Biomedical subjects

Zhu Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to Zhu Zhu.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2025

Integration of multiple omics reveals key targets and cellular mechanisms for intervention in sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, an age-related syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, presents a significant global health burden with limited therapeutic interventions. This study integrates genomic causality, multi-tissue omics, and cellular mediation analyses to identify and prioritize mechanistically grounded therapeutic targets. METHODS: A multi-tiered analytical framework was applied, beginning with two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to infer causal relationships between 4907 plasma proteins (cis-pQTLs from 35,559 individuals) and sarcopenia traits in Pan-UK Biobank participants. Bayesian colocalization and transcriptomic validation in human sarcopenia muscle biopsies were employed to prioritize targets. Cellular mediation analysis quantified contributions of immune and stromal cell subtypes to protein-trait pathways using transcriptomic deconvolution. RESULTS: MR identified 1237 plasma proteins causally associated with sarcopenia traits, with six targets (HGFAC, GATM, HMOX2, F2, LMAN2L, HPGDS) validated through colocalization, transcriptomic expression, and sarcopenia-related dysregulation. Cellular mediation revealed immune mechanisms underlying HGFAC's effects, with CD4+ regulatory T cells mediating 3.49 % of its impact on sarcopenia traits. Prothrombin exhibited muscle-protective effects independent of coagulation. CONCLUSION: This study establishes a causal map linking plasma proteins to sarcopenia through immune-stromal interactions. The integration of MR, multi-omics validation, and cellular mediation prioritizes six proteins as actionable targets, supporting repurposing of thrombin inhibitors and development of immunometabolic therapies. The framework bridges genomic causality with cellular pathophysiology, advancing precision strategies for age-related muscle decline.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

[A comparison between the effects of periocline and yakang on the treatment of periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 2 available periodontal systems for local delivery of antibiotics. METHODS: 26 teeth with moderate to severe periodontitis (PD > or = 4 mm) from 11 patients were selected. The teeth were randomly divided into test group and control group. Periocline (2% minocycline hydrochoride ointment) was applied to the teeth in the test group, while Yakang (local metronidazole) was applied in the control group. The data including clinical indices and microbiological parameters was collected before and on the 7th, 14th day after the therapy. RESULTS: Before treatment, the mean of each clinical indices and microbiological parameters between the two groups was not different (P > 0.05). But both groups demonstrated significant differences with control after treatment (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two test groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Periocline and Yakang were effective and secure local delivery drug for treating periodontitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2003

[A comparative study utilizing different methods for establishing an experimental periodontitis model in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experimental periodontitis in rats induced by ligature plus high sugar water with and without infection of periodontopathic bacteria. METHODS: Forty SD rats (5 weeks of age) were randomly divided into a control group (N) and three experimental groups (P1, P2 and P3). All experimental groups were given silk ligatures around the cervix of the second maxillary molars and were provided with drinking water containing 10% glucose. Group P2 was inoculated with P. gingivalis, three times; group P3 was inoculated with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, three times. At weeks 0, 2 and 4, microbiological and histological examinations were made; alveolar bone loss was stereoscopically measured as the distance from the cement-enamel junction to the alveolar crest. RESULTS: Microbiological examination indicated that the bacteria inoculated in groups P2 and P3 were successfully colonized and both of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were predominant among the bacterial colonies of the examined sites. At week 2, histological examination showed gingival erosion and alveolar bone loss in all experimental groups and periodontal pockets in groups P2 and P3. The most serious lesions were observed in group P3. At week 4, the periodontal destruction in all experimental groups became more severe. CONCLUSION: Ligature, high sugar water combined with mixed infection of periodontopathic bacteria can successfully induce experimental periodontitis in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of salbutamol metered-dose inhaler in healthy volunteers.

