1.Development of a Diagnostic Scale for Qi-Yin Deficiency with Blood Stasis Syndrome in Diabetic Macrovascular Disease
Qingzhi LIANG ; Ting LUO ; Yi SU ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Hong GAO ; Hongyan XIE ; Chunguang XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):225-234
ObjectiveTo construct a standardized diagnostic scale for Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease. MethodsLiterature related to Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease was retrieved from CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases. Diagnostic information from four diagnostic methods was extracted and standardized, with items having a frequency of ≥15 included in the item pool. A three-round Delphi expert consultation was conducted, screening items using support degree, mean score, rank sum, and coefficient of variation. Item weights were determined using analytic hierarchy process (AHP), gactor analysis (FA), and combined weighting method (CWM). The optimal weighting method was selected by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The Youden index was calculated to establish the diagnostic cutoff value, which was proportionally scaled. ResultsA total of 102 studies were included. Thirty-five items were incorporated into the item pool. The authority coefficients for the three Delphi rounds were 0.82, 0.85, and 0.86, with coordination coefficients of 0.648, 0.538, and 0.506, respectively. Fifteen items were retained after screening. ROC curve analysis showed the AUC ranking as FA > CWM > AHP. The maximum Youden index was 0.814, corresponding to a diagnostic cutoff of 8.361 (scaled to 40 points). The final scale adopted a structured diagnostic framework: the symptom dimension requires at least 2 items, and the tongue or pulse dimension requires at least 1 category. ConclusionThis study developed a standardized diagnostic scale for Qi-Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome in diabetic macrovascular disease. Core items were screened via the Delphi method, with factor analysis identified as the optimal weighting method through AUC comparison. The diagnostic threshold (40 points) and structured diagnostic framework provide a quantitatively clear, clinically practical tool.
2.Establishment and Evaluation of Diabetic Macrovascular Atherosclerosis Model with Qi and Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Ting LUO ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Xi PENG ; Yi SU ; Hongyan XIE ; Chunguang XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):86-98
ObjectiveTo explore the establishment of a rat model of diabetic macrovascular atherosclerosis (DMA) with Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome induced by high-fat diet, streptozotocin (STZ), and Yin-depleting herbs, and to evaluate its biological characteristics. MethodsForty SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). Except for the blank group, rats in the model group were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, followed by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (30 mg·kg-1) to establish a diabetic model. Twenty-four successfully modeled diabetic rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=7), a Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome group (n=8), and a counter-syndrome group (n=9). Except for the model group, rats received intragastric administration of Yin-depleting herbs (1.2 g·kg-1) for 8 weeks. The counter-syndrome group was further treated with Shenqi compound formula (1.69 g·kg-1) for an additional 8 weeks. General condition and body weight were recorded, and syndrome-related indicators were assessed, including precordial temperature, skin moisture content, grip strength, open-field test performance, and tongue appearance. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, hemorheological parameters, and coagulation function were analyzed using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Vascular ultrasound and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to evaluate vascular lesions. ResultsIn terms of syndrome manifestations, compared with the blank group, body weight increased rapidly during the first 5 weeks in the model, Qi and Yin deficiency, and counter-syndrome groups. After STZ injection combined with Yin-depleting herbal administration at week 5, body weight decreased significantly (P<0.01) and continued to decline until the end of the experiment. Rats exhibited decreased activity, irritability, coarse and yellowish fur with obvious shedding, polydipsia, polyphagia, frequent urination, and dry stools, which were most pronounced in the Qi and Yin deficiency group. Grip strength decreased, peak activity time occurred earlier, total distance in the open-field test was reduced, and residence time was prolonged. Precordial temperature decreased (P<0.01), while paw temperature increased (P<0.05), and skin moisture and oil content were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of disease-related indicators, compared with the blank group, fasting blood glucose was significantly increased (>16.7 mmol·L-1) in the model and Qi and Yin deficiency groups, and blood lipid levels were significantly elevated (P<0.05). Vascular-related factors ET-1, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and VEGF were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), while IGF-1 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Pathological examination of the aortic valve showed valvular thickening and structural disorganization. Carotid artery examination revealed discontinuity of the intima, foam cell accumulation beneath the intima, disordered smooth muscle arrangement, and widened intercellular spaces. Compared with the model group, ET-1, MCP-1, and VEGF levels were significantly decreased in both the Qi and Yin deficiency group and the counter-syndrome group. The reductions in ET-1 and MCP-1 were more pronounced in the Qi and Yin deficiency group (P<0.01), while the decrease in VCAM-1 was more significant in the counter-syndrome group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the Qi and Yin deficiency group showed significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and prothrombin time (PT) (P<0.01). The erythrocyte deformability index (TK), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, erythrocyte electrophoresis index, and whole blood low-shear viscosity all showed increasing trends. Vascular ultrasound revealed reduced arterial blood flow velocity, increased vascular resistance, and intimal thickening without plaque formation. The aortic intima showed no obvious overall thickening, with only occasional localized thickening and foam cell presence, and carotid artery injury was observed. ConclusionA rat model of DMA with Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome was successfully established using high-fat diet feeding combined with STZ injection and Yin-depleting herbal administration. Shenqi compound formula effectively alleviated Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome, regulated glucose and lipid metabolism, improved hemorheological and coagulation function, reduced vascular lesion severity, and demonstrated potential for early prevention and treatment of DMA.
3.Explore the causal association between antibody immune response and ulcerative colitis based on Mendelian randomization
Yixuan Zeng ; Niren Li ; Bingying Deng ; Pai Xie ; Rihong Ou ; Lei Chen ; Yi Liu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):1098-1104
Objective :
To explore the causal relationship between 46 phenotypes ( including 15 seropositive case- control phenotypes and 31 quantitative antibody-measurement phenotypes) and ulcerative colitis( UC) using two- sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization( TSMR) .
Methods:
Single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) sig- nificantly associated with the relative abundance of the 46 antibody sera were extracted as instrumental variables ac- cording to preset thresholds . Summary statistics for UC were obtained from the OPEN GWAS database ( n = 47 745) . MR-Egger regression , weighted median method ( WME) , inverse variance weighting ( IVW) , the simple mode method (SM) , and weighted multitude method (WM) were used to estimate the causal relationship between antibody levels and UC , primarily using the IVW method . The results were assessed according to the effect indica- tor dominance ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) . Sensitivity analysis , heterogeneity test , gene plei- otropy test , and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were combined to verify the stability and reliability of the results , and the causal association study was performed again using reverse Mendelian randomization(MR) .
Results :
IVW re- sults showed that Epstein-Barr( EB) virus EA-D antibody levels ( OR = 0. 806 , 95% CI = 0. 693 - 0. 939 , P < 0. 01) , Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-1 antibody levels ( OR = 1 . 870% , 95% CI = 1 . 480 - 2. 360 , P < 0. 000 1) , Anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity (OR = 0. 570 , 95% CI = 0. 435 - 0. 746 , P < 0. 000 1) were associated with UC . The inverse MR analysis revealed a causal effect on anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity , and none of the a- bove revealed genetic pleiotropy or significant heterogeneity of IVs .
Conclusion
EB virus EBNA-1 antibody levels are positively associated with the risk of UC , while EB virus EA-D antibody levels and anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG se- ropositivity are negatively associated with the risk of UC , indicating that they are protective factors for UC .
4.Construction of the Chinese-Western Synergistic System for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Lower Extremity Arterial Disease
Hong GAO ; Hongyan XIE ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Chunguang XIE
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(3):633-639
Diabetic lower extremity arterial disease(DLEAD)is characterized by a low rate of diagnosis,low awareness,low treatment rate,high disability rate,and high mortality.Due to a lack of comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies or an integrated technological system,DLEAD has become a bottleneck in the prevention and control of diabetes mellitus at present.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment of DLEAD offers the advantages of syndrome differentiation,evidence-based treatment,and holistic regulation.However,it lacks a comprehensive understanding of the through-course pathogenesis and unified standardized syndrome criteria.TCM treatment of DLEAD exerts multi-target and multi-pathway network effects,but the advantageous links are still not fully understood.TCM treatments can delay the onset and development of DLEAD,but the efficacy evaluation system remains incomplete.Furthermore,there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based medical evidence and clinical consensus and guidelines.Therefore,based on the idea of zhi wei bing,or treating the disease before it develops,in Chinese medicine,and focusing on the prevention and control of DLEAD,we have constructed a synergistic technical system that integrates traditional Chinese and Western medicine for the prevention and control of DLEAD.This system integrates prevention,diagnosis,treatment,mechanisms,and applications,so as to enhance the clinical effects of DLEAD prevention and control,and to create a new paradigm for collaborative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the field of chronic disease management.
5.Development and verification of a novel X-ray-free guide to elbow flexion-extension axis
Qingzhi CHEN ; Hongyu SONG ; Liangwen XIE ; Jialiang YE ; Zhongguo LIU ; Jianchun LIN ; Shaohua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(10):853-859
Objective:To evaluate a novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide that is easy to operate, accurately positioned, and X-ray-free.Methods:This study collected the elbow joint CT scans from 60 normal adults [40 males and 20 females with an age of (38.1±9.3) years] at Department of Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Xiamen between September and December 2024. The scan images were imported into 3D modeling software for systematic measurement of key anatomical parameters of the distal humerus. The structural design of a novel elbow flexion-extension axis guide was completed based on these measurements, combined with the anatomical data of the distal humerus reported in 6 relevant articles between January 2008 and December 2024 retrieved from the CNKI and PubMed databases. After physical models of the distal humerus from the 60 healthy adults were fabricated using 3D printing technology, they were divided into 2 even groups: a guide-assisted group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted with the assistance of the elbow flexion-extension axis guide and a conventional group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted freehand. The entry deviation, exit deviation, inter-axial angle, inter-axial distance, operation time, and fluoroscopic verifications in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The guide-assisted group demonstrated significantly smaller values than the conventional group in entry deviation [(1.52±0.70) mm versus (2.29±1.00) mm], exit deviation [(2.83±1.49) mm versus (4.95±1.63) mm], inter-axial angle (3.46°±0.93° versus 6.45°±1.21°), and operation time [(92.0±17.0) s versus (509.5±42.3) s] (all P<0.05). The conventional group required an average of (10.7±2.1) fluoroscopic verifications, while the guide-assisted group eliminated radiation exposure. No statistically significant difference was observed in the inter-axial distance between the 2 methods in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis ( P>0.05). Conclusion:As the novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide can improve accuracy in positioning the elbow flexion-extension axis without requiring fluoroscopy, it significantly shortens intraoperative positioning time, and is handy to use.
6.Development and verification of a novel X-ray-free guide to elbow flexion-extension axis
Qingzhi CHEN ; Hongyu SONG ; Liangwen XIE ; Jialiang YE ; Zhongguo LIU ; Jianchun LIN ; Shaohua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(10):853-859
Objective:To evaluate a novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide that is easy to operate, accurately positioned, and X-ray-free.Methods:This study collected the elbow joint CT scans from 60 normal adults [40 males and 20 females with an age of (38.1±9.3) years] at Department of Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Xiamen between September and December 2024. The scan images were imported into 3D modeling software for systematic measurement of key anatomical parameters of the distal humerus. The structural design of a novel elbow flexion-extension axis guide was completed based on these measurements, combined with the anatomical data of the distal humerus reported in 6 relevant articles between January 2008 and December 2024 retrieved from the CNKI and PubMed databases. After physical models of the distal humerus from the 60 healthy adults were fabricated using 3D printing technology, they were divided into 2 even groups: a guide-assisted group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted with the assistance of the elbow flexion-extension axis guide and a conventional group ( n=30) where the positioning needle was inserted freehand. The entry deviation, exit deviation, inter-axial angle, inter-axial distance, operation time, and fluoroscopic verifications in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The guide-assisted group demonstrated significantly smaller values than the conventional group in entry deviation [(1.52±0.70) mm versus (2.29±1.00) mm], exit deviation [(2.83±1.49) mm versus (4.95±1.63) mm], inter-axial angle (3.46°±0.93° versus 6.45°±1.21°), and operation time [(92.0±17.0) s versus (509.5±42.3) s] (all P<0.05). The conventional group required an average of (10.7±2.1) fluoroscopic verifications, while the guide-assisted group eliminated radiation exposure. No statistically significant difference was observed in the inter-axial distance between the 2 methods in positioning of elbow flexion-extension axis ( P>0.05). Conclusion:As the novel self-designed elbow flexion-extension axis guide can improve accuracy in positioning the elbow flexion-extension axis without requiring fluoroscopy, it significantly shortens intraoperative positioning time, and is handy to use.
7.Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Atherosclerosis and Its Regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Qingzhi LIANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Ruoran ZHOU ; Jiying LI ; Yuan ZHANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Qiyue YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):226-235
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory pathological process in which lipid and/or fibrous substances are deposited in the intima of arteries, and it is one of the pathological bases of many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a protective mechanism of cell adaptation. Moderate ERS can reduce abnormal protein aggregation and increase the degradation of misfolded proteins to repair and stabilize the internal environment, while excessive ERS can cause unfolded protein reaction, activate inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and other downstream pathways, and lead to cell damage, or even apoptosis. A large number of studies have shown that ERS mediates a variety of pathological processes related to AS, affects endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, endothelial progenitor cells, and other cell components closely related to its occurrence and development, influences the progress of AS by regulating cell function, and promotes the formation of AS plaque, the transformation of stable plaque to unstable plaque, and the rupture of unstable plaque. Regulation of ERS may be a key target for the prevention and treatment of AS, and it is a research hotspot at present. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the origin of AS is the imbalance of Yin and Yang, the disharmony of Zangfu organs, and the abnormal operation of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which leads to the accumulation of phlegm, blood stasis, and other pathological products in the pulse channels, making the blood flow blocked or misfunction and causing the disease, which belongs to the syndrome of deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality. As the pathogenesis of AS is complex, and the symptoms are diverse, TCM has significant advantages in treating AS because of its multiple targets, multiple pathways, stable efficacy, strong individualization, and high safety. This paper systematically elaborated on the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of AS and summarized the mechanism research on the regulation and control of ERS by Chinese herbal monomer, Chinese herbal extract, Chinese herbal compound, and proprietary medicine, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research and drug development in the prevention and treatment of AS.
8.Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Zhengtao CHEN ; Qingzhi LIANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Yan YANG ; Mengping WANG ; Chunguang XIE ; Hong GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(1):227-239
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious and common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a common stress defense mechanism in eukaryotic cells. In the ERS state, cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to enhance the folding of unfolded proteins and the degradation of misfolded proteins, so as to restore the normal physiological function of the endoplasmic reticulum and avoid cell damage. However, excessive or chronic persistent ERS can induce apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and other pathways to eventually cause cell damage. In recent years, a large number of studies have confirmed that ERS is closely associated with the occurrence and development of DN. In the case of DN, ERS is involved in the damage or protection of podocytes, glomerular mesangial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, and glomerular endothelial cells. The regulation of ERS has become one of the hotspots in the prevention and treatment of DN and has received extensive attention in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper systematically expounds the role of ERS in the occurrence and development of DN and summarizes the ERS-targeted regulation of DN by traditional Chinese medicine, with a view to providing certain research ideas for the prevention and control of DN with traditional Chinese medicine.
9.Autophagy of Vascular Endothelial Cells Influences Diabetic Macroangiopathy: Based on Theory of Qi Deficiency and Stagnation
Qingzhi LIANG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Yulin LENG ; Zehua ZHANG ; Qiyue YANG ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(3):178-185
The basic pathological change of diabetic macroangiopathy is atherosclerosis (AS), which is mainly associated with vascular endothelial cells (VECs) injury, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, hemorheological abnormalities, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The injury and dysfunction of VECs are the initiating factors of diabetic macroangiopathy. Autophagy is a subcellular self-protection mechanism that regulates basic intracellular metabolism through lysosome-mediated degradation of proteins and damaged organelles to maintain homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to enhanced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress of VECs, which promotes AS. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), diabetic macroangiopathy corresponds to the syndrome of internal deficiency and pathogen invasion, with Qi deficiency and stagnation as the key pathogenesis. Qi deficiency is the root cause, and Qi stagnation is the manifestation. The disease occurs with the initial cause of nutrient-defense disharmony and instability of vessels, the main cause of the deficiency of kidney Qi and the lack of source for generation and transformation, the internal cause of Qi and blood loss in the viscera and the stagnation of Qi, blood, and fluid, and the superficial cause of the stagnation of pathological products and the damage of vessels. Autophagy is a microscopic manifestation of Qi, which has the function of dispelling pathogens and maintaining homeostasis. Insufficient autophagy of VECs leads to Qi deficiency and stagnation, and the gradual deficiency and heavy stagnation of Qi lead to insufficient autophagy, which form a vicious cycle. Modern research has demonstrated that regulating the autophagy of VECs is the main way to prevent and treat AS, and TCM can exert the therapeutic effect in a multi-target and multi-pathway manner. Therefore, based on the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation, the method of tonifying deficiency of and removing stagnation can be adopted to select prescriptions for regulating the autophagy of VECs and treating AS, which can slow down the procession of diabetic macroangiopathy.
10.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Diabetic Macroangiopathy Based on Theory of Hidden Pathogen Damaging Collaterals
Qingzhi LIANG ; Yulin LENG ; Zhengtao CHEN ; Mengyuan CAI ; Zehua ZHANG ; Hong GAO ; Hongyan XIE ; Chunguang XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):194-199
The basic pathological change of diabetic macroangiopathy is atherosclerosis, and the metabolism legacy effect of hyperglycemia will cause continuous damage to the large vessels. Oxidative stress is a common mechanism for diabetes and its chronic complications and it is also the basis of the metabolism legacy effect which keeps damaging the large vessels. Anti-oxidant therapy can delay the course of diabetic macroangiopathy. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the pathogenicity of hidden pathogen is concealing, lingering, and refractory. On the basis of the syndrome and treatment of collateral diseases, vessel-collateral theory, and hidden pathogen theory of TCM, the pathological changes of diabetic macroangiopathy are summarized as pathogen concealment-accumulation of sugar and lipids leading to phlegm and blood stasis-accumulation of toxins-damage to vessels and collaterals-hardening vessels. The core pathogenesis is the hidden pathogen damaging the collaterals, and the basic pathological change is vessel hardening. The toxins of sugar, lipid, phlegm, and stasis are the pathological products and the key to be treated. According to this theory, the medicinal materials with the functions of activating blood to dredging collaterals, resolving phlegm to clearing collaterals, Promoting qi to unblocking collaterals and removing toxins to shunting collaterals can be selected for prescription. These medicinal materials can inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species, affect the oxidase activity, and enhance the antioxidant capacity, thereby regulating the oxidative stress response, protecting the vascular endothelial function, reducing the damage of the large blood vessels, and slowing down the progression of the disease. Such therapy is of great significance in clinical practice and research, providing a new idea for the prevention and treatment of diabetic macroangiopathy.


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