1.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
2.Penile protection with a self-developed flexible sleeve penile protection device after circumcision: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Pengfei TUO ; Kewei CHEN ; Xinchen LIU ; Guodong ZHU ; Huixing HE ; Tao CAI ; Yuxuan LI ; Xun ZHAO ; Liyuan GE ; Shudong ZHANG ; Lulin MA ; Wei GUO ; Zhuo LIU
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(4):363-367
【Objective】 To investigate the protective effects of aflexible sleeve penile protection device on reducing postoperative pain and wound edema in patients after circumcision. 【Methods】 A total of 54 patients who underwent circumcision at Yan’an Branch of Peking University Third Hospital during Feb.1 and May 31, 2023 were enrolled.The patients were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, with 27 patients in either groups.Patients in the experimental group were treated with a flexible sleeve penis protection device after surgery, and patients in the control group were treated with traditional gauze bandage after surgery.Postoperative pain, wound edema and complications were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 In terms of pain, the visual analogue scale of the experimental group was significantly lower at 6 hours [(1.7±0.9) vs.(3.3±1.9), P<0.001] and 2 days [(2.0±1.3) vs.(3.3±1.3), P<0.001] after surgery than that of the control group, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on the 4th and 7th postoperative days (P>0.05).In terms of edema, the edema score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group on the 2nd postoperative day [(2.0±1.0) vs.(4.0±0.8), P<0.001] , the 4th postoperative day [(1.5±1.2) vs.(2.6±0.9), P<0.001] , and the 7th postoperative day [(0.9±1.3) vs.(2.3±1.5), P<0.001] .There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The flexible sleeve penile protection device has significant effects of reducing early postoperative pain and reducing edema in patients undergoing circumcision.
3.Relationship between expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue and poor renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy
Min LIAO ; Yongbo SONG ; Zhuo WEI ; Xiaobing LIU ; Kui CHENG ; Zheqi FAN ; Songtao SHUANG ; Cunhai ZHU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(3):610-614
Objective:To explore the relationship between the expressions of P21,P27 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in glomerular mesangial tissue and poor renal prognosis in patients with immunoglobulin A(IgA)nephropathy.Methods:A total of 145 patients with IgA nephropathy treated in Xiaogan Central Hospital from April 2017 to August 2019 were selected as the research object.The expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.All patients were followed up for 24 months,and the prognosis were counted.The expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with different prognosis were compared and the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.Results:The expression rates of P21,P27 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with IgA nephropathy were(38.69±6.83)%,(55.94±8.08)%,(33.47±5.72)%,respectively.The incidence rete of poor prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy was 17.24%,and the expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with poor prognosis were higher than those in good prognosis group(P<0.05),while the expression rate of P27 positive cells was lower than that in good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that elevated diastolic blood pressure,increased 24 h proteinuria,mesangial cell proliferation,segmental glomerulosclerosis,renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis,crescentic body,increased expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells and decreased expression rate of P27 positive cells were all risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy(P<0.05).Conclusion:There are positive expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue of IgA nephropathy.The expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of of patients with poor prognosis of IgA nephropathy are higher than those with good prognosis,while the expression rate of P27 protein positive cells is lower than those with good prognosis,which are risk factors for poor prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy.
4.Study on the design of X-ray Flash-RT equipment with high power petal accelerator
Shuqing LIAO ; Xiaozhong HE ; Liu YANG ; Ruo TANG ; Tao WEI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Jinshui SHI ; Jianjun DENG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):21-23,28
Objective:To study and design one kind of flash radiotherapy(Flash-RT)equipment with ultra-high dose rate,which can be used in the mechanism research of Flash-RT with ultra-high dose rate.Methods:Based on the technique roadmap of high-power petal accelerator,the Flash-RT equipment can realize the requirement of Flash-RT for ultra-high dose rate and multiple irradiation angles.The corresponding design and research work were carried out on the basis of the overall design of the equipment,the main components and characteristics,the dynamics design of beam,the construction of movable and preliminary experimental platform,etc.Result:The dose rate of the designed equipment can reach to 100 Gy/s at a distance of 0.8 meters from the target point,which is easy to realize the radiotherapy method with multi angles.Conclusion:The designed X-ray equipment based on the technique roadmap of high-power petal accelerator can realize the research for the mechanism of medical Flash-RT equipment with ultra-high dose rate.
