Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor among phthalate acid esters (PAEs) worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to DEHP may disrupt glucose metabolism. Objective To investigate the impact of DEHP on glucose homeostasis in rats, focusing on oxidative stress-induced impairment of autophagy in islet β cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving DEHP doses of 0, 187, 375, and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were conducted 24 h after the final exposure. Pancreatic microstructural alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify the levels of insulin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in rat serum, as well as the protein expression level of activated caspase-3 in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, commercial microplate kits were utilized to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) using water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic tissue by chemical fluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure sequestosome1 (SQSTM1/p62), Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (Caspase-8) mRNA levels. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein relative expression levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3-I, LC3 II, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, and Caspase-8. Results Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The OGTT showed that, following high-glucose gavage, the 187 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group had elevated blood glucose at 30 min (P<0.05), the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group showed increased glucose levels at 15, 30, and 180 min (P<0.05), and the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited elevated levels at 15, 30, 60, and 180 min (P<0.05). The 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups demonstrated significantly increased OGTT area under the curve (AUC) values (P<0.05). In contrast, ITT results indicated no significant differences in blood glucose levels or AUC among the DEHP exposure groups at all time points (P>0.05). Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited significantly higher HOMA-IR levels and markedly lower HOMA-ISI values (P<0.05). HE and TEM showed that in each DEHP exposure group, the number of islet cells decreased, the islet area reduced, and chromatin condensation occurred. The endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of islet β cells decreased, and there were varying degrees of widening of the nuclear membrane gap, flattening and expansion of the Golgi complex, and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome separation was observed, and autophagosomes were visible. In the 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups, the mitochondria were deformed to varying degrees, and some cristae structures disappeared, presenting vacuolization. Moreover, the chromatin condensation in the nuclei was more severe in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group. The serum SOD activity was significantly elevated in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group (P<0.05). Both the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative ROS content in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). In DEHP-treated groups, the MDA content increased (P<0.05), while the GSH content decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the AMP/ATP ratio in serum was significantly raised (P<0.05), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in pancreatic tissue was also significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative mRNA levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3, and Caspase-8 in the pancreatic tissue of rats exposed to DEHP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and Beclin-1 proteins in the DEHP-treated groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP treatment groups, the relative expression levels of p62, LC3 II/LC1, and Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the relative expression level of p-mTOR/mTOR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP can disrupt glucose homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, which subsequently activates autophagy via the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway, impairing autophagic flux and promoting apoptosis of islet β cells, ultimately decreasing their function and number.

Fibrosis， a tumor-like lesion between benign tissue and malignant tumor， mostly occurs in the liver， kidney， heart， lung， bone marrow and other organs and tissues. It can affect almost every organ and eventually induce multiple organ failure and cancers， seriously endangering human life. It will be of great importance to prevent cancer if the disease can be opportunely blocked in the fibrotic stage. The pathogenesis of fibrosis is still not completely clear. It is of great clinical significance to study the occurrence， development， and mechanism of fibrosis as well as to screen new therapeutic targets. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 （EZH2） is mainly located in the nucleus and involved in the formation of the polycomb repressive complex 2. EZH2 is a methyltransferase which makes the lysine on position 27 of histone H3 （H3K27me3） undergo trimethyl modification induces gene silencing through classical or nonclassical actions， so as to inhibit or activate transcription. EZH2 plays a critical role in cell growth， proliferation， differentiation， and apoptosis， which is regulated by different targets and signaling pathways. EZH2 regulates the transformation of myofibroblasts and participates in the fibrosis of multiple organs. Recent studies have shown that EZH2 plays a role in fibrosis-related pathophysiological processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition， oxidative stress， and inflammation. EZH2 as the target of fibrosis， EZH2 inhibitors， and EZH2-related traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formula and active compounds have gradually become hot research directions. EZH2 may be a powerful target for organ fibrosis. Exploring the structure， function， and distribution of EZH2， the role of EZH2 in fibrosis， the EZH2 inhibitors， and TCM formulas and active components targeting EZH2 has great meanings. This paper reviews the research progress in EZH2 and fibrosis， providing new ideas for the diagnosis， treatment， and drug development of fibrosis.

AIM:To investigate the effect of conditioned medium from hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-treated rat cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)on gap junction between cardiomyocytes and determine whether its mechanism is related to matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2)activity.METHODS:(1)H9c2 cells were randomly divided into five groups:con-trol group,normal group,ARP-100 group,H/R group,and H/R+ARP-100 group.Scrape loading/dye transfer assay was used to assess the gap junction function.Western blot was used to detect the expression and phosphorylation levels of Cx43.Gelatin zymography assay was performed to measure MMP2 activity.(2)SD rats were randomly divided into control group,ARP-100 group,ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)group,and I/R+ARP-100 group,with 8 rats in each group.Micro-electrode array technology was used to record the type and duration of arrhythmia.Immunohistochemistry experiment was performed to assess expression levels and distribution of Cx43 in myocardial tissues.RESULTS:Compared with the con-trol group,the H/R group showed decreased protein expression of Cx43(P＜0.01),narrowed distance of lucifer yellow dif-fusion(P＜0.01),and increased MMP2 activity(P＜0.01).ARP-100 attenuated H/R-induced gap junction dysfunction(P＜0.05).The arrhythmia score was also reduced after perfusion with ARP-100(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:H/R-treated rat CFs can inhibit gap junction between cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may involve increased MMP2 activity.

Objective:To investigate the CLEC3B protein of differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)in serum of normal persons and patients with sepsis,and explore the possibility that target C-type lectin domain family 3 member B(CLEC3B)protein was used as molecular markers of sepsis.Methods:Peripheral bloods of 10 healthy persons and 18 patients with sepsis were collected,and the data of peripheral serum proteins were collected by data independent acquisition(DIA)method.The data were uploaded to iDEP online platform to analyze the DEPs in peripheral blood of patients with sepsis.Bioinformatics analysis of these DEPs was conducted to screen out the key proteins of sepsis.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to verify and plot the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of key proteins.Results:A total of 138 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were screened out by using proteomics analysis,of which 34 kinds of proteins were significantly down-regulated and 104 kinds of proteins were significantly up-regulated.DEPs mostly concentrated in cellular processes,biological regulation,biological process regulation,participating binding,catalytic activation,molecular function regulation,immune system,signal transduction and so on.A protein-protein interaction network was constructed by DEPs,which screened out the key protein CLEC3B.ELISA results showed that the CLEC3B protein concentration[(297.73±22.00)ng/mL]of patients in the sepsis group was significantly lower than that[(452.42±191.72)ng/mL]in the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=13.13,P=0.000).The area under curve(AUC)value of ROC curve,sensitivity and specificity of CLEC38 protein were respectively 0.998,97.73%and 100.0%.Conclusion:CLEC3B is significantly decreased in sepsis group,which sensitivity and specificity are high.It can be used as a potentially biological diagnostic biomarker of sepsis.

