1.Effect of macrophage polarization on osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis
Wenqi CAO ; Xiuzhi FENG ; Yi ZHAO ; Zhimin WANG ; Yiran CHEN ; Xiao YANG ; Yanling REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):917-925
BACKGROUND:Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a secondary causative factor for osteoporosis.As highly heterogeneous innate immune cells,macrophages may be polarized in a hyperglycemic environment,which affects osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.This may be a research target for improving bone quality in patients with type 2 diabetic osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of modulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization to influence osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis and to summarize the effects of commonly used anti-glucose and anti-osteoporosis drugs and bone biorepair materials on bone osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization.METHODS:The keywords of"macrophage polarization,type 2 diabetes,osteoporosis,osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling"in Chinese and"macrophages,macrophage polarization,osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling"in English were used to search for relevant literature in CNKI and PubMed,respectively.Seventy-nine pieces of literature were screened and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes the body to be in a hyperglycemic environment and increases the secretion of inflammatory-related factors in the body,which promotes macrophage polarization towards M1 and decreases the number of M2 macrophages.(2)In type 2 diabetes,promoting M2 macrophage polarization is beneficial for osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.(3)Some anti-glycemic drugs,active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine and bone biorepair materials can improve type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization,reducing M1/M2 ratio,and promoting osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.
2.Effect of macrophage polarization on osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis
Wenqi CAO ; Xiuzhi FENG ; Yi ZHAO ; Zhimin WANG ; Yiran CHEN ; Xiao YANG ; Yanling REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):917-925
BACKGROUND:Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a secondary causative factor for osteoporosis.As highly heterogeneous innate immune cells,macrophages may be polarized in a hyperglycemic environment,which affects osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.This may be a research target for improving bone quality in patients with type 2 diabetic osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of modulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization to influence osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis and to summarize the effects of commonly used anti-glucose and anti-osteoporosis drugs and bone biorepair materials on bone osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization.METHODS:The keywords of"macrophage polarization,type 2 diabetes,osteoporosis,osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling"in Chinese and"macrophages,macrophage polarization,osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling"in English were used to search for relevant literature in CNKI and PubMed,respectively.Seventy-nine pieces of literature were screened and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes the body to be in a hyperglycemic environment and increases the secretion of inflammatory-related factors in the body,which promotes macrophage polarization towards M1 and decreases the number of M2 macrophages.(2)In type 2 diabetes,promoting M2 macrophage polarization is beneficial for osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.(3)Some anti-glycemic drugs,active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine and bone biorepair materials can improve type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization,reducing M1/M2 ratio,and promoting osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling.
3.Effect Difference and Mechanisms of Zishenwan Against Chronic Prostatitis Before and After Salt-processing of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics
Shangling ZHAO ; Xiao MENG ; Sirui LI ; Rui TAN ; Changjiang HU ; Lingying YU ; Zhimin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):177-187
ObjectiveThis paper aims to systematically reveal the effect difference and mechanisms of Zishenwan against chronic prostatitis (CP) before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex based on an integrated strategy of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS), network pharmacology, and serum metabolomics. MethodsZishenwan samples before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex were extracted by alcohol-water dual extraction. The chemical components of each sample were detected by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacology analysis was performed based on the identified chemical components of Zishenwan to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of "component, target, and pathway", and the core components, targets, and pathways of Zishenwan against CP were screened. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Qianliekang group (1.54 g·kg-1), low- and high-dose raw Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1), and low- and high-dose salt-processed Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1). The CP rat model was established by intraprostatic injection of carrageenan. After one week of recovery, the rats were administered the corresponding drugs for 21 days, while those in the blank group and model group received the same volume of normal saline. After the experiment, serum and tissue samples were collected to evaluate pharmacodynamic indicators including organ indices, histopathology, and inflammatory factors in serum. Subsequently, untargeted serum metabolomics technology was used to analyze metabolite changes and perform pathway enrichment analysis. The network pharmacology was used to construct a network of "differential metabolite, reaction, enzyme, and gene". ResultsA total of 76 components were identified in raw and salt-processed Zishenwan, and 34 differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Among them, the contents of 14 components, including berberine, berberrubine, and phellodendrine, increased after salt-processing, while the contents of 20 components, such as neomangiferin, decreased. The 28 active components and 185 potential targets were screened out by network pharmacology. The core components included berberine, phellodendrine, magnoflorine, and jatrorrhizine, and the core targets included signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), and transcription factor AP-1 (JUN). These targets were significantly enriched in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Compared with the model group, all Zishenwan administration groups showed decreased prostate index, reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), as well as varying degrees of alleviation in histopathological damage. At the same dose, compared with the raw Zishenwan groups, the salt-processed Zishenwan groups showed lower prostate index, pathological scores, and IL-1β, IL-18, and Bcl-2 levels in serum, but the differences were not statistically significant. Metabolomics reveals that 38 differential metabolites were reversed after salt-processed Zishenwan administration. Both raw and salt-processed Zishenwan regulated pathways such as β-alanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. In addition to the common regulated pathways, the salt-processed group specifically regulated pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. The intersecting pathways between network pharmacology and metabolomics were tryptophan metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism, with overlapping targets including monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and arginase 1 (ARG1). ConclusionThe increased contents of components such as berberine and phellodendrine in salt-processed Zishenwan may enhance its therapeutic effect on CP by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, along with multi-target regulation of tryptophan, arginine, and pantothenate metabolism pathways to comprehensively regulate inflammatory and immune responses.
4.Shuhe Granules (舒和颗粒) in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Comorbid with Insomnia with Kidney-Heart Deficiency and Qi-Blood Disharmony Syndrome:An Exploratory Single-Arm Clinical Trial
Yonghao PAN ; Yuxi LI ; Yu GAO ; Xiangbin CHEN ; Kaixin GAO ; Runyue HUANG ; Fei TAN ; Jiamin YUAN ; Biyun XU ; Zhimin YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(16):1743-1751
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects and safety of Shuhe Granules (舒和颗粒) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comorbid with insomnia. MethodsA single-arm prospective exploratory design was adopted. Thirty RA patients comorbid with insomnia and diagnosed with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of kidney-heart deficiency and qi-blood disharmony were enrolled. On the basis of maintaining their original RA treatment regimens, all patients received oral Shuhe Granules, one dose per day, for 12 consecutive weeks. The outcomes were assessed before treatment and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after treatment. Sleep and related psychosomatic function were evaluated using the insomnia severity index (ISI), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), fatigue severity scale (FSS), patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores. RA-related assessments included the 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), pain visual analog scale (VAS), tender joint count (TJC28), swollen joint count (SJC28), morning stiffness duration, and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score. Laboratory parameters included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels. A literature-based historical control group was established through literature retrieval and meta-analysis. The ISI, PSQI, DAS28-CRP, and pain VAS scores were compared between the treatment group in the present study and the historical control group. Safety assessments were also performed. ResultsCompared with baseline before treatment, ISI and PSQI scores decreased at weeks 4, 8, and 12, while MoCA scores increased at weeks 4, 8, and 12. FSS scores decreased at weeks 4 and 12. At weeks 8 and 12, GAD-7 scores, DAS28-CRP scores, duration of morning stiffness, TJC28, and SJC28 were reduced. At week 12, PHQ-9, pain VAS, and HAQ scores significantly decreased (P<0.05). FSS and DAS28-CRP scores at week 12 were lower than those at week 4, and CRP levels at week 8 were lower than those at week 4 (P<0.05). Compared with the historical control group, the treatment group showed superior improvement in ISI and PSQI scores (P<0.001); however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in DAS28-CRP or pain VAS scores (P>0.05). No serious adverse events occurred during the study, and the 4 reported mild adverse events were all considered unrelated to the study medication. ConclusionShuhe Granules significantly improve sleep quality, fatigue, emotional status, cognitive function, RA-related symptoms, and joint function in patients with RA comorbid insomnia, with good safety and tolerability.
5.Potential role of the MIF/CD74 axis in BCMA CAR-T resistance in multiple myeloma
Xinzhuo CHEN ; Fan WU ; Huiping WANG ; Zhimin ZHAI ; Zhitao WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(8):1375-1382
ObjectiveTo investigate molecular alterations in tumor cells of multiple myeloma (MM) before and after B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, with a focus on changes in invariant chain (CD74) expression and its potential association with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). MethodsPaired bone marrow samples collected before BCMA CAR-T infusion and at ≥3 months after infusion were analyzed. Differential gene expression, functional enrichment, and cell-cell communication analyses were performed in malignant plasma cell-related populations. In vitro coculture experiments and MIF stimulation assays were conducted using the U266 cell line, and cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and EdU incorporation assays. ResultsCD74 expression was upregulated in MM cells at ≥3 months after BCMA CAR-T therapy, and CD74 expression was consistently higher in post-treatment samples than in paired pre-treatment samples across all four cases. Genes upregulated after treatment were mainly enriched in antigen processing and presentation, cell adhesion, and immune-related processes. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed prominent interaction signals involving MIF-related pathways. In vitro experiments showed that coculture conditions induced changes in membrane CD74 expression in tumor cells, and MIF stimulation promoted proliferation of U266 cells. ConclusionCD74 expression is upregulated in tumor-associated MM cells following BCMA CAR-T therapy and is accompanied by the activation of the MIF-CD74 axis, suggesting a potential role in post-treatment adaptive changes and warranting further investigation into its therapeutic relevance.
6.Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Associated Dry Eye from the Perspective of "Promoting the Flow of Dampness to Moisten Dryness"
Dan WANG ; Wen LIU ; Peijuan WU ; Zhimin LIU ; Ling CAI ; Xiangdong CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(21):2339-2343
It is considered that although meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated dry eye is mainly manifested by signs of dryness such as ocular dryness and burning sensation, it may also be accompanied by signs of dampness, including thick meibomian secretions, epigastric and abdominal fullness, and a greasy tongue coating, thus presenting a pattern characterized by the coexistence of dryness and dampness. Based on LIU Wansu's theory of "promoting the flow of dampness to moisten dryness", this disease is understood from the perspectives of an imbalance between dryness and dampness in the middle jiao (焦) and abnormal distribution of body fluids. For dampness and turbidity constraint and stagnation, treatment should focus on diffusing the lung, fortifying the spleen, promoting the flow of dampness, and resolving turbidity, with modified Sanren Decoction (三仁汤) combined with Shenling Baizhu Powder (参苓白术散) commonly used. For steaming of dampness-heat, treatment should focus on clearing heat, draining dampness, and moistening dryness with sweet and cool medicinals, with modified Jinzhi Qingmu Formula (金栀清目方) combined with Shashen Maidong Decoction (沙参麦冬汤) commonly used. For dryness-toxin damaging the physical form, treatment should focus on nourishing yin and blood, unblocking the collaterals, and resolving toxins, with modified Qiju Dihuang Pill (杞菊地黄丸) combined with Taohong Siwu Decoction (桃红四物汤) commonly used.
7.Research progress in anti-tumor mechanism of Hedyotidis Herba regulating central carbon metabolism pathway
Yiwen ZHANG ; Yanjie WANG ; Huijun ZHANG ; Xuebing JIN ; Zhimin CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1786-1791
Tumor's occurrence and development are closely related to metabolic abnormalities. Central Carbon Metabolism (CCM) is the core network of biological metabolism, and its abnormal activation drives tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and immune escape. Hedyotidis Herba is a classic anti-tumor conventional Chinese materia medica. Its active components interfere with the core links of CCM (glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway) by targeting key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, AMPK, P53, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, Nrf2 and TGF-β, so as to inhibit the energy metabolism of tumor cells, regulate the acidification state of microenvironment, block the production of metabolic precursors, and curb tumor cell metastasis and immune escape.
