1.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
3.Ginsenosides against non-small cell lung cancer:advances in mechanisms of action
Junsong GUO ; Ying LI ; Haixia LIU ; Yang LUO ; Yongzhong WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(20):2753-2758
Long-term outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are challenged by acquired resistance, recurrence and metastasis, as well as an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, the antitumor effects of ginsenosides Rg 3 , Rh 2 , Rh 4 and Re, as well as their metabolite compound K (CK), in NSCLC have attracted increasing attention. This review summarizes the mechanisms of different ginsenosides with respect to the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells, the tumor microenvironment and immune responses, as well as their use in combination therapy. Available evidence indicates that ginsenoside Rg 3 inhibits cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis; reduces programmed death-ligand 1 glycosylation and thereby its stability; and enhances the antitumor effects of certain chemotherapeutic agents, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and radiotherapy regimens. Ginsenoside Rh 2 mainly regulates apoptosis, glycolysis and cancer stemness, and modulates tumor-associated macrophages. Ginsenoside Rh 4 is involved in ferroptosis, ginsenoside Re in endoplasmic reticulum stress and M2 macrophage polarization, and CK in autophagy and hypoxic metabolism. At present, ginsenoside Rg 3 combined with chemotherapy has been clinically evaluated, whereas evidence for the other ginsenosides is still mainly preclinical. Future studies should standardize formulations, incorporate molecular features and resistance mechanisms into stratified studies, clarify the dose, sequence and safety of combination regimens, and confirm the long-term benefits of ginsenosides as an adjunctive intervention for NSCLC in well-designed prospective clinical trials.
4.Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting the risk of H-type hypertension with pulse diagram parameters
Siman WANG ; Mengchu ZHANG ; Minghui YAO ; Tianxiao XIE ; Rui GUO ; Yiqin WANG ; Haixia YAN
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(2):174-182
Objective:
o develop an onset risk prediction nomogram for patients with homocysteine-type (H-type) hypertension (HTH) based on pulse diagram parameters to assist early clinical prediction and diagnosis of HTH.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with essential hypertension and admitted to Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Shanghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from July 6th 2020 to June 16th 2021, and from August 11th 2023 to January 22nd 2024, were enrolled in this retrospective research. The baselines and clinical biochemical indicators of patients were collected. The SMART-I TCM pulse instrument was applied to gather pulse diagram parameters. Multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the risk factors for HTH. RStudio was employed to construct the nomogram model, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration curve (bootstrap self-sampling 200 times), and clinical decision curve were drawn to evaluate the model’s discrimination and clinical effectiveness.
Results:
A total of 168 hospitalized patients with essential hypertension were selected and divided into non-HTH group (n = 29) and HTH group (n = 139). Compared with non-HTH group, HTH group had a lower body mass index (BMI), and higher proportions of male patients and drinkers (P < 0.05). The ventricular wall thickening (VWT) could not be determined. The proportions of left common carotid intima-media wall thickness (LCCIMWT) and serum creatinine (SCR) were higher in HTH group (P < 0.05). The pulse diagram parameter As was significantly higher, and H4/H1 and T1/T were lower in HTH group (P < 0.05). Gender, alcohol consumption, serum creatinine, and the pulse diagram parameter H4/H1 were identified as independent risk factors for HTH (P < 0.05). The nomogram’s area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.795 [95% confidence interval (CI): (0.706 6, 0.882 8)], with a specificity of 0.724 and sensitivity of 0.799. After 200 times repeated bootstrap self-samplings, the calibration curve showed that the simulated curve fits well with the actual curve (x2 =
5.Research and application of thermosensitive Pickering emulsion with X-ray and ultrasound dual-modal imaging functions for intra-arterial embolization treatment
Ling LI ; Anran GUO ; Haixia SUN ; Yanbing ZHAO ; Qing YAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Peng SHI ; Hongan TIAN ; Min ZHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):759-774
Transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)is the mainstay for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and the performance of the embolization material is crucial in TAE.With the development of medical imaging and the birth of"X-ray-free"technologies,we designed a new dual-mode imaging material of dimethoxy tetraphenyl ethylene(DMTPE)via emulsification by mixing poly(N-iso-propylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)(PNA)with lipiodol and fluorocarbons,which was evaluated for temperature sensitivity,stability,and dual-mode visualization in vitro.Additionally,blood vessel casting embolization and renal artery imaging were assessed in healthy rabbits.In a rabbit model with a VX2 tumor,the effectiveness of TAE for treating HCC was examined,with an emphasis on evaluating long-term outcomes of embolization and its effects on tumor growth,necrosis,and proliferation through imaging techniques.In vitro experiments confirmed that the temperature-sensitive dual-oil-phase Pickering emulsion had good flow,stable contrast,and embolism when the oil-to-oil ratio and water-to-oil ratio were both 7∶3(v/v)and stabilized with 8%PNA.Similarly,in vivo,arterial embolization confirmed the excellent properties of DMTPE prepared at the abovementioned ratios.It was observed that DMTPE not only has an antitumor effect but can also achieve dual imaging using X-rays and ultrasound,making it a promising excellent vascular embolization material for TAE in tumor treatment.
6.Expert consensus on the prevention and treatment of enamel demineralization in orthodontic treatment.
Lunguo XIA ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Peng MEI ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Lin WANG ; Yuxing BAI ; Lili CHEN ; Weiran LI ; Jun WANG ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Yang CAO ; Yuehua LIU ; Benxiang HOU ; Xi WEI ; Lina NIU ; Haixia LU ; Wensheng MA ; Peijun WANG ; Guirong ZHANG ; Jie GUO ; Zhihua LI ; Haiyan LU ; Liling REN ; Linyu XU ; Xiuping WU ; Yanqin LU ; Jiangtian HU ; Lin YUE ; Xu ZHANG ; Bing FANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):13-13
Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Dental Caries/etiology*
;
Dental Enamel/pathology*
;
Tooth Demineralization/etiology*
;
Tooth Remineralization
7.Research and application of thermosensitive Pickering emulsion with X-ray and ultrasound dual-modal imaging functions for intra-arterial embolization treatment.
Ling LI ; Anran GUO ; Haixia SUN ; Yanbing ZHAO ; Qing YAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Peng SHI ; Hongan TIAN ; Min ZHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101133-101133
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstay for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the performance of the embolization material is crucial in TAE. With the development of medical imaging and the birth of "X-ray-free" technologies, we designed a new dual-mode imaging material of dimethoxy tetraphenyl ethylene (DMTPE) via emulsification by mixing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNA) with lipiodol and fluorocarbons, which was evaluated for temperature sensitivity, stability, and dual-mode visualization in vitro. Additionally, blood vessel casting embolization and renal artery imaging were assessed in healthy rabbits. In a rabbit model with a VX2 tumor, the effectiveness of TAE for treating HCC was examined, with an emphasis on evaluating long-term outcomes of embolization and its effects on tumor growth, necrosis, and proliferation through imaging techniques. In vitro experiments confirmed that the temperature-sensitive dual-oil-phase Pickering emulsion had good flow, stable contrast, and embolism when the oil-to-oil ratio and water-to-oil ratio were both 7:3 ( v/v) and stabilized with 8% PNA. Similarly, in vivo, arterial embolization confirmed the excellent properties of DMTPE prepared at the abovementioned ratios. It was observed that DMTPE not only has an antitumor effect but can also achieve dual imaging using X-rays and ultrasound, making it a promising excellent vascular embolization material for TAE in tumor treatment.
8.Analysis of interference of glycosuria on urinary creatinine-related urinary renal injury biomarkers
Jingjing GUO ; Haixia LI ; Jie DONG ; Cunling YAN ; Tao LI ; Jialin DU ; Chongwen AN ; Lu PANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(8):1063-1070
Objective:To analyze the interference of an exogenous glucose test on urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled CKD patients who visited Peking University First Hospital between October 2023 and March 2024. The patients (age: 50±18 years) included 90 males and 70 females. Fresh morning urine samples were collected, totaling 160 samples. Each urine sample was divided into 5 aliquots,each containing 225 μl. One aliquot received 75 μl of deionized water as the control. The other aliquots received 75 μl of glucose solutions at concentrations of 120, 480, 960, and 1200 mmol/L, resulting in final glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L in the urine samples, respectively. Urinary creatinine in each sample was measured using both the enzymatic method and the picric acid (Jaffe) method. The following ratios were calculated: urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR), urinary transferrin-to-creatinine ratio (uTRF/uCr), urinary α1-microglobulin-to-creatinine ratio (uA1M/uCr), urinary immunoglobulin G-to-creatinine ratio (uIgG/uCr), and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase-to-creatinine ratio (uNAG/uCr).Results:Under high glucose concentrations, significant differences ( P<0.05) were observed between the enzymatic method and the picric acid method in measuring urinary creatinine-related renal injury biomarkers. At glucose concentrations of 30, 120, 240, and 300 mmol/L, the mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the enzymatic method were -0.19%, -0.27%, -0.20%, and -0.21%, respectively. The mean percentage biases for creatinine measured by the picric acid method were 0.78%, 1.26%, 1.35%, and 1.38%, respectively, showing an increasing deviation between the results before and after glucose addition as the glucose concentration rose. For uACR measurement, the mean absolute biases using the enzymatic method were -0.01, 1.27, 0.95, and 1.10 mg/g at the respective glucose concentrations. Using the picric acid method, the mean absolute biases for uACR were -11.69, -14.98, -16.91, and-18.51 mg/g. The biases of the picric acid method were significantly higher than the those of the enzymatic method, and the absolute value of the mean biases increased with rising glucose concentration. For uPCR, uTRF/uCr, uA1M/uCr, uNAG/uCr, and uIgG/uCr, the deviations measured by the enzymatic method were consistently smaller than those measured by the picric acid method. Conclusions:The measurement of creatinine and related renal injury biomarkers by the enzymatic method is less affected by glucose concentration. In contrast, the measurement results obtained using the picric acid method are significantly affected by glucose concentration.
9.Two different fixation methods for vertically unstable femoral neck fractures: mechanical study and finite element analysis
Weijun AN ; Junhui YU ; Aili QU ; Haixia ZHANG ; Peng YE ; Weiwei GUO ; Shaodong QIU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(5):444-450
Objective:To compare the changes in fracture displacement under different vertical loadings between the 2 different internal fixation modalities for vertically unstable femoral neck fractures of Pauwels type Ⅲ by a mechanical study and a finite element analysis.Methods:Twelve biomimic bones were transversely dissected from 10 cm below the lesser trochanter of the femur to create femoral neck fracture models with a Pauwels angle of 70° using a swing saw. The models were equally divided into 2 groups ( n=6): group A was fixed with 3 cannulated screws after fracture reduction (scheme A), and group B with 3 cannulated screws plus a self-designed anteromedial support plate after fracture reduction (scheme B). Continuous vertical force was applied using a mechanical testing machine. Changes in displacement were recorded and load-displacement curves were plotted. One volunteer (female, 28 years old, 168 cm in height and 65 kg in weight) was selected for finite element analysis of her CT images of both lower limbs to examine the maximum displacement and the maximum Mises stress in scheme A and scheme B respectively. Results:In groups A and B respectively: All the 6 biomimic mimetic bones had similar load and displacement curves, and similar fracture displacements (Dx) at different loading points (N X); the curves of 6 biomimic bones were highly fitted with S-shaped curve equation (the r-square value was close to 1). At the initial loading stage (0 N
10.Investigation report of radiotherapy personnel and equipment in Gansu Province
Anmei ZHENG ; Shihong WEI ; Xiyi WEI ; Fang DONG ; Qiuyan GOU ; Bangcai WANG ; Qing GUO ; Zhengqing YIN ; Haixia SONG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(3):226-232
Objective:To investigate the personnel, equipment, new technology of various radiotherapy units in Gansu Province, aiming to deeply understand the current status of radiotherapy in Gansu Province.Methods:From March 2023 to March 2024, the data of personnel, equipment and technology of different radiotherapy units in Gansu Province were investigated via online questionnaire survey and offline field visits by Gansu Provincial Quality Control Center for Radiation Oncology. The questionable data were reviewed, logical verification and outlier identification were conducted, and all information was entered according to the principle of double entry. Qualitative data were described by frequency (percentage).Results:As of March 2024, there are 26 radiotherapy units in Gansu Province, including 7 units in Lanzhou, capital city of Gansu Province and none in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The ratio of radiotherapy physicians and physicists was 2.71 vs. 1, lower than the national level of 3.51 vs. 1. Radiotherapy physicians with intermediate and senior titles accounted for 66.2%, 54% for physicists with intermediate and senior titles and 34.0% for therapists with intermediate and senior titles, respectively. There were 1.70 accelerators per million population in Gansu Province. Among 42 accelerators in Gansu Province, 40 were linac and 2 heavy ion accelerators. In Lanzhou, 7 radiotherapy units had 17 linac, and the remaining 11 cities had 23 linac. All 40 linac could perform 3D conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The high-end equipment could apply advanced technologies such as volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, optical surface-guided radiation therapy and adaptive radiation therapy, etc. Relevant data in this survey were improved compared with those in the national surveys conducted in 2006, 2015 and 2019. Conclusions:The radiotherapy status has developed in Gansu Province, whereas uneven development still exists among regions. According to the actual demands of equipment, talents and technology in each region, the structural adjustment should be oriented to the underdeveloped cities and counties in the province to meet the local medical needs.

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