1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Mechanism of Sangpi Zhike Prescription in Treating Cough After Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Based on "Lung-intestine Co-treatment" Theory
Chuang SUO ; Xiaohong BAI ; Zhitong YU ; Xue GONG ; Chan XIU ; Qihui LYU ; Zhihui LIU ; Kelin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):126-137
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Sangpi Zhike prescription in treating cough after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection through the "lung-intestine co-treatment" approach using network pharmacology and animal experimental validation. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Sangpi Zhike prescription were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Disease targets were obtained from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and drug-component-target networks were constructed using overlapping targets between drugs and diseases to identify core targets. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the overlapping targets. Sixty mouse models were established: 10 as the normal group, and the remaining mice were infected with RSV via slow nasal drip of RSV suspension, with cough induced using capsaicin solution. After modeling, mice were divided into a model group, a Montelukast Sodium group (1 mg·kg-1·d-1), and low, medium, and high dose groups of Sangpi Zhike prescription (4.875,9.75,and 19.5 g·kg-1·d-1), with 10 mice per group. From day 14 after RSV infection, the normal and model groups received saline via gavage, while other groups received corresponding drug treatments once daily for 5 d. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung and intestinal tissue. The protein content of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 in the lung and colon tissue of mice was detected by Western blot. Real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detected ERK1/2 mRNA expression in lung and intestinal tissue. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos protein levels, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-4 and (TNF)-α in lung and colon tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 184 active ingredients and 684 targets in Sangpi Zhike prescription, with 1 344 RSV-related disease targets and 209 overlapping targets. Core targets included TNF, Fos, and Jun. KEGG enrichment revealed 179 pathways, primarily mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), cancer, TNF, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that, compared to those of the normal group, the lung tissue sections of the model group showed typical inflammatory damage, infiltration of inflammatory cells, rupture of alveolar septa, extensive alveolar fusion, and disruption of tight junctions between single-layer columnar epithelial cells in the intestinal tissue. The values of p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 in lung and intestinal tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression level of ERK1/2 mRNA was significantly elevated (P<0.01). The levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α along the ERK pathway were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to the model group, Sangpi Zhike prescription groups showed reduced lung and intestinal inflammation, decreased p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios (P<0.05,P<0.01), lower ERK1/2 mRNA levels, and downregulated ERK pathway proteins (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionSangpi Zhike prescription alleviates cough and intestinal symptoms after RSV infection via the "lung-intestine co-treatment" mechanism by suppressing expression levels of ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-c-Fos, IL-4, and TNF-α on ERK pathway components, thereby mitigating lung and intestinal pathological damage.
3.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
4.A case of complex structural variants in the Xq28 region diagnosed by whole genome sequencing.
Yulai YANG ; Chuang LI ; Ming GAO ; Yuan LYU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(3):355-359
OBJECTIVE:
To re-analyze a likely pathogenic variant in the Xq28 region identified by copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) through whole genome sequencing (WGS).
METHODS:
A fetus found to harbor a duplication in the Xq28 region by CNV-seq at Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University in May 2023 was selected as the study subject. WGS was carried out for the fetus and its parents. Bioinformatic software was used to analyze the chromosomal structure and CNVs. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was applied to determine the expression level of the MECP2 gene. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital (Ethic No. 2013PS33K).
RESULTS:
A duplication (ChrX:153302641_153503563) and four breakpoints were identified on the X chromosome of the fetus' father. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the duplicated region has involved exons 1 to 3 and part of the 5'-UTR of the MECP2 gene, which was inserted into the Xp11 region. Additionally, an inversion was detected in the Xp11 region adjacent to the duplicated segment. RT-PCR results showed normal level of MECP2 mRNA expression. The Xq28 duplication has not encompassed the entire MECP2 gene, nor disrupted its structure or altered its expression.
CONCLUSION
WGS has enabled more precise diagnosis of chromosomal structural variants and provided guidance for accurate genetic counseling for the affected families.
