1.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
2.Exercise Regulates Structural Plasticity and Neurogenesis of Hippocampal Neurons and Improves Memory Impairment in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice
Meng-Si YAN ; Lin-Jie SHU ; Chao-Ge WANG ; Ran CHENG ; Lian-Wei MU ; Jing-Wen LIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):995-1007
ObjectiveObesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Physical exercise can ameliorate learning and memory deficits by reversing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cortex in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of treadmill exercise could alleviate hippocampus-dependent memory impairment in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and investigate the potential mechanisms involved. MethodsA total of sixty 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-30 g, were randomly assigned to 3 distinct groups, each consisting of 20 mice. The groups were designated as follows: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with exercise (HFD-Ex). Prior to the initiation of the treadmill exercise protocol, the HFD and HFD-Ex groups were fed a high-fat diet (60% fat by kcal) for 20 weeks. The mice in the HFD-Ex group underwent treadmill exercise at a speed of 8 m/min for the first 10 min, followed by 12 m/min for the subsequent 50 min, totally 60 min of exercise at a 0° slope, 5 d per week, for 8 weeks. We employed Y-maze and novel object recognition tests to assess hippocampus-dependent memory and utilized immunofluorescence, Western blot, Golgi staining, and ELISA to analyze axon length, dendritic complexity, number of spines, the expression of c-fos, doublecortin (DCX), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syn), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the number of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) positive cells. ResultsMice with HFD-induced obesity exhibit hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, and treadmill exercise can prevent memory decline in these mice. The expression of DCX was significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treadmill exercise increased the expression of c-fos (P<0.001) and DCX (P=0.001) in the hippocampus of the HFD-induced obese mice. The axon length (P<0.001), dendritic complexity (P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P<0.001) in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise increased the axon length (P=0.002), dendritic complexity(P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P=0.001) of the hippocampus in the HFD-induced obese mice. Our study found a significant increase in MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise was found to reduce the number of MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of obese mice induced by a HFD. ConclusionTreadmill exercise led to enhanced neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by increasing the axon length, dendritic complexity, dendritic spine numbers, and the expression of PSD95 and DCX, decreasing the number of MHC-II positive cells and neuroinflammation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, we speculate that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic method that protects against HFD-induced hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunction by enhancing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of obese mice.
3.Characteristics and trends of drowning mortality among Chinese residents from 2010 to 2021
WANG Jie ; SUN Nenghong ; MU Hongjie ; WANG Yun ; GAO Zhe ; LÜ ; Juncheng
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1135-1139
Objective:
To analyze the characteristics and trends of drowning mortality among Chinese residents from 2010 to 2021, so as to provide a basis for developing targeted prevention strategies and reducing the burden of drowning deaths.
Methods:
Data on drowning mortality among Chinese residents from 2010 to 2021 were collected from the China Cause of Death Surveillance Dataset (2010-2021). The crude mortality was calculated and then standardized using the data from the Sixth National Population Census in 2010. The characteristics of drowning mortality were analyzed by genders, regions, and ages. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was employed to assess the trend in drowning mortality.
Results:
From 2010 to 2021, the overall crude drowning mortality among Chinese residents was 3.53/100 000, with a standardized mortality of 3.34/100 000, both showed decreasing trends (AAPC=-2.438% and -3.739%, both P<0.05). The crude and standardized mortality were higher in males than in females (4.55/100 000 vs. 2.47/100 000, 4.43/100 000 vs. 2.16/100 000, both P<0.05). Both the crude drowning mortality (AAPC=-2.974% and -1.337%) and standardized drowning mortality (AAPC=-3.806% and -3.599%) among males and females showed decreasing trends, respectively (all P<0.05). The crude and standardized drowning mortality were higher in rural residents than in urban residents (4.13/100 000 vs. 2.35/100 000, 3.86/100 000 vs. 2.27/100 000, both P<0.05). Both the crude and standardized drowning mortality in rural residents showed decreasing trends (AAPC=-3.343% and -4.515%, both P<0.05), whereas no statistically significant trends were observed in urban residents (both P>0.05). Both the crude and standardized drowning mortality were higher in western residents than in eastern residents and central residents (4.30/100 000 vs. 2.89/100 000 and 3.66/100 000, 4.14/100 000 vs. 2.64/100 000 and 3.49/100 000, all P<0.05). The standardized mortality showed decreasing trends in eastern, central and western residents (AAPC=-3.237%, -2.344%, and -5.467%, all P<0.05). The groups aged ≥65 years and 1-<5 years experienced relatively high crude drowning mortality of 8.81/105 and 7.38/105, respectively. Decreasing trends were observed in groups aged <1 year, 1-<5 years, and 5-<15 years (AAPC=-14.126%, -11.452%, and -7.443%, all P<0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant trends were observed in the other age groups (all P>0.05).
