1.Effect of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription on macrophage efferocytosis mediated by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 in rats with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Lihui ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Qing ZHAO ; Shanzheng LI ; Minghao LIU ; Wenxia ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):345-355
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription on rats with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MethodsA total of 60 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model A group, model B group, Western medicine group (polyene phosphatidylcholine, 143.64 mg/kg), high-dose Chinese medicine group (Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription, 20.16 g/kg), and middle-dose Chinese medicine group (Huatan Qushi Huoxue prescription, 10.08 g/kg). All rats except those in the blank control group were given high-fat diet. Samples were collected from the model A group at week 8, and since week 12, the other groups were given the corresponding drug once a day for 8 consecutive weeks, with samples collected at week 20. Body weight, liver wet weight, and liver index were measured for all rats; the microplate method was used to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acids (FFA); ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2); HE staining and oil red O staining were performed to observe liver histopathological changes; immunofluorescence assay was used to measure CD68+TREM2+ cells in liver tissue and calculate the phagocytosis rate of macrophages; quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) in liver tissue, and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression levels of S1P, S1PR1, ADAM17, and TREM2 in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with homogeneity of variance between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Welch’s test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with heterogeneity of variance between groups, and the Tamhane’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Dunn’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model A group and the model B group had significant increases in body weight and liver wet weight, and the model B group had a significant increase in liver index (all P<0.05). HE staining showed diffuse macrovesicular steatosis of liver tissue in the model A group and a large number of hepatocytes with ballooning degeneration in liver tissue in the model group B, with the presence of mixed inflammatory cell infiltration and mild perisinusoidal fibrosis in the lobules and the portal area. Compared with the blank control group, the model A group and the model B group had significant increases in NAS score and oil red O-positive area (all P<0.05), and the model B group had significant increases in these two indicators than the model A group (both P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the model A group and the model B group had significant increases in the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, FFA, IL-1β, IL-6, and sTREM2 and a significant reduction in the serum level of HDL-C, and the model B group had significant increases in the serum levels of ALT, AST, and TNF-α (all P<0.05); compared with the model A group, the model B group had significant increases in the serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, FFA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and sTREM2 and a significant reduction in the serum level of HDL-C (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence assay showed that compared with the blank control group, the model A group had a significant increase in the phagocytosis rate of macrophages (P<0.05), while the model B group had a significantly lower phagocytosis rate of macrophages than the model A group (P<0.05). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that compared with the blank control group, the model A group and the model B group had a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of TREM2, and the model B group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of S1P and S1PR1 (both P<0.05); moreover, compared with the model A group, the model B group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of S1PR1 and TREM2 (both P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the blank control group, the model A group and the model B group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of S1P, S1PR1, and ADAM17, and the model A group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of TREM2 (all P<0.05); compared with the model A group, the model B group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of S1P, S1PR1, and ADAM17 and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of TREM2 (all P<0.05). Compared with the model B group, each medication group had significant reductions in body weight, liver wet weight, and liver index (all P<0.05); each medication group had significant improvements in hepatic steatosis and inflammatory damage, with significant reductions in NAS score and oil red O-positive area (all P<0.05); each medication group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, FFA, IL-1β, and IL-6 (all P<0.05) and a significant increase in the serum level of HDL-C (P<0.05), and the high-dose Chinese medicine group had a significant reduction in the serum level of TNF-α (P<0.05); each medication group had a significant increase in the phagocytosis rate of macrophages (all P<0.05); the high- and middle-dose Chinese medicine groups had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of ADAM17, and the high-dose Chinese medicine group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of TREM2 (all P<0.05). ConclusionHuatan Qushi Huoxue prescription improves lipid metabolism and inflammation in the liver of MASH rats by regulating hepatic macrophage phagocytosis.
2.Mechanism of action of organelle interactions in the progression of liver fibrosis and traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment strategies
Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Lihui ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Wenxia ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):711-717
Liver fibrosis is the core pathological stage of the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis, and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the abnormal accumulation of collagen fibers are important processes for the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In recent years, studies have shown that HSC activation is regulated by the complex interactions between various organelles (including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, and peroxisomes), and such interactions affect the key cellular processes such as energy metabolism, protein synthesis and folding, reactive oxygen species balance, and autophagy, thereby participating in the progression of liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients with multi-target synergistic effects have attracted wide attention. From the perspective of the interaction between organelles, this article systematically elaborates on the specific mechanism of such interactions in the progression of liver fibrosis and reviews how traditional Chinese medicine inhibits HSC activation and collagen production by regulating the function of these organelle and their interaction networks, thereby exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect, in order to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of liver fibrosis and the development of new traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies.
3.Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with different clinical phenotypes: Pathogenesis and strategies for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment
Wenxia ZHAO ; Lei GAO ; Xinju CHEN ; Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Qing ZHAO ; Chenlu ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):930-937
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic metabolic liver disorder with complex etiologies. Different clinical phenotypes of MAFLD (such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the postmenopausal state, and chronic hepatitis B) have different mechanisms of action in the development and progression of MAFLD, leading to high heterogeneity in its clinical progression and prognosis. This article systematically reviews the pathogeneses and clinical features of the above five clinical phenotypes of MAFLD and elaborates on the corresponding individualized diagnosis and treatment regimens integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, in order to provide a reference for clinical practice and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment.
4.Role of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification in metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Qing ZHAO ; Weichen MA ; Wanyi ZHU ; Minghao LIU ; Wenxia ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1391-1397
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with a rapidly increasing incidence rate worldwide, and its complex pathogenesis is closely associated with O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification. As a dynamic and reversible post-translational modification of proteins, O-GlcNAc modification is mainly regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase. O-GlcNAc modification can drive hepatic steatosis, exacerbate insulin resistance, and impair mitochondrial function, thereby leading to the aggravation of metabolic disorders, promoting inflammation response, and driving the progression of MAFLD to metabolic associated steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis. This article systematically reviews the latest research advances in the role of O-GlcNAc modification in the development and progression of MAFLD, in order to provide theoretical support and research direction for a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanism of MAFLD and the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
5.The role of macropinocytosis in the progression of inflammatory-cancerous transformation in the liver and related targeted therapies
Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Lihui ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Wenxia ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(9):1688-1694
Macropinocytosis (MP) is an actin-dependent process by which cells internalize large volumes of extracellular fluid. This engulfed material is subsequently digested and degraded within lysosomes, providing essential nutrients that enable cell survival and growth under hypoxic and nutrient-scarce microenvironments. In the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sustained liver inflammation plays a critical role. Chronic liver inflammation not only creates favorable conditions for MP activation but also triggers relevant signaling pathways, thereby establishing a persistent positive feedback loop. This review aims to systematically elucidate the mechanistic basis of MP, summarize recent advances in its regulation via relevant signaling pathways during HCC progression, and discuss the potential value of targeting MP as a therapeutic strategy for HCC, thereby providing insights for future clinical research.
6.Study of diagnostic value of circRNA9226 combined with tumor markers in lung adenocarcinoma
Wei ZHOU ; Yangcong QI ; Zhangsheng ZHAO ; Lihui QIAN ; Youli MA ; Yinyu MU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(17):16-19
Objective To investigate the value of peripheral blood circRNA9226 combined with tumor markers for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.Methods A total of 30 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who were admitted to the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University from December 2022 to January 2023 were selected as case group.Additionally,twenty healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group.The expression levels of circRNA9226,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen(CA)199,and albumin(Alb)were compared between two groups.The diagnostic efficacy of circRNA9226 and CEA for lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the correlation between circRNA9226 and other indicators was analyzed.Results The peripheral blood circRNA9226 expression levels in case group was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).The sensitivity of circRNA9226 and CEA for diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma was 83.3%and 46.7%,respectively,with specificity of 90.0%and 100.0%.Area under the curve(AUC)was 0.897 and 0.776,respectively.When both tests were combined,the sensitivity was 93.3%,accuracy was 92.0%,and AUC was 0.918,showing a significant improvement in both sensitivity and accuracy compared to single tests.The correlation analysis results showed that circRNA9226 was positively correlated with CEA concentration(r=0.371,P<0.05)and negatively correlated with Alb concentration(r=-0.548,P<0.05).Conclusion Peripheral blood circRNA9226 has advantages in distinguishing lung adenocarcinoma from healthy controls,and combined with CEA can further improve the diagnostic efficacy.
7.Study on the Mechanism of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction in Ovariectomized NAFLD Rats Based on ERα/PGC1α/PPARα
Chenlu ZHAO ; Suping MA ; Fangdong SHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Wenxia ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):792-800
Objective To explore the effect on the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα pathway,the therapeutic effect of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on ovariectomized NAFLD rats was observed.Methods 60 female non-pregnant SPF SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),model group(Model),estrogen group(E2),traditional Chinese medicine high,medium and low dose group(DHR-H/M/L).Sham group was given normal diet after sham operation,and the other groups were given high-fat,high-fructose and high-cholesterol diet(HF/HF/HC)after bilateral ovariectomy to prepare postmenopausal NAFLD model.The Sham group and the Model group were given normal saline by gavage,and the other groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.The intervention time was 12 weeks,and the experimental period was 14 weeks.The general condition and body weight of rats in each group were recorded.HE staining of uterus was used to observe the morphology of uterus,HE staining of liver and oil red O staining were used to observe steatosis.Serum liver function(ALT,AST)and lipid metabolism indexes(TG,TC)were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer.The levels of serum E2 and free fatty acid(FFA)and the expression of FFA and TG in liver tissue were detected by ELISA.The mRNA and protein expressions of ERα,PGC1α and PPARα in liver tissues were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the Model group,by Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction,the body weight and liver weight of ovariectomized NAFLD rats significantly decreased,liver fat deposition significantly decreased,E2 level increased,ALT,AST,TG,TC,FFA and liver tissue homogenate FFA,TG content significantly decreased,liver ERα,PGC1α,PPARα mRNA and protein expression up-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction can improve liver steatosis in postmenopausal NAFLD model rats.The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα signaling pathway to promote liver FFA oxidation and reduce liver TG deposition.
8.The Analysis of SLC26A4 Gene Testing in 34 Nuclear Families
Jinge XIE ; Lin DENG ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Liping ZHAO ; Yu RUAN ; Cheng WEN ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Shan GAO ; Lihui HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):29-33
Objective To investigate the sequencing results of the SLC26A4 gene in 34 nuclear families and the genetic diagnosis on the offspring in the nuclear families who have been screened for SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in the deafness genetic screening,to provide a basis for genetic consulting.Methods A retrospective anal-ysis was performed on the results of SLC26A4 gene testing in 34 nuclear families,in which the offspring with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening of each nuclear family.The offspring of 34 nucle-ar families with the second mutation site detected by sequencing,their audiological results were included in the anal-ysis;and if they suffered from hearing loss,the results of temporal bone CT or inner ear MRI were also included in the analysis.Results The sequencing results of 34 nuclear families showed that there were 23 offsprings(67.65%,23/34)with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and one parent was SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation.There were 11 offsprings(32.35%,11/34)with second site,among which 7 offsprings(63.64%,7/11)with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutations,and their parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutations.Among the 7 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutation,3 cases were with hearing loss,all of which were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome,and the other 4 cases were normal.While 4 offsprings(36.36%,4/11)with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation(cis mutation),and one parent was SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation.The hearing 4 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutations were normal.Among the 34 nuclear families,3 pairs of parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and both mutation sites were pathogenic,risk of reproducing children with hereditary hearing loss was 25%.Conclusion The detec-tion sites of deafness gene chip are limited.Using gene sequencing technology to sequence the nuclear family can fur-ther clarify the gene mutation type in offspring and provide guidance for parents to reproduce.
9.Evaluation of left atrial strain and left atrioventricular global strain in patients with cardiovascular immune-related adverse events related to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Xin WANG ; Huiyu JIA ; Jiayu SU ; Lihui ZHAO ; Jie MU ; Wei FU ; Junguang WANG ; Xi WEI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(10):876-883
Objective:To evaluate the clinical utility of left atrial strain parameters and left atrioventricular global longitudinal strain(LAVGLS)in detecting cardiovascular immune-related adverse events(CV-irAEs)among non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs).Methods:A total of 68 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were prospectively enrolled in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from October 2023 to October 2024. All patients were treated with ICIs for 6 cycles. Electrocardiogram,cardiac serological markers and echocardiography were examined before medication(T0 stage),4 cycles after medication(T1 stage)and 6 cycles after medication(T2 stage),respectively. According to the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology,all patients were divided into the CV-irAEs group( n=14)and the No-CV-irAEs group( n=54). AFI software and 4D Auto LAQ software were used to calculate LVGLS,left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain(LASr),LAVGLS and a series of left atrial parameters. Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to find the risk factors for the occurrence of CV-irAEs. ROC curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of these parameters for CV-irAEs. Results:Fourteen patients(20.6%)developed CV-irAEs after T2 stage. After ICIs treatment,LVGLS,LASr and LAVGLS decreased in both groups,LVGLS,LASr and LAVGLS decreased more significantly in the CV-irAEs group than those in the No-CV-irAEs group( P=0.038,0.047,0.005). Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)decreased in the CV-irAEs group at the same time( P=0.003). Cox multivariate analysis showed that ΔLAVGLS(the difference between stage T0 and stage T2)was a risk factor for CV-irAEs( HR:1.395, P=0.019). ROC curve analysis showed the area under the curve of LVGLS,LASr,LAVGLS,ΔLVGLS,ΔLASr,ΔLAVGLS,and LVEF at the T2 stage for diagnosis of CV-irAEs were 0.68,0.67,0.75,0.79,0.73,0.82,and 0.72,respectively. Conclusions:Decline of LAVGLS is a risk factor for CV-irAEs in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving ICIs and can be used for early detection of CV-irAEs. LASr has potential diagnostic value for CV-irAEs,but it is less valuable than LVGLS and LAVGLS.
10.Research progress on financial toxicity in patients with diabetes
Qiuyue XU ; Li LI ; Wenxing JIANG ; Lihui HU ; Jie PENG ; Kewei ZHAO ; Chuangrong CHEN ; Qiang LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(35):4888-4894
Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires lifelong medication and long-term management. The longer the duration of the disease, the more likely it is to lead to progressive chronic complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. These complications may result in gradual functional decline or even organ failure, and may also trigger severe acute metabolic disorders. The cumulative financial burden on patients and their families can be substantial, giving rise to what is known as financial toxicity, which in turn may negatively affect patients' health outcomes. This review comprehensively explores the concept of financial toxicity in diabetic patients, including its assessment tools, influencing factors, and coping strategies. It also offers targeted suggestions aimed at informing the development of more scientific and effective systemic interventions, with the ultimate goal of improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.

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