1.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
2.Immunophenotypic Characteristics of Bone Marrow Granulocytes and Their Clinical Significance in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.
Ning-Fang WANG ; Chong-Shan ZHAO ; Dong-Dong ZHANG ; Zhuo-Wen CAI ; Fang-Fang CAI ; Fang LIU ; Peng-Hao ZHAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):447-454
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the immunophenotypic characteristics of bone marrow granulocytes (G) and their clinical significance in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS:
The granulocyte immunophenotypes of bone marrow in 70 MM patients (MM group) and 40 anemia patients (control group) were detected by flow cytometry, and its correlation with clinical characteristics was further analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to screen factors that affected prognosis.
RESULTS:
The CD56+G%, CD13+G%, CD22+G% and CD117+G% in MM group were higher than those in the control group (all P <0.05). CD56+G% and CD117+G% in CR+VGPR group were significantly lower than those in PR+MR+PD group (both P <0.05). The CD10+G% in RISS Ⅲ stage and Ca2+ ≥2.65 mmol/L groups were increased (both P <0.05). The CD56+G% in elevated lactate dehydrogenase, β2-microglobulin≥5.5 mg/L and hemoglobin <85 g/L groups were increased (all P <0.05), while the CD117+G% in high-risk cytogenetic positive group was decreased (P <0.05). The expression rate of CD molecules on granulocytes was divided into low (L) and high (H) groups according to the median value. The overall survival (OS) of the LCD56+G%, LCD13+G% and LCD22+G% groups was significantly prolonged (all P <0.05). CD13+G% and CD22+G% were independent risk factors for OS in MM patients (HR=0.443, 0.410, both P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
The CD56+G%, CD10+G% and CD117+G% are closely correlated with clinical features in MM patients, while CD13+G% and CD22+G% are closely correlated with prognosis. Detection of CD molecules expression on granulocytes may be used to evaluate prognosis and guide treatment.
Humans
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Multiple Myeloma/immunology*
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Granulocytes/immunology*
;
Prognosis
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Immunophenotyping
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Male
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Bone Marrow
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Female
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Flow Cytometry
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Clinical Relevance
3.Ion Unidirectional Ejection Simulation Study of An Extremely Miniature Hyperbolic Linear Ion Trap
Yun-Fan HE ; Zhuo-Qing YANG ; Yan WANG ; Jiu-Wen SUN ; Yun-Na SUN ; Lu-Yue ZHU ; Di ZHANG ; Feng-Dan WANG ; Min LIU ; Gui-Fu DING ; Jin-Yuan YAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):885-893
With the increasing demand for dynamic,real-time and rapid qualitative analysis of chemical composition in areas such as emergency response and space exploration,chip-scale mass spectrometers have attracted significant attention.These devices are expected to drive the integration of mass spectrometry with micro/nano-fabrication and intelligent sensing technologies,fostering profound innovation and breakthroughs in analytical chemistry.As an excellent mass analyzer,the ion trap exhibits numerous advantages,and its miniaturization creates favorable conditions for the high-density integration of miniature mass spectrometers.However,the reduction in ion storage capacity may compromise its sensitivity and dynamic range,rendering the study of ion unidirectional ejection in highly miniaturized ion traps of significant practical importance.In this work,a research was conducted on achieving efficient ion unidirectional ejection while maintaining high mass resolution in the extremely miniature hyperbolic linear ion trap(M-HLIT)with a field radius of 1 mm,and an electric field compensation method was proposed,which combined asymmetric electrode stretching and unbalanced RF voltage to achieve high-precision optimization of the electric field composition.Simulations showed that in an ideal structure,this method achieved 100%unidirectional ejection efficiency with the mass resolution of 518,significantly outperforming traditional asymmetric structure method(365)and unbalanced voltage method(321).Following the introduction of ion ejection slots,further optimization through bidirectional stretching and electrical parameters improved the resolution to 790 while maintaining a unidirectional ejection efficiency of 93%.This method eliminated the requirement for additional excitation voltage,offering an ideal solution for the miniature mass analyzer with high detection performance of chip-level mass spectrometers.
4.Finite element and biomechanical analysis of different implants in repair for unilateral unstable pelvic posterior ring injury
Cheng LIANG ; Linqi ZHANG ; Guan WANG ; Wen LI ; Ke DUAN ; Zhong LI ; Xiaobo LU ; Naiqiang ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1336-1341
BACKGROUND:The stability of the pelvis is mainly determined by the posterior pelvic ring and the sacroiliac joint.The posterior pelvic ring injury and the dislocation of the sacroiliac joint caused by high energy impacts such as car accidents increase year by year.Surgical treatment is the best method,and there are many kinds of endophytorepair methods in clinical practice,but which treatment method has the best biomechanical properties is still controversial. OBJECTIVE:To compare the biomechanical properties of three kinds of internal implants:anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail in the repair of unilateral unstable pelvic posterior ring injury,to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and development of a new pelvic tension screw. METHODS:(1)Finite element simulation:Mimics,Wrap and SolidWorks were used to establish normal pelvic model,unilateral injured pelvis model,and three kinds of internal implant repaired models(anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail).Ansys was used to analyze the stress and deformation of the models.(2)Biomechanical test:A total of 15 intact pelvic specimens were randomly grouped into five groups,normal pelvic model,unilateral injured pelvis model,anterior double plates,posterior bridging plate and tension nail groups.The mechanical test was performed using an Instron E10000 testing machine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Simulation:In the normal pelvic model,the average displacement of the sacrum was 0.174 mm,and the maximum stress of the sacral iliac bone was 10.51 MPa,and the stress distribution was uniform.The mean sacral displacement of the unilateral injured pelvis model was 0.267 mm,and the stress concentration of the model was obvious.The mean displacement of the sacrum in the three repaired models was close to that in the normal pelvic model,and the stress distribution of the sacral iliac bone in the tension nail repaired model was uniform.(2)Mechanical test:The stiffness of the normal pelvic model was(226.38±4.18)N/mm,and that of the unilateral unstable pelvic model was the smallest(130.02±2.19)N/mm.The deviation of the normal pelvic model stiffness and the three repaired models'stiffness were all within(±10%),and the repair effect was obvious.(3)The simulation results were in agreement with the experimental results.(4)The biomechanics of the tension nail repaired model was the most similar to that of the normal pelvis,and this method was the best.The repairing stiffness of the anterior double plate was too large,and the stress shielding effect was more significant.The posterior bridging plate repair could not solve the compensatory effect of the normal side soft tissue and had defects.This study provides an optimal basis for clinical surgery.(5)The new type of pelvic tension nail should be improved from the point of view of the tension nail to retain the good biomechanical properties of the tension nail,while adding other advantages,such as being used for the osteoporotic pelvis.
5.Research of the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the EMT pathway in mediating sunitinib-resistance in renal cancer cells
Fang-Zhen CAI ; Yan-Mei ZHANG ; Si-Huai HUANG ; Wen-Bin LIU ; Wei-Feng ZHUO ; Jian-Wei LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2483-2487
Objective To investigate the mechanism of the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)pathway in mediating sunitinib-resistance in renal cancer cells.Methods The sunitinib-resistant kidney cancer cell lines were constructed by stepwise increase in drug concentrations method with sunitinib,and were divided into resistance group,lv-NC group and lv-Twist group,and human kidney cancer cell lines were selected as normal group.The normal and drug-resistant groups were treated with conventional culture;the lv-NC group was treated with 40 μL of lv-NC lentivirus supernatant containing 2.25 × 108 TU·mL-1 for 72 h,and the lv-Twist group was treated with 50 μL of Twist lentivirus supernatant containing 1.64 × 108 TU·mL-1 for 72 h.The apoptosis ability was detected by flow cytometry;the cell migration ability was detected by cell scratch assay;the cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell assay;and the protein expression levels of Wnt1,β-catenin and Twist were detected by Western blotting assay.Results The apoptosis