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of salbutamol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) in healthy volunteers. METHODS: An HPLC method for the determination of salbutamol in human plasma was improved. Ten healthy male Chinese volunteers were enrolled in a randomized crossover study. After the subjects inhaled or orally administered 1.2 mg salbutamol, fourteen blood samples were collected at predetermined time points. The concentrations of salbutamol in plasma were assessed with non-compartment model to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters. The relative bioavailability of MDI versus water solution was calculated. RESULTS: The HPLC assay was sensitive, specific, accurate, and precise. The pharmacokinetics of salbutamol MDI was described well with two-compartment model. The parameters for salbutamol inhaled and orally administered were as following: T(max) (0.22+/-0.07) and (1.8+/-0.6) h, C(max) (3.4+/-1.1) and (3.9+/-1.4) microg/L, T(1/2) (4.5+/-1.5) and (4.6+/-1.1) h, AUC0-20 min (0.9+/-0.3) and (0.16+/-0.10) microg x h x L(-1), respectively. There were significant differences in T(max) and AUC0-20 min between the two dosage forms. The AUC0-20 min (inhal) was 8 times as high as the AUC0-20 min (po). The relative bioavailability of salbutamol MDI was 57 %+/-24 % compared with oral solution. CONCLUSION: The absorption process of salbutamol MDI in human was significantly different from that of oral solution.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of para-aminobenzoic acid on the growth of Actinomyces viscosus].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) on the growth of Actinomyces viscosus. METHODS: Different concentrations of PABA (10(-10)-10(-3) g/L) were each transferred to modified Carlsson medium. Actinomyces viscosus ATCC19246 grew in them. And the cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C anaerobically in the atmosphere of 80%N2, 10%H2, 10%CO2 for 48 h. Actinomyces viscosus OD values (lambda = 540 nm) were obtained with UV-1601. Colony forming unit (CFU) was established by growth of Actinomyces viscosus in culture when different concentrations of PABA (10(-10)-10(-3) g/L) were present. RESULTS: Different concentrations of PABA (10(-10)-10(-4) g/L) had different stimulating effects on the growth of Actinomyces viscosus (P < 0.05). But this kind of stimulating effect declined when PABA concentration was 10(-5) g/L, and as PABA (10(-3) g/L) was present, this kind of effect was missing. CONCLUSION: The phenomena indicated that PABA has stimulating effect on the growth of Actinomyces viscosus, particularly when PABA is at the concentration of 10(-6) g/L.

Actinomyces viscosus↗

PubMed2002

[The influence of two implant materials on the growth of three subgingival predominant bacteria].

OBJECTIVE: Commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy as dental implants have show impressive clinical results. Despite the high success rates, some implants do fail. Compared to those studies on osseointegration of implants, the information pertaining to their failure is little. Further studies on the relationship between implant material and micro-organism are needed. The purpose of this investigation is to study the effect of two commonly used implant materials Titanium (TA2) and Ti-6AI-4V alloy (TC4) on the growth behaviour of three subgingival predominant bacteria Streptococcus sanguis (S. s), Porphyromanus gingivalis (P. g), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. n) and their mixture. METHODS: Under anaerobic condition, bacterial suspensions of S.s, P.g, F.n and their mixture were incubated together with the two implant materials respectively, setting the same bacterial suspensions as controls. After 2, 7 and 14 days, the bacterial growth amount was assayed by means of clone forming unit (CFU) method. The pH value of the bacterial suspension was determined by pH-Meter. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no difference in amount of bacterial growth or pH value between TA2 group and TC4 group (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant change as to the proportion of individual bacteria in bacterial mixture or the pH value of culture suspension. CONCLUSION: Under the condition of this investigation, the two studies implant materials have no examined influences on the growth of the subgingival bacteria and the pH value of their culture environment.

Alloys↗

PubMed2002

[The effects of fluoride-containing trace element agents on the growth of mutants of S. mutans].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of 6 trace element agents containing fluoride versus 6 trace element agents not containing fluoride on the growth of mutants of S. mutans and detect the interaction between fluoride and trace elements. METHODS: Six trace element agents containing fluoride [SnF2, ZnF2, SrF2, LaF2, (NH3)2MoF8, NaF] and 6 trace element agents not containing fluoride [SnCl2, SrCl2, LaCl2, ZnAc2, (NH3)2MoO4, NaCl] were selected. The continuous anaerobic cultivating technique and the absorbency of bacteria liquid and the count of bacteria were used to assess the effects of different agents on the growth of S. mutans. RESULTS: NaF, SnF2, SnCl2, ZnF2, ZnAc2, (NH3)2MoF8 and (NH3)2MoO4 were found to have strong inhibition effects on the growth of mutant of S. mutans(P < 0.01). SnF2 had more stronger inhibition effects than SnCl2; ZnF2 had more stronger inhibition effects than ZnAc2, no significant differences were seen between (NH3)2MoF8 and (NH3)2MoO4. SnF2 and ZnF2 had most potent inhibition effects(P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between SrF2, SrCl2, LaCl2, LaF2, NaCl and the control groups(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The agents containing fluoride and trace elements, such as stannum and zinc had the effects of prohibiting the growth of mutant of S. mutans, As far as caries prevention is concerned, the agents containing both fluoride and trace elements are more effective than mono-fluoride, the potential mechanism may be the synergistic action between fluoride and trace elements.

Cariostatic Agents↗