1.Analysis on Construction of Whole-course Management Model for Panvascular Diseases
Shuyuan LIU ; Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Xingjiang XIONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):12-22
Panvascular diseases are systemic diseases with atherosclerosis as the pathological core, involving multiple vascular beds and target organs throughout the body. Due to their wide range and complexity, the traditional single-discipline prevention and treatment model struggles to meet the needs of systematic management, while clinical diagnosis often remains one-sided and insufficient, leading to delayed treatment. Literature reviews show that panvascular diseases involve a wide range of lesion sites, numerous influencing factors, and are prone to endangering life and health. It is urgent to construct a comprehensive and whole-course prevention and treatment management system, with vascular health as the goal and patients as the core. First, early screening and risk assessment should be conducted for high-risk groups. In terms of treatment decisions for patients, multi-disciplinary collaboration is needed to establish a scientific and standardized prevention and treatment path. Second, it is important to attach great importance to a people-centered approach, enhance patients' familiarity with the disease through cognitive intervention, and shift from passive treatment to active health care. Thirdly, it is needed to leverage the advantages of modern science and technology, promote the deep integration of artificial intelligence innovations and modern medicine, and help traditional diagnosis and treatment plans evolve towards precision, intelligence, and personalization. This will open up new paths for the modernization of the whole-course management of pan-vascular diseases. Fourth, efforts should be made to continue to carry forward and innovate the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, adhere to equal emphasis on modern and traditional medicine, promote complementary advantages and coordinated development of Chinese and Western medicine, and form a unique Chinese model for the whole-course management of panvascular diseases. Fifth, through the reintegration and redistribution of government, medical insurance, and medical resources, comprehensive talents in the broad vascular disciplines should be cultivated and an efficient hierarchical management model established, providing reference and guidance for the whole-course management of comprehensive diseases in the future.
2.Targeting M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization Balance by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Bronchial Asthma: A Review
Jie LIU ; Yasheng DENG ; Weiping YIN ; Lei XIONG ; Na WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):308-317
Bronchial asthma (BA) is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow limitation. Lung macrophages (LMs), as important effector cells of the innate immune system, play an important role in recognizing and engulfing pathogens, clearing harmful particles, and regulating immune responses. LMs can be polarized to M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) in different immune environments and participate in promoting or inhibiting inflammatory response, as well as lung parenchyma injury and repair (airway remodeling), playing a key role in the BA occurrence and development. Regulating the polarization balance of macrophages can not only inhibit the inflammatory response in the airway and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, but also improve airway remodeling and immune regulation, reduce airway mucus secretion, and alleviate the clinical BA symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, especially polysaccharides and saponins, can regulate the polarization balance of M1/M2 macrophages. Traditional Chinese medicine compounds can balance the secretion of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors by staging treatment and targeting the polarization state of M1/M2 macrophages, inhibit inflammatory response in the airway, reduce airway remodeling, and improve the BA symptoms. This paper summarized the research progress on the regulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization by traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the precise targeted therapy of BA.
3.Targeting M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization Balance by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Bronchial Asthma: A Review
Jie LIU ; Yasheng DENG ; Weiping YIN ; Lei XIONG ; Na WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):308-317
Bronchial asthma (BA) is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow limitation. Lung macrophages (LMs), as important effector cells of the innate immune system, play an important role in recognizing and engulfing pathogens, clearing harmful particles, and regulating immune responses. LMs can be polarized to M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) in different immune environments and participate in promoting or inhibiting inflammatory response, as well as lung parenchyma injury and repair (airway remodeling), playing a key role in the BA occurrence and development. Regulating the polarization balance of macrophages can not only inhibit the inflammatory response in the airway and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, but also improve airway remodeling and immune regulation, reduce airway mucus secretion, and alleviate the clinical BA symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, especially polysaccharides and saponins, can regulate the polarization balance of M1/M2 macrophages. Traditional Chinese medicine compounds can balance the secretion of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors by staging treatment and targeting the polarization state of M1/M2 macrophages, inhibit inflammatory response in the airway, reduce airway remodeling, and improve the BA symptoms. This paper summarized the research progress on the regulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization by traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the precise targeted therapy of BA.
4.cGAS: Its Canonical and Non-canonical Functions
Wen-Xian ZHENG ; Meng-Jie XIONG ; Shu-Ting JIA ; Ruo-Yu ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1279-1296
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a pivotal molecule in innate immunity, has emerged as a keypoint in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of basic immunology and tumor biology. As a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor, cGAS is primarily characterized by its capacity to recognize double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the cytosol. Upon binding to dsDNA, cGAS undergoes a conformational change that promotes its dimerization and subsequent enzymatic activation. Once activated, it catalyzes the synthesis of the second messenger 2',3'-cGAMP from ATP and GTP. cGAMP then binds to the adaptor protein STING, which resides on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The binding process triggers STING to traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, where it is phosphorylated by the kinase TBK1. Phosphorylated STING serves as a docking site for the transcription factor IRF3, facilitating its phosphorylation by TBK1. Once phosphorylated, IRF3 forms dimers and translocates to the nucleus, where it drives the expression of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, initiating a potent antimicrobial state. The DNA-sensing mechanism of cGAS is inherently non-selective regarding the origin of its ligand. It readily detects exogenous DNA from invading pathogens, thereby playing an indispensable role in host defense against microbial infections. However, this same mechanism also enables cGAS to recognize self-DNA that leaks from the nucleus or mitochondria into the cytosol under various cellular stress conditions. While critical for immunity, the recognition of self-dsDNA by cGAS can disrupt cellular homeostasis and trigger aberrant inflammatory responses. The loss of self-tolerance can precipitate or exacerbate the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), highlighting the dual role of cGAS as both a sentinel for infection and a potential driver of autoimmune pathology. Notably, the subcellular localization of cGAS is not still. Increasing recent researches have revealed that cGAS is also abundant within the nucleus, challenging the traditional view of it solely as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor. Within the nucleus, cGAS exhibits non-canonical functions that are distinct from its canonical immunological role. First, cGAS exists in a state of stringent immunological silence in the nucleus, with mechanisms involving its competitive binding to histones and its post-translational modifications which block the activation of cGAS enzymatic activity, thus, effectively preventing it from mounting an autoimmune attack on genomic DNA. Second, cGAS plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. Upon DNA damage, cGAS is rapidly recruited to the lesion site and participates in the DNA damage repair process. Moreover, under conditions of DNA replication stress, cGAS contributes to the stabilization of replication forks, preventing the cell from entering a state of uncontrolled hyper-replication. Consequently, in light of the dual role of cGAS in both immune regulation and tumor development, the development of small-molecule drugs targeting cGAS holds significant therapeutic promise. This review summarizes the structural characteristics of cGAS and its canonical function as a pattern recognition receptor in the cytosol, including the types of pathogens it recognizes and the autoimmune responses resulting from erroneous recognition of self-DNA. It then focuses on its emerging non-canonical functions within the nucleus, detailing its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, the mechanisms underlying its nuclear immune quiescence, and its role in mediating DNA damage repair and replication fork stabilization. Finally, the review discusses the progress and application prospects of small-molecule drugs targeting cGAS for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.
5.cGAS: Its Canonical and Non-canonical Functions
Wen-Xian ZHENG ; Meng-Jie XIONG ; Shu-Ting JIA ; Ruo-Yu ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1279-1296
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a pivotal molecule in innate immunity, has emerged as a keypoint in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of basic immunology and tumor biology. As a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor, cGAS is primarily characterized by its capacity to recognize double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the cytosol. Upon binding to dsDNA, cGAS undergoes a conformational change that promotes its dimerization and subsequent enzymatic activation. Once activated, it catalyzes the synthesis of the second messenger 2',3'-cGAMP from ATP and GTP. cGAMP then binds to the adaptor protein STING, which resides on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The binding process triggers STING to traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, where it is phosphorylated by the kinase TBK1. Phosphorylated STING serves as a docking site for the transcription factor IRF3, facilitating its phosphorylation by TBK1. Once phosphorylated, IRF3 forms dimers and translocates to the nucleus, where it drives the expression of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, initiating a potent antimicrobial state. The DNA-sensing mechanism of cGAS is inherently non-selective regarding the origin of its ligand. It readily detects exogenous DNA from invading pathogens, thereby playing an indispensable role in host defense against microbial infections. However, this same mechanism also enables cGAS to recognize self-DNA that leaks from the nucleus or mitochondria into the cytosol under various cellular stress conditions. While critical for immunity, the recognition of self-dsDNA by cGAS can disrupt cellular homeostasis and trigger aberrant inflammatory responses. The loss of self-tolerance can precipitate or exacerbate the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), highlighting the dual role of cGAS as both a sentinel for infection and a potential driver of autoimmune pathology. Notably, the subcellular localization of cGAS is not still. Increasing recent researches have revealed that cGAS is also abundant within the nucleus, challenging the traditional view of it solely as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor. Within the nucleus, cGAS exhibits non-canonical functions that are distinct from its canonical immunological role. First, cGAS exists in a state of stringent immunological silence in the nucleus, with mechanisms involving its competitive binding to histones and its post-translational modifications which block the activation of cGAS enzymatic activity, thus, effectively preventing it from mounting an autoimmune attack on genomic DNA. Second, cGAS plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. Upon DNA damage, cGAS is rapidly recruited to the lesion site and participates in the DNA damage repair process. Moreover, under conditions of DNA replication stress, cGAS contributes to the stabilization of replication forks, preventing the cell from entering a state of uncontrolled hyper-replication. Consequently, in light of the dual role of cGAS in both immune regulation and tumor development, the development of small-molecule drugs targeting cGAS holds significant therapeutic promise. This review summarizes the structural characteristics of cGAS and its canonical function as a pattern recognition receptor in the cytosol, including the types of pathogens it recognizes and the autoimmune responses resulting from erroneous recognition of self-DNA. It then focuses on its emerging non-canonical functions within the nucleus, detailing its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, the mechanisms underlying its nuclear immune quiescence, and its role in mediating DNA damage repair and replication fork stabilization. Finally, the review discusses the progress and application prospects of small-molecule drugs targeting cGAS for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.
6.Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of a patient with Kennedy disease with secondary infertility as the initial symptom.
Jie CHEN ; Yinshan JIN ; Xuebao ZHANG ; Yuanqing CUI ; Xiong WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(12):1496-1501
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical features and genetic basis of a male patient with Kennedy disease(KD) presenting as secondary infertility.
METHODS:
A male patient who had presented at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital in August 2023 for secondary infertility for 5 years was selected as the study subject. Clinical data, laboratory findings, and auxiliary examination of the patient were collected. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the patient and his family members. Following DNA extraction, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Pathogenicity of candidate variant was predicted by bioinformatics analysis. Fluorescence probe PCR-capillary electrophoresis was employed to analyze the trinucleotide CAG repeat sequence variation in the AR gene to rule out dynamic mutation. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-697).
RESULTS:
The patient had presented with non-obstructive azoospermia and elevated androgen sensitivity index. Ultrasound scan indicated small testicular volume and seminal vesicle atrophy. WES and bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormal amplification in the patient's AR gene. Fluorescence probe PCR and capillary electrophoresis confirmed that both the proband and his nephew had harbored 52 CAG trinucleotide repeats in exon 1 of the AR gene, confirming the diagnosis of KD. The proband's mother, elder sister, and daughter were identified as carriers of the variant, while his second elder sister did not carry the mutation.
CONCLUSION
As a rare X-linked recessive genetic disease, KD mainly manifests with muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis and myofascial tremor, while cases with infertility and non-obstructive azoospermia as the initial symptoms are rare and can be easily missed. Diagnosis made by genetic testing needs to be taken seriously by the clinicians.
Humans
;
Male
;
Bulbo-Spinal Atrophy, X-Linked/diagnosis*
;
Adult
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
;
Receptors, Androgen/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Trinucleotide Repeats
7.Effect and Mechanism of Lobetyolin on Cholesterol Metabolism in HepG2 Cells
Ruiling YANG ; Qiang CHEN ; Guibin XIONG ; Xiaoming ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Faming WU ; Chengxin SUN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):154-160
Objective To investigate the mechanism of lobetyolin's intervention in HepG2 cells abnormal cholesterol metabolism.Methods This study used oleic acid(OA)stimulation of HepG2 cells as a model.MTT assay,oil red O staining,biochemical kit assay,qRT-PCR assay,Western blot assay and NBD labeled cholesterol effection assay were used to study the effect of lobetyolin on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells.Results The results showed that lobetyolin could reduce the content of lipid drops,the levels of triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)in HepG2 cells stimulated by OA,increase cholesterol effection rate,and up-regulate cytochrome 7A1(CYP7A1),liver x receptor α(LXRα),ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPARγ)and other mRNA or protein expression levels.However,combined intervention with PPARγ antagonist Mifobate(SR-202)can significantly inhibit the promoting effect of lobetyolin on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells.Conclusion This study revealed that lobetyolin can improve the cholesterol effection rate of HepG2 cells stimulated by OA and promote cholesterol catabolism,and the mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of PPARγ/CYP7A1 pathway.
8.Cai Bingqin's Thoughts on the Treatment of"Postoperative Stress Syndrome"in Abdominal Surgery from the Perspective of Liver
Jie CHENG ; Sili LU ; Jiamin WANG ; Zihui XIONG ; Junming HE
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):483-487
Postoperative stress symptoms are caused by surgical trauma,and now still lack active intervention methods to promote the recovery of body function in the field of western medicine.Professor Cai Bingqin analyzed the etiology and pathogenesis of stress symptoms after abdominal surgery,which usually manifested as abnormal sweating,sleep disorders,emotional disorders,and gastrointestinal dysfunction,and then put forward the concept of postoperative stress syndrome for the perioperative period.Professor Cai Bingqin believes that surgical stimulation,as the important etiological factor responsible for postoperative stress symptoms,can cause excessive stress in the body,which results in a series of symptoms affecting the recovery of patients.Liver plays a defensive and adaptive role in postoperative stress by regulating qi movement,blood circulation and emotions.The symptoms of abnormal sweating,sleep disorders and emotional disorders are related with the function of the liver in governing emotions,housing the ethereal soul,and ensuring the free movement of qi,while the gastrointestinal dysfunction manifestations of poor appetite,abdominal distention and constipation are due to the disharmony of liver and spleen.For the treatment of postoperative stress syndrome,Professor Cai proposes the principle of treating disease from the perspective of liver,and the methods of soothing liver and alleviating depression,and warming and activating qi movement are adopted.Sini San(Sini Powder for Soothing Liver and Regulating Qi)is commonly used as the basic prescription to ensure the normal function of liver and to ensure the free movement of qi,and then the harmony of qi and blood and the unobstruction of blood vessels will be achieved.Additionally,the assistance of therapy for invigorating spleen to dissolve dampness,and replenishing qi to consolidate superficies can adjust zang-fu organs'dysfunction,and will restore the balance of qi-blood and yin-yang.The proposal of"postoperative stress syndrome"will provide an approach to the management of perioperative period with traditional Chinese medicine,and will become the beneficial supplement to the existing fast-track surgery system.
