1.Ameliorating effects of tetrahydrocurcumin and its nano-preparations on lipopolysaccharide-induced depression in mice
Hui Tan ; Yuanping Li ; Jingyuan Meng ; Tengteng Ma ; Yan Yang ; Zhengmao Yang ; Jiaqing Ma ; Jianping Xie ; Ying Guo
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):79-86
Objective :
To investigate the antidepressant effects and the underlying mechanisms of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) and its nanoparticle formulation(THCN).
Methods :
Forty-six male ICR mice were randomly divided into Con group, LPS group, THC group, THCN group and SER group. A mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal administration of LPS. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of mice were evaluated by open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST). Myelin staining was applied to assess the extent of demyelination in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were further examined for the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) through quantitative immunofluorescence assays.
Results :
Compared with the Con group, the LPS group showed increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in both the long-term and short-term experiments(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination increased in the LPS group of the long-term experiment(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP was reduced in the LPS group of the short-term experiment(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05); the expression of TLR4 decreased in the THC group(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the THC group showed reduced depressive-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05), while the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THCN group and the SER group were reduced(P<0.05), and the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THC group and the THCN group were reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination was reduced in the THC group, THCN group and SER group in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP increased in the THC group of the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 was reduced(P<0.05), and the expression of GFAP increased in the THCN group(P<0.05). Compared with the THC group, the THCN group and the SER group showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampal DG area increased in the short-term experiment(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Tetrahydrocurcumin and its nanoparticle formulation both exert significant ameliorative effects on depression-like behaviors and demyelination in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. The antidepressant mechanism of THC appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of TLR4 and the up-regulation of GFAP. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant action of THCN seems predominantly focused on the enhancement of GFAP expression.
2.Influence of hybridization probe capture and amplicon library construction methods on HLA genotyping resolution level
Xiaoni YUAN ; Tengteng ZHANG ; Yang LI ; Xue JIANG ; Tianjie YANG ; Xiaojing BAO ; Jun HE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):303-308
[Objective] To compare next generation sequencing (NGS) library construction technology between probe hybridization capture and amplicon methods, and analyze the influencing factors of HLA genotyping resolution level and its prospects in clinical applications. [Methods] A total of 207 clinical samples with known typing results and samples from the proficiency testing plan were selected. The conformity rate of HLA genotyping results, allele coverage and typing data analysis indicators were confirmed, and the effects of two library construction methods on the level of HLA genotyping discrimination were compared. [Results] The concordance rate of 207 samples with the feedback results of PT or prior well-characterized HLA genotypes was 100%. Among them, 91 samples were captured using hybridization probe capture method. Compared with the original amplicon method, the hybridization probe capture method can distinguish the alleles of DRB1 and DPB1 that cannot be determined in 13 samples. The allelic imbalance of DRB1, DPA1, and DQB1 loci in 6 samples was resolved. Three samples were found to have missed detection of alleles at the DQA1 and DQB1 loci. [Conclusion] The performance indicators of hybridization probe capture and amplicon performance confirmation meet the requirements of clinical detection of HLA genotyping, which provides an experimental method and basis for clinical application.
3.Establishment of an HLA-DPA1 and DPB1 linkage prediction model based on NGS technology and validation of its clinical application value
Tengteng ZHANG ; Shuang LIU ; Xiaoni YUAN ; Yang LI ; Xue JIANG ; Tianjie YANG ; Xiaojing BAO ; Jun HE
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(11):1292-1298
Objective:To establish a linkage prediction model for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DPA1-DPB1 and validate it by using clinical data and follow-up data from unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donors and recipients, and to explore the clinical application value of the prediction model in transplantation prognosis.Methods:This is a retrospective study. Leveraging the artificial neural network algorithm of NetMHCⅡpan and the DPA1-DPB1 haplotype linkage database of the Chinese population established in our previous research, and incorporating the amino acid FASTA data of DPA1-DPB1 of all known sequences newly published by the Latest International Immunogenetics/Human Leukocyte Antigens, 47 DPA1-DPB1 linkage models were established. Employing next-generation sequencing technology based on the hybridization capture library construction method, HLA genotyping tests for HLA-A, -B, -C, DRB1, DQB1, DQA1, DRB3/4/5, DPB1, and DPA1 (9 loci) were performed on 250 donor-recipients pairs who underwent unrelated-donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2016 and September 2021. HLA typing data and clinical information of transplant donors and recipients were retrospectively analyzed to assess and predict the impact of permissive and non-permissive linkage mismatches of DPA1-DPB1 on transplantation prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival curves of overall survival (OS) rates between different groups. Additionally, a competing risks model was utilized to compare the cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease and non-relapse mortality (NRM) across groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to compare the predictive performance of the established prediction model with that of the T-cell epitope (TCE) model.Results:According to the different hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of amino acids, the DPA1-DPB1 linkage model is categorized into types Ⅰ-Ⅳ: type I consists of 6 hydrophobic types at P1-P8 plus hydrophilic type at P9; type Ⅱ includes 17 hydrophobic types; type Ⅲ comprises 9 amphiphilic types; and type Ⅳ consists of 15 hydrophilic types. According to the prediction model, DPA1-matched and DPB1-mismatched donor-recipient cases were classed into P1-matched or P1-mismatched groups. Compared with fully matched DPA1 and DPB1 cases, P1-mismatched patients had a 2-year OS rate of 75% (12/16) versus 96.2%(25/26) (χ2=4.13, P=0.04), and a NRM rate of 4/16 versus 0 (χ2=7.05, P<0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the 2-year OS and NRM rates compared to DPA1 and DPB1 cases ( P>0.05). The prediction model established in this study demonstrated a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the 2-year OS rate compared with the DPB1 TCE model ( Z=0.71, P=0.48). In donor-recipient cases where both DPA1 and DPB1 were mismatched, the 2-year OS rates decreased and the NRM increased in both P1-matched and P1-mismatched cases compared with fully matched DPA1 and DPB1. Moreover, P1-mismatched patients had a worse prognosis compared to P1-matched patients. Conclusion:The DPA1-DPB1 linkage prediction model established based on high-throughput next-generation sequencing technology can be used to predict the impact of HLA-DP mismatches on OS and NRM in transplantation, and the prediction performance is superior to the TCE model.
4.Meta-analysis of Effect of Tripterygium wilfordii Polyglycoside Tablets Combined with Methotrexate and/or Leflunomide on Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Chao YANG ; Zhixing HU ; Ruirui MING ; Tengteng XU ; Luochangting FANG ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Taixian LI ; Lin CHEN ; Chunfang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(5):39-48
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets (TWPT) combined with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) including methotrexate (MTX) and/or leflunomide (LEF) on autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. MethodPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, and China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TWPT combined with MTX and/or LEF in the treatment of RA patients from database inception to December 1, 2021. Primary outcome indicators included rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), and secondary outcome indicators included immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and adverse drug events (ADE). ResultThirty-one RCTs, involving 2 643 adult patients, were included, including 20 RCTs of TWPT combined with MTX, 10 of TWPT combined with LEF, and one of TWPT combined with MTX and TWPT. The follow-up time ranged from two weeks to 13 months. Compared with csDMARDs alone, TWPT combined with other drugs significantly improved serum RF of RA patients [SMD=-2.45, 95% CI [-2.97, -1.93], P<0.000 01], anti-CCP [SMD=-1.41, 95% CI (-2.35, -0.48), P=0.003], IgM [SMD=-1.90, 95% CI (-3.03, -0.76), P=0.001], and IgA [SMD=-1.18, 95% CI (-2.23, -0.12), P=0.03]. There were no significant effects on IgG [SMD=-1.02, 95% CI (-2.04, 0.01), P=0.05] and ADE [RR=0.87, 95% CI (0.66, 1.15), P=0.32]. ConclusionThe results of this study show that compared with csDMARDs alone, TWPT combined with csDMARDs can effectively improve the levels of autoantibodies in RA patients without increasing the incidence of ADE. However, due to the limited quality and quantity of the included RCTs, the relevant conclusions are only used as a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RA, and more high-quality studies are still needed to further confirm their efficacy.
5.Anti-swelling and Analgesic Mechanism of Jianpi Tongluo Prescription from MAPKs Signaling Pathway
Ruirui MING ; Changting FANG-LUO ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Zhixing HU ; Chao YANG ; Tengteng XU ; Hongjie WANG ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(12):85-93
ObjectiveTo observe the anti-swelling and analgesic effects of Jianpi Tongluo prescription (JPTL) and to explore its mechanism initially. MethodA total of 120 ICR mice were divided into normal group, model group, JPTL low-, medium- and high-dose groups (5, 10, 20 g·kg-1) and positive drug (celecoxib, 0.03 g·kg-1) group, with 10 in each group (po,once a day). Complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used to induce the model of chronic inflammatory pain, and xylene-induced ear swelling test, hot plate test and acetic acid writhing test were performed to observe the anti-swelling and analgesic effects of different doses of JPTL in these four acute and chronic models. Further, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expressions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum and inflammatory paw of mice with chronic inflammatory pain, and the expressions of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), aquaporin 3 (AQP3), cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in inflammatory paw were detected by Western blot, to explore the preliminary mechanism of JPTL. ResultCompared with the conditions in the normal group, there was a significant increase in the ear swelling of xylene-induced model mice, a shortened paw withdrawal latency in the hot plate test (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, JPTL remarkably increased the inhibition rate of xylene-induced ear swelling (P<0.05, P<0.01), prolonged the latency period of writhing caused by acetic acid and reduced the number of writhing (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with normal group, the degree of feet swelling in chronic inflammatory pain mice was significantly increased, the threshold of mechanical pain was decreased and the threshold of cold pain was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein contents of AQP1 and AQP3 in inflammatory feet were increased, and the contents of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE2 and COX2 in inflammatory feet were increased in serum and/or inflammatory feet. The protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK, p-JNK and p-ERK in inflammatory feet were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, JPTL relieved paw swelling of mice with chronic inflammatory pain, elevated mechanical withdrawal threshold while decreased cold withdrawal threshold, with analgesia lasting for 4 h and the optimal time point for analgesia being 2 h after administration (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, JPTL down-regulated AQP1, AQP3, COX2, p-p38 MAPK, p-JNK and p-ERK in inflammatory paw of mice with chronic inflammatory pain and reduced IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2 in serum and/or inflammatory paw, but it had no significant effect on COX1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionJPTL has anti-swelling and analgesic effects, and its mechanism is related to inhibiting the production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation of MAPKs signaling pathway, which provides an experimental basis for the clinical application of JPTL.
7.Intervention of Osteoking in Rats with Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Xiaoxiao WANG ; Qun LI ; Zhixing HU ; Changting FANGLUO ; Ruirui MING ; Tengteng XU ; Chao YANG ; Wuqiong HOU ; Lili WANG ; Yini JIANG ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(24):19-29
ObjectiveTo clarify the intervention effect of Osteoking (OK) in rats with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and preliminarily explore the pharmacological mechanism of OK in relieving chronic pain from the perspective of anti-inflammatory disease. MethodThe 60 SD rats were divided into normal group, model group, low, medium, and high dose OK groups (0.66, 1.31, 2.63 mL·kg-1), and positive celecoxib group (21 mg·kg-1). The MPS rat model was established by beating combined with the centrifugal exercise method, and the OK and celecoxib were given at the same time. SMALGO paw pressure pain manometer detected the shock pain point tenderness threshold of rats, and the Von-Frey needle and acetone stimulation method detected the mechanical hyperalgesia threshold and cold hyperalgesia stimulation response respectively. Eight weeks and 10 weeks after modeling, the spontaneous discharge state and convulsion response of MPS rats were determined by electromyograph (EMG) instrument. The gait changes of MPS rats were detected using a CatWalk gait analyzer. The expression levels of interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), substance P (SP), and bradykinin (BK) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibiting protein α (IκBα), phosphorylates (p)- IκBα, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 were detected in MPS rats by Western blot. The positive expression of p-NF-κB p65 was detected by immunofluorescence. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group shows 100% positive rates for EMG signal and local convulsions response at both the 8th and 10th weeks. The tenderness threshold and mechanical hyperalgesia threshold are significantly reduced. Cold hyperalgesia score is significantly increased, and gait is abnormal. The expression levels of serum and trigger points IL-1β, TNF-α, SP, BK, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65, as well as the positive expression intensity of p-NF-κB p65 are significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive rate of EMG detection and local convulsion response is significantly reduced in the medium and high dose OK groups (P<0.05). The tenderness threshold and mechanical hyperalgesia threshold increase significantly in the medium and high dose OK groups, and the cold hyperalgesia score is significantly reduced in the high dose OK group (P<0.01). The standing time, swing time, and walking period are significantly increased. The swing speed, maximum contact area, and maximum contact intensity are significantly decreased in the high dose OK group (P<0.05). Moreover, the protein expression levels of p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 are significantly reduced in the medium and high dose OK groups (P<0.05,P<0.01). The positive expression intensity of p-NF-κB p65 is significantly decreased in the high dose OK group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe mechanism of OK in relieving the pain in trigger points of MPS and improving gait abnormalities is related to the downregulation of the NF-κB p65 inflammatory signaling pathway to reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and pain mediators in blood and trigger point tissue.
8.Effect of Guben Jiedu Prescription-medicated Serum on Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Lung Cancer A549 Cells: Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Dongju ZHU ; Bingkui PIAO ; Tengteng QIN ; Chen YANG ; Jianqi BAI ; Hongwei ZHU ; Ping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(22):93-99
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Guben Jiedu prescription (GBJ) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lung cancer A549 cells and to explore the mechanism based on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodThe GBJ-medicated serum was prepared. Cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to screen the optimal doses of GBJ-medicated serum for further experiment. A549 cells were classified into normal serum group, low-, medium-, and high-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups (2.5%, 5%, and 10% GBJ-medicated serum), PI3K/Akt pathway activator SC79 group, and high-dose GBJ-medicated serum + SC79 group. Cell migration ability was measured by wound-healing assay. The protein expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) was detected by Western blotting, and the mRNA expression of N-cadherin and vimentin by Real-time PCR. ResultCompared with the normal serum, GBJ-medicated serum (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%) decreased the viability of A549 cells (P<0.05), and 10%, 5%, 2.5% GBJ-medicated serum was respectively selected for the follow-up experiment. The migration ability of cells in the high-, medium-, and low-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups was lower than that in the normal serum group. The expression of N-cadherin mRNA and Vimentin mRNA in A549 cells in the three GBJ-medicated serum groups was significantly lower than that in the normal serum group (P<0.01). The protein expression of E-cadherin was higher in the high- and medium-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups than in the normal serum group (P<0.01). The three GBJ-medicated serum groups showed lower protein expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, p-Akt, and p-GSK-3β (P<0.01) and lower expression of p-Akt/Akt, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β (P<0.05, P<0.01) than normal serum group. Compared with the SC79 group, the high-dose GBJ-medicated serum group demonstrated high protein expression of E-cadherin (P<0.01) and low expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, and p-Akt/Akt, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β (P<0.01). Compared with the high-dose GBJ-medicated serum group, high-dose GBJ-medicated serum + SC79 group showed low protein expression of E-cadherin (P<0.01) and high protein expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, p-Akt/Akt, and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β (P<0.01). ConclusionGBJ can inhibit the migration and EMT of lung cancer A549 cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
9.Cannabidiol up⁃regulates BDNF and synaptic protein to exert antidepressant effects
Yan Yang ; Tengteng Ma ; Yujng Bian ; Jiangna Gu ; Yuyuan Sun ; Zhenyong Wen ; Jianping Xie ; Yun Yuan ; Ying Guo
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2022;57(8):1206-1210
Objective:
To study the rapid antidepressant effects of cannabioiol(CBD) on depression-like mice and its possible mechanism.
Methods:
Chronic restraint was used to establish a mouse depression model. The test mice were divided into 5 groups: normal control group, model group, positive control group, CBD low-dose group (25 mg/kg) and CBD high-dose group(50 mg/kg). The mice in each group were given intragastric administration one hour before the behavioral experiment. After the behavioral experiment, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex specimens were collected, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95), synaptophysin(SYP) and target of rapamycin(mTOR) were tested by ELISA.
Results:
Compared with the model group, the central area activity distance percentage, the central area activity time percentage and total distance increased in the open field experiment in the CBD low-dose group. Compared with the model group, the percentage of immobility in the forced swimming experiment in the low-dose CBD group decreased. The ELISA test results showed that CBD could rapidly increase the concentration of BDNF and PSD-95 in the prefrontal cortex, as well as the concentration of SYP and mTOR in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Conclusion
CBD can rapidly improve the behavioral performance of depression-like mice, and rapidly up-regulate the level of BDNF and synaptic protein in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex.
10.Using experimental results of international proficiency testing for establishing the decision limit value of mean fluorescent intensity of anti-human leukocyte antigen antibody and its clinical application
Luyao CHEN ; Xiaoni YUAN ; Xiaojing BAO ; Yang LI ; Tengteng ZHANG ; Tianjie YANG ; Xue JIANG ; Jun HE
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2021;42(8):468-474
Objective:Establish the decision threshold value of mean fluorescence intensity of anti-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)antibody through statistical analyzing the results of international proficiency testing(PT)organized by American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics(ASHI).Methods:Single antigen reagent and liquid chip(Luminex)technique were used to detect anti-HLA antibody. A retrospective analysis of the HLA antibody PT results of 55 quality control samples from 11 times organized by ASHI from 2012 to 2019 was reviewed.Results:Among 79 kinds of HLA-I antibodies, 21, 43 and 15 types of HLA-A, B and Cw antibodies were detected respectively, while among 44 kinds of HLA-Ⅱ antibodies, 18, 7 and 19 types of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 antibodies were detected respectively. After analyzing the MFI detection value of different specific antibodies in each PT samples at our laboratory and the coincidence rate of the negative / positive results judged by ASHI through summarizing the results of multicenter participating in the same period, MFI values of HLA antibody were arranged from high to low into the intervals of possible saturation value, positive decision value, positive judgment threshold value, suspicious positive reference value and suspicious negative reference value , according to the coincidence rate of 95%, 90%, 80%, 79%~50% and <50%.Thus, the decision limit value table of HLA specific antibody at our laboratory was established. And 42 kinds of HLA antibody types were detected with complete data.When the MFI values of various HLA-I or HLA-Ⅱ antibodies are found to be 80% or more in the table, it can be used to judge the detection of HLA antibodies. When HLA antibody MFI value reaches the positive decision value, it may have a certain guiding significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. And when antibody MFI value reaches the saturation value and lies in the suspicious positive or suspicious negative reference threshold, it just suggests that the clinical need for dynamic follow-up of anti-HLA antibody detection.Conclusions:The decision limit value of MFI of laboratory HLA antibody is established based on the international PT experimental results, which is of reference value for the interpretation of experimental results and clinical diagnosis and treatment. A transplant ation center should pay attention to the quality control of comparison test between laboratories in the detection of HLA antibodies.


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