1.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Shuangmei ZHAO ; Hong WANG ; Suying WANG ; Jiale MA ; Long PENG ; Hengyu ZHANG ; Dewen LIANG ; Wang GAO ; Huizhen LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):282-291
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease closely related to metabolic dysfunction. Its global prevalence is increasing year by year and shows a trend toward younger onset. It is closely associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and extrahepatic malignant tumors, and has become a major public health problem affecting the health of the Chinese population. At present, the treatment of MAFLD mainly focuses on lifestyle intervention. When metabolic cardiovascular risk factors and liver injury are present, pharmacological intervention is required. However, there is still no specific drug therapy for MAFLD. In recent years, many studies have found that the pathogenesis of MAFLD involves interactions among multiple factors, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, programmed cell death, immune dysregulation, inflammasomes, gut microbiota imbalance, and bile acid metabolism. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has advantages in integrated regulation with multiple components and multiple targets, and shows significant efficacy in the treatment of MAFLD. Active components of Chinese medicinal herbs and Chinese medicine compound formulas exert definite therapeutic effects by regulating multiple signaling pathways to improve lipid metabolism disorders, inhibit inflammatory responses, and regulate the gut microbiota, thereby effectively improving clinical symptoms and delaying the occurrence and development of MAFLD. Therefore, strengthening research on the mechanisms of action of TCM in MAFLD is of crucial importance and significance for its treatment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which Chinese medicine monomers and compound formulas intervene in MAFLD through the regulation of related signaling pathways, based on the retrieval and analysis of relevant literature from multiple databases, with the aim of providing theoretical support and a reference basis for the clinical application of TCM in the treatment of MAFLD.
2.Comparison of three different doses of DEN induced primary liver cancer models in rats
Riyun ZHANG ; Fenglan WU ; Dewen MAO ; Minggang WANG ; Hao PEI ; Feiyan LI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):169-179
Objective Three different doses of diethylnitrosamine(DEN)were used to establish a rat primary liver cancer(PLC)model to establish an efficient,stable,and economical animal model of PLC.Methods Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal group,DEN 50 mg/kg dose group(low dose group),70 mg/kg dose group(medium dose group),and 200 mg/kg dose group(high dose group).There were 6 animals in the normal group and 13 animals in each of the other groups.The normal control group received no treatment.The model group and low dose groups were injected intraperitoneally twice a week during weeks 1~4 and once a week during weeks 5~12;the medium dose group was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 16 consecutive weeks;and the high dose group was administered only once in the first week.The rats in each group were then followed for 16 weeks.The establishment of the model and optimal evaluation were verified by survival rate,pathological tests,biochemical tests,liver and spleen index calculation,immunohistochemistry,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and other assays.Results The survival rate was 100%in the normal group,46.15%in the low dose group,69.23%in the medium dose group,and 84.61%in the high dose group.The liver tissues of the rats in the normal group showed no abnormality to the naked eye;the liver of the rats in the low dose group became darker in color,rougher in surface,with a small number of cancerous nodules and slightly hard texture;the liver of the rats in the medium dose group was rough in surface,with several small cancerous nodules and scattered massive occupying nodules and hard texture;The liver of rats in the high dose group became lighter in color,slightly rougher in surface,with no obvious cancerous nodules;HE staining showed that the liver tissues of rats in the low and medium dose groups were structurally disorganized,with large cellular heterogeneity and tumor cells.HE staining showed that the liver tissues of rats in the low and medium dose groups were structurally disorganized,with large cellular heterogeneity and tumor cell formation,while the structure of the liver lobules of the high dose group was unclear,with different degrees of edema,degeneration and necrosis of liver cells,and no obvious tumor cell formation was seen.Compared with the normal group,serum liver function alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and total bilirubin(TBIL)were elevated in the low,medium,and high dose groups;ALT and AST were significantly elevated in the low dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,ALT,AST and TBIL were significantly elevated in the medium dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,and the difference was statistically significant,although liver function in the high dose group was elevated,he increase was not significant,the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05);compared with the normal group,the international normalized ratio(INR)of coagulation function was significantly higher in the low dose group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05),and the activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels were increased(P<0.05),and the difference was not statistically significant;serum APTT,PT,INR,and AFP levels were significantly increased in the medium dose group(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant;serum PT and AFP levels were increased in the high dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,and plasma APTT levels were slightly increased(P>0.05),the difference was not statistically significant;liver and spleen indexes were increased in the medium dose group(P<0.05),the spleen index increased in the low dose group(P<0.05),and the liver index increased in the high dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant;the optical density value of liver tissue AFP increased significantly in the low,medium and high dose groups(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant.Conclusions Both the low and medium dose groups could successfully induce the PLC rat model,but the pathological changes and biochemical findings of the medium dose group were more consistent with the pathogenesis of human liver tissue from liver injury to hepatic fibrosis to cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma,and the number of administrations of the drug is less,and the survival rate of the rats is higher so that a more cost-effective and superior PLC model can be established.
3.Comparison of three different doses of DEN induced primary liver cancer models in rats
Riyun ZHANG ; Fenglan WU ; Dewen MAO ; Minggang WANG ; Hao PEI ; Feiyan LI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):169-179
Objective Three different doses of diethylnitrosamine(DEN)were used to establish a rat primary liver cancer(PLC)model to establish an efficient,stable,and economical animal model of PLC.Methods Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal group,DEN 50 mg/kg dose group(low dose group),70 mg/kg dose group(medium dose group),and 200 mg/kg dose group(high dose group).There were 6 animals in the normal group and 13 animals in each of the other groups.The normal control group received no treatment.The model group and low dose groups were injected intraperitoneally twice a week during weeks 1~4 and once a week during weeks 5~12;the medium dose group was injected intraperitoneally once a week for 16 consecutive weeks;and the high dose group was administered only once in the first week.The rats in each group were then followed for 16 weeks.The establishment of the model and optimal evaluation were verified by survival rate,pathological tests,biochemical tests,liver and spleen index calculation,immunohistochemistry,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and other assays.Results The survival rate was 100%in the normal group,46.15%in the low dose group,69.23%in the medium dose group,and 84.61%in the high dose group.The liver tissues of the rats in the normal group showed no abnormality to the naked eye;the liver of the rats in the low dose group became darker in color,rougher in surface,with a small number of cancerous nodules and slightly hard texture;the liver of the rats in the medium dose group was rough in surface,with several small cancerous nodules and scattered massive occupying nodules and hard texture;The liver of rats in the high dose group became lighter in color,slightly rougher in surface,with no obvious cancerous nodules;HE staining showed that the liver tissues of rats in the low and medium dose groups were structurally disorganized,with large cellular heterogeneity and tumor cells.HE staining showed that the liver tissues of rats in the low and medium dose groups were structurally disorganized,with large cellular heterogeneity and tumor cell formation,while the structure of the liver lobules of the high dose group was unclear,with different degrees of edema,degeneration and necrosis of liver cells,and no obvious tumor cell formation was seen.Compared with the normal group,serum liver function alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and total bilirubin(TBIL)were elevated in the low,medium,and high dose groups;ALT and AST were significantly elevated in the low dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,ALT,AST and TBIL were significantly elevated in the medium dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,and the difference was statistically significant,although liver function in the high dose group was elevated,he increase was not significant,the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05);compared with the normal group,the international normalized ratio(INR)of coagulation function was significantly higher in the low dose group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05),and the activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels were increased(P<0.05),and the difference was not statistically significant;serum APTT,PT,INR,and AFP levels were significantly increased in the medium dose group(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant;serum PT and AFP levels were increased in the high dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant,and plasma APTT levels were slightly increased(P>0.05),the difference was not statistically significant;liver and spleen indexes were increased in the medium dose group(P<0.05),the spleen index increased in the low dose group(P<0.05),and the liver index increased in the high dose group(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant;the optical density value of liver tissue AFP increased significantly in the low,medium and high dose groups(P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant.Conclusions Both the low and medium dose groups could successfully induce the PLC rat model,but the pathological changes and biochemical findings of the medium dose group were more consistent with the pathogenesis of human liver tissue from liver injury to hepatic fibrosis to cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma,and the number of administrations of the drug is less,and the survival rate of the rats is higher so that a more cost-effective and superior PLC model can be established.
4.The role of low-frequency ultrasound on antibiotic sensitivity and biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli: an in vitro effect study
Dewen XUE ; Yicheng LI ; Baochao JI ; Fei WANG ; Xingbu MENG ; Bo LIU ; Li CAO
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(6):512-520
Objective:To evaluate the effects of low-frequency ultrasound on antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).Methods:After MRSA and E. coli were treated with low-frequency ultrasound with different parameters, they were divided into a group with different ultrasound durations and a group with different ultrasound powers. With the power parameter set at 100%, the former was divided into 5 subgroups: control, 1.0 min, 2.5 min, 5.0 min, and 10.0 min subgroups. The bacteria were sonicated for 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 min, respectively. The group with different ultrasound powers was also divided into 5 subgroups: control, 25% power, 50% power, 75% power, and 100% power subgroups. The bacteria were treated with ultrasonic powers of 0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% for 5.0 min. The MRSA and E. coli corresponded to antibiotic susceptibility testing using vancomycin and meropenem. The number of bacteria surviving was assessed by colony counts. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the changes in biofilms co-cultured with 1/2 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) antibiotics after sonication.Results:The E. coli enhanced its susceptibility to meropenem after 5.0 min of high-power sonication while the susceptibility of MRSA to vancomycin was unaffected. The number of E. coli decreased significantly with increasing ultrasound time and power: the numbers of E. coli in the 1.0 min, 2.5 min, 5.0 min, and 10.0 min subgroups [(51.00±18.73), (30.00±9.17), (5.33±4.04), and (0.23±0.03)×10 4 CFU/mL] were significantly smaller than that in the control subgroup [(120.00±7.81)×10 4 CFU/mL], and the numbers of E. coli in the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% subgroups [(25.00±3.00), (8.00±2.65), (5.00±2.00), and (5.33±4.04)×10 4 CFU/mL] were significantly smaller than that in the control subgroup [(120.00±7.81)×10 4 CFU/mL] ( P<0.05). However, the number of MRSA was not significantly affected. After treatment with ultrasound combined with 1/2 MIC meropenem, the ratio of live/dead biofilm areas of E. coli decreased significantly with increasing ultrasound time and power: the proportions of E. coli in the 1.0 min, 2.5 min, 5.0 min and 10.0 min subgroups (66.10%±1.78%, 50.84%±7.99%, 60.98%±2.23%, and 29.20%±16.49%) were significantly smaller than those in the control subgroup (93.73%±0.44%), and the proportions of E. coli in the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% subgroups (75.23%±2.21%, 65.10%±1.25%, 57.34%±11.21%, and 60.98%±2.23%) were significantly smaller than that in the control subgroup (93.73%±0.44%) ( P<0.05). However, the MRSA live/dead biofilm area ratio was not significantly affected by the treatment with ultrasound combined with 1/2 MIC vancomycin. Conclusions:Low frequency ultrasound can effectively inhibit the growth of E. coli and significantly enhance its sensitivity to antibiotics, and its combination with antibiotics can inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilm. However, low frequency ultrasound or its combination with antibiotics has no significant effect on MRSA.
5.Study of Jiedu Huayu granules on antagonizing intestinal endotoxemia in liver failure by improving inflammation and intestinal barrier damage
Tingshuai WANG ; Riyun ZHANG ; Chengyu YA ; Dewen MAO ; Rongzhen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(9):872-879
Objective:To study the mechanistic role of Jiedu Huayu granule in improving intestinal mucosal barrier functional damage and protecting against liver failure in mice induced by D-galactosamine combined with lipopolysaccharide.Methods:Fifty mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a low-dose Jiedu Huayu granule group (4.16 g·kg -1·d -1), a medium-dose Jiedu Huayu granule group (8.32 g·kg -1·d -1), and a high-dose Jiedu Huayu granule group (16.64 g·kg -1·d -1). D-galactosamine combined with lipopolysaccharide was administered once to establish an acute liver failure mouse model, followed by corresponding drug intervention. Retro-orbital blood samples were collected to measure serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels six hours after modeling in mice. The endotoxin content was detected using the limulus reagent method. The content of serum interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe liver and intestinal pathological tissues.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression of Occludin, Zo-1, Tricellulin, and CLDN3 in intestinal tissues. Multiple quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, following a normal distribution. LSD-t test was used for statistical analysis between inter-groups. Results:The medium-and high-dose Jiedu Huayu granules had reduced and improved liver function impairment, liver pathological tissue damage, intestinal barrier damage, serum endotoxin and inflammatory factors ( P<0.05), and increased intestinal expression of occludin, Zo-1, Tricellulin, and CLDN3 ( P<0.05) in mice group with acute liver failure. Conclusion:Jiedu Huayu granules can reduce liver inflammatory damage, gut-derived endotoxemia, bacterial endotoxins entering the liver, and protect intestinal barrier function, thereby remissioning liver inflammation and antagonizing liver failure in mice with acute liver failure.
6.Effect of joint management of type 2 diabetes mellitus between specialty department and community health under National Diabetes Prevention and Control Center (DPCC) model
Ying HUANG ; Yi QIAN ; Xuchi WU ; Zhongyu ZHOU ; Cong WANG ; Lin WANG ; Caiyan HUANG ; Zhuangsen CHEN ; Yanrong ZHANG ; Shanshan WANG ; Lu WANG ; Jie WAN ; Ruihong YANG ; Huiya WANG ; Yan CHEN ; Cheng HE ; Kun FENG ; Dewen YAN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(3):338-342
Objective:To analyze the effect of joint management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) between specialty and community under the model of National Diabetes Prevention and Control Center (DPCC).Methods:A total of 2 527 T2DM patients managed by DPCC Pingshan Center of Shenzhen from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024 were retrospectively included. After management, the rate of downturn, reexamination rate, blood pressure compliance rate, metabolic indicators (waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood lipids) and screening rate of chronic complications of diabetes (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, microvascular disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy) were analyzed. Those included 2022 ( n=564), 2023 ( n=1 477), and 2024 ( n=2 527). Results:The downturn rate in 2022, 2023 and 2024 increased year by year (22.8% vs 67.2% vs 89.9%, P<0.01), and the review rate (41.1% vs 62.2% vs 52.7%, P<0.01), complication screening rate (51.6% vs 85.3% vs 62.2%, P<0.01), blood pressure compliance rate (53.1% vs 78.0% vs 67.2%, P<0.01), body mass index compliance rate (13.2% vs 17.3% vs 28.6%, P<0.01), fasting blood glucose meeting rate (46.4% vs 60.2% vs 68.5%, P<0.01), glycated hemoglobin meeting rate (58.4% vs 63.2% vs 45.6%, P<0.01) were relatively improved. Waist circumference compliance rate (30.6% vs 27.7% vs 21.6%) and blood lipid compliance rate (33.6% vs 35.5% vs 31.9%) were not significantly improved, and the review rate, blood pressure compliance rate and complication screening rate in 2024 were lower than those in 2023 and higher than those in 2022. Conclusions:The combined management of type 2 diabetes under the DPCC model has significant effects on improving the down-conversion rate, rediagnosis rate, blood pressure compliance rate, metabolic index compliance rate and the screening rate of diabetes-related chronic complications in patients with diabetes. At the same time, it was also found that with the progress of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment, the review rate, complication screening rate, blood pressure, waist circumference, blood lipid and glycosylated hemoglobin reached the standard of patients decreased compared with the previous situation, which needs to be further analyzed and improved.
7.Practice and thinking of diabetes prevention and control in Shenzhen Bao′an
Jisu XUE ; Minqin WANG ; Ling ZHONG ; Jiao LU ; Li HUANG ; Xiangyang HE ; Dewen YAN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(3):353-356
China now has the largest number of people living with diabetes worldwide. To address such a burden, the Healthy China 2030 initiative and subsequent Healthy China Initiative-Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Action Plan(2024-2030)were launched. A shift from " disease-centred" approach to " health-centred" approach and from treatment to prevention is the core of diabetes management in China. Various regions have formed some characteristic prevention and control models with local features in their long-term diabetes prevention and control work, such as the " Community Three-in-One" management model, hospital-community integrated prevention and control model, " Three Doctors Shared Management" model, and family doctor model. Based on the description of the current situation of diabetes prevention and control in China, this article elaborates on the diabetes prevention and control model, key measures, and practical effects in Bao′an District, Shenzhen. It aims to introduce the practices and reflections on diabetes prevention and control in Bao′an, Shenzhen, and provide experiential reference for diabetes prevention and control in other areas.
8.Construction and practice of the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Chun YAO ; Minggang WANG ; Na WANG ; Mengru PENG ; Ningfang MO ; Yaqing ZHENG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):370-374
Hepatic encephalopathy is a difficult and critical disease with rapid progression and limited treatment methods in the field of liver disease, and it is urgently needed to make breakthroughs in its pathogenesis. Selection of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies is of great importance in delaying disease progression and reducing the incidence and mortality rates. This article reviews the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine, proposes a new theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, analyzes the scientific connotations of “turbid”, “toxin”, and the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, and constructs the “four-step” prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy, thereby establishing the new clinical prevention and treatment regimen for hepatic encephalopathy represented by “four prescriptions and two techniques” and clarifying the effect mechanism and biological basis of core prescriptions and techniques in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
9.Immunomodulatory effect of short-chain fatty acids in hepatic encephalopathy and its potential diagnostic value
Weiyu CHEN ; Dewen MAO ; Han WANG ; Yang DU ; Wenqian FENG ; Lei FU ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):954-962
Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is a common complication of severe liver disease in the end stage,and it is urgently needed to improve the rate of effective treatment and clarify the pathogenesis of HE.The liver is a crucial hub for immune regulation,and disruption of immune homeostasis is a key factor in the pathological mechanisms of HE.As the main metabolites of intestinal flora,short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)play a vital role in the biological processes of both innate and adaptive immunity and can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells maintain the homeostasis of intestinal microenvironment and the integrity of barrier function.Studies have shown that SCFAs participate in bidirectional and dynamic interactions with the liver-gut-brain axis through immunomodulatory pathways,thereby playing an important role in the diagnosis,treatment,and prognostic evaluation of HE.Starting from the immunoregulatory effect of SCFAs,this article summarizes and analyzes the crosstalk relationship between SCFAs and the liver-gut-brain axis and the significance of SCFAs in the diagnosis and treatment of HE,in order to provide new ideas for optimizing clinical prevention and treatment strategies.
10.The role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in liver diseases
Yangling ZENG ; Yunyong WANG ; Haimei GUAN ; Tianwen WANG ; Baohua XIE ; Guobao LI ; Riyun ZHANG ; Tingshuai WANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):983-990
Cholesterol is an essential molecule for the biosynthesis of cell membranes and cell proliferation and differentiation,and the liver plays a central role in cholesterol metabolism and is responsible for the synthesis,uptake,secretion,and transport of cholesterol.The initial stages of cholesterol synthesis in the liver are particularly important,and abnormalities in such stages are closely associated with the progression of various liver diseases.Studies have shown that as a key rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis,3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR)has well-defined regulatory properties and has been confirmed as an important target for the regulation of various liver diseases.This article reviews the process of cholesterol metabolism,the degradation and regulatory mechanisms of HMGCR,and the application of inhibitors,as well as the role of HMGCR in liver diseases,in order to provide new insights for scientific research and the clinical prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

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