1.Exploring Multi-target Effect of Erzhiwan on Improving Myocardial Injury in Ovariectomized Mice Based on Non-targeted Metabolomics
Ying YANG ; Jing HU ; Pei LI ; Ruyuan ZHU ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Haixia LIU ; Yanjing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):74-84
ObjectiveTo explore the target of Erzhiwan in reducing myocardial injury in ovariectomized mice through non-targeted myocardial metabolomics combined with experimental verification. MethodsOvariectomized mouse model was selected, 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group(estradiol valerate, 1.3×10-4 g·kg-1), Erzhiwan low and high dose groups(3.12, 9.36 g·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding dose of Erzhiwan by gavage, and the sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 12 weeks. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe myocardial morphological changes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of estrogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), hypersensitive troponin T(hs-TnT), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The non-targeted metabolomics of mouse myocardium were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were obtained. The mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt) in mouse myocardial tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated(p)-Akt were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed abnormal cardiac function, increased myocardial fiber space, cardiomyocyte atrophy, sarcoplasmic aggregation, and occasional dissolution or rupture of muscle fiber, the level of estrogen in the serum was decreased, the levels of NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, TG, TC and LDL-C were increased, and the level of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Erzhiwan could increase the level of estrogen, improve the abnormal cardiac function, reduce the pathological injury of myocardial tissue, decrease the levels of myocardial injury markers(NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α), decrease the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased the level of HDL-C(P<0.01). The results of non-targeted myocardial metabolomics showed that 31 of the 162 differential metabolites between the model group and sham operation group were significantly adjusted after administration of Erzhiwan, which were mainly glycerol phospholipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment results showed that Erzhiwan mainly affected glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) pathway and other metabolic pathways. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC, 11 types) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE, 5 types) in mouse myocardial tissue of the model group were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PC(11 types) and PE(5 types) were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissue of Erzhiwan group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were elevated(P<0.01). ConclusionErzhiwan can alleviate the pathological injury of myocardium in ovariectomized mice, improve the abnormal cardiac function, improve lipid metabolism disorder, and reduce the levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors, which involves a number of signaling and metabolic pathways in the heart, among which glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway may have key roles.
2.Hei Xiaoyaosan Improves Learning and Memory Abilities in Alzheimer's Disease Rats by Regulating Cell Apoptosis
Huping WANG ; Jiao YANG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yujie LYU ; Yunyun HU ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):108-115
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in improving the cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) from cell apoptosis mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsFour-month-old SD male rats were randomly assigned into a blank group, a sham group, a model group, a donepezil hydrochloride (0.45 mg·kg-1) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (15.30, 7.65, and 3.82 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 10 rats in each group. The sham group received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL normal saline, while the other groups received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ1-42) solution for the modeling of AD. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents once a day for 42 consecutive days. The Morris water maze test was carried out to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB. A cell model of AD was established by co-culturing Aβ1-42 and PC12 cells in vitro. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by the cell-counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry (FC), respectively. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a prolonged escape latency (P<0.01), a reduced number of crossing platforms (P<0.01), disarrangement and a reduced number of hippocampal neurons, up-regulated expression of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01), decreased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels, and an increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, donepezil hydrochloride and high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan shortened the escape latency and increased the number of crossing platforms (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved the arrangement and increased the number of hippocampal neurons, down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3, up-reguated the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced the p-NF-κB/NF-κB level (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at various doses improved the cell viability (P<0.01), and the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at the high dose decreased the cell apoptosis (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may improve the learning and memory abilities of AD model rats by regulating cell apoptosis, while increasing the vitality and reducing the apoptosis rate of AD model cells via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
3.Influence of Hedgehog signaling pathway activation on calvarial defect healing in type I diabetic mice
WU Yingzhang ; LIU Linan ; LIU Shibo ; HU Pei ; LUO En
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(7):542-553
Objective:
This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the impaired bone healing capacity in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) by investigating the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in the impaired healing of cranial defects caused by T1DM.
Methods:
This study was approved by the experimental animal ethics committee of our hospital. A cranial defect model was established using Akita transgenic mice with spontaneous type I diabetes. The impact of T1DM on osteogenic differentiation and the Hh signaling pathway during cranial defect healing was explored by MicroCT scanning and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of osteocalcin (Ocn), Indian Hedgehog (Ihh), Patched1 (Ptch1), and zinc finger protein GLI1 (Gli1). Subsequently, the Hh signaling pathway was activated using smoothened agonist (SAG) (10 mg/kg, gavage), and its potential to improve cranial defect healing in T1DM was assessed by MicroCT and IHC staining. Finally, the ability of SAG (1 000 nmol/L) to counteract the inhibitory effects of a high-glucose environment (25 mol/L) on osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated through in vitro experiments. Detection methods included Alkaline Phosphatase and Alizarin Red staining, as well as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis of the osteogenesis-related genes Alp, Spp1, Bglap, and Sp7.
Results:
Akita mice exhibited early, stable, and significant spontaneous T1DM characteristics. On postoperative day 21, the newly formed bone in the cranial defect area of Akita mice showed significant decreases in the bone volume-to-tissue volume ratio, volumetric bone mineral density, and Ocn expression (P < 0.05), with significant downregulation of Ihh, Ptch1, and Gli1 (P < 0.05). Activation of the Hh signaling pathway by SAG significantly mitigated the negative impact of T1DM on cranial defect healing in Akita mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, after SAG treatment, the inhibitory effects of the high-glucose environment on the alkaline phosphatase activity and in vitro mineralization capacity of BMSCs were significantly alleviated (P < 0.05), and the expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
T1DM inhibits cranial defect healing in Akita mice by suppressing the expression of the Hh signaling pathway, whereas activation of the Hh signaling pathway promotes osteogenesis and ameliorates the inhibitory effects of T1DM on bone healing.
4.Prevalence of common diseases among primary and secondary school students in Xinzhou District, Wuhan City in 2019-2022
Yongfeng HU ; Li MEI ; Shufeng WANG ; Haiyan CHEN ; Jiyun PEI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):133-136
Objective To investigate the growth, development and health status of primary and secondary school students in Xinzhou District of Wuhan, and analyze the detection and change trend of common diseases in primary and secondary school students, and to provide a basis for relevant departments to formulate prevention and control measures of common diseases in students. Methods The monitoring data of common diseases and health influencing factors of primary and secondary school students in Xinzhou District from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed and compared according to different genders, different grades and ages. SPSS 20.0 software was used to analyze the data of detection rates of myopia, dental caries, obesity, malnutrition and abnormal spinal curvature. Results The overall detection rates of myopia, dental caries, malnutrition, obesity and abnormal spinal curvature were 57.00%, 58.45%, 4.60%, 14.91%, and 6.33%, respectively, in Xinzhou District from 2019 to 2022. The annual change rates were 7.22%, 15.10%, -2.72%, 13.29%, and 4.91%, respectively. The detection rates of myopia, dental caries, obesity and abnormal spinal curvature showed an increasing trend in each year (χ2 ≥17.22, P<0.001). The detection rates of myopia and malnutrition increased with the increase of age and school level (both χ2≥42.37, P<0.001), while the opposite was true for the detection rates of dental caries and obesity (both χ2≥14.26, P<0.001). The detection rates of myopia and dental caries were higher in girls than in boys (both χ2≥33.66, P<0.001), while the detection rates of obesity and abnormal spinal curvature were higher in boys than in girls (both χ2≥8.22, P<0.005). The detection rates of myopia, dental caries, obesity and abnormal spinal curvature in 2019 were lower than those in 2020-2022 (χ2≥4.11, P<0.05), while the detection rates of malnutrition had decreased. Conclusion The growth, development and health status of primary and secondary school students in Xinzhou District are serious. The detection rate of common diseases such as myopia, dental caries, obesity and abnormal curvature of the spine is on the rise, which should be the focus of the surveillance work of common diseases in primary and secondary school students in the future, and comprehensive intervention measures are urgently needed to prevent and control these common diseases.
5.Relationship between depressive symptoms, negative life events, and resilience in primary and secondary school teachers
WANG Pei, ZHU Fan, JIA Bibo, ZHU Guiyin, ZHAO Tianjie, QI Tiantian,HU Yifei, MA Yinghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):411-413
Objective:
To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms, negative life events and resilience among primary and secondary school teachers, so as to provide a reference for mental health promotion in school teachers.
Methods:
During November to December 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted using convenient cluster sampling method to select 11 332 in service teachers from 38 schools in 8 provinces (cities) including Beijing, Guangdong, Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items, a self developed 21-item Adverse Life Events questionnaire, and a 10-item Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess depressive symptoms, experiences of negative life events, and resilience levels of the teachers, respectively. The relationship between depressive symptoms, negative life events and psychological resilience were analyzed by multiple linear regression and stratified regression.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school teachers was 14.0%. Negative life events of primary and secondary school teachers were positively correlated with depressive symptoms ( r =0.35), while psychological resilience was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms ( r =-0.45) ( P <0.05). After adjusting for possible covariates including gender and marital status, negative life events were positively correlated with depressive symptoms ( β=0.22, P <0.01). Resilience played a moderating role in the association of negative life events with depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school teachers ( B=-0.15, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Negative life events experiences are associated with higher level of depressive symptoms among school teachers. However, resilience might mitigate the negative effects of negative life events on depressive symptoms, playing a protective role in teachers mental health.
6. Effects of HMGB1 on phenotypes, phagocytosis and ERK/JNK/P38 MAPK signaling pathway in dendritic cells
Ying-Ying CHEN ; Zhi-Xiang MOU ; Xiao-Long HU ; Yi-Yan ZHANG ; Jiao-Qing WENG ; Tian-Jun GUAN ; Ying-Ying CHEN ; Lan CHEN ; Tian-Jun GUAN ; Lan CHEN ; Pei-Yu LYU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):248-255
Aim To explore the impacts of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on the phenotypes, endocy-tosis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/P38 mitogen-ac-tivated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in indoxyl sulfate (IS) -induced dendritic cells (DCs). Methods After treatment with 30, 300 and 600 (xmol · L
7.Study on the antifungal activity and mechanism of Huangqin decoction against Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Chengying SHEN ; Zhong LUO ; Pei ZHANG ; Fengyi DENG ; Baode SHEN ; Jianxin HU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):311-315
OBJECTIVE To study the antifungal activity of Huangqin decoction (HQD) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and explore its mechanism. METHODS Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC), mycelial length, spore germination rate, biomass and mycelium ultrastructure observation were performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of HQD against T. mentagrophytes. The effects of HQD on the cell wall of T. mentagrophytes were detected through sorbitol protection experiment. By measuring the content of ergosterol and the activities of squalene epoxide (SE) and lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), the activity of HQD on the cell membrane of T. mentagrophytes was investigated. The effects of HQD on T. mentagrophytes mitochondria were investigated by determining the activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and ATPases (including sodium potassium ATPase, calcium magnesium ATPase, and total ATPase). RESULTS HQD exhibited significant antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes with MIC of 3.13 mg/mL and MFC of 25 mg/mL. After intervention with HQD, the mycelial length of T. mentagrophytes was significantly shortened (P<0.05); spore germination rate, biomass, the content of ergosterol in the cell membrane, the activities of SE and CYP51 in the cell membrane and MDH, SDH and ATPase in mitochondria were all decreased significantly (P<0.05); cell structure had been ;damaged to a certain extent, but the integrity of the cell wall had not been affected. CONCLUSIONS HQD shows significant antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the 0791- content of ergosterol in the cell membrane and the activities of SE, CYP51, and mitochondria-related enzymes.
8.Advances in molecular-targeted therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer
Run HU ; Junen LI ; Pei YAO ; Renjie GUI ; Huaxin DUAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(2):426-432
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors of the digestive system, and its incidence and mortality rates are increasing year by year. Most patients with pancreatic cancer are unable to receive surgery due to the advanced stage. Although chemotherapy regimens based on gemcitabine and fluorouracil have prolonged the survival time of patients to some extent, some patients cannot tolerate chemotherapy and hence lose the opportunity for treatment. With the advent of the era of precision medicine, molecular-targeted therapy has exhibited an excellent therapeutic efficacy and has thus become one of the most important treatment techniques for tumors; however, due to the high heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer and its complicated tumor microenvironment, molecular-targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer has not achieved notable results. Therefore, it is imperative to seek new therapeutic targets and medications to overcome this issue. This article reviews the latest advances in the research on molecular-targeted therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer based on common molecular targets and tumor immunity-related therapeutic targets, in order to provide new treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic cancer.
9.Effect of acupoint sticking therapy along meridians on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients after lumbar internal fixation surgery
Peiqian LAI ; Pei HU ; Hongshen WANG ; Yanhua ZHENG ; Meiyan LAN ; Shaohua CHEN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(2):267-271
Objective To observe the effect of acupoint sticking therapy along meridians on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients after lumbar internal fixation surgery.Methods From January 2020 to March 2022,125 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were admitted to our hospital's Department of Orthopaedics and divided into two groups:control(n = 62)and acupoint sticking therapy(n = 63).The control group received standard postoperative care for lumbar internal fixation,while the experimental group received routine care based on acupoint sticking therapy along meridians.The NVAS scores for postoperative nausea and vomiting,abdominal distension and pain,bowel sound,initial exhaust,and defecation time were compared between the two groups.Results Both groups experienced gastrointestinal problems to varied degrees following surgery.The experimental group had signifi-cantly lower rates of nausea,NVAS score,vomiting grade,abdominal distension,return to normal bowel sounds,and time of first exhaust and bowel movement compared to the control group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences in abdominal pain and abdominal circumference(P>0.05).There were no adverse reactions in either group.The incidence of postoperative abdominal distension,nausea and vomiting in the observation group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint sticking therapy along meridians could accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients after lumbar internal fixation,promote rapid recovery after surgery,and improve quality of life.
10.Cancer-related fatigue in patients with advanced malignant tumours:current status and influencing factors
Pei WANG ; Chao SUN ; Huixiu HU ; Shaohua GONG ; Yajie ZHAO ; Shengmiao MA
Modern Clinical Nursing 2024;23(1):8-13
Objective To investigate the status quo of cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in patients with advanced malignant tumours during anti-tumour treatment,and explore the influencing factors so as to provide a reference for nursing intervention.Methods Between January and August 2022,a total of 279 patients with advanced malignant tumours who received anti-tumour therapies in the Department of Oncology of a general hospital in Beijing were selected as study subjects using convenience sampling method.General data questionnaire,cancer fatigue scale,chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal symptoms inventory,and nutritional risk screening 2002 were used for the investigation.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue.Results Toally 279 patients finished the study.A total of 204(73.12%)patients had cancer-related fatigue.Binary logistic regression analysis showed that BMI,education,monthly family income and diabetes were the influencing factors in cancer-related fatigue(all P<0.05).Conclusions The incidence of cancer-related fatigue is high in patients with advanced malignant tumours during anti-tumour therapy.Low BMI,poor education,low monthly family income and diabetes are the risk factors in cancer-related fatigue.Targeted interventions should be implemented based on the risk factors so as to reduce the incidence of cancer-related fatigue.


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