1.Effect and Mechanism of Xiao Qinglongtang Against Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Rats with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Monocrotaline
Lei QI ; Huifei ZHANG ; Ling GONG ; Jifu HE ; Wenjing CHEN ; Weipin NIU ; Xiao LI ; Yuehua JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):11-19
ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang (XQLT) on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group, model group, XQLT low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (XQLT-L/M/H), and the beraprost sodium tablet group (BST). Except for the normal group, rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT (60 mg·kg-1) to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection, rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07, 6.14, 12.28 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg-1·d-1, and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed (DE) proteins in the right ventricle, and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α (PIK3CA), L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), and quinone oxidoreductase (CRYZ). UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI (P<0.05), along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group, all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups, XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects (P<0.05), comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group [variable importance in projection (VIP) >1, P<0.05], including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism (P<0.01) and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (P<0.05). Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group, including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins (|fold change (FC)| >1.3, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups, including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins (|FC| >1.3, P<0.05), with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption, ribosomal biogenesis, peroxisomes, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, spliceosomes, and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that, compared with the model group, XQLT increased the expression of UCP3, PIK3CA, and L1CAM, while decreasing the expression of CRYZ (P<0.05). ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats, and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.
2.Clinical Observation on Prevention of Recurrence of Common Bile Duct Stones After ERCP with Yuyin Lidan Granules
Xiao WANG ; Yong FANG ; Cong HE ; Jiali ZHANG ; Meng YU ; Jing KONG ; Yi JIANG ; Chuanqi CHENG ; Xiaosu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):159-166
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yuyin Lidan granules (YYLD) in preventing the recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). MethodsThis randomized, parallel, controlled trial enrolled postoperative CBDS-ERCP patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to an observation group or a control group, with 32 cases in each. Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment after ERCP, while the observation group additionally received YYLD for 8 weeks. The follow-up period lasted for 1 year. The efficacy indicators included bile bilirubin levels, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy rate, pancreatitis and inflammation markers, postoperative liver function, and CBDS recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up, which were used to jointly evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of both groups. ResultsA total of 56 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis, i.e., 29 in the observation group and 27 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Compared with pre-treatment and with the control group after treatment, the bile bilirubin level in the observation group significantly decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the clinical cure and marked improvement rates were higher in the observation group than in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference in overall clinical efficacy (P<0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the primary and secondary symptoms in the observation group, as well as the primary symptom and the secondary symptom of nausea and vomiting in the control group (weeks 4 and 8), were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group showed significant reductions in the primary symptom of loose stools/constipation (day 5 and week 4) and in three secondary symptoms, i.e., bitter taste and sticky dry mouth, abdominal distension and poor appetite (throughout the treatment period), and general heaviness and fatigue (day 5 and week 4), with statistical differences (P<0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, both groups showed decreased lipase and urinary amylase levels (P<0.05). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in pancreatitis or inflammation-related indices after treatment. Compared with pre-treatment, all liver function indicators in the observation group and alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ), γ-glutamyl transferase ( γ-GT ), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and conjugated bilirubin in the control group significantly decreased at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, only serum total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly reduced in the observation group during the treatment period (P<0.05). ConclusionYYLD combined with conventional Western medical treatment can effectively regulate bilirubin metabolism (in bile and serum), improve TCM clinical symptoms, and prevent CBDS recurrence after ERCP in patients with liver and gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome. This regimen is safe and effective and is worthy of further clinical research and promotion.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
4.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
5.Mechanism of Taishan Panshisan in Inhibiting Oxidative Stress Injury of Trophoblast Cells by Regulating KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 Signaling Pathway
Yangyang DUAN ; Xianglun JI ; Jiahong CHEN ; Jinghang YANG ; Xinyu XIAO ; Shutao CHEN ; Chaorui LIN ; Fan LIN ; Shu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):12-22
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder (TSPSP) on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo), and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion (SA). MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP, and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments, HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group, model group, TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%, 5%, 10% groups, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor group (ML385, 30 μmol·L-1). Except for the blank group, other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L-1 H2O2 for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling, the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum, each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum, and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h, and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), Fe2+, and Glutathione (GSH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by a fluorescent probe (DCF-DA). The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), Nrf2, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoxO3) in cells were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of KEAP1, Nrf2, FoxO3, Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1, Nrf2, and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway, nine significantly differential pathways were identified (P<0.05), among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology, and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response, FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways, etc. In in vitro experiments, compared with the blank group, the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group, the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS, decreased GSH expression (P<0.01), significantly reduced cell migration rate (P<0.01), and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 (P<0.01), while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SOD (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA, Fe²⁺, and ROS, increased GSH expression (P<0.01), significantly increased migration rate (P<0.01), significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group, the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells, and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.
6.Mechanism of Taishan Panshisan in Inhibiting Oxidative Stress Injury of Trophoblast Cells by Regulating KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 Signaling Pathway
Yangyang DUAN ; Xianglun JI ; Jiahong CHEN ; Jinghang YANG ; Xinyu XIAO ; Shutao CHEN ; Chaorui LIN ; Fan LIN ; Shu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):12-22
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Taishan Panshi powder (TSPSP) on inhibiting oxidative stress injury in human chorionic trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo), and to uelucidate the underlying mechanism of TSPSP in the treatment of spontaneous abortion (SA). MethodsGene differential analysis of SA was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and correlated with oxidative stress. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components of TSPSP, and a "Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" network was constructed to predict the mechanism of action of TSPSP. For in vitro validation experiments, HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into blank group, model group, TSPSP-containing serum 2.5%, 5%, 10% groups, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor group (ML385, 30 μmol·L-1). Except for the blank group, other groups were stimulated with 150 μmol·L-1 H2O2 for 3 h to establish a cell oxidative stress injury model. After successful modeling, the blank group and model group were given 10% blank serum, each TSPSP-containing serum group was treated with the corresponding concentration of drug-containing serum, and the Nrf2 inhibitor group was additionally given 30 μmol·L-1 ML385 on the basis of 10% TSPSP-containing serum. All groups of cells were continuously cultured under the above conditions for 24 h, and then samples were collected for subsequent detection. Cell viability in each group was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration rate was detected by scratch test. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), Fe2+, and Glutathione (GSH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by a fluorescent probe (DCF-DA). The protein and mRNA expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), Nrf2, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoxO3) in cells were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression levels of KEAP1, Nrf2, FoxO3, Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cells were detected by Western blot. ResultsThe GSE76862 and GSE22490 datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differential gene analyses showed that the KEAP1, Nrf2, and FoxO3 genes were all associated with the disease. After matching with the oxidative stress pathway, nine significantly differential pathways were identified (P<0.05), among which three contained the target genes Nrf2 and FoxO3. A total of 246 active ingredient targets of TSPSP and 2 804 SA-related targets were obtained through network pharmacology, and 154 potential action targets were obtained after taking the intersection. Topological analysis showed that targets such as KEAP1 and Nrf2 exhibited high degree values. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the intersection targets were mainly involved in oxidative stress response, FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways, etc. In in vitro experiments, compared with the blank group, the cell viability in the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell viability in each TSPSP-containing serum group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group, the cell viability in the ML385 group decreased to approximately 70% (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly increased contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS, decreased GSH expression (P<0.01), significantly reduced cell migration rate (P<0.01), and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 (P<0.01), while decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SOD (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, each TSPSP-containing serum group showed significantly decreased contents of MDA, Fe²⁺, and ROS, increased GSH expression (P<0.01), significantly increased migration rate (P<0.01), significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of KEAP1 and FoxO3 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 10% TSPSP-containing serum group, the ML385 group showed reversed trends in all indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionTSPSP can inhibit H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury of trophoblast cells, and its mechanism of action may be related to the drug activating the KEAP1/Nrf2/FoxO3 signaling pathway.
7.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
8.Animal Models of Functional Constipation: A Review
Youcheng HE ; Shijin LIN ; Fengru JIANG ; Sihan LI ; Xiao KE ; Wenrong WANG ; Jianye YUAN ; Minghan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):196-209
Functional constipation (FC) is a clinically common functional bowel disorder characterized by a protracted course and associations with various chronic disorders and psychological abnormalities. Although not life-threatening, FC significantly impairs patients' quality of life. FC subtypes include slow-transit constipation (STC), defecatory disorder (DD), and normal-transit constipation (NTC). The pathological mechanisms underlying FC have not been fully elucidated, and overall clinical efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Animal models of FC serve as essential tools for the study of disease mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutics. This article systematically reviews the current state of research on the animal models of FC and identifies that rodents, particularly rats and mice, are the most commonly used species. Dogs and pigs are also employed in complex intervention studies due to their physiological similarities to humans, though their use is limited by housing challenges and ethical considerations. Induction methods vary across different FC subtypes. STC models are primarily established with chemical agents such as loperamide or compound diphenoxylate. DD modeling often involves low-fiber diets combined with methylene blue injection or rectal narrowing. NTC modeling mainly relies on low-fiber dietary interventions. In addition, disease-syndrome combination models based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory have been developed, encompassing excess patterns such as heat accumulation, cold accumulation, and Qi stagnation, as well as deficiency patterns including Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency. These are achieved through an approach of disease model + syndrome induction, enabling the integration of mechanisms from both Western and TCM perspectives. Models are evaluated from two aspects: disease and syndrome manifestations (e.g., colonic transit, secretory function, and TCM syndrome indicators such as mental state and body weight) and disease mechanisms (e.g., enteric nervous system, interstitial cells of Cajal, smooth muscle cells, gut microbiota, and metabolites). However, current research still faces challenges such as poor consistency in some models, non-specific interference in mechanism interpretation, insufficient studies on NTC, and lack of TCM tongue and pulse diagnosis in evaluation. Future efforts should focus on optimizing model stability and specificity to provide a more reliable experimental basis for investigating the pathological mechanisms of FC and developing therapeutic agents.
9.Spatiotemporal Electrical Impedance Tomography for Speech Respiratory Assessment in Cleft Palate: an Interpretable Machine Learning Study
Yang WU ; Xiao-Jing ZHANG ; Hao YU ; Cheng-Hui JIANG ; Bo SUN ; Jia-Feng YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):485-500
ObjectiveCleft palate (CP) is a common congenital deformity often associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), which disrupts the physiological coupling between respiration and speech. Conventional clinical assessments, such as nasometry and spirometry, provide limited static data and fail to visualize the dynamic spatiotemporal distribution of lung ventilation during phonation. This study introduces spatiotemporal electrical impedance tomography (ST-EIT) to evaluate speech-respiratory functional features in CP patients compared to normal controls (NC). The aim is to characterize multi-domain respiratory patterns and to validate an interpretable machine learning framework for providing objective, quantitative evidence for clinical assessment. MethodsSeventy-five participants were enrolled in this study, comprising 37 patients with surgically repaired CP and 38 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). All subjects performed standardized sustained phonation tasks while undergoing synchronous monitoring with a 16-electrode EIT system and a pneumotachograph. A comprehensive feature engineering pipeline was developed to extract physiological parameters across 3 complementary domains. (1) Temporal domain: including inspiratory/expiratory phase duration (tPhase), time constants (Tau), and inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratios (TI/TE); (2) airflow domain: comprising mean flow, peak flow, and instantaneous flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of tidal volume; and (3) spatial domain: quantifying global and regional tidal impedance variation (TIV), global inhomogeneity (GI), and center of ventilation (CoV). Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifiers were trained using 5 distinct data sources (Spirometry, Nasometry, Inspiratory-EIT, Expiratory-EIT, and fused ST-EIT). Model performance was rigorously evaluated via stratified 5-fold cross-validation, and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were employed to quantify global and local feature contributions. ResultsThe CP group exhibited a distinct respiratory phenotype compared to controls. In the temporal domain, CP patients showed significantly shorter inspiratory (1.60 s vs.1.85 s, P<0.001) and expiratory phase durations (2.45 s vs. 3.95 s, P<0.001), indicating a rapid, shallow breathing rhythm. In the airflow domain, while inspiratory flows were comparable, the CP group demonstrated significantly elevated mean and peak flows during the expiratory phase (P<0.001), reflecting compensatory respiratory effort. Spatially, CP patients presented significant ventilation redistribution, characterized by higher regional TIV in the right-anterior (ROI1) and left-posterior (ROI4) quadrants, but lower TIV in the left-anterior (ROI2) quadrant. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the multi-modal ST-EIT model achieved the highest performance (AUC: 0.915±0.012, Accuracy: 0.843±0.019, F1-score: 0.872±0.017), substantially outperforming models based on spirometry (AUC: 0.721) or nasometry (AUC: 0.625) alone. Interpretability analysis revealed that spatial domain features were the most critical, contributing 53.4% to the model’s decision-making, followed by temporal (25.0%) and airflow (21.6%) features. ConclusionST-EIT successfully captures the temporal, airflow, and spatial deviations in CP speech respiration that are undetectable by conventional methods—specifically, rapid phase transitions, hyperdynamic expiratory airflow, and regional ventilation heterogeneity. This study validates ST-EIT as a robust, non-invasive, and radiation-free tool for characterizing speech-respiratory dysfunction, offering high clinical value for bedside screening, rehabilitation planning, and longitudinal monitoring of patients with cleft palate.
10.Spatiotemporal Electrical Impedance Tomography for Speech Respiratory Assessment in Cleft Palate: an Interpretable Machine Learning Study
Yang WU ; Xiao-Jing ZHANG ; Hao YU ; Cheng-Hui JIANG ; Bo SUN ; Jia-Feng YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):485-500
ObjectiveCleft palate (CP) is a common congenital deformity often associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), which disrupts the physiological coupling between respiration and speech. Conventional clinical assessments, such as nasometry and spirometry, provide limited static data and fail to visualize the dynamic spatiotemporal distribution of lung ventilation during phonation. This study introduces spatiotemporal electrical impedance tomography (ST-EIT) to evaluate speech-respiratory functional features in CP patients compared to normal controls (NC). The aim is to characterize multi-domain respiratory patterns and to validate an interpretable machine learning framework for providing objective, quantitative evidence for clinical assessment. MethodsSeventy-five participants were enrolled in this study, comprising 37 patients with surgically repaired CP and 38 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). All subjects performed standardized sustained phonation tasks while undergoing synchronous monitoring with a 16-electrode EIT system and a pneumotachograph. A comprehensive feature engineering pipeline was developed to extract physiological parameters across 3 complementary domains. (1) Temporal domain: including inspiratory/expiratory phase duration (tPhase), time constants (Tau), and inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratios (TI/TE); (2) airflow domain: comprising mean flow, peak flow, and instantaneous flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of tidal volume; and (3) spatial domain: quantifying global and regional tidal impedance variation (TIV), global inhomogeneity (GI), and center of ventilation (CoV). Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifiers were trained using 5 distinct data sources (Spirometry, Nasometry, Inspiratory-EIT, Expiratory-EIT, and fused ST-EIT). Model performance was rigorously evaluated via stratified 5-fold cross-validation, and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were employed to quantify global and local feature contributions. ResultsThe CP group exhibited a distinct respiratory phenotype compared to controls. In the temporal domain, CP patients showed significantly shorter inspiratory (1.60 s vs.1.85 s, P<0.001) and expiratory phase durations (2.45 s vs. 3.95 s, P<0.001), indicating a rapid, shallow breathing rhythm. In the airflow domain, while inspiratory flows were comparable, the CP group demonstrated significantly elevated mean and peak flows during the expiratory phase (P<0.001), reflecting compensatory respiratory effort. Spatially, CP patients presented significant ventilation redistribution, characterized by higher regional TIV in the right-anterior (ROI1) and left-posterior (ROI4) quadrants, but lower TIV in the left-anterior (ROI2) quadrant. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the multi-modal ST-EIT model achieved the highest performance (AUC: 0.915±0.012, Accuracy: 0.843±0.019, F1-score: 0.872±0.017), substantially outperforming models based on spirometry (AUC: 0.721) or nasometry (AUC: 0.625) alone. Interpretability analysis revealed that spatial domain features were the most critical, contributing 53.4% to the model’s decision-making, followed by temporal (25.0%) and airflow (21.6%) features. ConclusionST-EIT successfully captures the temporal, airflow, and spatial deviations in CP speech respiration that are undetectable by conventional methods—specifically, rapid phase transitions, hyperdynamic expiratory airflow, and regional ventilation heterogeneity. This study validates ST-EIT as a robust, non-invasive, and radiation-free tool for characterizing speech-respiratory dysfunction, offering high clinical value for bedside screening, rehabilitation planning, and longitudinal monitoring of patients with cleft palate.

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