1.Ferroptosis in alcoholic liver fibrosis: Mechanism of action and therapeutic strategies
Zhiyuan WEI ; Feng LIN ; Tao WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1172-1177
Alcoholic liver fibrosis is a critical step in the progression of alcoholic liver disease toward liver cirrhosis, yet there is currently still a lack of effective and specific anti-fibrotic therapeutic strategies. Recent studies have shown that as an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven form of regulated cell death, ferroptosis plays an important role in alcohol-related hepatocellular injury and fibrogenesis. Reactive oxygen species generated during alcohol metabolism can damage hepatocytes, impair their antioxidant defense ability, and lead to disruption of iron homeostasis and accumulation of lipid peroxides, ultimately triggering ferroptosis. Hepatocyte ferroptosis can promote fibrosis by amplifying inflammatory responses and activating hepatic stellate cells, whereas selective induction of ferroptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells may attenuate fibrosis, highlighting the “double-edged sword” effect of ferroptosis. Current interventions against ferroptosis mainly focus on applying antioxidant approaches, reducing iron burden, or blocking the amplification of lipid peroxidation, which have shown preliminary efficacy and a potential clinical value, but there are still limitations such as single-target actions and insufficient cell selectivity. In the future, nanotechnology-based delivery and other targeting strategies may help to realize multi-pathway coordination and cell-specific modulation, thereby improving the anti-fibrotic efficacy of ferroptosis-oriented therapies.
2.Perioperative immune dynamics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery
Zhiyuan CHENG ; Xinyi LIAO ; Juan WU ; Ping YANG ; Tingting WANG ; Qinjuan WU ; Wentong MENG ; Zongcheng TANG ; Jiayi SUN ; Jia TAN ; Jing LIN ; Dan LUO ; Hao WANG ; Chaonan LIU ; Jiyue XIONG ; Liqin LING ; Jing ZHOU ; Lei DU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):31-43
Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10
/L vs preoperative 3.07×10
/L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10
/L vs preoperative 3.05×10
/L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10
/L vs preoperative 2.99×10
/L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.
3.Lead and cadmium co-exposure triggers genetic damage through oxidative stress and impaired expression of DNA repair genes
Xin LIU ; Zhiyuan HAN ; Kuibin HAN ; Yuhan PANG ; Xiaoyue ZHAO ; Yuting WANG ; Xiaoyan WU ; Tuanwei WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):556-564
Background Lead smelting workers are exposed to mixed heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). However, the specific associations and molecular mechanisms by which their combined exposure induces genetic damage remain unclear. Objective To clarify the association between combined Pb-Cd exposure and genetic damage and to explore the possible biological mechanisms through occupational epidemiological investigations and animal experiments. Methods (1) Population study: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 lead smelting workers in northern China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect urinary levels of 8 metals including Pb and Cd, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to quantify blood levels of Pb and Cd. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to assess genetic damage. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between metal exposure and micronucleus rates. (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control (pure water), Pb (300 mg·L−1 lead acetate), Cd (50 mg·L−1 cadmium chloride), combined exposure (Pb + Cd), and resveratrol intervention (Pb + Cd + 50 mg·L−1 resveratrol). After 8 weeks of ad libitum drinking water exposure, liver pathology, oxidative stress indicators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], genetic damage (Comet assay and γ-H2AX) were evaluated. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rates, and mRNA expression of DNA damage response (DDR), DNA repair, and apoptosis-related genes were measured. Results (1) The geometric mean (GM, 95%CI) of urinary Pb and Cd were 14.69 (13.14, 16.51) µg·L−1 and 2.11 (1.90, 2.33) µg·L−1, respectively; the blood Pb and Cd levels were 117.10 (105.59, 129.87) µg·L−1 and 4.55 (4.23, 4.89) µg·L−1, respectively among the 374 workers. The mean micronucleus rate was (1.64±0.081) ‰, with significantly higher rates in males (1.65±0.083) ‰ than females (1.53±0.334) ‰ (U=4.166, P=0.041). All Pb and Cd biomarkers were positively correlated with micronucleus rate (FR>1, P<0.05), with a significant interaction effect observed between Pb and Cd (FR>1, P<0.05). (2) In rats, co-exposure to Pb and Cd caused liver tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration. Significant increases were observed in lymphocyte ROS; GSSG and MDA in lung tissue increased, while GSH and CAT activity decreased. Comet assay indicators and γ-H2AX levels were significantly elevated. Co-exposure induced S-phase arrest and increased apoptosis. mRNA levels of DDR (ATM, ATR, Chk2, and P53) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Caspase-3) were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and DNA repair genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, RAD52, and CtIP) were downregulated. Two-way ANOVA confirmed synergistic effects on GSSG, Comet assay indicators, and ATR/Chk2 mRNA expression. Conclusion Occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd synergistically induces genetic damage. This damage is mediated by oxidative stress and DNA damage, which activates the DDR pathway and inhibits the expression of DNA repair genes, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