8.Efficacy of Da Shuyu Gao in Treating Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness Based on the Theory of Phlegm-Qi Obstruction
Ziye ZHAO ; Zhimin TAN ; Jiaojiao CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1348-1355
Objective To explore the efficacy of Da Shuyu Gao(DSG,a formulation developed from the modification of Shuyu Wan and Ziwan Decoction)in treating persistent postural-perceptual dizziness(PPPD)based on the theory of phlegm-qi obstruction.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 120 cases of PPPD patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to July 2023.The patients were randomly divided into a combination group and a control group using a random number table,with 60 patients in each group.The control group received conventional western medicine treatment(Betahistine+Mecobalamin),while the combination group was treated with the decoction of DSG orally in addition to the conventional treatment.The treatment course for the two groups lasted for 2 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Somatic Symptom Self-Rating Scale(SSSRS),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)score,Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)score,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score,and the frequency and duration of dizziness episodes.After two months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.Results(1)After 2 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the combination group was 93.33%(56/60),and that of the control group was 78.33%(47/60).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the combination group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms of dizziness,tinnitus,vexation,irritability,dry mouth,and bitterness in the mouth in both groups were improved compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the combination group showed significant improvement compared with the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the scores of the cognitive,imaginative,biological,irritability,and inhibitory dimension of SSSRS,as well as the total scores on the SSSRS were significantly improved in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the combination group showed significant improvement compared with the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,HAMA,HAMD,and PSQI scores were significantly decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the combination group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)After treatment,the frequency and duration of dizziness episodes were significantly decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the combination group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion DSG,formulated based on the theory of phlegm-qi obstruction and clinical practice,demonstrates significant efficacy in treating PPPD.It is effective in decreasing TCM syndrome scores,alleviating somatic symptoms,improving emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression,enhancing sleep quality,and reducing the frequency and duration of dizziness episodes,thereby improving patients'quality of life.The application of DSG will provide a new approach for the clinical treatment of PPPD.
9.Research advances in the application of multi-omics studies in the pathogene-sis of diabetic retinopathy
Xiaojing LIU ; Yue ZHANG ; Yanhui XU ; Zhimin CHEN
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(5):403-409
Diabetic retinopathy(DR),as one of the most common microvascular complications in patients with diabe-tes mellitus(DM),has a complex and multifaceted etiology that involves multiple factors.The unique characterization of DR in genomics,epigenomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics has opened new avenues for the exploration and development of novel therapeutic strategies for this disease.However,the inherent limitation of single-omics approa-ches is that they can only analyze the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease from a single dimension,which makes it difficult to comprehensively capture the complex nature of DR.With the rapid advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology,multi-omics joint analysis combines the advantages of different histological techniques and can explore the pathogenesis of DR from multiple dimensions and levels.This paper aims to comprehensively review the latest progress of multi-omics technologies in revealing the pathogenesis of DR and its complex molecular mechanisms and thoroughly explore the new opportunities,current challenges,and future development prospects of multi-omics tech-nologies for DR research.
10.Progress on peripheral blood immunocytes in allergen immunotherapy
Zhenghong SONG ; Jing HE ; Shuxian LI ; Zhimin CHEN
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(4):233-237
Allergen immunotherapy(AIT)can alter the natural course of allergic diseases through immunomodulatory mechanisms and maintain the efficacy after completion. The induction of immune tolerance by AIT is considered to be effective treatment and the mechanism involves the participation of a variety of immune cells,including effector T cells,B cells,dendritic cells,innate lymphoid cells,mast cells and basophils. Studies have found that a variety of immune cells in peripheral blood changed during AIT treatment and the changes of some immune cells were related to the efficacy of AIT,which may provide some theoretical reference for practical clinical activities and may become potential biomarkers for predicting and evaluating the efficacy of AIT. This article reviews the changes of peripheral blood immune cells in the treatment of AIT.

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