9.Anti-diabetic Effects of Different Components of Hibiseu Manihot L.Fructus
Yongchen PAN ; Liping CHEN ; Shaodan LIN ; Xiubi XIONG ; Guangying LI ; Jiewei WU ; Jie YUAN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1765-1772
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Hibiseu Manihot L.fructus on type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)mice.Methods T2DM mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,positive drug group,Hibiseu Manihot L.fructus total extract group,water-solube part group,and Hibiseu Manihot L.fructus ethyl acetate fraction group,with 10 mice in each group.After 4 weeks of treatment,anti-diabetic effects were evaluated by monitoring body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG),oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),fasting insulin(FINS),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),and area under the blood glucose curve(AUC).Liver tissue status was assessed through liver index and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Results Compared with the model group,the water-solube part and total extract group showed significant improvements in mental status,food intake,body mass,excretion,and the FBG elevation was effectively suppressed,OGTT,FINS,AUC,HOMA-IR and liver index were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the histopathological analysis revealed improved liver tissue morphology.Regarding channel protein expression,compared with the model group,the water-solube part group exhibited significantly upregulated phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B(AKT)and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)in mouse liver tissue(P<0.05),furthermore,the positive drug group,total extract group,and water-solube part group all demonstrated markedly increased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)in hepatic tissues(P<0.05).Conclusion The water-solube part of fructus of Hibiseu Manihot L fructus.effectively alleviates T2DM symptoms(polyphagia,polydipsia,polyuria,weight loss)and glucose metabolism disorders,with hepatoprotective effects potentially mediated through PI3K/AKT pathway activation and enhanced p-AMPK expression.
10.Early application of bronchoalveolar lavage with electronic bronchoscopy in pediatric drowning cases:Single-center experience
Xiong ZHOU ; Jie HE ; Ying LIU ; Kang HUANG ; Yani PENG ; Desheng ZHU ; Zhenghui XIAO ; Xinping ZHANG
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(1):50-55
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of early bronchoalveolar lavage using electronic bronchoscopy in pediatric drowning cases.Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 81 pediatric drowning cases treated in the intensive care unit of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2017 to September 2023 was conducted.Among these,43 cases underwent bronchoalveolar lavage with electronic bronchoscopy within 24 hours of drowning,constituting the treatment group,while 38 cases either did not receive treatment within 24 hours or underwent the procedure after 24 hours,forming the control group.We compared the two groups regarding pre-admission observations,admission observations,and disease progression or prognosis indicators to assess the clinical efficacy of early bronchoalveolar lavage with electronic bronchoscopy in pediatric drowning cases.Results:Compared to the control group,children in the treatment group exhibited a significant reduction in invasive ventilation time [(73.33±13.33) h vs.(94.82±15.77) h] and a significant decrease in pediatric intensive care unit stay [105.00 (94.00,121.00) h vs.123.5 (109.75,149.00) h],with both differences being statistically significant( P<0.05).No significant differences in white blood cell count and neutrophil percentage were observed between the treatment group and control group at admission and on the first day( P>0.05).However,by the third day,there was a significant improvement in white blood cell count in both groups,with statistical significance( P<0.05).There was a significant decrease in C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels between the treatment group and control group on the 1st and 3rd days,with the differences being significant( P<0.05).Six hours after electronic bronchoalveolar lavage,the P/F ratio in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (177.09±41.27 vs. 233.50±48.23),but it increased more significantly at 24 hours (286.00±34.32 vs.256.34±44.22),with a significant difference between two groups.The positive rate of lavage fluid culture in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of organ function damage between two groups( P>0.05).However,regarding prognosis,the treatment group showed significantly better outcomes than the control group( P<0.05). Conclusion:For pediatric patients with wilderness drowning,early electronic bronchoscopy with alveolar lavage may shorten the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and pediatric intensive care unit stay,improving prognosis,and is worth promoting.

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