1.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
2.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.
3.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis from the Theory of Pathogens Intruding Eight Weak Areas
Zhengwen TENG ; Nan LI ; Sai ZHANG ; Xiaohan HANG ; Fengchuan ZHANG ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1548-1552
Based on the discussion of "eight weak areas" in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), combined with the typical rash manifestations of atopic dermatitis, it is believed that atopic dermatitis is mostly deficiency-excess complex, and that pathogens intruding eight weak areas are the core of its pathogenesis. The external cause is exterior deficiencies, with heat, wind, dampness and other pathogenic qi attacking. The heart, lungs, kidneys out of balance, and excess pathogen are the internal cause, in which fire constraint and excessive heat are the basis of the disease, the wind invading leads to the progress of the changes, dampness obstructing channels and colla-terals make the condition persistent. Internal and external pathogens combination and retention result to the course of the disease lingering and difficult to cure. The internal treatment is to regulate zang-fu organs, and the formula could use self-prescribed modified Qingrun Tongluo Decoction (清润通络汤), clearing heart and reducing fire in order to clear the heat and cool the blood, moistening lungs and generating metal to consolidate the exterior and dispel the wind, and nourishing kidneys and draining water to dispel the dampness and activate the collaterals. The external treatment applies maceration, fire acupuncture, wrapping to dredge the eight weak areas and regulate qi and blood in channel, so as to expel pathogens.
5.Differential analysis of DNA methylation combined with gene expression in patients with pulmonary embolism
Jiarui CAO ; Wei LI ; Guolei CAO ; Lili HE ; Haiwen NIU ; Xiaohan LI ; Qin LUO
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(2):242-247
Objective:To screen genetic and epigenetic expression differences associated with pulmonary embolism through integrated bioinformatics analysis.Methods:Four patients with pulmonary embolism and healthy physical examination in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University in 2019 were selected as the research objects, using high-throughput sequencing technologies and methylation chip technology to detect, screening and integrated peripheral blood difference genomes and the epigenome data to identify the pathogenesis of pulmonary embolism caused by methylation of drive and differentially expressed genes, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed.Results:Coexpression analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data between the pulmonary embolism group and the healthy control group showed that differential methylation in the upstream region of genes was negatively correlated with gene expression. Among them, 8 significantly methylated genes in the upstream region of genes were screened out, and independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were done. In the pulmonary embolism group, there were 6 significant methylated genes of TSS1500, namely TSPO2, C1QA, AQP1, TNFSF9, MIA and STAB1, and the differential expression multiple log2FC of corresponding genes was 1.298, 1.629, 1.024, 2.746, 2.539, 1.060, respectively. The correlation between gene expression and gene methylation were -0.908, -0.900, -0.824, -0.784, -0.783, -0.779, respectively, and the methylation differences between the two groups were -0.049, -0.053, -0.048, -0.057, -0.050, respectively. -0.053 ( P < 0.05). There were three significantly methylated genes in the TSS200 region, namely TSPO2, SLC9A, and SIGLEC1. The gene expression differential multiple log2FC was 1.298, -2.252, and 1.866, respectively. The correlation between gene expression and gene methylation was -0.860, -0.774, and -0.739, respectively. The methylation difference between the two groups was -0.051, 0.027, -0.048 ( P < 0.05). In the pulmonary embolism group, 7 genes, including TSPO2, C1QA, AQP1, TNFSF9, MIA, STAB1 and SIGLEC1, showed hypomethylation and high expression in the TSS region. SLC9A3 gene showed high methylation and low expression. In the analysis of GO function, significant enrichment was obtained in complement activation, immune response and activation protein cascade. In the KEGG signaling pathway, the immune system, bacterial infection, and signaling molecules and interactions are significantly enriched, thereby regulating the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. Conclusions:Based on the combined analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression, a new idea of the occurrence and development of pulmonary embolism has been found, which can be further studied in the future.
6.Mechanism of Polyphyllin Ⅱ in Induction of Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells
Huizhong ZHANG ; Jian NI ; Hulinyue PENG ; Yibo ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Yidan RUAN ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Ying WANG ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):105-112
ObjectiveTo investigate the induction of ferroptosis by polyphyllin Ⅱ (PPⅡ) in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its underlying mechanism. MethodThe effect of PPⅡ (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 9.0, 18.0 mg·L-1) on the in vitro proliferation of HepG2 cells was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Colony formation ability of HepG2 cells was evaluated through a colony formation assay. Cell migration ability was assessed via a scratch assay. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in HepG2 cells was measured using a kit. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HepG2 cells were observed using a fluorescence inverted microscope. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and free Fe2+ content in HepG2 cells were detected using respective kits. The mitochondrial ultrastructure in HepG2 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of ferroptosis-related proteins p53, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) in HepG2 cells was detected using Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group, the PPⅡ treatment groups showed significantly decreased survival rate of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), significantly reduced number of cell colonies (P<0.01), significantly shortened scratch healing distance, inverse correlation of the migration distance with drug concentration (P<0.01), significantly increased LDH leakage in cells (P<0.01), significantly enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of intracellular ROS, and significantly increased accumulation of lipid peroxide MDA (P<0.01), decreased intracellular GSH content with increasing drug concentration (P<0.01), and significantly enhanced fluorescence intensity of FeRhoNox-1 in cells (P<0.01). Moreover, cells exhibited vacuolation, and mitochondria showed significant shrinkage with reduced or even disappeared cristae. Compared with the results in the control group, the expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 proteins significantly increased, while the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins significantly decreased in the PPⅡ treatment groups (P<0.05). ConclusionIn summary, PPⅡ induces ferroptosis in HepG2 cells by regulating the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling axis, promoting ACSL4 expression and Fe3+ uptake, leading to an imbalance in the antioxidant system.
7.Research progress on the relationship between blood pressure variability and cognitive impairment
Along HOU ; Wenbin CHENG ; Wenjing SUN ; Xiaohan CHEN ; Genru LI ; Jianhua ZHUANG ; You YIN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(4):659-667
Cognitive impairment is a kind of senile disease that leads to the decline of personality and behavior ability of the elderly,which seriously affects the quality of daily life of patients.The prevalence rate of the disease increases year by year with the acceleration of the aging process of the society,and its incidence is affected by many risk factors.At this stage,the curative effect for middle and advanced patients is poor.So early identification and intervention to delay the progression of cognitive impairment have become the focus of relevant research.Blood pressure variability can lead to damage of target organs such as heart,brain tissue and kidney,which is closely related to cognitive impairment.In order to expand a new perspective of early intervention in cognitive impairment,this paper reviews the effects of blood pressure variability on different cognitive impairment and its possible pathogenic mechanism.
8.Arterial prophylactic occlusion technique in the application of surgery for locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy
Kailian ZHENG ; Xinyu LIU ; Xiaohan SHI ; Huan WANG ; Xiaoyi YIN ; Xinqian WU ; Lingyun GU ; Penghao LI ; Yikai LI ; Wei JING ; Shiwei GUO ; Bin SONG ; Suizhi GAO ; Gang JIN
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(10):938-946
Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of the arterial pre-occlusion technique(APOT) and the traditional technique in the surgery of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 145 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University,from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed neoadjuvant therapy for tumors, and the feasibility of radical surgical treatment was determined by a multidisciplinary collaborative team evaluation before surgery. According to whether the intraoperative artery was pre-occluded, 145 patients were divided into two groups, including 28 cases in the APOT group(16 males, 12 females, aged (59.0±9.4) years), and 117 cases in the routine surgery group(76 males, 41 females, aged (55.1±8.2) years). To ensure comparability of baseline data between the APOT group and the routine surgery group, a 1∶2 match was performed using the propensity score matching method, and the caliper value was 0.006 45. The t-test,the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the data between the two groups,respectively. Results:After matching the propensity score,there were 28 cases in the APOT group and 56 cases in the routine surgery group. There were no significant differences in gender,age,preoperative comorbidities,preoperative body mass index,surgical approaches,chemotherapy regimen,stereotactic body radiation therapy ratio,tumor markers,and type of invaded artery between the two groups (all P>0.05).The arterial occlusion time M(IQR) in the APOT group was 7.0(3.8)minutes(range:3 to 15 minutes),and no ischemic manifestations were observed in the distal target organs that blocked blood vessels after surgery. The operation time was (170.3±57.7)minutes in the APOT group and (235.0±80.2)minutes in the routine surgery group,and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.800, P<0.01). The APOT group also experienced less intraoperative blood loss(650(588)ml vs. 800(600)ml; U=1 026.500, P=0.021). No significant differences were found between the groups in combined vein resection and reconstruction,celiac trunk resection,early postoperative complications, readmission rates at 30 days,and postoperative length of stay(all P>0.05). Extra-arterial dissection was performed in all patients,with arterial resection and reconstruction in 3 cases: 2 cases in the APOT group(1 case involving the superior mesenteric artery and 1 case involving the common hepatic artery) and 1 case in the routine group(involving the common hepatic artery). Postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in 4 cases,with 3 cases in the routine group,1 case in the routine group. The R0 resection rate was 85.7%(24/28) in the APOT group and 80.4%(45/56) in the routine group,without significant differences between the groups( P=0.763). The median overall survival time was 27.6 months for the APOT group and 22.5 months for the routine group,while the median disease-free survival was 11.7 months and 16.8 months,respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups( P=0.532, P=0.927). Conclusion:The arterial pre-occlusion technique can be used for extra-arterial dissection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer involving the arteries,reducing surgery time and intraoperative blood loss.
9.Application and progress of radiomics in bone and soft tissue tumors
Xiaohan ZHANG ; Yao ZHANG ; Linfeng AI ; Tian LI ; Hao XIONG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):199-204
Bone and soft tissue tumors are diverse and with complicated histologic components and significantly divergent biological behaviors.Conventional imaging examinations,such as CT,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and positron emission tomography(PET),are limited to the identification of anatomical structures and abnormal signals,which are difficult to meet the qualitative requirements of imaging.With the improvement of digitalization in hospitals and medical institutions,the introduction of electronic medical records and the improvement of computational power,modern intelligent medical treatment gradually evolves to the combination of human brain,big data and artificial intelligence.Researchers are committed to mining deeper image data information,and radiomics came into being.Radiomics is a method of extracting and analyzing subvisual quantitative features from medical images and quantifying tumor heterogeneity through modeling,which is of great significance in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors.
10.Research progress on processing technology,chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata
Rui YAO ; Hong GUO ; Xiaoshu ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Xiaohan GUO ; Jia CHEN ; Jinhao LI ; Ling XU ; Jianbo YANG ; Wenguang JING ; Xianlong CHENG ; Feng WEI
China Pharmacist 2024;28(11):523-535
Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is a processed product of Polygoni multiflori radix(Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.),and its main components include stilbene glycosides,anthraquinones,flavonoids,alkaloids,phenolic acids,etc.It has antioxidant,antianemic,anti-tumor,hypoglycemic,anti-inflammatory effects,etc,and is widely used in clinical practice.The processing technology is mainly stewinging with black bean juice,steaming,processing for 9 times and braising and simmering.After processing,the color deepens and the content of composition changes.By consulting domestic and foreign literature,the research on Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is not comprehensive enough compared with Polygoni multiflori radix.Therefore,this paper mainly summarizes the processing technology,chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata reported in the past 20 years,and provides a reference for further development of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata.

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