1.Observation of the therapeutic effect of rituximab combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation on treating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in children and the regularity of traditional Chinese medicine use
Xia ZHANG ; Xuejun LI ; Tingting XU ; Guang LI ; Yifan LI ; Chundong SONG ; Wensheng ZHAI ; Xianqing REN ; Ying DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):80-90
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS).
Methods:
One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis.
Results:
Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis.
Conclusion
RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.
2.Changes in the body shape and ergonomic compatibility for functional dimensions of desks and chairs for students in Harbin during 2010-2024
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):315-320
Objective:
To analyze the change trends in the body shape indicators and proportions of students in Harbin from 2010 to 2024, and to investigate ergonomic compatibility of functional dimensions of school desks and chairs with current student shape indicators, so as to provide a reference for revising furniture standards of desks and chairs.
Methods:
Between September and November of both 2010 and 2024, a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster random sampling was conducted across three districts in Harbin, yielding samples of 6 590 and 6 252 students, respectively. Anthropometric shape indicators cluding height, sitting height, crus length, and thigh length-and their proportional changes were compared over the 15-year period. The 2024 data were compared with current standard functional dimensions of school furniture. The statistical analysis incorporated t-test and Mann-Whitney U- test.
Results:
From 2010 to 2024, average height increased by 1.8 cm for boys and 1.5 cm for girls; sitting height increased by 1.5 cm for both genders; crus length increased by 0.3 cm for boys and 0.4 cm for girls; and thigh length increased by 0.5 cm for both genders. The ratios of sitting height to height, and sitting height to leg length increased by less than 0.1 . The difference between desk chair height and 1/3 sitting height ranged from 0.4-0.8 cm. Among students matched with size 0 desks and chairs, 22.0% had a desk to chair height difference less than 0, indicating that the desk to chair height difference might be insufficient for taller students. The differences between seat height and fibular height ranged from -1.4 to 1.1 cm; and the differences between seat depth and buttock popliteal length ranged from -9.8 to 3.4 cm. Among obese students, the differences between seat width and 1/2 hip circumference ranged from -20.5 to -8.7 cm, while it ranged from -12.2 to -3.8 cm among non obese students.
Conclusion
Current furniture standards basically satisfy hygienic requirements; however, in the case of exceptionally tall and obese students, ergonomic accommodations such as adaptive seating allocation or personalized adjustments are recommended to meet hygienic requirements.
3.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
4.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.
5.Shenxiao Tongluo Prescription Alleviates Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats via PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α Pathway
Cangcang XU ; Xianbing GUO ; Guang LI ; Wenhao JIAO ; Yang ZHAO ; Yingjun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) by Shenxiao Tongluo prescription via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty-five SD rats were randomized into a sham group (10 rats) and a modeling group (55 rats), and the modeling rats underwent left nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg·kg-1) to prepare a DN model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, empagliflozin (10 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (7.656, 15.312, 30.624 g·kg-1, respectively) Shenxiao Tongluo prescription groups. The urine microalbumin (UmAlb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats in each group were assessed after continuous gavage for 8 weeks. The corresponding kits were used to measure the levels of lactate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess the protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, HIF-1α, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in the kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed elevated levels of UmAlb, BUN, SCr, lactate, and MDA, decreased SOD level (P<0.05), glomerular hypertrophy, thickening of the mesangial basement membrane, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, oval mitochondria with disordered, blurred or disappearing cristae, down-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and up-regulated protein levels of HIF-1α, DRP1, HK2, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment in all the groups increased the body weight, lowered the levels of GLU, UmAlb, BUN, and MDA, raised the level of SOD, alleviated the pathological damage in the kidney tissue and mitochondrial damage, up-regulated the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT3, and OPA1, and down-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, DRP1, and PKM2 (P<0.05). Empagliflozin and Shenxiao Tongluo prescription at medium and high doses lowered the levels of SCr and lactate and down-regulated the expression of HK2 (P<0.05), which had no statistical significance in the low-dose Shenxiao Tongluo prescription group. ConclusionShenxiao Tongluo prescription may regulate mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming by activating the PGC-1α/SIRT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby alleviating oxidative damage in the kidney tissue and delaying the progression of DN.
6.Effects of Non-invasive Light Flicker on Functional Properties of Primary Visual Cortex in Adult Mice
Xue-Qi LI ; Yi-Feng ZHOU ; Guang-Wei XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2360-2375
ObjectiveAs the central hub of the classical visual pathway, the primary visual cortex not only encodes and processes visual information but also establishes dense neural circuit connections with higher-order cognitive brain regions. Numerous studies have shown that 40 Hz flicker stimulation can induce γ oscillations in the brain and significantly improve learning and cognitive impairments in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, flickering light phenomena naturally occur in daily environments. Given that the primary visual cortex serves as the brain’s first cortical hub for receiving visual input, it is essential to comprehensively understand how non-invasive light flicker stimulation modulates its information processing mechanisms. This study systematically investigates the effects of non-invasive light flicker stimulation at different frequencies on the functional properties of neurons in the primary visual cortex of adult mice, aiming to uncover how such stimulation modulates this region and, consequently, affects overall brain function. MethodsThree groups of adult mice (approximately 12 weeks old) were exposed to light flicker stimulation at frequencies of 20 Hz, 40 Hz, and 60 Hz, respectively, for a duration of two months. A control group was exposed to the same light intensity without flickering. Following the stimulation period, in vivo multi-channel electrophysiological recordings were conducted. During these recordings, anesthetized mice were presented with various types of moving sinusoidal light gratings to assess the effects of different flicker frequencies on the functional properties of neurons in the primary visual cortex. ResultsThe experimental results demonstrate that two months of light flicker stimulation at 20 Hz, 40 Hz, and 60 Hz enhances the orientation tuning capabilities of neurons in the primary visual cortex. Specifically, 40 Hz and 60 Hz stimulation improved contrast sensitivity, whereas 20 Hz had no significant effect. Further analysis revealed that all three frequencies reduced neuronal response variability (as measured by the Fano factor), increased the signal-to-noise ratio, and decreased noise correlation (rsc) between neurons. ConclusionNon-invasive light flicker stimulation enhances orientation tuning (e.g., orientation bias index) and contrast sensitivity (e.g., contrast threshold and C50) in neurons of the primary visual cortex. This enhancement is likely due to improved information processing efficiency, characterized by reduced neuronal variability and increased signal-to-noise ratio. These findings suggest that the primary visual cortex can achieve precise and efficient information encoding in complex lighting environments by selectively adapting to different flicker frequencies and optimizing receptive field properties. This study provides new experimental evidence on how various types of light flicker influence visual perception and offers insights into the mechanisms through which specific frequencies enhance brain function.
7.CXCR3 counteracts cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy by regulating E3 ubiquitin ligases, myogenic factors, and fatty acid β-oxidation pathways.
Miao-Miao XU ; Xiao-Guang LIU ; Li-Ming LU ; Zhao-Wei LI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):255-266
This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Wild-type mice were divided into two groups: cisplatin group and control group (treated by normal saline). The results showed that, compared to the control group, the expression levels of CXCR3 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated in the skeletal muscle of the cisplatin group, suggesting that CXCR3 may play an important role in the model of cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. To further investigate its role and potential mechanisms, CXCR3 knockout mice and wild-type mice were treated with cisplatin to induce skeletal muscle atrophy. The results revealed that CXCR3 knockout not only failed to alleviate cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, but also further reduced body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Further analysis showed that, in the cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy model, CXCR3 knockout significantly up-regulated the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases in skeletal muscle and down-regulated the expression levels of myogenic regulatory factors. To explore the molecular mechanism by which CXCR3 gene deletion exacerbated cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, transcriptomic sequencing was performed on the atrophied skeletal muscles of wild-type and CXCR3 knockout mice. The results showed that, compared to wild-type mice, 14 genes were significantly up-regulated and 12 genes were significantly down-regulated in the skeletal muscle of CXCR3 knockout mice. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed a significant enrichment of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation. Quantitative real-time PCR validation results were consistent with the transcriptomic sequencing results. These findings suggest that CXCR3 may counteract cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by up-regulating E3 ubiquitin ligases, down-regulating myogenic regulatory factors, and enhancing the recruitment of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes.
Animals
;
Cisplatin/adverse effects*
;
Muscular Atrophy/physiopathology*
;
Mice
;
Receptors, CXCR3/metabolism*
;
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Oxidation-Reduction
;
Fatty Acids/metabolism*
;
Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
8.Exercise preconditioning alleviates motor deficits in MPTP-induced Parkinsonian mice by improving mitochondrial function.
Miao-Miao XU ; Dan-Ting HU ; Qiao ZHANG ; Xiao-Guang LIU ; Zhao-Wei LI ; Li-Ming LU
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(3):419-431
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder mainly related to mitochondrial dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise preconditioning on motor deficits and mitochondrial function in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse model. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary + saline (SS), sedentary + MPTP (SM), exercise + saline (ES), and exercise + MPTP (EM) groups. Mice in the ES and EM groups received 4 weeks of treadmill training, and then SM and EM groups were treated with MPTP for 5 days. Motor function was assessed by behavioral tests, and morphological and functional changes in dopaminergic neurons and mitochondria in the substantia nigra of the midbrain were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy technology. The results showed that, compared with the SM group, the EM group exhibited significantly improved motor ability, up-regulated protein expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in the midbrain, and down-regulated protein expression of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the mitochondria of substantia nigra. Compared with the SM group, the EM group showed up-regulated protein expression levels of mitochondrial fusion proteins, including optical atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) and mitofusin 2 (MFN2), and biogenesis-related proteins, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), while the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and mitochondrial fission protein 1 (FIS1) were significantly down-regulated. Compared with the SM group, the EM group showed significantly reduced damage to substantia nigra mitochondria, restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggest that 4-week treadmill pre-training can alleviate MPTP-induced motor impairments in PD mice by improving mitochondrial function, providing a theoretical basis for early exercise-based prevention of PD.
Animals
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Male
;
Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mitochondria/physiology*
;
Dopaminergic Neurons
;
MPTP Poisoning/physiopathology*
;
Substantia Nigra
;
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
;
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
9.Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Yuan CHENG ; Yun-Na TIAN ; Man HUANG ; Jun-Peng XU ; Wen-Jie CAO ; Xu-Guang JIA ; Li-Yi YOU ; Wan-Tie WANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(3):465-471
The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O2) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N2 flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H2S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism*
;
Glycolysis/drug effects*
;
Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use*
;
Hypoxia/complications*
;
Rats
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
10.Research progress in effect of traditional Chinese medicine on aerobic glycolysis in colorectal cancer.
Xu MA ; Sheng-Long LI ; Guang-Rong ZHENG ; Da-Cheng TIAN ; Gang-Gang LU ; Jie GAO ; Yu-Qi AN ; Li-Yuan CAO ; Liang LI ; Xiao-Yong TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1496-1506
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Due to the treatment intolerance and side effects, CRC rank the top among various cancers regarding the incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, exploring new therapies is of great significance for the treatment of CRC. Aerobic glycolysis(AEG) plays an important role in the microenvironment formation, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence of CRC and other tumor cells. It has been confirmed that intervening in the AEG pathway can effectively curb CRC. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can effectively inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance and regulate the apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating AEG-associated transport proteins [eg, glucose transporters(GLUT)], key enzymes [hexokinase(HK) and phosphofructokinase(PFK)], key genes [hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and oncogene(c-Myc)], and signaling pathways(MET/PI3K/Akt/mTOR). Accordingly, they can treat CRC, reduce the recurrence, and improve the prognosis of CRC. Although AEG plays a key role in the development and progression of CRC, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this article delves into the intrinsic connection of the targets and mechanisms of the AEG pathway with CRC from the perspective of tumor cell glycolysis and explores how active ingredients(oxymatrine, kaempferol, and dioscin) and compound prescriptions(Quxie Capsules, Jiedu Sangen Decoction, and Xianlian Jiedu Prescription) of TCM treat CRC by intervening in the AEG pathway. Additionally, this article explores the shortcomings in the current research, aiming to provide reliable targets and a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM.
Humans
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Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Glycolysis/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*


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