1.Exploring the effects of "liver-smoothing and spirit-regulating" acupuncture on intestinal flora, lipopolysaccharide, and hippocampal TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in depressive disorder mice based on the gut-brain axis
Bingxin WU ; Yawen LI ; Sibo HAN ; Xichang HUANG ; Junye MA ; Xuesong Liang ; Qian WU ; Wenbin FU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):573-582
Objective:
To investigate the effects of "liver-smoothing and spirit-regulating" acupuncture on the intestinal flora, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the hippocampal toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/ transcription factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway in depressive disorder mouse model, and to explore its underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
Eighteen male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, model, and acupuncture groups using a random number method, with six mice in each group. The depression disorder model was induced in mice from both the acupuncture and model groups using CUMS. The mice in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at the acupoints of "Baihui" (DU20), "Yintang" (DU29), "Hegu" (LI4), and "Taichong" (LR3) on the 15th day of modeling, with a duration of 20 min per session, once per day, for 2 consecutive weeks. Behavioral differences were assessed using the sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus and colon. The levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and LPS in the hippocampus and colon were measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB protein in the hippocampus. Changes in gut microbiota structure and abundance were analyzed by 16 S rDNA sequencing.
Results:
Compared to the control group, the model group showed reduced sucrose preference rate, time in the center area, and total distance, with an increase in immobility time (P<0.01). Inflammatory pathological changes were observed in the hippocampal CA1 region and colon. The contents of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and LPS in the hippocampus and colon increased (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of hippocampal TLR4 and NF-κB were increased (P<0.01). The Chao1 index was increased (P<0.01). The relative abundances of Pseudomonadales, Acinetobacter, Moraxellaceae, Solibacillus, Escherichia_shigella, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacterales, Dubosiella, and Erysipelottichales were decreased, while the relative abundances of Alloprevotella and gram_negative_bacteriurh_cTPY_13 were increased (P<0.05). The pathways of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection were upregulated, and the pathway of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was downregulated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the acupuncture group showed increased sucrose preference, time in the center area, and total distance, with a decrease in immobility time (P<0.01). The inflammatory pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region and colon were alleviated. The contents of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and LPS in the hippocampus and colon were reduced(P<0.01). The protein expression levels of hippocampal TLR4 and NF-κB were reduced (P<0.01). The Chao1 index was decreased (P<0.05), and the relative abundances of Dubosiella and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased, while the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae, Alloprevotella, and gram_negative_bacteriuch_cTPY_13 were decreased(P<0.05). The pathways of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection were significantly downregulated, and the pathway of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was upregulated (P<0.01).
Conclusion
" Liver-smoothing and spirit-regulating" acupuncture can improve depressive symptoms in depressive disorder mice, potentially through regulating the LPS and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by intestinal flora, reducing the inflammatory response of the hippocampus, and improving the pathological injury of the hippocampus.
2.Lactate metabolism and acute kidney injury.
Hui LI ; Qian REN ; Min SHI ; Liang MA ; Ping FU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):916-924
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinically critical syndrome in hospitalized patients with high morbidity and mortality. At present, the mechanism of AKI has not been fully elucidated, and no therapeutic drugs exist. As known, glycolytic product lactate is a key metabolite in physiological and pathological processes. The kidney is an important gluconeogenic organ, where lactate is the primary substrate of renal gluconeogenesis in physiological conditions. During AKI, altered glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in kidneys significantly disturb the lactate metabolic balance, which exert impacts on the severity and prognosis of AKI. Additionally, lactate-derived posttranslational modification, namely lactylation, is novel to AKI as it could regulate gene transcription of metabolic enzymes involved in glycolysis or Warburg effect. Protein lactylation widely exists in human tissues and may severely affect non-histone functions. Moreover, the strategies of intervening lactate metabolic pathways are expected to bring a new dawn for the treatment of AKI. This review focused on renal lactate metabolism, especially in proximal renal tubules after AKI, and updated recent advances of lactylation modification, which may help to explore potential therapeutic targets against AKI.
Humans
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Acute Kidney Injury/metabolism*
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Lactic Acid/metabolism*
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Animals
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Glycolysis/physiology*
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Gluconeogenesis/physiology*
;
Kidney/metabolism*
3.Acupuncture as A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Tourette Syndrome: Modulation of Neurotransmitter Levels and Gut Microbiota.
Bing-Xin WU ; Jun-Ye MA ; Xi-Chang HUANG ; Xue-Song LIANG ; Bai-le NING ; Qian WU ; Shan-Ze WANG ; Jun-He ZHOU ; Wen-Bin FU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(8):735-742
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS).
METHODS:
Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
RESULTS:
Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals
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Tourette Syndrome/metabolism*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome
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Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism*
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Male
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice
4.Design and baseline characteristics of a population-based birth cohort in Shanghai
Huiting YU ; Xin CUI ; Zhou LIANG ; Renzhi CAI ; Lan CHEN ; Naisi QIAN ; Weixiao LIN ; Shan JIN ; Chunfang WANG ; Chen FU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(1):11-15
ObjectiveTo introduce the basic design, development plan and objectives of a population-based birth cohort in Shanghai, and further present the main data and baseline characteristics of enrolled participants in the cohort, and to provide key information for reproductive health-related studies. MethodsThe Shanghai population-based birth cohort initiated on January 1, 2005, included newborns born in Shanghai every year and their parents, and collected information on reproductive health, reproductive treatment, birth characteristics, growth and development status, as well as the incidence, treatment and death of diseases by employing data linkage technology and investigations. This formed a birth cohort spanning the entire life cycle. ResultsAs of October 2022, a total of 2 978 538 newborns and their parents were included in the cohort. Among them, 2 905 135 (97.54%) were naturally conceived (NC), and 73 403 (2.46%) were born through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The average age of parents was (32.56±4.12) years old for females and (34.62±5.34) years old for males in the ART group, which was higher than (28.02±4.71) years and (30.07±5.54) years for parents in the NC group. Among parents, females and males aged 30 and above accounted for 77.12% and 85.08%, respectively, which were higher than that of parents (35.28% for females and 49.66% for males) in the NC group. Furthermore, the percentage of parents with a college degree or above in the ART group was 73.23% for females and 73.66% for males, which were higher than those in the NC group (49.98% and 50.91%, respectively). The multiple births rate in the ART group was 33.81%, which was higher than that in the NC group (1.88%). The incidence of premature birth and low birth weight in the ART group were 24.47% and 19.08%, respectively, which was higher than that in the NC group (5.47% and 3.73%). ConclusionThe comprehensive collection of reproductive health-related information in the birth cohort in Shanghai can provide essential resources to determine the influence of genetics, environment, reproductive treatment and other related factors on the health of offspring after birth.
5.Identification of Chemical Constituents in Shangketianshao Gel by LC-Q-TOF/MS
Li YANG ; Mengxuan LI ; Mengyu QIAN ; Wenjun LIU ; Ming YAN ; Liang CAO ; Chenfeng ZHANG ; Juan FU ; Zhenzhong WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(6):1515-1527
Objective The study analyzed and identified the components in Shangketianshao Gel by LC-Q-TOF/MS.Methods The analysis was performed on Agilent Eclipse Plus C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)column was applied with methanol and 0.1%formic acid as mobile phase for gradient elution,flow rate was 1 mL·min-1 and column temperature was 30℃.The analytes were determined by positive and negative ion modes with electro-spray ionization source,combined message of standard reference and the literature.Results 103 constituents were identified,all compounds were classified to their medicinal materials derivation.22 compounds from Paeoniae Radix Rubra,33 compounds from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,20 compounds from Angelicae Dahuricae,23 compounds from Cortex Phellodendr and 14 compounds from Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.9 components were jointly owned.Conclusion The study provided a suitable way for Chemical fundamentals and quality control of Shangketianshao Gel and laid a foundation for in depth studies of its pharmacodynamics and the quality control.
6.Inheritance,Innovation and Research Application of Lingnan Liver-Soothing and Spirit-Regulating Acupuncture and Moxibustion Technique
Wen-Bin FU ; Bai-Le NING ; Qian WU ; Cong WANG ; Rui MA ; Ding LUO ; Jun-He ZHOU ; Xue-Song LIANG ; Shan-Ze WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(10):2740-2745
The lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture and moxibustion technique,developed by Professor FU Wen-Bin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert in Guangdong Province,represents an innovative achievement in acupuncture therapy for depression-related disorders.Drawing upon the rich legacy of master scholars,meticulous study of medical literature,and over three decades of continuous research and innovation,Professor FU has formulated this technique with profound influence and widespread application.By tracing the developmental trajectory of the Lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating technique,this paper sheds light on its significant guiding principles and reference value for the development of other distinctive acupuncture techniques.Furthermore,it offers insights and inspiration for advancement in various fields of traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Post-operative healthcare-associated infection influencing factors and me-diating effect of diagnosis-intervention packet payment differentials in colorectal cancer patients
Yu RONG ; Qian-Qian HUANG ; Jia-Yi OU ; Shu-Liang YU ; Ye-Ying SONG ; Wei-Qun LU ; Li-Ming REN ; Yao FU ; Jian-Hui LU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(11):1421-1429
Objective To explore the potential influencing factors of post-operative healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in colorectal cancer patients,as well as the mediating effect relationship between the influencing factors and the diagnosis-intervention packet(DIP)payment differentials.Methods Medical data of patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery in a tertiary first-class cancer hospital in Guangzhou were retrospectively analyzed.According to HAI status,patients were divided into infection group and non-infection group.Baseline demographic information and differences in DIP payment differentials between two groups of patients were compared by rank sum test or chi-square test.The influence of each potential factor on the occurrence of HAI was analyzed by logistic re-gression.Mediating analysis was preformed by bootstrap method,and mediating effect of HAI and total hospitaliza-tion days on DIP payment differentials was evaluated.Results A total of 350 patients were included in analysis,50 were in the infection group and 300 in the non-infection group.The incidence of HAI was 14.29%.Logistic regres-sion analysis result showed that risk of HAI in patients with central venous catheterization ≥10.00 days was 13.558 times higher than that<10.00 days(P<0.001);risk of HAI in patients with urinary catheterization ≥3.00 days was 2.388 times higher than that<3.00 days(P=0.022).There were all statistically significant differences in DIP payment differentials among patients with different ages,prognostic nutritional index(PNI),HAI status,total length of hospitalization stay,duration of surgery,central venous catheterization days,and catheterization days(all P<0.05).The mediating analysis results showed that the occurrence of HAI resulted a change in DIP payment di-fferentials by affecting the total number of hospitalization days.The mediating effect value of total hospitalization days was 0.038,accounting for 35.68%of the total effect.Conclusion Medical institutions should pay attention to HAI resulting from prolonged central venous and urinary catheterization in patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer,reducing the total length of hospital stay,thus reducing the overruns associated with the increased DIP pay-ment differentials.
8.Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome (version 2024)
Junyu WANG ; Hai JIN ; Danfeng ZHANG ; Rutong YU ; Mingkun YU ; Yijie MA ; Yue MA ; Ning WANG ; Chunhong WANG ; Chunhui WANG ; Qing WANG ; Xinyu WANG ; Xinjun WANG ; Hengli TIAN ; Xinhua TIAN ; Yijun BAO ; Hua FENG ; Wa DA ; Liquan LYU ; Haijun REN ; Jinfang LIU ; Guodong LIU ; Chunhui LIU ; Junwen GUAN ; Rongcai JIANG ; Yiming LI ; Lihong LI ; Zhenxing LI ; Jinglian LI ; Jun YANG ; Chaohua YANG ; Xiao BU ; Xuehai WU ; Li BIE ; Binghui QIU ; Yongming ZHANG ; Qingjiu ZHANG ; Bo ZHANG ; Xiangtong ZHANG ; Rongbin CHEN ; Chao LIN ; Hu JIN ; Weiming ZHENG ; Mingliang ZHAO ; Liang ZHAO ; Rong HU ; Jixin DUAN ; Jiemin YAO ; Hechun XIA ; Ye GU ; Tao QIAN ; Suokai QIAN ; Tao XU ; Guoyi GAO ; Xiaoping TANG ; Qibing HUANG ; Rong FU ; Jun KANG ; Guobiao LIANG ; Kaiwei HAN ; Zhenmin HAN ; Shuo HAN ; Jun PU ; Lijun HENG ; Junji WEI ; Lijun HOU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(5):385-396
Traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome (TSOFS) is a symptom complex caused by nerve entrapment in the supraorbital fissure after skull base trauma. If the compressed cranial nerve in the supraorbital fissure is not decompressed surgically, ptosis, diplopia and eye movement disorder may exist for a long time and seriously affect the patients′ quality of life. Since its overall incidence is not high, it is not familiarized with the majority of neurosurgeons and some TSOFS may be complicated with skull base vascular injury. If the supraorbital fissure surgery is performed without treatment of vascular injury, it may cause massive hemorrhage, and disability and even life-threatening in severe cases. At present, there is no consensus or guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS that can be referred to both domestically and internationally. To improve the understanding of TSOFS among clinical physicians and establish standardized diagnosis and treatment plans, the Skull Base Trauma Group of the Neurorepair Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Traumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized relevant experts to formulate Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome ( version 2024) based on evidence of evidence-based medicine and clinical experience of diagnosis and treatment. This consensus puts forward 12 recommendations on the diagnosis, classification, treatment, efficacy evaluation and follow-up of TSOFS, aiming to provide references for neurosurgeons from hospitals of all levels to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS.
9.Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients (version 2024)
Yao LU ; Yang LI ; Leiying ZHANG ; Hao TANG ; Huidan JING ; Yaoli WANG ; Xiangzhi JIA ; Li BA ; Maohong BIAN ; Dan CAI ; Hui CAI ; Xiaohong CAI ; Zhanshan ZHA ; Bingyu CHEN ; Daqing CHEN ; Feng CHEN ; Guoan CHEN ; Haiming CHEN ; Jing CHEN ; Min CHEN ; Qing CHEN ; Shu CHEN ; Xi CHEN ; Jinfeng CHENG ; Xiaoling CHU ; Hongwang CUI ; Xin CUI ; Zhen DA ; Ying DAI ; Surong DENG ; Weiqun DONG ; Weimin FAN ; Ke FENG ; Danhui FU ; Yongshui FU ; Qi FU ; Xuemei FU ; Jia GAN ; Xinyu GAN ; Wei GAO ; Huaizheng GONG ; Rong GUI ; Geng GUO ; Ning HAN ; Yiwen HAO ; Wubing HE ; Qiang HONG ; Ruiqin HOU ; Wei HOU ; Jie HU ; Peiyang HU ; Xi HU ; Xiaoyu HU ; Guangbin HUANG ; Jie HUANG ; Xiangyan HUANG ; Yuanshuai HUANG ; Shouyong HUN ; Xuebing JIANG ; Ping JIN ; Dong LAI ; Aiping LE ; Hongmei LI ; Bijuan LI ; Cuiying LI ; Daihong LI ; Haihong LI ; He LI ; Hui LI ; Jianping LI ; Ning LI ; Xiying LI ; Xiangmin LI ; Xiaofei LI ; Xiaojuan LI ; Zhiqiang LI ; Zhongjun LI ; Zunyan LI ; Huaqin LIANG ; Xiaohua LIANG ; Dongfa LIAO ; Qun LIAO ; Yan LIAO ; Jiajin LIN ; Chunxia LIU ; Fenghua LIU ; Peixian LIU ; Tiemei LIU ; Xiaoxin LIU ; Zhiwei LIU ; Zhongdi LIU ; Hua LU ; Jianfeng LUAN ; Jianjun LUO ; Qun LUO ; Dingfeng LYU ; Qi LYU ; Xianping LYU ; Aijun MA ; Liqiang MA ; Shuxuan MA ; Xainjun MA ; Xiaogang MA ; Xiaoli MA ; Guoqing MAO ; Shijie MU ; Shaolin NIE ; Shujuan OUYANG ; Xilin OUYANG ; Chunqiu PAN ; Jian PAN ; Xiaohua PAN ; Lei PENG ; Tao PENG ; Baohua QIAN ; Shu QIAO ; Li QIN ; Ying REN ; Zhaoqi REN ; Ruiming RONG ; Changshan SU ; Mingwei SUN ; Wenwu SUN ; Zhenwei SUN ; Haiping TANG ; Xiaofeng TANG ; Changjiu TANG ; Cuihua TAO ; Zhibin TIAN ; Juan WANG ; Baoyan WANG ; Chunyan WANG ; Gefei WANG ; Haiyan WANG ; Hongjie WANG ; Peng WANG ; Pengli WANG ; Qiushi WANG ; Xiaoning WANG ; Xinhua WANG ; Xuefeng WANG ; Yong WANG ; Yongjun WANG ; Yuanjie WANG ; Zhihua WANG ; Shaojun WEI ; Yaming WEI ; Jianbo WEN ; Jun WEN ; Jiang WU ; Jufeng WU ; Aijun XIA ; Fei XIA ; Rong XIA ; Jue XIE ; Yanchao XING ; Yan XIONG ; Feng XU ; Yongzhu XU ; Yongan XU ; Yonghe YAN ; Beizhan YAN ; Jiang YANG ; Jiangcun YANG ; Jun YANG ; Xinwen YANG ; Yongyi YANG ; Chunyan YAO ; Mingliang YE ; Changlin YIN ; Ming YIN ; Wen YIN ; Lianling YU ; Shuhong YU ; Zebo YU ; Yigang YU ; Anyong YU ; Hong YUAN ; Yi YUAN ; Chan ZHANG ; Jinjun ZHANG ; Jun ZHANG ; Kai ZHANG ; Leibing ZHANG ; Quan ZHANG ; Rongjiang ZHANG ; Sanming ZHANG ; Shengji ZHANG ; Shuo ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Weidong ZHANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Xingwen ZHANG ; Guixi ZHANG ; Xiaojun ZHANG ; Guoqing ZHAO ; Jianpeng ZHAO ; Shuming ZHAO ; Beibei ZHENG ; Shangen ZHENG ; Huayou ZHOU ; Jicheng ZHOU ; Lihong ZHOU ; Mou ZHOU ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Xuelian ZHOU ; Yuan ZHOU ; Zheng ZHOU ; Zuhuang ZHOU ; Haiyan ZHU ; Peiyuan ZHU ; Changju ZHU ; Lili ZHU ; Zhengguo WANG ; Jianxin JIANG ; Deqing WANG ; Jiongcai LAN ; Quanli WANG ; Yang YU ; Lianyang ZHANG ; Aiqing WEN
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(10):865-881
Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.
10.Jiedu recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by inhibiting the release of tumor-derived exosomes in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Wen-Tao JIA ; Shuang XIANG ; Jin-Bo ZHANG ; Jia-Ying YUAN ; Yu-Qian WANG ; Shu-Fang LIANG ; Wan-Fu LIN ; Xiao-Feng ZHAI ; Yan SHANG ; Chang-Quan LING ; Bin-Bin CHENG
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2024;22(6):696-708
OBJECTIVE:
Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) play crucial roles in intercellular communication. Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment enhances secretion of TDEs and accelerates tumor metastasis. Jiedu recipe (JR), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, has demonstrated efficacy in preventing the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.
METHODS:
Animal experiments were performed to investigate the metastasis-preventing effects of JR. Bioinformatics analysis and in vitro assays were conducted to explore the potential targets and active components of JR. TDEs were assessed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blotting (WB). Exosomes derived from normoxic or hypoxic HCC cells (H-TDEs) were collected to establish premetastatic mouse models. JR was intragastrically administered to evaluate its metastasis-preventive effects. WB and lysosomal staining were performed to investigate the effects of JR on lysosomal function and autophagy. Bioinformatics analysis, WB, NTA, and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify the active components and potential targets of JR.
RESULTS:
JR effectively inhibited subcutaneous-tumor-promoted lung premetastatic niche development and tumor metastasis. It inhibited the release of exosomes from tumor cells under hypoxic condition. JR treatment promoted both lysosomal acidification and suppressed secretory autophagy, which were dysregulated in hypoxic tumor cells. Quercetin was identified as the active component in JR, and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was identified as a potential target. Quercetin inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and promoted the nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB). Hypoxia-impaired lysosomal function was restored, and secretory autophagy was alleviated by quercetin treatment.
CONCLUSION
JR suppressed HCC metastasis by inhibiting hypoxia-stimulated exosome release, restoring lysosomal function, and suppressing secretory autophagy. Quercetin acted as a key component of JR and regulated TDE release through EGFR-TFEB signaling. Our study provides a potential strategy for retarding tumor metastasis by targeting H-TDE secretion. Please cite this article as: Jia WT, Xiang S, Zhang JB, Yuan JY, Wang YQ, Liang SF, Lin WF, Zhai XF, Shang Y, Ling CQ, Cheng BB. Jiedu recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by inhibiting the release of tumor-derived exosomes in a hypoxic microenvironment through the EGFR-TFEB signaling pathway. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 697-709.
Exosomes/drug effects*
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Animals
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Liver Neoplasms/pathology*
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Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
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Mice
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Humans
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Male
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Mice, Nude


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