1.Xiaoyaosan Regulates HPT Axis in Rat Model with Syndrome of Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency via CGA/GPX2/TSHβ Pathway for Thyroid Hormone Synthesis
Fang WANG ; Ruxin YUAN ; Lingjin FAN ; Zongli CHEN ; Huaye XIAO ; Liqiang YANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Chuncheng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):1-10
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Xiaoyaosan regulates HPT axis dysfunction in the rat model with the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency by observing its effect on the glycoprotein hormone α-subunit (CGA)/glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2)/thyroid-stimulating hormone β-subunit (TSHβ) pathway for thyroid hormone synthesis. MethodsSeventy-two male SD rats were randomized into six groups: normal, model, high-dose (16.7 g·kg-1), medium-dose (8.35 g·kg-1), and low-dose (4.175 g·kg-1) Xiaoyaosan, and fluoxetine (0.001 8 g·kg-1) groups, with 12 rats in each group. The rat model of liver depression and spleen deficiency was induced by chronic restraint stress for 21 days. The intervention groups were treated with Xiaoyaosan decoctions or fluoxetine suspension, respectively. After modeling, hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe morphological changes in the thyroid and pituitary tissue of the rats. Serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of TSH receptor (TSHR) in the thyroid tissue, thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) and TSHβ in the pituitary tissue, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), CGA, GPX2, and TSHβ in the hypothalamic tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significant atrophy and irregularity of thyroid follicles, a marked reduction in colloid secretion, extensive vacuolar degeneration of adenocytes in the anterior pituitary, lowered serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TSHR in the thyroid tissue, TRHR and TSHβ in the pituitary tissue, and TRH, CGA, GPX2, and TSHβ in the hypothalamic tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high- and medium-dose Xiaoyaosan and fluoxetine alleviated the pathological changes in the thyroid and pituitary tissue, outperforming the low-dose Xiaoyaosan group. Moreover, they elevated the serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum TSH level was also elevated in the low-dose Xiaoyaosan group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of TSHR in the thyroid, TRHR and TSHβ in the pituitary, and TRH, CGA, GPX2, and TSHβ in the hypothalamus were up-regulated in the high- and medium-dose Xiaoyaosan groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels of TSHβ in the hypothalamus were up-regulated in the low-dose Xiaoyaosan group (P<0.01). In the fluoxetine group, the mRNA and protein levels of TSHR in the thyroid, TRHR in the pituitary, and TRH, CGA, and GPX2 in the hypothalamus were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe downregulation of CGA/GPX2/TSHβ pathway may be one of the biological mechanisms underlying HPT axis dysfunction in the rat model with the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency. Xiaoyaosan may regulate the HPT axis dysfunction by up-regulating the CGA/GPX2/TSHβ pathway.
2.Effect of Modified Chaihu Shugansan on CaMKⅡ/CREB Signaling Pathway in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia and Depression
Fen WAN ; Xiaohong LI ; Ying CHEN ; Yangyu PAN ; Yanna LUO ; Fangge LU ; Chuncheng ZHENG ; Pengyun KONG ; Chengxiang WANG ; Liqiang YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):1-11
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Chaihu Shugansan on the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus and heart tissue of a rat model with myocardial ischemia and depression and explore the mechanism by which this formula prevents and treats coronary heart disease combined with depression. MethodsThe model of myocardial ischemia combined with depression was established by high-fat diet, intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol (ISO), and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). A total of 108 SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, high (23.4 g·kg-1), medium (11.7 g·kg-1), and low (5.85 g·kg-1) dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan, CaMKⅡ inhibitor (KN93) group, and KN93 + high, medium, and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan, with 12 rats in each group. From the first day of modeling to the end of modeling, drugs were administered once a day. In the seventh and eighth weeks, the KN93 group and the KN93 + high, medium, and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan were intraperitoneally injected with KN93 three times weekly. At the end of the eighth week, behavioral tests including sucrose preference, open field, and elevated plus maze were conducted. Electrocardiogram (ECG) lead Ⅱ changes were observed in each group of rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe changes in heart tissue. Serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by using an enzyme-labeled instrument. Creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, while serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB in hippocampal and heart tissue, and Western blot was performed to assess protein expression of CaMKⅡ, phosphorylated (p)-CaMKⅡ, CREB, and p-CREB. ResultsCompared to the normal group, the model group showed significant reductions in sucrose preference rate, total activity distance in the open field, number of entries into the center area of the open field, and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze (P<0.01). The ECG showed ST-segment elevation, and HE staining showed serious degeneration of myocardial fibers, disordered arrangement, and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. In addition, serum TC and LDL levels increased (P<0.01), and HDL level decreased (P<0.01). CK, CK-MB, LDH, and MCP-1 levels significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB decreased in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), but those increased in the heart tissue (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the high, medium, and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed improvements in these abnormalities. The KN93 group had reduced sucrose preference, total activity distance in the open field, number of entries into the center area of the open field, and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze (P<0.01), as well as decreased serum CK, CK-MB, LDH, and MCP-1 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). KN93 also reduced ST-segment elevation, alleviated the degeneration degree of myocardial fibrosis, and lowered inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB in both the hippocampal and heart tissue were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). The KN93 + high, medium, and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed further improvements in these abnormalities compared to the KN93 group. ConclusionThe modified Chaihu Shugansan exerts antidepressant and myocardial protective effects in rats with myocardial ischemia and depression, possibly related to bidirectional regulation of the CaMKⅡ/CREB signaling pathway, with the high-dose modified Chaihu Shugansan showing the best effects.
3.Serotype and drug resistance of Salmonella from foodborne diseases in Longwan District
ZHOU Shanhui ; HU Yuqin ; ZHENG Qiongqiong ; WANG Xiaohong ; LI Yi ; XIANG Guangxin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):697-700,704
Objective:
To analyze the serotypes and drug resistance of Salmonella isolated from food-borne disease surveillance samples in Longwan District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of Salmonella infection.
Methods:
Salmonella strains isolated from feces or anal swabs of patients with foodborne diarrhea in Longwan District People's Hospital from 2018 to 2024 were collected. After re-identification, slide agglutination test was used to identify serotypes. The drug susceptibility test of live Salmonella strains was performed using the broth microdilution method, and the resistance patterns were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 2 293 samples were collected, and 186 strains of Salmonella were isolated, with a detection rate of 8.11%. The detection rate was higher from May to October. A total of 28 Salmonella serotypes were identified, with S. typhimurium (72 isolates, 38.71%), S. enteritidis (31 isolates, 16.67%), and S. London (30 isolates, 16.13%) being dominant. Among the 121 Salmonella live strains, 20 strains were susceptible to 14 antibacterial drugs. A total of 101 strains were resistant to antibacterial drugs, and the drug resistance rate was 1.65%-67.77%, with the drug resistance rate of ampicillin being the highest, and the drug resistance rate of imipenem was the lowest. S. typhimurium had the highest resistance rate to tetracycline (78.26%). S. enteritidis had the highest resistance rate to ampicillin (100.00%). S. London had the highest resistance rate to tetracycline (66.67%). Fifty-five types of drug resistance patterns were detected, showing a number of drug resistance of 1-10, of which 76 strains were multi-drug resistant, accounting for 75.25%. The predominant multidrug resistance patterns were ampicillin/sulbactam-cefazolin-ampicillin-nalidixic acid (10.53%), tetracycline-ampicillin-nalidixic acid (9.21%), and ampicillin/sulbactam-ampicillin-nalidixic acid (7.89%).
Conclusions
Salmonella strains isolated from foodborne diseases in Longwan District were mainly detected in summer and autumn. S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, and S. London were the predominant serotypes. The drug resistance of Salmonella to different antibacterial drugs was different, and the drug resistance spectrum showed diversity.
4.Transfer learning enhanced graph neural network for aldehyde oxidase metabolism prediction and its experimental application.
Jiacheng XIONG ; Rongrong CUI ; Zhaojun LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Runze ZHANG ; Zunyun FU ; Xiaohong LIU ; Zhenghao LI ; Kaixian CHEN ; Mingyue ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):623-634
Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a molybdoenzyme that is primarily expressed in the liver and is involved in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. AOX-mediated metabolism can result in unexpected outcomes, such as the production of toxic metabolites and high metabolic clearance, which can lead to the clinical failure of novel therapeutic agents. Computational models can assist medicinal chemists in rapidly evaluating the AOX metabolic risk of compounds during the early phases of drug discovery and provide valuable clues for manipulating AOX-mediated metabolism liability. In this study, we developed a novel graph neural network called AOMP for predicting AOX-mediated metabolism. AOMP integrated the tasks of metabolic substrate/non-substrate classification and metabolic site prediction, while utilizing transfer learning from 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data to enhance its performance on both tasks. AOMP significantly outperformed the benchmark methods in both cross-validation and external testing. Using AOMP, we systematically assessed the AOX-mediated metabolism of common fragments in kinase inhibitors and successfully identified four new scaffolds with AOX metabolism liability, which were validated through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, for the convenience of the community, we established the first online service for AOX metabolism prediction based on AOMP, which is freely available at https://aomp.alphama.com.cn.
5.Syphilis infection and related factors among HIV-infected patients in Zhejiang Province
Lin HE ; Xiaohong PAN ; Jiezhe YANG ; Jinlei ZHENG ; Wei CHENG ; Chengliang CHAI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(6):839-843
Objective:To investigate syphilis infection and related factors among HIV-infected patients being followed up for more than one year in Zhejiang Province.Methods:Data were collected from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System, and information such as demographic characteristics, viral load levels, and syphilis serologic test results was collected from HIV-infected persons who were diagnosed with HIV more than 1 year, aged ≥15 years with a current address in Zhejiang Province through December 31, 2022. The logistic regression model analyzed the prevalence of syphilis and the related factors. The SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 33 734 HIV-infected patients, with the prevalence of syphilis was 5.6% (1 879/33 734). Among the syphilis cases, the prevalence of syphilis was 6.4% (1 774/27 934) of males, 7.5% (640/8 543) of 25-34 years old age group, 7.6% (1 025/13 423) of unmarried, 8.3% (1 239/14 862) of homosexual transmission, 6.9% (214/3 080) with a non-local registered residence and 9.6% (602/6 267) with a history of STD before the HIV diagnosis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that participants who were male (a OR=2.19, 95% CI:1.77-2.72), 25-34 years old age group (a OR=1.80, 95% CI:1.47-2.20), homosexual transmission (a OR=1.67, 95% CI:1.49-1.88), with other provinces registered residence (a OR=1.26, 95% CI:1.09-1.47), and with a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) before the HIV diagnosis (a OR=1.98, 95% CI:1.78-2.20) were associated with increased risk of syphilis. Being married (a OR=0.79, 95% CI:0.68-0.92) was associated with a decreased risk of syphilis. Conclusions:Syphilis infections were high in HIV-infected patients followed up more than one year in Zhejiang Province. It is recommended that syphilis surveillance and screening frequency should be strengthened among HIV-infected persons with characteristics such as male, homosexual transmission, and STD history.
6.Advances in Bioanalytical Techniques and Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Research of Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Gene Therapy Drugs
Jianwei REN ; Xin ZHENG ; Xiaohong HAN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(3):350-357
Recently,adeno-associated virus(AAV)vectors have been a hotspot in gene therapy and have shown great potential for rare diseases therapy,due to their low pathogenicity,mild immunogenicity and high tissue specificity.The safety and efficacy of AAV vectors,which are essentially infectious viruses,require new bioanalytical techniques to assess.At present,the relevant industry guidelines have specified the needs for the assessment of biodistribution,shedding,and immunogenicity,but the requirements related to bioassay are limited.In this paper,we reviewed the bioanalytical techniques and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics(PK/PD)research of AAV vectors and their challenges from four aspects:biodistribution,shedding,immunogenicity and PK/PD research,with the hope of providing some reference for the clinical development of AAV vectors gene therapy products.
7.ABO ambiguous blood types in voluntary blood donors from Putian,Fujian Province:a serology and molecular bi-ology study
Tiehui LIN ; Xueling ZHENG ; Xiaohong CAI ; Hang LEI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(6):654-659
Objective To investigate the serological and molecular biology characteristics of ambiguous blood types a-mong voluntary blood donors in Putian,and to file records for relevant donors for future reference in case of their own trans-fusion needs or emergency donations to others.Methods A total of 68 593 blood samples from voluntary blood donors in Putian Central Blood Station between January 1,2019 and August 31,2023 were collected and tested for blood types using serological methods.ABO gene(including promoters,enhancers and seven exons as well as their flanking sequences and in-tron 6)and FUT1 gene testing were performed on ambiguous blood types.3D models were constructed using Chimira and Py-MOL software to predict the impact of gene mutations on enzyme structure.Results A total of 16 ABO subtypes were identi-fied by serological methods,with the highest detection rate as the para-Bombay phenotype(0.73 per 10 000),followed by the cisAB phenotype(0.44 per 10 000).Gene analysis revealed 12 cases with known mutations(4 cases of FUT1.01N.06/FUT1.01N.06,1 case of FUT1 01W.08/FUT1.01N.06,2 cases of A2.08/B.01,1 case of BA.02/O.01.01,1 case of A3.07/O.01.01,3 cases of cisAB.01/B.01),and key mutations were not found in 4 cases(2 cases of A1.02/B.01,2 cases of A1.02/O.01.02).3D molecular model analysis revealed that both A3.07 and FUT1.01W.08 allele can lead to a decrease in ac-tivity of the corresponding glycosyltransferases,resulting in the emergence of subtypes.Conclusion The most common phe-notype causing discrepancies in ABO blood type testing among voluntary blood donors from Putian is the para-Bombay phe-notype,with the most common allele being FUT1.01N.06.
8.Association of interpregnancy interval and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in woman by different previous gestational ages
Peiran CHEN ; Yi MU ; Zheng LIU ; Yanping WANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Li DAI ; Qi LI ; Mingrong LI ; Yanxia XIE ; Juan LIANG ; Jun ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):87-96
Background::With an increasing proportion of multiparas, proper interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) are urgently needed. However, the association between IPIs and adverse perinatal outcomes has always been debated. This study aimed to explore the association between IPIs and adverse outcomes in different fertility policy periods and for different previous gestational ages.Methods::We used individual data from China’s National Maternal Near Miss Surveillance System between 2014 and 2019. Multivariable Poisson models with restricted cubic splines were used. Each adverse outcome was analyzed separately in the overall model and stratified models. The stratified models included different categories of fertility policy periods (2014–2015, 2016–2017, and 2018–2019) and infant gestational age in previous pregnancy (<28 weeks, 28–36 weeks, and ≥37 weeks).Results::There were 781,731 pregnancies enrolled in this study. A short IPI (≤6 months) was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (OR [95% CI]: 1.63 [1.55, 1.71] for vaginal delivery [VD] and 1.10 [1.03, 1.19] for cesarean section [CS]), low Apgar scores and small for gestational age (SGA), and a decreased risk of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and gestational hypertension. A long IPI (≥60 months) was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (OR [95% CI]: 1.18 [1.11, 1.26] for VD and 1.39 [1.32, 1.47] for CS), placenta previa, postpartum hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and gestational hypertension. Fertility policy changes had little effect on the association of IPIs and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The estimated risk of preterm birth, low Apgar scores, SGA, diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, and gestational hypertension was more profound among women with previous term births than among those with preterm births or pregnancy loss.Conclusion::For pregnant women with shorter or longer IPIs, more targeted health care measures during pregnancy should be formulated according to infant gestational age in previous pregnancy.
9.Co-exposure of carbon black and cadmium induces autophagy and inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells via PERK pathway
Rulin MAO ; Liting ZHENG ; Xiaohong LIANG ; Shaoxia LYU ; Yueting SHAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(1):1-9
Objective:To investigate the effects of carbon black and cadmium (Cd) combined exposure on autophagy and inflammatory response mediated by protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells.Methods:In January 2022, human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were resuscitated and cultured. Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) were oxidized to adsorb Cd ions to construct "CBNPs-Cd" complexes. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects of different concentrations and time combinations of CBNPs and Cd on the viability of 16HBE cells. The subsequent dose groups were exposed to 2 μg/ml Cd, 100 μg/ml CBNPs, 100 μg/ml CBNPs+2 μg/ml Cd for 24 h. The number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was detected by transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of PERK, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIf2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/P62), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). After PERK gene was silenced by siRNA technology, the changes of autophagy marker proteins P62 and LC3 were detected, and the expressions of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL6) and interleukin-8 (IL8) were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR technique. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare three groups or more. LSD test was used for comparison between two groups. Factorial analysis was used for multivariate component analysis. Results:There was no significant change in cell viability of 16HBE after 24 h exposure to CBNPs and Cd alone or combined ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the expressions of P62 and LC3 in 16HBE cells were significantly increased in the CBNPs and Cd alone/combined exposure group ( P<0.05), and the number of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes in the combined exposure group was increased compared with other groups. Compared with the control group, CBNPs and Cd alone exposure group had no significant effects on p-PERK/PERK and p-eIf2α/eIf2α protein expression ( P>0.05). However, the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK and p-eIf2α/eIf2α and ATF4 were all increased in the combined exposure group ( P<0.05), and the levels of IL6 and IL8 in 16HBE cells in the combined exposure group of CBNPs and Cd were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of LC3 protein, IL6 and IL8 were decreased in the CBNPs-Cd combined exposure group after knockdown of PERK gene ( P<0.05). The results of factorial analysis showed that exposure to CBNPs and Cd had significant effects on the expression of P62, LC3 and IL6 ( P<0.05), but the interaction between the two chemicals had no statistical significance ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:CBNPs-Cd combined exposure may inhibit autophagy and increase inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells through activation of PERK-eIf2α-ATF4 pathway.
10.Resistance exercise improves body composition in overweight and obese people:an umbrella review
Xinyu DAI ; Jihong YAN ; Lingjun HUA ; Xiaohong ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(2):267-271
BACKGROUND:Resistance exercise increases muscle mass and improves muscle strength,but there is a lack of conclusive evidence on its effects on body composition.Controversial results from randomized controlled trials and multiple Meta-analyses pose a problem for clinical decisions on exercise interventions. OBJECTIVE:Based on the methodological paradigm of umbrella review,to explore the efficacy and safety of resistance exercise in improving the body composition of overweight and obese people. METHODS:We searched PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and CNKI for systematic reviews on the effect of resistance exercise in overweight and obese people published from database inception to August 31,2022.Chinese search terms included"anti-resistance,resistance,self-weight,Meta,Meta-analysis,body composition,body fat percentage,fat mass,lean body mass,body mass."English search terms included"resistance training,strength training,weight-lifting strengthening program,body composition,body fat distribution,Meta-analysis,data pooling,overviews,clinical trial,clinical trial overviews."PRISMA was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies,and a GRADE evaluation system was used to grade the quality of evidence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 14 Meta-analyses were included,and GRADE evidence quality evaluation showed that 2 outcome indicators were intermediate,12 were low,and 14 were extremely low.Compared with the control group,23 of the 32 outcome measures showed significant improvement.The intervention effect of resistance exercise on body fat percentage has reached a consensus,but the intervention effects on lean body mass,body mass index and visceral fat still need further confirmation.Resistance exercise is an effective and safe method to improve the body composition of overweight and obese people.The overall quality of the research and the evidence quality of the outcome indicators included in the systematic evaluation are generally low.In the future,the initial state,exercise goal and willingness of the subjects should be fully combined on the basis of clarifying the sample characteristics and refining the scheme design.Through multiple,scientific and personalized exercise prescription designs of water,air and elastic resistance,the safety and compliance of resistance exercise can be improved,providing clear evidence-based support and decision-making basis for resistance exercise intervention.


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