoperative neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor prognosis of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for nonurothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Shuai LIU ; Xiaozhou ZHOU ; Guangjie DUAN ; Yuan LIU ; Peng HE ; Lang LANG ; Zhiwen CHEN
Journal of Modern Urology 2023;28(11):964-969
【Objective】 To investigate the predictive value of high preoperative neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the prognosis of nonurothelial carcinoma of the bladder (NUBC) after radical cystectomy (RC). 【Methods】 Clinical and follow-up data of NUBC patients undergoing RC during Jan.2005 and Dec.2020 were collected. The optimal cut-off value of NLR was determined with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The survival curve was drawn with Kaplan-Meier method to compare the differences in cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) between the high-NLR and low-NLR groups. The independent risk factors of CSS and OS were screened with Cox proportional hazard regression model. 【Results】 Of the 62 eligible cases,34 (54.8%) were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma,17 (27.4%) with squamous cell carcinoma, 6 (9.7%) with small cell carcinoma and 5 (8.1%) with sarcoma. Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed high NLR was associated with poor CSS (P=0.001) and OS (P<0.001). Cox regression results indicated that high NLR (HR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.12-5.23, P=0.025) and advanced pathologic tumor stage (HR=3.21, 95%CI:1.53-6.74,P=0.002) were independent risk factors of unfavorable CSS. Similarly, high NLR (HR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.35-5.56, P=0.005) and advanced pathologic tumor stage (HR=2.81, 95%CI:1.43-5.57, P=0.003) were independent risk factors of unfavorable OS. 【Conclusion】 As an independent risk factor of unfavorable CSS and OS in NUBC patients undergoing RC, high preoperative NLR is of great value in the prediction of long-term prognosis and may help to optimize individualized treatment.
10.Consistency between modified 12+ X prostate biopsy and systematic biopsy under transrectal interventional ultrasound and Gleason score after prostate cancer surgery
Yuguang XU ; Yangbai LU ; Yingchu YANG ; Guangxin ZHOU ; Kun YANG ; Zhiwen ZHENG ; Yahui YAO ; Xiaozhen LIU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2023;25(8):1134-1138
Objective:To explore the consistency between modified 12+ X prostate biopsy under transrectal interventional ultrasound and postoperative Gleason score in prostate cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 312 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent radical resection at Zhongshan People′s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. All patients underwent modified 12+ X prostate biopsy and prostate system biopsy under transrectal interventional ultrasound before surgery. Using the Gleason score of postoperative pathological specimens as the " gold standard", the detection rates of prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer using modified 12+ X prostate biopsy and prostate system biopsy under transrectal interventional ultrasound were compared, and the consistency between the two methods alone or in combination and postoperative Gleason score was compared.Results:Among 312 patients, the positive detection rate of the improved 12+ X puncture biopsy combined with the system puncture biopsy was significantly higher than that of the individual detection (95.51% vs 80.77% vs 76.92%), with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The improved 12+ X puncture biopsy combined with system puncture biopsy showed a clinically significant higher detection rate of prostate cancer in positive patients compared to the two tests alone (94.63% vs 77.78% vs 80.00%), with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer among patients who missed diagnosis, either alone or in combination with biopsy ( P>0.05). The upgrade rate of Gleason score after prostate improvement 12+ X puncture biopsy (25.00%) was significantly lower than that of prostate system puncture (44.17%), which was significantly higher than combined puncture biopsy (11.74%), with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). After 312 patients received combined puncture biopsy, urinary retention was found in 14 cases (4.49%), hematuria in 30 cases (9.62%), fever in 28 cases (8.97%), and blood in stool in 18 cases (5.77%). After symptomatic treatment, they basically improved within 3 days after puncture. Conclusions:The combination of modified 12+ X prostate biopsy with systematic biopsy under transrectal interventional ultrasound can improve the detection rate of prostate cancer, and has good consistency with the postoperative Gleason score of prostate cancer patients, which has good clinical application value.

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