1.Quality Evaluation of Gegen Qinlian Tablets Based on HPLC Multi-component Quantification Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition and TOPSIS Analysis
Ping QIN ; Yingying LU ; Wenming ZHANG ; Zifang FENG ; Lihong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Minmin HU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhenhua BIAN ; Xiwan LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):217-224
ObjectiveTo establish a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for the quantitative analysis of multiple components in Gegen Qinlian tablets, and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of samples from different manufacturers by integrating chemical pattern recognition and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS), in order to provide a reference basis for quality evaluation and control of Gegen Qinlian tablets. MethodsHPLC was employed to determine the contents of 10 components in 28 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets collected from 6 manufacturers, and taking the detection results as variables, SIMCA 14.1 and SPSS 26.0 were employed for cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to identify key components affecting the quality. Then, TOPSIS analysis was employed to rank the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets from the 6 manufacturers and establish a comprehensive quality evaluation method. ResultsA quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets was established. After methodological validation, the method was found to be stable and reliable, and could be used for the quantitative analysis of this preparation. The contents of 3′-hydroxy puerarin, puerarin, 3′-methoxy puerarin, daidzein, coptisine hydrochloride, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride and baicalin in 28 batches of samples were 3.58-7.35, 24.88-42.32, 4.20-9.36, 4.33-7.60, 2.52-6.44, 0.93-4.10, 0.58-3.05, 10.68-22.92, 0.82-4.82, 11.73-60.16 mg·g-1, respectively. Among them, puerarin, berberine hydrochloride and baicalin all met the limit requirements for this preparation specified in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. CA and PCA clustered the 28 batches of samples into 5 categories, PCA extracted 2 principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 90.588%, and OPLS-DA screened out 4 differential markers with variable importance in the projection(VIP) values>1.0, namely baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride, which might be the main components affecting the quality of Gegen Qinlian tablets. TOPSIS analysis showed that the comprehensive score of each evaluation index(Ci) values of different manufacturers were different. Among them, the Ci of manufacturer B was ranked higher, indicating potentially superior quality, while the Ci of manufacturer A was ranked lower, suggesting potentially inferior quality. ConclusionThis study establishes a quantitative method for Gegen Qinlian tablets, and the content uniformity of the same manufacturer is good, while there are differences in the contents of active components among different manufacturers. Through the chemical pattern recognition analysis, it is found that the content differences of Gegen Qinlian tablets may be related to baicalin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, coptisine hydrochloride and palmatine hydrochloride.
2.Analysis of a three-generation Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 3A due to variant of ATL1 gene.
Zhenhua GONG ; Fengjuan HE ; Changshui CHEN ; Yu AN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):129-135
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 3A (SPG3A) and the genotype-phenotype correlation.
METHODS:
A three-generation pedigree presented at Huantai Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in March 2021 was selected as the study subject. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and pedigree analysis was carried out. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing of the members from the pedigree. Haplotype analysis was used to trace the origin of the variant, and pathogenicity was rated based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2025-12).
RESULTS:
A c.1024C>T (p.Pro342Ser) variant of the ATL1 was identified in the four affected members, including the proband, but none of the three unaffected relatives. Haplotype analysis suggested that the variant was derived from the proband's mother and has co-segregated with the disease phenotype. Based on the guidelines of the ACMG, it was classified as likely pathogenic.
CONCLUSION
The ATL1 c.1024C>T (p.Pro342Ser) variant probably underlay the pathogenesis in this pedigree. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of ATL1 and phenotypic spectrum of SPG3A in the Chinese population, and enabled genetic counseling for this pedigree.
Humans
;
Pedigree
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Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary/genetics*
;
Male
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Female
;
Asian People/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Haplotypes
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
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Exome Sequencing
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GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Mutation
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Middle Aged
;
China
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Genetic Association Studies
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East Asian People
3.Efficacy and safety of surgery-assisted transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in treatment of portal hypertension comorbid with complex portal vein thrombosis
Zhenhua FAN ; Chengbin DONG ; Qimei LI ; Yu ZHANG ; Yifan WU ; Dongfang LIU ; Guangzhong XU ; Dezhong WANG ; Jianfei CHEN ; Zhendong YUE ; Lei WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):586-592
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of surgery-assisted transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (SA-TIPS) in the treatment of portal hypertension comorbid with complex portal vein thrombosis, including cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV). MethodsAn analysis was performed for the data of 36 patients with portal hypertension and complex portal vein thrombosis who underwent SA-TIPS in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from November 2023 to January 2025, including general status, technical data of the surgical process (surgical success rate, puncture times, time of operation, the number of stents used, and the length of shunt), perioperative complications, and surgical recovery. The change in portal pressure gradient (PPG) after shunt was compared, and the rate of reaching the standard for PPG reduction was calculated, as well as stent patency rate within 1 week after surgery. The paired samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. ResultsAmong the 36 patients, 34 (94.4%) underwent SA-TIPS successfully. The incidence rate of perioperative complications was 16.7% (6/36), including 3 cases of thoraco-abdominal hemorrhage, 2 cases of intraoperative arrhythmia, and 1 case of incision infection. There was a significant reduction in PPG after SA-TIPS (t=19.85, P<0.01), and the patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in PPG accounted for 76.5% (26/34). Imaging reexamination within 1 week showed a shunt patency rate of 100%. ConclusionSA-TIPS has a high technical success rate, a favorable safety profile, and good efficacy in the treatment of portal hypertension comorbid with complex portal vein thrombosis (including CTPV), and therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.
4.Association between serum indirect bilirubin and stroke risk in individuals with stages 0-3 cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome
Chuanchang WU ; Shuohua CHEN ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Shouling WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):169-175
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the association between serum indirect bilirubin (IBIL) levels and the risk of stroke incidence in patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages 0-3. MethodsA total of 48 301 participants with CKM syndrome stages 0-3 were included, during which 2 904 stroke events were recorded. A prospective cohort study design was employed. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between IBIL and stroke risk, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was applied to examine the dose-response relationship. Threshold effect analysis was conducted to identify potential inflection points in nonlinear relationships. ResultsMultivariable Cox regression analysis showed that in the overall population, each 1 μmol/L increase in IBIL level was associated with approximately a 1.2% reduction in stroke risk (HR = 0.988, 95% CI: 0.979-0.996, P < 0.05). A significant interaction was observed between IBIL and CKM stages in relation to stroke risk (Pinteraction < 0.05). In individuals with stages 0–2 of CKM syndrome, higher IBIL levels showed a significant inverse association with stroke risk (Ptrend < 0.05); however, no such association was observed in stage 3 patients. RCS regression and threshold effect analysis further revealed a nonlinear relationship between IBIL levels and stroke risk in stage 3 CKM patients (Plog-likelihood ratio < 0.05). When serum IBIL exceeded 10.980 μmol/L, each 1 μmol/L increase was associated with approximately 5.7% increase in stroke risk (HR = 1.057, 95% CI: 1.009–1.107, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe correlation between serum IBIL and stroke varies across different stages of CKM syndrome, showing a significant negative association in individuals at stages \0–2, while in stage 3 patients, it exhibits a threshold effect with an inflection point at 10.980 μmol/L.
5.Establishment and application of a determination method for plasma concentrations of venetoclax,busulfan and voriconazole in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Zhenhua ZHANG ; Mengru ZHANG ; Aoxiang GUO ; Hui CHEN ; Shijian XIANG ; Benjie ZHOU ; Bingchen GE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1323-1328
OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole in plasma of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and apply it clinically. METHODS Plasma samples were subjected to protein precipitation using acetonitrile and subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using venetoclax-D 8 , busulfan-D 8 and posaconazole as internal standards. The separation was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex ® C 18 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid solution (2 mmol/L ammonium acetate)-0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (gradient elution) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 40 ℃, the sample size was 5 μL, and the total run time was 3.10 min. An electrospray ionization source was employed, and positive ion scanning was conducted using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ion pairs used for quantitative analysis included m/z 868.4→636.3 (venetoclax), m/z 264.1→151.1 (busulfan), and m/z 350.1→224.0 (voriconazole). The above LC-MS/MS method was adopted to determine plasma concentrations of venetoclax and voriconazole in 10 AML patients, as well as plasma concentration of busulfan in 5 patients undergoing conditioning treatment for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. RESULTS The linear ranges of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole were 50-10 000, 15-3 000 and 50-10 000 ng/mL, respectively ( R 2 ≥0.999 0), with lower limits of quantification of 50, 15 and 50 ng/mL, respectively. The RSDs of intra-day and inter-day precision tests for all three analytes were all less than 10%, with accuracy (relative errors) ranging from -10.00% to 12.96%. The average extraction recovery ranged from 92.54% to 100.95%, and the average matrix effect was 89.98%-101.49%. Dilution reliability covered all dilution factors used in the test samples, and the absolute values of relative errors in stability tests were all≤16.25%. The plasma concentrations of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole in enrolled patients were 496.20-4 250.45, 233.48-2 002.28 and 475.51-5 710.18 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The LC-MS/MS method established in this study is rapid, sensitive and easy to operate, and can be used for the therapeutic drug monitoring of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole.
6.Application prospects of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibitors in treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):938-942
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a complex liver disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in the liver, accompanied by inflammation and hepatocyte injury, and it can gradually progress to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. MASH has a complex pathogenesis involving multiple links such as insulin resistance, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In recent years, mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) has attracted wide attention as a key molecular target for regulating lipid metabolism. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of MPC in MASH, with a focus on how inhibiting MPC expression regulates lipid synthesis and metabolism by reducing DNL production and modulating signaling pathways such as AMPK-ACC, thereby improving liver inflammation. In addition, this article discusses the potential application prospects of MPC inhibitors in MASH treatment, in order to provide new ideas for future clinical research on MASH management.
7.BnaNRT1.5s mediates nitrate transporter to regulate nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica napus.
Shilong CHEN ; Lei YAO ; Rumeng WANG ; Jian ZENG ; Jianghe LI ; Shiyao CUI ; Xu WANG ; Haixing SONG ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Pan GONG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2954-2965
Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Brassica napus is of significant importance for achieving the national goal of zero growth in chemical fertilizer application and ensuring the green development of the rapeseed industry. This study aims to explore the effects of the nitrate transporter gene BnaNRT1.5s on the nitrogen transport and NUE of B. napus, providing excellent genetic resources for the development of nitrogen-efficient B. napus varieties. The spatiotemporal expression of BnaA05.NRT1.5 as a key nitrogen responsive gene was profiled by qRT-PCR at different growth stages and for different tissue samples of B. napus 'Westar'. Subcellular localization was employed to examine its expression pattern in the cells. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create BnaNRT1.5s knockout lines, which were subjected to hydroponic experiments under high nitrogen (12.0 mmol/L) and low nitrogen (0.3 mmol/L) conditions. After the seedlings were cultivated for 21 days, root and shoot samples were collected for weighing, nitrogen content determination, xylem sap nitrate content assessment, and calculation of total nitrogen and NUE. The B. napus nitrate transporter BnaA05.NRT1.5 was localized to the cell membrane. During the seedling and early bolting stages, BnaA05.NRT1.5 was predominantly expressed in roots, while it was highly expressed in old leaves and mature silique skin during the reproductive stage. Compared with the wild type, the mutant BnaNRT1.5s showed significant increases in the dry weight and total nitrogen of seedlings under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Under low nitrogen conditions, NUE in the roots of BnaNRT1.5s significantly improved. Notably, under both high and low nitrogen conditions, the nitrate content in the shoots of BnaNRT1.5s decreased significantly, while that in the roots increased significantly, resulting in a significantly decreased shoot-to-root nitrate content ratio. BnaNRT1.5s is involved in regulating the transport of nitrate from the roots to the shoots, and its mutation enhances nitrogen absorption and utilization in B. napus seedlings, promoting seedling growth. This study not only provides references for understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which BnaNRT1.5s regulates NUE but also offers valuable genetic resources for improving NUE in B. napus.
Brassica napus/genetics*
;
Anion Transport Proteins/metabolism*
;
Nitrogen/metabolism*
;
Nitrate Transporters
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Nitrates/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Biological Transport
8.Effect of Liangxue Tuizi Formula (凉血退紫方) on RAF/MEK/ERK Pathway in Skin Tissue and Serum NETs Biomarkers in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Model Rats with Blood Heat Syndrome
Yingying JIANG ; Manxiang YANG ; Zhenhua YUAN ; Leying XI ; Mingyang CAI ; Diya MA ; Yifan LI ; Yuhang NIU ; Runze LIU ; Jiawen CAO ; Xilin CHEN ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2475-2483
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Liangxue Tuizi Formula (凉血退紫方, LXTZF) in treating Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) by examining its regulatory effect on neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) dysregulation via the rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase (RAF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a blank control group (n=14) and a modeling group (n=56). Rats in the modelling group underwent an eight-week modelling period to establish HSP rat models with blood-heat syndrome via modified ovalbumin (OVA) induction method combined with oral administration of heat-property Chinese herbal medicine. Fifty successfully modeled rats were subsequently randomly divided into five groups (n=10 per group), model group, compound glycyrrhizin group, LXTZF group, RAF inhibitor group, and LXTZF + RAF agonist group. Additionally, 10 rats were selected from the original blank control group for the final experiment. From the 11th week of modelling, rats in the blank control group and the model group received 1 ml/(100 g·d) ultrapure water via oral administration, in addition to 0.5 ml/(kg·d) 0.9% sodium chloride solution via intraperitoneal injection. The LXTZF group and the compound glycyrrhizin group received 7.5 g/(kg·d) LXTZF granule suspension via gavage, 13.5 mg/(kg·d) compound glycyrrhizin suspension via gavage, respectively. The RAF inhibitor group received 1 mg/(kg·d) GW5074 suspension via intraperitoneal injection and ultrapure water via oral administration; the LXTZF + RAF agonist group received 7.5 g/(kg·d) LXTZF granule suspension via gavage and 1 mg/(kg·d) paclitaxel suspension via intraperitoneal injection. All administrations were performed once daily for 4 weeks. After intervention, skin tissue histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition was assessed via immunofluorescence, serum levels of neutrophil elastase (NE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) level was determined by a colorimetric assay; the mRNA expression levels of RAF, MEK, and ERK in skin tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); and the protein expression of RAF, MEK, ERK, as well as phosphorylated MEK (p-MEK) and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), were analyzed by Western Blot. ResultsSkin tissue in the blank control group rats remained normal, whereas the model group exhibited neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhage with red blood cell rupture. In all drug intervention groups, neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhagic exudation reduced markedly, with LXTZF group demonstrating the most pronounced improvement. Compared with the blank control group, rats in the model group exhibited enhanced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, elevated serum levels of NE, MPO, TNF-α and VCAM-1, increased mRNA expression of RAF, MEK, ERK1 and ERK2, as well as heightened RAF protein levels and p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, along with decreased serum levels of NE, MPO, TNF-α, and VCAM-1 (P<0.05). In LXTZF group and RAF inhibition groups, reduced mRNA expression of RAF, MEK, ERK1, and ERK2 was observed in rat skin tissue, alongside decreased RAF protein levels and reduced p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios (P<0.05). Compared with LXTZF + RAF agonist group, the compound glycyrrhizin group, LXTZF group, and RAF inhibitior group exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue, decreased serum NE, MPO, TNF-α, and VCAM-1 levels, and decreased MEK mRNA expression and p-MEK/MEK ratio (P<0.05). ConclusionThe potential mechanism by which LXTZF treats Henoch-Schönlein purpura with blood heat syndrome may involve blocking the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in skin tissue, and suppressing excessive formation of NETs, thereby reducing IgA deposition in dermal microvessels and attenuating systemic inflammatory responses.
9.Study on effect of andrographolide for inhibiting proliferation of colon cancer cells by up-regulating BMP9
Shiyu WANG ; Xiaoli ZHOU ; Yanmei LI ; Baicheng HE ; Jun SHEN ; Zhenhua CHEN
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(1):24-30
Objective To study the related molecular mechanism of andrographolide(AGP)in inhibi-ting the proliferation of human colon cancer LoVo cells and promoting their apoptosis.Methods The LoVo cells were set up as the control group and experimental group.The cells were treated with different concentra-tions of AGP(0,20,40,80 μmol/L).The cell viability was detected by CCK-8,the cellular cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometery,and Western blot was used to detect protein level of PCNA,Bad and Bcl-2,and the effect of AGP of BMP9 overexpression or silencing AGP on PCNA,Bad and Bcl-2 protein levels;West-ern blot was used to analyze the effect of AGP on PTEN,Akt1/2/3 and p-Akt1/2/3 levels.Results AGP could inhibit the proliferation of LoVo cells,promoted their apoptosis and increased the BMP9 expression lev-el.The BMP9 overexpression could enhance the effect of AGP for inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis,silencing BMP9 could weaken the above effects of AGP(P<0.05).AGP decreased the expres-sion level of p-Akt1/2/3 in the LoVo cells and increased the PTEN expression level(P<0.05).BMP9 over-expression enhanced AGP and decreased the p-Akt 1/2/3 expression level in the LoVo cells,and silencing BMP9 could weaken the above effects of AGP(P<0.05).Conclusion AGP could inhibit the proliferation of human colon cancer LoVo cells,its mechanism may be related with up-regulating BMP9 expression,thus in-crease PTEN protein level and inhibit P13K/Akt signal.
10.Impact of Donor Age on Liver Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Cohort Study
Jie ZHOU ; Danni YE ; Shenli REN ; Jiawei DING ; Tao ZHANG ; Siyao ZHANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Fangshen XU ; Yu ZHANG ; Huilin ZHENG ; Zhenhua HU
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):398-409
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for the sickest patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the influence of donor age on liver transplantation, especially in ACLF patients, is still unclear.
Methods:
In this study, we used the data of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included patients with ACLF who received liver transplantation from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, and the total number was 13,857. We allocated the ACLF recipients by age intogroup I (donor age ≤17 years, n=647); group II (donor age 18–59 years, n=11,423); and group III (donor age ≥60 years, n=1,787). Overall survival (OS), graft survival, and mortality were com-pared among the three age groups and the four ACLF grades. Cox regression was also analyzed.
Results:
The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 89.6%, 85.5%, and 82.0% in group I; 89.4%, 83.4%, and 78.2% in group II; and 86.8%, 78.4%, and 71.4% in group III, respectively (p<0.001).When we analyzed the different effects of donor age on OS with different ACLF grades, in groupsII and III, we observed statistical differences. Finally, the cubic spline curve told us that the relative death rate changed linearly with increasing donor age.
Conclusions
Donor age is related to OS and graft survival of ACLF patients after transplanta-tion, and poorer results were associated with elderly donors. In addition, different donor ages have different effects on recipients with different ACLF grades.

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