1.Huangqi Jianzhongtang Regulates Polarization of Macrophages M1/M2 and Improves Fat Consumption in Cancer Cachexia Mice
Zhiyan FANG ; Haiyan ZHU ; Wenying HUAI ; Cong HUANG ; Ruocong YANG ; Haiyan YU ; Tiane ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):61-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang (HQJZ) on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia (CC) mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to control the quality of HQJZ. (1) In vitro experiment: HQJZ-containing serum was prepared, and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages (RAW264.7) were cultured and randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a classically activated macrophages (M1) group, an alternatively activated macrophages (M2) group, a HQJZ + blank group, a HQJZ+M1 group, and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg1) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR ). (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) group, and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group, the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA (0.13 g·kg-1·d-1) or HQJZ (13.13 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, respectively, while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage, with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers (iNOS, Arg1, CD86, CD206) and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot (WB) was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to measure residual fat volume, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro, the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the blank group, Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group (P<0.05), CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance, while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the M1 group, Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 group, CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group (P<0.05), CD86 expression increased significantly (P<0.01). In vivo, Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the control group, CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). In the HQJZ group, CD206 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). WB results showed that, compared with the model group, protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01). micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group (P<0.05). HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization, thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.
2.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
3.Anti-SARS-CoV-2 prodrug ATV006 has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses.
Tiefeng XU ; Kun LI ; Siyao HUANG ; Konstantin I IVANOV ; Sidi YANG ; Yanxi JI ; Hanwei ZHANG ; Wenbin WU ; Ye HE ; Qiang ZENG ; Feng CONG ; Qifan ZHOU ; Yingjun LI ; Jian PAN ; Jincun ZHAO ; Chunmei LI ; Xumu ZHANG ; Liu CAO ; Deyin GUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2498-2510
Coronavirus-related diseases pose a significant challenge to the global health system. Given the diversity of coronaviruses and the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks, the traditional "one bug, one drug" paradigm struggles to address the growing number of emerging crises. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity. Here, we provide evidence that ATV006, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoside analog targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has broad antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses. Using mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) as a model, we show that ATV006 has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activity against murine coronavirus infection in vivo. Remarkably, ATV006 successfully inhibits viral replication in mice even when administered 96 h after infection. Due to its oral bioavailability and potency against multiple coronaviruses, ATV006 has the potential to become a useful antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other circulating and emerging coronaviruses in humans and animals.
4.A cisplatin prodrug-based self-assembling ozone delivery nanosystem sensitizes radiotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
Tianyue XU ; Dan ZHENG ; Meixu CHEN ; Linlin SONG ; Zhihui LIU ; Yan CHENG ; Yujie ZHAO ; Liwen HUANG ; Yixuan LI ; Zhankun YANG ; Cong LI ; Biao DONG ; Jing JING ; Hubing SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2703-2722
Lacking therapeutic targets highlights the crucial roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To relieve the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy combination regimen, we design and develop a self-assembled micelle nanosystem consisting of perfluorocarbon chain-modified cisplatin prodrug. By incorporating perfluorodecalin, this nanosystem can effectively carry ozone and promote irradiation-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. By leveraging the perfluorocarbon sidechain, the nanosystem exhibits efficient internalization by TNBC cells and effectively escapes from lysosomal entrapment. Under X-ray irradiation, ozone-generated ROS disrupts the intracellular redox balance, thereby facilitating the release of cisplatin in a reduction-responsive manner mediated by reduced glutathione. Moreover, oxygen derived from ozone decomposition enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Notably, the combination of irradiation with ozone-loaded cisplatin prodrug nano system synergistically prompts antitumor efficacy and reduces cellular/systemic toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the combo regimen remodels the tumor microenvironment into an immune-favored state by triggering immunogenic cell death and relieving hypoxia, which provides a promising foundation for a combination regimen of immunotherapy. In conclusion, our nanosystem presents a novel strategy for integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to optimize the efficacy and safety of TNBC clinical treatment.
5.Molecular mechanism of Xixian Pills for improving rheumatoid arthritis in rats: a proteomic analysis.
Yahui LI ; Xin YANG ; Xueming YAO ; Cong HUANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2330-2339
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the molecular mechanism of Xixian Pills for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
Forty-eight rats were randomized into 6 groups (n=8), including a normal control group, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model group, 3 Xixian Pills treatment (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) groups, and a Tripterygium glycosides tablet (TGT) treatment group. In the latter 4 groups, the rats were treated with daily gavage of Xixian Pills or TGT 2 weeks after CIA modeling for 3 consecutive weeks. The differentially expressed proteins in high-dose Xixian Pills group and the model group compared with the normal control group were screened based on the tandem mass spectrometry tag (TMT) technology, and the core targets and signaling pathways were analyzed. The immune cell infiltration and gene expression data were analyzed using ggplot2 and tidyverse packages, and the correlation coefficients between the core targets and the immune cells were calculated.
RESULTS:
The CIA rats showed significantly increased serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and lowered serum IL-10 level. Treatments with high- and medium-dose Xixian Pills and TGT all significantly reduced serum TNF‑α and IL-6 and increased IL-10 levels in CIA rats. Proteomic analysis identified 160 differential proteins between the model group and high-dose Xixian Pills group, and the core targets included CCL5, STAT1, GZMB and IL7R. The areas under the ROC curve of CCL5 and STAT1 were both greater than 0.9. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed increased levels of CCL5 and STAT1 in the ankle joints of CIA rats, which were significantly decreased after treatment with Xixian Pills.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with Xixian Pills offers protection of the joints in CIA rats possibly by inhibiting joint inflammation via regulating protein expressions of CCL5 and STAT1.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Rats
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
;
Proteomics
;
Tripterygium/chemistry*
;
Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Interleukin-10/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction
6.Prognostic efficacy of pericoronary fat attenuation index and fibrous plaque index in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Cong HUANG ; Feng WEN ; Xinglan WANG ; Chen LIU ; Hongqin LIANG ; Xi YANG ; Chengwei MOU ; Jian WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(17):2106-2114
Objective To explore the predictive value of fat attenuation index(FAI)and fibrous plaque index(FPI)for the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 334 ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University and Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2021 to July 2023.All patients received coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)to measure FAI and FPI.According to the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)with 1 year of follow-up,they were divided into MACE group(n=108)and non-MACE group(n=226).The baseline data,CCTA data and results of laboratory tests were collected and compared between the 2 groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship of FAI and FPI with the prognosis of ACS patients,and ROC curve was drawn to evaluate its predictive efficiency.Results Among the 334 ACS patients,108(32.34%)experienced MACE.When compared with the non-MACE group,the MACE group exhibited significantly larger proportions of diabetes(72.22%vs 31.86%)and left main coronary artery disease(18.52%vs 7.08%),but lower success rate of operation(79.63%vs 93.81%,P<0.05).Radiologic results showed that the proportion of severe stenosis(20.37%vs 10.62%),FAI(-80.12±6.41 HU vs-72.34±7.09 HU)and FPI(0.58±0.41 vs 0.26±0.12)were obviously increased in the MACE group than the non-MACE group(P<0.05).Laboratory tests indicated that there were statistical differences between the 2 groups in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C,1.20±0.15 vs 1.09±0.16 mmol/L),miR-126(0.91±0.12 vs 0.96±0.15)and SST2(38.45±5.67 vs 34.30±4.89 ng/mL,P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that FAI(OR=1.200,95%CI:1.136~1.268),FPI(OR=63.157,95%CI:14.126~282.374),moderate stenosis(OR=1.332,95%CI:1.024~1.859),severe stenosis(OR=1.480,95%CI:1.074~2.039),miR-126(OR=0.007,95%CI:0.001~0.077),and sST2(OR=1.192,95%CI:1.113~1.277)were independent predictors of MACE(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis displayed that stenosis degree(AUC=0.622,95%CI:0.561~0.683,P=0.001),FAI(AUC=0.790,95%CI:0.741~0.839,P=0.001)and FPI(AUC=0.700,95%CI:0.638~0.761,P=0.001),miR-126(AUC=0.646,95%CI:0.584~0.707,P=0.001),sST2(AUC=0.700,95%CI:0.638~0.761,P=0.001)had certain predictive values for ACS prognosis.Conclusion Coronary FAI and FPI can be used as independent prognostic indicators of ACS patients,and their numerical changes are closely related to plaque stability and inflammatory state.
7.Mechanism of Shengmaisan Regulating Cardiac Remodeling of Arrhythmias with Deficiency of Qi and Yin
Jingheng WEI ; Xiaolu SHI ; Wei YANG ; Cong HUANG ; Mengru SHI ; Runhao MA ; Mingjie SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):248-259
Arrhythmia is an important disease among cardiovascular diseases. Malignant arrhythmias often occur clinically and are induced by abnormal ion channels, electrical activity disorders, myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, dysfunctional mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial calcium overload, out-of-balance energy metabolism, oxidative stress, sympathetic hyperactivity, and other pathological cardiac remodeling, and they are the main causes of sudden cardiac death. In traditional Chinese medicine, arrhythmias are considered to be palpitations, which are commonly caused by deficiency of Qi and Yin. It is often manifested as a deficiency of the spleen and stomach, resulting in malfunction of the Qi mechanism, followed by a particularly severe decline in cardiac function. Shengmaisan is a representative formula for nourishing Qi and Yin, consisting of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogonis Radix, and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. In recent years, clinical studies have shown that Shengmaisan and its additions and subtractions are commonly used in the treatment of arrhythmias. In this article, the mechanisms of the active ingredients of Shengmaisan in the electrophysiology, biochemistry, structure, autonomic nervous system, and subcellular fraction of the heart are reviewed, and the multi-target, multi-system, and integrality of Shengmaisan in the treatment of arrhythmias of Qi and Yin deficiency are described. In addition, energy metabolism disorder is tightly juxtaposed with Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. Mitochondria, as the center of myocardial energy metabolism, play a paramount role in cardiac remodeling, indicating that Shengmaisan will be a salient part of future research to ameliorate cardiac pathologic remodeling through energy metabolism of mitochondria, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of these arrhythmias.
8.Relationship between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms in college students: a cohort study
XU Yongjin, HUANG Cong, XU Yaping, YANG Guang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):406-410
Objective:
To explore the association between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms among college students, so as to provide evidence for promoting physical and mental health of college students.
Methods:
Using a cohort study design,a baseline survey of 1 415 college students in Shenyang Normal University in 2017 followed for three years from 2018 to 2020. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Selfrating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the physical activity levels and depressive symptoms of college students. According to the level of physical activity at baseline (MET ·h/week), participants were divided into three groups [T1 (≤36.4), T2 (>36.4-89.3) and T3 (>89.3)]. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between baseline physical activity levels and the incidence of depressive symptoms during the school years.
Results:
In the 3year followup (2018-2020), 852 (60.2%) participants exhibited depressive symptoms. The numbers of individuals with depressive symptoms in the T1, T2, and T3 groups were 324, 268, and 260, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that college students who participated in higher levels of physical activity decreased the risk of depressive symptoms by 34.2% [T2: OR(95%CI) = 0.658 (0.500-0.866)] and 38.9% [T3:OR(95%CI)=0.611(0.465-0.804)] compared with T1 group after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, healthrelated factors, and baseline depressive symptoms as covariates. The sexstratified analysis showed a negative correlation between physical activity levels and the incidence of depressive symptoms in female college students. Compared with T1 group, higher levels of physical activity reduced the incidence of depressive symptoms by 39.6% [T2: OR(95%CI)=0.604(0.445-0.820)] and 37.7% [T3: OR(95%CI)=0.623(0.459-0.846)], respectively (P<0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms in male college students (P>0.05).
Conclusions
There is an inverse relationship between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that schools should reduce the risk of depressive symptoms by promoting physical activity levels among college students.
9.Laboratory detection and molecular identification of a kala-azar case in Shenzhen
HUANG Dana ; LIU Xiaolian ; GAO Shitong ; LI yuan ; TANG Yijun ; ZHANG Qian ; PENG Bo ; YANG Fan ; NIU Cong ; ZHANG Renli
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(2):218-
Objective To perform laboratory detection and molecular traceability analysis on a case of imported kala-azar in Shenzhen to determine the infection strain. Methods Bone marrow puncture fluid and blood samples from a case of kala-azar in Shenzhen were collected for laboratory tests. The patient's bone marrow puncture fluid smears were stained with Giemsa and examined under a microscope. Blood samples were examined for antibodies using the rk39 visceral leishmania rapid diagnostic reagent. Whole blood DNA was extracted, and the ITS-1 sequence was amplified by PCR, sequenced and aligned, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the ITS-1 sequence. Results Microscopic examination of the patient's bone marrow smears revealed a large number of Leishmania amastigotes without flagella, confirming the diagnosis of kala-azar. The patient's blood was tested positive with the rk39 rapid diagnostic reagent, and PCR amplification yielded an ITS-1 gene product sequence that matched the expected size. Sequence alignment with the NCBI database showed 100% sequence similarity with the ITS-1 gene sequence of Leishmania infantum, confirming the infecting strain as Leishmania infantum. Phylogenetic tree construction of the amplified ITS-1 sequence revealed clustering into a clade with Leishmania infantum , and close to KC347299, one of the reference sequence selected. Conclusions The case of kala-azar in Shenzhen was caused by Leishmania infantum. Kala-azar still occurs in China, so the diagnostic technology of medical personnel in non-epidemic areas should be strengthened so that they can actively use new diagnostic technologies to assist in diagnosis, thus improving their prevention and control ability of Leishmania parasites.
10.Study on immune characteristic genes of rheumatoid arthritis and the relationship with flavonoids of Smilax glabra Roxb.
Xin YANG ; Cong HUANG ; Xueming YAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(3):484-490
Objective To use the GEO dataset and bioinformatics techniques,such as LASSO logistic regression,ssGSEA,and WGCNA,to screen for RA diagnostic markers and investigate the impact of earthly flavonoids in Smi-lax glabra Roxb.on specific immune cell infiltration,to screen for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)diagnostic markers on specific immune cell infiltration and to analyze the combination of flavonoids in Smilax glabra Roxb.and diagnostic markers.Methods The normal control group and RA gene chip were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.The R 4.3.0 WGCNA software package was used to integrate and analyze the dataset,identify co-expres-sion modules and associated trait information,and screen key modules closely related to RA.LASSO regression a-nalysis was performed using the glmnet package in R to identify characteristic genes for RA.The area under the re-ceiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the characteristic genes in RA.The gene expression data of the normal control group and RA group were subjected to quantitative immune cell infiltration analysis using the GSVA,limma,and GSEABase packages in R.The chemical components of earth-worm flavonoids in Smilax glabra Roxb.were analyzed based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS.The correlation between flavonoids and characteristic genes was assessed through molecular docking.Results The LASSO regres-sion algorithm selected 5 characteristic genes(apolipoprotein D,zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16,C-C chemokine receptor type 5,matrix metalloproteinase 1,coronin-1A).The area under ROC curve of all 5 character-istic genes was greater than 0.85,which exhibited positive correlations with various immune cells.Twenty earth-worm flavonoids of Smilax glabra Roxb.were identified using UHPLC-Q-Exactive/MS,and Mulberrin and Neobavaisoflavone were well combined with 5 immune characteristic genes.Conclusion Flavonoids compounds of Smilax glabra Roxb.have good combination with RA immune characteristic genes,providing a scientific basis for RA immunomodulation therapy and early diagnosis.


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