1.Effects of human umbilical cord blood platelet-rich plasma,mononuclear cells,and mesenchymal stem cells in repairing thin endometrium in rats
Yanli MU ; Anchun HU ; Wenchi XU ; Panpan CHEN ; Hao CHEN ; Shuyun ZHAO ; Guanyou HUANG ; Xiaojuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):78-92
BACKGROUND:Research has found that human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells have certain therapeutic effects on thin endometrium.However,there are currently no reports on the study of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells on thin endometrium,and there is a lack of relevant research comparing the three.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,monocytes,and mesenchymal stem cells in repairing thin endometrium in rats.METHODS:Sixty female SPF grade SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group,with 12 rats in each group.The sham operation group received 0.5 mL physiological saline injection into the uterine horn,followed by 0.5 mL of PBS infusion after 5 minutes;The model group,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group were injected with 0.5 mL of 95%ethanol by volume.After 5 minutes,the remaining ethanol was aspirated and washed twice with physiological saline.Then,0.5 mL of PBS,human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells(1×107 cells/mL),and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells(1×107 cells/mL)were perfused separately.During the third normal estrus cycle after reperfusion,organs,tissues and serum were collected for testing of relevant indicators.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The macroscopic view of uterine tissue,hematoxylin eosin staining and Masson staining results:the sham operation group had intact structure,moderate endometrial thickness,and clear vascular structure.Compared with the sham operation group,the model group showed uterine atrophy,incomplete structure,significantly reduced endometrial thickness and glandular quantity,disordered vascular structure,and increased fibrosis.Compared with the model group,after treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives,the size,structure,and endometrial thickness of the uterus were restored(all P<0.01),and fibrosis was reduced,with the most significant recovery observed in the human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group.The increase in glandular quantity was most significant in the human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group(P<0.000 1).(2)The immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results of uterine tissue showed that compared with the sham operation group,the expression levels of cell proliferation related indicators such as keratin 9 and vimentin,endometrial receptivity related indicators such as leukemia inhibitory factor and integrin αyβ3,platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule,basic fibroblast growth factor,and vascular endothelial growth factor were all reduced in the model group(all P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the above indicators were significantly increased after treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives.Comparison of human umbilical cord blood derivatives among groups showed that keratin 9 and vascular endothelial growth factor protein:human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group>human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group>human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group;Wave shaped protein and leukemia inhibitory factor protein:human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group>human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group>human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group;Integrin αyβ3 protein:human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group>human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group>human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group;Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule protein:human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group>human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group>human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group;Basic fibroblast growth factor protein:human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell group>human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma group>human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cell group.(3)Western blot analysis showed that compared with the sham operation group,the protein levels of interleukin-6,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the model group were significantly increased(all P<0.001),and their expression levels decreased after treatment(all P<0.05).(4)ELISA assay showed that compared with the sham operation group,the model group had lower levels of anti Mullerian hormone,estradiol,and progesterone,and increased levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone(except for luteinizing hormone,all P<0.05).After treatment,there was a certain degree of recovery in the levels of sex hormones and anti Mullerian hormones.(5)Fertility experiments showed that compared with the sham operation group,the model group had an increase in conception time and a significant decrease in litter size(all P<0.05).After treatment with human umbilical cord blood derivatives,the litter size of all three groups increased(P<0.05),and no significant differences were found between the groups.This study preliminarily reveals that human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells have a certain therapeutic effect on thin endometrium,and human umbilical cord blood platelet rich plasma,human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells,and human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells have different advantages and differences in improving endometrial regeneration function,endometrial receptivity,angiogenesis,inflammation regulation,and improving pregnancy outcomes in thin endometrium.
