1.Guizhi Fulingwan Alleviate Hepatic Fibrosis by Modulating mtDNA/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Yu TANG ; Xuli YANG ; Qiang YANG ; Xiaojie WANG ; Yongxiang GAO ; Xueping LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):91-99
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Guizhi Fulingwan (GFW) against hepatic fibrosis, focusing on elucidating the regulatory effect of GFW on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n=7): control, model, low/medium/high-dose (0.14, 0.28, 0.56 g·kg-1·d-1) GFW (GFW-L, GFW-M, GFW-H), and Dahuang Zhechong pills (DZW, 1.8 g·kg-1·d-1). The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. General conditions of the rats were observed. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured. Liver histopathology and collagen deposition were observed through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe structural alterations and damage of cellular ultrastructures including mitochondria. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) was detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA levels of mtDNA and NLRP3 in the liver tissue were quantified by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein levels of key molecules in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in the liver tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a decrease in body weight (P<0.01), an increase in liver index (P<0.01), elevations in serum ALT and AST levels (P<0.01), and typical fibrotic features such as disorganized hepatocytes, inflammatory infiltration, and increased collagen deposition in the liver tissue. TEM revealed significant karyotheca degeneration, mitochondrial swelling, endoplasmic reticulum expansion, and organelle efflux in the model group. In addition, the model group showed decreased ΔΨm (P<0.01), up-regulated mRNA levels of mtDNA and NLRP3 (P<0.01) and protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD (P<0.01) in the liver tissue, and increased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the body weight increased in GFW-L, GFW-M, and DZW groups (P<0.05) and markedly increased in the GFW-H group (P<0.01). The liver index decreased in the GFW groups and DZW group (P<0.01). The serum ALT level declined in the GFW-L group (P<0.05), and the serum ALT and AST levels decreased in the GFW-M, GFW-H, and DZW groups (P<0.01). Histopathological damage and fibrosis were alleviated to varying degrees, and TEM revealed mitigated ultrastructural injuries including mitophagy, mitochondrial swelling, and endoplasmic reticulum expansion in the drug intervention groups. The ΔΨm increased in GFW groups without statistical significance. The mRNA level of mtDNA in the liver tissue was down-regulated in the GFW-M (P<0.05), GFW-H (P<0.01), and DZW (P<0.01) groups. The mRNA level of NLRP3 was down-regulated in GFW-M, GFW-H, and DZW groups (P<0.01). Western blot analysis showed significantly down-regulated protein level of NLRP3 in all the GFW groups and the DZW group (P<0.01). The protein level of GSDMD-N was down-regulated in GFW-H and DZW groups (P<0.01). The protein level of cleaved Caspase-1 was down-regulated in GFW-M (P<0.05), GFW-H (P<0.01), and DZW (P<0.01) groups. In addition, the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 declined in GFW-H and DZW groups (P<0.01). ConclusionGFW can suppress pyroptosis to ameliorate CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, potentially through mitigating mitochondrial damage, inhibiting inflammasome assembly and activation, and blocking pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
2.Application of Mitophagy in Regulating Ulcerative Colitis Based on "Spleen Dysfunction in Essence Distribution Leading to Endogenous Turbid Pathogens"
Xuli YANG ; Yanwei HAO ; Qiaobo YE ; Lingling YUAN ; Ruijie FANG ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):176-184
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving interactions among genetic, immune, and environmental factors, and remains incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial damage can trigger the abnormal release of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs), activating inflammatory pathways and thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response in UC. Mitophagy, a core mitochondrial quality control mechanism, can clear damaged mitochondria and effectively reduce the abnormal release of mtDAMPs and the accumulation of harmful substances, thereby mitigating inflammatory damage resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier function and in the prevention and intervention of UC. Notably, the function of the spleen governing transportation and transformation in