1.Mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyutang in Intervening in Ferroptosis in Rats with Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome Based on ACSL4 Signalling Pathway
Yi LIU ; Yang YANG ; Chang SU ; Peng TIAN ; Mingyun WANG ; Ruqian ZHONG ; Xuejiao XIE ; Qing YAN ; Qinghua PENG ; Qiuyan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):27-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, sham-operation group, model group, trimetazidine group (5.4 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose group (3.51, 7.02,14.04 g·kg-1) of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome, and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted, while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed, and indicators such as electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe2+, lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ACSL4, and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 (LPCAT3) in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage, bow-back elevation of the ST segments, elevated T waves, J-point elevation, and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01). Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood (low, medium, and high rate of shear) was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken, and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles, and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased (P<0.01). The content of Fe2+, LPO, and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased (P<0.01). The content of GSH was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-, medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated, and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The differences in whole-blood viscosity (low, medium, and high rate of shear) were all significantly decreased (P<0.01). The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology, structure, and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of Fe2+, LPO, and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01), and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway, thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.
2.Inhibitory Effect of Sesquiterpenoid M36 from Myrrha on Growth of Human Hepatoma Cells
Dongxiao LIU ; Yaxin LIU ; Huiming HUANG ; Lishan OUYANG ; Chaochao WANG ; Jinxin XIE ; Longyan WANG ; Xuejiao WEI ; Peng TAN ; Pengfei TU ; Jun LI ; Zhongdong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):80-87
ObjectiveThe antitumor activity of sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha against human hepatoma HepG2 cells was investigated in this study. MethodHepG2 cells were treated with M36 at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 μmol·L-1). Firstly, the effects of M36 on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), colony formation assay, and EdU proliferation assay. Hoechst staining, flow cytometry analysis, and Western blot were used to explore the effect of M36 on the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Acridine orange staining and western blotting were used to examine the effect of M36 on autophagy in HepG2 cells. Finally, Western blot was used to detect protein expression of cancer-related signaling pathways. ResultCompared with the blank group, M36 treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells (P<0.01), and the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of M36 for 48 h was 5.03 μmol·L-1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. M36 was also able to induce apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. After treatment with 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 hours, the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells was (42.03±9.65)% (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 h had a significant increase in cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (cleaved-PARP) protein levels (P<0.01). Acridine orange staining showed that autophagy was significantly activated in HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 h compared with the blank group (P<0.01), which was further verified by the up-regulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3 Ⅱ). Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the levels of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and its downstream nuclear transcription factors c-Jun and p-c-Jun protein were significantly increased in M36 group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of MAPK signaling pathway. ConclusionThe sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha inhibits the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and promotes apoptosis and autophagy, which may be related to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.
3.Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough after lung surgery
Gaoxiang WANG ; Junqiang ZHANG ; Mingsheng WU ; Sheng WANG ; Yongfu ZHU ; Xuejiao LI ; Zhengwei CHEN ; Mingran XIE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(01):1-10
In recent years, the number of lung surgeries has increased year by year, and the number of patients with postoperative cough has also increased gradually. Chronic cough after lung surgery seriously affects patients' quality of life and surgical outcome, and has become one of the clinical problems that clinicians need to solve. However, there is currently no guideline or consensus for the treatment of chronic cough after lung surgery in China, and there is no standardized treatment method. Therefore, we searched databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases ect. from 2000 to 2023 to collected relevant literatures and research data, and produced the first expert consensus on chronic cough after lung surgery in China by Delphi method. We gave 11 recommendations from five perspectives including timing of chronic cough treatment, risk factors (surgical method, lymph node dissection method, anesthesia method), prevention methods (preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative), and treatment methods (etiological treatment, cough suppressive drug treatment, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and postoperative physical therapy). We hope that this consensus can improve the standardization and effectiveness of chronic cough treatment after lung surgery, provide reference for clinical doctors, and ultimately improve the quality of life of patients with chronic cough after lung surgery.