Humans
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Female
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Chromosomes, Human, X/genetics*
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DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics*
;
Whole Genome Sequencing/methods*
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Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics*
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Pregnancy
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Male
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Adult
5.Value of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI in predicting ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ICD
Lingyu SONG ; Jian LI ; Chuang ZHANG ; Manman YANG ; Guoxing ZHANG ; Xiaoya SU ; Xiangmin SHI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):132-135
Objective To investigate the application value of late gadolinium enhancement(LEG)at cardiac MRI in predicting ventricular arrhythmia(VA)events in patients after implantation of ICD.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 16 patients at high risk of sudden cardi-ac death after ICD implantation and LEG examination in the First and the Sixth Medical Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2020 to March 2024.According the occurrence of VA events receiving appropriate ICD therapy during the follow-up period,they were divided into post-operative VA group(7 cases)and non-VA group(9 cases).The correlation of clinical baseline fea-tures and LEG features with VA events was analyzed.Results The ratios of transmural enhance-ment and myocardial medium enhancement were obviously higher in the VA group than the non-VA group(71.4%vs 11.1%,P=0.035;85.7%vs 22.2%,P=0.041).Multivariate logistic regres-sionanalysis showed that transmural enhancement(OR=5.000,95%CI:0.150-166.589,P=0.368)and myocardial medium enhancement(OR=7.000,95%CI:0.217-226.005,P=0.272)were not independent factors influencing VA occurrence.ROC curve analysis indicated that the combined prediction of transmural enhancement and myocardial media enhancement and the pre-diction of transmural enhancement alone had better diagnostic efficacy(P<0.05).Conclusion LEG has clinical value in predicting postoperative VA events in patients after ICD implantation.
6.Effects of TGR5 on liver lipid metabolism and bile acid synthesis in dairy cows with fatty liver
Yaqi CHANG ; Tianjiao YANG ; Yunfei LUAN ; Jihang LI ; Zexin ZHANG ; Bingbing ZHANG ; Chuang XU ; Wei YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2282-2291
To explore the impacts of TGR5 on liver lipid metabolism and bile acid synthesis in dairy cows with fatty liver.Liver tissues of healthy cows and cows with fatty liver were collected through puncture technique.The protein and mRNA expressions of lipid synthesis-related factors ACC1,FAS,SREBF1,lipid oxidation factor CPT1A,and bile acid synthesis-related factors CYP8B1,CYP7B1,CYP27A1 were detected by Western blot and fluorescent quantitative PCR.Moreover,the mRNA levels of CYP7B1 were determined.Primary hepatocytes of 1-day-old calves were extracted and cultured in vitro,and four treatment groups were established,namely Control,NEFA,INT-777,and the INT-777+NEFA group.The concentration of NEFA group was 1.2 mmol/L,the con-centration of INT-777 group was 1 μmol/L,and the concentration of INT-777+NEFA group was 1.2 mmol/L NEFA and 1 μmol/L INT-777 simultaneously.After 12 h of stimulation,cells were collected,and the protein and mRNA levels of ACC1,FAS,SREBF1,CPT1A,CYP8B1,CYP7A1,CYP27A1,and the mRNA levels of CYP7B1 were detected by Western blot and fluorescent quanti-tative PCR.The content of lipid droplets and TG in the cells were detected by flow cytometry and kit.The results demonstrated that compared with healthy cows,the protein and mRNA expressions of ACC1,FAS,SREBF1,CYP8B1,and CYP7A1 in the liver tissues of fatty liver cows were upreg-ulated,while the protein and mRNA levels of CPT1 A,CYP27A1,TGR5,and the mRNA levels of CYP7B1 were downregulated.In vitro experiments revealed that compared with the Control group,the protein and mRNA levels of ACC1,FAS,SREBF1,CYP8B1,and CYP7A1 in the NEFA group were upregulated,and the protein and mRNA levels of CPT1A,CYP27A1,and TGR5,as well as the mRNA level of CYP7B1,were downregulated.Compared with the NEFA group,the protein and mRNA levels of ACC1,FAS,SREBF1,CYP8B1,CYP7A1 were downregulated in the INT-777+NEFA group,while the protein and mRNA levels of CPT1A CYP27A1,and TGR5 as well as the mRNA level of CYP7B1,were upregulated.The results of flow cytometry and the kit indicated that the lipid droplets and TG content in the NEFA group were upregulated compared with the Control group,while the lipid droplets and TG content in the INT-777+NEFA group were downregulated compared with the NEFA group.The above results suggested that the addition of TGR5 agonist promoted the expression of TGR5 and ameliorated the abnormal lipid metabolism and bile acid synthesis in the liver of dairy cows with fatty liver.
