1.Analysis of Animal Models of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Clinical Disease-syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiaoyu LI ; Lina LIANG ; Yun GAO ; Jiahao LI ; Jianying YANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Honghao BI ; Menglu MIAO ; Huiyi GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):191-197
ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old, and dry AMD (dAMD) is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models, and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database, and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present, the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors, chemokines, oxidative damage, lipid/glucose metabolism, and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD, showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However, the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes, is missing, and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards, which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
2.Analysis of Animal Models of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Clinical Disease-syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiaoyu LI ; Lina LIANG ; Yun GAO ; Jiahao LI ; Jianying YANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Honghao BI ; Menglu MIAO ; Huiyi GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):191-197
ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old, and dry AMD (dAMD) is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models, and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database, and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present, the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors, chemokines, oxidative damage, lipid/glucose metabolism, and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD, showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However, the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes, is missing, and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards, which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
3.Effect of Quercetin on Cuproptosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats and Its Mechanism via SLC31A1/FDX1 Pathway
Haoruo YANG ; Qiuai KOU ; Junhua REN ; Guo YUAN ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):121-130
ObjectiveTo observe the influence and therapeutic effect of quercetin on cuproptosis in rheumatoid arthritis rats and to explore its possible mechanism based on the solute carrier family 31 member 1 (SLC31A1)/ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) pathway. MethodsSixty male SD rats were divided into six groups: A control group, a model group, high- and low-dose quercetin groups (150 and 50 mg·kg-1), a cuproptosis inhibitor (tetrathiomolybdate, TTM) group (10 mg·kg-1), and a methotrexate group (2 mg·kg-1), 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group, the model of rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) rats was established by type Ⅱ collagen induction method. After successful modeling, each drug group was intervened according to the corresponding dose of drugs, and the control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage, once a day, which lasted for 4 weeks. The swelling degree of rats' feet was observed, and the clinical arthritis scores were determined. The levels of serum rheumatoid factor (RF), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of copper ion (Cu), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) in joint tissue was detected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of joint tissue. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dihydrolipoic acid transacetylase (DLAT) were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1, FDX1, lipoic acid synthase (LIAS), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit β (PDHB), and copper transporting P-type ATPase β (ATP7B) was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared to the control group, the model group exhibited joint swelling and deformity, significantly increased clinical arthritis scores, obvious bone destruction, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration in joint tissue. In addition, the serum levels of RF, MMP-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and Cp showed significant elevation, while the level of IL-10 was significantly reduced. The levels of Cu, MDA, ROS, and DLAT in joint tissue were markedly increased, whereas SOD and GSH content was significantly decreased. The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1 and HSP70 was significantly up-regulated, while the protein and mRNA expression of FDX1, LIAS, PDHB, and ATP7B was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, each treatment group exhibited varying degrees of improvement in joint swelling and deformation as well as clinical arthritis scores in rats. Additionally, there was a reduction in joint bone destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration, and synovial hyperplasia in rats. Furthermore, the serum levels of RF, MMP-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and Cp significantly decreased, while the level of IL-10 increased significantly. In joint tissue, the levels of Cu, MDA, ROS, and DLAT showed significant decreases, while SOD and GSH content exhibited significant increases. The protein and mRNA expression of SLC31A1 and HSP70 was down-regulated, while the protein and mRNA expression of FDX1, LIAS, PDHB, and ATP7B was up-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionQuercetin effectively reduces synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, thereby alleviating pathological damage to joint tissue. This effect may be attributed to the blockade of the SLC31A1/FDX1 signaling pathway activation and inhibition of excessive cuproptosis.
4.Effect of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui Components on Cardiac Function and Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in CHF Rats
Hui GAO ; Zeqi YANG ; Xin LIU ; Fan GAO ; Yangyang HAN ; Aiyangzi LU ; Xingchao LIU ; Qiuhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):27-36
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components on the cardiac function and mitochondrial energy metabolism in the rat model of chronic heart failure (CHF) and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsThe rat model of CHF was prepared by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Eight of the 50 SD rats were randomly selected as the sham group, and the remaining 42 underwent TAC surgery. The 24 SD rats successfully modeled were randomized into model, trimetazidine (6.3 mg·kg-1), and Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components (60 mg·kg-1 total saponins of Astragali Radix, 10 mg·kg-1 total phenolic acids of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 190 mg·kg-1 aqueous extract of Lepidii Semen, and 100 mg·kg-1 cinnamaldehyde) groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage, and those in the sham and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 for 8 weeks. Echocardiography was used to examine the cardiac function in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), hypersensitive troponin(cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), free fatty acids (FFA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The colorimetric assay was employed to measure the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the myocardial tissue. The pathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities in the myocardial tissue were determined by the colorimetric assay. The ultrastructural changes of myocardial mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ATP synthase subunit delta (ATP5D), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1). The mitochondrial complex assay kits were used to determine the activities of mitochondrial complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a loosening arrangement of cardiac fibers, fracture and necrosis of partial cardiac fibers, inflammatory cells in necrotic areas, massive blue fibrotic tissue in the myocardial interstitium, increased collagen fiber area and myocardial fibrosis, destroyed mitochondria, myofibril disarrangement, sparse myofilaments, and fractured and reduced cristae. In addition, the rats in the model group showed declined ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS), risen left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWs), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVVOLd), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVVOLs), elevated levels of NT-ProBNP, cTnI, CK, MDA, FFA, and LD, lowered level of SOD, down-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1, decreased activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and declined levels of ATP5D, ATP, ADP, and AMP (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components and trimetazidine groups showed alleviated pathological damage of the mitochondria and mycardial tissue, risen EF and FS, declined LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs, LVVOLd, and LVVOLs, lowered levels of NT-ProBNP, cTnI, CK, MDA, FFA, and LD, elevated level of SOD, up-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1, increased activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and elevated levels of ATP5D, ATP, ADP, and AMP (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionYiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components can improve the cardiac function, reduce myocardial injury, regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, optimize the utilization of substrates, and alleviate the damage of mitochondrial structure and function, thus improving the energy metabolism of the myocardium in the rat model of CHF.
5.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Regulating Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Based on Qi Deficiency and Stagnation: A Review
Ziyang YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Wenjun MAO ; Guo YANG ; Xuewei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):248-255
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final stage of cardiovascular diseases. It is a complex syndrome, with dyspnea and edema as the main clinical manifestations, and it is characterized by complex disease conditions, difficult cure, and high mortality. Ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death, is different from other types of programmed cell death. Ferroptosis is iron-dependent, accompanied by lipid peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial shrinkage, becoming a hot research topic. Studies have confirmed that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of CHF. The regulation of ferroptosis may become a potential target for the treatment of CHF in the future. The theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation refers to the pathological state of original Qi deficiency and abnormal transportation and distribution of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which has guiding significance for revealing the pathogenesis evolution of some chronic diseases. We believe that Qi deficiency and stagnation is a summary of the pathogenesis of ferroptosis in CHF. Deficiency of Qi (heart Qi) is the root cause of CHF, and stagnation (phlegm turbidity and blood stasis) is the branch of this disease. The two influence each other in a vicious circle to promote the development of this disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of CHF, improving the prognosis and quality of life of CHF patients. This paper explores the correlation between the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation and the mechanism of ferroptosis in CHF. Furthermore, this paper reviews the mechanism of Chinese medicines and compound prescriptions in preventing and treating CHF by regulating ferroptosis according to the principles of replenishing Qi and dredging to remove stagnation, aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of CHF with TCM.
6.Autophagy Abnormalities in PCOS and Targeted Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xinxin YANG ; Zhicheng JIA ; Mengyu SHI ; Yongqian LI ; Peixuan WANG ; Ying GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):313-322
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological endocrine and reproductive disorder,with the main clinical manifestations including ovulation failure,insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and obesity. Its occurrence and development are closely related to cellular regulatory mechanisms such as apoptosis,autophagy,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response. Autophagy,as a clearance mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis,plays a crucial role in maintaining the growth,development,and maturation of oocytes. Exploring the mechanism of autophagy during the occurrence and development of diseases can help develop treatment methods for PCOS by regulating autophagy. Studies have shown that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS,and it can affect the occurrence and development of PCOS through multiple pathways,levels,and targets. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulates autophagy in ovarian granulosa cells or endometrium of patients with PCOS by targeting the expression of autophagy signaling pathways,regulatory factors,and non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules,thereby alleviating inflammation,regulating metabolism disorders,and balancing hormone levels in PCOS. Accordingly,TCM can ameliorate pathological conditions such as insulin resistance,hyperandrogenism,and ovulation failure in PCOS. This article summarizes the TCM formulas and extracts for the treatment of PCOS,as well as the main autophagy pathways and regulatory factors involved,aiming to provide reference and suggestions for the future treatment of PCOS with TCM by regulating autophagy.
7.Analysis of the dilemmas of the simplified ethical review procedure in practice
Benze HU ; Yuhong HUANG ; Xufang GU ; Weihua GUO ; Siyuan HU ; Yaqing YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):46-51
In September 2023, the Measures for Scientific and Technological Ethics Review (Trial Implementation) was issued, revising the provisions related to the simplified procedure for ethical review in Chapter 3, Section 3. This revision of these provisions provides systematic guarantees for further optimizing ethical review work, ensuring that ethical review procedure is well-regulated, and improving scientific research efficiency. The “simplified procedure” does not mean reducing the quality and requirements of the review. Instead, based on always following internationally recognized ethical standards and emphasizing not violating national laws and regulations, improving the efficiency of ethical review and subsequent research work, and promoting the development of life sciences and medical research involving humans. In practical work, it introduces numerous new opportunities and challenges for the improvement of ethics review ability, such as new tests on the judgment and decision-making power of ethics committees, how to ensure the reliability and controllability of the conditions related to the simplified review procedure, and how to determine the basic conditions for adopting the simplified review procedure for review. Therefore, to actively respond to the challenges and possible risks brought by the simplified procedure review, efforts should be made to achieve three “unifications”, including the unification of researchers’ moral autonomy and the heteronomy of supervision implemented by relevant departments; the unification of the standard formulation of the simplified procedure review and the review work in practice; and the unification of ethical responsibility and legal responsibility.
8.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Jiaxing City
WANG Yuanhang ; FU Xiaofei ; QI Yunpeng ; LIU Yang ; ZHOU Wanling ; GUO Feifei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):55-58
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of influenza in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into perfecting the prevention and control strategies of influenza.
Methods:
Data of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population data of the same period were collected from the Zhejiang Health Information Network Reporting System. The epidemiological characteristics of influenza were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Vector map information was collected from the Open Street Map, and the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning.
Results:
A total of 181 501 cases of influenza were reported in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 653.93/105. The majority of cases were aged 5 to <15 years (59 785 cases, 32.94%). The majority of the occupations were students (78 239 cases, 43.11%) and pre-school children (33 715 cases, 18.58%). The county (city, district) with the highest reported incidence was Haining City (1 451.70/105), and the town (street) with the highest reported incidence was Chang'an Town (1 932.78/105). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the incidence of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 had positive spatial correlations (all Moran's I>0, all P<0.05), with a high-high clustering in the southern region. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis showed that there was a spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with the southern region being the primary-type clustering area and the period between November and January of the following year being the clustering time.
Conclusion
There was a significant spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with winter being the peak season and the southern region being the primary area.
9.Influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis, identification in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Minhang District
MA Qiongjin ; YAN Huiqin ; WU Yunhua ; GUO Xu ; YANG Lijia ; TANG Lihong ; YANG Shengyuan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):59-64
Objective:
To investigate the influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide the basis for effectively reducing delay in PTB patients.
Methods:
Data of PTB patients in Minhang District from 2017 to 2022 were collected from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The prevalence rates of delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were analyzed, and factors affecting delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were identified using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results:
A total of 4 214 PTB patients were reported in Minhang District from 2017 to 2022, including 2 802 males and 1 412 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.98∶1. The majority of patients were aged 25 to <45 years (1 664 cases, 39.49%). The prevalence rates of delay in healthcare-seeking, definitive diagnosis and identification were 36.81%, 30.21% and 38.09%, respectively. Delay in healthcare-seeking was associated with the year (2018, OR=0.708; 2019, OR=0.549; 2020, OR=0.670; 2021, OR=0.682), gender (female, OR=1.199), occupation (worker, OR=1.379; housekeeping service/housework/unemployed, OR=1.481), case identification route (symptom-based consultation, OR=11.159), and level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=1.528). Delay in definitive diagnosis was associated with age (45 to <65 years, OR=1.476), occupation (commercial service, OR=0.687; housekeeping service/housework/unemployed, OR=0.672), household registration (non-local, OR=0.820), case identification route (symptom-based consultation, OR=0.616), pathogen test result (negative/not tested, OR=1.903), and the level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=0.311). Delay in identification was associated with the year (2018, OR=0.785; 2019, OR=0.647; 2020, OR=0.790; 2021, OR=0.710), occupation (commercial service, OR=0.687), household registration (non-local, OR=0.848) and level of the first-diagnosed hospital (city-level, OR=0.560)
Conclusions
Year, gender, occupation, case identification route and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in healthcare-seeking in PTB patients. Age, occupation, household registration, case identification route, pathogen test result and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in definitive diagnosis. Year, occupation, household registration and level of the first-diagnosed hospital are influencing factors for delay in identification.
10.Screening key genes of PANoptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury based on bioinformatics
Lirong ZHU ; Qian GUO ; Jie YANG ; Qiuwen ZHANG ; Guining HE ; Yanqing YU ; Ning WEN ; Jianhui DONG ; Haibin LI ; Xuyong SUN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):106-113
Objective To explore the relationship between PANoptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), and to screen the key genes of PANoptosis in HIRI. Methods PANoptosis-related differentially expressed genes (PDG) were obtained through the Gene Expression Omnibus database and GeneCards database. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the biological pathways related to PDG. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Key genes were selected, and their diagnostic value was assessed and validated in the HIRI mice. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed based on the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts. Results A total of 16 PDG were identified. GO analysis showed that PDG were closely related to cellular metabolism. KEGG analysis indicated that PDG were mainly enriched in cellular death pathways such as apoptosis and immune-related signaling pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. GSEA results showed that key genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Two key genes, DFFB and TNFSF10, were identified with high accuracy in diagnosing HIRI, with areas under the curve of 0.964 and 1.000, respectively. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the control group had more infiltration of resting natural killer cells, M2 macrophages, etc., while the HIRI group had more infiltration of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and naive B cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression of DFFB messenger RNA in liver tissue of HIRI group mice increased, and the relative expression of TNFSF10 messenger RNA decreased. Cibersort analysis showed that the infiltration abundance of naive B cells was positively correlated with DFFB expression (r=0.70, P=0.035), and the infiltration abundance of M2 macrophages was positively correlated with TNFSF10 expression (r=0.68, P=0.045). Conclusions PANoptosis-related genes DFFB and TNFSF10 may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HIRI.


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