1.Staged Efficacy of Qijia Rougan Prescription Combined with Entecavir for Chronic Hepatitis B-related Hepatic Fibrosis with Qi Deficiency and Collateral Stasis Syndrome Based on "Zhu Ke Jiao" Theory
Baixue LI ; Xin WANG ; Jibin LIU ; Li WEN ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Dong WANG ; Shuwan LIU ; Huabao LIU ; Yongli ZHENG ; Liang HUANG ; Yue SU ; Song ZHANG ; Yanan SHANG ; Hang ZHOU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):180-188
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory, Qijia Rougan prescription, combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted, and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis (CHB-HF) who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group (Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir) and a control group (entecavir). The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), portal vein diameter, hepatitis B serology, biochemical indicators, hepatic fibrosis markers in serum [hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP), and type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C)], and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis, with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment, the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 (P<0.01), as well as notable improvements in LN, Ⅳ-C, and various TCM syndrome scores (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM, FIB-4, and various TCM syndrome score indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01), indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment, the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 (P<0.05). When compared to the control group after treatment, the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone, the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3, which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.
2.Discussion on Construction of a Multi-Agent "Cross-scale" Collective Decision-making Model for Superior Disease Entities in Sichuan-style Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qiuping CHEN ; Hang ZHOU ; Dan ZHENG ; Baixue LI ; Chenhao LIU ; Ju CHEN ; Jibin LIU ; Quansheng FENG ; JIANGYUMING ; Cen JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):1-13
At present, the systematic excavation of the clinical experience and academic thought of the Sichuan school of Chinese medicine vis-à-vis its dominant disease entities remains fragmentary, and replicable paradigms are scarce. Confronted with empirical fragmentation, data heterogeneity and decision-making subjectivity, the standardised distillation, inheritance and clinical translation of these distinctive experiences has become a critical bottleneck constraining the development of the Sichuan school. The integration of artificial-intelligence technologies in data processing, pattern recognition and intelligent decision-making has rendered deep mining of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinical knowledge and patterns imperative. Constructing an intelligent modern TCM diagnostic-therapeutic-evaluative system is now the obligatory route for inheritance and innovation in Chinese medicine, and simultaneously provides a technological breakthrough for intelligent decision paradigms in the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school. Accordingly, this study adopts the regional academic school as its point of entry, focuses on the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, and proposes an innovative pathway of "four-dimensional data-multi-modal fusion-multi-agent decision-making". Specifically, four data dimensions are defined and instantiated: (Ⅰ) knowledge from classical medical literature and historical case records. (Ⅱ) objective four-diagnosis phenotypic data. (Ⅲ) master physicians' prescribing regularities. (Ⅳ) characteristic mechanisms of renowned formulae. Leveraging multi-modal data fusion and generative artificial intelligence, the entire causal chain of Famous Physicians and Renowned Formulas is explicated to reconstruct the diagnostic-therapeutic cognitive logic of the regional school. Finally, a multi-agent collective-decision model is established and refined for the dominant diseases of the Sichuan school, capable of generating precise, individualised treatment regimens and thereby advancing an intelligent diagnostic-therapeutic paradigm that delivers more efficient and accurate clinical decision support.
3.Wisdom Inheritance of Distinguished Physicians' Experience Through Integration of Multimodal Data and AIGC: A Case Study on Experience in Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer with Phlegm-dampness and Blood Stasis Syndrome by Distinguished Traditional Chinese Medicine Physicians of Sichuan School
Yang YU ; Yadong MU ; Wenping LIU ; Chongcheng XI ; Li ZHANG ; Yan GAO ; Cen JIANG ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):14-25
Lung cancer, with persistently high incidence and mortality rates, remains a significant global health challenge. By taking the study on the experience in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome by distinguished traditional Chinese medicine physicians of the Sichuan School as an example, the diagnosis and treatment system for lung cancer with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome, which was formed in response to the humid and foggy environment of the Sichuan Basin, possesses unique value. However, traditional inheritance modes face challenges such as fragmentation, lack of standardization, and insufficient quantification, which hinder the promotion and application of this experience. This research focused on how to leverage multimodal data and artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) to achieve precise analysis, intelligent inheritance, and clinical innovation of the experience in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome by distinguished traditional Chinese medicine physicians of the Sichuan School. By integrating multimodal data (encompassing four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine, modern medical imaging, clinical laboratory tests, molecular biology, and regional environmental information), a precise diagnosis and treatment system integrating macro and micro perspectives for the "disease, syndrome, and pathogenesis" was constructed. The research yielded the following results: (1) In precise syndrome differentiation, the objective quantification of the phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome was achieved. By constructing a "four diagnostic methods, imaging, and molecule" correlation model, the study revealed intrinsic links between tongue and pulse parameters and the tumor microenvironment, as well as between regional climatic factors and syndrome characteristics, enabling real-time dynamic monitoring of efficacy. (2) In elucidating patterns, the study systematically explored the syndrome differentiation thoughts of Sichuan School physicians, such as the timing of purgation and tonification. A "pathogenesis, syndrome complex, and prescriptions and herb" network model was constructed, which accurately elucidated the synergistic action mechanisms of core herb pairs and quantified the dynamic compatibility patterns of reinforcing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. (3) In intelligent empowerment, an auxiliary system integrating intelligent syndrome differentiation, treatment plan generation, and efficacy evaluation was built. This system can fuse regional characteristics with individual data, dynamically generate and optimize personalized prescriptions aligned with the experience of Sichuan School, and predict efficacy trends and potential adverse reactions. The integration of multimodal data and AIGC can effectively facilitate the structured inheritance and clinical translation of distinguished physicians' experience. The established intelligent diagnosis and treatment model integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine demonstrates clear potential in prolonging patients' progression-free survival, alleviating symptoms, and reducing adverse reactions to treatment. This study provides a referential methodological framework for the traditional Chinese medicine experience in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, especially the empirical inheritance and modernized development of regional academic schools. It contributes to advancing clinical diagnosis and treatment toward greater precision and personalization.
4.Mechanisms on Chronicity of Infectious Diseases from Warm Disease Theory of Pathogen Invading Nutrient and Blood Aspects: Integrating Classical Wisdom with Innovative Perspectives
Baixue LI ; Hang ZHOU ; Jibin LIU ; Xia LI ; Xiyang LIU ; Haihui LIU ; Peijie WU ; Dong WANG ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):60-69
The chronicity of infectious diseases is an important field in the collaborative research of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The warm disease theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and cementation of Yin as the core pathogenesis, providing a unique theoretical framework for explaining the common pathology of infectious chronic diseases. This theory originated from Yin-Yang interaction in the Internal Classic and was enriched with WU Youke's theory of intruding pathogen interacting and lingering in blood vessels and YE Tianshi's theory of long-term illness entering collaterals. Combining the theory with modern medical knowledge, our team has condensed the dynamic pathogenesis model of deficiency (nutrient and blood aspects) and excess (pathogen) interacting in the blood collaterals of Yin aspect, the core feature of which is the four-dimensional interactions of cause (pathogen characteristics), location (three Yin locations of diseases), nature (deficiency and excess), and potential (transmission trend). The common pathology of infectious chronic diseases is reflected in interactions. That is, the interactions between nutrient and blood deficiency (immune exhaustion and metabolic disorder) and pathogen excess (pathogen persistence and fibrous hyperplasia) in the liver collaterals (Jueyin), kidney collaterals (Shaoyin), lung collaterals (Taiyin) and other blood collaterals of Yin aspect form the pathological damage characterized by immune inflammatory response-continuous tissue damage with excessive repair. Taking the inheritance and innovative development of classics as the main line, this paper systematically discusses the scientific connotation of the theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects and the paths of inheritance and innovation and clarifies the original significance of this theory in the chronic development of infectious diseases. Furthermore, taking clinical diseases as an example, this paper reflects the guiding value of this classical theory in the modern diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the application potential of this theory in solving complex medical problems through the construction of the innovative paradigm of precise diagnosis and treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
5.Action of Immune Microenvironment and Metabolic Reprogramming in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on "Deficiency of Healthy Qi and Stasis Toxins"
Xia LI ; Jiexiong YANG ; Xiyang LIU ; Wenjun WU ; Cen JIANG ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):100-109
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignancy with high mortality, exhibits poor survival rates and prognosis. The profound suppression of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and the abnormal hyperactivity of metabolic reprogramming (MR) are the two primary factors driving HCC progression. Traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated significant efficacy in HCC treatment. The team proposed that "deficiency of healthy Qi and stasis toxins" was the core pathogenesis of HCC, closely associated with TIME suppression and MR hyperactivity. This paper proposed that a suppressed state of the TIME was the biological manifestation of "deficiency of healthy Qi", where the functional exhaustion of effector T lymphocytes and natural killer cells reflected the decline of "healthy Qi" in eliminating pathogens. Conversely, the expansion and activation of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAM-M2), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) , represent the dysfunction of "healthy Qi" in maintaining homeostasis. MR serves as the material basis of "stasis toxins". Stasis toxins exhibit heat stagnation, manifested by abnormal hyperactivity of glycolysis and lipid synthesis. They demonstrate migratory propensity, as toxic metabolites like lactic acid and prostaglandin E2 promote tumor invasion and metastasis. They display a consumptive nature, reflected in the functional suppression of immune cells. The vicious cycle between TIME and MR is the biopathological reflection of "deficiency of healthy Qi intertwined with stasis toxins". Immunosuppression exacerbates MR, while toxic metabolites further impair immune function, establishing a pathogenic chain of "deficiency leading to stasis, and stasis toxins damaging healthy Qi". The primary therapeutic approach is reinforcing healthy Qi, resolving stasis, and removing toxins, which can reinforce and tonify healthy Qi to regulate pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4/ C-X-C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCR4/CXCL12), and toll-like receptor 4/ nuclear factor-kappa B/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (TLR4/NF-κB/STAT3), adjust T lymphocyte ratios, inhibit Tregs/TAM-M2 function, and downregulate immune checkpoints, including programmed death ligand 1/programmed death 1(PD-L1/PD-1), and reshape TIME. It is also involved in resolving stasis and removing toxins to modulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathways, suppress key enzymes in glycolysis and lipid synthesis, and block toxic metabolite production. Thus, this therapy synergistically regulates the immune and metabolic network, breaks the vicious cycle of "deficiency in healthy Qi and stasis toxins", and offers a novel strategy for integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in HCC treatment.
6.DIA Proteomic Profiling on Staged Regulatory Effect of Tonifying Deficiency and Dredging Collaterals Method on Liver Fibrosis in Rats Based on Theory of "Zhu Ke Jiao"
Xin WANG ; Pengyu ZHU ; Li WEN ; Jibin LIU ; Aochun YUE ; Ziyi CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Quansheng FENG ; Cen JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):119-132
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the differential mechanisms underlying the staged therapeutic effects of Qijia Rougan formula on liver fibrosis using proteomic technology. MethodsThe staged rat model of liver fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and olive oil. One hundred and four SD rats were randomized into thirteen groups:a normal group,a two-week model group,a four-week model group,a six-week model group,an eight-week model group,a two-week Qijia Rougan formula group,a four-week Qijia Rougan formula group,a six-week Qijia Rougan formula group,an eight-week Qijia Rougan formula group,a two-week compound Biejia Ruangan tablet group,a four-week Compound Biejia Ruangan Tablet group,a six-week Compound Biejia Ruangan Tablet group,and an eight-week compound Biejia Ruangan tablet group. After two weeks of drug intervention,liver tissue and abdominal aortic blood samples were collected from the rats for testing. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining,Masson staining,and Picro Sirius red staining were used to observe pathological damage and collagen fiber deposition in liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the contents of fibrosis markers in liver tissues. The contents of liver function indicators in the serum were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer,and the levels of liver fibrosis indicators in the serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liver tissues from the normal group,each model group,and each Qijia Rougan formula group were subjected to label-free quantitative proteomic analysis to identify differential proteins among the groups,with key proteins validated by Western blot. Finally,bioinformatics analysis was performed on the differential proteins. Results(1) The staged rat model of liver fibrosis constructed with CCl4 and olive oil showed pathological results at the 2nd,4th,6th,and 8th weeks of modeling that were consistent with the Metavir standards for the F1,F2,F3,and F4 stages. Compared with those in the normal control group,the protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ were significantly increased in each stage (P<0.05). The levels of liver function indicators in the serum,including alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),direct bilirubin (DBIL),and total bilirubin (TBil) in each model group,were significantly elevated in each stage (P<0.01). The levels of liver fibrosis indicators in the serum,including procollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C),hyaluronic acid (HA),and laminin (LN) in each model group,were significantly increased in each stage (P<0.05,P<0.01). This study successfully established a staged rat model of liver fibrosis. (2) Compared with the model groups at each stage,the administration groups showed a reduction in hepatocyte ballooning degeneration,a more orderly arrangement of hepatocytes,and a decrease of inflammatory cell infiltration. The blue-stained collagen fibers became significantly thinner and finer,with reduced and narrowed fibrous septa. The areas of collagen fibers and Picro Sirius red staining were reduced (P<0.05). The positive areas of α-SMA and Collagen Ⅰ expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The levels of ALT,AST,ALP,DBIL,and TBil in the rats of the model groups at each stage were significantly reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). The levels of PⅢP,Ⅳ-C,HA,and LN in the rats of the model groups at each stage were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Among these,the improvements in all indicators were most significant in the F3 stage (P<0.01).(3) The proteomic results show that a total of 165 differential proteins exhibit a callback trend when comparing the model groups at four stages with the normal group,and when comparing the Qijia Rougan formula group with the model group. Western blot analysis reveals that the levels of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1),arginase 1 (Arg1),and glutathione S-transferase α1 (GSTA1) were consistent with the proteomic results. Bioinformatics results reveal that 165 differentially expressed proteins are enriched in multiple signaling pathways. Notably,signaling pathways such as drug metabolism-cytochrome P450,arginine biosynthesis,and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway were found to be closely associated with liver fibrosis,suggesting that the Qijia Rougan formula may exert its staged regulatory effects on liver fibrosis by regulating these pathways. ConclusionThe Qijia Rougan formula may achieve staged regulation of liver fibrosis by regulating drug metabolism-cytochrome P450,arginine biosynthesis,and the PPAR signaling pathway.
7.The relationship between the serum uric acid to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and female infertility
Huanling JIAN ; Zi DAI ; Xiaoli CEN ; Huiling CHEN ; Zhiwen LIU ; Ying ZHAO
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):348-355
Objective To conduct a cross-sectional study on the relationship between the serum uric acid(sUA)to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C)ratio(UHR)and female infertility.Methods We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)2013-2018 cycle,examining 2,963 women aged 18 to 45 years.A multivariable Logistic regression model was used to assess the association between UHR and infertility,adjusting for various confounding factors.The study also explored interactions and dose-response relationships through subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline(RCS)models,and evaluated the predictive value of UHR for infertility by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results The results showed that the prevalence of infertility was significantly higher among women with elevated UHR.Baseline characteristics revealed that the mean UHR in women with infertility(9.68±4.23)was significantly higher than in those without infertility(8.7±3.81,P<0.001).Multivariable Logistic regression analysis indicated that women in the highest quartile(Q4)of UHR had a significantly increased likelihood of infertility compared to those in the lowest quartile(Q1),with adjusted odds ratios(ORs)ranging from 1.61(95% CI:1.14-2.28)to 1.98(95% CI:1.42-2.78)across different models(P for trend<0.001).Subgroup analyses demonstrated that these associations were consistent across different age groups,body mass index(BMI)categories,and racial groups.The RCS model showed a significant linear dose-response relationship between UHR and infertility risk(nonlinear P=0.03,overall association P<0.001).Additionally,ROC analysis indicated that UHR had a moderate ability to discriminate infertility status,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.570.Conclusion A higher UHR is significantly associated with an increased risk of female infertility,and UHR has the potential to serve as a predictive biomarker for the risk of female infertility.
