1.The alteration of energy metabolism and oxidative injury in the myocardia suffering from lethal ventricular ;tachyarrhythmia (
Zongtai ZHENG ; Wenfang CHEN ; Jiaquan WENG ; Nanwei ZHANG ; Zhiwei SHEN ; Jiayan WU ; Xingxing WANG ; Dian WANG
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2016;31(6):543-546,549
Objective To investigate the alteration of energy metabolism and oxidative injury in the myocardia suffering from lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia (LVTA). Methods Two LVTA-SCD SD rat models, induced by aconitine injection or coronary artery ligation (CAL), respectively, were developed. Rats that died from over-anaesthesia or CAL-induced heart failure were served as their controls, respectively. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), phosphocreatine (PCr) in the ventricular myocardia, and serum troponin I (cTnI) were detected, and compared between LVTA rats and their controls. Results Fourteen ACO-LVTA and six CAL-LVTA rats were successfully developed. As compared to their controls, ACO-LVTA and CAL-LVTA rats had higher ROS and MDA content, and lower concentration of PCr in the ventricular myocardia. MDA content in ACO-LVTA group is signiifcantly higher than that of its control (P<0.05). MMP in myocardia of ACO-LVTA is lower than that of its control, but is higher than those of two CAL groups. Serum cTnI in rats of both LVTA models is higher than those of their controls and pre-treated control. Specially, serum cTnI in CAL-LVTA was signiifcantly higher than that of ACO-LVTA and its control (P<0.01). The myocardial ROS content is correlated with the duration of VT and VF (P<0.05), with correlation coefifcients being 0.44 and 0.46, respectively. Conclusions After LVTA, the ventricular myocardia had lower MMP and PCr content, higher concentration of ROS, MDA, as well as higher serum cTnI than their controls, indicative of oxidative injury and alteration of energy metabolism under LVTA-SCD.
2.Experimental study on liver ischemia reperfusion injury promoted by NOD1 activated pyroptosis
Jiri XI ; Hu SONG ; Xingxing WANG ; Shipeng LI ; Shuang YANG ; Jinzhen CAI ; Zhongyang SHEN
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2019;40(1):41-45
Objective To investigate the effect of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domaincontaining protein 1 (NOD1) on pyroptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods An animal model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was established.Thirty healthy,male,and clean C57 BL mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (sham group) and ischemia-reperfusion group (IR,including 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h subgroups),6 per group.Serum ALT and AST levels in each group were measured by blood biochemistry.HE staining and TUNEL were used to observe the pathological changes of liver and hepatocyte apoptosis.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of NOD1 in each group.Western blotting was used to detect NOD1,MM2,pro-Caspase-1 and active-Caspase-1 expression.NOD1 siRNA and empty control siRNA were transfected into AML12 cells,then the hypoxia/reoxygenation model was established and cells were collected to detect the expression of NOD1,AIM2 and active-Caspase-1.Results The ALT and AST levels in IR group were significantly higher than those in sham group,and peaked at IR 12-h subgroup (P<0.05).HE staining showed that hepatic injury was the most severe at 12 h after reperfusion.TUNEL results showed that the number of apoptotic cells was the greated at 12 h after reperfusion.Western blotting showed that NOD1 protein expression was highest at 12 h after reperfusion.With the prolongation of reperfusion time,the expression of AIM2 and active-Caspase-1 gradually increased,and that of pro-Caspase-1 gradually decreased.The expression of NOD1,AIM2 and activeCaspase-1 decreased after transfection of NOD1 siRNA into AML12 cells.Conclusions NOD1 promotes liver ischemia-reperfusion injury,which may be related to NOD1 promoting liver injury by activating pyroptosis.