7.Effect of Shugan Yishen Recipe on Microenvironment Gene Expression Profile and Immune-Related Gene Expression in Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Xinyi LI ; Chuang CUI ; Wanqing CHEN ; Weikang ZHU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):352-362
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of breast cancer lung metastasis by Shugan Yishen Recipe by studying the effects of Shugan Yishen Recipe(SGYSR)on gene expression in the lung microenvironment of mice with breast cancer.METHODS A high metastasis model of breast cancer was constructed,and the mice were randomly divided into saline group,low,medium,high(0.5,1,2 g·kg-1)Shugan Yishen Recipe groups,and docetaxel group(5 mg·kg-1),and intervened for 28 days.HE staining was used to observe the lung tissue structure;transcriptome analysis was performed on the metastatic foci,and the key differential gene expression was screened by bioinformatics analysis of the GO and KEGG pathway characteristics of the gene ex-pression profiles,and the expression of key immune genes was analyzed by qPCR and Western blot.The expression of MDSCs was de-tected by flow cytometry;the expression of cytokines and chemokines including Cxcl2,and GM-CSF was detected by ELISA.RE-SULTS Compared with the saline group,the number of metastatic nodules in lung tissues of the middle and high dose groups of Shu-gan Yishen Recipe and docetaxel group were correspondingly lower;HE staining suggested that the degree of lung pathology was im-proved.There were 814 differentially expressed genes in the lung microenvironment of the high-dose group of Shugan Yishen Recipe and the saline group,of which 713 genes were down-regulated and 101 genes were up-regulated;screening for key inflammatory medi-ator genes in the Shugan Yishen Recipe group,Nfkbiz,Tnfaip3,Maff,Hspa1a,Hspb1 and Cxcl2,the inflammatory genes in the Shu-gan Yishen Recipe,as compared with that of the saline group,were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),and ultimately its results were consistent with the trend of the transcriptome results.Western blot was used to verify the results at the protein level,and it was found that compared with the saline group,the protein expression levels of Nfkbiz,Tnfaip3,Maff,Hspa1a and Cxcl2 in the Shugan Yishen Recipe group were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the protein expression of Hspb1 was up-regulated(P<0.01).Both the Shugan Yishen Recipe group and the docetaxel group could inhibit the expression of MDSCs(P<0.001),and the ex-pression of Cxcl2,and GM-CSF decreased to a certain extent(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Shugan Yishen Recipe can in-hibit breast cancer lung metastasis and regulate the lung immune microenvironment genes in a wide range.
8.Stearic acid affects the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells from ketosis cows through CD36
Ziwei JI ; Siyao LI ; Haixin ZHANG ; Ziwei LI ; Shangmingzhu ZHANG ; Wei YANG ; Chuang XU ; Bingbing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(3):602-610
The peripheral blood of healthy or ketosis dairy cows was collected,and CD4+T cells were isolated.The expressions of lipid synthesis related proteins fatty acid synthase(FASN),acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1(ACC1),cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)and store-operated calcium entry(SOCE)related proteins ORAIl,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1,STIM2 were detected by Western blot.IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.CD4+T cells were isolated from the spleen of 1-day-old calves and cultured in vitro.Cells were treated and divided into control(Ctrl)group,si-lenced CD36(siCD36)group,stearic acid(SA)group,and SA+siCD36 group.Cells in the Ctrl and SA groups were transfected with 75 pmol/L negative control siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h;Cells in the siCD36 group and SA+siCD36 group were transfected with 75 pmol/L CD36 siRNA for 48 h,and then stimulated with 200 μmol/L SA for 24 h in the SA+siCD36 group.The protein expression of FASN,CD36,ACC1,ORAI1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM1 and STIM2 was detected by Western blot,and IL-17 cells were detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the expression of IL-17 in peripheral blood CD4+T cells of ketosis dairy cows was significantly increased compared to that of healthy cows(P<0.01).Additionally,the protein level of FASN,CD36,STIM1(P<0.05),and ACC1,ORAI2,ORAI3,STIM2(P<0.01)were up-regulated.Compared with the Ctrl group,the protein expression levels of CD36,ACC1 and ORAI3(P<0.05)were up-regulated in the SA group,as well as the protein expression of FASN and STIM1(P<0.01).Additionally,the expression of IL-17 was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the SA group,there was a decrease in the protein expression of STIM1,ORAI1(P<0.05)and CD36,ACC1,FASN,ORAI2(P<0.01)in the siCD36+SA group,as well as IL-17(P<0.05).These results suggest that SA can promote the expression of IL-17 in CD4+T cells in ketosis cows by regulating fatty acid synthesis and activating SOCE channels through CD36.
