1.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
2.PD-1-mediated CD4+T cell exhaustion exacerbates gut microbiota translocation in mouse model of sepsis
Bin QING ; Xinxin KONG ; Dongfan YE ; Chuangye WANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Bin WANG ; Xiaoou HUANG ; Nanbo WANG ; Hang QIAN ; Zhi XU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(19):2302-2314
Objective To investigate the characteristics of immune exhaustion in sepsis and analyze its association with gut microbiota translocation.Methods A total of 130 mice were randomly divided into a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)group(n=100)and a Sham group(n=30)Mouse model of sepsis was established with CLP procedure.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportions of peripheral blood CD4+T and CD8+T cells and programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)positive T cell subsets in mice.Bacterial colonization in organs such as the heart,liver and kidneys was quantified by plating homogenates of the organs.Pathological changes in immune organs were observed with HE staining.The expression and localization of CD4?,CD8?,and PD-1?cells in immune organs were detected with immunohistochemical staining,and Image J software was employed for subsequent quantification of the number of the positive cells.Results HE staining demonstrated that immune organs exhibited varying degrees of pathological damages with disease progression.Compared with the Sham mice,the CLP mice exhibited significantly increased bacterial colonization in parenchymal organs and peripheral blood(P<0.05),notably in the liver,which showed the most severe infection.In the CLP group,the proportion of CD4+T lymphocytes in peripheral blood at days 1,3,and 5 postoperatively was decreased by 56%,70.57%,and 87.42%,respectively,when compared with the Sham group(P<0.001).The proportion of CD8+T lymphocytes was decreased by 48.33%relative to the Sham group only at day 5(P<0.001).In contrast,the proportion of CD4+T cell subsets expressing PD-1 was increased to 673.08,423.08,and 600 times that of the Sham group,respectively,at the same postoperative time points(P<0.001).Immunohistochemical results showed that,in the CLP group,the proportion of CD4+T cells in the thymus,spleen,and mesenteric lymph nodes was increased to 7.65,2.66,and 3.7 times that of the Sham group,respectively,at the early-stage peak(P<0.001),and then these proportions were decreased by 82.8%(P<0.001),41.9%(P<0.01),and 60.15%(P<0.001),respectively,at the late-stage trough when compared with the early-stage peak in the corresponding organs.The proportion of CD8+positive cells was increased in the early stage and then decreased insignificantly,while the proportion of PD-1+positive cells was increased continuously,and reached 6.24,13.9,and 20.96 times that of the Sham group at the peak in the thymus,spleen,and mesenteric lymph nodes respectively(P<0.001),with their expression regions showing a rough overlap with those of CD4+cells.Conclusion During sepsis,the inflammatory response can cause severe damage to immune organs and persistent exhaustion of CD4?T lymphocytes,leading to declined defenses against infection,which may be the main causes for exacerbated gut microbiota translocation and then systemic infection.
3.Research on Targeted Screening of Diflorasone Components in Health Products Using Feature Ion Guided Strategy Combined with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Shuo-Jun OU ; Yin-Yin LIN ; Hai-Tao ZHANG ; Jian-Bin CEN ; Zhi-Yuan WANG ; Xin-Dong GUO ; Jia-Jun ZHANG ; Zhi-Sen LIANG ; Guang-Feng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(8):1320-1330,中插88-中插92
A method for determination and targeted screening of diflorasone components in health products using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)was established.Four representative diflorasone and esters(diflorasone,diflorasone diacetate,diflorasone-17-propionate,and diflorasone-21-propionate)were selected to optimize the pretreatment conditions,and 10 mL of extraction solvent dosage,15 min of extraction time and 5 g of salting-out agent as the optimal conditions were selected by response surface methodology.The results showed that the four analytes exhibited good linearity within the concentration range of 2.0?100 μg/L with the chromatographic peak area,and the correlation coefficients(R2)were all greater than 0.9990,while the results of recovery and relative standard deviation could satisfy the requirements of determination.The common characteristic ions of diflorasone and esters werem/z121 andm/z335,and their specific structures were obtained by analyzing the cleavage pathway based on the optimized determination conditions.A targeted screening method for other esters of diflorasone based on characteristic ions guidance strategy was established.This method had many advantages such as high efficiency,high sensitivity and good reproducibility,and could be used for targeted screening of diflorasone and esters in health products.The developed characteristic ion guided strategy could be employed to construct mass spectral databases for various glucocorticoids,enabling comprehensive targeted screening across a broad range of compounds.
4.Important factors affecting depression:modulatory effects of Cx43 on neuroinflammation
Xuan ZENG ; Zi-han YAN ; Zhi-feng TIAN ; Hong-bin WANG ; Qi-di AI ; Mei-yu LIN ; Xuan LIU ; Nai-hong CHEN ; Song-wei YANG ; Yan-tao YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2027-2031
Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.
5.Chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum and their antitumor activity in vitro
Yi LONG ; Li-zhi ZHANG ; Piao-piao JIANG ; Nan KUANG ; Xin-yu ZHANG ; Yu-pei YANG ; Bin LI ; Wei WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2932-2941
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg and their antitumor activity in vitro.METHODS Silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activity in vitro was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Twenty-eight compounds were isolated and identified as triphyllin A(1),eruberin B(2),(2S,4R)-5,7-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethyl-6,8-dimethyl-flavan-5-O-β-D-6-acetylglucopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(3),eruberin A(4),abacopterin Ⅰ(5),matteucinol(6),homoerodictyol(7),(2S)-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone(8),(2S)-5,2',5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone(9),galinsonside B(10),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11),kaempferol 3-O-robinobioside(12),rutin(13),geniposide(14),jasminoside A(15),β-sitostenone(16),sitosterol palmitate(17),β-sitosterol(18),ursolic acid(19),hyptadienic acid(20),3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid(21),3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid(22),gallic acid(23),dibutylphthalate(24),bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(25),9-nonadecenoic acid(26),triacylglycerol(27),crocin Ⅰ(28).The IC50 values of compound 1 for human gastric adenocarcinoma cells BGC-823 and human colon cancer cells HCT-116 were(22.07±0.38),(20.67±0.11)μmol/L,respectively.The IC50 value of compound 9 for BGC-823 cells was(21.58±0.05)μmol/L,and the IC50 value of compound 4 for HCT-116 cells was(16.67±0.36)μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10,14-15 and 28 are first isolated from Tetrastigma genus.Compounds 1,4,9 have weak antitumor activity in vitro.
6.Effect and mechanism of ertugliflozin on pharmacokinetic of sorafenib and donafenib in rats
Yanru DENG ; Zhi WANG ; Gexi CAO ; Bin YAN ; Ying LI ; Zhanjun DONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):826-831
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of ertugliflozin on pharmacokinetic of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and explore the mechanism. METHODS Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 6 rats in each group. Groups A and B were respectively gavaged with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution and ertugliflozin (1.5 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days, and both were given sorafenib (100 mg/kg) on the 7th day. Groups C and D were administered intragastrically in the same way as those in Groups A and B, respectively, for the first 7 days; after the drug administration on the 7th day, all rats in Groups C and D were further gavaged with donafenib (40 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected at different time points before and after administration of sorafenib or donafenib, the concentrations of sorafenib in plasma of rats in groups A and B and donafenib in groups C and D were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.1.1 software. Six additional rats were randomly divided into blank control group and ertugliflozin group, with three rats in each group. Blank control group was given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose intragastrically, while rats in ertugliflozin group were given ertugliflozin (1.5 mg/kg) once a day for 7 consecutive days. After the last administration, the mRNA expression levels of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A7 (UGT1A7), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the liver and small intestine tissues of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with group A, the AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, cmax, tmax, MRT0-t and MRT0-∞ of sorafenib in group B were decreased significantly, while CL and V were increased significantly. Compared with group C, the AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ , tmax, cmax and MRT0-t of Δ donafenib in group D were decreased significantly, while V and CL were increased significantly (P<0.05). mRNA expression of UGT1A7, P-gp and BCRP in the liver tissue and small intestine of rats were not significantly affected after intragastric administration of ertugliflozin for 7 consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS Ertugliflozin can affect the pharmacokinetics of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and decrease the plasma exposure of them significantly. However, its mechanism of action may not be through the regulation of related metabolic enzymes and transporters. When using drugs in combination clinically, one should be vigilant about the potential for disease progression due to poor therapeutic effects.
7.Effect of pinocembrin on the malignant biological behavior of gastric can-cer cells by regulating the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway
Rong PENG ; Ze-min ZHANG ; Zhi-qing WANG ; Bin LI ; Li-ping QING ; Jin-xing WANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(8):601-606
Objective:Exploring the effect of Pinocembrin(Pino)regulating the Ras homolog gene family member A/Rho associated with curly helix binding protein kinase(RhoA/ROCK)signaling pathway of Ras homologous gene family members on the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells.Methods:Cultivate human gastric cancer cells MGC803 with different concentrations of Pino(0~240μmol/L),detect cell survival rate using CCK-8 method,and screen for the optimal drug concentration.MGC803 cells were rseparated into MGC803 group(Control group),Pino-L group,Pino-M group,Pino-H group,and Pino-H+RhoA agonist CN03 group.The clone formation experiment was applied to detect the number of clones formed of cells in each group.Assessment of cell apoptosis using flow cytometry.Tran-swell invasion and migration experiments were used to detect the number of cells undergoing migration and invasion in each group;Detection of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition related proteins in MGC803 cells using Western blot method.Results:Compared with the MGC803 group,the cell survival rate,clone formation number,migration cell number,and invasion cell number were all reduced in the Pino-L group,Pino-M group,and Pino-H group,and RhoA was also present in the cells,ROCK2,The expression levels of vimentin and N-cadherin gradually decreased(P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate and E-cadherin expression level gradually in-creased(P<0.05).The Pino-H+CN03 group reversed the trend of changes in the above indicators).Conclusion:Pino can prevent malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells,which may be related to the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
8.Impact of Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Miaohan QIU ; Xuehan ZHI ; Haiwei LIU ; Zhenyang LIANG ; Bin WANG ; Kai XU ; Shaoyi GUAN ; Geng WANG ; Xiaozeng WANG ; Yingyan MA ; Quanmin JING
Cardiology Discovery 2025;05(1):39-46
Objective::There is limited evidence regarding the choice of P2Y 12 receptor inhibitors as a component of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with left main (LM) disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes of ticagrelor- vs. clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy strategy in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing LM PCI. Methods::This is a post-hoc analysis from a prospective, single-center, real-world PCI registry. A total of 1,163 patients discharged post-ACS who underwent LM PCI and received ticagrelor or clopidogrel between March 2016 and March 2019 were included in the study. The primary endpoint was ischemic events at 12 months, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 2, 3, and 5, and types 3 and 5 bleeding. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for bias due to confounders between the 2 groups.Results::The ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups comprised 529 (45.49%) and 634 (54.51%) patients, respectively. During the follow-up period, the rate of ischemic events was significantly lower with ticagrelor than with clopidogrel before (1.32% (7/529) vs. 3.63% (23/634), P = 0.013,6) and after propensity score matching (1.41% (6/425) vs. 4.00% (17/425), P = 0.020,1). The rates of all-cause death, Bleeding Academic Research Consortium-defined type 2, 3, and 5 bleeding, and type 3 and 5 bleeding were similar between the ticagrelor group and clopidogrel group before or after propensity score matching adjustment (all P > 0.05). Conclusion::Among patients with ACS undergoing LM PCI, ticagrelor use was associated with ischemic events benefit without excessive risk of bleeding at 12 months compared with clopidogrel.
9.Epidemiological distribution characteristics and transmission patterns of Campylobacter in a Shandong broiler slaughterhouse
Shuai MIAO ; Xiu-mei HUANG ; Lin WANG ; Jun-hui LIU ; Jian-mei ZHAO ; Yu-bin GAO ; Shi-ping SONG ; Si-yu ZHANG ; Na LIU ; Ge ZHAO ; Xi-yue ZHANG ; Jun-wei WANG ; Juan WANG ; Zhi-na QU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):583-591
This research investigated the contamination level,distribution of drug-resistant strains,and molecular epidemiologi-cal characteristics of Campylobacter,and further explored transmission pathways and prevention strategies.Cecum,chicken carcass,chicken product,and environmental samples,as well as swabs from workers'hands,were collected from a slaughterhouse in a large broiler group in the Jiaodong area between August 2023 and July 2024.Quantitative contamination assessment of Campylobacter in chicken carcasses and chicken products was performed.After microbial mass spectrometry identification,the representative strains of different links were selected for drug resistance testing and whole genome sequencing(WGS).On the basis of the sequencing results,the resistance genes,virulence genes,multilocus sequence typing(MLST),and phylogenetic characteristics of representative strains were analyzed.Homology comparisons were performed between isolates and strains from patients with diarrhea in the NCBI database.A total of 297 Campylobacter strains were isolated from 806 samples,and the overall detection rate was 36.85%.The detection rate of Campylobacter was highest in the evisceration process(47.33%),followed by the cutting process(35.64%).Overall,the Campylo-bacter detection rate first increased,then decreased,and subsequently increased.Drug sensitivity testing revealed that 90 isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin,and 94.97%of isolates were resistant to tetracycline.WGS showed that both Campylo-bacter jejuni(C.jejuni)and Campylobacter coli(C.coli)carried many drug resistance and virulence genes.ST-14176 of C.jejuni was isolated for the first time herein.The predominant ST-8261 strain of C.jejuni and ST-860,ST-829,and ST-1586 strains of C.coli are known to cause human diarrhea.LOS expression genes associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome(GBS)were detected in both C.jejuni isolates from the slaughter chain and patients with GBS.Some strains exhibited close genetic relatedness to human-derived Campylo-bacter strains from the NCBI database.The detection rate of Campylobacter in the slaughterhouse first increased,then decreased,and subsequently increased,and the quantitative contamination level of each link was similar to the detection rate.Quantitative analysis of chicken carcasses/products revealed that the average bacterial load was highest in eviscerated carcasses(102.80 cfu/g),and the high-est amount of Campylobacter in chicken products reached 451.80 cfu/g.Abundant drug resistance genes and virulence genes were iden-tified,and the drug resistance genes were highly correlated with the drug resistance rate.Therefore,surveillance intensity and control measures for Campylobacter in slaughter processes should be strengthened.
10.Resveratrol activates extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5 signaling protein to promote proliferation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells
Yongkang NIU ; Zhiwei FENG ; Yaobin WANG ; Zhongcheng LIU ; Dejian XIANG ; Xiaoyuan LIANG ; Zhi YI ; Hongwei ZHAN ; Bin GENG ; Yayi XIA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):908-916
BACKGROUND:The extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5(ERK5)signaling protein is essential for the survival of organisms,and resveratrol can promote osteoblast proliferation through various pathways.However,whether resveratrol can regulate osteoblast function through the ERK5 signaling protein needs further verification. OBJECTIVE:To explore the regulatory effect of ERK5 on the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and related secreted proteins,and to further verify whether resveratrol can complete the above process by activating ERK5. METHODS:Mouse MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were treated with complete culture medium,XMD8-92(an ERK5 inhibitor),epidermal growth factor(an ERK5 activator),resveratrol alone,XMD8-92+EGF,and resveratrol+XMD8-92,respectively.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of ERK5 and p-ERK5 proteins,proliferation-related proteins Cyclin D1,CDK4 and PCNA,and osteoblast-secreted proteins osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in MC3T3-E1 cells of each group.The fluorescence intensity of ERK5,osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in each group was detected by cell immunofluorescence staining,and cell proliferation was detected by EdU staining,respectively.The appropriate concentration and time of resveratrol intervention in MC3T3-E1 cells were determined by cell morphology observation and cell counting kit-8 assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The activation of ERK5 signaling protein could effectively promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells,up-regulate the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand ratio.The appropriate concentration and time for resveratrol intervention in MC3T3-E1 cells was 5 μmol/L and 24 hours,respectively.Resveratrol could activate ERK5 signaling protein,thereby promoting osteoblast proliferation and up-regulating the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio.All these results indicate that resveratrol can promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and up-regulate the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio by activating the ERK5 signaling protein.

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