1.Effect of Carbohydrate Intake Order on Metabolic Profiles of Endurance Exercise Mice in a High-temperature Environment
Huan-Yu WANG ; Guo-Dong ZHOU ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Jun QIU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1529-1543
ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of carbohydrate intake order on post-exercise recovery and metabolic regulation under heat stress, particularly in models of exercise induced fatigue. Given the increasing significance of optimizing nutritional strategies to support performance in extreme environmental conditions, this study aimed to provide experimental evidence that contributes to a better understanding of how the sequence in which carbohydrates are consumed impacts exercise recovery, metabolic homeostasis, and fatigue alleviation in a high-temperature environment. MethodsA mouse model of exercise-induced fatigue was established under high-temperature (35°C) to simulate heat stress. The subjects were divided into 3 distinct groups based on their carbohydrate intake order: the “mixed intake” group (HOT_MIX), where all macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) were consumed in a balanced ratio; the “carbohydrate-first intake” group (HOT_CHO), where carbohydrates were consumed first followed by other macronutrients; the “carbohydrate-later intake” group (HOT_PRO), where proteins and fats were consumed prior to carbohydrates. Each group underwent a 7 d intervention period with daily intake according to their designated group. Exercise performance was assessed using rotarod retention time test, and biomarkers of muscle damage, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactate (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), were measured. Furthermore, targeted metabolomics analyses were conducted to investigate metabolic shifts in response to different dietary strategies, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was employed to explore the biological mechanisms underlying these changes. ResultsThe findings demonstrated that the HOT_PRO group exhibited a significantly improved performance in the rotarod test, with a longer retention time compared to both the HOT_MIX and HOT_CHO groups (P<0.05). Additionally, this group showed significantly reduced levels of muscle damage markers such as LDH and CK, indicating that the carbohydrate-later intake strategy helped alleviate exercise-induced muscle injury. Metabolomic profiling of the HOT_PRO group showed marked increases in alanine, creatine, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), indicating shifts in amino acid metabolism and oxidative metabolism. Conversely, metabolites such as spermidine, cholesterol sulfate, cholesterol, and serine were significantly reduced in the HOT_PRO group, pointing to alterations in lipid and sterol metabolism. Further analysis of the differential metabolites revealed that these changes were primarily associated with key metabolic pathways, including glycine-serine-threonine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. These pathways are essential for energy production, antioxidant defense, and muscle recovery, suggesting that the carbohydrate-later feeding strategy may promote metabolic homeostasis and improve exercise recovery by enhancing these critical metabolic processes. ConclusionThe results of this study support the hypothesis that consuming carbohydrates after proteins and fats during exercise recovery enhances metabolic homeostasis and accelerates recovery under heat stress. This strategy effectively modulates energy, amino acid, and lipid-related pathways, which are crucial for improving endurance performance and mitigating fatigue in high-temperature environments. The findings suggest that carbohydrate-later intake could be a promising nutritional strategy for athletes and individuals exposed to heat during physical activity. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights into how different nutrient timing strategies can impact exercise recovery and metabolic regulation, paving the way for more personalized and effective nutritional interventions in extreme environmental conditions.
2.Polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata Exerts Antitumor Effect by Regulating Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and ERK1/2 Expressions during Long-Time Administration.
Qi-Chun ZHOU ; Shi-Lin XIAO ; Ru-Kun LIN ; Chan LI ; Zhi-Jie CHEN ; Yi-Fei CHEN ; Chao-Hua LUO ; Zhi-Xian MO ; Ying-Bo LIN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(1):52-61
OBJECTIVE:
To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. The expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot and the expressions of ERK1/2 mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A mouse melanoma model was established to study the effect of PAC during long-time administration. Mice were divided into 3 treatment groups: control group treated with saline water, positive control group (LNT group) treated with lentinan at 100 mg/(kg·d), and PAC group treated with PAC at 120 mg/(kg·d). The pathological changes of tumor tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The apoptosis of tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:
In vitro, no strong inhibitory effects of PAC were found in various tumor cells after 48 or 72 h of administration. Interestingly however, after 40 days of cultivation under PAC, an inhibitory effect on B16F10 cells was found. Correspondingly, the long-time administration of PAC led to downregulation of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05), up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein (P<0.05) and ERK1 mRNA (P<0.05) in B16F10 cells. The above results were verified by in vivo experiments. In addition, viability of B16F10 cells under long-time administration culture in vitro decreased after drug withdrawal, and similar results were also observed in 4T1 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-time administration of PAC can significantly inhibit viability and promote apoptosis of tumor cells, and had obvious antitumor effect in tumor-bearing mice.
Mice
;
Animals
;
Alocasia/metabolism*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
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Apoptosis
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RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
3.Low disease activity and remission status of systemic lupus erythematosus in a real-world study
Limin REN ; Chuchu ZHAO ; Yi ZHAO ; Huiqiong ZHOU ; Liyun ZHANG ; Youlian WANG ; Lingxun SHEN ; Wenqiang FAN ; Yang LI ; Xiaomei LI ; Jibo WANG ; Yongjing CHENG ; Jiajing PENG ; Xiaozhen ZHAO ; Miao SHAO ; Ru LI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(2):273-278
Objective:To investigate the rates of low disease activity and clinical remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)in a real-world setting,and to analyze the related factors of low disease activity and clinical remission.Methods:One thousand patients with SLE were enrolled from 11 teaching hospitals.Demographic,clinical and laboratory data,as well as treatment regimes were collec-ted by self-completed questionnaire.The rates of low disease activity and remission were calculated based on the lupus low disease activity state(LLDAS)and definitions of remission in SLE(DORIS).Charac-teristics of patients with LLDAS and DORIS were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the related factors of LLDAS and DORIS remission.Results:20.7%of patients met the criteria of LLDAS,while 10.4%of patients achieved remission defined by DORIS.Patients who met LLDAS or DORIS remission had significantly higher proportion of patients with high income and longer disease duration,compared with non-remission group.Moreover,the rates of anemia,creatinine eleva-tion,increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)and hypoalbuminemia was significantly lower in the LLDAS or DORIS group than in the non-remission group.Patients who received hydroxychloroquine for more than 12 months or immunosuppressant therapy for no less than 6 months earned higher rates of LLDAS and DORIS remission.The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that increased ESR,positive anti-dsDNA antibodies,low level of complement(C3 and C4),proteinuria,low household in-come were negatively related with LLDAS and DORIS remission.However,hydroxychloroquine usage for longer than 12 months were positively related with LLDAS and DORIS remission.Conclusion:LLDAS and DORIS remission of SLE patients remain to be improved.Treatment-to-target strategy and standar-dized application of hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants in SLE are recommended.
4.Preparation and Application of Polypyrrole Conductive Hydrogels in Biomedical Field
Kun-Yu REN ; Ru-Min FU ; Yu TIAN ; Xin-Chang KANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Guo-Xin TAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):1-12
Hydrogel is a kind of material with high water content,good biocompatibility and extracellular matrix-like property,among which polypyrrole(PPy)conductive hydrogels have both physical characteristics and excellent conductivity of hydrogels themselves.Its conductivity can be used to detect electrical signals generated in biological systems and provide electrical stimulation to regulate the activities and functions of cells and tissues.These characteristics make it widely used in the biomedical field.The recent progress of PPy conductive hydrogels in biomedical field was reviewed in this paper.In terms of classification,according to the cross-linking mechanism of PPy and hydrogel matrix,the non-covalent cross-linked PPy conductive hydrogels and covalent cross-linked PPy conductive hydrogels were divided.The applications of PPy conductive hydrogels in the biomedical field(Skin damage repair,nerve repair,myocardial repair and flexible sensing,etc.)were mainly introduced,and the development trend and challenges of PPy conductive hydrogels in the biomedical field were discussed.
5.Characteristics of T cell immune responses in adults inoculated with 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine for 12 months
Jing WANG ; Ya-Qun LI ; Hai-Yan WANG ; Yao-Ru SONG ; Jing LI ; Wen-Xin WANG ; Lin-Yu WAN ; Chun-Bao ZHOU ; Xing FAN ; Fu-Sheng WANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(2):165-170
Objective To evaluate the characteristics of different antigen-specific T cell immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)after inoculation with 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine for 12 months.Methods Fifteen healthy adults were enrolled in this study and blood samples collected at 12 months after receiving two doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine.The level and phenotypic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific T lymphocytes were detected by activation-induced markers(AIM)based on polychromatic flow cytometry.Results After 12 months of inoculation with 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine,more than 90%of adults had detectable Spike and Non-spike antigen-specific CD4+ T cells immune responses(Spike:14/15,P=0.0001;Non-spike:15/15,P<0.0001).80%of adults had detectable Spike and Non-spike antigen-specific CD8+ T cells immune responses(Spike:12/15,P=0.0463;Non-spike:12/15,P=0.0806).Antigen-specific CD4+ T cells induced by SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccination after 12 months were composed of predominantly central memory(CM)and effector memory 1(EM1)cells.On the other hand,in terms of helper subsets,antigen-specific CD4+ T cells mainly showed T helper 1/17(Th1/17)and T helper 2(Th2)phenotypes.Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccination generates durable and extensive antigen-specific CD4+ T cell memory responses,which may be the key factor for the low proportion of severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection in China.
6.Exploring the Mechanism of Baihe Dihuang Decoction in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Animal Experiment
Ru JIA ; Xiaoru ZHOU ; Yan CHEN ; Shuling ZHANG ; Zhaokai LAI ; Yulu WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(8):1027-1037
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of Baihe Dihuang decoction in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and animal experiment.
METHODS
TCMSP were used to predict the active components and targets of Baihe Dihuang decoction and disease-related targets were collected from GeneCards, OMIM and DRUGBANK databases, respectively. Target protein interactions were analyzed with STRING database and biological function and pathway were analyzed with Metascape database. Lastly relevant results were analyzed with Cytoscape 3.8.0. AutoDock vina software was used for molecular docking to analyze the binding energy of the active components and key targets of Baihe Dihuang decoction. PyMOL software were used to visualize the optimal docking results. ICR male mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, Rolipram group, low, medium and high dose group of Baihe Dihuang decoction. After 14 days of administration, the neurobehavioral scores of mice in each group were collected, and the expression of related proteins in brain tissue was detected, ELISA and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of the key protein cAMP, PKA, p-CREB and BDNF. At last, the adverse reaction of Baihe Dihuang decoction was observed by vomiting experiment.
RESULTS
A total of 13 active components and 39 key targets were collected from network pharmacology. The docking results showed that the first 10 core targets all performed well and their effects were closely related to PRKACA. Compared with the control group, the model group mice's recognition rate of new objects and the spontaneous alternation reaction rate were significantly reduced, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the target quadrant stay time, the number of crossing platforms were significantly reduced; cAMP, PKA, p-CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus of mice was significantly decreased. Baihe Dihuang decoction could reverse the behavior of AD mice and the expression of cAMP, PKA, p-CREB and BDNF. In the vomiting experiment, the anesthesia recovery time of the Rolipram group was significantly prolonged, while that of the Baihe Dihuang decoction group was not significantly affected.
CONCLUSION
The mechanism of Baihe Dihuang decoction in the treatment of AD may be related to its influence on cAMP-PKA and regulation of cAMP-PKA-CREB-BDNF signal pathway, and the adverse reactions are milder than those of clopramide.
7.Urinary Metabolomics Aanlysis of Differences in Effect of Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma on Gerbils with Stroke
Liting ZHOU ; Wanting ZENG ; Ru JIA ; Huiying XU ; Yihui DING ; Hao DONG ; Haowen MA ; Yang QU ; Qian CAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):157-166
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma on the urinary metabolites of gerbils with stroke by non-targeted metabolomics technique, and then to clarify the mechanism of the two, as well as their similarities and differences. MethodTwenty-four gerbils were randomly divided into control group(CG), model group(MG), Aconiti Coreani Radix group(RA) and Typhonii Rhizoma group(RT). Except for the CG, ischemic stroke model was constructed using right unilateral ligation of gerbil carotid artery in the remaining groups. Except for the CG and MG, rats in the other groups received whole powder suspension(0.586 mg·g-1) was administered for 14 days. The neurological deficit in each group was scored by Longa scoring on days 0, 3, 7 and 14. After the end of administration, the serum, brain tissue and urine of gerbils in each group were collected, and the rate of cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC), and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione(GSH), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum and brain tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The urine metabolomics of gerbils in each group was studied by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), and the data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis, and differential metabolites were screened based on value of variable importance in the projection(VIP) of the first principal component>1 and t-test P<0.05. Metabolic pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) database and Metaboanalyst 5.0. ResultCompared with the CG, the neurological deficit score was significantly increased in the MG(P<0.05), compared with the MG, the neurological deficit scores in the RA and RT were significantly reduced after 7 d and 14 d(P<0.05). Compared with the CG, the rate of cerebral infarction was significantly increased in the MG(P<0.05), compared with the MG, the rates of cerebral infarction in the RA and RT were significantly reduced(P<0.05). Compared with the CG, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA in the serum and brain tissue of gerbils from the MG were significantly increased(P<0.05), and the levels of SOD, GSH and NO were significantly reduced(P<0.05). Compared with the MG, Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma could down-regulate the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA, and up-regulated the levels of SOD, GSH and NO. A total of 112 endogenous differential metabolites were screened by urine metabolomics, of which 16 and 26 metabolites were called back by Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma, and could be used as potential biomarkers for both treatments in stroke gerbils, respectively. The results of the pathway analysis showed that both Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma had regulatory effects on arginine and proline metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In addition, Aconiti Coreani Radix could also regulate riboflavin metabolism, Typhonii Rhizoma could also regulate purine metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of pantothenate and coenzyme A, and β-alanine metabolism. ConclusionBoth Aconiti Coreani Radix and Typhonii Rhizoma have better therapeutic effects on stroke, with Aconiti Coreani Radix having stronger effects. From the metabolomics results, the main metabolic pathways regulated by Aconiti Coreani Radix involve amino acid metabolism, oxidative stress and so on, while Typhonii Rhizoma mainly involve amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, etc.
8.Developing Syllabus for Rare Breast Diseases Using the Integrated Multimodality of Case-/Problem-/Resource-Based Learning
Ru YAO ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Jie LIAN ; Yang QU ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Xin HUANG ; Lu GAO ; Jun ZHAO ; Li HUANG ; Yingzi JIANG ; Linzhi LUO ; Songjie SHEN ; Feng MAO ; Qiang SUN ; Bo PAN ; Yidong ZHOU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(3):391-399
Objective This study aims at establishing a teaching catalog and content for breast rare dis-eases and developing the syllabus for the breast rare disease using integrated multimodality of case-/problem-/resource-based learning(CBL+PBL+RBL).Methods By conducting bibliometrics co-occurrence analysis,we collected 6291 articles on breast rare disease published from January,1975 to June,2024.Additionally,we re-trieved the Textbook on Rare Diseases,the Catalog of Chinese Rare Disease,and Second Batch of Rare Dis-ease Catalog and then decided the teaching content.Results From 16,387 keywords,1000(6.1%)keywords were identified through co-occurrence analysis,including 50(0.3%)candidate diseases.These were classified into three categories:rare primary breast diseases,rare genetic mutation-related diseases associated with breast cancer,and rare systemic multi-system diseases involving the breast.From the candidate list,20(0.1%)rare primary breast diseases were further selected for their notable clinical teaching significance,and significant multi-systemic diseases affecting the breast,whether related to gene mutations or not.Teaching plans were draf-ted using a diversified parallel teaching approaches,taking into account the characteristics of different diseases and the focus of different teaching methods.Conclusions This study initiated the development of the teaching content for breast rare diseases and developed the teaching syllabus using the CBL+PBL+RBL integrated multi teaching model and targeting each rare breast disease for the critical point for teaching.
9.A case-control study of the association between anti-Müllerian hormone and ischemic stroke
Xinyu CHEN ; Zhengyuan ZHOU ; Shujun GU ; Chengcheng DUAN ; Qiyu QIAN ; Ru LI ; Huan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(2):175-179
Objective:To investigate the association between plasma anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) levels and ischemic stroke.Methods:In this case-control study, 93 ischemic stroke patients were randomly selected as the case group from a study on the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, which was conducted in 2018-2019 in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, while 372 nonischemic stroke patients were selected as the control group according to the principle of 1∶4 matching.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma AMH levels.The conditional logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline were used to analyze the relationship between AMH levels and ischemic stroke.Results:A total of 465 subjects with an average age of (68.7±7.4)years were included in this study, of whom 215(46.2%)were men and 250(53.8%)were women.According to our conditional Logistic regression analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke was reduced by 44% for every unit increase in the log-AMH level( OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.37-0.85)in the overall population after multivariate adjustment.Compared with the tertile with the lowest AMH level, the risk of ischemic stroke in the tertile with the highest AMH level decreased significantly( OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.19-0.69). When subgrouped by sex, the tertiles with the highest AMH levels were associated with a 66% lower risk of ischemic stroke in men( OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.13-0.88)and a 64% lower risk of ischemic stroke in women( OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.87), compared with the tertiles with the lowest AMH levels.The results of restricted cubic spline analysis showed that there was a linear dose-response relationship between plasma AMH levels and ischemic stroke both in the general population and in male or female population( Pvalues for linear trends were 0.0002, 0.008 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusions:Higher plasma AMH levels decrease the risk of ischemic stroke with a dose-response pattern.
10.Transcranial magnetic stimulation can alleviate sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy
Jun WANG ; Yuhang ZHANG ; Lijie ZHOU ; Yangyang CAO ; Ru WANG ; Chunya SU ; Junhui WANG ; Bingbing LI ; Dengna ZHU ; Huachun XIONG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2024;46(2):134-138
Objective:To observe any effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on sleep disorders among children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods:A total of 102 children with CP and disordered sleep were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 51. All were given routine rehabilitation and sleep health education, but the experimental group additionally received rTMS for two weeks. The polysomnography (PSG) results of the two groups were recorded and analyzed.Results:The PSG parameters had improved greatly in both groups after the treatment. The percentage of N2 sleep (depth of sleep during light sleep) in the severe cerebral palsy group and of N3 sleep (depth of sleep during deep sleep) in the moderate cerebral palsy group had increased significantly more than in the mild cerebral palsy group, on average. After the intervention the percentages of N2 and N3 in those with mixed cerebral palsy and of N3 in those with involuntary motor cerebral palsy had increased significantly more than in those with spastic cerebral palsy, on average.Conclusion:rTMS treatment can improve the sleep disorders of children with cerebral palsy, especially N2 sleep among children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy, N3 sleep in cases of mixed or dyskinetic CP.


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