1.Mechanisms of Xiaozhi Qinggan Decoction in Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Regulating Ferroptosis
Haihang DONG ; Yuying TU ; Xingrong LI ; Yujie CAI ; Yi REN ; Huiqin ZHANG ; Yinqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):109-119
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Xiaozhi Qinggan decoction (XQD) in preventing and treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by regulating ferroptosis, network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments. MethodsIn the in vivo experiment, mouse MASLD models were established by high-fat diet (HFD) induction. The model mice were randomly assigned to a positive control group (silybin, 50 mg·kg-1), low-, medium- and high-dose XQD groups (4.725, 9.45, 18.9 g·kg-1), with a normal control group. After 4 weeks of modeling, mice except the normal group were administered intragastrically for 8 consecutive weeks. Liver function, serum lipid levels, hepatic histopathology, as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and Fe2+ were detected. The mRNA and protein expression of p53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 were determined by quantitative Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) and Western blot. In the network pharmacology analysis, active components and potential targets of XQD for MASLD were screened, followed by functional and pathway enrichment analyses, and molecular docking was performed to verify the target binding activity. In the in vitro experiment, the optimal concentration of XQD-containing serum was screened by cytotoxicity assay. HepG2 cells were transfected with ov-NC or ov-p53 plasmid, and a lipid accumulation model was induced by free fatty acid (FFA, 1.0 mmol·L-1). Cells were divided into a normal group, FFA model group, ov-NC+XQD (15%) group and ov-p53+XQD (15%) group. Intracellular Fe2+ level and lipid accumulation were evaluated, and the protein expression of p53, SLC7A11 and GPX4 was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited markedly elevated body weight, liver weight, liver index, fasting blood glucose, AUC of glucose tolerance test, serum liver function and blood lipid levels at week 12 (P<0.01). Hepatic steatosis and inflammatory infiltration were observed by pathological staining. Additionally, hepatic levels of MDA, SOD and Fe2+ were increased (P<0.01), while GSH, GSSG and the GSH/GSSG ratio were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of hepatic p53 was upregulated (P<0.01), whereas the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low- and medium-dose XQD groups showed significantly decreased body weight at week 12 (P<0.05). The silybin group, together with the medium- and high-dose XQD groups, presented reduced liver weight and liver index (P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose and the AUC of glucose tolerance test were lowered in all four treatment groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pathological staining revealed alleviated hepatic steatosis and inflammation, accompanied by decreased serum liver function and blood lipid levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, hepatic MDA and SOD levels were markedly reduced, while GSH, GSSG and the GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Hepatic Fe2+ level was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of hepatic p53 was downregulated, and the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology analysis identified quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, tanshinone IIA and isorhamnetin as the core active components of XQD, with p53 serving as the key target. Stable binding was verified between these active components and the p53 protein. The optimal concentration of XQD-containing serum in vitro was determined to be 15%. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increased intracellular Fe2+ and lipid accumulation, significantly upregulated p53 protein expression (P<0.01), and markedly downregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ov-NC group exhibited reduced Fe2+ and lipid accumulation, downregulated p53 expression, and upregulated SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression. In the ov-p53 group, p53 expression was upregulated (P<0.01), while SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression was downregulated (P<0.01). ConclusionXQD inhibits ferroptosis by downregulating p53 and upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4, thereby alleviating oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes and improving MASLD.
2.Experience in Staged Differentiation and Treatment of Cirrhotic Ascites Based on the Theory of Tonification and Purging
Haihang DONG ; Yujie CAI ; Huiqin ZHANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuying TU ; Dongling WANG ; Yinqiang ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):532-536
It is believed that patients with cirrhotic ascites exhibit a pathological mechanism characterized by the decline of healthy qi and the accumulation of pathogenic factors. Clinically, treatment should be based on the theory of tonification and purging, with a staged approach distinguishing between the active phase and the remission phase. The balance between tonification and purging should be adjusted according to the progression of pathogenic and healthy actors. In the acute phase, purging should take precedence over tonification, using purging as a means of tonification to facilitate the flow of water and qi through the triple energizer. The severity of water retention, dampness, blood stasis, and heat should be carefully assessed to ensure thorough elimination of pathogenic factors while avoiding harm to healthy qi. Medication adjustments should be made once the pathogenic factors are significantly weakened. In the remission phase, an integrated approach combining both tonification and purging should be adopted, incorporating purging within tonification to clear residual pathogens and prevent recurrence. Concurrently, proactive treatment of the underlying disease is essential to achieve complete recovery and prevent the recurrence of ascites.
3.Influencing factors for vaccination willingness of herpes zoster vaccine among the elderly
WANG Xiaoyu ; ZHANG Zhiping ; DONG Yuying ; LIANG Jie ; CHEN Qiang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):809-813
Objective:
To investigate the influencing factors for vaccination willingness of herpes zoster vaccine (HZV) among the elderly, so as to provide the basis for improving the HZV vaccination strategy for the elderly.
Methods:
From July 2023 to June 2024, permanent residents aged ≥60 years in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province were selected using the multistage random sampling method and probability proportionate to size sampling method. Basic information, disease history, awareness of herpes zoster (HZ) and HZV, vaccination history, and vaccination willingness of HZV were collected through questionnaire surveys. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for vaccination willingness of HZV among the elderly.
Results:
Totally 1 209 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.95%. The respondents included 657 males (54.34%) and 552 females (45.66%). Among them, 626 (51.78%) individuals were aged 60 -<70 years. There were 113 individuals had vaccination willingness of HZV, with a vaccination willingness rate of 9.35%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR=2.872, 95%CI: 1.624-5.080), urban (OR=4.909, 95%CI: 2.732-8.818), individual monthly income of 1 000-<2 000 yuan (OR=3.085, 95%CI: 1.602-5.940), accessibility of vaccination clinics (OR=5.717, 95%CI: 1.109-29.462), presence of chronic diseases (OR=2.423, 95%CI: 1.325-4.431), history of varicella infection (OR=2.114, 95%CI: 1.213-3.684), awareness of HZ (OR=2.194, 95%CI: 1.096-4.394), awareness of HZV (OR=3.562, 95%CI: 2.005-6.330), history of influenza vaccine vaccination (OR=7.833, 95%CI: 4.189-14.645), and history of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine vaccination (OR=2.955, 95%CI: 1.603-5.449) were promoting factors for vaccination willingness of HZV.
Conclusion
The vaccination willingness rate of HZV among the elderly is relatively low, which is mainly affected by factors such as gender, residence, individual monthly income, accessibility of vaccination clinics, presence of chronic diseases, history of varicella infection, awareness of HZ and HZV, and history of influenza vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine vaccination.
4.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
5.Interpretation of specification for service of cancer screening for workers
Hongda CHEN ; Bin LU ; Ying ZHENG ; Peng DU ; Xiao QI ; Kai ZHANG ; Yuying LIU ; Junli WEI ; Donghua WEI ; Jiyong GONG ; Yunchao HUANG ; Zhenya SONG ; Xi CHU ; Dong DONG ; Wenjing ZHENG ; Min DAI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(4):486-489
As the backbone force of China's social and economic construction, the health status of workers is closely related to the nation's productivity and social development. Currently, cancers have become one of the major diseases threatening the health of workers. However, there are still many shortcomings in the cancer screening services for the workers. To standardize cancer screening services for workers, ensure the quality of screening services, and improve the overall screening effectiveness, 19 institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, have jointly formulated the Group Standard "Specification for service of cancer screening for workers (T/CHAA 023-2023)". This standard follows the principles of "legality, scientific rigor, advancement, and feasibility" and combines the frontier scientific advances in cancer screening. It clarifies the relevant requirements for service principles, service design, service delivery, service management, service evaluation, and improving worker cancer screening. Implementing this group standard will help connect the common screening needs of workers, employers, and cancer screening service providers, standardize the screening process, improve screening quality, and ultimately increase the early diagnosis rate and survival rate of cancer patients. Consequently, this group standard will help safeguard workers' health rights and interests, ensure the labor force resources, promote the comprehensive coordinated and sustainable development of society, and contribute to realizing the "Healthy China 2030" strategic policy.
6.Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating skeletal muscle microcirculation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Pengfei WANG ; Manjing YE ; Maosheng XU ; Chunpeng ZOU ; Yanyan DONG
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(5):35-39
Objective To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the assessment of diabetic microangiopademia through evaluating microcirculation perfusion of triceps surae muscle by CEUS.Method Totally 51 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)admitted in our hospital between August 2020 and January 2023 were collected,including 15 pure T2DM patients and 36 T2DM patients complicated with microcirculatory disturbance(T2DM+CM).Each patient's hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)were recorded.After getting enhanced intensity(PI-BI)and regional peak time(TTP-AT)by CEUS,comparative analysis between groups was conducted.Results The levels of HbA1c and HOMA-IR in T2DM+CM group were higher than those in pure T2DM group(P<0.05).TTP-AT in T2DM+CM group were longer than that in pure T2DM group of all muscles musculi gastrocnemii(MG),laterale musculi gastrocnemi(LG),soleus(SOL)and triceps surae muscle's junction region)(P<0.05).The TTP-AT of SOL was longest in both groups,followed by LG,and MG(P<0.05).The PI-BI had no significant difference among MG,LG and SOL in pure T2DM group.The PI-BI of MG was higher than that of SOL in the T2DM+CM group(P<0.05).TTP-AT of triceps surae muscle's junction region had significant positive association with both HbA1c and HOMA-IR(P<0.05).Conclusion The TTP-AT of triceps surae muscle measured by CEUS is a new indicator for evaluating microangiopathopathy in T2DM patients.
7.Up-regulation of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Rostral Ventromedial Medulla Contributes to Chronic Postsurgical Pain by Promoting 5-HT Release
Juanli DAI ; Zhen WANG ; Chaoxiong DONG ; Yuying LI ; Xuhong WEI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):54-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) in chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR). MethodsSD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: ① Sham group; ② SMIR group; ③ SMIR+TNFα/IL-1β neutralizing antibody group; ④ SMIR+TNFα/IL-1β group and ⑤ SMIR+vehicle group. 50% paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured by the up-down method, immunofluroscence was used to detect the TNFα and IL-1β expression and ELISA for the 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level. ResultsSMIR elicited persistent nociceptive sensitization, upregulated TNFα and IL-1β expression in RVM neurons and astrocytes. Microinjection of TNFα or IL-1β neutralizing antibody into RVM inhibited the development of nociceptive sensitization and decreased the level of 5-HT in both RVM and spinal dorsal horn. While microinjection of recombinant TNFα or IL-1β into RVM enhanced the development of nociceptive sensitization and increased the level of 5-HT in both RVM and spinal dorsal horn. ConclusionUp-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines in RVM may contribute to SMIR induced CPSP by promoting 5-HT release.
8.Study on the correlation between home rearing environment and social emotional competence of infants and toddlers
Yuying XU ; Chenming GUO ; Fangxuan MEI ; Xi ZHANG ; Liping YU ; Jiali DONG
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care 2024;32(5):559-565
【Objective】 To understand the current situation of social emotional competence of infants and toddlers, and analyze its relationship with home rearing environment, in order to provide the basis for improving the level of infant social emotional development. 【Method】 A study was conducted on 390 individuals from a child health institution in Hubei and Henan provinces.The "Infant and Toddler Social-Emotional Assessment Scale" and "1 - 3 Years Child Home Rearing Environment Scale" were used to investigate the social emotions ability and home rearing environment of infants and toddlers. 【Results】 A total of 390 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey, of which 199 were boys (51.0%) and 191 girls (49.0%). The average age of infants was (27.13±6.86)months.The age distribution is mainly among infants and young children aged 24 to 36 months, with a total of 305 people (78.2%). The caregiver′s registered residence (Z=-3.570), father′s education level (H=17.106), mother′s education level (H=7.980), per capita monthly income of the family (H=13.986), and the home rearing environment (Z=-8.881) had statistical significance on the social emotional competence of infants(P<0.05 or <0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between family rearing environment and infants′ social emotion (r=0.582, P<0.01).Multiple regression analysis showed that the social adaptation/self-care(β=0.30, 95%CI: 0.18 - 0.52, P<0.01)and language cognition dimensions(β=0.22, 95%CI: 0.07 - 0.59, P<0.05) in the home rearing environment had a statistically significant impact on the social emotional ability of infants and toddlers. 【Conclusion】 The home rearing environment is closely related to the social emotional development of infants and young children.Improve the parenting knowledge and skills of the main caregivers of infants and young children, build a good family rearing environment for infants and young children, which is beneficial to promote the development of children′s social emotions.
9.Discovery of a potent PROTAC degrader for RNA demethylase FTO as antileukemic therapy.
Lu LIU ; Yuanlai QIU ; Yuying SUO ; Siyao TONG ; Yiqing WANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Liang CHEN ; Yue HUANG ; Huchen ZHOU ; Hu ZHOU ; Ze DONG ; Cai-Guang YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(12):5382-5392
The fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is an RNA demethylase required for catalytic demethylation of N 6-methyladenosine (m6A); it is highly expressed and functions as an oncogene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, the overarching objective of targeting FTO is to precisely inhibit the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, whether FTO degradation also exerts antileukemic effects remains unknown. Herein, we designed the first FTO-targeting proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader QP73 using our FTO inhibitor Dac85-which potently inhibits FTO demethylation in AML cell lines-as a warhead. Notably, QP73 significantly induced FTO degradation in a time-, dose-, and ubiquitin-proteasome system-dependent manner and had superior antiproliferative activities to the FTO inhibitor Dac85 in various AML cell lines. Moreover, QP73 treatment significantly increased m6A modification on mRNA, promoted myeloid differentiation, and induced apoptosis of AML cells. Quantitative proteomics analysis showed that QP73 induced complete FTO degradation, upregulating RARA and ASB2 abundance and downregulating CEBPA, MYC, PFKP, and LDHB levels in AML cells. Lastly, QP73 exhibited antileukemic activity by increasing m6A modification and decreasing FTO levels in xenograft AML tumors. This proof-of-concept study shows that FTO-targeting PROTAC degraders can regulate the FTO signaling pathway and have potential antileukemia applications.
10.Efficacy analysis of subcutaneous injection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor for prevention of invasive fungal disease in patients with multiple myeloma
Yaoyao TIAN ; Xiushuai DONG ; Yuyue REN ; Xiaoyun LI ; Haibin DAI ; Jinghua WANG ; Weiwei ZHAO ; Yuying CHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Wei WANG
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2023;32(5):284-288
Objective:To explore the efficacy of subcutaneous injection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in preventing invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods:The clinical data of 222 patients who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients was given GM-CSF (3-5 μg·kg -1·d -1, GM-CSF group) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 2-5 μg·kg -1·d -1, G-CSF group) when neutrophils (ANC) ≤1.5×10 9/L after induction chemotherapy. Patients were discontinued when white blood cell count (WBC) ≥10.0×10 9/L. The incidence of IFD (including confirmed, clinical and proposed diagnosis) and breakthrough invasive fungal infections was compared between the two groups. Results:The incidence of IFD was 8.1% (18/222) in all patients. The incidence of IFD was 3.5% (3/85) and 10.9% (15/137) in the GM-CSF and G-CSF groups, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2 = 3.88, P = 0.049). In 9 patients of GM-CSF group receiving fungal infection prophylaxis and in 15 patients of G-CSF group receiving fungal infection prophylaxis, the incidence of breakthrough invasive fungal infections was 0 and 7 cases, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P = 0.022). Conclusions:GM-CSF application in MM patients can reduce the incidence of IFD and breakthrough invasive fungal infections.


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