1.PANoptosis: a New Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Xin-Nong CHEN ; Ying-Xi YANG ; Xiao-Chen GUO ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Na-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1113-1125
The innate immune system detects cellular stressors and microbial infections, activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to eliminate intracellular pathogens and maintain homeostasis. Among these pathways, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis represent the most characteristic forms of PCD. Although initially regarded as mechanistically distinct, emerging research has revealed significant crosstalk among their signaling cascades. Consequently, the concept of PANoptosis has been proposed—an inflammatory cell death pathway driven by caspases and receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs), and regulated by the PANoptosome, which integrates key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The core mechanism of PANoptosis involves the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, a macromolecular complex composed of three structural components: sensor proteins, adaptor proteins, and effector proteins. Sensors detect upstream stimuli and transmit signals downstream, recruiting critical molecules via adaptors to form a molecular scaffold. This scaffold activates effectors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that culminate in PANoptosis. The PANoptosome is regulated by upstream molecules such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which function as molecular switches to control PANoptosis. Targeting these switches represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, PANoptosis is influenced by organelle functions, including those of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, highlighting organelle-targeted interventions as effective regulatory approaches. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, are profoundly impacted by PCD. Extensive crosstalk among multiple cell death pathways in CVDs suggests a complex regulatory network. As a novel cell death modality bridging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, PANoptosis offers fresh insights into the complexity of cell death and provides innovative strategies for CVD treatment. This review summarizes current evidence linking PANoptosis to various CVDs, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxic injury, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and vascular toxic injury, thereby providing critical clinical insights into CVD pathophysiology. However, the current understanding of PANoptosis in CVDs remains incomplete. First, while PANoptosis in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells has been implicated in CVD pathogenesis, its role in other cell types—such as vascular endothelial cells and immune cells (e.g., macrophages)—warrants further investigation. Second, although pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate the PANoptosome in infectious diseases, the stimuli driving PANoptosis in CVDs remain poorly defined. Additionally, methodological challenges persist in identifying PANoptosome assembly in CVDs and in establishing reliable PANoptosis models. Beyond the diseases discussed, PANoptosis may also play a role in viral myocarditis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, necessitating further exploration. In conclusion, elucidating the role of PANoptosis in CVDs opens new avenues for drug development. Targeting this pathway could yield transformative therapies, addressing unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular medicine.
2. Lycium barbarian seed oil activates Nrf2/ARE pathway to reduce oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats
Rui-Ying TIAN ; Wen-Xin MA ; Zi-Yu LIU ; Hui-Ming MA ; Sha-Sha XING ; Na HU ; Chang LIU ; Biao MA ; Jia-Yang LI ; Hu-Jun LIU ; Chang-Cai BAI ; Dong-Mei CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):490-498
Aim To explore the effects of Lycium berry seed oil on Nrf2/ARE pathway and oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats. Methods Fifty out of 60 male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were subcutaneously injected with 125 mg • kg"D-galactosidase in the neck for 8 weeks to establish a subacute senescent rat model. The presence of senescent cells was observed using P-galactosidase ((3-gal), while testicular morphology was examined using HE staining. Serum levels of testosterone (testosterone, T), follicle-stimulating hormone ( follicle stimulating hormone, FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( luteinizing hormone, LH ) , superoxide dis-mutase ( superoxide dismutase, SOD ) , glutathione ( glutathione, GSH) and malondialdehyde ( malondial-dehyde, MDA) were measured through ELISA, and the expressions of factors related to aging, oxidative damage, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting. Results After successfully identifying the model, the morphology of the testis was improved and the intervention of Lycium seed oil led to a down-regulation in the expression of [3-gal and -yH2AX. The serum levels of SOD, GSH, T, and FSH increased while MDA and LH decreased (P 0. 05) . Additionally, there was an up-regulated expression of Nrf2, GCLC, NQOl, and SOD2 proteins in testicular tissue ( P 0. 05 ) and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in sertoli cells. Conclusion Lycium barbarum seed oil may reduce oxidative damage in testes of subacute senescent rats by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.
3.Effect of high fat diet intake on pharmacokinetics of metronidazole tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers
Na ZHAO ; Cai-Hui GUO ; Ya-Li LIU ; Hao-Jing SONG ; Ben SHI ; Yi-Ting HU ; Cai-Yun JIA ; Zhan-Jun DONG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):102-106
Objective To evaluate the effects of high-fat diet on the pharmacokinetics of metronidazole in Chinese healthy adult subjects.Methods This program is designed according to a single-center,randomized,open,single-dose trial.Forty-seven healthy subjects were assigned to receive single dose of metronidazole tablets 200 mg in either fasting and high-fat diet state,and blood samples were taken at different time points,respectively.The concentrations of metronidazole in plasma were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectromentry.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of metronidazole in fasting state and high-fat diet state were as follows:Cmax were(4 799.13±1 195.32)and(4 044.17±773.98)ng·mL-1;tmax were 1.00 and 2.25 h;t1/2 were(9.11±1.73)and(9.37±1.79)h;AUC0_t were(5.59±1.19)x 104 and(5.51±1.18)x 104 ng·mL-1·h;AUC0_∞ were(5.79±1.33)x 104 and(5.74±1.32)× 104 ng·mL-1·h.Compared to the fasting state,the tmaxof the drug taken after a high fat diet was delayed by 1.25 h(P<0.01),Cmax,AUC0_t,AUC0-∞ were less or decreased in different degrees,but the effects were small(all P>0.05).Conclusion High-fat diet has little effects on the pharmacokinetic parameters of metronidazole,which does not significantly change the degree of drug absorption,but can significantly delay the time to peak.
4.Bioequivalence test of metronidazole tablets in healthy human in China
Xiu-Qing PENG ; Cai-Hui GUO ; Ya-Li LIU ; Na ZHAO ; Hao-Jing SONG ; Wan-Jun BAI ; Zhan-Jun DONG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1943-1947
Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence of metronidazole tablet and reference formulation in Chinese healthy subjects.Methods A single-dose,two-cycle,randomized,open,self-crossover trial was designed with 48 healthy subjects randomly assigned to fasting or postprandial group.For each group,a single oral dose of metronidazole tablet(200 mg)or a reference preparation(200 mg)per cycle were enrolled.The concentration of metronidazole in plasma was measured by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS).The non-compartmental model was applied to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters for bioequivalence analysis via SAS 9.3 software.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of test and reference metronidazole tablets in the fasting group were as follows,the Cmax were(4 855.00±1 383.97)and(4 799.13±1 195.32)ng·h·mL-1;the AUC0-t were(54 834.68±12 697.88)and(55 931.35±11 935.28)ng·h·mL-1;the AUC0-∞ were(56 778.09±13 937.76)and(57 922.83±13 260.54)ng·h·mL-1;the Tmax were respectively 1.17 and 1.00 h;t1/2 were(8.99±1.76)and(9.11±1.73)h,respectively.The ratio of the geometric mean and its 90%confidence intervals(CI)of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were all within the equivalent interval of 80.00%-125.00%.As for postprandial conditions,the main pharmacokinetic parameters of test and reference metronidazole tablets were as follows,the Cmax were(4 057.08±655.08)and(4 044.17±773.98)ng·h·mL-1;the AUC0-t were(55 956.42±12 228.12)and(55 121.04±11 784.55)ng·h·mL-1;the AUC0-∞ were(58 212.83±13 820.00)and(57 350.38±13 229.46)ng·h·mL-1;the Tmax were 2.50 and 2.25 h;the t1/2 were(9.37±1.68)and(9.37±1.79)h,respectively.The ratio of the geometric mean and 90%CI of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were all within the equivalent interval of 80.00%-125.00%.Conclusion The two preparations were bioequivalent to Chinese healthy adult volunteers under both fasting and fed conditions.
5.Clinical Characteristics and Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy in 222 Malignant Tumor Cases with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Yingtian WANG ; Hong SUN ; Man LI ; Na SONG ; Jiao GOU ; Wenfang LUO ; Jun LIU ; Rong MA ; Wei WANG ; Zhandong LI ; Bo MENG ; Xiaoyan YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):716-721
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in cancer patients with COVID-19, and to provide reference for making TCM prevention and treatment strategies and determining diagnosis and treatment priorities for patients with malignant tumors in the COVID-19 epidemic. MethodsThe medical records of 225 malignant tumor cases with COVID-19 who were admitted to 7 national research centers from January 1st to 20th, 2023 were retrospectively collected, and the main symptoms and duration after infection, nucleic acid negative conversion time, use of TCM therapy, and changes in adverse reactions after resuming anti-tumor treatment were analyzed. ResultsA total of 222 malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis, involving 205 mild cases and 17 moderate cases. The top four most frequently reported clinical symptoms were fever (165 cases), expectoration or dry cough (99 cases), decreased appetite (95 cases) and fatigue (85 cases), of which 40 expectoration or dry cough cases , 37 fatigue cases and 29 decreased appetite cases lasted for more than 14 days. One hundred and five patients with nucleic acid detection report had a median negative conversion time of 14 days. The nucleic acid negative conversion time was significantly longer in patients with lung cancer compared to those with digestive system malignant tumors, and in those with myelosuppression than those without (P<0.01). During the infection period, 47.30% (105/222) of the patients used Chinese patent medicine, and 21.17% (47/222) were treated with herbal decoctions. The use of TCM in patients during the prevention and rehabilitation period, was 1.80%(4/222) and 7.21%(16/222), respectively. Fifty-five patients resumed anti-tumor treatment after nucleic acid negative conversion, and received TCM simultaneously. Observed adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal reactions, bone marrow suppression, and neurotoxicity, were all grade 1 to 2, and no new adverse events occurred during follow-up. ConclusionCertain malignant tumor patients with COVID-19 had prolonged symptoms and nucleic acid negative conversion time Rational use of TCM can help to promote the rehabilitation of the patients and ensure the smooth process of anti-tumor treatment after infection.
6.Oral anti-coagulants use in Chinese hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation
Jing LIN ; Deyong LONG ; Chenxi JIANG ; Caihua SANG ; Ribo TANG ; Songnan LI ; Wei WANG ; Xueyuan GUO ; Man NING ; Zhaoqing SUN ; Na YANG ; Yongchen HAO ; Jun LIU ; Jing LIU ; Xin DU ; Louise MORGAN ; C. Gregg FONAROW ; C. Sidney SMITH ; Y.H. Gregory LIP ; Dong ZHAO ; Jianzeng DONG ; Changsheng MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):172-180
Background::Oral anti-coagulants (OAC) are the intervention for the prevention of stroke, which consistently improve clinical outcomes and survival among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The main purpose of this study is to identify problems in OAC utilization among hospitalized patients with AF in China.Methods::Using data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation (CCC-AF) registry, guideline-recommended OAC use in eligible patients was assessed.Results::A total of 52,530 patients with non-valvular AF were enrolled from February 2015 to December 2019, of whom 38,203 were at a high risk of stroke, 9717 were at a moderate risk, and 4610 were at a low risk. On admission, only 20.0% (6075/30,420) of patients with a diagnosed AF and a high risk of stroke were taking OAC. The use of pre-hospital OAC on admission was associated with a lower risk of new-onset ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack among the diagnosed AF population (adjusted odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.68; P <0.001). At discharge, the prescription rate of OAC was 45.2% (16,757/37,087) in eligible patients with high stroke risk and 60.7% (2778/4578) in eligible patients with low stroke risk. OAC utilization in patients with high stroke risk on admission or at discharge both increased largely over time (all P <0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that OAC utilization at discharge was positively associated with in-hospital rhythm control strategies, including catheter ablation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 11.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.04–13.47; P <0.001), electronic cardioversion (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.65–3.51; P <0.001), and anti-arrhythmic drug use (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.38–1.53; P <0.001). Conclusions::In hospitals participated in the CCC-AF project, >70% of AF patients were at a high risk of stroke. Although poor performance on guideline-recommended OAC use was found in this study, over time the CCC-AF project has made progress in stroke prevention in the Chinese AF population.Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02309398.
7.The association between body mass index and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Qing ZHOU ; Dan ZHU ; Yiting WANG ; Wenyue DONG ; Jie YANG ; Jun WEN ; Jun LIU ; Na YANG ; Dong ZHAO ; Xinwei HUA ; Yida TANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(1):42-48
Objective:To assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods:This was a multicenter prospective cohort study, which was based on the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC) project. The hospitalized patients with ACS aged between 18 and 80 years, registered in CCC project from November 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019 were included. The included patients were categorized into four groups based on their BMI at the time of admission: underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2), normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m 2), overweight (BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m 2), and obese (BMI≥30.0 kg/m 2). Multivariate logistic regression models was used to analyze the relationship between BMI and the risk of in-hospital MACCE. Results:A total of 71 681 ACS inpatients were included in the study. The age was (63.4±14.7) years, and 26.5% (18 979/71 681) were female. And the incidence of MACCE for the underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese groups were 14.9% (322/2 154), 9.5% (3 997/41 960), 7.9% (1 908/24 140) and 7.0% (240/3 427), respectively ( P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a higher incidence of MACCE in the underweight group compared to the normal weight group ( OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.13-1.49, P<0.001), while the overweight and obese groups exhibited no statistically significant difference in the incidence of MACCE compared to the normal weight group (both P>0.05). Conclusion:ACS patients with BMI below normal have a higher risk of in-hospital MACCE, suggesting that BMI may be an indicator for evaluating short-term prognosis in ACS patients.
8.Full-field Anterior Chamber Angle Measurement Based on Optical Reflection Tomography
Bi-Wang LIU ; Jun-Ping ZHONG ; Hai-Na LIN ; Ya-Guang ZENG ; You-Ping YU ; Hong-Yi LI ; Ding-An HAN ; Jin-Ying CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2240-2248
ObjectiveAngle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is one of the major eye-blinding diseases. To diagnose ACG, it is crucial to examine the anterior chamber angle. Current diagnostic tools include slit lamp gonioscopy, water gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Slit lamp and water gonioscopy allow convenient observation of the anterior chamber angle, but pose risks of invasive operation and eye infections. UBM can accurately measure the structure of the anterior chamber angle. However, it is complex to operate and unsuitable for patients, who have undergone trauma or ocular surgery. Although AS-OCT provides detailed images, it is costly. The aim of this study is to explore a non-invasive, non-destructive optical reflection tomography (ORT) technique. This technique can achieve low-cost three-dimensional imaging and full-field anterior chamber angle measurement of the porcine eye. MethodsThe experiment involved assembling an optical reflection tomography system, which included a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a telecentric system, a stepper motor, and a white light source, achieving a spatial resolution of approximately 8.5 μm. The process required positioning the porcine eye at the center of the field of the imaging system and rotating it around its central axis using a stepper motor. Reflection projection images were captured at each angle with an exposure time of 1.0 ms and an interval of 2°. The collected reflection-projection data were processed using a filtered reflection tomography algorithm, generating a series of two-dimensional slice data. These slices essentially represented cross-sectional views of the three-dimensional structural image, and were reconstructed into a complete three-dimensional structural image. Based on the reconstructed three-dimensional structural image of the porcine eye, the anterior chamber angles at different positions were measured, and a distribution map of these angles was drawn. Simultaneously, the ORT measurements were compared with the standard results obtained from optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the accuracy of ORT measurements. ResultsIn this study, we successfully obtained the reflection projection data of a porcine eye using ORT technology, reconstructed its three-dimensional structural image, and measured the anterior chamber angle, generating the corresponding distribution map. To better distinguish the different structural parts of porcine eye, the three-dimensional structural image was marked with blue, green, and yellow dashed lines from the outer to the inner layers. The area between the blue and green dashed lines corresponded to the sclera. The area between the green and yellow dashed lines corresponded to the iris. The area inside the yellow dashed line corresponded to the pupil. The three-dimensional structural image clearly revealed the key anatomical features of the porcine eye. It was able to measure the anterior chamber angle at different positions. Additionally, the anterior chamber angle measurements of the porcine eye using ORT were compared with the measurements obtained using a TEL320C1 type OCT system, showing an average deviation of 0.51° and a mean square error
9.Building and validating a risk prediction model for malnutrition during concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Ting CHENG ; Jia-Mei LU ; Ting-Ting HUANG ; Xiao-Jun HUANG ; Gui-Rong YANG ; Wei LI ; Rong-Sa WEI ; Li-Na WEI ; Yan-Xin ZHANG ; Jie-Ying LIU
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2024;31(2):73-82
Objective:To develop and validate a model to predict the risk of malnutrition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods:From April 2022 to August 2023, 430 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were admitted to the department of radiotherapy of the first affiliated hospital of Guangxi medical university in Nanning were conveniently selected as the study subjects, and they were divided into the modelling group (300 cases) and the internal validation group (130 cases) in the internal validation group in the ratio of 7:3, and 61 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma admitted to the affiliated cancer hospital of Guangxi medical university in Nanning City were selected as the external validation group. Logistic regression was used to establish the risk prediction model and draw nomograms,Hosmer-Lemeshow, calibration curve and ROC were used to verify the goodness of fit and predictive power of the model, and clinical decision curve was used to assess the clinical utility. Results:Logistic regression analysis showed that skeletal muscle mass index, self-rated anxiety scale score, Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire score, Chinese diet pagoda score, regular exercise, and digestive symptom groups were the influencing factors for malnutrition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In the modelling group, the area under the ROC curve was 0.853 (95%CI:0.81 ~ 0.89), the maximum Youden was 0.600, and the corresponding specificity was 0.764 and the sensitivity was 0.836. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test=4.040 and P=0.853 indicated that the model had good predictive ability. Calibration curve of the calibration showed that the predictive effect of the model matched actual probability well, with an average absolute error was 0.024. When the threshold probability of the clinical decision curve is 0.05 ~ 0.85, the clinical response rate is higher. The area under the operating curve of the subjects in the internal validation group was 0.891, the sensitivity was 77.36%, the specificity was 89.61%, and the practical application accuracy was 84.62%. The area under the operating curve of the subjects in the external validation group was 0.886, the sensitivity was 76.00%, the specificity was 83.33%, and the overall accuracy was 80.33%. Conclusion:The risk prediction model constructed in this study has a good effect, which can effectively predict the incidence of malnutrition in patients receiving concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and provide a reference for clinical staff to formulate and implement nutritional interventions.
10.Nutritional status of pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Mei YAN ; Wei-Bing TANG ; Yong-Jun FANG ; Jie HUANG ; Ting ZHU ; Jin-Yu FU ; Xiao-Na XIA ; Chang-Wei LIU ; Yuan-Yuan WAN ; Jian PAN
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2024;31(5):257-261
Objective:To observe the changes in the nutritional status of pediatric patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)for one year,and to analyze the risk factors.Methods:We collected data from 88 pediatric patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the Department of Hematology and Oncology in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between May 2018 and November 2022.All pediatric patients underwent nutritional status analysis before transplantation,at enrollment,3 months,6 months and 1 year after allo-HSCT.Linear regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for growth rate.Results:The body mass index Z score(BMI-Z)before allo-HSCT was(0.096±1.349),and decreased to(-0.258±1.438)、(-0.715±1.432)、(-0.584±1.444)at enrollment,3 months,6 months after allo-HSCT,and(-0.130±1.317)at 1 year after allo-HSCT(P<0.001).There was no significant change in BMI-Z between pre-transplantation and 1 year after transplantation(P=1.000).Height for age Z score(HAZ)before transplantation was(0.137±1.305)and decreased to(-0.083±1.267)、(-0.221±1.299)、(-0.269±1.282)in 3 months,6 months and 1 year after allo-HSCT(P<0.001).Multivariate linear regression showed that age≥10 years old(P=0.015)and chronic graft-versus-host disease(cGVHD)(P=0.005)were independent risk factors for change in HAZ.Conclusion:The BMI-Z of pediatric patients treated with allo-HSCT returned to the pre-transplantation level after one year,while HAZ continued to decrease.Allo-HSCT may cause impaired growth rate in pediatric patients.Attention should be paid to HAZ changes in pediatric patients before and after allo-HSCT,especially in pediatric patients≥10 years old of age and those with cGVHD.Effective nutritional intervention should be provided in time.

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