3.A survey study on major surgeon′s mental trauma caused by iatrogenic biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Kaicheng SHEN ; Tian YANG ; Haisu DAI ; Xingxing SU ; Yishi YANG ; Chengcheng ZHANG ; Ping BIE ; Zhiyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2020;19(5):511-518
Objective:To conduct a survey on major surgeon′s mental trauma caused by iatrogenic biliary injury (IBI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and explore its influencing factors.Methods:The retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted. Surgeons who have registered in Chinese College of Surgeons of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and Chinese Surgical Society of Chinese Medical Association were recruited to participate as respondents between December 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019. The survey was conducted by the questionnaires of influencing factors for surgeon′s mental trauma caused by IBI during LC. The questionnaires were distributed to participants via WeChat on the Wenjuanxin platform. Observation indicators: (1) results of questionnaire survey; (2) analysis of influencing factors for severe mental trauma of major surgeons caused by IBI during LC. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD, and count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis. Factors with P<0.10 in the univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis, and Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Results of questionnaire survey. A total of 606 questionnaires were retrieved. ① Basic information of major surgeons: of the 606 major surgeons, there were 596 males and 10 females, aged (41±7)years, with a range from 18 to 62 years. Of the 606 major surgeons, 59.24%(359/606) came from non-teaching hospitals, and 64.03%(388/606) encounted the most impressive case of IBI during LC when they were in the primary or intermediate professional title. For 76.24%(462/606) of the major surgeons, the first case of IBI during LC was the most impressive case, and 69.80%(423/606) believed that careful operation during LC could avoid IBI. ② Patient information: of the patients with the most impressive IBI during LC in each major surgeon′s memory, there were 400 females and 206 males. The proportion of patients younger than 35 years old, in 35-65 years old and older than 65 years old was 9.57%(58/606), 65.51%(397/606), and 24.92%(151/606), respectively. ③ IBI related information: 57.43%(348/606) of the major surgeons indicated that they could receive help from senior surgeons in time for the occurrence of IBI during LC, and 78.88%(478/606) of the major surgeons invited senior surgeons to participate in the initial repair. For the most impressive case of IBI during LC, 66.83%(405/606) of the primary repair surgeries were performed during LC, 11.06%(67/606) were performed within postoperative 3 days and 22.11%(134/606) were performed after 3 days. The main repair methods included local repair, bile duct to end anastomosis, and bilioenteric anastomosis, accounting for 24.92%(151/606), 30.20%(183/606), 33.17%(201/606), respectively. The proportion of patients requiring partial hepatectomy, with perioperative death, and requiring multiple repair was 2.48%(15/606), 2.15%(13/606), and 9.24%(56/606), respectively. ④ Subsequent processing on major surgeons: after the occurrence of IBI during LC, 64.85%(393/606) of the major surgeons gained the understanding of patients and their families, 35.15%(213/606) of the major surgeons were involved in medical disputes, 15.68%(95/606) of the major surgeons received administrative punishment from the hospital. About the compensation, 14.36%(87/606) of the major surgeons had to pay for the compensation by themselves, and only 6.77%(41/606) of the major surgeons had medical liability insurance. There were 9.24%(56/606) of the major surgeons invloved in violent conflicts during the medical disputes. ⑤ Psychology-related information of major surgeons: of the 606 major surgeons, 544 had mental trauma including 279 with severe mental trauma. After the occurrence of IBI during LC, 82.01%(497/606) of the major surgeons experienced anxiety and/or depression for more than one month; 63.37%(384/606) of the major surgeons expected to avoid LC or showed tension during LC; 44.72%(271/606) of the major surgeons had a physiological response when recalling the case; 36.14%(219/606) of the major surgeons initiated the idea of not being a surgeon; 6.44%(39/606) of the major surgeons asked psychologists for help; and 5.61%(34/606) of the major surgeons had taken psychiatric drugs such as antianxiety and anti-depression drugs for more than one month. (2) Analysis