1.The Ferroptosis-inducing Compounds in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Xin-Die WANG ; Da-Li FENG ; Xiang CUI ; Su ZHOU ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang GAO ; Li-Li ZOU ; Jun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):804-819
Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System Xc--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.
2.Mechanism of agomelatine alleviating anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Tian LI ; Yuhua REN ; Yanping GAO ; Qiang SU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1176-1182
BACKGROUND:Agomelatine is a clinically proven treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms,such as anxiety and depression.Furthermore,our previous study has demonstrated that agomelatine ameliorates cognitive behaviors,hippocampal synaptic plasticity,and brain pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.However,it remains unclear whether agomelatine can improve anxiety and depression-like behaviors in Alzheimer's disease model mice. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the improving effects of agomelatine on anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS:(1)Eighteen APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into model control group(n=9)and model intervention group(n=9).Another wild-type mice were randomized into control group(n=9)and intervention group(n=9).Model intervention group and intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg agomelatine per day for 31 continuous days.Behavioral experiments,including the elevated cross maze and forced swimming tests,and mRNA sequencing of the hippocampus were then performed.(2)Mouse hippocampal neuronal cell lines(HT22)and brain microvascular endothelial cell lines(bEnd.3)were cultured and divided into four groups:blank group without any drug,drug group with 20 μmol/L agomelatine,model group with 10 μmol/L β-amyloid 1-42,and experimental group with 10 μmol/L β-amyloid 1-42+20 μmol/L agomelatine.After 24 hours of incubation,protein expression of S416p-tau and S9p-GSK3β in HT22 cells was detected by immunoblotting,and protein expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 and glycosylation end-product receptor in bEnd.3 cells was detected by immunoblotting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the elevated plus maze test,the time spent in the open arms(P<0.01)and the entries into open arms(P<0.05)in the mice of model control group were evidently lower than those in the control group,whereas those were obviously increased in the model intervention group compared with the model control group(P<0.05).Forced swimming test results showed that the immobile time exhibited a marked increase in the model control group compared with the control group(P<0.05),but it was significantly decreased in the model intervention group compared with the model control group(P<0.05).Hippocampal tissue mRNA sequencing showed that agomelatine enhanced the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice.Western blot analysis revealed that the level of S416p-tau in HT22 cells was higher in the model group than the blank group(P<0.05),while it was markedly decreased in the experimental group compared with the model group(P<0.05);the level of S9p-GSK3β in HT22 cells was higher in the drug group than the blank group(P<0.05)as well as higher in the experimental group than the model group(P<0.05).Moreover,the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 in bEnd.3 cells was higher in the experimental group than the model group(P<0.05).To conclude,agomelatine can alleviate anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in Alzheimer's disease mice by promoting the clearance of β-amyloid and phosphorylated tau.
3.Synthesis and anti-breast cancer activity of novel cyclic mono-carbonyl curcumin analogues
Xianhu FENG ; Yongjie CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Yi HOU ; Wanjun CAO ; Qiang SU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):563-567
OBJECTIVE To design and synthesize mono-carbonyl curcumin analogues(MCACs) and investigate the activities of them against breast cancer. METHODS The analogues F1, F2, and F3 were obtained by aldol condensation reaction, and their antitumor activities(including the activities of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and human lung cancer cell A549) were detected by MTT assay [evaluated with half inhibitory concentration(IC50)]. The results of MTT assay were compared with those of curcumin. Bioinformatics methods were used to collect the core targets of analogues F1, F2 and F3 acting on breast cancer, and then molecular docking verification was carried out. The cell experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of high, medium and low concentrations (16, 8, 4 μmol/L) of F1, F2 and F3 on the expression of the first core target protein as well as the effects of medium concentration of F1, F2 and F3 on the expression of cleaved-caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with curcumin, IC50 of analogues F1, F2 and F3 to A549 and MCF-7 cells(except for IC50 of analogue F2 to A549 cells) were decreased significantly(P< 0.05 or P<0.01); among them, IC50 of analogue F2 to MCF-7 cell was the lowest, being(9.67±1.27) μmol/L. Bioinformatics analysis showed that index of affinity of analogues F1, F2 and F3 with the first core target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), protein kinase B (AKT) and AKT were 5.909 2, 8.402 5 and 6.486 6, respectively; high concentration of F1 could significantly reduce the phosphorylation level of EGFR protein in MCF-7 cells(P<0.01), while low, medium, and high concentrations of F2 and high concentration of F3 could significantly reduce the phosphorylation level of AKT protein in MCF-7 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Medium concentration of F1, F2, and F3 could significantly increase the expression level of cleaved- caspase-3 protein in MCF-7 cells(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Designed and synthesized MCACs F1, F2 and F3 all have good anti- breast cancer activity, and F2 has better anti-breast cancer activity.
4. Advances on cardiovascular effects of GLP-lRAs
Zhi-Qiang KE ; Chao LIU ; Zhi-Qiang KE ; Qian-Qian MA ; Zheng-Ding SU ; Dan LI ; Xin-Yuan ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):426-430
Glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1 ) is secreted by gut enteroendocrine cells. GLP-1 receptor agonists ( GLP-1 RAs) control glucose-related augmentation of insulin and suppress glu-cagon secretion. GLP-lRAs also inhibit gastric emptying, food intake and limit weight gain. In the past decade, significant progresses have been made in the investigation on the effects of GLP-1 RAs on cardiovascular system. The potential advantages of oral small-molecule GLP-1 RAs could improve the application of this class of drugs. This review highlights the multiple cardiovascular profiles of GLP-1 RAs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases to provide new insights into cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 RAs.
5.Progress in lncRNA-TUG1 as a competing endogenous RNA in cardiovascular diseases
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(3):557-563
Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of death in the world,and early diagnosis and treatment are critical to its prognosis.The lncRNA-taurine up-regulated gene 1(TUG1)mediates a competing endogenous RNA network involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases,involving biological processes such as inflamma-tion,immunity,apoptosis,pyroptosis and oxidative stress.This review summarizes the progress of lncRNA-TUG1 as a competing endogenous RNA to mediate the above biological processes in coronary atherosclerotic heart disease,myocardi-al ischemia-reperfusion injury,heart failure,hypertension,atrial fibrillation and diabetic cardiomyopathy,to provide a reference for subsequent research on cardiovascular diseases.
6.Optimization of Phenylphthalein and Phenolic Acid Components Extracts from Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiaong Rhizoma Decoction Pieces by Central Combination Design Response Surface Methodology
Qin SU ; Qiang BAO ; Xixiang LI ; Xuemei WANG ; Runliang YIN ; Jianliang WANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(4):146-152
Objective To optimize the optimal extraction process for phthalein and phenolic acid components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiaong Rhizoma decoction pieces.Methods On the basis of a single factor experiment,central combination design-response surface methodology was adopted,and the extraction time,ethanol concentration,and ethanol dosage were used as influencing factors,and the total normalized values of the content of Senkyunolide I,Senkyunolide A and ligustilide,and extract yield were used as evaluation indicators to optimize the extraction process of phthalein components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiaong Rhizoma decoction pieces;the total normalized values of chlorogenic acid,caffeic acid,ferulic acid,and extract yield were used as evaluation indicators to optimize the extraction process of phenolic acids components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiaong Rhizoma decoction pieces.Results The optimal extraction process was to add 7 times the amount of 90%ethanol to the phthalein components,extract for 130 minutes each time,and extract twice;phenolic acid components were extracted twice with 7.5 times the amount of 65%ethanol for 120 minutes each time.Conclusion The optimized extraction process for phthalein and phenolic acids in Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiaong Rhizoma decoction pieces is stable and feasible,which can provide a basis for subsequent research.
7.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (version 2024)
Xiao CHEN ; Hao ZHANG ; Man WANG ; Guangchao WANG ; Jin CUI ; Wencai ZHANG ; Fengjin ZHOU ; Qiang YANG ; Guohui LIU ; Zhongmin SHI ; Lili YANG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Guixin SUN ; Biao CHENG ; Ming CAI ; Haodong LIN ; Hongxing SHEN ; Hao SHEN ; Yunfei ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Feng NIU ; Chao FANG ; Huiwen CHEN ; Shaojun SONG ; Yong WANG ; Jun LIN ; Yuhai MA ; Wei CHEN ; Nan CHEN ; Zhiyong HOU ; Xin WANG ; Aiyuan WANG ; Zhen GENG ; Kainan LI ; Dongliang WANG ; Fanfu FANG ; Jiacan SU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(3):193-205
Osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture (OPHF) is one of the common osteoporotic fractures in the aged, with an incidence only lower than vertebral compression fracture, hip fracture, and distal radius fracture. OPHF, secondary to osteoporosis and characterized by poor bone quality, comminuted fracture pattern, slow healing, and severely impaired shoulder joint function, poses a big challenge to the current clinical diagnosis and treatment. In the field of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of OPHF, traditional Chinese and Western medicine have accumulated rich experience and evidence from evidence-based medicine and achieved favorable outcomes. However, there is still a lack of guidance from a relevant consensus as to how to integrate the advantages of the two medical systems and achieve the integrated diagnosis and treatment. To promote the diagnosis and treatment of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, relevant experts from Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatric Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Youth Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Surgeon Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine have been organized to formulate Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine ( version 2024) by searching related literatures and based on the evidences from evidence-based medicine. This consensus consists of 13 recommendations about the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, aimed at standardizing, systematizing, and personalizing the diagnosis and treatment of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinse and Western medicine to improve the patients ′ function.
8.The c.91C>T mutation in DNAJB2 gene associated distal hereditary motor neuropathy and early-onset Parkinson′s disease: a family report
Yu SU ; Lingchun LIU ; Ruihan YANG ; Mingzhi ZHANG ; Da LIU ; Qiang MENG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(3):283-289
A family carrying a homozygous variant of DNAJB2 gene C.91C>T (p.His31Tyr) with distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) associated with early-onset Parkinson′s disease was reported. The patient presented with distal limb weakness and atrophy at the early stage of the disease, and developed Parkinson′s symptoms more than 10 years later. Neuroelectrophysiological examination suggested motor and sensory axonal involvement. This mutation site had not been reported and was considered to be a neogenic mutagenicity of dHMN, excluding other mutations that can cause early-onset Parkinson′s disease.
9.Influence of different depths of anesthesia under the guidance of anesthesia depth detector on awakening quality of elderly patients with colon cancer after laparoscopic surgery
Qiang WANG ; Ning SU ; Bing XU
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(2):104-108
Objective:To explore the influence of different depths of anesthesia under guidance of anesthesia depth detector on the awakening quality of elderly patients with colon cancer after laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 96 elderly patients with colon cancer who underwent surgical resection and admitted to Beijing Changping District Hospital from February 2017 to June 2020 were selected.They were randomly divided into mild anesthesia group,moderate anesthesia group and deep anesthesia group according to the random sampling,with 32 in each group.The bispectral index(BIS)of deep anesthesia group was within 30-39 interval,and the BIS of moderate anesthesia group was within 40-49 interval,and the BIS of mild anesthesia group was within 50-60 interval.The Prince-Henry pain scale scores of patients with different depths of anesthesia under anesthesia depth detector were observed.The stress response-related indicators included adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),cortisol(Cor)and interleukin-6(IL-6)of patients at three different time points:pre operation(S1),intra operation(S2)and post operation(S3)were monitored.Additionally,the differences of the incidences of complications and the cognitive function also were analyzed.Results:The postoperative Prince-Henry pain scores of the three groups of patients with colon cancer showed there were no statistically significant differences among anesthesia groups with different depths(P>0.05).The stress response indicators included ACTH,Cor and IL-6 appeared significant time-dependent changes among anesthesia groups with different depths.The stress response indicators of all groups significantly increased at S2 point,and the ACTH,Cor and IL-6 levels of mild anesthesia group were respectively(13.73±1.63)nmol/L,(269.24±31.46)nmol/L and(83.67±3.44)μg/L,and these of moderate anesthesia group were respectively(18.26±2.52)nmol/L,(242.56±36.75)nmol/L and(109.35±6.44)μg/L,and these of deep anesthesia group were respectively(19.42±2.42)nmol/L,(432.35±31.34)nmol/L and(132.42±2.31)μg/L.There were significant differences in these indicators in same group between S2 point and S1 point(tmild group=7.99,12.48,16.48,tmoderate group=2.19,6.82,3.03,tdeep group=14.21,5.11,20.14,P<0.05),respectively.The differences of the incidence rates of complication between the mild anesthesia group and the moderate anesthesia group,and between the mild anesthesia and the deep anesthesia group were statistically significant(x2=6.342,5.238,P<0.05),respectively.The MMSE scores 24 hours after surgery indicated that the difference of that between mild anesthesia group and deep anesthesia group,and between moderate anesthesia group and deep anesthesia group were significant(t=4.74,3.77,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:The depth of anesthesia has a significant influence on postoperative recovery quality,stress response and cognitive function.Using anesthesia depth detector to adjust the different depth of anesthesia can help to improve the awakening quality of elderly patients with colon cancer post-surgery and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.
10.Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for post-TUR-BT perfusion therapy in patients with intermediate-to high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in China
Zhicheng SU ; Lu LI ; Qiang YAO ; Cairong ZHU ; Tao JIA
China Pharmacy 2024;35(22):2773-2778
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) versus epirubicin for intravesical perfusion after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) in patients with intermediate- to high-risk non-muscle- invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS From the perspective of China’s health system, a Markov cohort model was constructed based on the ChiCTR-IIR-16008357 study. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were used as the health outcome measure, with the willingness-to-pay(WTP) threshold set at one time the per capita gross domestic product of China in 2023 (89 358 yuan/QALY). A cost-utility analysis was used to compare the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the BCG regimen relative to the epirubicin regimen for intravesical perfusion after TUR-BT in patients with intermediate- to high-risk NMIBC in China. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS The incremental cost of the BCG regimen compared to the epirubicin regimen was 34 309.51 yuan, with an incremental utility of 0.800 QALYs, resulting in an ICER of 42 871.33 yuan/QALY, which is below the WTP threshold. When the WTP threshold was 89 358 yuan/QALY, the probability that the BCG regimen would be acceptable was 77.70% in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, higher than that of the epirubicin regimen, and the acceptability of the BCG regimen increased with increasing in the WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS When the WTP threshold was set at one time the per capita gross domestic product of China in 2023, compared to epirubicin, BCG used for intravesical perfusion after TUR-BT in patients with intermediate- to high-risk NMIBC demonstrated better cost-effectiveness.

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