1.Diabetic Kidney Disease and Gut-kidney Axis: A Review
Yingchao WANG ; Yexin CHEN ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Xingru PAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):310-320
With the rising incidence of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD, the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011, research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota, explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development, and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions, intake of probiotics or prebiotics, use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs, and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition, influence metabolite production, and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses, thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients, increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.
2.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
3.Mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue Decoction Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/FoxO Signaling Pathway
Xingru XING ; Yuanzhou SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Di WU ; Yuyao ZHANG ; Yalin WU ; Du CHEN ; Zhen ZHANG ; Sha TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):131-141
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology, animal experiments, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction were screened via databases including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Hepatocellular carcinoma-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma was prepared. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was adopted to observe the effects of different volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma on the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells, and the concentration for subsequent experiments was determined. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the effects of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the apoptosis of MHCC-97H cells. A mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The model mice were assigned into low-, medium-, and high-dose (4.63, 9.25, 18.5 g·kg-1) Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and sorafenib (20 mg·kg-1) groups. Body mass and tumor volume of mice were dynamically monitored during the intervention period. After 3 weeks of intervention, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe tumor morphology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to examine the expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to verify the changes in apoptosis-related factors and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FoxO1) signaling pathway. ResultsA total of 220 common targets shared by Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction and hepatocellular carcinoma were screened out by network pharmacology, among which tumor protein p53 (TP53), Akt1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the common targets were involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation, as well as the PI3K/Akt and FoxO signaling pathways. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank plasma group, all volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Hepa1-6, and Huh-7 cells (P<0.01). The proportion of early apoptotic cells in MHCC-97H cells was increased after treatment with different volume fractions of Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction-containing plasma (P<0.01). Animal experiments revealed that Huangqi Xiayuxue decoction inhibited the growth of tumor volume, promoted tumor cell apoptosis in the high-dose group, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, and reduced the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqi Xiayuxue decoction exerts anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis.
4.Evaluation on the Operation Management of Public Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals in Shandong Province Based on Ecological Niche Width and Situation Model
Yingzhe ZHAO ; Xingru LIN ; Ya LIU ; Xiaolei WANG ; Shuying CHEN ; Zhiwei DONG ; Jingjie SUN ; Jianhua ZHANG ; Qi JING
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(5):58-63
Objective:Using ecological niche width and situation model,the operation and management of public Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province were evaluated to put forward countermeasures.Methods:The relevant index data of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2019 to 2022 were collected to analyze the development status.The ecological niche width model and niche situation model were applied to evaluate the operation and management of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong.Results:The top three public TCM hospitals in terms of average ecological niche width were City G,City P and City F.The ecological niche situation value of public TCM hospitals in City K,City A and City J ranked the top three.Conclusion:The dimensions of operation management structure of public TCM hospitals in Shandong need to be enhanced and the development of operation management space needs to be balanced.It is feasible to evaluate operation management by using ecological niche width and situation model.It is suggested to improve the allocation efficiency of health personnel,facilities,funds and other resources;promote the spatial balanced development of operation management;promote the application of ecological niche width and situation model in the field of medicine and health management.
5.Effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out CT angiography
Xingru LU ; Cunzhong MENG ; Shengxi ZHENG ; Qinyi HE ; Tianyang LUO ; Hongliang HUANG ; Xinran LIU ; Hengxin GONG ; Xiaoyi ZHANG ; Junqiang LEI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(1):124-128
Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.
6.Effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out CT angiography
Xingru LU ; Cunzhong MENG ; Shengxi ZHENG ; Qinyi HE ; Tianyang LUO ; Hongliang HUANG ; Xinran LIU ; Hengxin GONG ; Xiaoyi ZHANG ; Junqiang LEI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(1):124-128
Objective To investigate the effects of different contrast injection schemes on the image quality of triple-rule-out com-puted tomography angiography(TRO-CTA).Methods A total of 691 patients with acute chest pain who underwent TRO-CTA exami-nation from multiple centers were prospectively selected and randomly divided into mixed group and unmixed group according to dif-ferent contrast injection methods.The image quality of aorta,pulmonary artery and coronary artery in the two groups was evaluated subjectively and objectively and the radiation dose was calculated.Results There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores,aorta and coronary CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between the two groups(P>0.05),while there were significant differences in pulmo-nary CT values,SNR,CNR and radiation dose between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The utilization of a mixed contrast injection scheme in TRO-CTA can satisfy diagnostic require-ments while ensuring a low proportional dosage and reduced radiation dose,which has clinical application value.
7.The prospect of interleukin -23p19 inhibitors in precision treatment of Crohn's disease: mechanisms and clinical evidence
Yujing SUN ; Xueliang SUN ; Zhaozheng ZHANG ; Hongyan ZHENG ; Xiao YANG ; Xingru CHEN ; Ke WEN
Chinese Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025;09(5):390-396
Interleukin- (IL) 23 drives pathogenic differentiation of Th17 cells via the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway, upregulates IL-17A/IL-22 expression, and disrupts intestinal barrier integrity, thereby playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). IL-23p19 inhibitors—exemplified by risankizumab, mirikizumab, and guselkumab—precisely block this pathway. Key phase 3 trials have demonstrated their efficacy in CD, showing significant clinical benefits in patients refractory to conventional therapies or biologics, with no new safety signals identified. The ultimate treatment goal for CD is deep healing (mucosal-transmural-biochemical composite remission) as defined by STRIDE II. However, current evidence exhibits critical limitations: absence of head-to-head drug comparisons, insufficient data on biologic-experienced subpopulations, and heterogeneous follow-up durations leading to uncertainties in long-term safety. Future studies require standardized head-to-head trials with enhanced subgroup analyses to optimize precision therapeutics.
8.The prospect of interleukin -23p19 inhibitors in precision treatment of Crohn's disease: mechanisms and clinical evidence
Yujing SUN ; Xueliang SUN ; Zhaozheng ZHANG ; Hongyan ZHENG ; Xiao YANG ; Xingru CHEN ; Ke WEN
Chinese Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025;09(5):390-396
Interleukin- (IL) 23 drives pathogenic differentiation of Th17 cells via the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway, upregulates IL-17A/IL-22 expression, and disrupts intestinal barrier integrity, thereby playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). IL-23p19 inhibitors—exemplified by risankizumab, mirikizumab, and guselkumab—precisely block this pathway. Key phase 3 trials have demonstrated their efficacy in CD, showing significant clinical benefits in patients refractory to conventional therapies or biologics, with no new safety signals identified. The ultimate treatment goal for CD is deep healing (mucosal-transmural-biochemical composite remission) as defined by STRIDE II. However, current evidence exhibits critical limitations: absence of head-to-head drug comparisons, insufficient data on biologic-experienced subpopulations, and heterogeneous follow-up durations leading to uncertainties in long-term safety. Future studies require standardized head-to-head trials with enhanced subgroup analyses to optimize precision therapeutics.
9.Evaluation on the Operation Management of Public Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals in Shandong Province Based on Ecological Niche Width and Situation Model
Yingzhe ZHAO ; Xingru LIN ; Ya LIU ; Xiaolei WANG ; Shuying CHEN ; Zhiwei DONG ; Jingjie SUN ; Jianhua ZHANG ; Qi JING
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(5):58-63
Objective:Using ecological niche width and situation model,the operation and management of public Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province were evaluated to put forward countermeasures.Methods:The relevant index data of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2019 to 2022 were collected to analyze the development status.The ecological niche width model and niche situation model were applied to evaluate the operation and management of public TCM hospitals in 16 cities in Shandong.Results:The top three public TCM hospitals in terms of average ecological niche width were City G,City P and City F.The ecological niche situation value of public TCM hospitals in City K,City A and City J ranked the top three.Conclusion:The dimensions of operation management structure of public TCM hospitals in Shandong need to be enhanced and the development of operation management space needs to be balanced.It is feasible to evaluate operation management by using ecological niche width and situation model.It is suggested to improve the allocation efficiency of health personnel,facilities,funds and other resources;promote the spatial balanced development of operation management;promote the application of ecological niche width and situation model in the field of medicine and health management.
10.Development of a LC-MS/MS method for the determination of levofloxacin in plasma from pediatric patients and validation of its clinical value
Meng LYU ; Xingru TAO ; Yuxue ZHOU ; Shengnan ZHANG ; Zhao CHANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(8):945-951
Objective:To develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determining levofloxacin in plasma sample from pediatric patients.Method:This is a prospective, observational study. The clinical residual plasma samples from healthy individuals for physical examination in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University were collected as blank matrix. Plasma samples from five pediatric patients who did not receive levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin in the department of Respiration were collected for methodological evaluation. In addition, 34 clinical plasma samples from 22 pediatric patients (9 males and 13 females; mean age (8.1±3.7) years) using levofloxacin was collected, and their plasma concentrations were determined. Using ciprofloxacin as the internal standard, levofloxacin in plasma samples was quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry following protein precipitation using acetonitrile. A C18 column (Shim-pac GIST-HP C18, 2.1 mm×100 mm, 3 μm) and mobile phase composed of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min were used to separate levofloxacin. The column temperature was 40 ℃, injection volume was 1 μl and the total analysis time was 9 min. Levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were ionized with an ESI source in positive ion mode and detected in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The detected ions of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were m/z 362.10→318.1 and 332.15→231.05, respectively. The method′s specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery rate, stability, matrix effect, and carry-over were validated. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS statistical software (version 17.0). The normality of the data was detected by the K-S test. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant for two tailed tests. Results:The LC-MS/MS method showed a good linearity within the range of 0.062 5-20 mg/L, with the lower detection limit of levofloxacin of 0.062 5 mg/L. The calibration curve for levofloxacin was Y=0.093X+0.010 ( R2>0.99). Under different quality control levels, the accuracy ranged from 92.57% to 104.39%, and the intra-day and inter-day imprecision ranged from 2.32% to 9.35%. These values were not affected by the normal matrix, 5% hemolysis matrix and 15% hyperlipidemia matrix. Furthermore, the levofloxacin plasma samples were stable in the short term. A total of 34 plasma samples from 22 patients were collected and analyzed. Only 2 plasma samples were below the lower limit of quantification, while the other plasma concentrations of levofloxacin were ranged from 0.091 to 6.755 mg/L. Cmax was (5.52 ± 1.09) mg/L. Conclusion:The LC-MS/MS method meets the requirements of the reference method and requires a small sample size (50 μl), making it suitable for the determination of levofloxacin in plasma from pediatric patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail