1.Analysis of Mechanism of Astragaloside Ⅳ in Regulating Ferroptosis Through SLC7A11/GPX4 Pathway Against Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation
Guoting LI ; Changchao YANG ; Lin LIU ; Weikang LI ; Zixian ZHAO ; Quan SHEN ; Jingshan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):159-167
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) based on solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione peroxidase 4(SLC7A11/GPX4) pathway. MethodsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were cultured by tissue explant method, and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ after Ang Ⅱ stimulation. The experiment was divided into blank group, model group, AS-Ⅳ group(40 μmol·L-1), Erastin group(0.5 μmol·L-1), Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group(0.5 μmol·L-1+40 μmol·L-1). The blank group was cultured in normal medium, the model group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ(0.1 μmol·L-1), and each administration group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ(0.1 μmol·L-1) and the corresponding doses of drug. CCK-8 and plate clone formation assay were used to detect the proliferation of cells in each group, Prussian blue staining was used to detect cell iron deposition, the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in cells was detected by fluorescence probe method, the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) was detected by thiobarbituric acid(TBA) method, and the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in each group were detected by Western blot. ResultsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were successfully cultured by tissue explant method, and immunofluorescence detection showed that positive expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and negative expression of vimentin in the cells, identifying them as VSMCs. The optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ determined by CCK-8 were 40 μmol·L-1 and 24 h, respectively. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that compared with the blank group, the cell proliferation in the model group increased, the iron deposition in the cells increased, the contents of ROS and MDA increased, and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell proliferation of the AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited, the iron deposition in the cells was decreased, the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased, and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). While in the Erastin group, the cell proliferation was increased, the iron deposition was increased, ROS and MDA contents were increased, and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group, Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group showed increased cell proliferation, increased iron deposition in cells, increased ROS and MDA contents, and decreased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins(P<0.05). Compared with the Erastin group, the cell proliferation in Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited, the iron deposition was decreased, the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased, and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit ferroptosis by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway, so as to weaken the proliferation of VSMCs, thus playing a role in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
2.Monitoring results of mosquito-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas
Caixiong LIU ; Bin GE ; Haibing ZHANG ; Lin WANG ; Tao YANG ; Yujiao WEI ; Haiying XIE ; Yu ZHANG ; Hongxia LIU ; Juntao SHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):109-113
ObjectiveTo find out whether there is any difference in the monitoring results of mosq-ovitraps placed in different orientations in multi-storey residential areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for routine and emergency monitoring of Aedes albopictus with mosq-ovitraps in residential areas. MethodsFrom July 6th to October 26th 2023, one mosquito ovitrap was set up in each of the 4 orientations of east, south, west and north around the buildings in a multi-storey residential area in Jinhui Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai. Data was collected and recorded 72 hours after placement. The chi-square test was used to compare the mosquito ovitrap indices (MOIs) of two independent samples, and the Kruskal⁃Wallis H test was used to compare the MOIs of multiple independent samples. ResultsAfter 16 weeks of surveillance, 997 mosquito ovitraps were recovered, of which 211 were positive, with the mosquito ovitrap index (MOI) of 21.16% and the Aedes albopictus density index of 1.03 mosquitoes·ovitrap-1. The MOIs were higher in September (24.22%) and October (23.96%), and the MOIs in the west, south and north within the two months were all above 20.00%. From July to October, the MOIs in the east, west, south and north were 20.70%, 22.20%, 25.50% and 16.20%, respectively, and the difference in MOIs among the 4 orientations was not statistically significant (χ2=6.647, P=0.084). Stratified analysis by month showed that in August, the south side of the multi-storey residential areas had the highest MOI (31.30%), the north side had the lowest MOI (1.30%), and there was a statistically significant difference in MOI in the east, west, south and north (χ2=25.986, P<0.001). In October, the MOI in the west was the highest (33.30%) and the MOI in the east was the lowest (6.30%), the difference in MOIs of the 4 orientations was statistically significant (χ2=12.007, P=0.007). The MOIs in the south side of the building in the outskirts of the residential area from the 1st week in July to the 4th week in October was lower (19.20%) than that in the south side of the inner building (31.70%), and the difference in MOI was statistically significant (χ2=5.118, P=0.024). ConclusionThe study of MOI in different orientations in a multi-storey residential area is a preliminary exploration based on field work, and the results show that there is a difference in MOIs in different orientations during the peak breeding period of mosquitoes. Further indicators such as temperature, humidity and wind speed in different orientations can be collected to explore the influencing factors of MOIs.
3.Effect of different liver biopsy needle track management on Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy on liver cancer
Zhenyuan XU ; Xue LIU ; Shuqun SHEN ; Zhijia XU ; Changkai LI ; Yefa YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(2):288-294
Objective To explore the effect of different needle track management on Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) on liver cancer after liver biopsy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 patients with liver cancer who underwent Technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) evaluation and 90Y-SIRT after liver biopsy from June 2023 to December 2024. The methods of needle track management, hepatic arteriovenous shunting, and lung shunt fraction (LSF) were recorded. The occurrence of hepatic arteriovenous fistula (HAVF), as well as the corresponding countermeasures were analyzed. Results Among the 21 liver cancer patients, 7 cases (medical glue group) underwent embolization of the needle tract with medical glue (N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate [NBCA]) immediately after biopsy, and no significant HAVF was observed during the 99mTc-MAA tests; 14 cases (non-medical glue group) were treated with delayed needle extraction or gelatin sponge particle blocking after biopsy, among which 7 cases developed significant HAVF, and the fistulas were treated with NBCA. The LSF of the medical glue group was significantly lower than that of the non-medical glue group ([7.06±2.33] % vs [12.43±7.73] %, P=0.037). All 21 patients successfully completed 90Y-SIRT. Conclusions Liver biopsy may affect 90Y-SIRT by causing iatrogenic HAVF. Immediate NBCA-embolization of the needle tract after biopsy or timely NBCA-embolization of fistulas during 99mTc-MAA tests may reduce the impact.
4.Investigation on the current status of pharmaceutical care in medical institutions in China
Tingting ZHENG ; Yuqing ZHANG ; Sitong LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jin LU ; Qunhong SHEN ; Jiancun ZHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1117-1122
OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of pharmaceutical care in medical institutions in China, and provide experience and suggestions for better development of pharmaceutical care. METHODS Questionnaire survey was used to investigate the development of pharmaceutical care in medical institutions in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly) in March 2023, and descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression analysis on the influencing factors of pharmaceutical care were conducted. RESULTS A total of 1 368 questionnaires were sent out, and 1 304 valid questionnaires were collected with the effective recovery rate of 95.32%. Pharmaceutical care was carried out in 671 medical institutions (51.46%), and the rates of pharmaceutical care in tertiary, secondary, primary and other medical institutions were 74.79%, 27.97% and 7.35%, respectively. The average number of patients receiving pharmaceutical care was 2 638.96 per year, and there were 8.33 pharmacists in each medical institution to carry out pharmaceutical care, among which 93.68% were clinical pharmacists. The main departments covered by pharmaceutical care services included respiratory and critical care medicine, cardiology, intensive care unit, endocrinology, oncology, gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology and other departments. There were only 48 medical institutions (7.15%) with additional compensation for pharmaceutical care services. The main experiences of developing pharmaceutical care were to pay attention to talent cultivation and discipline construction, but the main difficulties were serious shortage of staff and qualified talents, low compensation level and low enthusiasm. Grade of medical institutions, the number of pharmacists engaged in clinical pharmacy, the number of qualified clinical pharmacists and the degree of information in the pharmacy department were the main influencing factors for carrying out pharmaceutical care (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In recent years, pharmaceutical care in Chinese medical institutions has made certain progress, while that of primary medical institutions, secondary medical institutions and other medical institutions should be improved. In the future, it is still necessary to further enhance the implementation of pharmaceutical care, promote personnel training, and attach importance to demonstrating the value of pharmaceutical care, thereby promoting the sustainable and high- quality development of pharmaceutical care.
5.Predictive value of NLR,PLR,LMR and PNI for clinical efficacy and prognosis of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy for advanced HCC
LIU Quanyi1 ; YANG Yixin1 ; XU Lei2 ; GU Yun1 ; SHEN Lei3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(3):309-315
[摘 要] 目的:探究中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞比值(PLR)、淋巴细胞/单核细胞比值(LMR)及预后营养指数(PNI)对免疫检查点抑制剂(ICI)联合抗血管生成药物治疗晚期肝细胞癌(HCC)患者疗效及预后的预测价值。方法:收集2020年1月至2023年12月间在大理大学第一附属医院收治的使用ICI联合抗血管生成药物治疗的85例晚期HCC患者的一般临床资料、治疗前患者的NLR、PLR、LMR、PNI、临床疗效及预后。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线计算NLR、PLR、LMR、PNI的最佳截断值,以此将患者分成高、低2组。使用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线,采用Cox比例风险回归模型进行单因素、多因素分析各指标对患者OS的影响。结果:低NLR组、低PLR组、高LMR组、高PNI组患者治疗有效率均分别高于高NLR组、高PLR组、低LMR组和低PNI组(均P < 0.05)。低NLR组、低PLR组患者OS率均分别显著高于高NLR组、高PLR组(均P < 0.05);高LMR组、高PNI组患者OS率均分别显著高于低LMR组和低PNI组(均P < 0.05)。NLR ≥ 1.94、男性、乙型肝炎病毒感染是晚期HCC患者预后的独立危险因素(均P < 0.05)。结论: NLR ≥ 1.94、男性、乙型肝炎病毒阳性是影响患者疗效、预后的危险因素,NLR ≥ 1.94评估晚期HCC患者免疫联合靶向的疗效及预后有一定的临床价值。
6.Study on the correlation between cranial CT features of acute ischemic stroke onset within 24 h and early neurological deterioration, 90 d prognosis, and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome elements
Ligaoge KANG ; Ying GAO ; Huan TANG ; Hongbo SHEN ; Lei LIU ; Liya LIU ; Yan GAO ; Lingbo KONG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(3):424-437
Objective:
To investigate the potential of conventional cranial computed tomography (CT) in assessing the early neurological deterioration(END), long-term prognosis, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements during the acute phase in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Methods:
This study included 101 patients with AIS onset within 24 h in the Emergency Department of Fangshan Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from November 2019 to May 2021. To investigate the correlation between the relevant characteristics of the first conventional cranial CT in patients with AIS onset within 24 h and END, 90 d prognosis, and initial syndrome elements, the presence or absence of END, the 90 d prognosis (non-disabling outcome or functionally independent outcome), and the establishment of syndrome elements (internal fire, phlegm-dampness, blood stasis, qi deficiency, yin deficiency) were used as dependent variables and grouping criteria.
Results:
This study included 61 males and 40 females, with an age of (64.43±10.56) years. The time from onset to conventional cranial CT examination was 3.50 (1.50, 9.75) h. Among the patients, there were 70 cases (69.3%) of mild AIS, 30 cases (29.7%) of moderate AIS, and one case (1.0%) of severe AIS. Fifteen patients (14.9%) received intravenous thrombolysis. Among the 101 patients, six syndrome elements were observed within 24 h of onset: internal wind in 101 cases (100.0%), internal fire in 58 cases (57.4%), phlegm-dampness in 60 cases (59.4%), blood stasis in 67 cases (66.3%), qi deficiency in 39 cases (38.6%), and yin deficiency in 23 cases (22.8%). The incidence of END was higher in patients with lesions in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere to the affected limb (32.9%) than in those without such lesions (10.7%), showing a strong positive correlation with END occurrence (OR=4.082, P = 0.026). The incidence of END was higher in patients with lesions in the basal ganglia region (33.3%) and the carotid system blood supply area (32.8%) than in those without lesions in the basal ganglia region (15.8%) and the carotid system territory (14.7%), showing moderate positive correlations with END occurrence (OR=2.667, P =0.047; OR=2.836, P=0.044). The proportion of non-disabling outcomes was lower among patients with white matter degeneration (30.8%) and lesions in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere to the affected limb (52.1%) than in those without white matter degeneration (63.6%) and without such lesions in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere to the affected limb (78.6%), both showing strong negative correlations with the occurrence of non-disabling outcomes (OR=0.254, P=0.034; OR=0.296, P=0.015). Similarly, the proportion of functionally independent outcomes was lower among individuals with white matter degeneration (30.8%) and lesions in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere to the affected limb (64.4%) than in those without white matter degeneration (77.3%) and without such lesions in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere to the affected limb (89.3%), both also showing strong negative correlations with the occurrence of functionally independent outcomes (OR=0.131, P=0.001; OR=0.217, P=0.014). The incidence rates of internal fire, blood stasis, and yin deficiency syndrome elements were 66.7%, 73.0%, and 30.2%, respectively, among patients with lesions in the basal ganglia region, compared to 42.1%, 55.3%, and 10.5% among those without lesions in this region. The presence of lesions in the basal ganglia region showed moderate to strong positive correlations with internal fire and yin deficiency syndrome elements (OR=2.750, P=0.016; OR=3.670, P=0.028). Patients with lesions in the centrum semiovale and corona radiata regions (66.7%) had a higher incidence of qi deficiency than those without lesions in this region (33.7%), showing a strong positive correlation with the occurrence of qi deficiency (OR=3.931, P=0.022). No CT characteristics were found to be correlated with phlegm-dampness syndrome elements.
Conclusion
The first cranial CT in patients with AIS has potential application value in predicting disease progression, assessing prognosis, and diagnosing syndromes, which can provide physicians with diagnostic and treatment decisions to improve the long-term prognosis of patients with AIS.
7.Formulation Characteristics and Efficacy Classification of Chinese Patent Medicines for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Based on Diagram of Tangye Jingfa Tu
Yuguang WANG ; Runtao ZHUANG ; Yanqing LIU ; Shen LI ; Xiaolan LIN ; Rui JIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):224-233
ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article, based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines, covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance, Work Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023) (more than 50% of the total), were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally, the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills, Danshen tablets, Qili Qiangxin capsules, Breviscapine tablets, etc., covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines, salty flavor was the most common (48), followed by pungent (33), and sweet (26). According to the dominant herbal flavor, salty flavor was the most common (37), followed by pungent (9), and sour (5). According to the dominant herbal quantity, salty flavor was the most common (27), followed by sour (7), and pungent (5). Furthermore, Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example, most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen (9/10), most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver (7/8), and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys (6/6). However, the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas, as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty, sour, and pungent flavors, which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart, heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.
8.Formulation Characteristics and Efficacy Classification of Chinese Patent Medicines for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Based on Diagram of Tangye Jingfa Tu
Yuguang WANG ; Runtao ZHUANG ; Yanqing LIU ; Shen LI ; Xiaolan LIN ; Rui JIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):224-233
ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article, based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines, covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance, Work Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023) (more than 50% of the total), were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu", the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally, the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills, Danshen tablets, Qili Qiangxin capsules, Breviscapine tablets, etc., covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines, salty flavor was the most common (48), followed by pungent (33), and sweet (26). According to the dominant herbal flavor, salty flavor was the most common (37), followed by pungent (9), and sour (5). According to the dominant herbal quantity, salty flavor was the most common (27), followed by sour (7), and pungent (5). Furthermore, Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example, most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen (9/10), most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver (7/8), and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys (6/6). However, the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas, as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty, sour, and pungent flavors, which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart, heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.
9.Discriminating Tumor Deposits From Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: A Pilot Study Utilizing Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Xue-han WU ; Yu-tao QUE ; Xin-yue YANG ; Zi-qiang WEN ; Yu-ru MA ; Zhi-wen ZHANG ; Quan-meng LIU ; Wen-jie FAN ; Li DING ; Yue-jiao LANG ; Yun-zhu WU ; Jian-peng YUAN ; Shen-ping YU ; Yi-yan LIU ; Yan CHEN
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):400-410
Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs.
Results:
All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027).
Conclusion
The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.
10.Development of Electrospinning Setup for Vascular Tissue-Engineering Application with Thick-Hierarchical Fiber Alignment
Shen CHEN ; Chao XIE ; Xiaoxi LONG ; Xianwei WANG ; Xudong LI ; Peng LIU ; Jiabin LIU ; Zuyong WANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2025;22(2):195-210
BACKGROUND:
Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge.
METHODS:
A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility.
RESULTS:
The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.


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