1.Mechanism of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription in Regulating Autophagy Level to Intervene in Myocardial Remodeling in Rats via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xueqing WANG ; Wei ZHONG ; Liangliang PAN ; Caihong LI ; Man HAN ; Xiaowei YANG ; Yuanwang YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):136-144
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline (ISO) was established. Rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription,and the captopril group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group,the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution (8.4,16.8,and 33.6 g·kg-1),and the captopril group was administered captopril solution (25 mg·kg-1). As for the blank group and the model group, the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function,and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Collagen Ⅰ),type Ⅲ collagen (Collagen Ⅲ),and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),LC3,yeast Atg6 homolog protein (Beclin-1),AMPK,and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),LC3,Beclin-1,p62, phosphorylation(p)-AMPK,p-mTOR,AMPK,and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group,rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs) (P<0.01). Additionally, the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue, significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and mTOR (P<0.01),and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3,Beclin-1,and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values (P<0.01) and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs (P<0.05). In these groups, the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, p62, and p-mTOR (P<0.01), significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ, Collagen Ⅲ, α-SMA, and mTOR (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3, Beclin-1, and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level,enhance cardiac function,and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
2.Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Xueqing LIU ; Xinyu ZHONG ; Tingting WANG ; Ning WANG ; Man LIU ; Li WU ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):69-78
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and one of its most common complications. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and pathological angiogenesis, ultimately disrupting the blood-retinal barrier(BRB) and leading to visual impairment or even blindness. Recent studies show that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of DR's pathological changes. Meanwhile, Chinese herbal monomers have been shown to modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby intervening in the development of DR. In terms of inhibiting oxidative stress, saponin compounds such as platycodin-D and ginsenoside Rb1 downregulate the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby ameliorating retinal oxidative stress. Flavonoids such as total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata flower and puerarin upregulate the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), effectively clearing lipid peroxides. Regarding the suppression of inflammation, phenolic compounds like resveratrol and chlorogenic acid inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and mitigating inflammatory responses. In the context of inhibiting apoptosis, polysaccharides such as Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide and Angelica sinensis polysaccharide downregulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and suppress the activity of the executioner Caspase-3, thereby reducing the apoptosis rate. As for the inhibition of neovascularization, compounds including bilobalide and physcion significantly decrease the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to a reduction in retinal pathological angiogenesis. Furthermore, Chinese herbal compound prescriptions such as Tongluo Zhujing pills, Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin decoction, Qiming granules, and Danlou tablets can also intervene in the onset and progression of DR through the mechanisms described above. In summary, both Chinese herbal monomers and Chinese herbal compound prescriptions can modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress, alleviate inflammation, and participate in maintaining BRB integrity, suppressing retinal neovascularization, and preventing neurodegeneration, thereby delaying the progression of DR. Therefore, this paper reviews and summarizes recent studies at home and abroad on how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) works to treat DR, and the relationship between the Nrf2 pathway and DR. It aims to provide research ideas for preventing and treating DR.
3.Therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles in neurological diseases.
Qingfeng DU ; Chao YANG ; Xueqing XIA ; Ting WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):2046-2054
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles actively secreted by organisms into the extracellular environment, are rich in specific bioactive substances, such as proteins, genetic materials and lipids. These vesicles are involved in intercellular interactions and can pass through the blood-brain barrier, and may thus potentially serve as important biological substances for treatment of neurological diseases. In this review, we summarize the biological origin of EVs and their therapeutic potential in neurological diseases, expound the possibility of EV-based treatment of neurological diseases using traditional Chinese medicine, and discuss the challenges and prospects of researches of EVs for the treating neurological diseases.
Extracellular Vesicles
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Humans
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Nervous System Diseases/therapy*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
4.Lycium barbarum polysaccharides alleviates cisplatin-induced granulosa cell injury by downregulating miR-23a.
Liuqing LIU ; Kun WANG ; Xueqing WANG ; Bingxin DU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2340-2349
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms.
METHODS:
Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) were treated with 2.5 µg/mL cisplatin for 24 h, followed by treatment with 100, 500, and 1000 mg/L LBP, and the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting, and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR. KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP.
RESULTS:
Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased AMH level, caused ultrastructural abnormalities, increased Bax and caspase-3 expression, and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells. Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells. LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells, and in particular, LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability, reduced apoptosis, enhanced their endocrine function, and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities. Mechanistically, medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells, subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2. Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP.
CONCLUSIONS
LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.
Humans
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Cisplatin/adverse effects*
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MicroRNAs/genetics*
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Female
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Granulosa Cells/cytology*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Down-Regulation
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
5.Development and evaluation of a competitive ELISA based on a porcine neutralizing Fab antibody against Senecavirus A.
Yubin LIANG ; Xueqing MA ; Yixuan HE ; Caihe WANG ; Kun LI ; Pinghua LI ; Yuanfang FU ; Zengjun LU ; Xiaohua DU ; Xia LIU ; Pu SUN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2748-2759
Senecavirus A (SVA) is a major viral pathogen causing disease in pigs, and effective monitoring of SVA infection is critical for disease control. In this study, we aimed to develop a reliable ELISA method for rapidly detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We used HEK293F cells to express an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody and verified the biological activity of the Fab antibody by indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay, virus neutralization test, and Western blotting. The Fab antibody was biotinylated and used as a competitive antibody to establish a competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We then evaluated the C-ELISA in terms of sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and result agreement rate with the VNT. The results showed that we successfully prepared an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody, which showed high affinity for SVA. We named this antibody 1M33Fab and designated it as Bio-1M33Fab after biotin labeling. The assay conditions were optimized as follows: the coating concentration of SVA particles being 1 μg/mL, the working concentration of Bio-1M33Fab being 0.5 μg/mL, the optimal serum dilution of 1:10, and the optimal dilution of enzyme-labeled avidin being 1:30 000. At a percent inhibition (PI) of 47%, the assay demonstrated the highest sensitivity (96.88%) and specificity (100%), with no cross-reactivity observed with the positive sera of major porcine viral diseases. The intra-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.12% to 7.34%, while the inter-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.10% to 8.97%, indicating good repeatability. In the detection of 224 clinical pig serum samples, C-ELISA and VNT showed a result agreement rate of 93.75%. In conclusion, we successfully develop a C-ELISA method for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA by using a porcine-derived Fab antibody, which lays a foundation for the development of detection kits.
Animals
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Swine
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Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology*
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods*
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/immunology*
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Antibodies, Viral/immunology*
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Picornaviridae/immunology*
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Humans
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HEK293 Cells
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Swine Diseases/diagnosis*
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Picornaviridae Infections/diagnosis*
6.Emergency management of radial artery sheath dissection during extubation in a routine coronary angiography patient
Xueqing ZHU ; Yang GE ; Chaokai HE ; Ye ZHANG ; Meng LI ; Liting WANG ; Shaozhang TENG ; Ying XIA ; Hao QIAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(12):1508-1511
To summarize the nursing experience of a patient with coronary heart disease who was left in the radial artery during the removal of the radial artery sheath after coronary angiography via the radial artery pathway.Nursing points:to start the emergency transfer process,to shorten the treatment transfer time;to assist to locate the position of the sheath to provide a basis for the selection of surgical incision;to conduct dynamic assessment of hemostatic effect,prevention of radial artery occlusion;to closely monitor pain and signs to prevent vasovagal reflex;to implement the whole psychological intervention,and to reduce the psychological burden of patients and their families.The ruptured sheath tube was successfully removed by emergency surgery of vascular surgery.A total of 6 days after the operation,the patient was transferred to cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting,and was discharged 23 days later.After 3 months of follow-up,the blood supply of the limbs was good,and the incision healed well.
7.Research on Service Mode of Public Hospital Operation Assistant Working Team Based on S-MDT
Zihan MU ; Zhiping GUO ; Yuxiu TAO ; Leichao WANG ; Xueqing YU ; Zixu GUO ; Han LIU ; Yaojun ZHAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(3):32-35
The operation assistant work team of public hospitals is an important bridge and link to realize the integration of industry and finance,and an important practitioner to promote the realization of lean operation management.It examines the service model of the operation assistant team engaged in Similar Multi-disciplinary Treatment,focusing on organizational structure,job responsibilities,and service mechanisms.Build a four-tiered lean operational management system and set up an operation assistant work team that combines production,university and research.Based on specific management matters,establish an operation assistant service mechanism such as problem assessment and classification management mechanism,project standardization management mechanism,reward and punishment assessment mechanism,etc.,to promote the optimization and integration of hospital medical education,research,prevention and management and core elements such as human,talent,material and technology resources.Help public hospitals to continuously improve their lean operation management level.
8.Clinicopathological significance of DICER1 mutation in follicular thyroid carcinoma
Xueqing LI ; Yulian WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Junsheng ZHAO ; Weimao KONG ; Xingzhu PAN ; Longnü BAO ; Kongzheng YANG ; Haiyan GU ; Jigang WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(3):250-258
Objective:To investigate the clinical and pathological significance of the DICER1 mutation in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).Methods:Sixty-eight cases of primary FTC resected between 2009 and 2023 were retrieved from The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Sanger sequencing was performed to identify DICER1 and TERT promoter mutations in all cases. Cases with DICER1 or TERT promoter mutations were subject to additional examination of potential mutations in KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS. The clinical and pathological features of DICER1-mutant FTCs were then analyzed. The relationship between DICER1 mutations and TERT-promoter/RAS mutations was also assessed.Results:DICER1 mutations were detected in 16 of the 68 FTC cases (23.5%), with 11 near E1813 at exon 25, 6 near D1709 at exon 24, and 1 in the splice region of exon 25. Two cases harbored two (distinct) mutations. All patients with DICER1-mutant FTC were female. Compared with patients with DICER1-wild-type FTC, those with DICER1-mutant were much younger, and had a higher proportion of minimally invasive subtype. Nine FTCs with DICER1 mutations were subject to further sequencing on adjacent non-cancerous tissues or lymph node tissues, but no mutations were detected. TERT-promoter or RAS hotspot mutations were not identified in any of the DICER1-mutant cases. However, TERT-promoter mutation was found in 6 DICER1-wild-type cases (8.8%, 6/68), with 3 cases also having RAS hotspot mutations and exhibiting highly aggressive biological behaviors.Conclusion:DICER1 mutations may occur in FTCs and appear mutually exclusive with RAS and TERT-promoter mutations, warranting further study as RAS-like mutations.
9.Prevalence of sarcopenia and influencing factors in middle-aged and older adults in Zhejiang Province
Yincun WANG ; Xucheng WU ; Kaili SUN ; Xueqing JIA ; Liming ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Jing SHAO ; Zuobing CHEN ; Xiaoting LIU ; Peng ZHAN ; Zuyun LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1224-1230
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and potential influencing factors in middle-aged and elderly populations in Zhejiang Province.Methods:Data were obtained from Zhejiang Provincial Household Economic Status Survey, a cross-sectional survey was condcuted in middle-aged and olde adults selected through multi-stage sampling in three cities in Zhejiang (Huzhou, Jiaxing and Shaoxing) in July 2023. A total of 3 019 study participants, average age 62.3 years old, 53.5% men, were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sarcopenia screening was conducted by using the questionnaire with five sarcopenia related-items. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with sarcopenia.Results:The prevalence of sarcopenia in the middle-aged and old study participants was 4.47%. Significant differences were observed between the participants with or without sarcopenia in terms of age, educational level, BMI, alcohol consumption status, diet habit, physical activity level, sleep quality, number of chronic diseases, childhood socioeconomic status, adulthood community socioeconomic status, muscle strength, walking assistance, ability to stand from seat, ability to climb stairs, and fall frequency ( P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that old age (≥75 years: OR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.60-4.97), low body weight ( OR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.06-3.62), unhealthy diet habit ( OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01-2.46), physical inactivity ( OR=5.80, 95% CI: 3.09-10.88), poor or very poor sleep quality ( OR=1.65, 95% CI:1.23-2.41), number of chronic diseases (1 chronic disease: OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.08-3.14; 2 chronic diseases: OR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.81-5.71; 3 or more chronic diseases: OR=3.74, 95% CI: 2.11-6.65), poor childhood socioeconomic status ( OR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.23-7.20), and poor adulthood community socioeconomic status ( OR=3.87, 95% CI: 1.63-9.17) were significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Conclusions:The prevalence of sarcopenia was relatively low in middle-aged and old population in Zhejiang. Age, BMI, unhealthy diet, physical activity level, sleep quality, number of chronic diseases, childhood socioeconomic status, and adulthood community socioeconomic status were identified as significant influencing factors.
10.Effects of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription on isoproterenol induced myocardial fibrosis in rats
Xueqing WANG ; Wei ZHONG ; Caihong LI ; Yuanwang YU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):336-341
Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription on myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats.Methods:SD rats were divided into blank control group, model group, and Shenfu Xiongze Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups according to random number table method. with 7 rats in each group. Except for the blank control group, the other groups were induced to form myocardial fibrosis in rats by intraperitoneal injection of isoprenaline. Shenfu Xiongze Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were administered Shenfu Xiongze Prescription solution at dosages of 8.4, 16.8, and 33.6 g/kg, respectively, while the blank control group and the model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, once a day, for consecutive 3 weeks. The heart structure and function were observed by echocardiography, the levels of BNP and IL-6 in serum were detected by ELISA, the pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the EF and FS values of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription in all dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01), the LVIDd and LVIDs increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins in myocardial tissue decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05); the levels of BNP and IL-6 in serum of the Shenfu Xiongze Prescription medium and high-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the level of IL-6 in the low-dosage group decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Shenfu Xiongze Prescription can inhibit rat myocardial fibrosis induced by isoprenaline, improve rat cardiac function, and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation in the heart and down-regulating the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins.

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