Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic intestinal inflammatory condition with chronic and relapsing manifestations and is characterized by a disturbance in the interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the gut, and the brain. The microbiota-gut-brain axis involves interactions among the nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, the gut microbiota, and the host immune system. Increasing published data indicate that psychological stress exacerbates the severity of IBD due to its negative effects on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, including alterations in the stress response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the balance between the sympathetic nervous system and vagus nerves, the homeostasis of the intestinal flora and metabolites, and normal intestinal immunity and permeability. Although the current evidence is insufficient, psychotropic agents, psychotherapies, and interventions targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis show the potential to improve symptoms and quality of life in IBD patients. Therefore, further studies that translate recent findings into therapeutic approaches that improve both physical and psychological well-being are needed.
Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/metabolism* ; Stress, Psychological/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Animals

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

[Purpose]To analyze the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer at global and regional levels.[Methods]Data of lung cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022 and the population and all-cause mortality data were obtained from the United Nations.The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer globally and across different regions was estimated by multiple primary adjustment method.[Results]The global lifetime risk of developing lung cancer was 3.59％[95％confidence interval(CI):3.58％～3.59％],ranking third among all cancer types.There were significant gender and regional differences in lifetime risk values.The risk for male was 4.43％(95％CI:4.42％～4.44％),which was higher than that for female(2.71％,95％CI:2.70％～2.72％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.63.Among regions with varying human development index(HDI)levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions risk was 5.36％(95％CI:5.34％～5.37％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.34％(95％CI:0.33％～0.34％).Among the 20 global regions,East Asia had the highest lifetime risk of 7.53％(95％CI:7.52％～7.55％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.16％(95％CI:0.16％～0.17％).The global lifetime risk of dying from lung cancer was 2.78％(95％CI:2.78％～2.78％),ranking the first among all cancer types.There were significant sex and regional differ-ences in lifetime death risk values.The risk for male was 3.64％(95％CI:3.63％～3.64％),which was higher than that for female(1.89％,95％CI:1.89％～1.90％),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.93.Among regions with varying HDI levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions the risk was 3.98％(95％CI:3.97％～3.99％),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.31％(95％CI:0.31％～0.31％).Among the 20 global regions,the Federated States of Micronesia/Poly-nesia had the highest death risk of 5.80％(95％CI:4.98％～6.62％),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.15％(95％CI:0.15％～0.16％).The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer in China was 7.54％(95％CI:7.52％～7.56％)and 5.88％(95％CI:5.87％～5.90％),respec-tively,both ranking the first among all cancer types.[Conclusion]The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer remains high globally and across different regions,with a particularly heavy burden in high-HDI areas.In China,both the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer are higher than the global average.This highlights the need for continued enhance-ment of comprehensive prevention and control measures,including addressing lung cancer-related risk factors,as well as improving screening,early diagnosis,and treatment efforts to reduce the lung cancer burden.

Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is an adverse symptom associated with cancer and its treatments,with a clinical inci-dence rate ranging from 60%to 90%,severely impacting patients'quality of life.The pathogenesis of CRF is complex,involving the interaction of multiple mechanisms such as inflammatory cytokine dysregulation,neuroendocrine disorders,and mitochondrial dysfunc-tion.Although existing clinical interventions like central nervous system stimulants and exercise interventions can partially alleviate symptoms,they are limited by side effects and applicability constraints.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)shows unique potential in the clinical treatment of CRF by exerting a variety of pharmacological effects.Therapeutic approaches including acupuncture,moxibus-tion,traditional Chinese herbal formulations,as well as Chinese herbal preparations and extracts,have been proven to significantly im-prove fatigue status in CRF patients.This article systematically reviews the internal relationship between the modern pathological mech-anism of CRF and the pathogenesis of"consumptive disease"of TCM,and conducts evidence-based evaluation of the existing TCM in-tervention programs,so as to provide a new theoretical basis and treatment strategy for the clinical prevention and treatment of CRF.

Background and Aims:Obstructive jaundice(OJ)caused by common bile duct stones(CBDS)is a major risk factor for acute cholangitis(AC).Early identification of high-risk patients is essential for improving prognosis.Soluble CD163(sCD163)and milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8(MFG-E8)are associated with inflammatory diseases,but their predictive value for AC in CBDS-related OJ remains unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels for AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Methods:A total of 142 patients with CBDS-OJ admitted from January 2022 to June 2024 were included as the observation group,and 145 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination served as controls.Serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels were measured using ELISA.Based on the occurrence of AC within 24 hours after admission,patients with CBDS-OJ were divided into an AC group(n=48)and a non-AC group(n=94).Clinical variables and serological indicators were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with AC.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to assess the predictive performance of sCD163,MFG-E8,and their combination.Results:Compared with the control group,patients with CBDS-OJ showed significantly elevated serum sCD163 levels and decreased MFG-E8 levels(both P<0.05).Within the observation group,the AC group had higher AST,ALT and sCD163 levels and lower MFG-E8 levels than the non-AC group(all P<0.05).Logistic regression identified elevated sCD163 as an independent risk factor(OR=3.478,P<0.001)and reduced MFG-E8 as a protective factor(OR=0.526,P=0.020)for AC.ROC analysis showed AUC values of 0.759 for sCD163,0.787 for MFG-E8,and 0.920 for their combined detection,with the combined model outperforming either marker alone(P<0.001).Conclusion:Serum sCD163 elevation and MFG-E8 reduction are closely associated with the development of AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Combined detection of sCD163 and MFG-E8 provides superior predictive value and may serve as a useful tool for early risk stratification in clinical practice.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of dihydroactinidiolide(DHAc)on prolif-eration of gastric cancer cells and its possible mechanism.Methods Gastric cancer MKN45 cells and AGS cells were cultured and divided into the control group(culture medium without DHAc)and treatment groups with different concentrations of DHAc(50,100,200,400,600,800,and 1000 μmol/L).MTT assay and methylene blue(MB)assay were used to detect the effect of DHAc on the via-bility of MKN45 cells and AGS cells.The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential and the cell cycle distribution of MKN45 cells treated with DHAc were detected by flow cytometry,and its effects on the cell cycle of AGS cells were also analyzed.The effects of DHAc on the expression of proteins related to the cell cycle and autophagy in MKN45 cells were detected by Western blot.Results DHAc at different concentrations of 50,100,200,400,600,and 800 μmol/L showed significant inhibitory effects on proliferation of MKN45 cells.Among them,DHAc at the concentration range of 50-400 μmol/L also arrested the cell cycle of MKN45 cells at the G0/G1 phase,down-regulated the expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK4,and significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane poten-tial(P<0.05);In the lower concentration range of 50-200 μmol/L,DHAc could induce autophagy in MKN45 cells,as manifested by the upregulation of the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio(P<0.05).In addition,different concentrations of DHAc(100,200,400,600,800,and 1000 μmol/L)could also significantly inhibit the proliferation of AGS cells.Among them,DHAc at the concentration range of 100-400 μmol/L could arrest the cell cycle of AGS cells at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.05).Conclusion DHAc can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.The possible mechanism is that DHAc arrests the cell cycle and induces autophagy in gastric cancer cells.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of dihydroactinidiolide(DHAc)on prolif-eration of gastric cancer cells and its possible mechanism.Methods Gastric cancer MKN45 cells and AGS cells were cultured and divided into the control group(culture medium without DHAc)and treatment groups with different concentrations of DHAc(50,100,200,400,600,800,and 1000 μmol/L).MTT assay and methylene blue(MB)assay were used to detect the effect of DHAc on the via-bility of MKN45 cells and AGS cells.The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential and the cell cycle distribution of MKN45 cells treated with DHAc were detected by flow cytometry,and its effects on the cell cycle of AGS cells were also analyzed.The effects of DHAc on the expression of proteins related to the cell cycle and autophagy in MKN45 cells were detected by Western blot.Results DHAc at different concentrations of 50,100,200,400,600,and 800 μmol/L showed significant inhibitory effects on proliferation of MKN45 cells.Among them,DHAc at the concentration range of 50-400 μmol/L also arrested the cell cycle of MKN45 cells at the G0/G1 phase,down-regulated the expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK4,and significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane poten-tial(P<0.05);In the lower concentration range of 50-200 μmol/L,DHAc could induce autophagy in MKN45 cells,as manifested by the upregulation of the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio(P<0.05).In addition,different concentrations of DHAc(100,200,400,600,800,and 1000 μmol/L)could also significantly inhibit the proliferation of AGS cells.Among them,DHAc at the concentration range of 100-400 μmol/L could arrest the cell cycle of AGS cells at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.05).Conclusion DHAc can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.The possible mechanism is that DHAc arrests the cell cycle and induces autophagy in gastric cancer cells.

Background and Aims:Obstructive jaundice(OJ)caused by common bile duct stones(CBDS)is a major risk factor for acute cholangitis(AC).Early identification of high-risk patients is essential for improving prognosis.Soluble CD163(sCD163)and milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8(MFG-E8)are associated with inflammatory diseases,but their predictive value for AC in CBDS-related OJ remains unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels for AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Methods:A total of 142 patients with CBDS-OJ admitted from January 2022 to June 2024 were included as the observation group,and 145 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination served as controls.Serum sCD163 and MFG-E8 levels were measured using ELISA.Based on the occurrence of AC within 24 hours after admission,patients with CBDS-OJ were divided into an AC group(n=48)and a non-AC group(n=94).Clinical variables and serological indicators were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with AC.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to assess the predictive performance of sCD163,MFG-E8,and their combination.Results:Compared with the control group,patients with CBDS-OJ showed significantly elevated serum sCD163 levels and decreased MFG-E8 levels(both P<0.05).Within the observation group,the AC group had higher AST,ALT and sCD163 levels and lower MFG-E8 levels than the non-AC group(all P<0.05).Logistic regression identified elevated sCD163 as an independent risk factor(OR=3.478,P<0.001)and reduced MFG-E8 as a protective factor(OR=0.526,P=0.020)for AC.ROC analysis showed AUC values of 0.759 for sCD163,0.787 for MFG-E8,and 0.920 for their combined detection,with the combined model outperforming either marker alone(P<0.001).Conclusion:Serum sCD163 elevation and MFG-E8 reduction are closely associated with the development of AC in patients with CBDS-OJ.Combined detection of sCD163 and MFG-E8 provides superior predictive value and may serve as a useful tool for early risk stratification in clinical practice.

Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is an adverse symptom associated with cancer and its treatments,with a clinical inci-dence rate ranging from 60%to 90%,severely impacting patients'quality of life.The pathogenesis of CRF is complex,involving the interaction of multiple mechanisms such as inflammatory cytokine dysregulation,neuroendocrine disorders,and mitochondrial dysfunc-tion.Although existing clinical interventions like central nervous system stimulants and exercise interventions can partially alleviate symptoms,they are limited by side effects and applicability constraints.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)shows unique potential in the clinical treatment of CRF by exerting a variety of pharmacological effects.Therapeutic approaches including acupuncture,moxibus-tion,traditional Chinese herbal formulations,as well as Chinese herbal preparations and extracts,have been proven to significantly im-prove fatigue status in CRF patients.This article systematically reviews the internal relationship between the modern pathological mech-anism of CRF and the pathogenesis of"consumptive disease"of TCM,and conducts evidence-based evaluation of the existing TCM in-tervention programs,so as to provide a new theoretical basis and treatment strategy for the clinical prevention and treatment of CRF.