1.Effects of LSS function deficiency on intestinal function in NAFLD model mice
Hongmei Bai ; Zhen Yang ; Weikang Hu ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Mingcong Li ; Li Liu ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Sumei Zhang ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1653-1660
Objective:
To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet.
Methods:
LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / -) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system.After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months,the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining,the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining.The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits.The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste.The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining,and the expression of LSS,tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1,Claudin-5,cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ,and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group.The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 01) ,but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues.The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes.The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P<0. 05) .The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P <0. 05 ) ,while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 05) .
Conclusion
In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet,LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5.
2.Changes in behavior and spatial memory of C57BL/6J mice of different ages
Zhen Yang ; Hongmei Bai ; Weikang Hu ; Mingcong Li ; Xiaoli Jiang ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(8):1410-1417
Objective :
To explore the changes in behavior and spatial memory of C57BL/6J female mice of different ages (youth , middle-aged , and elderly) .
Methods:
C57BL/6J female mice were divided into female youth group (YG group) , female middle-aged group ( MG group) and female elderly group ( OG group) according to age. The Morris water maze test measured spatial memory ability , and the open field and elevated cross maze test observed activity level and anxiety level. Western blot was used to determine the protein expressions of CREB , CaMKⅡ(pan) and CaMKⅡ(p) in the hippocampus of the brain tissues of female mice in each group.
Results:
Compared with the YG group , the weight of the MG group and the OG group significantly increased (P < 0. 01 , P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OG group , the third quadrant escape latency and the number of crossings in the YG group and MG group were shortened , and the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the OG group , there was a statistically significant difference in the exercise speed in the open field of the YG group (P < 0. 01) , there was no significant difference in the movement speed in the open field of the MG group , the number of entries into the central zone significantly increased in the MG group ( P < 0. 05 ) , and there was no significant difference in the number of entries in the YG group (P > 0. 05) . Compared with the OG group , the YG group had a statistically significant difference in the elevated cross maze (P < 0. 05) , the MG group had no statistically signif- icant difference in the elevated cross maze , and the number of closed arm entries in the YG group and MG group significantly increased (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01) . Compared with the YG group , the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the OG group was statistically significant ( P < 0. 05 ) , while the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the MG group was not statistically significant ( P > 0. 05) .
Conclusion
With the increase of age , the weight of C57BL/6J female mice gradually increased , the activity level and desire to explore gradually de- creased , the spatial memory ability also declined , and the anxiety level and anxiety-like behavior increased. This study helps to reveal the effect of age on the activity level and cognitive function of females , and provides a refer- ence for studying cognitive and memory decline in older females.
3.Effect of a novel cryoprotectant in tissues and cells
Qingfang WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Guangping CHANG ; Zihan LI ; Lan XING ; Hao PENG ; Xiuping ZENG ; Guiqiang ZHONG ; Hui CHEN ; Bo LIU ; Zhenyu LIU ; Xiao LIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7816-7826
BACKGROUND:The cryopreservation technology enables tissues/cells to be stored for a long time in a low-temperature environment while maintaining the integrity of their activity and function,which is of great significance for the construction of cell therapy,tissue engineering and biological sample banks.Cryoprotective agents often contain dimethyl sulfoxide and serum.To avoid the toxic side effects of dimethyl sulfoxide,the complexity of serum components and immune responses,although some finished cryoprotective agents have been marketed,they are faced with many difficulties such as high cost and limited application.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop a cryoprotective agent with clear components and the ability to solve the above problems.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of a novel cryoprotectant on cryopreservation efficiency of different tissue and cell sources.METHODS:By applying the novel cryoprotectant as an experimental group with the commercially available and widely used cryoprotectant(control group)to umbilical cord Wharton's jelly tissue,umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,umbilical cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,NK and CIK cells,comparative analyses were conducted in terms of cell morphology,number,viability,surface markers,differentiation potential,and cell-killing toxicity assay before cryopreservation and after resuscitation thawing.We confirmed the cryopreservation effect of the new cryoprotectant and its potential application value.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The novel cryoprotectant facilitated the normal growth of cryopreserved Wharton's jelly tissue upon recovery,exhibiting mesenchymal stem cell morphology.No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in terms of cell recovery rate,surface markers,and differentiation potential.(2)There was no significant difference in the number and viability of cells between the experimental group and the control group after cryopreservation of cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,and the cryo-resuscitated cell numbers and viability of derived NK cells/CIK cells did not show significant difference between the experimental and control groups.(3)For NK cells derived and differentiated from cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the proportion of CD56+CD16+cell subpopulations between the experimental group and the control group.For CIK cells derived and differentiated from cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the proportions of CD3+CD8+and CD3+CD56+cell subpopulations between the experimental group and the control group.(4)In terms of cytotoxicity testing,when the effective-target ratio of immune cells and melanoma cell line Mel624 was 20:1,whether it was NK cells/CIK cells derived from cord blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the tumoricidal activity of cells between the experimental group and the control group.These findings suggest that the novel cryoprotectant can replace existing commercially available and widely used cryoprotectants,and is applicable to Wharton's jelly tissue,umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,umbilical cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,as well as NK and CIK cells,providing a solid technical foundation for the scaling,standardization,and commercialization of universal cryoprotectants.
4.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Classical Formula: A Review
Kening GUO ; Zihan ZHU ; Zhenliang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):231-240
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disease mainly occurring among women of childbearing age. Its main symptoms include menstrual disorders, acne, hirsutism, infertility, oily skin, acanthosis nigricans, and obesity. Currently, the etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS remain unclear. Classical formulas, which have rigorous compatibility, concise composition, precise alignment with syndromes, and definitive therapeutic effects, demonstrate unique practical and scientific value in the treatment of PCOS. These formulas exhibit significant clinical efficacy, mild adverse effects, and sustained therapeutic outcomes. To explore the current status and mechanisms of classical formulas in treating PCOS, on the basis of Zhang Zhongjing's academic thoughts on gynecological diseases, this paper reviewed the relevant literature on the treatment of PCOS with classical formulas in recent years. The findings reveal that the pathogenesis of PCOS predominantly involves a combination of internal deficiency and superficial excess, closely related to dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidney. The root cause lies in deficiency, and on this basis, there are also symptoms of qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm obstruction, and dampness encumbrance. Commonly used classical formulas for treating this disease include Guizhi Fuling pills, Danggui Shaoyao powder, Wenjing decoction, and Jingui Shenqi pills. These classical formulas have good clinical efficacy in treating PCOS. Their mechanisms of action may be related to improving serum levels of sex hormones, increasing the dominant follicle diameter and endometrial thickness, alleviating insulin resistance, lowering glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibiting oxidative and inflammatory reactions in the ovarian tissue, regulating the intestinal flora, correcting the flora disorder, protecting the intestinal barrier function, and regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. The above research results can help doctors use classical formulas flexibly, broaden diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCOS and provide ideas for improving the traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment plan for PCOS.
5.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Classical Formula: A Review
Kening GUO ; Zihan ZHU ; Zhenliang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):231-240
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disease mainly occurring among women of childbearing age. Its main symptoms include menstrual disorders, acne, hirsutism, infertility, oily skin, acanthosis nigricans, and obesity. Currently, the etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS remain unclear. Classical formulas, which have rigorous compatibility, concise composition, precise alignment with syndromes, and definitive therapeutic effects, demonstrate unique practical and scientific value in the treatment of PCOS. These formulas exhibit significant clinical efficacy, mild adverse effects, and sustained therapeutic outcomes. To explore the current status and mechanisms of classical formulas in treating PCOS, on the basis of Zhang Zhongjing's academic thoughts on gynecological diseases, this paper reviewed the relevant literature on the treatment of PCOS with classical formulas in recent years. The findings reveal that the pathogenesis of PCOS predominantly involves a combination of internal deficiency and superficial excess, closely related to dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidney. The root cause lies in deficiency, and on this basis, there are also symptoms of qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm obstruction, and dampness encumbrance. Commonly used classical formulas for treating this disease include Guizhi Fuling pills, Danggui Shaoyao powder, Wenjing decoction, and Jingui Shenqi pills. These classical formulas have good clinical efficacy in treating PCOS. Their mechanisms of action may be related to improving serum levels of sex hormones, increasing the dominant follicle diameter and endometrial thickness, alleviating insulin resistance, lowering glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibiting oxidative and inflammatory reactions in the ovarian tissue, regulating the intestinal flora, correcting the flora disorder, protecting the intestinal barrier function, and regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. The above research results can help doctors use classical formulas flexibly, broaden diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCOS and provide ideas for improving the traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment plan for PCOS.
6.The Overview and Future Trend of High-quality Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders
Jin YAO ; Qiongnan BAO ; Kexin WU ; Wanqi ZHONG ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Ziwen CHEN ; Zihan YIN ; Fanrong LIANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):973-981
Objective Neurological disorders,constitute the majority of acupuncture-treated ailments.By critically examining a comprehensive selection of high-quality clinical randomized controlled trials(RCTs)from both domestic and international sources,we aimed to uncover the prevailing hot research topic and potential future directions in acupuncture therapy for these conditions.Methods Four databases,including PubMed,Web of science,Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched.The search period is set from the establishment of each database to November 30,2023.And the search content was RCTs of acupuncture for neurological diseases classified as Ⅰ and Ⅱ by the Chinese Academy of Sciences were extracted.Key aspects extracted included annual publication volume,journals,disease types,outcomes,conclusions,acupuncture methods and control groups.Results A total of 81 high-quality RCTs were identified,revealing a consistent annual publication trend of acupuncture for neurological disorders.Key journals contributing to this research were Cephalalgia,Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Journal Of Pain,etc.The studies predominantly focused on migraine and sequela of apoplexy with migraine days/frequency and Ashworth scale and its modifications as commonly used primary outcome indicators,respectively.Overall,there were 73 RCTs that concluded that acupuncture for neurologic disorders were effective,8 were ineffective.The acupuncture methods were diverse,encompassing acupuncture,individualized acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation,etc.The control measures were also varied,featuring sham acupuncture,sham-acupoint and micro-needle,etc.Conclusion With the development of acupuncture RCTs,their international influence has expanded.Research has shifted from validation of effectiveness to exploration of mechanisms,and despite the expansion of the disease spectrum of acupuncture,acupuncture trials have yet to be regulated and standardized,and the assessment of acupuncture efficacy remains controversial and challenging for the discipline.It is recommended to promote multi-center cooperation and strengthen the training of trialists etc.to provide more high-quality clinical evidence.
7.Analysis of Yunqi Characteristics and Periodicity of Drought Disasters in He'nan Province During 2000 Years
Hanwei LUN ; Zihan WANG ; Yinfeng ZHONG
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(3):382-390
[Objective]To analyze the Yunqi characteristics and periodicity of drought disasters in He'nan Province during 2000 years.[Methods]On the foundation of the drought data of He'nan Province from 221 BC to 1840 AD,a hierarchical classification was conducted,using statistical tools and wavelet analysis to explore the frequency and periodicity of drought in different Yunqi periods.[Results]The most frequent dominant Qi period of drought in He'nan Province was 4th Qi(Taiyin Shitu)(P<0.001),the most of Sitian period was Jueyin Fengmu and Shaoyin Junhuo(P<0.05),the most of Zaiquan period was Shaoyang Xianghuo(P<0.05).At multiple time scales,drought disasters in He'nan Province had 4 quasi-cycles,the 1st to the 4th quasi-cycles were 510,690,300 and 150 years,respectively.[Conclusion]There was a significant difference in the frequency of drought levels in He'nan Province in different periods of dominant Qi,Sitian period and Zaiquan period,which was partly consistent with the Yunqi theory.Besides,the drought disaster in He'nan Province had certain periodic characteristics.
8.A Comparison of Point Estimation Methods in Adaptive Enrichment Designs
Shuang WANG ; Zihang ZHONG ; Zihan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Health Statistics 2025;42(1):38-43,49
Objective To explore methods for point estimation in adaptive enrichment design,providing a reference for effect estimation inn this context.Methods We simulated efficacy data under adaptive enrichment design and subsequentially estimated the effects using five methods:maximum likelihood method,stage 2 method,Lindley's method,parametric Bootstrap method,and the uniformly minimum variance conditionally unbiased estimated(UMVCUE)method.The performance of these methods was further evaluated.Results The simulation study showed that the maximum likelihood method has a large bias and is very sensitive to some parameters,while Lindley's method tends to underestimate and the parametric bootstrap method sometimes overestimates.The stage 2 method and UMVCUE are almost unbiased.In terms of mean squared error(MSE),all methods perform well except stage 2 estimator.Conclusion In adaptive enrichment design,the UMVCUE performs well in terms of bias and MSE.Therefore,we recommend it as the point estimator for the treatment effect in adaptive enrichment design.
9.Selection of Step -in Dosing Regimen based on Bayesian Model in Early Clinical Trials
Zihan ZHU ; Zihang ZHONG ; Senmiao NI
Chinese Journal of Health Statistics 2025;42(2):166-170,174
Objective To explore a Bayesian logistic regression model for step-in dosing regimens(eBLRM),which considers the cumulative toxicity probability across different dosing cycles to identify the maximum tolerated schedule(MTS).Methods The Bayesian logistic regression model(BLRM)was extended to obtain a posterior estimate for the cumulative toxicity probability of the last cycle based on accumulated patient data,enabling exploration of dose sequences.Results The performance of eBLRM was evaluated by comparison with the existing methods.Simulation results indicated that eBLRM performed better or equivalent in the proportion of the correct selection of MTS and patients assigned to real MTS under low-toxicity scenarios.In the case of high-toxicity scenarios,eBLRM had a higher proportion of early trial termination due to safety,resulting in slightly inferior performance compared to the existing method.Conclusion The eBLRM method demonstrates relatively good performance,providing a simple and comprehensible dose exploration approach for step-in dosing regimens.
10.A Comparison of Point Estimation Methods in Adaptive Enrichment Designs
Shuang WANG ; Zihang ZHONG ; Zihan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Health Statistics 2025;42(1):38-43,49
Objective To explore methods for point estimation in adaptive enrichment design,providing a reference for effect estimation inn this context.Methods We simulated efficacy data under adaptive enrichment design and subsequentially estimated the effects using five methods:maximum likelihood method,stage 2 method,Lindley's method,parametric Bootstrap method,and the uniformly minimum variance conditionally unbiased estimated(UMVCUE)method.The performance of these methods was further evaluated.Results The simulation study showed that the maximum likelihood method has a large bias and is very sensitive to some parameters,while Lindley's method tends to underestimate and the parametric bootstrap method sometimes overestimates.The stage 2 method and UMVCUE are almost unbiased.In terms of mean squared error(MSE),all methods perform well except stage 2 estimator.Conclusion In adaptive enrichment design,the UMVCUE performs well in terms of bias and MSE.Therefore,we recommend it as the point estimator for the treatment effect in adaptive enrichment design.


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