1.Mechanisms on Chronicity of Infectious Diseases from Warm Disease Theory of Pathogen Invading Nutrient and Blood Aspects: Integrating Classical Wisdom with Innovative Perspectives
Baixue LI ; Hang ZHOU ; Jibin LIU ; Xia LI ; Xiyang LIU ; Haihui LIU ; Peijie WU ; Dong WANG ; Cen JIANG ; Wenjun WU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):60-69
The chronicity of infectious diseases is an important field in the collaborative research of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The warm disease theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and cementation of Yin as the core pathogenesis, providing a unique theoretical framework for explaining the common pathology of infectious chronic diseases. This theory originated from Yin-Yang interaction in the Internal Classic and was enriched with WU Youke's theory of intruding pathogen interacting and lingering in blood vessels and YE Tianshi's theory of long-term illness entering collaterals. Combining the theory with modern medical knowledge, our team has condensed the dynamic pathogenesis model of deficiency (nutrient and blood aspects) and excess (pathogen) interacting in the blood collaterals of Yin aspect, the core feature of which is the four-dimensional interactions of cause (pathogen characteristics), location (three Yin locations of diseases), nature (deficiency and excess), and potential (transmission trend). The common pathology of infectious chronic diseases is reflected in interactions. That is, the interactions between nutrient and blood deficiency (immune exhaustion and metabolic disorder) and pathogen excess (pathogen persistence and fibrous hyperplasia) in the liver collaterals (Jueyin), kidney collaterals (Shaoyin), lung collaterals (Taiyin) and other blood collaterals of Yin aspect form the pathological damage characterized by immune inflammatory response-continuous tissue damage with excessive repair. Taking the inheritance and innovative development of classics as the main line, this paper systematically discusses the scientific connotation of the theory of pathogen invading nutrient and blood aspects and the paths of inheritance and innovation and clarifies the original significance of this theory in the chronic development of infectious diseases. Furthermore, taking clinical diseases as an example, this paper reflects the guiding value of this classical theory in the modern diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the application potential of this theory in solving complex medical problems through the construction of the innovative paradigm of precise diagnosis and treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
2.Investigating Molecular Mechanisms of Qijia Rougan Prescription and Its Key Effect or Ingredients Against Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Macrophage M2 Polarization
Li WEN ; Quansheng FENG ; Cen JIANG ; Baixue LI ; Dong WANG ; Jike LI ; Xia LI ; Fei WAN ; Yanfeng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):155-165
ObjectiveBased on the regulation of macrophage M2 polarization, this study aims to explore the molecular mechanism and action targets of the Qijia Rougan prescription and its key effector ingredients in anti-fibrosis, thereby providing a basis and reference for the development of new drugs for hepatic fibrosis. MethodsA rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of 40%CCl4, followed by oral administration of Qijia Rougan granules. The volume of collagen fibers was detected using Masson staining, the fibrosis markers Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA were detected using immunohistochemistry, the proportion of M2 macrophages was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of M2 macrophage phenotype markers CD163 and CD206 were detected using immunofluorescence double staining. Western blot was used to detect the levels of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB), interleukin-10 (IL-10), phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (p-JAK1), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (p-STAT6). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of JAK1, STAT6, Arginase 1(Arg1), and Fizz1. Based on the theory of serum pharmacology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and WENN analysis were used to obtain the active ingredients of Qijia Rougan prescription. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to analyze the effector ingredients and their targets. The identified effector ingredients were interfered with IL-4-induced M2 polarization of RAW264.7 macrophage in vitro to validate the targets. ResultsQijia Rougan prescription significantly reduced the content of fibrosis markers α-SMA and Collagen Ⅰ, as well as collagen fiber content (P<0.05). It decreased the proportion of M2 macrophages and the levels of related cytokines IL-10, TGF-β and PDGFB, and up-regulated the levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT6 (P<0.05). A total of 1 214 compounds were identified from Qijia Rougan prescription, medicated serum and blank serum, and 29 ingredients were finalized by Venn analysis, including 15 blood-entry prototypes and 14 drug metabolites. Molecular docking showed that enoxolone and berberine bound more strongly to JAK1, with binding free energies of -9.6 kcal·mol-1(1 cal≈4.184 J) and -9.1 kcal·mol-1, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that JAK1-enoxolone and JAK1-berberine exhibited stable simulation trajectories within 100 ns, with essentially identical conformations and high protein overlap before and after simulation. Their binding free energies were -25.18 5.0.81 kcal·mol-1 and -27.39 7.0.85 kcal·mol-1, respectively. The number of hydrogen bonds formed between JAK1 and enoxolone ranges from 0 to 5, and most of the time can be maintained at 2-3. In vitro intervention with enoxolone or berberine significantly reduced p-JAK1 and p-STAT6 levels (P<0.05). ConclusionQijia Rougan prescription inhibits M2 macrophage polarization in hepatic fibrosis. Enoxolone and berberine are the key effector ingredients of Qijia Rougan prescription to inhibit macrophage M2 polarization through targeting JAK1 and modulating the JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating hepatic fibrosis. This study provides a basis for prescription optimization, clinical application and new drug development, as well as a reference for monolithic anti-hepatic fibrosis research.
3.Predictive Efficacy and Nomoplot Prediction Model for Kawasaki Disease Children Combined with Coronary Artery Lesion was Established Based on Logistic Regression
Chang ZHOU ; Dong-yang LIU ; Jun-xia WANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(12):1969-1975
Objective:To explore the establishing Nomoplot prediction model for Kawasaki disease(KD)combined with coronary artery lesion(CAL)children was established based on logistic regression,and to evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods:The clinical data of 367 KD children who were admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,the children were divided into CAL(n=91)and NCAL(n=276)groups according to whether they had concurrent CAL.The influencing factors for CAL children combine with KD were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Nomoplot prediction model for CAL children combine with KD was constructed.The predictive efficacy of the Nomoplot prediction model for CAL children combine with KD was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:The incidence of CAL in 367 KD children was 24.80%(91/367),univariate analysis results showed that,the proportion of delayed intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG)treatment and the proportion of IVIG resistance in CAL group were higher than those in NCAL group(P<0.05),the fever duration was longer than that in NCAL group(P<0.05),and the age,hemoglobin(Hb)and platelet count(PLT)levels were lower than those in NCAL group(P<0.05),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP),C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),albumin(ALB)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels were higher than those in NCAL group(P<0.05).Delayed IVIG treatment,prolonged fever duration,elevated CRP,ESR and BNP levels were independent risk factors for CAL children combine with KD(P<0.05),Older age,elevated Hb level were protective factor(P<0.05).The predicted curve of the Nomoplot prediction model was in good agreement with the ideal curve,the area under the curve(AUC)of the model for predicting CAL children combine with KD was 0.971.Conclusions:Delayed IVIG treatment,fever duration,age and Hb,CRP,ESR and BNP are independent Influencing factors for CAL children combine with KD,the Nomoplot prediction model constructed based on the above logistic regression results has a high predictive value for CAL children combined with KD.
4.Comparison of active constituent contents and their biological activities of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe with different dosage forms
Yan-ran HE ; Jing WANG ; Jia-qiang XU ; Zhao-zhao XIA ; Ying-jiao LIU ; Zi-shu DONG ; Liang-shan MING ; Hong-ning LIU ; Qi-meng FAN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):357-364
AIM To compare total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,liquiritin,lobetyolin,quercetin,isoferulic acid,hesperidin,glycyrrhizic acid contents and their antioxidant activities,hypoglycemic activities of big honey pill,small honey pill,water pill,concentrated pill,granule,mixture and decoction of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe.METHODS Anthraquinone-sulfuric acid method,Coomassie brilliant blue method,Folin-phenol colorimetry method,sodium nitrite-aluminum nitrate method and HPLC were adopted in the content determination of total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and seven constituents,respectively,after which the scavenging capacities,reducing powers on DPPH·free radical,ABTS+free radical,hydroxyl free radical,and inhibition capacity on α-glucosidase activity were detected.Subsequently,correlation analysis was performed.RESULTS Total sugar,total protein,total phenol and total flavonoid contents demonstrated significant differences among different dosage forms(P<0.05,P<0.01).Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,glycyrrhizin,codonoside and quercetin displayed the highest contents in the decoction,while those of isoferulic acid,hesperidin and glycyrrhizin were observable in the mixture.The water pill exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity,while those of the concentrated pill and mixture were weak;the big honey pill exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic activity,while that of the decoction was the weakest.Total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and liquiritin contents displayed significant positive correlations between antioxidant activity(P<0.05,P<0.01),while hesperidin content displayed significant negative correlation between the latter(P<0.05);total protein,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,codonoside and quercetin contents displayed significant negative correlations between hypoglycemic activity(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Active constituent contents and their biological activities of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe with different dosage forms exist differences,total sugar,total protein,total flavonoids,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,licorice glycoside,hesperidin,codonoside and quercetin can be taken as quality control indices for this prescription.
5.LINC00973 regulates multidrug resistance of non-small-cell lung cancer through hsa-miR-150-5p/ABCG5 axis
Yunxiu XIA ; Hongliang DONG ; Cuilan LIU ; Fei WANG ; Bingjie CUI ; Weiwei CHEN ; Jing DU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(3):433-443
AIM:This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which LINC00973 regulates multidrug re-sistance of non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC).METHODS:The GEPIA database was employed to analyze the expres-sion levels of LINC00973 in NSCLC and its correlation with patient prognosis in clinical settings.RT-qPCR was utilized to assess LINC00973 expression in various NSCLC cell lines and chemoresistant cells.The migration,invasion,stemness ca-pacity,and drug sensitivity of NSCLC cells with either overexpression or knockdown of LINC00973 were evaluated using wound healing assay,Transwell assay,sphere formation assay,and CCK-8 assay.RNA sequencing was conducted on LINC00973-overexpressing and parental NSCLC cells to identify dysregulated pathways and targets.The LncBase Pre-dicted v.2 and TargetScan databases were used to predict the microRNAs(miRNAs)co-bound by LINC00973 and their target genes.Mimics and inhibitors of candidate miRNAs were synthesized and transfected into NSCLC cells subjected to LINC00973 overexpression or knockdown.Changes in the expression level of LINC00973,and the mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of its target genes were assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Analysis of the GEPIA da-tabase revealed that LINC00973 was significantly up-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcino-ma,correlating with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients.The LINC00973 expression was elevated in various NSCLC and chemoresistant cell lines(A549/DDP and A549/5-FU).Overexpression of LINC00973 in A549 and H520 cells markedly enhanced their migration,invasion,and stemness capabilities,while concurrently reducing sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapies.RNA sequencing,along with RT-qPCR results,indicated that ATP-binding cassette transporter G5(ABCG5)was activated in LINC00973-overexpressing A549 and H520 cells.Further database analyses and dual trans-fection experiments confirmed that LINC00973 regulated ABCG5 expression through competitive binding with hsa-miR-150-5p.CONCLUSION:LINC00973,which is aberrantly up-regulated in NSCLC specimens and associated with poor clinical prognosis,promotes the expression of ABCG5 through competitive binding with hsa-miR-150-5p.This interaction leads to en-hanced invasion,stemness,and multidrug resistance in NSCLC cells.
6.Predictive Efficacy and Nomoplot Prediction Model for Kawasaki Disease Children Combined with Coronary Artery Lesion was Established Based on Logistic Regression
Chang ZHOU ; Dong-yang LIU ; Jun-xia WANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(12):1969-1975
Objective:To explore the establishing Nomoplot prediction model for Kawasaki disease(KD)combined with coronary artery lesion(CAL)children was established based on logistic regression,and to evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods:The clinical data of 367 KD children who were admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,the children were divided into CAL(n=91)and NCAL(n=276)groups according to whether they had concurrent CAL.The influencing factors for CAL children combine with KD were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Nomoplot prediction model for CAL children combine with KD was constructed.The predictive efficacy of the Nomoplot prediction model for CAL children combine with KD was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:The incidence of CAL in 367 KD children was 24.80%(91/367),univariate analysis results showed that,the proportion of delayed intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG)treatment and the proportion of IVIG resistance in CAL group were higher than those in NCAL group(P<0.05),the fever duration was longer than that in NCAL group(P<0.05),and the age,hemoglobin(Hb)and platelet count(PLT)levels were lower than those in NCAL group(P<0.05),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP),C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),albumin(ALB)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels were higher than those in NCAL group(P<0.05).Delayed IVIG treatment,prolonged fever duration,elevated CRP,ESR and BNP levels were independent risk factors for CAL children combine with KD(P<0.05),Older age,elevated Hb level were protective factor(P<0.05).The predicted curve of the Nomoplot prediction model was in good agreement with the ideal curve,the area under the curve(AUC)of the model for predicting CAL children combine with KD was 0.971.Conclusions:Delayed IVIG treatment,fever duration,age and Hb,CRP,ESR and BNP are independent Influencing factors for CAL children combine with KD,the Nomoplot prediction model constructed based on the above logistic regression results has a high predictive value for CAL children combined with KD.
7.LINC00973 regulates multidrug resistance of non-small-cell lung cancer through hsa-miR-150-5p/ABCG5 axis
Yunxiu XIA ; Hongliang DONG ; Cuilan LIU ; Fei WANG ; Bingjie CUI ; Weiwei CHEN ; Jing DU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(3):433-443
AIM:This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which LINC00973 regulates multidrug re-sistance of non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC).METHODS:The GEPIA database was employed to analyze the expres-sion levels of LINC00973 in NSCLC and its correlation with patient prognosis in clinical settings.RT-qPCR was utilized to assess LINC00973 expression in various NSCLC cell lines and chemoresistant cells.The migration,invasion,stemness ca-pacity,and drug sensitivity of NSCLC cells with either overexpression or knockdown of LINC00973 were evaluated using wound healing assay,Transwell assay,sphere formation assay,and CCK-8 assay.RNA sequencing was conducted on LINC00973-overexpressing and parental NSCLC cells to identify dysregulated pathways and targets.The LncBase Pre-dicted v.2 and TargetScan databases were used to predict the microRNAs(miRNAs)co-bound by LINC00973 and their target genes.Mimics and inhibitors of candidate miRNAs were synthesized and transfected into NSCLC cells subjected to LINC00973 overexpression or knockdown.Changes in the expression level of LINC00973,and the mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of its target genes were assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Analysis of the GEPIA da-tabase revealed that LINC00973 was significantly up-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcino-ma,correlating with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients.The LINC00973 expression was elevated in various NSCLC and chemoresistant cell lines(A549/DDP and A549/5-FU).Overexpression of LINC00973 in A549 and H520 cells markedly enhanced their migration,invasion,and stemness capabilities,while concurrently reducing sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapies.RNA sequencing,along with RT-qPCR results,indicated that ATP-binding cassette transporter G5(ABCG5)was activated in LINC00973-overexpressing A549 and H520 cells.Further database analyses and dual trans-fection experiments confirmed that LINC00973 regulated ABCG5 expression through competitive binding with hsa-miR-150-5p.CONCLUSION:LINC00973,which is aberrantly up-regulated in NSCLC specimens and associated with poor clinical prognosis,promotes the expression of ABCG5 through competitive binding with hsa-miR-150-5p.This interaction leads to en-hanced invasion,stemness,and multidrug resistance in NSCLC cells.
8.Mechanism of Polygonum capitatum on atherosclerosis based on data mining
Zi YE ; Yun-pei WANG ; Yu-hui WANG ; Xun-de XIAN ; Xiao-jie LI ; Chun-hua HUANG ; Yuan-zhu LIAO ; Di-dong LOU ; Yi-xia ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2369-2378
Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.
9.Establishment and practice of scientific research project-based experimental system—exploration of"5+3"integration Medical Immunology experimental teaching
Haiying FU ; Yanling WANG ; Hongyan YUAN ; Dongmei YAN ; Weihua NI ; Yan QI ; Dong LI ; Xia CHEN ; Wei YANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):195-197,201
Theory and technology of Medical Immunology are widely used in scientific research.Our teaching and research group uses experimental teaching of Medical Immunology as a platform to carry out practice of scientific research project-based experi-mental system among"5+3"integration students.By completing a mini-project research including experimental design-experimental operation-research article writing,students cultivated scientific research thinking and exercised scientific research practice ability,and generally reported that the course is very difficult,but after completing it,it is very rewarding.
10.High glucose inhibits expression of KIAA0753 and CCSAP proteins and disrupts osteoblast differentiation in mouse embryonic osteoblast progenitors MC3T3-E1 through impaired calcium signal transduction
Ji-chun WANG ; Zheng-xia QIAN ; Meng-xue LI ; Chang-dong WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):456-465
Aim To explore the effects of high glucose on KIAA0753 and CCSAP and the relationship between KIAA0753 and CCSAP and osteogenic differentiation and calcium signaling pathway under high glucose con-ditions.Methods Mouse embryonic osteoblast pre-cursor cells(MC3T3-E1)were induced by osteoblast medium with glucose concentrations of 5.5 and 25 mmol·L-1,and the protein expressions of KIAA0753 and CCSAP were detected by Western blot.The over-expressed plasmid was transfected into human embry-onic kidney cells(HEK-293T),and the interaction between KIAA0753 and CCSAP was detected by co-im-munoprecipitation.MC3T3-E1 cells were treated in the osteogenic medium with different glucose concentrations and induction times.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)ac-tivity was detected with a kit.The expression of KI-AA0753,CCSAP,osteopontin,osteocalcin,and other proteins were assessed using Western blot.and then 5.5,25 mmol·L-1,and 25 mmol·L-1+OE-CCSAP three groups of MC3T3-E1 cells were set.The expression of KIAA0753,OCN,OPN protein,and ALP activity were detected successively.The diabetic mouse model dataset in Gene Expression Omnibus was used to screen differential genes for bioinformatics a-nalysis.MC3T3-E1 cells were set up in three groups,5.5,25 mmol·L-1,and 25 mmol·L-1+OE-KI-AA0753,respectively.The calcium/calmodulin-de-pendent protein kinase Ⅱ beta(CAMK2B)and phos-pholamban(PLN)were detected by Western blot.Re-sults Compared with the 5.5 mmol·L-1 group,25 mmol·L-1 inhibited the expression of KIAA0753 and CCSAP proteins in osteoblasts,and there was an inter-action between KIAA0753 and CCSAP.At the same time,25 mmol·L-1 also inhibited the expression of ALP,OPN,and OCN proteins in osteoblasts.Overex-pression of CCSAP at 25 mmol·L-1 up-regulated the expression of KIAA0753,OCN,OPN,and ALP.The differential genes of the diabetic mouse model were mainly concentrated in the aspects of"signal receptor and signal regulation".25 mmol·L-1 glucose inhibi-ted the expression of CAMK2B and PLN proteins in os-teoblasts,and overexpression of KIAA0753 at 25 mmol·L-1 upregulated the expression of CAMK2B and PLN proteins.Conclusions High glucose inhibits the expression of KIAA0753 and CCSAP protein,inhibits the osteogenic differentiation and calcium signaling in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells,overex-pression of CCSAP saves the inhibitory effect of high glucose on osteogenic differentiation,and overexpres-sion of KIAA0753 reverses the inhibitory effect of high glucose on calcium signaling pathway.

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