1.Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sleep Deprivation-induced Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Si-Ru YAN ; Ming-Yang CAI ; Ya-Xuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xue-Ling DAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2474-2485
Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.
2. Mechanism of EGFR inhibitor AG1478 combined with oxaliplatin in inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway and promoting autophagy in HI 975 cells
Jin-Qing HUANG ; Yang LI ; Dong-Xue WEI ; Shan JIANG ; Shao-Feng JIANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):242-278
Aim To explore the effect of oxaliplatin combined with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 on autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. Methods H1975 cells were cultured in vitro using gradient concentrations of AG1478 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 jjimol • IT
3.Novel antibacterial drug target against Gram-negative bacteria: lipopolysaccharide transport protein LptDE and its inhibitors
Yue LI ; Guo-qing LI ; Yuan-yuan TIAN ; Cong-ran LI ; Xin-yi YANG ; Kai-hu YAO ; Xue-fu YOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):279-288
The outer membrane composed predominantly of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential biological barrier for most Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Lipopolysaccharide transport protein (Lpt) complex LptDE is responsible for the critical final stage of LPS transport and outer membrane assembly. The structure and function of LptDE are highly conserved in most G- bacteria but absent in mammalian cells, and thus LptDE complex is regarded as an attractive antibacterial target. In recent 10 years, the deciphering of the three-dimensional structure of LptDE protein facilities the drug discovery based on such "non
4.Clinical Study on Oral Use of Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules Combined with External Application of Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment in the Treatment of Acute Tonsillitis in Children
You-Wei SHANG ; Jian-Guo MAO ; Qing CHEN ; Xue-Feng NING ; Chun-Yang MAO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):638-645
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral use of Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules(mainly composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Forsythiae Fructus,Taraxaci Herba,Violae Herba,Schizonepetae Herba,Arctii Fructus,Gleditsiae Spina,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Moutan Cortex,and Phragmitis Rhizoma)combined with external application of Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment(mainly composed of Scutellariae Radix,Coptidis Rhizoma,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,and Gleditsiae Spina,etc.)in the treatment of acute tonsillitis in children,and to observe their effects on the immune function and related inflammatory indexes of the patients.Methods A total of 116 children with acute tonsillitis of heat stagnation in the lung and stomach type were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 58 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Cefixime Dispersible Tablets,while the observation group was treated with Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules for oral use and Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment for external application.Both groups were treated for 14 days and then were followed-up for a period of 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,white blood cell(WBC)count,T lymphocyte subset CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels,and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6)and C-reactive protein(CRP)in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and time for the disappearance of clinical symptoms were compared between the two groups,and the occurrence of adverse reactions and the recurrence of tonsillitis in the two groups were monitored at the same time.Results(1)During the trial,there were 8 cases falling off in the control group but none case falling off in the observation group,and eventually 50 cases in the control group and 58 cases in the observation group completed the full course of treatment.(2)After 14 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 98.28%(57/58),while that of the control group was 90.00%(45/50).The intergroup(tested by rank sum test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the time for the disappearance of sore throat,time for the disappearance of purulent spots,time for subsiding fever and time for the tonsils recovering to normal in the observation group were all significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the scores of primary and secondary symptoms and the overall symptom scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction of the scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subset CD3+,CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the two groups were significantly higher(P<0.05)while the level of CD8 + was significantly lower(P<0.05)than those before treatment,and the increase in the levels of CD3+,CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ and the reduction of the CD8+ level of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the levels of WBC,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and CRP in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(7)During the treatment period,no skin allergy,nausea,vomiting or other gastrointestinal adverse reactions occurred in the two groups,which showed a high degree of safety.(8)The 6-month follow-up showed that the recurrence rate of tonsillitis in the observation group was 5.17%(3/58),which was significantly lower than that of 24.00%(12/50)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 8.330,P<0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of Jiawei Puji Xiaodu Granules combined with Xiaozhong Sanjie Ointment exert notable curative effect for children with acute tonsillitis of heat stagnation in the lung and stomach type.The combined therapy can significantly shorten the duration of the disease,improve the clinical symptoms of the children and effectively reduce the recurrence rate of tonsillitis.The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the enhancement of the immune function and the inhibition of inflammatory response.
