1.Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Solanum nigrum on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats
Min WU ; Zhenxiang AN ; Yuanli HE ; Weinong WEN ; Qiang SU ; Song HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):117-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Solanum nigrum on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g·kg-1, respectively) S. nigrum, and silibinin capsules (18.9 mg·kg-1) groups. Except the blank group, the other groups were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 40% CCl4 solution for the modeling of hepatic fibrosis. After 4 weeks of gavage, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta following intraperitoneal anesthesia. The rats were sacrificed, and the liver was separated. The pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and liver fibrosis indexes [type Ⅲ procollagen (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen (Col Ⅳ), laminin (LN), and hyaluronic acid (HA)] in the rat serum were determined. The mRNA and protein levels of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) pathway-related factors were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significant hepatocyte edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, connective tissue proliferation, and collagen fiber deposition in the liver tissue. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose S. nigrum and silymarin capsules significantly improved the structure of liver cells and alleviated the edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, connective tissue proliferation, and collagen fiber deposition. Compared with those in the blank group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, PCⅢ, Col Ⅳ, LN, and HA were elevated in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, PCⅢ, Col Ⅳ, LN, and HA were reduced in all the treatment groups (P<0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the treatment groups showed down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), with the high-dose S. nigrum group showing the best therapeutic effect. ConclusionS. nigrum modulates the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats by regulating apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Qi-regulating and Phlegm-removing Method(Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang) in Treating AECOPD with Increased EOS
Renjie HUANG ; Wangqin YU ; Wuyinuo TANG ; Hong SONG ; Lyuyuan HE ; Wenbo LIN ; Guanyi WU ; Hang HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):149-156
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of the Qi-regulating and phlegm-removing method(Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang) for treating acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with increased eosinophils (EOS). MethodsSixty-eight AECOPD patients with increased EOS who were hospitalized in the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of Jinhua Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups received conventional Western medicine, with the EG additionally receiving Liujunzitang and Linggan Wuwei Jiangxintang. The therapeutic efficacy indicators were measured after the treatment. The main therapeutic efficacy indicators included partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). The secondary efficacy indicators included the TCM symptom scores, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale score, and the length of hospital stay. The indicators were measured at baseline and on days 3 and 7 of intervention. The safety was evaluated based on the adverse events. ResultsBaseline characteristics were not statistically different between the two groups. Compared with CG, EG showed no significant difference in PaO2 (P=0.773), PaCO2 (P=0.632) and or CAT score (P=0.336) at on day 3 but better PaO2 (P=0.004), PaCO2 (P=0.008), and CAT score (P=0.013) were significantly better at on day 7. Compared with CGAfter treatment, EG had lower TCM syndrome scores of than CG EG on day 3 (P=0.005) and day 7 were significantly decreased (P0.001). There was no significant difference in mMRC score between the two groups on day 3 (P=0.514) and day 7 (P=0.176) as wasor the length of hospital stay (P=0.915). The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) showed that compared with CG, EG had significant improvements over time in PaO2, PaCO2, TCM syndrome symptom scores, CAT score, and mMRC score. ConclusionRegulating qi Qi and removing phlegm combined with conventional Western medicine can significantly alleviateimprove the clinical symptoms and improve the lung function of AECOPD patients with increased EOS increased AECOPDwhich has and demonstrates good safety.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Qi-regulating and Phlegm-removing Method(Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang) in Treating AECOPD with Increased EOS
Renjie HUANG ; Wangqin YU ; Wuyinuo TANG ; Hong SONG ; Lyuyuan HE ; Wenbo LIN ; Guanyi WU ; Hang HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):149-156
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of the Qi-regulating and phlegm-removing method(Liu Junzitang Combined with Linggang Wuwei Jiangxintang) for treating acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with increased eosinophils (EOS). MethodsSixty-eight AECOPD patients with increased EOS who were hospitalized in the Department of Pulmonary Diseases of Jinhua Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups received conventional Western medicine, with the EG additionally receiving Liujunzitang and Linggan Wuwei Jiangxintang. The therapeutic efficacy indicators were measured after the treatment. The main therapeutic efficacy indicators included partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). The secondary efficacy indicators included the TCM symptom scores, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale score, and the length of hospital stay. The indicators were measured at baseline and on days 3 and 7 of intervention. The safety was evaluated based on the adverse events. ResultsBaseline characteristics were not statistically different between the two groups. Compared with CG, EG showed no significant difference in PaO2 (P=0.773), PaCO2 (P=0.632) and or CAT score (P=0.336) at on day 3 but better PaO2 (P=0.004), PaCO2 (P=0.008), and CAT score (P=0.013) were significantly better at on day 7. Compared with CGAfter treatment, EG had lower TCM syndrome scores of than CG EG on day 3 (P=0.005) and day 7 were significantly decreased (P0.001). There was no significant difference in mMRC score between the two groups on day 3 (P=0.514) and day 7 (P=0.176) as wasor the length of hospital stay (P=0.915). The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) showed that compared with CG, EG had significant improvements over time in PaO2, PaCO2, TCM syndrome symptom scores, CAT score, and mMRC score. ConclusionRegulating qi Qi and removing phlegm combined with conventional Western medicine can significantly alleviateimprove the clinical symptoms and improve the lung function of AECOPD patients with increased EOS increased AECOPDwhich has and demonstrates good safety.
4.The prediction of clinical severity grading of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia by RyR2 gene mutation: A systematic review
Ruyuan HE ; Jingxuan ZHANG ; Song DING ; Qing GENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):141-149
Objective To explore the genetic mutation characteristics, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and to construct a quantitative scoring system for the severity of CPVT. The correlation between the mutations in different structural domains of the RyR2 gene and clinical manifestations and prognosis was analyzed. Methods By searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases for CPVT-related case reports published up to December 2024, data such as patient age, clinical manifestations, gene mutation sites, and treatment responses were collected. The quality of the literature was assessed using the CARE guidelines. The χ2 test was used to compare the severity and treatment response differences among different RyR2 structural domain mutation groups, and an innovative quantitative scoring system based on symptoms and efficacy was established. Results A total of 80 articles were included, with 102 patients in total. The quality of the literature was reliable. The age of the patients ranged from 1 to 84 years, with a higher proportion of children under 10 years old (25.5%). Female patients (54.9%) outnumbered males (45.1%). For CPVT patients, a quantitative scoring system was developed, with a total score of 2 to 10 points. Among them, 2 to 4 points were classified as mild, 5 to 7 points as moderate, and 8 to 10 points as severe. The results showed that severe patients often had a history of cardiac arrest and were resistant to treatment. Out of the 102 CPVT patients, RyR2 gene mutations accounted for 53.9% (55/102) of patients. Among them, the proportion of severe patients with N-terminal structural domain mutations was significantly higher than other regions, indicating that the RyR2 gene mutation structural domain has a significant impact on the severity of CPVT (χ2=17.530, P=0.008). The proportion of patients with mutations in the central hinge region who were ineffective with β-blockers reached 42.9% (3/7), which was significantly higher than other regions. Left cardiac sympathectomy was performed in 24 cases, and postoperative symptoms were almost completely controlled, significantly better than the drug treatment group.Conclusion Mutations in the N-terminal structural domain of the RyR2 gene are significantly correlated with the severity of CPVT. Left cardiac sympathectomy has gradually become an effective intervention for refractory cases. The scoring system proposed in this study can provide a basis for clinical stratified treatment. In the future, there is a need to expand the sample size to verify mutation-specific treatment strategies.
5.Research progress on the mechanisms and prevention of saphenous vein graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting
Liaoming HE ; Tiemuerniyazi XIERAILI ; Yangwu SONG ; Wei FENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):475-483
The saphenous vein graft (SVG) remains the most commonly used conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), yet its limited long-term patency adversely affects patient outcomes. SVG failure is a multistage pathological process, characterized by early thrombosis, intermediate intimal hyperplasia, and late atherosclerotic degeneration. These changes are driven by endothelial dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion and mechanical injury, smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation, inflammatory activation, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Preventive strategies for SVG failure have increasingly focused on both surgical and pharmacological optimization. Surgical approaches include appropriate target vessel and anastomotic site selection, refinement of SVG harvesting techniques (notably the no-touch technique and endoscopic vein harvesting), optimization of graft configurations, and routine intraoperative graft flow assessment. Postoperative secondary prevention is essential, as antithrombotic and lipid-lowering therapies have been shown to reduce SVG occlusion. In addition, emerging therapies, including gene-based interventions, antiproliferative agents, novel graft preservation solutions, and external vein graft supports, show promise in improving SVG durability. Integrated multimodal strategies may further reduce SVG failure and improve long-term outcomes after CABG. This article provides a review of researches related to SVG failure, including the mechanisms of failure, intraoperative preventive measures, pharmacological prevention, and recent advances in treatment, aiming to offer insights for clinical diagnosis, treatment and future studies.
6.Current status of eating behaviors and its predictive role in overweight and obese of adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):53-57
Objective:
To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents.
Methods:
Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents.
Results:
The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.
