1.Mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in Blocking Renal Fibrosis Injury in Diabetic Kidney Disease Mediated by Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Through Inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Axis
Liangjing LIU ; Haolan LIU ; Xiaoling MAO ; Min YU ; Weitong YAN ; Chao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):32-45
ObjectiveThis paper aims to study the potential active compound components and action mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) through network pharmacology and in vivo experimental verification. MethodsUltra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) technology was used to clarify the main active chemical components of Shenqi Dihuangtang, and it was combined with network pharmacology methods such as gene ontology (GO) functional annotations and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) to predict the potential action mechanism of Shenqi Dihuangtang in treating DKD. Subsequently, the DKD model of db/db male mice was established, and the mice were randomly divided into model group, low-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (6.10 g·kg-1), medium-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (12.19 g·kg-1), high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group (24.38 g·kg-1), and daplizin group (1.25 mg·kg-1). During the same period, C57BL/6J male mice were selected into normal group and received drug intervention for 8 weeks, respectively. During this period, the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the mice were dynamically monitored, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed at the end of dosing. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB), and total protein (TP) were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer, and 24-hour urine protein was measured by a urine protein quantitative kit. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic-acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson staining were employed to observe the renal histopathology. The expression of nephrotic protein Nephrin was observed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins such as TGF-β1, Smad2/3, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), neural-cadherin (N-Cadherin), and snail protein. ResultsUPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS identified 384 active compounds in the aqueous extract of Shenqi Dihuangtang. According to oral bioavailability≥30% and the five drug-like principles, 44 key active ingredients were screened out, and 169 intersection targets highly correlated with DKD were matched. Among them, there was a significant interaction relationship between tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin(IL)-6, protein kinase B(Akt)1, Caspase-3, Jun proto-oncogene (JUN), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9(MMP-9), IL-1β, and TGF-β1. GO functional annotations were significantly enriched in cellular components such as membrane rafts, membrane microdomains, and collagen-containing extracellular matrix, molecular functions such as DNA-binding transcription factor binding, R-Smad binding, and Smad protein binding, as well as biological processes such as reactions to lipopolysaccharides(LPS), reactions to bacteria-derived molecules, and wound healing. The KEGG pathway was significantly enriched in lipids and atherosclerosis, TGF-β signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, etc. In vivo experimental results showed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group could significantly reduce FBG levels in db/db mice (P<0.01), improve OGTT (P<0.01) and ITT (P<0.01) levels, reduce SCr (P<0.01), BUN (P<0.01), UA (P<0.01) and 24-hour BUN (P<0.01), and increase ALB (P<0.01) and TP (P<0.01) levels. Pathological staining confirmed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group could significantly reduce the glomerular mesangial matrix area and collagen deposition (P<0.01) and upregulate the positive expression rate of Nephrin (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the high-dose Shenqi Dihuangtang group significantly downregulated the expression of TGF-β1 (P<0.01) and Smad2/3 (P<0.01) signal molecules and inhibited the protein levels of α-SMA (P<0.01), N-Cadherin (P<0.01), and Snail (P<0.01). ConclusionShenqi Dihuangtang can inhibit the TGF-β1/Smad signaling axis and block the renal EMT process, thereby improving DKD renal fibrosis damage. Further analysis of its key active components and clinical transformation pathways is needed in the future.
2.Influencing Factors of Urate Crystal Deposition in Patients with Hyperuricemia and Prediction Model of TCM Syndrome Types-inflammatory Indicators
Jiaqi XU ; Bin AI ; Chao LIN ; Qiaoxuan LIN ; Changning LI ; Jing CAI ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO ; Youxin SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):66-73
ObjectiveTo identify potential influencing factors of urate crystal deposition at ankle/foot in patients with hyperuricemia (HUA), and to analyze the predictive value of inflammatory indicators for urate crystal deposition in patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, so as to provide potential reference for clinical risk assessment and individualized TCM intervention. MethodsA retrospective study was carried out with the enrollment of 231 HUA patients from The Third Affiliated People's Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2021 and December 2024. The enrolled patients were further divided into a crystal deposition-positive group (143 cases) and a crystal deposition-negative group (88 cases) according to the results of dual-energy computed tomography (CT). Sociodemographic data, living habits, serum uric acid levels, and inflammatory indicators of the enrolled patients were collcted, and TCM syndrome differentiation was performed. Furthermore, univariate analysis was used to compare inter-group differences in clinical characteristics. MMultivariate Logistic regression was applied to identify the influencing factors of urate crystal deposition. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive efficacy of inflammatory indicators for crystal deposition across different TCM syndromes. ResultsThere were statistically significant inter-group differences in the proportion of males, age, body mass index, proportion of mental labor, rate of low water intake, and rate of high-sugar beverage consumption (P<0.05),whereas no significant difference in low exercise intensity was found between the two groups. Furthermore, compared with the negative group, the positive group had higher serum uric acid level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), but lower systemic immune-inflammation index (SIRI) (P<0.05). Regarding the distribution of TCM syndromes, the positive group was dominated by the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome (55/143,38.46%), while the negative group was mainly characterized by the phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome (44/88,50.00%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that high-sugar beverage consumption, elevated NLR, and elevated PLR were risk factors for urate crystal deposition [odd ratio (OR) = 8.002, 5.377, 1.034, respectively; 95% CI 1.572-40.732, 2.179-13.270, 1.013-1.054,all P<0.05], while SIRI was a protective factor (OR = 0.869, 95% CI 0.778-0.971, P<0.05). In the positive group, patients with the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome exhibited the highest NLR, while the lowest PLR and SIRI, showing statistically significant differences with those of other syndromes (all P<0.05). In addition, ROC curve analysis indicated that for the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome, the combined "NLR + PLR" model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.901 (95% CI 0.850-0.951, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 89.1% and a specificity of 79.5%; for the blood stasis-heat obstruction syndrome, the combined "NLR + PLR" model had an AUC of 0.880 (95% CI 0.825-0.934, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 67.3%; for the liver-kidney Yin-deficiency syndrome, the single PLR model had an AUC of 0.842 (95% CI 0.731-0.952, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 84.0%. ConclusionUrate crystal deposition in HUA patients exhibits intimate associations with high-sugar beverage consumption as well as elevated NLR and PLR levels. Meanwhile, TCM syndrome differentiation has potential correlation with inflammatory characteristics. The inflammatory indicator-based prediction model constructed based on TCM syndromes exhibits good predictive value.
3.Multi-dimensional Holographic Characterization of Zhejiang Characteristic Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma with Nine-time Repeating Steaming and Processing
Xin WU ; Cuiwei CHEN ; Qiao YU ; Chao FENG ; Hongyan ZHANG ; Yan CHEN ; Caihua SUN ; Gang CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):197-205
ObjectiveHistorically documented Zhejiang Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(Baizhu) possesses premium characteristics such as phoenix-like head and crane-like neck, pronounced sweetness, and fragrant aroma. However, its current market circulation is low, and the processed products with Zhejiang-style characteristics are at the risk of being lost. This study aims to preserve the ancient Zhejiang-style processing techniques and evaluate them using modern scientific methods. MethodsMultidimensional intelligent sensory evaluation was used to digitally characterize the "quality-structure" of the external appearance of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu medicinal materials(intermediate processed products) and the "odor-taste" of the internal quality of its decoction pieces(slices), and the appearance parameters were digitally characterized by colorimeter, texture analyzer, electronic nose and electronic tongue, the chemical composition was analyzed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Then, cluster analysis on the differences in odor between the medicinal materials(intermediate processed products) and decoction pieces(slices) of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu was conducted, as well as the differences in taste between water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of the decoction pieces(slices), and the correlation analysis of chroma value-alcohol-soluble extract content-component response value. ResultsThe nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu had a dark brown to black epidermis, a brownish-yellow to brownish-gray cross-section, a slightly tough texture, a faint odor, and a slightly sweet, bitter and pungent taste. Texture analyzer measurements revealed minimal adhesion and maximum recovery in the middle section of the characteristic processed Baizhu, consistent with the processing endpoint of thorough steaming and cooking. The head section showed the highest internal hardness, elasticity and chewiness, indicating a denser texture in this area. The electronic nose sensor could clearly distinguish the difference between the medicinal materials and its decoction pieces, with a more significant clustering effect at 60 ℃ for 30 minutes compared to ambient temperature headspace for 2 hours, highlighting the significant impact of the baking degree before slicing on the quality. The electronic tongue taste signal map clearly distinguished the differences between water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu decoction pieces, and the addition of auxiliary materials during processing could enhance its alcohol-soluble extract content. A total of 82 chemical components were identified in the characteristic processed Baizhu. After processing, the contents of 58 components increased, while 24 components decreased. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations(P<0.01) between ethanol-soluble extract content and colorimetric values of brightness(L*), yellow-bule value(b*), and total color difference(E*ab). E*ab showed marked negative correlations(P<0.05) with the response values of isochlorogenic acid A and C. ConclusionThis study establishes a modern intelligent sensory evaluation model for multidimensional holographic characterization of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu, clarifying the correlation between increased isochlorogenic acid content and the visual color appearance after different steaming cycles, as well as its intrinsic alcohol-soluble extracts. This provides a reference for quality evaluation and processing standards of the Zhejiang-style characteristic processed products.
4.Association between urinary levels of six per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Ziyi LIU ; Luming YAN ; Tingting JIANG ; Yaling LI ; Chao ZHANG ; Jiahu HAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):174-181
Background Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can influence gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, current studies on their association are limited and have yielded inconsistent findings. Objective To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PFAS, as measured by urinary concentrations in early pregnancy, and the risk of developing GDM. Methods Based on the Wuhu Birth Cohort in Anhui Province conducted between 2020 and 2023, this study included
5.Sirtuin 3 Attenuates Acute Lung Injury by Decreasing Ferroptosis and Inflammation through Inhibiting Aerobic Glycolysis.
Ke Wei QIN ; Qing Qing JI ; Wei Jun LUO ; Wen Qian LI ; Bing Bing HAO ; Hai Yan ZHENG ; Chao Feng HAN ; Jian LOU ; Li Ming ZHAO ; Xing Ying HE
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1161-1167
6.Advances in the Correlation Between White Matter Hyperintensity and Subjective Cognitive Decline.
Jing-Shi ZHANG ; Guo-Yun LIU ; An-Qi SHI ; Ze-Qiu YANG ; Yerebake MAMUKE ; Jun WANG ; Chao-Qun YAN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(1):110-117
As the population is aging rapidly,the incidence of Alzheimer's disease(AD)is increasing year by year.The World Health Organization stresses that early prevention plays a key role in reducing the incidence of AD.Subjective cognitive decline(SCD)is an early window of AD development,and timely intervention can effectively slow down the progression of the disease or prevent it from developing into dementia,thus reducing the burden on the society.White matter hyperintensity(WMH)can effectively reflect white matter changes and provide strong evidence to identify SCD.In this paper,we review the recent research progress in WMH and SCD,reveal the problems in the current research on WMH,explain the correlation between WMH and SCD in terms of physiopathology and cognitive function,and put forward several suggestions for the future research.
Humans
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White Matter/pathology*
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Cognitive Dysfunction/pathology*
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Alzheimer Disease/pathology*
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
7.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
8.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
9.Efficacy of 450 nm blue laser semiconductor treatment machine with submucosal injection of glycerol and fructose saline in bladder tumor endoscopic submucosal dissection
Fanzhuo TU ; Yan HU ; Xianyan CHEN ; Chao MAN ; Yongwei ZHAO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):43-47
[Objective] To explore the safety and efficacy of submucosal injection of glycerol and fructose saline in bladder tumor endoscopic submucosal dissection (BT-ESD) with a 450 nm blue laser semiconductor treatment machine in the treatment of non-muscular invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). [Methods] Clinical data of 20 patients with bladder tumor treated with submucosal injection of glycerol and fructose saline BT-ESD via a 450 nm blue laser semiconductor treatment machine at our hospital during Nov.2023 and Apr.2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients included 13 males and 7 females, aged (64.95±6.89) years, tumor diameter (1.02±0.24) cm, and preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) (130.55±4.36) g/L.The operation time, Hb the next day after operation, positive rate of tumor basal biopsy, postoperative bladder irrigation time, catheter indwelling time, postoperative hospital stay, complications and recurrence rate were recorded. [Results] All operations were successful, and 28 lesions were removed.The postoperative pathological results confirmed that all cases were NMIBC, and the basal mucosa biopsies were negative.The operation time was (9.40±3.14) min, postoperative Hb (130.15±4.59) g/L, bladder irrigation time (17.70±1.34) h, catheter indwelling time 1 day, and postoperative hospital stay 1 day.There were no complications such as obturator nerve reflex, bladder perforation.There were no need for blood transfusion, no conversion to open surgery, and no secondary bleeding after operation.No tumor recurrence was found during 6-month postoperative follow up. [Conclusion] Submucosal injection of glycerol and fructose saline BT-ESD with a 450 nm blue laser semiconductor treatment machine is a safe and effective method for the treatment of NMIBC.It has advantages of whole enucleation of bladder tumor, clear basal layer, small amount of bleeding, short operation time and few complications.It can be used as a day surgery and is worthy of clinical promotion.
10.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.

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