rates of control,resistant,lv-NC and lv-Twist groups were(17.60±0.59)%,(8.61±0.34)%,(8.60±0.40)%and(3.10±0.34)%;the migration rates were(14.10±0.12)%,(27.64±0.41)%,(14.24±0.45)%and(32.74±2.53)%;the number of invading cells was 27.33±1.15,53.33±1.53,46.00±2.65 and 99.33±2.52;the relative expression levels of Wnt1 protein were 0.10±0.01,0.96±0.06,0.39±0.03 and 3.09±0.31;the relative expression levels of β-catenin protein were 0.39±0.01,1.48±0.16,0.81±0.05 and 1.24±0.14;the relative expression levels of Twist protein were 0.10±0.02,0.91±0.04,0.39±0.03 and 3.09±0.31,respectively.The differences of above indexes were statistically significant between the resistant group and the normal group,and between the lv-Twist group and the lv-NC group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Twist(EMT related protein)mediates sunitinib resistance in renal cell carcinoma by interacting with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
6.Advances in crystal nucleation for amorphous drugs
Jie ZHANG ; Kang LI ; Zi-qing YANG ; Zi-han DING ; Sai-jun XIAO ; Zhi-ming YUE ; Li-mei CAI ; Jia-wen LI ; Ding KUANG ; Min-zhuo LIU ; Zhi-hong ZENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(7):1962-1969
Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is one of the most effective formulation approaches to enhance the water solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, maintenance of physical stability of amorphous drug is one of the main challenges in the development of ASD. Crystallization is a process of nucleation and crystal growth. The nucleation is the key factor that influences the physical stability of the ASD. However, a theoretical framework to describe the way to inhibit the nucleation of amorphous drug is not yet available. We reviewed the methods and theories of nucleation for amorphous drug. Meanwhile, we also summarized the research progress on the mechanism of additives influence on nucleation and environmental factors on nucleation. This review aims to enhance the better understanding mechanism of nucleation of amorphous drug and controlling over the crystal nucleation during the ASD formulation development.
7.Analysis of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 1247 cases of infectious diseases of the central nervous system
Jia-Hua ZHAO ; Yu-Ying CEN ; Xiao-Jiao XU ; Fei YANG ; Xing-Wen ZHANG ; Zhao DONG ; Ruo-Zhuo LIU ; De-Hui HUANG ; Rong-Tai CUI ; Xiang-Qing WANG ; Cheng-Lin TIAN ; Xu-Sheng HUANG ; Sheng-Yuan YU ; Jia-Tang ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(1):43-49
Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6%),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0%),other bacteria 150(12.0%),fungi 68(5.5%),parasites 18(1.4%),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4%)and rickettsia 1(0.1%).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1%)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ¥29,500(¥16,000,¥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6%.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.
8.Effect of ureteral obstruction on renal pelvic function and pacemaker cells in neonatal rats
Chuanchuan REN ; Guangyang CHENG ; Xiaojie LI ; Yan WANG ; Zhuo YE ; Guoxian ZHANG ; Qingwei WANG ; Jianguo WEN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(3):215-220
Objective:To investigate the effects of unilateral ureteral obstruction on renal pelvic peristalsis and pacemaker cells in neonatal rats.Methods:An animal experimental study.Thirty-six 2-day-old newborn SD rats were randomly divided into the partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) group, complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (CUUO) group, and sham operation group, with 12 rats in each group.One week after surgery, all rats were subjected to renal pelvic pressure (RPP) measurement by puncture.After measurement, the rats were euthanized, and their left renal pelvis and ureter were removed and fixed for histological examination.Parameters such as RPP, peristaltic wave frequency and amplitude at different perfusion speeds were recorded and compared, and the changes in pacemaker cells (atypical smooth muscle cells and Cajal-like interstitial cells) were also compared.The independent samples t-test was used for comparison between 2 groups, and the one-way ANOVA of variance was used for comparison among 3 groups. Results:In the sham operation group, the RPP increased gradually with the increase of perfusion speed; the frequency of peristaltic waves rose rapidly and then dropped after reaching the highest level with the increase of perfusion speed; similarly, the amplitude of peristaltic waves first increased and then decreased as the perfusion speed increased.In the PUUO group, the RPP increased rapidly with the increase of perfusion speed, higher than that in the sham operation group; the frequency of peristaltic waves was higher than that in the sham operation group, and it was relatively constant under the perfusion speed of 40 mL/h, but when the perfusion speed increased again, the frequency began to decline; the amplitude of peristaltic waves increased quickly and then declined at a faster rate than the sham operation group with the increase of perfusion speed.In the CUUO group, the basic RPP was 12 cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa); at the perfusion speed of 5 mL/h, the RPP rose gradually, and no plateau appeared; when the RPP reached 73 cmH 2O, the perfusate retrograded from the side of the puncture needle, then the RPP slightly decreased and then balanced, and no regular peristaltic waves were observed in the renal pelvis throughout the whole perfusion process.Immunofluorescence staining analysis showed the pacemaker cells were all located in the smooth muscle of the renal pelvic wall.The sham operation group had the highest positive rate, followed by the PUUO group and then the CUUO group. Conclusions:Ureteral obstruction has a significant impact on the peristalsis of the renal pelvis, and its impact on the peristaltic wave frequency and amplitude and RPP can be predicted.The reduction of pacemaker cells in the renal pelvis may be involved in the changes of renal pelvic peristalsis caused by ureteral obstruction, but further research is needed on how pacemaker cells regulate the peristalsis of the renal pelvis and ureter.
9.Establishment of a PCR-RFLP typing method for Balantioides coli
A-Hui XU ; Cai-Cai FENG ; Shan-Wang FENG ; Li-Zhuo ZHAO ; Wen-Xin QI ; Wen ZHANG ; Su-Hui HU ; Tian-Qi WANG ; Wen-Chao YAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(9):829-833,840
This study established an efficient and specific method for type analysis of genetic variants of Balantioides coli.The restriction endonucleases ApoI and PflMI were selected to digest the PCR amplification products of ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 of B.coli,and to establish a PCR-RFLP typing method.The PCR-RFLP method was subsequently used to analyze the genetic variants in clinical fecal samples from pigs,sheep,and guinea pigs.The PCR-RFLP method based on ApoI and PflMI accurately distinguished the main A and B genetic variants of B.coli,and further divided the main B type into B-c and B-t sub-types of genetic variants with PflMI.Compared with the results of microscopy and sequencing,the PCR-RFLP method showed good specificity and higher sensitivity,and was able to identify not only single but also multiple variants of B.coli in a single clinical sample.This study successfully established the PCR-RFLP method for B.coli,which can be used for genetic di-versity identification and molecular epidemiological studies of B.coli.
10.Small-molecule drug design strategies for regulating protein phosphorylation modification
Wen-yan YANG ; Jia-yi WANG ; Feng-jiao LIN ; Ke-ran WANG ; Yu-zhuo WU ; Zhao-cheng WANG ; Qi-dong YOU ; Lei WANG ; Qiu-yue ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(11):2912-2925
Protein phosphorylation modification is an important mechanism of physiological regulation that is closely related to protein biological functions. In particular, protein kinases are responsible for catalyzing the phosphorylation process of proteins, and phosphatases are responsible for catalyzing the dephosphorylation process of phosphorylation-modified proteins, which together mediate the achievement of dynamic and reversible phosphorylation modifications of proteins. Abnormal phosphorylation levels of proteins contribute to the development of many diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic diseases. Therefore, rational design of small molecules to regulate protein phosphorylation is an important approach for disease treatment. Based on the mechanism of protein phosphorylation regulation, small molecule drug design strategies can be classified into three types, protein kinase modulators, phosphatase modulators, and bifunctional molecules with proximity-mediated mechanism. This review emphasizes the above three small molecule design strategies for targeting protein phosphorylation regulation, including molecular design ideas, research progress and current challenges, and provides an outlook on small molecule modulators targeting protein phosphorylation modification.

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