Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common malignant tumor with a high fatality rate worldwide， with limited overall survival benefits and pronounced drug resistance issues， highlighting the urgent need for novel sensitization strategies and patient stratification systems. Ferroptosis， as an iron-dependent form of lipid peroxidation-driven cell death， is closely associated with tumor treatment responses. In addition to the classic glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）/glutathione （GSH） pathway， the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1）-coenzyme Q10 （CoQ10） pathways and the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase （DHODH） pathway are two newly identified anti-ferroptosis pathways that function at the plasma membrane and mitochondria， respectively， and determine cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis in synergy with GPX4. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of the FSP1-CoQ10 and DHODH pathways in HCC and related research advances， proposes related therapeutic strategies， and look forward to its clinical translation and application prospects.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang regulating the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 （Fas）/cysteine protease-8 （Caspase-8）/cysteine protease-3 （Caspase-3） signaling pathway to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis and improve cholestatic liver injury （CLI）. MethodsAmong 48 Wistar rats，12 rats were randomly selected as the blank group，and the other rats were administered alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate （ANIT） by gavage to induce a CLI model. The modeling rats were randomly divided into the model group， the ursodeoxycholic acid group（0.1 g·kg^-1） and the Yinchenhao Tang group（9.23 g·kg^-1），with 12 rats in each group. The rats in each group were given corresponding drugs by gavage for three consecutive days. The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT），aspartate aminotransferase （AST），alkaline phosphatase （ALP），gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （γ-GT），total bilirubin （TBil） and total bile acid （TBA） in serum were detected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in liver tissue were detected. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas，Caspase-8，Caspase-3，B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） associated X protein （Bax） and Bcl-2 in liver tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group，the levels of ALT，AST，ALP，γ-GT，TBA and TBil in serum of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The arrangement of hepatocytes was disordered，and inflammatory cell infiltration and bile duct epithelial cell proliferation were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas，Caspase-8，Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly increased（P<0.05，P<0.01），while the protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group，the levels of ALP，γ-GT，TBA and TBil in the serum of rats in the ursodeoxycholic acid group were significantly decreased. The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly decreased（P<0.05，P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas，Caspase-8，Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01），while the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased （P<0.05，）. The levels of ALT，AST，γ-GT，TBA and TBil in the serum of rats in the Yinchenhao Tang group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The protein expression of Fas and Bax and the mRNA expression of Fas，Caspase-8，Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01），while the protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Hepatocyte injury，inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells were reduced. ConclusionYinchenhao Tang can ameliorate CLI，and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis mediated by the Fas/Caspase-8/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang on the improvement of cholestatic liver injury （CLI） by inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） pathway via regulating farnesol X receptor （FXR）. MethodsA total of 40 Wistar male rats were randomly selected， with 10 as a blank group，and the remaining rats were subjected to the CLI model induced by alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate （ANIT）. After modeling，they were randomly divided into the model group， the ursodeoxycholic acid （0.1 g·kg^-1） group and the Yinchenhao Tang （9.23 g·kg^-1） group，with 10 animals in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding drug by intragastric administration for three consecutive days. Alanine aminotransferase （ALT），aspartate aminotransferase （AST），alkaline phosphatase （ALP），γ-glutamyl transpeptidase （γ-GT），total bile acid （TBA），total bilirubin （TBil） and direct bilirubin （DBil） levels in serum were detected. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），interleukin-1β （IL-1β），and interleukin-6 （IL-6） levels in liver tissue were detected. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of FXR，TLR4，MyD88，NF-κB，F4/80，TNF-α，IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect protein expression of FXR，TLR4，MyD88 and NF-κB in liver tissue. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group，ALT，AST，ALP，γ-GT，TBA，TBil and DBil levels in serum of rats in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α，IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01），and the mRNA and protein expressions of FXR in liver tissue were decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4，MyD88 and NF-κB and the mRNA expression of F4/80 were obviously increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Hepatic histopathology showed inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferative changes of bile duct epithelial cells. Compared with those in the model group，ALT，ALP，γ-GT，TBA，TBil and DBil levels in serum of rats in the ursodeoxycholic acid group were obviously decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01），and the levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α，IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were obviously decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4，MyD88 and NF-κB and the mRNA expression of F4/80 in liver tissue were obviously decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ALT，AST，ALP，γ-GT，TBA，TBil and DBil levels in the serum of rats in the Yinchenhao Tang group were obviously decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01），and the levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α，IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were obviously decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of FXR in liver tissue were significantly increased，and the mRNA expressions of TLR4，MyD88，NF-κB，and F4/80， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB were obviously decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The inflammatory cell infiltration of liver tissue and the proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells decreased. ConclusionYinchenhao Tang has an obvious protective effect on CLI，and its mechanism may be related to regulating FXR to inhibit TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway-mediated inflammatory response.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yinchenhao Tang intervenes in α-naphthylisothiocyanate （ANIT）-induced cholestatic liver injury by regulating the Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5（TGR5）/NOD-like receptor protein 3（NLRP3）/cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） pyroptosis signaling pathway. MethodsForty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into blank， model， ursodeoxycholic acid， and Yinchenhao Tang groups. Except the blank group， other groups were treated with ANIT dissolved in olive oil for the modeling of cholestatic liver injury. Ursodeoxycholic acid （0.1 g·kg^-1） and Yinchenhao Tang （9.23 g·kg^-1） were administered by gavage. The blank group and the model group were administrated with the same amount of pure water， once a day for 3 days. The blood and liver tissue samples were collected， and the serum levels of liver function indicators were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of the liver. The levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 in the liver tissue were determined by ELISA. The mRNA levels of IL-1β， IL-18， TGR5， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in the liver tissue were assessed by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of TGR5， NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in the liver tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated levels of alanine amino-transferase （ALT）， aspartate transferase （AST）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， total bile acid （TBA）， and total bilirubin （TBil） in the serum （P<0.01）， inflammatory cell infiltration， hepatocyte swelling， and bile duct epithelial cell proliferation in the liver， raised levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the liver tissue （P<0.01）， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TGR5 （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-18 （P<0.01）， ASC （P<0.01）， Caspase-1 （P<0.01）， GSDMD （P<0.01）， IL-1β （P<0.05）， and NLRP3 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3 （P<0.01）， ASC （P<0.01）， Caspase-1 （P<0.01）， and GSDMD （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the ursodeoxycholic acid group showed declined levels of AST （P<0.01）， TBA （P<0.01）， TBil （P<0.01）， and ALT （P<0.05） in the serum， lowered levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the liver tissue （P<0.01）， down-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3 （P<0.01）， Caspase-1 （P<0.01）， GSDMD （P<0.01）， IL-1β （P<0.05）， IL-18 （P<0.05）， and ASC （P<0.05）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TGR5 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and GSDMD （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the Yinchenhao Tang group showed lowered levels of ALT， AST， ALP， TBA， and TBil in the serum （P<0.01）， declined levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the liver tissue （P<0.01）， down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-1β （P<0.01）， NLRP3 （P<0.01）， ASC （P<0.01）， Caspase-1 （P<0.01）， GSDMD （P<0.01）， and IL-18 （P<0.05）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TGR5 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein levels of Caspase-1 and GSDMD （P<0.05）. The liver tissue of the administration groups showed reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells， reduced swelling of hepatocytes， and alleviated proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells. ConclusionYinchenhao Tang can ameliorate ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury by regulating the hepatocyte pyroptosis mediated by the TGR5/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang （YCHT） in regulating macrophage polarization to alleviate cholestatic liver injury，focusing on the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway as the entry point. MethodsCholestasis was induced in Wistar rats through a single gavage of 100 mg·kg^-1 α-naphthyl isothiocyanate （ANIT） dissolved in olive oil. The animals were randomly divided into four groups：Model group，YCHT group，ursodeoxycholic acid （UDCA） group （n=10），and a blank group （n=10） that received only 5 mL·kg^-1 olive oil. The YCHT group received 9.23 g·kg^-1·day^-1 of YCHT by gavage，and the UDCA group was treated with 0.1 g·kg^-1·day^-1 of UDCA suspension. Both the normal and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline，all for three consecutive days. Serum liver function was assessed using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe liver tissue morphology. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），interleukin-1β （IL-1β），transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β），and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were quantified in liver homogenate supernatants via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot analysis measured the relative protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4），nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB），CD206，inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD86，and arginase-1 （Arg-1）. The relative mRNA expression of TLR4/NF-κB，CD206，iNOS，CD86，and Arg-1 in liver tissue was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group，the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase （ALP），total bile acid （TBA），total bilirubin （TBil），aspartate aminotransferase （AST），and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） （P<0.01）. There was a portal area expansion and pronounced inflammatory cell infiltration. The expression of pro-inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly upregulated （P<0.01），and macrophage markers CD86 and CD206 showed positive expression. Protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and CD86 were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of the related pathway molecules TLR4 and NF-κB were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the liver function indicators in the YCHT group showed significant decreases （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The bile duct hyperplasia was significantly alleviated， and the tissue structure became more orderly. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of CD86 significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression of CD206 significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and CD86 significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of Arg-1 significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of CD206 significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of related pathway molecules TLR4 and NF-κB significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionYCHT ameliorates cholestatic liver injury in rats by improving bile metabolism，reducing bile duct dilatation，and mitigating inflammation. These effects are achieved through the inhibition of M1 macrophage activation and the promotion of M2 macrophage polarization，likely via modulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Cholestatic liver injury refers to the bile production， secretion， and excretion disorder caused by various reasons. It induces liver injury， metabolic disorders， and dysfunction of the hepatobiliary system， which can further develop into liver fibrosis， cirrhosis， liver failure， and even death. At present， the preferred drug for clinical treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid， which， however， induces adverse reactions and is intolerant in some patients. Yinchenhao Tang is a representative prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of jaundice due to Yang jaundice. It has the effects of clearing heat， eliminating dampness， and removing jaundice and has shown good therapeutic effect in long-term clinical application. Modern pharmacological studies have found that this prescription has anti-inflammatory， anti-oxidation， bile acid balance-regulating， hepatocyte apoptosis-inhibiting and other liver-protecting effects. This paper reviews the relevant clinical and animal experimental studies on Yinchenhao Tang in the treatment of cholestatic liver injury in recent years. Yinchenhao Tang can intervene in the progression of cholestatic liver injury by regulating bile acid metabolism and excretion， reducing inflammatory response， inhibiting oxidative stress， alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress， inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis， and protecting intestinal mucosal barrier. This paper systematically expounds the molecular mechanisms by which Yinchenhao Tang regulates cholestatic liver injury that are confirmed by current research， aiming to provide reference for the clinical application and in-depth study of Yinchenhao Tang.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the relationship of exposure to five heavy metals, namely lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and aluminum with obesity in children and adolescents, so as to provide a scientific basis for subsequent research in the area. Methods: Four Chinese databasesc (CBM, VIP, CNKI and Wanfang) and four foreign databases (OVID, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO), were searched to collect relevant studies, and the search period was from the establishment of the database to May 5, 2024. After 2 investigators independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies, the results were analyzed quantitatively and summarized qualitatively. Results: A total of 5 cohort studies on lead exposure and 17 cross sectional studies involving exposure to lead ( n =13), cadmium ( n =8), mercury ( n =8), arsenic ( n =4), and aluminum ( n =1) were included. Meta analysis of the 2 cohort studies showed that lead exposure was not associated with the risk of overweight and obesity in children ( RR=0.76, 95%CI=0.50-1.16, P ＞0.05). The cross sectional study Meta-analysis results showed that lead exposure was negatively associated with the risk of childhood overweight ( OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.59-0.84, 2 studies) and obesity ( OR=0.71, 95%CI =0.58-0.87, 3 studies); cadmium exposure was negatively associated with the risk of childhood overweight ( OR=0.83, 95%CI =0.73-0.95, 2 studies) and obesity risk( OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.63-0.78, 3 studies); mercury exposure increased the risk of overweight/obesity ( OR=1.42, 95%CI =1.14-1.76, 2 studies) and abdominal obesity ( OR= 1.99, 95%CI =1.45-2.73, 2 studies) in children; the group with the highest concentration of arsenic in urine had a lower risk of developing obesity compared to the group with the lowest concentration ( OR=0.39, 95%CI =0.23-0.65, 1 study), and the group with the highest concentration of aluminum in urine had a lower risk of obesity compared with the group with the lowest concentration ( OR=0.52, 95%CI =0.31-0.86, 1 study)(all P <0.05). Conclusion Heavy metal exposure may be a risk factor for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, but the conclusions are inconsistent and need to be validated in further high quality prospective cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES: To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining. RESULTS: The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models. CONCLUSIONS Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Rats ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism* ; Cholestasis/drug therapy* ; Rats, Wistar ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

The potential pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and the efficacy mechanism of TCM have not been elucidated yet.This article analyzed the characteristics of animal models of liver cirrhosis based on the diagnosis and treatment standards of traditional Chinese and Western medicine,providing reference for the study of disease syndrome integration.Relevant literature about animal models of liver cirrhosis was collected.Based on the diagnostic guidelines of Western medicine and the consensus of diagnosis and treatment of TCM,the evaluation indexes of models were established,and the clinical coincidence of animal models was analyzed.The results showed that the highest degree of Western medicine anastomosis was induced by ethanol,and the model induced by CCl4,TAA and DEN had a high degree of clinical anastomosis in TCM,which could be identified as liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome.The existing animal models of liver cirrhosis can comprehensively imitate the mechanism and process of Western medicine disease,and can not meet the needs of both TCM syndrome and disease pathology.

Objective:This study sought to examine the clinicopathological features of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) and to discuss its differential diagnosis.Methods:A total of 36 MEITL cases, collected between June 2015 and January 2024 from the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, were analyzed. Patients underwent immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER), and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement testing. Clinical data, laboratory results, and follow-up information were collected for correlation analysis.Results:The cohort included 36 patients (20 males and 16 females) aged 17-76 years (median: 57 years). Tumors outside the intestine were observed in 22 cases (61%). A total of 32 patients (89%) underwent surgical intervention and/or chemotherapy, and one patient received auto-HSCT. The median follow-up duration was 11.5 months (range: 8-73 months), with a median overall survival of 6 months (range: 1-67 months) ; 34 patients died during the follow-up period. Morphologically, nine cases (25%) exhibited significant pleomorphism. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that high expression levels of both P53 and c-Myc were correlated with atypical morphology ( P=0.003 and P=0.016, respectively). Notably, patients with high P53 expression had significantly shorter survival times than those with low P53 expression ( χ2=4.922, P=0.027), whereas survival did not differ significantly based on c-Myc expression levels ( χ2=0.034, P=0.854). Furthermore, a PD-L1 CPS score ≥10 was observed in 22 cases (68.8%). Scattered EBER positivity in background cells was identified in four cases. All tested cases (17/17, 100.0%) showed clonal TCR gene rearrangements. Conclusions:MEITL is a rare but highly aggressive lymphoma with distinct clinical and pathological features. A subset of cases may exhibit atypical morphological patterns, complicating the diagnostic process. Improving awareness of this neoplasm is helpful for early and precise diagnosis as well as the estabolishment of novel therapy regimen.