1.Clinical Efficacy of Tangning Tongluo Tablets for Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Fuwen ZHANG ; Junguo DUAN ; Wen XIA ; Tiantian SUN ; Yuheng SHI ; Shicui MEI ; Xiangxia LUO ; Xing LI ; Yujie PAN ; Yong DENG ; Chuanlian RAN ; Hao CHEN ; Li PEI ; Shuyu YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):132-139
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study, which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group (120 cases) and a control group (120 cases). The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets, and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision, DR progression rate, retinal microhemangioma, hemorrhage area, exudation area, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment, and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than the control group (P<0.05). The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups, while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group (Z=-1.437, P<0.05) and the control group (Z=-2.238, P<0.05), and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged, the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time, both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR, being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.
2.Mechanism of puerarin improving myocardial contractile function in myocardial hypertrophy by inhibiting ferroptosis via Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Yan-Dong LIU ; Wei QIAO ; Zhao-Hui PEI ; Guo-Liang SONG ; Wei JIN ; Wei-Bing ZHONG ; Qin-Qin DENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4679-4689
This study aims to explore the specific mechanism by which puerarin inhibits ferroptosis and improves the myocardial contractile function in myocardial hypertrophy through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signaling pathway. The hypertrophic cardiomyocyte model was established using phenylephrine, and H9c2 cells were divided into control group, model group, puerarin group, and puerarin+ML385 group. Cell viability and surface area were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) and immunofluorescence experiments. The mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca~(2+) concentration were measured. The ferroptosis-related indicators were detected by biochemical and fluorescence staining methods. The expression of proteins related to ferroptosis and the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. A myocardial hypertrophy model was established, and 40 rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, puerarin group, and puerarin+Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385) group, with 10 rats in each group. Echocardiogram, hemodynamic parameters, and myocardial hypertrophy parameters were measured. Histopathological changes of myocardial tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining. Biochemical methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and fluorescence staining were used to detect inflammatory factors and ferroptosis-related indicators. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of proteins related to ferroptosis and the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway. Cell experiments showed that puerarin intervention significantly enhanced the viability of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, reduced their surface area, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca~(2+) homeostasis. Mechanism studies revealed that puerarin promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation, upregulated the expression of HO-1, solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and decreased malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS), and iron levels. These protective effects were reversed by ML385. In animal experiments, puerarin improved cardiac function in rats with myocardial hypertrophy, alleviated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, inhibited inflammatory responses and ferroptosis, and promoted nuclear Nrf2 translocation and HO-1 expression. However, combined intervention with ML385 led to deterioration of hemodynamics and a rebound in ferroptosis marker levels. In conclusion, puerarin may inhibit cardiomyocyte ferroptosis through the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby improving myocardial contractile function in myocardial hypertrophy.
Animals
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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Rats
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Isoflavones/pharmacology*
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Cardiomegaly/genetics*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
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Antioxidant Response Elements/drug effects*
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Myocardial Contraction/drug effects*
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Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*
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Cell Line
3.Effects of behavior change intervention based on multiple-theory model in patients with dyslipidemic ischemic stroke
Jing WANG ; Yitong CHEN ; Meiru WU ; Meixia YANG ; Shanshan PEI ; Yongmei DENG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(16):46-50
Objective To explore the effects of behavior change intervention based on the multi-ple-theory model on patients with dyslipidemic ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 93 patients with dyslipidemic ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in the vascular neurology ward of Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University from January to August 2024 were selected as the study subjects using the convenience sampling method.They were randomly divided into control group(n=49)and intervention group(n=44)using the envelope-drawing method.Patients in the control group re-ceived routine stroke health education,while those in the intervention group underwent a 3-month be-havior change program guided by the multiple-theory model.The levels of healthy behaviors,body mass index(BMI),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C)were compared between the two groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences in general information and disease-related data between the two groups(P>0.05).At 1-,3-,and 6-month after the intervention,the level of healthy behaviors in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group,with statistically significant differ-ences(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in BMI between the two groups at 6 months after the intervention(P<0.05).The TC levels in the intervention group at 3 and 6 months after the intervention were lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The HDL-C level in the intervention group at 6 months after the intervention was high-er than that in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The LDL-C levels in the intervention group at 1-,3-,and 6-month after the intervention were lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in TG levels between the intervention group and the control group at different time points after the intervention(P>0.05).Conclusion The behavior change intervention pro-gram based on the multiple-theory model can effectively improve and maintain healthy behaviors and improve blood lipid levels in patients with dyslipidemic ischemic stroke.
4.Clinical Application and Quality Analysis of Classical Formula Xiaoyaowan: A Review
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):272-281
Xiaoyaowan has the effects of soothing the liver, invigorating the spleen, regulating menstruation, and nourishing blood. It is often used to treat the distending pain of the chest and hypochondriac, loss of appetite, dizziness, and irregular menstruation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency. The formula originated from the Sinisan of Treatise on Cold Damage(《伤寒论》) in the Han dynasty and was officially formulated in the Song dynasty's Taiping Royal Prescriptions(《太平惠民合计局方》). In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was developed into more comprehensive formulas such as modified Bazhentang, modified Xiaoyaowan, and other formulas. In recent years, Xiaoyaowan has become a classic formula for treating many symptoms of liver depression. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(《中华人民共和国药典》), 2020 edition, records Xiaoyaowan and modified Xiaoyaowan. Modern clinical research has further expanded the therapeutic range of this formula. Through literature research, it is found that there are certain reports on the clinical application and quality analysis of Xiaoyaowan, but the relevant literature lacks collation so far. Therefore, relevant literature was consulted and sorted out. The paper summarized the treatment of mammary hyperplasia, depression, irregular menstruation, melasma, menopausal syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome with Xiaoyaowan, as well as the quality analysis of paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, and glycyrrhizinic acid of Xiaoyaowan. It is expected to lay a foundation for further research on clinical application, pharmacodynamic mechanism, and quality control of this classic formula.
5.Construction, reliability and validity of a professional identity questionnaire for psychiatrists
Pei HE ; Xintong DENG ; Longtao HE ; Rui YANG ; Junmei WANG ; Fangyu DENG
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(2):144-149
BackgroundDomestic researches on the professional identity of psychiatrists are still relatively rare up to now, and effective evaluation tools remain inadequate. ObjectiveTo construct a professional identity questionnaire for psychiatrists with high reliability and validity, so as to provide an effective tool for the evaluation of professional identity of psychiatrists. MethodsA self-designed questionnaire titled "Professional Identity Questionnaire" was compiled. After preliminary screening of items and expert consultation, an initial questionnaire was formed and administered to a sample of 400 psychiatrists, and the final questionnaire was assessed by item analysis, reliability analysis and validity analysis. ResultsThe Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.930 for the final questionnaire, and ranged from 0.817 to 0.920 for each dimension. The value of KMO was 0.904 (χ2=2 931.652, P<0.01). The cumulative variance contribution rate of factors extracted from exploratory factor analysis was 68.306%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the integrity of fit indexes were χ2/df=1.234, GFI=0.905, NFI=0.916, RMSEA=0.036, CFI=0.983, IFI=0.983. The final version of the professional identity questionnaire for psychiatrists consisted of 23 items relating to 4 dimensions, namely, professional cognition, professional behavior, professional emotion and professional values. ConclusionThe professional identity questionnaire for psychiatrists has good reliability and validity, and can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the professional identity of psychiatrists. [Funded by Foundation of Sichuan Research Center of Applied Psychology of Chengdu Medical College (number, CSXL-22304); Science and Technology Guiding Plan Project of Guangyuan City (number, 22ZDYF0072)]
6.Effect and mechanism of vitamin K2 on vascular calcification in type 2 diabetic rats
Lili DENG ; Minghui LI ; Ye YU ; Jie WU ; Chen YANG ; Xiucong PEI ; Lianying GUO
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(5):490-496
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of vitamin K2 on vascular calcification in a type 2 diabetes rat model.Methods:Thirty male Wistar rats,6 weeks old,were acclimatized for 7 days.Ten rats were randomly selected as the negative control group,fed a normal diet,and injected with an equal amount of citrate buffer.The remaining rats were fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks,and then type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.After successful induction of the diabetes model,the diabetic rats were numbered by body weight and divided into the diabetes group and the diabetes+vitamin K2 group according to the principle of stratified random grouping.These two groups were fed a high-fat diet and a high-fat diet containing vitamin K2,respectively,while the control group continued to be fed a normal diet.After 13 weeks of feeding,the rats were sacrificed for sample collection,and blood glucose and vascular calcium concentration were measured.Von Kossa staining was used for histopathological detection.The relative expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4(PDK4),matrix Gla protein(MGP),and bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)mRNA and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results:Compared with the control group,blood glucose levels in the diabetes group and diabetes+vitamin K2 group were significantly elevated(P<0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups.There was no significant difference in vascular calcium concentration among the three groups(P>0.05).Von Kossa staining showed that the control group exhibited normal vascular structures,while the diabetes group showed a large number of brown-black calcification plaques between elastic fibers in the vascular media.The diabetes+vitamin K2 group had either no calcification plaques or only a few brown-black calcification plaques.Compared with the control group,the expression levels of PDK4,MGP,and BMP-2 mRNA and proteins were higher in the diabetes group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the expression level of HIF-1α.Only the expression level of PKD4 protein had significance between the control group and diabetes+vitamin K2 group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the above indexes between the diabetic group and diabetic+vitamin K2 group(P>0.05).Conclusions:Type 2 diabetes mellitus may cause vascular calcification by increasing the expression of PDK4,which in turn leads to increased expression of BMP-2 and MGP.Vitamin K2 can inhibit vascular calcification in diabetes.
7.Study on the antifungal activity and mechanism of Huangqin decoction against Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Chengying SHEN ; Zhong LUO ; Pei ZHANG ; Fengyi DENG ; Baode SHEN ; Jianxin HU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):311-315
OBJECTIVE To study the antifungal activity of Huangqin decoction (HQD) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and explore its mechanism. METHODS Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC), mycelial length, spore germination rate, biomass and mycelium ultrastructure observation were performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of HQD against T. mentagrophytes. The effects of HQD on the cell wall of T. mentagrophytes were detected through sorbitol protection experiment. By measuring the content of ergosterol and the activities of squalene epoxide (SE) and lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), the activity of HQD on the cell membrane of T. mentagrophytes was investigated. The effects of HQD on T. mentagrophytes mitochondria were investigated by determining the activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and ATPases (including sodium potassium ATPase, calcium magnesium ATPase, and total ATPase). RESULTS HQD exhibited significant antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes with MIC of 3.13 mg/mL and MFC of 25 mg/mL. After intervention with HQD, the mycelial length of T. mentagrophytes was significantly shortened (P<0.05); spore germination rate, biomass, the content of ergosterol in the cell membrane, the activities of SE and CYP51 in the cell membrane and MDH, SDH and ATPase in mitochondria were all decreased significantly (P<0.05); cell structure had been ;damaged to a certain extent, but the integrity of the cell wall had not been affected. CONCLUSIONS HQD shows significant antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the 0791- content of ergosterol in the cell membrane and the activities of SE, CYP51, and mitochondria-related enzymes.
8.Induction of apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea
Zhihui FENG ; Yiqing DENG ; Bing YE ; Pei AN ; Hong ZHANG ; Haijun ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2024;42(6):253-259
Objective To investigate the effect of the petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells.Methods After breast cancer cells were incubated with the petroleum ether extract for different times,cell viability was analyzed by CCK8 assay,cell proliferation was detected by plate cloning test,nuclear morphology was observed by DAPI staining,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were determined by immunofluorescence,and the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.After incubating with the extract for 24 h,the CCK8 assay was used to observe the toxicity to normal human vascular endothelial cells.Results The IC50 of BT549 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines treated with the petroleum ether extract for 24 h were 45.40 μg/ml and 12.23 μg/ml,respectively.The extract time and dose dependently inhibited breast cancer cell viability and clonal formation,induced cell apoptosis and cycle arrest in G1/S phase,decreased MMP and increased ROS levels.There was no toxic effect on normal endothelial cells.Conclusion The petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea may induce apoptosis by increasing ROS to cause MMP collapse,followed by activating mitochondrial pathway,thereby hindering the growth of breast cancer cells.These results could support the application of Sageretia thea to anti-breast tumor in the folk.
9.A Prognostic Model Based on Colony Stimulating Factors-related Genes in Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Yu-Xuan GUO ; Zhi-Yu WANG ; Pei-Yao XIAO ; Chan-Juan ZHENG ; Shu-Jun FU ; Guang-Chun HE ; Jun LONG ; Jie WANG ; Xi-Yun DENG ; Yi-An WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(10):2741-2756
ObjectiveTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the worst prognosis, and lacks effective therapeutic targets. Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are cytokines that can regulate the production of blood cells and stimulate the growth and development of immune cells, playing an important role in the malignant progression of TNBC. This article aims to construct a novel prognostic model based on the expression of colony stimulating factors-related genes (CRGs), and analyze the sensitivity of TNBC patients to immunotherapy and drug therapy. MethodsWe downloaded CRGs from public databases and screened for differentially expressed CRGs between normal and TNBC tissues in the TCGA-BRCA database. Through LASSO Cox regression analysis, we constructed a prognostic model and stratified TNBC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the colony stimulating factors-related genes risk score (CRRS). We further analyzed the correlation between CRRS and patient prognosis, clinical features, tumor microenvironment (TME) in both high-risk and low-risk groups, and evaluated the relationship between CRRS and sensitivity to immunotherapy and drug therapy. ResultsWe identified 842 differentially expressed CRGs in breast cancer tissues of TNBC patients and selected 13 CRGs for constructing the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and other analyses confirmed that TNBC patients with high CRRS had shorter overall survival, and the predictive ability of CRRS prognostic model was further validated using the GEO dataset. Nomogram combining clinical features confirmed that CRRS was an independent factor for the prognosis of TNBC patients. Moreover, patients in the high-risk group had lower levels of immune infiltration in the TME and were sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, ipatasertib, and paclitaxel. ConclusionWe have developed a CRRS-based prognostic model composed of 13 differentially expressed CRGs, which may serve as a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of TNBC patients and guiding clinical treatment. Moreover, the key genes within this model may represent potential molecular targets for future therapies of TNBC.
10.Summary Analysis of National Surveillance on Kashin-Beck Disease from 1990 to 2023
Cui SILU ; Liu HUI ; Pei JUNRUI ; Li JIAXIN ; Jiao ZHE ; Deng QING ; Liu NING ; Cao YANHONG ; Yu JUN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(9):1056-1066
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China,and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Fixed-point monitoring,moving-point monitoring,and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7-12 years old) underwent clinical and right-hand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria,clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis. Results In 1990,the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01%. X-ray detection decreased to below 10% in 2003 and below 5% in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018,the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4%,which fluctuated at a low level,and has decreased to 0% since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas. Conclusion The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care.

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