Conclusions
The overall drowning mortality rate among Chinese residents showed a declining trend from 2010 to 2021. However, the risks of drowning mortality remained relatively high among males, rural residents, residents in the western region, children, and the elderly.
4.Trend change of the mortality and disease burden of hypertensive nephropathy in Chongqing in 2012-2023
Xianbin DING ; Yan JIAO ; Rui DING ; Biao KANG ; Hao MU ; Jie XU ; Ting CHEN ; Jiawei XIE
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):43-47
Objective To analyze trend changes of disease burden of hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) between 2012 and 2023 in Chongqing, and to provide the suggestion for HTN prevention and treatment. Methods Death cases of HTN from Chongqing death registration data between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed to calculate indicators such as mortality, age standardization mortality rate (ASMR), rate of years of life lost (YLL) and Average years of life lost. The mortality of HTN between male and female, urban and rural were compared by Chi-square test. The trend change was explained by average annual percent of change (AAPC). Results The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 5.44/100 000 and 3.13/100 000 in 2012 to 2.76/100 000 and 1.07/100,000 in 2023 respectively. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was -5.41% and -8.35% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (P<0.01). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in males and females decreased with AAPC of 5.50%, 8.07%, 5.27% and 8.69% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P< 0.05). From 2012 to 2014, 2019 and 2021, the mortality rate of HTN in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas (all P < 0.05). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in rural areas decreased with AAPC of 6.58% and 9.46% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The rate of YLL and standardized YLL of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 96.02/100 000 and 60.42/100 000 in 2012 to 44.98/100 000 and 21.49/100 000 in 2023 respectively. The AAPC was -5.83% and -7.80% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). AYLL of HTN were 17.88 years in 2012, and it was 17.08 years in 2023. There were no statistically significant differences in the changes (both P > 0.05). The standardized AYLL of HTN in rural areas increased at an average annual rate of 1.14%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The mortality and YLL rate of HNT in Chongqing was lower than it in China. Moreover, its trend was decreased. It should be strengthened early screening and healthy management of HNT.
5.The effects of evolocumab combined with atorvastatin on post-PCI efficacy and coronary microcirculation in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Yun ZHU ; Keli HAN ; Jie LI ; Qing MU ; Cong ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(23):2958-2962
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of evolocumab combined with atorvastatin on post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) efficacy and coronary microcirculation in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 194 hospitalized patients with acute STEMI who underwent PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2024. The patients were divided into control group (100 cases) and combination therapy group (94 cases) according to the different therapy plans. The control group was given Atorvastatin calcium tablets orally, at a dose of 20 mg, once a day. On the basis of the control group, the combination therapy group received an initial injection of Evolocumab injection 140 mg within 24 hours after PCI, followed by subsequent injections every 2 weeks. Both groups received continuous treatment for at least 30 days. Blood lipid indicators [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol], inflammation indicators [C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)], vascular Δ 基金项目河南省医学科技攻关计划项目(No.LHGJ20230971) endothelial function and microcirculation indicators [fibrinogen, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and nitric oxide (NO)], cardiac function indicators [left ventricular ejection (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter] before treatment and after 30 days of treatment, as well as the occurrence of adverse reactions during the treatment, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of the indicators of blood lipid, inflammation, vascular endothelial function and microcirculation, and cardiac function between the two groups (P>0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, CRP, IL-6 and fibrinogen in both groups were significantly reduced compared to those before treatment within the same group. The levels of NO and LVEF in both groups, as well as ABI in the combination therapy group, were significantly elevated compared to those before treatment within the same group. Moreover, the improvements in the levels of TC, LDL-C, CRP, IL-6, fibrinogen and NO in the combination therapy group were more pronounced than those in the control group during the same period (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of liver function impairment, gastrointestinal adverse reactions, or the overall incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with atorvastatin alone, evolocumab combined with atorvastatin more effectively reduces the blood lipid levels, improves the inflammatory status, vascular endothelial function and coronary microcirculation in patients with acute STEMI after PCI, while the safety is comparable to that of atorvastatin alone.
6.Enhancing Performance of Ion Mobility Spectrometry Based on a Dual Effect Tyndall-Powell Gate Controlling Method
Gen-Wei ZHANG ; Qi-Mu YANG ; Yi-Qian XU ; Jie YANG ; Man-Man PAN ; Dan-Dan JIANG ; Chuang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(8):1172-1181
Ion mobility spectroscopy(IMS)has many advantages such as fast detection speed,high sensitivity,and portability,and thus plays an important role in on-site detection of chemical agents,explosives,drugs,environmental pollutants,and other pollutants.As a key component of IMS,the ion number density and temporal width of the injected ion packets directly determine the IMS detection sensitivity and resolution.In yhis study,the dual-parallel-grid structure of Tyndall-Powell gate(TPG),which could effectively isolate the electric fields within the ionization region,gate region,and drift region,was utilized to develop a dual effect TPG gating method for simultaneously enhancing the mobility discrimination reduction and ion packet temporal width compression,thereby improving the IMS performance.A TPG-IMS platform was thus built up and the effects of parameters such as gate opening pulsed width,gate penetration voltage,and ion injection voltage on the sensitivity and resolving power of IMS were systematically investigated using the dual-effect TPG gating method.The results demonstrated that,when detecting diethyl phosphate(DEP)and diethyl methylphosphate(DEMP)mixture using the dual effect TPG gating method,the peak currents of(DEP)2H+and(DEP·DEMP)H+ions with low K0 values were increased by 18 and 45 times respectively,while maintaining a high resolution of about 90.The limits of detection for DEP and DEMP were decreased from 4 ppb(10-9)to 235 ppt(10-12)and from 5 ppb to 156 ppt,respectively.This gating method only regulated the potential of the TPG grid adjacent to the drift region,without changing the structure of the ion mobility tube,making it convenient to apply on existing commercial instruments.
7.Clinical prognosis analysis of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma with different pathological subtypes
Yi-Min SHEN ; Yuan-Yuan LI ; Zhou WANG ; Wei XU ; Jin-Zhou LI ; Yan-Xi MU ; Ya-Long YAO ; Wen-Jie WANG ; Xiao CHEN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(7):747-753
Objective To explore the clinicopathological characteristics,prognosis and influencing factors of different pathological subtypes of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma(GSRC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 232 patients with GSRC collected from January 2016 to December 2018 in Lanzhou University Second Hospital.According to the WHO classification criteria for GSRC,the patients were divided into pure gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma(pGSRC,n=36)and mixed gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma(mGSRC,n=196).The follow-up as of September 30,2022,the survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method,the univariate and multivariate Cox regression were performed to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis of GSRC patients.Results The median survival time of pGSRC and mGSRC patients was 41.0(6.0-70.0)months and 24.0(2.0-74.0)months,respectively.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that combination with diabetes,anemia,tumor diameter,nerve invasion,lymphovascular invasion,T stage,N stage,GSRC pathological subtype,CA125 and tumor diameter could affect the overall survival(OS)of patients with GSRC after radical gastrectomy(P<0.05),but Her-2,whether adjuvant chemotherapy or not and others elements had no significant effect on OS of GSRC patients after radical gastrectomy(P>0.05).Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the combination with diabetes(P=0.031),anemia(P=0.028),tumor diameter>5 cm(P=0.009),nerve invasion(P=0.002),lymphovascular invasion(P=0.002),mGSRC pathological type(P=0.039),T2-T4 stage(P=0.001),N1-N4 stage(P=0.004),pTNM stage Ⅲ(P=0.044),the number of lymph node metastasis>30(P=0.044)and CA125 positive(P=0.009)were related to the prognosis of patients with GSRC after radical gastrectomy.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that mGSRC pathological type(P=0.035),T2-T4 stage(P=0.003),CA125 positive(P=0.010)were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of patients with GSRC after radical gastrectomy.Conclusion Compared with pGSRC,patients with mGSRC at diagnosis have higher pTNM stages,more aggressive,and shorter median survival time.mGSRC pathological type,T2-T4 stage,and CA125 positive were all independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with GSRC.