2.Safety of 3D printed titanium alloy bone trabecular cup prosthesis combined with modified Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction for elderly hip arthroplasty
Jiangjing WANG ; Na ZHAO ; Xiaona HU ; Na ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):612-619
BACKGROUND:The titanium alloy bone trabecular bone socket cup prosthesis printed by 3D technology has superior biological characteristics,which helps to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.The Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction has the functions of tonifying the kidneys,strengthening tendons,promoting blood circulation,and relieving pain.However,the application of the combination of the two in elderly hip arthroplasty is rarely reported.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the application value and safety of 3D printed titanium alloy bone trabecular cup prosthesis combined with modified Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction in elderly hip arthroplasty.METHODS:A total of 200 elderly patients who received hip arthroplasty in Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected and randomly divided into control group(n=100)and trial group(n=100).The control group underwent Pinnaele cup prosthesis hip arthroplasty combined with modified Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction,while the trial group underwent 3D printed titanium alloy bone trabecular cup prosthesis hip arthroplasty combined with modified Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction.The medication was taken continuously for 1 week before hip arthroplasty and for 4 weeks after arthroplasty.The differences in pain,swelling,hemorheology,inflammatory factors,bone metabolism,intra-articular stress,and hip abduction muscle strength were compared between the two groups to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the two treatment options.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Four weeks after surgery,the pain visual analog scale score,limb swelling,whole blood viscosity,and plasma viscosity of the trial group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The interleukin-6 level of the trial group was lower than that of the control group,and the interleukin-10 level was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The levels of type Ⅰ collagen carboxyl terminal peptide β specific sequence and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b in the trial group were lower than those in the control group,while the levels of osteocalcin,bone-specific phosphatase and typeⅠ procollagen amino-terminal propeptide were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The intra-articular stress and hip abduction muscle strength in the trial group were higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)Three months after surgery,the excellent and good treatment rate in the trial group was higher than that in the control group,and the incidence of safety evaluation events such as postoperative incision hematoma and infection was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)It suggests that 3D printed titanium alloy trabecular acetabular cup prosthesis combined with modified Kidney Tonifying and Blood Activating Decoction can improve the blood rheology of elderly patients with hip arthroplasty,inhibit inflammatory response,reduce postoperative pain and swelling,and enhance bone metabolism,thereby promoting postoperative hip joint function recovery,and reducing the incidence of adverse events,with high safety.
3.A Preliminary Discussion on TONG Xiaolin's "Eight-Dimensional Materia Medica Framework" Theory
Dongsen HU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Lili ZHANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):360-364
This paper introduces the "eight-dimensional materia medica framework" theory proposed by Professor TONG Xiaolin and, in light of his academic perspectives and clinical experience, explores its inheritance and innovation of the concept of "four pillars of medicinals" by ZHANG Jiebin of Ming-dynasty from multiple angles. Building upon the four foundational medicinals, Renshen (Panax ginseng), Shudihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa Praeparata), Fuzi (Aconitum carmichaelii Praeparata), and Dahuang (Rheum palmatum), as the "four pillars of medicinals", and using eight-principle pattern differentiation framework, this theory expands the representative medicinals to eight. It establishes the "eight-dimensional materia medica framework", i.e. exterior-Mahuang (Ephedra sinica), interior-Rougui (Cinnamomum cassia), cold-Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), heat-Ganjiang (Zingiber officinale), deficiency-Renshen (Panax ginseng), excess-Dahuang (Rheum palmatum), yin-Shudihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa Praeparata), and yang-Fuzi (Aconitum carmichaelii Praeparata). This framework highlights the pivotal roles of these eight medicinals in the treatment of exterior and interior patterns, cold and heat syndromes, deficiency and excess conditions, as well as yin deficiency and yang deficiency. Integrated with the state-target differentiation and treatment theory, this approach enriches the traditional actions of the eight representative medicinals by incorporating findings from modern pharmacological research, achieving a transition from macroscopic regulation of pathological states to microscopic target-oriented intervention. Furthermore, through investigations into dose-effect relationships and the expansion of principles for herbal compatibility, the clinical practicality of the "eight-dimensional materia medica framework" is further demonstrated, promoting the integrative development of Chinese and western medicine at the level of clinical application of Chinese materia medica.
4.Mechanisms of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang in Improving Obesity-type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Shiwei HU ; Biran ZHU ; Jinrong ZHANG ; Luyao RUAN ; Ji KUANG ; Jianghuan HUA ; Zhe LIU ; Yanyue YAO ; Ji WANG ; Min ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):21-31
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang (MLC) improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (Con) and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole (1 mg·kg-1) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD). After model establishment, the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group (Mod, normal saline), metformin group (Met, 0.3 g·kg-1), low-dose MLC group (MLC-L, 4.3 g·kg-1), medium-dose MLC group (MLC-M, 8.6 g·kg-1), and high-dose MLC group (MLC-H, 17.2 g·kg-1). Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K (p-PI3K/PI3K), phosphorylated Akt/Akt (p-Akt/Akt), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing, the abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups (P<0.05), while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased (P<0.05). KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that, compared with the Mod group, body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met, MLC-M, and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T, FSH, and LH/FSH were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the E2 level was increased (P<0.01). Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased, whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure, effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS, and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
5.Mechanisms of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang in Improving Obesity-type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Shiwei HU ; Biran ZHU ; Jinrong ZHANG ; Luyao RUAN ; Ji KUANG ; Jianghuan HUA ; Zhe LIU ; Yanyue YAO ; Ji WANG ; Min ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):21-31
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang (MLC) improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (Con) and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole (1 mg·kg-1) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD). After model establishment, the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group (Mod, normal saline), metformin group (Met, 0.3 g·kg-1), low-dose MLC group (MLC-L, 4.3 g·kg-1), medium-dose MLC group (MLC-M, 8.6 g·kg-1), and high-dose MLC group (MLC-H, 17.2 g·kg-1). Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K (p-PI3K/PI3K), phosphorylated Akt/Akt (p-Akt/Akt), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing, the abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups (P<0.05), while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased (P<0.05). KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that, compared with the Mod group, body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met, MLC-M, and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T, FSH, and LH/FSH were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the E2 level was increased (P<0.01). Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased, whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure, effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS, and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
6.Construction and validation of circadian rhythm genes-related prognostic risk model for lung adenocarcinoma
Yanqi CUI ; Hu ZHAO ; Yawei ZHANG ; Lin NI ; Duohuang LIAN ; Jingrong YANG ; Shixin YE ; Fengfeng XU ; Jincan ZHANG ; Zhiyong ZENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):550-558
Objective To explore the relationship between circadian rhythm genes and the occurrence, development, prognosis, and tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to evaluate the expression, copy number variation, and somatic mutation frequency of circadian gene sets in LUAD. Gene ontology, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, and gene set enrichment analysis were used to explore the potential mechanisms by which circadian rhythm genes affected LUAD progression. Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, support vector machine recursive feature elimination, and random forest screened circadian genes and established prognostic models, and on this basis constructed nomogram to predict patients’ 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and time-dependent ROC curves were drawn to evaluate the predictive ability of the model, and the external dataset of GEO further verified the prognostic value of the prediction model. In addition, we evaluated the association of the prognostic model with immune cells and immune checkpoint genes. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was used to explore the molecular characteristics between prognostically relevant circadian genes and different immune cell populations in TME. Results Differentially expressed circadian rhythm genes were mainly enriched in biological processes related to cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Seven circadian rhythm genes: LGR4, CDK1, KLF10, ARNTL2, RORA, NPAS2, PTGDS were screened out, and a RiskScore model was established. According to the median RiskScore, samples were divided into a high-risk group and a low-risk group. Compared with patients in the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group showed a poorer prognosis (P<0.001). Immunological characterization analysis showed that there were differences in the infiltration of multiple immune cells between the low-risk group and high-risk group. Most immune checkpoint genes had higher expression levels in the high-risk group than those in the low-risk group, and RiskScore was positively correlated with the expression of CD276, TNFSF4, PDCD1LG2, CD274, and TNFRSF9, and negatively correlated with the expression of CD40LG and TNFSF15. The scRNA-seq analysis showed that RORA and KLF10 were mainly expressed in natural killer cells. Conclusion The prognostic model based on seven feature circadian rhythm genes has certain predictive value for predicting survival of LUAD patients. Dysregulated expression of circadian genes may regulate the occurrence, progression as well as prognosis of LUAD through affecting TME, which provides a possible direction for finding potential strategies for treating LUAD from the perspective of mechanism by which circadian disorder affects immune cells.
7.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
8.Pharmacological Effect and Mechanism of Volatile Oil Microemulsion of Atractylodes chinensis in Relieving Depression
Xinxing HU ; Shuyue ZHAO ; Chunping XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):144-153
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Atractylodes chinensis volatile oil microemulsion in relieving depression, thus establishing a theoretical foundation and a new approach for developing it as a novel adjunctive antidepressant. MethodsSixty SD male rats were assigned into four groups: control, model (chronic unpredictable mild stress), positive drug (flupentixol hydrochloride, 1.8 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, high-dose (16.2, 32.4, 64.8 mg·kg-1) A. chinensis volatile oil microemulsion. The sucrose preference test, open field test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test were conducted to measure the sucrose preference rate, total exercise distance, average speed, resting time, tail suspension time, and swimming immobility time before and after treatment. The morphology of the rat brain tissue was visualized by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and cortisol (CORT) in the hippocampal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA level differences of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to assess protein level variations of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB in the same tissue samples. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the body mass of rats in low-, medium-, high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion groups decreased (P<0.05), indicating that the modeling was successful. Compared with the model group, medium-, high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion shortened the tail suspension time, swimming immobility time, and resting time (P<0.05, P<0.01), while increasing the sucrose preference rate, total exercise distance, and average speed (P<0.01). No significant changes were observed in the low-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion group. ELISA results indicated that CORT concentrations in the hippocampal tissue of medium and high-dose A. chinensis volatile oil emulsion groups decreased (P<0.01). In the high-dose group, 5-HT and NE concentrations increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while they had no significant changes in the low-dose group. Real-time PCR results revealed that the mRNA levels of cAMP, PKA, and CREB in the hippocampus of the medium-dose Beicangzhu volatile oil emulsion group increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB were upregulated in the high-dose Beicangshu volatile oil microemulsion group (P<0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the protein levels of cAMP, PKA, and TrkB in the hippocampal tissue of the low-dose A. chinensis volatile oil microemulsion group were up-regulated (P<0.05). The medium-dose Beicangzhu volatile oil emulsion group exhibited increases in protein levels of cAMP, PKA, BDNF, and TrkB (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the high-dose group showed elevationsin protein levels of cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBeicangzhu volatile oil emulsion demonstrates certain antidepressant efficacy by inhibiting CORT expression, upregulating the expression of 5-HT, NE, cAMP, PKA, CREB, BDNF, and TrkB, activating the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to improve the cerebral protection.
9.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
10.Construction of A Conceptual Framework for the Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Evolutionary Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Across Full-cycle of Parkinson's Disease
Yu WANG ; Jianing MEI ; Hongping ZHAO ; Yunzhe TANG ; Zijun WEI ; Qinliang TAO ; Xueyi HAN ; Jiyuan HU ; Yunyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):270-279
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems and neurotransmitters. Due to the high clinical heterogeneity of PD,it is urgent to establish a comprehensive and long-term traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) management model. In this paper,the conceptual framework of full-cycle management of PD is preliminarily constructed:based on the evolution of the pathophysiological mechanisms of protein deposition and neurotransmitter disorder in PD,the three-stage syndrome characteristics of the prodromal stage (predominant healthy Qi with subtle pathogenic factors),the early clinical stage (declining healthy Qi with growing pathogenic factors) and the middle and late stages (overwhelming pathogenic factors with deficient healthy Qi) are longitudinally described. Through the syndrome differentiation of visceral manifestations,the etiology and pathogenesis of PD motor and non-motor symptoms were comprehensively analyzed,while the matching treatment methods and prescriptions were inferred,and the modular scheme of the combining main symptoms,accompanying symptoms and secondary symptoms was proposed. The conceptual gap of TCM regarding motor complications ('variable syndrome') and PD-related hyperpyrexia syndrome ('critical syndrome') was explained. This framework reflects the characteristics of combination of disease and syndrome and overall constant motion,and provides new theories and research ideas for individualized and whole-process management of PD in TCM.


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