4.Value of controlling nutritional status score and related inflammatory indicators in predicting the prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma:a multi-center retrospective study
Fang XIE ; Chuanzong FENG ; Cheng ZHANG ; Xuejiao SHEN ; Jian ZHOU
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(5):406-411
Objective To explore the value of controlling nutritional status(CONUT)score and related inflammatory indicators in predicting the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)patients,to provide a reference for better clinical assessment and individualized treatment plan.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients with ccRCC admitted to four comprehensive hospitals in Yibin during 2010 and 2018.Patients'medical and follow-up records were collected,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the area under the curve(AUC)and optimal cut-off value of CONUT score and related indicators.Survival curve was plotted with Kaplan-Meier method,and the influencing factors of prognosis were analyzed with Log-rank test and Cox regression.Results During the follow-up of 62(53,71)months,37(28.03%)deaths occurred.The disease-specific survival(DSS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were 51(41,58)and 46(35,56)months,respectively.The 3-year and 5-year DSS and PFS were 84.09%and 71.97%,and 75.00%and 71.97%,respectively.The AUC of CONUT score,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR)were 0.980,0.905,0.899 and 0.884,respectively,with the optimal cut-off values of 3.50,3.19,89.07 and 3.56,respectively.Cox regression showed that CONUT score(HR=0.042,95%CI:0.013-0.140)and PLR(HR=0.182,95%CI:0.045-0.744)were associated with DSS;CONUT score(HR=0.029,95%CI:0.010-0.086)and LMR(HR=2.984,95%CI:1.227-7.258)were associated with PFS.Conclusion The prognosis of ccRCC patients is related to their nutritional,immune,and inflammatory status.CONUT score and inflammatory factors(PLR,LMR)may be important predictors of DSS and PFS.
5.Study on the acupoint selection law in treating insomnia with warming-needle moxibustion
Rongni ZHANG ; Yu XING ; Changchun JI ; Chaoju XIE ; Xuejiao WANG ; Liang GUO ; Jixing GUO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(6):778-783
Objective:To analyze the acupoint selection law in treating insomnia with warming-needle moxibustion using data mining technology.Methods:The clinical research literature on warming-needle moxibustion in treating insomnia was retrieved from the databases of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, China Medical Journal Full-text Database, SinoMed, PubMed from the establishment of the databases to June 30, 2023. Acupuncture prescriptions were extracted and a database was established. Descriptive analysis was carried out on the intervention measures, the number of moxibustion numbers, the total effective rate, and the relevant information of acupoint selection. Clustering analysis and association rule analysis by using SPSS Statistics 26.0, SPSS Modeler 18.0 were performed on the high-frequency acupoints used in body acupuncture and warming acupuncture, respectively.Results:A total of 67 articles about warming-needle moxibustion for insomnia were included. The main intervention was single warming-needle moxibustion, followed by combined auricular acupuncture. Moxibustion with moxa sticks of 1 to 2 cm in length was often used. The total effective rate was mostly between 92% and 94%. A total of 85 prescriptions were obtained, involving 55 acupoints (569 times in frequency), among which Baihui (DU 20) (55 times), Shenmen (HT 7) (54 times) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (45 times) were widely used. The selected acupoints were mainly distributed on the head, face, back and waist, and the affiliated meridians were mainly bladder meridian, Governor Vessel and heart meridian. The specific acupoints were mainly crossing points, followed by back-shu acupoints. Clustering analysis of high-frequency acupoints obtained three effective groups, including "Xinshu (BL 15)- Pishu (BL 20) - Shenshu (BL 23) - Ganshu (BL 18)", etc. Baihui (DU 20) and Shenmen (HT 7) were the most relevant acupoint combinations. A total of 44 acupoints (frequency 272 times) were involved in the selection of warming acupuncture, among which Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (32 times), Xinshu (BL 15) (23 times) and Pishu (BL 20) (23 times) were more frequently used. Clustering analysis of high-frequency acupoints obtained three effective groups, including "Xinshu (BL 15)- Pishu (BL 20) - Shenshu (BL 23) - Ganshu (BL 18)", etc. Pishu (BL 20) and Xinshu (BL 15) were the most relevant acupoint combinations.Conclusions:Warming-needle moxibustion for the treatment of insomnia focuses on the application of acupoints on the bladder meridian on the back and waist, cooperates with the selection of acupoints on the head and face, and attaches importance to the application of intersection points in specific acupoints. The selection of acupoints by warming-needle moxibustion is mainly based on the back-shu acupoints of zang-fu organs, which plays the role of balancing yin and yang, regulating zang-fu organs, tonifying deficiency and tranquilizing mind to help sleep.
6.Fangchinoline induces antiviral response by suppressing STING degradation
Wang JINYONG ; Xie FANG ; Jia XIN ; Wang XUEJIAO ; Kong LINGDONG ; Li YIYING ; Liang XUE ; Zhang MEIQI ; He YUTING ; Feng WANDI ; Luo TONG ; Wang YAO ; Xu ANLONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(6):902-913
The stimulator of interferon genes(STING),an integral adaptor protein in the DNA-sensing pathway,plays a pivotal role in the innate immune response against infections.Additionally,it presents a valuable therapeutic target for infectious diseases and cancer.We observed that fangchinoline(Fan),a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid(BBA),effectively impedes the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus(VSV),encephalomyocarditis virus(EMCV),influenza A virus(H1 N1),and herpes simplex virus-1(HSV-1)in vitro.Fan treatment significantly reduced the viral load,attenuated tissue inflammation,and improved survival in a viral sepsis mouse model.Mechanistically,Fan activates the antiviral response in a STING-dependent manner,leading to increased expression of interferon(1FN)and interferon-stimulated genes(ISGs)for potent antiviral effects in vivo and in vitro.Notably,Fan interacts with STING,preventing its degradation and thereby extending the activation of IFN-based antiviral responses.Collectively,our findings highlight the potential of Fan,which elicits antiviral immunity by suppressing STING degra-dation,as a promising candidate for antiviral therapy.
7.Anti-tumor Effect of Chinese Medicine by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest: A Review
Yaxin LIU ; Xuejiao WEI ; Huiming HUANG ; Lishan OUYANG ; Jinxin XIE ; Longyan WANG ; Dongxiao LIU ; Pengfei TU ; Zhongdong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(2):222-234
The prevalence and mortality of cancer have been on the rise, and it has been the global leading cause of death. The causes of cancer are diverse, such as heredity, radiation, and carcinogens. The abnormality of cell cycle regulation is also one of the causes. Cell cycle is a complex sequence of events through which a cell duplicates its contents and divides. Cell cycle is highly organized to ensure the integrity of genetic material. This process involves many regulatory genes and proteins. Cell cycle will be dysregulated when these proteins and genes change, resulting in the loss of control of cell proliferation, the inhibition of apoptosis, and finally the occurrence of tumor. At the moment, the therapies for cancer include traditional surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemical therapy, and targeted therapy. Chinese medicine has a wide range of sources and little side effect, which is worthy of further research and development. More and more studies have revealed that a variety of Chinese medicines play an anti-tumor role by inducing cell cycle arrest, so as to improve the quality of life and prolong the survival time of patients with advanced tumors. This article first introduces the characteristics and related regulatory factors of each phase of cell cycle, and enumerates the clinical and experimental examples of tumorigenesis caused by abnormal cell cycle. Then, we summarize the hot anti-tumor drugs targeting cell cycle in China and abroad, such as Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) inhibitors, ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated-and-Rad3-related kinase (ATR) inhibitors, and checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors. Finally, this article summarizes the recent research on the anti-tumor effect of Chinese medicine by inducing cell cycle arrest from the three aspects of cell cycle G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase, in order to provide some reference for the research on the anti-tumor effect of Chinese medicine.
8.Sequence analysis for a case with Para-Bombay AB blood type.
Xuejiao CAI ; Xuebing ZHANG ; Xiangjing ZHOU ; Zuoting XIE
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2021;38(8):809-811
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the molecular basis for a rare case with Para-Bombay AB blood type.
METHODS:
Serological method was used to determine the blood type of the proband. Exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene and the coding regions of FUT1 and FUT2 genes were analyzed by direct sequencing.
RESULTS:
Serological results showed that the proband was a Para-Bombay AB subtype. His genotype was determined as ABO*A1.02/B.01. The proband was also found to harbor c.551-552delAG and c.881-882delTT of the FUT1 gene. For his four children, there were three type B and one type A, though the expression of the H type was normal.
CONCLUSION
The double deletions in the coding region of the FUT1 gene probably underlay the Para-Bombay blood type in the proband. Carrier of single-strand deletions may have a normal ABO phenotype.
ABO Blood-Group System/genetics*
;
Alleles
;
Fucosyltransferases/genetics*
;
Genotype
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Phenotype
;
Sequence Analysis
9.Lipoprotein (a) and ischemic stroke
Li XIE ; Shan LIU ; Xuejiao QIN ; Yanhong DONG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2021;29(2):138-141
A large number of studies have shown that the elevated lipoprotein (a) is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, this article reviews the role of elevated lipoprotein (a) in ischemic stroke, its mechanism, and intervention measures.
10.Enlarged perivascular space and post-stroke cognitive impairment
Xuejiao QIN ; Zhenjie TENG ; Li XIE ; Shan LIU ; Yanhong DONG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2021;29(3):206-209
Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) directly affects the outcome of patients with stroke. Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) suggest the impairment of brain clearance mechanism and may affect cognitive function. More and more studies have confirmed that the presence of EPVS will aggravate PSCI. This article reviews the relationship between EPVS and PSCI.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail