1.Identification of Chemical Constituents of Painong Powder and Constituents Absorbed into Blood by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Han SUN ; Hongsu ZHAO ; Zihua XUAN ; Jinwei QIAO ; Fangfang ZHANG ; Manqin YANG ; Shuangying GUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):256-263
ObjectiveTo study the chemical constituents of Painong powder and the constituents absorbed into blood after oral administration to rats by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS). MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was employed for mass spectrometry data acquisition. The chemical constituents of Painong Powder and the constituents absorbed into blood were characterized and identified via Xcalibur 4.2 and Compound Discoverer v3.3.1 (CD) based on retention time, accurate molecular weights, secondary fragmentation ions, and comparison with reference standards and literature reports. ResultsA total of 176 chemical compounds, including 56 flavonoids, 42 triterpenoid saponins, 23 monoterpenes, 7 coumarins, 5 tannins, and other 43 compounds were identified from Painong powder. 49 components were identified in the rat plasma after oral administration of Painong powder, including 33 prototype constituents and 16 metabolites. The major metabolic pathways included hydrolysis in phase Ⅰ metabolic reactions, as well as methylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation in phase Ⅱ metabolic reaction. ConclusionThe method comprehensively identified the chemical constituents of Painong powder both in vitro and in vivo, and may provide a reference for the study of quality control and clinical applications.
2.A novel feedback loop: CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 in cardiac fibrosis.
Yuan JIANG ; Bowen ZHANG ; Bo ZHANG ; Xinhua SONG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Wei ZENG ; Liyang ZUO ; Xinqi LIU ; Zheng DONG ; Wenzheng CHENG ; Yang QIAO ; Saidi JIN ; Dongni JI ; Xiaofei GUO ; Rong ZHANG ; Xieyang GONG ; Lihua SUN ; Lina XUAN ; Berezhnova Tatjana ALEXANDROVNA ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Mingyu ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG ; Chaoqian XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5192-5211
Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.
3.Research progress in roles of endogenous metabolites in tumor progression and immune regulation
Haoqian ZHANG ; Xin PAN ; Yue QIAO ; Chengrui XUAN
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(4):307-312
Metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment is closely associated with tumor initiation and progression.Endogenous metabolites can not only regulate tumor formation and metastasis,but also impair antitumor immune efficacy by influencing immune cells.However,current research focuses on the effects of single metabolites on tumors rather than take into account the systemic nature of metabolic networks,the diversity of metabolic products,and their dynamic regulatory roles in the tumor immune microenvironment.An in-depth analysis of the key nodes in metabolic pathways related to endogenous metabolites and their regulatory mechanisms in tumor progression is crucial to the development of antitumor therapies based on metabolic intervention.This paper provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms by which endogenous metabolites,such as amino acids,lipids and nucleotides,contribute to tumor progression and regulate the immune microenvironment.By offering new theoretical insights into the complex network of the metabolism-immune axis in tumor development,this review aims to provide data for the development of metabolism-targeted antitumor immuno-therapy strategies.
4.Effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuronal activity and adipose tissue metabolism in obese mice
Xiao-Xuan LIU ; Han-Si ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing HAN ; Xiao-Di SHANG ; Jing KANG ; Jun-Tang LIN ; Xin YAN ; Liang QIAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(4):452-459
Objective To investigate the effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuron activity and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of obese mice.Methods 10 leptin-deficient obese(ob/ob)mice with homozygous mutation of leptin gene and 10 wild-type(WT)mice born in the same litter were randomly divided into control group and leptin treatment group.The activity of pro-opiomelanocortin(POMC)neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH+)neurons,the morphological changes of adipose tissue and the expression of lipid-related genes were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining,HE staining and Real-time PCR.Results Compared with the WT mice,the ob/ob mice showed decreased activity of POMC neurons and TH+neurons and larger cell diameter in adipose tissue and liver tissue.In addition,the expressions of heat-related genes uncoupling protein 1(UCP1),cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8B(Cox8b)and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor,alpha subunit-like effector A(Cidea)in subcutaneous white fat in ob/ob mice decreased significantly,and the expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1(Srebp1)and fatty acid synthase(Fas)increased significantly.After treated with leptin,the activities of POMC and TH+neurons were increased,and the cellular diameter and the degree of vacuolar degeneration were reduced in the adipose tissue and liver.Further analyses showed that the expressions of thermogenesis-related genes and lipolysis-related genes were increased,but expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes were reduced in brown adipose tissue.Conclusion Leptin treatment could prevent the increasing of obesity in ob/ob mice,which is associated with increased lipolysis and reduced lipid synthesis through activation of hypothalamic POMC neurons and peripheral adipose tissue sympathetic nervous system.
5.Effects of BCG-infected macrophages on renal tubular epithelial cell injury and repair
Chunlin QIAO ; Ziyi WU ; Zhan SUN ; Xuan GOU ; Xinmin WANG ; Le ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(5):1036-1041
Objective:To investigate effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis BCG-infected macrophages on damage and repair of renal tubular epithelial cells during development of renal tuberculosis.Methods:A co-culture model of BCG-infected M0 macrophages(upper chamber)and HK-2 cells(lower chamber)was established by Transwell,and THP-1 human monocyte macrophages were induced by 100 ng/ml phorbol ester(PMA)24 h to become M0 macrophages,and BCG infection cell model was established.Total cell protein was collected at 12 h and 24 h of infection,respectively.Western blot was used to detect expressions of M1 macrophage marker CD86 and M2 macrophage marker CD206 protein.M1 macrophage polarization marker cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and M2 macrophage polarization marker cytokine TGF-β expressions in cell culture supernatant were detected by ELISA;experiment was divided into HK-2 group,BCG+HK-2 group,BCG+M0+HK-2 group and M0+HK-2 group,CCK-8 was used to detect viability of HK-2 cells in each group,and Hoechst test was used to detect HK-2 cells apoptosis in each group.Epithelial cell marker E-cadhren and fibroblast markerα-SMA expressions in HK-2 cells of each group were detected by Western blot.Results:After BCG infection of M0 macrophages,M1 macrophage viability was higher than 24 h at 12 h(P<0.05),and M2 macrophage was higher than 12 h at 24 h(P<0.05).After two cells co-culture,HK-2 cell viability was higher than 12 h at 24 h(P<0.001),apoptosis level was higher than 24 h at 12 h,epithelial cell marker protein E-cadherin protein level was higher than 12 h at 24 h(P<0.001),fibroblast level of cell marker protein α-SMA protein at 12 h was higher than that at 24 h(P<0.01).Conclusion:During development of renal tuberculosis,early BCG-infected macrophages may promote inflammatory injury of renal tubular epithelial cells through M1-type polarization;with prolongation of infec-tion time,they may repair renal tubular epithelial cells through M2-type polarization and plays an important protective role.
6.Effect of parenting style on social anxiety of college students: the mediating roles of core self-evaluation
Yu LIU ; Shaomin ZHANG ; Yanjie YANG ; Zhengxue QIAO ; Jiawei ZHOU ; Xiaomeng HU ; Tianyi BU ; Xuan LIU ; Kexin QIAO ; Xiaohui QIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(7):642-646
Objective:To explore the impact of parenting style on social anxiety among college students, and examine the mediating effect of core self-evaluation.Methods:From November 2022 to January 2023, a total of 1 126 college students in Harbin were taken as research subjects.Interaction anxiousness scale(IAS), short-egna minnen betraffende upfostran-Chinese(s-EMBU-C) and core self-evaluations scale(CSES) were used for analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software for correlation analysis and analysis of variance.AMOS 27.0 software was used for mediation effect test.Results:Social anxiety (42.31±8.23) was negatively correlated with positive parenting style (5.44±1.45) ( r=-0.072, P<0.05) and core self-evaluation (32.12±6.01) ( r=-0.350, P<0.01), while positively correlated with negative parenting style (7.40±1.74)( r=0.302, P<0.01). Core self-evaluation was positively correlated with positive parenting style ( r=0.362, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with negative parenting style ( r=-0.346, P<0.01).Parent parenting styles had a significant mean direct effect on social anxiety of college students ( βpositive=0.098, βnegtive=0.222).Mediation analyses indicated that core self-evaluation played a masking role between positive parenting styles and social anxiety, with an absolute value of 90.82% for the ratio of indirect(-0.089) to direct effects(0.098).Core self-evaluation had partial mediating effect on negative parenting styles, with direct effect and indirect effect accounting for 73.03% and 26.97% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion:Parenting style can either directly affect college students' social anxiety or indirectly through the mediating effect of core self-evaluations, with core self-evaluations playing a masking role in the positive parenting styles pathway.