traditional Chinese medicine shares similarities with the role of mitochondria in energy transformation and substance metabolism. Furthermore, the pathological state of the spleen failing in transportation and transformation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction, while the pathogenic characteristics of "endogenous turbid pathogen" align with the inflammatory cascade responses triggered by abnormal release of mtDAMPs. Based on this theoretical correlation, this paper aims to explore the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "spleen dysfunction in essence distribution leading to endogenous turbid pathogens" and mitophagy. Using the correlation as an entry point, the potential role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of UC was elucidated. Additionally, by considering the epidemiological characteristics of UC in the Southwest region of China, a new thinking for the treatment of UC from the perspective of turbid pathogens was proposed based on the "fortifying the spleen and resolving turbidity" method to provide theoretical support and research enlightenment for further exploring the prevention and treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Effect of behavior activation therapy on subthreshold depression and quality of life in patients with diabetes foot amputation
Dianju HE ; Qianyun LI ; Xuli SHANG ; Xingju YANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(24):1858-1865
Objective:To explore the effect of behavioral activation therapy on subthreshold depression and quality of life in patients with diabetes foot amputation, and to provide reference for clinical psychotherapy and quality of life improvement in patients with diabetes foot amputation.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted to select 50 patients with diabetes foot amputation from September to December 2023 in the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University by convenient sampling. The participants were divided into an control group and a observation group, with 25 cases in each group, using a random number table method. The patients in the control group received routine nursing care of diabetes feet, and the patients in the observation group were given behavior activation therapy on the basis of the control group. The Centre for Epidomiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form (BADS-SF), and Short Form Health Measure (SF-12) were used to assess patients′ subthreshold depression, behavior, and quality of life before the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention.Results:The final number of patients who completed the study in the control group and observation group were 23 and 24, respectively. There were 11 males and 12 females in the control group, with an age of (69.70 ± 7.01) years. There were 12 males and 12 females in the observation group, with an age of (69.17 ± 6.83) years. At the end of the intervention and 3 months after the intervention, the CES-D scores of the observation group were (21.13 ± 2.19) and (18.83 ± 1.86) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the control group (25.70 ± 1.72) and (25.91 ± 1.65) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-7.93, -13.80, both P<0.05). At the end of the intervention and 3 months after the intervention, the BADS-SF behavioral activation dimension scores in the observation group were (17.67 ± 2.41) and (18.50 ± 2.19) points, respectively, higher than the control group's (11.83 ± 1.78) and (11.57 ± 2.02) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=31.65, 34.45, both P<0.05). The behavioral avoidance dimension scores were (9.48 ± 1.50) and (9.65 ± 1.99) points, respectively, lower than the control group's (10.75 ± 1.42) and (11.88 ± 1.57) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=6.53, 13.17, both P<0.05). Three months after the intervention, the total score of SF-12 in the observation group was (65.96 ± 2.94) points, and the psychological dimension score was (37.50 ± 4.14) points, both of which were higher than those in the control group (60.30 ± 2.42) and (30.13± 5.15) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=51.54, 5.42, both P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in time, between groups, and interaction effects in CES-D score, scores of two dimensions of BADS-SF and SF-12 total score ( F values were 10.04-190.71). Conclusions:Behavioral activation therapy can improve the symptoms of subthreshold depression in patients with diabetes foot amputation, enhance their behavioral activation level, and improve the quality of life to a certain extent.
4.A novel dual-targeting strategy of nanobody-driven protein corona modulation for glioma therapy.
Yupei ZHANG ; Shugang QIN ; Tingting SONG ; Zhiying HUANG ; Zekai LV ; Yang ZHAO ; Xiangyu JIAO ; Min SUN ; Yinghan ZHANG ; Guang XIE ; Yuting CHEN ; Xuli RUAN ; Ruyue LIU ; Haixing SHI ; Chunli YANG ; Siyu ZHAO ; Zhongshan HE ; Hai HUANG ; Xiangrong SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4917-4931
Glioma represents the most prevalent malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with chemotherapy serving as an essential adjunctive treatment. However, most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study introduced a novel dual-targeting strategy for glioma therapy by modulating the formation of nanobody-driven protein coronas to enhance the brain and tumor-targeting efficiency of hydrophobic cisplatin prodrug-loaded lipid nanoparticles (C8Pt-Ls). Specifically, nanobodies (Nbs) with fibrinogen-binding capabilities were conjugated to the surface of C8Pt-Ls, resulting in the generation of Nb-C8Pt-Ls. Within the bloodstream, Nb-C8Pt-Ls could bound more fibrinogen, forming the protein corona that specifically interacted with LRP-1, a receptor highly expressed on the BBB. This interaction enabled a "Hitchhiking Effect" mechanism, facilitating efficient trans-BBB transport and promoting effective brain targeting. Additionally, the protein corona interacted with LRP-1, which is also overexpressed in glioma cells, achieving precise tumor targeting. Computational simulations and SPR detection clarified the molecular interaction mechanism of the Nb-fibrinogen-(LRP-1) complex, confirming its binding specificity and stability. Our results demonstrated that this strategy significantly enhanced C8Pt accumulation in brain tissues and tumors, induced apoptosis in glioma cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a novel framework for glioma therapy and underscores the potential of protein corona modulation-based dual-targeting strategies in advancing treatments for brain tumors.
5.Effect of behavior activation therapy on subthreshold depression and quality of life in patients with diabetes foot amputation
Dianju HE ; Qianyun LI ; Xuli SHANG ; Xingju YANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(24):1858-1865
Objective:To explore the effect of behavioral activation therapy on subthreshold depression and quality of life in patients with diabetes foot amputation, and to provide reference for clinical psychotherapy and quality of life improvement in patients with diabetes foot amputation.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted to select 50 patients with diabetes foot amputation from September to December 2023 in the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University by convenient sampling. The participants were divided into an control group and a observation group, with 25 cases in each group, using a random number table method. The patients in the control group received routine nursing care of diabetes feet, and the patients in the observation group were given behavior activation therapy on the basis of the control group. The Centre for Epidomiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form (BADS-SF), and Short Form Health Measure (SF-12) were used to assess patients′ subthreshold depression, behavior, and quality of life before the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention.Results:The final number of patients who completed the study in the control group and observation group were 23 and 24, respectively. There were 11 males and 12 females in the control group, with an age of (69.70 ± 7.01) years. There were 12 males and 12 females in the observation group, with an age of (69.17 ± 6.83) years. At the end of the intervention and 3 months after the intervention, the CES-D scores of the observation group were (21.13 ± 2.19) and (18.83 ± 1.86) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the control group (25.70 ± 1.72) and (25.91 ± 1.65) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-7.93, -13.80, both P<0.05). At the end of the intervention and 3 months after the intervention, the BADS-SF behavioral activation dimension scores in the observation group were (17.67 ± 2.41) and (18.50 ± 2.19) points, respectively, higher than the control group's (11.83 ± 1.78) and (11.57 ± 2.02) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=31.65, 34.45, both P<0.05). The behavioral avoidance dimension scores were (9.48 ± 1.50) and (9.65 ± 1.99) points, respectively, lower than the control group's (10.75 ± 1.42) and (11.88 ± 1.57) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=6.53, 13.17, both P<0.05). Three months after the intervention, the total score of SF-12 in the observation group was (65.96 ± 2.94) points, and the psychological dimension score was (37.50 ± 4.14) points, both of which were higher than those in the control group (60.30 ± 2.42) and (30.13± 5.15) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=51.54, 5.42, both P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in time, between groups, and interaction effects in CES-D score, scores of two dimensions of BADS-SF and SF-12 total score ( F values were 10.04-190.71). Conclusions:Behavioral activation therapy can improve the symptoms of subthreshold depression in patients with diabetes foot amputation, enhance their behavioral activation level, and improve the quality of life to a certain extent.