4.Lead and cadmium co-exposure triggers genetic damage through oxidative stress and impaired expression of DNA repair genes
Xin LIU ; Zhiyuan HAN ; Kuibin HAN ; Yuhan PANG ; Xiaoyue ZHAO ; Yuting WANG ; Xiaoyan WU ; Tuanwei WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):556-564
Background Lead smelting workers are exposed to mixed heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). However, the specific associations and molecular mechanisms by which their combined exposure induces genetic damage remain unclear. Objective To clarify the association between combined Pb-Cd exposure and genetic damage and to explore the possible biological mechanisms through occupational epidemiological investigations and animal experiments. Methods (1) Population study: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 lead smelting workers in northern China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect urinary levels of 8 metals including Pb and Cd, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to quantify blood levels of Pb and Cd. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to assess genetic damage. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between metal exposure and micronucleus rates. (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control (pure water), Pb (300 mg·L−1 lead acetate), Cd (50 mg·L−1 cadmium chloride), combined exposure (Pb + Cd), and resveratrol intervention (Pb + Cd + 50 mg·L−1 resveratrol). After 8 weeks of ad libitum drinking water exposure, liver pathology, oxidative stress indicators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], genetic damage (Comet assay and γ-H2AX) were evaluated. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rates, and mRNA expression of DNA damage response (DDR), DNA repair, and apoptosis-related genes were measured. Results (1) The geometric mean (GM, 95%CI) of urinary Pb and Cd were 14.69 (13.14, 16.51) µg·L−1 and 2.11 (1.90, 2.33) µg·L−1, respectively; the blood Pb and Cd levels were 117.10 (105.59, 129.87) µg·L−1 and 4.55 (4.23, 4.89) µg·L−1, respectively among the 374 workers. The mean micronucleus rate was (1.64±0.081) ‰, with significantly higher rates in males (1.65±0.083) ‰ than females (1.53±0.334) ‰ (U=4.166, P=0.041). All Pb and Cd biomarkers were positively correlated with micronucleus rate (FR>1, P<0.05), with a significant interaction effect observed between Pb and Cd (FR>1, P<0.05). (2) In rats, co-exposure to Pb and Cd caused liver tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration. Significant increases were observed in lymphocyte ROS; GSSG and MDA in lung tissue increased, while GSH and CAT activity decreased. Comet assay indicators and γ-H2AX levels were significantly elevated. Co-exposure induced S-phase arrest and increased apoptosis. mRNA levels of DDR (ATM, ATR, Chk2, and P53) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Caspase-3) were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and DNA repair genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, RAD52, and CtIP) were downregulated. Two-way ANOVA confirmed synergistic effects on GSSG, Comet assay indicators, and ATR/Chk2 mRNA expression. Conclusion Occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd synergistically induces genetic damage. This damage is mediated by oxidative stress and DNA damage, which activates the DDR pathway and inhibits the expression of DNA repair genes, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
5.Nuclear translocation of NRF2 activates SLC7A11 and inhibits SAS-in-duced ferroptosis of AML cells
Yanfeng LIN ; Zhiyuan ZHENG ; Ying CHEN ; Wei WU ; Donghong LIN ; Yan XUE
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1289-1299
AIM:This study investigated the role of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in sul-fasalazine(SAS)-induced ferroptosis in acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cells,focusing on the inhibitory effect of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2)nuclear translocation-mediated activation of SLC7A11 on ferroptosis and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS:SAS-induced proliferation in AML cell lines,Kasumi-1 and THP-1,was assessed using the MTS assay.Cell death inhibitors were employed to determine the mode of cell death.Lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were measured by flow cytometry;Fe2+,malonodialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)levels,and glutathione per-oxidase 4(GPX4)activity were assessed using micromethods.Quantitative PCR(qPCR)was performed to evaluate changes in SLC7A11 mRNA during SAS-induced ferroptosis,while Western blot measured SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein levels.Moreover,Western blot assessed NRF2 nuclear translocation post-SAS treatment.The NRF2 inhibitor ML385 was used to validate these effects.SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were then measured following combined SAS and ML385 treatment via qPCR and Western blot.Cell viability and ferroptosis-related indices were evaluated under the same treatment conditions.Furthermore,a shRNA vector targeting SLC7A11 was constructed to assess changes in cell viability and ferroptosis markers after SLC7A11 knockdown with SAS.GPX4 protein levels were examined following SLC7A11 knockdown.RESULTS:SAS significantly inhibited the proliferation of Kasumi-1 and THP-1 cells at 200 μmol/L and 300 μmol/L,respectively(P<0.05).Only ferroptosis inhibitors(Fer-1 and DFO)significantly reversed SAS-induced cy-totoxicity(P<0.01).SAS increased lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA levels(P<0.01),while reducing GSH and GPX4 activity(P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of SLC7A11 increased during SAS-induced ferroptosis(P<0.01),where-as GPX4 protein decreased significantly(P<0.01).SAS significantly increased the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic NRF2 ratio(P<0.01),which decreased upon co-treatment with ML385(P<0.05).Following SAS and ML385 co-treatment,both SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels were downregulated(P<0.01).This combination treatment further reduced AML cell viability(P<0.01),an effect reversed by Fer-1 and DFO(P<0.01).Compared with SAS alone,the combination of SAS and ML385 significantly increased lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA while reducing GSH levels and GPX4 activity(P<0.01).SLC7A11 knockdown was successfully achieved.Compared with the NC shRNA group,SLC7A11 knockdown cells showed significantly decreased viability after SAS treatment,which was reversed by Fer-1 and DFO(P<0.01).Lipid ROS,Fe2+,and MDA content were significantly increased(P<0.01),and GSH and GPX4 were substantially decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,GPX4 protein expression was considerably reduced after SLC7A11 knockdown(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:SAS induces ferroptosis in AML cells.It promotes the nuclear translocation of NRF2 protein,which activates SLC7A11 ex-pression.Inhibition of NRF2 or downregulation of SLC7A11 sensitizes AML cells to SAS-induced ferroptosis.
6.Ameliorative effects of hydroxytyrosol hydroxybutyrate on cogni-tive decline induced by acute sleep deprivation in mice
Gangyi WANG ; Zhiyuan WANG ; Danni CAO ; Ning WU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(10):731-741
OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effects of hydroxytyrosol hydroxybutyrate(HTHB)against cognitive impairment induced by acute sleep deprivation in mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the following groups:normal control,normal groups administered with HTHB 30,60 and 120 mg·kg-1 or hydroxytyrosol(HT 19.25,38.5 and 77 mg·kg-1),a sleep deprivation(SD)model group,and SD groups co-administered with the same doses of HTHB or HT.Acute sleep deprivation was induced for 72-96 h using a rotarod apparatus in all groups except the normal control and normal drug-treated groups.Based on dose-response assess-ments in the Y-maze and novel object recognition tests,the effective doses(HTHB 60 mg·kg-1 and HT 38.5 mg·kg-1)were selected for subsequent evaluation in the two-choice visual discrimination task that was performed in a subset of groups:normal control,normal+HTHB 60 mg·kg-1,normal+HT 38.5 mg·kg1,SD model,SD+HTHB 60 mg·kg-1,and SD+HT 38.5 mg·kg-1.Cognitive functions that were assessed included spatial working memory(Y-maze spontaneous alternation),object recognition memory(novel object recognition)and visual discrimination ability(two-choice visual discrimination task).Biochemically,levels of hippocampal reactive oxygen species(ROS)were quantified by ELISA while the ATP content was determined using a firefly luciferase-based assay.RESULTS In non-sleep-deprived mice,neither HTHB nor HT administration significantly altered locomotor activity,spatial working memory,object recognition memory,or visual discrimination performance.Following sleep deprivation,the model group displayed significant cognitive deficits,including reduced spontaneous alternation rate,lower novel object recognition indexes,and decreased accuracy in the visual discrimination task at 48 and 96 h.These impairments were accompanied by elevated hippocampal ROS levels and reduced ATP contents com-pared to the control group.Treatment with HT 38.5 and 77 mg·kg-1 significantly attenuated the deficit in spontaneous alternation,but did not affect other parameters.In contrast,HTHB at 60 and 120 mg·kg-1 produced broader restorative effects and significantly reversed impairment in both spontaneous alterna-tion and novel object recognition.Furthermore,HTHB at 60 mg·kg-1 significantly improved visual discrimination accuracy at 48 and 96 h,while lowering hippocampal ROS levels and increasing ATP contents.CONCLUSION HTHB effectively mitigates acute sleep deprivation-induced impairment in spatial working memory,object recognition memory,and visual discrimination in mice.This protection is likely mediated by the enhancement of mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and the restoration of energy metabolism.
7.The impact of adolescent mental health status on smartphone addiction and the construction of a predictive model
Zhiyuan LI ; Junlin WU ; Shuhan HE ; Menghan HAO ; Yujia WENG ; Congwen YANG ; Qianmei LONG ; Guoping HUANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(3):252-258
Objective:To explore the impact of adolescent mental health status on smartphone addiction, and construct a predictive model for smartphone addiction based on the eXtreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost) algorithm and multivariate Logistic regression.Methods:In April 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 14 666 adolescents.All participants were systematically evaluated using a self-developed general information questionnaire, the middle school student mental health scale(MSSMHS), the adolescents self-harm scale(ASHS), the interaction anxiousness scale(IAS), the mobile phone addiction index(MPAI), the middle school students shame scale(MSSS), the UCLA loneliness scale(UCLA-LS), the multidimensional peer victimization scale(MPVS), and the basic psychological needs scale(BPNS).R software version 4.3.2 was used for data analysis. Participants were randomly divided into training set and validation set at the ratio of 7∶3.The XGBoost model and multivariate logistic regression model were constructed to predict the risk of smartphone addiction, and a nomogram was plotted.Model performance was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, area under the curve(AUC), and accuracy(ACC).Results:(1) A total of 14 036 high school students were included in the study, with 5 069(36.1%) exhibited smartphone addiction.The training set comprised 9 826 students, with 3 549(36.1%) being smartphone addicts.The validation set included 4 210 students, with 1 520(36.1%) being smartphone addicts.(2) The XGBoost model identified shame-proneness and social anxiety as the two main predictors of smartphone addiction.(3) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that anxiety( B=0.328, OR(95% CI)=1.39(1.07-1.81), P=0.015), interpersonal sensitivity( B=0.311, OR(95% CI)=1.36(1.05-1.77), P=0.018), learning pressure( B=0.606, OR(95% CI)=1.83(1.46-2.31), P<0.001), mood swings( B=0.775, OR(95% CI)=2.17(1.70-2.78), P<0.001), social anxiety( B=0.024, OR(95% CI)=1.02(1.01-1.04), P<0.001), shame-proneness( B=0.049, OR(95% CI)=1.05(1.04-1.06), P<0.001), and peer victimization( B=0.037, OR(95% CI)=1.04(1.02-1.06), P<0.001) were significant predictors of smartphone addiction.(4) The ACC and AUC values of the XGBoost model were 0.890 and 0.929 in the training set, and 0.865 and 0.864 in the validation set, respectively.The multivariate Logistic regression model achieved ACC and AUC values of 0.870 and 0.854 in the training set, and 0.867 and 0.859 in the validation set, respectively. Conclusion:Anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, learning pressure, mood swings, social anxiety, shame-proneness, and peer victimization are identified risk predictors of smartphone addiction in high school adolescents.
8.Clinical Study on the Classic Prescription Xinyi Powder in Treating Allergic Rhinitis with Lung Deficiency Related Cold
Shanshan XUE ; Bingruo ZHENG ; Xinchen SUN ; Rongjin LU ; Zhiyuan ZHU ; Yongjun WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):257-262
OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of the classic prescription Xinyi Powder in the treatment of allergic rhinitis with lung deficiency related cold.METHODS A total of 189 patients who met the inclusion criteria of al-lergic rhinitis with lung deficiency related cold in the otolaryngology clinic of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from Janu-ary 2023 to July 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the experimental group(n=126)and the control group(n=63).The control group was treated with oral loratadine,and the experimental group took Xinyi Powder.Before and after treatment,the TNSS,TNNSS scores and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were compared to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy.The changes in the patients'quality of life were evaluated in multiple dimensions using nasal VAS and RQLQ scores.The changes in serum IL-4,IL-5,IgE,SP and CGRP expression levels were detected by ELISA.RESULTS After 14 days of treatment,the TNSS,TNNSS,VAS,RQLQ scores and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were reduced(P<0.01);the experi-mental group was better than the control group in improving the concomitant symptoms such as nasal congestion,runny nose,postnasal drip,and itchy eyes(P<0.05,P<0.01),and it could also significantly improve the symptoms of fear of wind and cold,spontaneous sweating,shortness of breath,and cough with thin sputum(P<0.01),and the total RQLQ score was significantly better than the con-trol group(P<0.01).After treatment,the serum IL-4,IL-5,IgE,SP,and CGRP levels of the two groups of patients were signifi-cantly reduced(P<0.01),and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION Xinyi Powder can signifi-cantly alleviate the nasal symptoms and systemic concomitant symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis of lung deficiency and cold type,and significantly improve the quality of life of patients.It may play a therapeutic role by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and neuropeptides and regulating neuroimmunity.