5.Research advance of clinical application of X-ray Flash-RT equipment
Ruo TANG ; Xiaozhong HE ; Pengfei ZHU ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Ziping HUANG ; Shuqing LIAO ; Tao WEI ; Liu YANG ; Jinshui SHI
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):24-28
The protection effect of flash-radiotherapy(Flash-RT)with super-high dose on normal tissue has obtained wide attention in therapeutic radiology since it was found in 2014 year.The increasing research demand of Flash-RT with super-high dose-rate proposed new challenge for the existing radiotherapy equipment.Based on the demands of FLASH-RT research and clinical application,this review analyzed the proposed new requirement of Flash-RT for equipment,and introduce current scientific facilities with the experimental ability of X-ray FLASH-RT,as well as the situation of the specialized FLASH-RT equipment which were developing.The research of Flash-RT mechanism need the existing equipment with high-energy X-ray source develop toward high power,while the clinical application of Flash-RT demand these transient high-power devices should possess a series of radiotherapy techniques such as multi angle irradiation,conformal radiotherapy and others.Currently,China's X-ray FLASH-RT research is at the forefront of the world,which is expected to achieve the first breakthrough of high-end medical equipment in the X-ray Flash RT field.
6.Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Liu Junzitang by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and UPLC
Qiyao JIANG ; Chenchen LIU ; Huiling CHEN ; Zhifeng HUANG ; Wei ZHAO ; Ying LIANG ; Huafeng PAN ; Yue ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):169-178
ObjectiveTo establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method for chemical constituents in Liu Junzitang(LJZT), and to clarify its material basis. MethodThe chemical constituents in LJZT were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and the resulting compounds were identified by using databases, such as MassBank, PubChem, ChemSpider, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analytical Platform(TCMSP), and by combining with relevant literature. UPLC was used to establish a quantitative method for analysis of 9 compounds in LJZT, including liquiritin, hesperidin, lobetyolin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, nobiletin, tangeretin, atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ. ResultBy combining the relevant literature, database and MS information, a total of 79 compounds were identified from LJZT, including 31 flavonoids, 15 terpenoids, 14 nitrogen-containing compounds, 6 phenylpropanoids, 6 organic acids and 7 other compounds. The established quantitative analytical method for the nine representative components showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges, and the precision, stability, reproducibility and recovery were in accordance with the requirements. The quantitative results showed that the contents of liquiritin, hesperidin, lobetyolin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, nobiletin, tangeretin, atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ in LJZT were 0.376 5, 2.602 1, 0.082 6, 0.128 1, 1.778 6, 0.015 7, 0.006 7, 0.030 4, 0.003 2 mg·g-1, respectively. ConclusionThe established method can quickly, sensitively and accurately analyze the chemical constituents in LJZT, clarify that the material basis of LJZT is mainly flavonoids, terpenoids and nitrogen-containing compounds, and simultaneously determine the contents of the 9 components, which can lay a foundation for the research on quality control, mechanism and clinical application of LJZT.
7.Discovery of a normal-tension glaucoma-suspect rhesus macaque with craniocerebral injury: Hints of elevated translaminar cribrosa pressure difference.
Jian WU ; Qi ZHANG ; Xu JIA ; Yingting ZHU ; Zhidong LI ; Shu TU ; Ling ZHAO ; Yifan DU ; Wei LIU ; Jiaoyan REN ; Liangzhi XU ; Hanxiang YU ; Fagao LUO ; Wenru SU ; Ningli WANG ; Yehong ZHUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(4):484-486
8.CCR5 blockade reduces tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and impairing immunosuppression of tumor microenvironment
Wei HE ; Liping LIU ; Jingwei ZHUO ; Xiaodong ZHANG ; Tong YANG ; Jubin FENG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(9):1204-1210
Objective The present study aimed to explore the effects of CC-chemokine receptor 5 antagonism on tumor growth and immune microenvironment.Methods Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect in vitro anti-proliferation activity of maraviroc,a selective CC-chemokine receptor 5 inhibitor,on Lewis cells,a mouse lung adenocarcinoma cell strain.Flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR were respectively used to detect cell apop-tosis and Caspase 8 gene expression.In a congenic mouse lung cancer model,the mice were intraperitoneally admin-istered with maraviroc or vehicle.Tumor sizes were measured and tumor infiltrating CD4+,CD8+ and Foxp3+ cells were determined by immunofluorescent staining.Results Our results showed that maraviroc could inhibit the growth of Lewis cancer cells not only in vitro but also in vivo.This in-vitro inhibition was presumably attributable to apoptosis induction by the enhancement of Caspase 8 gene expression after maraviroc blockade.Additionally,more CD4+ and CD8+ cells but less Foxp3+ cells were detected in tumor mass from the mice administered with maraviroc.Conclusions Taken together,it can be speculated that CCR5 blockade may inhibit the growth of Lewis cells by inducing cell apoptosis and impairing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.It is worthy of further investi-gation as a candidate for cancer therapy.
9.Clinical application of split liver transplantation: a single center report of 203 cases
Qing YANG ; Shuhong YI ; Binsheng FU ; Tong ZHANG ; Kaining ZENG ; Xiao FENG ; Jia YAO ; Hui TANG ; Hua LI ; Jian ZHANG ; Yingcai ZHANG ; Huimin YI ; Haijin LYU ; Jianrong LIU ; Gangjian LUO ; Mian GE ; Weifeng YAO ; Fangfei REN ; Jinfeng ZHUO ; Hui LUO ; Liping ZHU ; Jie REN ; Yan LYU ; Kexin WANG ; Wei LIU ; Guihua CHEN ; Yang YANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(4):324-330
Objective:To investigate the safety and therapeutic effect of split liver transplantation (SLT) in clinical application.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. The clinical data of 203 consecutive SLT, 79 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and 1 298 whole liver transplantation (WLT) performed at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2014 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and three SLT liver grafts were obtained from 109 donors. One hundred and twenty-seven grafts were generated by in vitro splitting and 76 grafts were generated by in vivo splitting. There were 90 adult recipients and 113 pediatric recipients. According to time, SLT patients were divided into two groups: the early SLT group (40 cases, from July 2014 to December 2017) and the mature SLT technology group (163 cases, from January 2018 to July 2023). The survival of each group was analyzed and the main factors affecting the survival rate of SLT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 74.58%, 71.47%, and 71.47% in the early SLT group, and 88.03%, 87.23%, and 87.23% in the mature SLT group, respectively. Survival rates in the mature SLT group were significantly higher than those in the early SLT group ( χ2=5.560, P=0.018). The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 93.41%, 93.41%, 89.95% in the LDLT group and 87.38%, 81.98%, 77.04% in the WLT group, respectively. There was no significant difference among the mature SLT group, the LDLT group and the WLT group ( χ2=4.016, P=0.134). Abdominal hemorrhage, infection, primary liver graft nonfunction,and portal vein thrombosis were the main causes of early postoperative death. Conclusion:SLT can achieve results comparable to those of WLT and LDLT in mature technology liver transplant centers, but it needs to go through a certain time learning curve.
10.Clinical application of split liver transplantation: a single center report of 203 cases
Qing YANG ; Shuhong YI ; Binsheng FU ; Tong ZHANG ; Kaining ZENG ; Xiao FENG ; Jia YAO ; Hui TANG ; Hua LI ; Jian ZHANG ; Yingcai ZHANG ; Huimin YI ; Haijin LYU ; Jianrong LIU ; Gangjian LUO ; Mian GE ; Weifeng YAO ; Fangfei REN ; Jinfeng ZHUO ; Hui LUO ; Liping ZHU ; Jie REN ; Yan LYU ; Kexin WANG ; Wei LIU ; Guihua CHEN ; Yang YANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(4):324-330
Objective:To investigate the safety and therapeutic effect of split liver transplantation (SLT) in clinical application.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. The clinical data of 203 consecutive SLT, 79 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and 1 298 whole liver transplantation (WLT) performed at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2014 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and three SLT liver grafts were obtained from 109 donors. One hundred and twenty-seven grafts were generated by in vitro splitting and 76 grafts were generated by in vivo splitting. There were 90 adult recipients and 113 pediatric recipients. According to time, SLT patients were divided into two groups: the early SLT group (40 cases, from July 2014 to December 2017) and the mature SLT technology group (163 cases, from January 2018 to July 2023). The survival of each group was analyzed and the main factors affecting the survival rate of SLT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 74.58%, 71.47%, and 71.47% in the early SLT group, and 88.03%, 87.23%, and 87.23% in the mature SLT group, respectively. Survival rates in the mature SLT group were significantly higher than those in the early SLT group ( χ2=5.560, P=0.018). The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 93.41%, 93.41%, 89.95% in the LDLT group and 87.38%, 81.98%, 77.04% in the WLT group, respectively. There was no significant difference among the mature SLT group, the LDLT group and the WLT group ( χ2=4.016, P=0.134). Abdominal hemorrhage, infection, primary liver graft nonfunction,and portal vein thrombosis were the main causes of early postoperative death. Conclusion:SLT can achieve results comparable to those of WLT and LDLT in mature technology liver transplant centers, but it needs to go through a certain time learning curve.

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