6.Clinical transfusion consultation investigation and typical case analysis
Junlong YANG ; Yanli BAI ; Xuli DU ; Bin ZHANG ; Bo WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(5):561-566,574
Objective To analyze the characteristics of blood transfusion consultation cases and establish the consulta-tion route,so as to provide reference for blood transfusion doctors to participate in blood transfusion consultation practice.Methods The cases involved in clinical transfusion consultation in the blood transfusion department of our hospital from 2020 to 2023 were collected from the hospital information system(HIS),and then classified by department and consultation type to summarize the main points of transfusion consultation,formulate transfusion consultation routes,and conduct typical cases analysis.Results There were 315 clinical transfusion consultations from 2020 to 2023,with an increasing trend year by year(26 in 2020,67 in 2021,81 in 2022,141 in 2023).The consultations involved 24 departments,including cardio-vascular medicine 14.0%(44/315),orthopedics 12.7%(40/315),intensive care medicine 8.9%(28/315),general medi-cine 8.3%(28/315),cardiopulmonary disease 6.0%(19/315),etc.There were 8 categories of consultations,including 35.6%(112/315)autologous ozonized blood transfusion,23.8%(75/315)plasma exchange,14.9%(47/315)perioperative mass blood preparation(transfusion),11.4%(36/315)platelet-rich plasma therapy and 6.3%(20/315)autologous blood collection,etc.The clinical blood transfusion consultation route was formulated according to the consultation points.Six pa-tients with various diseases were treated by blood transfusion department.With effective treatment measures taken,all of them improved and were discharged.Conclusion The summary of key points of clinical blood transfusion consultation and formulation of the blood transfusion consultation route by department of blood transfusion are conducive to the implementation of blood transfusion consultation and guarantee the safety of patients.
7.Identification of potential anti-pneumonia pharmacological components of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma after the treatment with Gan An He Ji oral liquid
Xiaojuan JIANG ; Yihua LIN ; Yunlong WU ; Caixia YUAN ; Xuli LANG ; Jiayun CHEN ; Chunyan ZHU ; Xinyi YANG ; Yu HUANG ; Hao WANG ; Caisheng WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2022;12(6):839-851
Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,a traditional Chinese medicine also known as Gan Cao(GC),is frequently included in clinical prescriptions for the treatment of pneumonia.However,the pharmacological com-ponents of GC for pneumonia treatment are rarely explored.Gan An He Ji oral liquid(GAHJ)has a simple composition and contains GC liquid extracts and paregoric,and has been used clinically for many years.Therefore,GAHJ was selected as a compound preparation for the study of GC in the treatment of pneumonia.We conducted an in vivo study of patients with pneumonia undergoing GAHJ treatments for three days.Using the intelligent mass spectrometry data-processing technologies to analyze the meta-bolism of GC in vivo,we obtained 168 related components of GC in humans,consisting of 24 prototype components and 144 metabolites,with 135 compounds screened in plasma and 82 in urine.After analysis of the metabolic transformation relationship and relative exposure,six components(liquiritin,liquiritigenin,glycyrrhizin,glycyrrhetinic acid,daidzin,and formononetin)were selected as potential effective components.The experimental results based on two animal pneumonia models and the in-flammatory cell model showed that the mixture of these six components was effective in the treatment of pneumonia and lung injury and could effectively downregulate the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).Interestingly,glycyrrhetinic acid exhibited the strongest inhibition on iNOS and the highest exposure in vivo.The following molecular dynamic simulations indicated a strong bond between glycyrrhetinic acid and iNOS.Thus,the current study provides a pharmaceutical basis for GC and reveals the possible corresponding mechanisms in pneumonia treatment.
8.Differential bone metabolism and protein expression in mice fed a high-fat diet versus Daurian ground squirrels following natural pre-hibernation fattening.
Xuli GAO ; Shenyang SHEN ; Qiaohua NIU ; Weilan MIAO ; Yuting HAN ; Ziwei HAO ; Ning AN ; Yingyu YANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Han ZHANG ; Kenneth B STOREY ; Hui CHANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2022;23(12):1042-1056
This study compared the effects on bone metabolism and morphology of pathological obesity induced by excessive fat intake in a non-hibernator (mice) versus healthy obesity due to pre-hibernation fattening in a hibernator (ground squirrels). Kunming mice were fed a high-fat diet to provide a model of pathological obesity (OB group). Daurian ground squirrels fattened naturally in their pre-hibernation season (PRE group) were used as a healthy obesity model. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and three-point bending tests were used to determine the microstructure and mechanical properties of bone. Western blots were used to analyze protein expression levels related to bone metabolism (Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RunX2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), patched protein homolog 1 (Ptch1), phosphorylated β-catenin (P-β-catenin), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)). Compared with controls, there was no obvious bone loss in the OB mice, and the stiffness of the femur was increased significantly. Compared with summer active squirrels, bone formation was enhanced but the mechanical properties did not change in the PRE group squirrels. In OB mice, western blots showed significantly increased expression levels of all proteins except RunX2, OPG, and Ptch1. PRE ground squirrels showed significantly increased expression of most proteins except OCN and Ptch1, which decreased significantly, and P-β-catenin and OPG, which did not change. In conclusion, for non-hibernating mice, moderate obesity had a certain protective effect on bones, demonstrating two-way regulation, increasing both bone loss and bone formation. For pre-hibernating ground squirrels, the healthy obesity acquired before hibernation had a positive effect on the microstructure of bones, and also enhanced the expression levels of proteins related to bone formation, bone resorption, and Wnt signaling.
Mice
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Animals
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Hibernation
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism*
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism*
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Diet, High-Fat
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X-Ray Microtomography
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Sciuridae/metabolism*
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Obesity
9.Effects of can walking anterior and posterior capsule polishing combined with tension ring implantation on lens capsular stability after phacoemulsification for ultra-high myopia cataract
Xuli ZHAO ; Lu WANG ; Ting LONG ; Ge HUANG ; Guang YANG
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2022;45(3):310-314
Objective:To observe the effects of polishing the anterior and posterior capsule with irrigation/aspiration (I/A) injection needle and capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation on intraocular lens (IOL) capsular stability after phacoemulsification for ultra-high myopia with 2.0 mm coaxial micro incision.Methods:This is a prospective randomized controlled study. There were 40 patients(80 eyes) aged 46-72 years old with ultra-high myopia cataract. The grade of lens opacity was grade II-IV, and the diopter was -10 D - -24 D. During 2.0 mm coaxial micro incision phacoemulsification, adopt coin tossing method randomly, 1 eye was operated using the anterior and posterior capsule polishing 360° with I/A injection needle combined with CTR implantation as the experimental group(40 eyes), the other eye was neither polished nor CTR implantated as the control group(40 eyes). The operation interval of both eyes was less than 1 week. The size of anterior capsular orifice, effective intraocular lens position(ELP), IOL eccentricity and posterior capsular opacification(PCO) were recorded at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after operation in outpatient clinic. Two independent sample t-test and Fisher exact probability test were used to compare the differences between the 2 groups. P<0.05 was defined significant difference. Results:During the follow-up period, there were no significant change in the anterior capsule area, IOL eccentricity and ELP in the experimental group. However in the control group, the anterior capsular area decreased gradually with time, and gradually IOL eccentricity increased and ELP decreased. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in each observation index at 1 week after operation, but it was ELP that first showed the difference tendency( P<0.01). The ELP of the control group was significantly lower than that of the experimental group at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in anterior capsule area and IOL eccentricity between the 2 groups at 1 and 3 months after operation( P>0.05), but there was a significant difference at 6 months( P<0.05). In terms of PCO, the incidence of PCO was 0%, 2.5% and 7.5% in the experimental group and 5.0%, 17.5% and 32.5% in the control group respectively at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation. The incidence of PCO in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group( P<0.05). Conclusion:Ultra-high myopia with cataract are prone to have capsular contraction after operation, which is characterized by IOL instability and anterior capsular orifice narrowing gradually. Combined 360° anterior and posterior capsular polishing with tension ring implantation in operation can effectively maintain the stability of ELP, reduce the degree of contraction of anterior capsular orifice, reduce the eccentricity of IOL and the incidence of PCO. Polishing the anterior and posterior capsule with I/A injection needle combined with CTR implantation, is safe and effective for patients with ultra-high myopia cataract.

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