1.Mechanism of Dangui Shaoyaosan in Alleviating Inflammatory Responses in Diabetic Kidney Disease by Modulating Macrophage Polarization in Kidneys of db/db Mice
Luyu HOU ; Linlin ZHENG ; Wenjing SHI ; Zixuan WANG ; Shilong GUO ; Zhe LYU ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):1-10
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Danggui Shaoyaosan on macrophage polarization and renal inflammation in db/db mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore its renal protective effects and underlying mechanisms. MethodsEight db/m mice were assigned to the normal group, and forty db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Danggui Shaoyaosan groups (8.39, 16.77, 33.54 g·kg-1), and an irbesartan group (0.025 g·kg-1). All mice were administered treatment by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. General conditions of the mice were observed during the intervention. At the end of the 12-week intervention, 24-h urine samples were collected using metabolic cages, after which the mice were anesthetized for sample collection. Blood was collected by enucleation and centrifuged to obtain serum for the determination of glycated serum protein (GSP), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured. Renal pathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and Masson staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels. Immunofluorescence (IF) was performed to detect F4/80 expression in renal tissue, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess CD206 expression. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to measure the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-10, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase-1 (Arg-1). Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of iNOS, Arg-1, CD86, and CD206 in renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed increased levels of GSP, UACR, SCr, BUN, TC, and TG, elevated levels of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the chemokine MCP-1, and decreased IL-10 levels (P<0.01). Pathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial cell proliferation with marked mesangial expansion, inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, prominent glycogen deposition, and increased collagen fiber deposition. In addition, relative F4/80 fluorescence intensity was enhanced, CD206 expression in the glomeruli and renal interstitium was reduced, and TNF-α and iNOS mRNA expression was increased. IL-10 and Arg-1 mRNA expression was decreased, iNOS and CD86 protein expression was increased, and Arg-1 and CD206 protein expression was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Danggui Shaoyaosan groups and the irbesartan group showed decreased levels of GSP, UACR, SCr, BUN, TC, and TG, reduced serum TNF-α and MCP-1 levels, and increased IL-10 levels. Renal pathological damage was improved to varying degrees. Relative F4/80 fluorescence intensity was reduced, CD206 expression in the glomeruli and renal interstitium was increased, and TNF-α and iNOS mRNA expression was decreased. IL-10 and Arg-1 mRNA expression was increased, iNOS and CD86 protein expression was reduced, and Arg-1 and CD206 protein expression was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan can improve renal function and alleviate renal pathological damage in db/db mice. Its mechanism may be related to inhibiting M1 pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, promoting M2 anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, reducing inflammatory responses, delaying the progression of renal fibrosis, improving renal pathological injury, and thereby exerting renal protective effects.
2.Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan in Improving Inflammatory Response in Mice with Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on TLR4/p65/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Shilong GUO ; Ruijia LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Xinai WANG ; Luyu HOU ; Wenjing SHI ; Mengyuan TIAN ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):19-27
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B p65/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3) signaling pathway in the renal tissues of db/db mice with spontaneous diabetes, and to explore the potential mechanism by which Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviates inflammation in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MethodsThirty db/db mice were divided into five groups: A model group, Danggui Shaoyaosan low- (16.77 g·kg-1·d-1), medium- (33.54 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (67.08 g·kg-1·d-1) intervention groups, as well as an irbesartan group (0.025 g·kg-1·d-1) by the random number table method, with 6 mice in each group. Additionally, 6 db/m mice were assigned to the normal group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the following parameters were determined by corresponding methods: body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary protein (24 h-UTP), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, renal histopathological analysis by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, the protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) by Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), as well as TLR4, NF-κB p65, and NLRP3 protein expression in renal tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited increased body weight, FBG, 24 h-UTP, and SCr levels (P<0.05); disordered renal structure, thickened basement membrane, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 expression; as well as decreased IL-10 expression (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, these pathological changes and biochemical abnormalities were reversed in the medicine intervention groups to varying degrees (P<0.05). ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may delay DKD progression by alleviating renal inflammatory response and reducing urinary protein excretion via modulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
3.Combination Therapy of Pyrotinib and Metronomic Vinorelbine in HER2+ Advanced Breast Cancer after Trastuzumab Failure (PROVE): A Prospective Phase 2 Study
Chunfang HAO ; Xu WANG ; Yehui SHI ; Zhongsheng TONG ; Shufen LI ; Xiaodong LIU ; Lan ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Wenjing MENG ; Li ZHANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):434-442
Purpose:
Approximately 50%-74% of patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer do not respond to trastuzumab, with 75% of treated patients experiencing disease progression within a year. The combination of pyrotinib and capecitabine has showed efficacy in these patients. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine for trastuzumab-pretreated HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients.
