1.Interpretation and thoughts on the formulation and revision of the standards for exogenous harmful residues in traditional Chinese medicinal materials in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
WANG Ying ; SHEN Mingrui ; LIU Yuanxi ; ZUO Tiantian ; WANG Dandan ; HE Yi ; CHENG Xianlong ; JIN Hongyu ; LIU Yongli ; WEI Feng ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):083-092
As people’s attention to health continues to increase, the market demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is growing steadily. The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedented social attention. In particular, the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM. This not only reflects China’s high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision. Basis on this study, by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detection standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition. Moreover, it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM, aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.
2.Finite element analysis of various root shield thicknesses in maxillary central incisor socket-shield technique
Guangneng CHEN ; Siyang LUO ; Mei WANG ; Bin YE ; Jiawen CHEN ; Yin LIU ; Yuwen ZUO ; Xianyu HE ; Jiajin SHEN ; Minxian MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2052-2060
BACKGROUND:Socket-shield technique can effectively maintain labial soft and hard tissues,but the incidence of postoperative complications such as exposure and displacement of root shield is relatively high.It is speculated that the root shield may be exposed and displaced due to excessive load after long-term function of dental implants. OBJECTIVE:Through three-dimensional finite element analysis,we aim to study the influence of varying root shield thicknesses on the stress distribution,equivalent stress peaks,and displacement in the root shield,periodontal ligaments,implant,and surrounding alveolar bone under normal occlusal loading.We also attempt to analyze the correlation between the thickness of the root shield and occurrence of mechanical events such as root shield exposure,displacement,and fracture. METHODS:Cone-beam CT data of a patient who met the indication standard of socket-shield technique for maxillary central incisor were retrieved from database.Reverse engineering techniques were used to build models of the maxillary bone and root shield,while forward engineering was used to create models for the implant components based on their parameters.Models depicting various root shield thicknesses(0.5,1.0,1.5,and 2.0 mm)were created using Solidworks 2022 software.ANSYS Workbench 2021 software was then used to simulate and analyze the effects of varying root shield thicknesses on stress distribution,equivalent stress peaks,and displacement of the root shields,periodontal ligaments,implants,and surrounding alveolar bone under normal occlusion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In all root shield models,the stress was concentrated on the palatal cervical side,both sides of the edges and the lower edge of the labial side.As the thickness of the root shield increased,the equivalent stress peak and displacement showed a decreasing trend.The 0.5 mm thickness model produced a stress concentration of 176.20 MPa,which exceeded the yield strength(150 MPa)of tooth tissue.(2)The periodontal ligament stress in each group was concentrated in the neck margin and upper region.With the increase of root shield thickness,the equivalent stress peak and displacement of periodontal ligament showed a decreasing trend.(3)Implant stress in all models was concentrated in the neck of the implant and the joint of the implant-repair abutment,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of root shield thickness,the equivalent stress peak of the implant in the model showed an increasing trend.(4)In each group of models,stress of cortical bone concentrated around the neck of the implant and the periphery of the root shield,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of the thickness of the root shield,the equivalent stress peak around the root shield decreased;the peak value of the equivalent stress of the bone around the neck of the implant showed an increasing trend.In the model,the stress of cancellous bone was mainly concentrated around the neck of the lip of the implant,the top of the thread,the root tip and the lower margin of the root shield,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of the thickness of the root shield,the peak value of the equivalent stress of the bone around the root shield in the model showed a decreasing trend.The minimum principal stress of cortical bone in each group of models was concentrated around the neck of the implant,exhibiting a fan-shaped distribution.As the thickness of the root shield increased,the minimum principal stress of cortical bone showed an increasing trend.(5)These results indicate that different thicknesses of the root shield have different biomechanical effects.The root shield with a thickness of 0.5 mm is easy to fracture.For patients with sufficient bone width,the root shield with a thickness of 2.0 mm is an option to reduce the risk of complications such as root shield exposure,fracture,and displacement.Meanwhile,it should be taken into account to protect the periodontal ligament in the preparation process,and rounding treatments ought to be carried out on both sides and the lower edge of the root shield.
3.Strategizing data compliance in intelligent healthcare: A four-step solution.
Xuejiao SONG ; Xiao LIU ; Xuelai YANG ; Chaozeng SI ; Xianbo ZUO ; Jingjing HE ; Yong CUI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1254-1256
4.Corrigendum: Comparative analysis of cancer statistics in China and the United States in 2024.
Yujie WU ; Siyi HE ; Mengdi CAO ; Yi TENG ; Qianru LI ; Nuopei TAN ; Jiachen WANG ; Tingting ZUO ; Tianyi LI ; Yuanjie ZHENG ; Changfa XIA ; Wanqing CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1260-1260
5.The Molecular Mechanism of HCQ Reversing Immune Mediators Dysregulation in Severe Infection after Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Inducing Programmed Death of Leukemia Cells.
Qing-Lin XU ; Yan-Quan LIU ; He-Hui ZHANG ; Fen WANG ; Zuo-Tao LI ; Zhi-Min YAN ; Shu-Juan CHEN ; Hong-Quan ZHU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):931-938
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on immune mediators dysregulation in severe infection after chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of 36 AML patients with severe infection (AML-SI) and 29 AML patients without infection (AML-NI) after chemotherapy were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from August 2022 to June 2023. In addition, the peripheral blood of 21 healthy subjects from the same period in our hospital was selected as the control group. The mRNA expressions of CXCL12, CXCR4 and CXCR7 were detected by RT-qPCR technology, and the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. Leukemia-derived THP-1 cells were selected and constructed as AML disease model. At the same time, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) from AML-SI patients were co-cultured with THP-1 cells and divided into Mono group and Co-culture group. THP-1 cells were treated with different concentration gradients of HCQ. The cell proliferation activity was subsequently detected by CCK-8 method and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry. ELISA was used to detect the changes of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in the supernatant of the cell co-culture system, RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression changes of the core members of the CXCL12-CXCR4/7 regulatory axis, and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis regulatory molecules and related signaling pathway proteins.
RESULTS:
CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR7, as well as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were all abnormally increased in AML patients, and the increases were more significant in AML-SI patients (P <0.01). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences between AML-NI patients and AML-SI patients (all P <0.05). HCQ could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of THP-1 cells, but the low concentration of HCQ had no significant effect on the killing of THP-1 cells. When THP-1 cells were co-cultured with BM-MSCs of AML patients, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the supernatance of Co-culture group were significantly higher than those of Mono group (all P <0.01). After HCQ intervention, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in cell culture supernatant of Mono group were significantly decreased compared with those before intervention (all P <0.01). Similarly, those of Co-culture group were also significantly decreased (all P <0.001). However, the expression of the core members of the CXCL12-CXCR4/7 regulatory axis was weakly affected by HCQ. HCQ could up-regulate the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, down-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as simultaneously promote the hydrolytic activation of Caspase-3 when inhibiting the activation level of TLR4/NF-κB pathway, then induce the programmed death of THP-1 cells after intervention.
CONCLUSION
The core members of CXCL12-CXCR4/7 axis and related cytokines may be important mediators of severe infectious immune disorders in AML patients. HCQ can inhibit cytokine levels to reverse immune mediators dysregulation and suppress malignant biological characteristics of leukemia cells. The mechanisms may be related to regulating the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, hydrolytically activating Caspase-3 and inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology*
;
Hydroxychloroquine/pharmacology*
;
Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-8/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Receptors, CXCR/metabolism*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
;
THP-1 Cells
6.Canagliflozin ameliorates ferritinophagy in HFpEF rats.
Sai MA ; Qing-Juan ZUO ; Li-Li HE ; Guo-Rui ZHANG ; Ting-Ting ZHANG ; Zhong-Li WANG ; Jian-Long ZHAI ; Yi-Fang GUO
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(1):178-189
BACKGROUND:
Recent studies have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporters-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors significantly improve major adverse cardiovascular events in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients, but the exact mechanism is unknown. Ferritinophagy is a special form of selective autophagy that participates in ferroptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether ferritinophagy was activated during the occurrence of HFpEF, and whether canagliflozin (CANA) could inhibite ferritinophagy.
METHODS:
We reared Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats on a high-salt diet to construct a hypertensive HFpEF model, and simultaneously administered CANA intervention. Then we detected indicators related to ferritinophagy.
RESULTS:
The expression of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), as well as microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3), Bcl-2 interacting protein 1 (Beclin-1) and p62, were upregulated in HFpEF rats, accompanied by the downregulation of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), upregulation of mitochondrial iron transporter sideroflexin1 (SFXN1) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Above changes were diminished by CANA.
CONCLUSION
Ferritinophagy is activated in HFpEF rats and then inhibited by CANA, leading to HFpEF benefits. The inhibition of ferritinophagy could provide new prospective targets for the prevention and treatment of HFpEF, and provide new ideas for investigating the mechanism of cardiovascular benefit of SGLT2 inhibitors.
7.Cerebral endothelial 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase improves ischemia-induced cognitive impairment via interacting with protein phosphatase 2A.
Li ZHU ; Yi HUANG ; Jing JIN ; Rongjun ZOU ; Rui ZUO ; Yong LUO ; Ziqing SONG ; Linfeng DAI ; Minyi ZHANG ; Qiuhe CHEN ; Yunting WANG ; Wei WANG ; Rongrong HE ; Yang CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):314-330
The catalytic activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP) sulfurtransferase (MPST) converts 3MP to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing MPST and its impact on the brain remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals the neuroprotective role of endothelial MPST-generated H2S, regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing demonstrated that endothelial PP2A is associated with neurodegenerative disease pathways. Cerebral ischemic mice exhibited significant inactivation of endothelial PP2A, evidenced by the reduction of PP2Acα in the brain endothelium. Mice with endothelium-specific null PP2A (PP2AEC-cKO) exhibited neuronal loss, cognitive dysfunction, and long-term potentiation deficits. Postnatal inactivation of endothelial PP2A also contributes to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. However, regaining endothelial PP2A activity by overexpressing Ppp2ca rescued neuronal dysfunction. Mechanistically, PP2A deficiency is intricately linked to the MPST-H2S signaling pathway. A robust reduction in endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production followed PP2A deficiency. Exogenous H2S treatment and AAV-mediated overexpression of MPST in brain endothelial cells significantly mitigated neuronal dysfunction in PP2AEC-cKO mice. Furthermore, PP2A deficiency promotes an increase in calcium influx and calpain2 phosphorylation, subsequently leading to MPST degradation. The PP2A activator (FTY720) and MPST activator (3MP sodium) both remarkably restored endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production, subsequently rescuing ischemia-induced neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endothelial PP2A deficiency leads to MPST degradation by activating calpain2, thus damaging neuronal function.
8.High expression of ATP5A1 in gastric carcinoma is correlated with a poor prognosis and enhanced glucose metabolism in tumor cells
Jingjing YANG ; Lixia YIN ; Ting DUAN ; Minzhu NIU ; Zhendong HE ; Xinrui CHEN ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Zhijun GENG ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(5):974-980
Objective To analyze the expression level of ATP5A1 in gastric carcinoma and its influence on the prognosis of the patients and glucose metabolism in the tumor cells.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 115 patients undergoing radical resection of gastric carcinoma in our hospital from February,2013 to November,2016.ATP5A1 expression in the surgical specimens were detected using immunohistochemistry,and the long-term prognosis of the patients with high(n=58)and low ATP5A1 expression(n=57)were analyzed.In gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells,the effects of lentivirus-mediated ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression on glucose metabolism were investigated.We also observed the growth and glucose metabolism of xenografts derived from MGC803 cells with ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression in nude mice.Results ATP5A1 was significantly overexpressed in gastric carcinoma tissues in close correlation with blood CEA and CA19-9 levels,pathological grade,T stage and N stage(P<0.05).ATP5A1 overexpression was an independent risk factor for a significantly lowered 5-year survival rate of patients with gastric carcinoma(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated the predictive value of high ATP5A1 expression for the patients'prognosis(P<0.001).In MGC803 cells,ATP5A1 overexpression significantly up-regulated cellular glucose uptake and lactate production and increased the protein levels of HK2,PFK1,and LDHA(P<0.05),while ATP5A1 knockdown produced the opposite changes(P<0.05).In the tumor-bearing mice,overexpression of ATP5A1 increased glucose metabolism of the tumor cells and promoted tumor growth(P<0.05).Overexpression of ATP5A1 promoted the expressions of p-JNK and p-JUN in MGC803 cells(P<0.05),and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 significantly inhibited the enhancement of cellular glucose metabolism induced by ATP5A1 overexpression(P<0.05).Conclusion High ATP5A1 expression in gastric cancer is associated a poor long-term prognosis of the patients,and its effect is mediated at least partly by promoting glucose metabolism of the cells through the JNK/JUN pathway.
9.Study on the application value of fecal SDC2 gene methylation detection in colorectal cancer screening of urban residents in Zengcheng District in Guangzhou City
Yan HE ; Fangfang XU ; Haijun ZUO ; Wei CHEN ; Zhibin LIU ; Zebang LIU ; Xuezhen CHEN ; Qingshen HUI ; Gengwen ZOU ; Zhenbin CAI ; Yang LIU ; Haoshun TAN ; Hongfeng ZHOU ; Jianping WANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):1020-1028
Objective:To investigate the application value of fecal Syndecan-2 (SDC2) gene methylated SDC2 (m SDC2) detection in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among urban residents in Guangzhou City. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City from July to December 2022. A community-based screening program for CRC was conducted among residents aged 40-74 years old. m SDC2 detection was employed in the participants, and those with positive results should be recommended to receive colonoscopy examination. The positive rate of m SDC2 detection, colonoscopy compliance rate, detection rate of intestinal lesions and clinicopathological characteristics were observed. The relationship between cycle threshold (CT) value of m SDC2 and intestinal lesions was explored. Further, the cost-effectiveness of screening was evaluated. Results:A total of 8 189 fecal samples were collected from 8 877 participants with the recovery rate of 92.25%. 8 048 qualified samples were enrolled in this study, consisted of 3 182 males (39.54%) and 4 866 females (60.46%), with the average age of 56 years old (40-74 years). The positive rate of m SDC2 detection was 7.99% (643/8 048), and the compliance rate of colonoscopy was 73.10% (470/643). 20 cases (4.25%) of colorectal cancer, 109 cases (23.19%) of advanced adenoma, 145 cases (30.85%) of non-advanced adenoma, 79 cases (16.81%) of polyps were detected. The detection rate of intestinal lesions was 75.11% and indicated significant differences in gender and age. 20 CRCs included 15 of stage 0-I, 4 of stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ and 1 of unknown stage. The CT value of m SDC2 was negatively correlated with the proportion of advanced colorectal neoplasms ( χ2=16.063, P<0.001). The total cost of the screening was 4.339 5 million yuan, the screening benefit was 28.506 2 million yuan, and the benefit-cost ratio was 6.57. Conclusion:The CRC screening strategy of fecal m SDC2 detection combined with colonoscopy has high colonoscopy compliance and detection rate of intestinal lesions, which is conducive to the detection of early CRCs, and has good cost-effectiveness. This study suggests that this method may be applied to the general CRC screening in China and contribute to the prevention of CRC. The CT value of m SDC2 may have a certain suggestion on the malignant degree of intestinal tumors.
10.Canagliflozin can improve cardiac function in HFpEF rats partly by regulating ferroptosis
Sai MA ; Qingjuan ZUO ; Lili HE ; Guorui ZHANG ; Jianlong ZHAI ; Tingting ZHANG ; Zhongli WANG ; Yifang GUO
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(9):1090-1100
Objective:To explore the effects of canagliflozin on cardiac function and its regulation of ferroptosis in rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods:Thirty-two 7-week-old Dahl salt-sensitive rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups: the control group (fed with low-salt diet), the HFpEF group (fed with high-salt diet), the canagliflozin 20 group (fed with high-salt diet and 20 mg·kg -1·d -1 canagliflozin), and the canagliflozin 30 group (fed with high-salt diet and 30 mg·kg -1·day -1 canagliflozin). Body weight and blood pressure of the rats in each group were monitored. Metabolic cage tests were conducted at the10 th week of the experiment, and echocardiography was performed at the 12 th week, after which the rats were killed. Blood and left ventricular samples were collected. HE staining, Masson staining, Prussian blue iron staining, and reactive oxygen species staining were performed to observe the cardiomyocyte size and shape, degree of interstitial fibrosis, iron staining, reactive oxygen species production under optical microscope. The ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes was observed under electron microscope. Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression levels of proteins and mRNA related to ferroptosis in left ventricular myocardial tissue of rats in each group. Results:After 1 week of adaptive feeding, all rats survived. Metabolic cage results showed that compared with control group, rats in the HFpEF group, canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group had more food intake, water intake and urine output, and lower body weight (all P<0.05). These changes were more pronounced in canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group than in HFPEF group, and only the body weight at the 12 th week showed a statistically significant difference between canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group ( P<0.05). The blood pressure of 6 th week and 12 th week, heart weight and left ventricular corrected mass of 12 th week of rats in HFpEF group were higher than those in control group, canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group, while the ratio of early mitral valve peak velocity to late mitral valve peak velocity of 12 th week was lower (all P<0.05). HE and Masson staining showed that compared to control group, the myocardial fibers in the left ventricular myocardial tissue of rats in HFpEF group were disordered, with larger cell diameter ((0.032±0.004) mm vs. (0.023±0.003) mm, P<0.05), irregular shape, obvious proliferation of interstitial collagen fibers, and higher collagen volume fraction (0.168±0.028 vs. 0.118±0.013, P<0.05). Compared with HFpEF group, rats in the canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 had more orderly arranged myocardial fibers, more regular cardiomyocyte shape, smaller cell diameter, and lower collagen volume fraction ( P<0.05). It was observed under electron microscopy that, compared to control group, most of the striated muscles in myocardial tissue of HFpEF group were broken, and the Z line and M line could not be clearly distinguished, some changes such as mitochondrial swelling, membrane thickening, cristae reduction or even disappearance occurred. In the canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group, the arrangement of striated muscles in the myocardial tissue of rats tended to be more regular, and the morphological changes of mitochondria were milder. Prussian blue iron staining results showed that the iron content in myocardial tissue of rats in HFpEF group was higher than that in control group, canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group. Reactive oxygen species staining results showed that the reactive oxygen species content in the myocardial tissue of rats in HFpEF group was higher than that of control group, canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group. Biochemical analysis of myocardial tissue showed that Fe 2+ and malondialdehyde content in myocardial tissue of rats in HFpEF group were higher than those in control group, canagliflozin 20 group and canagliflozin 30 group, while glutathione content was lower (all P<0.05). Western blot and RT-qPCR detection results showed that compared to control group, rats in HFpEF group had higher expression levels of transferrin receptor 1 (protein relative expression level: 1.37±0.16 vs. 0.31±0.12), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (protein relative expression level: 1.31±0.15 vs. 0.63±0.09) protein and mRNA, and lower expression levels of ferritin heavy chain 1 (protein relative expression level: 0.45±0.08 vs. 1.41±0.15) protein and mRNA (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in these indicators between canagliflozin 20 group and the canagliflozin 30 group (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 protein and mRNA expression in myocardial tissue of rats in four groups( P>0.05). Conclusion:Canagliflozin improves cardiac function in HFpEF rats by regulating the ferroptosis mechanism.

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