1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Cost-effectiveness analysis of sacituzumab tirumotecan versus single-agent chemotherapy in second-line and later-line treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Ranran ZHANG ; Yuxi ZHANG ; Shengnan GAO ; Bing FENG ; Ning GAO ; Guoqiang LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2024-2029
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sacituzumab tirumotecan (ST) versus chemotherapy treatment physician’s choice (TPC) as second-line and later-line treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) from the perspective of China’s healthcare system. METHODS A partitioned survival model was constructed based on the OptiTROP-Breast 01 trial, with a cycle length of 4 weeks and a time horizon of 10 years, applying a 5% discount rate. Quality adjusted life year (QALY) and costs were used as outcome measures, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ST versus TPC for second-line and later-line treatment of mTNBC was calculated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the base-case results. RESULTS At a willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) of 3 times China’s 2024 per capita gross domestic product (GDP) (287 247 yuan/QALY), patients receiving ST gained incremental utility (0.42 QALY) at a higher cost, yielding an ICER of 205 562.07 yuan/QALY, which was lower than WTP, indicating that ST was more cost-effective compared to TPC. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that key factors influencing the ICER included the utility value of progression-free survival and the price of ST. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis showed that the base-case results were robust. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s healthcare system, at a WTP of 3 times China’s per capita GDP, ST is more cost-effective than TPC as second-line and later-line treatment for mTNBC.
3.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
4.Genetic characteristics of VP1 region of Coxsackievirus A10 from 2004 to 2023
CHEN Yanghuiling ; CHEN Guoqing ; LI Feng ; AN Ran ; XU Bing ; YAO Xuejun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):486-489
Objective:
To analyze the phylogenetic characteristics of VP1 gene of Coxsackievirus A10 (CVA10) isolates from 2004 to 2023, and to understand the genetic evolution and epidemic trends of CVA10, so as to provide references for the prevention and control of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Methods:
The full-length sequences of the VP1 region of CVA10 isolates were retrieved from the BV-BRC database before December 15, 2024. Gene typing, sequence analysis, evolutionary analysis, and amino acid mutation site analysis were conducted using bioinformatics software.
Results:
A total of 1 253 CVA10 isolates VP1 region nucleotide full-length sequences from 2004 to 2023 were included, with 9 strains from 2004 to 2008, 338 strains from 2009 to 2012, and 906 strains from 2013 to 2023. China had the highest number of CVA10 isolates, with 1 143 strains accounting for 91.22%, and the predominant genotype was C3. Compared to the prototype strain, the nucleotide sequence homology of the VP1 region of CVA10 isolates ranged from 74.94% to 77.63%, while the amino acid sequence homology ranged from 88.59% to 93.62%. The third codon position preferred cytosine and thymine. The top three most abundant amino acids were threonine, alanine, and valine. The average relative synonymous codon usage of 30 amino acid codon groups was greater than 1. The average amino acid substitution entropy value was 0.04, with four amino acid mutation-prone sites identified, and the mutation-prone rate was 1.35%.
Conclusions
From 2004 to 2023, the majority of CVA10 isolates were primarily sourced from China, with genotype C3 being the predominant circulating strain in China. The nucleotide homology between the CVA10 isolates and the prototype strain was relatively low, and mutation-prone sites were identified, indicating that enhanced monitoring of viral variation is necessary.
5.Arsenic trioxide preconditioning attenuates hepatic ischemia- reperfusion injury in mice: Role of ERK/AKT and autophagy.
Chaoqun WANG ; Hongjun YU ; Shounan LU ; Shanjia KE ; Yanan XU ; Zhigang FENG ; Baolin QIAN ; Miaoyu BAI ; Bing YIN ; Xinglong LI ; Yongliang HUA ; Zhongyu LI ; Dong CHEN ; Bangliang CHEN ; Yongzhi ZHOU ; Shangha PAN ; Yao FU ; Hongchi JIANG ; Dawei WANG ; Yong MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2993-3003
BACKGROUND:
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI.
METHODS:
In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent.
CONCLUSION
Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals
;
Arsenic Trioxide
;
Autophagy/physiology*
;
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology*
;
Arsenicals/therapeutic use*
;
Oxides/therapeutic use*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
6.Identification of GSK3 family and regulatory effects of brassinolide on growth and development of Nardostachys jatamansi.
Yu-Yan LEI ; Zheng MA ; Jing WEI ; Wen-Bing LI ; Ying LI ; Zheng-Ming YANG ; Shao-Shan ZHANG ; Jing-Qiu FENG ; Hua-Chun SHENG ; Yuan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):395-403
This study identified 8 members including NjBIN2 of the GSK3 family in Nardostachys jatamansi by bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree revealed that the GKS3 family members of N. jatamansi had a close relationship with those of Arabidopsis. RT-qPCR results showed that NjBIN2 presented a tissue-specific expression pattern with the highest expression in roots, suggesting that NjBIN2 played a role in root growth and development. In addition, the application of epibrassinolide or the brassinosteroid(BR) synthesis inhibitor(brassinazole) altered the expression pattern of NjBIN2 and influenced the photomorphogenesis(cotyledon opening) and root development of N. jatamansi, which provided direct evidence about the functions of NjBIN2. In conclusion, this study highlights the roles of BIN2 in regulating the growth and development of N. jatamansi by analyzing the expression pattern and biological function of NjBIN2. It not only enriches the understanding about the regulatory mechanism of the growth and development of N. jatamansi but also provides a theoretical basis and potential gene targets for molecular breeding of N. jatamansi with improved quality in the future.
Brassinosteroids/metabolism*
;
Steroids, Heterocyclic/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Phylogeny
;
Nardostachys/metabolism*
;
Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*
;
Plant Roots/drug effects*
7.Carbon-friendly ecological cultivation mode of Dendrobium huoshanense based on greenhouse gas emission measurement.
Di TIAN ; Jun-Wei YANG ; Bing-Rui CHEN ; Xiu-Lian CHI ; Yan-Yan HU ; Sheng-Nan TANG ; Guang YANG ; Meng CHENG ; Ya-Feng DAI ; Shi-Wen WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):93-101
Ecological cultivation is an important way for the sustainable production of traditional Chinese medicine in the context of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes have been developed and applied to develop the endangered Dendrobium huoshanense on the basis of protection. However, the differences in the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential of these cultivation modes remain unexplored, which limits the accurate assessment of carbon-friendly ecological cultivation modes of D. huoshanense. Greenhouse gas emission flux monitoring based on the static chamber method provides an effective way to solve this problem. Therefore, this study conducted a field experiment in the facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes at a D. huoshanense cultivation base in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. From April 2023 to March 2024, samples of greenhouse gases were collected every month, and the concentrations of CO_2, CH_4, and N_2O of the samples were then detected by gas chromatography. The greenhouse gas emission fluxes, cumulative emissions, and global warming potential were further calculated, and the following results were obtained.(1)The two cultivation modes of D. huoshanense showed significant differences in greenhouse gas emission fluxes, especially the CO_2 emission flux, with a pattern of facility cultivation>simulative habitat cultivation [(35.60±11.70)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1) vs(2.10±4.59)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)].(2) The annual cumulative CO_2 emission flux in the case of facility cultivation was significantly higher than that of simulative habitat cultivation[(3 077.00±842.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(221.00±332.00)kg·hm~(-2)], while no significant difference was found in annual cumulative CH_4 and N_2O emission fluxes.(3) The facility cultivation mode had a significantly higher global warming potential than the simulative habitat cultivation mode [(3 053.00±847.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(196.00±362.00)kg·hm~(-2)]. Overall, the simulative habitat cultivation of D. huoshanense has obvious carbon-friendly characteristics compared with facility cultivation, which is in line with the concept of ecological cultivation of medicinal plants. This study is of great reference significance for the implementation and promotion of the ecological cultivation mode of D. huoshanense under carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Dendrobium/chemistry*
;
Greenhouse Gases/metabolism*
;
Carbon/analysis*
;
Ecosystem
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Carbon Dioxide/metabolism*
;
China
;
Global Warming
8."Component-effect" correlations in traditional Chinese medicine from holistic view: taking discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example.
Xin-Ming YU ; Chen-Yu YU ; Hua-Ying WANG ; Wei-Sheng YUE ; Zhu-Bin ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Bing YANG ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):2001-2012
The holistic view is the key in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The component structure theory is based on the holistic view to investigate the correlation between material basis and efficiency, which enriches the holistic "component-effect" research of TCM. Gintonin is a newly isolated non-saponin component of ginseng. Compared to ginsenosides, gintonin has many different pharmacological activities, and it provides new knowledge for the holistic research of ginseng. Thus, taking the discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example, this paper explored the linkage between ginsenosides and gintonin from the perspective of "component-effect" correlations and systematically sorted out the similarities and differences between them in terms of structural characteristics, modes of action, and pharmacological activities. Starting from the collaborative interaction of TCM compounds, the study discussed the application and value of the holistic view in TCM "component-effect" research in the light of the component structure theory to provide new thoughts for the development of modern TCM research.
Panax/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Humans
;
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
;
Animals
9.A new perspective on quality control of traditional Chinese medicine based on characteristics of "physical phase structure".
Zhong-Huan QU ; Yan-Jun YANG ; Bing YANG ; Ru-Yu SHI ; Mao-Mao ZHU ; Lu SUN ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3579-3588
Quality control is a key link in the modernization process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Studies have shown that the effects of active components in TCM depend on not only their chemical composition but also their suitable physical forms and states. The physical phase structures, such as micelles, vesicles, gels, and nanoparticles, can improve the solubility, delivery efficiency, and targeting precision of active components. These structures significantly enhance the pharmacological activity while reducing the toxicity and side effects, demonstrating functional activity surpassing that of active components and highlighting the key effects of "structures" on "functions" of active components. Taking the physical phase structure as a breakthrough point, this paper outlines the common types of TCM physical phase structures. Furthermore, this paper explores how to realize the quality upgrading of TCM through the precise regulation of physical phase structures based on the current applications and potential of TCM physical phase structures in processing to increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity, compounding and decocting processes, drug delivery systems, and quality control, aiming to provide novel insights for the future quality control of TCM.
Quality Control
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
Humans
;
Drug Delivery Systems
10.Comparative study on clinical effect of bone cement-strengthened screw fixation in the correction of Kümmell's disease with kyphosis.
Hai-Feng HANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Li-Xin CHEN ; Xin-Bing TANG ; Ai-Bing HUANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):280-286
OBJECTIVE:
To explore clinical effect of bone cement-strengthened pedicle screw technique in the correction of stage Ⅲ asymptomatic Kümmell disease with kyphosis.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 40 asymptomatic stage Ⅲ Kümmell disease patients admitted between March 2019 and December 2021, including 15 males and 25 females, aged from 61 to 81 years old with an average of (67.4±5.2) years old;according to different surgical methods, they were divided into percutaneous kyphoplasty group (PKP) and reinforced screw group. There were 18 patients in PKP group, including 7 males and 11 females, aged from 61 to 78 years old with an average of (66.2±5.5) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 5 to 12 months with an average of (7.33±1.78) months;bone mineral density(BMD) T values ranged from -2.45 to -4.00 with an average of (-3.08±0.46);2 patients with T8-T9, 10 patients with T10-T12, and 6 patients with L1-L2;treated with PKP. There were 22 patients in reinforced screw group, including 8 males and 14 females, aged from 65 to 81 years old with an average of (68.5±3.8) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 4 to 15 months with an average of (7.86±2.73)months;bone mineral density(BMD) T values ranged from -2.40 to -4.50 with an average of (-3.18±0.54);3 patients with T8-T9, 12 patients with T10-T12, and 7 patients with L1-L2;treated with bone cement reinforced pedicle screw internal fixation combined with kyphoplasty. Cobb angle and anterior margin height of the injured vertebra were compared before operation, 3 d and 12 months after operation. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared between two groups before operation and 12 months after operation. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared between two groups.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up, PKP group followed up for 11 to 14 months with an average of (11.97±0.96) months and 10 to 14 months with an average of (12.05±1.09) months in reinforced screw group;there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative Cobb angle at 3 days and 12 months in reinforced screw group were (7.34±2.26) ° and (18.86±1.96) °, while in PKP group were (18.88±1.89) ° and (23.28±1.90) °;there were statistical difference between two groups (P<0.05). The anterior margin height of the injured vertebra in reinforced screw group were (25.28±1.33) mm and (19.62±2.22) mm at 3 days and 12 months after operation, while in PKP group were (18.61±2.16) mm and(15.93±1.34) mm;there were statistical difference between two groups (P<0.05). Cobb angle and the anterior margin height of the injured vertebra were significantly improved at 3 days and 12 months after operation between two groups (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS and ODI at 12 months in PKP group were (2.00±0.69) score and (13.44±4.02)%, while in reinforced screw group were(1.91±0.61) score and (10.18±4.26)%;which were significantly lower than (6.89±0.76) score and (36.33±3.40)% in PKP group, (7.23±0.75) score and (37.09±3.73) % in reinforced screw group before operation. There were no difference in postoperative VAS between two groups at 12 months (P>0.05);postoperative ODI in reinforced screw group at 12 months was lower than that in PKP group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in complications between two groups (χ2=0.071, P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
PKP and bone cement reinforced nail combined with PKP could improve kyphotic deformity and postoperative function, and relieve pain. The application of bone cement-reinforced nail fixation technology could provide a more stable support, more obvious functional recovery, lower the risk of re-collapse of the injured vertebra, and maintain the long-term stability of spine.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Kyphosis/surgery*
;
Aged
;
Bone Cements
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Pedicle Screws
;
Spinal Fractures/surgery*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
;
Bone Screws
;
Kyphoplasty


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