1.Investigation of the regulatory effect of overexpressed Ptpn2 on SiO2-mediated mouse alveolar macrophages based on iTRAQ technology
Yi WEI ; Yaqian LI ; Xinjie LI ; Mengfei FENG ; Fuyu JIN ; Hong XU ; Ying ZHU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):183-191
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of overexpressed protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (Ptpn2) on the inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S) induced by SiO₂. MethodsCells with overexpressed Ptpn2 were constructed and induced by SiO₂. The experimental groups were divided into four groups: the negative control group with an empty vector (NC), the overexpressed Ptpn2 group (P), the negative control group with an empty vector + SiO₂ induction (NS), and the overexpressed Ptpn2 + SiO₂ induction group (PS). Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to screen differential proteins, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database analyses. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, Gasdermin D (GSDMD), and Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PTPN2, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and proteins related to the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the cells of each group. ResultsiTRAQ results identified 144 differential proteins among the four groups. GO analysis showed that in biological processes (BP), these differential proteins were mainly enriched in IκB kinase/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, cell activation and signal transduction involved in immune responses, and regulation of receptor signaling pathways by signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), etc. KEGG analysis revealed that the differential proteins were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the NC group, the expressions of TNF α, GSDMD, and TGF-β1 in the cells of the NS group increased (P < 0.05); compared to the NS group, the expression of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group decreased in cellular proteins(P < 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that compared with the NC group, the protein expression levels of PTPN2, p-NF-κB,MyD88,TLR4,NLRP3,GSDMD,Caspase-1,IL-1β, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR,p-Smad2/3 in the NS group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05); compared with the NS group, the expression levels of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of Ptpn2 can inhibit the protein expressions of TLR4-TNF-α signaling, NLRP3 signaling, and TGF-β1 signaling closely related to inflammatory response in SiO₂-mediated MH-S macrophages.
2.Assessment of ochratoxin A exposure in the diets of pregnant women in Shanghai
Kailin LI ; Renjie QI ; Hua CAI ; Xia SONG ; Jingjin YANG ; Danping QIU ; Zhenni ZHU ; Yi HE ; Baozhang LUO ; Hong LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):181-186
ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination status of ochratoxin A (OTA) in commercially available food products in Shanghai, and to assess OTA exposure levels and the associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks among pregnant women by integrating dietary consumption data of this population. MethodsThe levels of OTA contamination in 1 520 food samples collected in Shanghai from 2022 to 2023 were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An exposure assessment model was developed based on the dietary consumption levels of pregnant women from the 2016‒2017 Shanghai Pregnant Women Dietary Monitoring Survey to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of OTA, the margin of exposure for non-carcinogenic toxicity (MOE1), and the margin of exposure for carcinogenic toxicity (MOE2). An MOE1 greater than 200 and an MOE2 greater than 10 000 indicate that the non-carcinogenic toxicity and carcinogenic toxicity resulting from exposure are negligible, respectively. For samples with OTA contamination levels below the limit of detection (LOD), which accounted for more than 80% of the samples, the OTA levels were assigned values of 0 and LOD, respectively, for subsequent calculations. ResultsThe detection rates of OTA in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and alcohol samples collected in 2022 were 2.03%, 0, 0, and 0, respectively. The OTA detection rates in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol samples collected in 2023 were 2.50%, 0.39%, 2.47%, 1.67%, and 13.33%, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2022, simulation results indicated that when assigning a value of 0 and the LOD, theP50 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.05 and 0.72 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, and the P95 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.25 and 2.40 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2023, the P50 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.04 and 1.00 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, and the P95 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.23 and 2.67 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, both substantially below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for OTA [17 ng·(kg·d)-1]. The EDI for dietary OTA exposure in 100.0% of Shanghai pregnant women was lower than the TDI, indicating an overall low level of dietary OTA exposure among this population. For 100.0% of pregnant women, the MOE₁ for dietary OTA exposure exceeded 200. When assigned a value of 0, the MOE₂ for 100.0% of pregnant women in both 2022 and 2023 exceeded10 000. When assigned the LOD value, 72.3% and 81.8% of pregnant women in 2022 and 2023, respectively, had an MOE₂ exceeding 10 000. ConclusionFrom 2022 to 2023, samples of cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol sold in Shanghai exhibited varying degrees of OTA contamination. The overall EDI of OTA exposure among pregnant women in Shanghai remained at a low level. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with OTA exposure were generally low and at controllable levels.
3.Surveillance of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023
Juan ZHANG ; Wen LIN ; Hong ZHU ; Lun WAN ; Jia YI ; Dongni WU ; Jing XIA ; Li TANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(3):287-292
Objective To investigate the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode human infections in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis control strategies and evaluation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis control effectiveness. Methods There were 10 surveillance points established in Hubei Province for soil-transmitted nematodiasis each year from 2016 to 2023. The surveillance points were divided into eastern, western, southern, northern and central regions according to geographical locations, and one administrative village was sampled from a township in each region as a surveillance point. Then, at least 200 permanent residents at ages of over 3 years were randomly sampled at each point, with at least 1 000 individuals sampled. Soil-transmitted nematode infection was detected using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (two slides for one stool sample), and Enterobius vermicularis infection was additionally detected with a cellophane tape test among children at ages of 3 to 9 years. The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode human infections was descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 80 547 individuals underwent surveillance for soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and a total of 262 individuals were detected with soil-transmitted nematode infections, including two cases with mixed infections, yielding an overall prevalence rate of 0.33% (262/80 547). The prevalence rates of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and E. vermicularis infections were 0.02% (20/80 547), 0.07% (55/80 547), 0.02% (15/80 547) and 0.22% (174/80 547), respectively, appearing a parasite species-specific prevalence rate (χ2 = 250.235, P < 0.05), and the prevalence rates of soil-transmitted nematode infections were 0.50%(51/10271),0.37%(34/9120),0.39%(39/10099),0.40%(41/10168), 0.36% (37/10 234), 0.45% (46/10 211), 0.03% (3/10 238) and 0.11% (11/10 206) in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, respectively, showing a year-specific prevalence rate (χ2 = 60.589, P < 0.05). Soil-transmitted nematode infections were detected across 36 surveillance points, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections among surveillance points (0.02% to 3.30%, P < 0.001). In addition, the differences in prevalence rates of human soil-transmitted nematode infection among different age groups (χ2 = 531.091, P < 0.05), occupations (P < 0.001), and education levels (P < 0.001) were all statistically significant. Among these, the children at ages of 3 to 9 years old (1.40%, 174/12 461), nursery-school children (1.69%, 90/5 312) and preschool-aged children (1.56%, 93/5 969) were relatively high. Conclusions The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodiasis was low in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023; however, the prevalence varied across regions and among populations, with E. vermicularis as the predominant species of soil-transmitted nematode. Soil-transmitted nematodiasis control should be given a high priority in key areas in Hubei Province, and preschool children, primary school students, and individuals with a low educational level are recommended as key target populations for health education and interventions.
4.Angelicae Dahuricae Radix polysaccharides treat ulcerative colitis in mice by regulating gut microbiota and metabolism.
Feng XU ; Lei ZHU ; Ya-Nan LI ; Cheng CHENG ; Yuan CUI ; Yi-Heng TONG ; Jing-Yi HU ; Hong SHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):896-907
This study employed 16S r RNA gene high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics to explore the mechanism of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix polysaccharides(RP) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC). A mouse model of UC was induced with 2. 5% dextran sulfate sodium. The therapeutic effects of RP on UC in mice were evaluated based on changes in body weight, disease activity index( DAI), and colon length, as well as pathological changes. RT-qPCR was performed to assess the m RNA levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase(MPO), mucin 2(Muc2), Occludin, Claudin2, and ZO-1 in the mouse colon tissue. ELISA was employed to measure the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissue. The intestinal permeability of mice was evaluated by the fluorescent dye permeability assay. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of Muc2 and occludin in the colon tissue. Changes in gut microbiota and metabolites were analyzed by 16S r RNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry( UPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS), respectively. The results indicated that low-dose RP alleviated general symptoms, reduced colonic inflammation and intestinal permeability, and promoted Muc2 secretion and tight junction protein expression in UC mice. In addition, low-dose RP increased gut microbiota diversity in UC mice and decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria such as Ochrobactrum and Streptococcus. Twenty-seven differential metabolites were identified in feces, and low-dose RP restored the levels of disturbed metabolites. Notably, arginine and proline metabolism were the most significantly altered amino acid metabolic pathways following lowdose RP intervention. In conclusion, RP can ameliorate general symptoms, inhibit colonic inflammation, and maintain intestinal mucosal barrier integrity in UC mice by modulating gut microbiota composition and arginine and proline metabolism.
Animals
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics*
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Mice
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Polysaccharides/administration & dosage*
;
Angelica/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Colon/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Mucin-2/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
5.Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI imaging and clinical pathological features of invasive breast cancer and lymphovascular invasion
Shi-Qi GUO ; Yu-Jiao XIE ; Qing-Yang LI ; Si-Yi CHEN ; Jia-Hong SUN ; Zhao-Feng GAO ; Jun-Qing LIANG ; Yu-Hui CHEN ; Bao-Shi BAO ; Li ZHU ; Jian-Dong WANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(7):847-854
Objective To explore the relationship between dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and clinical pathological features of invasive breast cancer and lymphovascular invasion(LVI).Methods Imaging and clinical pathological data were retrospectively collected from 508 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast DCE-MRI at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to August 2021.Patients were divided into the LVI-positive(LVI+)group(n=79)and LVI-negative(LVI-)group(n=429)based on postoperative pathological results.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for LVI.Results Compared with LVI-group,LVI+group had a higher proportion of patients aged<45 years(44.3%vs.27.0%,P=0.002),non-mass-like enhancement(NME)(31.7%vs.17.7%,P=0.004),Ki-67 expression rate(40.0%vs.30.0%,P<0.001),high Ki-67 expression(94.9%vs.78.1%,P=0.001),Luminal B subtype(76.0%vs.60.1%,P=0.008),and positive axillary lymph nodes rate(72.2%vs.31.5%,P<0.001),while the proportion of Luminal A subtype was lower(2.5%vs.21.5%,P<0.001).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age≥45 years(OR=0.468,95%CI 0.280-0.783,P=0.004)was an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME(OR=1.987,95%CI 1.126-3.444,P=0.016)was an independent risk factor.Compared with Luminal A subtype,patients with Luminal B subtype(OR=10.482,95%CI 3.164-64.923,P=0.001),HER-2 overexpression subtype(OR=11.571,95%CI 2.755-79.341,P=0.003)and triple-negative subtypes(OR=8.433,95%CI 1.985-57.908,P=0.009)had a higher risk of LVI.Conclusions Age≥45 years is an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME is an independent risk factor.Among molecular subtypes,patients with Luminal B,HER-2 overexpression and triple-negative subtypes have a higher risk of LVI compared with the Luminal A subtype.
6.Efficacy and safety of proximal gastrectomy versus total gastrectomy for Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yingjie LU ; Ziqiang HONG ; Hongchao LI ; Gang JIN ; Wenhao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Bin LIU ; Zijiang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):693-699
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of proximal gastrectomy (PG) versus total gastrectomy (TG) for the treatment of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for literature comparing the efficacy and safety of PG and TG for the treatment of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ AEG. The search period was from database inception to March 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Results A total of 23 articles were included, including 16 retrospective cohort studies, 5 prospective cohort studies, and 2 randomized controlled trials. The total sample size was 2 826 patients, with 1 389 patients undergoing PG and 1 437 patients undergoing TG. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with TG, PG had less intraoperative blood loss [MD=−19.85, 95%CI (−37.20, −2.51), P=0.02] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [MD=−1.23, 95%CI (−2.38, −0.08), P=0.04]. TG had a greater number of lymph nodes dissected [MD=−6.20, 95%CI (−7.68, −4.71), P<0.001] and a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis [MD=3.02, 95%CI (1.24, 7.34), P=0.01]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two surgical approaches in terms of operative time, postoperative survival rate (1-year, 3-year, 5-year), and postoperative overall complications (P>0.05). Conclusion PG has advantages in terms of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay, while TG has advantages in terms of the number of lymph nodes dissected and the incidence of reflux esophagitis. There is no significant difference in long-term survival between the two surgical approaches.
7.Recent progress on pollution and exposure assessment of emerging mycotoxins
Kailin LI ; Zhenni ZHU ; Yi HE ; Aibo WU ; Hong LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):1009-1017
Emerging mycotoxins are mycotoxins that have emerged in recent years, encompassing more than ten different families of mycotoxins, primarily Alternaria toxins (ATs), enniatins (ENNs), and beauvericin (BEA). These contaminants are widely found in a variety of food groups including cereals, fruits and vegetables, beer, wine, beans, and potatoes. Studies have shown that multiple physiological toxicities of the emerging mycotoxins are identified in plants, animals, and various human cell lines, and their presence are associated with certain human diseases. Notably, the emerging mycotoxins are not only prevalent in food but also frequently detected in human biological samples (e.g., serum, urine, and breast milk). Furthermore, multiple risk assessment studies have indicated that dietary exposure to the emerging mycotoxins, particularly ATs, exceed safe levels in some populations, posing potential threats to both food safety and human health. This article reviewed the contamination and physiological toxicity of three major emerging mycotoxins—ATs, ENNs, and BEA—in food, as well as research progress in human exposure assessment by different risk evaluation methods (e.g., dietary contamination & intake assessment and human biomonitoring). Additionally, it discussed current research challenges and unresolved scientific issues, aiming to provide insights for the biological control of emerging mycotoxins in food and the assessment of their exposure risks in human populations.
8.Deoxynivalenol contamination in cereals and bakery products in Shanghai and dietary exposure assessment in pregnant women
Kailin LI ; Baozhang LUO ; Renjie QI ; Hua CAI ; Xia SONG ; Jingjin YANG ; Danping QIU ; Zhenni ZHU ; Yi HE ; Hong LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1170-1176
Background Deoxynivalenol (DON), a priority contaminant for food safety risk monitoring, is produced by Fusarium spp. infesting crops, and its common derivatives are 3-acetyl-DON (3A-DON) and 15-acetyl-DON (15A-DON), which have been shown to possess gastrointestinal toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and cytotoxicity. Due to the stable physicochemical properties of the DON family of toxins (DONs), they cannot be effectively removed during food processing, thus following the food chain, entering the human body, and posing health risks. Objective To understand the contamination status of DONs in commercial foods (cereals and bakery products) in Shanghai in 2022–2023, and to assess the exposure risk of DONs in pregnant women by combining their dietary consumption data. Methods Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the contamination level of DONs in 1 100 food samples (cereals and baked goods) collected in 2022 and 944 samples collected in 2023 from Shanghai. The dietary monitoring data of pregnant women in Shanghai from 2016 to 2017 were adopted. The monitoring employed the food frequency questionnaire distributed among pregnant women through a combination of online telephone enquiry and offline on-site face-to-face survey to estimate their food consumption levels. An exposure assessment model was established to calculate the exposure level to DONs, and the probability distribution of the DONs exposure level in the pregnant women group in Shanghai was obtained by applying @Risk 7.5 software and simulating the calculation according to the Monte Carlo principle. With reference to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of DONs [1.00 µg·(kg·d)−1] proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, the risk of exposure to DONs from commercial cereals and bakery products in pregnant women in Shanghai was assessed. Results DONs were detected in cereal and bakery samples collected in 2022 and 2023 with different levels of contamination. The level of DONs in cereal foods in 2023 (mean: 36.33 µg·kg−1) decreased compared to 2022 (mean: 23.64 µg·kg−1). However, the positive rate (71.67%) and level (mean: 51.22 µg·kg−1) of DONs in bakery products increased significantly compared with 2022 (positive rate: 10.00%, mean: 24.39 µg·kg−1). The mean consumption of cereals in 783 pregnant women was 222.48 g·d−1 and the mean consumption of bakery products was 36.07 g·d−1, and there was no statistically significant difference in the intake of all types of cereals and bakery products across the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy. The modelled intakes of DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products for pregnant women in Shanghai were calculated to be 0.20 and 0.57 µg·(kg·d)−1 in 2022 for the mean level and the 95th percentile level, respectively, and 0.16 µg·(kg·d)−1 and 0.35 µg·(kg·d)−1 in 2023, respectively. The results of the health risk assessment showed that pregnant women in Shanghai had 2.6% and 1.4% probability of exposure to DONs from cereal consumption in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Conclusion The risk of exposure of pregnant women in Shanghai to DONs via commercial cereals and bakery products is relatively low (1.4%-2.6%). However, considering the physical sensitivity of pregnant women, they should avoid consuming moldy grains and appropriately reduce intake of bakery products.
9.Therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and gut dysbiosis.
Meng-Jie ZHU ; Yi-Jie SONG ; Pei-Li RAO ; Wen-Yi GU ; Yu XU ; Hong-Xi XU
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):297-308
OBJECTIVE:
Prunella vulgaris L. has long been used for liver protection according to traditional Chinese medicine theory and has been proven by modern pharmacological research to have multiple potential liver-protective effects. However, its effects on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are currently uncertain. Our study explores the effects of P. vulgaris polysaccharides on NASH and intestinal homeostasis.
METHODS:
An aqueous extract of the dried fruit spikes of P. vulgaris was precipitated in an 85% ethanol solution (PVE85) to extract crude polysaccharides from the herb. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) was administrated to male C57BL/6 mice to establish a NASH animal model. After 4 weeks, the PVE85 group was orally administered PVE85 (200 mg/[kg·d]), while the control group and CDAHFD group were orally administered vehicle for 6 weeks. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and other methods were used to assess the impact of PVE85 on the liver in mice with NASH. 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis was employed to evaluate the gut microbiota abundance and diversity in each group to examine alterations at various taxonomic levels.
RESULTS:
PVE85 significantly reversed the course of NASH in mice. mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators associated with NASH and protein expression of hepatic nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) were significantly reduced after PVE85 treatment. Moreover, PVE85 attenuated the thickening and cross-linking of collagen fibres and inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related mRNAs in the livers of NASH mice. Intriguingly, PVE85 restored changes in the gut microbiota and improved intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by NASH by increasing the abundance of Actinobacteria and reducing the abundance of Proteobacteria at the phylum level. PVE85 had significant activity in reducing the relative abundance of Clostridiaceae at the family levels. PVE85 markedly enhanced the abundance of some beneficial micro-organisms at various taxonomic levels as well. Additionally, the physicochemical environment of the intestine was effectively improved, involving an increase in the density of intestinal villi, normalization of the intestinal pH, and improvement of intestinal permeability.
CONCLUSION
PVE85 can reduce hepatic lipid overaccumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in an animal model of CDAHFD-induced NASH and improve the intestinal microbial composition and intestinal structure. Please cite this article as: Zhu MJ, Song YJ, Rao PL, Gu WY, Xu Y, Xu HX. Therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and gut dysbiosis. J Integr Med. 2025; 2025; 23(3): 297-308.
Animals
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy*
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Male
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Dysbiosis/drug therapy*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Polysaccharides/therapeutic use*
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Prunella/chemistry*
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Mice
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Liver/metabolism*
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Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Diet, High-Fat
10.Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells.
Yi WANG ; Xiao-Yu SUN ; Fang-Qi MA ; Ming-Ming REN ; Ruo-Han ZHAO ; Meng-Meng QIN ; Xiao-Hong ZHU ; Yan XU ; Ni-da CAO ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Tian-Geng DONG ; Yong-Fu PAN ; Ai-Guang ZHAO
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):320-332
OBJECTIVE:
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC.
METHODS:
For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC.
RESULTS:
Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway.
CONCLUSION
Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans
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Flavonoids/therapeutic use*
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Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
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Animals
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Ubiquitination/drug effects*
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Mice
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Drug Synergism
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Nude
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Flavones

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