1.Empirical study of input, output, outcome and impact of community-based rehabilitation stations
Xiayao CHEN ; Ying DONG ; Xue DONG ; Zhongxiang MI ; Jun CHENG ; Aimin ZHANG ; Didi LU ; Jun WANG ; Jude LIU ; Qianmo AN ; Hui GUO ; Xiaochen LIU ; Zefeng YU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(1):83-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the present situation of input, output, outcome and impact of all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia in China, and analyze how the input predict the output, outcome and impact. MethodsFrom March 1st to April 30th, 2025, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia, covering four dimensions: input, output, outcome and impact. A total of 1 365 questionnaires were distributed. The input included four items: laws and policies, human resources, equipment and facilities, and rehabilitation information management. The output included two items: technical paths and benefits/effectiveness. The outcome included three items: coverage rates, rehabilitation interventions and functional results. The impact included two items: health and sustainability. Each item contained several questions, all of which were described in a positive way. Each question was scored from one to five. A lower score indicated that the situation of the community-based rehabilitation station was more in line with the content described in the question. Regression analysis was performed using the total score of each item of input dimension as independent variables, and the total scores of the output, outcome and impact dimensions as dependent variables. ResultsA total of 1 262 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean values of input, output, outcome and impact of community-based rehabilitation stations were 1.827 to 1.904, with coefficient of variation of 45.892% to 49.239%. The regression analysis showed that, rehabilitation information management, human resources, and laws and policies significantly predicted the output dimension (R² = 0.910, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, all four items in the input dimension predicted both the outcome (R² = 0.850, P < 0.001) and impact dimensions (R² = 0.833, P < 0.001). ConclusionInput, output, outcome and impact of the community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia were generally in line with the content of the questions, although some imbalances were observed. Additionally, the input of community-based rehabilitation stations could significantly predict their output, outcome and impact.
2.Preliminary application of histological evaluation of donor pancreas biopsy tissue in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation
Jiao WAN ; Hui GUO ; Jiali FANG ; Guanghui LI ; Luhao LIU ; Yunyi XIONG ; Wei YIN ; Tong YANG ; Junjie MA ; Zheng CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):250-256
Objective To preliminarily investigate the safety and efficacy of donor pancreas needle biopsy in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 7 cases undergoing donor pancreas biopsy were collected retrospectively. All cases underwent donor pancreas biopsy before or during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Frozen section or paraffin sectioning techniques were used for tissue preparation, and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were performed to histologically evaluate the donor pancreas. The quality of donor pancreas was comprehensively assessed by combining histological findings with the donor's clinical data. Postoperative follow-up data of 5 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients were collected to summarize the safety of donor pancreas biopsy and the prognosis of transplant recipients. Results The 7 pancreas donors were aged 28 to 62 years, with a body mass index ranging from 20.76 to 27.68 kg/m2. Liver ultrasound indicated fatty liver in 3 cases, while pancreatic ultrasound did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Among them, biopsy was performed on 2 donors after completion of pancreatic procurement and processing, and the frozen section histology showed moderate acute pancreatitis changes (edema of acinar cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Combined with a serum amylase level elevated more than 3 times the upper limit of normal value, these two donor pancreases were finally discarded. The remaining 5 cases underwent biopsy immediately after pancreatic vascular anastomosis during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, and histological evaluation was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. No biopsy-related complications (such as bleeding, pancreatic fistula, etc.) occurred after transplantation. One recipient died of severe infection 2 months after transplantation, while the other 4 recipients were followed up for more than 5 years, with well-functioning transplant kidneys and pancreases. Conclusions Donor pancreas biopsy is relatively safe, and the risk of biopsy-related complications after transplantation is controllable. Comprehensive assessment of donor pancreas quality by combining histological evaluation with the donor's clinical indicators is conducive to improving the accuracy of donor pancreas selection and organ utilization.
3.In situ Analytical Techniques for Membrane Protein Interactions
Zi-Yuan KANG ; Tong YU ; Chao LI ; Xue-Hua ZHANG ; Jun-Hui GUO ; Qi-Chang LI ; Jing-Xing GUO ; Hao XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1206-1218
Membrane proteins are integral components of cellular membranes, accounting for approximately 30% of the mammalian proteome and serving as targets for 60% of FDA-approved drugs. They are critical to both physiological functions and disease mechanisms. Their functional protein-protein interactions form the basis for many physiological processes, such as signal transduction, material transport, and cell communication. Membrane protein interactions are characterized by membrane environment dependence, spatial asymmetry, weak interaction strength, high dynamics, and a variety of interaction sites. Therefore, in situ analysis is essential for revealing the structural basis and kinetics of these proteins. This paper introduces currently available in situ analytical techniques for studying membrane protein interactions and evaluates the characteristics of each. These techniques are divided into two categories: label-based techniques (e.g., co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, resonance energy transfer, and proximity labeling) and label-free techniques (e.g., cryo-electron tomography, in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and structure prediction tools). Each technique is critically assessed in terms of its historical development, strengths, and limitations. Based on the authors’ relevant research, the paper further discusses the key issues and trends in the application of these techniques, providing valuable references for the field of membrane protein research. Label-based techniques rely on molecular tags or antibodies to detect proximity or interactions, offering high specificity and adaptability for dynamic studies. For instance, proximity ligation assay combines the specificity of antibodies with the sensitivity of PCR amplification, while proximity labeling enables spatial mapping of interactomes. Conversely, label-free techniques, such as cryo-electron tomography, provide near-native structural insights, and Raman spectroscopy directly probes molecular interactions without perturbing the membrane environment. Despite advancements, these methods face several universal challenges: (1) indirect detection, relying on proximity or tagged proxies rather than direct interaction measurement; (2) limited capacity for continuous dynamic monitoring in live cells; and (3) potential artificial influences introduced by labeling or sample preparation, which may alter native conformations. Emerging trends emphasize the multimodal integration of complementary techniques to overcome individual limitations. For example, combining in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry with proximity labeling enhances both spatial resolution and interaction coverage, enabling high-throughput subcellular interactome mapping. Similarly, coupling fluorescence resonance energy transfer with nuclear magnetic resonance and artificial intelligence (AI) simulations integrates dynamic structural data, atomic-level details, and predictive modeling for holistic insights. Advances in AI, exemplified by AlphaFold’s ability to predict interaction interfaces, further augment experimental data, accelerating structure-function analyses. Future developments in cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and machine learning are poised to refine spatiotemporal resolution and scalability. In conclusion, in situ analysis of membrane protein interactions remains indispensable for deciphering their roles in health and disease. While current technologies have significantly advanced our understanding, persistent gaps highlight the need for innovative, integrative approaches. By synergizing experimental and computational tools, researchers can achieve multiscale, real-time, and perturbation-free analyses, ultimately unraveling the dynamic complexity of membrane protein networks and driving therapeutic discovery.
4.Clinical analysis of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and stent implantation for the pancreaticobiliary injuries in children
Xiumin QIN ; Feihong YU ; Hui GUO ; Chunna ZHAO ; Jie WU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):70-74
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stent implantation in the treatment of pancreaticobiliary injuries in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children diagnosed with pancreaticobiliary injury and undergoing ERCP and stent implantation at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022. Demographic information, clinical data, endoscopic treatment methods, postoperative complications and clinical prognosis of the children were collected. The etiology, location of pancreaticobiliary injury, occurrence of complications after endoscopic treatment, and the time for improvement and recovery after endoscopic treatment were analyzed. The patients were divided into five groups according to the etiologies of pancreaticobiliary duct injuries: post-surgical, pancreatic trauma, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus groups. They were also classified into four groups according to the sites of pancreaticobiliary duct injuries: common bile duct, pancreatic head, pancreatic body, and pancreatic tail groups. Multi-factor analysis of variance was used for comparing the time of improvement and recovery among different groups.Results:Among 22 patients, there were 8 males and 14 females, and the age was 7.5 (3.3,10.8) years. There were 19 cases of pancreatic or bile duct fistula, and 3 cases of pancreatic or bile duct stenosis. A total of 33 endoscopic procedures were performed on the 22 patients, out of which, 3 duct stenosis were failed to insert the stent because the catheter failed to pass through the stenosis site. The success rate was 91% (30/33). The pancreatic duct or bile duct stent was inserted, with the stent located at pancreatic or bile duct fistula. Postoperative complications included pancreatitis in 3 cases (9%, 3/33), hyperamylasemia in 5 cases (15%, 5/33), and postoperative infection in 4 cases (12%, 4/33). All patients were followed up for more than 1 year. Significant improvement was observed in external drainage and imaging monitoring among patients with successfully placed stents. There was no significant difference in the improvement time of ERCP in the treatment of pancreaticobile duct injury caused by different etiology ( F=0.65, P=0.637). However, there were significant differences in healing time ( F=6.46, P=0.004), among which the healing time of injuries caused by systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly different from that after surgery, trauma, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement and healing time among different injury sites (all P>0.05). Conclusions:ERCP and stent implantation can safely and effectively improve the clinical symptoms of children with pancreaticobiliary injury. Early intervention can improve long-term prognosis.
5.Protective Effect of Shengxiantang on Myocardial Microvascular Injury in Rats with Chronic Heart Failure
Hui GAO ; Zeqi YANG ; Fan GAO ; Hongjing LI ; Aiyangzi LU ; Xingchao LIU ; Qiuhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):35-42
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of Shengxiantang on cardiac function and myocardial microvascular injury in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). MethodsThe CHF rat model was prepared by aortic arch constriction (TAC). Of the 72 SD rats, 8 were randomly selected as the sham operation group, where the chest was opened without ligating the aortic arch. The 40 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Shengxiantang low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.1, 10.2, 20.4 g·kg-1), and the trimetazidine group (6.3 mg·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. Drug administration began 4 weeks after modeling. The administration groups received the corresponding drugs by gavage, while the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of distilled water for 8 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Ultrastructural changes of microvessels were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of ATP synthase subunit (ATP5D) and F-actin in myocardial tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of occludin, claudin, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin), and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Microvessel density was measured by immunofluorescence staining. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular systolic diameter (LVIDs), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWs), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVVOLd), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVVOLs) were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels of NO and VEGF were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of ET-1 and vWF were significantly increased (P<0.01). Under electron microscopy, the microvascular basement membrane was incomplete and the tight junctions were blurred. The expression levels of ATP5D, F-actin, occludin, claudin, ZO-1, and VE-Cadherin were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the relative density of microvessels was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Shengxiantang, the EF and FS of CHF rats significantly increased (P<0.01), while the LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs, LVVOLd, and LVVOLs significantly decreased (P<0.01). The levels of NO and VEGF significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of ET-1 and vWF significantly decreased (P<0.01). Under electron microscopy, the microvascular basement membrane was relatively complete and the tight junctions were more continuous. The expression levels of ATP5D, F-actin, occludin, claudin, ZO-1, and VE-Cadherin significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the relative density of microvessels significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionShengxiantang can effectively improve the cardiac function of CHF rats, reduce microvascular endothelial injury, strengthen the connection between endothelial cells, and increase microvessel density, thereby protecting myocardial microvascular injury.
6.Protective Effect of Shengxiantang on Myocardial Microvascular Injury in Rats with Chronic Heart Failure
Hui GAO ; Zeqi YANG ; Fan GAO ; Hongjing LI ; Aiyangzi LU ; Xingchao LIU ; Qiuhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):35-42
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of Shengxiantang on cardiac function and myocardial microvascular injury in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). MethodsThe CHF rat model was prepared by aortic arch constriction (TAC). Of the 72 SD rats, 8 were randomly selected as the sham operation group, where the chest was opened without ligating the aortic arch. The 40 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Shengxiantang low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.1, 10.2, 20.4 g·kg-1), and the trimetazidine group (6.3 mg·kg-1), with 8 rats in each group. Drug administration began 4 weeks after modeling. The administration groups received the corresponding drugs by gavage, while the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of distilled water for 8 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Ultrastructural changes of microvessels were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of ATP synthase subunit (ATP5D) and F-actin in myocardial tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of occludin, claudin, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin), and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Microvessel density was measured by immunofluorescence staining. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular systolic diameter (LVIDs), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWs), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVVOLd), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVVOLs) were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels of NO and VEGF were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of ET-1 and vWF were significantly increased (P<0.01). Under electron microscopy, the microvascular basement membrane was incomplete and the tight junctions were blurred. The expression levels of ATP5D, F-actin, occludin, claudin, ZO-1, and VE-Cadherin were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the relative density of microvessels was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Shengxiantang, the EF and FS of CHF rats significantly increased (P<0.01), while the LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs, LVVOLd, and LVVOLs significantly decreased (P<0.01). The levels of NO and VEGF significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of ET-1 and vWF significantly decreased (P<0.01). Under electron microscopy, the microvascular basement membrane was relatively complete and the tight junctions were more continuous. The expression levels of ATP5D, F-actin, occludin, claudin, ZO-1, and VE-Cadherin significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the relative density of microvessels significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionShengxiantang can effectively improve the cardiac function of CHF rats, reduce microvascular endothelial injury, strengthen the connection between endothelial cells, and increase microvessel density, thereby protecting myocardial microvascular injury.
7.Ameliorating effects of tetrahydrocurcumin and its nano-preparations on lipopolysaccharide-induced depression in mice
Hui Tan ; Yuanping Li ; Jingyuan Meng ; Tengteng Ma ; Yan Yang ; Zhengmao Yang ; Jiaqing Ma ; Jianping Xie ; Ying Guo
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):79-86
Objective :
To investigate the antidepressant effects and the underlying mechanisms of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) and its nanoparticle formulation(THCN).
Methods :
Forty-six male ICR mice were randomly divided into Con group, LPS group, THC group, THCN group and SER group. A mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal administration of LPS. The anxiety and depression-like behaviors of mice were evaluated by open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST). Myelin staining was applied to assess the extent of demyelination in the prefrontal cortex of the mice. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were further examined for the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) through quantitative immunofluorescence assays.
Results :
Compared with the Con group, the LPS group showed increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in both the long-term and short-term experiments(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination increased in the LPS group of the long-term experiment(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP was reduced in the LPS group of the short-term experiment(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05); the expression of TLR4 decreased in the THC group(P<0.01); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced(P<0.01), while the expression of TLR4 increased(P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the THC group showed reduced depressive-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05), while the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THCN group and the SER group were reduced(P<0.05), and the anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors of the THC group and the THCN group were reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05); the degree of demyelination was reduced in the THC group, THCN group and SER group in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP increased in the THC group of the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 was reduced(P<0.05), and the expression of GFAP increased in the THCN group(P<0.05). Compared with the THC group, the THCN group and the SER group showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the long-term experiment(P<0.05); the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex of the THCN group was reduced in the short-term experiment(P<0.05), while the expression of TLR4 in the hippocampal DG area increased in the short-term experiment(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Tetrahydrocurcumin and its nanoparticle formulation both exert significant ameliorative effects on depression-like behaviors and demyelination in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. The antidepressant mechanism of THC appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of TLR4 and the up-regulation of GFAP. The mechanism underlying the antidepressant action of THCN seems predominantly focused on the enhancement of GFAP expression.
8.Hypoglycemic Effect and Mechanism of ICK Pattern Peptides
Lin-Fang CHEN ; Jia-Fan ZHANG ; Ye-Ning GUO ; Hui-Zhong HUANG ; Kang-Hong HU ; Chen-Guang YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):50-60
Diabetes is a very complex endocrine disease whose common feature is the increase in blood glucose concentration. Persistent hyperglycemia can lead to blindness, kidney and heart disease, neurodegeneration, and many other serious complications that have a significant impact on human health and quality of life. The number of people with diabetes is increasing yearly. The global diabetes prevalence in 20-79 year olds in 2021 was estimated to be 10.5% (536.6 million), and it will rise to 12.2% (783.2 million) in 2045. The main modes of intervention for diabetes include medication, dietary management, and exercise conditioning. Medication is the mainstay of treatment. Marketed diabetes drugs such as metformin and insulin, as well as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are effective in controlling blood sugar levels to some extent, but the preventive and therapeutic effects are still unsatisfactory. Peptide drugs have many advantages such as low toxicity, high target specificity, and good biocompatibility, which opens up new avenues for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Currently, insulin and its analogs are by far the main life-saving drugs in clinical diabetes treatment, enabling effective control of blood glucose levels, but the risk of hypoglycemia is relatively high and treatment is limited by the route of delivery. New and oral anti-diabetic drugs have always been a market demand and research hotspot. Inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides are a class of multifunctional cyclic peptides. In structure, they contain three conserved disulfide bonds (C3-C20, C7-C22, and C15-C32) form a compact “knot” structure, which can resist degradation of digestive protease. Recent studies have shown that ICK peptides derived from legume, such as PA1b, Aglycin, Vglycin, Iglycin, Dglycin, and aM1, exhibit excellent regulatory activities on glucose and lipid metabolism at the cellular and animal levels. Mechanistically, ICK peptides promote glucose utilization by muscle and liver through activation of IR/AKT signaling pathway, which also improves insulin resistance. They can repair the damaged pancrease through activation of PI3K/AKT/Erk signaling pathway, thus lowering blood glucose. The biostability and hypoglycemic efficacy of the ICK peptides meet the requirements for commercialization of oral drugs, and in theory, they can be developed into natural oral anti-diabetes peptide drugs. In this review, the structural properties, activity and mechanism of ICK pattern peptides in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism were summaried, which provided a reference for the development of new oral peptides for diabetes.
9.Effect of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui Components on Cardiac Function and Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in CHF Rats
Hui GAO ; Zeqi YANG ; Xin LIU ; Fan GAO ; Yangyang HAN ; Aiyangzi LU ; Xingchao LIU ; Qiuhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):27-36
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components on the cardiac function and mitochondrial energy metabolism in the rat model of chronic heart failure (CHF) and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsThe rat model of CHF was prepared by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Eight of the 50 SD rats were randomly selected as the sham group, and the remaining 42 underwent TAC surgery. The 24 SD rats successfully modeled were randomized into model, trimetazidine (6.3 mg·kg-1), and Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components (60 mg·kg-1 total saponins of Astragali Radix, 10 mg·kg-1 total phenolic acids of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 190 mg·kg-1 aqueous extract of Lepidii Semen, and 100 mg·kg-1 cinnamaldehyde) groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage, and those in the sham and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 for 8 weeks. Echocardiography was used to examine the cardiac function in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), hypersensitive troponin(cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), free fatty acids (FFA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The colorimetric assay was employed to measure the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the myocardial tissue. The pathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities in the myocardial tissue were determined by the colorimetric assay. The ultrastructural changes of myocardial mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ATP synthase subunit delta (ATP5D), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1). The mitochondrial complex assay kits were used to determine the activities of mitochondrial complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a loosening arrangement of cardiac fibers, fracture and necrosis of partial cardiac fibers, inflammatory cells in necrotic areas, massive blue fibrotic tissue in the myocardial interstitium, increased collagen fiber area and myocardial fibrosis, destroyed mitochondria, myofibril disarrangement, sparse myofilaments, and fractured and reduced cristae. In addition, the rats in the model group showed declined ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS), risen left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness (LVPWs), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVVOLd), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVVOLs), elevated levels of NT-ProBNP, cTnI, CK, MDA, FFA, and LD, lowered level of SOD, down-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1, decreased activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and declined levels of ATP5D, ATP, ADP, and AMP (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components and trimetazidine groups showed alleviated pathological damage of the mitochondria and mycardial tissue, risen EF and FS, declined LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs, LVVOLd, and LVVOLs, lowered levels of NT-ProBNP, cTnI, CK, MDA, FFA, and LD, elevated level of SOD, up-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1, increased activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and elevated levels of ATP5D, ATP, ADP, and AMP (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionYiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components can improve the cardiac function, reduce myocardial injury, regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, optimize the utilization of substrates, and alleviate the damage of mitochondrial structure and function, thus improving the energy metabolism of the myocardium in the rat model of CHF.
10.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.


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