7.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
8.Improvement of myocardial injury by traditional Chinese medicine:mitochondrial calcium homeostasis mediates macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathway
Lingyun LIU ; Guixin HE ; Weibin QIN ; Hui SONG ; Liwen ZHANG ; Weizhi TANG ; Feifei YANG ; Ziyi ZHU ; Yangbin OU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1276-1284
BACKGROUND:The repair process of myocardial injury involves complex cellular and molecular mechanisms,especially mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown significant clinical efficacy in improving myocardial injury,but its mechanism of action needs to be thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis-mediated macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways in myocardial injury,and to summarize the progress of TCM in this field. METHODS:A computerized search was performed for relevant literature from the database inception to March 2024 in the Web of Science,PubMed and CNKI.The search terms were"mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy,macrophage pyroptosis,traditional Chinese medicine,myocardial injury,myocardial injury reperfusion"in Chinese and English.Through literature review,we analyzed the relationship between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis,explored the mechanism of their roles in myocardial injury,and summarized the pathways of multi-targeted,multi-pathway effects of TCM. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The maintenance of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis has been found to be closely related to the normal function of cardiomyocytes.Macrophages can participate in the repair process of myocardial injury through autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Autophagy contributes to cell clearance and regulation of inflammatory response,while pyroptosis affects myocardial repair by releasing inflammatory factors.TCM regulates mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage function through multiple mechanisms.For example,astragalosid regulates calcium homeostasis by lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting cytochrome C,and epimedium glycoside plays a role in reducing β-amyloid deposition.In addition,herbal compounds and single drugs promote myocardial repair by activating or inhibiting specific signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.Future studies should focus on the interactions between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,autophagy and pyroptosis pathways,as well as how TCM can exert therapeutic effects through these pathways to provide new strategies and drugs for the treatment of myocardial injury.
9.An experimental method for simultaneous extraction and culture of primary cortical neurons and microglial cells from SD rats
Longcai HE ; Wenxue SONG ; Jiang MING ; Guangtang CHEN ; Junhao WANG ; Yidong LIAO ; Junshuan CUI ; Kaya XU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1395-1400
BACKGROUND:Primary cortical neurons and microglial cells play a crucial role in exploring cell therapies for neurological disorders,and most of the current methods for obtaining the two types of cells are cumbersome and require separate extraction.It is therefore crucial to find a convenient and rapid method to extract both types of cells simultaneously. OBJECTIVE:To explore a novel method for simultaneous extraction of primary cortical neurons and microglial cells. METHODS:Newborn suckling SD rats were taken within 24 hours.The brain was removed and placed in a dish with DMEM,and the pia mater was removed for later use.Primary neurons were extracted from the same brain tissue,and then the remaining brain tissue was used to extract microglial cells.The whole process was performed on ice.Extraction and culture steps of primary cortical neurons:The cerebral cortex was taken 2.0-3.0 mm with forceps,and the tissue was digested with papain for 20 minutes.After aborting digestion,the blown tissue presented an adherent tissue suspension.The supernatant cell suspension was obtained,filtered,and dispensed into 15 mL centrifuge tubes.After centrifugation and re-suspension,the cells were inoculated onto 6-well plate crawls coated with L-polylysine.Neuronal morphology was observed at 1-day intervals,and staining could be performed for identification using immunofluorescence staining of MAP2 and β-Tubulin by day 7.Microglia extraction and culture steps:The remaining brain tissue at 8-10 mm thick was subjected to microglial cell extraction,digested by trypsin for 20 minutes.After digestion was stopped,the tissue was blown to a homogenate,and then the homogenate was transferred to the culture bottle for culture.On day 14,the culture flasks were sealed and subjected to constant temperature horizontal shaking for 2 hours.Microglial cells were shed in the supernatant.Purified microglial cells were taken and continued to be cultured for 3 days for identification by Iba1 immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After 24 hours of culture,the neurons were adherent to the wall,the cytosol was enlarged,and some neurons developed synapses.After 3 and 5 days of culture,the cytosol was further enlarged,and most of the neurons were in the form of synapses,and some neurons were growing in clusters.On day 7,neuronal synapses were prolonged and thickened,and they were connected with each other to form a network.The neurons were identified by β-Tubulin and MAP2 immunofluorescence staining.(2)The cells grew close to the wall on day 1 of culture.On days 3,5,and 7,the density of microglial cells was small,and the cell morphology was bright oval or round,but the cells basically grew in clumps on the upper layer of other cells.On day 10,the density of microglial cells increased significantly.On day 14,microglial cells grew in dense clumps on the upper layer of other cells,and then they could be isolated and purified.The isolated and purified cells were taken and re-cultured to day 3 and identified as microglial cells by Iba1 immunofluorescence;their purity was greater than 95%.(3)The results show that primary cortical neurons and microglial cells obtained by this method after extraction and culture are of high purity,good morphology,and high viability.
10.Mitophagy regulates bone metabolism
Hanmin ZHU ; Song WANG ; Wenlin XIAO ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xi ZHOU ; Ye HE ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1676-1683
BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail