1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Effects of miR-204-3p inhibitor on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide-induced alveolar epithelial cells
Fang CHEN ; Jing YU ; Wenxuan HU ; Yangyang PI ; Xi ZHANG ; Luning WANG ; Ping ZHAO ; Faxuan WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):622-629
Background The pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully elucidated, and microRNAs (miRNA) may be involved in the occurrence and development of silicosis. Objective To investigate the effect of miR-204-3p inhibitor on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide dust-induced alveolar epithelial cells. Methods A co-culture model of macrophages and epithelial cells was established using a Transwell chamber. NR8383 macrophages were seeded into the upper chamber of the Transwell, and RLE-6TN cells were seeded into the lower chamber. After 24 h of culture, the medium in the lower chamber was discarded, washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and replaced with serum-free medium. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, silicosis group, miRNA NC group, and miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chamber was transfected with miRNA NC for the miRNA NC group or the miR-204-3p inhibitor for the miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chambers of the remaining two groups were added by equal amounts of serum-free medium. After 24 h, except for the control group that received an equal volume of serum-free medium, the upper chambers of the remaining three groups were treated with 800 μg·mL−1 silicon dioxide dust. Morphological changes in each group were observed under a microscope. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT-related factors, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin, were detected by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. The mRNA and protein expression levels of fibrosis-related factors, including Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin, were also assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The fluorescence expression intensities of α-SMA, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results The morphological observation revealed that RLE-6TN cells in the control group exhibited a regular oval shape. After treatment with silicon dioxide, the cells predominantly displayed a long spindle shape. Following the intervention with the miR-204-3p inhibitor, the number of long spindle-shaped cells increased, and the intercellular gaps widened. The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group exhibited significantly higher relative mRNA expression levels of EMT-related markers (α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin) (P<0.05), while the relative mRNA expression level of E-Cadherin was significantly reduced (P<0.05); the relative mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related markers (Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin) were also significantly elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group showed significantly increased relative mRNA expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), decreased E-Cadherin mPNA expression (P<0.05), and elevated mPNA expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The Western blot analysis indicated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group had significantly higher protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), lower E-Cadherin protein expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited significantly elevated protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), reduced E-Cadherin expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group showed enhanced fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and reduced fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited increased fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and decreased fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Conclusion The miR-204-3p inhibitor may exacerbate the EMT process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide-induced RLE-6TN cells. miR-204-3p plays a negative regulatory role in silicosis fibrosis.
3.Stability study of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells formulation in large-scale production
Wang-long CHU ; Tong-jing LI ; Yan SHANGGUAN ; Fang-tao HE ; Jian-fu WU ; Xiu-ping ZENG ; Tao GUO ; Qing-fang WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Zhen-zhong ZHONG ; Xiao LIANG ; Jun-yuan HU ; Mu-yun LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):743-750
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine, but there is limited research on the stability of UC-MSCs formulation during production. This study aims to assess the stability of the cell stock solution and intermediate product throughout the production process, as well as the final product following reconstitution, in order to offer guidance for the manufacturing process and serve as a reference for formulation reconstitution methods. Three batches of cell formulation were produced and stored under low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) during cell stock solution and intermediate product stages. The storage time intervals for cell stock solution were 0, 2, 4, and 6 h, while for intermediate products, the intervals were 0, 1, 2, and 3 h. The evaluation items included visual inspection, viable cell concentration, cell viability, cell surface markers, lymphocyte proliferation inhibition rate, and sterility. Additionally, dilution and culture stability studies were performed after reconstitution of the cell product. The reconstitution diluents included 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 2% human serum albumin, with dilution ratios of 10-fold and 40-fold. The storage time intervals after dilution were 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. The reconstitution culture media included DMEM medium, DMEM + 2% platelet lysate, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and the culture duration was 24 h. The evaluation items were viable cell concentration and cell viability. The results showed that the cell stock solution remained stable for up to 6 h under both low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) conditions, while the intermediate product remained stable for up to 3 h under the same conditions. After formulation reconstitution, using sodium chloride injection diluted with 1% or 2% human serum albumin maintained a viability of over 80% within 4 h. It was observed that different dilution factors had an impact on cell viability. After formulation reconstitution, cultivation in medium with 2% platelet lysate resulted in a cell viability of over 80% after 24 h. In conclusion, the stability of cell stock solution within 6 h and intermediate product within 3 h meets the requirements. The addition of 1% or 2% human serum albumin in the reconstitution diluent can better protect the post-reconstitution cell viability.
