1.Chaihu Shugansan Combined with Ferulic Acid Regulates BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway and Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Frontal Cortex of Rat Model of CUMS
Yuexin LI ; Zhijing ZHANG ; Ziyi GUO ; Di YAN ; Xueyan HU ; Jianping YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):28-37
ObjectiveTo observe the antidepressant effect of Chaihu Shugansan combined with ferulic acid on the rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and explore the mechanism from the histomorphology of frontal cortex, expression of key molecules in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway, and changes in monoamine neurotransmitter levels. MethodsSixty adult male SD rats were randomized into six groups (n=10): blank control, depression model, Chaihu Shugansan (3.3 g·kg-1·d-1), ferulic acid (50 mg·kg-1·d-1), Chaihu Shugansan (3.3 g·kg-1·d-1) + ferulic acid (50 mg·kg-1·d-1), and fluoxetine (2.1 mg·kg-1·d-1). Rats in other groups except the blank control group were subjected to a mild chronic unpredictable stress stimulus every day. Seven stimuli were used, including fasting with free access to water for 24 h, water deprivation with free access to food for 24 h, wetting the bedding with water in the cage, restraint for 3 h, tail clamping for 1 min, swimming in ice water at 4 ℃, and day and night reversal. Each stimulus was used 1 to 3 times, and the modeling lasted for a total of 21 days. At the same time of stimulation, rats in each medication group were treated with corresponding agents by gavage, while those in the blank control group and the depression model group received equal volumes of normal saline by gavage. The open field test, sucrose preference test, and forced swimming test were conducted before and after modeling. The rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 3% pentobarbital sodium, and the frontal cortex was isolated on ice. The mRNA and protein levels of BDNF, TrkB, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) in the frontal cortex were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The levels of monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in the frontal cortex were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Light microscopy was employed to observe the histopathological changes in the frontal cortex. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the depression model group showed reduced body mass (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased number of crossings and rearings in the open field test and sucrose preference (P<0.01), prolonged time of immobility in the forced swimming test (P<0.01), reduced neuronal cells, increased necrotic cells, and darkening cell staining in the frontal cortex, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of BDNF, TrkB, CREB, and lowered levels of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the frontal cortex (P<0.01). Compared with the depression model group, each intervention group showed improved general state, increased body mass (P<0.05), increased number of crossings (P<0.05), shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test (P<0.01), increased neuronal cells, reduced necrotic cells, and lightened cellular staining in the frontal cortex, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of BDNF, TrkB and CREB, and elevated levels of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the frontal cortex (P<0.01). Moreover, the Chaihu Shugansan + ferulic acid group outperformed the Chaihu Shugansan group and the ferulic acid group in increasing the body mass and the 5-HT content in the frontal cortex (P<0.05). The combination group outperformed the Chaihu Shugansan group regarding the number of rearings and up-regulation in the mRNA level of BDNF in the frontal cortex (P<0.05), and it was superior to the ferulic acid group in terms of shortening the immobility time in the forced swimming test, up-regulating the mRNA levels of BDNF, TrkB, and CREB and the protein levels of BDNF and CREB in the frontal cortex, and increasing the DA content in the frontal cortex (P<0.05). ConclusionChaihu Shugansan combined with ferulic acid can exert antidepressant effect on the rat model of CUMS by regulating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and monoamine neurotransmitter content in the frontal cortex. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of Chaihu Shugansan combined with ferulic acid was more significant than that of Chaihu Shugansan and ferulic acid used alone.
2.Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of superoxide anion-releasing beta-galactoside prodrugs
Jiaxuan LIU ; Xueyan YAO ; Yunying TAN ; Jing HU ; Junjie FU ; Jian YIN
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(3):295-304
Four novel β-galactoside prodrugs were designed and synthesized from anthraquinones HAQ-OH and AQ-OH in an attempt to use the prodrugs to selectively release superoxide anion (O2−) in cancer cells and to achieve selected anticancer activity by utilizing the Warburg effect and the elevated level of β-galactosidase in certain cancer cells. Cellular assays showed that the prodrugs Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ selectively inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells overexpressing β-galactosidase. Using O2− fluorescent probe, it was found that in OVCAR-3 cells Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ could time-dependently release O2−, which was essential for their anticancer activity. Furthermore, it was found that Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ were effective senolytics toward senescent cells overexpressing β-galactosidase without affecting the viability of corresponding non-senescent cells, further confirming the β-galactosidase-dependent cytotoxicity of the prodrugs. In conclusion, Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ, which release O2− in response to β-galactosidase, are expected to serve as candidate prodrugs targeting cancer cells.
3.Methodological Exploration for Global Cardiovascular Academic Performance Evaluation(CAPE)System
Lu YIN ; Xueyan ZHANG ; Yeding CAO ; Wei LI ; Yan YAO ; Zhiyuan BO ; Liang WEI ; Jun CAI ; Jingang YANG ; Shengshou HU
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(1):3-16,中插1-中插4
Objectives:To establish a comprehensive system of Cardiovascular Academic Performance Evaluation(CAPE)and rank global TOP100 medical institutions in the fields of cardiovascular diseases(CVD). Methods:CVD-related terms were extracted from Medical Subject Headings(MeSH),Embase thesaurus(EMtrees)and International Classification of Diseases(ICD)by CVD-related professionals,as well as by librarians and information professionals.Terminology databases(named as Fuwai Subject Headings)were established,and nine sub-disciplines were proposed,including ischemic heart diseases,hypertension,vascular diseases,arrhythmia,pulmonary vascular diseases,heart failure,congenital heart diseases,cardiomyopathy,and valvular heart diseases.The mapping patterns of sub-discipline,cardiovascular terminology and entry terms were pre-defined.The CVD-related research literature published from January 1,2016 to December 31,2022 were retrieved from Web of Science,PubMed and Scopus.Based on this,metadata were fused and duplicates were excluded.Fuwai Subject Headings were searched and matched into four respects for each literature,including subject words,titles,keywords,and abstracts,which was used to generate an information table of"Position—CVD terminology—Frequency",and to calculate CVD correlation scores and sub-discipline scores.We standardized the names of medical institutions and scholars,and make a ranking system for CAPE based on original articles with strong cardiovascular correlation(correlation score≥4).When evaluating the science and technological performance for Chinese hospitals in cardiovascular diseases,National Natural Science Foundation Projects,authorized invention patents,prize achievements,research platforms,and registered data of drug clinical trials in Center for Drug Evaluation(CDE)were considered besides research papers. Results:During 2016 and 2022,1 545 103 CVD research literatures were found worldwide.After excluding meeting abstracts,books,biographies,news,videos,audio texts,retracted publications,and corrections,1 178 019 CVD research literatures were further evaluated.518 058 literatures were indexed as"strongly correlated to CVD"using Fuwai Subject Headings.Besides papers,other data sources were also collected,including 11 143 CVD-related Natural Science Foundation Projects,19 382 CVD-related effective authorized invention patents,103 CVD-related national prize achievements,24 CVD-related national research platforms,and 2 084 CDE registered data of CVD-related drug clinical trials.Research teams from nine sub-disciplines reviewed and validated research literature in respective fields,and classification rules of corresponding sub-disciplines were created and improved based on their opinions.Finally,eleven individual indexes were chosen to construct CAPE system for ranking global TOP100 medical institutions in overall CVD field and TOP30 in nine sub-disciplines.From 2016 to 2022,the number of cardiovascular disease research papers published by Chinese institutes has increased by 123.5%,with a total of approximately 76.8 thousands papers published(about 30 papers per day on average),ranked the second under the United States(approximately 114.1 thousands papers).However,the proportion of papers published by the Chinese Journal Citation Reports(JCR)and the Chinese Academy of Sciences only ranked eighth in the world.In the comprehensive academic performance of original cardiovascular research papers in global hospitals from 2020 to 2022,only two Chinese medical institutions ranked in the TOP20 as evaluated by CAPE system. Conclusions:Based on multi-source data from 2016 to 2022,CAPE initiated to establish a cardiovascular academic performance evaluation system.
4.Recent advance in Aβ tolerance in Alzheimer's disease
Jiayue CHEN ; Xueyan HUANG ; Qianqian YAO ; Changyin YU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(8):837-841
Beta-amyloid (Aβ) is considered to be a central event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it has been found that some population have Aβ deposition in the brain and even AD related pathology without obvious cognitive impairment, which indicates that there are factors in the body to avoid or cope with Aβ damage, and this phenomenon is called Aβ tolerance. Starting from the concepts of resilience and reserve, this paper intends to sort out the epidemiology and quantitative methods, brain characteristics and influencing factors of Aβ tolerance, in order to further deepen clinicians' understanding of Aβ tolerance in AD diagnosis and treatment, so as to provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of the disease.
5.Five-year outcomes of biodegradable versus second-generation durable polymer drug-eluting stents used in complex percutaneous coronary intervention.
Na XU ; Lin JIANG ; Yi YAO ; Jingjing XU ; Ru LIU ; Huanhuan WANG ; Ying SONG ; Lijian GAO ; Zhan GAO ; Xueyan ZHAO ; Bo XU ; Yaling HAN ; Jinqing YUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(3):322-330
BACKGROUND:
There are few data comparing clinical outcomes of complex percutaneous coronary intervention (CPCI) when using biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) or second-generation durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES). The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of BP-DES and compare that with DP-DES in patients with and without CPCI during a 5-year follow-up.
METHODS:
Patients who exclusively underwent BP-DES or DP-DES implantation in 2013 at Fuwai Hospital were consecutively enrolled and stratified into two categories based on CPCI presence or absence. CPCI included at least one of the following features: unprotected left main lesion, ≥2 lesions treated, ≥2 stents implanted, total stent length >40 mm, moderate-to-severe calcified lesion, chronic total occlusion, or bifurcated target lesion. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and total coronary revascularization (target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization [TVR], and non-TVR) during the 5-year follow-up. The secondary endpoint was total coronary revascularization.
RESULTS:
Among the 7712 patients included, 4882 (63.3%) underwent CPCI. Compared with non-CPCI patients, CPCI patients had higher 2- and 5-year incidences of MACE and total coronary revascularization. Following multivariable adjustment including stent type, CPCI was an independent predictor of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.151; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.017-1.303, P = 0.026) and total coronary revascularization (aHR: 1.199; 95% CI: 1.037-1.388, P = 0.014) at 5 years. The results were consistent at the 2-year endpoints. In patients with CPCI, BP-DES use was associated with significantly higher MACE rates at 5 years (aHR: 1.256; 95% CI: 1.078-1.462, P = 0.003) and total coronary revascularization (aHR: 1.257; 95% CI: 1.052-1.502, P = 0.012) compared with that of DP-DES, but there was a similar risk at 2 years. However, BP-DES had comparable safety and efficacy profiles including MACE and total coronary revascularization compared with DP-DES in patients with non-CPCI at 2 and 5 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients underwent CPCI remained at a higher risk of mid- to long-term adverse events regardless of the stent type. The effect of BP-DES compared with DP-DES on outcomes was similar in CPCI and non-CPCI patients at 2 years but had inconsistent effects at the 5-year clinical endpoints.
Humans
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Drug-Eluting Stents/adverse effects*
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Myocardial Infarction/complications*
;
Polymers/therapeutic use*
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Treatment Outcome
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Coronary Artery Disease/complications*
;
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects*
;
Absorbable Implants
;
Prosthesis Design
6.A case of microcephaly-capillary malformation syndrome caused by STAMBP gene variant
Xueyan CAO ; Xing DING ; Dongfang ZHOU ; Huafang ZHOU ; Yan CHEN ; Fengjun ZHU ; Yi YAO ; Dezhi CAO
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2023;49(12):740-743
We reported a case of microcephaly-capillary malformation(MIC-CAP)caused by STAMBP gene variant,in order to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment.The patient is a 3-month-old male with recurrent convulsions and the main clinical manifestations are multiple forms of seizures,microcephaly,multiple small capillary malformations in the skin,and generalized hypotonia.The genetic test showed that a heterozygous variant in the STAMBP gene was present in the child.Both parents were heterozygous carriers.He was administrated various anti-seizure medications and ketogenic diet,but still had frequent seizures.He then underwent corpus callosotomy,and was followed up until he was 4 years and 10 months old.The post operational outcome was grade IV on Engel's classification.Based on the clinical data of 22 patients in literature,in addition to severe psychomotor retardation,microcephaly,and cutaneous capillary malformations,early-onset drug-refractory epilepsy is also a major feature of MIC-CAP syndrome,which is clinically rare and has a poor prognosis;Callosotomy may help to reduce seizures in the short term.However,the long-term outcome is poor.STAMBP gene is the main responsible gene for this syndrome.
7.Long-term prognosis effects of single and staged percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease
Yuanliang MA ; Na XU ; Chunlin YIN ; Yi YAO ; Xiaofang TANG ; Sida JIA ; Ce ZHANG ; Ying SONG ; Jingjing XU ; Xueyan ZHAO ; Yin ZHANG ; Jue CHEN ; Yuejin YANG ; Shubin QIAO ; Runlin GAO ; Bo XU ; Jinqing YUAN
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2022;45(1):6-13
Objective:To compare the influence of single and staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on long-term prognosis in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease.Methods:Using prospective research methods, 1 832 patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease from January to December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were selected. According to the time of PCI, the patients were divided into single PCI group (1 218 cases) and staged PCI group (614 cases). The patients were followed up for 2 years, the primary endpoint was major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including target vessel-related myocardial infarction (TV-MI), target vessel-related revascularization (TVR), cardiogenic death and stroke, and the secondary endpoint was stent thrombosis. The propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance the discrepancies between 2 groups, and the baseline and follow-up data were compared. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were drawn to evaluate the survival rates events; multifactor Cox proportional risk regression was used to analyze whether staged PCI was an independent risk factor for the endpoint events.Results:The in-hospital stay, duration of procedure and synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score in single PCI group were significantly lower than those in staged PCI group: (5.54±3.09) d vs. (9.50±4.06) d, (43.12±28.55) min vs. (79.54±44.35) min, (14.04±7.63) scores vs. (18.51±7.79) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no statistical difference in complete revascularization rate and SYNTAX score after PCI between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Based on 2-year follow-up, the incidences of TV-MI and stent thrombosis in staged PCI group were significantly higher than those in single PCI group: 2.1% (13/614) vs. 0.5% (6/1 218) and 2.0% (12/614) vs. 0.4% (5/1 218), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival curves analysis results showed that the event-free survival rates of TV-MI and stent thrombosis in single PCI group were better than those in staged PCI group (99.5% vs. 97.9% and 99.6% vs. 98.0%, P<0.01). Multifactor Cox proportional risk regression analysis results showed that staged PCI was an independent risk factor for stent thrombosis ( HR = 3.91, 95% CI 1.25 to 12.18, P = 0.019). After PSM, the incidences of TV-MI and stent thrombosis in staged PCI group were significantly higher than those in single PCI group: 2.1% (13/614) vs. 0.7% (4/614) and 2.0% (12/614) vs. 0.5% (3/614), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis results showed that the event-free survival rates of TV-MI and stent thrombosis in single PCI group were significantly higher than those in staged PCI group: (99.3% vs. 97.9% and 99.5% vs. 98.0%, P<0.05); multifactor Cox proportional risk regression analysis results showed that staged PCI was not an independent risk factor of stent thrombosis ( HR = 2.29, 95% CI 0.58 to 9.00, P = 0.234). Both before and after PSM, there were no evidences for interaction between the type of angina pectoris and staged PCI ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Although a seemingly increase exists in the incidence of TV-MI and stent thrombosis in the staged PCI group, staged PCI is an independent risk factor neither for MACCE and its components, nor for stent thrombosis. In addition single PCI reduces the in-hospital days and duration of PCI procedure, which may be a relatively reasonable approach to clinical practice.
