1.Network toxicology and its application in studying exogenous chemical toxicity
Yanli LIN ; Zehua TAO ; Zhao XIAO ; Chenxu HU ; Bobo YANG ; Ya WANG ; Rongzhu LU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):238-244
With the continuous development of society, a large number of new chemicals are continuously emerging, which presents a challenge to current risk assessment and safety management of chemicals. Traditional toxicology research methods have certain limitations in quickly, efficiently, and accurately assessing the toxicity of many chemicals, and cannot meet the actual needs. In response to this challenge, computational toxicology that use mathematical and computer models to achieve the prediction of chemical toxicity has emerged. In the meantime, as researchers increasingly pay attention to understanding the interaction mechanisms between exogenous chemical substances and the body from the system level, and multiomics technologies develop rapidly such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, huge amounts of data have been generated, providing rich information resources for studying the interactions between chemical substances and biological molecules. System toxicology and network toxicology have also developed accordingly. Of these, network toxicology can integrate these multiomics data to construct biomolecular networks, and then quickly predict the key toxicological targets and pathways of chemicals at the molecular level. This paper outlined the concept and development of network toxicology, summarized the main methods and supporting tools of network toxicology research, expounded the application status of network toxicology in studying potential toxicity of exogenous chemicals such as agricultural chemicals, environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals, and foodborne chemicals, and analyzed the development prospects and limitations of network toxicology research. This paper aimed to provide a reference for the application of network toxicology in other fields.
2.Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis by Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng Decoction via Inhibition of PPAR-γ/NF-κB/AGEs/RAGE Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology
Yue CAO ; Wanmei YAO ; Tao YANG ; Man YANG ; Ruimin JIA ; Rongrong LU ; Xue FENG ; Biwang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):182-192
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for key targets was depicted. Finally, the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock, PyMOL, and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments, a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, uric acid test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values, 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response, astrocyte activation, regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 production, nuclear receptor activity, and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory, and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin(ALB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), IL-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein(CRP) were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene (β-carotene). Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose (7.76 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (15.53 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (31.05 g·kg-1·d-1) groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission, and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced, followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups, and the expression of ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP, inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB pathway, and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation, Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.
3.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
4.Shentong Zhuyutang Regulates SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway to Ameliorate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats
Jiajun HUANG ; Diyou WU ; Guangyi TAO ; Yu ZHAO ; Junqing HUANG ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):29-39
ObjectiveTo study the effect and mechanism of Shentong Zhuyutang in treating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in rats. MethodsIn the cell experiment, male rats were administrated with normal saline or low-, medium-, and high-dose (3.38, 6.75,13.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Shentong Zhuyutang by gavage, respectively, and serum samples were collected after 7 days of continuous administration. Another 10 male rats were selected for the isolation of nucleus pulposus cells. The cell model of IDD was established by treatment with interleukin (IL)-1β. The modeled cells were then treated with Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum and the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), respectively, to investigate the effects of Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum on the proliferation and ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. To study the role of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the regulation of ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells by Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum, this study treated the cells with the SIRT1 inhibitor Ex 527 and the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, respectively, in addition to the treatment with IL-1β and high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and EdU staining were employed to measure the cell viability and proliferation, respectively. The Fe2+, glutathione (GSH), and malondiadehyde (MDA) levels were measured by colorimetric assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4), Collagen Ⅱ, Aggrecan, SIRT1, and Nrf2. Immunofluorescence was used detect SIRT1 expression. In the animal experiment, male rats were treated with anulus puncture for the modeling of IDD. Rats were randomly assigned into sham operation, model, Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum (13.5 g·kg-1), and positive control (nimesulide dispersible tablets, 0.18 mg·kg-1) groups. Rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents at 1 mL·kg-1, and those in the sham operation and model groups were administrated with equal volumes of normal saline, once daily for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the last administration, the histopathological changes in the intervertebral discs of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and scored by the Masuda method. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ in the nucleus pulposus tissue. ResultsCompared with the control group, the IL-1β group of nucleus pulposus cells showed elevated levels of Fe2+, MDA, and ACSL4 (P<0.05), decreased cell viability, lowered GSH level, and down-regulated protein levels of GPX4, Collagen Ⅱ, and Aggrecan (P<0.05). Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum and Fer-1 reversed the effects of IL-1β on the viability and ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and up-regulated the protein levels of Collagen Ⅱ and Aggrecan in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the IL-1β group showcased down-regulated expression of Sirt1 and Nrf2 in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β group, the high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum+IL-1β group showed up-regulated expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum+IL-1β group, the ML385 group showed down-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and GPX4, lowered GSH level, and elevated Fe2+ and MDA levels (P<0.05). In addition, the Ex 527 group showed down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, and GPX4 (P<0.05). The results of the animal experiment showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group had severe degeneration of the intervertebral disc tissue with increased pathological score, up-regulated protein level of ACSL4 (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Shentong Zhuyutang group showed alleviated IDD with declined pathological score, down-regulated protein level of ACSL4 (P<0.05), and up-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ (P<0.05). ConclusionShentong Zhuyutang may activate the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit the ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells, thereby delaying the process of IDD in rats.
