1.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P0.05, P0.01), significantly increased FS (P0.05, P0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05, P0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P0.05, P0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P0.05, P0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
2.Ameliorative Effect of Wendantang Combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang on Ischemic Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Syndrome in Mice Based on Circulating Monocytes
Fenghe YANG ; Ziqi TIAN ; Zhiqian SONG ; Shitao PENG ; Wenjie LU ; Tao LIN ; Chun WANG ; Zhangchi NING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):22-32
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Wendantang combined with Danshenyin and Dushentang (WDD) on mice with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presenting phlegm-stasis syndrome based on the inflammatory phenotype and differentiation of circulating monocytes. MethodsA model of IHD with phlegm-stasis syndrome was established using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation supplemented with a high-fat diet. Eighty model mice were randomly assigned to the model group, WDD low-dose group (WDD-L), WDD medium-dose group (WDD-M), WDD high-dose group (WDD-H), and atorvastatin calcium tablet group, with 16 mice in each group. An additional 16 C57BL/6J mice were designated as the sham-operation group. The WDD groups received intragastric administration at doses of 8.91, 17.81, 35.62 g·kg-1, and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group received the corresponding drug at 1.3 mg·kg-1, twice daily. The sham-operation and model groups were given the same volume of pure water by gavage each day. After 5 consecutive weeks of administration, the cardiac index was calculated. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hemorheological parameters were analyzed using an automated hemorheology analyzer. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer. Changes in circulating monocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in vitro and divided into blank group, model serum group, WDD-L drug-containing serum group, WDD-M drug-containing serum group, and WDD-H drug-containing serum group. CD36 expression and macrophage differentiation in each group were assessed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WDD mediates circulating monocyte differentiation was further explored using CD36 knockdown/overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines. ResultsCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significantly increased cardiac index (P<0.01), significantly decreased fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVDD) and left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVDS) (P<0.01). Cardiomyocytes exhibited marked deformation and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and whole-blood viscosity (BV) at high, medium, and low shear rates was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the WDD groups showed significantly reduced cardiac index (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly increased FS (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased LVDD and LVDS (P<0.01), markedly improved cardiomyocyte morphology, significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration, significantly decreased serum pro-BNP levels (P<0.01), and significantly decreased BV at high, medium, and low shear rates (P<0.01), with the most pronounced improvement observed in the WDD-M group. Compared with the sham-operation group, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while HDL levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After WDD-H treatment, TC, TG, and LDL levels were significantly reduced and HDL levels were significantly increased in mice (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, classical monocytes in blood and bone marrow and intermediate monocytes in blood were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), whereas intermediate monocytes in bone marrow and non-classical monocytes in blood were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After WDD administration, all circulating monocyte subsets in blood and bone marrow were significantly alleviated (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the WDD-M group showing the optimal effect. In vitro, compared with the blank group, CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and the proportion of differentiated macrophages were significantly increased in the model serum group (P<0.01), and CD36 expression was significantly upregulated on RAW264.7 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the model serum group, all drug-containing serum groups exhibited significantly reduced CD36 expression on bone marrow monocytes and significantly reduced macrophage differentiation (P<0.01). WDD downregulated CD36 expression in both CD36 knockdown and overexpression RAW264.7 cell lines (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the strongest regulatory effect observed in the WDD-M drug-containing serum group. ConclusionWDD can significantly improve the manifestations of phlegm-stasis syndrome in IHD mice and reduce the proportion of classical circulating monocytes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of CD36 expression on classical circulating monocytes.
