1.Staged Characteristics of Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in Chronic Heart Failure with Heart-Yang Deficiency Syndrome and Prescription Intervention from Theory of Reinforcing Yang
Zizheng WU ; Xing CHEN ; Lichong MENG ; Yao ZHANG ; Peng LUO ; Jiahao YE ; Kun LIAN ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):129-138
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by ventricular dysfunction, with mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder being a critical factor in disease progression. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, as the core pathogenesis of CHF, persists throughout the disease course. Insufficiency of heart-Yang leads to weakened warming and propelling functions, resulting in the accumulation of phlegm-fluid, blood stasis, and dampness. This eventually causes Qi stagnation with phlegm obstruction and blood stasis with water retention, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease progression. According to the theory of reinforcing Yang, the clinical experience of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master Tang Zuxuan in treating CHF with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, and achievements from molecular biological studies, this study innovatively proposes an integrated research framework of "TCM syndrome differentiation and staging-mitochondrial metabolism mechanisms-intervention with Yang-reinforcing prescriptions" which is characterized by the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome is classified into mild (Stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ), severe (Stage Ⅲ), and critical (Stage Ⅳ) stages. The study elucidates the precise correlations between the pathogenesis of each stage and mitochondrial metabolism disorders from theoretical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic perspectives. The mild stage is characterized by impaired biogenesis and substrate-utilization imbalance, corresponding to heart-Yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid aggregation. Linggui Zhugantang and similar prescriptions can significantly improve the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α(PGC-1α)/silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and ATPase activity. The severe stage centers on oxidative stress and structural damage, reflecting Yang deficiency with water overflow and phlegm-blood stasis intermingling. At this stage, Zhenwu Tang and Qiangxin Tang can effectively mitigate oxidative stress damage, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and repair mitochondrial structure. The critical stage arises from calcium overload and mitochondrial disintegration, leading to the collapse of Yin-Yang equilibrium. At this stage, Yang-restoring and crisis-resolving prescriptions such as Fuling Sini Tang and Qili Qiangxin capsules can inhibit abnormal opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and protect mitochondrial function. By summarizing the characteristics of mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders at different stages of CHF, this study explores the application of the theory of reinforcing Yang in treating heart-Yang deficiency syndrome and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on AMPK Signaling Pathway
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Xueqin WANG ; Yubin ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Xuhui TANG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):139-148
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a group of complex clinical syndromes caused by abnormal changes in the structure and/or function of the heart due to various reasons, resulting in disorders of ventricular contraction and/or diastole. CHF is a condition where primary diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and pulmonary heart disease recur frequently and persist for a long time, presenting blood stasis in meridians and collaterals, stagnation of water and dampness, and accumulation of Qi in collaterals. Its pathogenesis is complex and may involve myocardial energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress responses, myocardial cell apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory responses, etc. According to the theory of restraining hyperactivity to acquire harmony, we believe that under normal circumstances, the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway functions normally, maintaining human physiological activities and energy metabolism. Under pathological conditions, the AMPK signaling pathway is abnormal, causing energy metabolism disorders, inflammatory responses, and myocardial fibrosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate the AMPK signaling pathway through multiple mechanisms, targets, and effects, effectively curbing the occurrence and development of CHF. It has gradually become a research hotspot in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Guided by the theory of TCM, our research group, through literature review, summarized the relationship between the AMPK pathway and CHF and reviewed the research progress in the prevention and control of CHF with TCM active ingredients, TCM compound prescriptions, and Chinese patent medicines via regulating the AMPK pathway. The review aims to clarify the mechanism and targets of TCM in the treatment of CHF by regulating the AMPK pathway and guide the clinical treatment and drug development for CHF.
3.Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Thinking of Five Differentiation
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Manting YI ; Lin LI ; Fei WANG ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):160-168
Chronic heart failure (CHF) refers to a clinical syndrome in which the function or structure of the heart is changed due to damage to the original myocardium, resulting in reduced pumping and/or filling functions of the heart. In recent years, the mechanisms, pathways, and targets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of CHF have been continuously confirmed, and the application of TCM theories in guiding the syndrome differentiation and precise treatment of CHF is currently a research hotspot. On the basis of the syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, Professor LI Candong innovatively proposed the thinking of five differentiation: Disease differentiation, syndrome differentiation, pathogenesis differentiation, symptom differentiation, and individual differentiation. This article explores the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF from this thinking, emphasizing comprehensive syndrome differentiation, objective analysis, dynamic assessment, and individualized treatment. In terms of diagnosis, the first is to identify the disease name, cause, location, severity, and type of CHF, determine the type and its evolution, and clarify the process of transmission and transformation between deficiency and excess. Secondly, it is necessary to distinguish the authenticity, severity, primary and secondary, urgency and complexity of CHF syndromes, providing scientific guidance for syndrome differentiation and treatment. Thirdly, according to the symptoms and the principles of deficiency and excess, the physician should identify the core pathogenesis of CHF from the perspectives of Qi, blood, Yin, Yang, deficiency, stasis, phlegm, water, and toxins. Fourthly, from the macro, meso and micro levels, the physician should carefully distinguish the presence or absence, severity, authenticity, and completeness of the symptoms to guide the diagnosis and treatment process of CHF. Finally, personalized medication for CHF should be promoted based on the patient's gender, age, constitution, and living habits. In terms of treatment, based on the thinking of five differentiation, we propose that the treatment of CHF should integrate the disease and syndrome, clarify the pathogenesis, and apply precise treatment. The treatment should be people-oriented, staged, and typed, and the medication should be adjusted according to symptoms. This diagnostic and therapeutic approach is based on the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment, and combines the three causes for appropriate treatment, providing new ideas and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
4.Myocardial Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Shenfu Injection in Ameliorating Energy Metabolism Remodeling in Rat Model of Chronic Heart Failure
Xinyue NING ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Mengna ZHANG ; Yang GUO ; Zhijia XIANG ; Kun LIAN ; Zhixi HU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):178-186
ObjectiveTo examine the influences of Shenfu injection on the endogenous metabolic byproducts in the myocardium of the rat model exhibiting chronic heart failure, thus deciphering the therapeutic mechanism of the Qi-reinforcing and Yang-warming method. MethodsSD rats were randomly allocated into a control group and a modeling group. Chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome in rats was modeled by multi-point subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, and the rats were fed for 14 days after modeling. The successfully modeled rats were randomized into model, Shenfu injection (6.0 mL·kg-1), and trimetazidine (10 mg·kg-1) groups and treated with corresponding agents for 15 days. The control group and the model group were injected with equal doses of normal saline, and the samples were collected after the intervention was completed. Cardiac color ultrasound was performed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological morphology, and the serum level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mitochondrial morphological and structural changes of cardiomyocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the metabolic profiling was carried out by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quantitative exactive-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Differential metabolites were screened and identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and other methods, and then the MetaboAnalyst database was used for further screening. The relevant biological pathways were obtained through pathway enrichment analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic value of each potential biomarker for myocardial injury and the evaluation value for drug efficacy. ResultsThe results of color ultrasound showed that Shenfu Injection improved the cardiac function indexes of model rats (P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed that Shenfu injection effectively alleviated the pathological phenomena such as myocardial tissue structure disorder and inflammatory cell infiltration in model rats. The results of ELISA showed that Shenfu injection effectively regulated the serum NT-proBNP level in the model rats. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that Shenfu injection effectively restored the mitochondrial morphological structure. The results of metabolomics showed that the metabolic phenotypes of myocardial samples presented markedly differences between groups. Nine differential metabolites could be significantly reversed in the Shenfu injection group, involving three metabolic pathways: pyruvate metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle (TCA cycle). The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of all metabolites were between 0.75 and 1.0, indicating that the differential metabolites had high diagnostic accuracy for myocardial injury, and the changes in their expression levels could be used as potential markers for efficacy evaluation. ConclusionShenfu injection significantly alleviated the damage of cardiac function, myocardium, and mitochondrial structure in the rat model of chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome by ameliorating energy metabolism remodeling. Reinforcing Qi and warming Yang is a key method for treating chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome.
5.Discussion on Modern Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Based on Artificial Intelligence
Kun LIAN ; Xueqin WANG ; Duoting TAN ; Weijun LI ; Lin LI ; Xin LI ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):336-346
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostics is a discipline that studies the basic theories and fundamental skills of diagnostic methods, disease diagnosis, and differentiation in accordance with the theories of TCM. The artificial intelligence (AI) technology has gained remarkable achievements in the intelligentization of the four diagnostic methods in TCM and the standardization of differentiation and diagnosis. However, it still faces many challenges. The standardization of clinical data collection is difficult, and the data quality is uneven, which affects the usability of the data. The integration of the four diagnostic information is insufficient. Most instruments can only collect data from a single diagnostic method, lacking overall integrity. The scientific nature of the diagnostic model needs to be improved. The existing models lack dynamics and the reasoning logic of TCM differentiation. The accuracy of intelligent methods needs to be improved, and the existing evaluation indicators cannot fully reflect the practical application effect of the model. Furthermore, the relevant laws and regulations are still not perfect, and data security and patient privacy lack guarantees. The cultivation of compound talents is insufficient, and there is a lack of interdisciplinary talents who are proficient in both TCM and AI. On this basis, this paper expounded on the current development status, difficulties, and bottlenecks of AI in TCM diagnosis and then explored the development trend of AI in the field of TCM diagnosis. It proposed solutions such as optimizing the data collection process, constructing multimodal diagnostic models, facilitating multi-disciplinary exchanges and cooperation, improving laws and regulations, and cultivating compound talents. It is hoped that modern, standardized, normalized, and intelligent TCM diagnosis can be further promoted, thereby providing new impetus and methods for the inheritance and innovation of TCM.
6.Improvement effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale on skin damage in mice with xeroderma
Penglong YU ; Jianqing DENG ; Shanhong SUN ; Kun GAO ; Jianghua HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):914-919
OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale on skin damage in mice with xeroderma. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, and D. officinale group, with 5 mice in each group. Except for the control group (which only underwent shaving treatment), the mice in all other groups were induced to develop a xeroderma model using an acetone-ether mixture for five consecutive days. The mice in D. officinale group were treated with 200 μL of D. officinale suspension (0.2 mg/mL) two hours after the first modeling each day. Mice in the control group and the model group were applied with an equal volume of pure water; once a day, until the end of the modeling process. After last medication, skin lesions and pathological morphology of the mice were observed. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of Filaggrin, Loricrin and Ki67 proteins in skin tissue of the mice. The core pathways through which D. officinale improves skin damage in xeroderma were screened using 16S rRNA sequencing combined with gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and subsequent validation was conducted. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the mice in the model group exhibited obvious scratching behavior, with a large amount of scale on the skin, excessive epidermal keratinization, and thickened stratum spinosum. The skin scale score, epidermal thickness, and the expression levels of Ki67, Filaggrin, and Loricrin proteins in the skin tissue were significantly increased/elevated ( P <0.05). Compared with model group, the mice in the D. officinale group exhibited reduced scratching behavior and scaling, along with a mitigated degree of skin keratinization. The aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly decreased/reduced ( P <0.05). The results of core pathway screening revealed that the KEGG pathways involving differentially expressed genes included signaling pathways such as interleukin-17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Further validation experim ents found that after intervention with D. officinale , mRNA expression of downstream effector molecules CCN1, Hbegf, Tnfrsf12a, and Thbs1 genes in skin tissues were all significantly reduced ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS D. officinale can repair skin damage in mice with xeroderma, and its mechanism of action is related to restoring the balance of proliferation and differentiation in keratinocytes and down-regulating the mRNA expressions of CCN1, Hbegf, Tnfrsf12a, and Thbs1.
7.Exploring Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of "Mingmen Dongqi"
Yubin ZHANG ; Kun LIAN ; Jiahao YE ; Junyu ZHANG ; Weijun LI ; Jiali ZHANG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):269-280
Chronic heart failure (CHF), as the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, is characterized by a prolonged course and a high mortality rate, posing a serious threat to human health and life. According to physician Sun Yikui's theory of "Mingmen Dongqi" (dynamic Qi of life gate) in the Ming Dynasty and the modern medicine concept of mitochondrial quality control (MQC), this paper systematically explores the pathogenic mechanisms and evolutionary patterns of CHF, as well as its intrinsic connection with microstructural homeostasis, and further proposes potential traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention strategies. CHF is often caused by damage to the heart Qi at the early stage. As the disease progresses, prolonged illness affects the kidneys, leading to the dynamic Qi decline of life gate. Further, it results in the failure of the functions of sustaining and consolidating, causing the disintegration of the physical form, which corresponds to mitochondrial kinetic disorders. The deficiency in primary driving force results in impaired Qi transformation, corresponding to mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction, forming a pathological transmission chain of "life gate-mitochondrion" that ultimately leads to myocardial structural disintegration and energy metabolism failure. Modern research indicates that patients with CHF exhibit significant MQC imbalance. Disrupted mitochondrial dynamics lead to network fragmentation, and impaired autophagy causes metabolic blockage, constituting the key microscopic mechanisms underlying ventricular remodeling and pump failure. Chinese herbal medicines, such as those with the effects of warming and tonifying kidney Yang or reinforcing healthy Qi, can intervene in multiple signaling pathways-including PTEN-inducible kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin and AMP-activated protein kinase/dynamin-related protein 1 (AMPK/Drp1)-to regulate mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy activity. This repairs damaged MQC networks and improves the microenvironment of myocardial energy metabolism. These intervention strategies align closely with the TCM therapeutic principles of warming and tonifying life gate, replenishing Qi, and activating blood, demonstrating the advantages of holistic regulation based on kidney-centered treatment and mitochondrial-targeted approaches. By integrating the "Mingmen Dongqi" theory with the MQC mechanism, this paper establishes a theoretical framework for the integrated prevention and treatment of CHF, offering new perspectives and insights for clinical practice and future research.
8.Exploring Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of "Mingmen Dongqi"
Yubin ZHANG ; Kun LIAN ; Jiahao YE ; Junyu ZHANG ; Weijun LI ; Jiali ZHANG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):269-280
Chronic heart failure (CHF), as the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, is characterized by a prolonged course and a high mortality rate, posing a serious threat to human health and life. According to physician Sun Yikui's theory of "Mingmen Dongqi" (dynamic Qi of life gate) in the Ming Dynasty and the modern medicine concept of mitochondrial quality control (MQC), this paper systematically explores the pathogenic mechanisms and evolutionary patterns of CHF, as well as its intrinsic connection with microstructural homeostasis, and further proposes potential traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention strategies. CHF is often caused by damage to the heart Qi at the early stage. As the disease progresses, prolonged illness affects the kidneys, leading to the dynamic Qi decline of life gate. Further, it results in the failure of the functions of sustaining and consolidating, causing the disintegration of the physical form, which corresponds to mitochondrial kinetic disorders. The deficiency in primary driving force results in impaired Qi transformation, corresponding to mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction, forming a pathological transmission chain of "life gate-mitochondrion" that ultimately leads to myocardial structural disintegration and energy metabolism failure. Modern research indicates that patients with CHF exhibit significant MQC imbalance. Disrupted mitochondrial dynamics lead to network fragmentation, and impaired autophagy causes metabolic blockage, constituting the key microscopic mechanisms underlying ventricular remodeling and pump failure. Chinese herbal medicines, such as those with the effects of warming and tonifying kidney Yang or reinforcing healthy Qi, can intervene in multiple signaling pathways-including PTEN-inducible kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin and AMP-activated protein kinase/dynamin-related protein 1 (AMPK/Drp1)-to regulate mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy activity. This repairs damaged MQC networks and improves the microenvironment of myocardial energy metabolism. These intervention strategies align closely with the TCM therapeutic principles of warming and tonifying life gate, replenishing Qi, and activating blood, demonstrating the advantages of holistic regulation based on kidney-centered treatment and mitochondrial-targeted approaches. By integrating the "Mingmen Dongqi" theory with the MQC mechanism, this paper establishes a theoretical framework for the integrated prevention and treatment of CHF, offering new perspectives and insights for clinical practice and future research.
9.Bilirubin encephalopathy leads to PARP-1-dependent cell death in the hippocampus of neonatal rats
Junnan HU ; Han LI ; Qiyi HUANG ; Anni PENG ; Yuyuan NIU ; Heng TAN ; Kun DU ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(5):606-612
Objective:To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of parthanatos death in neonatal SD rats with bilirubin encephalopathy(BE).Methods:Eighty 3-day-old neonatal SD rats were selected and randomly divided into control group and BE group.The BE model was established by intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution,and the pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Nissl staining.The protein expressions of the phosphorylation of the core histone protein H2AX(termed gamma H2AX),poly ADP-ribose polymerasw-1(PARP-1)and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Immuno-fluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and distribution of AIF in hippocampus.Results:Compared with the control group,neonatal SD rats developed jaundice 12 hours after bilirubin injection,accompanied by slow weight gain.HE staining and Nissl staining showed that the hippocampus in BE group were damaged and the content of Nissl bodies was decreased.Western blot results showed that the expression of γ-H2AX protein in hippocampus began to increase at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05),and the levels of PARP-1 and AIF protein in hippocampus increased signif-icantly at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed increased AIF expression and nuclear translocation.Conclusion:Intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin can induce DNA damage in hippocampal neurons of neonatal SD rats and activate the PARP-1/AIF pathway to cause parthanatos death of hippocampal neurons.
10.Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer based on systemic immune-infiltration inflammation index
Junzhi LIU ; Lei QIU ; Kun XU ; Jianwei LIU ; Dehua HU ; Hua ZHU ; Cheng SHEN ; Ming LU ; Jiangang CHEN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2349-2354
Objective To develop and validate a nomogram model that integrates systemic inflammatory markers to predict the likelihood of pelvic lymph node metastasis(PLNM)in prostate cancer patients prior to surgery.Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and preoperative inflammatory markers—including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR)—of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.Univariate and multi-variate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify markers that were significantly associated with PLNM.Based on the results of the multivariate analysis,a nomogram was developed and its predictive accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC)and calibration plots.Results Among the 334 enrolled patients with prostate cancer,107 were identified with PLNM.Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in free prostate-specific antigen(fPSA),Gleason score,NLR,PLR,MLR,and SII between the PLNM and non-pelvic lymph node metastasis(NPLNM)groups(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis confirmed that fPSA,Gleason score,and SII were independent predictors of PLNM(P<0.05).A nomogram incorporating these predic-tors exhibited strong discriminative ability,with an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.79(95%CI:0.73~0.84).Calibration analysis further demonstrated good consistency between the predicted and observed probabilities of PLNM.Conclusions This study successfully developed a nomogram model based on systemic inflammatory markers for preoperative prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer.Owing to its user-friendly design and high predictive accuracy,this tool may serve as a valuable complementary method to conventional imaging techniques,thereby supporting personalized treatment decision-making.

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