8.Research progress of hydrogen sulfide in ferroptosis-mediated neurodegenerative diseases
Lin-cen XIAO ; Yu-si-han ZENG ; Jia HONG ; Ke-ting LIU ; Li XIAO
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):923-928
Ferroptosis is a programmed cell death depends on iron and lipid peroxidation,which has been recognized as the key pathogenic factor for the occurrence of various diseases in recent years,especially playing a significant role in neurodegenerative diseases.Ferroptosis triggers lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in neuronal cells,leading to neuronal damage and death,thereby accelerating disease progression.Hydrogen sulfide,as an endogenous gaseous signaling molecule,exhibits multiple protective effects,including anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and anti-ferroptosis properties.Hydrogen sulfide can effectively inhibit the occurrence of ferroptosis through various mechanisms,such as regulating iron metabolism,inhibiting lipid peroxidation,and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes,thereby slowing down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.This article reviews the related research progress on hydrogen sulfide and ferroptosis and ferroptosis-mediated neurodegenerative diseases,and analyzes the underlying mechanisms,aims to provide new insights and theoretical foundations for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
9.Analysis of developmental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance and its influencing factors in children after dental caries surgery
Dan LI ; Yan LIU ; Na LI ; Wen ZHAO ; Cen HUANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):65-70,84
Objective To explore the developmental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance and its influencing factors in children after dental caries surgery.Methods A prospective cohort study design was adopted.A total of 268 children who underwent dental caries surgery were selected as the research subjects.General and clinical data of the children were collected.The oral hygiene compli-ance changes after surgery were evaluated using the Oral Hygiene Compliance Scale.The develop-mental trajectories of oral hygiene compliance after surgery were described using the group-based traj-ectory model.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the compliance developmental trajectories.Results The oral hygiene compliance of children after dental caries surgery could be divided into three types of developmental trajectories:the high-compliance slow-decline group[49(18.28%)],the medium-compliance slow-decline group[56(20.90%)],and the low-compliance stable-change group[163(60.82%)].Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the child's gender,mother's educational level,fathers smoking history,annual per capi-ta household income,Social Support Scale score,Oral Health Self-Efficacy Scale score,and Expec-ted Social Impact Scale score were all independent influencing factors for the oral hygiene compliance to present different types of developmental trajectories(P<0.05).Conclusion The oral hygiene compliance of children after dental caries surgery presents different types of developmental trajectories,and there are individual differences in their initial compliance levels and rates of change.Clinically,oral hygiene care intervention measures should be implemented according to the specific conditions of children to maintain their oral health.
10.Effect of histone methyltransferase SMYD2 on macrophage-myofibro-blast transition-promoted renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease
Yuan YANG ; Rui PENG ; Zeying LIU ; Xue ZOU ; Xia LI ; Huixiong YUAN ; Hehua LONG ; Teng WANG ; Mingjie CEN ; Bing GUO ; Liying ZHU ; Lirong LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):239-249
AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of histone methyltransferase SET and MYND domain containing 2(SMYD2)in facilitating renal fibrosis through the macrophage-myofibroblast transition in diabetic kidney dis-ease(DKD).METHODS:(1)C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus(DM).The experimental groups were categorized as follows:normal control,DM(20 weeks),DM(28 weeks),and DM(36 weeks).Blood glucose(BG),serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were determined using a biochemical analyzer.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were performed to assess morphological and fibrotic changes in renal tissues.Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of SMYD2,histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation(H3K4me3),arginase-1,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the localization and expression of F4/80,α-SMA,SMYD2,CD86,CD206 and CD163.(2)Mouse monocyte/macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro and assigned to groups as follows:normal glucose(NG)+negative control siRNA(siNC),high glucose(HG)+siNC,NG+SMYD2 siRNA(siSMYD2),and HG+siSMYD2.Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of relevant proteins.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal control group,the levels of BG,SCr and BUN were significantly elevated in DM(28 weeks)and DM(36 weeks)groups(P<0.05).Renal tissue exhibited tubular atro-phy,dilation,and collagen fiber deposition.The levels of H3K4me3,arginase-1,MMP9,Col Ⅰ and α-SMA proteins were up-regulated(P<0.05).The CD86,CD206,CD163 and F4/80 were primarily localized in the interstitial macrophages of the renal tubules,α-SMA was predominantly detected in the renal interstitium,and SMYD2 was mainly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and the renal interstitium.(2)Compared with NG+siNC group,the protein levels of SMYD2,H3K4me3,arginase-1,CD163,Col Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and p-Smad3 in the cells of HG+siNC group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Knockdown of SMYD2 resulted in a reduction of these indicators(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The SMYD2 protein appears to facilitate renal fibrosis in DKD by promoting the macrophage-myofibroblast transition,potentially through the modulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

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