1.Mechanisms of Renshentang in Treating AS via Regulation of Endothelial Cell Inflammation Based on TRPV1
Ce CHU ; Yulu YUAN ; Zhen YANG ; Xuguang TAO ; Xiangyun CHEN ; Zhanzhan HE ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Yongqi XU ; Wanping CHEN ; Peizhang ZHAO ; Wenlai WANG ; Hongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):46-53
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis (AS) in mice, focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group (0.02 g·kg-1·d-1) and low-, medium-, and high-dose Renshentang groups (1.77, 3.54, 7.08 g·kg-1·d-1), with 12 mice in each group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group (n=9). After continuous administration for 12 weeks, mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as the expression of TRPV1, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression in the aorta, and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation (P<0.01) and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root (P<0.01). The expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation (P<0.01), significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01), and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and eNOS mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.
2.Pharmaceutical care for a rare case of diffuse pulmonary microabscesses complicated with organizing pneumonia
Shuangshuang CAI ; Xuewen QIU ; Yue LIAO ; Hongxia ZHAO ; Hao JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1352-1356
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of clinical pharmacists in the individualized treatment of a rare case of diffuse pulmonary microabscesses caused by Streptococcus constellatus complicated with organizing pneumonia (OP) in a non-immunocompromised patient. METHODS For a middle-aged, non-immunocompromised patient with a one-year disease course, whose imaging findings showed the coexistence of diffuse microabscesses and OP caused by S. constellatus pulmonary abscess, the clinical pharmacist, based on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics characteristics, assisted the physician in optimizing the previously ineffective anti-infective regimen to Ceftriaxone sodium for injection combined with Metronidazole and sodium chloride injection, so as to enhance coverage of mixed anaerobes and lesion penetration. After the patient’s hemoptysis ceased, the clinical pharmacist recommended timely initiation of low-dose Methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection to manage OP. Upon discharge, sequential oral therapy with Linezolid tablets, Metronidazole tablets, Methylprednisolone tablets and Omeprazole enteric-coated tablets was prescribed. RESULTS After implementation of the individualized treatment regimen, the patient’s hemoptysis resolved, pulmonary lesions significantly regressed, and the patient was discharged in a stable condition. At the three-month follow-up, the patient remained stable. CONCLUSIONS For chronic persistent pulmonary infection complicated with OP in a non-immunocompromised host, clinical pharmacists assist clinicians in optimizing anti-infective regimens and recommend the timely initiation of anti-inflammatory therapy after infection control, thereby contributing to favorable clinical outcomes. Individualized treatment of such complex cases requires comprehensive consideration of pathogen coverage, pathological barriers, and the timing of anti-inflammatory intervention.
3.Design, synthesis, and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of novel matrine derivatives
Yifei LU ; Jia SONG ; Hongxia SHEN ; Qingjie ZHAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):346-352
Objective The alkaloids contained in the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens have good anti-inflammatory activity. To investigate the structure-activity relationship between the novel matrine and the anti-inflammatory activity by modifying the structure of matrine. Methods Fourteen novel matrine derivatives were obtained by chemical modification using matrine as the lead compound with matrine and M19 as positive controls. The cytotoxicity of matrine derivatives against RAW264.7 cells was detected by the cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay, and the relative amount of NO produced by matrine derivatives against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells was detected using an NO assay kit. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to detect the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by matrine derivatives in LPS-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells. Results The novel matrine derivatives all exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared with M19. The NO inhibition rates of the novel matrine derivatives were all higher than that of matrine, and some were higher than that of M19, with compound A12 having the highest NO inhibition rate. Compounds A11 and A12 showed higher IL-6 inhibition than the control M19. Additionally, compound A12 had higher TNF-α inhibition than M19. Conclusion Compound A12 inhibited the strongest inhibition of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α release and had the best anti-inflammatory activity, which provided an important lead compound for this subsequent in-depth study.
4.Osteogenic properties of platelet-rich fibrin combined with gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel
Hongxia ZHAO ; Zhengwei SUN ; Yang HAN ; Xuechao WU ; Jing HAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):809-817
BACKGROUND:Platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)has many advantages,such as simple preparation,low production cost,and high safety,and has been widely used in the study of bone defect repair in oral and maxillofacial surgery,but there are problems such as too fast degradation rate and short release time of growth factors. OBJECTIVE:PRF was loaded into gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)hydrogel and its osteogenic properties were analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS:(1)New Zealand white rabbit venous blood was extracted to prepare PRF.GelMA hydrogels containing 0,0.05,0.075,and 0.1 g PRF were prepared,respectively,and were recorded as GelMA,GelMA/PRF-0.05,GelMA/PRF-0.075,and GelMA/PRF-0.1,respectively,to characterize the micromorphology and in vitro slow-release properties of the hydrogels.(2)Four kinds of hydrogels were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells,respectively,and the cell proliferation activity was detected with the single cultured cells as the control.After osteogenic induction,alkaline phosphatase activity,mineralization ability,mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenic genes(osteocalcin,osteopontin,RUNX2),ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein mRNA and protein expression levels were detected.(3)Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were taken.Four full-layer bone defects of 8 mm diameter were prepared in the skull of each rabbit,one of which was implanted without any material(blank control group),and the other three were implanted with GelMA hydrogel,PRF,and GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel,respectively.The bone defect was detected by Micro-CT and bone morphology was observed at 4,8,and 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy observed that all the hydrogels of the four groups had honeycomb pore structure,and the pore size of the hydrogels decreased slightly with the increase of PRF content,but there was no significant difference between the groups.The three groups of GelMA/PRF hydrogel could release transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 at a certain rate,and the cumulative release of transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 increased significantly with the extension of time.(2)CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.The results of alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,and osteogenic gene detection showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells,and inhibit the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein,and showed a PRF content dependence.(3)Micro-CT scan showed that the bone mineral density and bone volume fraction in the bone defect of GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that compared with the other three groups,GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group had faster and more mature new bone formation at the bone defect.(4)These findings indicate that GelMA/PRF hydrogel has good osteogenic activity both in vivo and in vitro,which may be related to inhibiting the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein.
5.Prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of coal miners in a coal mine group
Xiaolan ZHENG ; Liuquan JIANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Hongxia ZHAO ; Fan YANG ; Qiang LI ; Li LI ; Yingjun CHEN ; Qingsong CHEN ; Gaisheng LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):278-285
Background The positive rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among coal mine workers remains high, which seriously affects the quality of life of the workers. Objective To estimate the prevalence of WMSDs among coal miners in Shanxi Province and analyze their influencing factors. Methods From May to December 2023,
6.Impact of shift work and obesity on risk of hyperuricemia in coal miners: A cross-sectional design based dose-response relationships and interaction analysis
Zeyuan ZHANG ; Yingjun CHEN ; Yingtong CHEN ; Mengtian XIONG ; Zichao PANG ; Gaisheng LIU ; Hongxia ZHAO ; Liuquan JIANG ; Qingsong CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):451-458
Background The prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) among Chinese residents has been increasing annually, with occupational populations facing a higher risk of HUA due to shift work or obesity. Objective To investigate the impact of shift work and obesity on HUA among coal miners, and to provide scientific data for the prevention of HUA in this occupational group. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with
7.Research progress on the role of reactive oxygen species in sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(11):848-853
Acute lung injury(ALI)is a common,deadly complication of sepsis,involving multiple pathophysiological mechanisms.Research on prevention and treatment strategies for ALI has always been a key focus in critical-care medicine field.In recent years,the role of reactive oxygen species in ALI has received extensive attention.This review summarized the research on reactive oxygen species processes in sepsis-induced ALI,to provide new insights for ALI prevention and treatment.
8.Summary of the best evidence for the use of built-in fecal incontinence management device to prevent incontinence associated dermatitis
Xiaojing WEI ; Jiamei JING ; Yuhao ZHAO ; Hongxia LIANG ; Shichao ZHU ; Mengjuan JING ; Yanhong GAO ; Junjuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(23):1826-1834
Objective:To search, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence of built-in fecal incontinence management device, to inform the management of incontinence dermatitis by clinical healthcare professionals.Methods:BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, Guideline International Network, Joanna Briggs Institute, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Registered Nurses′Association of Ontario, The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, SinoMed, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database were systematically searched for all evidence regarding the application of fecal collection devices. It included clinical practice, guidelines, systematic reviews, expert consensuses, evidence summaries, and randomized controlled trial. Two researchers independently evaluated the literature quality and extracted the literature that met the standards.Results:A total of 12 pieces of the literature were involved, including 2 best practice, 5 guidelines, 3 expert consensuses, and 2 systematic reviews. This study summarized 26 pieces of best evidence in relation to the following 5 themes: indications and contraindications, device insertion, device maintenance, device removal and effectiveness evaluation.Conclusions:This study scientifically and systematically summarized the best evidence regarding the insertion and maintenance of built-in fecal incontinence management device. We recommend that clinical practitioners integrate this evidence into their practice, while considering individual patient preferences and medical contexts. Adhering to individualization for evidence translation improves standardization and benefits patients in the clinical use of fecal collection devices.
