1.Characteristic ion Identification of Different Original Haliotidis Concha and Its Counterfeits
Xiaojie LIANG ; Guowei LI ; Lin ZHOU ; Qiping HU ; Muxiang LUO ; Jiehao TANG ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Liye PAN ; Dongmei SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):263-269
ObjectiveTo establish a method for the identification of Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and to improve its quality evaluation method. MethodsA total of 17 batches of Haliotis discus hannai, 4 batches of H. ruber, 3 batches of H. laevigata, 3 batches of H. ovina, 3 batches of H. diversicolor, 3 batches of H. asinina, 3 batches of H. iris were collected. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS/MS) was used to analyze the hydrolysates of different original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and the potential characteristic ions of each species were screened by Venn diagram. UPLC-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) was used to validate the characteristic ions, and the specific detection method of the characteristic ions was established. ResultsA total of 1 182, 167, 47, 89, 104, 203, 424 potential characteristic ions were screened from H. discus hannai, H. ruber, H. laevigata, H. ovina, H. diversicolor, H. asinina and H. iris, respectively. And 9 characteristic ions were selected. The precision, stability and repeatability of the 9 characteristic ions in the established identification method met the requirements. Different original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits could detect their own characteristic ions, including m/z 631.83-886.48(double charge) and m/z 631.83-443.74(double charge) of H. discus hannai, m/z 699.28-232.11(double charge) and m/z 699.28-544.27(double charge) of H. ruber, m/z 535.76-752.37(double charge) and m/z 535.76-548.28(double charge) of H. laevigata, m/z 708.35-442.28(double charge) and m/z 708.35-215.14(double charge) of H. ovina, m/z 561.33-614.86(triple charge), m/z 561.33-468.28(triple charge), m/z 608.29-618.32(double charge) and m/z 608.29-390.21(double charge) of H. diversicolor, m/z 769.85-274.10(double charge), m/z 769.85-532.75(double charge), m/z 827.43-646.36(single charge), m/z 827.43-257.12(single charge) of H. asinina, and m/z 468.24-576.29(double charge) and m/z 468.24-505.26(double charge) of H. iris. ConclusionIn this study, a total of 9 characteristic ions are screened from 6 kinds of original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and a specific identification method is established, which is helpful to solve the limitations of the existing quality evaluation methods of Haliotidis Concha, and provide a basis for the production, circulation and medication quality.
2.Characteristic ion Identification of Different Original Haliotidis Concha and Its Counterfeits
Xiaojie LIANG ; Guowei LI ; Lin ZHOU ; Qiping HU ; Muxiang LUO ; Jiehao TANG ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Liye PAN ; Dongmei SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):263-269
ObjectiveTo establish a method for the identification of Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and to improve its quality evaluation method. MethodsA total of 17 batches of Haliotis discus hannai, 4 batches of H. ruber, 3 batches of H. laevigata, 3 batches of H. ovina, 3 batches of H. diversicolor, 3 batches of H. asinina, 3 batches of H. iris were collected. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS/MS) was used to analyze the hydrolysates of different original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and the potential characteristic ions of each species were screened by Venn diagram. UPLC-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) was used to validate the characteristic ions, and the specific detection method of the characteristic ions was established. ResultsA total of 1 182, 167, 47, 89, 104, 203, 424 potential characteristic ions were screened from H. discus hannai, H. ruber, H. laevigata, H. ovina, H. diversicolor, H. asinina and H. iris, respectively. And 9 characteristic ions were selected. The precision, stability and repeatability of the 9 characteristic ions in the established identification method met the requirements. Different original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits could detect their own characteristic ions, including m/z 631.83-886.48(double charge) and m/z 631.83-443.74(double charge) of H. discus hannai, m/z 699.28-232.11(double charge) and m/z 699.28-544.27(double charge) of H. ruber, m/z 535.76-752.37(double charge) and m/z 535.76-548.28(double charge) of H. laevigata, m/z 708.35-442.28(double charge) and m/z 708.35-215.14(double charge) of H. ovina, m/z 561.33-614.86(triple charge), m/z 561.33-468.28(triple charge), m/z 608.29-618.32(double charge) and m/z 608.29-390.21(double charge) of H. diversicolor, m/z 769.85-274.10(double charge), m/z 769.85-532.75(double charge), m/z 827.43-646.36(single charge), m/z 827.43-257.12(single charge) of H. asinina, and m/z 468.24-576.29(double charge) and m/z 468.24-505.26(double charge) of H. iris. ConclusionIn this study, a total of 9 characteristic ions are screened from 6 kinds of original Haliotidis Concha and its counterfeits, and a specific identification method is established, which is helpful to solve the limitations of the existing quality evaluation methods of Haliotidis Concha, and provide a basis for the production, circulation and medication quality.
3.Mechanism of acupuncture for chronic blunt injury of lumbar muscle based on IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Qun CHEN ; Dongmei WANG ; Zhengyu YANG ; Xiulian ZHENG ; Jianping LIN ; Shaoqing CHEN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(12):1759-1769
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL40) on microcirculation of paravertebral skeletal muscle in rats with chronic blunt injury of lumbar muscle based on the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway.
METHODS:
Forty-eight SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a blank group (8 rats) and a modeling group (40 rats). Chronic blunt injury model was established by weight impact method in the modeling group. Forty rats were successfully modeled, and were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture at Weizhong group (Weizhong group), an acupuncture at non-acupoint group (non-acupoint group), an inhibitor group, and an inhibitor+acupuncture at Weizhong group (inhibitor+Weizhong group), 8 rats in each group. In the Weizhong group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral "Weizhong" (BL40). In the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was applied at non-acupoints, i.e. points 0.5 cm inward from bilateral "Weizhong" (BL40). The acupuncture intervention was delivered 20 min each time, once a day for continuous 2 weeks. In the inhibitor group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, intraperitoneal injection of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor was given once a day, at a dosage of 2 mg/100 g, for continuous 2 weeks. Before modeling and on the 1st, 7th and 14th days of intervention, the body mass was measured. Before and after modeling, and after intervention, the limb grip strength and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) were measured. After intervention, the morphology of psoas muscle was observed by HE staining; the ultrastructure of psoas muscle capillaries was observed by electron microscopy; the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were detected by ELISA; and the protein and mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, AKT of psoas muscle was detected by Western blot and real-time PCR.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the body mass on the 7th and 14th days of intervention, the limb grip strength, and the PWT of left and right hind feet were decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01); the skeletal muscle cells showed enlarged intercellular space, loosely arranged and irregularly shaped, the capillaries in the psoas muscle tissues were edematous, and the lumen of the blood vessels was obviously atrophied; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K and AKT was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the Weizhong group, the body weight was increased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.001), the limb grip strength and the PWT of the left and right hind feet were increased (P<0.001, P<0.01); the arrangement of the skeletal muscle cells was relatively tight and the intercellular space was reduced, the blood vessels tended to be regular and the structure of the basement membrane was continuous, while the lumens of blood vessels were collapsed locally; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were increased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT values were increased (P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K and AKT was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the inhibitor group, the body mass was decreased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01); the limb grip strength and the PWT of the left hind foot were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001); the intercellular space of skeletal muscle cells was larger, the nuclei of the cells and erythrocytes were scattered in the intercellular space, the damage of the capillaries in the muscular tissues was serious, the collagen fibers were sparsely distributed and disorganized; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, and AKT was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). Compared with the Weizhong group, in the non-acupoint group and the inhibitor+Weizhong group, the body mass was decreased on the 7th and 14th days of intervention (P<0.001, P<0.01), the limb grip strength was decreased (P<0.001); the morphology of muscle cell was relatively poor, with generally irregular, there was mild collapse and atrophy in the vascular lumen, and mild edema in the endothelial cells; the levels of serum VEGF and eNOS were decreased (P<0.001); in psoas muscle, the protein expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R, as well as the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT values were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, PI3K, and AKT was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the Weizhong group, the PWT of the left hind foot was decreased in the non-acupoint group (P<0.001), and PWT of the left and right hind feet was decreased in the inhibitor+Weizhong group (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL40) promotes lumbar muscle repair in chronic low back pain, its mechanism may be related to the activation of the IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby improving the microcirculation.
Animals
;
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Wounds, Nonpenetrating/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
4.3D Pulse Image Detection and Pulse Pattern Recognition Based on Subtle Motion Magnification Technology.
Chongyang YAO ; Yongxin CHOU ; Zhiwei LIANG ; Haiping YANG ; Jicheng LIU ; Dongmei LIN
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2025;49(3):255-262
To address the problem of large reconstruction errors in 3D pulse signals caused by excessively small out-of-plane displacement of the contact membrane in the existing traditional Chinese medicine fingertip tactile binocular vision detection technology, this study proposes a 3D pulse image detection method based on subtle motion magnification technology and explores its application in pulse pattern recognition. Firstly, a 3D pulse image detection system based on binocular vision to obtain pulse image signals is developed as experimental data. Then, the phase motion video magnification algorithm is used to amplify the original signals, and the amplified signals are reconstructed in three dimensions to obtain 3D pulse signals. On this basis, nine features are extracted from the 3D pulse signals and features selection is performed using a two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Finally, machine learning algorithms such as decision trees and random forests are used to identify the five types of pulse conditions: deep pulse, intermittent pulse, flooding pulse, slippery pulse, and rapid pulse. The experimental results show that compared to the methods without subtle motion magnification technology, the proposed method significantly improves waveform clarity, amplitude stability, and periodic regularity. Meanwhile, the average accuracy in pulse pattern recognition reaches 96.29%±0.26%.
Algorithms
;
Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods*
;
Pattern Recognition, Automated
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Motion
;
Humans
;
Pulse
;
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
;
Machine Learning
5.Color Space Method Combined with Chemometrics to Determine Processing Degree of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata
Liuying QIN ; Yao HUANG ; Lifan GAN ; Yuanjun LIU ; Congyou DENG ; Dongmei SUN ; Lijin LIANG ; Lin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):201-210
ObjectiveTo study the changing law of appearance color and physicochemical properties of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata(ASRC) during the processing by color space method combined with statistical analysis, so as to provide reference for determining the processing endpoint and evaluating the quality of the decoction pieces. MethodsTaking processing time(4, 8, 12, 16 min) and temperature(180, 200, 220, 240 ℃) as factors, ASRC decoction pieces with different processing degrees were prepared in a completely randomized design. Then, the brightness value(L*), red-green value(a*), yellow-blue value(b*), and total chromaticity value (E*ab) of the decoction pieces were determined by spectrophotometer, the color difference value(ΔE) was calculated, and the data of colorimetric values were analyzed by discriminant analysis. At the same time, the pH, charcoal adsorption, and contents of tannins, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF), tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H and ligustilide of ASRC with different processing degrees were determined by pH meter, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to analyze the data of physicochemical indexes, after determining the processing technology of ASRC, the canonical discriminant function was established to distinguish the decoction pieces with different processing degrees, and leave-one-out cross validation was conducted. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between various physicochemical indexes and chromaticity values. ResultsWith the prolongation of the processing time, L*, a*, b* and E*ab all showed a decreasing trend, and the established discriminant model based on color parameters was able to distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees. The pH showed an increasing trend with the prolongation of processing time, and the charcoal adsorption, and the contents of tannins, 5-HMF, and tryptophan all showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. Among them, the charcoal adsorption, contents of tannin and 5-HMF reached their maximum values successively after processing for 8-12 min. While the contents of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H and ligustilide decreased with the increase of processing time, with a decrease of 60%-80% at 8 min of processing. Therefore, the optimal processing time should be determined to be 8-12 min. PCA could clearly distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees, while temperature had no significant effect on the processing degree. The 12 batches of process validation results(10 min, 180-240 ℃) showed that except for 3 batches identified as class Ⅱ light charcoal, all other batches were identified as class Ⅲ standard charcoal, and the chromaticity values of each batch of ASRC were within the reference range of class Ⅱ-Ⅲ sample chromaticity values. The correlation analysis showed that the chromaticity values were negatively correlated with pH and charcoal adsorption, and positively correlated with contents of tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, and ligustilide. And both pH and charcoal adsorption were negatively correlated with the contents of the above components, but the charcoal adsorption was positively correlated with the content of 5-HMF. ConclusionThe chromaticity values and the contents of various physicochemical indicators of ASRC undergo significant changes with the prolongation of processing time, and there is a general correlation between chromaticity values and various physicochemical indicators. Based on the changes in color and physicochemical indicators, the optimal processing time for ASRC is determined to be 8-12 min. This study reveals the dynamic changes of the relevant indexes in the processing of ASRC, which can provide a reference for the discrimination of the processing degree and the quantitative study of the processing endpoint.
