1.Key Issues and Research Ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine Anti-aging Guided by Essence-Qi-spirit Theory of Qiluo Doctrine
Peipei JIN ; Liping CHANG ; Cong WEI ; Mengnan LI ; Hui QI ; Hongrong LI ; Yunlong HOU ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):240-246
Aging has emerged as a cutting edge and hotspot in global life science field, with anti-aging and geriatric disease prevention and treatment becoming critical issues urgently demanding solutions in international medical communities. In the face of the challenge of accelerating global population aging, in-depth exploration of aging mechanisms and the development of effective intervention strategies hold significant scientific and clinical value. This study supported by the national key research and development program of China, employed the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine as its guiding framework, focusing on the key scientific issue of the core traditional Chinese pathogenesis of aging, namely "depletion of kidney essence, deficiency of primordial Qi, and impairment of body and spirit". The treatment principle of "tonifying the kidney to replenish essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming and invigorating primordial Qi, and nourishing the body and spirit" was established. Centered on holistic aging, systemic aging, and aging-related diseases, the research integrated multidisciplinary research approaches to construct multi-modal aging models and a multi-dimensional evaluation system, and it utilized multi-omics technologies to deeply analyze aging mechanisms. By systematically reviewing historical kidney-tonifying and anti-aging formulas and combining big data with artificial intelligence technologies, an information database of anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine substance was developed to reveal the differences and synergistic effects of various treatment methods and formulas on anti-aging. Based on this treatment method, the research integrated two millennia of kidney-tonifying medicinal experience to develop the innovative anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine, namely Bazhi Bushen capsules. It was validated that this capsule can delay holistic and systemic aging through multiple targets and mechanisms, thereby elucidating the scientific connotation of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine in guiding anti-aging research from multiple dimensions and providing robust support for leveraging the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine to occupy the commanding heights of international anti-aging research.
2.Establishment and Preliminary Analysis of GP73 Interactome Using Proximity-dependent Labeling Technology
Mu-Yi LIU ; Chang ZHANG ; Meng-Xin YANG ; Xin-Long YAN ; Lu-Ming WAN ; Cong-Wen WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):711-723
ObjectiveProtein-protein interactions (PPIs) are fundamental to the execution of biological functions within living cells. However, traditional biochemical methods, such as co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), often fail to capture transient, weak, or membrane-associated interactions due to the stringent detergent requirements for cell lysis. Proximity labeling (PL) has emerged in recent years as a transformative technology for mapping the proteomes of specific subcellular compartments and identifying dynamic interactomes in situ. Golgi protein 73 (GP73, also known as GOLPH2), a resident type II Golgi transmembrane protein, is a well-recognized clinical biomarker for liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its clinical significance, the comprehensive physiological and pathological functions of GP73 remain partially understood. This study aims to establish an APEX2-mediated proximity labeling system specifically targeting GP73 to map its interactome in a living cellular environment, thereby providing new insights into its molecular roles and regulatory mechanisms. MethodsTo achieve spatial specificity, we first constructed a stable cell line expressing a fusion protein consisting of GP73 and the engineered soybean peroxidase APEX2. The localization of the GP73-APEX2 fusion protein was validated to ensure it correctly targeted the Golgi apparatus. The proximity labeling reaction was initiated by incubating the cells with biotin-phenol (BP) for 30 min, followed by a brief (1 min) treatment with1 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This catalytic reaction converts BP into highly reactive, short-lived biotin-phenoxyl radicals that covalently attach to endogenous proteins within a small labeling radius of the GP73-APEX2 enzyme. Subsequently, the cells were quenched, and biotinylated proteins were enriched using high-affinity streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. The captured “neighbor” proteins were subjected to on-bead digestion and analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for high-throughput identification. Rigorous bioinformatics analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction network mapping, was performed to interpret the biological significance of the identified candidates. ResultsOur results demonstrate the successful establishment of a robust and sensitive APEX2-based proximity labeling system for GP73. We identified a total of 95 high-confidence interacting proteins that were significantly enriched in the GP73 proximity proteome compared to control groups. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these interactors were predominantly associated with biological processes such as vesicular transport, protein localization, and, most notably, molecular functions related to “ribosome binding” and “translation regulation”. This suggested an unexpected role for the Golgi-resident GP73 in the cellular translation machinery. To validate these findings, we performed targeted biochemical assays which confirmed a direct interaction between GP73 and the subunits of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) complex, specifically EIF3G and EIF3I. Furthermore, functional validation using the surface sensing of translation (SUnSET) assay—a non-radioactive method to monitor protein synthesis—revealed that the overexpression of GP73 significantly promoted global protein translation levels in the cell, whereas its depletion or inhibition resulted in reduced translation efficiency. ConclusionThis study successfully utilized APEX2-mediated proximity labeling to provide the first systematic map of GP73 interactome in living cells. Our findings uncover a novel, unconventional function of GP73 as a regulator of cellular protein translation, likely mediated through its interaction with the eIF3 complex. This discovery significantly broadens our understanding of the biological roles of GP73 beyond its traditional function in the Golgi apparatus and suggests that it may act as a bridge between Golgi-related trafficking and the protein synthesis machinery. Furthermore, the technical framework established in this study provides a valuable template for investigating other complex organelle-associated protein networks and resolving transient macromolecular interactions in various physiological and pathological contexts.
3.WANG Yaoxian's Experience in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease from the Perspective of Spleen and Stomach:Based on the Theory of "Internal Heat Leading to Concretions"
Bo ZHANG ; Yuxin HU ; Cong ZHAO ; Jiale ZHANG ; Weimin JIANG ; Chang YU ; Yang LIU ; Liqiao SUN ; Weiwei SUN ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):482-486
This paper summarizes Professor WANG Yaoxian's experience in treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of spleen and stomach based on the "internal heat leading to concretions" theory. It is considered that internal heat leading to concretions constitutes the core pathogenesis of DKD, with the spleen and stomach serving as the source of internal heat; therefore, treatment should be based on regulating the spleen and stomach. In the early stage of DKD, dysfunction of the spleen and stomach leads to the initial generation of internal heat. Common syndrome patterns include gastrointestinal heat accumulation and constrained heat in the liver and stomach, for which modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (葛根芩连汤) can be used to clear heat bind while modified Dachaihu Decoction (大柴胡汤) is used to clear stomach and soothe liver, respectively. In the middle stage of DKD, weakness of the spleen and stomach results in the initial formation of concretions and conglomerations. Common patterns include spleen deficiency with prevalence of dampness and deficiency of both the spleen and kidney. Treatment emphasizes strengthening the spleen and resolving dampness, raising yang and boosting the stomach with modified Shengyang Yiwei Decoction (升阳益胃汤), or supplementing spleen and boosting kidney, dissipating bind and dispe-ring concretions with modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤), respectively. In the late stage of DKD, it is characterized by spleen and stomach depletion, and rampant accumulation of turbidity and toxin, and the common syndrome patterns are damp-turbidity obstruction in the middle jiao (焦) and spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Treatment aims to remove turbidity and harmonize the stomach, or to warm the kidney and strengthen the spleen while elimina-ting turbidity, using modified Dahuang Gancao Decoction(大黄甘草汤) and Jupi Zhuru Decoction (橘皮竹茹汤) or modified Baoyuan Decoction (保元汤) and Lizhong Decoction (理中汤), respectively. In clinical practice, appropriate formulas and medications are flexibly selected according to specific syndromes.
4.Crawling-type Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Clinicopathology, Diagnosis, and Endoscopic Treatment Implications
Cong Bang HUYNH ; Jin Won CHANG
Journal of Digestive Cancer Research 2026;14(1):1-11
Crawling-type adenocarcinoma (CTAC) is being increasingly recognized as a distinct histological subtype of early gastric cancer (EGC), characterized by irregularly fused glands with superficially bland cytologic atypia and a propensity for extensive lateral intramucosal spread.Although CTAC often mimics nonneoplastic lesions such as intestinal metaplasia, its biological behavior differs substantially from other differentiated-type adenocarcinomas. Notably, when CTAC invades the submucosa, the invasive component often exhibits a poorly differentiated or poorly cohesive carcinoma morphology. Thus, CTAC poses substantial challenges in accurate preoperative diagnosis, margin delineation, and complete removal during endoscopic submucosal dissection. This review synthesizes available evidence regarding the morphological, molecular, and clinical features of CTAC, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and the clinical implications of its “crawling” lateral growth pattern. It also highlights future directions, including the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and the development of CTAC-specific risk prediction tools for optimizing endoscopic resection.
5.Theoretical Exploration of Diabetic Retinopathy Guided by Luobing Theory
Liping CHANG ; Jing MA ; Kun MA ; Zhenhua JIA ; Cong WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):253-258
Diabetic retinopathy(DR), as one of the most common and serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, seriously threatens human health, and belongs to "Xiaoke eye diseases" in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which has been richly experienced by medical practitioners through the ages, but is mostly recorded in a piecemeal manner and has not been systematically researched. This disease is featured by long course and repeated attack, and is refractory, which belongs to the research category of "persistent illness entering collaterals". Systematic establishment of TCM collateral disease theory for guiding prevention and treatment of DR has important clinical value. On the basis of close correlation between tertiary collaterals at the terminal of collaterals and capillaries and microcirculation, the concept of "tertiary collaterals-microvascular" is proposed. It is pointed out that DR falls within the scope of "tertiary collaterals-microvascular" diseases, and presents four types of micro-pathological characteristics, including stasis, insufficiency, growth and bleeding of tertiary collaterals. It is concluded that "deficiency of both Qi and Yin" is the basic pathogenesis of DR, and "blood stasis and collateral obstruction" is the important pathogenesis and key factor. Thus, the treatment method of "dispersing blood stasis, dredging collateral, tonifying Qi and Yin, stopping hemorrhage and improving eyesight" is determined, and the formula of Tongluo Mingmu capsules is developed. The article tightly focuses on the pathological changes such as stasis, growth, insufficiency and bleeding of collaterals, addresses both symptoms and root causes, and plays a synergistic role of both dispersing stasis and stopping bleeding. In this way, it can realize the purpose of tonifying Qi and Yin to replenish the essence, dispersing stasis and dredging collaterals to meet the requirement, as well as stopping hemorrhage and improving eyesight to deal with changes. Fundamental researches demonstrate that Tongluo Mingmu capsules has synergy effects of protecting both retinal capillaries and retinal cells. Phase-Ⅲ clinical trial of new drug has proven definite clinical efficacy and good safety, which provides a new drug choice for enhancing clinical effect of DR, and further supports the scientific value of Luobing theory in preventing and treating DR and other clinically significant diseases.
6.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM).
METHODS:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS:
Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
;
Middle Aged
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
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Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Retrospective Studies
7.Self-degradable "gemini-like" ionizable lipid-mediated delivery of siRNA for subcellular-specific gene therapy of hepatic diseases.
Qiu WANG ; Bin WAN ; Yao FENG ; Zimeng YANG ; Dan LI ; Fan LIU ; Ya GAO ; Chang LI ; Yanhua LIU ; Yongbing SUN ; Zhonggui HE ; Cong LUO ; Jin SUN ; Qikun JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2867-2883
Tailored lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) nanomedicines show promise in treating liver disease, such as acute liver injury (ALI) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, constructing LNPs that address biosafety concerns, ensure efficient delivery, and target specific hepatic subcellular fractions has been challenging. To evade above obstacles, we develop three novel self-degradable "gemini-like" ionizable lipids (SS-MA, SS-DC, SS-MH) by incorporating disulfide bonds and modifying the length of ester bond and tertiary amino head. Our findings reveal that the disulfide-bond-bridged LNPs exhibit reduction-responsive drug release, improving both biosafety and siRNA delivery efficiency. Furthermore, the distance of ester bond and tertiary amino head significantly influences the LNPs' pK a, thereby affecting endosomal escape, hemolytic efficiency, absorption capacity of ApoE, uptake efficiency of hepatocytes and liver accumulation. We also develop the modified-mannose LNPs (M-LNP) to target liver macrophages specifically. The optimized M-MH_LNP@TNFα exhibits potential in preventing ALI by decreasing tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) levels in the macrophages, while MH_LNP@DGAT2 could treat NASH by selectively degrading diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) in the hepatocytes. Our findings provide new insights into developing novel highly effective and low-toxic "gemini-like" ionizable lipids for constructing LNPs, potentially achieving more effective treatment for hepatic diseases.
8.Hemodynamic disturbance and mTORC1 activation: Unveiling the biomechanical pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysms in Marfan syndrome.
Ming-Yuan LIU ; Meili WANG ; Junjun LIU ; An-Qiang SUN ; Chang-Shun HE ; Xin CONG ; Wei KONG ; Wei LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(2):101120-101120
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) significantly endangers the lives of individuals with Marfan syndrome (MFS), yet the intricacies of their biomechanical origins remain elusive. Our investigation delves into the pivotal role of hemodynamic disturbance in the pathogenesis of TAA, with a particular emphasis on the mechanistic contributions of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade. We uncovered that activation of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) within smooth muscle cells, instigated by the oscillatory wall shear stress (OSS) that stems from disturbed flow (DF), is a catalyst for TAA progression. This revelation was corroborated through both an MFS mouse model (Fbn1 +/C1039G) and clinical MFS specimens. Crucially, our research demonstrates a direct linkage between the activation of the mTORC1 pathway and the intensity in OSS. Therapeutic administration of rapamycin suppresses mTORC1 activity, leading to the attenuation of aberrant SMC behavior, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and restoration of extracellular matrix integrity-collectively decelerating TAA advancement in our mouse model. These insights posit the mTORC1 axis as a strategic target for intervention, offering a novel approach to manage TAAs in MFS and potentially pave insights for current treatment paradigms.
9.Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Slows down Amyloidogenic Processing of Amyloid Precursor Protein via Regulating Its Intracellular Trafficking.
Qian ZHANG ; Xiao Ling WANG ; Yu Li HOU ; Jing Jing ZHANG ; Cong Cong LIU ; Xiao Min ZHANG ; Ya Qi WANG ; Yu Jian FAN ; Jun Ting LIU ; Jing LIU ; Qiao SONG ; Pei Chang WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):607-624
OBJECTIVE:
To reveal the effects and potential mechanisms by which synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) influences the distribution of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), endolysosomal system, and cell membranes and to reveal the effects of SV2A on APP amyloid degradation.
METHODS:
Colocalization analysis of APP with specific tagged proteins in the TGN, ensolysosomal system, and cell membrane was performed to explore the effects of SV2A on the intracellular transport of APP. APP, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expressions, and APP cleavage products levels were investigated to observe the effects of SV2A on APP amyloidogenic processing.
RESULTS:
APP localization was reduced in the TGN, early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, whereas it was increased in the recycling endosomes and cell membrane of SV2A-overexpressed neurons. Moreover, Arl5b (ADP-ribosylation factor 5b), a protein responsible for transporting APP from the TGN to early endosomes, was upregulated by SV2A. SV2A overexpression also decreased APP transport from the cell membrane to early endosomes by downregulating APP endocytosis. In addition, products of APP amyloid degradation, including sAPPβ, Aβ 1-42, and Aβ 1-40, were decreased in SV2A-overexpressed cells.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrated that SV2A promotes APP transport from the TGN to early endosomes by upregulating Arl5b and promoting APP transport from early endosomes to recycling endosomes-cell membrane pathway, which slows APP amyloid degradation.
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics*
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Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics*
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Animals
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Protein Transport
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Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
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Humans
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Mice
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Endosomes/metabolism*
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trans-Golgi Network/metabolism*
10.Application of cold atmospheric plasmas in prevention and treatment of military training injuries
Heping LI ; Dingxin LIU ; Yunen LIU ; Xue WEN ; Hengxin ZHAO ; Jishen ZHANG ; Xiang LI ; Peifang CONG ; Hailu WANG ; Wei WEI ; Yiyun LIU ; Qi CHANG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(1):8-14
Military training represents one of the most essential activities for troops during peacetime,of which the prevention and treatment of training-induced injuries are a very important part.Recent findings of research suggest that cold atmospheric plasma(CAP)exhibits a distinctive and multifaceted superiority in terms of broad-spectrum sterilization,rapid blood coagulation and healing promotion for wounds.Consequently,CAP has good prospects of applications in diverse fields such as clinical medicine,emergency rescue and military medicine.Based on a review of the research progress in plasma medicine,the applicability of CAP in the prevention and treatment of military training injuries was discussed in this paper by focusing on the urgent issues related to military training injury,including the typical application scenarios and methods for CAP,the safety and effectiveness of plasma trauma prevention and treatment,and the key issues facing the prevention and treatment of military training injuries.

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