1.Mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang in Intervening in Ferroptosis in Rats with Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome Based on ACSL4 Signalling Pathway
Yi LIU ; Yang YANG ; Chang SU ; Peng TIAN ; Mingyun WANG ; Ruqian ZHONG ; Xuejiao XIE ; Qing YAN ; Qinghua PENG ; Qiuyan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):27-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, sham-operation group, model group, trimetazidine group (5.4 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose group (3.51, 7.02,14.04 g·kg-1) of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome, and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted, while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed, and indicators such as electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe2+, lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ACSL4, and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 (LPCAT3) in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage, bow-back elevation of the ST segments, elevated T waves, J-point elevation, and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01). Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood (low, medium, and high rate of shear) was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken, and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles, and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased (P<0.01). The content of Fe2+, LPO, and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased (P<0.01). The content of GSH was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-, medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated, and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The differences in whole-blood viscosity (low, medium, and high rate of shear) were all significantly decreased (P<0.01). The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology, structure, and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of Fe2+, LPO, and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01), and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway, thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.
2.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Ruyi Zhenbaowan
Ming CHEN ; Jingling CHANG ; Shangquan WANG ; Gejia ZHONG ; Qiang DENG ; Hongxia CHEN ; Qien LI ; Yaming LIN ; Zujian XU ; Changkuan FU ; Yuer HU ; Yanming XIE ; Yuanyuan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):173-183
Osteoarthritis (OA) and stroke are common clinical diseases that reduce patients' quality of life and place a burden on families and society. Ruyi Zhenbaowan, a classic prescription in Tibetan medicine, have the functions of clearing heat, awakening the brain and opening orifices, relaxing tendons and promoting meridian circulation, and eliminating yellow water. Clinically, they are used to treat osteoarthritis, post-stroke sequelae, neuropathic pain, and other related conditions. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and nerve-repairing effects. However, current research remains insufficient regarding the appropriate indications, timing, and efficacy of this medicine in treating relevant diseases. To enhance clinicians' understanding of this medicine and promote its standardized and rational clinical use, a panel of national experts, including clinical specialists, Tibetan medicine practitioners, pharmacologists, and methodologists, formulated this consensus based on clinical experience and evidence-based practice. The Cochrane systematic review framework, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, and the nominal group method were employed to generate seven graded recommendations and 19 consensus-based suggestions. These recommendations clearly define the key points in the clinical application of Ruyi Zhenbaowan, including therapeutic indications, dosage and administration, treatment duration, and medication safety. The consensus specifically addresses the clinical efficacy, appropriate timing of administration, dosage strategies, treatment cycles, and combination medication strategies for treating osteoarthritis and stroke and provides an overview of safety considerations. The aim is to provide standardized guidance for hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide to ensure the rational application of Ruyi Zhenbaowan in the treatment of osteoarthritis and stroke, reduce medication-related risks, and further leverage its clinical advantages. This consensus has been approved and issued by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, with the standard number GS/CACM 369-2024.
3.Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway by Traditional Chinese Medicine to Improve Cognitive Impairment: A Review
Feifei LIU ; Yan ZHONG ; Liping CHEN ; Xiwen CHANG ; Wenbing LI ; Rong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):281-289
Cognitive impairment refers to the abnormality of the hippocampus, cortex and other parts of the brain, which is manifested by the decline of cognitive abilities such as learning, memory and attention. With the increase in people's work pressure and bad living habits, the incidence of cognitive impairment is getting higher and higher, which seriously affects people's normal life. However, there are adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal reactions and extrapyramidal reactions in Western drug treatment for cognitive impairment. Therefore, the development of a drug with relatively minimal adverse reactions is of great significance. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of "multi-component, multi-pathway and multi-target", and the incidence of adverse reactions is relatively low. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment is closely related to oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy and other processes of neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signal pathway plays an important role in the transmission of intracellular and intracellular signals, and in the regulation of cellular inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, etc. TCM monomers, TCM extracts, and TCM compounds exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and autophagy regulation effects by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to improve cognitive impairment. This review first summarized the composition and regulatory process of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and then discussed the research progress on the improvement of cognitive impairment through the improvement of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy of neurons. Finally, the recent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by TCM extracts, TCM monomers and TCM compounds to improve cognitive impairment was summarized. This study provides a theoretical basis for the future study of new TCM related to cognitive impairment.
4.Effect of long-term physical activity on executive function of children with autism spectrum disorder:a systemat-ic review
Xiaoke ZHONG ; Qi WANG ; Siqin CHANG ; Changhao JIANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(5):535-542
Objective To establish the categories and structure of physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),and systematically evaluate the long-term effect of physical activity on the executive function of children with ASD,based on the theoretical and methodological framework of the International Classification of Functioning,Disability,and Health-Children and Youth version(ICF-CY). Methods A search was conducted in databases such as Wanfang data,CNKI,PubMed,Web of Science and ProQuest,to collect literatures about long-term physical activity for executive function of children with ASD published from 2014 to 2023.The literatures were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,following PRISMA guide-lines for systematic review,and the quality of the included literatures were assessed with the Physiotherapy Evi-dence Database(PEDro)scale. Results Totally,ten articles were included,consisting of nine randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and one non-random-ized controlled trial,with a total of 351 children diagnosed as ASD,aged three to 18 years,came from Italy,Cana-da,South Korea,China and the United States,published mainly after 2016.Physical activity primarily included sports activities(such as baseball,basketball,table tennis and equine-assisted activities),skill-based activities(such as cycling,cognitive-motor training and active gaming),physical fitness activities(SPARK),as well as combat-related activities(martial arts and karate);30 to 70 minutes a time(mainly 45 minutes),one to five times a week(mainly twice a week),for two to 24 weeks(mainly twelve weeks).Long-term physical activities had been found to improve inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in children with ASD,although the effect on working memory was inconsistent. Conclusion Long-term physical activity may positively impact on executive function in children with ASD,especially inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.However,the effect on working memory need more researches.
5.Cloning and interacted protein identification of AGL12 gene from Lonicera macranthoides
Li-jun LONG ; Hui-jie ZENG ; Zhong-quan QIAO ; Xiao-ming WANG ; Chang-zhu LI ; Si-si LIU ; Ying-zi MA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1458-1466
MADS-box protein family are important transcriptional regulatory factors in plant growth and development. The
6.Risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in twin preterm infants:a multicenter study
Yu-Wei FAN ; Yi-Jia ZHANG ; He-Mei WEN ; Hong YAN ; Wei SHEN ; Yue-Qin DING ; Yun-Feng LONG ; Zhi-Gang ZHANG ; Gui-Fang LI ; Hong JIANG ; Hong-Ping RAO ; Jian-Wu QIU ; Xian WEI ; Ya-Yu ZHANG ; Ji-Bin ZENG ; Chang-Liang ZHAO ; Wei-Peng XU ; Fan WANG ; Li YUAN ; Xiu-Fang YANG ; Wei LI ; Ni-Yang LIN ; Qian CHEN ; Chang-Shun XIA ; Xin-Qi ZHONG ; Qi-Liang CUI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(6):611-618
Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.
7.Optimized expression of the diphtheria toxin mutant CRM197 in Escherichia coli and population analysis of serum antibody levels
Xiao-Li CHEN ; Yi-Xin GU ; Hai-Rui WANG ; Gui-Lan ZHOU ; Xin ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Jian-Zhong ZHANG ; Zhu-Jun SHAO ; Mao-Jun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(5):430-434
A prokaryotic expression vector for the mutant diphtheria toxin CRM197 was constructed and expressed in Esch-erichia coli cells.Anti-CRM197 antibody concentrations were detected in serum samples of healthy volunteers.The crm 197 gene was codon-optimized in E.coli and cloned into the plasmid pET28a(+)under optimized expression conditions.CRM197 was purified using Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography,and confirmed by western blot analysis.The puri-fied CRM197 was used to detect specific anti-CRM197 antibody levels in serum samples of different age groups.The results showed that soluble codon-optimized CRM197 was successfully expressed under optimized expression conditions.The purity of CRM197 was more than 95%,as determined with Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography,consistent with the single specific bands obtained by western blot analysis and detection of serum levels of the anti-CRM197 antibody.Collec-tively,these results confirmed that the proposed expression strategy achieved high-yield production of soluble CRM197,al-though high levels in human serum may affect evaluation of immune interactions with glycan-CRM197 conjugates for applica-tion as a diagnostic antigen.The diphtheria mutant toxin CRM197 is used in many conjugate vaccines.The synthetic crm 197 gene with codon optimization in pET28a was transformed into E.coli Origami B(DE3)cells.CRM197 was induced by isopro-pyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside and high level accumulation of soluble CRM197 was purified using Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography.The purity of the final prepara-tion reached 95%.CRM197 was used to detect the concentra-tions of the anti-CRM197 antibody in serum samples of healthy volunteers of different ages.The proposed expression strategy yielded high production of CRM197,which could interfere with evaluations of induced immune interactions by glycan-CRM197 conjugates and prohibit application as a diagnostic antigen.
8.Protective Effects of Astrocyte-derived Exosomes on Mitochondrial Functional Damage after Oxygen-glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation
Xiao GAO ; Zheng-Wei WANG ; Na CAI ; Zhi TANG ; Chang-Xue WU ; Xiao-Lan QI ; Zhi-Zhong GUAN ; Yan XIAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(6):827-837
Exosomes can ameliorate neuronal cell injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia,but the relation-ship between astrocyte-derived exosomes(As-exo)and mitochondrial function,mitochondrial associated ER membrane(MAM)function and whether mitochondrial autophagy is relevant is currently unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of astrocyte-derived exosomes in the regulation of mito-chondrial function,MAM and mitochondrial autophagy in PC 12 cells after oxygen and glucose depriva-tion/reoxygenation(OGD/R).Exosomes were extracted from the supernatant of the astrocyte culture me-dium by ultracentrifugation.Using the live cell imaging system,we observed that fluorescently labeled exosomes could show obvious enrichment in PC 12 cells at 24 h.Meanwhile,co-localization of exosomes with mitochondria could be observed under the laser confocal scanning microscope;mitochondrial pres-sure changes were detected using the Seahorse cellular energy metabolism fractionation instrument.The result showed that basal respiration in the OGD/R group,compared with that in the control group,proton leakage,maximal respiration and ATP-related respiration were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and all four indexes were elevated and statistically significant in the OGD/R+exo group compared with the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The results of the co-localization of the mitochondria and ER showed that the structure of the MAM was harmed by oxygen-sugar deprivation and then reoxygen-ation,and the structure of As-exo and the mitochondria appeared to have a distance-reduced polymeriza-tion phenomenon,while the mitochondria and ER co-localized.The co-localization results of mitochondri-a and ER showed that the structure of MAM was damaged by oxygen deprivation and reoxygenation,and the aggregation phenomenon of MAM was weakened by the treatment of As-exo;the flow-through results showed that As-exo could restore the decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the elevation of the ROS by oxygen deprivation to a certain degree.Western blotting showed that As-exo could signifi-cantly inhibit the mitochondrial autophagy-associated tension protein homologue induced hypothetical ki-nase 1(PTEN induced kinase 1(PINK1)and Parkin protein(parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase(Parkin))were elevated,and the addition of As-exo decreased LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ protein expression,ele-vated P62 protein expression,and reduced OGD/R-induced mitochondrial autophagy.The results showed that OGD/R treatment can cause mitochondrial dysfunction,MAM structural changes and increased mito-chondrial autophagy in PC12 cells,and As-exo treatment can improve mitochondrial function,attenuate the formation of MAM,and reduce mitochondrial autophagy in PC 12 cells,which can have the potential of preventing the reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke.
9.Neuronal Histone Methyltransferase EZH2 Regulates Neuronal Morphogenesis, Synaptic Plasticity, and Cognitive Behavior in Mice.
Mei ZHANG ; Yong ZHANG ; Qian XU ; Joshua CRAWFORD ; Cheng QIAN ; Guo-Hua WANG ; Jiang QIAN ; Xin-Zhong DONG ; Mikhail V PLETNIKOV ; Chang-Mei LIU ; Feng-Quan ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2023;39(10):1512-1532
The histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2)-mediated trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) regulates neural stem cell proliferation and fate specificity through silencing different gene sets in the central nervous system. Here, we explored the function of EZH2 in early post-mitotic neurons by generating a neuron-specific Ezh2 conditional knockout mouse line. The results showed that a lack of neuronal EZH2 led to delayed neuronal migration, more complex dendritic arborization, and increased dendritic spine density. Transcriptome analysis revealed that neuronal EZH2-regulated genes are related to neuronal morphogenesis. In particular, the gene encoding p21-activated kinase 3 (Pak3) was identified as a target gene suppressed by EZH2 and H3K27me3, and expression of the dominant negative Pak3 reversed Ezh2 knockout-induced higher dendritic spine density. Finally, the lack of neuronal EZH2 resulted in impaired memory behaviors in adult mice. Our results demonstrated that neuronal EZH2 acts to control multiple steps of neuronal morphogenesis during development, and has long-lasting effects on cognitive function in adult mice.
Animals
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Mice
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Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/metabolism*
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Histone Methyltransferases/metabolism*
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Histones/genetics*
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Morphogenesis
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Neuronal Plasticity
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Neurons/metabolism*
10. Eplerenone protects contralateral kidney tissue from obstruction in pregnant rats with chronic kidney disease
Chang XU ; Wen-Ping ZHOU ; Jie-Qi NIU ; Hong-Shuang WANG ; Meng-Juan ZHANG ; Jia-Zhi LIU ; Chang XU ; Qing-You XU ; Wen-Ping ZHOU ; Jie-Qi NIU ; Yun-Zhao XIONG ; Yan ZHONG ; Zheng WANG ; Qing-You XU ; Yun-Zhao XIONG ; Yan ZHONG ; Xiang-Ting WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Hong-Shuang WANG ; Meng-Juan ZHANG ; Jia-Zhi LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(8):1534-1540
Aim To study the protective effect of eplerenone on the contralateral kidney in pregnant rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its mechanism. Methods Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, sham-operation pregnancy group, model group and eplerenone group. The rats in the model group and eplenone group had ligation unilateral ureter, and the rats in the eplenone group were treated with 100 mg • kg

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