9.Correlation analysis of serum iron level and granulomatous lobular mastitis
Yinxin LI ; Bilian ZHENG ; Chuang CHEN ; Shengrong SUN
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(6):588-591
Objective To explore the correlation between serum iron levels and granulomatous lobular mastitis(GLM).Methods A total of 102 patients with GLM were admitted from May 2022 to May 2023.According to the disease course stage at the time of the patients' visit,they were divided into the mass stage group(29 cases),the abscess stage group(48 cases),and the remission stage group(25 cases).Compare the serum iron levels of patients with GLM at different stages.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum iron levels and inflammatory indicators,and the changes in serum iron levels of patients before and after treatment remission were compared through follow-up.Results All the 102 GLM patients were female.The serum iron levels of patients in the abscess stage group,the mass stage group and the remission stage group were 12.8(10.20,17.50)μmol/L,12.8(10.20,17.50)μmol/L and 15.4(13.65,18.50)μmol/L,respectively.The abscess stage group was lower than the mass stage group and the remission stage group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The results of bivariate Spearman correlation analysis showed that the serum iron levels were moderately negatively correlated with white blood cell count,neutrophil count and the percentage of neutrophils(r=-0.336,P=0.001;r=-0.361,P=0.001;r=-0.334,P<0.01),low intensity negative correlation with monocyte count(r=-0.214,P=0.031),moderately positively correlated with the percentage of lymphocytes,the levels of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4,IL-10(r=0.328,P<0.01;r=0.494,P=0.023;r=0.514,P=0.017;r=0.478,P=0.028).Serum iron levels in 45 GLM follow-up patients after treatment remission were higher than those before remission[(15.09±4.78)μmol/L vs.(10.64±4.47)μmol/L,P<0.001].Conclusion Serum iron level is associated with disease severity,inflammatory markers such as immune cells and cytokines,and disease outcome of GLM.
10.Inhibition of excessive inflammatory response of macrophages by Ebselen against acute Escherichia coli infection
Xiao-wen LIU ; Xiao-qin MOU ; Chuang CHENG ; Shuang-shuang GONG ; Hao-ran ZHANG ; Jing HE ; Xi ZHENG ; Jun WANG ; Yue-qing WANG ; Li-li ZOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1346-1353
Aim To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Ebselenin(Ebselen,EbSe)in the treat-ment of Escherichia coli(E.coli)infection,which had no significant inhibitory effect on Gram-negative bacte-ria,based on previous studies.Methods After EbSe intervention in E.coli infected Raw264.7 cells,the via-bility of Raw264.7 cells was determined by CCK-8 method,the morphology and structure of Raw264.7 cells were observed by electron microscope,and the in-tracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 cells was calcu-lated by coated plate method.Polarization status of peritoneal macrophages,Raw264.7 intracellular NO and ROS content and intracellular HO-1 expression in Raw264.7 and E.coli acutely infected mice after E.co-li infection by flow cytometry.qPCR was used to detect the expression of related mRNAs in Raw264.7 cells.qPCR was used to detect the intracellular GSH content in Raw264.7 cells by spectrophotometric assay,and the state of cytoskeletal proteins was observed by immuno-fluorescence.Western blot assay was performed to de-tect the intracellular Txnrd1 expression level.Results Microtiter method,CCK-8,and electron microscopy observations showed that EbSe had no effect on the growth of E.coli and Raw264.7 cells in vitro.The re-sults of smear plate counting showed that EbSe reduced the intracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 in the in-fected group.Flow cytometry results showed that EbSe upregulated the number of M2-type macrophages.The EbSe-treated infected group had reduced intracellular NO and ROS levels and increased GSH levels.The qPCR results showed that the expression of IL-6,IL-1β,and iNOS was decreased,and the expression of HO-1,Txnrd1,and Glut1 was increased in DHB4-in-fected Raw264.7 cells after EbSe treatment.Cytoskel-etal staining showed that the morphology of the EbSe-treated infected cells was similar to that of oxPAPC-in-duced cells.Western blot results showed the expres-sion of Txnrd1 protein in EbSe-treated infected cells in-creased.Conclusion EbSe exerts anti-E.coli acute infection effect by regulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting macrophage excessive inflammatory state.

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