ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

Dry eye disease is a chronic ocular surface disorder of multifactorial origin, characterized by a loss of tear film homeostasis and associated with a range of ocular discomfort symptoms. Growing evidence underscores a significant bidirectional relationship between dry eye and depression: individuals with dry eye disease exhibit a higher prevalence of depressive disorders, and conversely, those diagnosed with depression demonstrate an increased susceptibility to developing dry eye. This interplay is mediated through several pathophysiological pathways, such as chronic inflammation, cerebral functional alterations, gut microbiome dysregulation, and sleep disturbances, which may collectively sustain a vicious cycle. The use of antidepressant therapy introduces further complexity, exerting heterogeneous effects on dry eye—some agents may offer symptomatic relief, whereas others can aggravate ocular surface impairment. The mechanisms responsible for these differential outcomes remain incompletely elucidated and merit further investigation. This review systematically consolidates epidemiological data on the dry eye-depression link, examines potential shared pathological mechanisms, and evaluates current therapeutic options. We propose an integrated management approach that combines conventional dry eye treatments, such as traditional Chinese medicine, electroacupuncture, physical activity and antidepressants—a multimodal strategy that may yield synergistic benefits in alleviating both ocular and affective symptoms, thereby improving overall quality of life. Moving forward, research should focus on deciphering the underlying mechanistic pathways and facilitating the translation of these insights into clinical practice to inform targeted, combined treatment regimens for patients with dry eye and depression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of silent information regulatory protein （SIRT6）/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） pathway in regulating the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in ulcerative colitis （UC） and the mechanism of intervention of Shaoyaotang. MethodsForty-eight c57bL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a Mesalazine group （0.42 g·kg^-1）， a Shaoyaotang group （31.08 g·kg^-1）， an inhibitor group （OSS-128167， 50 mg·kg^-1）， and an inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （50 mg·kg^-1 OSS-128167 + 31.08 g·kg^-1 Shaoyaotang）. A UC model was established by the administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） solution for mice in other groups for 7 d， except for the blank group. The mice in each group were treated with saline， Mesalazine， Shaoyaotang， inhibitor， and inhibitor + Shaoyaotang， respectively， for 7 d. The mice were necropsied 24 h after the last administration of the drug. The blood was collected from the orbital region， and colon tissue was taken. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in colon tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to detect serum interleukin （IL）-10， IL-17， and IL-6 levels. A biochemical method was used to detect glucose and lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA） levels. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect IL-22 and transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels in colon tissue， and Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6， HIF-1α， and LDHA. ResultsCompared with those of the blank group， disease activity index （DAI） scores of mice in the model group and inhibitor group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The length of colon tissue was significantly shortened， and colon tissue was congested and eroded. The pathohistological scores were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly elevated， and the levels of IL-10 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ were significantly reduced in colon tissue （P<0.01）. The relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the relative protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of inflammation in the colon of the mice in the inhibitor group was more severe than that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Mesalazine group， the Shaoyaotang group， and the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group showed reduced colonic injury， significant decrease in serum IL-17 and IL-6， significant increase in IL-10 （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of SIRT6 and the relative mRNA expressions （P<0.01）， and significant reduction in the protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the Shaoyaotang group， the serum IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly increased， and IL-10 was significantly decreased in the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expressions of SIRT6 protein and the relative mRNA expressions were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. However， the difference between the Shaoyaotang group and the Mesalazine group was not significant. ConclusionShaoyaotang can effectively treat DSS-induced mice with UC through the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway and glucose metabolism reprogramming and the inhibition of glycolysis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of silent information regulatory protein （SIRT6）/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） pathway in regulating the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in ulcerative colitis （UC） and the mechanism of intervention of Shaoyaotang. MethodsForty-eight c57bL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a Mesalazine group （0.42 g·kg^-1）， a Shaoyaotang group （31.08 g·kg^-1）， an inhibitor group （OSS-128167， 50 mg·kg^-1）， and an inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （50 mg·kg^-1 OSS-128167 + 31.08 g·kg^-1 Shaoyaotang）. A UC model was established by the administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） solution for mice in other groups for 7 d， except for the blank group. The mice in each group were treated with saline， Mesalazine， Shaoyaotang， inhibitor， and inhibitor + Shaoyaotang， respectively， for 7 d. The mice were necropsied 24 h after the last administration of the drug. The blood was collected from the orbital region， and colon tissue was taken. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in colon tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to detect serum interleukin （IL）-10， IL-17， and IL-6 levels. A biochemical method was used to detect glucose and lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA） levels. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect IL-22 and transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） levels in colon tissue， and Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6， HIF-1α， and LDHA. ResultsCompared with those of the blank group， disease activity index （DAI） scores of mice in the model group and inhibitor group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The length of colon tissue was significantly shortened， and colon tissue was congested and eroded. The pathohistological scores were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly elevated， and the levels of IL-10 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ were significantly reduced in colon tissue （P<0.01）. The relative protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT6 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the relative protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of inflammation in the colon of the mice in the inhibitor group was more severe than that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Mesalazine group， the Shaoyaotang group， and the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group showed reduced colonic injury， significant decrease in serum IL-17 and IL-6， significant increase in IL-10 （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue （P<0.01）， significant increase in the protein expressions of SIRT6 and the relative mRNA expressions （P<0.01）， and significant reduction in the protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the Shaoyaotang group， the serum IL-17 and IL-6 were significantly increased， and IL-10 was significantly decreased in the inhibitor + Shaoyaotang group （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of IL-22 and TGF-β₁ in colon tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expressions of SIRT6 protein and the relative mRNA expressions were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA， the relative mRNA expressions， and the contents of glucose and lactate were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. However， the difference between the Shaoyaotang group and the Mesalazine group was not significant. ConclusionShaoyaotang can effectively treat DSS-induced mice with UC through the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the SIRT6/HIF-1α pathway and glucose metabolism reprogramming and the inhibition of glycolysis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Shaoyaotang on T helper cell 17/regulatory T lymphocyte（Th17/Treg） cell balance in ulcerative colitis and decipher the intervention mechanism based on glucose metabolism reprogramming. MethodsThe mouse model of ulcerative colitis was established by the dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） method. Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into normal， model， Western drug control （mesalazine， 0.39 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， Shaoyaotang （15.54 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， inhibitor （2-deoxy-D-glucose， 2-DG， 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and inhibitor （2-DG， 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + Shaoyaotang （15.54 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups. Mice were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage for 7 days. The general conditions and the colon injury degree were observed 24 h after the last administration. The expression of interleukin （IL）-10 and IL-17 in the colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were performed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of hypoxia-inducing factor-1α （HIF-1α）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDHA）， and hexokinase 2 （HK2） in the colon tissue. Th17/Treg cell differentiation was detected by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of lactic acid and glucose in the colon tissue and IL-10， IL-17， and IL-6 in the serum. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreases in body weight and disease activity index （DAI） （P<0.05）， elevations in levels of HIF-1α， LDHA， HK2， IL-17， IL-6， Th17 cells， lactic acid， and glucose in the colon tissue （P<0.05）， and declines in the levels of of IL-10 and Treg cells （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the drug administration groups showed increases in body weight and DAI （P<0.05）， declines in levels of HIF-1α， LDHA， HK2， IL-17， IL-6， Th17 cells， lactic acid， and glucose in the colon tissue （P<0.05）， and rises in levels of IL-10 and Treg cells （P<0.05）. Shaoyaotang+2-DG group had the most obvious effect. ConclusionShaoyaotang can relieve diarrhea and bloody stool in mice with ulcerative colitis by restoring the Th17/Treg cell balance via regulation of glucose metabolism reprogramming， thus playing a role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of Shaoyaotang on glucose metabolism reprogramming of macrophages and the mechanism of this decoction in inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype. MethodsHuman monocytic leukemia-1 （THP-1） cells were treated with 100 ng·L^-1 phorbol myristate acetate for induction of macrophages as the normal control group. The cells treated with 100 ng·L^-1 lipopolysaccharide combined with 20 ng·L^-1 interferon （IFN）-γ for induction of M1-type macrophages were taken as the M1 model group. M1-type macrophages were treated with the blank serum， Shaoyaotang-containing serum， 0.5 mol·L^-1 2-deoxy-D-glucose （2-DG）， and Shaoyaotang-containing serum + 2-DG， respectively. After intervention， the expression of CD86 and CD206 was examined by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin （IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， IL-10， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β were assessed by ELISA. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha （HIF-1α）， glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH）， and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3）. ResultsCompared with that in the normal control group， the expression of CD86， the marker of M1-type macrophages， increased in the M1 model group and blank serum group （P<0.01）， which indicated that the M1 inflammatory model was established successfully. In addition， the M1 model group was observed with up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and glycolysis-related factors HIF-1α， GLUT1， HK2， GAPDH， and PFKFB3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the M1 model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum， 2-DG， and combined intervention groups showed decreased expression of CD86 （P<0.01）， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α and glycolysis-related factors HIF-1α， GLUT1， HK2， GAPDH， and PFKFB3 produced by M1-type macrophages （P<0.01）， increased expression of CD206 （marker of M2-type macrophages） （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of IL-10 and TGF-β produced by M2-type macrophages （P<0.01）. ConclusionShaoyaotang inhibits macrophage differentiation toward pro-inflammatory M1-type macrophages and promotes the differentiation toward anti-inflammatory M2-type macrophages by regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming. The evidence gives insights into new molecular mechanisms and targets for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with Shaoyaotang.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Shaoyaotang on T helper cell 17/regulatory T lymphocyte（Th17/Treg） cell balance in ulcerative colitis and decipher the intervention mechanism based on glucose metabolism reprogramming. MethodsThe mouse model of ulcerative colitis was established by the dextran sulfate sodium （DSS） method. Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into normal， model， Western drug control （mesalazine， 0.39 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， Shaoyaotang （15.54 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， inhibitor （2-deoxy-D-glucose， 2-DG， 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and inhibitor （2-DG， 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + Shaoyaotang （15.54 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups. Mice were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage for 7 days. The general conditions and the colon injury degree were observed 24 h after the last administration. The expression of interleukin （IL）-10 and IL-17 in the colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were performed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of hypoxia-inducing factor-1α （HIF-1α）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDHA）， and hexokinase 2 （HK2） in the colon tissue. Th17/Treg cell differentiation was detected by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of lactic acid and glucose in the colon tissue and IL-10， IL-17， and IL-6 in the serum. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreases in body weight and disease activity index （DAI） （P<0.05）， elevations in levels of HIF-1α， LDHA， HK2， IL-17， IL-6， Th17 cells， lactic acid， and glucose in the colon tissue （P<0.05）， and declines in the levels of of IL-10 and Treg cells （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the drug administration groups showed increases in body weight and DAI （P<0.05）， declines in levels of HIF-1α， LDHA， HK2， IL-17， IL-6， Th17 cells， lactic acid， and glucose in the colon tissue （P<0.05）， and rises in levels of IL-10 and Treg cells （P<0.05）. Shaoyaotang+2-DG group had the most obvious effect. ConclusionShaoyaotang can relieve diarrhea and bloody stool in mice with ulcerative colitis by restoring the Th17/Treg cell balance via regulation of glucose metabolism reprogramming， thus playing a role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of Shaoyaotang on glucose metabolism reprogramming of macrophages and the mechanism of this decoction in inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype. MethodsHuman monocytic leukemia-1 （THP-1） cells were treated with 100 ng·L^-1 phorbol myristate acetate for induction of macrophages as the normal control group. The cells treated with 100 ng·L^-1 lipopolysaccharide combined with 20 ng·L^-1 interferon （IFN）-γ for induction of M1-type macrophages were taken as the M1 model group. M1-type macrophages were treated with the blank serum， Shaoyaotang-containing serum， 0.5 mol·L^-1 2-deoxy-D-glucose （2-DG）， and Shaoyaotang-containing serum + 2-DG， respectively. After intervention， the expression of CD86 and CD206 was examined by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin （IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， IL-10， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β were assessed by ELISA. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha （HIF-1α）， glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH）， and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2，6-bisphosphatase 3 （PFKFB3）. ResultsCompared with that in the normal control group， the expression of CD86， the marker of M1-type macrophages， increased in the M1 model group and blank serum group （P<0.01）， which indicated that the M1 inflammatory model was established successfully. In addition， the M1 model group was observed with up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and glycolysis-related factors HIF-1α， GLUT1， HK2， GAPDH， and PFKFB3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the M1 model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum， 2-DG， and combined intervention groups showed decreased expression of CD86 （P<0.01）， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α and glycolysis-related factors HIF-1α， GLUT1， HK2， GAPDH， and PFKFB3 produced by M1-type macrophages （P<0.01）， increased expression of CD206 （marker of M2-type macrophages） （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of IL-10 and TGF-β produced by M2-type macrophages （P<0.01）. ConclusionShaoyaotang inhibits macrophage differentiation toward pro-inflammatory M1-type macrophages and promotes the differentiation toward anti-inflammatory M2-type macrophages by regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming. The evidence gives insights into new molecular mechanisms and targets for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with Shaoyaotang.

BACKGROUND:As a common disease in middle-aged and elderly,osteoarthritis is difficult to cure,and the pathogenesis is not clear.Long non-coding RNA participates in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis through many ways,such as regulating translation,promoting or inhibiting mRNA,and adsorbing miRNAs. OBJECTIVE:To review the types of common long non-coding RNA in osteoarthritis,and the influence of multiple long non-coding RNAs on the pathological factors related to osteoarthritis,to analyze the future application of long non-coding RNAs in osteoarthritis. METHODS:Literature retrieval was conducted in CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP database,PubMed,Web of Science and Sciencedirect databases,using the search terms of"osteoarthritis,degenerative joint disease,degenerative arthritis,OA,LncRNA,long non-coding RNA,long noncoding RNA,long intergenic non-coding RNA"in Chinese and English.All relevant literature published from 1976 and May 2024 was retrieved.After literature screening,induction,analysis and summary,93 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This review collected 25 long non-coding RNAs that are well studied with osteoarthritis.Long non-coding RNAs,as a molecular sponge for miRNA,are competing endogenous RNAs to competitively adsorb miRNAs and then affect downstream targets.Long non-coding RNAs can regulate physiopathological processes such as chondrocyte apoptosis and proliferation,cartilage extracellular matrix degradation,and inflammatory responses.Long non-coding RNAs are expected to become a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic prognosis of osteoarthritis,and it may become a new strategy for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.