1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Study on Uncertainty and Scalability in Single-Analysis Salivary Peptidome Studies
Xiu-Feng FANG ; Bing-Jia CUI ; Jin-Ling XU ; Yong WANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(11):1820-1827,中插1-中插3
Nano liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry(LC-HRMS/MS)is widely used for body fluid peptidome analysis,yet the impact of replicate analyses remains overlooked.Using salivary peptidome,in this work,10 replicate analyses of the same sample were conducted.It was found that although m/z and molecular weight ranges were consistent across replicates,single runs identified only 348-576 unique peptides from 32-39 degraded proteins.Merging all replicates revealed 1237 peptides from 77 proteins,a 2.5 folds increase in peptides and 2 folds increase in proteins.Instrument stability was confirmed via intensity/retention time of 12 peptides.Merged peptides primarily derived from high-abundance proteins(e.g.,Statherin,PRP1/2).Analysis of 20 peptides showed that the some peptides were detected in single analysis but confidence varying(19%-99%),low-confidence peptides(<95%)exceeded 95%after replicate.signal intensity alone didn't determine confidence and peptides spanning the sequence region between the longest and the shortest detected fragments could be identified.The above findings suggested that single-run LC-MS peptidomics analysis carried inherent false negatives and uncertainties.However,by integrating the results of a single analysis with the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis for endogenous peptides,it was possible to make reasonable inferences and extrapolations regarding peptides derived from highly abundant degraded proteins.
3.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
4.Study on the differences in active components, characteristic components and therapeutic functions between Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix
Huilong FENG ; Difei TANG ; Bing ZHAO ; Hong LI ; Taoping LIU ; Xiaochuan LUO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1732-1738
Objective:To explore the differences in active components between Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix; To explore the material basis and therapeutic functions of Hedysari Radix in promoting blood circulation and nourishing blood.Methods:The research materials used in this study were Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix from Wudu District, Longnan City, Gansu Province. The contents of seven resource-based components-total sugars, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, crude proteins, total saponins, total alkaloids, and total dietary fiber were measured according to standard methods. Additionally, an HPLC method was established to quantify 21 active compounds. In vitro antioxidant experiments were conducted to assess the scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS free radicals.Results:The contents of resource-based components in Hedysari Radix were higher than in Astragali Radix. Among the 21 active components, the characteristic active components of Astragali Radix, such as calycosin, formononetin, calycosin glucoside and so on, were high in contents. The contents of paeoniflorin and Medicinol in Astragali Radix were low or not detected, and the contents in Hedysari Radix were 98.828 μg/g and 103.986 μg/g, and the antioxidant capacity was also better than Astragali Radix.Conclusions:The basic components of Hedysari Radix for promoting blood circulation and nourishing blood are paeoniflorin, Medilac, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and formononetin, which can provide a scientific basis for the determination of the characteristic components and the improvement of the main functions of Hedysari Radix.
5.Clinical Efficacy of Huoxue Jiedu Runzao Formula and Its Effects on Biomarkers in Patients with Primary Sj?gren's Syndrome Complicated by Pulmonary Fibrosis
Feng GU ; Bing ZHANG ; Fengjin XU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2162-2169
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Huoxue Jiedu Runzao Formula(HJRF)and its impact on biomarkers in patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome(pSS)complicated by pulmonary fibrosis(PF)presenting with yin deficiency and fluid depletion syndrome(YDFDS).Methods A prospective study was conducted on 134 pSS-PF patients with YDFDS treated at Harrison International Peace Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024.Patients were randomly assigned to the control group(n=67)or the observation group(n=67)using a random number table.The control group received oral use of hydroxychloroquine sulfate,while the observation group received hydroxychloroquine sulfate combined with HJRF,both groups were treated for 12 weeks.Changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,serum inflammatory factors[interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP)],immunoglobulin(Ig)levels,pulmonary function parameters[forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide per unit alveolar volume(DLco/VA),total lung capacity(TLC)],EULAR Sj?gren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index(ESSPRI),EULAR Sj?gren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index(ESSDAI),and modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)dyspnea scale scores were observed before and after treatment.The clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the overall response rate in the observation group was 97.01%(65/67),while that in the control group was 83.58%(56/67).The intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)revealed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndromes scores regarding to vexing heat in the chest,plams and soles,dryness of the mouth and throat,dry stools,dry and cracked tongue,dry and sore eyes,parotid swelling and pain,skin dryness and cracking,sticky mouth and eyes,fatigue and lassitude,and joint pain were all significantly reduced compared to those before treatment(P<0.05).Additionally,the reduction in scores for all TCM syndromes except dry and cracked tongue in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum IL-4,IL-6,and CRP levels in both groups decreased compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the FEV1,FVC,DLco/VA,TLC,and other lung function indicators in both groups of patients increased compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)After treatment,serum IgA and IgG levels in both groups decreased compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).(6)After treatment,the ESSPRI,ESSDAI,and mMRC scores in both groups decreased compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion Compared to conventional western therapy alone,HJRF combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate more effectively alleviates TCM syndromes,reduces inflammatory and immunoglobulin levels,improves pulmonary function,mitigates pSS symptoms and disease activity,and enhances overall treatment efficacy.This provides a superior therapeutic strategy for pSS-PF patients with YDFDS.