8.Clinical analysis of six cases of prurigo pigmentosa associated with ketogenic diet and bariatric surgery
Guangdong WEN ; Zhaohui ZHONG ; Dandan MAO ; Xueyan YAO ; Jianzhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2021;54(2):122-126
Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of ketosis-associated prurigo pigmentosa after ketogenic diet and bariatric surgery.Methods:Clinical data were collected from patients with ketosis-associated prurigo pigmentosa, who were diagnosed and treated in Department of Dermatology, Peking University People′s Hospital from September 2018 to September 2020. The clinical characteristics, sequelae and therapeutic effect of dietary modification were analyzed and summarized.Results:A total of 6 patients with ketosis-associated prurigo pigmentosa were collected, including 5 females who developed prurigo pigmentosa after ketogenic diet, and 1 male who developed prurigo pigmentosa after bariatric surgery. The skin lesions mainly involved the chest, back, waist and abdomen, and rarely involved the eyelids, axillae, elbows and mons pubis. Common skin lesions included urticaria-like erythema, papules and pigmentation arranged in a reticular distribution, and rare skin lesions included mung bean- to soybean-sized blisters, whose walls were liable to break. Among 5 patients undergoing routine urine analysis, 4 were positive (from + to ++++) for ketone bodies in the urine, and 3 were positive for urinary protein (+) . Pathological examination in 2 patients showed epidermal spongiosis, scattered necrotic keratinocytes, basal cell liquefaction, lymphocyte infiltration in the superficial dermis, and erythrocyte extravasation. The 6 patients were advised to eat staple foods. After dietary modification, 5 patients were nearly cured within 1 week; 1 patient, who continued ketogenic diet for weight loss, still received marked improvement after the treatment with minocycline at a dose of 100 mg/d in spite of restriction of carbohydrate intake. The levels of urinary ketone bodies and urinary protein in the 6 patients all returned to normal within 1 week after treatment.Conclusions:Ketosis plays an important role in the occurrence of prurigo pigmentosa. Dietary modification alone or adjuvant medical treatment such as minocycline is effective for the treatment of ketosis-related prurigo pigmentosa.
9. Predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio on long-term outcomes of acute myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease
Na XU ; Xiaofang TANG ; Jingjing XU ; Yi YAO ; Ying SONG ; Ru LIU ; Lin JIANG ; Ping JIANG ; Huanhuan WANG ; Xueyan ZHAO ; Jue CHEN ; Zhan GAO ; Shubin QIAO ; Yuejin YANG ; Runlin GAO ; Bo XU ; Jinqing YUAN
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2019;47(1):42-48
Objective:
Patients with acute coronary syndrome due to multivessel disease (MVD) were at the highest risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was proposed as a marker of cardiovascular risk. Present study evaluated the independent predictive value of NLR for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with MVD.
Methods:
AMI patients with MVD (
10. Clinical characteristics and prognosis between male and female patients with premature coronary artery disease after intervention
Xiaofang TANG ; Ying SONG ; Jingjing XU ; Huanhuan WANG ; Lin JIANG ; Ping JIANG ; Yi YAO ; Xueyan ZHAO ; Zhan GAO ; Yuejin YANG ; Shubin QIAO ; Runlin GAO ; Bo XU ; Jinqing YUAN
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2019;47(10):798-805
Objective:
To compare the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis between male and female patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) post coronary intervention, and analyse the risk factors of major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and bleeding events.
Methods:
This was a prospective single-center observational study. From January 2013 to December 2013, 4 744 patients diagnosed as PCAD and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. The general clinical data, laboratory results and interventional treatment data of all patients were collected, and patients were followed up for 2 years after PCI and the incidence of events including MACCE and bleeding was analyzed. The baseline data and clinical events of PCAD patients of different genders were compared. Survival curves were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze whether gender was an influencing factor of different clinical events of PCAD patients within 2 years after PCI, and other relevant influencing factors of MACCE and bleeding events.
Results:
Among the 4 744 PCAD patients included, there were 3 390 (71.5%) male aged (47.0±5.4) years old and 1 354 (28.5%) female aged (57.0±5.8) years old. Compared with female patients, male patients had higher body mass index, higher proportion of hyperlipidemia, smoking, myocardial infarction, previous PCI, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, radial artery approach, intravenous ultrasound use and chronic occlusive lesions (all

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