1.Danggui Shaoyaosan Regulates Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Xinqiao CHU ; Yaning BIAO ; Ying GU ; Meng LI ; Tiantong JIANG ; Yuan DING ; Xiaping TAO ; Shaoli WANG ; Ziheng WEI ; Zhen LIU ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):35-42
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows: control, model, Yishanfu (0.144 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.44, 4.88, and 9.76 g·kg-1, respectively) Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling, rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight and liver weight were measured, and the liver index was calculated. At the same time, serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Fe2+ in the serum and TC, TG, free fatty acids (FFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and Fe2+ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increases in the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), and decreases in the activities of SOD, GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis, iron deposition, mitochondrial shrinkage, and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group, all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.01). Furthermore, Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis, iron deposition, and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Brain Aperiodic Dynamics
Zhi-Cai HU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jiang WANG ; Gui-Ping LI ; Shan LIU ; Hai-Tao YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):99-118
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Brain’s neural activities encompass both periodic rhythmic oscillations and aperiodic neural fluctuations. Rhythmic oscillations manifest as spectral peaks of neural signals, directly reflecting the synchronized activities of neural populations and closely tied to cognitive and behavioral states. In contrast, aperiodic fluctuations exhibit a power-law decaying spectral trend, revealing the multiscale dynamics of brain neural activity. In recent years, researchers have made notable progress in studying brain aperiodic dynamics. These studies demonstrate that aperiodic activity holds significant physiological relevance, correlating with various physiological states such as external stimuli, drug induction, sleep states, and aging. Aperiodic activity serves as a reflection of the brain’s sensory capacity, consciousness level, and cognitive ability. In clinical research, the aperiodic exponent has emerged as a significant potential biomarker, capable of reflecting the progression and trends of brain diseases while being intricately intertwined with the excitation-inhibition balance of neural system. The physiological mechanisms underlying aperiodic dynamics span multiple neural scales, with activities at the levels of individual neurons, neuronal ensembles, and neural networks collectively influencing the frequency, oscillatory patterns, and spatiotemporal characteristics of aperiodic signals. Aperiodic dynamics currently boasts broad application prospects. It not only provides a novel perspective for investigating brain neural dynamics but also holds immense potential as a neural marker in neuromodulation or brain-computer interface technologies. This paper summarizes methods for extracting characteristic parameters of aperiodic activity, analyzes its physiological relevance and potential as a biomarker in brain diseases, summarizes its physiological mechanisms, and based on these findings, elaborates on the research prospects of aperiodic dynamics. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Cold and Heat in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Review
Xuejiao WANG ; Zhen SHAO ; Chao MENG ; Chunyun JIANG ; Hengwen CHEN ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):246-252
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Cold and heat belong to the eight-principal syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine, which can reflect the rise and fall of Yin and Yang in the body and the Yin and Yang nature of the disease. At present, traditional Chinese medicine has an inconsistent understanding of cold and heat in acute coronary syndrome. The emphasis on pathogenic factors of cold and heat is biased, and the elements of cold and heat syndrome are not fully reflected in the scale. Therefore, the literature has been reviewed from the perspectives of etiology, pathogenesis, symptom elements, and test signs with drugs. From the perspective of etiology, both cold evil and heat evil can increase the risk of acute coronary syndrome. It was previously believed that acute coronary syndrome occurs frequently in cold climates such as winter and spring. Based on this understanding, hot weather can also induce acute coronary syndrome, and different temperatures have different effects on patients of different ages and with different underlying diseases. In addition, artificial pathogenic factors such as excessive consumption of cold food and refrigeration air conditioners were added. From the perspective of pathogenesis, on the basis of the traditional ''asthenia in origin and asthenia in superficiality'' and ''phlegm stagnation'', it is found that Yin-cold and fire-heat can both cause paralysis of the heart chakra and pain induced by the blockage. The pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome characterized by heat stagnation and coldness featuring heartburn should be distinguished from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Moreover, the pathogenesis of Yin cold coagulation and pulse stagnation and wind obstruction are different. The acute coronary syndrome is in line with the wind characteristics of frequent changes and can be treated with wind medicine. From the perspective of syndrome elements, the syndrome elements such as cold condensation, heat accumulation, and toxicity are analyzed, and the use of basic syndrome elements and their combination forms facilitates clinical and scientific research. In addition, according to the test sign with the drug, it can be seen that the attributes of cold and heat of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for acute coronary syndrome can be explained according to the temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel, thus proving the pathogenesis of cold and heat of acute coronary syndrome. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Prognostic factor and its predictive value of patients with Wilson's disease-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Lu-Lu TANG ; Huai-Zhen CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Ting DONG ; Jun LI ; Hai-Lin JIANG ; Wen-Ming YANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(2):131-136