6.Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Bushen Jianpi Formula in Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Yan LI ; Feng LIU ; Jiewen ZHANG ; Jing LIN ; Bing JI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2705-2713
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Bushen Jianpi Formula(BSJPF)in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)of spleen-kidney deficiency type.Methods Seventy-two patients with T2DM complicated with NAFLD of spleen-kidney deficiency type admitted to Clifford Hospital from June 2023 to September 2024 were randomized into treatment group(n=36,receiving lifestyle intervention+metformin+BSJPF)and control group(n=36,lifestyle intervention+metformin alone)for 12 weeks.TCM syndrome scores,liver function markers,ultrasonographic grading of fatty liver,glycolipid metabolic parameters were observed,and the clinical efficacy and safety were assessed.Results(1)Regarding dropouts,during the study,2 patients in the treatment group dropped out,while none occurred in the control group.Ultimately,34 patients in the treatment group and 36 in the control group completed efficacy evaluation.(2)In terms of clinical efficacy,after 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate was 88.24%(30/34)in the treatment group versus 66.67%(24/36)in the control group.Intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed significantly superior efficacy in the treatment group(P<0.05).(3)For liver function indicators,after treatment,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)levels decreased significantly in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),with substantially greater reduction in the treatment group(P<0.05).(4)Regarding fatty liver ultrasound grading,both groups showed improvement after treatment(P<0.05),with significantly greater enhancement in the treatment group(P<0.05).(5)For glucose-lipid metabolism markers,both groups exhibited decreased fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial glucose(2hPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting insulin(FINS),insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels(P<0.05),with treatment group showing markedly greater reductions(P<0.05);both groups demonstrated increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)levels(P<0.05),with treatment group showing significantly greater elevation(P<0.05).(6)In TCM syndrome score assessment,both groups showed reduced scores after treatment(P<0.05),with treatment group demonstrating significantly greater improvement(P<0.05).(7)Regarding safety,routine blood/urine/stool tests,renal function indicators,and electrocardiograms remained normal in both groups.The adverse reaction rate was 2.94%(1/34)in treatment group versus 5.56%(2/36)in control group,with no statistically significant difference between groups(P>0.05).Conclusion BSJPF combined with metformin demonstrates superior efficacy to metformin alone for patients with T2DM complicated with NAFLD of spleen-kidney deficiency type.It is effective in relieving clinical symptoms,enhancing TCM syndrome efficacy,improving liver enzymes,fatty liver grading and insulin resistance,and regulating glycolipid metabolism.
7.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
8.Cost-utility analysis of benmelstobart plus anlotinib and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Bing FENG ; Ning GAO ; Shengnan GAO ; Yuxi ZHANG ; Ranran ZHANG ; Guoqiang LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):579-583
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) from the perspective of China’s healthcare system. METHODS Based on the data from the ETER 701 study, a partitioned survival model was constructed with a cycle of 3 weeks to simulate the total cost, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) over 10 years for patients with ES- SCLC treated with benmelstobart plus anlotinib and chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone. One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were performed to verify the robustness of the simulation results. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set at 3 times the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of China in 2023, which amounted to 268 074 yuan/QALY. RESULTS Compared with chemotherapy alone, benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy gained 0.438 QALY more at the cost of 403 505.55 yuan more, with an ICER of 922 031.37 yuan/QALY, which was higher than the WTP threshold set in this study. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that benmelstobart’s cost and utility value of the progression-free survival state had a greater impact on the ICER value; probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the model; only when the price of benmelstobart was reduced by 75.4%, the combined regimen would be cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS The first-line treatment of ES-SCLC with benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy is not cost-effective from the perspective of China’s healthcare system at present.
9."Component-effect" correlations in traditional Chinese medicine from holistic view: taking discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example.
Xin-Ming YU ; Chen-Yu YU ; Hua-Ying WANG ; Wei-Sheng YUE ; Zhu-Bin ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Bing YANG ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):2001-2012
The holistic view is the key in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The component structure theory is based on the holistic view to investigate the correlation between material basis and efficiency, which enriches the holistic "component-effect" research of TCM. Gintonin is a newly isolated non-saponin component of ginseng. Compared to ginsenosides, gintonin has many different pharmacological activities, and it provides new knowledge for the holistic research of ginseng. Thus, taking the discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example, this paper explored the linkage between ginsenosides and gintonin from the perspective of "component-effect" correlations and systematically sorted out the similarities and differences between them in terms of structural characteristics, modes of action, and pharmacological activities. Starting from the collaborative interaction of TCM compounds, the study discussed the application and value of the holistic view in TCM "component-effect" research in the light of the component structure theory to provide new thoughts for the development of modern TCM research.
Panax/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Humans
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Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Animals
10.A new perspective on quality control of traditional Chinese medicine based on characteristics of "physical phase structure".
Zhong-Huan QU ; Yan-Jun YANG ; Bing YANG ; Ru-Yu SHI ; Mao-Mao ZHU ; Lu SUN ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3579-3588
Quality control is a key link in the modernization process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Studies have shown that the effects of active components in TCM depend on not only their chemical composition but also their suitable physical forms and states. The physical phase structures, such as micelles, vesicles, gels, and nanoparticles, can improve the solubility, delivery efficiency, and targeting precision of active components. These structures significantly enhance the pharmacological activity while reducing the toxicity and side effects, demonstrating functional activity surpassing that of active components and highlighting the key effects of "structures" on "functions" of active components. Taking the physical phase structure as a breakthrough point, this paper outlines the common types of TCM physical phase structures. Furthermore, this paper explores how to realize the quality upgrading of TCM through the precise regulation of physical phase structures based on the current applications and potential of TCM physical phase structures in processing to increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity, compounding and decocting processes, drug delivery systems, and quality control, aiming to provide novel insights for the future quality control of TCM.
Quality Control
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Drug Delivery Systems

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