1.Research progress on variety breeding of root- and rhizome-derived traditional Chinese medicine.
Yan CHEN ; Miao-Yin DONG ; Zhan-Feng CAO ; Xue-Zhou LIU ; Meng-Fei LI ; Jian-He WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):363-383
Germplasm degeneration occurs during the long-term cultivation of root-and rhizome-derived traditional Chinese medicine(RR-TCM), which seriously restricts the high-quality development of their industry. Therefore, it is urgent to solve the problem of germplasm degeneration through variety breeding. In this paper, based on previously published research articles, monographs, and news reports, the research progresses on the number and origins, breeding methods, and selection of new varieties of RR-TCM listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Edition 2020) were summarized and analyzed. The results show that there are 169 kinds of RR-TCM listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Edition 2020), originated from 223 origins with three breeding methods(i.e., seed propagation, vegetative reproduction, and tissue culture), and there are 215 species derived from seed propagation, 177 species derived from vegetative reproduction, and 164 species derived from tissue culture. To date, there are 62 origins breeding new varieties through conventional breeding, cross breeding, mutation breeding, ploidy breeding, or modern biotechnology breeding methods, including 57 origins breeding 145 new varieties through conventional breeding, 10 origins breeding 43 new varieties through mutation breeding, and seven origins breeding 12 new varieties through cross breeding method. They are used mainly to improve yield, disease resistance, and active ingredient content, but only a few new varieties have been widely used. This review will provide useful references in variety breeding, quality breeding, and standardized planting of RR-TCM.
Plant Breeding/methods*
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Plant Roots/growth & development*
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Rhizome/growth & development*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Plants, Medicinal/classification*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
2.Correlation between differences in starch gelatinization, water distribution, and terpenoid content during steaming process of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers by multivariate statistical analysis.
Yan LIANG ; Meng-Na YANG ; Xiao-Li QIN ; Zhi-Yong ZHANG ; Zhong-Nan SU ; Hou-Kang CAO ; Ke-Feng ZHANG ; Ming-Wei WANG ; Bo LI ; Shuo LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2684-2694
To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry*
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Starch/chemistry*
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Multivariate Analysis
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Water/chemistry*
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Terpenes/analysis*
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Plant Roots/chemistry*
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Plant Tubers/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
3.Establishment of a Bortezomib-Resistant Multiple Myeloma Xenotransplantation Mouse Model by Transplanting Primary Cells from Patients.
Yan-Hua YUE ; Yi-Fang ZHOU ; Ying-Jie MIAO ; Yang CAO ; Fei WANG ; Yue LIU ; Feng LI ; Yang-Ling SHEN ; Yan-Ting GUO ; Yu-Hui HUANG ; Wei-Ying GU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(1):133-141
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the construction method of a resistant multiple myeloma (MM) patient-derived xenotransplantation (PDX) model.
METHODS:
1.0×107 MM patient-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs), 2.0×106 MM.1S cells and 2.0×106 NCI-H929 cells were respectively subcutaneously inoculated into NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1/Bcgen (B-NDG) mice with a volume of 100 μl per mouse to establish mouse model. The morphologic, phenotypic, proliferative and genetic characteristics of PDX tumor were studied by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining (IHC), cell cycle analysis, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The sensitivity of PDX tumor to bortezomib and anlotinib monotherapy or in combination was investigated through cell proliferation, apoptosis and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effects of anlotinib therapy on tumor blood vessel and cell apoptosis were analyzed by IHC, TUNEL staining and confocal fluorescence microscope.
RESULTS:
MM PDX model was successfully established by subcutaneously inoculating primary MNCs. The morphologic features of tumor cells from MM PDX model were similar to those of mature plasma cells. MM PDX tumor cells positively expressed CD138 and CD38, which presented 1q21 amplification, deletion of Rb1 and IgH rearrangement, and had a lower proliferative activity than MM cell lines. in vitro, PDX, MM.1S and NCI-H929 cells were treated by bortezomib and anlotinib for 24 hours, respectively. Cell viability assay showed that the IC50 value of bortezomib were 5 716.486, 1.025 and 2.775 nmol/L, and IC50 value of anlotinib were 5 5107.337, 0.706 and 5.13 μmol/L, respectively. Anlotinib treatment increased the apoptosis of MM.1S cells (P < 0.01), but did not affect PDX tumor cells (P >0.05). in vivo, there was no significant difference in PDX tumor growth between bortezomib monotherapy group and control group (P >0.05), while both anlotinib monotherapy and anlotinib combined with bortezomib effectively inhibited PDX tumor growth (both P < 0.05). The vascular perfusion and vascular density of PDX tumor were decreased in anlotinib treatment group (both P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells in anlotinib treatment group were increased compared with those in control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Bortezomib-resistant MM PDX model can be successfully established by subcutaneous inoculation of MNCs from MM patients in B-NDG mice. This PDX model, which retains the basic biological characteristics of MM cells, can be used to study the novel therapies.
Animals
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Bortezomib
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Humans
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Multiple Myeloma/pathology*
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Mice
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Apoptosis
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Mice, Inbred NOD
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Disease Models, Animal
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Cell Proliferation
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Transplantation, Heterologous
4.Obesity-driven oleoylcarnitine accumulation in tumor microenvironment promotes breast cancer metastasis-like phenotype.
Chao CHEN ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Lingling QI ; Haoqi LEI ; Xuefei FENG ; Yingjie CHEN ; Yuanyuan CHENG ; Defeng PANG ; Jufeng WAN ; Haiying XU ; Shifeng CAO ; Baofeng YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1974-1990
Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer and is associated with breast cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which alterations in systemic metabolism affect tumor microenvironment (TME) and consequently influence tumor metastasis remains inadequately understood. Herein, we found that perturbations in circulating metabolites induced by obesity promote metastasis-like phenotypes in breast cancer. Oleoylcarnitine (OLCarn) concentrations were elevated in the serum of obese mice and humans. Administration of exogenous OLCarn induces metastasis-like characteristics in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, OLCarn directly interacts with the Arg176 site of adenylate cyclase 10 (ADCY10), leading to the activation of ADCY10 and enhancement of cAMP production. Mutations at Arg176 prevent OLCarn from binding to ADCY10, disrupting the ADCY10-mediated activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. This activation promotes transcription factor 4 (TCF4)-dependent kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) transcription, thereby driving breast cancer metastasis. Conversely, the neutralization of both ADCY10 and KIFC1 through knockdown or pharmacological inhibition abrogates the oncogenic effects mediated by OLCarn. Hence, obesity-induced systemic environmental changes lead to the aberrant accumulation of OLCarn within the TME, making it a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for breast cancer.
5.Combining label-free quantitative proteomics and 2D-DIGE to identify the potential targets of Sini Decoction acting on myocardial infarction.
Fei FENG ; Weiyue ZHANG ; Yan CAO ; Diya LV ; Yifeng CHAI ; Dandan GUO ; Xiaofei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):1016-1024
Sini Decoction (SNT) is a traditional formula recognized for its efficacy in warming the spleen and stomach and dispersing cold. However, elucidating the mechanism of action of SNT remains challenging due to its complex multiple components. This study utilized a synergistic approach combining two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE)-based drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) with label-free quantitative proteomics techniques to identify the direct and indirect protein targets of SNT in myocardial infarction. The analysis identified 590 proteins, with 30 proteins showing significant upregulation and 51 proteins showing downregulation when comparing the SNT group with the model group. Through the integration of 2D-DIGE DARTS with proteomics data and pharmacological assessments, the findings indicate that protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) may serve as a potential protein target through which SNT provides protective effects on myocardial cells during myocardial infarction.
Myocardial Infarction/genetics*
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Proteomics/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Animals
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Protein Disulfide-Isomerases/genetics*
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Male
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Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis/methods*
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Humans
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
6.HIV Pretreatment Drug Resistance and Transmission Clusters among Newly Diagnosed Patients in the China-Myanmar Border Region, 2020-2023.
Huan LIU ; Yue Cheng YANG ; Xing DUAN ; Yi Chen JIN ; Yan Fen CAO ; Yi FENG ; Chang CAI ; He He ZHAO ; Hou Lin TANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):840-847
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HIV pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and the transmission clusters associated with PDR-related mutations in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients between 2020 and 2023 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China.
METHODS:
Demographic information and plasma samples were collected from study participants. PDR was assessed using the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database. The Tamura-Nei 93 model within HIV-TRACE was employed to compute pairwise matches with a genetic distance of 0.015 substitutions per site.
RESULTS:
Among 948 treatment-naive individuals with eligible sequences, 36 HIV subtypes were identified, with unique recombinant forms (URFs) being the most prevalent (18.8%, 178/948). The overall prevalence of PDR was 12.4% (118/948), and resistance to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) was 10.7%, 1.3%, and 1.6%, respectively. A total of 91 clusters were identified, among which eight showed evidence of PDR strain transmission. The largest PDR-associated cluster consisted of six CRF01_AE drug-resistant strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations; five of these individuals had initial CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/μL.
CONCLUSION
The distribution of HIV subtypes in Dehong is diverse and complex. PDR was moderately prevalent (12.4%) between 2020 and 2023. Evidence of transmission of CRF01_AE strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations was found. Routine surveillance of PDR and the strengthening of control measures are essential to limit the spread of drug-resistance HIV strains.
Humans
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HIV Infections/virology*
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China/epidemiology*
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Drug Resistance, Viral
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Male
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Adult
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Female
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Middle Aged
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HIV-1/genetics*
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Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*
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Myanmar/epidemiology*
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Young Adult
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Prevalence
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Adolescent
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Mutation
7.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*
8.Effects of circular RNA_0054633 on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in myocardial cells
Yan-Wei WANG ; Bian-Wen WU ; Lei CAO ; Jie MA ; Ya-Li FENG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1560-1564
Objective To investigate whether circular RNA(circRNA)circ_0054633 targets microRNA-375(miR-375)to regulate the oxidative damage of cardiomyocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).Methods H9C2 cardiomyocytes were divided into control group(normal culture without any treatment),hydrogen peroxide(H2 O2)group(150 μmol·L-1 H2 O2 treated cardiomyocytes for 6 h),H2O2+si-NC group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633 group,H2O2+miR-NC group,H2O2+miR-375 group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-NC group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-375 group(cardiomyocytes were transfected with si-NC,si-circ_0054633,miR-NC,miR-375 mimics,si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-NC,si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-375,respectively;24 h after transfection,cardiomyocytes were treated with 150 μmol·L-1 H2O for 6 h).Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of miR-375,the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were determined by kit,apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.Results The expression levels of miR-375 in cardiomyocytes of control group,H2O2 group,H2O2+si-NC group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633 group,H2O2+miR-NC group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-NC group,H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-375 group were 1.00±0.00,0.42±0.05,0.40±0.06,0.69±0.08,1.00±0.00,3.41±0.28,1.00±0.00 and 0.26±0.02,respectively;MDA contents were(3.19±0.32),(13.46±1.27),(15.39±1.04),(5.26±0.51),(16.05±1.36),(9.18±0.85),(4.89±0.44)and(10.05±0.92)nmol·L-1,respectively;SOD activities were(64.69±5.81),(18.23±1.33),(17.07±1.41),(55.74±5.13),(17.12±1.64),(47.66±4.59),(56.77±4.71)and(27.95±2.47)U·mL-1,respectively;the apoptosis rates were(6.21±0.59)%,(29.22±2.19)%,(30.94±2.85)%,(10.05±0.92)%,(31.14±2.83)%,(13.74±1.24)%,(10.39±0.88)%and(21.31±1.92)%,respectively.The above indexes of H2O2 group were compared with the control group,the above indexes of H2O2+si-circ_0054633 group was compared with the H2O2+si-NC group,the above indexes of H2O2+miR-375 group was compared with the H2O2+miR-NC group,the above indexes of H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-375 group were compared with H2O2+si-circ_0054633+anti-miR-NC group,the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Interfering with the expression of circ_0054633 can reduce the oxidative stress and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide by targeting miR-375,thereby protecting cardiomyocytes from oxidative damage.
9.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine:Aural Vertigo
Yingdi GONG ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Wei FENG ; Daxin LIU ; Jiaxi WANG ; Jianhua LIU ; Yu ZHANG ; Shusheng GONG ; Guopeng WANG ; Chunying XU ; Xin MA ; Bo LI ; Shuzhen GUO ; Mingxia ZHANG ; Jinfeng LIU ; Jihua GUO ; Zhengkui CAO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhonghai XIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):215-222
Aural vertigo frequently encountered in the otolaryngology department of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mainly involves peripheral vestibular diseases of Western medicine, such as Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, and vestibular migraine, being a hot research topic in both TCM and Western medicine. Western medical therapies alone have unsatisfactory effects on recurrent aural vertigo, aural vertigo affecting the quality of life, aural vertigo not relieved after surgery, aural vertigo with complex causes, and children's aural vertigo. The literature records and clinical practice have proven that TCM demonstrates unique advantages in the treatment of aural vertigo. The China Association of Chinese medicine sponsored the "17th youth salon on the diseases responding specifically to TCM: Aural vertigo" and invited vertigo experts of TCM and Western medicine to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo. The experts deeply discussed the achievements and contributions of TCM and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of aural vertigo, the control and mitigation of the symptoms, and the solutions to disease recurrence. The discussion clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM treatment and provided guidance for clinical and basic research on aural vertigo.
10.Melatonin inhibits arrhythmias induced by increased late sodium currents in ventricular myocytes
Jie WEN ; Han-feng LIU ; Yan-yan YANG ; Ze-fu ZHANG ; An-tao LUO ; Zhen-zhen CAO ; Ji-hua MA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):143-151
Melatonin (Mel) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects, but its action on ion channels is unclear. In this experiment, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Mel on late sodium currents (INa.L) in mouse ventricular myocytes and the anti-arrhythmic effect at the organ level as well as its mechanism. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was applied to record the ionic currents and action potential (AP) in mouse ventricular myocytes while the electrocardiogram (ECG) and monophasic action potential (MAP) were recorded simultaneously in mouse hearts using a multichannel acquisition and analysis system. The results demonstrated that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Mel on transient sodium current (INa.T) and specific INa.L opener 2 nmol·L-1 sea anemone toxins II (ATX II) increased INa.L were 686.615 and 7.37 μmol·L-1, respectively. Mel did not affect L-type calcium current (ICa.L), transient outward current (Ito), and AP. In addition, 16 μmol·L-1 Mel shortened ATX II-prolonged action potential duration (APD), suppressed ATX II-induced early afterdepolarizations (EADs), and significantly reduced the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. In conclusion, Mel exerted its antiarrhythmic effects principally by blocking INa.L, thus providing a significant theoretical basis for new clinical applications of Mel. Animal welfare and experimental process are in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan University of Science and Technology (2023130).

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