8.Early identification and influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in high-stress rescue workers.
Heng Yu LUAN ; Qiong Xuan LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Ru Fang GONG ; Xiao Guang LU ; Dong Yao LI ; Yuan Yuan SUN ; Qiao CHEN ; Feng GAO ; Xiao Yong SAI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(7):1032-1039
Objective: To explore the risk intensity and related influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among high-stress rescue workers, and to provide effective tools for the risk assessment of PTSD in military rescue workers. Method: From June to August 2022, cluster sampling was used to select the high-stress rescue personnel of an Army department as the survey subjects. The acute Stress reaction (ASD) scale and PTSD checklist were used to evaluate the risk of PTSD in military rescue personnel. Multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of PTSD. Results: The age of 4 460 subjects was (24.38±4.072) years old, including 4 396 males (98.6%). The positive rate of initial screening for ASD was 2.85% (127/4 460). The positive rate of PTSD was 0.67% (30/4 460). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that female, older age, recent trauma exposure history, passive smoking and alcohol consumption were at higher risk of ASD, the values of OR (95%CI) were 4.183 (1.819-9.618), 6.278 (1.363-28.912), 3.094 (1.500-6.379), 2.059 (1.298-3.267) and 2.607 (1.614-4.211), respectively; Lower education level was associated with lower risk of ASD, OR (95%CI) was 0.593 (0.359-0.978); People who are older, thinner, have a history of mental illness, and drink alcohol were at higher risk for PTSD, the values of OR (95%CI) were 20.144 (2.459-165.043), 10.287 (2.218-47.700), 91.104 (8.592-965.980) and 2.866 (1.144-7.180), respectively. Conclusion: Gender, age, education level, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, past history of mental illness and body mass index may be related to the potential risk of PTSD in rescue workers,passive smoking, alcohol consumption, and weight controlling should be focused on to reduce potential risks of PTSD.
Male
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Humans
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Female
;
Young Adult
;
Adult
;
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/prevention & control*
;
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
;
Risk Assessment
;
Military Personnel
;
Alcohol Drinking
10.Mechanism of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides in improving atherosclerosis by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Xiao-Yu MA ; Hao-Ran ZHAO ; Hui-Lin QIAO ; You-Cheng ZENG ; Xuan-Ming ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(2):465-471
The present study observed the regulatory effect of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides on autophagy and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathways in ApoE~(-/-) mice and explored the mechanism of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides against atherosclerosis(AS). ApoE~(-/-) mice were fed on a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce an AS model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group, a positive control group, and low-, medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides, while C57BL/6J mice fed on a common diet were assigned to the blank group. The serum and aorta samples were collected after intragastric administration for 12 weeks, and the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), and matrix metalloprotei-nase-9(MMP-9) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Oil red O staining was used to observe the aortic plaque area in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the aortic plaque and pathological changes in mice. The expression of P62 and LC3 in the aorta was detected by the immunofluorescence method. The protein expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin-1, P62, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the aorta of mice was detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the content of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.05), intra-aortic plaque area was enlarged(P<0.01), the expression of LC3 in the aorta was significantly down-regulated, P62 expression was up-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the expressions of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the aortic lysate were significantly down-regulated, and the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 were significantly increased(P<0.01). The medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could reduce the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in AS model mice(P<0.01 or P<0.05), and increase the content of HDL-C(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The aortic plaque area of mice after middle and high doses of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides was significantly reduced(P<0.01), the content of foam cells decrease, and the narrowing of the lumen decreased. The total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides significantly increased the expression of LC3 in the aorta and the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the lysate, and decreased the expression of P62 in the aorta and the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 in the lysate(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The results showed that the total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could improve the content of blood lipids and inflammatory factors, and reduce the generation of foam cells and plaques in aortic tissue, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals
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Mice
;
Apolipoproteins E
;
Atherosclerosis/genetics*
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Beclin-1
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Cholesterol, LDL
;
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics*
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
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Plaque, Atherosclerotic
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics*

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