1.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine intervening in osteoarthritis by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment
Zuo WANG ; Yuxin LIU ; Yuxin QIAO ; Zhengyu YANG ; Ru WANG ; Wenbin LIAO ; Yan GAO ; Jiayi FENG ; Guohua LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):823-828
The inflammatory microenvironment is closely associated with the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), specifically manifesting as macrophage activation, dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and redox imbalance. Following an overview of the pathological characteristics of the OA inflammatory microenvironment, this paper reviews the research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervening in OA by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. It has been found that TCM monomers/active ingredients (such as total alkaloids from Strychnos nux-vomica , quercetin, triptolide, etc.), herb pairs (e.g. Angelica pubescens - Gentiana macrophylla , Carthami Flos-Lycopodii Herba), and TCM formulas (such as Zhuanggu jianxi formula, Duhuo jisheng decoction and Rongjin niantong formula, etc.) can inhibit macrophage activation, reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the generation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting multiple signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB, Wnt/ β -catenin, and mitogen-activated protein kinase, thereby alleviating the articular inflammatory microenvironment, restoring local joint homeostasis, and slowing the progression of OA.
2.Research progress on the mechanism of action and clinical application of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy
Jiajie LI ; Jiaqi WANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Zezhu LI ; Yaping WANG ; Guirong ZHANG ; Heguo YAN ; Jiabao LIAO ; Weibo WEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):1085-1091
Diabetic nephropathy(DN) is a common and severe microvascular complication of diabetes. In recent years, the classical herbal formula Shenqi dihuang decoction has demonstrated unique advantages in the clinical treatment of DN. This article conducts a systematic review of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of DN. It reveals that the mechanism by which this formula improves DN involves multi-target synergistic regulation. For instance, Shenqi dihuang decoction exerts multiple pharmacological effects by regulating signaling pathways including phosphatidy linostiol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, AMP-activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1/forkhead box O1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathways.These effects include regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, improving insulin resistance, modulating cell death (apoptosis/autophagy/ferroptosis/pyroptosis), and preventing renal fibrosis. Existing clinical studies indicate that Shenqi dihuang decoction and its modified formulas, alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods, can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism, reduce proteinuria, and delay renal function decline in patients with DN. These effects are superior to those of Western medicines such as irbesartan, valsartan, and empagliflozin, and the treatment demonstrates good safety. Future research should leverage systems biology and artificial intelligence technologies to further elucidate the integrated mechanisms in the treatment of DN by Shenqi dihuang decoction, thereby advancing the precision and standardization of its clinical application.
3.Effect of Wei's Huoxue Tongluo Formula(韦氏活血通络方)on Visual Function and Fundus Blood Flow in Treating Atrophic-Stage Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis
Yan WANG ; Linlin CAO ; Meiling HAO ; Xiaoding SHUI ; Simin SONG ; Kun DING ; Rilong ZHOU ; Yu LUO ; Yize HUANG ; Xiaoyu LIANG ; Liang LIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(10):1062-1070
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and possible mechanism of Wei's Huoxue Tongluo Formula (韦氏活血通络方,WHTF) in treating atrophic-stage non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with qi deficiency and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 82 atrophic-stage NAION patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 41 cases in each group. The treatment group was given oral administration of WHTF twice a day plus acupoint injection of distilled water 2 ml at Taiyang (EX-HN5) once daily, while the control group received injection of compound anisodine injection 2 ml at Taiyang (EX-HN5) once daily and oral administration of WHTF placebo twice a day. Both groups received treatment for a course of 14 days. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optic disc perfusion density (PD), flux index (FI), macular superficial PD, vascular density (VD), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores were compared between groups before treatment and on day 7 and day 14 of treatment. Additionally, mean defect (MD) and mean sensitivity (MS) of visual fields were measured before treatment and on day 14, along with safety evaluation. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA, visual field MD and MS, and TCM syndrome scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On day 14 of treatment, the TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant improvement in optic disc PD and FI, and macular superficial PD and VD after treatment in either group (P>0.05) except that on day 7 the macular superficial foveal PD in the control group was significantly better than that in the treatment group (P<0.05). During the treatment period, no serious adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionWHTF can improve the visual function indicators including visual acuity and visual field, as well as TCM syndrome scores in atrophic-stage NAION patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis. It shows clinical safety, although it does not appear to have a significant effect on optic disc or macular blood flow.
4.PRMT1-mediated asymmetric dimethylation of arginine residue 602 in DDX1 promotes cholangiocarcinoma progression
Wenzheng LIU ; Yangwei LIAO ; Yiyang KUAI ; Xin GAO ; Xingmin YAN ; Jingjing LI ; Junsheng CHEN ; Jukun SU ; Jingcong ZHOU ; Yizhu KONG ; Siqin HUANG ; Zhiwei ZHANG ; Feng PENG ; Bing WANG ; Yongjun CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):843-865
Background/Aims:
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary malignant neoplasm with an extremely poor prognosis. While combined chemoradiotherapy has been demonstrated to delay CCA progression to a certain extent, the absence of specific molecular biomarkers or targets significantly hinders the diagnosis and treatment of CCA.
Methods:
Through cross-analysis of proteomics and ADMA modificationomics, we identified DDX1 overexpressed in CCA with elevated R602-ADMA modifications. HPLC-MS/MS identified PRMT1 as the methyltransferase and USP10 as the deubiquitinating enzyme for DDX1. Immunofluorescence and nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning experiments confirmed DDX1’s nuclear localization. GO and KEGG analyses clarify the biological functions of DDX1 in response to hypoxia. RNA-seq transcriptomics analyzed key pathways influenced by DDX1. A hydrodynamic in situ CCA mouse model was established to validate the chemopreventive effects of the PRMT1-specific inhibitor GSK715 on CCA development.
Results:
DDX1 promotes CCA progression both in vivo and in vitro and can be inhibited by GSK715. Mechanistically, PRMT1 mediates ADMA modification at position R602 of DDX1. This modification promotes DDX1 nuclear localization by recruiting USP10 to deubiquitinate DDX1, while simultaneously inhibiting PRMT1 degradation. DDX1 promotes the transcription of PRMT1 and USP10 by binding to the mRNA 3’UTR region, establishing a positive feedback regulatory pathway. This mechanism promotes the occurrence and development of CCA and can serve as a target for the inhibitor GSK715 to suppress CCA progression.
Conclusions
Our study identified DDX1-R602-ADMA modification as a novel ADMA modification in CCA. It further confirmed its pivotal role in CCA progression. Targeting the USP10-PRMT1-DDX1 axis may represent a significant therapeutic approach for CCA.
5.Research progress on the role of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma
LIAO Xinyue ; FENG Yan ; YU Li
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(2):160-168
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common type of head and neck malignancy, has a poor prognosis owing to its high invasiveness and high rate of cervical lymph node metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex microenvironment that is essential for tumor cell survival. Tumor-associated immune cell (TAIC), the main stromal cell of TME, regulates the proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and anti-tumor immunity of OSCC. M2-tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote the invasion and metastasis of OSCC through the macrophage migration inhibitory factor/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3/interleukin (IL)-1β axis, while N2-tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) regulate the proliferation and EMT of OSCC through the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. Meanwhile, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accelerate the progression of OSCC by secreting IL-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β; T cells promote inflammation by secreting IL-17 and inhibit inflammation-mediated tumor immune response by secreting IL-10 and TGF-β; and natural killer (NK) cells recognize and attack OSCC cells to inhibit OSCC progression. TAIC interaction network also regulates OSCC progression. M2-TAMs regulate the invasion and metastasis of OSCC by promoting T cell apoptosis through the secretion of IL-10 and programmed death-ligand (PD-L) -1, while N2-TANs inhibit T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity by secreting LOX-1 and arginase-1. MDSCs inhibit the proliferation and anti-tumor effects of CD8+ T cells through the inactivation of programmed cell death (PD)-1/PD-L1 signaling. Additionally, MDSCs inhibit the proliferation of T cells by decreasing the expression of the CD3-zeta chain and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Moreover, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and NK cells were found to be positively correlated in OSCC progression. Therefore, target regulation, related signaling pathways, and the interaction network of TAIC may serve as promising therapeutic targets in the immunotherapy of OSCC. In this review, we summarize the recent research on the effects of TAIC and their interaction network in the TME in the progression of OSCC and explore its application in the early diagnosis and treatment of OSCC
6.Application of Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy in downstaging and conversion of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
Ziwei LIANG ; Tiantian ZHANG ; Yong LIAO ; Xin HUANG ; Bin LIANG ; Zhongbin HANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaobin FENG ; Li HUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):41-45
This case report describes a 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After receiving Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT), the tumor significantly reduced in size, and tumor markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA-Ⅱ) decreased. Postoperative pathological results showed minimal residual tumor cells, indicating that 90Y-SIRT has good efficacy and safety in downstaging and conversion of HCC, thereby facilitating subsequent surgical resection.
7.The Regulatory Role of Glucose Transporter 1 on the Function of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Under Ischemia-hypoxic Conditions
Meiling LI ; Siqi GAO ; Zhefu LIU ; Huanyan LIAO ; Fanmao LIU ; Wenhao XIA ; Jun GUO ; Yan LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):444-455
Abstract: ObjectiveThe study aims to explore the effects and regulatory roles of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) on the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under ischemia-hypoxic conditions. MethodsIn vitro experiments were conducted to subject HUVECs to an ischemia-hypoxic-mimicking environment (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2). The biological characteristics of HUVECs under normoxic and ischemia-hypoxic conditions were compared by assessing cell viability, proliferation capacity, and examining the expression changes of GLUT1, HIF-1α, and VEGFA proteins under ischemia-hypoxia using Western blot technology. Further, GLUT1 was overexpressed using plasmid transfection and the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were evaluated through scratch assays, cell adhesion assays, and tube formation assays. Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was detected by Seahorse metabolic analyzer to evaluate mitochondrial function. ResultsCompared with normoxic conditions, the ischemia-hypoxic environment significantly inhibited the proliferation, cell viability, migration, and adhesion capabilities of HUVECs and impaired their angiogenic potential. The expression levels of GLUT1, HIF-1α and VEGFA proteins were also markedly reduced. However, when GLUT1 expression was upregulated, the migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were significantly improved, and the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA and VEGFR were increased. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ischemic-hypoxia leads to mitochondrial swelling and matrix damage, while GLUT1 overexpression significantly alleviates mitochondrial morphology abnormalities. OCR results suggest that GLUT1 overexpression may enhance oxidative phosphorylation of endothelial cells in ischemic-hypoxic environments to improve energy metabolism. These results suggest that GLUT1 may influence the function and angiogenic potential of HUVECs by regulating glucose metabolism and energy supply. ConclusionsThis study reveals the significant regulatory role of GLUT1 in the function of HUVECs under ischemia-hypoxic conditions, potentially through modulating cellular energy metabolism and signal transduction pathways, thereby affecting cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis. These findings provide a new perspective on the role of GLUT1 in cardiovascular diseases and may offer potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
8.Study on the predictive value of ICH-LR2S2 score and ICH-APS score for stroke-associated pneumonia in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Yan LIU ; Xiumei ZOU ; Lishang LIAO ; Jianfei HUANG ; Ling ZHANG ; Yu RAN ; Guangzhen LI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(5):1111-1117
Objective To study the predictive value of the Prognostic Assessment Scale for Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage(ICH-LR2S2)and the Prehospital Risk Assessment Scale for Prehospital Deterioration Risk Assessment Scale(ICH-APS)for the development of stroke-associated pneu-monia(SAP)in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 349 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage who were hospitalized for the first time in this hospital from July 2023 to July 2024 were selected as the research subjects.The general demographic data and medical documentations of the patients were collected,and ICH-LR2S2 score and ICH-APS score were carried out within 48 hours after admission.According to whether pneumonia occurred within 7 days after admission,the patients were divided into the SAP group and the non-SAP group,and the diagnostic efficiency of the ICH-LR2S2 score and ICH-APS score for SAP in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage was evaluated.Results Among the 349 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage,98 patients(28.08%)had pneumonia.The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),nasogastric tube,tracheal intubation,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score,C-reactive protein,fasting blood glucose,dysphagia,ICH-LR2S2 score,ICH-APS-A score,and ICH-APS-B score were independent influencing factors for SAP in patients with spontane-ous intracerebral hemorrhage(P<0.05).The results of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that the ICH-LR2S2 score had the highest diagnostic efficiency for SAP in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.837,a sensitivity of 0.827,a specificity of 0.783,and a Youden index of 0.610.Conclusion ICH-LR2S2 score has a high predictive value for the occur-rence of SAP in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
9.Progress in the application of new acid-suppressing drug Tegoprazan in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Yan FAN ; Shengtao LIAO ; Lin LYU ; Chuanfei LI ; Yuru LIN ; Zhechuan MEI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(7):1724-1728
Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker with long-lasting and potent acid-suppressing effects,showing favorable efficacy in many acid-related diseases.In eradicating Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infections,tegoprazan-based regimens are noninferior to proton pump inhibitor(PPI)regimens in terms of efficacy,and are well tolerated and safe.In this article,we review the pharmacological mechanism,clinical studies on Hp eradication regimens,and safety of tegoprazan to provide a reference for the selection of Hp e-radication regimens.
10.Progress of the application of deep learning in degenerative cervical myelopathy
Qian-Bo SONG ; Qian DU ; Yan ZENG ; Yuan-Ming LU ; Wen-Xing LIAO ; Dong ZHAO ; Guang-Ru CAO
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(10):1256-1262
Degenerative cervical myelopathy(DCM)is a group of diseases caused by cervical spine degeneration that compresses the spinal cord.It is a major cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults,and its incidence is increasing globally.In the late stage,DCM could lead to paralysis due to spinal cord injury,which makes rapid,effective,and accurate medical diagnosis clinically significant.Deep learning(DL)technology can assist physicians in the rapid and accurate diagnosis of DCM by analyzing and processing a large amount of imaging data to extract features of the affected regions.In recent years,DL algorithm models have been leveraged for DCM-related research,which has become a focal point of intelligent medical development.In this review,domestic and international literature is surveyed,and the research progress and application of DL technology in the auxiliary diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of DCM are systematically summarized,aiming to provide a reference for intelligent diagnosis in clinical practice.


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