1.Proteomics and Network Pharmacology Reveal Mechanism of Xiaoer Huatan Zhike Granules in Treating Allergic Cough
Youqi DU ; Yini XU ; Jiajia LIAO ; Chaowen LONG ; Shidie TAI ; Youwen DU ; Song LI ; Shiquan GAN ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ling TAO ; Shuying YANG ; Lingyun FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):69-79
ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacological mechanism involved in the treatment of allergic cough (AC) by Xiaoer Huatan Zhike granules (XEHT) based on proteomics and network pharmacology. MethodsAfter sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL suspension containing 2 mg ovalbumin (OVA) and 100 mg aluminum hydroxide, a guinea pig model of allergic cough was constructed by nebulization with 1% OVA. The modeled guinea pigs were randomized into the model, low-, medium- and high-dose (1, 5, 20 g·kg-1, respectively) XEHT, and sodium montelukast (1 mg·kg-1) groups (n=6), and another 6 guinea pigs were selected as the blank group. The guinea pigs in drug administration groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline by gavage, 1 time·d-1. After 10 consecutive days of drug administration, the guinea pigs were stimulated by 1% OVA nebulization, and the coughs were observed. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to observe the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was employed observe the alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell ultrastructure. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of IL-6, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and TNF-α in the lung tissue. Label-free proteomics was used to detect the differential proteins among groups. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets of XEHT in treating AC. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed to search for the same pathways from the results of proteomics and network pharmacology. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed increased coughs (P<0.01), elevated levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and lowered level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated levels of IgA and IgG in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), congestion of the lung tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01), large areas of low electron density edema in type Ⅱ epithelial cells, obvious swelling and vacuolization of the organelles, karyopyknosis or sparse and dissolved chromatin, and up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug administration groups showed reduced coughs (P<0.01), lowered levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA and elevated level of SOD in the BALF (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated lung tissue congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, and type Ⅱ epithelial cell injury, and decreased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.01). In addition, the medium-dose XEHT group and the montelukast sodium group showcased lowered serum levels of IgA and IgG (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose XEHT groups and the montelukast sodium showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the low-dose XEHT group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01). Phospholipase D, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinase (ErbB) signaling pathways were the common pathways predicted by both proteomics and network pharmacology. ConclusionProteomics combined with network pharmacology reveal that XEHT can ameliorate AC by regulating the phospholipase D, mTOR, and ErbB signaling pathways.
2.Therapeutic role of miR-26a on cardiorenal injury in a mice model of angiotensin-II induced chronic kidney disease through inhibition of LIMS1/ILK pathway.
Weijie NI ; Yajie ZHAO ; Jinxin SHEN ; Qing YIN ; Yao WANG ; Zuolin LI ; Taotao TANG ; Yi WEN ; Yilin ZHANG ; Wei JIANG ; Liangyunzi JIANG ; Jinxuan WEI ; Weihua GAN ; Aiqing ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Bin WANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):193-204
BACKGROUND:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD.
METHODS:
We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/metabolism*
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Angiotensin II/toxicity*
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Mice
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Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced*
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Mice, Knockout
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Disease Models, Animal
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Male
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Signal Transduction/genetics*
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LIM Domain Proteins/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Cell Line
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Humans
3.Interventional effect and mechanism of 1,8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes
Hong YANG ; Pengyan REN ; Yongxin CHEN ; Yuting YAO ; Shiquan GAN ; Jia LIU ; Tingting CHEN ; Bao ZHANG ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Yue LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):290-295
OBJECTIVE To study the interventional effect and mechanism of 1,8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes. METHODS In vitro ferroptosis model was established in pancreatic β cells of mice by using high glucose. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1,8-cineole (0.25, 0.5 μmol/L) on the level of Fe2+ in pancreatic β cells were investigated. The effects of 1,8-cineole (0.5 μmol/L) combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin (20 μmol/L) and ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (20 μmol/L) on the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) were also detected. The type 2 diabetes model mice were established by feeding high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1,8-cineole (50, 200 mg/kg) on the pathological morphology of pancreatic tissue, the content of iron as well as the protein expressions of GPX4 and COX2 were investigated. RESULTS The results of the cell experiment showed that compared with the model group, pretreatment with 1,8-cineole significantly reduced intracellular Fe2+ levels and upregulated GPX4 protein expression, while downregulated COX2 protein expression in pancreatic β cells (P<0.05). After combining with Ferrostatin-1, the expression trends of the above two proteins were the same, while there was no statistically significant difference after combining with Erastin. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group, after intervention with 1,8-cineole, the structure of the pancreatic islets in mice recovered intact and their morphology improved; the iron content of pancreatic tissue and protein expression of COX2 were decreased significantly (P<0.05), while protein expression of GPX4 was increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS 1,8-cineole could ameliorate pancreatic β cell injury induced by diabetes, the mechanism of which may be related to reducing intracellular iron deposition and regulating ferroptosis-related proteins.
4.Discussion on the protective effect of Huoxue Rongluo Decoction on HIBD rats based on AMPK signaling pathway
Tianfeng SHEN ; Na GAN ; Yuqing XIE ; Chuxing HE ; Shujing CHEN ; Fangying WU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(7):881-888
Objective:To investigate the protective effects of Huoxue Rongluo Decoction on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) rats; To clarify the expression of AMPK signaling pathway during HIBD injury and repair.Methods:On the basis of the hypoxia ischemia reperfusion model, an improved hypoxia bottle was used to establish a full-term HIBD rat model. Totally 60 successfully modeled mice were divided into model group and TCM group using a random number table method, with 30 mice in each group and 30 mice in a control group. Two hours before surgery, TCM group was orally administered with Huoxue Rongluo Decoction 1.17 g/100 g (equivalent dose). The control group and model group were orally administered with equal volume of physiological saline. Two hours after surgery, it was orally administered again, twice a day, for consecutive 5 d. Behavioral tests (convulsion assessment, Longa score, suspension test, water maze test) were used to evaluate the motor nerve function and long-term learning ability of young rats in different groups. HE staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the pathological changes of brain tissue and mitochondrial damage. Evans blue (EB) staining and brain water content measurement were used to detect blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema. The expression of AMPK signaling pathway related genes in brain tissues of different groups of young rats was detected by PCR array technique.Results:Compared with the model group, the convulsions of the rats in the TCM group were improved, the Longa score was significantly reduced, the grip strength test score and suspension time were significantly improved, the escape latency was significantly shortened, and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased ( P<0.05); the degree of neuronal and mitochondrial damage in the TCM group was reduced, and cerebral vascular permeability and brain water content were significantly reduced ( P<0.01). The results of PCR array showed that compared with the control group, 2 genes were significantly up-regulated and 12 genes were significantly down-regulated in the brain tissue of the model group; compared with TCM group, 15 genes were relatively down-regulated in the model group. Conclusion:Huoxue Rongluo Decoction can significantly reduce the degree of brain injury after HIBD, improve the motor nerve function and long-term learning and cognitive ability of model rats, and its damage repair mechanism is related to the expression regulation of AMPK signaling pathway related genes.
5.Mediating effect of parental hostile attribution bias on depression and anxiety between parents and children
SHEN Lianxiang ; MAO Wenjuan ; WANG Yongguang ; SHEN Zhihua ; GAN Junyi
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(6):479-482
Objective:
To explore the mediating effect of parental hostile attribution bias on depression and anxiety between parents and children, so as to provide the reference for the promotion of children's mental health.
Methods:
Students of grades 2-6 in two public primary schools in Linping District, Hangzhou City and their parents were investigated using stratified sampling method in November 2022. Emotions of children were surveyed using Depression Self-Rating Scale for Child (DSRSC) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), while emotions and hostile attribution bias of parents were surveyed using Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Social Cognitive Screening Questionnaire (SCSQ). Mediating effect of parental hostile attribution bias on depression and anxiety between parents and children was analyzed using a structural equation model.
Results:
Totally 300 questionnaires were allocated, and 263 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 87.67%. There were 137 boys (52.09%), and 126 girls (47.91%), with a mean age of (9.95±1.44) years. There were 69 fathers and 194 mothers investigated. The prevalence of depression among parents was 27.00%, the prevalence of anxiety among parents was 4.18%, and the median score of hostile attribution bias was 1.00 (interquartile range, 2.00). The prevalence of depression among children was 11.03%, and the prevalence of anxiety among children was 29.66%. Parents' depression and anxiety affected children's depression and anxiety directly (effect value=0.270, 95%CI: 0.131-0.436), and also indirectly affected children's depression and anxiety by increasing their hostile attribution bias (effect value=0.028, 95%CI: 0.004-0.082), with the mediating effect contributed 9.40% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Parents' depression and anxiety affect children's depression and anxiety directly or indirectly through hostile attribution bias.
6.Analysis of reasons for failure in screening healthy menopausal female subjects in a bioequivalence trial
Zhen SHEN ; Lian-Lian FAN ; MU-Peng LI ; Chun-Yan GAN ; Jian-Zhong SHENTU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2572-2574
Objective To clarify and analyze the reasons for failure in screening healthy menopausal female in a bioequivalence trial.Methods To summarize and clarify the data of 185 healthy menopausal female subjects participating in a bioequivalence trial of estradiol valerate conducted,and summarize the reasons for screening failure.Results The main reasons for screening failure include laboratory tests(32.04%),gynecological transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound(16.57%),vital signs(14.36%),chest computed tomography(CT,11.60%),and medical history/medication history(7.73%).Conclusion Screening failures in healthy menopausal female subjects were characterized mainly by abnormal gynecological transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound and non-compliance with basal hormone levels compared to generally healthy subjects.
7.Analysis of the efficacy of adjusting the dose of imatinib with therapeutic drug monitoring in adjuvant treatment after complete resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Zhiliang CHEN ; Hongkun TIAN ; Jianing DING ; Zhiying LI ; Gan MAO ; Yuqiang DU ; Qian SHEN ; Hong ZHOU ; Yong HAN ; Xiangyu ZENG ; Kaixiong TAO ; Peng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(11):1148-1154
Objective:To explore the efficacy of adjusting the dose of imatinib dose in the context of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) who are receiving adjuvant therapy after complete resection of their tumors.Methods:This was a descriptive study. Inclusion criteria were (1) complete surgical resection with a pathological diagnosis of GIST, (2) postoperative adjuvant therapy with imatinib and dosage adjustment, (3) multiple TDM of imatinib, and (4) complete clinical, pathological, and follow-up data. The data of 70 patients with GISTs treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between January 2015 and December 2023 were collected retrospectively. The study cohort comprised 15 (21.4%) men and 55 (78.6%) women of median age 60 years (range: 25–82). Of the eligible patients, 49 (70.0%) were at high-risk, 14 (20.0%) at intermediate-risk, six (8.6%) at low-risk, and one (1.4%) at very low risk. Patients were followed up by the gastrointestinal stromal tumor clinic every 2–3 months and their plasma concentrations of imatinib were checked. The dose was adjusted to 300 mg/d or 200 mg/d depending on whether they had had ≥ grade III adverse reactions, and whether the first plasma concentration of imatinib was ≥ 1,500 μg/L or between the expected range of 760 μg/L–1,100 μg/L. Studied indicators included adverse reactions, quality of life before and after dose adjustment, and overall survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after dose adjustment.Results:Before dose adjustment, all 70 patients received 400 mg of imatinib daily, with initial TDM values of 1,900 ± 568 μg/L, for a median duration of 8.3 months. After dose adjustment, 60 patients received 300 mg daily, with a TDM of 1,216 ± 350 μg/L, whereas 10 received 200 mg daily, with a TDM of 1,023 ± 269 μg/L. The median duration of treatment after dose adjustment was 23.4 months. Compared with those whose dosages were not adjusted, the incidence of bone marrow suppression was significantly lower (74.3% [52/70] vs. 51.4% [36/70], χ 2=9.202, P=0.010); as were the incidences of edema (95.7% [67/70] vs. 50.0% [35/70], χ 2=40.526, P<0.001); skin reactions (70.0% [49/70] vs. 32.9% [23/70), χ 2=22.495, P<0.001); and gastrointestinal reactions (38.6% [27/70] vs. 10.0% [7/70], χ 2=15.899, P<0.001) in those whose dosages were adjusted. The average total scores for physical health before and after dose adjustment were 76 ± 5 and 88 ± 4, respectively; whereas the mental health scores were 75 ± 6 and 89 ± 4, respectively. The median follow-up period was 36 months (range 6–126). During the first 3 years of follow-up, five high-risk patients with non-gastric GISTs developed recurrences. The 3-year overall survival rate was 100%, and the 3-year RFS rate was 92.8%, high-risk patients having a 3-year RFS rate of 89.8%. Conclusion:The adverse reactions and quality of life of GIST patients with severe adverse reactions to adjuvant imatinib therapy after complete resection can be mitigated by appropriately reducing the dosage of imatinib under the guidance of TDM.
8.Survival analysis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and its mechanism of action on lymphocyte subsets
Xi LI ; Wenyi ZHOU ; Shiya ZHUANSUN ; Xinbei YUAN ; Yijie YANG ; Hua FU ; Wei SHEN ; Min XU ; Xinjin GAN ; Jiahui LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1603-1611
Objective To evaluate the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and to explore the intrinsic correlation between the lymphocyte subset level and the survival of patients with DLBCL.Methods A total of 234 patients with DLBCL who had completed chemotherapy and achieved complete or partial response in the Department of Hematology,Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai East Hospital,Tongji University from January 1,2013,to December 31,2023,were recruited.A cohort study design was adopted,with"whether to receive continuous Fuzheng Jiedu Formula treatment for≥6 months after chemotherapy"as the exposed factor.Patients meeting this exposed factor were divided into the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)cohort,whereas those who did not meet this exposed factor were divided into the observation cohort.The 1-and 2-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate,overall survival(OS)rate,and duration of response(DOR)of the two cohorts were compared.The survival curves of PFS and OS of the two cohorts were drawn,and subgroup survival analysis was performed to determine factors affecting disease progression.The effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Formula on lymphocyte subset count level was observed.Results The study included 126 and 108 patients in the TCM and observation cohorts,respectively.Compared with the observation cohort,the 2-year PFS rate,2-year OS rate,and DOR were increased in the TCM cohort(P<0.05).The PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort[HR=0.542,95%CI(0.345-0.853),P<0.01].The result of subgroup analysis showed that PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort in the age≥60 years,AA stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,CD4+
9.Survival analysis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and its mechanism of action on lymphocyte subsets
Xi LI ; Wenyi ZHOU ; Shiya ZHUANSUN ; Xinbei YUAN ; Yijie YANG ; Hua FU ; Wei SHEN ; Min XU ; Xinjin GAN ; Jiahui LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1603-1611
Objective To evaluate the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and to explore the intrinsic correlation between the lymphocyte subset level and the survival of patients with DLBCL.Methods A total of 234 patients with DLBCL who had completed chemotherapy and achieved complete or partial response in the Department of Hematology,Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai East Hospital,Tongji University from January 1,2013,to December 31,2023,were recruited.A cohort study design was adopted,with"whether to receive continuous Fuzheng Jiedu Formula treatment for≥6 months after chemotherapy"as the exposed factor.Patients meeting this exposed factor were divided into the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)cohort,whereas those who did not meet this exposed factor were divided into the observation cohort.The 1-and 2-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate,overall survival(OS)rate,and duration of response(DOR)of the two cohorts were compared.The survival curves of PFS and OS of the two cohorts were drawn,and subgroup survival analysis was performed to determine factors affecting disease progression.The effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Formula on lymphocyte subset count level was observed.Results The study included 126 and 108 patients in the TCM and observation cohorts,respectively.Compared with the observation cohort,the 2-year PFS rate,2-year OS rate,and DOR were increased in the TCM cohort(P<0.05).The PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort[HR=0.542,95%CI(0.345-0.853),P<0.01].The result of subgroup analysis showed that PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort in the age≥60 years,AA stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,CD4+
10.Survival analysis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and its mechanism of action on lymphocyte subsets
Xi LI ; Wenyi ZHOU ; Shiya ZHUANSUN ; Xinbei YUAN ; Yijie YANG ; Hua FU ; Wei SHEN ; Min XU ; Xinjin GAN ; Jiahui LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1603-1611
Objective To evaluate the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)after chemotherapy using Fuzheng Jiedu Formula and to explore the intrinsic correlation between the lymphocyte subset level and the survival of patients with DLBCL.Methods A total of 234 patients with DLBCL who had completed chemotherapy and achieved complete or partial response in the Department of Hematology,Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai East Hospital,Tongji University from January 1,2013,to December 31,2023,were recruited.A cohort study design was adopted,with"whether to receive continuous Fuzheng Jiedu Formula treatment for≥6 months after chemotherapy"as the exposed factor.Patients meeting this exposed factor were divided into the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)cohort,whereas those who did not meet this exposed factor were divided into the observation cohort.The 1-and 2-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate,overall survival(OS)rate,and duration of response(DOR)of the two cohorts were compared.The survival curves of PFS and OS of the two cohorts were drawn,and subgroup survival analysis was performed to determine factors affecting disease progression.The effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Formula on lymphocyte subset count level was observed.Results The study included 126 and 108 patients in the TCM and observation cohorts,respectively.Compared with the observation cohort,the 2-year PFS rate,2-year OS rate,and DOR were increased in the TCM cohort(P<0.05).The PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort[HR=0.542,95%CI(0.345-0.853),P<0.01].The result of subgroup analysis showed that PFS in the TCM cohort was higher than that in the observation cohort in the age≥60 years,AA stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,CD4+


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