4.A Review of Research Status for the Anti-tumor Mechanism of Shanxian Granule
Jing WEI ; Han ZHOU ; Xiao-Ya WANG ; Yuan LI ; Xiao-Ping YING ; Yan FANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):809-814
In this article,the mechanism of Shanxian Granule in inhibiting liver cancer,lung cancer,sarcoma,melanoma and other tumors was reviewed,with a view to providing a theoretical basis for the clinical research of Shanxian Granules in the treatment of malignant tumors.Shanxian Granule are the pure Chinese medicine preparation for counteracting malignant tumor developed by the Oncology Research Team of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine on the basis of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment combined with decades of clinical experience as well as the achievements of modern pharmacological research.Shanxian Granule are mainly composed of Crataegi Fructus,Agrimoniae Herba,Panacis Quinquefolii Radix,Curcumae Rhizoma,Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum,Trionycis Carapax,Corydalis Rhizoma,and Polyporus,and have the actions of benefiting qi and nourishing yin,supporting healthy-qi and cultivating the essence,activating blood and removing stasis,and eliminating swelling and counteracting cancer.The compatibility of Shanxian Granule embodies the principle of supporting healthy-qi but avoiding maintaining pathogens,and eliminating pathogens but avoiding injuring healthy-qi.The granules can effectively inhibit the growth and metastasis of liver cancer,lung cancer,sarcoma,melanoma and other tumors both in vivo and in vitro,alleviate the clinical symptoms of tumor patients,and improve their prognosis.The anti-tumor mechanism of Shanxian Granules is related to the enhancement of body immune function,inhibition of tumor cell proliferation,enhancement of tumor cell apoptosis,inhibition of tumor cell invasion and metastasis as well as the tumor angiogenesis.
5.Comparison of the predictive value of new simplified insulin resistance assessment indexes in identifying left ventricular subclinical dysfunction in T2DM patients
Yan-Yan CHEN ; Meng-Ying LI ; Jie ZHOU ; Jian-Fang FU ; Ying ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Cheng WANG ; Xiang-Yang LIU ; Sheng-Jun TA ; Li-Wen LIU ; Ze-Ping LI ; Xiao-Miao LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(2):137-143
Objective To investigate the predictive value of new simplified insulin resistance(IR)assessment indexes in identifying subclinical left ventricular systolic function impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 150 T2DM patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF≥50%)who were admitted to Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from June 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to measure left ventricular global longitudinal strain(GLS).According to GLS value,the subjects were divided into the normal group(GLS≥18%group,n=80)and the impaired group(GLS<18%group,n=70).Some new simplified IR assessment indicators were calculated and compared between the two groups,including body mass index(BMI),TG/HDL-C ratio,triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index,TyG-BMI index,TyG-WHR and metabolic score for IR(METS-IR).Correlation between the GLS and the new simplified IR assessment indexes was analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of different simplified IR assessment indexes,with the area under the curve(AUC)calculated.Furthermore,according to whether the subjects were complicated with hypertension,binary logistics regression analysis was performed to explore the independent correlation between the simplified IR assessment index and GLS<18%.Results Total 150 were included with aged(54.5±13.7)years with 96(64.0%)men and 54(36.0%)women.Compared with the GLS≥18%group,the TG/HDL-C ratio,TyG index,TyG-BMI,and METS-IR of subjects in the GLS<18%group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that TG/HDL-C ratio,TyG index,TyG-BMI,TyG-WHR,and METS-IR were negatively correlated with GLS(P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that TyG index had a certain predictive value for the evaluation of GLS<18%(AUC=0.678,95%CI 0.591-0.765,P<0.001).Stratification based on hypertension and further adjusting for confounding factors,TyG index remains significantly associated with GLS<18%(OR=3.249,95%CI 1.045-10.103,P=0.042).Conclusions The novel simplified insulin resistance evaluation indexes are closely associated with left ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with preserved ejection fraction.TyG index is an effective index to identify left ventricular subclinical dysfunction in these populations.
6.Single-arm, Multi-center, Prospective Clinical Study of Recombinant Human Endostatin Combined with Afatinib and Teggio in Second-line Treatment of Advanced Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Yang CHEN ; Guodong FAN ; Annan JIAO ; Zegeng LI ; Jiabing TONG ; Biao FANG ; Suling YAO ; Mingqi WANG ; Mei ZHANG ; Ping LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1388-1393
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effictiveness and safety of recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio in the treatment of advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma.
METHODS
A total of 25 patients with driver-negative advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma were included in this single-arm prospective study, and the enrolled patients were treated with recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio as scheduled. Progression-free survival(PFS), overall survival(OS), disease control rate(DCR), objective response rate(ORR), and adverse reactions(AR) were observed and analyzed.
RESULTS
The 25 enrolled patients received at least 2 cycles of second-line treatment, and were followed up as of March 31, 2023. Among them, 4 patients had partial remission, 17 patients had stable disease, and 4 patients experienced progressive disease. The ORR confirmed by the researchers was 16%(95%CI, 4.5%−36.1%), DCR was 84%(95%CI, 63.9%−95.5%), and median PFS was 5.3 months(95%CI, 3.5−6.9 months). The median OS had not yet been achieved. The entire group of patients had good treatment tolerance, and the most common level Ⅲ or Ⅳ adverse events related to treatment were leukopenia(20%) and rash(12%), with no reported treatment-related deaths.
CONCLUSION
Recombinant human endostatin combined with afatinib and teggio in the second line treatment of advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma can prolong the progression free survival period of patients and is relatively safe, which is worth further exploration and promotion.
7.Blood coagulation factor Ⅺ:new strategy of targeted anticoagulant therapy
Kai HOU ; Ping LI ; Jinlian ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Yu YANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(5):708-714
Thrombotic disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Despite breakthroughs in anticoagulant therapy over the past decade,traditional vitamin K antagonists have been replaced by direct oral anticoagulants(DOACs)that selectively target coagulation factor Ⅹa or Ⅱa.However,for the growing population with concomitant diseases,there is still a lack of satisfactory treatment options.Coagulation-targeted therapy is a challenging task because it interferes with the delicate balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant activities.Epidemiological and animal studies have identified factor Ⅺ as a potential target for anticoagulation,because factor Ⅺ deficiency or inhibition can prevent thrombosis and is associated with little or no bleeding.Based on the concept of contact hemostasis,this review describes the basic principles of the development of coagulation factor Ⅺ inhibitors,elaborates on the pharmacological characteristics of existing factor Ⅺ inhibitors,and summarizes the current situation of clinical trial research,to provide some insight for the development of new anticoagulant drugs and clinical anticoagulant treatment.
8.Visual analysis of research hotspots and development trends of Polygoni Multiflori Radix(processed)based on CiteSpace
Fang TANG ; Li-Yuan QU ; Bo-Hong CEN ; Ping WANG ; Dong-Mei SUN ; Zhong-Yuan XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1363-1367
Objective This study aims to explore the research hotspots and trends of Polygoni Multiflori Radix(processed)and provide a reference for follow-up research by bibliometric visualization analysis.Methods Relevant Polygoni Multiflori Radix literatures were collected through databases such as PubMed,Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure.Use CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software to do bibliometric analysis on the number and years of articles,research fields,countries/regions,institutions,authors,keywords,co-citation references,and build visual maps.Results A total of 1 517 literatures(1 131 Chinese literatures and 386 English literatures)were searched through databases in this review.We therefore conducted a quantitative analysis of accessible literature published over the last 30 years found that a very modest upward trend in publication volume from Chinese and a notable increase in publication over the world.Among the author teams,there was some cooperation,and the author team with the most published papers cooperated more closely,such as XIAO Xiao-he and WANG Jia-bo's team.In particular reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency by processing,and the toxicity and the rationalusage of Polygoni Multiflori Radix were a main research direction for nearly ten years.Meanwhile,through the co-occurrence analysis of keywords,we constructed and visualized a keyword network to explore the hotspots and future directions of Polygoni Multiflori Radix.We clearly found that effective and toxic homologous components,molecular mechanisms and early warning surveillance of hepatotoxicity might be the next topics for Polygoni Multiflori Radix.Conclusion The research on the homologous chemical components of Polygoni Multiflori Radix(processed)has been very active.The research on the conversion relationship and mechanism of homologous components of Polygoni Multiflori Radix(processed)and the mechanism of hepatotoxicity will be the research focus and development trend in this field.
9.Development and external validation of a quantitative diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions in clinical opportunistic screening: A multicenter real-world study
Hongchen ZHENG ; Zhen LIU ; Yun CHEN ; Ping JI ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yujie HE ; Chuanhai GUO ; Ping XIAO ; Chengwen WANG ; Weihua YIN ; Fenglei LI ; Xiujian CHEN ; Mengfei LIU ; Yaqi PAN ; Fangfang LIU ; Ying LIU ; Zhonghu HE ; Yang KE
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(19):2343-2350
Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.
10.Efficacy of Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Pregnancy Complicated with Thalassemia and Its Influence on Pregnancy Outcomes:A Cohort Study
Di LUO ; Bing-Jie XU ; Ye-Yao YANG ; Li-Shan SU ; Shu-Ping WANG ; Yan-Fang LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(10):2695-2703
Objective To observe the efficacy of Chinese medicine in the treatment of pregnancy complicated with thalassemia and to investigate its influence on pregnancy outcomes.Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out in 175 pregnant women complicated with thalassemia who met the inclusion criteria.According to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into Chinese medicine group(105 cases),iron supplementation group(41 cases)and untreated group(29 cases).The changes of hematological indicators and pregnancy outcomes in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were compared among the three groups.The Chinese medicine group was further divided into three subgroups:56 cases in the Chinese patent medicine group,20 cases in the single Chinese medicine group and 29 cases in the Chinese herbal compound group.The changes of hematological indexes in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in the three subgroups were compared.Moreover,the normative management of pregnant women with thalassemia during pregnancy was explored.Results(1)The concentration of hemoglobin(Hb)in the third trimester of the Chinese medicine group was(2.28±7.27)g/L higher than that in the second trimester,and the curative effect of Chinese medicine group was superior to that in the iron supplementation group and the untreated group(P<0.05).The Hb concentration in the Chinese medicine group before delivery was(12.17±10.81)g/L higher than that in the second trimester,and the increase in the Chinese medicine group was more significantly than that in the other two groups(P<0.05).(2)The level of serum ferritin(FER)in the third trimester of the three groups was lower than that in the second trimester,and the decrease of FER level in the iron supplementation group was less significantly than that in the other two groups(P<0.05).(3)The Hb concentration in the third trimester of the single Chinese medicine group and the Chinese herbal compound group increased by(4.50±4.66),(3.62±8.77)g/L respectively compared with that in the second trimester,and the increase in the above two groups was more significantly than that in the Chinese patent medicine group(P<0.05).(4)There was no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes among the three groups of pregnant women with thalassemia(P>0.05).(5)Only 52.0%(91/175)of pregnant women with thalassemia underwent three or more blood routine tests after 20-24 weeks of pregnancy,34.3%(60/175)of pregnant women failed in re-examining the FER levels,and 21.2%(37/175)of pregnant women had no standardized iron supplementation.Conclusion Chinese medicine therapy is effective on improving anemia in pregnant women with thalassemia.Chinese herbal compound and single Chinese medicinal are more effective than Chinese patent medicine,and have not increased the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Oral administration of iron can increase the iron reserve of pregnant women with thalassemia,but its effect on improving anemia is not as good as that of Chinese medicine.Attention should be got to the monitoring of anemia and iron metabolism indicators as well as the standardized use of iron supplements and Chinese patent medicines in pregnant women with thalassemia.


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