1.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Rbbp6-Mediated Bmal1 Ubiquitination Inhibits YAP1 Signaling Pathway to Promote Ferroptosis in Diabetes-Induced Testicular Damage
Yuan TIAN ; Zhiqiang ZHU ; Jun QIAO ; Bei LIU ; Yuehai XIAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):210-224
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Diabetes-induced testicular damage (DITD) is a common complication of diabetes. We investigated underlying mechanism of retinoblastoma-binding protein 6 (Rbbp6)-mediated brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) ubiquitination in modulating ferroptosis in DITD. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Spermatogenic cell apoptosis and viability were measured by flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), respectively. The impact of Rbbp6 and Bmal1 on ferroptosis was assessed by determining expression of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron, and lipid peroxidation. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between Rbbp6 and Bmal1, as well as the ubiquitination level of Bmal1. The expression levels of Rbbp6, Bmal1, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), ferroptosis markers, and testicular steroidogenic enzymes were tested by Western blot. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Bmal1 protein expression was significantly downregulated, while Rbbp6 was upregulated in DITD mouse model and high glucose (HG)-induced GC-1 spg cells. Overexpression of Bmal1 improved testicular injury in diabetic mice, reduced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), MDA, iron levels, and increased expression levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, GSH, as well as testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Rbbp6 decreased Bmal1 level through promoting its ubiquitination. Meanwhile, Rbbp6 knockdown inhibited the ferroptosis of HG-induced GC-1 spg cells, which were abolished by silencing Bmal1. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 or treatment with ferroptosis inducer erastin blocked the above effects caused by Bmal1 overexpression. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Rbbp6-mediated Bmal1 ubiquitination suppressed YAP1 pathway, promoting ferroptosis in DITD. This study highlighted Rbbp6/Bmal1/YAP1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating DITD. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5. 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. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Mechanism of Xibining Ⅱ Combined with ADSC-Exos in Improving Knee Osteoarthritis by Regulating Mitochondrial Autophagy
Junfeng KANG ; Lishi JIE ; Houyu FU ; Taiyang LIAO ; Lei SHI ; Zishan SU ; Likai YU ; Yibao WEI ; Deren LIU ; Di TIAN ; Jun MAO ; Peimin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):111-119
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xibining (XBN) and adipose stem cell exosome (ADSC-Exos) in the cases of separate or joint application on cartilage degeneration and mitochondrial autophagy and explore its mechanism of action to improve knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodSD rats were divided into a sham operation group (sham group), a model group, an ADSC-Exos group (Exos group), an XBN group, and an ADSC-Exos+XBN group (Exos+XBN group). KOA model was established by using anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The pain sensitivity status of rats was evaluated, and the degeneration degree of the knee joint and cartilage tissue was detected by Micro-CT and pathological staining. The expression of p62 and LC3B was observed by immunofluorescence, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-15 in rats were detected by ELISA. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS5, ColⅡ, TIMP, ACAN, PINK1, Parkin, p62, and LC3A/B. ResultCompared with the sham group, rats in the model group showed decreased cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, varying degrees of abrasion and loss of cartilage tissue, degeneration of cartilage tissue, elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01), and increased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5 in cartilage tissue. In addition, the protein expression of ColⅡ, TIMP1, and ACAN was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in each treatment group showed higher cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, reduced cartilage tissue degeneration, lower serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α (P<0.05,P<0.01), decreased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5, and higher protein expression of Cold, TIMP1, and ACAN in cartilage tissue (P<0.05,P<0.01). Moreover, the changes were the most obvious in the Exos+XBN group. ConclusionBoth ADSCs-Exos and XBN can increase the level of mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and delay cartilage tissue degeneration by promoting the expression of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and the combination of the two can enhance the therapeutic effect. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Characterization and correlation analysis of lung flora in rats with silica-induced acute lung injury
Chang LIU ; Jun LU ; Rong XIAO ; Yingqiu LI ; Jue HU ; Yue TIAN ; Jiaxiang ZHANG ; Fangguo LU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(1):81-88
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			AIM:To elucidate the possible biological mechanism of silica-induced acute lung injury in rats.METHODS:Sixteen Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and acute silicosis model groups,and instilled intratracheally with 1 mL of normal saline and 50 g/L silica suspension,respectively.After 7 d,the rats were sacrificed for collection of lung tissue and serum.The serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were measured by using ELISA.The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and gasdermin D(GSDMD)were measured by immunohistochemistry.Bacterial DNA was ex-tracted from the lung tissue for 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to characterize changes in the composition of lung flo-ra.The differences in the structure of bacterial flora between control and model groups were analyzed by bioinformatic analy-ses.RESULTS:Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and GSDMD were higher in the lungs of the rats in model group.In addition,serum cytokine profiling showed that IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in model group.The most abundant bacterial genera in the lung flora of the rats in model group were Bifidobacterium,Clostridium sensu stricto 1,and Parasutterella.The NLRP3 and GSDMD levels in the lung tissue and IL-1β and TNF-α levels in serum were positively correlated with the abundance of Parasutterella.CONCLU-SION:The alterations in lung flora structure and increased inflammation levels may be the actual biological mechanisms underlying silica-induced acute lung injury.The modulation of lung flora may provide a basis for the prevention and treat-ment of silica-induced acute lung injury.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Clinical effect and safety analysis of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients
Jun LIU ; Junna SUN ; Xiaofang LI ; Jianmin TIAN ; Jiping ZHAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG
China Journal of Endoscopy 2024;30(1):7-15
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the clinical effect and safety of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients.Methods 188 elderly patients who were scheduled to undergo painless gastroenteroscopy from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into group A,group B,group C,and group D by random number table method,with 47 cases in each group.The group A,group B and group C were used remimazolam 0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg,and alfentanil 3 μg/kg respectively,and the remimazolam 2.5 mg/time was added during the operation.The group D was used propofol 1.5 mg/kg and alfentanil 3 μg/kg,and a single dose of propofol 0.5 mg/kg was added during the operation.The hemodynamics at different time points[3 min before anesthesia administration(T0),immediately after endoscopy(T1),3 min after endoscopy(T2),at the end of examination(T3),at the time of awakening(T4)],anesthesia onset time,sedation success rate,gastrointestinal endoscopy time,awakening time,time to leave the observation room and intraoperative/postoperative complications were compared,and the test results of neurobehavioral cognitive state examination(NCSE)were compared at different times.Results The percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)at T1 and T2 time point were higher than group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)among group A,group B,group C and group D at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in SpO2 between group A and group B at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of sedation,gastrointestinal endoscopy examination time and time of leaving the observation room among the four groups(P>0.05),but the onset time of anesthesia in group A was longer than that in group B,group C and group D,and the awakening time in group A and group B was shorter than that in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in awakening time between group A and group B(P>0.05).The incidence rate of bradycardia in group A and group B was lower than in group D,and the incidence rates of hypoxemia,respiratory depression,hypotension,and dizziness in group A were lower than those in group D,and the incidence rate of injection pain in group A,group B and group C was lower than that in group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 10 minutes of complete wakefulness,there was no statistically significant difference in the passing rates of calculation ability and the memory tests between group A and group B(P>0.05),but the passing rates of calculation ability and memory test in group A were higher than those in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion During painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients,the sedative effect of using 0.3 mg/kg remimazolam combined with alfentanil is good,and it has stable hemodynamics,and the occurrence rate of complications such as bradycardia and espiratory depression is low,and the early postoperative cognitive function is recovered well.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Relationship between macrophage infiltration in the coronary plaque and downstream myocardial perfusion in mice
Lingying HUANG ; Youbin DENG ; Yibin WANG ; Yani LIU ; Jun ZHANG ; Jie TIAN
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(2):93-97
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To explore the relationship between macrophage infiltration in the coronary plaque and downstream myocardial perfusion in mice.Methods:The experimental group consisted of 20 ApoE knockout mice models of the coronary plaque established by feeding with cholesterol-rich diets, and the control group consisted of 20 sex- and age-matched C57BL/6 mice with the same genetic background as ApoE mice.Adenosine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed on all experimental animals to obtain the values of A, β and A×β of the left ventricular myocardium in anteroseptal and posterior walls both in the resting status and during adenosine stress. Concentrations of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using mouse enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits according to the manufacturer′s instructions. The degree of macrophage infiltration in the coronary plaque was evaluated by pathological immunohistochemistry staining and the correlations with the above indicators were analyzed.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in heart rate and left ventricular structural parameters between two groups (all P>0.05). The experimental group had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction( P=0.021), and higher weight and serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, IL-6, and TNF-α than the control group (all P<0.05). The values of A, β and A × β of the left ventricular myocardium in anteroseptal and posterior walls in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group during adenosine stress (all P<0.05). In the experimental group, the value of the macrophage infiltration found in the plaque of the left main coronary artery correlated positively with the level of serum TNF-α ( r=0.63, P=0.003) and negatively correlated with the values of A×β of the left ventricular myocardium in anteroseptal and posterior walls during adenosine stress ( r=-0.74, P<0.001; r=-0.72, P<0.001; respectively). Conclusions:Myocardial perfusion in ApoE knockout mice models of the coronary atherosclerosis was related with degree of macrophage infiltration in the coronary plaque, and macrophages may play a role by releasing inflammatory mediator TNF-α.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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