1.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Inflammatory Injury in Diabetic Cardiomypathy from Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Xiaoyue WANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Yixin XIANG ; Sihao ZHANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):235-244
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and is a major threat to global health. As a key mechanism in the occurrence and progression of DCM, the inflammatory response persists throughout the entire course of the DCM. The Gaozhuo theory suggests that the basic pathogenesis of inflammatory injury in DCM is the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and Gaozhuo invasion, and divides the pathological process into three phases: Gaozhuo invasion, turbid heat damage to the channels, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction. Among them, the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo represent the process of inflammatory factor formation induced by glucose metabolism disorders. Turbid heat damage to the channels refers to the process of myocardial inflammatory injury mediated by inflammatory factors, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction are the process of myocardial injury developing toward myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling. As the disease continues to progress, it eventually develops into a depletion of the heart Yang, leading to the ultimate regression of heart failure. According to the theory of Gaozhuo, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should regulate inflammatory injury in DCM by strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney to address the root cause, and resolving dampness and lowering turbidity to treat the symptoms. If the turbidity has been stored for a long time and turns into heat, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and clearing heat and resolving turbidity should be the therapy. If the turbidity, stasis, and heat are knotted in the heart and collaterals, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and resolving stasis and lowering turbidity should be the therapy. TCM compounds and monomers can regulate the inflammatory response in DCM. TCM compounds can be divided into the categories for benefiting Qi to resolve turbidity, benefiting Qi and clearing heat to resolve turbidity, and benefiting Qi and activating blood to reduce turbidity. The compounds can inhibit upstream signals of inflammation and expression of inflammatory factors, improve the inflammatory damage to myocardium and blood vessels, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac systole and diastole, and thus slow down the onset and progression of DCM.
2.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Yixin XIANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiaoyue WANG ; Xiangning HUANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):253-260
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the key link in the progression of NAFLD to liver fibrosis. According to the theory of "Gaozhuo", spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation, along with Gaozhuo invasion, are the causes of NAFLD progression to liver fibrosis, which reveals the pathogenesis essence of HSC activation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among them, spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation are the root causes of the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo. Spleen deficiency indicates the insulin sensitivity decrease and glucose metabolism disorders, and Qi stagnation means the dysregulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, which creates the preconditions for HSC activation. Gaozhuo invasion is the direct cause of HSC activation, including three stages: Internal retention of Gaozhuo, turbidity and stasis stagnation, and toxic stasis and consolidation. Internal retention of Gaozhuo refers to the abnormal metabolism and deposition of hepatic lipids, as well as the microcirculatory disorders. Turbidity and stasis stagnation is the process by which lipotoxicity stimulates the transformation of HSC into myofibroblast (MFB), and toxic stasis and consolidation represent the secretion of a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) by MFB to promote the fibrosis. According to the theory of Gaozhuo and the activation process of HSC, syndromes for T2DM combined with NAFLD can be classified into spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation with internal retention of Gaozhuo, spleen Qi deficiency with turbidity and stasis stagnation, and spleen Qi deficiency with toxic stasis and consolidation. Clinically, the treatment principle is to strengthen the spleen and promote Qi, resolve turbidity, and eliminate blood stasis. Both TCM compounds and monomers can effectively inhibit the HSC activation. TCM compounds can be classified into categories for regulating spleen and harmonizing liver, resolving turbidity and removing stasis, and detoxifying and removing stasis. They mainly work by improving lipid metabolism, reducing lipid accumulation in the liver, alleviating inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, inhibiting the activation and proliferation of HSC, and reducing ECM deposition, thereby delaying the progression of liver fibrosis.
3.Mechanism study of SIRT3 alleviating oxidative-stress injury in renal tubular cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating mitochondrial redox balance
Yaojun LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU ; Yunfei SHAN ; Huhai ZHANG ; Pan XIE ; Liying ZOU ; Lingyu RAN ; Huanping LONG ; Lunli XIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Hongwen ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):86-94
Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H2O2 and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H2O2, 110 μmol/L H2O2 and 150 μmol/L H2O2. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H2O2, and siSIRT3+H2O2. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•−) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O2•− did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O2•− level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H2O2 group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H2O2 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
4.Improvement of lower limb walking function in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain by biofeedback assisted electrical stimulation
Xiang ZHENG ; Mingxing ZHANG ; Ya HUANG ; Sharui SHAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):547-553
BACKGROUND:There have been many studies on biofeedback therapy and three-dimensional gait function analysis for chronic non-specific low back pain at home and abroad,but few studies on the combination of the two have been reported. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of biofeedback assisted electrical stimulation on the change of walking ability in chronic non-specific low back pain by collecting gait parameter data through three-dimensional gait analysis. METHODS:Sixty patients with chronic non-specific low back pain,34 males and 26 females,aged 32-58 years,were selected and admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from June 2021 to September 2022.They were divided into control group(n=30)and trial group(n=30)according to the principle of random allocation.Both groups of patients received conventional treatment of dynamic interference with the waist,20 minutes/time,once/day,5 times a week,for 20 times.The control group received supine bypass and prone bypass suspension core muscle training on the basis of conventional treatment,5 times a week,for 20 times.The trial group received biofeedback assisted electrical stimulation therapy on the basis of the control group,20 minutes/time,once/day,5 times a week,for 20 times.The low back pain score,the mean value of electromyography and the gait parameters were compared and analyzed before and after treatment between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After treatment,the numerical rating scale score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,and Oswestry disability index of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).Numerical rating scale score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,and Oswestry disability index of the trial group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the mean values of surface electromyography of rectus abdominis,gluteus maximus,and erector spinae muscle in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the mean values of surface electromyography of rectus abdominis,gluteus maximus,and erector spinae muscle in the trial group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the step width,step speed,step frequency,step length ratio between healthy and diseased sides,the relative value of support between healthy and diseased sides,the relative value of swing between diseased and healthy sides,the sagittal motion range of hip joint and knee joint between healthy and diseased sides and the foot angle between healthy and diseased sides were all better than those before treatment in both groups(P<0.05).The above indexes of the trial group were better than those of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).(4)These results suggest that biofeedback assisted electrical stimulation can significantly alleviate chronic non-specific low back pain,and improve the lower limb walking function.
5.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.
6.Literature study and properties discussion of Chromolaena odorata
Xing XIANG ; Huiqing ZHANG ; Qijin ZHANG ; Yinqin LIU ; Baokang HUANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(4):195-199
Objective To provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of the rational compatibility of C. odorata by studying the related domestic and international literature and explore the properties of C. odorata according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods The medical literature related to C. odorata was retrieved and screened from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, China Biomedical Literature Database and foreign literature databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and SciFinder. A total of 397 English articles and 50 Chinese articles were included in the study, which were systematically classified according to clinical application, chemical composition, pharmacological effect, toxic and side effects, and were analyzed according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Results C. odorata features spicy, astringent tastes, a cool nature, entering heart and liver meridians, and a slightly toxic.Its functions included astringing to stop bleeding, detoxifying and promoting tissue regeneration, as well as intercepting malaria and killing parasites. It was used for conditions such as hematemesis, haemoptysis, traumatic bleeding, sores and abscesses, malaria, and leech bites. Conclusion The exploration of the properties and efficacy of C. odorata could provide reference for its clinical research and application in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
7.Impact of initial screening strategies on compliance with colonoscopy for colorectal carcinoma in residents aged 50 years and above
Fang XIANG ; Zhihao HU ; Yawei WANG ; Yiying ZHANG ; Fang HUANG ; Qian PENG ; Hongjie YU ; Chaowei FU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):140-144
ObjectiveTo compare colonoscopy compliance rates under different screening strategies, to explore ways to enhance colonoscopy compliance among residents with colorectal carcinoma. MethodsResidents aged between 50‒80 years were recruited through extensive community outreach and voluntary participation. A total of 210 630 residents who participated in the colorectal carcinoma screening program in Jiading District, Shanghai, between 2013 and 2019 were selected as the research subjects. All subjects underwent a colorectal carcinoma risk assessment questionnaire survey and two fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). Positive results in the initial screening were defined as a positive questionnaire survey or a positive result in at least one FOBT. Participants with positive initial screening results were advised to undergo colonoscopy screening in a hospital. Colonoscopy results were collected from hospital reports and physician follow-ups. Compliance with colonoscopy was analyzed under different screening strategies to identify possible factors influencing residents’ willingness to undergo the procedure. ResultsA total of 21 403 individuals (10.16%) were identified as positive with the questionnaire survey, 31 595 individuals (15.00%) tested positive with at least one FOBT. Combined questionnaire and FOBT positivity was observed in 3 501 individuals (1.66%). Among the 48 453 individuals with positive initial screening results, 17 230 (35.56%) underwent colonoscopy, and a total of 315 cases of colorectal cancer were detected. The sensitivity, specificity value of FOBT initial screening were 83.81% and 84.66%, respectively. According to the combined risk assessment and FOBT initial screening preliminary screening, the lowest colonoscopy compliance rate (25.63%) was observed among individuals with only a positive questionnaire, and the highest compliance rate (52.55%) was among those with both positive questionnaire survey and two positive FOBT results. Multivariate analysis revealed that FOBT positivity had the greatest impact on colonoscopy compliance. Those with one positive FOBT test result were 2.64 times more likely to undergo colonoscopy screening than those with negative FOBT results, while individuals with two positive FOBT results were 3.18 times more likely to do so. After adjusting for FOBT results, individuals with positive questionnaire survey results were 1.43 times more likely to undergo colonoscopy screening than those with negative results (95%CI: 1.34‒1.52). Compared to questionnaire-based risk assessment, FOBT results were more influential in determining compliance with colonoscopy. ConclusionThe choice of initial screening method significantly impacts residents’ compliance with colonoscopy. While implementing colorectal carcinoma screening programs, it is necessary to strictly adhere to screening protocols, including risk assessment and FOBT. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise public awareness, encouraging residents to actively participate in risk assessments and FOBT, thereby improving their compliance with colonoscopy.
8.Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to promote chronic wound healing
Zhenhui ZHU ; Zhi LI ; Yu LENG ; Tao CAI ; Xuefa SHEN ; Xianxue XIANG ; Yongxin HUANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(8):1019-1024
The pathogenesis of chronic wound healing is complex. It is often difficult to heal due to a long course of disease, difficulty in treatment, and it seriously affects the quality of life in patients. The active ingredients, couplet medicinals, and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possess unique advantages in the treatment of chronic wound healing. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is extremely critical in the treatment of chronic wound healing by regulating a series of biological processes, including cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses. This article reviews the relevant research on the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by TCM to promote chronic wound healing. It has been found that the active ingredients of TCM (such as geniposide, astragaloside, and ginsenosides, etc.), and compound formulas (such as Chonghe ointment, Huanglian ointment, Shirun shaoshang ointment, etc.) mainly reduce inflammatory responses, promote angiogenesis, regulate cell autophagy, and accelerate wound healing by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway; at the same time, there are also a few couplet medicinals( such as Huangqi-Honghua) and compound formulas (such as Xiangpi Shengji ointment) that exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting this signaling pathway, to promote wound healing.
9.Study on the stability of PBMCs recovered from leukocyte-depleted filter residues
Ju LIN ; Zhiqiang XIANG ; Dongfen DU ; Fang YUAN ; Miaoyu WANG ; Yue WU ; Kaiyu HUANG ; Lieyong SANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(5):723-733
Objective: To identify an optimal back-flush solution for leukocyte-depleted filters that maximizes peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) recovery with high viability, long-term storage stability, and sterility of the harvested residues, thereby providing a clinically translatable strategy. Methods: Three sterile bag-packaged solutions—Saline, Solvent, and Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS)—were used to back-flush randomly assigned leukocyte-depleted filters. Nucleated cell recovery rate and viability of the harvested residues were compared. The optimal solution identified was applied to an expanded sample set. PBMC viability and yield were evaluated after 1h vs 48h storage of the residues. PBMCs isolated from the residues were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 1 month, followed by post-thaw comparisons of viability and T-cell expansion capacity. Results: The Solvent group achieved the highest and most consistent nucleated cell recovery rate. Post-flush recovery rate from filters after 400 mL whole blood processing was (21.3±1.6)% for the Solvent group, significantly higher than Saline group (19.2±6.3)% and HBSS group (11.2±5.0)%, with residues from all groups maintaining viability >90%. No biologically significant difference in residue viability was observed between 48h vs 1h storage groups (93.3±2.3)% vs (95.7±1.8)%). PBMC recovery rates from residues showed no statistical difference between 48h vs 1h storage groups [(48.2%±9.5%)vs (40.41%±8.35%), P>0.05], with (17.7±2.6)×10
cells. After 1-month cryopreservation and 10-day expansion, PBMCs isolated from 48-hour-stored residues retained (91.2±3.2)% viability and achieved a (61.9±15.9)-fold expansion. Conclusion: The bag-packaged Solvent, as a back-flush solution, enables sterile acquisition of leukocyte-depleted filter residues through closed-system tubing connections. These residues maintained PBMC viability and recovery rates after 48h storage at 2℃-8℃, with post-cryopreservation (1-month liquid nitrogen) viability and expansion capacity remaining stable. This protocol complies with blood bank regulatory criteria, addresses the concerns about the infectious window period in cell therapy raw materials, and provides a clinically translatable strategy for PBMC-based applications.
10.Genetic Correlation and Mendelian Randomization Analysis Revealed an Unidirectional Causal Relationship Between Left Caudal Middle Frontal Surface Area and Cigarette Consumption
Hongcheng XIE ; Anlin WANG ; Minglan YU ; Tingting WANG ; Xuemei LIANG ; Rongfang HE ; Chaohua HUANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN ; Youguo TAN ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):279-286
Objective:
Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them.
Methods:
To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4).
Conclusion
Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.

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