1.Tracing Development of LIU Wansu's Theory of ''Fire-heat Inducing Stroke''
Xin LAN ; Changxiang LI ; Haojia ZHANG ; Jialin CHENG ; Zijin SUN ; Liyang DONG ; Zilin REN ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):32-41
LIU Wansu, as the foremost of the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan period, established the "theory of fire-heat'' and extended the fire-heat pathogenesis framework to the field of stroke, thereby forming the theory of ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This achieved a paradigmatic shift in stroke etiology from ''exogenous wind inducing stroke'' to ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory and explores the social background, academic origins, and core connotations of its theoretical construction. The study found that, based on the ''Nineteen Pathomechanisms'' in the Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) and combined with clinical practice, LIU Wansu proposed that fire-heat is the fundamental cause of stroke, and that the Six Climatic Factors and the Five Zhi-Emotions can all transform into fire. He further constructed a stratified syndrome differentiation and therapeutic system centered on clearing heat and purging fire, emphasizing differentiated treatment of exterior and interior syndromes, Six Meridians syndrome differentiation, and seasonally adjusted medication. This theory not only resolved the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of febrile epidemic diseases during the Jin-Yuan period, but also exerted a profound influence on later physicians such as ZHANG Zihe and ZHU Danxi, thereby promoting the pluralistic development of stroke theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Modern pharmacological research provides solid scientific evidence, confirming that the ''fire-heat'' pathological state is highly associated with key mechanisms such as excessive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and excitatory amino acid toxicity following cerebral ischemia. Heat-clearing and fire-purging prescriptions and agents, such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang and baicalin, can exert multi-target neuroprotective effects by regulating inflammatory signaling, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and balancing neurotransmitters. This not only verifies the scientific basis of the ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory from a modern biological perspective but also provides conclusive evidence for the clinical application of heat-clearing and fire-purging therapy. LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory represents a major milestone in the historical understanding of stroke pathogenesis, and its academically transitional insights continue to hold core guiding value for the pattern identification and treatment of ischemic stroke today.
2.Tracing Development of LIU Wansu's Theory of ''Fire-heat Inducing Stroke''
Xin LAN ; Changxiang LI ; Haojia ZHANG ; Jialin CHENG ; Zijin SUN ; Liyang DONG ; Zilin REN ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):32-41
LIU Wansu, as the foremost of the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan period, established the "theory of fire-heat'' and extended the fire-heat pathogenesis framework to the field of stroke, thereby forming the theory of ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This achieved a paradigmatic shift in stroke etiology from ''exogenous wind inducing stroke'' to ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory and explores the social background, academic origins, and core connotations of its theoretical construction. The study found that, based on the ''Nineteen Pathomechanisms'' in the Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) and combined with clinical practice, LIU Wansu proposed that fire-heat is the fundamental cause of stroke, and that the Six Climatic Factors and the Five Zhi-Emotions can all transform into fire. He further constructed a stratified syndrome differentiation and therapeutic system centered on clearing heat and purging fire, emphasizing differentiated treatment of exterior and interior syndromes, Six Meridians syndrome differentiation, and seasonally adjusted medication. This theory not only resolved the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of febrile epidemic diseases during the Jin-Yuan period, but also exerted a profound influence on later physicians such as ZHANG Zihe and ZHU Danxi, thereby promoting the pluralistic development of stroke theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Modern pharmacological research provides solid scientific evidence, confirming that the ''fire-heat'' pathological state is highly associated with key mechanisms such as excessive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and excitatory amino acid toxicity following cerebral ischemia. Heat-clearing and fire-purging prescriptions and agents, such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang and baicalin, can exert multi-target neuroprotective effects by regulating inflammatory signaling, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and balancing neurotransmitters. This not only verifies the scientific basis of the ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory from a modern biological perspective but also provides conclusive evidence for the clinical application of heat-clearing and fire-purging therapy. LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory represents a major milestone in the historical understanding of stroke pathogenesis, and its academically transitional insights continue to hold core guiding value for the pattern identification and treatment of ischemic stroke today.
3.Ionizing Radiation-induced Lens Injury: Epidemiology, Dose-effect Relationship, and Molecular Mechanisms
Cheng-Hao HU ; Shao-Han REN ; Hai-Tao ZHANG ; Jing-Ming ZHAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):688-696
The crystalline lens of the eye is recognized as one of the most radiosensitive tissues in the human body. While the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has classified ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cataracts as a tissue reaction (deterministic effect) and subsequently reduced the occupational equivalent dose limit for the lens, significant uncertainties remain regarding the precise dose threshold and the complex biological pathways driving lens opacification. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge concerning radiation-induced lens damage, integrating epidemiological exposure characteristics with dose-response modeling and mechanistic molecular insights. First, we analyze exposure characteristics through four epidemiological dimensions: dose, time, space, and population. Clinical evidence suggests that radiation cataracts—particularly posterior subcapsular opacities—exhibit a distinct latency period that is inversely correlated with dose. We highlight that risk is not confined to acute high-dose scenarios (such as in atomic bomb survivors) but is increasingly relevant in chronic low-dose occupational settings (e.g., interventional radiology) and medical diagnostics (e.g., CT scans). Crucially, individual susceptibility is modified by genetic background, age, and environmental co-factors, complicating risk assessment. Second, we critically examine the dose-effect relationship. Although the ICRP suggests a threshold of 0.5 Gy, emerging data challenge the traditional threshold model, with some studies advocating for a linear non-threshold (LNT) relationship. We further discuss the critical roles of radiation quality and dose rate. High linear energy transfer (LET) radiation demonstrates a significantly higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for cataractogenesis compared to low-LET radiation. Paradoxically, and unlike many other tissues, the lens may exhibit an “inverse dose-rate effect,” where fractionated or protracted exposures potentially enhance biological damage—a finding that challenges classical radiobiological paradigms. Third, drawing upon the “cataractogenic load” hypothesis and the unique physiological constraints of the lens, this review elucidates the multidimensional molecular mechanisms driving radiation-induced opacification. Key mechanisms include four aspects. (1) DNA damage and repair: IR induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that, due to the lens’ limited repair capacity (modulated by genes such as ATM, Ptch1, and Ercc2), lead to the accumulation of damage. (2) Antioxidant defense system: dysfunction of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant axis results in redox imbalances, triggering NF-κB-mediated inflammation and protein aggregation. (3) Cell proliferation and senescence: IR disrupts cell cycle regulation, causing a dichotomy of effects—driving premature senescence in some cell populations (evidenced by ATM nuclear foci) while inducing aberrant proliferation via growth factor upregulation (FGF2, TGFβ) in others. (4) Cell migration and adhesion: activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway and alterations in the E-cadherin complex promote the abnormal migration of epithelial cells to the posterior capsule, a hallmark of radiation-induced cataracts. In conclusion, radiation-induced cataractogenesis is a multifactorial process in which genetic susceptibility and environmental stressors converge to overwhelm the lens’ homeostatic thresholds. Future research must prioritize longitudinal cohort studies to refine dose thresholds and employ multi-omics approaches to map the crosstalk between DNA damage responses and matrix remodeling. Establishing a robust mechanistic model is essential for developing targeted radioprotective strategies and optimizing radiation protection standards for occupational and medical safety.
4.WANG Qingguo's Experience in Treatment of Headache Based on the Concept of "Achieving Harmony by Unblocking and Balancing"
Chuxin ZHANG ; Zilin REN ; Yang ZHAO ; Jinhua HAN ; Bomin ZHANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Changxiang LI ; Xueqian WANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):935-940
This paper summarizes professor WANG Qingguo's experience in treatment of headache based on the "achieving harmony by unblocking and balancing" concept. It is considered that although the pathogenesis of headache is generally attributed to "pain arises from obstruction" and "pain arises from malnourishment", clinical presentations often involve a complex mixture of deficiency and excess, as well as cold and heat patterns. Professor WANG proposes the diagnostic and therapeutic theory of "achieving harmony by unblocking and balancing", advocating for equal emphasis on "freeing the flow of qi and blood" and "regulating the balance of yin and yang". He has summarized eight treatment methods for common headache patterns. For wind-cold attacking the collaterals, treatment should focus on dispersing and unblocking through modified Gegen Decoction (葛根汤). For wind-dampness binding, it is recommended to unblock and drain, using modified Qingshang Juantong Decoction (清上蠲痛汤). For damp-heat congestion, unblocking and clearing is the method, using modified Toufeng Shen Formula (头风神方). For liver-gallbladder qi constraint, unblocking and soothing is the treatment principle, and modified Sanpian Decoction (散偏汤) is suggested. For insufficiency of center qi, even supplementation method is recommended, and modified Yiqi Congming Decoction (益气聪明汤) can be used. For liver yang hyperactivity, unblocking and subduing are combined, using modified Xunlong Decoction (驯龙汤). For deficiency-cold in the liver and stomach, warming, harmonizing, unblocking, and descending are applied, using modified Wuzhuyu Decoction (吴茱萸汤). For blood deficiency with cold congelation, unblocking and nourishing are undertaken together, using modified Danggui Sini Decoction (当归四逆汤). The ultimate goal is to restore the dynamic balance of yin, yang, qi, and blood in the body, thereby allevia-ting pain by restoring clarity and function to the head orifices.
5.WANG Qingguo's Experience in Treatment of Headache Based on the Concept of "Achieving Harmony by Unblocking and Balancing"
Chuxin ZHANG ; Zilin REN ; Yang ZHAO ; Jinhua HAN ; Bomin ZHANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Changxiang LI ; Xueqian WANG ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):935-940
This paper summarizes professor WANG Qingguo's experience in treatment of headache based on the "achieving harmony by unblocking and balancing" concept. It is considered that although the pathogenesis of headache is generally attributed to "pain arises from obstruction" and "pain arises from malnourishment", clinical presentations often involve a complex mixture of deficiency and excess, as well as cold and heat patterns. Professor WANG proposes the diagnostic and therapeutic theory of "achieving harmony by unblocking and balancing", advocating for equal emphasis on "freeing the flow of qi and blood" and "regulating the balance of yin and yang". He has summarized eight treatment methods for common headache patterns. For wind-cold attacking the collaterals, treatment should focus on dispersing and unblocking through modified Gegen Decoction (葛根汤). For wind-dampness binding, it is recommended to unblock and drain, using modified Qingshang Juantong Decoction (清上蠲痛汤). For damp-heat congestion, unblocking and clearing is the method, using modified Toufeng Shen Formula (头风神方). For liver-gallbladder qi constraint, unblocking and soothing is the treatment principle, and modified Sanpian Decoction (散偏汤) is suggested. For insufficiency of center qi, even supplementation method is recommended, and modified Yiqi Congming Decoction (益气聪明汤) can be used. For liver yang hyperactivity, unblocking and subduing are combined, using modified Xunlong Decoction (驯龙汤). For deficiency-cold in the liver and stomach, warming, harmonizing, unblocking, and descending are applied, using modified Wuzhuyu Decoction (吴茱萸汤). For blood deficiency with cold congelation, unblocking and nourishing are undertaken together, using modified Danggui Sini Decoction (当归四逆汤). The ultimate goal is to restore the dynamic balance of yin, yang, qi, and blood in the body, thereby allevia-ting pain by restoring clarity and function to the head orifices.
6.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
7.Automatic Measurement Method for Spatial Resolution of MRI Based on the ACR Phantom
Yu ZHANG ; Hongxia YIN ; Yawen LIU ; Pengling REN ; Yanjun HU ; Tianxin CHENG ; Zhenghan YANG ; Zhenchang WANG ; Hui XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):595-600,606
Purpose To measure the spatial resolution in MRI quality control testing automatically based on the American College of Radiology(ACR)phantom using the support vector machine(SVM)method,and the feasibility,accuracy and measurement speed of this method are explored.Materials and Methods Quality control tests were performed using eight MRI devices at Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University.A retrospective study was conducted on 71 MRI quality control test images collected based on ACR phantoms between 2017 and 2019.The images were preprocessed by binarization,extraction region of interest and so on.An SVM-based classification model was constructed for analyzing the spatial resolution of dot arrays in row and column directions.The dataset was randomly split into a training set and a test set.The generalization performance of the classification model in this study was evaluated through accuracy,precision,recall and F1 score on the test set.Comparing the results of spatial resolution measurements obtained by both manual and automatic method,we demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of the method.Additionally,the time taken for the automatic spatial resolution measurement was recorded.Results In this study,the proposed method of automatically measuring the spatial resolution of ACR phantom test images using SVM was feasible,high accuracy and short time.In classification performance test,the accuracy of the spatial resolution of the row directional latices was 95%,the precision was 100%.The accuracy of the spatial resolution of the column directional latices was 97%,the precision was 100%.Among the test cases,the results of automatic measurements matched those of manual measurements in 13 out of 14 cases.On average,automatic spatial resolution measurement took 0.158 seconds per case.Conclusion This study achieves automatic measurement of spatial resolution in MRI quality control based on the ACR phantom using SVM method.The method demonstrates high accuracy and fast measurement speeds,holding significant implications for future rapid MRI quality control stability testing.
8.Effects of moxibustion at points from the Conception,Governor,and Thoroughfare Vessels on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis in rats with cold-induced blood stasis pattern
Xuan ZHANG ; Jiaxin LIU ; Xinhua LI ; Di WANG ; Yanfen SHE ; Yanqing REN ; Xiumei CHENG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(3):218-230
Objective:To explore the mechanism by which moxibustion improves cold-induced blood stasis pattern(CIBSP)and to uncover the biological basis underlying the correlation between the Conception Vessel(CV),Governor Vessel(GV),Thoroughfare Vessel(TV),and the uterus by investigating the effects of mild moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis(HPOA)in CIBSP model rats.Methods:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,a CV group,a GV group,a TV group,and a non-meridian non-point(NMNP)group according to the random number table method,with 8 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank group,the other rats were subjected to an ice water bath plus epinephrine to prepare CIBSP models.Each intervention group was given mild moxibustion on the first day of modeling.Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),and Zhongji(CV3)were selected in the CV group;Huangshu(KI16),Dahe(KI12),and Henggu(KI11)were selected in the TV group;Xuanshu(GV5),Mingmen(GV4),and Yaoyangguan(GV3)were selected in the GV group;three NMNP spots were selected in the NMNP group.Mild moxibustion was administered for 20 min each time,once a day,for 14 consecutive days.The symptom scores of CIBSP and uterine electromyogram were compared among groups;morphological changes in reproductive organs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum reproductive hormones and neurotransmitters.The mRNA and protein expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR),and luteinizing hormone receptor(LHR)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,or Western blotting assays.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a significantly increased CIBSP symptom score,an amplified in vivo uterine myoelectric value;decreased ovarian follicles,thinner endometrial epithelium,and disordered structure with the pathological examination,decreased serum levels of reproductive hormones,6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α),and β-endorphin(β-EP),increased thromboxane B2(TXB2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and substance P(SP),and decreased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared to the model and NMNP groups,each point-intervention group showed a decreased CIBSP symptom score and uterine myoelectric value;increased ovarian follicles,thickened endometrium,increased glands,up-regulated serum reproductive hormones,6-keto-PGF1α,and β-EP,down-regulated serum TXB2,5-HT,and SP and increased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion at points from the CV,GV,and TV("three branches from one source")can improve the reproductive neuroendocrine function of CIBSP rats,and this effect may be mediated through the regulation of the HPOA.These detections suggest that the biological basis of point-uterus correlation may be based on HPOA regulation.
9.Cross-sectional survey of healthcare-associated infection in 5 736 medical institutions across China in 2024
Cui ZENG ; Wuqiang GAO ; Fu QIAO ; Hui ZHAO ; Xu FANG ; Linping LI ; Xiuwen CHEN ; Jiansen CHEN ; Dan LI ; Yuan ZHOU ; Lingli YU ; Qinglan MENG ; Xia MOU ; Lijuan XIONG ; Weiguang LI ; Ding LIU ; Jiaqing XIAO ; Limei OU ; Baozhen LI ; Jun YIN ; Haojun ZHANG ; Qiang FU ; Qun LU ; Biao WU ; Ya-wei XING ; Shumei SUN ; Shuncai WANG ; Longmin DU ; Jingping ZHANG ; Wen-ying HE ; Gui CHENG ; Nan REN ; Xun HUANG ; Anhua WU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(11):1572-1583
Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27%.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38%.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66%to 2.35%.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65%.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66%),followed by the urinary tract(12.94%),surgical site(9.32%),upper respiratory tract(7.02%),and bloodstream infection(5.78%).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02%),department of neurosurgery(5.51%),and department(group)of hematology(5.34%).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10%)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33%),Escherichia coli(12.79%),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23%),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88%).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71%.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18%.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46%.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.
10.Effects of moxibustion at points from the Conception,Governor,and Thoroughfare Vessels on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis in rats with cold-induced blood stasis pattern
Xuan ZHANG ; Jiaxin LIU ; Xinhua LI ; Di WANG ; Yanfen SHE ; Yanqing REN ; Xiumei CHENG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(3):218-230
Objective:To explore the mechanism by which moxibustion improves cold-induced blood stasis pattern(CIBSP)and to uncover the biological basis underlying the correlation between the Conception Vessel(CV),Governor Vessel(GV),Thoroughfare Vessel(TV),and the uterus by investigating the effects of mild moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis(HPOA)in CIBSP model rats.Methods:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,a CV group,a GV group,a TV group,and a non-meridian non-point(NMNP)group according to the random number table method,with 8 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank group,the other rats were subjected to an ice water bath plus epinephrine to prepare CIBSP models.Each intervention group was given mild moxibustion on the first day of modeling.Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),and Zhongji(CV3)were selected in the CV group;Huangshu(KI16),Dahe(KI12),and Henggu(KI11)were selected in the TV group;Xuanshu(GV5),Mingmen(GV4),and Yaoyangguan(GV3)were selected in the GV group;three NMNP spots were selected in the NMNP group.Mild moxibustion was administered for 20 min each time,once a day,for 14 consecutive days.The symptom scores of CIBSP and uterine electromyogram were compared among groups;morphological changes in reproductive organs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum reproductive hormones and neurotransmitters.The mRNA and protein expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR),and luteinizing hormone receptor(LHR)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,or Western blotting assays.Results:Compared to the blank group,the model group showed a significantly increased CIBSP symptom score,an amplified in vivo uterine myoelectric value;decreased ovarian follicles,thinner endometrial epithelium,and disordered structure with the pathological examination,decreased serum levels of reproductive hormones,6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α),and β-endorphin(β-EP),increased thromboxane B2(TXB2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and substance P(SP),and decreased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared to the model and NMNP groups,each point-intervention group showed a decreased CIBSP symptom score and uterine myoelectric value;increased ovarian follicles,thickened endometrium,increased glands,up-regulated serum reproductive hormones,6-keto-PGF1α,and β-EP,down-regulated serum TXB2,5-HT,and SP and increased mRNA and protein expression of ovarian ER,FSHR,and LHR(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion at points from the CV,GV,and TV("three branches from one source")can improve the reproductive neuroendocrine function of CIBSP rats,and this effect may be mediated through the regulation of the HPOA.These detections suggest that the biological basis of point-uterus correlation may be based on HPOA regulation.

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