1.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine regulating metabolic reprogramming to improve breast cancer
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Weixia CHEN ; Bo FENG ; Jilei LI ; Sizhe WANG ; Meng ZHU ; Chunzheng MA
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):250-256
Metabolic reprogramming, as one of the core hallmarks of malignant tumors, plays a key role in the occurrence, development and treatment of breast cancer (BC). Abnormal changes in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, as well as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways significantly influence the pathogenesis and progression of BC. Studies have shown that various active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (such as berberine, matrine, quercetin, curcumin, etc.) and their compound formulations (e.g. Xihuang pill, Danzhi xiaoyao powder, Yanghe decoction, etc.) can inhibit the proliferation and migration of BC cells and induce apoptosis by regulating key metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, lipid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism. TCM demonstrates multi-target and holistic regulatory advantages in intervening in BC metabolic reprogramming, showing significant potential in modulating key molecules like hypoxia inducible factor-1α, hexokinase-2, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, glucose transporter-1, fatty acid synthase, and signaling pathways such as AKT/mTOR. However, current researches still focus predominantly on glucose metabolism, with insufficient mechanistic studies on lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, and OXPHOS. The precise targets, molecular mechanisms, and clinical translation value of these interventions require further validation and clarification through more high-quality experimental studies and clinical trials.
2.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway to Intervene in Lung Cancer: A Review
Jiarui CAO ; Bo FENG ; Chunzheng MA ; Weixia CHEN ; Jiangfan YU ; Shasha CAO ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Wenhui OUYANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):265-276
Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality rates globally. Current treatment methods for lung cancer primarily include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the main limitations of these treatments are their side effects, the drug resistance, and the economic burden they impose. As a critical cancer pathway, the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway regulates tumor occurrence and development through multiple mechanisms by influencing various downstream targets. Consequently, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway offers a promising avenue for lung cancer treatment research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a key role in the proliferation and growth of lung cancer cells, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolic alterations, remodeling of the immune microenvironment, and the development of treatment resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing attention due to its minimal side effects, low economic burden, and its potential to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity when used in conjunction with Western medicine. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine compounds, a growing number of Chinese medicine monomers have come into the spotlight because of their more targeted effects. Numerous studies investigating the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer have demonstrated that TCM can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells, tumor angiogenesis, and EMT, improve the inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironments, and enhance treatment sensitivity by intervening in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby impeding the progression of lung cancer. In recent years, the research on the regulation of this pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer has been updated rapidly. However, the summary of these studies has not been updated in time. This review summarizes and reflects on the recent research findings regarding the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM to intervene in lung cancer from three aspects, introducing the JAK/STAT pathway, elaborating the mechanism of this pathway in lung cancer, and exploring the intervention of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer through this pathway, to provide more reference for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.
3.Electroacupuncture reduced airway inflammation by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways in allergic asthmatic rats.
Hongli MA ; Xiaowen LIU ; Huamei CAI ; Yun YAN ; Weixia LI ; Jing ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):702-712
BACKGROUND:
Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma.
METHODS:
Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:
EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.
CONCLUSION
This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods*
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Animals
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Asthma/immunology*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Male
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Inflammation/therapy*
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Interleukin-4/metabolism*
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Interleukin-5/metabolism*
4.Current Research on the Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Sleep
Chunyu YUAN ; Heng JING ; Weixia CHEN ; Xiaodomg LI ; Jimin WU ; Lujia WANG ; Lihong MA
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2024;32(6):559-563
Sleep is an important activity of daily life for individuals,and sleep disorders can seriously affect their physical and mental health.This article summarizes the impact of vestibular stimulation on sleep,and reviews feasible and effective intervention methods from swing movement,galvanic vestibular stimulation,and weighted blankets stimulation,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
5.Progress of BCR-ABL fusion gene and JAK2 V617F mutation double-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms
Mingquan XING ; Hongfeng GE ; Weixia WU ; Xiaoxing SUN ; Lan MA ; Qikai WANG ; Hao HAN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2022;31(10):637-640
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells, and JAK2 V617F gene mutation is the main basis for the diagnosis of MPN. Previous studies have shown that BCR-ABL fusion gene and JAK2 V617F gene mutation are mutually exclusive in MPN patients, but in recent years, patients with a double mutation of both genes are often reported. The article synthesizes the relevant domestic and foreign literature in recent years, and reviews the BCR-ABL fusion gene and JAK2 V617F mutation double-positive MPN.
6.Molecular mechanism of microRNA-132 regulation of neuronal apoptosis in mice with Alzheimer′s disease
Kunpeng ZHAO ; Jing MA ; Yuling LI ; Weixia XIAO ; Yufeng LI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2021;54(6):455-460
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of miR-132 regulation of neuronal apoptosis in Alzheimer′s disease model mice (AD mice).Methods:The study started and ended from 2016.01 to 2021.03. The animals were divided into the AD transgenic model mice group (AD model mice group) and the littermate negative control mice group (litter negative mice group). The number of animals in each group in the subsequent experiment was three mouses. The levels of miR-132 in the cortex and hippocampus of the two groups were detected by quantitative PCR. The TUNNEL(terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling) method was used to detect neuronal apoptosis in the brain tissue of the two groups of mice. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins in brain tissue of two groups of mice were detected by immunoblotting. The dual-luciferase reporter system recognizes downstream target proteins that miRNA-132 directly regulated. The independent sample Student′s t-test was used to compare the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant with P<0.05. Results:Compared with the littermate-negative mice, the relative expression of miRNA-132 in the cortex and hippocampus of AD mice was significantly down-regulated ( P<0.01). The results of TUNNEL showed a significant increase in neuronal apoptosis in the brain of AD mice (relative number of apoptotic cells ( P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the relative expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the brain of AD mice was significantly increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The dual-luciferase reporter system showed that miRNA-132 could directly interact with the downstream protein FOXO3a, and the luciferase activity of the AD model group was significantly reduced ( P<0.01). Conclusions:miRNA-132 reduction may disinhibit apoptosis-related proteins BAX and Caspase-3 by up-regulating FOXO3a expression to speed up neuronal apoptosis in AD mice.
7.Molecular mechanism of microRNA-132 regulation of neuronal apoptosis in mice with Alzheimer′s disease
Kunpeng ZHAO ; Jing MA ; Yuling LI ; Weixia XIAO ; Yufeng LI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2021;54(6):455-460
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of miR-132 regulation of neuronal apoptosis in Alzheimer′s disease model mice (AD mice).Methods:The study started and ended from 2016.01 to 2021.03. The animals were divided into the AD transgenic model mice group (AD model mice group) and the littermate negative control mice group (litter negative mice group). The number of animals in each group in the subsequent experiment was three mouses. The levels of miR-132 in the cortex and hippocampus of the two groups were detected by quantitative PCR. The TUNNEL(terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling) method was used to detect neuronal apoptosis in the brain tissue of the two groups of mice. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins in brain tissue of two groups of mice were detected by immunoblotting. The dual-luciferase reporter system recognizes downstream target proteins that miRNA-132 directly regulated. The independent sample Student′s t-test was used to compare the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant with P<0.05. Results:Compared with the littermate-negative mice, the relative expression of miRNA-132 in the cortex and hippocampus of AD mice was significantly down-regulated ( P<0.01). The results of TUNNEL showed a significant increase in neuronal apoptosis in the brain of AD mice (relative number of apoptotic cells ( P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the relative expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the brain of AD mice was significantly increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The dual-luciferase reporter system showed that miRNA-132 could directly interact with the downstream protein FOXO3a, and the luciferase activity of the AD model group was significantly reduced ( P<0.01). Conclusions:miRNA-132 reduction may disinhibit apoptosis-related proteins BAX and Caspase-3 by up-regulating FOXO3a expression to speed up neuronal apoptosis in AD mice.
8.Clinical utility value of urinary aldosterone detection by tandem mass spectrometry in primary hyperaldosteronism screening
Wenjun MA ; Jin BIAN ; Ying LOU ; Xu YANG ; Huimin ZHANG ; Xianliang ZHOU ; Lei SONG ; Jun CAI ; Beibei ZHAO ; Ergang JIANG ; Weixia LIU ; Yating CHENG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2020;43(3):261-266
Objective:To explore the clinical utility of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry forprimary aldosteronism screening.Methods:From January to October 2019, 413 inpatients diagnosed hypertension from Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were enrolled, including 60 Primary aldosteronism(PA)patients and 353 primary hypertension patients. The plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and renin concentration (DRC) were measured after 2 h of standing. The 24 h urine samples were collected for measurement of aldosterone using LC-MS/MS. The performance of urine aldosterone and urine aldosterone/renin ratio (UADRR) in PA screening was evaluated by ROC, and compared with PAC/DRC ratio (ADRR). Meanwhile, the efficiency of urine aldosterone in elderly patients or patients with low blood potassium or 24 h urine sodium over 200 mmol was investigated.Results:Area under the curve (AUC)of urine aldosterone was 0.725 (95 %CI 0.679-0.767), and the best cut-off was 7.13 μg/24 h, which was lower than AUC of ADRR (0.958, 95 %CI 0.934-0.975). The AUC of UADRR was 0.947 (95 %CI 0.920-0.966), the best cut-off was 1.11 (μg/24 h)/(μIU/ml), the sensitivity and specificity were 91.7% and 89.0%, respectively. There is no significant differences found with ADRR. In patients with 24 h urine sodium over 200 mmol, AUC of aldosterone was 0.834 (95 %CI 0.730-0.910) and the best cut-off was 9.31 μg/24 h. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 68.7%, respectively. For the elderly patients over 60 years old, the AUC of urinary aldosterone was 0.860 (95 %CI 0.770-0.925), and the best cut-off was 6.91 μg/24 h. The sensitivity and specificity were 84.6% and 81.3%, respectively. When admission blood potassium was less than 3.50 mmol/L, AUC of urinary aldosterone was 0.822 (95 %CI 0.684-0.917), and the best cut-off was 10.63 μg/24 h. The sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion:The detection of aldosterone in urine by LC-MS/MS can provide clinical information for PA screening, and the screening performance is better in patients with 24-hour urine sodium over 200 mmol, elderly patients or patients with low blood potassium. If combined with renin, screening efficiency was the same as that in ADRR.
9.The role of PCSK9 on lipid accumulation and injury in the kidney of C57BL/6 mice
Meiyan WU ; Chongsen ZANG ; Fuzhe MA ; Bin CHEN ; Weixia SUN ; Mindan SUN ; Hang YUAN ; Zhonggao XU ; Ye JIA
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2018;34(11):845-850
Objectives To evaluate the role of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9) on the lipid accumulation and kidney injury of C57BL/6 mice. Methods The 24 h urine of 12 weeks old wide type C57BL/6 mice and PCSK9 knockout (KO) mice were collected through a metabolic cage, followed by perfusion and sacrifice. Urinary microalbumin?to?creatinine ratio (UACr), total cholesterol and triglyceride in kidney tissues were measured by ELISA. BODIPY 493/503 staining and standard transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of kidney tissues was performed for evaluating lipid accumulation and podocyte foot effacement in the kidney. Kidney tissues were also evaluated by PAS stain and TUNNEL stain. PCSK9, podocin and nephrin were quantified through real?time PCR, and the Bcl?2, Bax and cleaved caspase 3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were higher in the kidneys of PCSK9 KO mice than controls (P<0.05). The level of lipid accumulation in glomeruli and tubules through BODIPY 493/503 stain, and the amount of lipid drop in TEM were more serious in PCSK9 KO mice. UACr and podocyte foot process effacement were increased, and the transcription of podocin and nephrin were decreased in the kidneys of PCSK9 KO mice (all P<0.05). The expression of Bcl?2 was decreased, and Bax and cleavedcaspase 3 were increased in the kidney samples of PCSK9 KO mice. Conclusion PCSK9 might be reversely involved in lipid homeostasis and accumulation, resulting in injury and apoptosis in the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice.
10.Expression of interleukin-24 and its influence on bioactivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells
Xiao LI ; Jinbing PAN ; Yun MA ; Qianqian ZHANG ; Weixia XUAN ; Xiaoju ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2018;38(1):55-61
Objective To investigate the expression of IL-24 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),and to evaluate its influence on the bioactivity of NSCLC cells. Methods Thirty-nine patient with NSCLC (23 patients with adenocarcinoma and 16 patients with squamous carcinoma) and 17 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum samples and lung cancer tissues were collected. IL-24 expression in the serum samples was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Its expression at mRNA level in the lung cancer tissues was measured using reverse transcriptional real-time PCR. Adenocar-cinoma cell line A549 and squamous carcinoma cell line NCI-H520 were stimulated with recombinant human IL-24 (10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Cell proliferation was measured using CCK-8 method. Ap-optosis and cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry. Cell invasion was measured using Transwell as-say. Results Serum IL-24 was significantly elevated in patients with NSCLC in comparison with that in healthy subjects [(144.10±64.43) vs(48.47±18.00) pg/ml]. No significant difference in IL-24 expres-sion was found between patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. IL-24 expression at mRNA level in lung cancer tissues of patients with NSCLC was also significantly increased with an approximately 5-fold enhancement in comparison with that in normal lung tissues. Stimulation with low concentration of re-combinant IL-24(10 ng/ml) promoted the proliferation and suppressed the apoptosis of A549 and NCI-H520 cells. In contrast, high concentration of recombinant IL-24 (100 ng/ml) stimulation notably inhibited the proliferation and enhanced the apoptosis of lung cancer cell lines. No remarkable changes in cell cycle of the two kinds of lung cancer cells in response to IL-24 stimulation were observed. Moreover,low concentration of recombinant IL-24 (10 ng/ml) did not affect the invasion of A549 and NCI-H520 cells,while high concen-tration of recombinant IL-24 (100 ng/ml) significantly inhibited the invasion of lung cancer cells. Conclu-sion IL-24 might influence the bioactivity of NSCLC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. High con-centration of IL-24 might counteract the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC,which is important to prevent dis-ease promotion.

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