1.Research Advances of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease:Overview and Prospects
Liang DAI ; Guang JI ; Xianbo WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Hanchen XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):386-391
The pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is fundamentally rooted in spleen deficiency and is closely associated with phlegm turbidity, damp-heat and blood stasis. Clinically, liver constraint with spleen deficiency and internal retention of damp turbidity represent the predominant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns. Researches have indicated intrinsic connections between the syndrome patterns and biological indicators such as gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. Regarding treatment, classical famous formulas, modern empirical formulas, and newly developed TCM drugs show positive effects in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, and alleviating metabolic inflammation, exhibiting multi-target mechanisms of action; acupuncture and other external therapies also provide adjunctive value. Nevertheless, current researches still have limitations such as the lack of high-quality clinical evidence and insufficient systematic elucidation of the uncerlying mechanisms. Future efforts should focus on conducting high-quality TCM clinical trials with hard endpoint outcomes such as hepatic histology outcomes, and utilizing modern technologies like multi-omics to elucidate TCM's mechanisms of action, thereby advancing the position of TCM as a first-line therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
2.Effect of Shenqi Jianxin Formula(参芪健心方)on Mitochondrial Autophagy and the PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway in Cardiac Tissues in Chronic Heart Failure
Peichi XIE ; Pan LIU ; Zitong DING ; Jingyi BAI ; Deqi PANG ; Xiaohua DAI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):447-455
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Shenqi Jianxin Formula (参芪健心方) in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) from the perspective of regulating mitochondrial autophagy via the PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/E3 ubiquitin ligase (Parkin) pathway. MethodsMale SD rats were subjected to abdominal aortic constriction to establish the CHF model. Twenty-four successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, sacubitril/valsartan group, and low- and high-dose Shenqi Jianxin Formula groups, with 6 rats in each group. Six other rats were set as the sham surgery group, which were only separated the abdominal aorta and then closed the abdomen. Rats in the low-dose and high-dose Shenqi Jianxin Formula groups were given intragastric administration of Shenqi Jianxin Formula suspension at doses of 4.41 g/(kg·d) and 17.64 g/(kg·d), respectively; the sacubitril/valsartan group received intragastric administration of sacubitril/valsartan sodium tablet suspension at 10 mg/(kg·d); the sham surgery group and the model group were given normal saline at 10 ml/(kg·d) via intragastric gavage. The intervention lasted for 4 consecutive weeks. Cardiac function indices including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were detected, and serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) content was measured. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial histopathological changes. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine the ultrastructure of cardiac tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-qPCR) was performed to determine the mRNA expressions of PINK1/Parkin pathway-related factors and autophagy-associated proteins including Beclin-1, p62, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) in myocardial tissues. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the model group showed significant decreases in LVEF and LVFS levels, an increase in serum BNP content, down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1, Parkin and Beclin-1 in cardiac tissues, up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of p62, as well as significant reductions in LC3B mRNA expression, phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1) and phosphorylated E3 ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin) protein levels, and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ to microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅰ (LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ) (P<0.05). Pathological results revealed obvious myocardial cell edema, necrosis and degeneration, increased disorder of myocardial fiber arrangement, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, moderate to severe mitochondrial swelling, a few mitochondrial vacuolar changes, and no obvious autophagy in the field of vision in the model group. Compared with the model group, all the above indicators were significantly improved in the high-dose Shenqi Jianxin Formula group and the sacubitril/valsartan group (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvement of each index in the high-dose Shenqi Jianxin Formula group was superior to that in the low-dose group (P<0.05). In the high-dose Shenqi Jianxin Formula group, myocardial myofibrils were arranged regularly with orderly orientation, the striated structure was clear, and necrotic cells significantly reduced. ConclusionShenqi Jianxin Formula can activate the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway in myocardial tissues, enhance mitochondrial autophagy, and clear dysfunctional mitochondria, thereby improving cardiac function and delaying the progression of CHF.
3.History and prospects of the military hospital preparation rooms
Jianping WANG ; Zhihui YANG ; Bo DAI ; Qing SONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):108-112
Military hospital preparation rooms are an important part of military medical institutions and have played an important role in military pharmacy support in history. However, with the development of science and technology, the improvement of domestic pharmaceutical production and innovation capabilities, and the adjustment of the military establishment and system, the establishment structure, functional tasks, and business forms of military medical institutions have undergone significant changes. The historical evolution of military preparation rooms were reviewed, the current situation were analyzed and the development challenges faced were identified. It was also explored how military hospital preparation rooms, as an important link in military pharmaceutical support, can face new situations and adapt to new forms of warfare. By enhancing the military efficiency of preparation rooms, it could play a greater role in improving medical support capabilities and enhancing the combat effectiveness of troops.
4.Evaluation of pathogenic characteristics in animal models infected with influenza A and B viruses
Chinese Journal of Biologicals 2026;39(02):144-151+161
Objective To establish influenza A and influenza B virus infection models in mice, systematically evaluate the pathogenic characteristics of different strains in vivo, so as to provide experimental tools for vaccine immunogenicity assessment and antiviral drug screening.Methods SPF-grade BALB/c mice were intranasally inoculated with gradient viral doses of seasonal epidemic virus strains A/H3N2, A/H1N1, B/Vic, and B/Yam circulating in the Northern Hemisphere 2021-2022.The body mass changes, mortality, and clinical symptoms were dynamically monitored for 7 days. Animals were euthanized on days 4 and 7 post-infection. Five lung lobes(left and right) were dissected for viral load quantification by qPCR and histopathological examination to determine the optimal modeling infection dose of each strain. The optimal dose was used for verification test, and the viral loads, pathological changes and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured 7 days after infection.Results Two days after infection with A/H1N1, B/Vic, and B/Yam strains, the body mass of mice began to decrease, and the viral loads in lung tissues reached the peak on the 4 th day after infection, accompanied by moderate interstitial pneumonia characterized by fibrinous exudates in alveolar spaces and inflammatory cell infiltration. The viral loads persisted until day 7 without decline after infection, and the pathological damage persisted. The viral load and pathological changes in different parts of the lung tissue of the same mouse were different, and individual differences were large. No significant body mass fluctuations were observed across all dose groups of A/H3N2 strain, the pulmonary viral loads remained below detection thresholds,and histopathology revealed no influenza-specific lesions, indicating inefficient replication in BALB/c mice. The optimal modeling infection doses of A/H1N1, B/Vic, and B/Yam strains were determined to be 1. 6 × 10~5, 8. 9 × 10~2, and 2. 5 × 10~4 TCID_(50),respectively. Verification experiments showed that 7 days after infection with A/H1N1, B/Vic, and B/Yam strains, mice all experienced body mass loss and corresponding clinical symptoms, and the viral loads in lung tissues were all more than6 lgcopies/??g RNA. Typical pathological changes of interstitial pneumonia were observed, accompanied by increased levels of key inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IFNγ.Conclusion A/H1N1, B/Vic and B/Yam strains can establish stable infection models in BALB/c mice, which are suitable for vaccine efficacy assessments and preliminary drug screening. A/H3N2 strain has not been effectively replicated in mice, and ferret model can be used for related research.
5.A VBM study on gray matter structure alterations in patients with Alzheimer’s disease comorbid with apathy
Yi JI ; Xuerui PANG ; Chaoyi YANG ; Yulong DAI ; Shanshan ZHOU ; Xingqi WU ; Kai WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):156-162
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of gray matter structure and clinical symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) comorbid with apathy (AD-A). MethodsThe study included 30 patients with AD-A, 30 AD disease patients without apathy (AD without apathy, AD-NA), and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched in gender, age, and years of education. All participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to analyze changes in gray matter volume among the three groups. Additionally, the correlation between the identified abnormal brain regions and apathy scale scores was analyzed. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender, years of education, or total intracranial volume. Compared with the HCs group, both the AD-A and AD-NA groups showed significantly lower scores in cognitive function (P<0.001). The AD-A group exhibited significantly higher apathy scale scores compared with the AD-NA group (P<0.001). Compared with the AD-NA group, the AD-A group showed reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral caudate nucleus, left orbitofrontal cortex, lingual gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, entorhinal cortex, right middle frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-A group exhibited reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, calcarine sulcus, postcentral gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). Compared with the HCs group, the AD-NA group showed reduced gray matter volume in the left precuneus, inferior temporal gyrus, and right inferior temporal gyrus (FWE-corrected, P<0.05 for all). In the AD-A group, changes in the gray matter volume of the left caudate nucleus (r= -0.557, P=0.002) and right middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.620, P=0.001) were negatively correlated with the apathy evaluation scale (AES) scores. ConclusionPatients in the AD-A group exhibited significant atrophy in the frontal-temporal-basal ganglia circuit, and the degree of gray matter atrophy was correlated with the severity of apathy.
6.Effect of Simiaowan on Promoting Ileal Uric Acid Excretion by Modulating Gut Microbiota to Improve Intestinal Barrier Function and Upregulate ABCG2 Expression in Rats
Yuan ZHANG ; Zhongyou ZHANG ; Huilin FENG ; Lian DUAN ; Lingchun WANG ; Hao DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):101-112
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Simiaowan on intestinal barrier function and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) expression in hyperuricemic (HUA) rats, and elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms. MethodsForty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group, low-dose (282.6 mg·kg-1) and high-dose (565.2 mg·kg-1) Simiaowan groups, and a Benzbromarone (4.7 mg·kg-1) group. The HUA model was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate (ip) combined with oral gavage of hypoxanthine (ig) for 14 days. Following modeling, treatments were administered for 14 days. Samples were collected and weighed 4 h after final dosing. Blood uric acid and hepatic function were analyzed. Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Chiu's scoring was conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantified tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), diamine oxidase (DAO), and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assessed the expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, occludens-1 (ZO-1), and ABCG2 mRNAs and proteins. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing characterized ileal microbiota. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited epithelial shedding in the ileal villus, structural disruption, infiltration of extensive inflammatory cells, and significantly elevated Chiu's scores (P<0.01). The DAO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LPS, and D-LA levels in the ileum were markedly increased (P<0.01), while mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1, Occludin, ZO-1, and ABCG2, as well as positive staining area and proportion, were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Simiaowan groups at all doses showed improved epithelial damage in the ileal villus, significantly lowered Chiu's scores (P<0.01), significantly reduced DAO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LPS, and D-LA levels in the ileum (P<0.01), and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1, Occludin, ZO-1, and ABCG2, as well as positive staining area and proportion (P<0.01). The 16S rDNA results showed that in the model group, the α-diversity index of the ileal microbiota was increased, and species diversity and richness were enhanced, with microbiota dysfunction observed. The community structure of the gut microbiota was significantly different from that of the normal microbiota. The abundance of probiotics was decreased, and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria was increased, with butyrate-producing bacteria showing a low abundance. In contrast, Simiaowan at all doses reduced species diversity and richness, regulated microbiota dysfunction, and promoted the shift of the structure of the gut microbiota community towards a normal one. This increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria, and restored the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. ConclusionSimiaowan enhances ileal uric acid excretion and further alleviates HUA by modulating the gut microbiota composition to improve the intestinal barrier and upregulate the expression of the urate transporter ABCG2 in HUA rats.
7.Study on the measurable and traceable standards of quality markers for Compound xiebai capsules
Yueheng LIU ; Guoliang DAI ; Xuewen SHAO ; Ziyi YANG ; Wenzheng JU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):444-449
OBJECTIVE To explore and predict the quality markers (Q-markers) of Compound xiebai capsules for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by constituents analysis combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking studies, and to establish the quality standard of Compound xiebai capsules. METHODS UHPLC-TOF-MS was used for qualitative analysis of Compound xiebai capsules, and the candidate Q-markers of Compound xiebai capsules were screened by combining network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Further, HPLC was applied to establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Compound xiebai capsules and to conduct quantitative analysis of the main components. RESULTS A total of 51 components were identified from Compound xiebai capsules. Among them, 15 components, namely oxyberberine, methylworenine, coptisine, tetrahydroberberine, epiberberine, berberine, magnoflorine, gandensin, cucurbitacin D, hydroxygenkwan, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, quercetin, cucurbitacin R, and palmatine, were determined as the candidate Q-markers for Compound xiebai capsules in the treatment of COPD. A total of 13 common peaks were calibrated in the fingerprints of 15 batches of Compound xiebai capsules for COPD treatment, with similarity values ranging from 0.976 to 0.999 compared to the reference fingerprint. Seven components were identified among these peaks, namely peak 5 (magnoflorine), peak 8 (jatrorrhizine), peak 9 (epiberberine), peak 10 (columbamine), peak 11 (coptisine), peak 12 (palmatine), and peak 13 (berberine). Their respective contents were (0.267±0.048), (0.453±0.084), (0.572±0.160), (0.392±0.074), (1.076±0.273), (1.477±0.271), and (6.664±1.249) mg/g ( n =3). CONCLUSIONS This study predicted 15 candidate Q-markers of Compound xiebai capsules in the treatment of COPD and established the fingerprint along with a quantitative determination method for seven major components.
8.Exploration on Scientific Connotation of "Removing Calyx" of Inulae Flos Based on Processing Experience of Old Medicine Workers
Qiao ZHOU ; Zhenni QU ; Menghan LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Benzheng SU ; Yanpeng DAI ; Dianhua SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):260-266
ObjectiveTo conduct a comparative quality analysis of Inulae Flos, fuzz of Inulae Flos and calyx of Inulae Flos, elucidating the scientific connotation of the "removing calyx" process in the traditional processing of Inulae Flos. MethodsInulae Flos decoction pieces were collected, and the fuzz and calyx of Inulae Flos were prepared according to the experiences of old medicine workers. Subsequently, according to the methods under the "Inulae Flos" item in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the appearance characteristics and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) identification of these samples were tested, and the moisture content, total ash content, extract content were also measured. The characteristic fingerprint patterns of Inulae Flos and fuzz of Inulae Flos were established by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), followed by similarity evaluation, principal component analysis(PCA), and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA). The contents of cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, 1,3-O-dicaffeoylqunic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylqunic acid, and 1-O-acetyl britannilactone were determined to compare the quality differences of Inulae Flos, fuzz of Inulae Flos, and calyx of Inulae Flos. ResultsThe moisture content of Inulae Flos, fuzz of Inulae Flos, and calyx of Inulae Flos was all<10%. The determination results of total ash content were as follows:Calyx of Inulae Flos>Inulae Flos>fuzz of Inulae Flos, and the determination results of alcohol-soluble extract content were as follows:Fuzz of Inulae Flos>Inulae Flos>calyx of Inulae Flos. HPLC fingerprint patterns of Inulae Flos and fuzz of Inulae Flos were established, and 22 common peaks were identified. The similarity analysis and PCA showed that the overall quality of Inulae Flos and fuzz of Inulae Flos was similar, while the overall quality of calyx of Inulae Flos differed significantly from that of Inulae Flos and fuzz of Inulae Flos. PLS-DA results showed that Inulae Flos, fuzz of Inulae Flos, and calyx of Inulae Flos clustered into distinct groups, indicating significant differences among them. Cryptochlorogenic acid and caffeic acid had relatively high contents in calyx of Inulae Flos, the contents of 1,3-O-dicaffeoylqunic acid and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylqunic acid in Inulae Flos and fuzz of Inulae Flos were higher than those in calyx of Inulae Flos. The order of 1-O-acetyl britannilactone content was determined as follows:fuzz of Inulae Flos>Inulae Flos>calyx of Inulae Flos. ConclusionThe scientific nature of "Removing Calyx" process in the cleansing of Inulae Flos by old medicine workers is demonstrated by the resulting fuzz of Inulae Flos decoction pieces exhibiting enhanced cleanliness and higher content of the index component 1-O-acetyl britannilactone. This study provides a reference basis for further improving and enhancing the processing method and quality control standards of Inulae Flos.
9.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
10.Research progress on the role of antigen-presenting cells in xenotransplantation
Kankan SHUI ; Haoran ZHOU ; Ye XU ; Qiulin LUO ; Tengfang LI ; Hedong ZHANG ; Longkai PENG ; Helong DAI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):9-15
Organ transplantation is an effective alternative treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. However, the shortage of donor organs has limited the widespread application of clinical transplantation. In recent years, breakthroughs in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology have overcome the barrier of hyperacute rejection in xenotransplantation, offering a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis. Rejection remains a critical factor affecting graft survival. Antigen-presenting cells play a vital role in the initiation and progression of rejection and immune regulation in xenotransplantation. Therefore, in-depth investigation into the role of antigen-presenting cells in xenotransplantation is of great significance. This article summarizes the roles and therapeutic strategies of professional antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells in xenotransplantation, aiming to provide insights for future research on immune regulation mechanisms in this field.


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