1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on Gut-brain Axis: A Review
Jinchan PENG ; Jinxiu WEI ; Zhu LIU ; Lijian LIU ; Liqun LI ; Chengning YANG ; Guangwen CHEN ; Jianfeng LI ; Sheng XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):311-319
Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a common digestive system disease with high prevalence and recurrence rates for years, high treatment costs, and serious impacts on patients' quality of life and economic burden. Therefore, it is important to explore new and safe treatment methods. The pathogenesis of IBS-D is complex, in which the gut-brain axis is a key factor. The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional signaling pathway connecting the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, regulates gastrointestinal motility, secretion, and immune responses, playing a key role in the occurrence and development of IBS-D. Up to now, antidiarrheal agents, probiotics, and neurotransmitter modulators are the main methods for the clinical treatment of IBS-D. Although they can partially curb the progression of this disease, the therapeutic effects remain to be improved. Studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has significant advantages in the treatment of IBS-D since it can regulate the gut-brain axis via multiple pathways and targets to improve the gastrointestinal motility and strengthen immune defenses. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews on the regulation of the gut-brain axis by TCM in the treatment of IBS-D. Based on the review of IBS-D-related articles published in recent years, this paper systematically summarized the relationship between the gut-brain axis and IBS-D and the role of TCM in the treatment, providing new ideas for the treatment of IBS-D.
2.NAD+ Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension via Activation of SIRT3/IDH2 Signal Pathway
Yumin QIU ; Xi CHEN ; Jianning ZHANG ; Zhangchi LIU ; Qiuxia ZHU ; Meixin ZHANG ; Jun TAO ; Xing WU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):70-80
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide on vascular endothelial injury in hypertension and its molecular mechanism. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into saline group (Saline) and hypertension group (Ang Ⅱ, which were infused with Ang Ⅱ via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps), and supplemented daily with nicotinamide mononucleotide (300 mg/kg), a precursor of NAD+. Blood pressure, endothelial relaxation function and pulse wave velocity were measured after 4 weeks. Wound healing assay and adhesion assay were used to evaluate the function of endothelial cells in vitro. mtROS levels were detected by immunofluorescence staining. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of mtDNA, SIRT3 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression levels of p-eNOS, eNOS, SIRT3 and IDH2 were detected by Western blot. ResultsNMN supplementation reduced blood pressure (P<0.001) and improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness (P<0.001) in hypertensive mice. In vitro, NMN improved endothelial function in AngII-stimulated endothelial cells (P<0.05) and attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress levels (P<0.001). Mechanistically, NMN elevated SIRT3 activity (P<0.001), which subsequently enhanced IDH activity (P<0.001) and reduced oxidative stress levels in endothelial cells. Conversely, knockdown of IDH2 would reverse the effect of SIRT3 in improving endothelial function (P<0.001). ConclusionNAD+ lowers blood pressure and enhances vascular function in hypertension by reducing the level of oxidative stress in endothelial cells through activation of the SIRT3/IDH2 signal pathway.
3.Dynamic immunological characteristics in acute rejection model of cervical heterotopic heart transplantation in mice
Xi CAO ; Tao HUANG ; Jiwei YANG ; Xiaowen WANG ; Wenfeng ZHU ; Haoqi CHEN ; Ning FAN ; Genshu WANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):256-263
Objective To establish an acute rejection model of cervical heart transplantation in mice and evaluate the survival and dynamic rejection process post-transplantation. Methods Mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=10), syngeneic transplantation group (n=21), and allogeneic transplantation group (n=65). Sham operation, syngeneic cervical heart transplantation, and allogeneic cervical heart transplantation were performed respectively. The survival of recipient mice and grafts, histopathological changes of graft tissues, subpopulations of splenic lymphocytes, and expression of inflammatory factors in serum and grafts were observed. Results The survival rate and graft survival rate of the sham operation group and syngeneic transplantation group were 100% at 7 days after surgery. In the allogeneic transplantation group, 5 cases failed and died on the first day after surgery. The survival rate at 7 days after surgery was 86%, and all surviving mice had grafts that stopped beating at 7 days after surgery. The allogeneic transplantation group showed significant rejection at 7 days after surgery, accompanied by tissue damage and CD8+ T cell infiltration. The proportion of CD8+ T cells in the spleen continued to rise post-operation, while the proportion of CD4+ T cells showed a downward trend. The expression of interferon-γ in serum and grafts peaked at 5 days after surgery, while the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α showed no statistical significance. Conclusions Acute rejection following heart transplantation in mice intensifies between 5 to 7 days after surgery, which may be a critical time window for immunological intervention.
4.Research progress of nano drug delivery system based on metal-polyphenol network for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases
Meng-jie ZHAO ; Xia-li ZHU ; Yi-jing LI ; Zi-ang WANG ; Yun-long ZHAO ; Gao-jian WEI ; Yu CHEN ; Sheng-nan HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):323-336
Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.
5.Explore of nanopore sequencing technology in ambiguities of HLA genotyping
Nanying CHEN ; Wei ZHANG ; Lina DONG ; Fang WANG ; Yizhen HE ; Chen CHEN ; Faming ZHU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):309-315
[Objective] To resolve the ambiguities of HLA genotyping generated by next generation sequencing (NGS) using nanopore sequencing technology. [Methods] A total of 38 samples with ambiguous HLA genotyping by NGS in our laboratory were collected, and HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DRB3/4/5, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1 and -DPB1 loci in these samples were amplified using primers in the same commercial NGS HLA genotyping kit, then subjected to third-generation library construction, and sequenced on the nanopore sequencer. The sequencing data were converted into Fastq files and analyzed by software, and the genotypes of 11 HLA loci were obtained. The ambiguities were counted directly. [Results] The high-resolution genotyping at the second domain of 11 HLA loci of 38 samples using the third generation sequencing (TGS) were consistent with the results of the NGS method at a rate of 100%. The genotypes for the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB3, -DRB4, -DQA1 and -DPA1 loci by TGS were all only one result, and the discrimination rate for ambiguities of the HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DQA1 loci (all caused by the difficulty in phasing due to the short NGS read length) was 100%. Among the HLA-DRB1, -DRB5, -DQB1 and -DPB1 loci, the discrimination rate of TGS for the ambiguities caused by non-amplification of exon 1 was 0% and by the short NGS read length was 100%. [Conclusion] Nanopore technology was used to identify the ambiguities of 11 HLA loci in this study, and the ambiguities caused by the short read length disadvantage of the NGS method could be solved effectively and the accuracy of HLA genotyping would be improved.
6.Assessment of ergonomics risk in typical upper limb operations of electricians based on RULA
Zekai LIANG ; Guanlin LI ; Shiheng ZHU ; Jiajie LI ; Qingsong CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):254-259
Background A large number of power supply workers are involved in live working and are exposed to multiple risk factors for long periods of time during outdoor work, which in turn causes occupational health problems. Objective To identify potential ergonomic factors related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and estimate the ergonomic risk of electricians. Methods A total of 31 workers were randomly selected from a training base under a power supply enterprise in Guangxi, and their operation processes were recorded by video. Using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method, the workers were scored by the posture of their arms, neck, and torso during operation, and the final scores were summarized to assess their risk level. Two independent samples t-tests were used to compare the differences in RULA scores. Results A total of 31 videos for mounting/dismounting insulation mask and 29 videos for breaking/connecting contact terminal were collected. The RULA score for mounting/dismounting insulation mask was 6.6 ± 0.7 (left side) and 7.0 ± 0.2 (right side), most of the workers had a score of 7 (71.0% on the left side and 96.8% on the right side), and the upper limb and overall scores on the right side were higher than those on the left side (P < 0.05). The RULA score for breaking/connecting contact terminal was 6.9 ± 0.4 (both right and left sides), most of workers had a score of 7 (89.7% on the left side and 93.1% on the right side), and the difference of the overall scores between the right and left side for this operation were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The ergonomic risk levels for both operations were level 3 or higher. Conclusion Mounting/dismounting insulation mask and breaking/connecting contact terminal are typical upper limb operations, and have a high level of ergonomics risk, requiring effective preventive and protective measures.
7.Mechanism of Wumen Zhiqiao gancao decoction inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in degenerative intervertebral discs by regulating HIF-1α/VEGF/Ang signal axis
Zeling HUANG ; Zaishi ZHU ; Yuwei LI ; Bo XU ; Junming CHEN ; Baofei ZHANG ; Binjie LU ; Xuefeng CAI ; Hua CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):807-814
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Zhiqiao gancao decoction (ZQGCD) on pathological angiogenesis of degenerative intervertebral disc. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor (YC-1) group [2 mg/(kg·d), tail vein injection], and ZQGCD low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups [3.06, 6.12, 12.24 g/(kg·d)], with 8 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group, lumbar disc degeneration model of rat was constructed in all other groups. After modeling, they were given relevant medicine once a day, for consecutive 3 weeks. After the last medication, pathological changes and angiogenesis of the intervertebral disc tissue in rats were observed; the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and the expressions of angiogenesis-related proteins [HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), angiotensin 1(Ang 1), Ang 2] in the com intervertebral disc tissue in rats were all determined. In cell experiment, the primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured from rats, and cellular degeneration was induced using 50 ng/mL TNF-α. The cells were divided into blank control group (10% blank control serum), TNF-α group (10% blank control serum), YC-1 group (10% blank control serum+0.2 mmol/L YC-1), and 5%, 10%, 15% drug-containing serum group (5%, 10%, 15% drug-containing serum). After 24 hours of intervention, the nucleus pulposus cells were co-cultured with HUVEC. The expressions of Collagen Ⅱ, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in nucleus pulposus cells were detected. HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube forming ability were detected, and the expression levels of the HIF-1α/VEGF/Ang signal axis and angiogenesis- related proteins (add MMP-2, MMP-9) in HUVEC were detected. RESULTS Animal experiments had shown that compared with model group, the positive expression of CD31 in the intervertebral disc tissues of rats in each drug group was down-regulated (P< 0.05), the levels of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related proteins were decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the pathological changes in the intervertebral disc were alleviated. Cell experiments had shown that compared with TNF-α group, the expression of Collagen Ⅱ in nucleus pulposus cells of all drug groups was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), and the expression of MMP-3 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05); the proliferation, migration and tubulogenesis of HUVEC were significantly weakened (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α, VEGF, Ang 2 as well as the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins (except for the expression of Ang 2 mRNA and HIF-1α, VEGFR2, Ang 2 protein in 5% drug- containing serum group) were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ZQGCD may inhibit the HIF-1α/VEGF/ Ang signal axis to weaken the angiogenic ability of vascular endothelial cells, improve pathological angiogenesis in the intervertebral disc, and delay the degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
8.WU Mianhua's Experience in the Treatment of Tumor-Related Complications Using Hehuanhua (Flos Albiziae)
Jinbiao ZHU ; Wei LU ; Mingyu CHEN ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):786-789
This paper summarized professor WU Mianhua's experience in the treatment of tumors using Hehuanhua (Flos Albiziae). He believes that the occurrence and development of tumors are closely related to emotions, and thereafter proposed the concept of "masses usually due to constraint, and should be treated by regulating the spirit".Hehuanhua is a light and aromatic flower that enters the heart, liver and spleen meridians, and is good at relieving constraint and regulating the spirit, harmonizing the center with aroma, which can be used to treat all kinds of tumor-related complications. Hehuanmi is flower buds, picked before the flowers fully blooms, have the effect of clearing and lightening upward, opening up the heart and mind, and unblocking liver qi. Commonly used formulas include self-made Ningxin Anmian Decoction (宁心安眠汤) to treat tumor-related insomnia, self-made Aitongxiao Formula (癌痛消方) to treat tumor-related pain, self-made Erhua Jieyu Formula (二花解郁方) to treat tumor-associated depression, and self-made Shugan Tiaohe Decoction (疏肝调和汤) to deal with peri-menopausal state after the treatment of tumors. Hehuanhua is an inflorescence, which captures the aromatic essence and has the function of removing the filth and turbidity, and can wake up the spleen and harmonize the stomach; therefore, it is often used in self-made Tiaomu Hezhong Decoction (调木和中汤) to treat chemotherapy-related digestive tract adverse reactions or combined with rose flowers to treat chemotherapy-induced oral ulcers.
9.Correlation between CD4+T lymphocytes and viral load in newly identified human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals in Huangpu District,Shanghai,2023
Shuang ZHU ; Jieqiong ZHAN ; Lili SONG ; Yu WANG ; Wei CHU ; Weihua CHEN ; Huimin XU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):125-128
ObjectiveTo analyze the detected results of CD4+T lymphocytes and viral load in newly identified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in Huangpu District of Shanghai in 2023, to explore the correlation between them, so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted prevention and control measures and antiviral treatment programs. MethodsThe data of CD4 cell count, viral load and demographic characteristics of the newly infected patients living with HIV in Huangpu District, Shanghai in 2023 were collected and analyzed by using descriptive epidemiological method. ResultsThe mean CD4 cell count of the 67 newly identified HIV infected patients in Huangpu District was (301.22±235.19) cells·µL-1, with a mean viral load of (5.15±1.28) ×105 copies·mL-1.There were statistically significant differences in CD4 cell count and viral load among different age groups (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences by gender and marital status (both P>0.05). The CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio both were negatively correlated with the lg value of viral load (r=-0.290, -0.378; P=0.027, 0.002). ConclusionThe CD4 cell counts of the newly identified HIV infected patients in Huangpu District in 2023 were generally low, the proportion of patients with high viral load was high, but the risk for elderly infected with HIV was high. The elderly have gradually become the key population for AIDS prevention and control in Huangpu District. It is recommended to expand HIV screening in the elderly to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and increase the rate of early detection and treatment.
10.Analysis of clinical infection characteristics of multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitalized patients in a tertiary sentinel hospital in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023
Qi MAO ; Tenglong ZHAO ; Xihong LYU ; Zhiyuan GU ; Bin CHEN ; Lidi ZHAO ; Xifeng LI ; Xing ZHANG ; Liang TIAN ; Renyi ZHU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):156-159
ObjectiveTo understand the infection characteristics of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in hospitalized patients in a tertiary sentinel hospital in Shanghai, so as to provide an evidence for the development of targeted prevention and control measures. MethodsData of MDROs strains and corresponding medical records of some hospitalized patients in a hospital in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023 were collected, together with an analysis of the basic information, clinical treatment, underlying diseases and sources of sample collection. ResultsA total of 134 strains of MDROs isolated from hospitalized patients in this hospital were collected from 2021 to 2023 , including 63 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 57 strains of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and 14 strains of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Of the 134 strains, 30 strains were found in 2021, 47 strains in 2022 and 57 strains in 2023. The male-to-female ratio of patients was 2.05∶1, with the highest percentage (70.90%) in the age group of 60‒<90 years. The primary diagnosis was mainly respiratory disease, with lung and respiratory tract as the cheif infection sites. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of strains between different genders and infection sites (P>0.05). However, the differences in the distribution of strains between different ages and primary diagnosis were statistically significant (P<0.05). Patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), had urinary tract intubation, were not artery or vein intubated, were not on a ventilator, were not using immunosuppresants or hormones, and were not applying radiotherapy or chemotherapy were in the majority. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of strains for whether received radiotherapy or chemotherapy or not (P>0.05), while the differences in the distribution of strains with ICU admission history, urinary tract intubation, artery or vein intubation, ventilator use, and immunosuppresants or hormones use or not were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The type of specimen was mainly sputum, the hospitalized ward was mainly comprehensive ICU, the sampling time was mainly in the first quarter throughout the year, the number of underlying diseases was mainly between 1 to 2 kinds, the application of antibiotics ≥4 kinds, and those who didn’t receive any surgery recently accounted for the most. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of strains between different specimen types, wards occupied and history of ICU stay (P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference in the distribution of strains between different sampling times, number of underlying diseases and types of antibiotics applied (P>0.05). ConclusionThe situation of prevention and control on MDROs in this hospital is still serious. Focus should be placed on high-risk factors’ and infection monitoring and preventive measures should be strengthened to reduce the incidence rate of MDROs infection.

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