1.Scientific basis for acupuncture combined with neural stem cells for repairing spinal cord injury
Xiaomeng HUANG ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4111-4121
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.
2.The Effect of Mitochondrial Damage in Chondrocytes on Osteoarthritis
Zhen-Wei LI ; Jing-Yu HOU ; Yu-Ze LIN ; Zhi-Qi ZHANG ; Shang-Yi LIU ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Kang-Quan SHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1576-1588
The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is related to a variety of factors such as mechanical overload, metabolic dysfunction, aging, etc., and is a group of total joint diseases characterized by intra-articular chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage fibrillations, synovial inflammation, and osteophyte formation. At present, the treatment methods for osteoarthritis include glucosamine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, etc., which are difficult to take effect in a short period of time and require long-term treatment, so the patients struggle to adhere to doctor’s advice. Some methods can only provide temporary relief without chondrocyte protection, and some even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal disease. In the advanced stages of OA, patients often have to undergo joint replacement surgery due to pain and joint dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of OA. It is possible to improve mitochondrial biogenesis, quality control, autophagy balance, and oxidative stress levels, thereby exerting a protective effect on chondrocytes in OA. Therefore, compared to traditional treatments, improving mitochondrial function may be a potential treatment for OA. Here, we collected relevant literature on mitochondrial research in OA in recent years, summarized the potential pathogenic factors that affect the development of OA through mitochondrial pathways, and elaborated on relevant treatment methods, in order to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for the research field of osteoarthritis.
3.Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for pyroptosis after spinal cord injury
Wenya SHANG ; Yafeng REN ; Bing LI ; Huilin WEI ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Xiaomeng HUANG ; Jing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(11):1772-1779
BACKGROUND:Cell death and neuroinflammation are two important targets in the treatment of spinal cord injury.Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death closely related to neuroinflammation and targeted inhibition of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury is a promising therapeutic strategy. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the molecular mechanism,positive and negative regulatory factors and therapeutic strategies of pyroptosis in spinal cord injury. METHODS:The search terms were"spinal cord injury,pyroptosis,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase,Gasdermin D(GSDMD),IL-1β,IL-18"and 93 English literatures included in PubMed and Web of Science were finally selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As a newly discovered programmed cell death,pyroptosis has been shown to play an important role in the secondary injury stage after spinal cord injury.Among the regulatory factors of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury,CD73,NRF2,GDF-11,dopamine,FANCC and miR-423-5P could inhibit pyroptosis,while TLR4 and Aopps could promote pyroptosis.In terms of treatment,the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine(paeonol,tripterine,betulinic acid,piperine,kaempferol,and camptothecin),exosomes of various cell origins,and some drugs(metformin,topotecan,lithium,zinc,and carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 3)can effectively inhibit pyroptosis and reduce secondary spinal cord injury,but the toxicity and specific dose of these drugs need to be further studied.The specific molecular mechanism by which pyroptosis aggravates spinal cord injury is still poorly understood.The role of non-classical pathways and other inflammasomes is worth further exploration.At present,the research on pyroptosis after spinal cord injury only stays at the animal experiment stage.There are no related clinical studies and no approved targeted therapeutic drugs.(6)The application of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury has great potential,and its specific regulatory mechanism should be further studied in the future to provide a new target for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
4.Development of the Family-School-Community Cooperation Dilemma Scale for Nutritional Education in Primary School Students and its reliability and validity
LUO Caifeng,WU Jing,XU Jianou,L Fei,SUN Jiaxuan,SHANG Bin,ZHANG Xuting
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):775-779
Objective:
To develop the Family-School-Community Cooperation Dilemma Scale for Nutritional Education in Primary Schools Students, and to determine its reliability and validity, in order to provide a basis for developing targeted strategies to promote family-school-community cooperation in the area of nutritional education.
Methods:
Based on overlapping spheres of influence theory, the initial scale was developed through a qualitative and literature review, discussion with Delphi experts and a pilot survey from July 2022 to July 2023. From July to September 2023, a total of 125 primary school parents, 118 primary school teachers and 113 community personnel were selected from six cities in Jiangsu Province by convenient sampling methods, who were investigated to test the reliability and validity of the scale and to develop a formal scale.
Results:
The final Family-School-Community Cooperation Dilemma Scale for Nutritional Education in Primary School students consisted of 3 dimensions and 19 items. The exploratory analysis extracted three metric factors, with a contribution ratio of 69.07% to the accumulated variance. The mean scale component effectiveness was 0.94, and the coefficient of association between the respective dimensions and the scale ranged from 0.80 to 0.91.The overall Cronbach α coefficient for the scale was 0.95, the folded half reliability was 0.87, and the retest reliability was 0.98.
Conclusion
The Family-School-Community Cooperation Dilemma Scale for Nutritional Education in Primary School Students has good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure the degree of the family-school-community cooperation dilemma regarding nutritional education in primary school students.
5.Effect of Qianyang Yuyin Granules on Mesenchymal Transdifferentiation of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Induced by TGF-β1
Xue KONG ; Guoshun HUANG ; Xueling HAN ; Jinbo ZHANG ; Jing DAI ; Mengnan SHANG ; Chong ZOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):56-63
ObjectiveBy observing the effect of Qianyang Yuyin granules on the phenotype of renal tubule epithelial cells, the intervention of Qianyang Yuyin granule on renal interstitial fibrosis was investigated. MethodThe renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were treated with different concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 μg·L-1) for 24 hours, and cell morphology and growth state were observed with an inverted phase contrast microscope. The 20 μg·L-1 was selected as the most appropriate concentration of TGF-β1 according to Western blot results for subsequent experiments. HK-2 cells were divided into six groups: blank group, TGF-β1 group (concentration of 20 μg·L-1), low, medium, and high dose Qianyang Yuyin granule groups (concentration of 0.5, 1, 2 g·L-1), and valsartan group (1 × 10-5 mol·L-1). The cell activity was measured by cell proliferation and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The cell migration ability was detected by scratch test. The Transwell method was used to detect the invasiveness of cells. Western blot was used to detect levels of fibronectin (FN), E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle activator (α-SMA), Vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ), collagen type Ⅳ(Col Ⅳ), and other related proteins. ResultTGF-β1 stimulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal tubular epithelial cells was time- and concentration-dependent. Compared with the blank group, higher concentration in the TGF-β1 group indicates longer intervention time and more obvious long spindle change of cells, and the migration and invasion ability of the cells was significantly enhanced. The protein expression level of FN, α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅳ increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression level of E-cadherin protein decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the TGF-β1 group, Qianyang Yuyin granule groups could maintain normal cell morphology, and the migration and invasion ability of the cells was inhibited. The protein expression level of FN, α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅳ decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of E-cadherin protein was significantly restored (P<0.05). ConclusionQianyang Yuyin granule can reverse TGF-β1-induced interstitial transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells by reducing the phenotypic expression of mesenchymal cells and increasing the phenotypic expression of epithelial cells.
6.The effects of linoleic acid on intestinal flora in mice were analyzed based on 16sRNA sequencing
Zongheng LI ; Xuefang ZHANG ; Yanhua CHEN ; Jing SHANG ; Ying LUO ; Peihao YIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(7):1116-1122
Objective To investigate the effects of linoleic acid(LA)on the diversity and structure of intestinal flora in mice.Methods Twelve SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice at 7 weeks were randomly divided into control group(CTRL group)and linoleic acid group(LA group).One day before the linoleic acid diet was supplemented,the normal food was removed from the LA group and the mice in the LA group were fasted for one night,so that the LA diet was more acceptable to the mice in the LA group,and LA was given on the day of the experiment recording,and the feed was updated at any time to ensure that the mice could eat freely until the end of modeling.After 12 weeks of modeling,mouse feces were collected,and mixed samples were collected for every two mice feces,and then 16sRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze intestinal flora structure,Alpha and Beta diversity.Results 16sRNA high-throughput sequencing showed that LA intervention damaged the richness and diversity of intestinal flora.The results of principal component analysis showed that the composition of flora in CTRL group was different from that in LA group.At gate level,the relative abundance of Actinobacteria in LA group increased(P<0.01).At the genus level,the relative abundance of L.Duchennei in the LA group decreased(P<0.05),but the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium,Faecalibaculum and Erysipelotrichaceae in the LA group increased(all P<0.01).Conclusion LA intervention could reduce the richness and diversity of intestinal flora in mice,and adjust the structure of intestinal flora.There were significant differences between beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacte-ria in intestinal flora after LA intervention,which provided certain basis for the treatment of bioactive compounds of linoleic acid and the therapeutic adjustment of intestinal microorganisms as targets.
7.Preliminary experience of 450 nm blue laser vaporization in the treatment of 30 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Dongbang ZHANG ; Sen HU ; Zhanbiao TONG ; Youcai MA ; Menglei SHANG ; Qinxiang JING
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(6):497-500
Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of 450 nm blue laser vaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)and to summarize the preliminary experience.Methods Clinical data of 30 BPH patients who underwent transurethral 450 nm blue laser vaporization at our hospital during Jun.and Sep.2023 were selected.The operation time,hemoglobin decrease value,bladder irrigation time,catheterization time,and incidence of complications were recorded.The changes in the international prostate symptom score(IPSS),quality of life score(QoL),postvoid residual(PVR)volume,and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)were compared before and 3 months after surgery.Results All operations were successfully completed without conversion to transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP)or open surgery.The operation time was(38.2±7.5)minutes,the hemoglobin decrease value was(10.4±3.5)g/L 24 hours after surgery,the bladder irrigation time was(15.1±3.3)hours,and the catheterization time was(4.5±0.5)days.Compared to preoperative,3 months after surgery,the IPSS[(26.28±2.22)vs.(6.29±2.10)],QoL[(5.25±0.85)vs.(2.33±0.95)],and PVR were decreased[(397.89±8.47)mL vs.(15.62±2.17)mL],while the Qmax was increased[(8.15±2.09)mL/s vs.(19.50±2.51)mL/s],with statistical significance(P<0.05).Mild bladder mucosal injury occurred in 2 cases(6.6%)during surgery,a second indwelling catheter was placed in 1 case(3.3%)after surgery,and gross hematuria occurred in 1 case(3.3%)after surgery.No serious complications occurred.Conclusion The use of 450 nm blue laser vaporization for the treatment of BPH has advantages of fast,efficient and reliable hemostasis,and low incidence of complications,which can effectively improve urination and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
8.Clinical trial of sacubactril valsartan combined with dagliprazin in the treatment of elderly patients with chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Kun XU ; Xiao-Min ZHANG ; Jing DANG ; Jun-Hong SHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2464-2468
Objective To observe the effect of sacubitril valsartan combined with dapagliflozin on cardiac function and blood glucose fluctuation in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods The elderly patients with CHF and T2DM were divided into treatment group and control group.Patients in the control group were given irbesartan tablets,150 mg each time,metoprolol sustained-release tablets,qd,with an initial dose of 23.75 mg,and the dose was increased to 47.5 mg after 2 weeks,and dapagliflozin tablets was taken in the morning,qd,5 mg each time.If the patient was well tolerated,the dose was increased to 10 mg each time.The treatment group was given dapagliflozin tablets,qd,5 mg each time,and the dose was increased to 10 mg each time if the patient was well tolerated.At the same time,sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets was given,bid,50 mg each time.If the patient was well tolerated,the dose should be doubled every 2-4 weeks,not exceeding 200 mg each time.The two groups were treated for 6 months.The cardiac function,blood glucose fluctuation,drug safety and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Results Forty-seven cases and forty-nine cases were included in the treatment and control group,respectively.After treatment,the total effective rates in the treatment and control group were 93.62%(44 cases/47 cases)and 79.59%(39 cases/49 cases),and there were significant differences(P<0.05).After treatment,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)in the treatment group group and the control group were(55.34±8.22)and(46.59±6.80)%;cardiac indexes(CI)were(2.54±0.41)and(2.37±0.39)L·min-1·m-2;postprandial glucose excursions(PGE)were(1.45±0.31)and(1.86±0.46)mmol·L-1;the largest amplitudes of glycemic excursions(LAGE)were(3.42±1.05)and(4.47±1.39)mmol·L-1;the incidence rates of major cardiovascular adverse events(MACE)were 4.26%(2 cases/47 cases)and 2.13%(1 cases/47 cases);readmission rates were 18.37%(9 cases/49 cases)and 14.29%(7 cases/49 cases).There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the treatment group and the control group.(all P<0.05).The adverse drug reactions in the treatment group were urinary tract infection and hypotension,and the adverse drug reactions in the control group were urinary tract infection and angioedema,and the total adverse drug reaction rate of the two groups was 6.38%(3 cases/47 cases)and 4.08%(2 cases/49 cases),and there was no statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion The combined treatment of sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets and dapagliflozin tablets can improve cardiac function,reduce blood glucose fluctuation,increase the total effective rate,and improve the prognosis of elderly patients with CHF and T2DM,with good drug safety.
9.Mechanism of Yiyuan moxibustion on improving urinary storage function in rats with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury through the AMPK-Cx43 pathway
Zhilan ZHANG ; Xiaomeng HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Jing HUANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):835-844
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiyuan moxibustion on urinary storage function in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after suprasacral spinal cord injury(SCI)based on adenosine activated protein kinase(AMPK)-connexin 43(Cx43)pathway.Methods Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the sham operation group using the random number table method,and 68 rats were used to prepare the suprasacral SCI model according to the modified Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method.After the SCI model was stable,the standard NB model after SCI was screened out.The rats with successful modeling were divided into the model group(n=14),the Yiyuan moxibustion group(n=14),the inhibitor group(n=14),and the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group(n=14)according to the random number table method.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion.The rats in the inhibitor group were injected with AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg)by tail vein.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion combined with tail vein injection of dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg).The sham operation group and the model group did not receive any intervention for 14 days.After the intervention,the bladder function of rats was evaluated by urodynamics.HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of the bladder tissue;the content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in bladder tissue was detected by colorimetry.The positive expressions of phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK),Cx43 and tyrosine protein kinase receptor(C-kit)in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of AMPK,p-AMPK,Cx43 and C-kit in bladder tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the model group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were increased,the leak point pressure was decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were relatively regular and orderly,the vacuolar cells were reduced,and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue was decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK was increased,the positive expression rate of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,the protein expressions of p-AMPK protein was increased,the expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,and the mRNA expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group increased,the leak point pressure decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were arranged more closely and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK increased,the positive expression rates of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,the protein expression of p-AMPK increased,the protein expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,and the mRNA expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Yiyuan moxibustion can improve the urinary storage function of NB rats after suprasacral SCI,and its mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK-Cx43 pathway in bladder tissue,reducing the excitation transmission between bladder detrusor cells,thereby reducing the frequency of smooth muscle contraction.
10.Effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuronal activity and adipose tissue metabolism in obese mice
Xiao-Xuan LIU ; Han-Si ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing HAN ; Xiao-Di SHANG ; Jing KANG ; Jun-Tang LIN ; Xin YAN ; Liang QIAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(4):452-459
Objective To investigate the effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuron activity and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of obese mice.Methods 10 leptin-deficient obese(ob/ob)mice with homozygous mutation of leptin gene and 10 wild-type(WT)mice born in the same litter were randomly divided into control group and leptin treatment group.The activity of pro-opiomelanocortin(POMC)neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH+)neurons,the morphological changes of adipose tissue and the expression of lipid-related genes were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining,HE staining and Real-time PCR.Results Compared with the WT mice,the ob/ob mice showed decreased activity of POMC neurons and TH+neurons and larger cell diameter in adipose tissue and liver tissue.In addition,the expressions of heat-related genes uncoupling protein 1(UCP1),cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8B(Cox8b)and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor,alpha subunit-like effector A(Cidea)in subcutaneous white fat in ob/ob mice decreased significantly,and the expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1(Srebp1)and fatty acid synthase(Fas)increased significantly.After treated with leptin,the activities of POMC and TH+neurons were increased,and the cellular diameter and the degree of vacuolar degeneration were reduced in the adipose tissue and liver.Further analyses showed that the expressions of thermogenesis-related genes and lipolysis-related genes were increased,but expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes were reduced in brown adipose tissue.Conclusion Leptin treatment could prevent the increasing of obesity in ob/ob mice,which is associated with increased lipolysis and reduced lipid synthesis through activation of hypothalamic POMC neurons and peripheral adipose tissue sympathetic nervous system.


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