Materials and Methods:
In this phase 2 trial, patients aged 18-75 years with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who had previously failed trastuzumab treatment were enrolled to receive pyrotinib 400 mg daily in combination with vinorelbine 40mg thrice weekly. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety.
Results:
From October 21, 2019, to January 21, 2022, 36 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment. At the cutoff date, 20 experienced disease progression or death. With a median follow-up duration of 35 months, the median PFS was 13.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3 to 18.5). With all patients evaluated, an ORR of 38.9% (95% CI, 23.1 to 56.5) and a DCR of 83.3% (95% CI, 67.2 to 93.6) were achieved. The median OS was not reached. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 17 patients, with diarrhea being the most common (27.8%), followed by vomiting (8.3%) and stomachache (5.6%). There were no grade 4/5 AEs.
Conclusion
Pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine showed promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients after trastuzumab failure.
4.Combination Therapy of Pyrotinib and Metronomic Vinorelbine in HER2+ Advanced Breast Cancer after Trastuzumab Failure (PROVE): A Prospective Phase 2 Study
Chunfang HAO ; Xu WANG ; Yehui SHI ; Zhongsheng TONG ; Shufen LI ; Xiaodong LIU ; Lan ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Wenjing MENG ; Li ZHANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):434-442
Purpose:
Approximately 50%-74% of patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer do not respond to trastuzumab, with 75% of treated patients experiencing disease progression within a year. The combination of pyrotinib and capecitabine has showed efficacy in these patients. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine for trastuzumab-pretreated HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients.
Materials and Methods:
In this phase 2 trial, patients aged 18-75 years with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who had previously failed trastuzumab treatment were enrolled to receive pyrotinib 400 mg daily in combination with vinorelbine 40mg thrice weekly. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety.
Results:
From October 21, 2019, to January 21, 2022, 36 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment. At the cutoff date, 20 experienced disease progression or death. With a median follow-up duration of 35 months, the median PFS was 13.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3 to 18.5). With all patients evaluated, an ORR of 38.9% (95% CI, 23.1 to 56.5) and a DCR of 83.3% (95% CI, 67.2 to 93.6) were achieved. The median OS was not reached. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 17 patients, with diarrhea being the most common (27.8%), followed by vomiting (8.3%) and stomachache (5.6%). There were no grade 4/5 AEs.
Conclusion
Pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine showed promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients after trastuzumab failure.
5.Combination Therapy of Pyrotinib and Metronomic Vinorelbine in HER2+ Advanced Breast Cancer after Trastuzumab Failure (PROVE): A Prospective Phase 2 Study
Chunfang HAO ; Xu WANG ; Yehui SHI ; Zhongsheng TONG ; Shufen LI ; Xiaodong LIU ; Lan ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Wenjing MENG ; Li ZHANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):434-442
Purpose:
Approximately 50%-74% of patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer do not respond to trastuzumab, with 75% of treated patients experiencing disease progression within a year. The combination of pyrotinib and capecitabine has showed efficacy in these patients. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine for trastuzumab-pretreated HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients.
Materials and Methods:
In this phase 2 trial, patients aged 18-75 years with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who had previously failed trastuzumab treatment were enrolled to receive pyrotinib 400 mg daily in combination with vinorelbine 40mg thrice weekly. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety.
Results:
From October 21, 2019, to January 21, 2022, 36 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment. At the cutoff date, 20 experienced disease progression or death. With a median follow-up duration of 35 months, the median PFS was 13.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3 to 18.5). With all patients evaluated, an ORR of 38.9% (95% CI, 23.1 to 56.5) and a DCR of 83.3% (95% CI, 67.2 to 93.6) were achieved. The median OS was not reached. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 17 patients, with diarrhea being the most common (27.8%), followed by vomiting (8.3%) and stomachache (5.6%). There were no grade 4/5 AEs.
Conclusion
Pyrotinib combined with metronomic vinorelbine showed promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients after trastuzumab failure.
6.Exploration of multiple ethical dilemmas and countermeasures in families of children with kidney disease in the treatment stage: an analysis from the perspective of structured theory
Rongrong SUN ; Juanjuan SHI ; Wenjing YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1240-1245
There are numerous ethical dilemmas in families of children with kidney disease during the treatment stage. From the perspective of Giddens’ structured theory, this paper analyzed the ethical dilemmas, such as individual and family wealth disparity at the micro-level, doctor-patient information asymmetry and the attribution of medical decision-making rights at the meso-level, as well as unequal medical resources and an incomplete medical security system for children at the macro-level. The ethical dilemmas faced by families of children with kidney disease are the result of the structural constraint effect. The coping strategies they adopt in response to these dilemmas are the basis of structural reproduction and the products of the structural effect. As a group with subjective initiative, they are good at self-reflection. Through repeated cognitive evaluation, they can make a series of effective coping strategies to achieve their own goals, such as relying on family support and linking resources to seek social support, establishing online support groups and building an information sharing platform, assessing children’s best-interests judges and safeguarding their reasonable and legitimate rights and interests, planning and allocating high-quality medical resources and promoting the construction of the medical service system, as well as promoting the reform of the basic medical insurance system for children and improve the protection mechanism for major illnesses.
7.Renal Protective Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan in db/db Mice Based on RhoA/ROCK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Luyu HOU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Wenjing SHI ; Shilong GUO ; Zixuan WANG ; Linlin ZHENG ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):30-38
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Danggui Shaoyaosan (DSS) inhibits oxidative stress and alleviates inflammation via the Ras homolog family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, thereby delaying the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and exerting a nephroprotective effect. MethodsEight db/m mice were assigned to the normal group, and forty 8-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group, DSS low-dose group (8.39 g·kg-1), DSS medium-dose group (16.77 g·kg-1), DSS high-dose group (33.54 g·kg-1), and irbesartan group (0.025 g·kg-1), with eight mice in each group. All groups were administered the corresponding treatment by gavage once daily for 12 weeks. The normal and model groups received an equal volume of saline. During administration, changes in body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 24 hour urinary protein (24 h UTP) were observed. After 12 consecutive weeks of administration, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to observe renal histopathological changes in each group. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in renal tissue were detected using the dihydroethidium (DHE) method. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal tissue were determined. Serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, and NF-κB p65 in renal tissues were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Protein expression levels of fibronectin (FN), Collagen Ⅳ(Col Ⅳ), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), RhoA, ROCK, and NF-κB p65 in renal tissues were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased body weight, FBG, and 24 h UTP levels (P<0.01), elevated serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels, enlarged glomerular volume, diffuse mesangial expansion, increased mesangial matrix, and marked collagen fiber proliferation in renal tissues. SOD activity was decreased, while MDA, ROS, RhoA, ROCK1, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression levels were increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of FN, Col Ⅳ, TGF-β1, RhoA, ROCK, and NF-κB p65 were also elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the DSS low-, medium-, and high-dose groups and the irbesartan group showed reductions in body weight, FBG, and 24 h UTP, decreased serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels, varying degrees of improvement in renal histopathology, increased SOD activity, decreased MDA levels, reduced ROS expression, and significantly downregulated RhoA, ROCK1, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), as well as reduced protein expression levels of FN, Col Ⅳ, TGF-β1, RhoA, ROCK, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDSS can alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation, reduce extracellular matrix deposition, and delay renal fibrosis progression in db/db mice. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on DKD.
8.Yeast-two-hybrid based high-throughput screening to discover SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors by targeting the HR1/HR2 interaction.
Jing ZHANG ; Dongsheng LI ; Wenwen ZHOU ; Chao LIU ; Peirong WANG ; Baoqing YOU ; Bingjie SU ; Keyu GUO ; Wenjing SHI ; Tin Mong TIMOTHY YUNG ; Richard Yi TSUN KAO ; Peng GAO ; Yan LI ; Shuyi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4829-4843
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as other potential future coronavirus has challenged the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there remains a need for alternative antivirals that target processes less susceptible to mutations, such as the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) during the viral fusion step of host cell entry. In this study, a novel high-throughput screening (HTS) assay employing a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system was established to identify inhibitors of HR1/HR2 interaction. The compound IMB-9C, which achieved single-digit micromolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variants with low cytotoxicity, was selected. IMB-9C effectively blocks the HR1/HR2 interaction in vitro and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. It binds to both HR1 and HR2 through non-covalent interaction and influences the secondary structure of HR1/HR2 complex. In addition, virtual docking and site-mutagenesis results suggest that amino acid residues A930, I931, K933, T941, and L945 are critical for IMB-9C binding to HR1. Collectively, in this study, we have developed a novel screening method for HR1/HR2 interaction inhibitors and identified IMB-9C as a potential antiviral small molecule against COVID-19 and its variants.
9.Effect of SRS Treatment Timing on Survival of EGFR-mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma with Brain Metastasis
Wenjing GUO ; Guangcheng DING ; Changli SHI
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(6):59-64
Objective To investigate the timing of stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS)in lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)mutation treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI).Methods A total of 90 patients with EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastasis admitted to the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2020 were collected.All patients received TKI treatment and were divided into two treatment groups according to the timing of SRS treatment:those who received SRS immediately after the diagnosis of lung cancer brain metastasis were called early SRS group(n=52),and those who received TKI treatment and then SRS after the progression of brain metastasis were called deferred SRS group(n=38).Objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),intracranial progression-free survival(iPFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between the two groups.Multivariate COX regression model was used to analyze the prognosis.Results There was no significant difference in ORR(59.6%vs 50.0%,P=0.365)and DCR(76.9%vs 73.7%,P=0.724)between the two groups.The median OS and iPFS of the whole group were 31.5months and 12.5months,respectively.The OS of the early SRS group was signifi-cantly longer than that of the late SRS group(35.5months vs 27.0months,P=0.001).iPFS was also significantly better in the early SRS group than in the late SRS group(15.0months vs 11.5months,P=0.004).The median OS was longer in patients with no symptoms of brain metastases than in patients with symptoms of brain metastases(35.5months vs 27.Omonths,P=0.011).Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that early SRS treatment was a protective factor for OS and iPFS(HR<1,P<0.05),and Lung-mol GPA score of 3.5-4.0 was a protective factor for OS(HR<1,P<0.01).Conclusion For patients with advanced EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with brain metastases,early SRS treatment after diagnosis of brain metastases has better intracranial control effect and greater survival benefit.
10.Latent profile analysis of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia
Rui LI ; Yan SHI ; Xiao SUN ; Li WANG ; Guomin BU ; Jingyi WANG ; Xiaoqian KONG ; Wenjing XIA
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(16):2021-2029
Objective To explore the current status and potential subtypes of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia,and to analyze the related influencing factors of different subtypes.Methods Dementia patients and their family caregivers in 8 community health service centers in Shanghai from June to October 2023 were recruited by convenience sampling.General information questionnaire,Tilburg Frailty Indicator(TFI),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview(ZBI),and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)were conducted for investigation.Latent profile analysis was used to explore the potential subtypes of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia.The influencing factors associated with the potential subtypes were identified by univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 470 family caregivers of patients with dementia were surveyed,and 46.17%of them suffered from frailty.Frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia can be classified into 3 potential subtypes:comprehensive-low frailty subtype(70.64%),psychosocial-medium frailty subtype(19.57%),and physical-high frailty subtype(9.79%).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had poor sleep quality and suffered from 2 or more chronic diseases were more likely to be classified into the physical-high frailty subtype(P<0.05).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had higher levels of depression,lower mastery levels of caregiving knowledge and skills and spousal caregivers were more likely to be classified into the psychosocial-medium frailty subtype(P<0.05).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had higher levels of resilience were more likely to be classified into the comprehensive-low frailty subtype(P<0.05).Conclusion The incidence of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia is at a high level with significant heterogeneity.It is suggested that medical staff should pay attention to the frailty of family caregivers,with a focus on family caregivers in the psychosocial-medium frailty subtype or physical-high frailty subtype,and take timely and targeted interventions according to the characteristics and influencing factors of different subtypes,so as to prevent or delay the occurrence and development of frailty.

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