1.The role of gut microbiota homeostasis in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma and targeted intervention strategies
Yan CUI ; Junzhe JIAO ; Ruijuan YAN ; Shuguang YAN ; Hailiang WEI ; Zhanjie CHANG ; Haibo ZHANG ; Jingtao LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1913-1919
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide, poses a serious threat to human health due to its insidious onset and high mortality rate. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms and intervention strategies of gut microbiota (GM) homeostasis in the development and progression of HCC, in order to provide new ideas for the intervention and treatment of HCC. Studies have shown that GM dysbiosis, intestinal leakage, microbial-associated molecular pattern, bacterial translocation, and metabolic products play key roles in the progression of HCC. GM imbalance may lead to immune escape, thereby promoting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This article elaborates on the association between GM and HCC, deeply analyzes the mechanism of action of GM in the development and progression of HCC, investigates the role of bile acid-related metabolites, short-chain fatty acid-related metabolites, and other metabolites in HCC, and explores the strategies for targeting GM in the treatment of HCC, including probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, Toll-like receptor 4 antagonists, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This article emphasizes that maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier and GM homeostasis is of great significance in the prevention and treatment of HCC, which provides a direction for developing new diagnosis and treatment strategies.
2.Signatures of proteomics and glycoproteomics revealed liraglutide ameliorates MASLD by regulating specific metabolic homeostasis in mice.
Yuxuan CHEN ; Chendong LIU ; Qian YANG ; Jingtao YANG ; He ZHANG ; Yong ZHANG ; Yanruyu FENG ; Jiaqi LIU ; Lian LI ; Dapeng LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(11):101273-101273
Liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for diabetes and obesity, has shown significant potential in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, its systematic molecular regulation and mechanisms remain underexplored. In this study, a mouse model of MASLD was developed using a high-fat diet (HFD), followed by Lira administration. Proteomics and glycoproteomics were analyzed using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), while potential molecular target analysis was conducted via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting. Our results revealed that Lira treatment significantly reduced liver weight and serum markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and others, with glycosylation changes playing a more significant role than overall protein expression. The glycoproteome identified 255 independent glycosylation sites, emphasizing the impact of Lira on amino acid, carbohydrate metabolism, and ferroptosis. Simultaneously, proteomic analysis highlighted its effects on lipid metabolism and fibrosis pathways. 21 signature molecules, including 7 proteins and 14 N-glycosylation sites (N-glycosites), were identified as potential targets. A Lira hydrogel formulation (Lira@fibrin (Fib) Gel) was developed to extend drug dosing intervals, offering enhanced therapeutic efficacy in managing chronic metabolic diseases. Our study demonstrated the importance of glycosylation regulation in the therapeutic effects of Lira on MASLD, identifying potential molecular targets and advancing its clinical application for MASLD treatment.
3.Distritution Characteristics of TCM Syndromes and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Efficacy in 2506 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Different Course of Disease:A Real-World Retrospective Study
Zhengyao SHEN ; Jingtao LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Shujuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2453-2459
ObjectiveTo investigate the syndrome evolution patterns, characteristics of the used herbal medicinals, and efficacy variations across different stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression. MethodsBased on the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN), 2,506 RA patients were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into <6 months group (166 cases), 6 months to <5 years group (1063 cases), 5 to <20 years group (1067 cases), and ≥20 years group (210 cases). Syndromes were differentiated before and after traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, including damp-heat obstruction, wind-damp obstruction, cold-damp obstruction, blood stasis obstructed in the collaterals, phlegm-stasis obstruction, liver-kidney insufficiency, qi and blood deficiency, and qi-yin deficiency. The syndrome evolution rate was calculated for high-frequency syndromes before and after treatment. Analysis was conducted on top 20 frequently used Chinese herbs at the first diagnosis. Clinical efficacy of the 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) before and after treatment were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting the efficacy of TCM treatment. ResultsPatients with course of disease shorter than 6 months predominantly presented with cold-dampness obstruction syndrome (49/166, 29.5%), wind-dampness obstruction syndrome (46/166, 27.7%), and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (43/166, 25.9%). For patients with course of disease logner than 6 months and shorter than 5 years and those within 5 to 20 years, the dominant syndrome was dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (324/1063, 30.5% and 318/1067, 29.8%, respectively). In patients with disease duration ≥20 years, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome both predominated, each accounting for 25.24% (53/210). The syndromes with more than 100 cases before treatment and a syndrome evolution rate greater than 10% after treatment were dampness-heat obstruction (201/738, 27.2%), liver-kidney insufficiency (119/367, 32.4%), and phlegm-stasis obstruction syndromes (73/172, 42.4%). These were classified as high-frequency syndromes. After treatment, damp-heat obstruction syndrome and liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome primarily evolved into wind-damp obstruction syndrome, while phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome evolved into damp-heat obstruction and cold-damp obstruction syndrome. The top two commonly used Chinese herbs across all groups were Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) and Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba). In the <6 months group and the 6 months to <5 years group, high-frequency herbs also included Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), and Qianghuo (Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii). In the 5 to <20 years group and the ≥20 years group, the usage of Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Fuling (Poria), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) increased, while the proportion of Fangfeng and Duhuo decreased. After treatment, the DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in all groups significantly decreased (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy based on DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP across all groups (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly reduced treatment efficacy in the 6 months-5 years group (OR=0.4), 5~20 years group (OR=0.5), and ≥20 years group (OR=0.4) compared to the <6 months group. ConclusionRA syndromes follow a progression pattern from excess to deficiency, with corresponding transition in herbal usage from pathogen-eliminating to healthy qi-reinforcing approaches. TCM intervention can significantly reduce disease activity of RA, with superior efficacy in patients with disease duration shorter than 6 months.
4.Regularity and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions in the treatment of primary osteoporosis
Jingtao ZHANG ; Minhua HU ; Shitao LIU ; Shuyuan LI ; Zexin JIANG ; Wenxing ZENG ; Luyao MA ; Qishi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(16):2555-2560
BACKGROUND:Traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription has a long history in the treatment of primary osteoporosis,and the curative effect is definite,but the medication rule and mechanism are not clear. OBJECTIVE:Using the methodology of data mining and network pharmacology,to explore and verify the law of drug use and molecular mechanism of modern traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of primary osteoporosis. METHODS:The relevant documents included in CNKI,WanFang,VIP and PubMed were used as data sources,and the relevant data were statistically counted and extracted by Microsoft EXCEL2019,IBMSPSS25.0 and other software.The high-frequency drugs obtained from the data statistics were analyzed by association rules analysis and cluster analysis,and the core drug combination of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription in the treatment of primary osteoporosis was obtained by combining the two results.The therapeutic mechanism of this combination was explained by network pharmacology and verified by molecular docking. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Finally,151 articles were included and 207 prescriptions were selected,involving 285 flavors of Chinese herbs.(1)Ten groups of important drug combinations were obtained through the above two analyses,among which the core drug combination with the highest confidence and improvement was"Drynaria-Eucommia-Angelica."The key components of the combination in the treatment of primary osteoporosis were quercetin,kaempferol,naringenin and so on.The core targets were SRC proto-oncogene,phosphoinositide-3-Kinase regulatory subunit 1 and RELA proto-oncogene.The main pathways were cancer signaling pathway,JAK-STAT signaling pathway,VEGF signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway.(2)The key active components were docked with the core targets,and the two showed a good combination.To conclude,Chinese herbal compound therapy in the treatment of primary osteoporosis can use a variety of active components to exert its efficacy through multiple signal pathways and acting on multiple targets,which can provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of new drugs for the follow-up treatment of primary osteoporosis.
5.Effect of different fusion devices on cervical sagittal parameters after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Hangling REN ; Na SONG ; Daxia XU ; Zonghuan LI ; Zhi ZHANG ; Jingtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;33(33):5375-5381
BACKGROUND:The impact of anterior cervical surgery on the sagittal balance parameters of the cervical spine is gradually being paid attention to.Currently,there is a lack of clear and feasible clinical guidelines for the selection of surgical methods for two-level cervical spondylosis,aiming to find the most suitable fixation method that is more beneficial for this type of patient. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of different fusion devices for anterior cervical decompression on the changes of cervical sagittal parameters after surgery for adjacent two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS:A total of 44 patients with adjacent two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from March 2018 to September 2020 in Liaocheng People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed in the study,and they were divided into zero-p group(23 cases)and cage group(21 cases).All patients underwent anteroposterior X-ray,three-dimensional CT reconstruction and MRI examination before operation.At the last follow-up,the anteroposterior X-ray films of cervical spine were taken.The sagittal balance parameters of the cervical spine were measured before and after surgery,including cervical lordotic angle(C2-7 Cobb),C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis,segmented lordotic angle and T1 slope.The surgical time,intraoperative bleeding,last follow-up intervertebral fusion,and postoperative swallowing disorders were recorded,and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score on the patient was evaluated before and after surgery.The changes in cervical sagittal parameters before and after surgery were calculated and their differences were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Both groups of patients successfully completed the surgery and received follow-up.The zero-p group had shorter surgical time and less intraoperative bleeding compared to the cage group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).(2)The incidence rate of postoperative swallowing disorders in the cage group(7/21,33%)was higher than that in the zero-p group(3/23,13%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)At the last follow-up,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was the same;all patients had bone fusion.Comparison within the group showed that the sagittal parameters of the cervical spine in both groups improved compared to before surgery(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in sagittal parameters between groups(P>0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference in changes in C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis,C2-7 Cobb angle,and T1 slope between the two groups(P>0.05).However,the segmented lordotic angle changes in the zero-p group were smaller than those in the cage group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)It is indicated that the use of zero-p and titanium plate combined with cage during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery can effectively improve cervical sagittal balance.Titanium plate combined with cage intervertebral fusion can better reconstruct the patient's cervical lordosis and curvature.The selection of fusion devices should also comprehensively consider the occurrence of surgical complications.
6.Progress in role of silent information regulator 3 in improving idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by regulating mitochondrial dysfunction
Shusen YANG ; Yushan LIU ; Yilin ZHANG ; Yi HUI ; Jingtao LI ; Shuguang YAN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(2):358-364
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology,with a rapid disease course,poor prognosis,and the absence of effective therapeutic drugs.Mitochondrial dys-function is one of the crucial causes of inducing IPF.Silent information regulator 3(SIRT3)can restore mitochondrial ho-meostasis by inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative stress,repairing mitochondrial DNA damage,and ameliorating abnormal mitochondrial lipid metabolism.This paper summarizes the role and mechanism of SIRT3 in attenuating mitochondrial dys-function based on delineating the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and IPF,aiming to provide references for finding effective treatment methods for IPF.
7.Research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonia in non-small cell lung cancer and integrated TCM and Western medicine treatment
Jingtao ZHANG ; Zichen LIU ; Lingyun JI ; Fei XU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(1):213-219
Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)mainly including the CTL antigen 4(CTLA-4)and PD-1/PD-L1,which would offer a notable clinical benefit for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients.By strengthening the antitumor immune re-sponse of the body,ICIs lead to immune-related adverse events(irAEs),including checkpoint inhibitor pneumitis(CIP).Although the clinical incidence of CIP is relatively low,some serious cases may prolong or terminate of immunotherapy,even life threateing.This article tries to summarize the clinical manifestations,pathological characteristics,biological mechanism,susceptible population,diagnosis and differential diagnosis,and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of CIP,in order to understand CIP more clearly.
8.Clinical observation of free composite tissue flap transplantation in repairing head skin defect with artificial dural exposure infection
Zhigang XU ; Dongliang ZHANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Ting HE ; Jingtao WEI ; Qiaohua CHEN ; Xuekang YANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(3):349-353
Objective:To explore the effect of free transplantation of composite tissue flap from the anterior lateral aspect of the femur in repairing head skin defects with artificial dural exposure infection.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 13 patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from April 2018 to August 2020 with craniotomy complications, including craniotomy skin and soft tissue defects combined with artificial dural exposure and infection. After preoperative anti infection treatment, the neurosurgery department participated in debridement and removed the artificial dura mater as much as possible during the operation. A composite tissue flap carrying the fascia lata was designed for the anterior lateral aspect of the thigh, and the flap artery and vein were anastomosed with the superficial temporal artery and superficial temporal vein/middle temporal vein respectively. The defect of the dura mater was repaired with the fascia lata with blood supply. The flap was used to seal the wound, and the donor site was directly sutured or transplanted with autologous medium thick skin graft. The postoperative blood supply and survival of the flap, the presence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the healing of the donor site were observed; The observation of dural integrity and postoperative effects of skull reconstruction using cranial magnetic resonance imaging was followed up.Results:Among the 13 patients in this group, 11 patients had their artificial dura mater completely removed, while 2 patients were not completely removed due to severe adhesion. Among them, 1 patient had a residual area of 0.8 cm×1 cm, and the other had 3 residual areas, with a maximum area of 0.5 cm×0.7 cm; All transplanted skin flaps survived, with 12 cases achieving primary healing and 1 case of partial wound rupture after suture removal, which healed after conservative dressing change; All patients had no cerebrospinal fluid leakage; There was one case of partial necrosis of the graft in the donor site, which healed after supplementing the graft; Thirteen patients underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging at 3-6 months postoperatively, all of which showed intact dura mater; Among them, 8 patients have completed skull reconstruction surgery, and all of them have healed well after reconstruction, with a good appearance of the surgical area.Conclusions:For wounds with head skin defects and exposed artificial dura mater infection, free transplantation of the anterior lateral composite tissue flap carrying the fascia lata can effectively cover the wound and repair the dura mater defect, achieve good function and appearance, and create favorable conditions for later skull reconstruction.
9.Application of a self-designed robot reduction system for femoral intertrochanteric fractures
Xiaohui HAO ; Zhanmin XU ; Yongqing WANG ; Xinan ZHANG ; Jingtao SUN ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Zhiqiang YANG ; Meiyue LIU ; Weiyong WU ; Baoxi HAO ; Juwen CHEN
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2024;26(2):103-110
Objective:To explore the clinical effectiveness of a self-designed robot reduction system for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 57 patients with intertrochanteric fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Affiliated Central Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from June 2022 to February 2023. The patients were divided into a robot group (using the self-designed robot reduction system to assist intramedullary nailing) and a traction bed group (using a traction bed to assist intramedullary nailing) based on their fracture reduction method. The robot group: 31 patients, 11 males and 20 females, with an age of (78.7±9.3) years; 16 left and 15 right sides; 17 cases of type 31-A1, 12 cases of type 31-A2 and 2 cases of type 31-A3 by the AO/OTA classification. The traction bed group: 26 patients, 12 males and 14 females, with an age of (78.7±7.7) years; 13 left and 13 right sides; 16 cases of type 31-A1, 9 cases of type 31-A2 and 1 cases of type 31-A3 by the AO/OTA classification. The 2 groups were compared in terms of reduction and operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, reduction quality, and VAS and Harris score at preoperation, 1 week and 6 months postoperation.Results:The 2 groups were comparable due to insignificant differences in their preoperative general data ( P>0.05). The robot group was significantly better than the traction bed group in reduction time [(4.4±2.2) min versus (9.4±3.2) min], operation time [(29.0±13.5) min versus (49.3±13.3) min], intraoperative blood loss [(76.5±30.5) mL versus (115.0±38.4) mL], fluoroscopy frequency [(10.2±2.6) times versus (14.8±3.2) times], and good/excellent rate of reduction [80.6% (25/31) versus 50.0% (13/26)] ( P<0.05). All patients were followed up for (6.8±0.3) months. Respectively, the VAS scores at preoperation and 6 months postoperation was (6.2±1.3) and (2.4±0.8) points for the robot group, and (6.3±1.3) and (2.7±0.8) points for the traction bed group, showing no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). However, the VAS score was (3.3±1.2) points for the robotic group and (4.8±1.5) points for the traction bed group at 1 week postoperation, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.001). Respectively, the Harris scores at preoperation and 6 months postoperation were (35.3±3.0) and (88.7±3.4) points for the robot group, and (35.6±2.9) and (87.2±3.5) points for the traction bed group, showing no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). However, the Harris score was (57.3±3.7) points for the robotic group and (46.7±2.8) points for the traction bed group at 1 week postoperation, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). The patient satisfaction rates in the robot and traction bed groups were 96.8% (30/31) and 92.3% (24/26), respectively, showing no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Our self-designed robot reduction for femoral intertrochanteric fractures can effectively shorten reduction and operation time, reduce bleeding and fluoroscopy frequency, and enhance anatomical reduction.
10.Analysis of individualised strategy in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
Wenming HONG ; Donghui CHEN ; Fang ZHANG ; Jingtao WANG ; Bin WANG ; Hongwei CHENG
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2024;47(1):53-58
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of individualised microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), so as to provide individualised treatment strategies and new thoughts for treatment.Methods:Clinical data of 46 patients who had TN and treated in the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were retrospectively studied. The study consisted of 19 males and 27 females, with an average age of morbidity at (58.3 ± 9.0) years old. Preoperative pain ratings and surgical outcomes were evaluated using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain rating scale, and of which 27 patients were rated at BNI grade IV and 19 at grade V before surgery. A posterior trans-sigmoid sinus approach was applied in surgery on all patients, which could be performed in various ways depending on the vascular conditions identified during surgery. Ten patients were treated with microsurgery, 12 with endoscopic surgery and 24 with combined endoscopic surgery and microsurgery. After having identified the responsible vessel(s), a vascular decompression for the affected trigeminal nerve was performed and the nerve decompression was achieved by a polyester pad. Long-term postoperative follow-ups were conducted via telephone interviews or outpatient visits.Results:A total of 46 patients received the microvascular decompression surgery. Among them, 43 cases (93.5%) achieved immediate and complete pain relief of BNI grade I after surgery, and 3 cases (6.5%) achieved partial pain relief of BNI grade Ⅱ. Four patients developed facial numbness and sensory reduction, 2 developed facial paralysis (of House-Brackmann grade Ⅱ of 1 patient and grade Ⅲ of the other), 8 developed pneumocephalus, 4 developed postoperative fever, and 2 developed subcutaneous effusion. After treatment, the pneumocephalus and fever were cured, subcutaneous effusion was disappeared in 1 patient, but remained in the other. The mean follow-up period for the 46 patients was 16.2 (1-33) months. During the follow-up, 2 of the 3 patients of BNI grade Ⅱ immediately after surgery had complete remission to BNI grade Ⅰ and the other had recurrence and aggravation at BNI grade Ⅳ.Conclusion:The complexity of the responsible vessels is one of the important factors to be considered in the microvascular decompression strategy for trigeminal neuralgia. An individualised surgical plan according to a specific vascular condition identified in the surgery, is a best possible or worthiness surgical strategy in the treatment for a TN.

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