1.Research advances in the effects of orexin and its receptor-related drugs on depression
Zhaoshu JIANG ; Ming CHENG ; Jie YANG ; Feng CAO ; Zhen ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):496-500
Depression is a psychiatric disorder whose main symptoms include low mood, loss of interest, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite. Orexin, a neuropeptide located in hypothalamic neurons, has a wide range of projections throughout the central nervous system and is involved in various behavioral modulations related to depression. This study systematically reviewed the effects of orexin and its receptor-related drugs on depression and found that orexin could exert complex regulatory effects on multiple brain regions by binding to related receptors, affecting emotions, sleep, anxiety, etc. The abnormal state of expression of plasma orexin in patients with depression was found. Exogenous orexin-A, selective orexin receptor 1 antagonists (SORA1s), selective orexin receptor 2 antagonists (SORA2s), and dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) have demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in various animal models of depression. Among them, clinical trials involving exogenous orexin-A are relatively scarce. Drugs related to SORA1s and SORA2s, such as JNJ-61393215 and Setorexant, have made significant progress in the treatment of depression. DORAs, such as Suvorexant, Lemborexant, and Daridorexant, are primarily used to treat insomnia. Notably, Suvorexant has also shown potential in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
2.Brain Aperiodic Dynamics
Zhi-Cai HU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jiang WANG ; Gui-Ping LI ; Shan LIU ; Hai-Tao YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):99-118
Brain’s neural activities encompass both periodic rhythmic oscillations and aperiodic neural fluctuations. Rhythmic oscillations manifest as spectral peaks of neural signals, directly reflecting the synchronized activities of neural populations and closely tied to cognitive and behavioral states. In contrast, aperiodic fluctuations exhibit a power-law decaying spectral trend, revealing the multiscale dynamics of brain neural activity. In recent years, researchers have made notable progress in studying brain aperiodic dynamics. These studies demonstrate that aperiodic activity holds significant physiological relevance, correlating with various physiological states such as external stimuli, drug induction, sleep states, and aging. Aperiodic activity serves as a reflection of the brain’s sensory capacity, consciousness level, and cognitive ability. In clinical research, the aperiodic exponent has emerged as a significant potential biomarker, capable of reflecting the progression and trends of brain diseases while being intricately intertwined with the excitation-inhibition balance of neural system. The physiological mechanisms underlying aperiodic dynamics span multiple neural scales, with activities at the levels of individual neurons, neuronal ensembles, and neural networks collectively influencing the frequency, oscillatory patterns, and spatiotemporal characteristics of aperiodic signals. Aperiodic dynamics currently boasts broad application prospects. It not only provides a novel perspective for investigating brain neural dynamics but also holds immense potential as a neural marker in neuromodulation or brain-computer interface technologies. This paper summarizes methods for extracting characteristic parameters of aperiodic activity, analyzes its physiological relevance and potential as a biomarker in brain diseases, summarizes its physiological mechanisms, and based on these findings, elaborates on the research prospects of aperiodic dynamics.
