1.Current status of research on the mechanism of action of emodin in the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases
Yajie CHEN ; Xin WANG ; Yunjuan WU ; Ying SU ; Yuhan WANG ; Jinxue ZHANG ; Ning YAO ; Ying QIN ; Xiaoning ZUO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):228-234
Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time, resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin (EMO) is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale, and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied, exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases, and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy, EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism, in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.
2.Study on the equivalence of different decoction processes for a shell-based traditional Chinese medicine drug pair based on rat model of hypertension with liver-yang hyperactivity
Minglu LI ; Yuhan CUI ; Fan WU ; Kexin HAN ; Li WU ; Zhuyuan FANG ; Yachun SHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1283-1289
OBJECTIVE To investigate the equivalence of different decoction processes based on rat model of hypertension with liver-yang hyperactivity. METHODS Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to compare the dissolution differences of inorganic elements in the powder-directly-decocted decoction versus the pieces-decocted-first decoction of Ostreae Concha- Haliotidis Concha- Margaritifera Concha drug pair. Six SD rats were included in the normal group. The spontaneously hypertensive rats were given Aconite decoction for six weeks to induce the hypertension model with liver-yang hyperactivity. After successful modeling, 48 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the captopril group [positive control, 8 mL/(kg·d) ] , as well as low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of pieces decocted first or directly powder decocted [2.02, 4.05, 8.10 mL/(kg·d) ] , with 6 rats in each group. Each group received the corresponding drug or equal volume of pure water intragastrically, once a day, for two consecutive weeks. After the last administration, the degree of irritability, facial temperature, pressure pain threshold, blood pressure, and pathological changes of the thoracic aorta were observed in each group. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and plasma angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), renin, and aldosterone (ALD) levels were also measured. RESULTS ICP-MS analysis results showed statistically significant differences in the contents of macroelements Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Ga, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, and Sb, between the powder-directly-decocted decoction and the pieces-decocted-first decoction ( P <0.05) ,the elements P, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Hg, Tl, and Pb were not detected in either decoction. Animal experiments showed that after two weeks of administration, compared with the model group, the facial temperature, and blood pressure decreased in all treatment groups, while the pressure pain threshold increased; plasma levels of Ang Ⅱ, renin and ALD, as well as the serum level of NO were all decreased, and thoracic aortic media thickness was significantly reduced, most of the differences in the above indicators were statistically significant ( P <0.05 or P <0.01 or P <0.001). Pathological observation showed improvement in thoracic aortic pathological injury. CONCLUSIONS The powder-directly-decocted process for the Ostreae Concha- Haliotidis Concha- Margaritifera Concha drug pair significantly promotes the dissolution of key elements such as Ca, Mg, and Sr without increasing the dissolution of harmful elements. It is equivalent to the traditional pieces-decocted-first in alleviating liver-yang hyperactivity syndrome, lowering blood pressure, and protecting the vascular endothelium, and even shows better performance in some indicators.
3.Lead and cadmium co-exposure triggers genetic damage through oxidative stress and impaired expression of DNA repair genes
Xin LIU ; Zhiyuan HAN ; Kuibin HAN ; Yuhan PANG ; Xiaoyue ZHAO ; Yuting WANG ; Xiaoyan WU ; Tuanwei WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):556-564
Background Lead smelting workers are exposed to mixed heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). However, the specific associations and molecular mechanisms by which their combined exposure induces genetic damage remain unclear. Objective To clarify the association between combined Pb-Cd exposure and genetic damage and to explore the possible biological mechanisms through occupational epidemiological investigations and animal experiments. Methods (1) Population study: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 lead smelting workers in northern China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect urinary levels of 8 metals including Pb and Cd, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to quantify blood levels of Pb and Cd. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to assess genetic damage. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between metal exposure and micronucleus rates. (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control (pure water), Pb (300 mg·L−1 lead acetate), Cd (50 mg·L−1 cadmium chloride), combined exposure (Pb + Cd), and resveratrol intervention (Pb + Cd + 50 mg·L−1 resveratrol). After 8 weeks of ad libitum drinking water exposure, liver pathology, oxidative stress indicators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], genetic damage (Comet assay and γ-H2AX) were evaluated. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rates, and mRNA expression of DNA damage response (DDR), DNA repair, and apoptosis-related genes were measured. Results (1) The geometric mean (GM, 95%CI) of urinary Pb and Cd were 14.69 (13.14, 16.51) µg·L−1 and 2.11 (1.90, 2.33) µg·L−1, respectively; the blood Pb and Cd levels were 117.10 (105.59, 129.87) µg·L−1 and 4.55 (4.23, 4.89) µg·L−1, respectively among the 374 workers. The mean micronucleus rate was (1.64±0.081) ‰, with significantly higher rates in males (1.65±0.083) ‰ than females (1.53±0.334) ‰ (U=4.166, P=0.041). All Pb and Cd biomarkers were positively correlated with micronucleus rate (FR>1, P<0.05), with a significant interaction effect observed between Pb and Cd (FR>1, P<0.05). (2) In rats, co-exposure to Pb and Cd caused liver tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration. Significant increases were observed in lymphocyte ROS; GSSG and MDA in lung tissue increased, while GSH and CAT activity decreased. Comet assay indicators and γ-H2AX levels were significantly elevated. Co-exposure induced S-phase arrest and increased apoptosis. mRNA levels of DDR (ATM, ATR, Chk2, and P53) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Caspase-3) were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and DNA repair genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, RAD52, and CtIP) were downregulated. Two-way ANOVA confirmed synergistic effects on GSSG, Comet assay indicators, and ATR/Chk2 mRNA expression. Conclusion Occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd synergistically induces genetic damage. This damage is mediated by oxidative stress and DNA damage, which activates the DDR pathway and inhibits the expression of DNA repair genes, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
4.Lead and cadmium co-exposure triggers genetic damage through oxidative stress and impaired expression of DNA repair genes
Xin LIU ; Zhiyuan HAN ; Kuibin HAN ; Yuhan PANG ; Xiaoyue ZHAO ; Yuting WANG ; Xiaoyan WU ; Tuanwei WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):556-564
Background Lead smelting workers are exposed to mixed heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). However, the specific associations and molecular mechanisms by which their combined exposure induces genetic damage remain unclear. Objective To clarify the association between combined Pb-Cd exposure and genetic damage and to explore the possible biological mechanisms through occupational epidemiological investigations and animal experiments. Methods (1) Population study: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 lead smelting workers in northern China. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect urinary levels of 8 metals including Pb and Cd, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to quantify blood levels of Pb and Cd. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to assess genetic damage. Poisson regression was used to analyze the association between metal exposure and micronucleus rates. (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control (pure water), Pb (300 mg·L−1 lead acetate), Cd (50 mg·L−1 cadmium chloride), combined exposure (Pb + Cd), and resveratrol intervention (Pb + Cd + 50 mg·L−1 resveratrol). After 8 weeks of ad libitum drinking water exposure, liver pathology, oxidative stress indicators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], genetic damage (Comet assay and γ-H2AX) were evaluated. Furthermore, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rates, and mRNA expression of DNA damage response (DDR), DNA repair, and apoptosis-related genes were measured. Results (1) The geometric mean (GM, 95%CI) of urinary Pb and Cd were 14.69 (13.14, 16.51) µg·L−1 and 2.11 (1.90, 2.33) µg·L−1, respectively; the blood Pb and Cd levels were 117.10 (105.59, 129.87) µg·L−1 and 4.55 (4.23, 4.89) µg·L−1, respectively among the 374 workers. The mean micronucleus rate was (1.64±0.081) ‰, with significantly higher rates in males (1.65±0.083) ‰ than females (1.53±0.334) ‰ (U=4.166, P=0.041). All Pb and Cd biomarkers were positively correlated with micronucleus rate (FR>1, P<0.05), with a significant interaction effect observed between Pb and Cd (FR>1, P<0.05). (2) In rats, co-exposure to Pb and Cd caused liver tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration. Significant increases were observed in lymphocyte ROS; GSSG and MDA in lung tissue increased, while GSH and CAT activity decreased. Comet assay indicators and γ-H2AX levels were significantly elevated. Co-exposure induced S-phase arrest and increased apoptosis. mRNA levels of DDR (ATM, ATR, Chk2, and P53) and pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Caspase-3) were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and DNA repair genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, RAD52, and CtIP) were downregulated. Two-way ANOVA confirmed synergistic effects on GSSG, Comet assay indicators, and ATR/Chk2 mRNA expression. Conclusion Occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd synergistically induces genetic damage. This damage is mediated by oxidative stress and DNA damage, which activates the DDR pathway and inhibits the expression of DNA repair genes, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
5.Analysis of Clinical and Phenomics Characteristics of Patients with Phlegm-Stasis Binding Syndrome and Its Accompanied Patterns in Stable Angina Pectoris of Coronary Heart Disease
Chongchai LI ; Han LI ; Zheng LI ; Zeng LI ; Yushi ZHOU ; Yuhan AO ; Shuang XU ; Xue WANG ; Yaoyao SUN ; Dongning WU ; Hongcai SHANG ; Mingxue ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1514-1522
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and phenomics characteristics of patients with phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns in stable angina pectoris (SAP) of coronary heart disease (CHD). MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 300 patients with SAP of CHD were enrolled and classified into 120 cases of phlegm-stasis binding syndrome, 125 cases of qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome, 38 cases of qi stagnation-accompanied syndrome, and 17 cases of toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns. Data of patients with different TCM patterns were collected, including general condition, TCM symptoms, blood lipids, coagulation function, immune indicators, and serum metabolomics. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was used to compare differences in phenomics characteristics among groups. Metabolites with variable importance in projection (VIP) ≥1 and fold change (FC) ≥2 were considered as representative differential metabolites. ResultsPatients in each TCM pattern type were most commonly in the 60-75 years age group, with a relatively high proportion of males. Regarding TCM symptoms, patients with phlegm-stasis binding syndrome most commonly presented with wiry-choppy or wiry-slippery pulse, chest pain, and chest tightness; in patients with qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome, fatigue, chest pain, and weak pulse were most common; in patients with qi stagnation-accompanied sydnrome, wiry-choppy or wiry-slippery pulse, chest pain, and symptoms that increase or decrease with emotional changes, belching, or flatulence were most common; in patients with toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome, bitter taste in the mouth, chest tightness, irritability, restlessness or manic delirium, and dry and hard stools or foul-smelling diarrhea were most common. Comparisons among the different TCM patterns showed statistically significant differences in coagulation parameters (P<0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was found in blood lipid levels and immune indicators (P>0.05).Metabolomics analysis suggested that disorders of glycerophosphate metabolism and valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism are characteristic features of phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns. The representative differential metabolites between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome were 7,8-dihydrobiopterin (FC = 3.58) and oxypurinol (FC = 124.50). Those between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and qi stagnation-accompanied syndrome were cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine (FC = 2.62) and D-mannosamine (FC = 2.99). Those between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome were anserine (FC = 7.83) and canrenone (FC = 8.94). ConclusionThere are certain differences in the clinical characteristics and phenomics characteristics among patients with SAP due to CHD exhibiting phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns. The phenomics characteristics mainly involve biological alterations such as lipid metabolism disorders, amino acid metabolism abnormalities, and multiple immune indicators activation, which may provide a reference for precise differentiation and treatment of SAP of CHD in TCM clinical practice.
6.Analysis of Clinical and Phenomics Characteristics of Patients with Phlegm-Stasis Binding Syndrome and Its Accompanied Patterns in Stable Angina Pectoris of Coronary Heart Disease
Chongchai LI ; Han LI ; Zheng LI ; Zeng LI ; Yushi ZHOU ; Yuhan AO ; Shuang XU ; Xue WANG ; Yaoyao SUN ; Dongning WU ; Hongcai SHANG ; Mingxue ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1514-1522
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and phenomics characteristics of patients with phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns in stable angina pectoris (SAP) of coronary heart disease (CHD). MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 300 patients with SAP of CHD were enrolled and classified into 120 cases of phlegm-stasis binding syndrome, 125 cases of qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome, 38 cases of qi stagnation-accompanied syndrome, and 17 cases of toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns. Data of patients with different TCM patterns were collected, including general condition, TCM symptoms, blood lipids, coagulation function, immune indicators, and serum metabolomics. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was used to compare differences in phenomics characteristics among groups. Metabolites with variable importance in projection (VIP) ≥1 and fold change (FC) ≥2 were considered as representative differential metabolites. ResultsPatients in each TCM pattern type were most commonly in the 60-75 years age group, with a relatively high proportion of males. Regarding TCM symptoms, patients with phlegm-stasis binding syndrome most commonly presented with wiry-choppy or wiry-slippery pulse, chest pain, and chest tightness; in patients with qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome, fatigue, chest pain, and weak pulse were most common; in patients with qi stagnation-accompanied sydnrome, wiry-choppy or wiry-slippery pulse, chest pain, and symptoms that increase or decrease with emotional changes, belching, or flatulence were most common; in patients with toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome, bitter taste in the mouth, chest tightness, irritability, restlessness or manic delirium, and dry and hard stools or foul-smelling diarrhea were most common. Comparisons among the different TCM patterns showed statistically significant differences in coagulation parameters (P<0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was found in blood lipid levels and immune indicators (P>0.05).Metabolomics analysis suggested that disorders of glycerophosphate metabolism and valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism are characteristic features of phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns. The representative differential metabolites between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and qi deficiency-accompanied syndrome were 7,8-dihydrobiopterin (FC = 3.58) and oxypurinol (FC = 124.50). Those between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and qi stagnation-accompanied syndrome were cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine (FC = 2.62) and D-mannosamine (FC = 2.99). Those between phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and toxin accumulation-accompanied syndrome were anserine (FC = 7.83) and canrenone (FC = 8.94). ConclusionThere are certain differences in the clinical characteristics and phenomics characteristics among patients with SAP due to CHD exhibiting phlegm-stasis binding syndrome and its accompanied patterns. The phenomics characteristics mainly involve biological alterations such as lipid metabolism disorders, amino acid metabolism abnormalities, and multiple immune indicators activation, which may provide a reference for precise differentiation and treatment of SAP of CHD in TCM clinical practice.
7.Advancements and applications in radiopharmaceutical therapy.
Shiya WANG ; Mingyi CAO ; Yifei CHEN ; Jingjing LIN ; Jiahao LI ; Xinyu WU ; Zhiyue DAI ; Yuhan PAN ; Xiao LIU ; Xian LIU ; Liang-Ting LIN ; Jianbing WU ; Ji LIU ; Qifeng ZHONG ; Zhenwei YUAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):641-657
Radiopharmaceuticals operate by combining radionuclides with carriers. The radiation energy emitted by radionuclides is utilized to selectively irradiate diseased tissues while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. In comparison to external beam radiation therapy, radionuclide drugs demonstrate research potential due to their biological targeting capabilities and reduced normal tissue toxicity. This article reviews the applications and research progress of radiopharmaceuticals in cancer treatment. Several key radionuclides are examined, including 223Ra, 90Y, Lutetium-177 (177Lu), 212Pb, and Actinium-225 (225Ac). It also explores the current development trends of radiopharmaceuticals, encompassing the introduction of novel radionuclides, advancements in imaging technologies, integrated diagnosis and treatment approaches, and equipment-medication combinations. We review the progress in the development of new treatments, such as neutron capture therapy, proton therapy, and heavy ion therapy. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and breakthroughs associated with the clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals and provide recommendations for the research and development of novel radionuclide drugs.
Humans
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Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use*
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Neoplasms/radiotherapy*
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Radioisotopes/therapeutic use*
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Animals
8.Reflections on Promoting High-quality Development of Public Hospitals Centered on People's Health
Zhe JI ; Ruijie CHANG ; Qianqian TIAN ; Yujie CUI ; Zhiyuan ZHOU ; Yuhan WU ; Shuqiang XU ; Tieshan ZHANG
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(10):17-20
In the context of comprehensively advancing the Healthy China initiative,the high-quality development of public hospitals must be guided by the core principle of"people's health".It provides a systematic analysis of the historical evolution of developmental paradigms in Chinese public hospitals.By integrating the current policy requirements for their high-quality development,it proposes key pathways including the innovation of development concepts,the reconstruction of hospital connotations,the extension of service management,the optimization of the system structure,and the empowerment of digital and intelligent technologies.Through empirical case studies that demonstrate the viability of these pathways,it aims to provide theoretical support and practical reference for the high-quality development of public hospitals centered on people's health.
9.A multicenter retrospective study of secondary transport on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critically ill children
Zhe ZHAO ; Ye CHENG ; Xiaohong WU ; Yingyue LIU ; Mai LI ; Xiaoyu HE ; Wenzhe CHENG ; Feng WANG ; Yuxiong GUO ; Mingxia ZHANG ; Guodong HUANG ; Guoping LU ; Yuhan CHEN ; Kenan FANG ; Xiaoyang HONG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(3):243-248
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of secondary transport on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for critically ill children.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. Data from 222 pediatric patients who underwent ECMO transport from May 2019 to May 2024 at 5 ECMO centers and Chinese Database of Pediatric Extracorporeal Life Support Organization were collected. The cases were divided into primary and secondary transport groups by nature of transport. The clinical data, including demographics, ECMO indications, transport distance, pre-transport lab results, prognosis and complications were analyzed. Two independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon test, and χ2 test or Fisher′s exact probability method were used to compare the differences between 2 groups and evaluate the safety and efficacy of secondary transport. Results:Among the 222 children transported with ECMO, there were 135 males and 87 females, with an age of 3.0 (0.2, 7.0) years. There were 202 cases in the primary transport group and 20 cases in the secondary transport group. All secondary transport patients had failed attempts at weaning ECMO before transfer. The patients in the secondary transport group were older, had higher rates of surgical cannulation, circulatory support, and pre-ECMO lactate levels compared to the primary transport group (7.0 (2.8, 10.0) vs. 3.0 (0.2, 6.0) years old, 55.0% (11/20) vs. 3.6% (7/202), 80.0% (16/20) vs. 41.6% (84/202), (10±4) vs. (7±6) mmol/L, Z=3.41, χ 2=66.31, 10.99, t=2.24, all P<0.05). In the secondary transport group, the vasoactive-inotropic scores of patients on circulatory support and the oxygenation index for patients requiring respiratory support were higher than those in the primary transport group (83±33 vs. 82±68, 51.0±1.8 vs. 37.4±10.2, t=2.36, 2.63, respectively; both P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in sex, transport distance, pre-ECMO creatinine, arterial blood gas BE values, and ECMO duration (all P>0.05). No life-threatening complications occurred during the transport in either group. Two patients in the secondary transport group underwent heart transplantation, and 1 patient underwent radiofrequency ablation. The overall survival rate between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant difference (45.0% (9/20) vs. 55.4% (112/202), χ2=1.15, P>0.05). Conclusions:Secondary ECMO transport for critically ill children don't increase mortality or life-threatening complications during transport. ECMO patients who cannot receive effective treatment locally can benefit from secondary transport to an advanced ECMO center provides further treatment opportunities.
10.Clinical observation of enteral nutrition support in pediatric patients after heart transplantation
Chang'e LIU ; Zhe ZHAO ; Aihong LIU ; Yuhan CHEN ; Yun HAO ; Xiaohan YUAN ; Yue MA ; Jiandang LI ; Cong WU ; Yanjuan ZHU ; Gengxu ZHOU ; Zhichun FENG ; Xiaoyang HONG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(10):1126-1130
Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

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