1.Application of Ferroptosis Regulation in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Spleen Deficiency and Turbid Toxin
Yuxi GUO ; Xuemei JIA ; Jie WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Pengli DU ; Yao DU ; Diangui LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):279-285
Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), a common digestive system disease, has an unclear pathogenesis. Currently, it is mostly believed to be related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, immune factors, dietary factors, bile reflux, long-term use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mechanism that is iron-dependent and characterized by disruption of iron metabolism and accumulation of lipid peroxides. More and more studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to the onset of CAG. Professor LI Diangui, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, first proposed the turbid toxin theory, which holds that spleen deficiency and turbid toxin is the main pathogenic mechanism of CAG. Abnormal iron metabolism regulation is a prerequisite for the accumulation of turbid toxin in CAG, and ferroptosis is in accordance with the pathogenic mechanism (spleen deficiency and turbid toxin) of CAG. This article explores the pathological mechanism of spleen deficiency and turbid toxin in CAG from the perspectives of iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation, providing theoretical support of traditional Chinese medicine for the modern research on CAG. It enriches the modern scientific connotation of the turbid toxicity theory and provides new ideas and breakthrough points for the clinical treatment of CAG.
2.Application of Ferroptosis Regulation in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Spleen Deficiency and Turbid Toxin
Yuxi GUO ; Xuemei JIA ; Jie WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Pengli DU ; Yao DU ; Diangui LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):279-285
Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), a common digestive system disease, has an unclear pathogenesis. Currently, it is mostly believed to be related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, immune factors, dietary factors, bile reflux, long-term use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mechanism that is iron-dependent and characterized by disruption of iron metabolism and accumulation of lipid peroxides. More and more studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to the onset of CAG. Professor LI Diangui, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, first proposed the turbid toxin theory, which holds that spleen deficiency and turbid toxin is the main pathogenic mechanism of CAG. Abnormal iron metabolism regulation is a prerequisite for the accumulation of turbid toxin in CAG, and ferroptosis is in accordance with the pathogenic mechanism (spleen deficiency and turbid toxin) of CAG. This article explores the pathological mechanism of spleen deficiency and turbid toxin in CAG from the perspectives of iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation, providing theoretical support of traditional Chinese medicine for the modern research on CAG. It enriches the modern scientific connotation of the turbid toxicity theory and provides new ideas and breakthrough points for the clinical treatment of CAG.
3.Protective effect of saikosaponin b2 on corticosterone induced PC12 cell injury based on cell metabonomics
Meng LI ; Hao SHI ; Jiajun CHEN ; Jiale LYU ; Xuemei QIN ; Guanhua DU ; Yuzhi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(1):11-21
OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect of saikosaponin b2(SSb2)on corticosterone(CORT)induced PC12 cell injury and its mechanism.METHODS ① PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI-1640 medium),CORT group(24 h of culture with CORT 100-800 μmol·L-1)and SSb2 group(24 h of culture with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol·L-1).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate.②PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI 1640 medium),model group(24 h of culture with CORT 400 μmol·L-1),and model+SSb2 group(3 h pretreatment with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1,removal of the supernatant before cells were co-incubated with CORT 400 μmol·L-1 and corresponding concentrations of SSb2 for 24 h).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate while micro-plate assay was used to detect the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leakage rate of PC12 cells.③PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group,model group and model+SSb2 12.5 μmol·L-1 group.AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry assay was used to detect PC12 cell apoptosis,ultra-perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)cell metabonomics was used to detect metabolic profile changes and colorimetric assay was employed to detect the glutamic acid content and glutaminase activity in PC12 cells.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,the cell viability decreased to(55±6)%(P<0.01)when the concentration of CORT was 400 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of SSb2 was higher than 50 μmol·L-1,there was significant toxicity to PC12 cells(P<0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate was signif-icantly decreased(P<0.01),while the release rate of LDH was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the cell survival rate significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the LDH release rate significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model+SSb2 group.③ Com-pared with the cell control group,cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,cell apoptosis was significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the model+ SSb2 group.Metabolomics results show that SSb2 significantly back-regulated nine differential metabo-lites of glutamate,creatine,N-acetylaspartate,L-tyrosine,citric acid,L-isoleucine,lactic acid,glutamine and choline.Further network analysis of the key metabolites regulated by SSb2 yielded five major metabolic pathways:D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism,phenylalanine,tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,tyrosine metabolism and arginine biosynthesis.Compared with the cell control group,the content of glutamate and activity of glutaminase were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of glutamate(P<0.01)and activity of glutaminase(P<0.05)were significantly increased in the model+SSb2 group.CONCLUSION SSb2 has a neuroprotective effect on CORT-injured PC12 cells,and the mechanism of which is related to inhibition of apoptosis and regulation of metabolic disorders.
4.Effect of Coptisine on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Rats
Jie WANG ; Pengli DU ; Jiaqi DONG ; Yuewei YANG ; Yunxiao GAO ; Hongyu MA ; Xuemei JIA ; Yuxi GUO ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):117-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of coptisine on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodA CAG rat model was induced by multiple factors, including sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, folic acid group, and high- and low-dose coptisine groups. The high- and low-dose coptisine groups were given coptisine (50, 10 mg·kg-1, respectively), and the folic acid group was given folic acid at 2 mg·kg-1 for 60 days. The pathological changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells was observed by electron microscopy. Serum pepsinogen Ⅰ (PGⅠ), pepsinogen Ⅱ (PGⅡ), and PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio (PGR) were detected by immunoturbidimetry. Serum gastrin-17 (G-17) level was detected by radioimmunoassay. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum of rats was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELSIA). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in gastric mucosa. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, PTEN, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ), and Beclin-1 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed atrophy and reduced number of intrinsic glands in the gastric mucosal tissues, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells in the model group displayed nuclear condensation, reduced and swollen mitochondria, and abnormal structure. The serum levels of G-17, PGⅠ, PGR, and the protein and mRNA levels of PTEN in gastric tissues were significantly lower in the model group (P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in gastric tissues were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, various drug intervention groups showed different degrees of improvement in pathological damage and gastric mucosal cell ultrastructure, significantly increased serum levels of G-17, PGⅠ, and PGR (P<0.05,P<0.01), and significantly decreased levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05,P<0.01). The high-dose coptisine group significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionBerberine has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, possibly exerting a protective effect on gastric mucosa by inhibiting inflammation and blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
5.Effect of USP9X on Akt phosphorylation and platelet function
Xuemei JIA ; Shujun SHAO ; Lujie ZHOU ; Danxin DU ; Huangying LU ; Cheng CHEN ; Rong XIA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(4):377-384
【Objective】 To explore the expression of USP9X in platelets and its effect on platelet function. 【Methods】 The expression of USP9X in human and mouse was evaluated by PCR and Western blot. Platelets from young and old mice were separated and prepared, and the expression of USP9X was detected. USP9X inhibitos were used to assess the regulation of USP9X in platelet function, including aggregation, ATP release and spreading. Platelet lysates were collected in different time points to evaluate the change of phosphorylation of Akt in USP9X inhibitors treated platelets. 【Results】 Both human and mouse platelets expressed USP9X. Compared to the young mice, the old mice showed significantly enhanced expression of USP9X(P<0.05). To assess the effect of USP9X on platelet function, USP9X inhibitor was used to pre-incubate platelets for 30 min and platelet function were examined later. Results showed that USP9X inhibitor significantly decreased platelet activation including aggregation, ATP release and spreading(P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the inhibitor treated group showed a significant decrease in the spreading area after 45 minutes. The Western blot results showed a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation levels of platelets in the USP9X inhibitor treated group. 【Conclusion】 Both human and mouse platelet express USP9X, and inhibition of USP9X decreased platelet function including aggregation, ATP release and spreading. USP9X can also influence the phosphorylation of Akt. The inhibitor of USP9X may become a potential therapeutic target for thrombosis intervention.
6.Relationship between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes,PD-1 and PD-L1 expression with the prognosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
Yue CHEN ; Xuemei DU ; Zhonghe JI ; Ying GAO ; Zhiran YANG ; Huamin QIN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(8):828-833
Purpose To investigate the relationship be-tween the expressions of CD3,CD4,CD8,CD20,CD68,PD-1 and PD-L1 and the clinical prognosis of peritoneal mesothelioma(PM).Methods Clinical data of 69 PM patients were collect-ed.EnVision two-step immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CD3,CD4,CD8,CD20,CD68,PD-1 and PD-L1 in PM.Associations between expression levels and survival were estimated by univariate and multivariate Cox pro-portional-hazards models.Results There were no significant differences in the expressions of CD3,CD4,CD8,CD20,CD68,and PD-1 in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)of ep-ithelioid and non-epithelioid PM.The expression of PD-L1 in non-epithelioid PM TILs was higher than that in epithelioid PM TILs,but the difference was not statistically significant.The median overall survival(mOS)time of PM was 19.1 months.Multivariate models identified asbestos exposure(P=0.002),PCI score(P=0.034),histological type(P=0.036),and CD4 expression(P=0.043)was independent prognostic factors for PM.Conclusion Asbestos exposure,PCI score,histologi-cal type and CD4 expression in TILs may exert significant im-pacts on survival of PM patients.
