Zhongchen Liu

Zhongchen Liu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 September 2015 in Phytotherapy Research
Verified
Journal Article
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CCChunqiu Chen
Chunqiu Chen
CTChunhua Tao
Chunhua Tao
ZLZhongchen Liu
Zhongchen Liu
MLMeiling Lu
Meiling Lu
QPQiuhui Pan
Qiuhui Pan
JFJakub Fichna
Jakub Fichna

2 October 2021 in Cell Death Discovery
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YYYan Yang
Yan Yang
ZLZeyang Lin
Zeyang Lin
ZHZhaopu Han
Zhaopu Han
ZWZhengxin Wu
Zhengxin Wu
JHJianyu Hua
Jianyu Hua
GZGuohong Zhuang
Guohong Zhuang
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common tumor that harms human health with a high recurrence rate. It has been reported that the expression of microRNA-539 (miR-539) is low in several types of cancer, including CRC. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8/TIPE) is highly expressed in CRC and promotes the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of CRC. However, the relationship between miR-539 and TIPE and the mechanisms by which they regulate the proliferation of CRC remain to be explored. We aimed to investigate the functions and mechanisms of miR-539 in CRC proliferation. Functionally, miR-539 can bind to and regulate the expression of TIPE, and miR-539 activates SAPK/JNK to downregulate the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and promote ferroptosis. Our data reveal the novel role of miR-539 in regulating ferroptosis in CRC via activation of the SAPK/JNK axis, providing new insight into the mechanism of abnormal proliferation in CRC and a novel potential therapeutic target for advanced CRC.

25 August 2020 in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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HCHuiyu Chen
Huiyu Chen
YYYuhan Ye
Yuhan Ye
YYYan Yang
Yan Yang
MZMengya Zhong
Mengya Zhong
LGLei Gu
Lei Gu
GZGuohong Zhuang
Guohong Zhuang

11 June 2025 in Journal of Translational Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
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BYBo Yang
Bo Yang
XLXinhui Li
Xinhui Li
JWJiahui Wang
Jiahui Wang
YXYue Xu
Yue Xu
LWLe Wang
Le Wang
ZLZhongchen Liu
Zhongchen Liu
Sarcopenia, a prevalent geriatric syndrome, is influenced by factors such as inflammation, immune deficiency, and oxidative stress. In elderly individuals, alterations in the microbiome, including reduced biodiversity and functional changes, significantly contribute to the progression of the disease. Targeting the gut-muscle axis has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate age-related muscle atrophy and dysfunction. This study employed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore intestinal homeostasis in patients with sarcopenia. Muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, while muscle function was assessed through grip strength and the five-time sit-to-stand test. Inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were also analyzed. Eighty-seven patients received resistance training (RT) treatment, while eighty-five patients received FMT combined with RT treatment, with a follow-up period of 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, the resistance training (RT) group showed a partial remission (PR) rate of 54.7% and a complete remission (CR) rate of 32.4%. The FMT plus RT group demonstrated a PR rate of 66.5% and a CR rate of 46.7%. Significant improvements induced by FMT treatment were observed in clinical markers of muscle mass, function, and inflammation. These results underscore the promise of microbial-based therapies, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as groundbreaking strategies for addressing sarcopenia. The research indicates that integrating FMT with resistance training could improve muscle mass and function while alleviating inflammation in sarcopenia patients, presenting a hopeful avenue for effective management of the condition

20 May 2022 in Frontiers in Pharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
TXTianyang Xu
Tianyang Xu
DYDong Yang
Dong Yang
KLKaiyuan Liu
Kaiyuan Liu
QGQiuming Gao
Qiuming Gao
ZLZhongchen Liu
Zhongchen Liu
GLGuodong Li
Guodong Li
Background: The gut microbiota is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Miya (MY) is a product made from Clostridium butyricum, a member of gut microbiota. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of MY on OA and its underlying mechanisms.Methods: An OA rat model was established, and MY was used to treat the rats for 4 weeks. Knee joint samples from the rats were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and fecal samples from the OA and OA+MY groups were subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis. The contents of succinate dehydrogenase and muscle glycogen in the tibia muscle were determined, and related genes and proteins were detected using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.Results: Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that treatment with MY alleviated the symptoms of OA. According to the sequencing results, MY significantly increased the Chao1, Shannon, and Pielou evenness values compared to those in the untreated group. At the genus level, the abundances of Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Desulfovibrio, Shigella, Helicobacter, and Streptococcus were higher in the OA group, whereas Lactobacillus, Oscillospira, Clostridium, and Coprococcus were enriched after MY treatment. Metabolomic analysis revealed 395 differentially expressed metabolites. Additionally, MY treatment significantly increased the succinate dehydrogenase and muscle glycogen contents in the muscle caused by OA (p > 0.05). Finally, AMPK, Tfam, Myod, Ldh, Chrna1, Chrnd, Rapsyn, and Agrin were significantly downregulated in the muscles of OA mice, whereas Lcad, Mcad, and IL-1β were upregulated; MY significantly reversed these trends induced by OA.Conclusions: MY may promote the repair of joint damage and protect against OA via the gut-muscle-joint axis.

24 February 2021 in Frontiers in Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMengya Zhong
Mengya Zhong
XQXingfeng Qiu
Xingfeng Qiu
YLYu Liu
Yu Liu
YYYan Yang
Yan Yang
LGLei Gu
Lei Gu
GZGuohong Zhuang
Guohong Zhuang
Tumor necrosis factor-induced protein-8 (TIPE) is highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is a soluble secreted protein that can antagonize Fas ligand (FasL)-induced apoptosis and promote tumorigenesis. It remains unclear whether TIPE can regulate DcR3 expression. In this study, we examined this question by analyzing the relationship between these factors in CRC. Bioinformatics and tissue microarrays were used to determine the expression of TIPE and DcR3 and their correlation in CRC. The expression of TIPE and DcR3 in colon cancer cells was detected. Plasma samples were collected from CRC patients, and DcR3 secretion was measured. Then, dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis was performed to assess the interaction between TIPE and DcR3. We exogenously altered TIPE expression and analyzed its function and influence on DcR3 secretion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate TIPE-overexpressing HCT116 cells, and alterations in signaling pathways were detected. Additionally, inhibitors were used to confirm molecular mechanisms. We found that TIPE and DcR3 were highly expressed in CRC patients and that their expression levels were positively correlated. DcR3 was highly expressed in the plasma of cancer patients. We confirmed that TIPE and DcR3 were highly expressed in HCT116 cells. TIPE overexpression enhanced the transcriptional activity of the DcR3 promoter. TIPE activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate the expression of DcR3, thereby promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis. In summary, TIPE and DcR3 are highly expressed in CRC, and both proteins are associated with poor prognosis. TIPE regulates DcR3 expression by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in CRC, thus promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis. These findings may have clinical significance and promise for applications in the treatment or prognostication of CRC.