1.NAD+ Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension via Activation of SIRT3/IDH2 Signal Pathway
Yumin QIU ; Xi CHEN ; Jianning ZHANG ; Zhangchi LIU ; Qiuxia ZHU ; Meixin ZHANG ; Jun TAO ; Xing WU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):70-80
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide on vascular endothelial injury in hypertension and its molecular mechanism. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into saline group (Saline) and hypertension group (Ang Ⅱ, which were infused with Ang Ⅱ via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps), and supplemented daily with nicotinamide mononucleotide (300 mg/kg), a precursor of NAD+. Blood pressure, endothelial relaxation function and pulse wave velocity were measured after 4 weeks. Wound healing assay and adhesion assay were used to evaluate the function of endothelial cells in vitro. mtROS levels were detected by immunofluorescence staining. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of mtDNA, SIRT3 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression levels of p-eNOS, eNOS, SIRT3 and IDH2 were detected by Western blot. ResultsNMN supplementation reduced blood pressure (P<0.001) and improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness (P<0.001) in hypertensive mice. In vitro, NMN improved endothelial function in AngII-stimulated endothelial cells (P<0.05) and attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress levels (P<0.001). Mechanistically, NMN elevated SIRT3 activity (P<0.001), which subsequently enhanced IDH activity (P<0.001) and reduced oxidative stress levels in endothelial cells. Conversely, knockdown of IDH2 would reverse the effect of SIRT3 in improving endothelial function (P<0.001). ConclusionNAD+ lowers blood pressure and enhances vascular function in hypertension by reducing the level of oxidative stress in endothelial cells through activation of the SIRT3/IDH2 signal pathway.
2.Effect of Carbohydrate Intake Order on Metabolic Profiles of Endurance Exercise Mice in a High-temperature Environment
Huan-Yu WANG ; Guo-Dong ZHOU ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Jun QIU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1529-1543
ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of carbohydrate intake order on post-exercise recovery and metabolic regulation under heat stress, particularly in models of exercise induced fatigue. Given the increasing significance of optimizing nutritional strategies to support performance in extreme environmental conditions, this study aimed to provide experimental evidence that contributes to a better understanding of how the sequence in which carbohydrates are consumed impacts exercise recovery, metabolic homeostasis, and fatigue alleviation in a high-temperature environment. MethodsA mouse model of exercise-induced fatigue was established under high-temperature (35°C) to simulate heat stress. The subjects were divided into 3 distinct groups based on their carbohydrate intake order: the “mixed intake” group (HOT_MIX), where all macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) were consumed in a balanced ratio; the “carbohydrate-first intake” group (HOT_CHO), where carbohydrates were consumed first followed by other macronutrients; the “carbohydrate-later intake” group (HOT_PRO), where proteins and fats were consumed prior to carbohydrates. Each group underwent a 7 d intervention period with daily intake according to their designated group. Exercise performance was assessed using rotarod retention time test, and biomarkers of muscle damage, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), lactate (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), were measured. Furthermore, targeted metabolomics analyses were conducted to investigate metabolic shifts in response to different dietary strategies, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was employed to explore the biological mechanisms underlying these changes. ResultsThe findings demonstrated that the HOT_PRO group exhibited a significantly improved performance in the rotarod test, with a longer retention time compared to both the HOT_MIX and HOT_CHO groups (P<0.05). Additionally, this group showed significantly reduced levels of muscle damage markers such as LDH and CK, indicating that the carbohydrate-later intake strategy helped alleviate exercise-induced muscle injury. Metabolomic profiling of the HOT_PRO group showed marked increases in alanine, creatine, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), indicating shifts in amino acid metabolism and oxidative metabolism. Conversely, metabolites such as spermidine, cholesterol sulfate, cholesterol, and serine were significantly reduced in the HOT_PRO group, pointing to alterations in lipid and sterol metabolism. Further analysis of the differential metabolites revealed that these changes were primarily associated with key metabolic pathways, including glycine-serine-threonine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. These pathways are essential for energy production, antioxidant defense, and muscle recovery, suggesting that the carbohydrate-later feeding strategy may promote metabolic homeostasis and improve exercise recovery by enhancing these critical metabolic processes. ConclusionThe results of this study support the hypothesis that consuming carbohydrates after proteins and fats during exercise recovery enhances metabolic homeostasis and accelerates recovery under heat stress. This strategy effectively modulates energy, amino acid, and lipid-related pathways, which are crucial for improving endurance performance and mitigating fatigue in high-temperature environments. The findings suggest that carbohydrate-later intake could be a promising nutritional strategy for athletes and individuals exposed to heat during physical activity. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights into how different nutrient timing strategies can impact exercise recovery and metabolic regulation, paving the way for more personalized and effective nutritional interventions in extreme environmental conditions.
3.Electroacupuncture Promotes Functional Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via GDNF and PI3K/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Jun-Peng YAO ; Xiu-Mei FENG ; Lu WANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Zi-Yue ZHU ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yu-Qing YANG ; Ying LI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):251-259
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR.
RESULTS:
The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1
;
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
;
Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Autophagy
;
Mammals/metabolism*
4. Advances of pathogenesis and drug development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Yu-Jun ZHOU ; Qiu-Yu CHEN ; Zhuo SUN ; Jing-Shu TANG ; Jia-Qi LAN ; Lei WU ; Ying PENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):201-207
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. ALS patients develop progressive muscle atrophy, muscle weak and paralysis, finally died of respiratory failure. ALS is characterized by fast aggression and high mortality. What' s more, the disease is highly heterogeneous with unclear pathogenesis and lacks effective drugs for therapy. In this review, we summarize the main pathological mechanisms and the current drugs under development for ALS, which may provide a reference for the drug discovery in the future.
5. A network pharmacology-based approach to explore mechanism of kaempferol-7 -O -neohesperidoside against prostate cancer
Qiu-Ping ZHANG ; Zhi-Ping CHENG ; Wei XUE ; Qiao-Feng LI ; Hong-Wei GUO ; Qiu-Ping ZHANG ; Jie-Jun FU ; Hong-Wei GUO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):146-154
Aim To explore the effect of kaempferol-7- 0-neohesperidoside (K70N) against prostate cancer (PCa) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The effect of K70N on the proliferation of PCa cell lines PC3, DU145, C4-2 and LNCaP was detected using CCK8 assay. The effect of K70N on migration ability of DU145 cells was determined by wound healing assay. The targets of K70N and PCa were screened from SuperPred and other databases. The common targets both related to K70N and PCa were obtained from the Venny online platform, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by the String and Cyto- scape. Meanwhile, the GO and KEGG functional enrichment were analyzed by David database. Then, a "drug-target-disease-pathway" network model was constructed. Cell cycle of PCa cells treated with K70N was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of cycle-associated proteins including Skp2, p27 and p21 protein were detected by Western blot. Molecular docking between Skp2 and K70N was conducted by Sybyl X2. 0. Results K70N significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PCa cells. A total number of 34 drug-disease intersection targets were screened. The String results showed that Skp2 and p27, among the common targets, were the key targets of K70N for PCa treatment. Furthermore, GO and KEGG functional en-richment indicated that the mechanism was mainly related to the cell cycle. Flow cytometry showed that K70N treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Compared with the control group, the protein expression level of Skp2 was significantly down-regulated, while the protein expression levels of p27 and p21 were up-regulated. The network molecular docking indicated that the ligand K70N had a good binding ability with the receptor Skp2. Conclusions K70N could inhibit the proliferation and migration of PCa cells, block the cell cycle in the S phase, which may be related to the regulation of cell cycle through the Skp2- p27/p21 signaling pathway.
6.Analysis of the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping, China
Chaohui LI ; Yuanhao ZHANG ; Jiahua TAN ; Zhiyuan XU ; Jun WANG ; Jieqiong WANG ; Chenwen YOU ; Bin LIU ; Lili QIU ; Jun DENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(2):170-175
Objective To investigate the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping, China and its distribution, and to provide a basis for the rational application of therapy-oriented oral radiation and the effective allocation of resources in Nanping. Methods A questionnaire was designed to investigate the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in all oral radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions in Nanping. Results In 2021, there were 54 oral radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions and 79 oral radiation machines in Nanping. The total frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation was 61593 visits and the radiation frequency was 19.54 visits per thousand patients. The average annual frequency of medical institutions at all levels was 721.87 to 3713.25 visits per institution; the male-to-female composition ratio of frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in December 2021 was 50.5%:49.5%. The proportion of radiation frequency of different devices was as follows: 38.7% (intraoral dental film), 46.5% (oral panorama), 10.3% (oral computed tomography [CT]), and 4.5% (cranial photography). The proportion of radiation frequency in patients of different ages was as follows: 17.1% (0−15 years), 48.2% (15−40 years), and 34.7% (over 40 years). The frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation grew by 77.43%, 35.18%, and 8.16% every two years from 2015 to 2021, respectively. Conclusion The frequency level of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping is at the level of Class II health care. The distribution of therapy-oriented oral radiation is highly unbalanced and is related to the level of economic development. Private healthcare institutions are growing rapidly, and public healthcare institutions of grade two and above occupy the main healthcare resources. The oral panorama accounts for the most, cranial photography accounts for the least, and oral CT is the fastest-growing portion. Therapy-oriented oral radiation is predominantly performed in the young and middle-aged populations, regardless of sex. Except for intraoral dental films, the general trend is upward.
7.Mechanism of Wenfei Huaxian Decoction-containing Serum in Delaying Inflammatory Senescence of Lung Mesenchymal Stem Cells Based on NAMPT/SIRT1
Junxia HU ; Yueqi XU ; Jun WANG ; Guoshaung ZHU ; Shiwen KE ; Mingliang QIU ; Liangji LIU ; Lisha MO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):45-53
ObjectiveThe lung mesenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) induced by D-galactose (D-gal) were intervened by Wenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum to explore the mechanism of Wenfei Huaxian decoction in delaying the senescence of LMSCs through the nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase/silent information regulator 1 (NAMPT/SIRT1) signaling pathway. MethodWenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum was prepared. LMSCs were isolated by gradient density centrifugation, and they were cultured and identified in vitro. The senescence model in vitro was established by stimulating cells via D-gal for 24 h. LMSCs cells were modeled after being treated with different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 80%) of Wenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum for 24 h, and the cell proliferation level was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. The cells were randomly divided into blank serum group, model group, and high, medium, and low dose groups of Wenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining was used to detect the senescence of LMSCs in each group. The content of NAD + was detected by colorimetry. The levels of senescence-associated factors (p16 and p53), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell culture supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the relative expression of senescence-associated proteins and NAMPT/SIRT1 signaling pathway-related proteins. ResultCompared with the blank serum group, the proliferation of LMSCs was significantly inhibited after D-gal stimulation for 24 h (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the proliferation of LMSCs could be promoted after intervention with the corresponding Wenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank serum group, the SA-β-gal staining of LMSCs in the model group after D-gal stimulation was enhanced, and the content of NAD+ was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of senescence factors p16 and p53, as well as SASP pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in the cell culture supernatant, were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of senescence-associated proteins p16, p21, and p53 increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of NAMPT, SIRT1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), and forkhead box family transcription factor O1 (FoxO1) decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the SA-β-gal staining of LMSCs in each group of Wenfei Huaxian decoction-containing serum was significantly reduced, and the content of NAD+ was decreased (P<0.01). The senescence factors (p16 and p53) and inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression of senescence-associated proteins (P16, P21, and P53) decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein expressions of NAMPT, SIRT1, PGC-1α, and FoxO1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionWenfei Huaxian decoction can alleviate senescence and inflammatory response damage of D-gal-induced LMSCs, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NAMPT/SIRT1 signaling pathway.
8.Progress of minimal residual disease detection in precision medicine of lymphatic malignancies
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2024;33(3):142-147
With the great progress of precise medicine for lymphatic malignancies, minimal residual diseases (MRD) play an increasingly important role in their evaluation of treatment response, prognosis judgement, treatment decision guidance, and recurrence prediction. At present, nearly a thousand articles on hematological malignancies related to MRD detection are published annually. At the 65th American Society of Hematology annual meeting in 2023, nearly 500 articles on the application of MRD detection in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic malignancies cover a wide and rich range of content. This paper reviews the oral reports of MRD detection in acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
9.Pathological Characteristics and Classification of Unstable Coronary Atheroscle-rotic Plaques
Yun-Hong XING ; Yang LI ; Wen-Zheng WANG ; Liang-Liang WANG ; Le-Le SUN ; Qiu-Xiang DU ; Jie CAO ; Guang-Long HE ; Jun-Hong SUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):59-63
Important forensic diagnostic indicators of sudden death in coronary atherosclerotic heart dis-ease,such as acute or chronic myocardial ischemic changes,sometimes make it difficult to locate the ischemic site due to the short death process,the lack of tissue reaction time.In some cases,the de-ceased died of sudden death on the first-episode,resulting in difficulty for medical examiners to make an accurate diagnosis.However,clinical studies on coronary instability plaque revealed the key role of coronary spasm and thrombosis caused by their lesions in sudden coronary death process.This paper mainly summarizes the pathological characteristics of unstable coronary plaque based on clinical medi-cal research,including plaque rupture,plaque erosion and calcified nodules,as well as the influencing factors leading to plaque instability,and briefly describes the research progress and technique of the atherosclerotic plaques,in order to improve the study on the mechanism of sudden coronary death and improve the accuracy of the forensic diagnosis of sudden coronary death by diagnosing different patho-logic states of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
10.Correlation between body compositions and cardiopulmonary fitness in patients with coronary heart disease
Yang LI ; Jun MA ; Yihong DU ; Li XU ; Hanfen CHEN ; Xunhan QIU ; Meng JIANG ; Jun PU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(1):72-78
Objective·To explore the correlation between body compositions and cardiovascular fitness(CRF)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods·The CHD patients(CHD group)who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention treatment at Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 2022 to June 2023 as well as healthy people(control group)were selected.All the participants completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)to determine CRF and bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA)to determine body compositions on the same day.Results·A total of 191 patients with coronary heart disease and 188 healthy individuals were included.There was no statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups.Compared with the control group,the CRF indicators of the CHD group were significantly reduced(all P<0.05).In terms of body composition indicators,the trunk muscle mass(TMM)of the CHD group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01),and the trunk fat mass(TFM)was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.01).Correlation analysis showed that TMM(R=0.538),lower limbs muscle mass(LMM)(R=0.754),and lower limbs fat mass(LFM)(R=0.593)were positively correlated with peak oxygen uptake per kilogram of bodyweight(VO2peak/kg)in the CHD group(all P<0.01),while TFM(R=-0.563)was negatively correlated with VO2peak/kg(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant correlation between other body composition indicators and VO2peak/kg.According to VO2peak/kg,the CHD patients were divided into low CRF group,medium CRF group,and high CRF group.The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in LMM,TMM,LFM,and TFM among the three groups of patients(all P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that age,gender,TMM,TFM,LMM,and LFM were related factors of VO2peak/kg in the patients with CHD.The VO2peak/kg of CHD patients increased with the increase of TMM,LMM,and LFM and the decrease of age and TFM;the female patients had lower VO2peak/kg compared to the males.Conclusion·The CRF of CHD patients is significantly lower than that of the healthy population,with higher TFM and lower TMM;in the CHD patients,CRF is negatively correlated with TFM and positively correlated with TMM,LMM,and LFM.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail