1.Mechanisms of Dihuang Yinzi in Treating Advanced Parkinson's Disease Based on Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation Axis
Renzhi MA ; Yasi LIN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Hongmei ZHU ; Jiayuan LI ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Wenxin FAN ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):11-21
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on motor dysfunction in rats with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and to investigate the mechanisms by which DY improves advanced PD symptoms through the "gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-inflammation-neuroprotection pathway". MethodsAn advanced PD rat model was induced by rotenone. Rats were divided into a normal group, model group, positive drug group (levodopa, 50 mg·kg-1), and DY low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.2, 10.4, 20.8 g·kg-1). After 7 days of administration, motor function was evaluated using the open-field, pole-climbing, and inclined plate tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in the substantia nigra and colon, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), Levodopa, homovanillic acid (HVA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the content of SCFAs in colonic contents. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased movement speed and distance in the open-field test, prolonged pole-climbing time, and reduced retention angle on the inclined plate (P<0.01), accompanied by increased α-Syn expression (P<0.01) and decreased TH expression (P<0.01) in the brain. Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups improved motor dysfunction in advanced PD rats to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated pathological damage in the brain and colon. High-dose DY significantly reduced α-Syn aggregation in the substantia nigra (P<0.01) and increased TH expression (P<0.01). ELISA and Western blot results showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreased levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum (P<0.01), increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum (P<0.01), and significantly reduced expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups increased the levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose DY group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum were reduced (P<0.01), while the expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the intestine was increased. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the relative abundances of Actinobacteriota, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased in the model group, whereas the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, class Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, and Akkermansia muciniphila were decreased. These changes were effectively reversed after high-dose DY intervention. GC analysis showed that the content of SCFAs in the colonic contents of rats in the model group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while after high-dose DY intervention, the levels of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and butyrate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDY may exert therapeutic effects in advanced PD by regulating the gut microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation pathway.
2.Research progress on the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety
WANG Liwen ; CAI Yutai ; RUAN Yaru ; ZHANG Fan ; YU Hongmei ; GAO Yanhui
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(3):281-291
There are practical and cost-effective opportunities for the prevention and early intervention of periodontal disease, a common oral condition. Depression and anxiety represent major global mental health challenges, and they are characterized by high prevalence rates and an elevated suicide risk. Their clinical management is complicated by extended treatment timelines and substantial healthcare costs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a statistically significant bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety disorders. However, established clinical pathways integrating these conditions remain lacking. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research examining the relationship between periodontal disease and mood disorders, specifically depression and anxiety. This study explored the bidirectional mechanisms within the microbiota-oral-brain axis, which includes both periodontal disease inducing neuroinflammation through pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activating the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and depression and anxiety leading to “glucocorticoid resistance” through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, thus causing dual immune dysfunction that exacerbates periodontal tissue destruction, as well as the mechanisms by which biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety. We propose implementing bidirectional referral protocols between dental and psychiatric services in clinical practice, incorporating mental health screening tools, such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7), for patients with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease, and incorporating periodontal examination into routine assessment during psychiatric services. This multidisciplinary approach aims to break the vicious circle between these conditions and provide clinicians with pragmatic intervention strategies.
3.Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cryopreserved deglycerolized red blood cells infusion based on propensity score matching method
Wei YANG ; Fanfan FU ; Lei NIU ; Tingchen XU ; Xin ZHANG ; Hongmei SHI ; Lihui FU ; Chunya MA ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):531-536
[Objective] To compare the efficacy and safety of deglycerolized red blood cells (DRBC) and suspended red blood cells (SRBC) based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method, so as to provide evidence for the rational use of DRBC resources in clinical practice. [Methods] A total of 89 patients who received DRBC transfusion and 2 916 patients who received SRBC transfusion in our hospital from January 2023 to September 2024 were included. A 1∶1 nearest neighbor PSM was used to balance covariates such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), and inflammatory markers such as white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NE) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the last 72 hours after transfusion were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and R software to evaluate clinical efficacy and transfusion safety. [Results] The baseline of the two groups was balanced after PSM (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the DRBC group (80.9%) and the SRBC group (86.5%) (P>0.05). In the SRBC group, WBC (×10
/L) increased from 9.634±6.742 to 10.147±6.835, CRP (mg/dL) increased from 5.468±4.647 to 6.174±6.114, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 213.733±587.191 to 157.255±552.626. In the DRBC group, WBC (×10
/L) decreased from 11.123±7.880 to 11.011±8.549, CRP (mg/dL) decreased from 5.729±4.761 to 5.326±4.466, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 238.806±639.060 to 152.255±266.558. Compared with the before treatment, the differences between the SRBC group and DRBC group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among all patients included in the statistics, the overall incidence of transfusion adverse reactions was 0.205% (6/2 916) in the SRBC group, and no adverse reactions occurred in the DRBC group. The incidence in the SRBC group was higher than that in the DRBC group. [Conclusion] Based on PSM analysis, there was no significant difference in the efficacy and safety of DRBC transfusion compared with SRBC transfusion, which can provide evidence-based support for routine application.
4.Reversing metabolic reprogramming by CPT1 inhibition with etomoxir promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration via DUSP1 ADP-ribosylation-mediated p38 MAPK phosphorylation.
Luxun TANG ; Yu SHI ; Qiao LIAO ; Feng WANG ; Hao WU ; Hongmei REN ; Xuemei WANG ; Wenbin FU ; Jialing SHOU ; Wei Eric WANG ; Pedro A JOSE ; Yongjian YANG ; Chunyu ZENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):256-277
The neonatal mammalian heart has a remarkable regenerative capacity, while the adult heart has difficulty to regenerate. A metabolic reprogramming from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation occurs along with the loss of cardiomyocyte proliferative capacity shortly after birth. In this study, we sought to determine if and how metabolic reprogramming regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation. Reversing metabolic reprogramming by carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) inhibition, using cardiac-specific Cpt1a and Cpt1b knockout mice promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation and improved cardiac function post-myocardial infarction. The inhibition of CPT1 is of pharmacological significance because those protective effects were replicated by etomoxir, a CPT1 inhibitor. CPT1 inhibition, by decreasing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 expression, reduced ADP-ribosylation of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 in cardiomyocytes, leading to decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and stimulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation. Our present study indicates that reversing metabolic reprogramming is an effective strategy to stimulate adult cardiomyocyte proliferation. CPT1 is a potential therapeutic target for promoting heart regeneration and myocardial infarction treatment.
5.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of cemental tear.
Ye LIANG ; Hongrui LIU ; Chengjia XIE ; Yang YU ; Jinlong SHAO ; Chunxu LV ; Wenyan KANG ; Fuhua YAN ; Yaping PAN ; Faming CHEN ; Yan XU ; Zuomin WANG ; Yao SUN ; Ang LI ; Lili CHEN ; Qingxian LUAN ; Chuanjiang ZHAO ; Zhengguo CAO ; Yi LIU ; Jiang SUN ; Zhongchen SONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Li LIN ; Peihui DING ; Weilian SUN ; Jun WANG ; Jiang LIN ; Guangxun ZHU ; Qi ZHANG ; Lijun LUO ; Jiayin DENG ; Yihuai PAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Aimei SONG ; Hongmei GUO ; Jin ZHANG ; Pingping CUI ; Song GE ; Rui ZHANG ; Xiuyun REN ; Shengbin HUANG ; Xi WEI ; Lihong QIU ; Jing DENG ; Keqing PAN ; Dandan MA ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Dong CHEN ; Liangjun ZHONG ; Gang DING ; Wu CHEN ; Quanchen XU ; Xiaoyu SUN ; Lingqian DU ; Ling LI ; Yijia WANG ; Xiaoyuan LI ; Qiang CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):61-61
Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans
;
Dental Cementum/injuries*
;
Consensus
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
;
Tooth Fractures/therapy*
6.Application and evaluation of structured symptom intervention program in patients with chronic kidney disease during peri-dialysis period
Hongmei PENG ; Shi PU ; Min WANG ; Yang LI ; Xia HUANG ; Youying ZHANG ; Yu SHI ; Rongrong ZHAO
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(20):2522-2531
Objective To evaluate the application efficacy of structured symptom intervention program in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)during the peri-dialysis period.Methods A non-simultaneous control study was conducted on 151 peri-dialysis outpatients having not yet initiated dialysis and being followed up who were subjected with convenience sampling from Department of Nephrology of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from April to September 2024.According to the time period of their visits,the patients who visited from April to June 2024 were assigned into a control group(n=75),and those from July to September 2024 into an experimental group(n=76).The control group received conventional symptom intervention(telephone symptom reporting+health education),while the experimental group received the intervention as the control group and a structured symptom intervention program covering 4 evidence-based modules:symptom identification,assessment,intervention,and outcome.The efficacy of above treatments was evaluated before and at 3 months after intervention.Dialysis symptom index was used to assess the degree of symptom distress and the number of symptoms.MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)was employed to evaluate the quality of life.The differences in clinical indicators and endpoint events were compared between the 2 groups after intervention.Results The experimental group obtained more significant reduction in the total score of symptom distress than the control group(P=0.021).After intervention,the number of symptoms was decreased in both groups(P<0.001),but no statistical difference was observed between the groups.The score of mental health dimension in SF-36 was obviously improved in the experimental group(P=0.004),which was notably better than that in the control group(P=0.033).The experimental group exhibited significantly higher prealbumin level than the control group(P=0.019),and stable albumin level,which was significantly decreased in the control group(P=0.035).The incidence of endpoint events was remarkably lower in the experimental group than the control group(P=0.028).Conclusion The structured symptom intervention program implements intervention through a closed-loop symptom module,which can effectively alleviate the symptom distress of patients during the peri-dialysis period,improve mental health and reduce the short-term risk for endpoint events.
7.Advances in gene therapy for hereditary liver diseases
Siyuan FAN ; Hongmei GUO ; Yu JIN
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(9):608-613
Hereditary liver diseases refer to liver metabolic disorders caused by gene mutations. The existing clinical treatments are mostly symptomatic therapies,delaying liver damage and improving patients' lives. With the development of gene therapy technology,it has become possible to treat genetic diseases by modifying known gene mutations. This review briefly introduces several common gene therapies(including recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors,CRISPR/Cas9,antisense oligonucleotides,lipid nano particle-mRNA),and discusses the latest research progress,ongoing challenges and potential solutions of gene therapy for hereditary liver diseases through the relevant preclinical studies and drug clinical trials of hereditary liver diseases. In order to promote the further development of gene therapy and provide reference for the treatment of other complex diseases.
8.Usnea acid inhibits the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cell line
Hongmei SHEN ; Yan YU ; Xuqiang FENG ; Keqiang WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(1):31-37
Objective To investigate the impacts of usnea acid(UA)on the proliferation of human ovarian cancer(OC)cells.Methods Ovarian adenocarcinoma cells SKOV3 were randomly divided into control group,L-UA group,M-UA group,H-UA group(with 10,20,and 50 μmol/L UA added respectively),pcDNA3.1-NC group and pcDNA3.1-PD-1 group.RT-qPCR method was applied to detect the expression of programmed cell death 1(PD-1)and programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)in SKOV3 cells.CCK-8 assay and plate method were applied to detect the effect of UA on SKOV3 cell proliferation.The effect of UA on SKOV3 cells apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry.Mouse ovarian epithelial cancer cell line ID8 cells were collected to construct an OC mouse model,and the mass and volume of OC tumors were recorded.Immuno-histochemical microscopy was applied to detect the infiltration of PD-1,PD-L1,and CD8+T cells.Results The PD-1 mRNA,PD-L1 mRNA,colony count,A450 val-ue,PCNA protein,PD-1 protein,and PD-L1 protein in the L-UA,M-UA,and H-UA groups were lower than those in the control group,the apoptosis rate and Bax protein were higher in the control group(P<0.05).Com-pared with the H-UA group and the pcDNA3.1-NC group,the PD-1 mRNA,PD-L1 mRNA,colony count,A450 value,PCNA protein,PD-1 protein,and PD-L1 protein in the pcDNA-3.1-PD-1 group increased and the apoptosis rate and Bax protein decreased(P<0.05).The quality,volume,positivity rate of PD-1and PD-L1 of OC tumors in the UA group was lower than that in the control group,the counting number of CD8+T cell infiltration was higher than control group(P<0.05).Conclusions UA may inhibit progression of OC cell line SKOV3 by regula-ting cell proliferation,apoptosis,and immune escape.
9.Application of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of diabetes with peripheral neuropathy
Ling YU ; Xi WANG ; Xinru HUANG ; Yan CHEN ; Li TAO ; Hongmei LIU ; Qing XU ; Rong XIAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):229-233
Objective To evaluate the application of shear wave elastography(SWE)in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes.Methods Totally 85 patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)were selected from the Chengdu Office Hospital of People's Government of Tibetan Autonomous Region,including 46 patients with peripheral neuropathy(DPN)and 39 patients without peripheral neuropathy(NDPN).Compared for clinical data(gender,age,disease duration),cross-sectional area of the median nerve measured by high-frequency ultra-sound(CSA)and shear wave elastography(SWE)parameters(mean Young's modulus value,Emean)and shear wave velocity(SWV)between two groups of patients.Multifactor Logistic regression analysis was carried out on the indicators between the above groups to screen independent predictors in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes patients,and a combined model was constructed.The area under the operating characteristic curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the subjects were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the single model and com?bined model of the quantitative parameters(CSA,Emean,SWV)measured by clinical data,high?frequency ultra?sound and SWE in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes patients.Results Age,course of disease,Emean,SWV and CSA were statistically significant in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes patients(all P<0.05).AUC was 0.658,0.754,0.839,0.822 and 0.736,respectively.The combination model based on disease course,CSA and SWV showed the highest diagnostic efficiency,with AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.887(0.800-0.946),80.43%,and 84.62%,respectively.Conclusions The combined model based on the course of disease,CSA and SWV have a high diagnostic efficiency in peripheral neuropathy of diabetes patients,and has good clinical application value.
10.Strategies on biosynthesis and production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants.
Miaoxian GUO ; Haizhou LV ; Hongyu CHEN ; Shuting DONG ; Jianhong ZHANG ; Wanjing LIU ; Liu HE ; Yimian MA ; Hua YU ; Shilin CHEN ; Hongmei LUO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2024;16(1):13-26
Medicinal plants are a valuable source of essential medicines and herbal products for healthcare and disease therapy. Compared with chemical synthesis and extraction, the biosynthesis of natural products is a very promising alternative for the successful conservation of medicinal plants, and its rapid development will greatly facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. Here, we summarize the advances in strategies and methods concerning the biosynthesis and production of natural products of medicinal plants. The strategies and methods mainly include genetic engineering, plant cell culture engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology based on multiple "OMICS" technologies, with paradigms for the biosynthesis of terpenoids and alkaloids. We also highlight the biosynthetic approaches and discuss progress in the production of some valuable natural products, exemplifying compounds such as vindoline (alkaloid), artemisinin and paclitaxel (terpenoids), to illustrate the power of biotechnology in medicinal plants.


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