3.Tannic acid modified interpenetrating network hydrogel promotes tissue remodeling of ruptured Achilles tendon after surgery
Bo ZHANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Dong JIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):721-729
BACKGROUND:The regeneration and remodeling of Achilles tendon rupture after surgery are difficulties in clinical treatment.Tissue engineering hydrogels afford the possibility on the healing of postoperative Achilles tendon. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of tannic acid modified interpenetrating network hydrogel on tissue regeneration and remodeling of ruptured Achilles tendon in rats. METHODS:(1)The interpenetrating network hydrogel was prepared under the blue light and the immersion of CaSO4 solution.The micromorphology,mechanical properties,adhesion properties,in vitro drug release properties,and biocompatibility of hydrogels were characterized.(2)Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,operation group,and hydrogel group,with 10 rats in each group.The animal model of Achilles tendon rupture was established in the latter two groups.In the operation group,the ruptured Achilles tendon was sutured using the modified Kessler method.In the hydrogel group,the ruptured Achilles tendon was repaired by the same method,and the tannic acid modified interpenetrating network hydrogel patch was completely wrapped around the joint of the broken end.Four weeks after the operation,imaging examination,histological evaluation,biomechanical test,and the level test of inflammatory factors were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscope showed that tannic acid modified interpenetrating network hydrogels had porous microstructure with pore size of 3-10 μm,and the hydrogels had good in vitro drug release properties,adhesion strength and tensile strength.CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that the hydrogel had no significant effect on the proliferation activity of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and had good biocompatibility.(2)MRI imaging showed that compared with the operation group,the Achilles tendon in the hydrogel group showed uniform low signal,the thickness of the anteroposterior diameter of the Achilles tendon was reduced,and the boundary between the Achilles tendon and the surrounding tissue was more clear,and the performance was more similar to that of the sham operation group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining showed that the tendon fibers in the operation group were arranged in a loose and chaotic manner,with increased cell density and disordered arrangement,accompanied by obvious inflammatory cell infiltration,and intratendinous ossification appeared in some areas.In the hydrogel group,the tendon fibers were arranged in an orderly manner;the cell density was reduced and arranged orderly;the inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly reduced.The tensile strength of Achilles tendon in the operation group was lower than that in the sham operation group(P<0.05).The tensile strength of Achilles tendon in the hydrogel group was higher than that in the operation group(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the mass concentration and mRNA expression of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor α in Achilles tendon of rats were increased in the operation group(P<0.05).Compared with the operation group,the level and mRNA expression of three inflammatory factors were decreased in the hydrogel group.(3)It is concluded that tannic acid modified interpenetrating network hydrogel can inhibit the local inflammatory response and promote the tendon remodeling.
4.Target of neohesperidin in treatment of osteoporosis and its effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Qiujian LIANG ; Jun YANG ; Xiangyu WEI ; Jie JIANG ; Linke HUANG ; Zhen TAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1437-1447
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neohesperidin can delay bone loss in ovariectomized mice and has the potential to treat osteoporosis,but its specific mechanism of action remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the key targets and possible mechanisms of neohesperidin in the treatment of osteoporosis based on bioinformatics and cell experiments in vitro. METHODS:The gene expression dataset related to osteoporosis was obtained from GEO database,and the differentially expressed genes were screened and analyzed in R language.The osteoporosis-related targets were screened from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases,and the neohesperidin-related targets were screened from ChEMBL and PubChem databases,and the common targets were obtained by intersection of the three.The String database was used to construct the PPI network of intersection genes,and the key targets were screened.The DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.The AutoDock software was used to verify the molecular docking between the neohesperidin and the target protein.The effect of neohesperidin on osteogenic differentiation of C57 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected.Complete medium was used as blank control group;osteogenic induction medium was used as the control group;and osteogenic induction medium containing different concentrations of neohesperidin(25,50 μmol/L)was used as experimental group.The expression of alkaline phosphatase,the degree of mineralization,the expression of osteogenic-related genes and target genes during osteogenic differentiation of cells were measured at corresponding time points. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)9 253 differentially expressed genes,2 161 osteoporosis-related targets,and 326 neohesperidin-related targets were screened.There were 53 common targets among the three.All 53 genes were up-regulated in osteoporosis samples.The PPI network screened the target gene PRKACA of research significance.GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that neohesperidin's treatment of osteoporosis through PRKACA target mainly depended on biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and protein autophosphorylation,acting on endocrine resistance,proteoglycan in cancer,and estrogen signaling pathway to play a therapeutic role.Molecular docking results showed that neohesperidin had a certain binding ability to the protein corresponding to the target PRKACA.(2)The results of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.Alizarin red staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the mineralization of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.RT-qPCR results showed that neohesperidin could increase the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,PRKACA,and osteocalcin.(3)These results indicate that neohesperidin may promote osteogenic differentiation through PRKACA target on the estrogen signaling pathway to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
5.Danggui Shaoyaosan Regulates Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Xinqiao CHU ; Yaning BIAO ; Ying GU ; Meng LI ; Tiantong JIANG ; Yuan DING ; Xiaping TAO ; Shaoli WANG ; Ziheng WEI ; Zhen LIU ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):35-42
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on ferroptosis in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and explore the underlying mechanism based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe sixty SD rats were randomly grouped as follows: control, model, Yishanfu (0.144 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.44, 4.88, and 9.76 g·kg-1, respectively) Danggui Shaoyaosan. A high-fat diet was used to establish the rat model of NAFLD. After 12 weeks of modeling, rats were treated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks. Then, the body weight and liver weight were measured, and the liver index was calculated. At the same time, serum and liver samples were collected. The levels or activities of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Fe2+ in the serum and TC, TG, free fatty acids (FFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and Fe2+ in the liver were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the liver. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the liver were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increases in the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), and decreases in the activities of SOD, GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the liver tissue in the model group presented steatosis, iron deposition, mitochondrial shrinkage, and blurred or swollen mitochondrial cristae. Compared with the model group, all doses of Danggui Shaoyaosan reduced the body weight, liver weight, liver index, levels or activities of TC, TG, ALT, AST, and Fe2+ in the serum, levels of TC, TG, FFA, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS in the liver, and protein levels of TFR1 and DMT1 in the liver (P<0.01), while increasing the activities of SOD and GPX and the protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the liver (P<0.01). Furthermore, Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviated steatosis, iron deposition, and mitochondrial damage in the liver. ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to treat NAFLD.
6.Efficacy of focal radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of low-to-intermediate risk localized prostate cancer
Shu GAO ; Zhen JIANG ; Jiyuan SUN ; Haifeng HUANG ; Qing ZHANG ; Hongqian GUO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(2):143-147
Objective: To explore the efficacy of focal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of low-to-intermediate risk localized prostate cancer and its impact on postoperative urinary control and sexual function recovery,in order to explore the feasibility of minimally invasive methods for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 28 patients with low-to-intermediate risk localized prostate cancer who underwent RFA in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School during Jun.2017 and Feb.2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate,surgery related complications,postoperative urinary control and sexual function were collected.The differences between the survival curves of patients in the low-risk and intermediate-risk subgroups were assessed with log-rank test and Breslow test. Results: All surgeries were successfully completed under local anesthesia.During the median follow-up of 43 (40-49) months,the 5-year FFS rate predicted by Kaplan-Meier method was 78.57%; 25 patients (89.29%) did not experience surgery-related complications; 27 patients (96.43%) were able to control urination; 1 patient developed new-onset sexual dysfunction.There was no significant difference in the survival curves between patients in the low-risk and intermediate-risk groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: RFA for patients with low-to-intermediate risk localized prostate cancer has good clinical efficacy,little impact on urinary control and sexual function recovery,and few postoperative complications,which can be used as one of the treatment options for these patients.
7.A randomized controlled clinical study of plica aryepiglottica movement for guiding painless gastroscopic entry
Weiliang ZHANG ; Qiang JIANG ; Yujie CHEN ; Fan SU ; Zhen SUN ; Yongliang CHI
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(16):2438-2442
Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of guiding painless gastroscopic entry with plica aryepiglottica movement as the mark.Methods A total of 200 patients with elective painless gas-troscopic examination from January 2022 to August 2022 were selected,92 males and 108 female,aged 18-60 years old,BMI 18-30 kg/m2 and ASA grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ.The patients were divided into the two groups:the con-trol group (group C) and observation group (group O) by adopting the random number table method,100 ca-ses in each group.The disappearance of eyelash reflex in the group C served as the entry timing of gastrosco-py,while the plica aryepiglottica non-movement under the gastroscopic view in the group O served as the en-try timing of gastroscopy.The bispectral index (BIS) value during gastroscopic operation persistently main-tained 40-60.The main observation indicators were the adverse reactions caused by gastroscopic operation (body movement reactions,bucking,hiccup,laryngeal spasm,etc.),and the secondary observation indicators were:general data of the two groups,SpO2,HR,SBP and DBP values after entering the room (T0),at the en-try time of gastroscopy (T1),3 min after gastroscopic entry (T2),6 min after gastroscopic entry (T3) and at the time of gastroscopic retraction (T4),and the time of medication to gastroscopy,gastroscopic operation time and intraoperative medication supplementation.Results A total of 192 cases were ultimately included,99 cases in the group C and 93 cases in the group O.There was no statistically significant difference in general da-ta between the two groups (P>0.05);compared with the group C,the use amount of cyclophosphamide dur-ing anesthesia induction in the group O was increased (P<0.05).Compared with the group C,the incidence rates of body movement reaction,bucking,hiccup and total adverse reactions in the group O were decreased (P<0.05);SpO2,HR,SBP and DBP at different time points had no statistically significant differences be-tween the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Using the glottic movement as the marker to guide the pain-less gastroscopy entry is effective and safe,and could reduce the adverse reactions such as body movement re-action,bucking and hiccup caused by gastroscopic entry.Observing the plica aryepiglottica movement in the gastrocopic entry operation is simple and easy to perform,which could serve an objective gastroscopic entry timing mark and is worth promoting and using in clinic.
8.Association between CD4 +T lymphocyte and body composition with physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients in Chongqing City
Chen CHEN ; Jie XU ; Zhen JIANG ; Guohui WU ; Yuqiang ZHANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Zunyou WU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(2):235-240
Objective:To identify the association between CD4 +T lymphocyte (CD4) counts and physical frailty among HIV-infected people aged 65 years and older, and evaluate whether this association will be modified by the indicators of body composition. Methods:From May to October 2022, 485 elderly HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) were recruited from 7 antiviral treatment sites in Jiangjin District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing. The data of basic characteristics (age and gender), living habits (smoking and drinking) and disease history (metabolic diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory disease and malignant tumors) were collected through the face-to-face investigation with self-made questionnaires. Fried Frailty Scale was used to evaluate the status of physical frailty. Physical fitness (walking speed, grip strength, height, and weight) and body composition (skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, and basal metabolic rate) were measured. The antiretroviral treatment data were obtained from the China AIDS Integrated Prevention and Treatment Data information management system. The prevalence of physical frailty was calculated among the HIV-infected patients. The potential effects of CD4 counts on physical frailty were explored by using multivariate logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were repeated in the logistic regression with muscle mass, body fat mass, and other indicators of body composition as subgroup variables to determine whether the association might be modified by body composition.Results:The age of 485 patients were (72±5) years old, of which 48.2% (234 cases) were>70 years old and 70.9% (344 cases) were male, and all of whom had initiated the ART treatment. The prevalence of physical frailty among these patients was 7.4% (36/485). Multivariate logistic regression showed that after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, body composition index, ART duration, viral load and the number of comorbidities, increased CD4 cell level was associated with decreased prevalent risk of physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients. For every increase of 5.0×10 7 CD4 cells/L, the prevalent risk of physical frailty decreased by 12% [ OR (95% CI): 0.88 (0.76-1.01)]. Compared with the low CD4 cell level group, the risk of physical frailty in those with normal CD4 cell level decreased by 69% [ OR (95% CI): 0.31 (0.10-0.92)]. Subgroup analysis of body composition indicators showed that the protective effect of normal CD4 cell level on physical frailty was more pronounced in the high skeletal muscle mass and high basal metabolic rate group ( Pinteraction<0.05). Conclusion:The prevalence of physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients is relatively lower in Chongqing, and the CD4 cell level, skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate are related to physical frailty.
9.Association between CD4 +T lymphocyte and body composition with physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients in Chongqing City
Chen CHEN ; Jie XU ; Zhen JIANG ; Guohui WU ; Yuqiang ZHANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Zunyou WU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(2):235-240
Objective:To identify the association between CD4 +T lymphocyte (CD4) counts and physical frailty among HIV-infected people aged 65 years and older, and evaluate whether this association will be modified by the indicators of body composition. Methods:From May to October 2022, 485 elderly HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) were recruited from 7 antiviral treatment sites in Jiangjin District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing. The data of basic characteristics (age and gender), living habits (smoking and drinking) and disease history (metabolic diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory disease and malignant tumors) were collected through the face-to-face investigation with self-made questionnaires. Fried Frailty Scale was used to evaluate the status of physical frailty. Physical fitness (walking speed, grip strength, height, and weight) and body composition (skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, and basal metabolic rate) were measured. The antiretroviral treatment data were obtained from the China AIDS Integrated Prevention and Treatment Data information management system. The prevalence of physical frailty was calculated among the HIV-infected patients. The potential effects of CD4 counts on physical frailty were explored by using multivariate logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were repeated in the logistic regression with muscle mass, body fat mass, and other indicators of body composition as subgroup variables to determine whether the association might be modified by body composition.Results:The age of 485 patients were (72±5) years old, of which 48.2% (234 cases) were>70 years old and 70.9% (344 cases) were male, and all of whom had initiated the ART treatment. The prevalence of physical frailty among these patients was 7.4% (36/485). Multivariate logistic regression showed that after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, body composition index, ART duration, viral load and the number of comorbidities, increased CD4 cell level was associated with decreased prevalent risk of physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients. For every increase of 5.0×10 7 CD4 cells/L, the prevalent risk of physical frailty decreased by 12% [ OR (95% CI): 0.88 (0.76-1.01)]. Compared with the low CD4 cell level group, the risk of physical frailty in those with normal CD4 cell level decreased by 69% [ OR (95% CI): 0.31 (0.10-0.92)]. Subgroup analysis of body composition indicators showed that the protective effect of normal CD4 cell level on physical frailty was more pronounced in the high skeletal muscle mass and high basal metabolic rate group ( Pinteraction<0.05). Conclusion:The prevalence of physical frailty among elderly HIV-infected patients is relatively lower in Chongqing, and the CD4 cell level, skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate are related to physical frailty.
10.Structure and Function of the PR-DUB Complex and Its Role in the Development of Haematological Tumours
Wen-Wen ZHANG ; Fu-Quan JIANG ; Zhen-Hua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(7):879-888
The polycomb repressive deubiquitinase complex(PR-DUB)is a member of the polycomb group protein involved in the epigenetic modification of chromosomes by regulating histone modifications.The polycomb repressive complex 1(PRC1)and PR-DUB complex protect active genes from aberrant si-lencing through a balance of ubiquitination and deubiquitination modifications of H2AK119Ub.The deu-biquitination function of the PR-DUB complex is associated with the promotion of gene activation and the establishment of transcriptionally permissive chromatin states,in addition to the activation of enhancers and the facilitation of DNA damage repair at double-strand breaks.Additional sex combs-like 1(ASXL1)serves as an epigenetic scaffold for the assembly of chromatin-modifying complexes and tran-scription factors involved in epigenetic regulation.BRCA1-associated protein 1(BAP1)acts as a deubiq-uitinating enzyme to remove ubiquitination modification of substrates.The PR-DUB complex consists of a core dimer and other cofactors.BAP 1 forms a core dimer with ASXL1,and other subunits interact to reg-ulate the targeting and functioning of the PR-DUB complex.ASXL1 and BAP1 are the two subunits most relevant to the deubiquitination function of the PR-DUB complex,and the DEUBAD domain of ASXL1 activates BAP1 to exert its deubiquitination function to hydrolyze H2AK119Ub1.Understanding the struc-ture and interaction mechanism of ASXL1 and BAP1 is essential to study the mechanism of deubiquitina-tion specific to the PR-DUB complex.In humans,mutations in the components of the PR-DUB complex frequently cause a variety of hematologic neoplasms.Mutations in the ASSXL1 gene often result in prema-ture termination of protein translation,mostly due to the absence of the C-terminal PHD domain.The in-teraction of mutated ASXL1 or BAP1,epigenetic factors,and targets or signaling pathways such as Akt/mTOR in PR-DUB is now considered as a possible mechanism to promote the development of hematologi-cal tumors.This is crucial for the research and development of new specific targeted therapeutic agents a-gainst potential therapeutic targets.In this paper,focusing on ASXL1 and BAP1,we will introduce the structure and function of the PR-DUB complex,and its mechanism in the occurrence of hematological tumor diseases,and systematically summarize the potential targeted therapeutic drugs,with a view to pro-viding scientific references for the research of the PR-DUB complex in the prevention and treatment of he-matological diseases.

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