1.Mechanism Study of Yinchenhao Tang Regulating Fas/Caspase-8/Caspase-3 Signaling Pathway to Improve Cholestatic Liver Injury
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Linjing SHE ; Yinpei TANG ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang regulating the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas)/cysteine protease-8 (Caspase-8)/cysteine protease-3 (Caspase-3) signaling pathway to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis and improve cholestatic liver injury (CLI). MethodsAmong 48 Wistar rats,12 rats were randomly selected as the blank group,and the other rats were administered alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate (ANIT) by gavage to induce a CLI model. The modeling rats were randomly divided into the model group, the ursodeoxycholic acid group(0.1 g·kg-1) and the Yinchenhao Tang group(9.23 g·kg-1),with 12 rats in each group. The rats in each group were given corresponding drugs by gavage for three consecutive days. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT),total bilirubin (TBil) and total bile acid (TBA) in serum were detected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in liver tissue were detected. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas,Caspase-8,Caspase-3,B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) associated X protein (Bax) and Bcl-2 in liver tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with those in the blank group,the levels of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA and TBil in serum of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). The arrangement of hepatocytes was disordered,and inflammatory cell infiltration and bile duct epithelial cell proliferation were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas,Caspase-8,Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group,the levels of ALP,γ-GT,TBA and TBil in the serum of rats in the ursodeoxycholic acid group were significantly decreased. The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of Fas,Caspase-8,Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased (P<0.05,). The levels of ALT,AST,γ-GT,TBA and TBil in the serum of rats in the Yinchenhao Tang group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The levels and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The protein expression of Fas and Bax and the mRNA expression of Fas,Caspase-8,Caspase-3 and Bax in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01),while the protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Hepatocyte injury,inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells were reduced. ConclusionYinchenhao Tang can ameliorate CLI,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis mediated by the Fas/Caspase-8/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.
2.Mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang in Improving Cholestatic Liver Injury by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway Through FXR
Zhengwang ZHU ; Yang YANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Linlin WANG ; Yinpei TANG ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):47-54
ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Yinchenhao Tang on the improvement of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) by inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway via regulating farnesol X receptor (FXR). MethodsA total of 40 Wistar male rats were randomly selected, with 10 as a blank group,and the remaining rats were subjected to the CLI model induced by alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate (ANIT). After modeling,they were randomly divided into the model group, the ursodeoxycholic acid (0.1 g·kg-1) group and the Yinchenhao Tang (9.23 g·kg-1) group,with 10 animals in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding drug by intragastric administration for three consecutive days. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT),total bile acid (TBA),total bilirubin (TBil) and direct bilirubin (DBil) levels in serum were detected. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1β (IL-1β),and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in liver tissue were detected. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of FXR,TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB,F4/80,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect protein expression of FXR,TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB in liver tissue. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group,ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA,TBil and DBil levels in serum of rats in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01),and the mRNA and protein expressions of FXR in liver tissue were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB and the mRNA expression of F4/80 were obviously increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). Hepatic histopathology showed inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferative changes of bile duct epithelial cells. Compared with those in the model group,ALT,ALP,γ-GT,TBA,TBil and DBil levels in serum of rats in the ursodeoxycholic acid group were obviously decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01),and the levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were obviously decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB and the mRNA expression of F4/80 in liver tissue were obviously decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA,TBil and DBil levels in the serum of rats in the Yinchenhao Tang group were obviously decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01),and the levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue were obviously decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of FXR in liver tissue were significantly increased,and the mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB,and F4/80, as well as the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB were obviously decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The inflammatory cell infiltration of liver tissue and the proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells decreased. ConclusionYinchenhao Tang has an obvious protective effect on CLI,and its mechanism may be related to regulating FXR to inhibit TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway-mediated inflammatory response.
3.The influencing factors of hyperacusis in normal hearing population and the construction of a nomo-gram prediction model
Yao CHENG ; Qingchun PAN ; Bei LI ; Yuanling WANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Xiaoming TANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(5):448-454
Objective To investigate the influencing factors of auditory hypersensitivity in normal hearing population and build a risk nomogram model according to the results,so as to provide scientific basis for early identi-fication of high risk population and formulation of prevention strategy.Methods A total of 410 volunteers with nor-mal pure tone hearing were recruited from March to July 2024.The hyperacusis questionnaire(HQ)was used to as-sess the audiroty hypersensitivity of the subjects.The participants were divided into a training set(n=287)and a validation set(n=123)according to a ratio of 7∶3.Binary Logistic model was used to construct risk model and no-mogram.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration curve,clinical decision curve(DCA)and clinical impact curve were used to verify the differentiation,accuracy and clinical applicability of the model,respectively.Results Among 410 participants,54(13.17%)had hyperacusis including 38(13.24%)in the training set amd 16(13.01)in the validation set.LASSO regression and Logistic regression analysis showed that tinnitus(OR=3.784,95%CI=1.627-8.804),HADS-A(OR=3.860,95%CI=1.503-9.913),HADS-D(OR=3.118,95%CI=1.249-7.785),migraine(OR=2.821,95%CI=1.147-6.937)and noise exposure histo-ry(OR=3.799,95%CI=1.715-8.416)were the influential factors for hyperacusis in participants with normal hearing.Conclusion The incidence of hyperacusis in normal hearing population is 13.17%.Tinnitus,HADS-A,HADS-D,migraine and noise exposure history are related to the occurrence of hyperacusis in normal hearing popula-tion.The risk prediction nomogram model based on the above factors has good differentiation and calibration degree.It can effectively predict the risk of hyperacusis in normal hearing people,and has certain clinical practicability.
4.Recent advance in application of epidural spinal cord stimulation in motor dysfunction
Tan ZHANG ; Yitong JIA ; Nan WANG ; Qiheng HE ; Qingchun MOU ; Liqun YUAN ; Rujun LI ; Yi YANG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(8):851-856
Epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) represents an emerging neuromodulation technology that ameliorates motor dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and stroke by activating sensory afferent fibers, enhancing spinal cord neural network integration, optimizing brain-spinal cord information transmission, and inducing neural plasticity. This article reviews the mechanism, electrode implantation, and stimulation parameter of eSCS, and application of eSCS in spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, aiming to provide valuable insight for its clinical implementation.
5.The short-term effect of multielement intergration sound on tinnitus and its influence on HbO con-centration in frontal polar cortex
Qingchun PAN ; Bei LI ; Xueqin MI ; Xiaoying SONG ; Xiaoming TANG ; Yuanling WANG ; Jing ZHANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(4):348-352
Objective To identify the hemodynamic characteristics of frontal polar cortex(FPC)in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus,and to study the short-term efficacy of multielement integration sound(MIS)treatment,and its effects on FPC oxyhemoglobin(HbO).Methods Fifty patients with chronic subjective tinnitus(tinnitus group)and 50 subjects without tinnitus matching their age,sex and education level(control group)were collected from June 2023 to Oc-tober 2023.The tinnitus group and control group received MIS treatment for 15 minutes,respectively.Tinnitus handicap inventory(THI)and visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were collected before and after treatment in tinnitus group.Func-tional near infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)was used to measure the 8-minute average HbO concentration in the frontal cortex of both groups before and after treatment.The changes of HbO concentration before and after treatment were compared be-tween the two groups.The correlation between clinical features and HbO was analyzed.Results The VAS score of the tin-nitus group decreased after short-term MIS treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was higher than that in control group before treatment.The HbO concentration of FPC in tinnitus group was decreased by MIS short-term treatment.The difference of HbO concentration before and after treatment(ΔHbO)was positively correlated with the difference of VAS score before and after treatment(ΔVAS)in the tinnitus group.Conclusion The hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients is different from that of in non-tinnitus control group.MIS can change the hemodynamics of the frontal polar cortex in chronic subjective tinnitus patients.The frontal polar cortex may be the site of MIS.
6.Formulation and Analysis of Clinical Pharmacist Teacher Training Standard
Ping LIN ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Yangui XU ; Pinfang HUANG ; Xin HUANG ; Qingchun ZHAO ; Ying ZHOU ; Jin LU ; Jing LIU ; Li YOU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):404-407
Clinical pharmacist teacher training is an important mean to improve the quality of clinical pharmacy talent cultivation and ensure the service ability and level of the clinical pharmacist team.The Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Practice in Healthcare Institutions-Part 4-8-2:Pharmacy Administration-Pharmacy Training Management-Clinical Pharmacist Teacher Training was based on the newly revised management document for clinical pharmacist teacher training of the Chinese Hospital Association.After sorting out relevant materials,such as standards,policies and regulations,technical specifications,liter-ature,documents of the Chinese Hospital Association,expert opinions,and the current situation of clinical pharmacist teacher training in China,the standard was formulated.In the standard,12 key elements,which can be divided into 3 parts of base manage-ment,training process and assessment,quality management and evaluation improvement,were standardized.This article aimed to introduce the construction method and content of the standard,to facilitate the understanding of the standard content for medical institutions which joined or willing to join the clinical pharmacist teacher training base,and to provide a reference for other medi-cal institutions to carry out related work.
7.Role of bile acids-gut microbiota interaction in the pathogenesis and treatment of cholestasis
Yinpei Tang ; Zhengwang Zhu ; Pingsheng Zhu ; Qingchun Cai ; Bing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):578-583
Abstract
Cholestasis can be seen in many acute and chronic liver diseases. If not intervened in time, persistent cholestasis can further progress to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death. The pathogenesis of cholestasis is complex, and there is currently a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. Bile acids(BAs), the main component of bile, are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver as primary bile acids. After entering the intestine through the enterohepatic circulation, they are reshaped into secondary bile acids by gut microbiota. BAs can directly or indirectly affect the composition and function of gut microbiota, which in turn can regulate the synthesis and metabolism of BAs. The interaction between BAs and gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of cholestasis. This review elucidates the bidirectional regulatory mechanisms between BAs and gut microbiota and their roles in the pathogenesis and treatment of cholestasis, aiming to provide insights and references for basic research and clinical practice related to cholestasis-associated diseases.
8.A practice guideline for therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid for solid organ transplants.
Shuang LIU ; Hongsheng CHEN ; Zaiwei SONG ; Qi GUO ; Xianglin ZHANG ; Bingyi SHI ; Suodi ZHAI ; Lingli ZHANG ; Liyan MIAO ; Liyan CUI ; Xiao CHEN ; Yalin DONG ; Weihong GE ; Xiaofei HOU ; Ling JIANG ; Long LIU ; Lihong LIU ; Maobai LIU ; Tao LIN ; Xiaoyang LU ; Lulin MA ; Changxi WANG ; Jianyong WU ; Wei WANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Ting XU ; Wujun XUE ; Bikui ZHANG ; Guanren ZHAO ; Jun ZHANG ; Limei ZHAO ; Qingchun ZHAO ; Xiaojian ZHANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Rongsheng ZHAO
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(9):897-914
Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C0), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug-drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage*
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Drug Monitoring/methods*
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Humans
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Organ Transplantation
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Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage*
;
Delphi Technique
9.Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of vestibular migraine patients with sleep disorders.
Qingchun PAN ; Bei LI ; Jing ZHANG ; Yuanling WANG ; Xiaoming TANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):817-823
Objective:To investigate the sleep characteristics and clinical features of patients with vestibular migraine(VM), and to explore the influencing factors of sleep disorder in VM patients. Methods:A cross-sectional study method was adopted to collect VM patients from Otolaryngology department and neurology department of our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024(divided into sleep disorder group and non-sleep disorder group according to whether there is sleep disorder) as the experimental group, and recruit non-VM volunteers with clinical characteristics matching with the experimental group during the same period as the control group. The clinical data of the subjects were collected, and the sleep quality of the subjects was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). The influencing factors of sleep disorders in VM patients were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression, and the correlation between sleep disorders and clinical features such as headache, vertigo and hearing in VM patients was analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient. Results:A total of 530 individuals with VM were analyzed, including 332 with sleep disturbances(62.64%), 198 without sleep issues(37.36%), and 50 in the control group. The overall PSQI score and all its components were significantly higher in the VM group compared with the control group(P<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between PSQI and VAS, DHI-T, DHI-E, DHI-F and DHI-P(r=0.797, P<0.05; r=0.834, P<0.05; r=0.794, P<0.05; r=0.771, P<0.05; r=0.877, P<0.05), PSQI had no correlation with pure tone hearing(r=0.324, P=0.167). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female, age ≥60 years, living alone, duration of disease ≥3 months, motion sickness history, and HADS-A were independent influencing factors for comorbidification of sleep disorder in VM patients(P<0.05). Conclusion:The prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with vestibular migraine(VM) was significantly higher compared to the control group. Moreover, the severity of sleep disorders was positively correlated with the intensity of headache and vertigo in VM patients. It is recommended that female VM patients aged 60 years or older, living alone, with a disease duration of three months or longer, a history of motion sickness, and anxiety symptoms undergo sleep assessments to determine the presence of sleep disorders. This approach provides a theoretical foundation for precise treatment and prevention strategies for VM.
Humans
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Migraine Disorders/complications*
;
Sleep Wake Disorders/complications*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
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Vertigo
;
Female
;
Male
;
Vestibular Diseases/complications*
;
Sleep Quality
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Logistic Models
10.Tuihuang Mixture improves α‑naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes via regulating farnesoid X receptor.
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Yuchun YU ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):718-724
OBJECTIVES:
To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis.
METHODS:
Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining.
RESULTS:
The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models.
CONCLUSIONS
Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
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Rats
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism*
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Cholestasis/drug therapy*
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Rats, Wistar
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Inflammasomes/metabolism*
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1-Naphthylisothiocyanate
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Male
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Interleukin-18/metabolism*
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*


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