5.Proteomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal Mechanism of Xiaoer Huatan Zhike Granules in Treating Allergic Cough
Youqi DU ; Yini XU ; Jiajia LIAO ; Chaowen LONG ; Shidie TAI ; Youwen DU ; Song LI ; Shiquan GAN ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ling TAO ; Shuying YANG ; Lingyun FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):69-79
ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacological mechanism involved in the treatment of allergic cough (AC) by Xiaoer Huatan Zhike granules (XEHT) based on proteomics and network pharmacology. MethodsAfter sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL suspension containing 2 mg ovalbumin (OVA) and 100 mg aluminum hydroxide, a guinea pig model of allergic cough was constructed by nebulization with 1% OVA. The modeled guinea pigs were randomized into the model, low-, medium- and high-dose (1, 5, 20 g·kg-1, respectively) XEHT, and sodium montelukast (1 mg·kg-1) groups (n=6), and another 6 guinea pigs were selected as the blank group. The guinea pigs in drug administration groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline by gavage, 1 time·d-1. After 10 consecutive days of drug administration, the guinea pigs were stimulated by 1% OVA nebulization, and the coughs were observed. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to observe the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed observe the alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell ultrastructure. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of IL-6, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Label-free proteomics was used to detect the differential proteins among groups. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets of XEHT in treating AC. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed to search for the same pathways from the results of proteomics and network pharmacology. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased coughs (P<0.01), elevated levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and lowered level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated levels of IgA and IgG in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), congestion of the lung tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01), large areas of low electron density edema in type Ⅱ epithelial cells, obvious swelling and vacuolization of the organelles, karyopyknosis or sparse and dissolved chromatin, and up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug administration groups showed reduced coughs (P<0.01), lowered levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and elevated level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated lung tissue congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, and type Ⅱ epithelial cell injury, and decreased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01). In addition, the medium-dose XEHT group and the montelukast sodium group showcased lowered serum levels of IgA and IgG (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose XEHT groups and the montelukast sodium showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the low-dose XEHT group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01). Phospholipase D, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinase (ErbB) signaling pathways were the common pathways predicted by both proteomics and network pharmacology. ConclusionProteomics combined with network pharmacology reveal that XEHT can ameliorate AC by regulating the phospholipase D, mTOR, and ErbB signaling pathways.
6.Differentiation and Treatment of Lipid Turbidity Disease Based on Theory of "Spleen Ascending and Stomach Descending"
Yun HUANG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Wei SONG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xin ZHOU ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):244-252
Lipid turbidity disease is a metabolic disease featuring lipid metabolism disorders caused by many factors such as social environment, diet, and lifestyle, which is closely related to many diseases in modern medicine, such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with a wide range of influence and far-reaching harm. According to the Huangdi Neijing, lipid turbidity disease reflects the pathological change of the body's physiologic grease. Grease is the thick part of body fluids, which has the function of nourishing, and it is the initial state and source of important substances in the human body such as brain, marrow, essence, and blood. Once the grease of the human body is abnormal, it can lead to lipid turbidity disease. The Huangdi Neijing also points out the physiological relationship between the transportation and transformation of body fluids and the rise and fall of the spleen and stomach, which can deduce the pathological relationship between the occurrence of lipid turbidity disease and the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach functions. Lipid turbidity disease is caused by overconsumption of fatty and sweet foods or insufficient spleen and stomach endowments, leading to disorders of the function of promoting clear and reducing turbidity in the spleen and stomach. This leads to the transformation of thick grease in body fluids into lipid turbidity, which accumulates in the body's meridians, blood vessels, skin pores, and organs, forming various forms of metabolic diseases. The research team believed that the pathological basis of lipid turbidity disease was the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach and the obstruction of the transfer of grease. According to the different locations where lipid turbidity stays, it was divided into four common pathogenesis types: ''inability to distinguish between the clear and turbid, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood'', ''spleen not rising clear, turbid accumulation in the vessels'', ''spleen dysfunction, lipid retention in the pores'', ''spleen failure to transportation and transformation, and grease accumulation in the liver''. According to the pathogenesis, it could be divided into four common syndromes, namely, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood, turbid accumulation in the vessels, lipid retention in the pores, and grease accumulation in the liver, and the corresponding prescriptions were given for syndrome differentiation and treatment, so as to guide clinical differentiation and treatment of the lipid turbidity disease.
7.Weichang'an Prescription-containing Serum Induces Ferroptosis of Gastric Cancer MKN-45 Cells
Xin LI ; Jinzu YANG ; Jianxin QIAN ; Li TAO ; Ling CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):132-139
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Weichang'an prescription-containing serum on ferroptosis of human gastric cancer cells and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsSD rats were administrated with 18, 36, 72 g·kg-1·d-1 Weichang'an prescription by gavage for preparation of serum samples containing different doses of Weichang'an prescription, which were then used to treat MKN-45 cells. The cell proliferation was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). In addition, inhibitors of apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis were added, and the survival of the cells treated with the serum samples was observed. The fluorescent probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and the lipid peroxidation sensor C11-BODIPY were employed to detect the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, respectively. The levels of ferrous ion (Fe2+), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). ResultsCompared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription-containing serum decreased the viability of MKN-45 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared with the Weichang'an prescription group, the apoptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group and the ferroptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group showed increased cell viability (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription elevated the levels of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular Fe2+ and MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01) and lowered the level of GSH (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2, AKR1B1, and GPX4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group, Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the protein levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionThe Weichang'an prescription-containing serum can promote the ferroptosis and inhibit the proliferation of MKN-45 cells by regulating the STAT3 and MAPK pathways.
8.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
9.Research on interview outline design and quality control methods based on grounded theory for physician prescribing behavior
Liyuan TAO ; Li WANG ; Xinli XIANG ; Lu YANG ; Songleng DUAN ; Dechun JIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):524-528
OBJECTIVE To establish a interview outline design process and quality control evaluation method based on grounded theory, providing ideas for qualitative research interview outline design in medical fields. METHODS A literature review was conducted to understand the current research status; a preliminary interview outline was developed around the research content. The triangulation method, group evaluation, expert review and pre-interview were adopted to execute the interview outline and conduct quality control. The evaluation indicators and target values were formulated (an average score for the overall quality evaluation of all indicators ≥4.5, and an average score for individual indicators ≥4.00) to evaluate the effect of the interview outline. Taking the research on the mechanism of physicians’ prescribing behavior under the background of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) payment as an example, the methodological contents of above interview outline were applied in practical research. RESULTS The interview outline included basic information and interview questions. The interview questions were divided into three parts:influencing factors survey, promoting and hindering factors of standardizing physician prescription behavior, and communication, with a total of 12 questions. After being reviewed by members of the research group, experts review and pre- interview, a total of 9 people participated in the quality control evaluation of the interview outline. The overall evaluation score was 4.94 (>4.50), and the average score of each indicator was greater than 4.00, indicating that the quality of the outline met the requirements for the interview and could be used for the formal interview. CONCLUSIONS The established interview outline design and quality control method based on grounded theory provides ideas for the qualitative research interview outline design in the medical field, and lays the foundation for further using grounded theory to study the influencing factors and mechanisms of physician prescription behavior under the DRG background.
10.Visualization analysis of research hotspots of artificial intelligence in field of spinal cord nerve injury and repair
Bin YANG ; Guangyi TAO ; Shun YANG ; Junjie XU ; Junqing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):761-770
BACKGROUND:In recent years,artificial intelligence has gradually emerged and has been applied in various fields such as spinal cord nerve injury and repair,which has a positive impact on clinical treatment. OBJECTIVE:To study the application progress of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis,treatment,and rehabilitation of spinal cord nerve injury and repair,clarify the research hotspots and shortcomings in this field,and provide suggestions for future research work. METHODS:Relevant literature on artificial intelligence in the field of spinal cord nerve injury and repair was retrieved on the Web of Science core collection database until 2023.CiteSpace 6.1.R6 and VOSviewer 1.6.19 software was used to perform general literature analysis,co-citation of literature,co-citation of journals,double image overlay of journals,keyword clustering,and other visual analysis on the literature data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 1 713 articles were selected,and the annual publication volume in this field showed a fluctuating upward trend,with the United States taking the lead,and Kadone and Hideki being the authors with the highest publication volume.ARCH PHYS MED REHAB was the journal with the highest number of citations.(2)Keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis showed that after removing keywords similar to the search terms,the main keywords were divided into three main clusters:Exoskeleton and exercise rehabilitation(the largest core hotspot);machine learning and neural plasticity;robotics and rehabilitation training.(3)Keyword burst analysis showed that deep learning and artificial intelligence had become burst terms in the past five years.(4)The results of in-depth analysis of co cited and highly cited literature showed that the hotspots of artificial intelligence in the field of spinal cord nerve injury and repair were mainly focused on powered exoskeletons,gaits,electrical nerve stimulation,intracortical brain-computer interface(IBCI),robots,and polymer biomaterials,and neural stem cell.(5)The research on artificial intelligence in the field of spinal cord nerve injury and repair has shown an upward trend in recent years.The focus of this field had gradually shifted from single treatment methods such as exoskeletons and electrical stimulation to intelligent,precise,and personalized directions.(6)There were some limitations in this field,such as the consequences of missing or imbalanced data,low data accuracy and reproducibility,and ethical issues(such as privacy,research transparency,and clinical reliability).Future research should address the issue of data collection,requiring large sample,high-quality clinical datasets to establish effective artificial intelligence models.At the same time,the research on genomics and other mechanisms in this field is very weak.In the future,various machine learning technologies such as brain chips can be used,and gene editing therapy,single-cell spatial transcriptome and other methods can be used to study the basic mechanisms of regeneration-related gene upregulation and axon growth structural protein production.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail