1.Pathogenesis and Treatment Strategies of Tumor Angiogenesis Based on the Theory "Latent Wind in Collaterals"
Zhenqing PU ; Guibin WANG ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Yi LI ; Bo PANG ; Baojin HUA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):139-144
This article combined the pathogenic characteristics of "latent wind" with the theory of collateral diseases to clarify the pathological features of tumor blood vessels, including their active proliferation, high permeabi-lity, and promotion of metastasis. The theory framework of "latent wind in collaterals" as the tumor mechanism was proposed, which suggests that at the site of tumor lesions, the collaterals inherit the nature of latent wind to grow excessively, adopt an open and discharge nature to leak essence, and tumor toxins, characterized by their rapid movement and frequent changes, spread and metastasize, driving the progression of malignant tumors. Focusing on the fundamental pathogenesis of "latent wind in collaterals", specific clinical treatment principles and methods centered on treating wind are proposed, including regulating qi and dispelling wind, clearing heat and extinguishing wind, unblocking collaterals and expelling wind, and reinforcing healthy qi to calm wind, so as to provide references for enhancing the precision of traditional Chinese medicine in treating malignant tumors.
2.Brief analysis of the concept of " relaxation and tranquility" and the protection of elderly brain health
Eryu WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Chenyang QUAN ; Jiawei LIU ; Qiwu XU ; Beibei SHAN ; Yingzhen XIE
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):291-296
China is currently in an accelerated stage of population aging, and brain diseases pose a significant threat to the health of the elderly. " Preventing brain aging and maintaining brain health" has become a high-level goal of healthy aging. During the process of aging, the physiological and psychological states of elderly people change, making them prone to nervousness and exhaustion, which can disturb the brain spirit, damage the brain collaterals, and severely endanger brain health. Starting from the holistic view of cultivating both body and spirit in traditional Chinese medicine, based on the physical and mental characteristics of the elderly, this paper applies the concept and method of " relaxation and tranquility" in the protection of elderly brain health, focusing on maintaining relaxation and tranquility in both physical and mental aspects. Specific measures include emphasizing subjective consciousness, relaxing the heart and calming down; utilizing the daoyin method, relaxing the body and calming down, combining relaxation and tranquility, cultivating both body and spirit to prevent diseases and protect the brain, which enables the elderly to have a healthy mind and body, a sense of happiness and fulfillment, and to age gracefully. Simultaneously, advocating for tranquility is also called " respect" for relaxation, following nature to understand constant changes, and improving one′s ability to think positively in old age, in order to expand ideas for the protection of elderly brain health.
3.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
4.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
5.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
6.Therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine in liver cancer by regulating tumor-associated macrophages and its mechanism
Yi TANG ; Guotai WANG ; Yuhan JIANG ; Chenyang WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1199-1206
Liver cancer has high prevalence and mortality rates around the world, and its development and progression are closely associated with the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs play a significant role in immune suppression, immune escape, cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance in liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its unique therapeutic concepts and methods, has shown great potential in regulating TAMs and improving the prognosis of liver cancer. This article reviews the role and molecular mechanisms of TCM in regulating TAMs for the treatment of liver cancer, discusses the key role of TAMs in the progression of liver cancer, and analyzes the impact of Chinese medicinal components on the recruitment, polarization, and activity of TAMs and the expression of related factors based on TCM theory. Studies have shown that TCM can regulate the polarization state of TAMs, promote the formation of M1-type antitumor macrophages, and inhibit the activity of M2-type tumor macrophages, thereby playing a role in inhibiting the proliferation of liver cancer cells, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and enhancing immune response. In addition, this article also summarizes the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of TCM monomers, compound prescriptions, and novel preparations in the treatment of liver cancer, such as inhibiting the secretion of cytokines by TAMs, regulating signaling pathways, and affecting metabolic pathways, in order to provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in liver cancer treatment and offer new ideas for immunotherapy for liver cancer.