3.Construction of an evaluation index system for community visual health services in Shanghai
Chengyuan ZHANG ; Yuting WU ; Yajun PENG ; Tao YU ; Yi XU ; Senlin LIN ; Haidong ZOU ; Lina LU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(3):282-287
ObjectiveTo improve the quality and service performance of community visual health services in Shanghai, and to establish a set of reasonable and effective evaluation index system for community visual health services. MethodsCentered on the national and Shanghai-based visual health policies and based on the current status and development trends of community visual health service program in Shanghai, the candidate indicators were formed through literature review and expert interviews, firstly. The framework of an evaluation index system was formulated through qualitative research successively, which was further revised and perfected using the Delphi method. Coefficient weights were calculated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), culminating in the establishment of the community visual health evaluation index system, lastly. ResultsA total of 22 visual health experts from district-level center for disease control, hospital ophthalmology and leaders in charging of visual health service in community health centers participated in the Delphi questionnaire survey, with a questionnaire recovery rate of 100% and an expert authority coefficient of 0.86, indicating high credibility. After a round of correspondence to experts’ importance ratings and discussions, a comprehensive evaluation index system comprising 3 primary indicators, 12 secondary indicators, and 47 tertiary indicators, along with 5 additional indicators, was finalized. ConclusionAn index system tailored to effective evaluation for community visual health initiatives was drawn up in this study, which can promote the capacity building in community eye health services, facilitating the high-quality development of visual health courses, and enhancing residents’ eye health.
4.Prediction of Protein Thermodynamic Stability Based on Artificial Intelligence
Lin-Jie TAO ; Fan-Ding XU ; Yu GUO ; Jian-Gang LONG ; Zhuo-Yang LU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1972-1985
In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of biology has witnessed remarkable advancements. Among these, the most notable achievements have emerged in the domain of protein structure prediction and design, with AlphaFold and related innovations earning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. These breakthroughs have transformed our ability to understand protein folding and molecular interactions, marking a pivotal milestone in computational biology. Looking ahead, it is foreseeable that the accurate prediction of various physicochemical properties of proteins—beyond static structure—will become the next critical frontier in this rapidly evolving field. One of the most important protein properties is thermodynamic stability, which refers to a protein’s ability to maintain its native conformation under physiological or stress conditions. Accurate prediction of protein stability, especially upon single-point mutations, plays a vital role in numerous scientific and industrial domains. These include understanding the molecular basis of disease, rational drug design, development of therapeutic proteins, design of more robust industrial enzymes, and engineering of biosensors. Consequently, the ability to reliably forecast the stability changes caused by mutations has broad and transformative implications across biomedical and biotechnological applications. Historically, protein stability was assessed via experimental methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism (CD), which, while precise, are time-consuming and resource-intensive. This prompted the development of computational approaches, including empirical energy functions and physics-based simulations. However, these traditional models often fall short in capturing the complex, high-dimensional nature of protein conformational landscapes and mutational effects. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) have significantly improved predictive performance in this area. Early ML models used handcrafted features derived from sequence and structure, whereas modern deep learning models leverage massive datasets and learn representations directly from data. Deep neural networks (DNNs), graph neural networks (GNNs), and attention-based architectures such as transformers have shown particular promise. GNNs, in particular, excel at modeling spatial and topological relationships in molecular structures, making them well-suited for protein modeling tasks. Furthermore, attention mechanisms enable models to dynamically weigh the contribution of specific residues or regions, capturing long-range interactions and allosteric effects. Nevertheless, several key challenges remain. These include the imbalance and scarcity of high-quality experimental datasets, particularly for rare or functionally significant mutations, which can lead to biased or overfitted models. Additionally, the inherently dynamic nature of proteins—their conformational flexibility and context-dependent behavior—is difficult to encode in static structural representations. Current models often rely on a single structure or average conformation, which may overlook important aspects of stability modulation. Efforts are ongoing to incorporate multi-conformational ensembles, molecular dynamics simulations, and physics-informed learning frameworks into predictive models. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of protein thermodynamic stability prediction techniques, with emphasis on the recent progress enabled by machine learning. It highlights representative datasets, modeling strategies, evaluation benchmarks, and the integration of structural and biochemical features. The aim is to provide researchers with a structured and up-to-date reference, guiding the development of more robust, generalizable, and interpretable models for predicting protein stability changes upon mutation. As the field moves forward, the synergy between data-driven AI methods and domain-specific biological knowledge will be key to unlocking deeper understanding and broader applications of protein engineering.
5.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
6.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
7.Mechanism of Danshenol A in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-induced Ferroptosis of Cardiomyocytes
Lei ZHANG ; Jiangang LIU ; Peili WANG ; Tao GENG ; Die LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):135-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of danshenol A (DA) pretreatment in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by regulating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsA MIRI model was established in SD rats, and an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed with H9C2 cells. Both models were treated with DA. H9C2 cells were allocated into blank, model (OGD/R), DA, ferroptosis inducer (erastin), and ferroptosis inhibitor (Fer-1) groups. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence assay was adopted to quantify the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-coA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4). Sixty SPF-grade healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model (MIRI), DA, erastin, and Fer-1 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The effect of DA on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis were observed and analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. ResultsIn vitro experiment: compared with the blank group, the OGD/R model group showed reduced cell viability, elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, lowered levels of SOD and GSH, and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited consistent trends: cell viability, SOD and GSH levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly restored, while the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, and the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 were reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). In vivo experiment: Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group showed elevated serum levels of cTnI, LDH, and CK, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, risen levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4. However, both DA and Fer-1 groups exhibited reductions in the indicators above (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the MIRI model group demonstrated reduced levels of SOD and GSH and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1 (P<0.05). In contrast, both DA and Fer-1 upregulated these indicators (P<0.05), effectively reversing the trends in the model group. In addition, the MIRI model group showed swelling of cardiomyocytes, disarrangement of cardiac muscle fibers, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration, which were alleviated in the DA and Fer-1 groups. ConclusionDA alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation, demonstrating therapeutic potential in acute myocardial infarction.
8.Study on the safety and pharmacological effect on improving dyspepsia of Shuangshu decoction in rats
Xinyuan CHEN ; Changzhou XIONG ; Jiongfen LI ; Kangyi YU ; Huan XU ; Yingxia WANG ; Dan LIAO ; Junyu TAO ; Ziyi YANG ; Caizhi LIN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1059-1064
OBJECTIVE To study the safety of Shuangshu decoction in rats and its efficacy in improving functional dyspepsia (FD) in rats. METHODS In safety test, 40 rats were divided into blank control group, Shuangshu decoction low-dose, medium- dose and high-dose groups [108, 216, 324 g/(kg·d), calculated by raw medicine, the same applies below]; they were given relevant medicine intragastrically, for continuous 14 days. The mortality and toxic reactions of rats were recorded, and the organ indexes of the liver, kidney, spleen, lung and heart of rats were calculated; the pathological morphological changes in the liver, kidney, spleen, lung, heart, stomach, duodenum, and colon were observed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. Another 40 rats were grouped and administered in the same way for 30 consecutive days. The mortality and toxic reactions of the rats were recorded, and the corresponding organ indexes were calculated. The pathological morphological changes in the corresponding organs were observed, and blood routine and serum biochemical indicators were measured, in order to assess the subacute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. In pharmacodynamic experiments: 50 rats were divided into blank control group, model group, and Shuangshu decoction low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (9.45, 18.9, 37.8 g/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank control group, rats in all other groups were used to establish the FD rat model by subcutaneous injection of loperamide (3.5 mg/kg). Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution/normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication, fecal moisture content, intestinal propulsion rate, gastric emptying rate and serum level of motilin were all detected, and interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) ultrastructure of rats was observed in colon tissue. RESULTS The safety experiments showed that no death occurred in each dose group, and no significant difference was found in organ coefficient, routine blood and serum biological index, compared to blank control group (P>0.05); no abnormality was found in organ appearance and pathological sections. The results of the pharmacodynamic experiments showed that, compared with the blank control group, the fecal moisture content, gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, and serum motilin levels in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.05); in the colonic tissue, the mitochondria in the ICC exhibited severe swelling with the disappearance of cristae, and the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated. Compared with model group, the rats in Shuangshu decoction high-dose group showed significant increases in the above quantitative indicators (P< 0.05); additionally, there was a large number of mitochondria in the ICC of the colonic tissue, with clear cristae and regular arrangement. CONCLUSIONS Shuangshu decoction is safe and has a beneficial improving effect on FD rats; its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone expression to promote gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, as well as the repair of mitochondrial structure in ICCs to restore gastrointestinal function.
9.Single-center experience in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding after renal transplantation
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):467-473
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding after renal transplantation and summarize the diagnostic and therapeutic experience. Methods Clinical data of 16 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding after renal transplantation admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2015 to January 2025 were collected, including clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and auxiliary examination results such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The bleeding sites, causes, treatment plans and outcomes of the patients were analyzed, and relevant literature was reviewed. Results Among the 16 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, 12 had upper gastrointestinal bleeding (3 with esophageal bleeding, 7 with gastric bleeding and 2 with duodenal bleeding) and 4 had lower gastrointestinal bleeding (2 with ileal bleeding and 2 with anal bleeding). Among the 16 patients, the 4 with lower gastrointestinal bleeding all presented with hematochezia. Of the 12 with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 2 patients only had positive fecal occult blood and decreased hemoglobin levels without hematemesis or melena, 9 patients had melena and 1 patient had hematemesis. The hemoglobin levels of the 16 patients were (71±18) g/L. One patient had symptoms of shock, 9 had symptoms of anemia such as dizziness, fatigue and chest tightness, and 6 had good general conditions. Among the 16 patients, 10 had mild gastrointestinal bleeding and stable general conditions, which were curable by drugs. Two patients with peptic ulcers and exposed vessels on gastroscopy were treated with hemostasis by titanium clips. One patient with gastroesophageal tear was treated with hemostasis by titanium clips. One patient with esophageal variceal rupture bleeding was treated with endoscopic variceal ligation. One patient with hemorrhoidal bleeding underwent selective annual resection of the superior hemorrhoidal mucosa with stapled hemorrhoidopexy. One patient with active ileal bleeding on emergency enhanced abdominal CT was treated with endovascular embolization of the mesenteric artery. One patient was discharged automatically due to coma caused by extensive cerebral infarction, and the remaining patients were all cured and discharged with good prognosis. Conclusions Gastrointestinal bleeding after renal transplantation has diverse clinical manifestations, varying severity and many causes. Early diagnosis and treatment should be actively carried out. In addition to drug therapy, endoscopic, interventional or surgical treatment may be used when necessary to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic effects and minimize the functional damage of gastrointestinal bleeding to the transplant kidney.
10.Construction of predictive model for programmed death-1 inhibitor-related endocrine adverse events
Jiaying SHI ; Wei WEI ; Ting HAN ; Xiao ZHOU ; Meng ZHUO ; Xiaolin LIN ; Tao TAO ; Xiuying XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(4):551-560
Objective To identify the independent predictors of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor-related endocrine adverse events and construct a clinically usable risk prediction model. Methods A total of 302 patients with solid tumors treated with PD-1 inhibitors were retrospectively enrolled. According to the presence or absence of endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs), the patients were divided into case group and control group. The clinical and laboratory indexes were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to confirm independent predictors of endocrine irAEs. The nomogram was constructed, while the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the prediction performance of the model. Results The overall incidence of endocrine irAEs was 21.9% (66/302), and the incidence of hypothyroidism was 19.5% (59/302). The age, PD-1 inhibitors, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin, amylase, lymphocyte subset CD3 expression were statistically different between the two groups (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher expression of lymphocyte subset CD3 was a protective factor to prevent endocrine irAEs occurrence (P=0.004), while age<60 years, higher TPOAb and use of pembrolizumab were independent risk factors of endocrine irAEs (P<0.05). The nomogram model thus constructed, and when the threshold probability of the model exceeded 0.1, its net benefit was higher. ROC curve showed that the AUC of the model to predict endocrine irAEs was 0.760. The prediction result of the model was highly consistent with the actual result. Conclusions The age, type of PD-1 inhibitor, baseline TPOAb level, and baseline CD3 expression can independently predict endocrine irAEs occurrence or not. The nomogram model based on this model has good predictive efficiency, which can provide reference for early identification of high-risk patients and immunotherapy management.

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