1.Biomimetic nanoparticle delivery systems b ased on red blood cell membranes for disease treatment
Chen-xia GAO ; Yan-yu XIAO ; Yu-xue-yuan CHEN ; Xiao-liang REN ; Mei-ling CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):348-358
Nanoparticle delivery systems have good application prospects in the field of precision therapy, but the preparation process of nanomaterial has problems such as short
2.Effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on glucose homeostasis in rats due to impaired autophagy flux of islet β cells mediated by oxidative stress
Hongyang ZHOU ; Yuting HU ; Xue CHEN ; Yunqiang ZHOU ; Liping LI ; Ling LI ; Herong LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):674-683
Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor among phthalate acid esters (PAEs) worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to DEHP may disrupt glucose metabolism. Objective To investigate the impact of DEHP on glucose homeostasis in rats, focusing on oxidative stress-induced impairment of autophagy in islet β cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving DEHP doses of 0, 187, 375, and 750 mg·kg−1 for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were conducted 24 h after the final exposure. Pancreatic microstructural alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify the levels of insulin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in rat serum, as well as the protein expression level of activated caspase-3 in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, commercial microplate kits were utilized to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) using water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic tissue by chemical fluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure sequestosome1 (SQSTM1/p62), Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (Caspase-8) mRNA levels. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein relative expression levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3-I, LC3 II, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, and Caspase-8. Results Compared to the 0 mg·kg−1 DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group exhibited a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The OGTT showed that, following high-glucose gavage, the 187 mg·kg−1 DEHP group had elevated blood glucose at 30 min (P<0.05), the 375 mg·kg−1 DEHP group showed increased glucose levels at 15, 30, and 180 min (P<0.05), and the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group exhibited elevated levels at 15, 30, 60, and 180 min (P<0.05). The 375 and 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP groups demonstrated significantly increased OGTT area under the curve (AUC) values (P<0.05). In contrast, ITT results indicated no significant differences in blood glucose levels or AUC among the DEHP exposure groups at all time points (P>0.05). Compared to the 0 mg·kg−1 DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group exhibited significantly higher HOMA-IR levels and markedly lower HOMA-ISI values (P<0.05). HE and TEM showed that in each DEHP exposure group, the number of islet cells decreased, the islet area reduced, and chromatin condensation occurred. The endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of islet β cells decreased, and there were varying degrees of widening of the nuclear membrane gap, flattening and expansion of the Golgi complex, and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome separation was observed, and autophagosomes were visible. In the 375 and 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP groups, the mitochondria were deformed to varying degrees, and some cristae structures disappeared, presenting vacuolization. Moreover, the chromatin condensation in the nuclei was more severe in the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group. The serum SOD activity was significantly elevated in the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group (P<0.05). Both the 375 mg·kg−1 and 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative ROS content in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). In DEHP-treated groups, the MDA content increased (P<0.05), while the GSH content decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP group, the AMP/ATP ratio in serum was significantly raised (P<0.05), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in pancreatic tissue was also significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative mRNA levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3, and Caspase-8 in the pancreatic tissue of rats exposed to DEHP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and Beclin-1 proteins in the DEHP-treated groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the 375 mg·kg−1 and 750 mg·kg−1 DEHP treatment groups, the relative expression levels of p62, LC3 II/LC1, and Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the relative expression level of p-mTOR/mTOR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP can disrupt glucose homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, which subsequently activates autophagy via the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway, impairing autophagic flux and promoting apoptosis of islet β cells, ultimately decreasing their function and number.
3.Construction and evaluation of novel self-assembled nanoparticles of Herpetospermum caudigerum Wall.
Yu-wen ZHU ; Xiang DENG ; Li CHEN ; Jian-tao NING ; Yu-ye XUE ; Bao-de SHEN ; Ling-yu HANG ; Hai-long YUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):448-454
It has become an industry consensus that self-assembled nanoparticles (SAN) are formed by molecular recognition of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine during the decoction process. The insoluble components in the decoction are mostly in the form of nanoparticles, which can improve the problem of poor water solubility. However, the transfer rate of these insoluble components in the decoction is still very low, which limits the efficacy of the drug. This study aimed to refine the traditional decoction self-assembly phenomenon. The self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed by micro-precipitation method (MP-SAN), and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, stability index and morphology. The formation of MP-SAN and alterations in related physicochemical properties were evaluated using modern spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques. The quality value transmitting pattern of lignan components within the MP-SAN was assessed
4.Expert opinions on operation rules of Morita therapy outpatient service
Jiangbo LI ; Zucheng WANG ; Yuhua CUI ; Yingzhi LU ; Weijie QU ; Haiyin ZHANG ; Fuqiang MAO ; Fengqing QIE ; Wanghong SHI ; Qinfeng ZHANG ; Lingyi PAN ; Ling ZHANG ; Jianzhong LI ; Guangcheng CUI ; Tongxian CHEN ; Xiuqing MA ; Wei RONG ; Jianjun ZHANG ; Qingfang ZHONG ; Yanchi ZHANG ; Boquan ZHANG ; Xinrui WANG ; Wenyou MA ; Qingtao REN ; Yongfa JING ; Huanzhong LIU ; Zhenjian YU ; Laitian ZHAO ; Tianming HAN ; Xue HAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):68-72
Morita therapy has been bom for more than 100 years.Inpatient Morita therapy is highly oper-able and easy to master.It can improve many refractory neuroses through four-stage treatment.But more neuroses are treated in outpatient clinics,and Morita therapy cannot be used in hospitalized patients.Therefore,the formula-tion of expert opinions on outpatient operations is particularly important.This paper is based on domestic and for-eign references,and after many discussions by domestic Morita therapy experts,and then drew up the first version of the expert opinions on operation of outpatient Morita therapy.Meanwhile the operation rule of Morita therapy in three stages of outpatient treatment was formulated:in the etiological analysis stage,under the theoretical guidance of Morita therapy,analyze the pathogenic factors,to improve treatment compliance and reduce resistance;during the operating stage,guide patients to engage in constructive and meaningful actions,realizing the achievement of letting nature take its course principle;in the cultivating character and enriching life stage,pay attention to positive infor-mation,expanding the scope and content of actions,improving the ability to adapt to complex life,and preventing recurrence caused by insufficient abilities.It will lay a foundation for the promotion of Morita therapy in domestic outpatient clinics,so that more patients with neurosis and other psychological diseases could receive characteristic Morita therapy treatment in outpatient clinics.
5.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
6.Association of Human Whole-blood NAD+Levels with Nabothian Cyst
Ling XU ; Xuan Yue WANG ; Wei WANG ; Xue FAN ; Yu Xue CHEN ; Yun Tian ZHOU ; He Yu LIU ; Ye YU ; Fan YANG ; Yu Zhen JU ; Yong ZHOU ; Liang Deng WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(5):471-478
Objective Little is known about the association between whole-blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD+)levels and nabothian cysts.This study aimed to assess the association between NAD+levels and nabothian cysts in healthy Chinese women. Methods Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between NAD+levels and nabothian cysts. Results The mean age was 43.0±11.5 years,and the mean level of NAD+was 31.3±5.3 μmol/L.Nabothian cysts occurred in 184(27.7%)participants,with single and multiple cysts in 100(15.0%)and 84(12.6%)participants,respectively.The total nabothian cyst prevalence gradually decreased from 37.4%to 21.6%from Q1 to Q4 of NAD+and the prevalence of single and multiple nabothian cysts also decreased across the NAD+quartiles.As compared with the highest NAD+quartile(≥34.4 μmol/L),the adjusted odds ratios with 95%confidence interval of the NAD+Q1 was 1.89(1.14-3.14)for total nabothian cysts.The risk of total and single nabothian cysts linearly decreased with increasing NAD+levels,while the risk of multiple nabothian cysts decreased more rapidly at NAD+levels of 28.0 to 35.0 μmol/L. Conclusion:Low NAD+levels were associated with an increased risk of total and multiple nabothian cysts.
7.Association of Cytokines with Clinical Indicators in Patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Hua Wei CAO ; Ting Ting JIANG ; Ge SHEN ; Wen DENG ; Yu Shi WANG ; Yu Zi ZHANG ; Xin Xin LI ; Yao LU ; Lu ZHANG ; Yu Ru LIU ; Min CHANG ; Ling Shu WU ; Jiao Yuan GAO ; Xiao Hong HAO ; Xue Xiao CHEN ; Ping Lei HU ; Jiao Meng XU ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Hui Ming LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(5):494-502
Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators. Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),anti-infective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed. Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group. Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-α and IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.
8.Clinical features and genetic analysis of child with Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 6 due to variant of DNA2 gene
Yuanling CHEN ; Lulu YAN ; Jiangyang XUE ; Haibo LI ; Ling WU ; Jika ZHENG ; Yazhen DI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1238-1242
Objective:To explore the genetic etiology for a child with Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 6 (PEOA6).Methods:A child who had attended the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University on 7 August, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were analyzed retrospectively. The child and her parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2020-048).Results:The child, a 7-year-old female, had presented with limb muscle pain, amyosthenia, significantly increased creatine kinase, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and recurrent respiratory tract infections. WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c. 1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene, which was verified to have a de novo origin by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.1590G>C was rated as a likely pathogenic variant (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:The c.1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene probably underlay the PEOA6 in this child.
9.Sensitive Detection of Hypochlorous Acid Using Porphyrin-pyridyl Conjugated Oligomer-based Fluorescent Nanoprobe
Ji-Yan HUANG ; Mi-Xue CHEN ; Jin-Ling LI ; Yi XIAO ; Hong-Mei HUANG ; You-Yu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(8):1132-1140,中插6-中插11
Conjugated oligomers,as analogues of conjugated polymers,allow for constructing ultrafine fluorescent nanoparticles with improved sensing sensitivity due to their more precisely defined molecular structure and smaller size.Herein,a new porphyrin-pyridyl conjugated oligomer,i.e.,Zn-TPP-OMe,was designed and synthesized via Sonogashira coupling strategy and a super-small(~2.0 nm)water-soluble fluorescent nanoprobe(Zn-TPP-OMe nanoparticles(NPs))was subsequent obtained by nanoprecipitation method.Due to the addition reaction of chlorine atom to porphyrin ring,the fluorescence intensity of Zn-TPP-OMe NPs at 619-660 nm significantly decreased with increasing HCLO concentration.Meanwhile,Zn-TPP-OMe NPs aggregated obviously after adding HClO,achieving enhanced fluorescence quenching.The fluorescence detection mechanism was verified by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)and high resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)analyses.The experimental results indicated that the porphyrin-pyridyl conjugated oligomer nanosystem had high sensitivity(LOD=0.005 μmol/L)and excellent selectivity in detection of HClO,and was successfully applied to the sensing of HClO in actual water samples.
10.Effects of triterpenoids from Psammosilene tunicoides on tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in RA-FLS
Xing-Yue ZHOU ; Ling QUE ; Xiong DING ; Ying-Xue ZHAO ; Feng-Rong JIANG ; Hai-Feng CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(5):1499-1507
AIM To investigate the mechanism of triterpenoids quillaic acid and gypsogenin-3-O-glucuronide from Psammosilene tunicoides on tunicamycin-induced rheumatoid arthritis fibroblasts-like synoviocytes(RA-FLS)via the endoplasmic reticulum pathway.METHODS The research objects of tunicamycin-induced RA-FLS intervened with quillaic acid and gypsogenin-3-O-glucuronide had their cell proliferation activity detected;their level of tumor nerosis factor-α(TNF-α)detected by ELISA;their apoptosis detected by flow cytometry;their cell migration ability detected by Transwell experiment;their expressions of transcription activator 6(ATF-6),glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78),C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),cysteine protease protein-12(caspase-12)and anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 protein detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of ATF-6,GRP78 and CHOP detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the model group,each group intervened with quillaic acid or gypsogenin-3-O-glucuronide displayed decreased levels of TNF-α(P<0.01);weakened cell proliferation and migration ability(P<0.01);increased apoptosis rate(P<0.01);decreased protein expressions of ATF-6 and Bcl-2(P<0.05,P<0.01);and increased protein expressions of CHOP and caspase-12(P<0.05,P<0.01).In addition,decreased GRP78 protein expression in the low and medium dose groups(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased mRNA expression of ATF-6,GRP78(P<0.01)and increased CHOP mRNA expression(P<0.01)in the medium dose groups of quillaic acid and gypsogenin-3-O-glucuronide were observed as well.CONCLUSION Quillaic acid and gypsogenin-3-O-glucuronide may play a protective role in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of RA-FLS,inducing apoptosis and reducing the secretion of related inflammatory factors via endoplasmic reticulum signal pathway.

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