1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Treatment of Hyperlipidemia from the Perspective of Cold
Yuhan YANG ; Tong TONG ; Wenxi ZUO ; Qingqing WANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1451-1454
It is proposed that cold pathogen plays an important promoting role in the onset and progression of hyperlipidemia. External exposure to cold, the gradual generation of internal cold, and the covert consumption of yang qi caused by modern lifestyle factors may all provide a pathological basis for the development of hyperlipidemia. Based on the pathogenic characteristics of cold, namely its tendency to damage yang, induce stagnation, and cause contraction, this paper suggests that the treatment of hyperlipidemia should focus on warming and tonifying, warming and resolving, and warming and unblocking, respectively. This provides a theoretical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperlipidemia with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
4.Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating HuR to Suppress hsa_circ_0057552
Rui YANG ; Bian-Li GU ; Lin-Lin SHI ; Shuo-Xuan LI ; Yao-Wu LANG ; Zhi-Xiang ZUO ; She-Gan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(11):1678-1686
Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P<0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P<0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P<0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.
5.Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating HuR to Suppress hsa_circ_0057552
Rui YANG ; Bian-Li GU ; Lin-Lin SHI ; Shuo-Xuan LI ; Yao-Wu LANG ; Zhi-Xiang ZUO ; She-Gan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(11):1678-1686
Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P<0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P<0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P<0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.
6.MiR-1 Inhibits Proliferation,Migration and Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Li YAO ; Weichen ZUO ; Siqi GOU
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(4):84-88,95
Objective To investigate the effects of miR-1 on the proliferation,migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods miR-1 mimics,inhibitors and their corresponding controls were transfected into ESCC cells ECa109 and KYSE410.The efficiency of cell transfection was validated by SYBR-green quantitative PCR.The proliferation,migration and invasion ability of ESCC cells were assessed by MTT,foci formation,wound healing and Matrigel invasion assays,respectively.Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 22.0software for Windows.Results Overexpression of miR-1 markedly inhibited the cell growth rate and the colony-forming ability of the ESCC cells.While,downregulation of miR-1 promoted the cell growth rate and foci formation(P<0.05).And upregulation or downregulation of miR-1 significantly suppressed or promoted tumor cell invasion and migration(P<0.05).Conclu-sion miR-1 inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,invasion and migration,suggesting that miR-1 functions as a tumor suppressor in the tumorigenesis and progression of ESCC and may be a potential therapeutic target.
7.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
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Perfusion/methods*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Brain Injuries/etiology*
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Swine
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Male
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Hypothermia, Induced/methods*
8.Effects of continued use of targeted therapy on patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and complicated by hemoptysis.
Zhong-Chao WANG ; Xiu-Min HAN ; Yao ZUO ; Na DONG ; Jian-Ming WANG ; Li-Li MENG ; Jia-Wang XIAO ; Ming ZHAO ; Yuan MI ; Qi-Guang WANG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(3):404-410
9.Predictive value of plasma miRNA for the risk of swallowing and cognitive impairment after ischemic stroke
Weifeng ZUO ; Jianmin CHEN ; Qinhe PAN ; Jingzhi YAO ; Yuchang GUI ; Jianwen XU
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(8):1824-1829
Objective To explore the expression level of plasma miRNA in patients with swallowing and cognitive dysfunction after ischemic stroke and its correlation with the severity of dysfunction.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 109 patients with ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and the First Affiliated Hos-pital of Fujian Medical University from January 2023 to March 2024.The expression levels of plasma miR-140-5p,miR-17-5p,and miR-103a-3p were detected by RT-qPCR.The swallowing function was evaluated by the Wada Drinking Water Test and the Functional Oral Feeding Scale,and the cognitive function of stroke pa-tients was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale(mRS)classification.According to the mRS rating criteria,the patients were divided into the good functional outcome group(grade≤2,n=50)and the poor functional outcome group(grade≥3,n=59).Analyzed the correlation between miRNA expression levels and the degree of functional impairment,compared the clinical characteristics of patients with different mRS grades,and used the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve(AUC)to analyze the efficacy of miRNA in predicting the functional outcome of mRS evaluation.Results The results of Spearman correla-tion analysis showed that the expression level of miR-17-5p was negatively correlated with the classification of the Wada Drinking Water Test(r=-0.317)and the classification of the Functional Oral Feeding Scale(r=-0.457,P<0.05).Compared with the good functional outcome group,the poor functional outcome group had a lower proportion of males,shorter disease course,and higher expression level of miR-103a-3p,the differ-ences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that miR-103a-3p(AUC=0.709,95%CI:0.611-0.808)had the ability to distinguish functional outcomes in mRS evaluation.However,miR-140-5p(AUC=0.514,95%CI:0.405-0.624)and miR-17-5p(AUC=0.527,95%CI:0.414-0.637)did not have the ability.Conclusion The expression level of plasma miR-17-5p is related to the severi-ty of dysphagia in patients in the recovery period of ischemic stroke,and miR-103a-3p is helpful for judging the functional outcomes of patients in the recovery period of ischemic stroke.
10.Preparation and In Vitro Degradation Characteristics Analysis of Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)Microspheres Based on Microfluidic Process
Bao-Cheng WANG ; Cong-Yu MA ; Ke WANG ; Si-Tong ZHENG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Yue-Mei ZHAO ; Xun ZHAO ; Jian-Bin PAN ; Zheng-Song GAO ; Hai-Wei SHI ; Yao-Zuo YUAN ; Hong-Yuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):621-630
Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)(PLGA)is a key excipient in long-acting sustained-release preparations,and its degradation properties directly affect the drug release behavior.In this study,PLGA microspheres were prepared by microfluidic techniques,and the morphology changes of the microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).In alkaline environment,due to the accelerated hydrolysis of ester bonds,the surface of the microspheres was rapidly dissolved and eroded,and the degradation rate was significantly higher than that in acidic environment.High temperature accelerated the degradation of PLGA microspheres.Under neutral and alkaline conditions,the microspheres showed aggregation and adhesion.Under acidic conditions,the microspheres gradually decomposed into irregular fragments.The high ionic strength further promoted the surface corrosion of the microspheres,especially under extreme pH conditions.Simultaneously,PLGA microspheres encapsulating coumarin were prepared to simulate the microsphere formulation.The release rate of coumarin after degradation of the microspheres under different conditions was observed by measuring the absorbance with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.The results were consistent with those of the blank microspheres.This study revealed that the degradation of PLGA microspheres was significantly pH-dependent,temperature sensitive and ion strength responsive.These findings not only helped to understand and optimize the long-term stability and controlled release performance of drug-carrying microspheres,but also provided a theoretical basis for further improvement of PLGA-based drug carrier design.

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