9.Effects of Split Formulas of Biyuan Heji on Paranasal Sinus Mucosal Inflammation in ARS Rats Based on the Pathogenesis of"Wind-Cold Transforming into Lung-Heat"
Huixia ZHOU ; Shanshan XUE ; Lu BAI ; Yang FANG ; Xinchen SUN ; Zhiyuan ZHU ; Yongjun WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(5):689-695
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the split formulas of Biyuan Heji(BYHJ)on paranasal sinus mucosal in-flammation in rats with acute rhinosinusitis(ARS)based on the pathogenesis of"wind-cold transforming into lung-heat".METHODS Unilateral nasal cavity occlusion combined with nasal dripping of Staphylococcus aureus were performed to establish a rat model of ARS.SD rats were randomly divided into blank,model,BYHJ(wind-cold removal+lung-heat removal),lung-heat removal,wind-cold removal,and positive drug groups,with 6 rats in each group.The rats were treated with the corresponding drugs for 7 d and then the samples were collected.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat paranasal sinus mucosa tissues,ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,IL-10,and IL-12 in serum,immunohistochemis-try(IHC)was adopted to measure the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM-1)in paranasal sinus mucosa tissues,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated p38 mito-gen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK),nuclear transcription factor-κB p50(NF-κB p50),and NF-κB p65 in paranasal sinus mucosa tissues.RESULTS The acute sinusitis rat inflammation model was successfully established.Compared with the model group,the water drinking,diet eating,and body weight of rats in the BYHJ group,wind-cold removal,lung-heat removal,and positive drug groups were significantly improved,the aggregation of inflammatory cells in the paranasal sinus mucosal tissue was reduced,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,and IL-12 in the serum were significantly reduced(P<0.01),IL-10 content significantly in-creased(P<0.01),the protein expression of TNF-α,ICAM-1,p38 MAPK,NF-κB p50,and NF-κB p65 in the paranasal sinus mucosa was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The comparison between various traditional Chinese medicine groups showed that the decrease of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-9,IL-12,TNF-α,ICAM-1,p38 MAPK,NF-κB p50,and NF-κB p65 and the increase of IL-10 in the BYHJ group were better than those in the split formula groups(P<0.01),and the lung-heat removal group was better than the wind-cold removal group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION BYHJ and its split formulas can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response in rats with ARS.
10.Dermatopontin promotes abdominal aortic aneurysm progression via the IL-1β-COL1A1 axis
Huarun YIN ; Ning ZHAO ; Zhiyuan WU ; Yongjun LI ; Hongchao YIN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(7):918-925
Objective To investigate the expression of dermatopontin(DPT)in abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)and to explore the mechanism in promoting AAA progression.Methods Differential gene expression(DEG)and GO-KEGG pathway enrichment were used to assess DPT expression level and related pathways in AAA.AAA tissue samples were collected from patients undergoing open surgical repair at Beijing Hospital(experimental group,n=3),while control aortic tissues were collected from kidney transplant donors(n=3).Immun-ohistochemistry and immuno-fluorescence staining were performed to validate DPT protein expression differences in AAA tissues.Masson staining microscopy was used to evaluate fibrosis level.Human aortic smooth muscle cells(HASMCs)were divided into control(Ctrl)and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated groups(n=3).RT-qPCR,ELISA,and immu-nocytochemistry(ICC)were used to measure DPT expression level.HASMCs were further divided into control(Ctrl)and recombinant human DPT-treated groups with 3 cases in each.RT-qPCR was performed to detect the ex-pression of interleukin-1α(IL-1α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(COL1A1),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP2),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9).Cell adhesion assays were conducted to ex-amine the role of integrin α3 and integrin β1 in HASMC adhesion.Results DPT was highly expressed in human AAA tissues(P<0.01).LPS induced DPT expression and secretion in HASMCs(P<0.05).DPT promoted IL-1α(P<0.001)and IL-1β(P<0.01)expression through a positive feedback mechanism while suppressed COL1A1(P<0.001)production.DPT enhanced HASMC adhesion via the integrin α3β1 receptor(P<0.001).Conclusions DPT promotes AAA progression by activating IL-1α/IL-1β inflammatory cytokines and inhibits COL1A1-mediated extra cellular matrix(ECM)remodeling.Integrin α3β1 is potentially involved in the regulation process.

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