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the prognostic factor and its predictive value of patients with Wilson disease-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(WD-ACLF).Methods The clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as WD-ACLF admitted to the Department of Encephalopathy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 1,2017 to January 1,2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the 12-week prognosis,patients were divided into survival group(n=36)and death group(n=34).The data of the two groups were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic analysis to screen the prognostic risk factors and evaluate their predictive value.The model coefficient is omnibus tested,and the model-fitting degree is evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.ROC curve was used to analyze the prognostic value for WD-ACLF between the new model and chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment(CLIF-SOFA)score,model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh(CTP)score.Results A total of 70 WD-ACLF patients were enrolled in present study,including 36 cases in survival group[22 males and 14 females with median age of 30.0(17.3,40.0)]and 34 cases in death group[25 males and 9 females with median age of 34.0(28.8,41.0)].Univariate analysis showed that the course of disease,prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)were shorter in survival group than that in death group,the white blood cells(WBC),international normalized ratio(INR),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cre)and ceruloplasmin(CER)levels and the proportion of infection,ascites,and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were lower in survival group than those in death group,however,the proportion of infection,ascites and upper digestive bleeding in the survival group were lower than those in the death group.Meanwhile,the red blood cells(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),Na+ and total cholesterol(TC)level in the survival group were higher than those in the death group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease course(OR=1.176,95%CI 1.043-1.325),INR(OR=7.635,95%CI 1.767-32.980),TBIL(OR=1.012,95%CI 1.003-1.021),and upper gastrointestinal bleeding(OR=11.654,95%CI 1.029-131.980)were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of WD-ACLF(P<0.05).Based on the results of logistic regression analysis,a joint model for predicting the prognosis of WD-ACLF was established.The AUC of the model for evaluating the prognosis of WD-ACLF was 0.941,which was greater than the CLIF-SOFA score(AUC=0.802),MELD score(AUC=0.897),and CTP score(AUC=0.722).Conclusions The course of disease,TBIL,INR,and upper gastrointestinal bleeding are risk factors that affect the prognosis of WD-ACLF.The prognosis model established based on this can more accurately predict the prognosis of WD-ACLF patients,and its predictive value is superior to CLIF-SOFA score,MELD score,and CTP score.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Identification of chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and research on its material basis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Xue-Jun LI ; Zhi-Yan JIANG ; Zhen XIAO ; Xiu-Feng CHEN ; Shu-Min WANG ; Yi-Xing ZHANG ; Wen-Yan PU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(2):490-498
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			AIM To identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and study its material basis for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.METHODS The sample was detected by mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode on a Waters CORTECS? UPLC? T3 chromatographic column.The data were analyzed with Peakview 1.2 software and matched with the Natural Products HR-MS/MS Spectral Library 1.0 database,and the components were identified in combination with literature reports.The material basis of Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was analysed according to the identified components.RESULTS Forty chemical components were identified,including 11 flavonoids,6 monoterpene glycosides,4 triterpene saponins,3 phenolic acids,6 alkaloids etc.,which mainly derived from Radix Astragali,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Radix Scutellariae,licorice root,Ramulus Uncariae cum,etc.,baicalein,formononetin,astragaloside Ⅳ and rhynchophylline may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS can quickly identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.Flavonoids,triterpene saponins and alkaloids may be the material basis for Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,which can provide the basis for its material basis research,quality standard establishment and pharmacological study of the dismantled formula.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Feasibility and safety of a new portable endoscopic system for the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal trauma in animal models
Ting ZHANG ; Wenbin ZOU ; Chunhui JIANG ; Zhen WANG ; Liping CAI ; Zhaoshen LI ; Zhuan LIAO
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(1):25-29
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To compare the feasibility and safety of a new portable endoscopic system and the conventional endoscopic system for the detection and emergency treatment of abdominal trauma in animal models.Methods:Three healthy Bama pigs, which were fasted and water deprivation for 8 h before surgery and then underwent induction anesthesia. A layer-by-layer incision was made into the abdominal cavity of Bama pigs. An artificial pneumoperitoneum was established using a laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum machine. A bullet model was inserted into the abdominal cavity to build the bullet wound model. After the bullet model was removed, a shrapnel model was inserted into the mid-abdomen to build the shrapnel wound model. The two types of endoscopic system were used to detect, remove bullet model or shrapnel model of the three Bama pigs respectively. The procedure order of the two systems was assigned according to the random number table method. The surgical success, operation time, endoscopy pipeline patency, endoscopic operation satisfaction, adverse events and equipment defects were recorded.Results:Three surgeries were performed using the new portable endoscopic system and three other surgeries using the conventional endoscopic system, all of which were successful. The time of the new portable endoscopic system to find and remove the bullet model, and the shrapnel model were 232.33±11.68 s, 300.33±57.70 s, 170.00±44.44 s and 52.67±2.52 s, respectively. The corresponding time of the conventional endoscopic system were 232.67±21.20 s ( t=-0.054, P=0.962), 256.67±67.00 s ( t=0.880, P=0.472), 176.00±52.42 s ( t=-0.111, P=0.922), 58.67±14.84 s ( t=-0.832, P=0.493), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two systems ( P>0.05). The endoscopy tubes of the two endoscopic systems were both smooth. The operator was satisfied with the endoscopic procedures of both endoscopic systems, and no adverse event or device defect occurred. Conclusion:The portable endoscopic system proves to be safe and feasible for the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal trauma in animal models.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Impact of serum vitamin A levels on all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients:a prospective study
Zhuo LI ; Baoyuan JIANG ; Yu OUYANG ; Yaxin XIANG ; Zhen YANG ; Lianying GUO
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(6):575-581
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the impact of serum vitamin A levels on all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients.Methods:Diabetes patients aged 20 years and above who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 were enrolled as the study population,with death data up to 2019 as the endpoint.Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to calculate the hazard ratios of all-cause mortality in diabetes patients with different serum vitamin A levels,both unadjusted and adjusted for confounders.Restricted cubic spline methods were used to analyze the dose-response relationship between serum vitamin A levels and all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients.Results:A total of 484 diabetes patients were included,with a median follow-up period of 13.7 years,during which 211 deaths occurred.Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that compared to the lowest quartile of serum vitamin A,higher quartiles of serum vitamin A were not associated with all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients without adjusting for confounders.However,after adjusting for confounders,higher quartiles of serum vitamin A significantly reduced the all-cause mortality risk.The dose-response analysis indicated a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality in diabetes patients with lower serum vitamin A levels.As the vitamin A levels increased,the mortality risk gradually decreased.A significant reduction in all-cause mortality risk was observed when serum vitamin A levels were between 2.17 and 2.50 μmol/L.Beyond this range,there was a tendency for increased all-cause mortality risk with further increases in vitamin A levels.Conclusion:Lower serum vitamin A levels increase the all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients,while moderate serum vitamin A levels help reduce the all-cause mortality risk in diabetes patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of microsecretory adenocarcinoma in salivary gland
Jingjing SUN ; Ying ZHANG ; Min WANG ; Ronghui XIA ; Zhen TIAN ; Jiang LI
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(10):1005-1010
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic characteristics of microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) of the salivary gland, and to improve the understanding of this rare tumor.Methods:Cases originally diagnosed as MSA at the Department of Oral Pathology, the Ninth People′s Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were retrospectively collected. The cases of polymorphous adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified from January 2000 to January 2020 were reviewed to identify potential misdiagnosed MSA cases. Clinicopathological analysis and follow-up of all confirmed MSA cases were performed, and relevant literature was reviewed.Results:A total of 4 MSA cases were identified, including 2 screened from the polymorphous adenocarcinoma cohort. Of the 4 MSA patients, 3 were male and 1 was female, with an average age of 53 years (range, 37-67 years). Three cases occurred in the palate, and one in the buccal region. The clinical manifestation was usually a slow-growing painless mass. Tumors were generally small, with a maximum diameter ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 cm (average, 1.2 cm). Microscopically, the tumor was unencapsulated and showed an infiltrative growth pattern. The tumor cells appeared small in size and showed bland, cubic and flattened cytological features, forming microcystic lumens and glandular tubes. Significant basophilic secretions were seen in the lumens. Between the tumor nests there was fibro-myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed diffusely or partially positive staining for cytokeratin 7, S-100, SOX-10, p63 and vimentin and negative staining for p40, mammaglobin, and calponin. The proliferation index of Ki-67 was relatively low (1%-3%). Four MSA cases all harbored SS18 gene rearrangement as shown by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), including 2 cases with MEF2C::SS18 fusion gene through RNA-targeted next generation sequencing. All 4 patients underwent surgical resection without any adjuvant treatments. Three patients were followed up for a period of 2 to 203 months. No tumor recurrence, metastasis, or disease-related death was found.Conclusions:Salivary gland MSA is a novel and rare low-grade carcinoma with unique and consistent histological morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular changes. Immunohistochemical staining and SS18 break apart FISH are useful for the diagnosis of the tumor with atypical morphology and high-grade transformation.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.miR-4645-5p regulates malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells by targeting MUC16
Zhen ZHOU ; Linna JIANG ; Peng HE ; Feng YIN ; Ping WEI ; Xin AN ; Xianghong LI
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(1):54-59
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA(miR)-4645-5p on the proliferation,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of esophageal cancer cells by targeting mucin 16(MUC16)and its mo-lecular mechanism.Methods The expression of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer tissues was analyzed online by TCGA database.The expression level of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer cell lines was analyzed by fluo-rescent real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).KYSE-30 cells were transfected with miR-4645-5p mimic and negative control mimic by lipofection technology,and were divided into miR-4645-5p group and control mimic group.The proliferation ability,migration ability and invasion ability of transfected KYSE-30 cells were analyzed by CCK-8 method,scratch test and Transwell test respectively.The target gene of miR-4645-5p was predicted by the bioinformatics website,and the binding of miR-4645-5p to the target gene was detected by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.The expression level of MUC16 mR-NA was detected by qPCR,and the protein expression levels of MUC16,transcription factor-1(ZEB-1),zonal atresia protein(ZO-1),tight junction protein-1(Claudin-1)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were detected by Western blotting.Results The expression level of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer tissues was signifi-cantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.01).Compared with HET-1 A,the expression of miR-4645-5p was lower in esophageal cancer cell lines(P<0.05).After overexpression of miR-4645-5p,the proliferation a-bility of KYSE-30 cells was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the migration ability was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the invasion ability was significantly reduced(P<0.01).miR-4645-5p targeted and negatively regulated the expression of MUC16 mRNA(P<0.01).After overexpression of miR-4645-5p,the protein ex-pression levels of MUC16,ZEB-1 and α-SMA were all down-regulated,and the protein expression levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 were up-regulated.Conclusion miR-4645-5p regulates the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer KYSE-30 cells by targeting MUC16.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Preparation of Phenolic Acid-sodium Hyaluronate Copolymers and in vitro Antioxidant Activity Assessment
Xiao-Yue ZHANG ; Xiao-Na WANG ; Min JIANG ; Ting-Ting HAN ; Jin-Song GONG ; Qing-Na LI ; Su-Zhen YANG ; Jin-Song SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(8):1950-1962
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveSodium hyaluronate (HA) was used as the research object to modify it with phenolic acid in order to obtain the molecular structure with better antioxidant activity or even new activity. MethodsIn this study, 5 kinds of phenolic acid-sodium hyaluronate was prepared by free radical-mediated grafting method, and the grafts with the highest grafting degree were selected to optimize the synthesis conditions. Then, grafts structure and physicochemical properties were analyzed. The grafts were characterized by IR, UV, 1H NMR, FESEM and TGA spectra. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of grafts was determined by the scavenging ability of DPPH·, ABTS+· and O2-·. ResultsAmong 5 kinds of phenolic acid-sodium hyaluronate, the grafting rate of ferulic acid-sodium hyaluronate copolymer (FA-HA) was highest , which was chosen as experimental sample in the following tests. Firstly, the reaction conditions were investigated and the highest grafting rate was (16.59±0.31) mg/g at the optimal preparation conditions. Then, FA-HA structure and physicochemical properties were analyzed. Data from UV, IR, 1H NMR analyses, TGA showed that FA were successfully grafted to HA. Compared with HA, the results of gel permeation chrematography (GPC) showed that the molecular mass distribution ofFA-HA copolymer decreased from 34.4 to 31.5 ku, but the uniformity of molecular distribution was improved. FESEM results showed that the structure of copolymer exhibited a closely connected lamellar structure with a relatively smooth surface. TGA results showed that thermal stability of FA-HA had a little decline. The antioxidant performance in vitro results showed that, during 0.25-10 g/L, FA-HA can eliminate (83.76±4.86)% DPPH·, (76.95±5.06)% ABTS+· and (83.08±2.51)% O2-· respectively at 10 g/L. which were higher than that of native HA and FA. ConclusionFA and HA were successfully grafted together by free radical grafting, and the grafted FA-HA had better antioxidant activity in vitro, which provided a theoretical basis for further research and development of phenolic acid-HA grafts. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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