5.Establishment of a Method for Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation-vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Healthy Children
Zichen CHEN ; Juan HU ; Feiyun CHEN ; Hui YANG ; Yanfei CHEN ; Tingting XUE ; Fangyuan YANG ; Yuzhong ZHANG ; Qiong WU ; Yulian JIN ; Xiaoyong REN ; Qing ZHANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2024;32(2):100-106
Objective To establish the methods of galvanic vestibular stimulation-vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(GVS-VEMPs)in healthy children and to obtain the normal value of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in these children in China.Methods Twenty(3~14 years)healthy children and 24 healthy adults(18~30 years)were enrolled for conventional examinations of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP.Using the galvanic stimulation in-tensity under 3 mA/1 ms for children and 5 mA/1 ms for adults.The characteristics of elicitation and parameter re-sults of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children and adults,as well as the pain scores and the elicitation of differ-ent stimulus intensities in the two age groups were recorded.Results The elicitation of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP were both 100.0%in children and adult groups.The p1 latency,n1 latency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-cVEMP were 10.46±1.84 ms,16.98±2.12 ms and 6.52±1.42 ms respectively in children group,the n1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency were significantly shorter than the adult group(P<0.05).The n1 latency,p1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-oVEMP were 8.87±1.40 ms,12.25±1.80 ms and 3.39±1.07 ms re-spectively in children group with no significant difference between the two groups.The thresholds of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children group were significantly lower than adult group(P<0.01),but no differences were found in adult group regarding on the amplitude and interaural amplitude asymmetry ratio.In addition,with the in-crease of the intensity of galvanic stimulation,the correlation between pain scores and the elicitation rates of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP also increased.Conclusion Using appropriate stimulus intensity and recording methods,GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP could be successfully assessed and detected in healthy children over 3 years old and adolescents.The latency of GVS-cVEMP in children is slightly shorter than that in adults,therefore we recommend selecting the matched age group for assessment in the children group.
6.Mechanism of chrysophanol in improving acute kidney injury induced by ischemia reperfusion
Xue YANG ; Yan-qing WANG ; Min DENG ; Lu TIE ; Lin-lin LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1295-1305
Kidney ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Recent studies have reported that chrysophanol may have a renal protective effect, but its specific impact and mechanism on IRI remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of chrysophanol on AKI induced by IRI. By utilizing a unilateral kidney IRI mouse model, histopathological changes in the kidney, serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen, and protein expressions of apoptosis and mitophagy in kidney tissue were examined. Additionally, a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model of human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells was established to measure mitochondrial membrane potential levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Functional enrichment analysis was performed to screen relevant targets of chrysophanol and AKI, and to verify key targets and pathways. The animal experiments conducted in this study were ethically approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Peking University (No. LA2021503). The findings indicate that the IRI group exhibited elevated levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen in serum, significant renal tissue damage, and increased expression of renal injury markers (KIM1), apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved-caspase 3, caspase 3, cytochrome C), and mitochondrial autophagy protein (PINK1) compared to the sham surgery group. Chrysophanol treatment ameliorated the aforementioned pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner in an IRI model. Additionally, it exhibited significant improvements in mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of ROS production in HK-2 cells subjected to H/R conditions. Through network pharmacological analysis, HSP90AA1 and PIK3R1 were identified as key targets primarily enriched in the phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation confirmed that chrysophanol significantly decreased
7.Clinical trial of brexpiprazole in the treatment of adults with acute schizophrenia
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Liang LI ; Dong YANG ; Jin-Guo ZHAI ; Tao JIANG ; Yu-Zhong SHI ; Bin WU ; Xiang-Ping WU ; Ke-Qing LI ; Tie-Bang LIU ; Jie LI ; Shi-You TANG ; Li-Li WANG ; Xue-Yi WANG ; Yun-Long TAN ; Qi LIU ; Uki MOTOMICHI ; Ming-Ji XIAN ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):654-658
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50%(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40%(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P>0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P>0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00%vs.64.50%,P>0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.
8.Effect of oxaliplatin combined with AG1478 on lung cancer by regulating reactive oxygen species and inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway
Dong-Xue WEI ; Shao-Feng JIANG ; Shan CUI ; Yang LI ; Jin-Qing HUANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(12):1754-1758
Objective To investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 combined with oxaliplatin(OXA)on non-small cell lung cancer cells H1299.Methods H1299 cells were divided into control group(conventional culture,without drug),OXA-25,-50,-100 groups(25,50 and 100 μmol·L-1 OXA),AG-20 group(20 μmol·L-1AG1478)and OXA+AG group(25 μmol·L-1 OXA and 20 μmol·L-1AG1478).Detection of cell survival rate by MTT assay and calculation of half inhibitory concentration(IC50).Reactive oxygen species(ROS)probe H2DCFDA was used to detect ROS levels.Autophagy of H1299 cells was detected by MDC method.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3 K),phosphorylated-protein kinase B(p-AKT),autophagy protein(Beclin-1)and microtubule associated protein light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ).Results The IC50 of OXA on H1299 cells was 91.09 μmol·L-1.The IC50 of AG1478 on H1299 cells was 31.83 μmol·L-1.The relative ROS level were 1.00±0.03,1.15±0.02,1.76±0.04,2.89±0.02,1.05±0.01 and 3.20±0.03,respectively;the relative MDC levels were 1.00±0.04,1.10±0.02,1.16±0.02,1.46±0.04,1.04±0.01 and 1.31±0.02,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-PI3K protein were 1.12±0.05,0.88±0.06,0.72±0.07,0.60±0.05,0.91±0.07 and 0.64±0.09,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-AKT protein were 1.09±0.04,0.87±0.08,0.77±0.07,0.63±0.05,0.76±0.05 and 0.46±0.03,respectively;the relative expression levels of Beclin-1 protein were 0.82±0.03,0.91±0.04,1.06±0.28,1.11±0.03,0.87±0.04 and 1.27±0.10,respectively;the relative expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ protein were 0.65±0.08,0.82±0.11,1.08±0.12,1.38±0.09,0.72±0.11 and 1.38±0.15,respectively.Compared the OXA+AG group and the OXA single group with the control group,compared the OXA+AG group with the OXA single group,there were statistically significant differences in the above indicators(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion AG1478 combined with OXA can increase ROS levels in non-small cell lung cancer cells H1299 and inhibit the activation of PI3K signaling pathway,thus inducing autophagy.
9.Comparative Study on the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Different Post-exposure Intramuscular Rabies Vaccination Regimens in China
Yun SONG ; Ying HE ; Xin Xue LU ; Mei Xiao ZHANG ; Lin XIAO JIANG ; Qing SONG ; Yong Xue HUANG ; Xia Hong MA ; Cheng Peng YU ; Yang Wu ZHU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(2):178-186
Objective This study aimed to compare the current Essen rabies post-exposure immunization schedule(0-3-7-14-28)in China and the simple 4-dose schedule(0-3-7-14)newly recommended by the World Health Organization in terms of their safety,efficacy,and protection. Methods Mice were vaccinated according to different immunization schedules,and blood was collected for detection of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies(RVNAs)on days 14,21,28,35,and 120 after the first immunization.Additionally,different groups of mice were injected with lethal doses of the CVS-11 virus on day 0,subjected to different rabies immunization schedules,and assessed for morbidity and death status.In a clinical trial,185 rabies-exposed individuals were selected for post-exposure vaccination according to the Essen schedule,and blood was collected for RVNAs detection on days 28 and 42 after the first immunization. Results A statistically significant difference in RVNAs between mice in the Essen and 0-3-7-14 schedule groups was observed on the 35th day(P<0.05).The groups 0-3-7-14,0-3-7-21,and 0-3-7-28 showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in RVNAs levels at any time point.The post-exposure immune protective test showed that the survival rate of mice in the control group was 20%,whereas that in the immunization groups was 40%.In the clinical trial,the RVNAs positive conversion rates on days 28(14 days after 4 doses)and 42(14 days after 5 doses)were both 100%,and no significant difference in RVNAs levels was observed(P>0.05). Conclusion The simple 4-dose schedule can produce sufficient RVNAs levels,with no significant effect of a delayed fourth vaccine dose(14-28 d)on the immunization potential.
10.Exploration of the Acupoint Selection Rules of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Obesity Complicated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on R language
Chen-Yang WANG ; Xiao-Xue YANG ; Shu-Fang CHU ; Jun-Yang GAO ; Qing-Lin LI ; Yue SHEN ; Jin-Yuan FANG ; Xiao-Wan XIONG ; Min PI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(9):2381-2389
Objective To investigate the acupoint selection rules of obesity complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)through R language data mining technology.Methods CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,web of science and other major databases were searched by computer.From the establishment of the database to January 2024,the clinical research literature on acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of obesity with T2DM was included.Microsoft Excel 2021 was used to establish a database of acupoint prescriptions.R 4.3.2 and Rstudio software were used to analyze the frequency,meridian tropism,specific acupoints,correlation analysis,association rules and cluster analysis of acupoints.Results A total of 81 articles were included,and 117 prescriptions were extracted.It involves 82 acupoints,and the total frequency of acupoint usage is 1 072 times.The top five acupoints with the highest frequency were Zusanli(ST36),Zhongwan(RN12),Weiwanxiashu(EX-B3),Pishu(BL20),Tianshu(ST25).The meridian selection is mainly based on the stomach meridian of foot yangming,ren meridian,foot taiyang bladder meridian and foot taiyin spleen meridian.The five-shu points are the specific points with the highest frequency of use.Correlation analysis showed that there were three groups of strongly related acupoint groups.The core acupoints were obtained by association rule analysis.Cluster analysis and machine voting were performed on acupoints with frequency ≥ 10 by function,and a total of four cluster acupoint groups were obtained.Conclusion Through R language data analysis,the principle of acupoint selection for acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of obesity complicated with T2DM is mainly based on abdominal local acupoints,combined with visceral syndrome differentiation and empirical point selection,which provides effective treatment ideas for acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of obesity complicated with T2DM.

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