1.Mechanism Exploration of TG Regulating PI3K/Akt to Improve Insulin Resistance in Liver of T2DM Rats Based on Transcriptomics
Qin LI ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xiaowei SHI ; Xuan LIU ; Xiangdong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):99-109
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangzhi pills on the improvement of insulin resistance (IR) in the liver with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway based on differential genes and its possible molecular mechanism. MethodT2DM rat models were prepared by high fat (HFD) diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection. The experiment was divided into blank group, model group, metformin hydrochloride group (0.18 g·kg-1), Tangzhi pills high (1.08 g·kg-1), medium (0.54 g·kg-1) and low (0.27 g·kg-1) dose groups. Rat serum, liver, and pancreatic tissue were collected, and the pathological tissue of the liver and pancreas was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The fasting blood glucose level (FBG) was detected, and oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) tests were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect fasting serum insulin (FINS) and glycated hemoglobin (GHb) levels in rats. IR homeostasis model index (HOMA-IR), β cellular homeostasis index (HOMA-β), and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated. Biochemical methods were used to determine the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in rat serum. Transcriptomics obtained differentially expressed mRNA from liver tissue and enriched differentially expressed pathways. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of cyclic adenylate responsive element binding protein 3-like protein 2 antibody (CREB3l2), B-lymphocyte tumor 2 (Bcl-2), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDNK1A), and DNA damage induced transcription factor 4-like protein (DDIT4) in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), insulin receptor (INSR), and insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2). ResultThe pharmacodynamic experiment results showed that compared with model group, Tangzhi pills groups repaired liver and pancreatic tissue to varying degrees, reduced blood sugar (P<0.01), and promoted a decrease in serum FINS, GHb, and HOMA-IR (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, HOMA-β and ISI increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the levels of HDL-C increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The transcriptomics experimental results confirmed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was significantly expressed in both the blank group and model group, as well as in the high-dose Tangzhi pills group and model group. CDNK1A, DDIT4, CREB3l2, Bcl-2, and TLR2 were significantly differentially expressed mRNA during TG intervention in T2DM. Compared with the model group, the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, GLUT4, INSR, and IRS2 increased in all Tangzhi pills groups (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of CREB3l2, Bcl-2, and TLR2 increased (P<0.01), while that of CDNK1A and DDIT4 decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionTangzhi pills may regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on the differential mRNA expression of CREB3l2, Bcl-2, TLR2, CDNK1A, and DDIT4, thereby improving IR in the liver with T2DM.
2.Whole genome sequence analysis of coxsackievirus A group 4 isolates in Anhui province in 2020
Yinuo LIU ; Yinglu GE ; Lingkang YANG ; Yong SUN ; Yonglin SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(3):269-278
Objective:To understand the genome-wide sequence variation and molecular evolution of coxsackievirus A4 (CV-A4) strain in Anhui province, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the pathogenic monitoring and scientific prevention and treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease in the future.Methods:Five CVA4 isolates of 2020 were sequenced by first-generation sequencing method. MEGA11.0 was used to construct a phylogenetic tree based on VP1 region for 5 CV-A4 isolates, 32 CV-A4 strains and Enterovirus A71(EV-A71) prototype strain BrCr, and the isolates and enterovirus A (EV-A) prototype strains based on P1, P2 and P3 regions respectively, and DNAStar was used for amino acid sequence comparison in VP1 region. BioEdit7.2 was used for amino acid displacement entropy analysis and amino acid site entropy mapping. SimPlot3.5 and RDP4 were used for recombination analysis of CV-A4 isolate and EV-A prototype representative strains, and DnaSP6 software was used for selection pressure analysis of isolates and reference representative strains.Results:The phylogenetic tree showed that the isolates belonged to the C2 subtype, which belonged to the same clade as the CV-A4 strain circulating in Chinese mainland, and the amino acid sequence homology of the C2 subtype branch was 97.3%-100%, and the isolates had 6 amino acid variation sites compared with the prototype. The selection pressure analysis showed that the CV-A4 strain of the C2 subtype was affected by negative selection pressure, and there were 25 mutagenic sites in the amino acid sequence in the coding region of the displacement entropy analysis, accounting for 1.14%, and the evolution of the strain mainly depended on recombination. Recombination analysis showed that the isolates recombined with a variety of EV-A prototype strains in the P2 and P3 regions, and the recombination section with the CV-A5 prototype strain was longer, especially in the 3A-3C section, and P1 was a relatively conserved region.Conclusions:CV-A4 has frequent recombination events with other EV-A prototype strains in P2 and P3, and the molecular evolution of CV-A4 in Anhui should continue to be closely monitored.
3.Determination of 12 pesticide metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Yujie CHEN ; Shuling DENG ; Yonglin ZHOU ; Hao ZHANG ; Hualiang LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(8):919-924
Background Pesticides like organophosphorus and pyrethroids are extensively utilized, and associated potential human health risks arising from multi-route exposure, including environmental sources and dietary intake, cannot be overlooked. Conducting human exposure studies using pesticide exposure biomarkers is essential for an objective evaluation of human pesticide exposure levels. Objective To develop a rapid and precise liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of 12 pesticide metabolites in urine, including 5 metabolites of organophosphorus pesticide, 4 metabolites of pyrethroid pesticide, 2 metabolites of herbicides, and 1 metabolite of insecticide. Methods After overnight enzymatic hydrolysis, urine samples were subjected to extraction and purification using Oasis HLB 96-well solid-phase extraction. Subsequently, the samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and quantified using the isotope internal standard method. The developed method was employed to analyze 143 urine samples from a general population to assess its effectiveness and to evaluate pesticide exposure levels. Results All 12 target compounds exhibited good linear ranges, with their correlation coefficients of calibration curves exceeding 0.999. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.02 to 0.19 μg·L−1, while the limits of quantitation (LOQ) ranged from 0.06 to 0.27 μg·L−1. The recoveries at three spiked levels ranged from 84% to 112%, and the inter- and intra- day precisions of targeted analystes were 0.43%-9.6% and 1.6%-9.7% respectively. Using this method, 143 urine samples from residents in Jiangsu region were analyzed, and 11 pesticides were detected except N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Conclusion The established method of solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has the characteristics of low detection limit, good repeatability, and high throughput, which is suitable for quantitative detection of selected 12 pesticides in large batches of human urine samples, and provides technical support for pesticide internal exposure monitoring and health risk assessment.
4.Effect of Modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang on Mitochondrial Autophagy and Browning of Visceral Fat in Obese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rats
Dong AN ; Yonglin LIANG ; Yankui GAO ; Fengzhe YAN ; Sichen ZHAO ; Zhongtang LIU ; Chengjun MA ; Xiangdong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):131-140
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang on mitochondrial autophagy and browning of visceral adipose tissue in obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model ZDF rats. MethodForty ZDF rats were induced with a high-fat diet to establish an obese T2DM model. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: Model group, metformin group (0.18 g·kg-1), and high, medium, and low dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang (2.16, 1.08, 0.54 g·kg-1), with eight rats in each group. Additionally, eight ZDF (fa/+) rats were assigned to the normal group. All groups received an intragastric volume of 10 mL·kg-1, with the model and normal groups receiving the same volume of purified water once daily for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was regularly measured. After 12 weeks of intervention, the body weight, epididymal fat weight, and serum levels of glucose (GLU), glycated serum protein (GSP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in epididymal fat tissue. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial autophagy in adipocytes. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), p62/SQSTM1, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), iodothyronine deiodinase 2 (Dio2), and PR domain containing 16 (Prdm16) in epididymal fat. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3, LC3B, p62, and UCP1 in epididymal fat. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed pathological changes in epididymal fat, with adipocyte mitochondrial condensation and numerous autophagosomes indicating mitochondrial autophagy. The model group also exhibited significantly increased body weight, epididymal fat weight, FBG, GLU, GSP, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels (P<0.01), significantly decreased HDL-C levels (P<0.01), significantly elevated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3, and LC3B (P<0.01), significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of p62 and UCP1 (P<0.01), and significantly reduced mRNA expression of Dio2 and Prdm16 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in epididymal fat pathology. The metformin group and high-dose modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang group displayed intact mitochondrial morphology, clear cristae, uniform matrix, and few autophagosomes and autophagosomes in the adipocyte cytoplasm. The metformin group and high- and medium-dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced body weight and epididymal fat weight (P<0.01). The epididymal fat index was reduced in all intervention groups (P<0.05), and FBG was lowered in all intervention groups (P<0.01).Serum GSP, GLU, TG, and LDL-C levels were reduced in the metformin group and the high- and medium-dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum TC level was significantly reduced in the metformin group and high-dose group of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang (P<0.01), and HDL-C levels were significantly increased in all intervention groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3, and LC3B were significantly reduced, and UCP1 protein expression was significantly increased in the metformin group and high- and medium-dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of p62, Dio2, and Prdm16 were significantly increased in the metformin group and high-dose group of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang may inhibit mitochondrial autophagy and promote the browning of visceral adipose tissue through the HIF-1α/BNIP3/LC3B pathway, thereby improving glucose and lipid metabolism in obese T2DM rats.
