1.Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets Ameliorate Liver Injury Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet by Regulating Cholesterol Metabolism
Xiaotong FU ; Chunyu CAO ; Chun LI ; Chenna LU ; Ting LIU ; Yifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):46-55
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets (TG) and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CG) in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: control (pure water), low-dose TG (TG-L, 189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), high-dose TG (TG-H, 472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), TG-L+CG (189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), and TG-H+CG (472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration, the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically, HepG2 cells were grouped as follows: Low-dose TG (TG-l, 15 mg·L-1), medium-dose TG (TG-m, 45 mg·L-1), high-dose TG (TG-h, 135 mg·L-1), fenofibrate (FB, 10 μmol·L-1), CG extract, TG-h+FB (135 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-m+FB (45 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-l+FB (15 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-h+CG (135 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), TG-m+CG (45 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), and TG-l+CG (15 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG). The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), which were up-regulated by the application of CG (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with TG alone, TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α (P<0.01), and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 (P<0.01) in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the TG-h group, the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR (P<0.05). Compared with the TG-m group, the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0, 472.5 mg·kg-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux, endocytosis, and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes, leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α, LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.
2.Research progress on the chemical composition and antidepressant mechanism of volatile oils of traditional Chinese medicine
Yifei ZHANG ; Lu CHENG ; Mingshi REN ; Dao GUO ; Fengjiao KUANG ; Zonghua KANG ; Jianguang LUO ; Feihua WU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):22-30
Depressive disorder is a mental illness characterized by poor mood and cognitive dysfunction caused by a range of complicated factors. Antidepressants have strong short-term efficacy in clinical application, yet with significant adverse effects and resistance in long-term use. Essential oils are small molecular compounds mainly composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, most of which are characterized by aromatic odors, easy permeability through the blood-brain barrier, and low toxic side effects. Volatile oil from traditional Chinese medicine can regulate neurotransmitter monoamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, and intestinal microbiota-gut-brain axis to exert an antidepressant effect through multiple pathways and targets. This review summarizes the main antidepressant chemical components of essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine, their pharmacological mechanisms and clinical application, aiming to provide some reference for further development and clinical application of essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine.
3.An investigation of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures
Junnan LU ; Yifei WANG ; Yingmin CHEN ; Fuhua JING ; Xiaoshan WANG ; Chenglong ZHENG ; Qingmei CHEN ; Rui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):395-401
Objective To evaluate the current radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, and analyze the associated clinical factors, and to provide data references for reducing pediatric radiation exposure. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the radiation doses of children who had undergone non-cardiac interventional procedures at the interventional department of a tertiary pediatric hospital in Jinan from January 2022 to October 2024. The collected data included basic demographic information, surgical date, anatomical site, disease type, and radiation dose parameters (cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma, and the number of images acquired). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparative analysis between groups (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). Results Among the 475 included children, 99 cases (20.8%) had infantile hemangioma (median Pka, 0.136 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 0.38 mGy), 235 cases (49.5%) had venous malformation (median Pka, 9.82 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 40.99 mGy), 75 cases (15.8%) had lymphatic malformation (median Pka, 0.06 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 0.18 mGy), 32 cases (6.7%) had retinoblastoma (median Pka, 6.58 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 52.34 mGy), 12 cases (2.5%) had arteriovenous malformation (median Pka, 42.3 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 162.87 mGy), and 22 cases (4.6%) had other vascular malformations (median Pka, 21.7 Gy·cm2; median Ka,r, 89.1 mGy). There were significant differences between children with different disease types in the cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, and the number of images acquired during non-cardiac interventional procedures (all P < 0.01). Conclusion This study presented the types and proportions of pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, evaluated the radiation dose levels of different surgical types, and analyzed the effects of weight and anatomical site on radiation exposure, which can be useful for preliminary assessment of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures.
4.Comparative analysis of work-related injury appraisal of 13 cases of occupational brucellosis
Yifei PEI ; Wenwen YUAN ; Lili YANG ; Huajian JU ; Lu HAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(4):437-441
Background According to the Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases, brucellosis is one of the notifiable occupational infectious diseases, which occurs from time to time in the occupational population. Objective To compare the work-related injury appraisal process and results of 13 cases of brucellosis at both provincial and municipal levels, analyze and summarize the bias in the practical work of labor capacity identification for occupational diseases such as brucellosis by appraisal management departments and experts, and propose suggestions for optimizing appraisal work. Methods A comparative study was conducted on the objective examination results and labor capacity appraisal conclusions based on the occupational contact history, clinical diagnosis, occupational disease diagnosis staging, and labor capacity appraisal of 13 patients with brucellosis. The reasons for the inconsistency between the initial appraisal conclusion by institutions at the municipal level and the final appraisal conclusion by institutions at the provincial level were compared and analyzed. Results All of the 13 patients with brucellosis applied for municipal-level labor capacity identification after being identified as work-related injuries, 11 of which did not receive a disability level, and 2 were rated as level 10 disability. Four of those who did not receive the disability rate applied for provincial-level labor capacity identification. As a result, 2 cases were maintained original appraisal conclusions, while the other 2 changed the conclusions to level 9 disability and level 10 disability respectively. It was the first time in Shijiangzhuang municipal-level primary labor capacity appraisal and Hebei provincial-level labor capacity re-appraisal that the work-related injury caused by occupational brucellosis was rated as level 9 disability or level 10 disability. Hence, the lessons learned from this comparative analysis are that the degree of target organ damage and (or) organ dysfunction are the direct basis for work-related injury appraisal; an objective and scientific labor capacity identification for occupational brucellosis should base on the each case of disability evaluation, identify the relevant target organ damage and the degree of dysfunction, and rate the disability level after a comprehensive appraisal. Conclusion This analysis would be a guidance to the identification of labor capacity for occupational brucellosis in Hebei Province and the whole country. There is a hysteresis issue in the occupational disease provisions in the national standard GB/T 16180—2014 Standard for identify work ability—Gradation of disability caused by work-related injuries and occupatiaonal diseases. In current situation, appraisal experts should not only search for clauses that directly correspond to the occupational diseases and injuries, but also target conditions not covered in the clauses and conduct assessment based on the characteristics of occupational diseases, with scientific, accurate, and flexible application of the clauses in the standard and appendix, so as to make fair, just, and professional appraisal conclusions.
5.Update on therapeutic targets for vitiligo therapy
Yan LU ; Yifei FENG ; Jiawei LU ; Xuechen CAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2024;30(1):1-6
Vitiligo is a dermatological condition of autoimmune origin, characterized by the acquired loss of pigmentation in the skin and mucous membranes. Inflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-21, IL-33, phosphodiester enzyme (PDE)-4, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, play a crucial role in the progression of vitiligo. Among these, the IFN-γ/chemokine ligand (CXCL) 10 axis is particularly significant. In recent times, the advent of targeted therapeutic approaches, focusing on modulating cytokines and their corresponding receptors implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, has assumed paramount significance. JAK inhibitors and their combination therapy with phototherapy have been clinically proven to have promising therapeutic prospects. This review undertakes a comprehensive appraisal of the therapeutic efficacy and tailored drug selection pertaining to diverse biological agents employed in the management of vitiligo, aiming to provide valuable insights for clinical therapeutic decisions.
6.Formulation Optimization of Hydroxyylsafflower Yellow A Nanoparticle Using Box-Behnken Response Surface Method and in Vitro Release Evaluation
Yifei XIAO ; Lixin DU ; Qidong WEI ; Huiling LU ; Zhihua GUO ; Ya LI
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(1):122-131
Objective To optimize the preparation process of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)nanoparticle and conduct in vitro release evaluation.Methods HSYA nanoparticles were prepared with PLGA as carrier by modified compound emulsion method.The optimal preparation process of the experiment was selected by Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken response surface method.The nanoparticles were characterized by using particle size analyzer,TEM scanning electron microscope,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD).Frozen(4℃)storage stability,stability in physiological medium,lyophilized protective agent and in vitro release rate were investigated.Results The optimal process prescription of nanoparticle is as follow:pH value is 6.95,the dosage is 2.8 mg,and carrier dosage is 18.2 mg.The size of nanoparticles obtained at optimum condition is(176.4±1.29)nm,the polydiseperse index(PDI)is 0.152±0.014,the Zeta potential is(-17.6±0.46)mV,the encapsulation rate is(78.5±0.49)%,drug loading is(7.3±0.07)%.These nanoparticles showed round and good dispersion.Good stability in 4℃ storage environment and different physiological media of nanoparticles were observed.The best lyophilized protective agent was 1%glucose and the in vitro release rate of nanoparticles at 48 hours was 85%.Conclusion The optimization method is reasonable and reliable.The obtained nanoparticles have good stability and sustained-release effect.The in vitro release behavior conformed to first-order kinetic model.
7.Prevalence of Lying Flat behaviors and its association with depressive symptoms among college students from three provinces and cities in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):844-848
Objective:
To understand the prevalence of Lying Flat behaviors and its association with depressive symptoms among Chinese college students, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the physical and mental health development of adolescents.
Methods:
From July to October 2023, three universities were selected through convenient sampling from Jiangxi Province, Liaoning Province and Beijing City, respectively. Selfdesigned questionnaire links were distributed on campus to collect basic information and Lying Flat behaviors among college students, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to screen for students with depressive symptoms. Finally, a total of 4 225 valid questionnaires were obtained. Chisquare was used to compare of report rates of Lying Flat behaviors across different demographic characteristics. Ordered Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between Lying Flat behaviors and depressive symptoms, with Z test used to assess variations in the strength of associations.
Results:
The reporting rates of academic, life, and social Lying Flat were 32.7%, 17.8% and 17.5%, respectively. And 6.7% of the participants were found of all three Lying Flat behaviors simultaneously.Among college students with three Lying Flat behaviors, the constituent ratios of no, mild, moderate and above depressive symptoms were 9.9%, 30.5% and 59.6%, respectively. Additionally, college students who had three Lying Flat behaviors were more likely to show mild, moderate and above depressive symptoms [OR(95%CI)=2.49(1.60-3.87), 7.69(5.01-11.79), P<0.01].
Conclusions
Academic Lying Flat behavior is most prevalent among college students. Academic, life and social Lying Flat behaviors are all significantly positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Attention should be paid to the Lying Flat behaviors and college students psychological health conditions to promote their physical and mental health development.
8.Vector flow mapping technique for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in ovarian cancer patients with postoperative chemotherapy
Chuncui CHEN ; Wenjuan QIN ; Ruimeng TIAN ; Ruoxi CHEN ; Yifei ZHOU ; Lei HUANG ; Xueting GUO ; Guilin LU
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(8):477-481
Objective To observe the value of vector flow mapping(VFM)technique for assessing changes of left ventricular diastolic function in ovarian cancer(OC)patients who underwent postoperative chemotherapy.Methods Totally 37 OC patients who received postoperative chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled in chemotherapy group,while 40 healthy adults were taken as controls(control group).Routine echocardiography and VFM were performed for chemotherapy group before chemotherapy,after 3 and 6 cycles of chemotherapy,also for controls at enrollment,and comparison was performed between groups before chemotherapy,as well as among different time points within chemotherapy group,and the correlations of VFM results with hemoglobin and routine echocardiographic results in chemotherapy group were analyzed.Results No significant difference of age,body mass,body surface area(BSA),nor hemoglobin level,routine echocardiographic and VFM results before chemotherapy was found between groups(all P>0.05).With the process of chemotherapy,hemoglobin level gradually decreased,the isovolumic relaxation period(IR),atrial systole period(AS)intraventricular pressure difference(IVPD)and intraventricular pressure gradient(IVPG)of the left ventricle gradually increased(adjusted P<0.05),whereas routine echocardiography only showed that the left atrial volume index(LAVI)and the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity and the mean mitral annular early diastolic velocity(E/e')increased after 6 cycles of chemotherapy compared with those pre-chemotherapy(adjusted P<0.05).In chemotherapy group,VFM results in all diastolic subphases were strongly correlated with hemoglobin levels(|r|=0.718 to 0.836,all P<0.05),weakly to moderately correlated with LAVI(|r|=0.375 to 0.525,all P<0.05)and moderately correlated with E/e'(|r|=0.424 to 0.537,all P<0.05).Conclusion The diastolic function of left ventricle was probably damaged in early stage after postoperative chemotherapy in OC patients.VFM might detect slight changes of early diastolic function of left ventricle more sensitively than routine echocardiography.
9.Correlation between CT-based arterial radiomics score and the neo-adjuvant treatment response of pancreatic cancer
Mengmeng ZHU ; Yun BIAN ; Chengwei CHEN ; Jian ZHOU ; Na LI ; Yifei GUO ; Ying LI ; Xiaohan YUAN ; Jieyu YU ; Jianping LU
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2024;24(3):190-197
Objective:To identify the relationship between the CT arterial radiomics score and the treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 243 pancreatic cancer patients who received surgical resection after neo-adjuvant therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from March 2017 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the tumor regression grade (TRG), the patients were divided into good response group (TRG 0-1, n=30) and non-good response group (TRG 2-3, n=213). The clinical, radiological and pathological features were compared between two groups. Fully-automated segmentation tool was used for segmenting the arterial CT scan of pancreatic tumor before and after treatment. Python package was applied to extract the radiomics features of tumors after segmentation and the extracted features were reduced and chosen using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) logistic regression algorithm. Lasso logistic regression formula was applied to calculate the arterial radiomics score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between arterial radiomics score and treatment response to neoadjucant therapy. Receiver operating-characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and area under curve (AUC), specificity, sensitivity and accuracy for evaluating the treatment response were calculated. The clinical usefulness of arterial radiomics score for diagnosing the response of neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer were determined by decision curve analysis (DCA) . Results:A total of 330 arterial radiomics CT features were obtained, and 9-selected arterial phase features associated with treatment response were determined after being reduced by the Lasso logistic regression algorithm. Univariate analysis showed that the arterial radiomics score, three-dimensional diameter after neoadjuvant therapy, pancreatic contour, T stage, N stage, Peri-pancreatic nerve invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) and invasion of duodenum were all associated with treatment response (all P value <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses confirmed that arterial radiomics score was obviously associated with the neoadjuvant treatment response ( P<0.001). At the cut-off value of 1.93, AUC of the arterial radiomics score for diagnosing neoadjuvant treatment response was 0.92, and the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy was 86.7%, 84.5% and 84.8%. DCA demonstrated that when the percentage for predicting the treatment response by using the arterial radiomics score was >0.2, the patients could benefit from the application of arterial radiomics score for evaluating neoadjuvant therapy response. Conclusions:The arterial radiomics score was strongly correlated with the neoadjuvant treatment response of pancreatic cancer, and can accurately predict neoadjuant treatment efficacy.
10.Antioxidant Kinetic Characteristics and Online Identification of Active Compounds in Chrysanthemi Flos Stems and Leaves
Wanqian TU ; Xin LU ; Liuji ZHANG ; Yifei LIU ; Jianxia WANG ; Xiangyang LI ; Jingjing CHEN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(7):1862-1869
Objective To study the antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging kinetics of Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves,and online screen the active components related to free radical scavenging.Methods Using DPPH method and ABTS method the antioxidant activity of extracts from Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves was observed,and the effects of different influencing factors,such as drug concentration,reaction temperature and reaction time on free radical scavenging rate were compared,the half scavenging rate(IC50)was determined.The flavonoids,such as luteolin glucuronic acid,luteolin,and caffeic acid,phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,isochlorogenic acid A,B,and C in the samples before and after the reaction were chosen as indexes,and their contents were determined by HPLC.Results The drug concentration,reaction temperature and reaction time could affect the scavenging rate of DPPH free radical and ABTS.The IC50 of DPPH and ABTS were 0.395 mg·mL-1 and 2.039 mg·mL-1 respectively.After reaction with DPPH and ABTS,the contents of the analytes above all decreased significantly,which suggested that,the components above might be the antioxidant components in Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves.Conclusions Chrysanthemi flos Stems and leaves have good free radical scavenging activity.In this study,the kinetic characteristics of scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals in Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves were preliminarily clarified,and the active components were found out.It provides an experimental basis for the future comprehensive development of Chrysanthemi flos stems and leaves.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail