1.Mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine in modulating gut microbiota on primary open-angle glaucoma: a study based on data mining, network pharmacology, and Mendelian randomization
Yu TANG ; Bingyao ZHU ; Qianhong LIU ; Kai WU ; Pai ZHOU ; Xiaolei YAO ; Qinghua PENG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):491-503
Objective:
To elucidate the potential mechanisms by which Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) regulates gut microbiota (GM) to influence the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Methods:
Data mining, network pharmacology, and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses (two-sample design) were conducted in integration to systematically explore the CHM-GM-POAG axis. Literature-based data mining method was applied to identify frequently used herbs and herb pairs for POAG, and the properties and meridian tropism of the herbs were analyzed as well. Target prediction and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify shared molecular pathways among CHM components, GM, and POAG. MR analysis was performed to assess the genetically predicted causal associations between specific microbial taxa and POAG risk.
Results:
Our data mining work indicated that commonly used CHMs were mainly bitter and sweet in flavors and cold in property, with meridian tropism toward the liver, lung, and kidney. The predominant therapeutic effects of the CHMs included soothing the liver and regulating Qi, promoting blood circulation, and reducing fluid retention. Representative herb pairs were Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata)-Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Gouqi (Lycii Fructus)-Fuling (Poria) with Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos)-Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). Network pharmacology revealed overlapping targets involving antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation pathways. MR analysis demonstrated that higher abundances of Ruminiclostridium 6 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58 – 0.92, P = 0.007], Ruminococcaceae UCG-002 (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63 – 0.96, P = 0.018), Ruminococcus torques group (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57 – 0.90, P = 0.004), and Victivallis (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70 – 0.96, P = 0.016) were causally associated with reduced POAG risk, whereas Actinomyces (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06 – 1.68, P = 0.013) and Blautia (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.90, P = 0.042) showed positive associations.
Conclusion
This study revealed potential causal links between GM and POAG and provided integrative evidence that CHM may modulate the microbiota to exert neuroprotective effects. These findings offer new integrative insights into the gut-eye axis and a theoretical basis for developing microbiota-targeted CHM strategies in glaucoma management.
2.Progress in the application of neurosonography in monitoring the patients with acute ischemic stroke after receiving mechanical thrombectomy
Pai PENG ; Hong ZHU ; Yongsheng LIU ; Mingyi WANG ; Yongjian LIU ; Feng WANG
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2024;33(2):202-207
At present,mechanical thrombectomy(MT)is the most effective means of achieving vascular recanalization in treating acute ischemic stroke(AIS)caused by large vessel occlusion.However,the monitoring and management of the patient's complications after MT has become a thorny clinical problem and it has attracted wide attention.Being of its non-invasive,flexible and quick diagnosis,and other advantages,the neurosonography has already established a perfect system in the evaluation and monitoring field of cerebral hemodynamic and structural pathology.With the innovation in technology and equipment,the guiding mode for non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure,autoregulation of cerebral blood flow,monitoring of intracranial hemorrhage and detection of other space-occupying lesions has been used for AIS patients,which has gradually become an important tool for the postoperative management of MT.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the application of neurosonography monitoring technology in AIS patients after MT,so as to provide a basis for the clinical implementation of prospective interventions,to enable AIS patients to obtain the maximum benefits from the postoperative management of MT,and to reduce the mortality of AIS patients.
3.Multiparametric quantitative MRI for diagnosis of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy complicated with dysthyroid optic neuropathy
Pai PENG ; Xinyi GOU ; Tianyuan LI ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jin CHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(11):1667-1671
Objective To observe the value of multiparametric quantitative MRI for diagnosis of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)complicated with dysthyroid optic neuropathy(DON).Methods Fifty-five TAO patients with 109 affected eyes were retrospectively enrolled and divided into DON group(22 cases with 44 affected eyes)and non DON group(33 cases with 65 affected eyes)based on complicated with DON or not.Clinical data and multiparametric quantitative MRI indicators were compared between groups.The influencing factors of TAO complicated with DON were screened with logistic regression to establish a model,and the diagnostic efficacy of the model was observed.Results Significant differences of the course of disease,degree of eyeball protrusion,muscle index,as well as the number,thickness,T1 value,T2 value,fat fraction and orbital fat water fraction of thickened extraocular muscle were found between groups(all P<0.05).T1 value and orbital fat water fraction of thickened extraocular muscle were both independent influencing factors of TAO complicated with DON,with the area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing TAO complicated with DON of 0.859 and 0.868,respectively,and AUC of the combined diagnosis of the two was 0.922,significantly higher than orbital fat water fraction alone(P=0.034)but not significantly different with that of T1 value alone(P=0.851).Conclusion T1 value and orbital fat water fraction of thickened extraocular muscle based on multiparametric quantitative MRI were helpful for diagnosing TAO complicated with DON.
4.Study on molecular mechanism of etomidate by promoting expression of miR-142-3p to reduce hypoxia-induced neuro-inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in PC12 cells
Lei SHEN ; Mingxia LI ; Pai PENG ; Junge ZHOU ; Jun YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2023;39(12):2489-2493
Objective:To investigate whether etomidate affects inflammatory response and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by hypoxia by regulating miR-142-3p.Methods:PC12 cells were pretreated with different doses(2,6,12 μmol/L)of etomidate to establish hypoxia model;PC12 cells that transfected with miR-142-3p mimics or inhibitors were pretreated with 0 or 12 μmol/L of etomidate to establish hypoxia model.Cell viability,apoptosis and protein(CyclinD1,Cleaved-caspase-3)expressions were detected by CCK-8 method,flow cytometry and Western blot,respectively.ELISA was used to detect levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6.Expression of miR-142-3p was detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Etomidate increased hypoxia-induced PC12 cells activity and expres-sion of CyclinD1 protein and miR-142-3p,while decreased cell apoptosis rate,Cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression and levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6(P<0.05).Up-regulation of miR-142-3p increased activity and expression of CyclinD1 pro-tein of hypoxia-induced PC12 cells,while decreased cell apoptosis rate,Cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression and levels of inflamma-tory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6(P<0.05).Down-regulation of miR-142-3p reversed effects of etomidate on hypoxia-induced PC12 cell activity,apoptosis and expressions of inflammatory factors(P<0.05).Conclusion:Etomidate can reduce inflammatory response and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by hypoxia,and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of miR-142-3p expression in cells.
8.Protective Effect of Wutou Chishizhi Wan on Vascular Endothelial Cells and Oxidative Stress in Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Rats
Meng-ni WANG ; Lu-lu XIE ; Zhao-peng ZHANG ; Bing LING ; Zhi-hui LIN ; Pai LIU ; Jun-peng GUO ; Hong-yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2020;26(21):40-47
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Wutou Chishizhi Wan on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats, and observe its effect on such mechanisms as coagulation function, vascular endothelial cells and oxidative stress in rats. Method:A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive drug group (Urokinase group) and Wutou Chishizhi Wan group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury models were established. The changes of heart rate (HR) at 10 min before ischemia, 30 min after ischemia and 30, 60, 120 min (T0,T1,T2,T3,T4), and the change of electrocardiogram (ECG) J point after modeling in rats were observed. The pathological changes of rat myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The changes of four indexes of coagulation [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen content decreased significantly (FIB)] in rats were observed. The contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in serum and myocardium levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of MIRI rats were observed. Western blot assay was used for the detection of oxidative stress protein Keap1 and transcription factor-E2-related factor (Nrf2) expression levels in rat myocardial tissue. Result:Compared with the normal group, the ECG of MIRI rats showed significant myocardial ischemic injury-like changes, ST segment was significantly elevated, J point was significantly increased, and the incidences of HR in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were significantly reduced (
9.Effect of Xiao Jianzhongtang on AMPK/PGC1-α Signal Pathway in Skeletal Muscle of Exercise Fatigue Mice
Zhi-hui LIN ; Qing-ying ZHOU ; Meng-ni WANG ; Bing LING ; Pai LIU ; Jun-peng GUO ; Hong-yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2020;26(13):73-78
Objective:To observe the effect of Xiao Jianzhongtang on Adenylate-activated protein kinase/peroxidase proliferation-activated receptor coactivator 1-
10.One-stop strategy for treatment of atrial fibrillation: feasibility and safety of combining catheter ablation and left atrial appendage closure in a single procedure.
Mu CHEN ; Zhi-Quan WANG ; Qun-Shan WANG ; Jian SUN ; Peng-Pai ZHANG ; Xiang-Fei FENG ; Wei LI ; Ying YU ; Bo LIU ; Bin-Feng MO ; Rui ZHANG ; Mei YANG ; Chang-Qi GONG ; Ming-Zhe ZHAO ; Yi-Chi YU ; Yan ZHAO ; Qiu-Fen LU ; Yi-Gang LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2020;133(12):1422-1428
BACKGROUND:
Catheter ablation is effective in restoring sinus rhythm and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is increasingly used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to observe the feasibility and safety of performing AF ablation and LAAC in a single (one-stop) procedure.
METHODS:
Consecutive AF patients who underwent the combined procedure of AF ablation and LAAC with WATCHMAN device between March 2017 and September 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Baseline and intra-procedural parameters were evaluated. Three-month and subsequent 1-year follow-up were performed in all and earlier-enrolled subjects, respectively.
RESULTS:
A total of 178 AF patients (94 males, 68.9 ± 8.1 years) underwent the one-stop procedure with CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.3 ± 1.5 and HAS-BLED score 1.6 ± 1.0, respectively. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all patients while additional linear ablation was applied if the operator deemed necessary, yielding immediate ablation success rate of 98.9% (176/178). In the subsequent LAAC, satisfactory seal (residual leak <5 mm) was achieved in all patients. One stroke and four cardiac perforations occurred peri-operatively. At 3-month follow-up, sinus rhythm and satisfactory seal were maintained in 153/178 (86.0%) and 178/178 (100%) patients, respectively. One stroke and one delayed cardiac tamponade occurred, while no device-related thrombus or device migration was observed. During the 1-year follow-up for the earlier enrolled subjects, 52/72 (72.2%) of the patients maintained sinus rhythm. There was no stroke or systemic embolism observed.
CONCLUSION
Combining catheter ablation and LAAC in a single procedure can be successfully and safely performed in non-valvular AF patients of Chinese population.

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