1.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
2.Basic connotation, times requirement, and cultivating path of “benevolent doctors” in the new era
Jiguang ZONG ; Ying WANG ; Mingjuan YUAN ; Cong LI ; Changqing ZOU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):328-335
Promoting the construction of a “Healthy China” is essential to building a great modern socialist country. Health workers in every era have their historical missions and they are the “benevolent doctors” of their own era. Therefore, clarifying the basic connotation and times requirements of “benevolent doctors” has become the first question to be answered in cultivating “benevolent doctors”. The basic connotation of “benevolent doctor” should reflect not only the comprehensive development of moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education in fostering virtue and nurturing talents, but also embody the people-centered development philosophy, promote social equity and justice, and reflect the strategic needs of building a “Healthy China.” Specifically in the practice of medical education, emphasizing both medical science spirit and medical humanities spirit has become an important path to cultivate “benevolent doctors” in the new era.
3.Analysis of Differences in Secondary Metabolites Between Dendrobium nobile Bionic Wild Cultivated on Epiphytic Stones and Trees Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics
Yifan SHI ; Changqing ZHOU ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):218-224
ObjectiveTo explore the differences in the accumulation of secondary metabolites of Dendrobium nobile cultivated on epiphytic stones and trees, so as to elucidate the scientific connotation of "only those that grow on stones has superior quality", and provide a direction for the cultivation and quality evaluation of D. nobile. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS)-based widely targeted metabolomics was used to detect the metabolites of D. nobile cultivated on epiphytic stones and trees. And the combination of principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was performed for multivariate statistical analysis of metabolites. Differential metabolites were screened by variable importance in the projection(VIP) value≥1 and log2fold change(FC)≥1 or ≤-1, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis was conducted. ResultsA total of 1 267 metabolites were identified in the stems of D. nobile from the two cultivation modes, dominated by flavonoids(292), phenolic acids(284), and alkaloids(189). Through OPLS-DA screening, 473 differential metabolites were obtained. Compared to epiphytic tree-cultivated D. nobile, epiphytic stone-cultivated D. nobile exhibited upregulation of flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, lignans and coumarins, while quinones and terpenoids were down-regulated. The differential metabolites mainly included flavonoid glycosides and alkaloids, and these differential metabolites significantly contributed to characterizing the two cultivation patterns. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism in epiphytic stone-cultivated D. nobile. ConclusionEpiphytic stone cultivation is beneficial for the accumulation of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids in D. nobile, indicating that the "only those that grow on stones has superior quality" documented in the materia medica has certain scientific basis, and the findings also provide a reference for quality evaluation and discrimination research between epiphytic stone and tree cultivated D. nobile.
4.Therapeutic efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in ulcerative colitis
Qian LONG ; Zongkui WANG ; Changqing LI ; Rong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):522-530
[Objective] To explore the therapeutic effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). [Methods] C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the control group, the DSS group (model) and the DSS+IVIG group (treatment). The DSS group and the DSS+IVIG group received 3% DSS in drinking water to establish the acute UC mouse model. During the experiment, the DSS+IVIG group received IVIG (1 g/kg/2d) via tail vein injection, while the DSS group received equivalent saline via tail vein injection at the same dose and frequency. The symptoms of the mice were observed, body weight changes were recorded, and the disease activity index (DAI) was calculated daily. At the end of the experiment, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes and inflammatory cell infiltration of colon tissue; Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to quantify the number of goblet cells; Luminex was used to detect the levels of inflammatory-related cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-6 and MMPs) in colon; western blot and qRT-PCR were respectively used to detect the protein expression and mRNA levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-3). [Results] DSS induced weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, increased DAI score, and shortened colon length in mice. Compared with DSS group, after the administration of IVIG, the DAI score was significantly reduced (P<0.001), colon length was increased (P<0.001), infiltration of inflammatory cells and pathological damage were alleviated in colonic mucosa (P<0.001), the number of goblet cells were increased (P<0.05), and the levels of inflammatory-related cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-6R, MMP2, MMP3 and Chitinase3like1 were decreased (all P<0.05). Western blot and qRT - PCR results showed that IVIG significantly up-regulated the protein expression of ZO-1, Occludin and claudin-3 (all P<0.05) and the mRNA levels of ZO-1 and Occludin (all P<0.05). [Conclusion] IVIG has protective effects on colitis by inhibiting the pathological release of inflammatory-related cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and MMPs and restoring the integrity of intestinal barrier.
5.Anti-atherosclerosis Effect and Mechanism of Siegesbeckiae Herba Water Decoction via Regulation of NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Tengyue WANG ; Mingyue ZHAO ; Xiaonan YUE ; Yuan CHEN ; Changqing LU ; Huan WANG ; Kaifang FAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):106-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba water decoction (SWD) at different doses on atherosclerosis (AS) in a mouse model induced by a high-fat diet and analyze its potential mechanism of action. MethodsThirty-six male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank control group, model group, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose SWD groups, and positive control group. Firstly, the AS mouse model was created by feeding mice a high-fat diet. After successful modeling, the low-, medium-, and high-dose SWD groups were intragastrically administered with SWD at 0.65, 1.3, 2.6 g·kg-1, respectively. The positive control group was intragastrically administered with 30 mg·kg-1 of atorvastatin calcium aqueous solution, while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution via oral gavage, all administered for 12 weeks. During the administration period, the general condition of the mice was observed and recorded daily. Before sampling, color Doppler ultrasound was performed to observe the pathological changes in atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic wall of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in aortic tissue in mice, and oil red O staining was used to detect the atherosclerotic plaque area in the aorta. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum lipid indices and the levels of interleukins (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in mice. Protein expression levels of IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed a significant increase in body weight. The results of color Doppler ultrasound showed enhanced vascular wall echo, suggesting the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. HE staining showed foam cell aggregation, fibrous connective tissue proliferation, and vascular intima injury in the aortic tissue. Oil red O staining showed a significant increase in the plaque area in the aortic tissue (P<0.01). ELISA results indicated significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in mouse serum (P<0.01), as well as significantly decreased levels of IL-4, IL-10, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the expression of IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, mice in the middle- and high-dose SWD groups showed significant weight loss. In the high-dose group, the aortic vascular wall echoes were weakened, and the atherosclerotic plaques were reduced. The aortic lesions of mice in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups were significantly alleviated. The plaque area percentage showed an inverse correlation with the administered dose in all groups treated with SWD (P<0.05). In the medium-dose SWD group, serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, and LDL were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while those of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). In the high-dose SWD group, levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, and LDL were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while IL-4, IL-10, and HDL were significantly increased (P<0.01). The IKKα and IKKβ expression was significantly decreased in the low-dose SWD group (P<0.05), and IKKα, IKKβ, and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSWD may exert therapeutic effects on AS by regulating the expression of related inflammatory factors through the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation, plaque area, and lipid content in the body.
6.Medication Patterns of Chinese Medicines for Neurodermatitis Based on Contemporary Medical Cases
Shuguang CHEN ; Xuemin WANG ; Fanghong DUAN ; Lele CHEN ; Jialin TENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):206-213
ObjectiveTo mine the medication patterns of Chinese medicines for neurodermatitis based on contemporary medical cases in published articles. MethodThe medical cases of treating neurodermatitis with Chinese medicines were retrieved from the medical case articles published by contemporary famous and old Chinese medicine doctors in the library of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data. A case library was established, and SPSS Statistics 26.0 and SPSS Modeler 18.0 were employed to analyze the symptoms and syndromes of neurodermatitis and mine the medication patterns. ResultAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 130 medical case articles were included in this study. Neurodermatitis was prevalent in young adults between 20 and 39 years old (female patients of 30-49 years old and male patients of 20-39 years old), and male patients were more than female patients. The patients mainly presented the clinical manifestations of itchy rashes, thickened skin, and lichenification. Symptoms included skin injury, emotional abnormalities, and Yin damage caused by prolonged illness. Red tongue, thin white or yellow tongue coating, and wiry pulse were common in the patients. The patients with the syndrome of blood deficiency and wind dryness were often treated with Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Tribuli Fructus, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The commonly used herb pairs included Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba, Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-Saposhnikoviae Radix, and the commonly used prescriptions were Siwutang and Dangguiyinzi. The patients with the syndrome of muscle and skin dystrophy were mainly treated with Rehmanniae Radix, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Tribuli Fructus, and Dictamni Cortex. The commonly used herb pairs included Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Dictamni Cortex, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba, and the commonly used prescriptions were Jingjie Siwutang and Baixianpiyin. The patients with the syndrome of liver depression transforming into fire were often treated with Rehmanniae Radix, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Bupleuri Radix, and Scutellariae Radix. The commonly used herb pairs included Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Gardeniae Fructus, and Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Saposhnikoviae Radix, and the commonly used prescriptions were Longdan Xiegantang and Danzhi Xiaoyaosan. ConclusionThis study enriches the knowledge about neurodermatitis, clarifies the treatment principles and methods as well as the medication patterns, and provides a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and medication based on syndrome differentiation.
7.Bone density and bone metabolism in plasmapheresis donors
Wan LI ; Changqing LI ; Yongjun CHEN ; Xi YANG ; Zhiwei LI ; Ya WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(1):51-57
【Objective】 To investigate the level of serum bone metabolism and biochemical markers and bone density of plasmapheresis donors, and to provide scientific basis for ensuring the health and safety of plasmapheresis donors in China. 【Methods】 A total of 437 plasmapheresis donors from Linwu plasmapheresis station in Hunan Province from July 1 to September 30, 2022 were recruited to determine the levels of total serum calcium, albumin, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), serum type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and collagen type 1 crosslinked carboxyl-terminal peptide (β-CTX). Dual-energy X-ray method was used to measure the bone density of the anteroposterior lumbar spine (L1-L4) and bilateral femoral neck bone density of plasmapheresis donors. Plasmapheresis donors were grouped according to the type of plasma donation (first-time and repeat plasmapheresis donors) and the total number of plasma donations to assess the differences in bone density and serum bone metabolism biochemical markers between groups. The dose-response relationship between the total number of plasmapheresis donations and biochemical indexes was analyzed by limiting cubic spline, and the influencing factors of different indexes were explored by multiple linear regression. 【Results】 A total of 437 plasmapheresis donors were included in this study, including 187 first-time plasmapheresis donors and 250 repeat plasmapheresis donors. There were no significant differences in bone density and prevalence of osteoporosis between first-time donors and repeat donors (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in bone density levels between groups of total number of plasmapheresis donations. The levels of albumin and 25OHD decreased with the increase of the total number of plasma donations, while the serum P1NP level was positively correlated with the total number of plasma donations. The results of the restriction cubic spline showed that the total number of plasmapheresis donations had a nonlinear dose-response relationship with 25OH and P1NP (P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression showed that the frequency of plasmapheresis donation was the influencing factor of 25OHD, and the total number of plasmapheresis donation was the influencing factor of P1NP. 【Conclusion】 Plasmapheresis donation does not affect the bone health of donors and increase the risk of osteoporosis due to the use of long-term anticoagulants, but it will increase the osteogenic activity of plasmapheresis donors. It is recommended that middle-aged and elderly plasmapheresis donors supplement vitamin D appropriately.
8.Discussion the syndrome and treatment of consumptive thirst based on the core concept of Huangdi Neijing
Dong TIAN ; Shuqin LIAO ; Changqing TONG ; Xiaoyi ZHANG ; Na CAO ; Weiguang WANG ; Zijie CHEN ; Shuangqing ZHAI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):797-801
Consumptive thirst is widely discussed in Huangdi Neijing and it is classified as a"strange disease"in Suwen·Strange Diseases Treatise,which reflects the intractable nature of consumptive thirst.This paper explores and analyzes consumptive thirst based on the core concept in Huangdi Neijing.First,this paper approaches the subject through the use of image thinking method from Huangdi Neijing,recognizing that consumptive thirst can lead to changes in the internal climate of the human body.Then,guided by the theories of essence and qi,yin and yang,and the five elements in Huangdi Neijing,it deconstructs and analyzes the causes of these changes and the laws of qi transformation.It points out that the changing climate of consumptive thirst is characterized by"heat symptoms".The main cause of"heat symptoms"is spleen deficiency and excessive dampness,and its qi transformation law is the heat transformation of Shaoyin.The intractable nature of consumptive thirst is mainly reflected in the uncontrolled"heat symptoms"caused by the imbalance of the five elements.Based on the understanding of the heat symptoms of consumptive thirst,this paper proposes a treatment strategy for preventing the disease by resolving dampness and regulating the spleen,harmonizing kidney qi to prevent progression,and balancing yin and yang to treat chronic and recalcitrant conditions.The aim is to provide a reference for optimizing the treatment of consumptive thirst.
9.Clinical characteristics and related factors of patients with schizophrenia in different ages of onset
Fan YANG ; Peilin XU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Zhaorui LIU ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yanling HE ; Jie ZHANG ; Yuandong GONG ; Yan LIU ; Bo LIU ; Lesheng ZHAO ; Guoping WU ; Min LIU ; Yanjun WANG ; Jicai WANG ; Changqing GAO ; Jin LU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):16-24
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and related socio-demographic factors of schizo-phrenia patients with different ages of onset.Methods:Totally 2 016 patients with schizophrenia aged 15 to 70 were selected according to the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition.All of the patients were interviewed by psychiatrists using the Mini International Neuropsy-chiatric Interview to diagnose schizophrenia,Clinical-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity(CRDPSS)and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)to assess symptoms.The cut-off points were 18 and 25 years old for three age groups,i.e.early onset(EOS),youth onset(YOS)and adult onset(AOS).Statistical analy-ses were performed by analysis of variance Pearson correlation analysis,and multivariate linear regression.Results:The early-onset patients had the highest total PANSS score(73.8±28.0)and CRDPSS score(11.7±5.4).Fe-male gender,high education level,Han ethnicity,early onset age,and slower onset of illness were negatively corre-lated with the total and dimension score of PANSS scale and CRDPSS scale(standardized regression coefficient:0.04-0.47),and income level and smoking were negatively correlated with those score(standardized regression coefficient:-0.04--0.14).Conclusion:Early-onset schizophrenia patients have more severe symptoms,and fe-male,high education level,early-onset disease,and chronic onset are the risk factors of symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia.
10.Not Available.
Honglan WANG ; Yannan LIU ; Changqing BAI ; Sharon Shui Yee LEUNG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):155-169
Predatory bacteriophages have evolved a vast array of depolymerases for bacteria capture and deprotection. These depolymerases are enzymes responsible for degrading diverse bacterial surface carbohydrates. They are exploited as antibiofilm agents and antimicrobial adjuvants while rarely inducing bacterial resistance, making them an invaluable asset in the era of antibiotic resistance. Numerous depolymerases have been investigated preclinically, with evidence indicating that depolymerases with appropriate dose regimens can safely and effectively combat different multidrug-resistant pathogens in animal infection models. Additionally, some formulation approaches have been developed for improved stability and activity of depolymerases. However, depolymerase formulation is limited to liquid dosage form and remains in its infancy, posing a significant hurdle to their clinical translation, compounded by challenges in their applicability and manufacturing. Future development must address these obstacles for clinical utility. Here, after unravelling the history, diversity, and therapeutic use of depolymerases, we summarized the preclinical efficacy and existing formulation findings of recombinant depolymerases. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of depolymerases as therapeutics for humans were assessed to provide insights for their further development.

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