1.Astragali Radix Polysaccharides Promote M2 Polarization of OGD/R-induced BV2 Microglia by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Yanxi LIU ; Lijun ZHANG ; Qiule LI ; Yayu ZENG ; Yanjie HUO ; Xiaodan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):133-143
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Astragali Radix polysaccharides (APS) on the polarization of BV2 microglial cells in an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model through regulation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsThe OGD/R injury model of BV2 microglia was established and divided into blank group, OGD/R group and APS group (0.4 g·L-1 APS). Neuroinflammatory injury was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with APS. The cells were divided into blank group, LPS group (1 mg·L-1 LPS) and APS group (0.4 g·L-1 APS+1 mg·L-1 LPS). Cell viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Nitric oxide (NO) content in the cell supernatant was determined by the Griess assay. The secretion levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the double-positive rates of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/inducible nitric oxide synthase (Iba-1+/iNOS+) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/arginase 1 (Iba-1+/Arg1+), as well as the nuclear translocation rate of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65). Protein expression levels of Iba-1, iNOS, Arg1, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot. ResultsIn the OGD/R injury model, compared with the blank control group, BV2 microglial cells in the OGD/R group were activated and exhibited amoeboid morphological changes. The secretion levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The double-positive expression rate of Iba-1+/iNOS+ and the protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS were significantly increased (P<0.01). The nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and the protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the double-positive expression rate of Iba-1+/Arg1+ and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the OGD/R group, the APS group (0.4 g·L-1) showed reduced cell activation, significantly decreased secretion levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.01), significantly decreased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1+/iNOS+ and relative protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS (P<0.01), significantly decreased nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01), significantly increased levels of IL-10 and IL-4 (P<0.01), and significantly increased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1+/Arg1+ and Arg1 protein expression (P<0.01). In the LPS-induced neuroinflammation model, compared with the blank control group, the LPS group showed increased cell activation, significantly increased levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6, significantly increased Iba-1+/iNOS+ double-positive expression rate, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate, and protein expression levels of Iba-1, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01), while IL-10 and IL-4 levels, Iba-1+/Arg1+ double-positive expression rate, and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the LPS group, the APS group showed reduced cell activation, significantly decreased levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6, Iba-1+/iNOS+ double-positive expression rate, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate, and protein expression levels of Iba-1, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01), while IL-10 and IL-4 levels, Iba-1+/Arg1+ double-positive expression rate, and Arg1 protein expression were significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionAPS may reduce microglial activation and promote their polarization toward the M2 phenotype by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the neuroinflammatory response induced by OGD/R.
2.Impact of childhood trauma on internet addiction in medical students: the mediating role of perceived stress
Xiaohong PENG ; Xiaoyuan LIAO ; Dantong WU ; Yanyin ZHOU ; Yelu LIU ; Yuxiang WANG ; Luoya ZHANG ; Juan DENG ; Yanjie PENG ; Kezhi LIU ; Jing CHEN ; Wei LEI
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):267-272
BackgroundWith the rapid development of the networking technologies, internet addiction has increasingly become a serious mental health issue. Previous studies have revealed the link between childhood trauma and internet addiction, while the mediating role of perceived stress in this link is not yet clear. ObjectiveTo investigate the role of medical students' perceived stress in the relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction, so as to provide references for the intervention of internet addiction. MethodsFrom February to March 2023, a random sampling technique was used to select 1 232 undergraduate students from the School of Clinical Medical Sciences of Southwest Medical University as research subjects. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS), and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) were used for assessment. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. The mediation effect of perceived stress in the relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction was tested using Model 4 in the SPSS Process 4.1, and Bootstrapping procedure involving 5 000 replicates was employed to confirm the statistical significance. ResultsA total of 1 016 (82.47%) valid completed questionnaires were gathered. The CTQ-SF scores of medical students were positively correlated with PSS scores, IGD scores, and BSMAS scores (r=0.583, 0.474, 0.465, P<0.01). PSS scores were positively correlated with IGD scores and BSMAS scores (r=0.369, 0.479, P<0.01). Childhood trauma in medical students was found to positively predict perceived stress (β=0.191, P<0.01), social media addiction (β=0.160, P<0.01), and internet gaming disorder (β=0.106, P<0.01). Perceived stress played a significant mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and internet gaming disorder, indirect effect value was 0.018 (95% CI: 0.009~0.027), accounting for 16.98%. Perceived stress also exhibited a significant mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and social media addiction, indirect effect value was 0.063 (95% CI: 0.048~0.079), accounting for 39.38%. ConclusionChildhood trauma in medical students may affect internet gaming disorder and social media addiction through perceived stress. [Funded by 2022 Annual Research Project of Sichuan Applied Psychology Research Center,(number,CSXL-22102)]
3.Decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder and its relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms
Yuxiang WANG ; Luoya ZHANG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Juan DENG ; Yanjie PENG ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Kezhi LIU ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):22-27
BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However, the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder, and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently, 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used for assessment, and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning (PRL) task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion, perseverative errors, win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group (t=3.684, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion, perseverative errors and win-stay rate (t=0.329, 0.132, 0.609, P>0.05). In depression group, BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate(r=0.450, 0.398, P<0.01). ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore, the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. [Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University (number, 2019LZXNYDJ39]
4.Meta-analysis of anterior cervical decompression and fusion ROI-CTM self-locking system in treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis
Yanjie ZHOU ; Chunfeng CAO ; Zhongzu ZHANG ; Xiong NIU ; Xin WANG ; Zaihai YANG ; Liang ZHOU ; Bo LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):617-627
OBJECTIVE:Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a classic surgical method for the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The use of nail plates increases the fusion rate and stability and indirectly leads to adjacent vertebral degeneration and postoperative dysphagia.In this paper,the clinical results and complications of ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis were compared by meta-analysis to provide evidence-based support for the selection of internal fixation methods in anterior cervical decompression and fusion. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched for Chinese and English literature on the application of ROI-CTM self-locking system and fusion cage combined with screw plate internal fixation in the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylosis.The retrieval time range was from inception to July 2023.Two researchers selected the literature strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials.Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of cohort studies.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Outcome indicators included operation time,intraoperative blood loss,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,incidence of adjacent vertebral degeneration,cage subsidence rate,and incidence of dysphagia. RESULTS:Thirteen articles were included,including eleven retrospective cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials,with 1 136 patients,569 in the ROI-C group,and 567 in the cage combined with the nail plate group.Meta-analysis results showed that the operation time(MD=-15.52,95%CI:-18.62 to-12.42,P<0.000 01)and intraoperative blood loss(MD=-24.53,95%CI:-32.46 to-16.61,P<0.000 01)in the ROI-C group and the fusion device combined with nail plate group.Postoperative adjacent segment degeneration rate(RR=0.40,95%CI:0.27-0.60,P<0.000 01)and postoperative total dysphagia rate(RR=0.18,95%CI:0.13-0.26),P<0.000 01)were statistically different.The two groups had no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,Neck Disability Index,C2-C7 Cobb angle,fusion rate,or cage subsidence rate(P≥0.05). CONCLUSION:Applying an ROI-CTM self-locking system and traditional cage combined with plate internal fixation in anterior cervical decompression and fusion can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating degenerative cervical spondylosis.The operation of the ROI-CTM self-locking system is more straightforward.Compared with a cage combined with plate internal fixation,the ROI-CTM self-locking system can significantly reduce the operation time and intraoperative blood loss and has obvious advantages in reducing the incidence of postoperative dysphagia and adjacent segment degeneration.The ROI-CTM self-locking system is recommended for patients with skip cervical spondylosis and adjacent vertebral disease.However,given its possible high settlement rate,using a fusion cage combined with screw-plate internal fixation is still recommended for patients with degenerative cervical spondylosis with multiple segments and high-risk factors of fusion cage settlement,such as osteoporosis and vertebral endplate damage.
