1.Mechanism of Inducing Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Shugan Quyu Jiedu Prescription Based on p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 Pathway
Xiaojun CAI ; Renyi YANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Yilin GONG ; Ke WANG ; Lizhu LIN ; Chong ZHONG ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):74-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Shugan Quyu Jiedu prescription (SGQYJDF) on inducing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells based on the tumor protein 53 (p53)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MethodMHCC97H cells were divided into the blank serum group (10% blank serum medium), SGQYJDF-containing serum low concentration group (5% SGQYJDF-containing serum and 5% blank serum medium), SGQYJDF-containing serum medium concentration group (7.5% SGQYJDF-containing serum and 2.5% blank serum medium), SGQYJDF-containing serum high concentration group (10% SGQYJDF-containing serum medium) and sorafenib group (sorafenib concentration of 10 μmol·L-1 in 10% blank serum medium). After 24 hours of intervention, the cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The cell proliferation ability was detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. The intracellular ferrous ion (Fe2+) level was detected by ferrous ion fluorescent probe (FerroOrange) staining. The intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were detected by colorimetric assays. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins p53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected by Western blot. ResultIn terms of cell viability, compared with the blank serum group, the SGQYJDF group showed a dose-dependent decrease in the survival rate of MHCC97H cells. Effect of the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF on the survival rate of MHCC97H cells were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Additionally, the results of the EdU assay showed that both the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to inhibit the proliferation ability of MHCC97H cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). Regarding the biochemical indicators of ferroptosis, compared to the blank serum group, the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to dose-dependently increase the intracellular Fe2+ level (P<0.01). The low, medium, and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to dose-dependently decrease the level of GSH in MHCC97H cells (P<0.01) and increase the level of MDA in the cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of pathway-related protein expression, compared to the blank serum group, the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF could significantly increase the expression of p53 (P<0.01). The low, medium, and high concentrations of SGQYJDF could significantly decrease the expression of GPX4 (P<0.01). The high concentration of SGQYJDF could decrease the expression of SLC7A11 (P<0.01). In terms of the cell morphology of ferroptosis, compared with the blank serum group, transmission electron microscopy revealed that the low concentration of SGQYJDF caused mitochondrial deformation, while the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF resulted in reduced mitochondrial volume, increased double-layer membrane density, and decreased mitochondrial cristae. These features were similar to those of sorafenib-induced ferroptosis. Furthermore, compared with the sorafenib group, the high concentration of SGQYJDF showed no statistically significant differences in cell survival rate, proliferation ability, Fe2+ level, MDA level, and GSH level. ConclusionThe results suggest that SGQYJDF may induce ferroptosis and inhibit proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97H cells by upregulating the expression of p53, suppressing the expressions of GPX4 and SLC7A11, downregulating the level of GSH, and leading to the accumulation of intracellular Fe2+ and MDA.
3.CBCT follow-up study on alveolar bone remodeling in the anterior teeth area of adolescent patients with anterior arch protrusion after tooth extraction correction
Jueyao XIA ; Zanzan ZHANG ; Chong ZHONG ; Jing JIN ; Fengyang YU ; Jianan ZHANG ; Qunzhi FANG ; Haiping LU
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(6):799-804
Objective:To study the alveolar bone remodeling of maxillary anterior teeth after extraction treatment and 2-year recovery period in adolescent patients with maxillary anterior arch protrusion.Methods:15 adolescent patients with maxillary anterior arch protru-sion were included,2 maxillary first premolars were extracted and implant anchorage combined with sliding method were used to close the extraction gap.CBCT images were taken before treatment(T0),after treatment(T1)and 2 years of recorvery period(T2),respectively.After multi-plane reconstruction with Dophin Imaging,the alveolar bone area(ABA)changes of maxillary central incisor,lateral incisor and canine at cementoenamel junction(CEJ-3 mm),root neck,central part,and root tip were measured and recorded as TAC,TA1,TA2 and TA3 respectively.The labial palatal alveolar crest to CEJ bone height(BH)of each tooth was recorded as BCL,BCP respectively.The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS statistics 25.0.Results:In T0-T2 phase,TA1 of each tooth was reduced.In T0-T1 phase,the horizontal adsorption of teeth was significantly correlated with ΔBCP,followed by ΔTA3.In T0-T2 phase,ΔBCP,ΔTA2,ΔTA3 and the horizontal adsorption of teeth showed low negative correlation.In T0-T1 phase,the vertical reduction of teeth was significantly positively correlated with ΔTAC,followed by low correlation with ΔTA3 and ΔTA1.Conclusion:In the treatment of anterior arch protrusion after extraction correction in adolescent patients the more the vertical reduction and horizontal adsorption of teeth in the treatment phase,the more the alveolar bone thickness and height around the tooth root in the maintenance phase,which were significantly positively correlated.Reasonable control of the vertical move-ment of teeth in the alveolar bone can improve the periodontal condition around the teeth to a certain extent.
4.Decoction for soothing liver and removing stasis and toxicity inhibits he-patocellular carcinoma proliferation in nude mice by inducing ferropto-sis via p53 pathway
Jing LI ; Xiaojun CAI ; Renyi YANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Shujing ZHU ; Ying QU ; Chong ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2023;39(12):2176-2184
AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of the"decoction for soothing liver and removing stasis and toxicity(SGQYJDF)"on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)proliferation in nude mice by inducing ferroptosis via the tumor protein 53(p53)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11/xCT)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)pathway.METHODS:An ectopic subcutaneous tumor model was established by injecting SK-Hep-1 cells subcutaneously into the right axilla of nude mice.Upon formation of tumor,the mice were randomly divided into five groups(i.e.,control group,low-,medium-and high-dose SGQYJDF groups and medium-dose SGQYJDF plus Sorafenib group).Each group of mice was orally administered with the corresponding therapy for 14 consecutive days,during which the tumor size was observed regularly.At the end of treatment,the tumor growth inhibition rate was calculated based on tumor mass,and histopatho-logical changes were observed by HE staining.Then,the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)and fer-rous ions(Fe2+)were detected by colorimetric assays.The expression of the proliferation markers Ki-67 and GPX4 was de-tected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The expression of p53 and xCT was detected by Immunofluorescence(IF).And the expression of p53,xCT and GPX4 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:(1)SGQYJDF was found to dose-de-pendently decrease tumor volume(P<0.01)and inhibit tumor mass growth(P<0.01),and meanwhile,reduce the per-centage of Ki-67-positive cells(P<0.01)and their proliferation ability in tumor tissues,as compared to the control group.(2)In terms of Ferroptosis-related indicators,SGQYJDF was found to dose-dependently increase the levels of Fe2+ and MDA but decrease the level of GSH in tumor tissues(P<0.01),as compared to the control group.(3)In terms of protein expression,SGQYJDF was found to dose-dependently upregulate the expression of p53(P<0.05)but inhibit the expres-sion of xCT(P<0.05)and GPX4(P<0.01).Notably,medium-dose SGQYJDF plus sorafenib showed a stronger effect than high-dose SGQYJDF.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that SGQYJDF can induce Ferroptosis to inhibit the proliferation of subcutaneously transplanted tumor tissues in nude mice by upregulating the expression of p53,and inhibit-ing the expression of xCT and GPX4.
5.Identification of Inflammation-related Molecular Targets and Construction of Prognostic Models for Pien Tze Huang in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Biometric Analysis and Network Pharmacology
ZHANG Zexin ; CHEN Xujing ; WU Wenfeng ; GAO Chaoxin ; WANG Yongchen ; ZHONG Chong ; LI Jing
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2023;40(21):2052-2963
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the inflammation-related molecular targets of Pien Tze Huang in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and to preliminary explore its mechanism. METHODS Obtain the ingredients and targets of Pien Tze Huang through TCMSP and BATMAN databases. Obtain the disease targets of hepatocellular carcinoma through Genecards, OMIM and TCGA databases. Take the intersection of compound targets and disease targets to get Pien Tze Huang’s target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Obtain the related genes of inflammation pathway from the GSEA database, and then analyze the correlation between Pien Tze Huang’s therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma and inflammation-related genes to screen out inflammation-related targets, and explore the mechanism through GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Then, single-factor cox analysis and LASSO regression were performed to construct related prognostic models. The 10 core targets were screened out through the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The model gene and the core target were intersected. The core compounds were screened out through the drug-compound-target network. Perform molecular docking verification between the core compound and the target. Construct a nomogram to assess the prognosis of patients. RESULTS Obtained 162 Pien Tze Huang targets, 522 hepatocellular carcinoma targets, 20 Pien Tze Huang therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, and 16 inflammation-related targets. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG showed that their effects were mainly through biological functions such as monooxygenase activity, oxidoreductase activity, and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation. The ROC curve of the prognosis model calculated AUC as 0.780 in 1 year, 0.688 in 3 years, and 0.642 in 5 years, indicating that the model was reliable. The prognostic model intersects with the core target of PPI to get 5 targets: PON1, IGF2, NQO1, CCNB1 and IGFBP3. The nomogram was constructed using CCNB1, NQO1, and T staging, and its c-index was 0.726, indicating the reliability of the model. The drug-compound-target network suggested that quercetin was the core compound and targets the above two genes. CONCLUSION Pien Tze Huang’s treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma mainly uses quercetin to target CCNB1 and NQO1 to exert anti-inflammatory effects, and its prognostic model can be used to predict the survival of patients.
6.Mechanism of Erzhiwan on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology
Zhi-qiang CHEN ; Yi CHEN ; Zhe-xing MAI ; Zhi-hua YANG ; Chong ZHONG ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2020;26(3):166-174
Objective::To explore the possible mechanisms of Erzhiwan in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the network pharmacology. Method::The candidate active components and targets of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba were obtained through retrieval of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) systems pharmacology database (TCMSP) and literatures. Through Uniprot database and the human genome database (GeneCards), the overlapping genes of Erzhiwan and hepatocellular carcinoma were collected. The " candidate active components-targets" network of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba was built with Cytoscape 3.6.0 software. Drug target proteins and disease targets were mapped, and Venn map was drawn by Omicshare database. Major targets interaction network was formed by using String database and " Generate style from statistics" tool in Cytoscape 3.6.0 software. Molecular docking with active components was carried out by Systems Dock Web Site. The Gene Ontology (GO) classification enrichment analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for the targets were carried out in DAVID database. Result::Totally 21 active components, including beta-sitosterol, quercetin, luteolin, demethylwedelolactone, kaempferol, and 151 targets, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),
7.Transmission electron microscopic observation on gonad of Oncomelania hupensis offspring bred in Weishan Lake areas
Feng MIAO ; Zhong-Dao WU ; Jin-Lang WU ; Shi-Jun SHI ; Xin ZENG ; Jing WANG ; Hao-Yun YAN ; Chong-Xing ZHANG ; Xin LIU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2020;32(2):195-197
Objective To observe the morphological changes in the testes and ovaries of adult 12th-generation Oncomelania hupensis bred for 12 winters in Weishan Lake areas. Methods The offspring of the adult O. hupensis snails bred in the Weishan Lake that were originated from the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River was defined as the experiment group, while uninfected, adult O. hupensis snails captured from the marshland of the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River served as the control group. Snails were dissected and intact testicular and ovarian specimens were sampled, routinely fixed, dehydrated, embedded, polymerized in an oven and sliced on an ultramicrotome. The sections were visualized under a transmission electron microscope, and the ultrastructure of the snail gonad was compared between the experiment and control groups. Results Transmission electron microscopy showed “9 + 2” microtubules on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails in the control group, with triangular acrosomes and spiral, dense nuclei seen in the tip, while in the experiment group, the “9 + 2” microtubules disappeared on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails, with low chromatin density found in the tip. Transmission electron microscopy revealed clear nucleolus and nuclear membranes in the ova of female snail ovaries, and displayed yolk body, liposomes and endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, bilayer twists of nuclear membrane and a uniform nucleolus in the control group, while in the experiment group, smooth nuclear membrane and unclear nucleolus were observed in the ova of female snail ovaries, with few contents seen within cells. Conclusions Following breeding for 12 winters in the Weishan Lake, the 12th-generation O. hupensis snails fail to fully adapt to the natural environment in northern China, and the remarkable changes in the ultrastructure of the snail gonad may be a cause of gradual decline and even extinction of O. hupensis in the Weishan Lake areas.
8.Mechanism of action of Sini powder in treatment of liver cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Jing LI ; Jiahao MO ; Hongbin XU ; Junxia ZHU ; Peiyu SHI ; Wanli XING ; Chong ZHONG ; Lizhu LIN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2020;36(9):1998-2004
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Sini powder in the treatment of liver cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsTraditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to obtain the compound and target of Sini powder, and the corresponding gene Symbol was obtained through Uniprot. The disease genes of liver cancer were obtained from Human Genome Database, and the genes with intersection with the target genes of Sini powder were screened out. Cytoscape3.7.1 software was used to draw the map of “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-compound-target” network. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, R studio software was used to conduct gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses on therapeutic targets, and then the results were visualized. The active component with the highest number of targets was selected as the ligand, and the target with the highest degree in the PPI network was selected as the receptor, so as to predict the structure of receptor-ligand complex and the amino acid residues that bind to each other. ResultsIn this study, 91 core targets and 141 relevant active components of Sini powder were screened out, among which quercetin and kaempferol were the main active components in the treatment of liver cancer. TP53 and HSP90AA1 were the main therapeutic targets. The GO enrichment analysis obtained 1007 items which met the screening criteria, which were mainly involved in the biological processes of antioxidation reaction, activity regulation of protein serine and threonine kinase, and cellular stress response. The KEGG enrichment analysis obtained 102 pathways, which mainly regulated the hepatitis B pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. The results of molecular docking showed a synergistic antitumor effect between the crystal structure domains VAL147, CYS220, GLU221, and PRO222 of quercetin-TP53. ConclusionThis study reveals the mechanism of action of Sini powder in the treatment of liver cancer by acting on multiple targets and signaling pathways, which provides a theoretical basis for biological experiments.
9.Real-world effectiveness and safety of OBT/PTV/r and dasabuvir for patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection in China:A multicenter prospective observational study
Jie YUSHENG ; Lin CHAOSHUANG ; Yuan JING ; Zhao ZHIXIN ; Guan YUJUAN ; Zhou YUANPING ; Zhou XIAOHUI ; Zhong BIHUI ; Ye YINONG ; Zhang LIHUA ; Tao LING ; Li JIANPING ; Zhang XIAOHONG ; Chong YUTIAN
Liver Research 2020;4(3):153-158
Background and aim:Real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of treatment with the direct-acting antiviral agent-based regimen are limited on the Chinese mainland.The aim of this study was to conduct a multicenter,prospective,real-world study of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir(OBT/PTV/r)combined with dasabuvir(DSV)in hepatitis C virus(HCV)genotype 1b-infected non-cirrhotic or compensated cirrhotic Chinese adult patients. Materials and methods:Genotype 1b-infected patients were enrolled at eight sites in China.Patients received 25/150/100 mg of OBT/PTV/r once daily combined with 250 mg of DSV twice daily for 8 weeks or 12 weeks.Sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment(SVR12)and the incidence of adverse events were assessed.We have also evaluated the effect of intensive questioning of patients who were overdue for SVR12 testing.Intention-to-treat(1TT)and modified 1TT(mITT)populations were used in the analysis. Results:One hundred forty patients were included,among whom 90.0%(126/140)were newly diag-nosed,9.3%(13/140)had compensated cirrhosis,92.9%(130/140)received 12 weeks of treatment,and 7.1%(10/140)received 8 weeks of treatment.In the mITT population,the virological response rate at week 4 was 96.4%(108/112),and at the end of treatment was 100%(102/102).Among these patients,139 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment,and 73 patients were followed-up.All followed-up patients achieved SVR12.There was no adverse event-related discontinuation.Serious adverse events during treatment were reported in two(1.4%)patients,and none were considered to be drug-related.Sixty-six(47.1%)patients did not return to receive the HCV RNA test at 12 weeks post-treatment. Conclusions:The rate of SVR12 was consistent with Phase Ⅲ clinical studies.OBT/PTV/r combined with DSV showed effectiveness in Chinese adult patients,and both tolerability and safety profile were favorable.However,patient compliance should be further improved in the real world.
10. Effect of Chaibei Zhixian Decoction and Its Absorption Component Peimine on Content of Carbamazepine in Rat Brain and Investigation of Its Mechanism
Chong-chong LIU ; Jiang-yan SUN ; Xiao-ke DONG ; Kai-yue WANG ; Zhong-hao LI ; Jing WU ; Li-li LI ; Jin-min LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2019;25(19):32-38
Objective:To observe the effect of Chaibei Zhixian decoction and peimine on Carbamazepine (CBZ) concentration, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multi drug resistance 1(MDR1) expression in the brain tissues of rats with refractory epilepsy, and to understand the contribution of Peimine in the compound prescription to treat the refractory epilepsy. Method:Epilepsy rat models were established by injecting kainic acid (KA) in the lateral ventricle. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, CBZ group(0.12 g·kg-1),Chaibei Zhixian decoction+CBZ group(8.39 g·kg-1+0.12 g·kg-1), peimine+CBZ group(0.01 g·kg-1+0.12 g·kg-1) and sham operation group. After 60 days of intervention, the expression levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and MDR1b mRNA in the brain cortex were detected by Western blot and quantitative real\|time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR),the contents of CBZ and 10,11-epoxidation of carbamazepine (CBZE) were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Result:Compared with sham group, the expression of P-gp/MDR1 in the cortex of model group was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01).Compared with model group, the P-gp/MDR1 level in CBZ group was increased.The expression of P-gp/MDR1 in the cortex of Chaibei Zhixian decoction+CBZ group and peimine+CBZ group was reduced. Compared with CBZ group, The expression of P-gp/MDR1 was significantly decreased in the cortex of Chaibei Zhixian decoction+CBZ group and peimine+CBZ group (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the content of CBZ and CBZE in the brain of peimine+CBZ group was significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the content of CBZE in the brain of the Chaibei Zhixian decoction+CBZ group was significantly increased (P<0.05).Compared with the Chaibei Zhixian decoction+CBZ group,the content of CBZ and CBZE in the brain of the peimine+CBZ group was increased in rats, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion:Chaibei Zhixian decoction and peimine may increase the content of CBZ and CBZE in the brain tissues in rats with intractable epilepsy by reducing the expression of MDR1/P-gp in the cortex.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail