1.Effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules and Its Polysaccharides and Flavonoids on Precocious Puberty in Young Mice
Hong SUN ; Fan LEI ; Chenggong LI ; Shixian HU ; Weihua WANG ; Bin REN ; Juan HAO ; Rui LUO ; Lijun DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):95-103
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules (SBC) on sexual development in normal 3-week-old mice. MethodsThe experiment consisted of two parts. In the first part, mice were divided into four groups: The control group and the low, medium, and high-dose SBC groups (234.7, 469.4, 938.7 mg·kg-1, respectively). In the second part, mice were divided into four groups: Control group, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide (PRP) group, total flavonoids group, and SBC group, all receiving a dose of 469.4 mg·kg-1. After 7 days of administration, the vaginal opening of female mice and the descent of testes and scrotum in male mice, as well as the ovarian and testicular organ indices, were observed. After 4 weeks of administration, female and male mice were housed together for 2 days, and the pregnancy rate of females was monitored. After delivery, the pregnant female mice continued receiving the treatment for 4 weeks, and the sexual development of their offspring, including vaginal opening, testicular descent, and organ indices of ovaries and testes, was observed. Serum sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone (GH) proteins in the hypothalamus was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, there was no significant effect on the vaginal opening of female mice or the descent of testes in male mice after 7 days of SBC administration. After 4 weeks of administration, the pregnancy rate in the low-dose group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), but no significant effects were observed in the other groups. The three doses of SBC did not significantly affect the ovarian or testicular organ indices, and there was no significant upregulation in the expression of GnRH or GH in the hypothalamus. The primary component of SBC, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide, significantly reduced the vaginal opening in female mice after 7 days of administration (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, the serum estradiol levels of non-pregnant female mice were decreased (P<0.05), but there was no significant effect on the expression of GnRH or GH proteins in the hypothalamus of either male or female mice. Additionally, there were no significant effects on precocious puberty indicators, such as vaginal opening and testicular descent, in the offspring mice. ConclusionSBC does not significantly promote precocious puberty in young mice, and it does not have any noticeable effects on the pregnancy rate of adult mice or the sexual development of their offspring.
2.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
3.Effect of Linggui Zhugantang on Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction and RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway
Han REN ; Wanzhu ZHAO ; Shushu WANG ; Rui CAI ; Yuanhong ZHANG ; Shengyi HUANG ; Jinling HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):1-9
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugantang (LGZGT) on ventricular remodeling (VR) in mice with myocardial infarction (MI) and its impact on the Ras homologgene A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway. MethodsThe MI model of mice was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). They were divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT (2.34, 4.68, 9.36 g·kg-1), and the captopril group (3.25 mg·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. After four weeks of continuous drug administration by gavage, the level of cardiac function in each group of mice was examined using small animal Doppler ultrasound. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining was used to assess the morphological changes of myocardial tissue and calculate the rate of collagen fiber deposition in mouse myocardial tissue. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was employed to compare the cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes in each group of mice. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), type Ⅰcollagen (Col Ⅰ), Col Ⅲ, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of the pathway-related genes RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2. The protein expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were tested by Western blot. ResultsThe level of cardiac function was markedly declined in the model group compared to the sham-operated group(P<0.01). Myocardial tissue morphology changed significantly. The cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was significantly enlarged. The expression of α-SMA, MMP-2, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was significantly upregulated(P<0.01), and TIMP1 protein expression was significantly reduced(P<0.01). The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bax were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01), while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT and the captopril group significantly reversed the experimental results of the model group in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionLGZGT significantly attenuated myocardial fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis after MI in mice and effectively reversed VR, the mechanism of which may be related to the modulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
4.Effect of Linggui Zhugantang on Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction and RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway
Han REN ; Wanzhu ZHAO ; Shushu WANG ; Rui CAI ; Yuanhong ZHANG ; Shengyi HUANG ; Jinling HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):1-9
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugantang (LGZGT) on ventricular remodeling (VR) in mice with myocardial infarction (MI) and its impact on the Ras homologgene A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway. MethodsThe MI model of mice was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). They were divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT (2.34, 4.68, 9.36 g·kg-1), and the captopril group (3.25 mg·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. After four weeks of continuous drug administration by gavage, the level of cardiac function in each group of mice was examined using small animal Doppler ultrasound. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining was used to assess the morphological changes of myocardial tissue and calculate the rate of collagen fiber deposition in mouse myocardial tissue. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was employed to compare the cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes in each group of mice. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), type Ⅰcollagen (Col Ⅰ), Col Ⅲ, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of the pathway-related genes RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2. The protein expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were tested by Western blot. ResultsThe level of cardiac function was markedly declined in the model group compared to the sham-operated group(P<0.01). Myocardial tissue morphology changed significantly. The cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was significantly enlarged. The expression of α-SMA, MMP-2, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was significantly upregulated(P<0.01), and TIMP1 protein expression was significantly reduced(P<0.01). The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bax were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01), while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of LGZGT and the captopril group significantly reversed the experimental results of the model group in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionLGZGT significantly attenuated myocardial fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis after MI in mice and effectively reversed VR, the mechanism of which may be related to the modulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
5.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
6.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
7.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
8.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
9.Literature analysis of tislelizumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Rui HAN ; Mingxi SHEN ; Hua YANG ; Zhaoshuai JI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2046-2050
OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) induced by tislelizumab, providing evidence for clinical medication safety. METHODS Case reports of tislelizumab-related SJS/TEN were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS Seventeen cases from 17 publications were included (SJS 4 cases, TEN 13 cases). Among them, there were 10 males and 7 females. Twelve patients were aged between 70 and 79 years. The predominant tumor type was lung cancer (10 cases). Thirteen patients received combination therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs. The median onset time of SJS/ TEN was 26 (4, 104) days. Nine patients developed SJS/TEN after the first administration of the drug. Sixteen patients exhibited prodromal rash symptoms, primarily characterized by severe skin damage such as skin detachment, accompanied by mucosal injury. Sixteen patients improved after symptomatic treatment, while one patient died. CONCLUSIONS Tislelizumab-associated SJS/TEN risk is higher in elderly patients, males, those with lung cancer and those receiving combination chemotherapy. Mucosal lesions and atypical rashes may indicate the early onset of SJS/TEN. During clinical use, pharmaceutical care can be carried out through measures such as identifying high-risk populations, closely monitoring skin symptoms from the first administration to the fifth treatment cycle, and enhancing patient education. When relevant symptoms occur, the medication should be promptly discontinued and symptomatic treatment should be administered to ensure the patient’s medication safety.
10.Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Maintaining Cytoplasmic Calcium Homeostasis
Meng ZHANG ; Ze ZHANG ; Rui FU ; Zi-Hao REN ; Chong DING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2117-2130
ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, offers a non-pharmacological therapeutic option for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in the pathological onset and progression of AD, and the inhibition of neuronal ferroptosis can significantly ameliorate cognitive impairments associated with AD. The imbalance of calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis is intimately associated with the pathology of AD and serves as a catalyst for the induction of ferroptosis through various pathways. This study is designed to investigate whether rTMS can ameliorate AD by inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis or maintaining calcium homeostasis, ultimately establishing a theoretical and experimental framework for the utilization of rTMS in AD treatment. MethodsAPP/PS1 AD mice were subjected to both 0.5 Hz low-frequency and 20 Hz high-frequency rTMS treatments, and the efficacy of these treatments was evaluated using novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests. ELISA was employed to quantify the levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Fe2+ within the hippocampi of mice from each group. HT-22 cells were induced to undergo ferroptosis via Erastin treatment, and subsequent to high- and low-frequency magnetic stimulation, cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay, while intracellular calcium ion concentration fluctuations were monitored using Fluo-4 AM. ResultsThe findings revealed that, when compared to normal mice, AD mice displayed a notable decline in cognitive function, accompanied by a substantial increase in ferroptosis levels and intracellular calcium ion concentrations. Both high-frequency and low-frequency applications of rTMS were found to significantly ameliorate cognitive impairments in AD mice, while also effectively mitigating the abnormal augmentation of neuronal ferroptosis and intracellular calcium ion levels. ConclusionThe present study underscores that both high-frequency and low-frequency rTMS exhibit efficacy in alleviating cognitive dysfunction in AD mice, potentially through the modulation of ferroptosis and intracellular calcium ion homeostasis.

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