5.Study on the medication law of TCM compound patents for primary dilated cardiomyopathy based on data mining
Jinyuan ZHANG ; Wei LIU ; Hongxu LIU ; Xiaolei LAI ; Tong TONG ; Yanjie LIAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(7):992-998
Objective:To investigate the medication law of TCM compound patents for treating primary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) based on data mining.Methods:TCM compound patents for the treatment of DCM were retrieved from State Intellectual Property Office of China-Chinese Patent Publication Notice webpage from the establishment of the database to November 18, 2024. After extracting information, statistics were conducted on patent publication time, indications, drug frequency, etc. The association rules of drugs were analyzed using SPSS Modeler 18.0 software based on the Apriori algorithm, and the core drug co-occurrence relationship was visualized using Cytascape 3.9.1 software. SPSS 27.0 software was used to cluster the high-frequency drugs and core co-occurrence drugs. The MCODE plug-in of Cytascape 3.9.1 software was used for graphic clustering analysis.Results:A total of 52 patents were included in this study, with high-frequency syndromes of qi deficiency and blood stasis (16 times), qi and yin deficiency (13 times), blood stasis and water stagnation syndrome (5 times), etc. A total of 236 kinds of Chinese materia medica were involved, with high-frequency herbal medicines such as Astmgali Radix (34 times), Salvia Miltiorrhiza (24 times), Poria (22 times), Ophiopogonis Radix (19 times), etc.; common pairs were Poria → Astmgali Radix (rule support 34.62%, confidence 81.82%), Atractylodes Macrocephala → Poria (rule support 25.0%, confidence 100%), etc.; common medicinal combinations were Atractylodes Macrocephala - Astmgali Radix → Poria (rule support 21.15%, confidence 100%), Astmgali Radix-Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus → Ophiopogonis Radix (rule support 21.15%, confidence 91.67%), etc.; new prescriptions included "Poria, Atractylodes Macrocephala, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Cmnamomi Mmulus, Descurainiae Semen, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaka, Polyporus", etc.; potential Chinese medicine combinations included "Aconitum Bullatifolium-Eupolyphaga Steleophaga-Myrrh-Os Costaziae-Os Draconis-Olibanum-Moschus-Pyritum", etc.Conclusion:TCM compound patents for treating DCM mainly include qi deficiency and blood stasis, qi-yin deficiency , blood stasis and water stagnation, etc. The basic treatment method is to tonify qi and nourish yin, invigorate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis, promote water circulation and reduce swelling, and cooperate with the method of softening and dispersing knots.
6.Research progress in anti-tumor mechanism of Hedyotidis Herba regulating central carbon metabolism pathway
Yiwen ZHANG ; Yanjie WANG ; Huijun ZHANG ; Xuebing JIN ; Zhimin CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1786-1791
Tumor's occurrence and development are closely related to metabolic abnormalities. Central Carbon Metabolism (CCM) is the core network of biological metabolism, and its abnormal activation drives tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and immune escape. Hedyotidis Herba is a classic anti-tumor conventional Chinese materia medica. Its active components interfere with the core links of CCM (glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway) by targeting key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, AMPK, P53, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, Nrf2 and TGF-β, so as to inhibit the energy metabolism of tumor cells, regulate the acidification state of microenvironment, block the production of metabolic precursors, and curb tumor cell metastasis and immune escape.
7.Clinical Observation on Clinical Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Sequential Therapy for the Treatment of Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris in Shenzhen
Qinmei GU ; Binyan LI ; Yanjie LIU ; Yu SU ; Rong ZHANG ; Haifang GAN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1126-1132
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)sequential therapy in treating patients with psoriasis vulgaris in Shenzhen,and to explore the syndrome differentiation and treatment for the patients with psoriasis vulgaris in Shenzhen region.Methods From January 2019 to February 2024,70 cases of psoriasis vulgaris admitted to Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Group)were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the observation group(39 cases)and the control group(31 cases)according to the treatment plans.In the control group,only topical application of Calcipotriol Ointment was given throughout the treatment,while in the observation group the patients were treated with TCM sequential therapy according to the illness stage on the basis of treatment for the control group,i.e.,internal administration of modified Shuiniujiao Huanglian Decoction was given in the acute stage and modified Sijunzi Shuiniujiao Decoction was given in the remission stage.Both groups were treated for 3 months.Before and after the treatment,the changes of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI)scores,Dermatology Life Quality Index(DLQI)scores and TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and drug safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 89.74%(35/39),and that of the control group was 74.19%(23/31).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the PASI scores for evaluating the severity of skin lesions in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the DLQI scores for evaluating the quality of life in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes such as erythema,itching,vexation and dry mouth in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)During the treatment period,no obvious adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,with high safety.Conclusion On the basis of conventional western medicine treatment,application of TCM sequential therapy exerts certain clinical efficacy in treating patients with psoriasis vulgaris in Shenzhen region,and the combined therapy is effective on controlling the patients'illness conditions,significantly alleviating the symptoms and improving the quality of life of the patients.
8.Data Mining Analysis of the Medication Patterns of Wu Wei in Treating Coronary Heart Disease
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2856-2861
Objective To explore the medication patterns of Professor Wu Wei,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)expert of Guangdong Province,in treating coronary heart disease(CHD)and to provide insights for TCM clinical management of CHD.Methods From September 2015 to September 2024,the prescriptions for effective CHD cases treated by Professor Wu Wei at the Department of Cardiology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were collected.The prescription data were input into the TCM Inheritance Assistant System(V2.5).Data mining methods of frequency analysis,association rule analysis,association degree analysis,and cluster analysis were employed to analyze the usage frequencies of herbs,association rules among herbs,and potential novel formula combinations.Results A total of 200 prescriptions were included,comprising 134 medicinals.There were 28 herbs used over 15 times.The top 10 most frequently-used herbs were Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum,Ilex Pubescens Radix,Carthami Flos,Scutellariae Radix,Astragali Radix,Fici Simplicissimae Radix,and Bambusae Caulis in Taenia.The commonly-used medicinals can be primarily classified into blood-activating herbs,heat-clearing herbs,qi-tonifying herbs,yin-nourishing herbs,and qi-regulating herbs according to their therapeutic actions.Association rule analysis identified 27 herbal combinations used frequently,predominantly involving Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Ilex Pubescens Radix,and Carthami Flos.Association degree analysis revealed that Professor Wu Wei's prescriptions for CHD usually consisted of the combinations of blood-activating,heat-clearing,phlegm-resolving,yin-nourishing,qi-tonifying,qi-regulating,diuretic,and sedative herbs.Complex system entropy-based cluster analysis yielded seven potential novel formulas.Conclusion For the treatment of CHD,Professor Wu Wei focuses on the utilization of heat-clearing and toxin-resolving herbs and blood-activating and stasis-resolving agents,and frequently uses qi-tonifying,phlegm-resolving,qi-regulating,yin-nourishing,diuretic,and sedative herbs as the adjuvant drugs,which reflects his view of CHD's pathogenesis being heat-toxin and blood stasis and his emphasis on the clinical application of heat-clearing and blood-activating therapy.
9.Research Progress of Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment
Wenjing LI ; Yanjie BAI ; Yan WANG ; An LIU ; Hangyao ZHANG ; Yanjie LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;17(1):230-237
Post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI) is one of the common complications in stroke patients, mainly manifested as impairments in memory, attention, and orientation. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK), as a crucial intracellular energy sensor, has attracted extensive research attention in the field of PSCI in recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research progress on AMPK-related signaling pathways and their roles in PSCI, with a focus on exploring action mechanisms of AMPK in processes such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. Additionally, it summarizes the prospects and challenges of AMPK as a potential target for improving PSCI, aiming to offer new theoretical foundations for the clinical prevention and treatment of PSCI.
10.Inhibition of Tumoral VISTA to Overcome TKI Resistance via Downregulation of the AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 Pathways in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Kexin AI ; Mu CHEN ; Zhao LIANG ; Xiangyang DING ; Yang GAO ; Honghao ZHANG ; Suwan WU ; Yanjie HE ; Yuhua LI
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2024;32(5):582-600
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, TKI resistance poses a significant challenge, leading to treatment failure and disease progression. Resistance mechanisms include both BCR::ABL1-dependent and BCR::ABL1-independent pathways. The mechanisms underlying BCR::ABL1 independence remain incompletely understood, with CML cells potentially activating alternative signaling pathways, including the AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways, to compensate for the loss of BCR::ABL1 kinase activity. This study explored tumoral VISTA (encoded by VSIR) as a contributing factor to TKI resistance in CML patients and identified elevated tumoral VISTA levels as a marker of resistance and poor survival. Through in vitro and in vivo analyses, we demonstrated that VSIR knockdown and the application of NSC-622608, a novel VISTA inhibitor, significantly impeded CML cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by attenuating the AKT/ mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways, which are crucial for CML cell survival independent of BCR::ABL1 kinase activity. Moreover, VSIR overexpression promoted TKI resistance in CML cells. Importantly, the synergistic effect of NSC-622608 with TKIs offers a potent therapeutic avenue against both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells, including those harboring the challenging T315I mutation. Our findings highlight the role of tumoral VISTA in mediating TKI resistance in CML, suggesting that inhibition of VISTA, particularly in combination with TKIs, is an innovative approach to enhancing treatment outcomes in CML patients, irrespective of BCR::ABL1 mutation status. This study not only identified a new pathway contributing to TKI resistance but also revealed the possibility of targeting tumoral VISTA as a means of overcoming this significant clinical challenge.

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