1.DIA Proteomics Reveals Mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis Extract in Treating α-Syn Transgenic Parkinson's Disease in Mice
Qi ZHENG ; Yi LU ; Donghua YU ; Liangyou ZHAO ; Chunsheng LIN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):40-50
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract (ASH) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice by Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) proteomics. MethodsThe α-Synuclein (α-Syn) transgenic PD mice were selected as suitable models for PD, and they were randomly assigned into PD, ASH (61.25 mg·kg-1), and Madopar (97.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Male C57BL/6 mice of the same age were selected as the control group, with eight mice in each group. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for 20 days. The pole climbing time and the number of autonomic activities were recorded to evaluate the exercise ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe neuronal changes in the substantia nigra of PD mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to measure the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the substantia nigra and assess the areal density of α-Syn in the striatum. DIA proteomics was used to compare protein expression in the substantia nigra between groups. IHC was utilized to validate key differentially expressed proteins, including Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to investigate the effect of ASH on the viability of PD cells with overexpression of α-Syn. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels of Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 in PD cells. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed prolonged pole climbing time, diminished coordination ability, reduced autonomic activities (P<0.01), and reduced swelling neurons. Compared with the model group, ASH and Madopar reduced the climbing time, increased autonomic activities (P<0.01), and ameliorated neuronal damage. Compared with the control group, the model group showed a decrease in TH activity in the substantia nigra and an increase in α-Syn accumulation in the striatum (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ASH group showed an increase in TH activity and a reduction in α-Syn accumulation (P<0.05). DIA proteomics revealed a total of 464 differentially expressed proteins in the model group compared with the control group, with 323 proteins being up-regulated and 141 down-regulated. A total of 262 differentially expressed proteins were screened in the ASH group compared with the model group, including 85 proteins being up-regulated and 177 down-regulated. Kyoto encylopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that ASH primarily regulated the Notch signaling pathway. The model group showed up-regulation in protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 and down-regulation in the protein level of Lactotransferrin compared with the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH down-regulated the protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.05) while up-regulating the protein level of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). The IHC results corroborated the proteomics findings. The cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while increasing the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionASH may Synergistically inhibit the Notch signaling pathway and mitigate neuronal damage by down-regulating the expression of Notch2 and Ndrg2. Additionally, by up-regulating the expression of Lactotransferrin and down-regulating the expression of TMEM166, ASH can address brain iron accumulation, intervene in ferroptosis, inhibit mitophagy, and mitigate reactive oxygen species damage, thereby protecting nerve cells and contributing to the treatment of PD.
2.Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Animal Experiments
Qingyong ZHENG ; Donghua YANG ; Zhichao MA ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Yang LU ; Jingyu WANG ; Lina XING ; Yingying KANG ; Li DU ; Chunxiang ZHAO ; Baoshan DI ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):496-507
Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.
3.Supplementation of Clostridium butyricum Alleviates Vascular Inflammation in Diabetic Mice
Tian ZHOU ; Shuo QIU ; Liang ZHANG ; Yangni LI ; Jing ZHANG ; Donghua SHEN ; Ping ZHAO ; Lijun YUAN ; Lianbi ZHAO ; Yunyou DUAN ; Changyang XING
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2024;48(3):390-404
Background:
Gut microbiota is closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetes and affects the prognosis of diabetic complications, and the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. We aimed to explore the possible link between the gut microbiota and vascular inflammation of diabetic mice.