Objective To observe the role of dried tangerine peel in Yigong Powder improves iron metabolism and promotes red blood cell generation in anemia of chronic disease (ACD).Methods With a two-by-two factorial design,the Yigong Powder was divided into dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction. According to the random number table method,32 zymosan-induced generalized inflammation (ZIGI) mice were randomly divided into the model group,the dried tangerine peel group,the Chenpi absent Decoction group,and the Yigong Powder group. The dried tangerine peel group,Chenpi absent Decoction group and the Yigong Powder group were given dried tangerine peel(3.083 g/kg),Chenpi absent Decoction(12.33g/kg),and Yigong Powder(15.413g/kg)by gavage to the corresponding group of mice. The model group was given an equal amount of physiological saline by gavage,and treated continuously for 7 days. After the completion of administration,the body weight of each group of mice was recorded. The hemoglobin content of each group of mice was detected using a fully automatic cell counter,the serum iron content was detected using colorimetry,the serum ferritin content was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the spleen index was calculated. The liver tissue inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ (IFN-γ),interleukin-4 (IL-4),and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were detected using Luminex method. The mRNA expressions of liver tissue hepcidin gene (HAMP) and membrane iron transporter ( Fpn) were detected using real-time fluorescence PCR method. Results Dried tangerine peel and Chenpi absent Decoction both showed interactive effects in regulating hemoglobin,serum iron,serum ferritin content,improving spleen index,and regulating the mRNA expressions of HAMP,Fpn,as well as IL-1β and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,dried tangerine peel significantly increased hemoglobin,serum iron content,and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while decreasing ferritin content,spleen index,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ (P<0.05). Chenpi absent Decoction significantly increased serum iron content and Fpn mRNA expression in ZIGI model mice,while reducing spleen index,ferritin content,HAMP mRNA expression,and the levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ、IL-4 (P<0.05). Conclusion The effects of dried tangerine peel on inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) and Fpn may play a key role in the improvement effects of Yigong Powder on ACD and iron metabolism.

Objective To explore the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)on the growth and related physiological metabolism of plantlets of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu Mountain under low temperature stress,which provides a basis for its application of anti-freezing and cold resistance in the wild-imitation cultivation of T.hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu mountain.Methods Plantlets of T.hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu Mountain,which were treated with GABA under low temperature stress,were selected as research objects.The growth indicators,physiological indexes,the relative expression levels of chalcone synthase and flavonol synthase genes were measured using plant tissue culture,physiological and biochemical methods and qRT-PCR,respectively.Results Compared with the control group without GABA,the proliferation coefficient,plant height,fresh weight,dry weight,and tissue water content of the two cultivated plantlets of T.hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu Mountain("Huaiyu 1"and"Huaiyu 2")reach their maximum value when 0.5 g·L-1 GABA was added to the culture medium.Moreover,content of soluble protein(SP),soluble sugar(SS),proline(Pro),reduced glutathione(GSH),ascorbic acid(AsA),indole acetic acid(IAA),zeatin nucleoside(ZR),gibberellin(GA3),jasmonic acid(JA),the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD),ascorbic acid peroxidase(APX)and glutathione reductase(GR),and the relative expression level(RQ value)of chalcone synthase(CHS)gene were significantly increased.Moreover,relative conductivity,content of abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),malondialdehyde(MDA),rate of O2·-production,and relative expression levels(RQ value)of flavonol synthase(FLS)gene were obviously decreased.The growth of plantlets of T.hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu Mountain,which were treated with GABA under low temperature stress,was positively correlated with the contents of IAA,ZR,GA3,JA,SS,AsA,GSH,and the expression of CHS genes.Conclusion Appropriate concentration of GABA can regulate the contents of endogenous plant hormones and osmoregulation substances,antioxidant substances,and the expression of key genes in secondary metabolites,so as to promote the growth of plantlets of T.hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg from Huaiyu Mountain under low temperature stress.

Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the highest consumed and the most widely used phthalic acid ester, their effects on lipid metabolism have attracted the attention of many scholars. However, the associated mechanism is still unclear. Objective To observe the effect of DEHP on lipid metabolism in rats, probe its possible mechanism, and provide a research basis for the effect of DEHP on human lipid metabolism. Methods Forty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: solvent control (0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP), low DEHP (187 mg·kg⁻¹), medium DEHP (375 mg·kg⁻¹), and high DEHP (750 mg·kg⁻¹) groups. DEHP was administered by oral gavage for 6 d per week, consecutively 8 weeks. The rats were weighed once a week during the exposure period. At 24 h after the last exposure, the rats were anesthetized with 20% urethane and sacrificed by apical puncture. Rat livers were harvested and weighed before hematoxylin-eosin (HE) histopathological observation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA levels of lipid metabolism-related genes Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver, and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related proteins JAK3, STAT5b, and PPARγ in liver. Results Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the body weight gain of the rats in each group (P>0.05). The liver organ coefficients of the DEHP exposure groups were higher than that of the control group (P<0.001), and increased with higher DEHP dosages. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum decreased in all DEHP exposure groups (P<0.05), and the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum increased in the high DEHP group (P<0.05). The results of liver histopathological morphology showed that the hepatocytes of each DEHP group were enlarged and edematous in varying degrees, with loose stroma and irregular arrangement of cells, which were manifested as inflammatory cell infiltration and fatty degeneration of liver cells. Compared to the control group, the mRNA levels of JAK3, STAT5b, and PPARγ in liver tissues of rats in each DEHP group decreased (P<0.001). Compared to the control group, the relative expression levels of JAK3 in each DEHP group decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of STAT5b and PPARγ in the medium and high DEHP groups decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP exposure can induce abnormal lipid metabolism in rats, and the mechanism may be related to DEHP inhibiting the activation of JAK3/STAT5b/PPARγ signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the initial dose and safety of intravenous infusion of sodium (s)-2-(dithiocarboxylato((2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl) amino)-4-(methylthio) butanoate (GMDTC) for the displacement of cadmium. Methodsi) Efficacy test. The New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into model group, calcium disodium edetate (EDTA) group and GMDTC low-, medium- and high-dose groups after cadmium poisoning using 2.5 cadmium chloride dihydrate. Rabbits in EDTA group were intravenously injected with EDTA dipotassium at a dose of 93.5 mg/kg body weight, rabbits in the three doses groups were intravenously injected of GMDTC at doses of 12.0, 36.0, and 108.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rabbits in the control group (separate set) and model group were intravenously injected with equal volumes of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, administered for five consecutive days per week for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. ii) Toxicity test. Specific pathogen free SD rats were randomly divided into solvent control group and low-, medium- and high-dose groups. In the acute toxicity test, the rats in the three-dose groups were intravenously injected of GMDTC at doses of 200.0, 800.0 and 3 000.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In the long-term toxicity test, the rats in the three-dose groups were intravenously injected GMDTC at doses of 100.0, 500.0 and 2 000.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively, once a day for four consecutive weeks, with a recovery period of four weeks. The rats in the solvent control group were given an equal volume 0.9% sodium chloride solution intravenously at the same time. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) were detected. Resultsi) In the one week treatment experiment, the 24 hours urinary cadmium levels of rabbits in the three doses groups were higher than those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05). In the two weeks treatment experiment, the 24 hours urinary cadmium levels of rabbits in medium-dose and high-dose groups at the three time points were higher than those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05). In the four weeks treatment experiment, the 24 hours urinary cadmium level on the 19th day of rabbits in the low-dose group was higher than that in the model group at the same time point (P<0.05), and the 24 hours urinary cadmium levels of rabbits in medium- and high-dose groups at the five time points were higher than those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05), except for the rabbits of fifth day of the medium-dose group. The kidney cadmium levels of rabbits in the low-dose group after four week of treatment and in the medium- and high-dose groups after one, two, and four weeks of treatment decreased compared with the model group (all P<0.05). No obvious adverse effects were observed during the treatment. ii) The MTD of GMDTC in rats administered intravenously in a single dose was 3 000.0 mg/kg body weight. During the period of intravenous infuseion with GMDTC for four consecutive weeks, the blood drug level reached the peak at the end of the first and last administrations (eight min), and no clinical adverse reactions were observed during this period of time, nor was there any apparent accumulation. The NOAEL for intravenous infusion of GMDTC for four consecutive weeks in rats was 500.0 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion The initial dose of the GMDTC injection in the cadmium poisoning rabbit was 36.0 mg/kg body weight, and the recommended initial dose for human is 480.0 mg/person. Intravenous infusion of GMDTC is characterized by rapid absorption, rapid elimination, and no accumulation.

Objective In this study,the diversity of the TCR β chain CDR3 in peripheral blood of patients with different typical Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes of liver cirrhosis was analyzed by immune repertoire sequencing,the material basis and regularity of the syndromes of liver cirrhosis was discussed.Methods 20 patients with cirrhosis,including liver and gallbladder damp heat(LGHD),liver depression and spleen deficiency(LDSD),and liver and kidney yin deficiency(LKYD)were enrolled into case group,and 10 healthy patients were used as the healthy control group.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples,and multiplex PCR amplification of TCR β chain CDR3 was performed,followed by high-throughput sequencing of the products to analyze the diversity of the TCR β chain CDR3.Results The nt sequence numbers unique to CDR3 and aa sequence numbers unique to CDR3 of LDSD between liver cirrhosis syndromes were less than LKYD(P<0.05).Clonality,Pielous,Shannon.Index and DE50 of LGHD and LKYD had significant differences(P<0.05)between two groups,as well as the frequency of multiple fragments in V and J regions and V-J gene recombination of LGHD vs.LDSD,LGHD vs.LKYD,and LKYD vs.LDSD,respectively(P<0.05).LGHD vs.LDSD,TRBV21-1,TRBV12-4,TRBV11-1 subtype and 7 pairs of V-J recombination have statistical differences(P<0.05).LGHD vs.LKYD,TRBV10-2,TRBV7-6,TRBV5-8 subtypes and 30 pairs of V-J recombination were statistically different(P<0.05).LDSD vs.LKYD,there were statistical differences between TRBJ1-5 subtype and 18 pairs of V-J recombination(P<0.05).Conclusions The present study was conducted to find that the diversity of TCR CDR3 in liver cirrhosis syndrome is significantly different and conforms to the regularity of syndrome from excess to deficiency by explore the immunological characteristics of different TCM syndromes of liver cirrhosis,and to provide new support for the objective basis of"combination of disease and TCM syndrome"and"diagnosis and treatment".We explored the different expression patterns and specificity of adaptive immune gene rearrangement in patients with different TCM syndromes to identify different expression patterns and specific markers of adaptive immune gene rearrangements of typical TCM syndromes in liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To explore the sleep status and impact factor analysis of patients in clinical trials of antineoplastic drugs, and provide a basis for improving the sleep status and impact analysis of patients in clinical trials of antineoplastic drugs.Methods:From April to May 2023, 107 oncology patients in the Phase I Clinical Trial Ward of the Affiliated East Hospital of Tongji University were selected as the research objects by convenient sampling method. The general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), Numeric rating scale (NRS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Depression Self-Ration Tool Scale (PHQ-9). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis methods were used to carry out a cross-sectional investigation and the relevant factors affecting patients′sleep.Results:Totally 103 questionnaires were effectively collected. The 103 patients′ age ranged from 20 to 75 years old, including 61 males and 42 females. 47.57% (49/103) patients in clinical trials of antineoplastic drugs had abnormal sleep. The average score of patients (PSQI) (7.66 ± 3.93) was higher than the average score of the domestic norm (3.88 ± 2.52), and there was significant statistical difference ( t = 9.76, P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that pain ( OR = 3.004, 95% CI 1.135-7.948, P<0.05) and trial cycle ( OR = 0.432, 95% CI 0.191-0.978, P<0.05) were significant risk factors for abnormal sleep quality. Conclusions:The incidence of abnormal sleep quality in patients of clinical trials of antineoplastic drugs is high, but the sleep quality is poor. The factors that affect the sleep quality of patients in clinical trials of antineoplastic drugs are mainly related to the patient′s trial cycle and cancer pain. According to these characteristics, individualized programs should be developed to improve the sleep quality of patients with advanced cancer, so as to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.