1.Research progress on myosteatosis in liver transplant recipients
Junfeng CAI ; Jingdong HE ; Yuxin JIANG ; Leibo XU
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):61-67
Myosteatosis is one of the common complications in patients with end-stage liver disease, which is significantly associated with poor outcomes after liver transplantation. Currently, diagnostic criteria of myosteatosis have not been established, and CT is the most commonly used for diagnosis. The pathogenesis of myosteatosis is multifactorial, and the pathophysiological mechanisms linking it to end-stage liver disease are not fully understood. An increasing number of scholars have recognized that the severity of myosteatosis is closely related to its clinical consequences, but there are no effective treatment options available. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic methods of myosteatosis, and its impact on the prognosis of liver transplant recipients, and discusses current treatment strategies to provide references for the perioperative management of liver transplant recipients.
2.Changing trend of benign hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases among people aged 15—39 years in China in 1990—2021
Wenkai JIANG ; Huiqi SUN ; Junhao FENG ; Ru HE ; Wenrui PENG ; Ming TIAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):160-166
ObjectiveTo investigate the changing trends of the incidence rate, prevalence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of benign hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases among people aged 15 — 39 years in China in 1990 — 2021. MethodsThe data of 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study were downloaded to obtain the epidemiological data of liver fibrosis/chronic liver disease, benign gallbladder/biliary tract diseases, and pancreatitis among people aged 15 — 39 years in China, and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to assess the changing trends of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates. The Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the incidence and mortality rates from 2022 to 2030. ResultsIn 2021, there were 10 448 778 new cases of benign hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases among the individuals aged 15 — 39 years in China, which was increased by 3.8% compared with the data in 1990, while the numbers of prevalent cases, deaths, and DALYs were reduced by 20.4%, 59.6%, and 50.2%, respectively. In 2021, the age-standardized incidence rates of liver fibrosis/chronic liver disease, benign gallbladder/biliary tract diseases, and pancreatitis were 1 104.40/100 000, 1 045.05/100 000, and 16.64/100 000, respectively; the age-standardized prevalence rates were 20 592.37/100 000, 2 364.85/100 000, and 9.43/100 000, respectively; the age-standardized mortality rates were 1.61/100 000, 0.04/100 000, and 0.18/100 000, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, there was a tendency of increase in the age-standardized incidence rate of liver fibrosis/chronic liver disease (EAPC=0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23 — 0.63), and there was also a tendency of increase in the age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of benign gallbladder/biliary tract diseases (incidence rate: EAPC=1.07, 95%CI: 0.91 — 1.24; prevalence rate: EAPC=0.75, 95%CI: 0.59 — 0.89), while there was a tendency of reduction in the age-standardized mortality rate of all three disease categories. Predictions for 2022 — 2030 indicated a potential reduction in the incidence rate of benign gallbladder/biliary tract diseases and an increase in the incidence rate of pancreatitis. ConclusionThere has been an overall upward trend in the incidence rate of liver fibrosis/chronic liver disease and gallbladder/biliary tract diseases over the past three decades, and it is needed to pay attention to the disease burden of benign hepatobiliary diseases among the people aged 15 — 39 years in China.
3.Mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong Plaster in Improving Peripheral Pain Sensitization and Synovial Fibrosis in Knee Osteoarthritis by Blocking Ion Channels of TRPs
Jinliang HE ; Lu ZHANG ; Shixin XING ; Xilu REN ; Jingxing JIANG ; Junfeng KANG ; Xuliang HAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):108-116
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong plaster in improving the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by blocking the ion channels of transient receptor potentials (TRPs). MethodsThe active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology. A KOA rat model was established through intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetic acid. The rats were randomly divided into blank control group, KOA group, compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster Group, and Jinyang Dingtong plaster group, with eight rats per group. Among them, the rats in the compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster group and the Jinyang Dingtong plaster group were intervened with external application treatment. After the intervention period, the cold and mechanical stimulus pain thresholds of rats in each group were detected, and the transverse diameter of the knee joint was measured. The levels of inflammatory factors in the serum such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nerve growth factor (NGF), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. Histopathological changes in synovial tissue were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson, and Sirius red staining, while the expression of type Ⅰ collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected by multiplex immunofluorescence. ResultsA total of 35 active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, quinones, alkaloids, terpenes, lignans, and coumarins. Among them, the constituents such as berberine, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid exhibit clear anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-fibrotic pharmacological effects. Compared to the blank control group, rats in the KOA group showed a significant decrease in cold and mechanical stimuli pain thresholds (P<0.01). After 14 and 28 days of Jinyang Dingtong plaster intervention, the pain threshold in this group was significantly increased compared to that in KOA group (P<0.01), showing no significant difference from that in compound Nanxing Analgesic plaster group. Additionally, Jinyang Dingtong plaster reduced the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NGF, and CGRP in the serum of KOA rats (P<0.01), lowered the expression of TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV4, TGF-β, and VEGF proteins in synovial tissue (P<0.01), improved synovial pathological damage in KOA rats, and significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of type Ⅰ collagen and α-SMA (P<0.01). ConclusionJinyang Dingtong plaster can improve the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in KOA rats by downregulating the expression of ion channels of TRPs and related inflammatory and fibrotic factors.
