1.The effect of Chuju total flavonoids on the current and protein expression of BKCa channels in rat middle cerebral artery VSMC
Yuwen LI ; Xiao WANG ; Miao WU ; Shuo CHEN ; Zhiwu CHEN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):387-394
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the vasodilation and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) mechanism of total flavonoids of chrysanthemum (TFCC) and the large conductance Ca2+- activated K+ (BKCa) channels on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the middle cerebral artery in rats. In addition, this study will also investigate the effect of TFCC on the expression of BKCa channel alpha protein in rat middle cerebral artery VSMCs. MethodsThe primary method employed was acute digestion to isolate VSMCs from the middle cerebral artery of rats; whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to measure BKCa channel currents; primary tissue adherence culture was utilized to cultivate VSMCs from the middle cerebral artery of rats; Western blot were employed to determine protein expression levels. ResultsIn whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, both the H2S donor NaHS (100 μmol/L) and endogenous H2S enhanced BKCa channel currents. TFCC (30, 90, and 270 mg/L) also activatedBKCa channels and exhibited a certain concentration-dependent effect. Even after blocking endogenous H2S production, TFCC (270 mg/L) still activated BKCa channels in VSMCs of the middle cerebral artery in rats. In Western blot experiments, the α-subunit of BKCa channel proteins was expressed in all groups of cells, but TFCC (30, 90, and 270 mg/L) and inhibitor IBTX group did not affect the expression of channel protein content.Conclusion TFCC can promote the opening of BKCa channels by promoting the generation of endogenous H2S, or directly activate BKCa channels, thereby playing a role in relaxing cerebral blood vessels. However, TFCC had no significant effect on the expression of BKCa channel proteins.
2.Heme metabolism: a metabolic interface in tumor radioimmunotherapy
Xun WANG ; Yifan HAN ; Zhiwu WANG ; Zhenjiang LI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):460-466
The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy is not merely a superposition of therapeutic effects but rather a dynamic competition involving radiation-induced damage, tissue repair programs, and antitumor immune amplification. Accumulating evidence indicates that heme metabolism does more than supply prosthetic groups. It acts as a critical interface connecting radiation stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, redox imbalance, iron metabolism, and tumor immune remodeling. Focusing on the "radiation-heme-immunotherapy" axis, this review systematically examines how radiation reshapes the heme synthesis-degradation network via reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, Nrf2/BACH1 responses, mitochondrial damage, and disruption of iron homeostasis. In turn, these changes reprogram the cGAS-STING-type I interferon axis, myeloid cell polarization, T-cell function, and the hypoxic/stromal state of the tumor microenvironment. We pay special attention to the functional paradox of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1): it protects normal tissues from radiation injury yet promotes tumor tolerance. We propose that HO-1 outcomes are not determined solely by its expression level but are collectively shaped by the expressing cell type, the intensity and duration of induction, subcellular localization, and the microenvironmental context. Accordingly, HMOX1/HO-1 and related heme metabolic features may serve as novel biomarkers for patient stratification and sensitization of radioimmunotherapy combinations. The key to its clinical translation lies in establishing detection systems with spatial and temporal resolution and developing localized, temporally sequenced, and population-selective targeted therapeutic strategies.
3.A Preliminary Study on the Changes of Neurotransmitters in Neural Pathways Related to Tinnitus Induced by Salicylate in Rats
Bin YI ; Qingping MA ; Xueling WANG ; Huihui LIU ; Jiayi GU ; Tingting DU ; Wenxiao WANG ; Runjie SHI ; Zhiwu HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):66-72
Objective To study the dynamic changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters glutamic acid(Glu)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in the central auditory brain area,in order to explore the effects of sodium salicy-late on different locations of the auditory pathway.Methods A total of 126 SD rats were injected intraperitoneally with salicylate,and were divided into 10 groups including injection groups for 1,2,4,8,and 24 hours,chronic in-jection groups for 3,7,and 14 days,and chronic recovery groups for 21 and 28 days with 6 rats in each group,as well as their corresponding blank control groups.Rats in each group were anesthetized and materials were collected for further use.High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was performed to detect and compare the dynam-ic changes in the levels of Glu and GABA in the auditory cortex,inferior colliculus,cochlear nucleus,and hippocam-pus of the auditory center of rats in each group at different time points.Results Compared with the control group,within 24 hours of acute injection of salicylate,the Glu content in the auditory cortex reached the peak in 1 hour,and the hippocampus reached the peak at the 4th hour after injection,and then decreased slowly.The GABA con-tent in the four brain regions showed a slow upward trend in the chronic injection period,reached the peak on the 7th day,decreased and approached normal level on the 14th day,and basically returned to the normal level in the re-covery period.Conclusion These findings indicate that salicylate has a certain short-term excitatory and stimulating effect on the central auditory system.Under the mechanism of central plasticity,after long-term injection of salicy-late,the release of neurotransmitters reaches a new excitation/inhibition balance in the central area.Glu and GABA may each play a different role that may ultimately lead to the development of tinnitus.
4.Influence of lifestyle and cytochrome P4501A1 gene polymorphism on the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy
Yan FENG ; Zhiwu WANG ; Shuang LIU
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(11):47-54
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy based on living habits and cytochrome P4501A1(CYP1A1)gene polymorphism.Methods A total of 118 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy in our hospital from May 2023 to May 2024 were included in the chronic atrophic gastritis group,and another 120 patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy during the same period were included in the chronic non-atrophic gastritis group.Clinical data,lifestyle,gastroscopy and CYP1A1 gene polymorphism were compared between the two groups.The risk factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression,and the regression equation was established.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn to analyze the predictive value of the regression equation for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy.Results Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that Helicobacter pylori infection,family history of gastritis,fast eating,hot eating,insomnia,CYP1A1 genotype G/G were the risk factors for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy(P<0.05).The above factors were included in the regression equation:Logit(P)=-8.252+Helicobacter pylori infection×0.741+family history of gastritis×0.636+fast food×0.595+hot food×0.754+insomnia×0.791+CYP1A1 genotype G/G×0.752.According to the regression equation,ROC curve was drawn to predict the occurrence of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy.The results showed that when Logit(P)>0.727,the sensitivity was 87.29%,the specificity was 86.67%,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.922.Conclusion The influencing factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy include Helicobacter pylori infection,family history of gastritis,fast food,hot food,insomnia,CYP1A1 genotype G/G,the establishment of the regression equation is effective,which can lay a foundation for screening high-risk patients and formulating preventive interventions.
5.Influence of lifestyle and cytochrome P4501A1 gene polymorphism on the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy
Yan FENG ; Zhiwu WANG ; Shuang LIU
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(11):47-54
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy based on living habits and cytochrome P4501A1(CYP1A1)gene polymorphism.Methods A total of 118 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy in our hospital from May 2023 to May 2024 were included in the chronic atrophic gastritis group,and another 120 patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy during the same period were included in the chronic non-atrophic gastritis group.Clinical data,lifestyle,gastroscopy and CYP1A1 gene polymorphism were compared between the two groups.The risk factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression,and the regression equation was established.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn to analyze the predictive value of the regression equation for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy.Results Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that Helicobacter pylori infection,family history of gastritis,fast eating,hot eating,insomnia,CYP1A1 genotype G/G were the risk factors for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy(P<0.05).The above factors were included in the regression equation:Logit(P)=-8.252+Helicobacter pylori infection×0.741+family history of gastritis×0.636+fast food×0.595+hot food×0.754+insomnia×0.791+CYP1A1 genotype G/G×0.752.According to the regression equation,ROC curve was drawn to predict the occurrence of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy.The results showed that when Logit(P)>0.727,the sensitivity was 87.29%,the specificity was 86.67%,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.922.Conclusion The influencing factors of chronic atrophic gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy include Helicobacter pylori infection,family history of gastritis,fast food,hot food,insomnia,CYP1A1 genotype G/G,the establishment of the regression equation is effective,which can lay a foundation for screening high-risk patients and formulating preventive interventions.
6.A Preliminary Study on the Changes of Neurotransmitters in Neural Pathways Related to Tinnitus Induced by Salicylate in Rats
Bin YI ; Qingping MA ; Xueling WANG ; Huihui LIU ; Jiayi GU ; Tingting DU ; Wenxiao WANG ; Runjie SHI ; Zhiwu HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):66-72
Objective To study the dynamic changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters glutamic acid(Glu)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in the central auditory brain area,in order to explore the effects of sodium salicy-late on different locations of the auditory pathway.Methods A total of 126 SD rats were injected intraperitoneally with salicylate,and were divided into 10 groups including injection groups for 1,2,4,8,and 24 hours,chronic in-jection groups for 3,7,and 14 days,and chronic recovery groups for 21 and 28 days with 6 rats in each group,as well as their corresponding blank control groups.Rats in each group were anesthetized and materials were collected for further use.High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was performed to detect and compare the dynam-ic changes in the levels of Glu and GABA in the auditory cortex,inferior colliculus,cochlear nucleus,and hippocam-pus of the auditory center of rats in each group at different time points.Results Compared with the control group,within 24 hours of acute injection of salicylate,the Glu content in the auditory cortex reached the peak in 1 hour,and the hippocampus reached the peak at the 4th hour after injection,and then decreased slowly.The GABA con-tent in the four brain regions showed a slow upward trend in the chronic injection period,reached the peak on the 7th day,decreased and approached normal level on the 14th day,and basically returned to the normal level in the re-covery period.Conclusion These findings indicate that salicylate has a certain short-term excitatory and stimulating effect on the central auditory system.Under the mechanism of central plasticity,after long-term injection of salicy-late,the release of neurotransmitters reaches a new excitation/inhibition balance in the central area.Glu and GABA may each play a different role that may ultimately lead to the development of tinnitus.
7.Disulfide bridge-targeted metabolome mining unravels an antiparkinsonian peptide.
Zhiwu TONG ; Xiahong XIE ; Huiming GE ; Ruihua JIAO ; Tingting WANG ; Xincun WANG ; Wenying ZHUANG ; Gang HU ; Renxiang TAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):881-892
Peptides are a particular molecule class with inherent attributes of some small-molecule drugs and macromolecular biologics, thereby inspiring continuous searches for peptides with therapeutic and/or agrochemical potentials. However, the success rate is decreasing, presumably because many interesting but less-abundant peptides are so scarce or labile that they are likely 'overlooked' during the characterization effort. Here, we present the biochemical characterization and druggability improvement of an unprecedented minor fungal RiPP (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide), named acalitide, by taking the relevant advantages of metabolomics approach and disulfide-bridged substructure which is more frequently imprinted in the marketed peptide drug molecules. Acalitide is biosynthetically unique in the macrotricyclization via two disulfide bridges and a protease (AcaB)-catalyzed lactamization of AcaA, an unprecedented precursor peptide. Such a biosynthetic logic was successfully re-edited for its sample supply renewal to facilitate the identification of the in vitro and in vivo antiparkinsonian efficacy of acalitide which was further confirmed safe and rendered brain-targetable by the liposome encapsulation strategy. Taken together, the work updates the mining strategy and biosynthetic complexity of RiPPs to unravel an antiparkinsonian drug candidate valuable for combating Parkinson's disease that is globally prevailing in an alarming manner.
8.Evaluation of the correlation between diabetic retinopathy and diabetic ne-phropathy by emission computed tomography and clinical testing data via convolutional neural network
Juan TANG ; Qinghua LI ; Xiuying DENG ; Ting LU ; Guoqiang TANG ; Zhiwu LIN ; Xingde LIU ; Xiaoli WU ; Qilin FANG ; Ying LI ; Xiao WANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Biao LI ; Chuanqiang DAI ; Tao LI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(2):127-132
Objective To evaluate the relationship between diabetic nephropathy(DN)and diabetic retinopathy(DR)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)based on imaging and clinical testing data.Methods Totally 600 T2DM patients who visited the First People's Hospital of Ziyang from March 2021 to December 2022 were included.The fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed on all these patients and their age,gender,T2DM duration,cardiovascular diseases,cerebrovascular disease,hypertension,smoking history,drinking history,body mass in-dex,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and other clinical data were collected.The levels of fasting blood glu-cose(FPG),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipo-protein cholesterol(LDL-C),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),24 h urinary albumin(UAlb),urinary albumin to creati-nine ratio(ACR),serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors associated with DR.DR staging was performed according to fundus images,and the convolutional neural network(CNN)algorithm was used as an image analysis method to explore the correlation between DR and DN based on emission computed tomography(ECT)and clinical testing data.Results The average lesion area rates of DR and DN detected by the CNN in the non-DR,mild-non-proliferative DR(NPDR),moderate-NPDR,severe-NPDR and pro-liferative DR(PDR)groups were higher than those obtained by the traditional algorithm(TCM).As DR worsened,the Scr,BUN,24 h UAlb and ACR gradually increased.Besides,the incidence of DN in the non-DR,mild-NPDR,moderate-NPDR,severe-NPDR and PDR groups was 1.67%,8.83%,16.16%,22.16%and 30.83%,respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of T2DM,smoking history,HbA1c,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,24 h UAlb,Scr,BUN,ACR and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)were independent risk factors for DR.Renal dynamic ECT analysis demonstrated that with the aggravation of DR,renal blood flow perfusion gradually decreased,resulting in diminished renal filtration.Conclusion The application of CCN in the early stage DR and DN image analysis of T2DM patients will improve the diag-nosis accuracy of DR and DN lesion area.The DN is worsening as the aggravation of DR.
9.Erratum to "Tanshinone IIA Protects Endothelial Cells from H2O2 -Induced Injuries via PXR Activation" Biomol Ther 25(6), 599-608 (2017)
Haiyan ZHU ; Zhiwu CHEN ; Zengchun MA ; Hongling TAN ; Chengrong XIAO ; Xianglin TANG ; Boli ZHANG ; Yuguang WANG ; Yue GAO
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2024;32(2):261-261
10.Effects of rapid drug sensitivity testing for multidrug-resistant bacteria on the prognosis of patients with severe intra-abdominal infection
Jiajie WANG ; Jiayang LI ; Wenqi WU ; Mingjie QIU ; Cunxia WU ; Zhitao ZHOU ; Meilin WU ; Sai TIAN ; Lei WU ; Jinpeng ZHANG ; Zherui ZHANG ; Ruixia TIAN ; Zhiwu HONG ; Huajian REN ; Gefei WANG ; Xiuwen WU ; Jian'an REN
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2023;26(9):847-852
Objective:To examine the clinical value of rapid detection of drug-resistant bacteria by immunochromatography and the effects of rapid detection on the prognosis of patients with severe intra-abdominal infection complicated by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bloodstream infection.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. We analyzed clinical data of 73 patients with severe abdominal infections with sepsis or septic shock complicated by CRE bloodstream infection admitted to the general surgery department of Jinling Hospital between February 2022 and February 2023. Patients were divided into a colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) group (17 patients) and conventional testing group (56 patients) based on whether a GICA for CRE had been performed on the patients' first blood culture sample during the diagnosis and treatment process. There were no statistically significant differences between the GICA and conventional testing groups in age ([55.9±17.3] vs. [47.6±16.4] years), sex ([16 men vs. one woman ] vs. [41 men vs. 15 women]), median Charlson comorbidity index (3.0[2.0,4.0] vs. 3.0[2.0, 4.8]), septic shock (10 vs. 39), or acute kidney injury (8 vs. 40) (all P>0.05). Both groups routinely underwent traditional bacterial identification and drug susceptibility testing. Additionally, patients in the GICA group were tested directly for positive blood cultures using a GICA carbapenemase test kit. The main outcomes were mortality rates on Days 28 and 90 after the first identification of CRE bloodstream infection in both groups. We also compared the microbial clearance rate, duration of hospitalization and intensive care unit stay, and time from onset of CRE bloodstream infection to initiation of targeted and appropriate antibiotics between the two groups. Results:The rate of microbial clearance of bloodstream infection was significantly greater in the GICA group than in the conventional testing group (15/17 vs. 34/56 [60.7%], χ 2=4.476, P=0.034), whereas the 28-day mortality tended to be lower in the GICA than conventional testing group [5/17 vs. 44.6% [25/56], χ 2=1.250, P=0.264). The 90-day mortality (8/17 vs. 53.6% [30/56], χ 2=0.222, P=0.638), median duration of hospitalization (37.0 [18.0, 46.5] days vs. 45.5 [32.2, 64.8] days, Z=-1.867, P=0.062), and median duration of intensive care unit stay (18.0 [6.5, 35.0] days vs. 32.0 [5.0, 51.8] days, Z=-1.251, P=0.209). The median time between the onset of bloodstream infection and administration of antibiotics was 49.0 (38.0, 69.0) hours in the GICA group, which is significantly shorter than the 163.0 (111.8, 190.0) hours in the conventional testing group ( Z=-5.731, P<0.001). The median time between the onset of bloodstream infection and administration of appropriate antibiotics was 40.0 (34.0, 80.0) hours in the GICA group, which is shorter than in the conventional testing group (68.0 [38.2, 118.8]) hours; however, this difference is not statistically significant ( Z=-1.686, P=0.093). Conclusions:GICA can provide information on carbapenemase- producing pathogens faster than traditional drug sensitivity testing, enabling early administration of the optimal antibiotics. The strategy of 'carbapenemase detection first' for managing bacterial infection has the potential to improve prognosis of patients and reduce mortality rate.

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