1.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
2.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
3.Molecular mechanisms underlying role of mesenchymal stem cell secretome
Jialin LI ; Yaodong ZHANG ; Yanru LOU ; Yang YU ; Rui YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1512-1522
BACKGROUND:A large number of studies have confirmed that the therapeutic effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell secretome is comparable to that of mesenchymal stem cells,but the mechanism of its action is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress of mesenchymal stem cell secretome in recent years,to investigate the molecular mechanism of its therapeutic effect,to analyze the current problems and to look forward to the future development. METHODS:The terms"exosomes,mesenchymal stem cells secrete,extracellular vesicles,mesenchymal stem cells,mechanism"were used as English search terms in the PubMed database.Articles that were not related to the research purpose of the article and duplicated articles were excluded.At the same time,we combined the method of literature tracking.Finally,109 articles that met the criteria were incuded for the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The mesenchymal stem cell secretome promotes tissue repair and regeneration through delivering genetic material,immunomodulatory factors,growth factors,etc.to target cells,by activating anti-apoptotic,regulating angiogenesis,modulating fibrosis and pro-survival pathways in target cells.(2)The potential of mesenchymal stem cell secretome in disease therapy has also been confirmed.Numerous research results have shown that mesenchymal stem cell secretome can be used as a new cell-free treatment for inflammatory and degenerative diseases.(3)Mesenchymal stem cell secretome has been engineered to have more efficient therapeutic effects in recent years.However,due to the heterogeneity of the mesenchymal stem cell secretome and the complexity of its components,the exact mechanism of its therapeutic effect is still unclear.(4)At present,further research is needed to identify the key targets of mesenchymal stem cell secretome,and innovative specific and enhanced mesenchymal stem cell secretome should be developed by combining with engineering and genetic engineering technologies in the future.
4.Application of Ferroptosis Regulation in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Spleen Deficiency and Turbid Toxin
Yuxi GUO ; Xuemei JIA ; Jie WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Pengli DU ; Yao DU ; Diangui LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):279-285
Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), a common digestive system disease, has an unclear pathogenesis. Currently, it is mostly believed to be related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, immune factors, dietary factors, bile reflux, long-term use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mechanism that is iron-dependent and characterized by disruption of iron metabolism and accumulation of lipid peroxides. More and more studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to the onset of CAG. Professor LI Diangui, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, first proposed the turbid toxin theory, which holds that spleen deficiency and turbid toxin is the main pathogenic mechanism of CAG. Abnormal iron metabolism regulation is a prerequisite for the accumulation of turbid toxin in CAG, and ferroptosis is in accordance with the pathogenic mechanism (spleen deficiency and turbid toxin) of CAG. This article explores the pathological mechanism of spleen deficiency and turbid toxin in CAG from the perspectives of iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation, providing theoretical support of traditional Chinese medicine for the modern research on CAG. It enriches the modern scientific connotation of the turbid toxicity theory and provides new ideas and breakthrough points for the clinical treatment of CAG.
5.Application of Ferroptosis Regulation in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Spleen Deficiency and Turbid Toxin
Yuxi GUO ; Xuemei JIA ; Jie WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Pengli DU ; Yao DU ; Diangui LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):279-285
Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), a common digestive system disease, has an unclear pathogenesis. Currently, it is mostly believed to be related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, immune factors, dietary factors, bile reflux, long-term use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors. Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mechanism that is iron-dependent and characterized by disruption of iron metabolism and accumulation of lipid peroxides. More and more studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to the onset of CAG. Professor LI Diangui, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, first proposed the turbid toxin theory, which holds that spleen deficiency and turbid toxin is the main pathogenic mechanism of CAG. Abnormal iron metabolism regulation is a prerequisite for the accumulation of turbid toxin in CAG, and ferroptosis is in accordance with the pathogenic mechanism (spleen deficiency and turbid toxin) of CAG. This article explores the pathological mechanism of spleen deficiency and turbid toxin in CAG from the perspectives of iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation, providing theoretical support of traditional Chinese medicine for the modern research on CAG. It enriches the modern scientific connotation of the turbid toxicity theory and provides new ideas and breakthrough points for the clinical treatment of CAG.
6.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
7.Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency
Yaodong ZHANG ; Jialin LI ; Yanru LOU ; Huiyu XU ; Rui YANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(6):758-764
Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)is a complex endocrine disorder that significantly affects the physiological and repro-ductive functions of women,and it has become one of the main causes of infertility in women of childbearing age.The clinical features of POI include amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea,low estrogen or estrogen deficiency,and an increase in the level of gonadotropin.The in-cidence rate of POI tends to increase,yet its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear.At present,the conventional treatment methods for POI have limited efficacy in fundamentally improving ovarian function or addressing the fertility issue.With the development of re-generative medicine,mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have become one of the research hotspots in POI therapy,and their exosomes have attracted wide attention as a promising"cell-free therapy".A number of animal experimental studies have shown that MSCs and their exosomes can exert a therapeutic effect on POI by affecting granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis,promoting ovarian angiogen-esis,reducing oxidative stress and fibrosis,enhancing follicular development,and regulating immunity.In addition,related clinical studies have also made some progress.This article reviews the mechanisms and clinical effect of MSCs and their exosomes in the treatment of POI,in order to provide a reference for further research and bench-to-bedside translation of POI therapies.
8.Clinical analysis of 5 cases of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
Yanru FAN ; Xiangli YANG ; Jixiang LIU ; Lin NIU ; Yuxiao DU ; Bin CHEN
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(6):354-357
OBJECTIVE To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(SNEC)of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.METHODS The clinical data of 5 patients with SNEC diagnosed at Tianjin People's Hospital and Medical University General Hospital from December 2016 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 4 male patients and 1 female patient.The age range was 40-70 years,with an average age of 55 years.Among them,there were 4 stage ⅣA and 1 stage ⅣC.Two patients underwent surgery plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy,one patient underwent radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy,one patient underwent concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and one patient refused treatment.The follow-up period was 4-60 months.RESULTS By the end of the follow-up,2 patients died,2 patients relapsed,and 1 patient had no recurrence.CONCLUSION Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus neuroendocrine tumors are rare,and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is even rarer.The clinical symptoms are not typical,and it is usually discovered at an advanced stage.The malignancy is high,and it is generally treated with a comprehensive approach that includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy.The treatment effect is poor.
9.Exploration of Decision-Making Methods Based on Syndrome Differentiation by “Data-Knowledge” Dual-Driven Models: A Case Study of Gastric Precancerous State
Weichao XU ; Yanru DU ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Yingying LOU ; Wenwen JIA ; Xin KANG ; Shuo GUO ; Kun ZHANG ; Chunzhi SU ; Junbiao TIAN ; Xiaona WEI ; Qian YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):154-158
Data analysis models may assist the transmission of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experience and clinical diagnosis and treatment, and the possibility of constructing a “data-knowledge” dual-drive model was explored by taking gastric precancerous state as an example. Data-driven is to make clinical decisions around data analysis, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on hidden structural models and partially observable Markov decision-making processes to identify the etiology of diseases, syndrome elements, evolution of pathogenesis, and syndrome differentiation protocols; knowledge-driven is to make use of data and information to promote decision-making and action processes, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on convolutional neural networks to improve the accuracy of local disease identification and syndrome differentiation. The “data-knowledge” dual-driven model can make up for the shortcomings of single-drive numerical simulation accuracy, and achieve a balance between local disease identification and macroscopic syndrome differentiation. On the basis of previous research, we explored the construction method of diagnostic assisted decision-making platform for gastric precancerous state, and believed that the diagnostic and decision-making ability of doctors can be extended through the assistance of machines and algorithms. Meanwhile, the related research methods were integrated and the core features of gastric precancerous state based on TCM syndrome differentiation and endoscopic pathology diagnosis and prediction were obtained, and the elements of endoscopic pathology recognition based on TCM syndrome differentiation were explored, so as to provide ideas for the in-depth research and innovative application of cutting-edge data analysis technology in the field of intelligent TCM syndrome differentiation.
10.The Development and Weight Assignment of the Diagnostic Scale of Turbid Toxin Syndrome: Based on Delphi and Hierarchical Analysis Process
Xiaoyu LIU ; Zhihua LIU ; Jingfan LI ; Runze LI ; Yuman WANG ; Binqing XUE ; Xinqian ZHANG ; Qian YANG ; Yanru DU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):684-690
ObjectiveTo construct traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome in order to provide corresponding reference for the standardization of TCM syndromes and studies. MethodsWe systematically searched the Chinese Medical Dictionary (CMD), China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (WF) and VIP database for TCM classics and modern literature on turbid toxin syndrome, and initially screened the four diagnosis information of turbid toxin syndrome, established a pool of information entries, and conducted a cross-sectional clinical survey. Discrete trend method, correlation coefficient method, Cronbach's coefficient method, and factor analysis method were applied to objectively screen the entries. The diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome were constructed through three rounds of Delphi method expert survey to determine the scale entries, using hierarchical analysis to get the judgement matrix scores and relative weight of each entry, after passing consistency test and then isometric expansion of the relative weight of the entries to get the weight of each entry and assign the value. ResultsA total of 35 articles were included, 45 entries were obtained after the initial screening. After the clinical investigation, 12 entries were not suitable by the discrete trend method, 23 entries not suitable by correlation coefficient method, 13 entries by the internal consistency screening were removed with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient rising, and 10 entries not suitable by the factor analysis method. Twenty-two entries were retained after objective screening by the combined use of the four statistical methods. The positive coefficients of experts in the three rounds of Delphi method of expert consultation were 96.67%, the coefficients of expert authority were 0.834, 0.856, and 0.867, and the coefficients of co-ordination were 0.126, 0.326, and 0.312, respectively. After consulting with clinical experts, and three rounds of Delphi method survey and hierarchical analysis method weight assignment, the diagnostic scale entries of turbid toxin syndrome were finally established. Primary symptoms: dark red or purple and dusky tongue, yellowish greasy or dry coating (10 points); sticky and unpleasant stools (8 points); disharmony of tastes including halitosis, sticky and greasy taste in the mouth, dry mouth and bitter taste in the mouth (6 points); unfavourable or yellowish or red urination (5 points); and dark complexion (4 points). Secondary symptoms: heavy body (3 points); dizziness (3 points); profuse, sticky, foul-smelling secretions (2 points); wiry and slippery, or slippery, or slippery and rapid pulse (2 points); feeling of hardness in the abdomen (1 point). ConclusionUsing Delphi method combined with the hierarchical analysis method, combining qualitative and quantitative study, a diagnostic scale of turbid toxin syndrome was initially developed.

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