4.Research progress of luteolin in ocular diseases
Sijie HE ; Bin GUO ; Wenjun JIANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):651-656
Natural flavonoids have attracted considerable attention owing to their favorable biosafety profiles and multiple pharmacological properties in recent years. Luteolin, a representative flavonoid compound, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and neuroprotective effects in multiple ocular disease models by modulating key signaling pathways, including NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/HO-1, and AGE-RAGE. Accumulating experimental evidence supports the potential application of luteolin in various ocular diseases, including corneal and ocular surface diseases, inflammatory eye diseases, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. However, clinical evidence remains limited. This review systematically summarizes research progress on luteolin in ocular diseases over the past five years, analyzes its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential, and discusses future directions,so as toprovide a theoretical basis for clinical translation.
5.Mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong Plaster in Improving Peripheral Pain Sensitization and Synovial Fibrosis in Knee Osteoarthritis by Blocking Ion Channels of TRPs
Jinliang HE ; Lu ZHANG ; Shixin XING ; Xilu REN ; Jingxing JIANG ; Junfeng KANG ; Xuliang HAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):108-116
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong plaster in improving the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by blocking the ion channels of transient receptor potentials (TRPs). MethodsThe active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology. A KOA rat model was established through intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetic acid. The rats were randomly divided into blank control group, KOA group, compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster Group, and Jinyang Dingtong plaster group, with eight rats per group. Among them, the rats in the compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster group and the Jinyang Dingtong plaster group were intervened with external application treatment. After the intervention period, the cold and mechanical stimulus pain thresholds of rats in each group were detected, and the transverse diameter of the knee joint was measured. The levels of inflammatory factors in the serum such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nerve growth factor (NGF), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. Histopathological changes in synovial tissue were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson, and Sirius red staining, while the expression of type Ⅰ collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected by multiplex immunofluorescence. ResultsA total of 35 active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, quinones, alkaloids, terpenes, lignans, and coumarins. Among them, the constituents such as berberine, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid exhibit clear anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-fibrotic pharmacological effects. Compared to the blank control group, rats in the KOA group showed a significant decrease in cold and mechanical stimuli pain thresholds (P<0.01). After 14 and 28 days of Jinyang Dingtong plaster intervention, the pain threshold in this group was significantly increased compared to that in KOA group (P<0.01), showing no significant difference from that in compound Nanxing Analgesic plaster group. Additionally, Jinyang Dingtong plaster reduced the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NGF, and CGRP in the serum of KOA rats (P<0.01), lowered the expression of TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV4, TGF-β, and VEGF proteins in synovial tissue (P<0.01), improved synovial pathological damage in KOA rats, and significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of type Ⅰ collagen and α-SMA (P<0.01). ConclusionJinyang Dingtong plaster can improve the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in KOA rats by downregulating the expression of ion channels of TRPs and related inflammatory and fibrotic factors.
6.Transcriptome-based Mining of Genes Involved in Regulation of Cyclopeptide B Synthesis in Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Qingsu ZHOU ; Yishu HUANG ; Xiuwen WANG ; Jiao XU ; Xiaohong OU ; Hua HE ; Weike JIANG ; Tao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):224-230
ObjectiveThe biosynthesis of heterophyllin B (HB), a cyclopeptide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla, is regulated by various abiotic stresses. Elucidating the transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying HB biosynthesis is of great guiding significance for the directional improvement of P. heterophylla varieties and the enhancement of HB content. MethodsBased on transcriptome data from different tissues of P. heterophylla, transcription factors (TFs) specifically upregulated and highly expressed in the phloem of tuberous roots were screened through a combination of Mfuzz time-series clustering, transcription factor family prediction, and correlation analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to analyze expression patterns of candidate TFs under abscisic acid (ABA) induction, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to verify their regulatory effects on HB precursor genes. ResultsContent determination showed that HB accumulated at the highest in the phloem of P. heterophylla tuberous roots (34 μg
7.Systematic review of risk prediction models for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in pediatric patients with malignant tumors
Li HE ; Xin LIN ; Xiaoping JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):954-959
OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate risk prediction models for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in pediatric patients with malignant tumors, evaluate their modeling strategies, key predictors, and predictive performance, and provide evidence-based references for clinical decision-making and research. METHODS A literature search was conducted across 11 databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Data, and PubMed, for relevant studies published before April 2025. Two reviewers independently performed literature screening and data extraction, and the risk of bias and applicability of the models were evaluated using the PROBAST tool. RESULTS Ultimately, seven studies were selected, of which four were English articles and three were Chinese articles, involving 12 risk prediction models. Although model discrimination was good (AUC 0.748-0.981), only two models underwent external validation; furthermore, calibration was inadequately reported in three studies. PROBAST indicated that all models exhibited a high risk of bias, with major issues including a predominance of retrospective designs, inadequate sample representativeness, and lack of blinding. However, in terms of applicability, all models received favorable evaluations. In terms of modeling methods, most studies employed traditional logistic regression approaches to construct models, while only a minority introduced machine learning algorithms and conducted systematic comparisons among multiple algorithms. Models developed using machine learning methods significantly outperformed those constructed with traditional statistical methods. CONCLUSIONS The existing risk prediction models for myelosuppression after chemotherapy in children with malignant tumors demonstrate potential in clinical risk early warning. However, they generally suffer from design and methodological limitations, such as a predominance of retrospective single-center designs, few events per variable, opaque handling of missing data, and inconsistent reporting of model coefficients. Future studies should adopt prospective designs, incorporate machine learning with key clinical predictors, and follow TRIPOD reporting guidelines to enhance scientific rigor and clinical utility.
8.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
9.From Cathartic Colon to Cathartic-dependent Constipation: Diagnostic-therapeutic Strategies from Integrative Medicine Perspective
Youcheng HE ; Fengru JIANG ; Yanru WANG ; Minghan HUANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Lifeng WEI ; Keyi PAN ; Shuyu CAI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):162-172
Both cathartic colon (CC) and cathartic-dependent constipation (CDC) are caused by the abuse of stimulant laxatives, while their concepts are not completely the same.Starting from the disease name of CC, this article traced the origin and evolution of the concept of CC, summarizes and compared the similarities and differences between CC, CDC, and slow transit constipation (STC), and called for strict differentiation among the three.Furthermore, this article explored the specific contents of Western medicine clinical subtypes and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation of CDC and delved into the TCM pathogenesis of CDC according to both literature and clinical practice.The relationship between clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes was established, and the syndrome characteristics of CDC of different clinical subtypes and TCM syndromes were summarized.The recommended prescriptions for corresponding syndromes were listed.A systematic CDC diagnosis and treatment approach of "clinical subtypes-syndrome differentiation-syndrome characteristics-recommended prescriptions" was thus formed.Additionally, the paper provides an overview of current research on CDC in both Western medicine and TCM contexts, identifies future research directions, and suggests research pathways for refining and advancing CDC studies.
10.Clinical Efficacy of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Prescription in Treatment of Cathartic Colon and Analysis of Influencing Factors of Disease Severity
Youcheng HE ; Jingyi SHAN ; Fengru JIANG ; Yue WU ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lu HANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Lian MO ; Shuyu CAI ; Keyi PAN ; Lifeng WEI ; Jianye YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):173-184
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue prescription (YYHP) in the treatment of cathartic colon (CC) and its effects on fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 98 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine for CC with the syndrome of Qi-Yin deficiency complicated by blood stasis were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group. The observation group received YYHP granules, while the control group received lactulose. Both medications were administered twice daily, one sachet each time, half an hour after breakfast and dinner, with a treatment course of 8 weeks. The primary constipation symptom score, Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) score, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment and at the 8th week after the end of treatment. The overall clinical effective rate, as well as the efficacy attenuation index and degree, were evaluated. Fecal SCFA levels were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations among CC severity indicators and between these indicators and patient history. ResultsThe overall clinical effective rate in the observation group (95.83%) was higher than that in the control group (78.72%) (P<0.05). After treatment, the total scores for primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). The severity of all primary constipation symptoms was alleviated in both groups (P<0.05). In terms of "excessive straining and difficult defecation", "anal heaviness, incomplete evacuation, and bloating sensation", "abdominal distension", and "defecation frequency", the observation group showed better efficacy than the control group (P<0.05). Scores of the four PAC-QOL dimensions and the scores and severity of primary and secondary TCM symptoms were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), with more significant reductions in the observation group (P<0.05). After treatment, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total SCFAs in the observation group increased significantly (P<0.05). The efficacy attenuation index and degree in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Positive correlations of varying degrees were observed among the total scores of primary constipation symptoms, PAC-QOL, and TCM syndromes, as well as between these scores and the history of stimulant laxative use, disease duration, and age. ConclusionYYHP can effectively alleviate the primary constipation symptoms in CC patients, improve quality of life, and ameliorate TCM syndromes, with good safety. It also has the advantage of a lower rebound degree after drug withdrawal, and its mechanism may be related to increasing fecal SCFA levels. Long-term abuse of stimulant laxatives may aggravate the severity of CC and prolong the disease course.

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