1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
3.Investigation and Analysis of HPV Positivity Among Adult Women in High-altitude Regions of Xizang: A Single-center Cross-sectional Study
Jinba YIXI ; Gaoxue WANG ; Ciren BASANG ; Zhuoga GASONG ; Zhi PU ; Yangjin CIREN ; Zhen BIAN ; Zhijuan LIU ; Juan DU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1325-1331
To investigate the detection status of human papillomavirus (HPV) among adult women in high-altitude regions of Xizang. A retrospective analysis was conducted on HPV genotyping results from outpatient, inpatient, and healthy adult female populations at Xizang Autonomous Region People's Hospital between March 2019 and July 2023. HPV positivity rates were compared across different ethnic groups and age strata, and temporal trends in HPV detection were analyzed. A total of 6498 adult women with HPV testing were included, with a mean age of (39.5±9.8) years, including 5440 Tibetan and 1058 Han women. The overall HPV positivity rate was 19.58%(1272/6498), predominantly single-type infections (14.99%), while double (3.71%) and triple-or-more infections (0.88%) were less common. Han women had a significantly higher HPV positivity rate than Tibetan women [29.30%(310/1058) The HPV positivity rate among adult women in high-altitude Xizang is relatively high, with significant differences in age-specific prevalence and dominant genotypes between Tibetan and Han women. Targeted measures, including HPV vaccination for young women and enhanced screening and treatment for both young and postmenopausal women, should be prioritized in this region.
4.Research Progress in Gene Therapy for Hereditary Angioedema
Yuqi SHI ; Juan LIU ; Yuxiang ZHI
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):294-301
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by recurrent and unpredictable episodes of edema. Currently, there is no effective cure available, which seriously affects patients′ quality of life. Gene therapy intervenes in the disease at the genetic level, offering new perspectives for the treatment of HAE. This article summarizes the current research progress in gene therapy for HAE, including gene editing, transgenic therapy, and RNA therapy. It aims to draw the attention of researchers in this field, and provide references and insights for clinicians.
5.Asperuloside Promotes Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mitochondrial Pathway.
Zhi-Min QI ; Xia WANG ; Xia LIU ; Juan ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(1):34-41
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of asperuloside on cervical cancer based on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial pathway.
METHODS:
Different doses (12.5-800 µg/mL) of asperuloside were used to treat cervical cancer cell lines Hela and CaSki to calculate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of asperuloside. The cell proliferation was analyzed by clone formation assay. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by flow cytometry. The protein expressions of cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, Cyt-c, cleaved-caspase-4 and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were analyzed by Western blot. And the inhibitor of ER stress, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) was used to treat cervical cancer cells to further verify the role of ER stress in the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells induced by asperuloside.
RESULTS:
Asperuloside of 325, 650, and 1300 µg/mL significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of Hela and CaSki cells (P<0.01). All doses of asperuloside significantly increased intracellular ROS levels, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, significantly reduced Bcl-2 protein expression level, and increased Bax, Cyt-c, GRP78 and cleaved-caspase-4 expressions (P<0.01). In addition, 10 mmol/L 4-PBA treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis (P<0.05), and 650 µg/mL asperuloside could reverse 4-PBA-induced increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis and cleaved-caspase-3, -4 and GRP78 protein expressions (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed the role of asperuloside in cervical cancer, suggesting that asperuloside promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer cells through ER stress-mitochondrial pathway.
Female
;
Humans
;
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
;
HeLa Cells
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
;
Cell Line, Tumor
6.Efficacy evaluation and prognostic factors analysis of retinoblastoma based on propensity score inverse probability weighting method
Li-Juan SHI ; Li LI ; Fu-Yan SHI ; Xi-Bin ZHOU ; Zhi-Hong WU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(3):302-307
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of surgery,chemotherapy and surgery combined chemotherapy for retinoblastoma(RB),and analyze the prognostic factors of RB patients.Methods Clinical data of 1188 RB patients registered in the Surveillance,Epidemiology and End Results(SEER)database from January 2000 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The baseline characteristics of patients treated with surgery,chemotherapy or surgery combined with chemotherapy were balanced by inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW).Log-rank test analysis was used to compare the survival probability of patients in the 3 groups,and Cox regression models were used to analyse the factors influencing the prognosis of RB patients.Results A total of 1188 RB cases were included in this study,including 426 cases in surgery group,200 cases in chemotherapy group and 562 cases in surgery combined with chemotherapy group.After IPTW weighting,baseline data such as age,sex and race were balanced(P>0.05).Log-rank test results showed that the survival curves of the three groups were significantly different before and after weighting(P<0.05).After weighted,the survival of patients in surgery group was significantly better than that in chemotherapy group and surgery combined chemotherapy group(P<0.05),and there was no statistical significance between chemotherapy group and surgery combined chemotherapy group(P>0.05).The weighted patient survival probability at 1st,3rd and 5th years were 99.7%,98.9%and 98.6%in surgery group;97.4%,95.8%and 95.8%in chemotherapy group;and 97.9%,95.8%and 95.0%in surgery combined chemotherapy group.Cox regression analysis showed that compared with surgery group,the specific risk ratio of death was 1.367(95%CI 1.100-1.700)in chemotherapy group and 1.132(95%CI 0.963-1.330)in combined chemotherapy group.Compared with patients with 1 RB lesion,the patient-specific mortality risk ratio for patients with 2 or more RB lesions was 0.399(95%CI 0.268-0.594).Conclusions Patients with RB have higher survival rates probability after treatment.After controlling the influence of age,sex and other factors,the effect of surgery was better among the three treatment methods.Multifocality may be an independent prognostic factor in RB patients.
7.Bioequivalence study of etoricoxib tablets in healthy Chinese subjects
Zhen-Zhen JIAO ; Li XU ; Man LIU ; Tian-Ze HU ; Dan SONG ; Xiao-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Jing ZHAO ; Hui-Chen LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):718-722
Objective To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of etoricoxib tablets in healthy Chinese subjects and to evaluate the bioequivalence and safety of the test and reference formulations.Methods In a randomised,single-dose,two-period,two-sequence crossover trial,28 healthy subjects were enrolled under the fasting and fed conditions,respectively,who received a single oral dose of 60 mg of etoricoxib tablets in the test or reference formulation.The concentration of etoricoxib in plasma was detected by LC-MS/MS,and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated to evaluate bioequivalence and using WinNonlin 8.2 software.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of the test and reference preparations were as follows:The fasting condition Cmax of etoricoxib were(1 176.96±287.95)and(1 164.93±189.65)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(18 651.95±6 100.27)and(19 241.39±6 107.48)ng·h·mL-1;and AUC0-∞ were(19 939.15±7 553.27)and(20 536.31±7 223.40)ng·h·mL-1.The fed condition Cmax of etoricoxib were(913.50±184.72)and(878.59±164.35)ng·mL-1;and AUC0-t were(19 085.22±5 155.01)and(18 669.54±4 508.21)ng·h·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(20 103.77±5 567.02)and(19 528.05±4 989.74)ng·h·mL-1.The 90%confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of the main pharmacokinetic parameters in the fasting and fed conditions fell between 80.00%and 125.00%.The incidence of adverse events in the fasting and fed conditions were 28.57%and 21.43%,respectively.Conclusion Two kinds of etoricoxib tablets are bioequivalent,and have similar safety in healthy Chinese subjects.
8.Inhibitory effects of toosendanin on in vitro and in vivo growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating CDCA5 expression
Zhi-Cheng ZHANG ; Li-Xia SU ; Rui-Ling MENG ; Wen-Juan GUAN ; Hong-Qian LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(7):994-998
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of toosendanin on the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the expression of cell division cycle associated protein 5(CDCA5).Methods The expression of CDCA5 in different lung tissues was analyzed in TCGA database.The expression level of CDCA5 in BEAS-2B cells and A549 cells was detected by Western blot.The effect of different concentrations of toosendanin on the viability of A549 cells was determined by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay.The A549 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group(normal cells cultured normally),toosendanin group(normal cells cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin),toosendanin+pcDNA group(cells transfected with pcDNA empty vector and cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin),and toosendanin+CDCA5 group(cells transfected with CDCA5 overexpression vector and cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin).After 48 h of cultivation,the proliferation and apoptosis of each group of cells were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry,and the expression of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins in each group of cells was detected by Western blot.The BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into sh-NC and sh-CDCA5 stable transfected cell lines with nude mouse xenograft models.Daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl and 40μmol·L-1 toosendanin solution was given to observe and record the changes in tumor tissue volume and body mass.Results The results of CCK-8 showed that after 48 hours,the survival rates of A549 cells treated with 10,20,30,40,50,60 and 70 μmol·L-1 toosendanin were(80.74±8.71)%,(72.96±6.53)%,(61.01±4.86)%,(51.20±3.13)%,(42.10±5.94)%,(38.93±3.18)%and(33.48±2.94)%,respectively.Toosendanin significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells.The proliferation rates of cells in the control group,toosendanin group,toosendanin+pcDNA group,and toosendanin+CDCA5 group were(100.00±4.19)%,(49.18±6.70)%,(55.75±5.74)%,and(77.66±7.48)%,respectively;the expression levels of CDCA5 protein were 1.08±0.11,0.44±0.04,0.43±0.05 and 0.99±0.10,respectively.The expression levels of CDCA5 protein in tumor tissues of nude mice in the sh-NC group,sh-CDCA5 group,toosendanin+sh-NC group,and toosendanin+sh-CDCA5 group were 1.04±0.14,0.42±0.04,0.56±0.08 and 0.32±0.04,respectively.Compared with the sh-NC group,the tumor blocks formed by nude mice in other groups were significantly smaller,and the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower(all P<0.05).Compared with the toosendanin+sh-NC group,the toosendanin+sh-CDCA5 group had more significant inhibitory effect on tumor formation,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Toosendanin can inhibit the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,which is mainly related to the inhibition of CDCA5 expression.
9.Isotope dilution HPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of four antimicrobials in children with small volume of plasma
Zhi-Mei YANG ; Ya-Bin QIN ; Yu HAN ; Xi-Juan JIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(10):1507-1511
Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)method for simultaneous determination of meropenem,linezolid,voriconazole and posaconazole in children with small volume of plasma,and to use the method in children therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM).Methods The plasma samples were precipitated protein by methanol.And then,the analytes were gradient eluted on an EVO-C18 column by HPLC-MS/MS with mobile phase consisted of water(0.1%formic acid)-acetonitrile(0.1%formic acid)at the flow rate of 0.5 mL·min 1.Ions were monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode,using positive ion electrospray ionization(ESI).Results Meropenem had a good liner relationship in 0.5-64.0 μg·mL-1(r=0.999 2),0.2-25.6 μg·mL-1 for linezolid and voriconazole(r=0.999 2,r=0.999 9),and 0.1-12.8 μg·mL-1 for posaconazole(r=0.998 9).Accuracy,precision,matrix effect and stability studies all met the requirements.This method was fully verified,and applied to determine the plasma antimicrobial concentrations of 49 pediatric patients.Conclusion The method is simple,rapid,sensitive and suitable for children's plasma concentration monitoring of four antimicrobials.
10.Effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A on autophagy in bEnd.3 cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation
Yao-Yao DAI ; Meng-Qi SHU ; Ru-Heng WEI ; Zhu-Yue MIAO ; Zhi-Bin DING ; Dong MA ; Jian-Jun HUANG ; Li-Juan SONG ; Cun-Gen MA
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(12):1734-1738
Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)on autophagy in bEnd.3 cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD).Methods The bEnd.3 cells were divided into normal group(conventional culture),model group(OGD model),HSYA group(OGD model+75 μmol·L-1 HSYA),3-methyladenine(3MA)group(5 mmol·L-1 3MA+OGD model)and 3 MA+HSYA group(5 mmol·L-1 3 MA+OGD model+75 μmol·L-1 HSYA).The level of apoptosis was determined by TUNEL fluorescence staining;Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy,blood brain barrier(BBB)related proteins;real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for determining the expression of sirtuin-1(SIRT1)and forkhead box protein O3a(FOXO3A)mRNA.Results In the normal group,model group,HSYA group,3MA group and 3MA+HSYA group,the positive cells selected for TUNEL staining were 5.00±1.00,28.00±2.00,21.00±3.00,35.33±2.51 and 29.67±2.52;the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ/-Ⅰ(LC3-Ⅱ/-Ⅰ)were 0.90±0.20,1.34±0.10,1.95±0.14,0.76±0.15 and 1.14±0.09;sequestosome 1(P62)were 0.99±0.02,0.60±0.02,0.38±0.01,0.67±0.04 and 0.54±0.01;occludin were 1.39±0.17,0.62±0.15,1.00±0.09,0.40±0.13 and 0.80±0.15;zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were 1.63±0.20,0.64±0.06,0.98±0.14,0.37±0.14 and 0.87±0.04;SIRT1 mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.75±0.07,1.69±0.09,0.31±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;FOXO3A mRNA were 1.00±0.00,0.80±0.05,1.47±0.09,0.40±0.01 and 0.62±0.09,respectively.Significant differences were found between model group and normal group,HSYA group and model group,3MA+HSYA group and 3MA group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion HSYA may enhance autophagy levels in bEnd.3 cells after OGD through the SIRT1/FOXO3A pathway,inhibit cell apoptosis and alleviate BBB damage.

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