1.Phlorizin Ameliorates Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders in T2DM Rats by Modulating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Nuer AILI ; Qingyu CAO ; Huan LIU ; Junwei HE ; Weihong ZHONG ; Lan CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):139-148
ObjectiveTo observe the pharmacodynamic efficacy of phlorizin in improving hepatic glycolipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats and to explore its mechanism of action based on the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsA high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) were used to establish T2DM rat models. The rats were randomly assigned into six groups: the blank control group, model group, metformin group (300 mg·kg-1), and phlorizin high-dose (100 mg·kg-1) and low-dose groups (25 mg·kg-1). The rats were given intragastric administration for 6 weeks. The changes in body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were observed, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glycated serum protein (GSP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The levels of fasting insulin (FINS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by the biochemical assays. The pancreas index, liver index, and insulin resistance index were calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes in liver and pancreatic tissues. The immunofluorescence method was used to detect the changes in insulin and glucagon in pancreatic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of related proteins in the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway of liver tissue and its downstream glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1) proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the body weight of rats in the model group continued to decrease, while the FBG level increased significantly. The area under the OGTT blood glucose curve (AUC), GSP, TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, pancreatic index and liver index increased significantly, while the levels of HDL-C, SOD, and FINS decreased significantly (P0.05, P0.01). Histological results showed that the pancreatic islets of rats in the model group exhibited atrophy and severe structural abnormalities. The insulin-positive β-cells decreased significantly (P0.01), while the glucagon-positive α-cells increased significantly (P0.01). Inflammatory cell infiltration and partial necrosis were observed in the liver tissues of the model group rats. The expressions of p-IRS-1/IRS-1, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 proteins in the liver of the model group increased significantly (P0.01), while the expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt proteins decreased significantly (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the diabetic symptoms of rats in all administration groups were improved. The changes in body weight and FBG were close to those of the blank control group. The levels of OGTT-AUC, GSP, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and the pancreatic index, liver index were obviously reduced (P0.05, P0.01), while the levels of HDL-C, SOD, and FINS obviously increased (P0.05, P0.01). The pathological changes of the pancreas and liver in rats in all treatment groups were effectively improved. The insulin-positive β-cells in the pancreas increased significantly (P0.01), while the glucagon-positive α-cells decreased significantly (P0.01). The protein expressions of p-IRS-1/IRS-1, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 in the liver were significantly reduced (P0.01), while the protein expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt significantly increased (P0.01). ConclusionPhlorizin reversed the weight loss and abnormal increase of FBG in T2DM rats, improved blood lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory levels, alleviated insulin resistance, and had certain protective effects on the liver and pancreas. The hypoglycemic mechanism may involve regulating the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to inhibit the activities of GSK-3β and FoxO1, thereby promoting liver glycogen synthesis and suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis, ultimately improving glycolipid metabolism disorders.
2.Phlorizin Ameliorates Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders in T2DM Rats by Modulating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Nuer AILI ; Qingyu CAO ; Huan LIU ; Junwei HE ; Weihong ZHONG ; Lan CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):139-148
ObjectiveTo observe the pharmacodynamic efficacy of phlorizin in improving hepatic glycolipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats and to explore its mechanism of action based on the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsA high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) were used to establish T2DM rat models. The rats were randomly assigned into six groups: the blank control group, model group, metformin group (300 mg·kg-1), and phlorizin high-dose (100 mg·kg-1) and low-dose groups (25 mg·kg-1). The rats were given intragastric administration for 6 weeks. The changes in body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were observed, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glycated serum protein (GSP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The levels of fasting insulin (FINS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by the biochemical assays. The pancreas index, liver index, and insulin resistance index were calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes in liver and pancreatic tissues. The immunofluorescence method was used to detect the changes in insulin and glucagon in pancreatic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression of related proteins in the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway of liver tissue and its downstream glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1) proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the body weight of rats in the model group continued to decrease, while the FBG level increased significantly. The area under the OGTT blood glucose curve (AUC), GSP, TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, pancreatic index and liver index increased significantly, while the levels of HDL-C, SOD, and FINS decreased significantly (P0.05, P0.01). Histological results showed that the pancreatic islets of rats in the model group exhibited atrophy and severe structural abnormalities. The insulin-positive β-cells decreased significantly (P0.01), while the glucagon-positive α-cells increased significantly (P0.01). Inflammatory cell infiltration and partial necrosis were observed in the liver tissues of the model group rats. The expressions of p-IRS-1/IRS-1, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 proteins in the liver of the model group increased significantly (P0.01), while the expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt proteins decreased significantly (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the diabetic symptoms of rats in all administration groups were improved. The changes in body weight and FBG were close to those of the blank control group. The levels of OGTT-AUC, GSP, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and the pancreatic index, liver index were obviously reduced (P0.05, P0.01), while the levels of HDL-C, SOD, and FINS obviously increased (P0.05, P0.01). The pathological changes of the pancreas and liver in rats in all treatment groups were effectively improved. The insulin-positive β-cells in the pancreas increased significantly (P0.01), while the glucagon-positive α-cells decreased significantly (P0.01). The protein expressions of p-IRS-1/IRS-1, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and p-FoxO1/FoxO1 in the liver were significantly reduced (P0.01), while the protein expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt significantly increased (P0.01). ConclusionPhlorizin reversed the weight loss and abnormal increase of FBG in T2DM rats, improved blood lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory levels, alleviated insulin resistance, and had certain protective effects on the liver and pancreas. The hypoglycemic mechanism may involve regulating the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to inhibit the activities of GSK-3β and FoxO1, thereby promoting liver glycogen synthesis and suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis, ultimately improving glycolipid metabolism disorders.
3.Marine-derived new peptaibols with antibacterial activities by targeting bacterial membrane phospholipids.
Shang CHEN ; Dong LIU ; Liyang WANG ; Aili FAN ; Mengyue WU ; Ning XU ; Kui ZHU ; Wenhan LIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2764-2777
Antibiotic resistance is spreading at a faster rate than new antibiotic agents applied for clinical remedies. It is an urgent need to discover potential compounds to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Marine fungi offer a promising avenue for mining antibiotic-like molecules with chemical diversity. To discover structurally novel and antibiotic metabolites, we screened the in-house marine fungus genome library and found a fungus Stephanonectria keithii LZD-10-1 containing a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) cluster with 18 modules to synthesize a new subfamily of peptaibols with effective eradication against MDR pathogens. Targeting isolation of the cultured fungus afforded six new peptaibols, which exhibit the ability to kill MDR bacteria by targeting bacterial membrane phospholipids, especially phosphatidylglycerol (PG), leading to the dysfunction of bacterial membranes. Furthermore, their efficacies against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in both Galleria mellonella and mouse wound infection models were observed. This study underscores the significance of employing genome-guided approaches to identify untapped marine fungi as potential sources for novel antibiotic candidates with unique scaffolds.
4.The prospect and underlying mechanisms of Chinese medicine in treating periodontitis.
Aili XING ; Feng WANG ; Jinzhong LIU ; Yuan ZHANG ; Jingya HE ; Bin ZHAO ; Bin SUN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(3):269-285
Inflammation represents a critical immune response triggered by cellular activities and inflammatory mediators following tissue damage. It plays a central role in the pathological progression of diverse diseases, including psychiatric disorders, cancer, and immunological conditions, rendering it an essential target for therapeutic intervention. Periodontitis, a prevalent oral inflammatory disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss and poses significant health challenges globally. Traditionally, inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis have been treated with systemic administration of synthetic chemicals. However, recent years have witnessed challenges, including drug resistance and microbial dysbiosis associated with these treatments. In contrast, natural products derived from Chinese medicine offer numerous benefits, such as high safety profiles, minimal side effects, innovative pharmacological mechanisms, ease of extraction, and multiple targets, rendering them viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating inflammatory conditions. Numerous effective anti-inflammatory natural products have been identified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, and other natural products that exhibit inhibitory effects on inflammation and are potential therapeutic agents. Several studies have confirmed the substantial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of these compounds. This comprehensive review examines the literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of TCM-derived natural products from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, focusing on terms like "inflammation", "periodontitis", "pharmacology", and "traditional Chinese medicine". The analysis systematically summarizes the molecular pharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities of these compounds in inflammatory responses, alongside their mechanisms of action. This research seeks to deepen understanding of the mechanisms and biological activities of herbal extracts in managing inflammatory diseases, potentially leading to the development of promising new anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Future applications could extend to the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis.
Humans
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Periodontitis/immunology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*
5.A Study on the Current Status of Inpatients'Trust in Doctors at Tertiary Public Hospitals in China and Its Influencing Factors
Jiarun MI ; Xinyu DU ; Mingkun LI ; Aili YILIXIATI ; Yuanli LIU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(8):17-22
Objective It aims to investigate the current status of patient trust in physicians among inpatients at tertiary public hospitals in China and to analyze the factors influencing this trust.The goal is to provide insights for enhancing patient trust and improving doctor-patient relationships.Methods Relying on the third"third party evaluation of national action to improve medical services"project,it surveyed inpatients from 136 tertiary public hospitals across 31 provinces(including autonomous regions and municipalities)and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.A total of 21 092 inpatient questionnaires were returned.Data obtained were statistically analyzed using R software version 4.3.2.Results The trust level in attending physicians among inpatients at tertiary public hospitals in China was found to be 98.37%.Influential factors on this trust level included patient occupation,annual family income,type and region of the hospital and so on.Conclusion Overall,the level of trust in physicians among inpatients at tertiary public hospitals in China is high,though regional differences exist.It should pay attention to non-medical factors such as inpatient ward environment and hospital service quality.Improving these aspects can enhance the overall patient experience,further improve doctor-patient relationships.
6.A Study on the Current Status and Influencing factors of Nurses'Emotional Exhaustion at Tertiary Public Hospitals in China
Xinyu DU ; Jiarun MI ; Aili YILIXIATI ; Yuanyuan SONG ; Mingshen LI ; Yuanli LIU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(8):23-28
Objective It aims to investigate the status quo of nurses'emotional exhaustion in tertiary public hospitals in China and analyze its influencing factors,so as to provide suggestions for formulating targeted policy measures to reduce nurses'emotional exhaustion.Methods Relying on the fifth"The Third-Party Evaluation of the China Healthcare Improvement Initiatives"project,it surveyed nurses from 143 tertiary public hospitals across 31 provinces(including autonomous regions and municipalities)and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.Univariate analyses were performed using the Pearson chi-square test.Multifactorial analyses were performed using ordered multicategorical logistic regression analysis.Results The score of nurses'emotional exhaustion in tertiary public hospitals in China was 8.00(2.00~16.00),of which mild exhaustion accounted for 79.00%,moderate exhaustion accounted for 10.00%,and severe exhaustion accounted for 11.00%.Gender,age,number of children,region,type of hospital,department,employment form,assume scientific research task,excessive workload,salary and hospitals carry out psychological guidance were the influencing factors of nurses'emotional exhaustion.Conclusion Nurses in tertiary public hospitals in China are at a mild level of emotional exhaustion,but in some groups the degree is more serious.Policy makers and hospital managers should focus on special groups,implement the reform of salary system,reduce nurses'workload,reasonably arrange working hours,improve the working environment of hospitals,and strengthen nurses'psychological guidance.
7.Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus among acute respiratory infection cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023
Aili CUI ; Baicheng XIA ; Zhen ZHU ; Zhibo XIE ; Liwei SUN ; Jin XU ; Jing XU ; Zhong LI ; Linqing ZHAO ; Xiaoru LONG ; Deshan YU ; Bing ZHU ; Feng ZHANG ; Min MU ; Hui XIE ; Liang CAI ; Yun ZHU ; Xiaoling TIAN ; Bing WANG ; Zhenguo GAO ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Binzhi REN ; Guangyue HAN ; Kongxin HU ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):945-951
Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.
8.Research progress of integrated stress response in central nervous system diseases
Aili LAN ; Gang LIU ; Chaoran WU ; Hong LIAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(2):194-201
Abstract: Integrated stress response is an adaptive response produced by eukaryotic cells after intracellular and extracellular stimulation. The activation of integrated stress response inhibits the translation of most proteins, yet it can promote the translation of certain proteins to cope with complex cellular microenvironment changes. A large number of studies have found that in a variety of nervous system diseases, the integrated stress response can be activated by stress signals of disease-related cells and participates in the occurrence and progression of diseases through processes such as learning and memory consolidation, myelin regeneration and synaptic plasticity. This article summarizes the role, mechanism and possible drug targets of integrated stress response in central nervous system diseases and discusses the potential of pharmacological methods to regulate integrated stress response in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, in order to provide reference for pathological research on and drug development for central nervous system diseases.
9.Experimental study on GABA receptor currents of hippocampal granulosa cells in pre-pubertal and early pubertal mice
Aili LIU ; Chao TIAN ; Hui SHEN
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2024;47(1):60-65
Objective:To investigate the changes in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor currents of hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells in prepubertal and early pubertal female mice.Methods:Female mice were selected as the study objects; 3 to 4 -week-old mice were selected as the pre-puberty group ( n=6); and 5 to 6 -week-old mice were selected as the puberty group ( n=6). The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic current (sIPSC), mini-inhibitory post-synaptic current (mIPSC), and tonic current of hippocampal granulosa cells in the DG region of pre-pubertal and early pubertal female mice, and their changes were analyzed. Results:The frequency of sIPSC in the pre-puberty group and puberty group was (2.22 ± 0.12) Hz and (2.30 ± 0.21) Hz, respectively. The amplitude of sIPSC in the pre-puberty group and the puberty group was (19.97 ± 2.01) pA and (23.80 ± 2.86) pA, respectively. The experimental results showed no significant changes in frequency and amplitude of sIPSC of hippocampal granulosa cells in pre-pubertal and early pubertal mice (all P > 0.05), and no statistical significance in the cumulative frequency and amplitude of sIPSC between two groups (all P > 0.05). The frequency of mIPSC in the pre-puberty group and the puberty group was (0.87 ± 0.08) Hz and (2.15 ± 0.21) Hz, respectively. The amplitude of mIPSC in the pre-puberty group and puberty group was (12.51 ± 0.11) pA and (29.67 ± 0.19) pA, respectively. Compared with the pre-pubertal mice, the frequency and amplitude of mIPSC from hippocampal granulosa cells in early pubertal mice are significantly increased ( P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the cumulative frequency and amplitude of sIPSC between the two groups ( P < 0.001). The tonic current of the pre-puberty group and puberty group was (17.40 ± 1.64) pA and (24.70 ± 2.81) pA, respectively, and the tonic current in early pubertal mice was significantly higher than that in pre-pubertal mice ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:GABA receptor current is enhanced in early pubertal female mice compared with pre-pubertal females. The inhibitory activity of hippocampal granulosa cells in early adolescent female mice was increased.
10.Research progress of deep learning in early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2024;47(3):275-280
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has become increasingly serious with the aging of human society. It has become an important factor that hinders the development of society, making early diagnosis and intervention of great significance. In recent years, with the continuous development of computer technology, deep learning has shown superior performance in processing AD big data, identifying effective detection indices, and improving detection accuracy. In this paper, the research progress of deep learning in early diagnosis of AD in areas such as neuroimaging data, electroencephalogram, blood and genetic data, and multimodal fusion data was mainly introduced. Common deep learning models were summarized, and future research directions in this field were discussed.

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