6.Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury (version 2025)
Aijun XU ; Shuixia LI ; Bo CHEN ; Mengyuan YE ; Lejiao LANG ; Ning NING ; Lin ZHANG ; Changqing LIU ; Zhonglan CHEN ; Weihu MA ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoning WANG ; Dongmei BIAN ; Jiancheng ZENG ; Xin WANG ; Yuan GAO ; Yaping CHEN ; Jiali CHEN ; Yun HAN ; Xiuting LI ; Yang ZHOU ; Xiaojing SU ; Qiong ZHANG ; Tianwen HUANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Hua LIN ; Xingling XIAO ; Ruifeng XU ; Fanghui DONG ; Bing HAN ; Luo FAN ; Yanling PEI ; Suyun LI ; Xiaoju TAN ; Rongchen GUO ; Yefang ZOU ; Xiaoyun HAN ; Junqin DING ; Yi WANG ; Shuhua DENG ; Jinli GUO ; Yinhua LIANG ; Yuan CEN ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Junru CHEN ; Haiyang YU ; Lunlan LI ; Ying REN ; Yunxia LI ; Jianli LU ; Ying YING ; Lan WEI ; Yin WANG ; Qinhong XU ; Yanqin ZHANG ; Yang LYU ; Shijun ZHANG ; Sui WENJIE ; Sanlian HU ; Shuhong YANG ; Guoqing LI ; Jingjing AN ; Baorong HE ; Leling FENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(6):530-541
Paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury is a serious neurological complication, for which surgery is currently the main treatment method. Due to different surgical approaches, patients are usually expected to maintain a passive prone position for a long time or switch between the supine and prone positions. Affected by multiple factors such as neurogenic sensory disorders, pathological changes in muscle tone and operative duration, the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) is significantly increased. Current clinical prevention strategies for IAPI in these patients predominantly focus on localized pressure relief during positioning, lacking systematic, standardized comprehensive prevention protocols or evidence-based guidelines. To address it, Department of Nursing, Orthopedics Branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, Spinal Trauma Professional Committee, Orthopedics Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Nursing Group of Spine and Spinal Cord Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine organized experts in relevant fields to formulate Guideline for the prevention of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury ( version 2025), based on evidence-based medical evidence and latest research results and clinical practice at home and abroad. Eleven recommendations were put forward from the aspects of preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative prevention strategies, postoperative handover and monitoring, and supportive mechanisms for IAPI prevention, aiming to standardize the prevention measures and management strategies of IAPI in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of patients and improve the therapeutic effect.
7.Association between different types of tea intake and risk of COVID-19 infection:a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Congzhi WANG ; Binghong BAO ; Ziyue ZHANG ; Kang ZHAO ; Yulu ZHANG ; Liu YANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Xiaoping LI ; Min WANG
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(2):160-167
Objective:To investigate the relationship between different types of tea intake and COVID-19 infection.Methods:Data were retrieved from a genome-wide association study(GWAS),involving 447 485,and 64 949 people for single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).Two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis was used to investigate the relationship of different types of tea intake with four subgroups of COVID-19 infected population,including COVID-19 infected population versus general population,COVID-19 hospitalized population versus general population,COVID-19 hospitalized population versus non-hospitalized population,and very severe respiratory confirmed population versus general population.Inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method was used as the main method of causal analysis.MR Egger intercept was used for pleiotropy test,and Cochran's Q-statistic was used for heterogeneity test.Results:Compared to the general population,tea intake decreased the incidence of COVID-19 in the infection population(IVW method,OR=0.806,95%CI:0.651-0.999),and the hospitalized population(IVW method,OR=0.533,95%CI:0.369-0.770).Additionally,the underlying pleiotropy was not found following the MR-Egger regression intercept(MR intercept=-0.002,P=0.667),and the Cochran's Q-statistic showed no heterogeneity(Q-statistic=52.712,P=0.057).Compared to the general population,the underlying pleiotropy in the hospitalized patients was not found by MR-Egger regression intercept(MR intercept=-0.001,P=0.909),and the Cochran's Q-statistic showed no heterogeneity(Q-statistic=25.214,P=0.945).However,green tea and herbal tea had no effect on COVID-19 infection.Conclusions:Overall tea intake reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection in the general population compared to COVID-19 infected and hospitalized populations,while green tea and herbal tea have no protective effect against COVID-19 infection.
8.Effects and mechanisms of GLPP on antioxidant stress and immune inflammation in kidney of diabetes nephropathy mice
Danrong JIANG ; Xiaoping KANG ; Dongmei LIN ; Lianfu WANG ; Yuhong YOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):39-45
Objective:To study the effect and mechanism of ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide(GLPP)on renal anti oxidative stress and immune inflammation in diabetes nephropathy mice.Methods:The C57 male mice model of diabetes nephropathy was established by streptozotocin combined with high glucose and high-fat diet.Sixty diabetes nephropathy mice were divided into model group,losartan group,GLPP group(low,medium and high dose groups),GLPP high-dose+losartan group,with 10 mice in each group,10 mice fed with normal diet as the blank group.The losartan group was given 10 mg/kg losartan by gavage,and GLPP low,medium and high dose groups was given 50,100,and 200 mg/kg GLPP by gavage,while the GLPP high-dose+losartan group were given 200 mg/kg GLPP+10 mg/kg losartan by gavage.The blank group and model group were given physiological saline by gavage.After gastric lavage,observe the diet,water intake,renal pathology,structure,and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice,and analyze the levels of blood biochemical indicators,immune inflammation,oxidative stress indicators,and expression of apoptosis/cycle regulatory proteins in mice.Results:Compared with the blank group,the model group showed an increase in blood biochemical indicators such as Scr,BUN,TC,TG and GSP(P<0.05),as well as inflammation indicators such as level of IL-6 and TNF-α、MCP-1 were decreased(P<0.05),the oxidative stress indicator MDA was increased,T-AOC,GSH-PX,SOD were decreased(P<0.05),the apoptosis rate of renal tubular epithelial cells were increased(P<0.05),the expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,P53,P21 were all increased,and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the losartan group,GLPP dose groups,GLPP high-dose+losartan group Scr,BUN,TC,TG,GSP,IL-6,TNF-α,MCP-1,MDA levels,apoptosis rate of renal tubular epithelial cells,Bax,Caspase-3,P53,P21 expression levels were all reduced,while T-AOC,SOD,GSH-PX levels,Bcl-2,and Cyclin D1 expression levels were all increased.Renal pathological changes were improved,and mitochondrial swelling was reduced.The GLPP high-dose+losartan group showed the most significant improvement(P<0.05).Conclusion:GLPP can reverse the renal injury in diabetes nephropathy mice,which may be related to the inhibition of apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by alleviating renal oxidative stress and immune inflammatory damage.
9.Effects of metformin on gut microbiota and short-/medium-chain fatty acids in high-fat diet rats.
Ying SHI ; Lin XING ; Shanyu WU ; Fangzhi YUE ; Tianqiong HE ; Jing ZHANG ; Lingxuan OUYANG ; Suisui GAO ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):851-863
OBJECTIVES:
Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats.
METHODS:
Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids.
RESULTS:
Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
;
Metformin/pharmacology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
;
Rats
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
;
Fatty Acids/metabolism*
10.Research progress in hepatotoxicity of toxic traditional Chinese medicines in 2025 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China
Lin XU ; Qiuyu HUANG ; Dongmei YAN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(9):689-702
Toxic Chinese herbal medicines(TCHMs)both represent a unique class of therapeutic agents that exhibit both potent efficacy("using toxins to combat pathogens and often curing critical con-ditions")and pose safety concerns("potentially causing severe harm").Balancing clinical effectiveness with safe applications remains a priority of research for these substances.This review summarizes the hepatotoxic mechanisms,research progress,detoxification strategies and clinical challenges associated with TCHMs documented in the 2025 Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(Volume Ⅰ)in the hope of providing evidence-based insights into the safe and rational clinical use of these hepatotoxic herbs.

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