9.Clinical characteristics of juvenile dermatomyositis in anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody-positive patients and risk factors for severity: a national multicenter retrospective study
Huiyuan YANG ; Wanzhen GUAN ; Ling2 YANG ; Haimei LIU ; Xiaoqing3 LI ; Haiguo YU ; Meiping LU ; Jun YANG ; Xiaohui LIU ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jihong XIAO ; Xiaozhong LI ; Guomin LI ; Hong CHANG ; Sheng HAO ; Yue DU ; Daliang XU ; Ling WU ; Wenjie ZHENG ; Li LIU ; Xinhui JIANG ; Shaohui ZHU ; Dongmei ZHAO ; Xuemei TANG ; Li SUN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1299-1305
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and independent risk factors of severe disease in patients with anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP) 2 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 219 anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM patients admitted to 23 children′s hospitals across China from July 2011 to July 2023. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups based on classification criteria for severe dermatomyositis. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to calculate optimal cut-off values. Results:Among the 219 patients, 108 were male and 111 were female, with an age at onset of 6.3 (3.5, 9.4) years. The severe group comprised 69 patients, and the non-severe group 150 patients. The severe group had significantly higher rates of fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, as well as elevated levels of ferritin-to-albumin ratio (FAR), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified anti-Ro52 antibody positivity ( OR=13.26, 95% CI 1.37-128.29) and elevated FAR ( OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09-2.31) as independent risk factors for severe anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM (both P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a FAR cutoff value of 6.82 predicted severe disease with an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.70. All patients received glucocorticoid therapy, and the severe group received higher proportions of steroid pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, biologics, and adjuvant treatments compared to the non-severe group (all P<0.05). In terms of outcomes, 2 patients (2.9%) in the severe group died (due to neurological involvement and intestinal perforation, respectively), while the remaining patients achieved complete clinical response or remission. All patients in the non-severe group achieved remission. Conclusions:The primary clinical features of anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM included fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, and elevated levels of CK, AST, LDH, and FAR. Furthermore, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity and a FAR>6.82 were identified as independent risk factors.
10.Correlation between soluble CD146 and systemic vasculitis
Jinwei GAO ; Zhao PENG ; Yao LIU ; Hongxia YU ; Yang WU ; Xinping TIAN
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(6):532-541
Objective:To determine the correlation between serum soluble CD146 (sCD146) levels and disease activity in patients with systemic vasculitis and the potential of sCD146 as a novel biomarker.Methods:We recruited 304 patients from the systemic vasculitis cohort at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2013 to December 2022. The cohort comprised 200 patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and 104 with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The patient′s demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, disease duration, disease type, laboratory results, and disease status, were extracted from the database. The serum sCD146 concentration was measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Continuous variables were presented as mean±standard deviation if normally distributed, with between-group comparisons conducted using the t-test. For non-normally distributed data, median ( Q1, Q3) was used, and comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical data were expressed as percentages, and comparisons between groups were conducted using the Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test,as appropriate. Kendall′s tau-b′s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the correlation between sCD146 and variables associated with systemic vasculitis. A two-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Serum sCD146 levels were significantly lower in patients with active disease compared to those in remission in both cohorts [TAK: 246 (218, 287) vs. 277 (230, 322) μg/L, Z=-2.58, P=0.010; AAV: (301±90) vs. (344±81) μg/L, t=-2.56, P=0.007]. Serum sCD146 levels were positively correlated with age and disease duration (TAK: τ=0.09, 0.12, P=0.040, P=0.009; AAV: τ=0.28, 0.15, P<0.001, P=0.020). In patients with TAK, sCD146 levels were negatively correlated with IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and disease activity status ( τ=-0.17, -0.18, -0.16, -0.16; P=0.001, P<0.001, P=0.003, P=0.010). In patients with AAV, sCD146 levels were negatively correlated with platelet count (PLT),disease activity status,and the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score ( τ=-0.36, -0.27, -0.27; P<0.001, P=0.007, P=0.001). Conclusion:Serum sCD146 levels were significantly lower in patients with active systemic vasculitis than in remission, displaying a negative correlation with disease activity. These findings suggest that sCD146 has potential as a novel biomarker for assessing disease activity in systemic vasculitis.

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