8.Exercise intervention alleviating learning and memory dysfunction of Alzheimer's disease model mice through modulating autophagy of hippocampal neurons
Lian-Wei MU ; Peng HAN ; Yun-Jie YANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(5):533-540
Objective To investigate the effects of exercise on autophagy of the hippocampal neurons and learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 transgenic Alzheimer's disease(AD)model mice.Methods Four-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into AD model sedentary group(AS)and AD model exercise group(AE).C57BL/6 mice of the same age were used as control group(CS),with 12 mice in each group.Among them,AE group mice underwent regular treadmill exercise at 10 m per minute(the first 10 minutes)and 12 m per minute(the following 50 minutes)for 60 min,0° slope,5 days/week,for 8 weeks.Morris water maze,novel object recognition test,immunohistochemistry,Western blotting,transmission electron microscopy,and Nissl staining were used to detect learning memory abilities,amyloid β-protein(Aβ),human microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B(LC3B),Beclin1,p62 protein expression,autophagy lysosomes and neuron number.Results Eight weeks of exercise intervention could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of AD model mice in the Morris water maze and novel object recognition test.The expression levels of Aβ plaques and p62 protein in the hippocampus of mice in the AS group increased significantly,while the levels of LC3B,Beclinl,autophagy lysosomes and neurons decreased significantly.Exercise intervention significantly reduced the expression levels of Aβ plaques and p62 protein in the hippocampus of AD model mice,and increased the levels of LC3B,Beclin1,autophagolysosomes and neurons.Conclusion Exercise could effectively improve the damage of neuronal autophagy in the hippocampus of AD model mice and protect the neurons through promoting autophagy lysosomes to degrade pathological Aβ in the hippocampus.These result might underlie the mechanisms for the treadmill exercise-induced improvement of learning and memory abilities.
9.The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related targeted therapies
Xiuyan LI ; Na LEI ; Hongfei SONG ; Ling ZENG ; Dong WANG ; Jie MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(11):2300-2305
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a series of diseases characterized by hepatic steatosis and is also a metabolism-associated disease and an important factor for liver fibrosis,liver cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Endoplasmic reticulum is a core organelle for the regulation of lipid metabolism,and unfolded protein response is an important process of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).Based on the important stress role of endoplasmic reticulum in metabolism-associated diseases,this article explores the influencing mechanism between ERS and NAFLD and reviews the research advances in lipid metabolism,inflammatory response,hepatocyte death,fibrosis,and ERS-targeted therapies in the pathological development of NAFLD.
10.Shujin Jiannao Prescription alleviates inflammation in the cerebral cortex of rats with hypoxic-ischemic cerebral palsy
Gang LIU ; Jie ZENG ; Yalin ZHAO ; Bowen DENG ; Shengyuan JIANG ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Jingpei REN ; Chuanyu HU ; Lin XU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(23):3674-3679
BACKGROUND:Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an empirical formula for the treatment of cerebral palsy in Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,with clear clinical efficacy,but the specific mechanism needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=12)and a model group(n=52).An animal model was established by the Rice-Vannucci method.After successful modeling,52 model rats were randomly divided into control model group(n=12),minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of the Shujin Jiannao Prescription(n=10 per group).Rats in the minocycline group were given 40 mg/kg·d minocycline by gavage;rats in the low-,medium,and high-dose groups were given 4,8,and 16 g/kg·d Shujin Jiannao Prescription granules by gavage,respectively;and rats in the normal group and control model group were given an equal dose of normal saline by gavage.Medication in each group was given once a day for 1 week.The rats in each group were evaluated behaviorally using suspension test,abnormal involuntary movement score,and Bederson score.The pathological changes of the cerebral cortex were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 10 in the cerebral cortex were determined using ELISA.The positive expressions of Janus kinase 2(JAK2),phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3)in the cerebral cortex were detected using immunohistochemistry.The protein expression levels of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 were detected using western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group,the suspension test score and involuntary movement score were decreased in the control model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The pathological results showed structural disruption of nerve cells,formation of large numbers of vacuoles,cell swelling,and increased intercellular space in the control model group.In addition,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of interleukin 10 was decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the control model group compared with the normal group.Compared with the model group,minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at each dose could improve the behavioral indexes of rats(P<0.01 or P<0.05)and ischemic-hypoxic pathological changes were attenuated,with only a small amount of necrotic nerve cells and a few vacuoles,and reduced intercellular space.Moreover,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were decreased in each drug group compared with the control model group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The most obvious improvement was observed in the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription group.To conclude,Shujin Jiannao Prescription can inhibit inflammation in the cerebral cortex of rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.


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