1.Advances, achievements, and challenges in action to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat in China
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):216-220
In 2016, the World Health Organization proposed the vision of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, and since then, China has actively promoted the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat and has made great achievements by formulating policies, clarifying main tasks, focusing on key issues, and implementing prevention and treatment measures. This article reviews the advances and achievements in China’s actions to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat since 2016, analyzes the existing problems and challenges, and puts forward recommendations for future prevention and control strategies, in order to provide a reference for achieving the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
2.Research advances in the disease burden of viral hepatitis in China
Jian LI ; Fuzhen WANG ; Zhongdan CHEN ; Jinlei QI ; Ailing WANG ; Fanghui ZHAO ; Yuanyuan KONG ; Jing SUN ; Jiaqi KANG ; Zundong YIN ; Zhongfu LIU ; Jidong JIA ; Yu WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):221-227
Over the past three decades, China has made significant progress in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, and the incidence rates of new-onset pediatric hepatitis B virus infections and acute viral hepatitis in the population have reduced to a relatively low level; however, there is still a heavy disease burden of chronic viral hepatitis in China, which severely affects the health status of the population. This study systematically summarizes the achievements of viral hepatitis prevention and control in China, analyzes existing problems and challenges, and proposes comprehensive prevention and control strategies and measures to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat based on the national conditions of China, in order to provide a reference for related departments in China on how to achieve the action targets for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
3.Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules ameliorate renal damage in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting the MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Zhongfu TANG ; Chuanbing HUANG ; Ming LI ; Lili CHENG ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Sidi LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1625-1632
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the mechanism of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZ) for ameliorating renal damage in MRL/lpr mice.
METHODS:
With 6 female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group, 30 female MRL/lpr mice were randomized into model group, QJZ treatment groups at low, moderate and high doses, and prednisone treatment group (n=6). After 8 weeks of treatment, the mice were examined for 24-h urine protein, creatinine and albumin levels, serum levels of IgG, complement 3 (C3), C4, anti-dsDNA, interferon γ (IFN‑γ) and interleukin 17 (IL-17). Kidney tissues were sampled for histopathological examination with HE staining and observation of glomerular ultrastructure changes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expressions of MyD88/NF-κB pathway-related molecules in the kidney tissue were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS:
Compared with those in the model group, the mice treated with QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone showed significant reductions in the renal injury biomarkers and serum IgG, anti-dsDNA, IFN‑γ and IL-17 levels and elevation of serum C3 and C4 levels. HE staining revealed lessened glomerular endothelial cell proliferation and mesangial thickening in all the treatment groups. TEM observation further demonstrated reduced electron-dense deposits and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration in the glomeruli in the intervention groups. QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone treatment all significantly lowered renal expression levels of MyD88, NF-κB, p65 and p52 in the mouse models.
CONCLUSIONS
QJZ can improve renal damage in MRL/lpr mice possibly by inhibiting overactivation of the MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Female
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Kidney/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-17
4.Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules improves renal damage in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting B cell differentiation via the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 axis.
Lili CHENG ; Zhongfu TANG ; Ming LI ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Sidi LIU ; Chuanbing HUANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2297-2308
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules (QJZ) for inhibiting renal B cell differentiation in MRL/lpr mice and explore its underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Thirty 8-week-old female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into model group, QJZ group, prednisone (Pred) group, QJZ+Pred group, and AIM2 inhibitor group (n=6), with 6 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group. After treatments with normal saline, QJZ, Pred, or AIM2 inhibitor for 8 weeks, the mice were examined for urinary total protein-to-creatinine ratio (TPCR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and renal histopathology (with HE, Masson, and PAS staining) and ultrastructural changes (with electron microscopy). ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect blood levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, cytokines and chemokines, renal deposition of complement components C3 and C4, renal expressions of AIM2, CD19, CD27 and CD138, and changes in splenic B lymphocyte subsets. The effect of QJZ on the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling axis was examined using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
QJZ treatment significantly improved Cr, BUN, TPCR and ACR in MRL/lpr mice, ameliorated renal pathologies, reduced the expressions of ds-DNA, BAFF, IL-21, CXCL12, CXCL13, C3 and C4, and increased IL-10 levels. QJZ significantly downregulated renal expressions of the key B-cell transcription factors Blimp-1 and XBP-1, upregulated Bcl-6 and PAX5 expressions, inhibited B-cell differentiation, and lowered the expressions of AIM2, CD27, CD138 and CD69. Inhibition of AIM2 similarly reduced renal Blimp-1 and XBP-1 expressions, increased Bcl-6 and PAX5 levels, suppressed B-cell differentiation, decreased IgG production, reduced C3 and C4 deposition, and alleviated renal pathology in MRL/lpr mice.
CONCLUSIONS
QJZ inhibits B cell differentiation and alleviates renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus possibly by suppressing the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
;
Female
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
B-Lymphocytes/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism*
;
Kidney/drug effects*
;
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Lupus Nephritis
5.Expression and clinical significance of stimulator of interferon genes,C-C motif chemokine ligand 5,interferon regulatory factor 3 and programmed death ligand-1 in squamous cell lung cancer
Zhongfu CAI ; Jishui HUANG ; Wencong HONG ; Xiaobin LI ; Yanling HUANG ; Wenliang DAI ; Youzhi HONG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(10):57-62
Objective To analyze the expression and clinical significance of stimulator of interfer-on genes(STING),C-C motif chemokine ligand 5(CCL5),interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3)and programmed death ligand-1(PDL1)in squamous cell lung cancer.Methods A total of 56 pa-tients with squamous cell lung cancer were enrolled.Resected tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues(located more than 5 cm from the tumor margin)were collected.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of STING,CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1.The correlations of STING,CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 with clinical data were analyzed.The relationship between the expression of STING,CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues and prognosis was also evalua-ted.The prognostic factors of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed.Results The positive rate of STING expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues,whereas the positive rates of CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 were significantly higher(P<0.05).The expression levels of STING,CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 were associated with tumor diameter,TNM stage,lymph node metastasis and differentiation degree(P<0.05).The 3-year survival rate of STING positive expression patients was significantly higher than that of STING negative expression patients(P<0.05).The 3-year survival rate of CCL5 positive,IRF3 positive and PDL1 positive expression patients was significantly lower than that of CCL5 negative,IRF3 negative and PDL1 negative expression patients(P<0.05).STING,CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 were identified as prognostic factors for patients with squamous cell lung cancer(P<0.05).Conclusion In squamous cell lung cancer tissues,STING is expressed at low levels,while CCL5,IRF3 and PDL1 are ex-pressed at high levels.These findings have significant clinical value in assessing the prognosis of pa-tients with squamous cell lung cancer.
6.Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules improves renal damage in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting B cell differentiation via the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 axis
Lili CHENG ; Zhongfu TANG ; Ming LI ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Sidi LIU ; Chuanbing HUANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2297-2308
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules(QJZ)for inhibiting renal B cell differentiation in MRL/lpr mice and explore its underlying mechanism.Methods Thirty 8-week-old female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into model group,QJZ group,prednisone(Pred)group,QJZ+Pred group,and AIM2 inhibitor group(n=6),with 6 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group.After treatments with normal saline,QJZ,Pred,or AIM2 inhibitor for 8 weeks,the mice were examined for urinary total protein-to-creatinine ratio(TPCR)and albumin-to-creatinine ratio(ACR),serum creatinine(Cr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels,and renal histopathology(with HE,Masson,and PAS staining)and ultrastructural changes(with electron microscopy).ELISA,immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect blood levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies,cytokines and chemokines,renal deposition of complement components C3 and C4,renal expressions of AIM2,CD19,CD27 and CD138,and changes in splenic B lymphocyte subsets.The effect of QJZ on the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling axis was examined using Western blotting.Results QJZ treatment significantly improved Cr,BUN,TPCR and ACR in MRL/lpr mice,ameliorated renal pathologies,reduced the expressions of ds-DNA,BAFF,IL-21,CXCL12,CXCL13,C3 and C4,and increased IL-10 levels.QJZ significantly downregulated renal expressions of the key B-cell transcription factors Blimp-1 and XBP-1,upregulated Bcl-6 and PAX5 expressions,inhibited B-cell differentiation,and lowered the expressions of AIM2,CD27,CD138 and CD69.Inhibition of AIM2 similarly reduced renal Blimp-1 and XBP-1 expressions,increased Bcl-6 and PAX5 levels,suppressed B-cell differentiation,decreased IgG production,reduced C3 and C4 deposition,and alleviated renal pathology in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion QJZ inhibits B cell differentiation and alleviates renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus possibly by suppressing the AIM2/Blimp-1/Bcl-6 signaling pathway.
7.Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules ameliorate renal damage in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting the MyD88/NF-κB pathway
Zhongfu TANG ; Chuanbing HUANG ; Ming LI ; Lili CHENG ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Sidi LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1625-1632
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules(QJZ)for ameliorating renal damage in MRL/lpr mice.Methods With 6 female C57BL/6 mice as the normal control group,30 female MRL/lpr mice were randomized into model group,QJZ treatment groups at low,moderate and high doses,and prednisone treatment group(n=6).After 8 weeks of treatment,the mice were examined for 24-h urine protein,creatinine and albumin levels,serum levels of IgG,complement 3(C3),C4,anti-dsDNA,interferon γ(IFN-γ)and interleukin 17(IL-17).Kidney tissues were sampled for histopathological examination with HE staining and observation of glomerular ultrastructure changes using transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The expressions of MyD88/NF-κB pathway-related molecules in the kidney tissue were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with those in the model group,the mice treated with QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone showed significant reductions in the renal injury biomarkers and serum IgG,anti-dsDNA,IFN-γ and IL-17 levels and elevation of serum C3 and C4 levels.HE staining revealed lessened glomerular endothelial cell proliferation and mesangial thickening in all the treatment groups.TEM observation further demonstrated reduced electron-dense deposits and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration in the glomeruli in the intervention groups.QJZ at the 3 doses and prednisone treatment all significantly lowered renal expression levels of MyD88,NF-κB,p65 and p52 in the mouse models.Conclusion QJZ can improve renal damage in MRL/lpr mice possibly by inhibiting overactivation of the MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
8.Effect of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules on STAT3/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Zhongfu TANG ; Chuanbing HUANG ; Lili CHENG ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Ming LI ; Sidi LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):118-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its effect on the signal transducer and activator of tranSCription 3/mammalian target of rapamycin (STAT3/mTOR) signaling pathway, and to decipher the possible mechanism. MethodSixty female SLE patients who met the criteria in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomized into a control group and an observation group (30 cases in each group). The control group was treated with prednisone acetate + hydroxychloroquine sulfate orally, and the observation group was additionally treated with Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The SLE disease activity (SLEDAI), TCM syndrome score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), immune indexes [immunoglobulin G (IgG), C3, C4, CD4+, and CD8+], interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, interferon (IFN)-γ, 24 h urinary protein (24 h PRO), serum creatinine (SCr), and expression of proteins [STAT3, phosphorylated (p)-STAT3, mTOR protein and STAT3,mTOR mRNA] in the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway were determined before and after treatment. In addition, the adverse reactions were recorded. ResultAfter 8 weeks of treatment, the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% (28/30), which was higher than that (70.00%, 21/30) in the control group (χ2=4.007, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed declined SLEDAI, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, IgG, CD8+, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, 24 h PRO, SCr, and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway (P<0.01) and elevated levels of C3, C4, and CD4+ (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group had lower SLEDAI, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, IgG, CD8+, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, 24 h PRO, SCr, and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01) and higher levels of C3, C4, and CD4+ (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group after treatment. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment period. ConclusionQihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules can ameliorate the inflammatory response, reduce the disease activity, and mitigate the kidney injury in SLE by inhibiting the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway to regulate the immune function.
9.Discussion on the prevention and control strategies of chronic hepatitis B: experience from AIDS prevention and control in China
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(5):402-405
Hepatitis B is a major infectious disease that seriously endangers the health of the people of China. Patients with hepatitis B have a large base in our country, and the core indicators such as detection and antiviral treatment ratio are far from the real goal of eliminating the public health threat of uiral hepatitis.Notably, the chronic hepatitis B prevention and control system lacks a wide targeted strategies. This paper systematically analyzes our country’s main successful experience with AIDS prevention and control and, on that basis, proposes the ideas and strategic paths for the construction of a chronic hepatitis B prevention and control system, analyzes and discusses the current difficulties and problems in prevention and control, and looks forward to future prevention and control efforts.
10.Cost-effectiveness of HCV testing strategies for hepatitis C elimination in general population in China
Pengcheng LIU ; Di XU ; Guowei DING ; Liang ZHAO ; Jiejun YU ; Zhongfu LIU ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(3):464-472
Objective:To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C screening in general population in China, and find the age group in which hepatitis C screening can achieve the best cost-effectiveness.Methods:A decision-Markov model was constructed by using software TreeAge pro 2019 to simulate the outcomes of hepatitis C disease pregression of 100 000 persons aged 20-59 years. The cost-effectiveness of the strategies were evaluated from societal perspectives by using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB). One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate the uncertainty of parameters and model.Results:Hepatitis C screening was cost-effective in people aged 20- 59 years and the cost effectiveness was best in age group 40-49 years. Compared with non-screening strategy of hepatitis C in people aged 20-59 years, the incremental cost was 161.24 yuan, the incremental utility was 0.003 6 quality adjusted life years (QALYs)/per person, ICER was 45 197.26 yuan/QALY, ICER was less than the willing payment threshold. The ICER and NMB in all age groups were 42 055.06-53 249.43 yuan/QALY and 96.52-169.86 yuan/per person. Hepatitis C screening in people aged 40-49 years had the best cost-effectiveness. The results of one-way sensitivity analysis showed that the discount rate, anti-HCV detection cost, anti-HCV infection rate and the cost of direct antiviral agents were the main factors influencing economic evaluation. The results of the probability sensitivity analysis indicated that the model analysis was stable.Conclusions:Implementing hepatitis C screening based on medical institutions is cost-effective in people aged 20- 59 years, especially in those aged 40-49 years. Implementing the HCV screening strategy of be willing to test as far as possible in general population can reduce hepatitis C disease burden in China.

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