1.Huangqi Jianzhongtang Regulates Polarization of Macrophages M1/M2 and Improves Fat Consumption in Cancer Cachexia Mice
Zhiyan FANG ; Haiyan ZHU ; Wenying HUAI ; Cong HUANG ; Ruocong YANG ; Haiyan YU ; Tiane ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):61-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang (HQJZ) on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia (CC) mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to control the quality of HQJZ. (1) In vitro experiment: HQJZ-containing serum was prepared, and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages (RAW264.7) were cultured and randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a classically activated macrophages (M1) group, an alternatively activated macrophages (M2) group, a HQJZ + blank group, a HQJZ+M1 group, and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg1) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR ). (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) group, and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group, the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA (0.13 g·kg-1·d-1) or HQJZ (13.13 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, respectively, while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage, with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers (iNOS, Arg1, CD86, CD206) and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot (WB) was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to measure residual fat volume, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro, the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the blank group, Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group (P<0.05), CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance, while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the M1 group, Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 group, CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group (P<0.05), CD86 expression increased significantly (P<0.01). In vivo, Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the control group, CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). In the HQJZ group, CD206 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). WB results showed that, compared with the model group, protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01). micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group (P<0.05). HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization, thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.
2.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
3.Effects of SIRT2 regulation on migration and proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts in Ang Ⅱ-induced mice
Lichan Lin ; Zhiyan Liu ; Zhenyu Liu ; Peng Liu ; Sui Sui ; Yunsen Zhang ; Xianwen Hu ; Rui Li ; Hui Tao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):589-595, 603
Objective:
To investigate the effect of sirtuin 2(SIRT2) on the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)in C57BL/6 mice under angiotensin II(Ang Ⅱ) stimulation.
Methods :
The hearts were taken from 1 to 2 days C57BL/6 milk mice. After cutting and digesting, CFs were extracted by different adhesion centrifugation. After CFs attachment, the cells were cultured under control medium and Ang Ⅱ(100 nmol/L) medium and treated using OE-SIRT2 plasmid to overexpression the SIRT2 gene. RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expression of SIRT2 proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), periostin(POSTN)and type Ⅰ collagen procollagen A1(Col1A1), Western blot assay was used to measure the protein expression levels of SIRT2, PCNA, POSTN and Col1A1, CCK-8 assay and EdU assay were used to evaluate CFs proliferation rate, Transwell experiment was used to assess CFs migration activity.
Results:
Compared with control group, Ang Ⅱ stimulation led to down-regulation of SIRT2 expression in CFs, increased collagen expression, and promoted CFs proliferation and migration. The expression of SIRT2 was up regulated in CFs treated with OE-SIRT2 plasmid under Ang Ⅱ stimulation, Col1A1, POSTN and PCNA expression was down regulated, and CFs proliferation and migration ability decreased.
Conclusion
Overexpression of SIRT2 can inhibit the proliferation and migration of CFs under Ang Ⅱ stimulation, indicating that SIRT2 may be a key regulatory point in the onset and progression of cardiac fibrosis.
4.ALKBH3-regulated m1A of ALDOA potentiates glycolysis and doxorubicin resistance of triple negative breast cancer cells.
Yuhua DENG ; Zhiyan CHEN ; Peixian CHEN ; Yaming XIONG ; Chuling ZHANG ; Qiuyuan WU ; Huiqi HUANG ; Shuqing YANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Tiancheng HE ; Wei LI ; Guolin YE ; Wei LUO ; Hongsheng WANG ; Dan ZHOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3092-3106
Chemotherapy is currently the mainstay of systemic management for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but chemoresistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Our research indicates that Doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant TNBC cells exhibit increased glycolysis and ATP generation compared to their parental cells, with this metabolic shift contributing to chemoresistance. We discovered that ALKBH3, an m1A demethylase enzyme, is crucial in regulating the enhanced glycolysis in Dox-resistant TNBC cells. Knocking down ALKBH3 reduced ATP generation, glucose consumption, and lactate production, implicating its involvement in mediating glycolysis. Further investigation revealed that aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is a downstream target of ALKBH3. ALKBH3 regulates ALDOA mRNA stability through m1A demethylation at the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). This methylation negatively affects ALDOA mRNA stability by recruiting the YTHDF2/PAN2-PAN3 complex, leading to mRNA degradation. The ALKBH3/ALDOA axis promotes Dox resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical analysis demonstrated that ALKBH3 and ALDOA are upregulated in breast cancer tissues, and higher expression of these proteins is associated with reduced overall survival in TNBC patients. Our study highlights the role of the ALKBH3/ALDOA axis in contributing to Dox resistance in TNBC cells through regulation of ALDOA mRNA stability and glycolysis.
5.Clinicopathological analysis of intraosseous hibernoma
Jin HUANG ; Jie CHEN ; Zhiyan LIU ; Huizhen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(6):599-603
Objective:To investigate the clinical, radiological and histological features of intraosseous hibernoma.Methods:Two cases of intraosseous hibernoma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, the Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed. Related literature was also reviewed.Results:One case was a 44-year-old female with abnormal signals in the proximal right femur revealed by MRI, who underwent curettage of the lesion. The other case was a 41-year-old female with an occupying lesion in the second sacral vertebrae revealed by CT and MRI, who underwent CT-guided biopsy. Microscopically, both tumors were composed of large polygonal cells, with finely vacuolated cytoplasm and distinct cell membranes and variably admixed mature adipose cells or hematopoietic components within the stroma. Nuclei were small, centrally or paracentrally situated and displayed prominent scalloping. Nuclear atypia was absent. A relatively clear tumor boundary could be observed in one case. Immunohistochemical staining showed that tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, while negative for keratin, CD68, H3F3A, and Brachyury.Conclusions:Intraosseous hibernoma is extremely rare and tends to affect middle-aged and elderly patients. It most frequently occurs in the spine and pelvis. It needs to be differentiated from metastatic cancer, Erdheim-Chester disease, intraosseous lipoma with necrosis, and benign notochordal cell tumor. Increasing awareness of it helps to avoid missed diagnoses or excessive treatment due to misdiagnosis.
6.Update of molecular pathology in cartilage tumors
Yanli LUO ; Likun ZHANG ; Zhiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(6):562-567
Cartilage tumors are a group of mesenchymal neoplasms characterized by tumor cells that produce cartilage matrix.The molecular pathology of cartilage tumors, as outlined in the 5th edition WHO classification, has been significantly updated.Key updates include: isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutations in enchondoma and chondrosarcoma, H3F3B mutations in chondroblastoma, NCOA2 rearrangements in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, and GRM1 gene fusion and promoter replacement are associated with chondromyxoid fibroma, etc.Since these molecular abnormalities serve as specific diagnostic and differential diagnostic markers, this article focuses on recent advances in the molecular characterization of cartilage tumors.
7.MR imaging characteristics of general paresis of the insane with bilateral hippocampal atrophy as a primary feature
Yue ZHANG ; Zhiyan XIE ; Shuangshuang SONG ; Xuejun LIU ; Guizhi XU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(8):1271-1274
Objective To analyze the MR imaging features of patients with general paresis of the insane(GPI),characterized by bilateral hippocampal atrophy,and to explore how to improve the accuracy of early GPI diagnosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations,brain imaging data,diagnosis and treatment of 11 patients with GPI.Results Among the 11 cases,MRI showed that 9 cases had varying degrees of brain atrophy,of which 7 cases showed age-inappropriate brain atro-phy,especially bilateral hippocampal atrophy as the main sign,and the remaining 2 cases showed brain atrophy accompanied by multi-ple abnormal intracranial signals;2 cases only showed multiple abnormal intracranial signals.Conclusion MR imaging findings of GPI often manifests only age-inappropriate brain atrophy,particularly bilateral hippocampal atrophy,a feature that holds significant diagnostic value for early detection with reducing missed diagnosis rate of GPI.
8.Research Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Chinese Medicine Drynaria Fortunei
Zhiyan ZHANG ; Ziyu PU ; Mingtao ZHANG ; Jun CHE ; Ai YANG ; Xiaojie WANG ; Guanhua GUI ; Gaohong LYU ; Liu XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(8):1114-1126
Drynaria fortunei,commonly known as"bone setting herb",has been widely included in various traditional Chinese herb-al classics for treating bone injuries.It is used medicinally from its rhizome,which has a bitter taste and warm property.It is known to nourish the kidneys,strengthen bones,and alleviate pain from injuries.The chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids,phenylpro-panoids,triterpenoids,phenolic acids,lignans,and sterols.Modern medical research indicates that Drynaria fortunei has anti-osteoporo-sis effects,promotes fracture healing,has anti-inflammatory properties,and benefits dental health.This article reviews the historical use of Drynaria fortunei and recent research on its chemical composition and pharmacological effects,summarizing some of the mechanisms of action.The aim is to provide a reference for further research on this medicinal herb.
9.MR imaging characteristics of general paresis of the insane with bilateral hippocampal atrophy as a primary feature
Yue ZHANG ; Zhiyan XIE ; Shuangshuang SONG ; Xuejun LIU ; Guizhi XU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(8):1271-1274
Objective To analyze the MR imaging features of patients with general paresis of the insane(GPI),characterized by bilateral hippocampal atrophy,and to explore how to improve the accuracy of early GPI diagnosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations,brain imaging data,diagnosis and treatment of 11 patients with GPI.Results Among the 11 cases,MRI showed that 9 cases had varying degrees of brain atrophy,of which 7 cases showed age-inappropriate brain atro-phy,especially bilateral hippocampal atrophy as the main sign,and the remaining 2 cases showed brain atrophy accompanied by multi-ple abnormal intracranial signals;2 cases only showed multiple abnormal intracranial signals.Conclusion MR imaging findings of GPI often manifests only age-inappropriate brain atrophy,particularly bilateral hippocampal atrophy,a feature that holds significant diagnostic value for early detection with reducing missed diagnosis rate of GPI.
10.Research Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Chinese Medicine Drynaria Fortunei
Zhiyan ZHANG ; Ziyu PU ; Mingtao ZHANG ; Jun CHE ; Ai YANG ; Xiaojie WANG ; Guanhua GUI ; Gaohong LYU ; Liu XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(8):1114-1126
Drynaria fortunei,commonly known as"bone setting herb",has been widely included in various traditional Chinese herb-al classics for treating bone injuries.It is used medicinally from its rhizome,which has a bitter taste and warm property.It is known to nourish the kidneys,strengthen bones,and alleviate pain from injuries.The chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids,phenylpro-panoids,triterpenoids,phenolic acids,lignans,and sterols.Modern medical research indicates that Drynaria fortunei has anti-osteoporo-sis effects,promotes fracture healing,has anti-inflammatory properties,and benefits dental health.This article reviews the historical use of Drynaria fortunei and recent research on its chemical composition and pharmacological effects,summarizing some of the mechanisms of action.The aim is to provide a reference for further research on this medicinal herb.


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