1.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion and Interventional Mechanism of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu Prescription Based on "Blood Stasis and Toxin" Pathogenesis
Jiayue HAN ; Danyi PAN ; Jiaxuan XIAO ; Yuchen LIU ; Jiyong LIU ; Yidi ZENG ; Jinxia LI ; Caixing ZHENG ; Hua LI ; Wanghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):51-60
ObjectiveTo explore the material basis of the "interaction of blood stasis and toxin" mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, as well as the protective role of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu prescription (HXHYJDF) against ferroptosis. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, deferoxamine (DFO) group (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose HXHYJDF group (4.52 g·kg-1), medium-dose HXHYJDF group (9.04 g·kg-1), and high-dose HXHYJDF group (18.07 g·kg-1), with ten rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other groups were used to replicate the model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in the middle cerebral artery of rats by the reforming Longa method. Neurological function was assessed at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-reperfusion using the modified neurological severity scores (m-NSS). Brain tissue pathology and the morphology of mitochondria were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), divalent iron ions (Fe2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic cerebral tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression of iron death marker proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferroportin-1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TfR1), and ferritin mitochondrial (FtMt) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the mNSS score of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that the number of neurons in the cortex of brain tissue was seriously reduced, and the intercellular space was widened. The nucleus was fragmented, and the cytoplasm was vacuolated. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria in the cytoplasm contracted and rounded, and the mitochondrial cristae decreased. The matrix was lost and vacuolated, and the density of the mitochondrial bilayer membrane increased. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS increased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry and WB showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 proteins was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 proteins was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those of the model group, the m-NSS scores of the high-dose and medium-dose HXHYJDF groups began to decrease on the 3rd and 5th days, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of HE and transmission electron microscopy showed that the intervention of HXHYJDF improved the pathological changes of neurons and mitochondria. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH in the medium-dose and high-dose HXHYJDF groups increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of GSH in the low-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the high-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). The expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the medium-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). WB results showed that the expression levels of FPN1 and GPX4 proteins in the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose HXHYJDF groups were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of FtMt and TfR1 proteins were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionHXHYJDF can significantly improve neurological dysfunction symptoms in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, improve the pathological morphology of the infarcted brain tissue, and protect the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to a certain extent. Neuronal ferroptosis is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, with increased levels of MDA, Fe2+, ROS, and TfR1 and decreased levels of FtMt, FPN1, GPX4, and GSH potentially constituting the material basis of the interaction of blood stasis and toxin mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. HXHYJDF may exert brain-protective effects by regulating iron metabolism-related proteins, promoting the discharge of free iron, reducing brain iron deposition, alleviating oxidative stress, and inhibiting ferroptosis.
2.Research progress on molecular biomarkers related to polypoid choroidal vasculopathy
Jingjing LIU ; Yangyan XIAO ; Xia HUA
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):754-759
Polypoid choroidal vasculopathy(PCV)is associated with poor visual prognosis in its natural course and is more prevalent in Asian populations. Despite advancements in optical coherence tomography(OCT)and OCT angiography(OCTA)that have significantly improved morphological diagnostic capabilities, imaging biomarkers are limited by temporal resolution constraints and fail to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying vascular angiogenesis, inflammation, genetic factors, and extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling. This review synthesizes current research on molecular biomarkers associated with PCV, focusing on its core pathological mechanisms. These biomarkers provide crucial insights into disease pathogenesis to inform precision prevention, dynamic disease monitoring, and therapeutic response prediction. Furthermore, this article proposes the integration of multi-omics data(genomics, proteomics, and radiomics)to establish a multimodal hierarchical diagnostic-therapeutic model. This framework will guide risk stratification, real-time disease assessment, and personalized treatment strategies, advancing the development of a precision medicine framework for PCV management.
3.LIU Shangyi's Experience in Treating Pruritus Vulvae Using Self-Prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方)
Xiao LIU ; Zhaozhao HUA ; Yiyuan ZHOU ; Taiwei ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Shuang HUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Kaiyang XUE ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):992-995
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in treating pruritus vulvae. It is believed that women have the physiological characteristics of liver and kidney as the root, and their pubic area is easily attacked by wind-dampness pathogenic qi, so the core mechanism of pruritus vulvae is proposed as wind-dampness accumulation and deficiency of liver and kidney. The core treatment method is to dispel wind-dampness and nourish the liver and kidneys, and modify the Danggui Decoction (当归饮子) to form a self-prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方) as the basic prescription to treat pruritus vulvaen.
4.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
5.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
6.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
7.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
8.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
9.Therapeutic Strategy and Mechanism of Xijiao Dihuangtang in Recurrence of Psoriasis Vulgaris After Remission Based on Theory of "Latent Fire Causing Blood Stasis"
Cuiyue ZHANG ; Xiao XIAO ; Yanping SHI ; Yanli LIU ; Hua BIAN ; Jingjing DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):244-252
Psoriasis vulgaris is notoriously difficult to treat and prone to recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), however, has shown considerable efficacy in mitigating or suppressing such recurrence. The underlying reason lies in the TCM concept of "latent pathogens", which are prone to be reactivated by external pathogenic factors, thereby triggering relapse. At the early stage of recurrence, manifestations of "latent fire" often appear externally. If treatment is not thorough, the condition may shift into a state of "stalemate between healthy Qi and pathogenic factors", in which the disease appears on the skin but is rooted in deeper pathological layers, remaining unresolved and accumulating internally. Over time, blood stasis arises from fire, and the fire further congeals due to stasis, leading ultimately to recurrent flare-ups. This aligns with the modern immunological concept of "immunological memory" mediated by tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) in the skin, which corroborates the TCM view of "latent fire inducing blood stasis". The interaction between TRM and keratinocytes (KC) parallels the entanglement of latent fire and latent stasis, both of which are deeply entrenched and difficult to resolve. The core pathogenesis of recurrent psoriasis vulgaris lies in "latent fire causing blood stasis". The hallmark is the deep concealment and persistence of latent fire and stasis, which linger and await an opportunity to reemerge. Based on this understanding, Xijiao Dihuangtang is employed to cool the blood, resolve stasis, and eliminate latent pathogens, and treatment is tailored according to the disease stage through three-phase syndrome differentiation. In the progressive stage, both exterior and interior are treated, with emphasis on clearing latent fire. In the stationary stage, the focus shifts to dispelling latent stasis and simultaneously regulating the Zang-fu organs. In the regressive stage, efforts are made to prevent the retention of latent pathogens and to strengthen healthy Qi. Accordingly, drugs effective in dispersing wind and clearing heat, pungent-moistening and dredging the collaterals, and tonifying deficiency and moistening dryness are often employed to achieve optimal outcomes. The precise mechanisms by which Xijiao Dihuangtang treats recurrent psoriasis vulgaris remain to be fully elucidated. Current research suggests it may intervene in the recurrence process through inhibiting KC proliferation via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and glycolysis, regulating the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cell balances to restore immune homeostasis, suppressing inflammatory cytokine production to alleviate the inflammatory response, modulating angiogenesis-related factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), to control disease progression, and restructuring the gut microbiota to modulate systemic immunity and thereby influence the course of disease recurrence.
10.The Near-infrared II Emission of Gold Clusters and Their Applications in Biomedicine
Zhen-Hua LI ; Hui-Zhen MA ; Hao WANG ; Chang-Long LIU ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2068-2086
Optical imaging is highly valued for its superior temporal and spatial resolution. This is particularly important in near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1 000-3 000 nm) imaging, which offers advantages such as reduced tissue absorption, minimal scattering, and low autofluorescence. These characteristics make NIR-II imaging especially suitable for deep tissue visualization, where high contrast and minimal background interference are critical for accurate diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, inorganic fluorescent probes—such as carbon nanotubes, rare earth nanoparticles, and quantum dots—offer high brightness and stability. However, they are hindered by ambiguous structures, larger sizes, and potential accumulation toxicity in vivo. In contrast, organic fluorescent probes, including small molecules and polymers, demonstrate higher biocompatibility but are limited by shorter emission wavelengths, lower quantum yields, and reduced stability. Recently, gold clusters have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with potential applications in biocatalysis, fluorescence sensing, biological imaging, and more. Water-soluble gold clusters are particularly attractive as fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties, including strong photoluminescence, large Stokes shifts, and excellent photostability. Furthermore, their outstanding biocompatibility—attributed to good aqueous stability, ultra-small hydrodynamic size, and high renal clearance efficiency—makes them especially suitable for biomedical applications. Gold clusters hold significant potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Atomic-precision gold clusters, typically composed of tens to hundreds of gold atoms and measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, possess well-defined three-dimensional structures and clear spatial coordination. This atomic-level precision enables fine-tuned structural regulation, further enhancing their fluorescence properties. Variations in cluster size, surface ligands, and alloying elements can result in distinct physicochemical characteristics. The incorporation of different atoms can modulate the atomic and electronic structures of gold clusters, while diverse ligands can influence surface polarity and steric hindrance. As such, strategies like alloying and ligand engineering are effective in enhancing both fluorescence and catalytic performance, thereby meeting a broader range of clinical needs. In recent years, gold clusters have attracted growing attention in the biomedical field. Their application in NIR-II imaging has led to significant progress in vascular, organ, and tumor imaging. The resulting high-resolution, high signal-to-noise imaging provides powerful tools for clinical diagnostics. Moreover, biologically active gold clusters can aid in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, offering new opportunities for clinical therapeutics. Despite the notable achievements in fundamental research and clinical translation, further studies are required to address challenges related to the standardized synthesis and complex metabolic behavior of gold clusters. Resolving these issues will help accelerate their clinical adoption and broaden their biomedical applications.

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