1.Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction promoting spinal cord injury repair in mice
Ruihua ZHAO ; Sixian CHEN ; Yang GUO ; Lei SHI ; Chengjie WU ; Mao WU ; Guanglu YANG ; Haoheng ZHANG ; Yong MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1118-1126
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have confirmed that Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction can promote the recovery of spinal cord injury by inhibiting pyroptosis of splenic B cells,promoting the phagocytosis of myelin debris by microvascular endothelial cells,affecting the migration and infiltration of microglia,promoting the recovery of damaged neurons,and decreasing neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury,but the mechanism of this is still not clear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction on the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in mice following spinal cord injury. METHODS:Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into a sham-operation group,a model group and a Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group,with 12 mice in each group.In the model and Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction groups,mouse models of T10 spinal cord injury were prepared by the modified Allen's method.On the 1st day after modeling,the Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group was given Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction by gavage,and the sham-operation group and the model group were given saline by gavage once a day for 28 days.During the drug administration period,mouse motor function was evaluated by Basso Mouse Scale score and inclined plane test.On the 7th and 28th days after modeling,hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the spinal cord tissue of the mice;immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the protein expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(IBA1)and TREM2;and western blot assay was used to detect the expression of TREM2,PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,Bcl2,Bax and Caspase3 in spinal cord tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Basso Mouse Scale scores and inclined plane test results indicated that the motor function of the mouse hindlimbs was declined after spinal cord injury,and Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction significantly improved motor function in mice with spinal cord injury.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction significantly ameliorated the pathological structure of spinal cord tissue compared with the model group,manifesting as reduced degrees of dorsal white matter and neuronal atrophy,decreased cytoplasmic vacuolization,and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration.Immunofluorescence double staining results showed that on the 7th day after modeling,the protein expression of IBA1 and TREM2 in the model group was lower than that in the sham-operation group(P<0.05),and the protein expression of IBA1 and TREM2 in the Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05);on the 28th day after modeling,the protein expression of TREM2 in the model group was lower than that in the sham-operation group(P<0.05),and the protein expression of TREM2 in the spinal cord tissue of the mice in the Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05).Western blot results analysis demonstrated that on the 7th day after modeling,compared with the sham-operation group,the model group exhibited a significant reduction in TREM2,PI3K,and Bcl2/Bax(P<0.05),as well as a significant increase in p-Akt,Bax and p-Akt/Aktp-PI3K(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group showed a significant increase in TREM2,PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,Bcl2,p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Ak,and Bcl2/Bax(P<0.05),as well as a significant decrease in Bax and Caspase3 protein expression(P<0.05).On the 28th day after modeling,compared with the sham-operation group,the model group exhibited a significant reduction in TREM2,PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,Bcl2 and Bcl2/Bax(P<0.05),as well as a significant increase in Bax protein expression(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction group showed a significant increase in TREM2,PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,Bcl2,and Bcl2/Bax(P<0.05),as well as a significant decrease in Bax protein expression(P<0.05).To conclude,Wen-Shen-Tong-Du Decoction may activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by up-regulating the expression of TREM2 protein in microglia,and then inhibit neuronal apoptosis,thus exerting neuroprotective effects and promoting the repair of spinal cord injury.
2.History, Experience, Opportunities, and Challenges in Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment in Linxian, Henan Province, A High Incidence Area for Esophageal Cancer
Lidong WANG ; Xiaoqian ZHANG ; Xin SONG ; Xueke ZHAO ; Duo YOU ; Lingling LEI ; Ruihua XU ; Jin HUANG ; Wenli HAN ; Ran WANG ; Qide BAO ; Aifang JI ; Lei MA ; Shegan GAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(4):251-255
Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading
3.Metabolite identification and metabolic pathway analysis of pirtobrutinib in rats
Meijuan ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Hang YIN ; Mengyu HOU ; Jiangshuo LI ; Jingxuan WU ; Ruihua DONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1076-1081
OBJECTIVE To analyze and identify the metabolites of pirtobrutinib (PTN) in rats, and clarify the possible metabolic pathways of PTN in rats. METHODS Six rats were intragastrically administered with 10 mg/kg PTN suspension. Blood samples were collected from the rats 30 minutes before administration and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 hours after administration. Urine and feces samples were collected 12 hours before administration and 24 hours after administration. UHPLC- Orbitrap Exploris 240 system combined with Compound Discoverer 3.0 and Xcalibur 2.0 software were adopted for structural identification and metabolic pathway analysis of PTN metabolites in rat plasma, urine, and feces. RESULTS A total of 29 PTN metabolites were identified, including 17, 19 and 22 metabolites in plasma, urine and feces, respectively. The metabolic pathways of PTN mainly included oxidation, sulfation, glucuronidation, etc., and its metabolites were mostly combination products of two or more different metabolic forms. In detail, a total of 26 metabolites were associated with phase Ⅰ metabolic reactions (14 oxidation metabolites, 9 reduction/dehydrogenation metabolites, 8 demethylation metabolites, and 5 hydrolysis metabolites). Meanwhile, a total of 20 products were involved in phase Ⅱ metabolites (14 sulfation metabolites and 8 glucuronic acid binding metabolites). CONCLUSIONS PTN exhibits a diverse range of metabolites in rat fecal samples, with the primary metabolic pathways being oxidation, sulfation, glucuronidation, and others.
4.Analysis of changes in visual function before and after small incision lenticule extraction in patients with different degrees of myopia
Meiluo ZHANG ; Chunyu TIAN ; Liexi JIA ; Qinghua YANG ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Hui CUI ; Mengyu PENG ; Ruihua WEI
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):980-985
AIM: To analyze the changes in binocular visual function before and after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)in patients with different degrees of myopia.METHODS:A prospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 94 patients(188 eyes)who visited the refractive outpatient department of the ophthalmology department of the General Hospital of the PLA from June 2022 to June 2023 and voluntarily chose SMILE were consecutively included. They were grouped according to the degree of myopia, including 24 cases(48 eyes)in the low myopia group(-3.00 D
5.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells.
6.Prospective Study on Tooth Loss and Risk of Esophageal Cancer Among Residents of A Natural Village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province
Jingjing WANG ; Ruihua XU ; Yanfang ZHANG ; Xueke ZHAO ; Qiang ZHANG ; Xin SONG ; Mengxia WEI ; Junfang GUO ; Xuena HAN ; Yaru FU ; Bei LI ; Junqing LIU ; Lingling LEI ; Min LIU ; Qide BAO ; Lidong WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):548-553
Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss
7.Influencing factors and occurrence status of metabolic syndrome in adult patients with hypopituitarism during hospitalization
Lina JIANG ; Jing XU ; Chao SHI ; Ruihua ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(5):121-124
Objective To investigate the prevalence status and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adult patients with hypopituitarism (HP) during hospitalization. Methods The data of adult HP patients who received treatment in the hospital were collected from March 2021 to March 2024. The prevalence status of MS in adult HP patients was counted, and logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyze the influencing factors of MS in adult HP patients. Results Among the 308 adult HP patients in this study, 121 cases developed MS and 187 cases did not develop MS, and they were included in the MS group (n=148) and the non-MS group (n=232). The incidence of MS in adult HP patients was 38.95% (148/380). Compared with the non-MS group, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the MS group were higher, the waist circumference was larger, and the growth hormone was lower (P<0.05). After logistic regression analysis, it was found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=1.069, 95%CI: 1.010-1.132, P=0.021), total serum cholesterol (OR=1.065, 95%CI: 1.014-1.119, P=0.012), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=1.055, 95%CI: 1.005-1.108, P=0.031), waist circumference (OR=1.063, 95%CI: 1.006-1.123, P=0.030) and growth hormone (OR=1.077, 95%CI: 1.019-1.138, P=0.009) could independently affect the occurrence of MS in adult HP patients (P<0.05). Conclusion Adult HP patients during hospitalization are often complicated with MS. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, and growth hormone are factors affecting the occurrence of MS in adult HP patients.
8.Establishment and application of a high-throughput screening method for drugs targeting the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor based on cellular calcium flux signals.
Bingqian ZHANG ; Jingjing SHI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yuanqing CHEN ; Liqin LI ; Miao WANG ; Ruihua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(8):3287-3300
The 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) is one of the key targets in the development of novel antidepressants. To develop new antidepressants targeting the 5-HT2A receptor, this study established a high-throughput screening method for drugs targeting the 5-HT2A receptor based on the principle of detecting calcium flux signals. The immunofluorescence assay and western blotting were employed to evaluate receptor expression levels in the 5-HT2AR-CHO cell line. The reaction system parameters, including cell seeding density, DMSO concentration, and dye incubation time, were optimized with Z'-factor and signal window values as evaluation indicators. The specificity, precision, stability, and applicability of the method were assessed. Results indicated that the 5-HT2AR-CHO cell line stably expressed high levels of the 5-HT2A receptor. The optimized screening method involved a reaction system with 10 000 cells/well, 0.2% DMSO, and 2 h incubation with Calcium 6 dye. The method demonstrated excellent specificity, with inter-batch precision below 10% for the detection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) at low, medium, and high concentrations. Testing four compounds that target the 5-HT2A receptor- agonists 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), along with the antagonist MDL100907-yielded Z'-factors (at EC80) greater than 0.85 and signal window values over 0.91. The EC50 values of these compounds were in the nanomolar range, and their potency rank order aligned with previously reported data, confirming the reliability of the established method. When being applied to the detection of 38 known active compounds, the method efficiently identified 5-HT2A receptor agonists and antagonists while showing no response to non-target compounds. In conclusion, this study successfully constructs a high-throughput screening approach for 5-HT2A receptor-targeting drugs based on calcium flux signals. The method possesses strong specificity, high sensitivity, and robust stability, being suitable for screening antidepressants targeting the 5-HT2A receptor.
High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods*
;
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
CHO Cells
;
Cricetulus
;
Calcium Signaling/drug effects*
;
Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology*
;
Calcium/metabolism*
9.Study on effect of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula on ovarian function and pregnancy outcome in rats with endometriosis
Guang SHI ; Xinchun YANG ; Jingrun CUI ; Yu ZHANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(3):374-382
Objective To explore the effect of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula on ovarian function and pregnancy outcome in endometriosis rats. Methods One hundred female SD rats were fed adaptively for 7 days. According to body weight, 98 rats with a normal estrous cycle were randomly divided into the blank group (n=14), the sham operation group (n=14), the donor group (n=12), and the receptor group (n=58). A rat model of endometriosis was established using allogeneic endometrial transplantation. After the model was successfully established, according to the body weight, 56 rats in the receptor group were randomly divided into the model group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 14 rats in each group. The Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were given 5.86, 11.72, and 23.44 g/kg of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula, and the blank group, the sham operation group, and the model group were given distilled water by gavage for 15 consecutive days. According to body weight, six rats were randomly selected to take abdominal aortic blood for determination of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. According to body weight, six rats were randomly selected in the remaining rats to undergo high-frequency small animal ultrasound examination to measure ovarian volume and ovarian artery blood supply (resistance index and pulsatility index), and follicle count were measured. The female mice were fed with male mice at a ratio of 2:1 to observe the pregnancy rate, live fetus number, still fetus number, and absorbed fetus number. The weights of uterus and fetus were measured, while the placental weight, fetal weight, body length, and tail length were measured for live fetus. Bone and visceral malformations were also detected for live fetus. Results There were no significant differences in serum AMH and ovarian volume among the groups. Compared with the model group, the numbers of follicles in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were increased; compared with the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-dose group, the numbers of follicles in the blank group and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula medium-dose group were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the resistance index and pulsatility index of ovarian artery blood flow in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were decreased(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate among the groups. Compared with the model group and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-dose group, the live fetus number and the weight of uterus and fetus in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula medium- and high-dose groups were increased (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the still fetus number, absorbed fetus number, placental weight, fetal weight, body length and tail length among the groups. No visceral or skeletal malformations were found in the live fetal rats among the groups.Conclusion In endometriosis model rats, the ovarian artery blood flow perfusion is insufficient, and the follicle count is reduced, affecting ovary function, thereby reducing the live fetus number. After applying the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula, it can improve ovarian blood supply, increase the follicle count, and increase the live fetus number. The effect of increasing the live fetus number with the medium- and high-doses of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula is more significant, and there is no reproductive toxicity.
10.Double Center,Randomized Controlled Study of Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule in Inhibiting Recurrence of Endometriosis after Conservative Surgery
Jumei SHI ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Xinchun YANG ; Qian HAN ; Zijin WANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):733-739
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule in inhibiting the recurrence of endometrio-sis(EMs)after conservative operation,and to provide evidence for Chinese medicine in inhibiting the recurrence of EMs.METHODS A total of 72 patients with qi-stagnation and blood-stasis after EMs operation were selected as the study objects and randomly divid-ed into the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group,36 cases in each group.The Chinese medicine group was treated with Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule,and the Western medicine group was treated with GnRH-α.The postoperative recurrence rate,TCM syn-drome score,carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),dysmenorrhea score,pelvic pain score,pregnancy rate,serum sex hormones[estra-diol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)]and safety indexes of the two groups were observed.RE-SULTS At 9 months and 12 months after surgery,the total TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were significantly re-duced(P<0.05),and the Chinese medicine group was better than the Western medicine group(P<0.05);12 months later,the TCM total clinical curative rate in the Chinese medicine group was better than that in the Western medicine group;after surgery,the serum CA125 levels,dysmenorrhea scores and pelvic pain severity of the two groups of patients were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);during treatment,the total incidence of adverse reactions in the Chinese medicine group was lower than that in the Western medicine group(P<0.01);the recurrence rate of the Chinese medicine group was slightly lower than that of the Western medicine group,but there was no statistical difference(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule can significantly improve TCM syndromes in patients with qi-stagnation and blood-stasis after EMs surgery.It is safe and has equivalent efficacy to GnRH-α in pre-venting postoperative recurrence of EMs,and worthy of clinical promotion and application.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail