1.Rehmanniae Radix Iridoid Glycosides Protect Kidneys of Diabetic Mice by Regulating TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Hongwei ZHANG ; Ming LIU ; Huisen WANG ; Wenjing GE ; Xuexia ZHANG ; Qian ZHOU ; Huani LI ; Suqin TANG ; Gengsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):56-66
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Rehmanniae Radix iridoid glycosides (RIG) on the kidney tissue of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsTwelve of 72 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 60 mice were fed with a high-fat diet for six weeks combined with injection of 60 mg·kg-1 STZ for 4 days to model type 2 diabetes mellitus. The successfully modeled mice were randomized into model, metformin (250 mg·kg-1), catalpol (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose RIG (RIG-L, 200 mg·kg-1) and high-dose RIG (RIG-H, 400 mg·kg-1) groups (n=11). Mice in each group were administrated with corresponding drugs, while those in the normal group and model group were administrated with the same dose of distilled water by gavage once a day. After 8 weeks of intervention, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. After mice were sacrificed, both kidneys were collected. The body weight, kidney weight, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), serum creatinine (SCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the serum level of fasting insulin (FINS), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The pathological changes in kidneys of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The immunohistochemical method (IHC) was employed to assess the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and collagen-3 (ColⅢ) in the kidney tissue. The protein levels of TGF-β1, cell signal transduction molecule 3 (Smad3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and ColⅢ in kidneys of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showcased decreased body weight and ISI (P<0.01), increased kidney weight, FBG, AUC, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, SCr, and BUN (P<0.01), glomerular hypertrophy, capsular space narrowing, and collagen deposition in the kidney, up-regulated protein levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, ColⅢ, and Smad3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of MMP-9 (P<0.01) in the kidney tissue. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had no significant difference in the body weight and decreased kidney weight (P<0.05, P<0.01). The FBG level declined in the RIG-H group after treatment for 4-8 weeks and in the metformin, catalpol, and RIG-L groups after treatment for 6-8 weeks (P<0.01). The AUC in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of TC, SCr, and BUN in the serum of mice in each treatment group became lowered (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of TG declined in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum level of FINS declined in the catalpol, RIG-L, and metformin groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups showed decreased HOMA-IR (P<0.01), increased ISI (P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes in the kidney tissue, and down-regulated expression of IL-1 and TGF-β1. In addition, the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups and IL-6 and TNF-α in the RIG-L group were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the catalpol group and ColⅢ in the RIG-L group showed a decreasing trend without statistical difference. The protein levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the protein level of MMP-9 was up-regulated in each treatment group (P<0.01). ConclusionRIG can improve the renal structure and function of diabetic mice by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
2. Study on spleen strengthening effects and mechanisms of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana
Ming-Yang CUI ; Yi-Hui DING ; Yang QU ; Zhi-Li XU ; Qian CAI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):181-188
Aim To analyze the differences in plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathways between Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana after intervention in spleen deficiency rats, and discuss the spleen strengthening mechanism of the two from a non targeted metabolomics perspective. Methods A spleen deficiency model was established in SD rats using a composite factor method of improper diet, excessive fatigue, and bitter cold diarrhea. To determine the content of gastrointestinal and immunological indicators, UHPLC-QE-MS technology was used, combined with principal component analysis (PC A) and orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) methods to search for biomarkers in plasma of spleen deficiency rats, and metabolic pathways were induced using the Pathway database. Results After administration of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana, various indicators in plasma of spleen deficiency rats showed varying degrees of regression. Metabolomics analysis showed that Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana respectively recalled 70 and 82 plasma differential metabolites. Atractylodes chinensis mainly regulated two metabolic pathways : "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism". Atractylodes coreana mainly regulated five metabolic pathways, "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism", "Thiamine metabolism, "Pyrimidine metabolism", "Butanoate metabolism", and "Riboflavin metabolism". Conclusions Both Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana have certain regulatory effects on spleen deficiency rats, and their mechanism of action may be related to regulating metabolic pathways such as "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism"in spleen deficiency.
3.Visualization Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Literature in Forensic Research
Yi-Ming DONG ; Chun-Mei ZHAO ; Nian-Nian CHEN ; Li LUO ; Zhan-Peng LI ; Li-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qian LI ; Ting-Gan REN ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Xiang-Jie GUO
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):1-14
Objective To analyze the literature on artificial intelligence in forensic research from 2012 to 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection Database,to explore research hotspots and developmen-tal trends.Methods A total of 736 articles on artificial intelligence in forensic medicine in the Web of Science Core Collection Database from 2012 to 2022 were visualized and analyzed through the litera-ture measuring tool CiteSpace.The authors,institution,country(region),title,journal,keywords,cited references and other information of relevant literatures were analyzed.Results A total of 736 articles published in 220 journals by 355 authors from 289 institutions in 69 countries(regions)were identi-fied,with the number of articles published showing an increasing trend year by year.Among them,the United States had the highest number of publications and China ranked the second.Academy of Forensic Science had the highest number of publications among the institutions.Forensic Science Inter-national,Journal of Forensic Sciences,International Journal of Legal Medicine ranked high in publica-tion and citation frequency.Through the analysis of keywords,it was found that the research hotspots of artificial intelligence in the forensic field mainly focused on the use of artificial intelligence technol-ogy for sex and age estimation,cause of death analysis,postmortem interval estimation,individual identification and so on.Conclusion It is necessary to pay attention to international and institutional cooperation and to strengthen the cross-disciplinary research.Exploring the combination of advanced ar-tificial intelligence technologies with forensic research will be a hotspot and direction for future re-search.
4.Analysis of HPV infection and genotype distribution among 1 658 male reproductive health outpatients
Nazhakaiti ABUDUKELIMU ; Jian-Hui LI ; Tian-Cheng ZHANG ; Xin WANG ; Zhi-Ming XU ; Qian-Xi ZHU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the human papillomavirus(HPV)infection and genotype distribution characteristics among male reproductive health outpatients,and to compare the differences among different age groups of outpatients.Methods A total of 1 658 males,visited in the Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research from 2018 to 2022,were selected and 23 HPV genotypes were detected by PCR-reverse dot hybridization.Results Among the 1 658 subjects,the overall HPV infection rate was 22.50%.Single infection accounted for 66.76%,which was the main infection type.HPV infection among different age groups were statistically significant(P<0.001),with HPV infection of 16.83%,22.87%,34.63%,and 29.35%for 18-30,31-40,41-50,and≥51 years,respectively.The top 5 high risk HPV genotypes were HPV52(3.56%),HPV16(3.26%),HPV39(2.41%),HPV51(2.17%),HPV58(2.17%),and the top 1 low risk HPV genotype was HPV81(2.90%).The proportions of infected individuals in this study that could be completely covered by bivalent,quadrivalent,and nine-valent HPV vaccines were 7.77%,12.33%,and 26.27%,respectively.Conclusion The predominant infection type among male reproductive health outpatients was single infection type.HPV 52,16,39,51 and 58 were the most common high risk genotypes,while HPV 81 was the most common low risk genotype.Individuals aged 41-50 years had the highest HPV infection rate.
5.Mechanism of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang in improving renal injury induced by chemotherapy in mice based on Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Yu LIU ; Li-Ying ZHANG ; Ya-Feng QI ; Yang-Yang LI ; Shang-Zu ZHANG ; Qian XU ; Guo-Xiong HAO ; Fan NIU ; Yong-Qi LIU ; Zhi-Ming ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):703-707
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of action of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang(YSSX)in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced renal injury in mice through The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)/Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2(NRF2)signalling pathway.Methods A mouse kidney injury model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin(40 mg·kg-1).C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group(0.9%NaCl),model group(kidney injury model)and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups(0.53,1.05 and 2.10 g·kg-1·d-1 YSSX by gavage for 7 d).Keap1 and Nrf2 were determined by Western blot;superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)activities were determined by spectrophotometry.Results The protein expression levels of Keap1 in blank group,model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were 0.26±0.02,0.64±0.03,0.59±0.01,0.45±0.05 and 0.34±0.02;the protein expression levels of Nrf2 were 0.69±0.06,0.35±0.01,0.36±0.01,0.48±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;the enzyme activities of catalase(CAT)were(572.49±912.92),(334.60±4.92),(402.76±9.80),(475.35±5.21)and(493.00±12.03)U·mg-1;glutathione(GSH)were(2.79±0.06),(0.51±0.01),(0.59±0.07),(1.29±0.04)and(1.70±0.08)μmol·L1;SOD were(477.00±4.32),(260.67±6.13),(272.67±2.87),(386.33±3.68)and(395.00±12.25)U·mL-1;MDA were(3.89±0.02),(7.32±0.03),(6.94±0.14),(4.60±0.01)and(4.34±0.02)nmol·mg prot-1.The differences of the above indexes in the model group compared with the blank group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001);the differences of the above indexes in experimental-M,experimental-H groups compared withe model group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion YSSX can activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and regulate the oxidative stress state of the organism,thus improving the renal injury caused by chemotherapy in mice.
6.Effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on cardiac angiogenesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Rong HUA ; Qing-Hai ZHANG ; Yi TANG ; Qian LI ; Yao-Yuan XIAO ; Lin-Lin LIU ; Ming-Xiang TANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(8):1180-1183
Objective To explore the effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on cardiac tissue angiogenesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR).Method Twenty 12 week old male SHR were randomly divided into experimental group and model group,with 12 week old male SD rats as the normal control group.The experimental group rats were orally administered with Shexiang Baoxin pill(45 mg·kg-1)daily,and their blood pressure was monitored using a non-invasive tail artery blood pressure gauge every four weeks.Eight weeks later,cardiac tissue was taken for platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(PECAM-1/CD31)immunofluorescence staining to observe CD31 expression level.Use protein blotting to detect the expression levels of myocardial endothelial growth factor(VEGF),myocardial endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGF-R2),basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)/protein kinase B(Akt)proteins.Result There was significant increase in blood pressure between the experimental group,model group and normal group at the same time point(all P<0.01),but there was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure changes between the experimental group and model group at the same time point(all P>0.05).The CD31 expression rates of the normal group,model group and experimental group were(3.79±0.84)%,(2.54±0.42)%and(3.56±0.49)%;VEGF levels were 0.95±0.10,0.73±0.08 and 0.94±0.15;VEGF-R2 levels were 0.85±0.10,0.61±0.14 and 0.80±0.10;bFGF levels were 0.84±0.04,0.51±0.21 and 0.74±0.14;p-Akt/Akt levels were 0.85±0.15,0.57±0.13 and 0.80±0.20,respectively.The differences between the normal group and the model group,as well as the experimental group and the model group,were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Shexiang Baoxin pill can promote the neovascularization of microvessels in the heart tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of PI3K/Akt phosphorylation,upregulation of bFGF,VEGF and their receptor VEGF-R2 in myocardial tissue.
7.Pathological mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in tumours and the current status of research on Chinese medicine intervention
Yu LIU ; Li-Ying ZHANG ; Guo-Xiong HAO ; Ya-Feng QI ; Qian XU ; Ye-Yuan LIU ; Chao YUAN ; Peng ZHU ; Yong-Qi LIU ; Zhi-Ming ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1670-1674
Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)signalling pathway and slow down tumour progression mainly by inhibiting tumour angiogenesis,glycolysis,epithelial mesenchymal transition and other pathological processes.This paper,starting from HIF-1α and related factors,reviews its pathological mechanism in tumours and the research of traditional Chinese medicine interventions with the aim of providing theoretical references for the treatment of tumours with traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Mechanism and research progress of S100A8/A9 in the microenvironment before high-risk tumor metastasis
Hai-Xia MING ; Zhao-Hua LIU ; Yan-Jun WANG ; Ming SHEN ; Yan-Wen CHEN ; Yang LI ; Ling-Ling YANG ; Qian-Kun LIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1991-1995
S100 calc-binding protein A8/A9(S100A8/A9)can induce the migration of primary tumor cells to distant target organs by binding multiple channel proteins,promote the formation of tumor metastasis microenvironment,and play an important role in the immune and inflammatory response of the body.It provides a new target and idea for the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis and invasion.This paper mainly reviewed the expression and mechanism of S100A8/A9 on related channel proteins in a variety of high incidence tumors,in order to provide a new strategy for tumor prevention,diagnosis and treatment.
9.Effects of berberine in alleviating DSS induced colonic epithelial cell injury
Ying-Ming QIAN ; Jin XU ; Liang CHEN ; Li-Ming HUANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(18):2714-2718
Objective To investigate the protective effect of berberine on the injury of colon epithelial cells induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Methods NCM-460 cells were randomly divided into blank group(conventional culture),model group(40 mg·mL-1 DSS)and low-dose group(5 μmol·L-1 berberine),high-dose group(10 μmol·L-1 berberine),siRNA group(10 μmol·L-1 berberine+transfected siRNA plasmid),si-SelS group(10 μmol·L-1 berberine+transfected si-SelS plasmid).The expressions of selenioprotein S(SelS)were detected by Western blot;cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)tests;trans epithellal electric resistance(TEER)levels were detected by Milli-cell ERS;superoxide dismutase(SOD)was detected by kit method;apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Results The relative expression levels of SelS protein in blank group,model group,high-dose group,siRNA group and si-SelS group were 1.02±0.13,0.42±0.05,0.90±0.08,0.89±0.10 and 0.30±0.03,respectively;the cell optical density at 48 h were 0.85±0.05,0.48±0.04,0.70±0.08,0.68±0.05 and 0.51±0.05,respectively;the EdU positive cell rates were(33.78±2.72)%,(11.90±2.00)%,(25.74±1.94)%,(24.29±1.96)%and(15.17±1.16)%,respectively;TEER values were(100.00±3.64)%,(43.47±4.19)%,(73.28±7.38)%,(76.25±7.68)%and(53.49±4.42)%,respectively;SOD activities were(13.32±0.73),(5.33±0.55),(9.63±1.13),(9.69±0.88)and(6.40±0.57)U·mL-1,respectively;the apoptosis rates were(3.21±0.02)%,(24.59±2.35)%,(10.90±1.09)%,(11.11±1.24)%and(16.73±1.56)%,respectively.The above indexes in the model group were compared with those in the blank group,and those in the high-dose group were compared with those in the model group.The above indexes of si-SelS group were statistically significant compared with those of siRNA group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Berberine can inhibit oxidative stress and improve DSS induced colon epithelial cell barrier damage by up-regulating SelS.
10.Relationship between ripretinib concentration and the prognosis of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors in China: a multicenter study
Hao XU ; Xiaofeng SUN ; Haoran QIAN ; Ming WANG ; Xin WU ; Ye ZHOU ; Feng WANG ; Luning SUN ; Yongqing WANG ; Fengyuan LI ; Qiang ZHANG ; Zekuan XU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(11):1133-1140
Objective:To investigate the prognosis and safety of ripretinib in the treatment of patients with advanced gastrointestinal mesenchymal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to analyze the relationship between blood concentrations of this drug and prognosis.Methods:In this retrospective study, we investigated the effects of ripretinib in patients with advanced GISTs. The inclusion criteria comprised: (1) daily oral administration of ripretinib scheduled; and (2) uninterrupted treatment for at least 1month, with a stable and relatively fixed daily dosage maintained for a minimum of 2 weeks. Exclusion criteria comprised concurrent use of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors and presence of significant organ dysfunction. We retrospectively identified 79 patients with advanced GISTs who had received ripretinib across seven medical centers, namely Jiangsu Provincial Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, from 1 June 2021 to 31 March 2024. The cohort included 48 men and 31 women, 19 of whom had received ripretinib as second-line, 13 as third-line, and 47 as fourth-line therapy. Two peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from each participant and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry used to determine peak (Cmax) and trough (Cmin) concentrations of ripretinib. Machine learning methodologies, specifically the K-nearest neighbor algorithm combined with the Gridsearch CV strategy, were employed to establish the threshold for Cmin. We analyzed adverse reactions, treatment efficacy, median progression-free survival (mPFS), and the relationship between drug blood concentration and selected clinical parameters.Results:In the entire cohort, the Cmin and Cmax of ripretinib were 467 ± 360 μg/L and 986 ± 493 μg/L, respectively. Notably, female patients and individuals in the high-dose group exhibited significantly higher values for both Cmin and Cmax (both P<0.05). However, variations in drug concentrations associated with the line of ripretinib therapy, treatment efficacy, disease progression, and presence of selected specific genetic mutations were not significantly associated with values of Cmin and Cmax ( P>0.05). Among the 79 patients with advanced GISTs receiving ripretinib, reported adverse reactions included alopecia (53, 67.09%), hand–foot syndrome (24, 30.38%), fatigue (22, 27.85%), and myalgia (21, 26.58%). Two patients (2.53%) had grade III complications, both classified as hand–foot syndrome. The correlation between Cmax and adverse reactions was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). By the time of the latest follow-up, five deaths (6.3%) had occurred within the cohort. The mPFS for the group was 16.3 months, with a mPFS of 14.4 months for those receiving standard dosage and 7.0 months for those receiving escalating dosage. Among the 65 patients treated with standard doses of ripretinib, those with Cmin exceeding a threshold of 450 μg/L exhibited a significantly longer mPFS (18.0 months vs.13.7 months; P < 0.05). Conclusion:In China, patients with advanced GISTs exhibit a notable tolerance to ripretinib, with no evidence for a correlation between adverse reactions and Cmax for the drug. Additionally, a Cmin exceeding 450 μg/L may be associated with an extended mPFS.

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