of influencing factors for severe mental trauma of major surgeons caused by IBI during LC. Results of univariate analysis showed that the hospital type of the major surgeons, participation of senior surgeons in the repair, surgical method of the primary repair, IBI requiring repeated repair, medical disputes, administrative punishment from the hospital, compensation paid by the major surgeon, having medical liability insurance, violent conflicts in medical disputes were related factors for severe mental trauma of the major surgeons caused by IBI during LC ( χ2=7.688, 3.932, 19.764, 13.837, 61.488, 24.904, 30.976, 5.344, 26.285, P<0.05) . Results of multivariate analysis showed that the surgical method of the primary repair, IBI requiring repeated repair, medical disputes, administrative punishment from the hospital, compensation paid by the major surgeon, violent conflicts in medical disputes were independent risk factors for severe mental trauma caused by IBI during LC of the major surgeons ( odds ratios=1.203, 2.198, 2.922, 1.830, 2.405, 2.171, 95% confidence interval: 1.033-1.402, 1.143-4.226, 1.944-4.391, 1.083-3.093, 1.076-5.375, 1.002-4.702, P<0.05). Having medical liability insurance was an independent protective factor for severe mental trauma of the major surgeons caused by IBI during LC ( odds ratios=0.336, 95% confidence interval: 0.126-0.896, P<0.05). Conclusions:Most surgeons in China are troubled by IBI during LC, and nearly half of them suffer from severe mental trauma. Surgical method of the primary repair, IBI requiring repeated repair, medical disputes, administartive punishment from the hospital, compensation paid by the major surgeon, and violent conflicts in medical disputes are independent risk factors for severe mental trauma of major surgeons caused by IBI during LC. Having medical liability insurance is an independent protective factor for severe mental trauma of major surgeons caused by IBI during LC.
4.Evaluation of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling in patients with acute pulmonary embolism by the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient
Xin DUAN ; Wenqian SHEN ; Shuang WANG ; Shuang CHEN ; Haiyuan YU ; Xingxing REN ; Qiqi LIU ; Zeya SUN ; Guoqing DU
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2021;30(11):982-987
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of a new ultrasonic parameter to assess right ventricular-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in 140 patients with APE diagnosed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from August 2017 to June 2020. According to the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) ratio cutoff value 0.40 mm/mmHg reported by the European Society of Cardiology in 2020, the patients were divided into the coupling group ( n=99) and the uncoupling group ( n=41). The conventional ultrasonic parameters of the 2 groups were measured, and then several ultrasonic parameter ratios were obtained. The new ultrasonic parameter, which can replace the TAPSE/PASP ratio, was screened out by Spearman correlation analysis, and ROC curve was plotted to calculate the diagnostic efficacy of this parameter. Results:①Compared with the coupling group, patients in the uncoupling group were older and more likely to be accompanied by dyspnea and venous thrombosis in the lower extremities (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in other general data(all P>0.05); ②Compared with the coupling group, tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV), tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient(TRPG), PASP, right ventricle end-diastolic transverse diameter(RVTD), inferior vena cava(IVC) diameter and the ratio of early diastolic tricuspid inflow to tricuspid lateral annular velocity(E/e′), in the uncoupling group increased significantly (all P<0.05), and TAPSE, peak systolic velocity of tricuspid annulus(s′), TAPSE/PASP ratio, TAPSE/TRPG ratio, TAPSE/RVTD ratio and s′/TRPG ratio decreased significantly (all P<0.05); ③The TAPSE/TRPG ratio was highly correlated with TAPSE/PASP ratio ( rs=0.970, P<0.001); The TAPSE/TRPG ratio was still highly correlated with TAPSE/PASP ratio in the uncoupling and coupling groups ( rs=0.966, 0.922; all P<0.001). ④ROC analysis showed that the area under curve for TAPSE/TRPG in diagnosing RV-PA coupling was 0.992. At the cutoff of TAPSE/TRPG <0.625 mm/mmHg for indicating RV-PA coupling, the sensitivity and specificity were 97.6% and 92.9%, respectively. Conclusions:TAPSE/TRPG ratio can be used as a new ultrasonic parameter to reflect RV-PA coupling, which is helpful for clinical identification of APE patients with high risk and poor prognosis.
5.Analysis of current situation of cognition of high-alert medications among medical staffs in Chongming District of Shanghai
Xian SHEN ; Xingxing YU ; Liuhua GU ; Kunpeng YU ; Yunda JIANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2024;33(3):291-300
Objective To understand the cognition status of high-alert medications among medical staffs in Chongming District of Shanghai,and to explore its influencing factors and improvement countermeasures,so as to provide references for safe clinical use and effective control of such drugs.Methods Convenient sampling method was used to investigate among medical staffs in 9 hospitals in Chongming District from March to May 2022,the survey content included general information of medical staff and their awareness of high-alert medications.The orderly multi-classification logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the cognition of high-alert medications among medical staffs.Results A total of 605 valid questionnaires were collected,including 263 from doctors and 342 from nurses.The results of univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the grade distribution of high-alert medications management knowledge scores among doctors of different gender,education background and whether to partcipate in in-hospital training(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the grade distribution of high-alert medications management knowledge scores among nurses with different education background,hospital level and whether to partcipate in in-hospital training(P<0.05).There was significant differences in the grade distribution of high-alert medications pharmacy knowledge scores whether doctors participated in in-hospital training(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the grade distribution of high-alert medications pharmacy knowledge scores among nurses with different education background,professional title,working years and whether to partcipate in in-hospital training(P<0.05).The results of multi-factor Logistic analysis showed that whether doctors had participated in in-hospital training was an influential factor for and high-alert medications management knowledge score level(OR=0.003,95%CI 0.000 to 0.023,P<0.001),high-alert medications pharmacy knowledge score level(OR=0.252,95%CI 0.147 to 0.431,P<0.001).Whether nurses participated in in-hospital training(OR=0.022,95%CI 0.010 to 0.048,P<0.001)and hospital level(OR=3.353,95%CI 1.639 to 6.855,P=0.001)were the influencing factors of nurses'high-alert medications management knowledge score level,and education background(OR=4.933,95%CI 1.452 to 16.760,P=0.011)and whether nurses participated in in-hospital training(OR=0.414,95%CI 0.239 to 0.717,P=0.002)were the influencing factors of nurses'high-alert medications pharmacy knowledge score level.Conclusion The cognition of high-alert medications among medical staffs in Chongming District is at a medium level on the whole.It is suggested to improve their cognitive ability and risk prevention awareness by improving their education,strengthening the knowledge education and training of high-alert medications,and homogenizing management,so as to ensure the safety of clinical drugs.
6.A novel intracoronary hypothermia device reduces myocardial reperfusion injury in pigs
Zhiqiang PEI ; Jin QIU ; Yongchao ZHAO ; Shuai SONG ; Rui WANG ; Wei LUO ; Xingxing CAI ; Bin LIU ; Han CHEN ; Jiasheng YIN ; Xinyu WENG ; Yizhe WU ; Chenguang LI ; Li SHEN ; Junbo GE
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2461-2472
Background::Hypothermia therapy has been suggested to attenuate myocardial necrosis; however, the clinical implementation as a valid therapeutic strategy has failed, and new approaches are needed to translate into clinical applications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel selective intracoronary hypothermia (SICH) device in mitigating myocardial reperfusion injury.Methods::This study comprised two phases. The first phase of the SICH was performed in a normal porcine model for 30 minutes ( n = 5) to evaluate its feasibility. The second phase was conducted in a porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion which was performed by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes and maintained for 42 days. Pigs in the hypothermia group ( n = 8) received hypothermia intervention onset reperfusion for 30 minutes and controls ( n = 8) received no intervention. All animals were followed for 42 days. Cardiac magnetic resonance analysis (five and 42 days post-MI) and a series of biomarkers/histological studies were performed. Results::The average time to lower temperatures to a steady state was 4.8 ± 0.8 s. SICH had no impact on blood pressure or heart rate and was safely performed without complications by using a 3.9 F catheter. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were lower at 60 min post perfusion in pigs that underwent SICH as compared with the control group. On day 5 post MI/R, edema, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and microvascular obstruction were reduced in the hypothermia group. On day 42 post MI/R, the infarct size, IL-6, CRP, BNP, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were reduced, and the ejection fraction was improved in pigs that underwent SICH.Conclusions::The SICH device safely and effectively reduced the infarct size and improved heart function in a pig model of MI/R. These beneficial effects indicate the clinical potential of SICH for treatment of myocardial reperfusion injury.
7.Characteristics of paravertebral muscles in patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation
Xingxing SHEN ; Weijian CHEN ; Congcong LI ; Junyi LI ; Shuai WANG ; Zixuan YE ; Ruian XIANG ; Xuemeng XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(9):1098-1103
ObjectiveTo explore the imbalance of paravertebral muscle group for patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation. MethodsFrom January, 2022 to January, 2023, 30 patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation (observation group) and 30 healthy people matching in general data (control group) were measured the tension and stiffness of multifidus and erector spinae with MyotonPRO, while the observation group was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the time of disease was also recorded. ResultsThe mean of bilateral tension and hardness of multifidus and erector spinae was more in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 5.407, P < 0.001), and the tension and hardness of multifidus and erector spinae of the affected side were more than those of the unaffected side in the observation group (|t| > 11.219, P < 0.001). The tension and hardness of multifidus and erector spinae of the affected side were positively correlated with VAS score (r > 0.942, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with JOA score (|r| > 0.886, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe tension and hardness of multifidus and erector spinae of the affected side increase after unilateral lumbar disc herniation, resulting in asymmetry.
8.Influence of built environment on circulatory disease mortality: A case study of 17 cities in China
Xingxing ZHAI ; Yusheng SHEN ; Shenghui CUI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2022;39(2):161-167
Background In view of circulatory diseases, most previous studies focused on the impacts of air pollution and meteorological factors, while ignoring the influence of built environment. Objective To investigate and quantify the impact of built environment on circulatory diseases in China. Methods Circulatory disease mortality data and built environment data (including urban greenery coverage, urban land use, urban land use mix, urban road facilities and urban medical facilities) of 17 cities in China from 2000 to 2019 were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze which built environment elements had significant influence on circulatory diseases, and to quantify their effects. Furthermore, the changes of built environment indicators on circulatory disease mortality were evaluated under different levels of urban economic development and various air quality. Results The built environment affected the mortality of circulatory diseases during the study period (P<0.05). Urban green space and commercial land area were negatively correlated with circulatory disease mortality, and regression coefficients were −0.550 and −0.280, respectively (P<0.05). On the contrary, the increase of urban road area, residential land ratio, and the degree of land use mix were positively associated with circulatory disease mortality, and their regression coefficients were 0.322, 0.283, and 0.176, respectively (P<0.05). When the level of urban economic development was low, the impact of commercial land use ratio on circulatory diseases was stronger, and the regression coefficient was −0.476 (P<0.05). When urban air pollution worsened, the impacts of per capita green coverage area and per capita urban road area on the disease were more prominent, and the regression coefficients were −0.528 and 0.372, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion There is a significant correlation between urban built environment and mortality of circulatory diseases. To be specific, circulatory disease mortality has a negative correlation with per capita green coverage area and commercial land use ratio, and a positive correlation with per capita urban road area, residential land ratio and degree of land use mix.
9.Difference of cervical and shoulder muscle performance and its correlation with pain and body mass index in patients with chronic neck pain
Xingxing SHEN ; Yuling XIONG ; Weijian CHEN ; Congcong LI ; Junyi LI ; Shuai WANG ; Jiahao ZHANG ; Ruian XIANG ; Jiahao CHEN ; Wengang LIU ; Xuemeng XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(12):1420-1428
ObjectiveTo test the inter-tester reliability and test-retest reliability of MyotonPRO for evaluating neck and shoulder muscle performance parameters in patients with unilateral chronic neck pain, observe the difference of muscle performance between the healthy and affected sides of patients with chronic neck pain, and analyze the factors that cause the imbalance of muscle performance in patients with chronic neck pain. MethodsFrom January to June, 2023, 32 patients with unilateral chronic neck pain in Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were selected. Two testers used the same MyotonPRO equipment to measure the muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity on both sides of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper trapezius muscle in the relaxed position. Tester 1 repeated the measurement after an interval of 30 minutes, and Tester 2 was measured within the time interval between the two measurements of Tester 1. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of mean (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated simultaneously. The measurement results were plotted into Bland-Altman diagram and systematic bias analysis was performed. The difference in muscle characteristics between the affected side and the healthy side was compared. At the same time, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects were collected for correlation analysis. ResultsExcept the sternocleidomastoid muscle elasticity of the affected side (ICC = 0.697), the inter-tester reliability of all other parameters was high to very high (ICC = 0.719 to 0.952, SEM = 0.04 to 6.53, MDC = 0.12 to 18.11). The test-retest reliability of all parameters was high (ICC = 0.883 to 0.981, SEM = 0.03 to 5.72, MDC = 0.09 to 15.84). Bland-Altman plot analysis showed that the scatter distribution was consistent. The muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle were higher on the affected side than on the healthy side (t > 2.846, P < 0.05). The asymmetry index of tension, hardness and elasticity of upper trapezius muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly positively correlated with VAS score and BMI (r > 0.385, P < 0.05). ConclusionMyotonPRO has good inter-tester reliability and retest reliability in evaluating the muscle performance of both sides of patients with chronic neck pain. The muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle on the affected side were higher than on the healthy side, and the difference of muscle performance was positively correlated with pain and BMI.
10.The Effect of Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤) on Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis and the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Signaling Pathway in Tail Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rats
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Junming CHEN ; Bo XU ; Binjie LU ; Hua CHEN ; Xingxing DUAN ; Yuwei LI ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):509-517
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism by which Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤, ZGD) delays intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) based on the Hippo-yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group, model group, low-dose ZGD group, high-dose ZGD group, and high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group, with 10 rats in each group. In the sham surgery group, the rats were pierced in the skin and muscle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail with a 21G needle (depth approximately 2 mm) without damaging the intervertebral disc. In the other groups, rats were injected with a 21G needle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail to establish an IDD model by piercing the tail intervertebral disc 5 mm. One week after modeling, rats in the low-dose and high-dose ZGD groups were given 6.24 and 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction via gastric gavage, respectively. The high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group was given 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction and an intraperitoneal injection of YAP/TAZ inhibitor Verteporfin 10 mg/kg. The sham surgery and model groups were given 5 ml/(kg·d) of normal saline via gavage. The gavage was given once a day, and the intraperitoneal injection was given every other day. After 4 weeks of continuous intervention, the pathological changes of the tail intervertebral discs were observed using HE staining, Oil Red O-Green staining, and Toluidine Blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of aggrecan and MMP3 in the nucleus pulposus. TUNEL fluorescence staining was performed to detect apoptosis in the nucleus pulposus, and the apoptosis rate was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, including YAP, phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP), phosphorylated MST1/2 (p-MST1/2), phosphorylated TAZ (p-TAZ) and apoptosis-related proteins, such as Cleaved Caspase 3, P53, Bcl-2 and Bax. ResultsCompared with sham surgery group, the rats in the model group showed significant degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins in the nucleus pulposus decreased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed partial recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins increased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The high-dose ZGD group showed more significant recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration compared to the low-dose ZGD group, with a decrease in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and an increase in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the high-dose ZGD group, the high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group showed a reduced recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration, with an increase in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and a decrease in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGD may delay intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the phosphorylation of YAP in the nucleus pulposus, maintaining the function of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, and reducing apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells.