1.Zuoguiwan Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Hyperthyroidism Due to Kidney-Yin Deficiency via DRD4/NOX4 Pathway
Ling LIN ; Qianming LIANG ; Changsheng DENG ; Li RU ; Zhiyong XU ; Chao LI ; Mingshun SHEN ; Yueming YUAN ; Muzi LI ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):43-51
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan (ZGW) treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (0.35 mg·kg-1). After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, methimazole (positive control, 5 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g·kg-1, respectively) ZGW, and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage, the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], renal function indexes [serum creatine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], energy metabolism markers [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)], and oxidative stress-related factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and NADPH)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4, NOX4, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins [NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX4)], and inflammation-related protein [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed mental malaise, body weight decreases (P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid, elevations in serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA, and NADPH (P<0.01), down-regulation in protein levels of TSH, SOD, and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulation in expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGW increased the body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, restored the thyroid structure and follicle size, lowered the serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA and NADPH (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the expression of TSH, SOD and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole (P<0.05). ConclusionBy activating DRD4, ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.
2.Analysis on Hemostatic Active Components in Moutan Cortex Carbonisata Based on Spectrum-effect Relationship
Qingguang LIANG ; Xiguang LIN ; Jiang MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):183-190
ObjectiveTo identify the primary hemostatic active components in Moutan Cortex Carbonisata(MCC) based on the spectrum-effect relationship between the fingerprint and hemostatic efficacy, thereby providing a basis for characterizing its active constituents. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS) was employed to establish the fingerprint profiles of 16 batches of MCC aqueous extracts and identify the common peaks. Activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), an in vitro coagulation activity indicator, was measured for the 16 batches of samples using a semi-automated coagulometer. Grey relational analysis(GRA), Pearson correlation analysis, and partial least squares regression(PLSR) were comprehensively applied to screen potential hemostatic active components. For the identified active components, multi-dimensional pharmacological validation was conducted through in vitro coagulation assays measuring APTT, prothrombin time(PT), and thrombin time(TT), evaluation of hemostasis rate using a zebrafish cerebral hemorrhage model, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detection of coagulation factor X(FⅩ) mRNA expression level. ResultsThe UPLC fingerprint of the aqueous extract of MCC was successfully established, identifying 12 common peaks. Among these, 9 chemical components were subsequently characterized using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS. Comprehensive application of GRA, Pearson correlation analysis, and PLSR analysis identified 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF), gallic acid, 1-O-galloylglucose, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid as key hemostatic active constituents in MCC. In vitro coagulation assays confirmed that all four active components significantly shortened APTT and PT(P<0.05, P<0.01). The zebrafish cerebral hemorrhage model further validated their in vivo hemostatic efficacy, with each component significantly reducing hemorrhage area(P<0.05, P<0.01), yielding hemostasis rates of 31.20% for 5-HMF, 68.85% for gallic acid, 45.45% for 1-O-galloylglucose, and 45.60% for p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and demonstrating overall concentration-dependent effects. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that all active components significantly upregulated FⅩ mRNA expression(P<0.05, P<0.01), synergistically enhancing hemostasis. ConclusionBy integrating spectrum-effect relationship analysis and multi-dimensional efficacy validation, this study identified four hemostatic constituents from MCC, providing a scientific basis for elucidating its hemostatic material basis.
3.BANCR/miR-145-5p-Reg3A/DMBT1 Axis Facilitates AKT-GLUT1/HK2-Mediated Warburg Effect in Gastric Cancer
Liang WANG ; Yufei LIANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Shan LIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(2):112-120
Objective To elucidate the mechanism by which the BANCR/miR-145-5p axis regulates the AKT-GLUT1/HK2 pathway through downstream targets Reg3A/DMBT1 to facilitate the Warburg effect in gastric cancer. Methods Expression levels of BANCR, miR-145-5p, Reg3A, and DMBT1 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed targeted relationships. Glycolytic capacity was assessed via glucose uptake. Immunohistochemistry analyzed molecular expression in 60 paired clinical samples. The prognostic values of key molecules in the BANCR/miR-145-5p-Reg3A/DMBT1 axis were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results BANCR was significantly upregulated, whereas miR-145-5p was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues, correlating with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor differentiation. Reg3A and DMBT1 were identified as direct targets of miR-145-5p. Knockdown of BANCR or overexpression of miR-145-5p significantly suppressed Reg3A/DMBT1 expression, reduced AKT phosphorylation and GLUT1/HK2 levels, and inhibited glycolysis. Clinical analysis revealed positive correlations between Reg3A/DMBT1 expression and glycolytic markers, with both serving as independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Conclusion The BANCR/miR-145-5p axis activates the AKT pathway by targeting Reg3A/DMBT1, thereby promoting GLUT1/HK2/LDHA-mediated glycolysis and facilitating the Warburg effect in gastric cancer. This regulatory axis represents a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker.
4.Research progress on autologous blood patch pleurodesis
Jiawei HUANG ; Hanping LIANG ; Xihao XIE ; Wanli LIN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):136-140
Autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) was first proposed in 1987. Now it is mainly used to treat intractable pneumothorax and persistent air leakage after pneumonectomy, and also used to treat pneumothorax in children and other rare secondary pneumothorax. Persistent air leakage and pneumothorax of various causes are essentially alveolar pleural fistula. It can usually be treated by closed thoracic drainage, continuous negative pressure suction and surgery. Pleurodesis is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for patients who have failed conventional conservative treatment and can not receive operations. Compared with other pleurodesis adhesives, autologous blood (ABPP) is safer and more effective, and it is simple, painless, cheap and easy to be accepted by patients. But in the domestic and foreign researches in recent years, many details of ABPP treatment have not been standardized. For further research and popularization of ABPP, this article reviews the detailed regulations, efficacy and safety of this technology.
5.Simultaneous TAVI and McKeown for esophageal cancer with severe aortic regurgitation: A case report
Liang CHENG ; Lulu LIU ; Xin XIAO ; Lin LIN ; Mei YANG ; Jingxiu FAN ; Hai YU ; Longqi CHEN ; Yingqiang GUO ; Yong YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):277-280
A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
6.Research progress of Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy in downstaging and conversion of hepatocellular carcinoma
Licong LIANG ; Yuchan LIANG ; Wensou HUANG ; Yongjian GUO ; Jingjun HUANG ; Liteng LIN ; Mingyue CAI ; Kangshun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):9-14
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China are among the highest in the world, imposing a heavy social burden. Liver resection and liver transplantation are the primary radical treatments for HCC, although most patients are no longer able to meet the surgical requirements at initial diagnosis. Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) has the advantages of shrinking tumors, enlarging residual liver, regressing portal vein tumor thrombus and improving the quality of life, which can be used for conversion, downstaging and bridging therapy for HCC before surgical treatment, enabling patients regain the chance of radical treatment and reducing the postoperative recurrence rate. This review focuses on the clinical application and progress of 90Y-SIRT in this field.
7.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.
8.Palpitations, Shortness of Breath, Weakness in Limbs, Edema, and Dyspnea: A Rare Inflammatory Myopathy with Positive Aniti-mitochondrial Antibodies and Cardiac Involvement
Chunsu LIANG ; Xuchang ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Lin KANG ; Xiaohong LIU ; Jiaqi YU ; Yingxian LIU ; Lin QIAO ; Yanli YANG ; Xiaoyi ZHAO ; Ruijie ZHAO ; Na NIU ; Xuelian YAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):248-255
This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.
9.Association of Rapidly Elevated Plasma Tau Protein With Cognitive Decline in Patients With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Che-Sheng CHU ; Yu-Kai LIN ; Chia-Lin TSAI ; Yueh-Feng SUNG ; Chia-Kuang TSAI ; Guan-Yu LIN ; Chien-An KO ; Yi LIU ; Chih-Sung LIANG ; Fu-Chi YANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):130-139
Objective:
Whether elevation in plasma levels of amyloid and tau protein biomarkers are better indicators of cognitive decline than higher baseline levels in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains understudied.
Methods:
We included 67 participants with twice testing for AD-related plasma biomarkers via immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assays (amyloid beta [Aβ]1-40, Aβ1-42, total tau [t-Tau], phosphorylated tau [p-Tau] 181, and alpha-synuclein [α-Syn]) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) over a 1-year interval. We examined the correlation between biomarker levels (baseline vs. longitudinal change) and annual changes in the MMSE scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to compare the biomarkers.
Results:
After adjustment, faster cognitive decline was correlated with lower baseline levels of t-Tau (β=0.332, p=0.030) and p-Tau 181 (β=0.369, p=0.015) and rapid elevation of t-Tau (β=-0.330, p=0.030) and p-Tau 181 levels (β=-0.431, p=0.004). However, the levels (baseline and longitudinal changes) of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and α-Syn were not correlated with cognitive decline. aMCI converters had lower baseline levels of p-Tau 181 (p=0.002) but larger annual changes (p=0.001) than aMCI non-converters. The change in p-Tau 181 levels showed better discriminatory capacity than the change in t-Tau levels in terms of identifying AD conversion in patients with aMCI, with an area under curve of 86.7% versus 72.2%.
Conclusion
We found changes in p-Tau 181 levels may be a suitable biomarker for identifying AD conversion.
10.Progress on antisense oligonucleotide in the field of antibacterial therapy
Jia LI ; Xiao-lu HAN ; Shi-yu SONG ; Jin-tao LIN ; Zhi-qiang TANG ; Zeng-ming WANG ; Liang XU ; Ai-ping ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):337-347
With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail