1.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
2.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
3.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
4.Massive hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa caused by gallbladder perforation with bleeding: A case report
Xiande GUO ; Ao WANG ; Yanan ZHANG ; Ning LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1388-1390
Subacute cholecystitis complicated by gallbladder perforation often manifests as inflammatory lesions around the gallbladder, and it is extremely rare for this condition to cause massive hemorrhage into the omental bursa with secondary infection and result in massive hemorrhagic abscess. This article reports a case of a female patient, aged 68 years, who experienced massive hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa due to localized perforation and bleeding caused by a stone impacted in the gallbladder neck. The patient had a history of gallstones for 30 years and was admitted to Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, after tertiary referral due to aggravated abdominal pain, chills, and fever. After comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team, the patient underwent emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy and clearance of the hemorrhagic abscess in the omental bursa. The patient recovered well and was discharged on day 10 after surgery, with good conditions during follow-up.
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.Influencing factors for employment self-confidence in non-medical senior students in medical colleges and universities
Ao HUANG ; Jie LI ; Qianxi ZHANG ; Xiaoqiang YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(1):82-86
Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for employment self-confidence in non-medical senior students in medical colleges and universities, and to provide a reference for decision-making of student employment work in the employment guidance center of medical colleges and universities.Methods:Based on the valid questionnaire data of 519 non-medical senior students in medical colleges and universities, SPSS 26.0 was used to perform structural validity analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis.Results:Career orientation skills and college employment support were significantly and positively correlated with employment self-confidence ( r=0.52 and 0.47, both P<0.001). Career orientation skills had a positive influence on employment self-confidence ( β=0.38, P<0.001), and college employment support had a positive influence on employment self-confidence ( β=0.26, P<0.001), while negative emotions of the epidemic had no influence on employment self-confidence ( β=0.07, P>0.05). Conclusions:Medical colleges and universities need to pay more attention to the psychological aspects of employment in non-medical senior students, enhance their support for employment, and emphasize the development of career orientation skills for non-medical senior students, so as to improve their self-confidence in employment.
8.Establishment and assessment of deep vein thrombosis model in rats in a plateau hypoxic environment
Xiaobo HAN ; Yahao CHAI ; Jiawei GAO ; Xinkai DENG ; Xiao LI ; Jialin WU ; Xiaoli HAN ; Guoxiang LI ; Yinjie ZHAO ; Xi YANG ; Qi AO ; Lei ZHANG ; Hongwei HAN ; Zhixue LIU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(8):1133-1143
Objective To establish a rat model of venous thrombosis in a plateau hypobaric hypoxic environment and to investigate the effect of this environment on venous thrombosis.Methods A total of 144 healthy male SD rats were assigned randomly to four groups(n=36 rats per group):a plains sham operation(A)group,plains operation(B)group,plateau altitude 6000 m+sham operation(C)group,and plateau altitude 6000 m+surgery(D)group.Rats in A and B groups were maintained in a plains normoxic environment,while rats in C and D groups C and D were subjected to a plateau environment.Rats in the surgical groups underwent quantitative constriction to incompletely obstruct the inferior vena cava blood flow.Each group was further divided into subgroups based on time:1,3,5,7,14,and 21 d(n=6 rats per group).Regular vascular ultrasound monitoring was conducted,and blood samples were taken for whole blood viscosity testing and the assessment of inflammatory indicators,including endothelin-1(ET-1),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tissue factor(TF).Coagulation function was evaluated through the activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer.After the observation period,the experimental animals were sacrificed and the limbs were removed.Thrombus samples were stained with hematoxylin/eosin(HE),and the thrombus wet mass was measured.Results The thrombosis incidence was significantly higher in the plateau D group than in B group,accompanied by a marked increase in blood viscosity and hematocrit(P<0.01).Additionally,levels of ET-1,IL-6,and TF were significantly elevated(P<0.05),indicating a coagulation disorder.Conclusions A plateau hypoxic environment model can be successfully simulated by quantitative coarctation of the inferior vena cava,combined with a specialized environmental chamber.The findings of this study suggest that a plateau hypoxic environment promotes venous thrombosis.
9.The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac function in rats with diabetic heart failure through regulation of the SIRT1/UCP2 signaling pathway
Shasha ZHANG ; Xianshu ZHAO ; Li LIU ; Zhixiang AO ; Mei HUANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(3):221-226
Objective To investigate the effect of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor(SGLT2i)on cardiac function in T2DM rats with heart failure(HF)by regulating the silencing signaling protein 1/mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2(SIRT1/UCP2)signaling pathway.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,T2DM combined with HF(T2DM-HF)group,SGLT2i group,and SGLT2i+SIRT1 inhibitor(EX527)(SGLT2i+EX527)group.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),cardiac function,and oxidative stress indicators were tested in each group.The pathological morphological changes of myocardial tissue were evaluated by HE and Masson staining,and the expression of SIRT1 and UCP2 proteins in myocardial tissue was evaluated by Western blot.Results Compared with NC group,the T2DM-HF,SGLT2i,and SGLT2i+EX527 groups showed a decrease in body weight(P<0.05)and an increase in cardiac mass index(P<0.05).Compared with T2DM-HF group,the SGLT2i group showed decreased protein expression of FBG,LVESD,LVEDD,LVEDP,MDA,and UCP2(P<0.05),while increased protein expression of LVFS,LVEF,LVSP,±dp/dtmax,SOD,and SIRT1(P<0.05).Compared with SGLT2i group,the SGLT2i+EX527 group showed an increase in FBG,LVESD,LVEDD,LVEDP,MDA,and UCP2 opal levels,while LVFS,LVEF,LVSP,±dp/dtmax,SOD,and SIRT1 opal levels decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions SGLT2i can improve the cardiac function in T2DM rats combined with HF,enhance antioxidant capacity,and exert a protective effect on cardiac function.Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of SIRT1/UCP2 signaling pathway.
10.Effects of Three AKT Isoform-specific Knockouts on Self-renewal and Differentiation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Qi YANG ; Shuai TANG ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Wu-Yang TANG ; Ao-Xiang DOU ; Yu-Hang ZHANG ; Pi-Shun LI ; Xiao-Feng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):426-436
AKT,also known as Protein Kinase B(PKB),plays a critical role in cell proliferation and metabolism.There are three isoforms of AKT:AKT1,AKT2,and AKT3.The effects of these isoforms on the pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)remain unclear.This study aims to explore the impact of three AKT isoform-specific knockouts on the self-renewal and differen-tiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,AKT isoform-spe-cific knockout cell lines were established.The phenotypic and molecular changes were analyzed through Western blotting,flow cytometry,qRT-PCR,CCK-8 assays,Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)staining,and RNA-seq.The construction of AKT isoform-specific knockout cell lines was successful.The loss of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited the proliferation of mESCs.The knockout of any single AKT isoform did not affect the expression of pluripotency genes at both mRNA or protein levels.However,during embryoid body forma-tion,the deletion of any of the three AKT isoforms affected the mRNA expression levels of genes in all three germ layers.Transcriptome analysis showed that compared to wild-type mESCs,995,547,and 429 differentially expressed genes(|log2FC|≧1,P<0.05)were identified inAKT1,AKT2,and AKT3 isoform-specific knockout cells,respectively.There was some overlap in the differentially expressed genes regulated by these three isoforms.In conclusion,the independent knockout of AKT isoforms does not af-fect the maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells,but they are crucial for differentia-tion.The three AKT isoforms can collectively regulate gene expression while retaining their own regulato-ry specificity.This study provides a foundation for understanding the unique and overlapping roles of AKT isoforms in stem cell biology,highlighting their importance in maintaining stem cell function and differen-tiation.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail