1.Analysis of the characteristics and influencing factors of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio
Ze ZHANG ; Mengqiang ZHAO ; Ruiyan YU ; Yiyuan WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Jing YU ; Chunhua ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):776-781
OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution characteristics of mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and concentration-to-dose ratio ( C / D ), and to investigate the influence of clinical and genetic factors on C / D . METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on hospitalized patients with depression who received mirtazapine treatment and underwent therapeutic drug monitoring at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 2022 to May 2025. The collected data included patients’ gender, age, body mass index, daily dose, steady-state trough concentration, smoking status, history of liver disease, drug type, concomitant medications, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype. The C / D was calculated. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression model were employed to screen the factors potentially influencing the C / D of mirtazapine. RESULTS A total of 226 patients were included. The daily dose of mirtazapine was 25.00 (24.82, 30.00) mg/d, the steady-state trough concentration was 44.46 (20.00, 70.00) ng/mL, and the C / D was 1.83 (1.00, 2.00) (ng·d)/(mL·mg). Steady-state trough concentrations were within the reference range (30-80 ng/mL) in 121 patients (53.54%), below the lower limit in 80 patients (35.40%), and above the upper limit in 25 patients (11.06%). A positive correlation was observed between mirtazapine steady-state trough concentration and daily dose (coefficient of determination was 0.320 8, P <0.001). Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype were significantly associated with the mirtazapine C / D ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Significant interindividual variability exists in mirtazapine steady-state trough concentrations. Gender, smoking status, and CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype are identified as independent influencing factors for the mirtazapine C / D , with higher C / D ratios observed in females, non-smokers, and intermediate metabolizers.
2.Research progress on regulation of antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine
Binrui WANG ; Zheng CHANG ; Meijing QIN ; Limei ZHAO ; Juanmei MO ; Xiang LU ; Chunhua LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1773-1777
γδ T cells possess both innate and adaptive immune characteristics. Their antigen recognition is independent of major histocompatibility complex presentation, and they can directly recognize abnormal tumor metabolism, showing unique application potential in tumors with low immune infiltration. This paper systematically sorts out the biological characteristics and antitumor immune functions of γδ T cells, and mainly reviews the relevant mechanisms by which active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine regulate γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions. Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide and Astragalus polysaccharide can enhance the antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by promoting the expression of various cytokines, regulating intestinal flora and alleviating immunosuppressive state. Quercetin and puerarin can strengthen γδ T cell-mediated tumor cell killing by regulating the proliferation of γδ T cells, the expression of cytotoxic effector molecules and related signaling pathways. Toosendanin can potentiate γδ T cell-induced tumor cell killing by down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein in tumor cells. Artesunate can boost γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses by enhancing the effector function of γδ T cells and weakening tumor immune escape. Future research shall focus on exploring the synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of the combined application of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and γδ T cell immunotherapy, and identifying the key targets for γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions.
3.Research progress on regulation of antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine
Binrui WANG ; Zheng CHANG ; Meijing QIN ; Limei ZHAO ; Juanmei MO ; Xiang LU ; Chunhua LU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1773-1777
γδ T cells possess both innate and adaptive immune characteristics. Their antigen recognition is independent of major histocompatibility complex presentation, and they can directly recognize abnormal tumor metabolism, showing unique application potential in tumors with low immune infiltration. This paper systematically sorts out the biological characteristics and antitumor immune functions of γδ T cells, and mainly reviews the relevant mechanisms by which active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine regulate γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions. Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide and Astragalus polysaccharide can enhance the antitumor immune function of γδ T cells by promoting the expression of various cytokines, regulating intestinal flora and alleviating immunosuppressive state. Quercetin and puerarin can strengthen γδ T cell-mediated tumor cell killing by regulating the proliferation of γδ T cells, the expression of cytotoxic effector molecules and related signaling pathways. Toosendanin can potentiate γδ T cell-induced tumor cell killing by down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein in tumor cells. Artesunate can boost γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses by enhancing the effector function of γδ T cells and weakening tumor immune escape. Future research shall focus on exploring the synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of the combined application of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and γδ T cell immunotherapy, and identifying the key targets for γδ T cells to exert antitumor immune functions.
4.Clinical efficacy and influencing factors of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression
Yaqing LI ; Yupei HAO ; Shizhao YUAN ; Wentao WANG ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Yancong HAN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Shulian FU ; Jing YU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2402-2407
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression, analyze the influencing factors of its efficacy, construct a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Patients with mild-to-moderate depression treated at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 1, 2023 to March 10, 2025 were retrospectively included and categorized into Chaihu anxin capsules group and milnacipran group according to treatment regimen. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, and treatment efficacy was compared after 8 weeks, including 24 Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) scores and changes, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores and changes, and treatment response rate after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients receiving Chaihu anxin capsules were further classified as responders or non-responders based on the occurrence of treatment response. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influencing factors of treatment response, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the probability of treatment response, its predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included before PSM, including 196 patients in the Chaihu anxin capsules group and 101 patients in the milnacipran group. After PSM, each group included 44 patients. After PSM, the HAMD-24 scores and HAMA scores at 8 weeks after treatment in the Chaihu anxin capsules group, as well as the HAMD-24 scores in the milnacipran group, were significantly lower than their respective baseline values ( P <0.05); the change in HAMA score in the Chaihu anxin capsules group was significantly greater than that in the milnacipran group ( P =0.04). Multivariable Logistic regression identified age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score as independent predictors of treatment response ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram prediction model was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.637-0.799), and the corrected Brier score was 0.143 (95% confidence interval: 0.112-0.176); compared with the “all intervention” and “all non intervention” strategies, applying this nomogram prediction model could achieve higher net benefits within the threshold probability range of 8% to 37%.CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in improving mild-to-moderate depression is comparable to that of milnacipran, and it has certain advantages in improving anxiety symptoms; age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score are independent influencing factors for the treatment response of Chaihu anxin capsules. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on these factors has good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.
5.Preliminary Study of Dilated Cardiomyopathy at a High Altitude Based on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking
Zhetao WANG ; Chunhua WANG ; Hongke YIN ; Sisi ZHAO ; Jinghang SUO ; Lei WANG ; Yushu CHEN ; Peng ZHOU ; Fabao GAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):489-494
Objective To investigate the application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking(CMR-FT)in assessing myocardial strain in dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)patients residing at high altitudes.Methods We retrospectively enrolled 29 DCM patients living at high altitudes(DCM-H),27 DCM patients living in a low-altitude plain environment(DCM-P),23 healthy volunteers living at a high altitude(HV-H),and 24 healthy volunteers living in a low-altitude plain environment(HV-P).All subjects underwent cine MRI scanning using a 3.0T rapid steady-state free precession sequence.The CMR images thus acquired were analyzed using cvi42,a post-processing software,to obtain left ventricular function and myocardial strain parameters.Results Compared with the HV-H group,the DCM-H group showed higher left ventricle end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)and left ventricle end-systolic volume(LVESV),and lower left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and stroke volume(LVSV)(all P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in cardiac function between the DCM-H and DCM-P groups(all P>0.05).The absolute values of global radial strain(GRS),global circumferential strain(GCS),and global longitudinal strain(GLS)in the DCM-H group were lower than those in the HV-P group([14.5±6.5]%vs.[34.2±10.7]%,[-11.1±4.4]%vs.[-19.9±2.8]%,and[-7.7±3.2]%vs.[-13.6±4.1]%,respectively),with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.001).The DCM-H group had higher absolute GRS,GCS,and GCS values than the DCM-P group did([14.5±6.5]%vs.[7.0±2.7]%,[-11.1±4.4]%vs.[—5.4±2.2]%,and[—7.7±3.2]%vs.[—4.3±1.7]%,respectivley,all P<0.01).Conclusion Myocardial strain in DCM patients living at a high altitude is lower than that in healthy volunteers living at a high altitude,but higher than that in DCM patients living in a low-altitude plain environment.CMR-FT can be used to quantitatively assess myocardial contractility in DCM patients living at a high altitude,showing promise for clinical application.
6.Establishment and preliminary study of four patient-derived primary breast cancer cell lines
Yubei LUO ; Jianjun HUANG ; Wenxiu YANG ; Junhong ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Chunhua-Robert ZHAO ; Xiaowei DOU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):183-188
Objective To establish primary breast cancer cell lines from patient tissues and offer a new cancer cell model for basic research.Methods Breast cancer biopsy tissues were digested with typeⅡcollagenase and cultured in BCMI medium.When the cells proliferated rapidly,the medium was switched to DMEM.STR genotyping was per-formed to identify specific genetic markers of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Colony expansion assays and sphere formation assays were conducted to analyze its tumorigenicity.Real-time PCR and Western blot experiments were used to analyze the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)molecule markers.Migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the metastatic potential of the primary breast cancer cells.Results We es?tablished four primary breast cancer cell lines:BC25#,BC51#,BC56#,and BC57#.These cell lines were cultured in DMEM medium,passaged multiple times and tagged with details about their clinical past.STR genotyping identified specific genetic markers for each of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Clonogenic and sphere formation assays revealed that the four lines have a stronger tumor?forming capability compared to the classic breast cancer cell line T?47D.Real?time PCR and Western blot experiments showed that,compared to T?47D,the four primary breast cancer cell lines have decreased E?cadherin expression and increased vimentin expression.Migration and invasion assays indicated that BC25#had a higher metastatic potential than the traditional breast cancer cell line T?47D.Conclusions Four primary breast cancer cell lines,BC25#,BC51#,BC56#and BC57#are successfully estab?lished,which may act as new cancer cell model for laboratory research of breast cancer.
7.Knockdown of human-specific lncRNA MEK6-AS1 improves osteogenic differentiation of senescent mesenchymal stem cells
Yunhua CHEN ; Di LI ; Xiaoyan ZHAO ; Ming CHEN ; Hongling LI ; Chunhua ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(5):568-574
Objective To investigate the role of a novel human-specific long noncoding RNA(lncRNA),MEK6-AS1,and its potential molecular mechanism in improving the osteogenic differentiation of senescent mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Methods An in vitro human MSCs replicative senescence model was established by sequen-tial passaging,and then senescence was identified by β staining and senescence-related gene expression.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEK6-AS1 during senescence and osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs(hMSCs);Lentiviral knockdown technology was used to regulate the expression of MEK6-AS1 in the MSCs replicative senescence model.Transcriptome sequencing technology was utilized to analyze the effects of MEK6-AS1 on the transcriptome of hMSCs especially on genes and pathways related to osteogenic differentiation.The effect of MEK6-AS1 as an intervention target at osteogenic differentiation of human senescent hMSCs was evaluated with alkaline phosphatase staining microscopy.PCR technology was used to detect osteogenic gene expression levels in cells.Results With aging process,the osteogenic differentiation ability of hMSCs decreased significantly while the expression level of MEK6-AS1 was enhanced(P<0.000 1).Knockdown of MEK6-AS1 significantly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by the up-regulating expression of osteogenic markers and increasing minerali-zation capacity(P<0.001).Conclusions Knockdown of human-specific lncRNA MEK6-AS1 improves osteogenic differentiation of senescent MSCs,providing a new target and theoretical basis for the treatment of senescence-asso-ciated osteoporosis.
8.Comparison of biological characteristics of natural killer cells from different sources
Junxia WANG ; Zaidong XIE ; Chunlei PAN ; Feng WU ; Dingsheng LIU ; Jianrong ZHU ; Chunhua ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1668-1674
Natural killer cells(NK)are important innate immune cells that do not require prior antigen exposure and can directly recognize and attack virus-infected cells and tumor cells.The activation and effector functions of NK cells are regulated by a balance of signals delivered through their surface activating receptors and inhibitory re-ceptors,which bind to ligands on target cells to achieve cytotoxicity via"induced self"and"missing self"recogni-tion models.The killing mechanisms of NK cells primarily include release of cytotoxic granules such as perforin and granzymes to induce target cell lysis,death receptor-mediated apoptosis,secretion of various cytokines,chemokines and growth factors to coordinate with other immune cells in killing tumor cells,thereby generating secondary im-mune responses and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC).
9.A stem cell and integrative medicine system for chronic diseases:a conceptual framework
Chunhua ZHAO ; Yunfei JI ; Shihua WANG ; Xingyan AN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1692-1696
This article focuses on the clinical need for curative interventions in chronic diseases.It proposes an inte-grated medical framework that combines"quantum prediction,prevention and control through Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,and stem cell repair"and details its path to clinical application.To address the complex,multi-target pathology of diseases like diabetes,this research integrates multiple disciplines:stem cell technology,the holistic philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),the evidence-based rigor of Western Medicine,and the cutting-edge concepts of quantum biology.The goal is to create a new diagnostic and therapeutic model that syn-thesizes disease and syndrome classification while bridging macro and micro perspectives,ultimately driving break-throughs in chronic disease management.Theoretically,the study proposes a strategy to rejuvenate cells and remodel the microenvironment using pluripotent stem cells combined with synergistic TCM-Western Medicine approaches.Practically,it establishes a seamless system—from molecular early-warning and dynamic prevention to tissue re-pair—supported by standardized protocols,preclinical validation,multi-center clinical trials,and an intelligent health management platform.
10.Development and validation of a prediction score for subtype diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.
Ping LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jiao WANG ; Hongfei JI ; Haibin WANG ; Lin ZHAO ; Jinbo HU ; Hang SHEN ; Yi LI ; Chunhua SONG ; Feng GUO ; Xiaojun MA ; Qingzhu WANG ; Zhankui JIA ; Xuepei ZHANG ; Mingwei SHAO ; Yi SONG ; Xunjie FAN ; Yuanyuan LUO ; Fangyi WEI ; Xiaotong WANG ; Yanyan ZHAO ; Guijun QIN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(23):3206-3208

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