5.Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang and Its Modified Prescription Improve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review
Dong AN ; Yanhui ZHAI ; Yankui GAO ; Rong LIU ; Qi ZHOU ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Yonglin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):141-151
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is based on insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion deficiency, with the specific mechanisms still unclear. Current research involves mechanisms such as glycolipid toxicity, inflammatory response, oxidative stress damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholars have named it "blood glucose collateral disease" based on the clinical characteristics and natural progression of T2DM. This condition is primarily manifested as abnormal blood sugar levels in the early stages, and as the disease progresses, it gradually causes widespread damage to the body's veins and collaterals, ultimately leading to lesions in vessels and collaterals. Among these, "spleen heat" (obesity type) is the most common clinical type of T2DM. The concept of "internal heat-induced elimination" runs through both the onset and complications of T2DM, with internal heat being a key factor in its pathogenesis. The clinical application of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang and its modifications has achieved significant therapeutic effects. This paper reviews the origins and treatment characteristics of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang, along with clinical application research and experimental studies related to T2DM treatment, involving mechanisms for regulating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, improving IR, modulating inflammatory responses, combating oxidative stress damage, regulating autophagy-related signaling pathways, modulating intestinal flora, inhibiting pyroptosis, and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress, with the purpose to provide direction for further research on the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its related complications, to offer reference for developing Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang as a rapid hypoglycemic Chinese patent medicine for obese T2DM, and to better guide the clinical promotion of this drug.
6.The observation of the effect led by the enterostomal therapist of platelet-rich plasma combined with wet dressings in the treatment of postoperative chronic wounds
Zhenlan XIA ; Xiaojun YANG ; Yonglin ZHOU ; Yixi YANG ; Yueling CHEN ; Liping CHEN ; Zexuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(23):1761-1767
Objective:To explore the application effect of a multidisciplinary collaborative model led by stomatognathic therapists, utilizing a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and moist wound dressings in the comprehensive treatment of postoperative chronic wounds, and to provide references and guidance for improving the clinical practice and management level of patients with chronic wounds.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight patients with postoperative non-healing chronic wounds who visited the Chronic Wound Care Clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from October 2018 to February 2023 were conveniently sampled. They were randomly divided into two groups using a coin toss method: the control group ( n = 41) received standard moist wound dressing therapy, while the experimental group ( n = 47) received comprehensive treatment based on PRP combined with moist wound dressings. This treatment, led by enterostoml therpist, involved the innovative nursing technique of simultaneous injection of PRP and coagulant mixture via a three-way connector and covering with ultra-thin foam dressing. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score, wound area healing index (WSHI), pain level during dressing change, wound healing time, and treatment satisfaction rate were observed in both groups. Results:Among 88 cases, there were 25 females and 16 males in the control group, aged 58.00 (37.00 ± 79.00) years old. There were 31 females and 16 males in the experimental group, aged 57.00 (35.00 ± 72.00) years old. The median PUSH scores of the experimental group on the 7th, 14th, and 21th day after wound treatment were 11.00, 9.00, and 7.00, respectively, which were better than those of the control group, which were 13.00, 11.00, and 9.00. The median WSHI scores were 0.35, 0.58, and 0.84 for the experimental group, respectively, which were better than those of the control group, which were 0.09, 0.30, and 0.50. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( Z values ranged from 4.08 to 8.20, all P<0.01). On the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of treatment, the pain scores of the experimental group were 3.00 (2.00,3.00), 2.00 (1.00, 2.00), 0.00 (0.00,1.00) points, respectively, which were lower than the 3.00 (3.00,3.50), 2.00 (2.00,3.00), and 2.00 (1.00, 2.00) points of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z values were 2.16, 3.38, 6.14, all P<0.05). The healing time in the experimental group was (37.04 ± 25.33) days, which was shorter than that in the control group, (52.88 ± 36.58) days, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.53, P<0.05). The satisfaction rate in the experimental group was 97.87% (46/47), significantly higher than 87.80% (36/41) in the control group ( χ2 = 3.13, P<0.05). Conclusions:Under the leadership of stomatognathic therapists, the multidisciplinary collaborative model, employing comprehensive treatment techniques centered around PRP combined with moist wound dressings, demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy for postoperative chronic wounds including shortening healing time, accelerating healing speed, reducing wound pain, and improving patient satisfaction, indicating high clinical application value and social benefits.
7.Progress of Basic Research on the Intervention of TCM Targeted Ferroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy
Qin LI ; Xiankang MA ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Xiaowei SHI ; Xuan LIU ; Yonglin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(6):181-186
Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is one of the most serious microangiopathies in diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease.Ferroptosis,as a mode of programmed cell death,is mainly manifested by excessive accumulation of intracellular lipid peroxides and iron.Ferroptosis is involved in a series of pathological processes such as damage to DN renal podocytes,mesangial cells,and renal tubular epithelial cells.Chinese materia medica has the characteristics of significant therapeutic effects and minimal adverse reactions in the treatment of diseases,and has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of DN.This article summarized the key factors regulating ferroptosis in DN,as well as the active components and TCM formulas targeting the inhibition of ferroptosis in the prevention and treatment of DN,providing reference for the development of DN targeted drugs.
8.CAMU-Net:an improved model for retinal vessel segmentation based on Attention U-Net
Yunfei TANG ; Zhiping DAN ; Zhengtian HONG ; Yonglin CHEN ; Peilin CHENG ; Guo CHENG ; Fangting LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2024;41(8):960-968
An improved U-Net model(channel attention module U-Net,CAMU-Net)is proposed to achieve precise segmentation of retinal vessels.CAMU-Net model enhances its understanding of regional features by employing residual enhancement convolution to extract important information from the regions,improves the global feature acquisition capability by introducing feature refinement module to promote feature extraction,realizes precise segmentation by adding channel attention module to capture image features accurately,and enhances its capability to perceive target boundaries and details through a multi-scale feature fusion structure.The ablation study on the DRIVE dataset validates the role of each module in retinal vessel segmentation.The comparison with other mainstream network models on DRIVE and STARE datasets verify that CAMU-Net model is superior to other models.
9.Effect of Modified Gegen Qinliantang on FXR/SHP/PPARα Signaling Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice
Rong LIU ; Jiahui WANG ; Xia YANG ; Yankui GAO ; Miao LIU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xiangdong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(20):1-8
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Gegen Qinliantang on the expression levels of proteins related to the farnesoid X receptor/small heterodimer partner/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (FXR/SHP/PPARα) signaling pathway in the liver tissue of db/db model mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and explore the underlying mechanism of action of modified Gegen Qinliantang. MethodThirty db/db mice were randomly divided into model group, metformin group (0.2 g·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose modified Gegen Qinliantang groups (31.9, 19.1, 6.4 g·kg-1), with 6 mice in each group. An additional six m/m mice were assigned to the blank group. Respective drugs were administered via oral gavage for 12 weeks. Mouse body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured. Oil red O staining was used to observe hepatic lipid accumulation and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining was used to assess hepatic glycogen deposition. Ammonium ferric sulfate staining was used to observe cholesterol deposition in intestinal tissues. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of FXR, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), SHP, and PPARα proteins in liver tissues, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels. ResultAt the end of the treatment, compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significant increases in mouse body weight, FBG, FFA, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels (P<0.01), along with significant hepatic lipid droplets, reduced hepatic glycogen, noticeable cholesterol accumulation in intestinal tissues, significantly decreased expression of FXR, SHP, PPARα proteins, and significantly increased expression of CYP7A1 protein in liver tissues (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the metformin group and the high- and medium-dose modified Gegen Qinliantang groups demonstrated significant reductions in mouse body weight, FBG, FFA, TC, TG, LDL-C levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), significant increases in HDL-C levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, increased hepatic glycogen, reduced intestinal cholesterol accumulation, significantly increased expression of FXR, SHP, PPARα proteins, and significantly decreased expression of CYP7A1 protein in liver tissues (P<0.01). ConclusionModified Gegen Qinliantang may regulate the FXR/SHP/PPARα signaling pathway to suppress FFA levels and improve lipid metabolism in T2DM mice.
10.Emerging role of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in pregnancy-associated diseases.
Xiaoxiao FU ; Yuling LI ; Zhen ZHANG ; Bin WANG ; Ran WEI ; Chu CHU ; Ke XU ; Lihua LI ; Yonglin LIU ; Xia LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(11):1300-1310
Accumulating studies have demonstrated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), functioning as important regulators of transcription and translation, are involved in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, especially the maternal immune adaptation process. The endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), trophoblast cells, and decidua immune cells that reside at the maternal-fetal interface are thought to play significant roles in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diseases. Here, we reviewed the up-to-date evidence on how microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and circular RNA regulate ESCs, trophoblast cells, and immune cells and discussed the potential applications of these ncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic markers in pregnancy complications.
Pregnancy
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Female
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Humans
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MicroRNAs/genetics*
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RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
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RNA, Circular/genetics*
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Trophoblasts
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Pregnancy Complications/genetics*

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