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.Characteristics of recent infection among newly confirmed HIV-1 cases in some areas of Hubei during 2017-2022
Cong LIU ; Xingfu SHEN ; Fanghua MEI ; Meng GUO ; Junqiang XU ; Kun CAI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):132-135
Objective To analyze the newly reported HIV-1 infection in several prefectures of Hubei Province,and analyze its influencing factors. Methods The limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay(LAg-avidity EIA,LAg) was conducted on HIV-1 positive samples confirmed by Western blot of Hubei in 2017-2022. The demographic characteristics of the newly infected samples were analyzed by χ2 test.Logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors of new infection rate and predict the factors associated with the HIV-1 recent infection. Results There were 403 new cases of HIV-1 from 2017 to 2022 in several prefectures of Hubei Province, of which 77 were newly infected sorted by LAg,with a new infection rate of 19.11%. The newly confirmed HIV-1 persons of whom aged ≤24 years (40.00% new infection ratio), unmarried (29.41%), college or above (31.37%), and from Voluntary counseling and testing testing(VCT) clinics (40.00%) had a higher proportion of new infections, and the difference was statistically significant. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≤24 years old (aOR=4.346,95%CI: 1.342-14.075) and screening from the VCT clinic (aOR=6.761,95%CI: 1.460-31.319) were more likely to be newly infected. Conclusion The proportion of new HIV infection in several prefectures of Hubei province is relatively low in recent years.Further effective publicity and intervention measures for young students and the construction of VCT clinic should be continuously promoted to achieve early diagnosis and treatment.
5.The Role and Mechanism of Circadian Rhythm Regulation in Skin Tissue Regeneration
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Xiao-Meng MA ; Zhen-Kai JIN ; Kun LI ; Min WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1165-1178
Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.
6.Protective effect of dexmedetomidine on intestinal mucosal injury in rats with enterogenous sepsis and its mechanism
Kun YANG ; Qianyao FU ; Yongqiang SUN ; Kun YANG ; Jun MENG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(4):855-865
Objective:To discuss the protective effect of dexmedetomidine(DEX)on intestinal function in rats with enterogenous sepsis,and to clarify its potential mechanism based on E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods:Sixty SD rats were selected,among which 50 rats were used to establish enterogenous sepsis models by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP),and the remaining 10 rats were used as sham operation group(only cecal separation without ligation or puncture).The 40 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,low dose of DEX group,medium,doses of DEX group,and high dose of DEX group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in low,medium,and high dose of DEX groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20,40 and 60 μg·kg-1 DEX immediately after modeling,while the rats in sham operation group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline.After 24 h of administration,the intestinal myoelectric activities of the rats in various groups were detected;the colony counts of Escherichia coli,Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in cecal contents of the rats in various groups were detected;the pathomorphology of small intestinal tissue of the rats was observed by HE staining;the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A(sIgA)in supernatant of small intestinal tissue homogenate and the levels of diamine oxidase(DAO)and D-lactic acid in serum of the rats in various groups were detected by kit;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of macrophage polarization markers in small intestinal tissues of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels of macrophage polarization markers,E2F1,phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65),and NF-κB p65 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the slow wave frequency and amplitude of intestinal smooth muscle of the rats in model group were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the slow wave amplitude of intestinal smooth muscle of the rats in low dose of DEX groups was increased(P<0.05),the slow wave frequency and amplitude of intestinal smooth muscle of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups were increased(P<0.05);compared with low dose of DEX group,the slow wave frequency and amplitude of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups were increased(P<0.05);compared with medium dose of DEX group,the slow wave frequency and amplitude of intestinal smooth muscle of the rats in high dose of DEX group were increased(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the colony count of Escherichia coli in intestinal tract of the rats in model group was increased(P<0.05),while the colony counts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the colony count of Bifidobacterium in intestinal tract of the rats in low dose of DEX group was decreased(P<0.05),the colony count of Escherichia coli in intestinal tract of the rats in medium,and high doses of DEX groups was decreased(P<0.05),while the colony counts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were increased(P<0.05);compared with low dose of DEX group,the colony count of Escherichia coli in intestinal tract of the rats in medium and high dose of DEX groups was decreased(P<0.05),while the colony counts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were increased(P<0.05);compared with medium dose of DEX group,the colony count of Escherichia coli in intestinal tract of the rats in high dose of DEX group was decreased(P<0.05),while the colony counts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were increased(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed that the small intestinal mucosal structure in sham operation group was normal and intact;the small intestinal mucosal epithelial cells in model group were necrotic,with damaged,collapsed and disordered villi;Compared with model groups,the pathological changes of small intestinal tissues in low,medium,and high doses of DEX groups were improved.Compared with sham operation group,the level of sIgA in supernatant of small intestinal tissue homogenate of the rats in model group was decreased(P<0.05),while the protein expression levels of DAO and D-lactic acid in serum were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the level of DAO in serum of the rats in low dose of DEX groups was decreased(P<0.05),the level of sIgA in supernatant of small intestinal tissue homogenate of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups was increased(P<0.05),while the protein expression levels of DAO and D-lactic acid in serum were decreased(P<0.05);compared with low dose of DEX group,the level of sIgA in supernatant of small intestinal tissue homogenate of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups was increased(P<0.05),while the protein expression levels of DAO and D-lactic acid in serum were decreased(P<0.05);compared with medium dose of DEX group,the level of sIgA in supernatant of small intestinal tissue homogenate of the rats in high dose of DEX group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the protein expression levels of DAO and D-lactic acid in serum were decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results and Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD86,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),and CD80 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD206,interleukin-4(IL-4)and,CD163 were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of CD80 mRNA,CD86 protein and MCP-1 protein in small intestinal tissue of the rats in low dose of DEX group were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of IL-4 mRNA,CD163 mRNA,CD206 protein,and CD163 protein were decreased(P<0.05),the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD86,MCP-1,and CD80 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups were decreased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD206,IL-4 and CD163 were increased(P<0.05);compared with low dose of DEX group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD86,MCP-1,and CD80 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups were decreased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD206,IL-4,and CD163 were increased(P<0.05);compared with medium dose of DEX group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD86,MCP-1,and CD80 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in high dose of DEX group were decreased(P<0.05),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CD206,IL-4,and CD163 were increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the protein expression level of E2F1 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in model group was decreased(P<0.05),while the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the protein expression levels of E2F1 and ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in low,medium and high doses of DEX groups were decreased(P<0.05);compared with low dose of DEX group,the protein expression level of E2F1 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in medium and high doses of DEX groups was increased(P<0.05),while the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was decreased(P<0.05);compared with medium dose of DEX group,the protein expression level of E2F1 in small intestinal tissue of the rats in high dose of DEX group was increased(P<0.05),while the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:DEX can improve the small intestinal mucosal injury in the rats with enterogenous sepsis and promote the polarization of macrophages to M2 type in small intestinal tissues,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of E2F1/NF-κB signaling pathway by DEX.
7.A Sensitive Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Method for Analysis of Iodine Speciation in Environmental Water Samples
Huan JIANG ; Ning CHEN ; Yan-Yun WANG ; Yu-Kun FAN ; Meng-Ting ZHANG ; Lu-Yuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Lin HOU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(2):278-288
Iodine speciations in aquatic environments are affected by dissolved oxygen,redox potential,microbial activity,organic matter decomposition,light reaction,etc.Accurate quantification of iodine speciation can not only help to understand the geochemical cycle of iodine,but also help to trace and study environmental processes.Based on the combination of ion chromatography(IC)and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),a rapid and sensitive method was established for determining the speciations of iodine in environmental water samples including seawater,river water,lake water,rainwater,groundwater,etc.The results presented here showed that IO3?and I?in seawater were quickly separated and measured within 120 s when using guard column AG22 and 8 mmol/L(NH4)2CO3 as the mobile phase.While for lake water,river water and precipitation samples with high soluble organically bond iodine(SOI),an AS22 separation column(250 mm×4 mm)connected with a guard column and using 50 mmol/L(NH4)2CO3 as mobile phase could effectively separate unknown SOI from IO3? to achieve accurate quantification of IO3?.For accurate correction of iodine measurement signal fluctuations,133Cs was directly added to the(NH4)2CO3 mobile phase as an internal standard.The SOI content was calculated by the total iodine concentrations minus the sum of IO3?and I?.The precision of the established iodine speciation analytical method was better than 3.5%,and the standard addition experiment showed that the analytical method was accurate.When the injection volume was 25 μL,the detection limits were 0.011?0.025 μg/L for IO3? and 0.023?0.031 μg/L for I?,respectively.The method was successfully used to analyze IO3?,SOI and I? in environmental water samples,such as seawater,river water,rainwater and groundwater.
8.Methylamine Thiocyanate-doped FA 0.8Cs 0.2PbI 2Br Perovskite Sensor for Sensitive and Ultrafast Detection of NO 2 at Room Temperature
Yan-Shang GONG ; Meng-Han ZHAO ; Jian-Kun SUN ; Li-Xue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):525-534,中插1-中插8
Nitrogen dioxide(NO 2)is a prevalent air pollutant that poses significant threats to the environment and human health,emphasizing the urgent need for high-performance NO 2 sensors for effective environmental monitoring at room temperature.Sensors based on metal halide perovskites have emerged as promising candidates for gas detection at room temperature,but their long-term stability remains a major challenge.In this study,a methylamine thiocyanate(MT)-doped FA 0.8Cs 0.2PbI 2Br(PVK)gas sensor(MT-PVK)was prepared using a simple one-step spin-coating method and ethyl acetate(EA)anti-solvent extraction technique.The crystalline structure,chemical composition,and particle morphology of the MT-PVK thin film were characterized.The MT-PVK thin film was then utilized as a gas sensor for NO 2 detection at room temperature.The results demonstrated that the sensor exhibited outstanding selectivity and reversibility at low concentrations of NO 2 gas,with a detection limit as low as 33 ppb(10-9,nL/L).For 10 ppm(10-6,μL/L)NO 2,the sensor showed rapid response and recovery time of only 1.6 s and 27 s,outperforming most traditional metal oxide NO 2 sensors.Furthermore,compared to the original PVK,the MT molecules significantly enhanced the structural and sensing stability of the MT-PVK sensor under high humidity conditions(55%±5%).These findings suggested that MT-doped FA 0.8Cs 0.2PbI 2Br perovskite gas sensors offered a promising pathway for the development of rapid-response gas sensing technologies suitable for room temperature operation.
9.To explore the rule of diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure from "disease - syndrome - symptom - stage - molecular phenotype"
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Ying DENG ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(2):150-156
It is of great significance to study the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure. This study took the name of Western medicine disease as the main line, took TCM syndromes as the aim, combined the symptoms, signs, stages and molecular phenotype, and explored the diagnosis and treatment law of the disease. It is believed that chronic heart failure includes the syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, yang deficiency and blood stasis, qi-yin deficiency, heart-kidney yang deficiency and yang deficiency water syndrome. There were many clinical manifestations such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, limb edema and pulse knot. It involved many pathological mechanisms and molecular phenotype such as myocardial fibrosis, inflammatory response and myocardial cell injury. Treatment should be divided into early, middle and late stages according to the characteristics of "disease - syndrome - symptom- stage- molecular phenotype".
10.Exploration on the effects of Shenfu Injection on apoptosis and improvement of chronic heart failure based on Fas/FasL pathway
Kun LIAN ; Xin LI ; Fei WANG ; Peng LUO ; Lichong MENG ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):327-335
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Shenfu Injection in treating chronic heart failure (CHF) based on Fas/FasL apoptosis signaling pathway.Methods:A total of 70 SPF male C57BL/6 mice were divided into blank group (15 mice) and model group (55 mice) according to random number table. The CHF model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol. After 4 weeks, the successfully modeled mice were randomly divided intoa model group, Shenfu Injection group, and Western medicine group using a random number table method. After adfministration for 15 d, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS) of each group of mice were measured by heart color ultrasound 1; serum NT-proBNP was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the changes of myocardial tissue morphology; TUNEL pod method was used to detect apoptosis; the mRNA transcription levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were detected by RT-PCR; protein expression levels of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. The logarithmically grown H9c2 cells were divided into blank group, model group and Shenfu Injection group. The cells in blank group were cultured for 48 hours; cells in the model group were exposed to 80 μmol/L isoproterenol for 48 hours; cells in Shenfu Injection group were pretreated with 5 μl/ml Shenfu injection for 3 hours and exposed to 80 μmol/L isoproterenol for 48 h. The cell growth was observed under microscope. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of related proteins and mRNA transcription. TUNEL pod and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis.Results:Compared with the model group, the cardiac function improved in the model group and Shenfu Injection group, serum NT ProBNP levels decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), myocardial cell injury and apoptosis were reduced ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 in myocardial tissue decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). The H9c2 cells in the blank group were spindle shaped with clear structure; the myocardial cells in the model group shrank and became shorter, with blurred cell boundaries and exhibiting apoptotic and necrotic morphology; Most H9c2 cells in the reference group were spindle shaped, with reduced cell death and increased density. Compared with the model group, the levels of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 protein and mRNA in H9c2 cells of the Shenfu Injection group decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Shenfu Injection may improve cardiac function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis of CHF mice through Fas/FasL signaling pathway.


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