Methods:
The db/db diabetic and wild-type (WT) mice were used in this study. We profiled gut microbiota and examined the and vascular function in both db/db group and WT group. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing. Vascular function was examined by ultrasonographic hemodynamics and histological staining. Clostridium butyricum (CB) was orally administered to diabetic mice by intragastric gavage every 2 days for 2 consecutive months. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
Compared with WT mice, CB abundance was significantly decreased in the gut of db/db mice, together with compromised vascular function and activated inflammation in the arterial tissue. Meanwhile, ROS in the vascular tissue of db/db mice was also significantly increased. Oral administration of CB restored the protective microbiota, and protected the vascular function in the db/db mice via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Conclusion
This study identified the potential link between decreased CB abundance in gut microbiota and vascular inflammation in diabetes. Therapeutic delivery of CB by gut transplantation alleviates the vascular lesions of diabetes mellitus by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
4.Application of mind map combined with blended teaching in the teaching of medicinal botany
Jiaqi JIANG ; Lei JIANG ; Xuegang ZHOU ; Donghua WEI ; Shuxin CHEN ; Man ZHAO ; Guoyou CHEN ; Ting GONG ; Minghui LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(8):1183-1187
Objective:To investigate the value of mind map combined with blended teaching in improving the teaching quality of medicinal botany. Methods:A total of 102 students studying the course of medicinal botany were enrolled as subjects. The 51 students in the class of 2020 were enrolled as control group and received conventional teaching, and the 51 students in the class of 2021 were enrolled as observation group and received mind map combined with blended teaching. The two groups were assessed in terms of examination scores, critical thinking ability scores, self-learning ability scores, and student feedback on teaching quality. SPSS 22.0 was used for the t-test and the chi-square test. Results:Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly higher examination scores ( t=3.01 and 3.14, P=0.003 and 0.002). After practice, both groups had increases in the scores of critical thinking ability and self-learning ability, and the observation group had significantly higher scores than the control group ( t=11.22 and 2.69, P<0.001 and P=0.008). Compared with the control group, the observation group had a better student feedback on teaching quality than the control group ( t=6.79, 7.83, 7.26, 7.43, and 8.54, P=0.009, 0.005, 0.007, 0.006, and 0.003). Conclusion:The combination of mind map and blended teaching can improve the examination scores of students and their critical thinking ability and self-learning ability, and students believe that this teaching model can help to improve teaching quality.
5.Tangeretin inhibits tumor stemness of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Sai WANG ; Lingjie WANG ; Yanli LI ; Peng LI ; Mengjun LI ; Donghua ZHAO ; Yongjie WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2023;30(04):614-621
Objective To study the effect of Tangeretin on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the tumor stemness, and to find the molecular mechanism of its effect. Methods We used cell counting and cell cloning experiments to study the effect of Tangeretin on the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vitro. The effect of Tangeretin on the invasion of NSCLC cells was detected by transwell assay. We detected the effect of Tangeretin on the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vivo by nude mouse tumor-bearing experiment. The effect of Tangeretin on tumor stemness of NSCLC cells was detected by self-renew assay, and CD133 and Nanog protein expressions. The expressions of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blotting (WB). Results Tangeretin had a good inhibitory effect on the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro. Cell counting experiment, clonal formation experiment and nude mouse tumor-bearing experiment showed that Tangeretin could inhibit the proliferation activity, clonal formation ability, and tumor size of NSCLC cells in vivo. Self-renew experiments showed that Tangeretin could inhibit the self-renew ability of NSCLC cells. WB experiments showed that Tangeretin inhibited the expressions of tumor stemness markers CD133 and Nanog in NSCLC cells. Tangeretin could inhibit the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins in NSCLC cells, and the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway could partially remit the inhibitory effect of Tangeretin on tumor stemness of NSCLC cells. Conclusion Tangeretin can inhibit the tumor stemness of NSCLC cells, which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
6.Telmisartan affects proliferation, migration and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cell A549 through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Lingjie WANG ; Donghua ZHAO ; Zhangfeng HUANG ; Mengjun LI ; Pengfei GUO ; Yongjie WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2022;29(01):100-105
Objective To investigate the effects of telmisartan on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer A549 and the mechanism of regulating Wnt signaling pathway. Methods Non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 was cultured in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of telmisartan at different concentrations on the proliferative activity of A549 cells. The survival fraction of A549 treated with different concentrations of telmisartan was determined by colony-formation assay. The effect of telmisartan at different concentrations on the migration ability of A549 cells was examined in the wounding healing assay. Hoechst staining was used to detect the effects of telmisartan at different concentrations on the apoptosis of A549. Western bloting was used to detect the expressions of β-actin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt-3a, Beta-catenin (β-catenin), serine protein kinase 3β (p-GSK-3β), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and c-myc. Results Different concentrations of telmisartan treatment inhibited the proliferation activity, colony-formation rate and migration of A549 cells, and reduced the expression of PCNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Telmisartan treatment promoted the apoptosis of A549 cells, significantly increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The expression levels of Wnt-3a, β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, and c-myc in A549 cells increased after treatment with telmisartan, while the expression levels of GSK-3β decreased. Conclusion Telmisartan may play a role in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms.
7.High levels of serum IL-10 indicate disease progression, extramedullary involvement, and poor prognosis in multiple myeloma.
Xiaoyan YUE ; Linlin HUANG ; Yang YANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Donghua HE ; Xiaoyan HAN ; Gaofeng ZHENG ; Yi LI ; Enfan ZHANG ; Zhen CAI ; Xin HUANG ; Jingsong HE
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2022;23(11):968-974
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common malignant hematological tumor in adults, which is characterized by clonal malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow and secretion of a large number of abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulins (M protein), leading to bone destruction, hypercalcemia, anemia, and renal insufficiency (Alexandrakis et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2018). Since a large number of new drugs, represented by proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators, have been successfully used to treat MM, treatment efficacy and survival of patients have been significantly improved. However, due to the high heterogeneity of this disease, patients have responded differently to treatments with these new drugs (Palumbo and Anderson, 2011; Wang et al., 2016; Huang et al., 2020). Growth and survival of MM cells depend on the bone marrow microenvironment, especially numerous inflammatory cytokines secreted by myeloma cells and bone marrow stromal cells, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and IL-10. These cytokines can promote the growth of myeloma cells, induce angiogenesis, and inhibit antitumor immunity, and are often linked to patient prognosis (Kumar et al., 2017). In this era of new drugs, the prognostic values of the serum levels of these cytokines in MM need further evaluation.
Adult
;
Humans
;
Cytokines
;
Disease Progression
;
Interleukin-10
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy*
;
Tumor Microenvironment
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
8.Evaluation of the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province-based on interrupted time series
Tianshan SHI ; Lei MENG ; Donghua LI ; Xiaoshu ZHANG ; Xiangkai ZHAO ; Na JIN ; Yanchen LIU ; Hongmiao ZHENG ; Xin ZHAO ; Juansheng LI ; Xiping SHEN ; Xiaowei REN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2022;43(7):1087-1092
Objective:To evaluate the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province.Methods:Information on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was collected through the National Population Health Science Data Center and the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. In addition, the trend of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate in Gansu province before and after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program was analyzed using an interrupted time-series design.Results:The annual reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was 0.448/per 100 000. However, after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program in Gansu province in 2008, the amount of change in the level of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was -2.223/per 100 000 ( t=-2.90, P=0.007), the amount of change in the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was 0.082 ( t=2.87, P=0.008) with the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate as 0.071 ( β1+ β3=0.071). Conclusions:The Japanese encephalitis vaccine has achieved good prevention and control effects in Gansu province in the short term after its inclusion in the expanded immunization program, but outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have still occurred. Therefore, in the future, Gansu province should promptly adjust the immunization strategy of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and strengthen the vaccination of the adult population, especially the rural adult population in the southeastern region of Gansu province, based on the continued focus on the works on Japanese encephalitis vaccination for children and adolescents.
9.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Yongxiang XIA ; Hui ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Xiangcheng LI ; Dawei RONG ; Weiwei TANG ; Hengsong CAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Ping WANG ; Liyong PU ; Xiaofeng QIAN ; Feng CHENG ; Ke WANG ; Lianbao KONG ; Chuanyong ZHANG ; Donghua LI ; Jinhua SONG ; Aihua YAO ; Xiaofeng WU ; Chen WU ; Xuehao WANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2022;60(7):688-694
Objective:To study the surgical safety and efficacy of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic drugs in patients with China liver cancer staging(CNLC)-Ⅱb and Ⅲa resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The data of 129 patients with Ⅱb and Ⅲa hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups: the neoadjuvant therapy group( n=14,13 males and 1 female,aged (55.4±12.6)years(range:34 to 75 years)) received immune combined targeted therapy before surgery,immune checkpoint inhibitor camrelizumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 200 mg each time,every 2 weeks for 3 cycles,anti-angiogenesis drug apatinib was taken orally and continuously with a dose of 250 mg for 3 weeks and the conventional surgery group( n=115,103 males and 12 females,aged (55.8±12.0)years(range:21 to 83 years)) did not receive antitumor systemic therapy before surgery. There were 3 patients with CNLC-Ⅱb,11 with CNLC-Ⅲa in the neoadjuvant group;28 patients with CNLC-Ⅱb,87 with CNLC-Ⅲa in the conventional group. Student′s t test or rank-sum test was used to compare the differences between two groups for quantitative data, Fisher′s exact probability method was used to compare the differences of proportions between two groups, and Log-rank test was used to compare survival differences between two groups. Results:The 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 42.9%,and the 1-year recurrence rate in the conventional group was 64.0%,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(χ2=3.850, P=0.050);The 1-year survival rate in the neoadjuvant group was 100% and that in the conventional group was 74.2%,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(χ2=5.170, P=0.023). According to the stratified analysis of the number of tumors,for single tumor,the 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 25.0%,and that in the conventional surgery group was 71.0%,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ2=5.280, P=0.022). For multiple tumors, the 1-year recurrence rate in the neoadjuvant group was 66.7%,and the 1-year recurrence rate in the conventional surgery group was 58.9%,with no significant difference between the two groups(χ2=0.110, P=0.736). The operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative hospital stay in the neoadjuvant group were similar to those in the conventional group,and their differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions:Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-angiogenic targeted drugs as a neoadjuvant therapy for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma can reduce the 1-year recurrence rate and improve the 1-year survival rate,especially for those with solitary tumor. Limited by the sample size of the neoadjuvant group,the safety of immune combined targeted therapy before surgery cannot be observed more comprehensively,and further studies will be explored.
10.Establishment of spheroid expansion model of human glioma stem cells and the content detection of lipids and proteins
Haifeng ZHAO ; Congyan WU ; Xia HUANG ; Weihua WANG ; Ke YAN ; Jie WU ; Donghua GU ; Wenyu ZHU ; Yaodong ZHAO ; Qiang HUANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2022;44(8):820-825
Objective:To establish a three-dimensional spheroid expansion model of human glioma stem cells with spontaneous sphere forming and multilineage differentiation potential in vitro and investigated the contents of the proteins and lipids and their secondary components, so as to lay a foundation for further study of sphere metabolism. Methods:Human glioma stem cells GSC23 and SU3 were cultured in serum-free stem cell culture medium, respectively, and the cell spheres were harvested for about 2-3 weeks. After fixation in paraformaldehyde solution, dehydration, paraffin embedding, and sectioning, glioma-associated marker proteins were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the protein and lipid and their secondary components contents in the spheroid tissues were analyzed by Raman imaging. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the protein, lipid and phenylalanine contents in the large sphere, medium sphere and small sphere groups.Results:Both stem cells were able to form stem cell expansion spheres resembling solid tumors within the culture dish. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the regular marker proteins of glioblastoma multiforme, CD133, nestin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), S100, Olig2, p53, Ki-67, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and CD34, were all expressed. Raman imaging revealed that the constructed expanded spheres of human glioma stem cells contained protein (2 930, 1 685 and 1 586 cm -1), lipid (2 845 and 1 444 cm -1), phenylalanine (1 003 cm -1) amide Ⅲ (1 250 cm -1), while there were no significant differences of protein, lipid and phenylalanine contents among the large sphere, medium sphere and small sphere groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:We have successfully established an expanded spheroid model of human glioma stem cells in vitro, which not only exhibits the topographical characteristics and unlimited expansion ability of three-dimensional solid tumors, but also has the ability to stably store metabolically obligatory energy sources of tumor cells such as proteins and lipids, and is expected to serve as a promising tool for human glioma research in vitro.

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