7.Molecular Mechanism of Danshen Tongluo Formula in Intervention of Coronary Artery Disease-dominated Panvascular Disease
Jiawen CHENG ; Chao LIU ; Jie WANG ; Yongmei LIU ; Wenjing LIAN ; Chengzhi HOU ; Chenyang ZHU ; Cheng MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):86-93
ObjectiveEndothelial cell dysfunction being the core link. This study explores the molecular mechanism of Danshen Tongluo formula in treating coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease with endothelial cell changes as the core through animal experiments and single-cell transcriptome sequencing. MethodsA rat model of coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease was established by ligating the left anterior coronary artery. Rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, and a Danshen Tongluo formula (28 mg·kg-1·d-1) group. The efficacy was evaluated by examining the cardiac ultrasound, determination of the plasma level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and pathological staining. After single-cell sequencing, SingleR package, public datasets, and related literature were used for annotation of the cells. Cell chat was used for intercellular communication and ligand-receptor analysis, and scmetabolism was used for metabolic analysis of endothelial cells. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that Danshen Tongluo formula reduced the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP ) level (P<0.05), ameliorated myocardial cell damage and fibrosis, and increase left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) in the rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction(P<0.05). Single-cell sequencing results showed that Danshen Tongluo formula increased the proportion of arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and capillary-arterial endothelial cells, while reducing the proportion of capillary-venous endothelial cells. In addition, this formula increased the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with cardiomyocytes and M1 macrophages and reduced the interaction intensity of endothelial cells with fibroblasts and T cells. Danshen Tongluo formula upregulated CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in endothelium-B cells and Ptprm-Ptprm signaling in endothelial endothelial cells, while downregulating Mif-(CD74+CXCR44) signaling in endothelium-M1 macrophages and Mif-(CD74+CD44) signaling in endothelium-M2 macrophages. It reduced the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis and increased the glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation ratio in endothelial cells. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that arterial endothelial cells, venous endothelial cells, and venous capillary endothelial cells can all regulate oxidative phosphorylation, cell adhesion molecules, and tyrosine metabolism. Lymphatic endothelial cells regulate immunity and vascular constriction to participate in the metabolism of various amino acids and fatty acids. ConclusionDanshen Tongluo Formula can ameliorate coronary artery disease-dominated panvascular disease by changing the composition of endothelial cells and regulating the communication between myocardial endothelial cells and non-endothelial cells.
8.Application of Insect Medicines in Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Based on Comorbidity Theory of "Blood-Vessel-Cardiac Collaterals"
Chenyang ZHU ; Jun HU ; Lanchun LIU ; Peirong QU ; Jie WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):176-185
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is one of the important causes of myocardial ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery ischemic symptoms. However, effective diagnostic methods and targeted treatment strategies for CMD are currently lacking. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the comorbidity theory of "blood-vessel-cardiac collaterals" plays a central role throughout the entire development process of CMD. It suggests that in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CMD, the treatment of blood, vessels, and cardiac collaterals should not be neglected. In light of this, insect medicines, known for their efficacy in promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and alleviating spasms, hold promise as a potential treatment for CMD. However, there is currently no research or summary on the use of insect medicines for the treatment of CMD. Therefore, this article took the comorbidity theory of "blood-vessel-cardiac collaterals" as the starting point and divided the pathogenesis of CMD into five evolution stages: Beginning in the blood (changes in blood components and hemorheology), progressing in the vessels (atheromatous plaque formation and unstable plaques), occurring in the cardiac collaterals (microvascular endothelial damage and microvascular constriction and spasms), ending in the cardiac collaterals (microvascular remodeling), and resulting in energy metabolism disorders throughout the process, so as to explore the pathogenesis and evolution of CMD. In addition, based on the modern pharmacological research on insect medicines, this article discussed the clinical application of insect medicines in the treatment of CMD from four aspects: Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis to relieve vessels' obstruction, relieving spasms to alleviate pain, combating poison with poison to disperse stagnation, and tonifying cardiac collaterals to nourish the heart, which aims to provide a theoretical basis for the use of TCM in treating CMD, broaden the scope of medication, and improve clinical efficacy.
9.Analysis of pediatric flexible flatfoot screening and associated factors among children aged 7-8 in Changzhou City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(10):1471-1475
Objective:
To analyze the prevalence and related factors of pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) among 7-8 year old children in Changzhou, so as to provide a feasible basis for the prevention and treatment of PFF.
Methods:
From December 2023 to February 2024, a total of 1 685 children aged 7-8 from 10 primary schools in Changzhou were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method, and screened for PFF by using a foot optical assessment recording device. Information including sex, body mass index (BMI), diet, exercise and shoe wearing habits were collected. The valgus angle of the hindfoot was measured on the body surface by using an orthopedic measuring ruler in the standing position. Pain levels were evaluated by using visual analogue score (VAS) for children with flatfoot syndrome. Multivariate Logistic analysis was used to analyze related factors of PFF.
Results:
The overall detection rate of PFF was 27.4%, and there was a significant difference in the detection rate of PFF between boys and girls, with 30.3% and 24.1% respectively ( χ 2=7.96, P < 0.01 ). Most cases of PFF were mild flatfoot (60.8%) and bilateral ( 60.4% ). Approximately 13.2% of children with PFF had flatfoot syndrome, with a mean VAS of (2.86±0.73). About 56.1% of children with PFF had a normal valgus angle of the hindfoot. Sex, high BMI and preference for shoe last with front upturned shoe shape were positively correlated with the detection of PFF ( OR= 1.74, 1.54, 1.13, P <0.05). After stratified by sex, regular exercise in boys and age in girls were negatively correlated with the detection of PFF ( OR=0.40, 0.64, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The detection rate of PFF in 7-8 year old children is high. Additionally, PFF combined with flatfoot syndrome or valgus hindfoot is relatively rare and is likely to be underestimated, which emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention for PFF.
10.Effect of Tongfeng Decoction (痛风汤) on NLRP3 Inflammatory Vesicles and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Synovial Tissues of Ankle Joints in Acute Gouty Arthritis Model Rats
Yongzheng DENG ; Qingliang MENG ; Junfu MA ; Jiakang CUI ; Kai LI ; Gengfeng WANG ; Chenyang SONG ; Hua BIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(17):1816-1824
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongfeng Decoction (痛风汤) for preventing and treating acute gouty arthritis. MethodsSixty Wistar male rats were divided into normal group, model group, colchicine group and low-, medium- and high-dose Tongfeng Decoction groups according to the random number table, 10 rats in each group. Tongfeng Decoction of 11.34, 22.68 and 45.36 g/kg were given by gavage to low-, medium- and high-dose Tongfeng Decoction groups, colchicine 3.15×10-4 g/(kg·d) to the colchicine group, and normal saline 10 ml/(kg·d) to the normal group and model group respectively for 7 consecutive days. After 1 hour of gavage on day 5, rats in all groups except the normal group were modelled as acute gouty arthritis in the ankle joint of the right hind limb with the modified Coderre's method; rats in the normal group were injected with 0.2 ml of normal saline at the same location. The swelling degree of the ankle joint was measured before modelling and after 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h of modelling, respectively. HE staining was used to observe the histopathological and morphological changes in the synovial tissue of the ankle joint; immunoblotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cysteine aspartate protease 1 (Caspase-1), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) protein and mRNA expression levels in ankle synovial tissues, respectively; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of Caspase-1 and IL-1β in ankle synovial tissues; ELISA was used to detect the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, and interleukin in serum; immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the synovial tissues of the ankle joints. ResultsCompared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed elevated joint swelling at all time points, significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltration and the number of synovial cell layers in the synovial tissues of the ankle joints, elevated NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC and IL-1β protein and mRNA expression, elevated positive expression of Caspase-1 and IL-1β, increased formation of NETs, and elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, there was an improvement in synovial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration of the ankle joint in the colchicine group, high- and medium-dose Tongfeng Decoction groups. In the colchicine group and the high-, medium- and low-dose Tongfeng Decoction groups, the degree of joint swelling, positive expression of Caspase-1, IL-1β and formation of NETs in the synovial tissue of the ankle joint, and TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in serum reduced 24 h and 48 h after modelling; in colchicine group and high-dose Tongfeng Decoction group, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β protein and mRNA expression in the synovial tissues of ankle joints all reduced (P<0.05). The colchicine group and high-dose Tongfeng Decoction group were superior to the low-dose Tongfeng Decoction group in reducing ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β protein and mRNA expression in the ankle synovial tissues, the positive expression of Caspase-1, as well as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β level in serum (P<0.05). ConclusionTongfeng Decoction showed effectiveness for the prevention and treatment of acute gouty arthritis, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles in ankle synovial tissues, the inhibition of the release of inflammatory factors, and the formation of NETs.


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