1.Mechanisms of Dihuang Yinzi in Treating Advanced Parkinson's Disease Based on Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation Axis
Renzhi MA ; Yasi LIN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Hongmei ZHU ; Jiayuan LI ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Wenxin FAN ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):11-21
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on motor dysfunction in rats with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and to investigate the mechanisms by which DY improves advanced PD symptoms through the "gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-inflammation-neuroprotection pathway". MethodsAn advanced PD rat model was induced by rotenone. Rats were divided into a normal group, model group, positive drug group (levodopa, 50 mg·kg-1), and DY low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.2, 10.4, 20.8 g·kg-1). After 7 days of administration, motor function was evaluated using the open-field, pole-climbing, and inclined plate tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in the substantia nigra and colon, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), Levodopa, homovanillic acid (HVA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the content of SCFAs in colonic contents. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased movement speed and distance in the open-field test, prolonged pole-climbing time, and reduced retention angle on the inclined plate (P<0.01), accompanied by increased α-Syn expression (P<0.01) and decreased TH expression (P<0.01) in the brain. Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups improved motor dysfunction in advanced PD rats to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated pathological damage in the brain and colon. High-dose DY significantly reduced α-Syn aggregation in the substantia nigra (P<0.01) and increased TH expression (P<0.01). ELISA and Western blot results showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreased levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum (P<0.01), increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum (P<0.01), and significantly reduced expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups increased the levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose DY group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum were reduced (P<0.01), while the expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the intestine was increased. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the relative abundances of Actinobacteriota, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased in the model group, whereas the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, class Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, and Akkermansia muciniphila were decreased. These changes were effectively reversed after high-dose DY intervention. GC analysis showed that the content of SCFAs in the colonic contents of rats in the model group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while after high-dose DY intervention, the levels of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and butyrate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDY may exert therapeutic effects in advanced PD by regulating the gut microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation pathway.
2.An anti-complement homogeneous polysaccharide from Houttuynia cordata ameliorates acute pneumonia with H1N1 and MRSA coinfection through rectifying Treg/Th17 imbalance in the gut-lung axis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Xinxing LI ; Wenxin DING ; Yan LU ; Haiyan ZHU ; Weilian BAO ; Yang LIU ; Jiaren LYU ; Lishuang ZHOU ; Hong LI ; Jiyang LI ; Daofeng CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3073-3091
The coinfection of respiratory viruses and bacteria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite the development of vaccines and powerful antibiotics. As a macromolecule that is difficult to absorb in the gastrointestinal tract, a homogeneous polysaccharide from Houttuynia cordata (HCPM) has been reported to exhibit anti-complement properties and alleviate influenza A virus (H1N1)-induced lung injury; however, the effects of HCPM without in vitro antiviral and antibacterial activities on more complicated pulmonary diseases resulting from viral-bacterial coinfection remains unclear. This study established a representative coinfection murine pneumonia model infected with H1N1 (0.2 LD50) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, 107 CFU). HCPM significantly improved survival rate and weight loss, and ameliorated gut-lung damage and inflammatory cytokine production. Interestingly, the therapeutic effect of HCPM on intestinal damage preceded that in the lungs. Mechanistically, HCPM inhibited the overactivation of the intestinal complement (C3a and C5a) and suppressed the activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway, which contributes to the regulation of the Treg/Th17 cell balance in the gut-lung axis. The results indicate the beneficial effects of an anti-complement polysaccharide against viral-bacterial coinfection pneumonia by modulating crosstalk between multiple immune regulatory networks.
3.Value of six items of risk assessment scores for infections in prediction of infections in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention therapy
Wenxin GAO ; Lishan ZHU ; Xinjie SHAO ; Qiuying HAN ; Jing LIANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2726-2730
OBJECTIVE T o verify and compare the values of the different risk assessment scores in prediction of in-fections in the ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interven-tion(PCI)therapy.METHODS A total of 226 STEMI patients who received PCI in The Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Aug.2019 to Jul.2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The efficien-cies of the six types of risk assessment scores,including age,serum creatinine,or glomerular filtration rate/ejec-tion fraction(ACEF/AGEF)score,Canadian acute coronary syndrome(C ACS)score,embolism risk score 2(CHADS2)score,global register of acute coronary events(GRACE)score and for contrast induced nephropathy(Mehran)scorein prediction of infections and major adverse clinical events(M ACE)were analyzed.RESULTS All of the risk assessment scores showed remarkable discriminating capability in prediction of infections(AUC:0 746 to 0 791)except CHADS2 score[the area under the curve(AUC)=0.682;95%CI=0.652 to 0.712)].All of the risk assessment scores showed the excellent performance in calibration of infections except CACS risk assess-ment score(calibration slope=0.77;95%CI=0.18 to 1.35).The risk assessment scores also showed tremen-dous capability in discriminating MACE during the hospital stay except CHADS2 score,with the AUC ranging be-tween 0.700 and 0.786.All of the six types of risk assessment scores showed the most excellent performance in calibration of MACE during the hospital stay.CONCLUSION ACEF,AGEF,CACS,GRACE and Mehran scores show remarkable discriminating capability and calibration in prediction of infections and MACE.
4.Effects of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide on testes of senescent rats induced by D-galactose
Wenxin MA ; Chang LIU ; Jing PU ; Hongmei LI ; Li YANG ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Dongmei CHEN ; Huiming MA
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1296-1304
To investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide(LbGp)on testicu-lar injury induced by D-galactose(D-gal)in aging rats,male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:the blank control group(Control),aging model group(Model),positive control group(β-nicotinamide mononucleotide,NMN),low dose LbGp group(LLbGp),medium dose LbGp group(MLbGp)and high dose LbGp group(HLbGp).The testicular mass of rats was counted,the morphological changes of testicular tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,the testicular senescence was detected by β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining,and the levels of testos-terone(T),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)in serum were de-tected.The levels of oxidative factors such as glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dis-mutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT)and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in rat tissues were measured.TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of testicular cells,epididymal sperm quality,and the expression of Keap1,Nrf2 and Nqo1 mRNA were analyzed.The results showed that compared with the Model group,the testicular coefficient of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide rats in MLbGp and HLbGp groups increased(P<0.01),the level of T in serum and sperm quality increased(P<0.05),the structural degeneration and aging of testicular tissue decreased(P<0.01),the level of antioxidant factors increased,and the levels of inflammatory factors and apopto-sis decreased(P<0.05).The expression of Keap1 decreased significantly(P<0.01),while the ex-pression of Nrf2 and Nqo1 mRNA increased(P<0.05).The above results indicate that Lycium barbarum glycopeptide can improve D-gal-induced testicular senescence,attenuate oxidative stress,reduce inflammatory response,decrease apoptosis,and exert a protective effect on testicular injury in rats due to senescence through the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway.
5.Research progress on the immune microenvironment and immunotherapy of thyroid cancer
Zhenyu LIAO ; Wenxin ZHU ; Jiqi YAN
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(2):165-170
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Although most patients achieve good prognosis through surgery and conventional treatments, approximately 15%-20% of patients with papillary thyroid cancer and the anaplastic and medullary thyroid cancers still lack effective treatment options. The tumor immune microenvironment plays a critical role in the occurrence, progression, and drug resistance of thyroid cancer. This review focused on the key immune cells in thyroid cancer, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, mast cells, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes, and explored their roles and mechanisms in tumor immune evasion. Immunotherapy has become an emerging treatment strategy for advanced thyroid cancer, we summarized the attempts and advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted macrophage therapy and tumor vaccines.
6.CT radiomics machine learning model for predicting stone free rate of urinary calculi after retrograde intrarenal surgery
Cong ZHOU ; Yazhou WANG ; Qingxia WU ; Yongyue ZHU ; Wenxin LIAO ; Daoqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):52-57
Objective To observe the value of CT radiomics machine learning(ML)model for predicting stone free rate(SFR)of urinary calculi after retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS).Methods Totally 216 patients with urinary calculi who underwent RIRS were retrospectively enrolled and divided into residual group(n=73)and non-residual group(n=143).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression(LR)were performed to analyze clinical data and CT manifestations of stones to screen independent predictors of SFR after RIRS.Window width and window level normalization combined with max-min normalization(denoted as method a),max-min normalization(denoted as method b),window width and window level normalization(denoted as method c)and non-normalization(denoted as method d)of pre-RIRS abdominal CT were performed,respectively,and the best radiomics features of stones were extracted and screened to establish ML models,including support vector machine(SVM),LR and stochastic gradient descent(SGD)models,and the best ML model was screened.RUSS and modified S.T.O.N.E scores were evaluated based on pre-RIRS CT for predicting SFR of urinary calculi after RIRS.A combined model was then constructed with the independent predictors and the best ML model.The predictive efficacy of each model and scoring system were assessed.Results The number of stones,CT value and volume of the maximum stone were all independent predictors of SFR after RIRS(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of SVM model constructed with images preprocessed by method b was the highest(0.861),higher than that of the total scores of RUSS and modified S.T.O.N.E(AUC=0.750,0.759,both P<0.05)but not different from that of combined model(AUC=0.853,P=0.775).Conclusion Radiomics SVM model based on max-min normalization preprocessed CT could effectively predict SFR of urinary calculi after RIRS.
7.Effects of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide on testes of senescent rats induced by D-galactose
Wenxin MA ; Chang LIU ; Jing PU ; Hongmei LI ; Li YANG ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Dongmei CHEN ; Huiming MA
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1296-1304
To investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide(LbGp)on testicu-lar injury induced by D-galactose(D-gal)in aging rats,male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:the blank control group(Control),aging model group(Model),positive control group(β-nicotinamide mononucleotide,NMN),low dose LbGp group(LLbGp),medium dose LbGp group(MLbGp)and high dose LbGp group(HLbGp).The testicular mass of rats was counted,the morphological changes of testicular tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,the testicular senescence was detected by β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining,and the levels of testos-terone(T),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)in serum were de-tected.The levels of oxidative factors such as glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dis-mutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT)and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in rat tissues were measured.TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of testicular cells,epididymal sperm quality,and the expression of Keap1,Nrf2 and Nqo1 mRNA were analyzed.The results showed that compared with the Model group,the testicular coefficient of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide rats in MLbGp and HLbGp groups increased(P<0.01),the level of T in serum and sperm quality increased(P<0.05),the structural degeneration and aging of testicular tissue decreased(P<0.01),the level of antioxidant factors increased,and the levels of inflammatory factors and apopto-sis decreased(P<0.05).The expression of Keap1 decreased significantly(P<0.01),while the ex-pression of Nrf2 and Nqo1 mRNA increased(P<0.05).The above results indicate that Lycium barbarum glycopeptide can improve D-gal-induced testicular senescence,attenuate oxidative stress,reduce inflammatory response,decrease apoptosis,and exert a protective effect on testicular injury in rats due to senescence through the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway.
8.Value of six items of risk assessment scores for infections in prediction of infections in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention therapy
Wenxin GAO ; Lishan ZHU ; Xinjie SHAO ; Qiuying HAN ; Jing LIANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2726-2730
OBJECTIVE T o verify and compare the values of the different risk assessment scores in prediction of in-fections in the ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interven-tion(PCI)therapy.METHODS A total of 226 STEMI patients who received PCI in The Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Aug.2019 to Jul.2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The efficien-cies of the six types of risk assessment scores,including age,serum creatinine,or glomerular filtration rate/ejec-tion fraction(ACEF/AGEF)score,Canadian acute coronary syndrome(C ACS)score,embolism risk score 2(CHADS2)score,global register of acute coronary events(GRACE)score and for contrast induced nephropathy(Mehran)scorein prediction of infections and major adverse clinical events(M ACE)were analyzed.RESULTS All of the risk assessment scores showed remarkable discriminating capability in prediction of infections(AUC:0 746 to 0 791)except CHADS2 score[the area under the curve(AUC)=0.682;95%CI=0.652 to 0.712)].All of the risk assessment scores showed the excellent performance in calibration of infections except CACS risk assess-ment score(calibration slope=0.77;95%CI=0.18 to 1.35).The risk assessment scores also showed tremen-dous capability in discriminating MACE during the hospital stay except CHADS2 score,with the AUC ranging be-tween 0.700 and 0.786.All of the six types of risk assessment scores showed the most excellent performance in calibration of MACE during the hospital stay.CONCLUSION ACEF,AGEF,CACS,GRACE and Mehran scores show remarkable discriminating capability and calibration in prediction of infections and MACE.
9.CT radiomics machine learning model for predicting stone free rate of urinary calculi after retrograde intrarenal surgery
Cong ZHOU ; Yazhou WANG ; Qingxia WU ; Yongyue ZHU ; Wenxin LIAO ; Daoqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):52-57
Objective To observe the value of CT radiomics machine learning(ML)model for predicting stone free rate(SFR)of urinary calculi after retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS).Methods Totally 216 patients with urinary calculi who underwent RIRS were retrospectively enrolled and divided into residual group(n=73)and non-residual group(n=143).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression(LR)were performed to analyze clinical data and CT manifestations of stones to screen independent predictors of SFR after RIRS.Window width and window level normalization combined with max-min normalization(denoted as method a),max-min normalization(denoted as method b),window width and window level normalization(denoted as method c)and non-normalization(denoted as method d)of pre-RIRS abdominal CT were performed,respectively,and the best radiomics features of stones were extracted and screened to establish ML models,including support vector machine(SVM),LR and stochastic gradient descent(SGD)models,and the best ML model was screened.RUSS and modified S.T.O.N.E scores were evaluated based on pre-RIRS CT for predicting SFR of urinary calculi after RIRS.A combined model was then constructed with the independent predictors and the best ML model.The predictive efficacy of each model and scoring system were assessed.Results The number of stones,CT value and volume of the maximum stone were all independent predictors of SFR after RIRS(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of SVM model constructed with images preprocessed by method b was the highest(0.861),higher than that of the total scores of RUSS and modified S.T.O.N.E(AUC=0.750,0.759,both P<0.05)but not different from that of combined model(AUC=0.853,P=0.775).Conclusion Radiomics SVM model based on max-min normalization preprocessed CT could effectively predict SFR of urinary calculi after RIRS.
10.Research progress of non-invasive brain stimulation in treatment of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment
Xinlin JIANG ; Mingyue ZHU ; Lei FAN ; Wenxin ZHU ; Yuwei XIU ; Yuanbiao LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(13):144-148
Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a common complication after stroke, which has high disability rate and mortality rate, and can affect the patient′s daily living ability and quality of life. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the advantages of non-invasiveness, safety, and ease of operation, and is easily accepted by patients. NIBS has a good application prospect in the treatment of PSCI, especially the representative treatment repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) such as have good clinical application effects. At present, there is no standardized treatment plan for NIBS, and there are large individual differences in therapeutic effects. This study reviewed the mechanism and clinical application of NIBS in the treatment of PSCI, and discussed the future application direction of NIBS.


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