1.Issues and recommendations in the implementation of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research: a case study of 10 contracting institutions in Guangdong province
Xu LU ; Feng CAO ; Xuan DUAN ; Junrong LIU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(1):64-70
ObjectiveTo investigate the current situation of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research across 10 contracting medical institutions in Guangdong Province, analyze existing issues and propose improvement recommendations, thereby promoting the standardized management of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in medical institutions. MethodsData from 381 multicenter clinical studies conducted in these 10 medical institutions from January 24 to October 31, 2024, were collected. Text visualization was performed using Python and the WordCloud library, and statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS 25.0. ResultsOf the 381 studies investigated, industry-sponsored clinical trials (ISTs) accounted for 51.71%, while investigator-initiated clinical trials (IITs) constituted 48.29%. The proportions of ethical committees serving as primary reviewers and collaborative reviewers were 33.33% and 66.67%, respectively. The confirmation methods of mutual recognition outcomes were primarily expedited reviews (50.66%) and meeting reviews (49.34%), and no cases of “direct confirmation” were found. The Chi-square test revealed statistically significant differences in review confirmation methods based on project type (χ²=14.851, P<0.001) and ethics committee role (χ²= 69.435, P<0.001). The frequency distribution trend of the contingency table showed that IST projects and primary ethics committees preferred to employ meeting review (58.88% and 79.53% respectively, both higher than the average level of 49.34%), while IIT projects and the collaborative ethics committees more frequently utilized expedited review (60.87% and 65.75% respectively, both higher than the average level of 50.66%). ConclusionThe confirmation methods of mutual recognition for ethical review outcomes in multicenter clinical research are significantly associated with the role of the ethics committee and the type of project. It is recommended to improve management systems, enhance information construction and personnel training, as well as clarify mutual recognition responsibilities and strengthen supervision. This aims to ensure review quality while improving mutual recognition efficiency, thereby safeguarding the rights and interests of research participants.
2.Relationship of non-suicidal self-injury behavior with serum lipid levels and thyroid function among college students with depression
CHEN Lu, YANG Zhiqiang, CAO Xiaoping, ZHAO Yanxia, LIANG Shaoying, LUO Yi, LI Hongyu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):394-397
Objective:
To explore the relationship between non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behavior and serum lipid levels as well as thyroid function among college students with depression.
Methods:
A total of 169 college students with depression in the psychiatry departments of tertiary hospitals (grade 3A and 3B) in Ningbo from December 2023 to April 2025 were selected. The Adolescent Self injury Scale (ASIS) was used to assess the presence of NSSI, and participants were accordingly divided into a NSSI group ( n =51) and a non NSSI group ( n =118). General demographic data (including gender, age, and family situation) were collected from both groups. Blood tests were performed to measure lipid profiles [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)]. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors for NSSI, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lipid and thyroid hormone levels for NSSI occurrence in college students with depression.
Results:
The levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH in the NSSI group were (4.02±0.73) mmol/L, (2.32±0.36) mmol/L, and (6.57±1.95) mU/L , which were significantly higher than those in the non NSSI group [(3.41±0.56) mmol/L, (2.00±0.27) mmol/L, and ( 4.48± 1.09) mU/L, respectively] ( t =5.32, 5.60, 7.20, all P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that college students from single parent/reconstituted families, those who had experienced school bullying, and those with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had a significantly increased risk of engaging in NSSI ( OR =5.22, 6.12, 5.90, 83.64, 3.64, all P <0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined detection of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had high diagnostic efficacy for predicting NSSI in college students with depression, with a sensitivity of 86.3% and a specificity of 94.9%.
Conclusions
NSSI behavior in college students with depression is associated with serum lipid levels and thyroid function. These biomarkers may serve as useful reference indicators for assessing the conditions of these patients.
3.Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis by Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng Decoction via Inhibition of PPAR-γ/NF-κB/AGEs/RAGE Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology
Yue CAO ; Wanmei YAO ; Tao YANG ; Man YANG ; Ruimin JIA ; Rongrong LU ; Xue FENG ; Biwang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):182-192
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for key targets was depicted. Finally, the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock, PyMOL, and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments, a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, uric acid test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values, 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response, astrocyte activation, regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 production, nuclear receptor activity, and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory, and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin(ALB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), IL-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein(CRP) were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene (β-carotene). Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose (7.76 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (15.53 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (31.05 g·kg-1·d-1) groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission, and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced, followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups, and the expression of ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP, inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB pathway, and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation, Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.
4.Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets Ameliorate Liver Injury Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet by Regulating Cholesterol Metabolism
Xiaotong FU ; Chunyu CAO ; Chun LI ; Chenna LU ; Ting LIU ; Yifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):46-55
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets (TG) and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CG) in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: control (pure water), low-dose TG (TG-L, 189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), high-dose TG (TG-H, 472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), TG-L+CG (189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), and TG-H+CG (472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration, the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically, HepG2 cells were grouped as follows: Low-dose TG (TG-l, 15 mg·L-1), medium-dose TG (TG-m, 45 mg·L-1), high-dose TG (TG-h, 135 mg·L-1), fenofibrate (FB, 10 μmol·L-1), CG extract, TG-h+FB (135 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-m+FB (45 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-l+FB (15 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-h+CG (135 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), TG-m+CG (45 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), and TG-l+CG (15 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG). The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), which were up-regulated by the application of CG (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with TG alone, TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α (P<0.01), and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 (P<0.01) in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the TG-h group, the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR (P<0.05). Compared with the TG-m group, the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0, 472.5 mg·kg-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux, endocytosis, and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes, leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α, LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.
5.Research advances in cancer therapy of cisplatin liposome
Weixuan ZHAO ; Xue LU ; Ruilin ZHAO ; Yanmei ZHANG ; Ye YANG ; Deying CAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):356-361
Chemotherapy based on cisplatin or its combination therapy is a common cancer treatment method. However, the non-specific side effects of cisplatin, poor pharmacokinetic properties of small molecule drugs, and susceptibility to drug resistance greatly limit the clinical application of cisplatin as first-line anti-tumor drug. With the development of nanocarrier technology, liposomes have become an ideal carrier for delivering cisplatin drugs due to their excellent properties of targeting, reducing toxicity, and enhancing efficacy. This paper reviews the status of cisplatin liposome both domestically and internationally which have entered clinical trials, including L-NDDP,SPI-077®, Lipoplatin®,LiPlaCis,SLIT and ILC, etc. Currently, only Lipoplatin® and ILC are showing good potential in cancer therapy. Although cisplatin liposome has made some progress in reducing systemic toxicity and improving treatment efficiency in clinical research, there is still potential for further improvement in tumor targeting and reducing side effects. In the future, more low-toxicity and efficient cisplatin liposomes can be developed through formulation technologies such as co-delivery liposome, stimuli-responsive liposome and targeting liposome.
6.Forty Cases of Mid-Stage Diabetes Kidney Disease Patients of Blood Stasis Syndrome Treated with Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方) as an Adjunct Therapy: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Yun MA ; Kaishuang WANG ; Shuang CAO ; Bingwu ZHAO ; Lu BAI ; Su WU ; Yuwei GAO ; Xinghua WANG ; Dong BIAN ; Zhiqiang CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):588-595
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huayu Tongluo Formula (化瘀通络方, HTF) in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome and explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety patients of mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome were divided into a control group of 46 cases and a treatment group of 44 cases. Both groups received conventional western medicine treatment, the treatment group additionally taking HTF, while the control group taking a placebo of the formula. The treatment was administered once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included 24-hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), serum albumin (Alb), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum creatinine (Scr).The secondary outcomes included changes in levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on TCM syndrome scores and overall disease outcomes. Adverse reactions and endpoint events were recorded. ResultsIn the treatment group after treatment, 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels significantly decreased (P<0.05), Alb and NO levels significantly increased (P<0.05); while the TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, numbness of limbs, dark purple lips, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse all significantly decreased (P<0.05). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in any of the indicators after treatment (P>0.05).Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant reductions in 24 h-UTP, ET-1, and VEGF levels, and increases in Alb and NO levels (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores for edema, lumbar pain, dark purple tongue or purpura, and thin, rough pulse were all lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 59.09% (26/44), and the overall clinical effective rate was 45.45% (20/44). In the control group, these rates were 15.22% (7/46) and 8.7% (4/46), respectively, with the treatment group showing significantly better outcomes (P<0.05). A total of 7 adverse events occurred across both groups, with no significant difference (P>0.05). No endpoint events occurred during the study. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional treatment of Western medicine, HTF can further reduce urinary protein levels and improve clinical symptoms in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome. The mechanism may be related to its effects on endothelial function.
7.Effects of silver needle comprehensive therapy on the ultrasonographic morphology of multifidus muscles in patients with lumbar disc herniation:an ultrasound morphologic assessment
Zhengpei CAO ; Shengsheng LU ; Jiahuan ZHANG ; Xiaoying WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2261-2267
BACKGROUND:Many studies have focused on acupuncture,such as silver needles,for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,but there are few studies based on the myofascial trigger point theory. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of silver needle comprehensive therapy on the ultrasound morphology and clinical efficacy of multifidus muscles in patients with lumbar disc herniation based on the theory of myofascial trigger points. METHODS:A total of 159 patients with lumbar disc herniation who were seen from January 2022 to April 2023 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into three groups:conventional group(n=53),traditional acupuncture group(n=53),and silver needle group(n=53).The conventional group received routine western medicine treatment;the traditional acupuncture group used traditional acupuncture therapy based on meridian pathways and symptom localization;and the silver needle group used silver needle warm acupuncture at myofascial trigger points for intervention.All three groups received continuous treatment for 4 weeks.The number of myofascial trigger points,pain assessment,lumbar function evaluation,ultrasound morphology changes of multifidus muscles,clinical efficacy,and traditional Chinese medicine symptom score were recorded before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After treatment,the number of myofascial trigger points in the lumbar muscles decreased in all groups,and the silver needle group showed a significant reduction compared with the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(2)The pain rating index score,visual analogue scale score,present pain intensity score,Oswestry disability index score,and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire score in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(3)The ultrasound morphology indexes of multifidus muscles in the silver needle group were superior to those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(4)Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(5)There were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups(P<0.05).To conclude,applying silver needle comprehensive therapy based on the theory of myofascial trigger points can effectively reduce pain,improve clinical efficacy,and enhance lumbar spine dysfunction and multifidus muscle morphology in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
8.Correlation between IL-6 , chemerin , lipid ratio and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yili LUO ; Han CAO ; Lu LIU ; Lijuan ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):45-48
Objective To investigate the correlation between insulin resistance and interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemerin, total cholesterol (TC)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C ratio, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratio and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to provide scientific basis for T2DM prevention and control. Methods A total of 355 obese T2DM patients in Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were selected from January 2021 to December 2023. IL-6, chemerin and lipids were detected, and the assessment of insulin resistance was conducted through the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results Among the 355 obese T2DM patients, there were 280 cases of insulin resistance, with the incidence rate of 78.87%. The BMI, IL-6, chemerin, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C in the insulin resistance group were higher than those in the non-insulin resistance group (P<0.05). The above insulin resistant patients were divided into 4 subgroups by means of insulin resistance, and there were significant differences in BMI, IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C among the subgroups (P<0.05). IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C were positively correlated with HOMA-IR in obese T2DM patients (P<0.05), while TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C had no significant correlation with HOMA-IR (P>0.05). BMI, IL-6, chemerin, and TG/HDL-C were all influencing factors of insulin resistance in obese T2DM patients (P<0.05). Conclusion IL-6, chemerin and TG/HDL-C are correlated with insulin resistance in obese patients with T2DM and are influencing factors for the occurrence of insulin resistance.
9.Characterization of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease–related hepatocellular carcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid
Yi DONG ; Juan CHENG ; Yun-Lin HUANG ; Yi-Jie QIU ; Jia-Ying CAO ; Xiu-Yun LU ; Wen-Ping WANG ; Kathleen MÖLLER ; Christoph F. DIETRICH
Ultrasonography 2025;44(3):232-242
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Methods:
In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics.
Results:
From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds.
Conclusion
Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.
10.Characterization of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease–related hepatocellular carcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid
Yi DONG ; Juan CHENG ; Yun-Lin HUANG ; Yi-Jie QIU ; Jia-Ying CAO ; Xiu-Yun LU ; Wen-Ping WANG ; Kathleen MÖLLER ; Christoph F. DIETRICH
Ultrasonography 2025;44(3):232-242
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Methods:
In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics.
Results:
From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds.
Conclusion
Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.


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