Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.

The blood-brain barrier （BBB） is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely regulates brain homeostasis and plays a central role in controlling the transport of endogenous and exogenous drugs and related metabolites across the blood-brain interface. These functions of the BBB are mediated by its major components， including brain microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs）， tight junction protein complexes， and influx and efflux transporter proteins. One of the pathological features of ischemic stroke （IS） is BBB disruption， which plays an important role in the development of post-stroke brain injury and subsequent neurological dysfunction. Therefore， given the increasing incidence of IS， there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to prevent BBB dysfunction and thereby protect injured brain tissue after IS. This study describes the pathological mechanisms by which BMEC injury after IS leads to BBB dysfunction and elucidates the association between BMECs and IS， including the regulation of apoptosis， autophagy， inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， neurotoxic effects， and cerebral edema. In addition， this article summarizes Chinese herbal medicines that may prevent and treat IS by targeting BMECs. These include monomeric compounds and single herbs such as flavonoids， glycosides， phenols， phthalides， terpenoids， and Styrax. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas and preparations include oral formulations such as Buyang Huanwu decoction， Sailuotong， Naoxintong capsules， Dandeng Tongnao capsules， and Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills， as well as injectable preparations such as Tongluo Jiunao injection， Xingnaojing injection， Danshen polyphenolic acid for injection， Yiqi Fumai injection， and Shuxuetong injection. This study aims to explore the protective effects of TCM against IS through targeted regulation of BMEC function， providing new insights into the mechanisms of IS and endovascular therapeutic strategies.

Objective To explore the application of plasma 7 microRNA (miR7) testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study is a multicenter real-world study. Patients with single hepatic lesion (maximum diameter≤2 cm) who underwent plasma miR7 testing at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into very early-stage HCC group and non-HCC group, and the clinical pathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. The value of plasma miR7 levels, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage HCC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). In patients with both negative AFP and DCP (AFP＜20 ng/mL, DCP＜40 mAU/mL), the diagnostic value of plasma miR7 for very early-stage HCC was analyzed. Results A total of 64 528 patients from 4 hospitals underwent miR7 testing, and 1 682 were finally included, of which 1 073 were diagnosed with very early-stage HCC and 609 were diagnosed with non-HCC. The positive rate of miR7 in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in non-HCC patients (67.9% vs 24.3%, P＜0.001). ROC curves showed that the AUCs for miR7, AFP, and DCP in distinguishing HCC patients from the non-HCC individuals were 0.718, 0.682, and 0.642, respectively. The sensitivities were 67.85%, 43.71%, and 44.45%, and the specificities were 75.70%, 92.78%, and 83.91%, respectively. The pairwise comparison of AUCs showed that the diagnostic efficacy of plasma miR7 detection was significantly better than that of AFP or DCP (P＜0.05). Although its specificity was slightly lower than AFP and DCP, the sensitivity was significantly higher. Among patients negative for both AFP and DCP, miR7 maintained an AUC of 0.728 for diagnosing very early-stage HCC, with 67.82% sensitivity and 77.73% specificity. Conclusions Plasma miR7 testing is a potential molecular marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of small hepatic nodules. In patients with very early-stage HCC lacking effective molecular markers (negative for both AFP and DCP), miR7 can serve as a novel and effective molecular marker to assist diagnosis.

Aim To study the effects of curcumin de-rivative C0818 on the migration,apoptosis and prolifer-ation of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cells.Methods MTT assay and CFSE were used to detect the inhibitory effect of C0818 on the proliferation of NSCLC cells NCI-H1299 and NCI-H460 in vitro.Flow cytometry was used to detect mitochondrial reactive ox-ygen species(ROS),the mitochondrial membrane po-tential(MMP),cell apoptosis,and the cell cycle.The Transwell chamber assay and scratch wound healing as-say were used to detect the effect of C0818 on the mi-gration ability of NSCLC cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis and migration-re-lated proteins.Results C0818 inhibited the prolifera-tion of NCI-H1299 and NCI-H460 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner,and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase.C0818 disrupted the MMP.With the increase of the concentration of C0818(0.4-1.6μmol·L-1),the apoptosis rate of cells increased sig-nificantly,accompanied by the up-regulation of pro-ap-optotic proteins Bax,cleaved PARP,and cleaved caspase-3/8,and the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2.C0818 inhibited the migration ability of NSCLC cells and could inhibit the expression of pro-teins related to invasion and metastasis,such as N-cad-herin,β-catenin,and Vimentin.Conclusions The curcumin derivative C0818 induces caspase-mediated and ROS-dependent apoptosis,inhibits cell prolifera-tion,and has a strong anti-metastatic ability in vitro.

Purpose To evaluate the predictive value of multifunctional parameters of single photon emission computed tomography gated myocardial perfusion imaging(SPECT G-MPI)for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in chronic kidney disease(CKD)with abnormal stress myocardial perfusion.Materials and Methods A total of 99 patients diagnosed with CKD from June 2017 to March 2024 who underwent stress and rest G-MPI indicating abnormal myocardial perfusion in Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University.The American Heart Association 17-segment 5-point method and PHASE software were used to obtain the left ventricular myocardial perfusion,functional and synchronization parameters.According to the occurrence of MACE,the patients were divided into MACE group and non-MACE group.Cox regression was used to analyze the predictors related to MACE.The receiver operator characteristic curve was used to analyze the performance of predictors,the survival curves were obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method,Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in different groups.Results Finally,we enrolled 99 CKD patients with abnormal stress myocardial perfusion.35 patients(35.35%)developed MACE during the follow-up period.Cox regression analysis showed that stress phase bandwidth(SPBW)(HR=1.015,95%CI 1.002-1.028)and sum difference score(SDS)(HR=1.105,95%CI 1.008-1.211)were independent risk factors for predicting MACE(both P<0.05).The optimal cut-off value of SPBW and SDS for predicting MACE were 69° and 6 points,the area under the curve was 0.801 and 0.778,respectively.The incidence of MACE in the SPBW≥69° group and SDS≥6 points group was higher than that in SPBW<69° group and SDS<6 points group(66.6%vs.13.2%,53.3%vs.20.4%,both P<0.05).Conclusion SPECT G-MPI multifunctional parameters can be used to predict the prognosis of CKD patients with abnormal stress myocardial perfusion.SPBW and SDS are independent risk factors for MACE in these patients.

Objective:To observe effect of Angelica dahurica-Chuanxiong on behavior of vascular dementia(VD)model rats through cerebral and intestinal axis pathway,and to explore neuroprotective effect of Angelica dahurica-Chuanxiong on VD rats.Methods:A total of 60 SD rats with SPF grade were selected,and 12 rats were selected as control group,VD models were constructed in another rats,and 36 rats were successfully modeled,which were divided into model group,positive drug group and Angelica dah-urica-Chuanxiong group,with 12 rats in each group.Histopathology,spatial learning and memory ability,angiogenesis,brain-intesti-nal peptide index,immune and inflammatory indicators,SIRT1/FOXO3A pathway mRNA and protein expressions were observed in each group.Results:Compared with control group,model group showed an increase in total swimming distance and crossing platform time,a decrease in number of crossing platforms,an increase in ET-1,NO,iNOS,CD8+T,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 expressions and FOXO3A mRNA and protein expressions,and a decrease in VEGF,MTL,GAS,VIP,CD4+T/CD8+T,CD4+T expression,SIRT1 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,positive drug group and Angelica dahurica-Chuanxiong group showed a decrease in total swimming distance and crossing platform time,an increase in number of crossing plat-forms,a decrease in ET-1,NO,iNOS,CD8+T,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 expressions and FOXO3A mRNA and protein expressions,and a decrease in VEGF,MTL,GAS,VIP,CD4+T/CD8+T,CD4+T expression,SIRT1 mRNA and protein expressions were elevated(P<0.05);compared with positive drug group,total swimming distance and crossing platform time were decreased,crossing platform number was increased,ET-1,NO,iNOS,CD8+T,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-8 expressions,FOXO3A mRNA and protein expressions were decreased,VEGF,MTL,GAS,VIP,CD4+T/CD8+T,CD4+T expression,SIRT1 mRNA and protein expressions were increased in Angelica dahurica-Chuanxiong group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Angelica dahurica-Chuanxiong can regulate brain-gut axis pathway,pro-mote expression of brain-gut peptide index,improve learning and memory ability of VD rats,and protect neurons.

Aim To study the regulatory effect of acupuncture pretreatment on ferroptosis of nerve cells in rats with ischemic stroke.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group,MCAO group,and acupuncture+MCAO group.In the acupuncture+MCAO group,the acupuncture points of DU26,PC6,and SP6,were selected for acupuncture pretreatment,once a day for a total of 5 days.After pre-treatment,MCAO or sham MCAO models were prepared.The Zausinger sextintegral method was used to score the neuro-logical function of rats,and the infarct volume of brain tissue was calculated by TTC staining.Electron microscopy was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of brain tissue.The iron content was detected by colorimetric method,the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)was determined by ELISA,and the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)was detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the sham MCAO group,the MCAO group had a decrease in neurological function scores,a significant increase in infarct volume,a decrease in the number of mitochondria under electron microscopy,a rupture and vacuolization of the inner mitochondrial cristae,an in-crease in the contents of iron and MDA in brain tissue,and a decrease in GSH content and GPX4 expression.Compared with the MCAO group,the acupuncture+MCAO group had an increase in neurological function scores,a decrease in infarct volume,a large number of mitochondria under electron microscopy,a clear structure,a decrease or disordered arrangement of some mitochondrial crest structures,a decrease in the contents of iron and MDA in brain tissue,and an increase in GSH content and GPX4 expression.Conclusion Acupuncture pretreatment can alleviate neurological damage in rats,and its mechanism may be related to regulating iron,GSH and MDA contents in brain tissue,and GPX4 expression,improving cell antioxidant capacity and inhibiting nerve cell ferroptosis.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of transoral transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(TG-NOTES)cholecystectomy in miniature pigs.Methods A total of 11 miniature pigs were selected as the experimental subjects and underwent TG-NOTES cholecystectomy.These pigs were divided into the Group A and Group B according to the surgical procedures.Among them,7 miniature pigs in the Group A underwent endoscopic cholecystectomy without dissecting the gallbladder triangle,while 4 miniature pigs in the Group B underwent endoscopic cholecystectomy after dissecting the gallbladder triangle.The success rate of surgery,the time of each stage of surgery,the incidence of complications,the success rate of cholecystectomy and the survival rate of miniature pigs in the two groups were counted.One miniature pig in the Group A and 4 miniature pigs in the Group B were selected for survival experiments.After surviving for 1 week,they were killed and dissected to observe the healing of incision and incidence of complications.Results The surgical survival rate of experimental animals was 100%,and the success rate of cholecystectomy was 100%.There was no significant difference in the surgical time,time of cut the stomach into the abdomen,time of gallbladder exploration or time of gallbladder removal of miniature pigs between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of ligating gallbladder artery of miniature pigs in the Group B was longer than that in the Group A,and the time of isdating gallbladder was shorter than that in the Group A,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the average number of complications of miniature pigs between the two groups(P>0.05).The dissection of animals after survival experiments revealed that the incisions healed well without serious complications.Conclusion This study successfully establishes the surgical model of TG-NOTES cholecystectomy,and confirms the safety and feasibility of TG-NOTES cholecystectomy.

Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI),electroacupuncture PC6 Attenuates TRPV1 pathway in spinal cord C5-T6 dorsal root ganglion(DRG)on MIRI rats was observed.Methods After one week of experimental feeding,30 SD rats with normal electrocardiogram were randomly divided into sham-operated group and model group,PC6 group,non-meridian and non-acupuncture group,and PC6+capsaicin(TRPV1 receptor agonist)group,with 6 rats in each group.The MIRI model was prepared by ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD)coronary artery in the other groups.The next day after modeling,electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point in the EA group,electroacupuncture of the caudal"non-meridian non-points"in the the non-meridian non-acupuncture point group,and electroacupuncture of the"PC6"point after intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin in the PC6+capsaicin group,20 min/d for 7 days.ECG was used to record the changes of ST level and LF/HF ratio in rats.Evans blue-TTC double staining and HE staining was used to observe the myocardial infarction area and the changes of myocardial tissue morphology.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI.Immunofluorescence staining was used to the phenomenon of sympathetic-sensory coupling with TH-CGRP positive labeling in the DRG of rats.qPCR was to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV1,TH,CGRP,SP,ERK and AKT in rat DRG.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed significant higher ST level and LF/HF ratio(both P<0.001),and IA/AAR ratio increased significantly(P<0.0001).Massive inflammatory cell infiltration,serum CK-MB,cTnI levels up-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001).The formation of TH-CGRP-labeled sympathetic budding phenomenon in the DRG and the TRPV1,TH,CGRP in the DRG,SP,ERK,and AKT mRNA expression levels increased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the ECG of the endograft group was significantly improved(both P<0.001).The IA/AAR ratio decreased significantly in PC6 group(P<0.001).The myocardial infarction area reduced significantly(P<0.0001).The levels of serum CK-MB and cTnI down-regulated significantly(both P<0.0001),and the phenomenon of sympathetic sprouting within DRG was not evident,and the DRG of the 6 corresponding mRNA expression decreased significantly(both P<0.01).Compared with the PC6 group,the effect of treatment was not obvious in the non-meridian and non-acupuncture group and PC6+capsaicin group,and the electrocardiogram,IA/AAR ratio,myocardial infarcted area,and serum CK-MB,and cTnI levels did not improve(both P<0.01),and a large number of sympathetic budding phenomena were seen in the DRG.The expression of the mRNA corresponding to the phase of 6 increased significantly(both P<0.01).Conculsion Electroacupuncture PC6 may reduce myocardial injury by inhibiting TRPV1 pathway-mediated sympatheticsprouting in dorsal root ganglia.

Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca²⁺ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a^-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca²⁺ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Male ; Myelin Sheath/metabolism* ; Humans ; Child ; Cells, Cultured ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*