7.Serum myostatin and follistatin as biomarkers of sarcopenia in elderly women
Yanping DU ; Ye YANG ; Wenjing TANG ; Minmin CHEN ; Huilin LI ; Weijia YU ; Xiaoqing WU ; Liu SHEN ; Xuemei ZHANG ; Yuxiang ZHENG ; Jianfei GU ; Qun CHENG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(6):500-504
Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical value of myostatin(MST) and follistatin(FST) as biological biomarkers in evaluating sarcopenia in elderly women.Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that enrolled 350 females aged 20-89 years who underwent physical examinations in Shanghai Huadong Hospital in 2021. Demographic characteristics, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, hand grip strength, gait speed, and serum indices of MST and FST were collected.Results:The serum levels of MST did not change significantly with age. However, the serum levels of FST increased with age. In women aged≥60 years, MST was positively correlated with total lean mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI; r=0.236, P=0.041; r=0.289, P=0.014), while FST was negatively correlated with ASMI( r=-0.265, P=0.030). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, after adjusting for age, body mass index, hip bone mineral density, and total fat mass, only FST was independently correlated with ASMI( β=-0.238, P=0.006), while MST was not correlated with ASMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted using muscle mass reduction as the state variable and serum FST level as the test variable. The area under the curve was 0.753. And when the FST cutoff value was 17.49 ng/mL, the maximum Jordan index was 0.46, with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 68.7%. Women aged ≥60 years were divided into three groups based on serum FST levels. Compared to the upper third of the serum FST level group, the low third of the FST level group had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from sarcopenia( OR=0.098, P =0.036). Conclusions:Serum FST lever has a better correlation with muscle mass among elderly women, making it a promising biomarker for evaluating muscle mass.
8.Identification of novel genetic loci associated with major depressive disorder and the hippocampus in a European population using the condFDR method
Qing DU ; Minglan YU ; Xuemei LIANG ; Tingting WANG ; Rongfang HE ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Chaohua HUANG ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(7):769-775
Objective:To identify additional loci associated with depression and the hippocampus (HIP) through genome-wide association study.Methods:The depression-related genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta summary data was downloaded from the official website of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, which had involved 170 756 cases and 329 443 controls. The left and right hippocampal volume GWAS data sets were downloaded from the UK Biobank, which involved 33 224 participants. The conditional false discovery rate (condFDR) was used to identify novel genetic loci for depression and left and right hippocampal volumes, and a conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) was used to evaluate the enrichment of pleiotropic loci between depression and left and right hippocampal volumes.Results:Respectively, 7, 13, and 12 new loci have been associated with depression, left hippocampal volume and right hippocampal volume, with a significant threshold of condFDR < 0.01. A site of rs1267073 locus was found to be shared by the depression and right hippocampal volume with a threshold of conjFDR < 0.01.Conclusion:Above findings have provided more insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the volume of hippocampus and the risk for depression. The results may also provide evidence for future clinical trials for treating depression.
9.Treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2023;31(7):524-528
Post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is the most common complication in stroke patients, which seriously affects their quality of life. Early comprehensive treatment to intervene in mild cognitive impairment caused by stroke is of great significance in reducing and delaying the occurrence of dementia. This is a review on the latest treatment progress of PSCI.
10.Integrating UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis and exogenous purine supplementation to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of Chaigui granules by regulating purine metabolism
Jiajun CHEN ; Tian LI ; Dehua HUANG ; Wenxia GONG ; Junsheng TIAN ; Xiaoxia GAO ; Xuemei QIN ; Guanhua DU ; Yuzhi ZHOU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(12):1562-1576
Chaigui granules(CG)are a compound composed of six herbal medicines with significant antidepressant effects.However,the antidepressant mechanism of CG remains unclear.In the present study,we attempted to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of CG by regulating purine metabolism and purinergic signaling.First,the regulatory effect of CG on purine metabolites in the prefrontal cortex(PFC)of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)rats was analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chro-matography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)targeted quantitative analysis.Meanwhile,purinergic receptors(P2X7 receptor(P2X7R),A1 receptor(A1R)and A2A receptor(A2AR))and signaling pathways(nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway and cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)pathway)associated with purine metabolism were analyzed by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Besides,antidepressant mecha-nism of CG by modulating purine metabolites to activate purinergic receptors and related signaling pathways was dissected by exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of puri-nergic receptors in vitro.An in vivo study showed that the decrease in xanthine and the increase in four purine nucleosides were closely related to the antidepressant effects of CG.Additionally,purinergic re-ceptors(P2X7R,A1R and A2AR)and related signaling pathways(NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and cAMP-PKA pathway)were also significantly regulated by CG.The results of exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of purinergic receptors showed that excessive accumulation of xanthine led to activation of the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway,and the reduction of adenosine and inosine inhibited the A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway,which was significantly ameliorated by CG.Overall,CG could promote neuroprotection and ultimately play an antidepressant role by inhibiting the xanthine-P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and activating the adenosine/inosine-A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway.

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