1.Current Status of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Research on Mechanism
Junxiang LI ; Hong SHEN ; Tangyou MAO ; Lei ZHU ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):103-110
In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved significant progress in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering the period from January 1, 2010, to December 30, 2024, across Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The clinical applications and mechanistic studies of TCM in IBD were systematically reviewed. The current status of TCM research on the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD, innovative clinical practices, and multimodal therapeutic approaches, including Chinese herbal formulas, single herbs or active compounds, acupuncture, herbal retention enema, and acupoint application, were summarized, together with their synergistic effects when combined with western medical treatments. The development and application of Chinese patent medicines for IBD are undergoing a profound transition from efficacy validation to mechanistic exploration. Mechanistic studies on the effects of TCM in IBD mainly focus on regulating gut microbiota homeostasis, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and modulating intestinal immune balance. Furthermore, future research directions for TCM-based IBD management are proposed, including the establishment of TCM diagnostic and treatment models, expanding integrated applications of external and internal TCM therapies, innovating personalized treatment strategies, and advancing drug development. These efforts aim to provide insights for the standardized and precision-oriented development of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.
2.Effect of Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (加味葛根芩连汤) on the Intestinal Mucus Barrier and Intestinal Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Ulcerative Colitis Model Mice
Jinke HUANG ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):941-947
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (加味葛根芩连汤, MGQD) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) based on intestinal mucus barrier. MethodsThirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a MGQD group with 10 mice in each. Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS) was used to construct the UC model in all groups except for the control group. Meanwhile, mice in the MGQD group were given 20 g/kg of MGQD decoction by gavage according to their body weight, while those in the control group and model group were given 0.2 ml/20 g of pure water by gavage, once a day for 7 consecutive days. On the day following the last gavage, the body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, spleen weight, and colon length were compared. The pathological changes of the intestinal mucosal tissues were observed by HE staining; the protein expression levels of mucin 2 (MUC2) and leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) in the intestinal mucosal tissues were detected by immunofluorescence; the cuprocytes in the intestinal mucosal tissues were detected by AB/PAS staining; and the expression level of Ki67 in the intestinal mucosal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsHE staining showed that the colon mucosal tissue of the mice in the control group was intact. In the model group, the colon mucosal epithelial structure was severely damaged, with a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosal propria. In the MGQD group, the mucosal tissue structure was partially lost, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.The body weight and colon length of mice in the model group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group, while DAI scores and spleen weight increased, and the levels of MUC2, Ki67, Lgr5 proteins, and the number of goblet cells were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the MGQD group had increased body weight of mice, colon length, and decreased DAI scores and spleen weight; the levels of MUC2, Ki67, Lgr5 proteins, and the number of goblet cells were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionMGQD has a favorable ameliorative effect on UC-related symptoms and pathological tissue damage, and its mechanism of action may be related to the restoration of the prolife-ration and differentiation of intestinal stem cells into goblet cells, thereby promoting the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier.
3.Immune Checkpoints Mediate Tumor Immune Regulation through Metabolic Pathways.
Weiguang DU ; Xiyang TANG ; Yulong ZHOU ; Mengchao LI ; Ze JIN ; Jiaqi DOU ; Jinbo ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(3):213-220
Immune checkpoints include a series of receptor-ligand pairs that play a key role in the proliferation, activation, and immune regulatory responses of immune cells. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) have achieved good therapeutic effects in clinical practice, some patients still experience ineffective treatment and immune resistance. A large amount of evidence has shown that immune checkpoint proteins are related to cell metabolism during immune regulation. On the one hand, immune checkpoints connect to alter the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells to compete for nutrients required by immune cells. On the other hand, immune checkpoints regulate the metabolic pathways of immune cells, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) to affect the activation of immune cells. Based on a review of the literature, this article reviews the mechanisms by which PD-1, CTLA-4, T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) regulate cell metabolic reprogramming, and looks forward to whether targeting the ligand-receptor pairs of immune checkpoints in a "dual regulation" manner and inhibiting metabolic pathways can effectively solve the problem of tumor immune resistance.
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Humans
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Neoplasms/genetics*
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Metabolic Networks and Pathways/immunology*
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Animals
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology*
4.A synthetic peptide, derived from neurotoxin GsMTx4, acts as a non-opioid analgesic to alleviate mechanical and neuropathic pain through the TRPV4 channel.
ShaoXi KE ; Ping DONG ; Yi MEI ; JiaQi WANG ; Mingxi TANG ; Wanxin SU ; JingJing WANG ; Chen CHEN ; Xiaohui WANG ; JunWei JI ; XinRan ZHUANG ; ShuangShuang YANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Linda M BOLAND ; Meng CUI ; Masahiro SOKABE ; Zhe ZHANG ; QiongYao TANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1447-1462
Mechanical pain is one of the most common causes of clinical pain, but there remains a lack of effective treatment for debilitating mechanical and chronic forms of neuropathic pain. Recently, neurotoxin GsMTx4, a selective mechanosensitive (MS) channel inhibitor, has been found to be effective, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, with multiple rodent pain models, we demonstrated that a GsMTx4-based 17-residue peptide, which we call P10581, was able to reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. The analgesic effects of P10581 can be as strong as morphine but is not toxic in animal models. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of the peptide was resistant to naloxone (an μ-opioid receptor antagonist) and showed no side effects of morphine, including tolerance, motor impairment, and conditioned place preference. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 by P10581 in a heterogeneous expression system, combined with the use of Trpv4 knockout mice indicates that TRPV4 channels may act as the potential target for the analgesic effect of P10581. Our study identified a potential drug for curing mechanical pain and exposed its mechanism.
5.A Method for Detecting Depression in Adolescence Based on an Affective Brain-Computer Interface and Resting-State Electroencephalogram Signals.
Zijing GUAN ; Xiaofei ZHANG ; Weichen HUANG ; Kendi LI ; Di CHEN ; Weiming LI ; Jiaqi SUN ; Lei CHEN ; Yimiao MAO ; Huijun SUN ; Xiongzi TANG ; Liping CAO ; Yuanqing LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):434-448
Depression is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and can profoundly impact their lives. However, the early detection of depression is often hindered by the time-consuming diagnostic process and the absence of objective biomarkers. In this study, we propose a novel approach for depression detection based on an affective brain-computer interface (aBCI) and the resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG). By fusing EEG features associated with both emotional and resting states, our method captures comprehensive depression-related information. The final depression detection model, derived through decision fusion with multiple independent models, further enhances detection efficacy. Our experiments involved 40 adolescents with depression and 40 matched controls. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 86.54% on cross-validation and 88.20% on the independent test set, demonstrating the efficiency of multimodal fusion. In addition, further analysis revealed distinct brain activity patterns between the two groups across different modalities. These findings hold promise for new directions in depression detection and intervention.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Adolescent
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Case-Control Studies
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Depression/diagnosis*
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Early Diagnosis
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Rest
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Electroencephalography/methods*
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Brain-Computer Interfaces
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Models, Psychological
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Reproducibility of Results
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Affect/physiology*
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Photic Stimulation/methods*
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Video Recording
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Brain/physiopathology*
6.Changes of Immunological Indexes and Blood Routine in Treatment of Aplastic Anemia by Yiqi Yangxue Prescription
Yaoyin ZHANG ; Chaochang ZHANG ; Jiaqi HE ; Wenru WANG ; Yubin DING ; Jinhuan WANG ; Ruirong XU ; Haixia DI ; Jiangwei WAN ; Qifeng LIU ; Haixia WANG ; Antao SUN ; Xudong TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):97-104
ObjectiveTo investigate the immunological characteristics of the patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and elevated hemogram parameters treated with Yiqi Yangxue prescription combined with Western medicine and the predictive effects of immunological indexes on elevated hemogram parameters, thus providing a reference for the prediction of the treatment efficacy and the adjustment of the treatment regimen. MethodA retrospective study was conducted, involving 77 AA patients treated with Yiqi Yangxue prescription combined with Western medicine for 6 months in 19 medical institutions including Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2018 to March 2021. The patients were assigned into two groups according to the elevations in hemogram parameters [including hemoglobin (HGB), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet (PLT), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)] after 6 months of treatment. One group had the elevation <50%, and the other group had the elevation ≥50% compared with the baseline. The clinical and immunological characteristics were compared between the two groups. Result① Compared with the group with HGB elevation<50%, the group with HGB elevation≥50% showed elevated level of CD3+ human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR)+ and increased proportion of patients with T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)<5%, CD8+≥50%, and CD3+HLA-DR+≥9% before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CD8+≥50% before treatment was the independent influencing factor for HGB elevation ≥50% [odds ratio (OR)=12.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.218, 64.928, P<0.01]. ② Compared with the group with WBC elevation<50%, the group with WBC elevation≥50% showed increased proportion of patients with CD3+HLA-DR+<6% and T-box transcription factor (T-bet)≥200% before treatment (P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CD3+HLA-DR+<6% (OR=2.998, 95%CI 1.036, 8.680, P<0.05) and T-bet≥200% (OR=3.634, 95%CI 1.076, 12.273, P<0.05) before treatment were independent influencing factors for WBC elevation≥50%. ③ Compared with the group with PLT elevation<50%, the group with PLT elevation≥50% presented lowered Th1 and CD3+HLA-DR+ levels and increased proportion of patients with Th1<12%, CD4+≥6%, and CD3+HLA-DR+<5% before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CD3+HLA-DR+<5% before treatment was the independent influencing factor for PLT elevation≥50% (OR=16.190, 95%CI of 3.430 to 76.434, P<0.01). ④ Compared with the group with ANC elevation<50%, the group with ANC elevation≥50% showed no significant changes in the hemogram parameters before treatment. ConclusionAs for the AA patients with rapid elevation in HGB, Yiqi Yangxue prescription combined with Western medicine demonstrate significant effects in the patients with Th2<5% and CD3+HLA-DR+≥9%, especially those with CD8+≥50%. As for the AA patients with rapid elevation in WBC, the therapy was particularly effective in the patients with CD3+HLA-DR+<6% and T-bet≥200%. As for the AA patients with rapid growth in PLT, the therapy was particularly effective in the patients with Th1<12% and CD4+≥6%, especially those with CD3+HLA-DR+<5%.
7.Finite element analysis of effect of proximal fibular fracture on knee joint stress in an extended state
Jiaqi WANG ; Jiangan TANG ; Guohua HUANG ; Dece KONG ; Yiding ZHAO ; Lulu GONG ; Hongyuan PAN ; Dewei KONG ; Yue LIU ; Tieyi YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(30):4757-4762
BACKGROUND:The traditional view is that proximal fibular fractures do not require fixation.Others and our research suggest that the proximal fibular structure plays an important role in the stability of the posterolateral structure of the knee joint,and its mechanism of action is worth studying. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical effects of proximal fibular fractures on various structures of the knee joint in an extended state. METHODS:Finite element method was used to conduct simulated biomechanical experiments.A healthy young male volunteer was selected to establish a finite element model of the knee joint in an extended state using MRI and CT image data,and four proximal fibular shapes were simulated(Model A:intact,Model B:1 cm fracture below the fibular head,Model C:1 cm tip defect fracture from the proximal end of the fibula to the distal end,and Model D:2 cm bone defect from the proximal end of the fibula).A longitudinal concentrated load of 1 500 N was applied to the femoral shaft to compare and analyze the distribution and changing trend of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress of each structure of the knee joint in an extended state under four working conditions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In Model A,the maximum equivalent stress in the tibial cartilage and lateral compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the medial compartment,while the maximum first principal stress in the tibial plateau and medial compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the lateral compartment.The maximum equivalent stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the lateral condyle,and the maximum first principal stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the medial condyle.(2)Compared to Model A,there was no significant difference in the magnitude and distribution of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress in the cartilage and meniscus of Model C.(3)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of Model B was in the order of medial tibial cartilage(14.9%),medial condyle of femoral cartilage(13.6%),and medial meniscus(6.6%).The maximum first principal stress increase amplitude was the medial meniscus(11.06%),the medial tibial cartilage(8.65%),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(7.46%).The maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of the ligament was as follows:popliteal arch ligament(33.2%)>anterior cruciate ligament(21.3%)>fibular collateral ligament(17%)>posterior cruciate ligament(14.3%)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(13.2%)>medial collateral ligament(10.1%).(4)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increasing trend of Model D followed the medial tibial cartilage(19.5%),femoral cartilage medial condyle(17.9%),and medial meniscus(9.9%).The maximum first principal stress in sequence was the medial meniscus(14.04%),the medial tibial cartilage(13.03%),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(11.37%).The increasing trend of maximum equivalent stress in ligaments was as follows:anterior cruciate ligament(25.2%)>posterior cruciate ligament(18.9%)>medial collateral ligament(18.5%)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(12.7%).(5)It is suggested that when the knee joint is extended,a 1 cm fracture below the fibular head and a 2 cm fibular tip bone defect have a significant impact on the structure of the medial ventricular cartilage,anterior cruciate ligament,and posterior lateral ligament complex.
8.Effects of Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤) on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Ulcerative Colitis Model Mice
Lihui FANG ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Lanshuo HU ; Xintong WANG ; Shan LIU ; Yuedan WANG ; Jinke HUANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(24):2580-2588
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤) in treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) from the view of intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier damage and epithelial mesenchymal transition. MethodsSixty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into blank group, model group, western medicine control group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups, with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to induce colitis model by free drinking for 7 days, and on the first day of modelling, 6, 12, and 24 g/(kg·d) of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction were given to the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups respectively, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) 100 mg/(kg·d) given by gavage to western medicine control group, and 10 ml/kg distilled water were given to blank and model group by gavage, once a day for 7 days. Body mass of mice was recorded and disease activity index (DAI) scores were performed daily. The mice were anesthetized after 24h of the last administration and the colon was taken to observe the length of colon, HE staining was applied to observe the damage of colonic mucosa and score pathological states, Masson staining to detect the deposition of colonic collagen fibers, immunofluorescence to observe the distribution of F-actin in colonic mucosal epithelium, and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1, Occludin, E-cadherin and Vimentin. ResultsCompared with the blank group at the same time, the percentage of body mass of mice in the model group on day 7 of modelling significantly reduced and the DAI score was significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group at the same time, the body mass of mice in the western medicine control group and all of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups decreased, and the DAI scores of mice in the western medicine control group and the high-dose modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction group decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with the same time of mice in the low-dos Gegen Qinlian Decoction group, the body mass of mice in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group and the western medicine control group significantly elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the length of the colon of mice in the model group was significantly shortened, the pathological score and the percentage of collagen area were significantly increased, the average fluorescence intensity of F-actin was reduced, the protein levels of ZO-1, Occludin and E-cadherin in the colon tissue decreased, and the protein level of Vimentin elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the length of colon significantly increased, patholo-gical score, collagen area percentage decreased, ZO-1, Occludin, E-cadherin protein levels increased and Vimentin levels decreased in all medicated groups; the average fluorescence intensity of F-actin increased in the western medicine control group and the middle- and high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group, the proportion of collagen fibre area in the middle-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group and the western medicine control group reduced; the mean fluorescence intensity of F-actin increased in the middle-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group; the protein levels of ZO-1 and E-cadherin increased in the western medicine control group, and the protein levels of ZO-1 increased in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group (P<0.05). Compared with the medium-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group, the protein levels of ZO-1 elevated in the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group (P<0.05). Comapred with the high-dose Gegen Qinlian Decoction group, level of E-cadherin and Vimentin protein of the western medicine control group increased (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Gegen Qinlian Decoction was able to reduce colonic inflammation and mucosal barrier damage and inhibit the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition in mice models of ulcerative colitis, which may be one of its action mechanisms .
9.Construction of Meridian and Collateral Homeostasis Model from Phenomics
Jiaqi SUN ; Luxia JIANG ; Zheng YU ; Zhenmei DU ; Shengyan ZHANG ; Yusheng TANG ; Ziqian WANG ; Xianfeng CAO ; Chuanbiao WEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(10):990-995
By applying "homeostasis" to the study of the meridian and collateral system, the concept of meridian and collateral homeostasis has been proposed which refers to a balanced and stable state of meridian and collateral system, and plays an important role in maintaining body health and can provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Phenomics realizes the cross-scale correlation from micro-phenotypic data, such as genome, proteome, and metabolome, to macro-phenotypic data, such as physiological state, behavioral activities, and external manifestations. From the perspective of phenomics, this paper proposes a meridian and collateral homeostasis dynamic mapping model of "macroscopic signs and microscopic expression". This model combines macro signs such as the four examinations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), biophysical indicators of acupoints, and micro expression information such as genes, proteins, and metabolism, and systematically investigates the relationship between meridian and collateral homeostasis and health and disease, thereby providing ideas and references for the identification of pre-disease states as well as precise diagnosis and treatment in TCM.
10.Causal Association Between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Breast Cancer:A Mendelian Randomization Study
Jiaqi WANG ; Wei TANG ; Xiao HUANG ; Deyuan FU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(7):567-572
Objective To explore the causal relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of breast cancer via Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods Analysis was conducted on data from genome-wide association studies(GWASs)on Omega-3 fatty acids and breast cancer.The selected instrumental variables(IVs)comprised genetic loci associated with Omega-3 fatty acids.Various Mendelian randomization analysis methods,including inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method,MR-Egger regression analysis,weighted median,simple models,and weighted models,were used to evaluate the causal relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of breast cancer.Results A total of 47 single-nucleotide polymorphisms strongly associated with Omega-3 fatty acids were selected as IVs.The analysis methods,including IVW method,revealed no causal relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of breast cancer(P>0.05).Analysis methods,such as MR-Egger regression analysis,did not detect significant gene-level pleiotropy(P=0.319),which indicates the high sensitivity and robustness of analysis results.Conclusion The findings of this study suggest the absence of a causal relationship between Omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of breast cancer.

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