1.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
2.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
3.Effect of LncRNA RMRP on ferroptosis induced by oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion in mouse HL-1 cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-766-5p
Lei He ; Xinglan Sun ; Yingxing Wu ; Yuan Xu ; Xiang Peng ; Chenkai Hu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2207-2214
Objective:
To investigate the effect and mechanism of long non-coding RNA RMRP(LncRNA RMRP) on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)-induced ferroptosis in mouse HL-1 cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-766-5p.
Methods:
HL-1 cells were cultured in vitro, and OGD/R models were established. The expression levels of LncRNA RMRP in HL-1 cells at various reperfusion time points were subsequently quantified using qRT-PCR. The LncRNA RMRP small RNA interference fragment(si-RMRP) and its corresponding negative control(si-NC), as well as the miR-766-5p inhibitor and its respective negative control(inhibitor-NC), were transfected into HL-1 cells. Subsequently, the cells were subjected to OGD/R treatment. CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate cell viability. Assay kits were employed to measure the levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in the cell supernatant, as well as the intracellular levels of malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione(GSH), and ferrous ion(Fe2+). qRT-PCR analysis was conducted to assess the expression levels of LncRNA RMRP and miR-766-5p. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with ferroptosis including GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate the sponge adsorption relationship between LncRNA RMRP and miR-766-5p.
Results:
As reperfusion time extended, the expression level of LncRNA RMRP in cells progressively increased(P2+ levels within the cells, and decreased the activities of SOD and GSH in cells(P2+ levels within the cells, and promoting SOD and GSH activities in cells(PP < 0. 01) . Furthermore , silencing LncRNA RMRP upregulated the protein expression levels of GPX4 , SLC7A11 , and FTH1(P < 0. 01) . The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that LncRNA RMRP could regulate the expression of miR-766- 5p through a sponge adsorption mechanism. Partial inhibition of miR-766-5p inhibitor expression could mitigate the improvement effect caused by LncRNA RMRP silencing on OGD/R-induced ferroptosis in HL-1 cells.
Conclusion
Silencing LncRNA RMRP inhibits OGD/R-induced ferroptosis in HL-1 cells , potentially through the sponge-mediated regulation of miR-766-5p expression.
4.Functional mechanism of Xihuang pill drug containing serum in intervention of breast cancer cells based on miR21-5p targeting FAM13A gene
Juling CHENG ; Jie MAO ; Hui HE ; Jiaqi PENG ; Yingqian XU ; Huanzi PENG ; Jinquan WANG ; Yunhao LI ; Xiaobing XIE
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2339-2346
Objective To explore the related functional mechanism of Xihuang pill containing serum inter-vention in breast cancer cells based on microRNA(miR)21-5p targeting FAM13A gene.Methods Bioinfor-matics websites was used to predict potential miRNAs of FAM13A gene,double luciferase reporter experi-ments were conducted to verify the binding site relationship between FAM13A and predicted miRNAs.The Xihuang pill containing serum was prepared,and human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured.The proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells was interfered by the Xihuang pill containing serum with different dilution ratios by CCK-8 test,and the best dilution ratio concentration of Xihuang pill containing serum to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells was selected.Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was ap-plied to detect the relative expression levels of FAM13A mRNA,as well as the relative expression levels of miR21-5p,in MDA-MB-231 cells after intervention with Xihuang pill containing serum.Cell proliferation(Edu)assay and cell apoptosis detection(TUNEL)assay were used to detect the effects of Xihuang pill con-taining serum intervention on cell proliferation and apoptosis function in MDA-MB-231 cells.The siRNA lentiviral transfection on MDA-MB-231 cells was performed to knock down the FAM13A gene,and Edu assay and TUNEL assay were used to detect changes in proliferation and apoptosis ability of MDA-MB-231 cells af-ter lentiviral transfection.The expression level of miR21-5p in MDA-MB-231 cells after FAM13A gene knock-out was detected by RT-qPCR technology.Results Target Scan online website predicted the potential miR-21-5p binding sequence in the 3'UTR of FAM13A mRNA,and dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed the in-teraction between miR-21-5p and FAM13A.After intervention of MDA-MB-231 cells with Xihuang pill drug containing serum,RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the control group(NC group),the Xihuang pill drug containing serum group(XHW group)downregulated the expression levels of FAM13A mRNA(P<0.05),and upregulated the expression level of miR21-5p(P<0.05).Compared with the NC group,the XWH group showed reduced cell proliferation ability and promoted cell apoptosis.(P<0.05).After silencing the FAM13A gene in MDA-MB-231 cells,compared with the control group(shCtrl group),the shFAM13A group showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation ability and promoted cell apoptosis.The RT-qPCR re-sults showed that compared with the shCtrl group,the expression level of miR21-5p was significantly upregu-lated in the shFAM13A group(P<0.05).Conclusion Xihuang pill could participate in the anti-tumor treat-ment of breast cancer by regulating miR21-5p to affect the expression level of FAM13A gene.
5.Development and evaluation on reliability and validity of vasectomy intention scale
Zhenyu HUANG ; Yushen LIU ; Enayatullah NABIZADA ; Huleang KEO ; Jianfu YANG ; Dongyi PENG ; Long XU ; Long WANG ; Leye HE ; Xianzhen JIANG ; Zhi LONG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1158-1162
Objective:To develop a vasectomy intention scale (VIS) and evaluate its reliability and validity for assessing men's intentions toward vasectomy.Methods:Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the VIS was developed through a process that included literature review, panel discussions, expert consultations, and a pilot survey. A total of 264 men seeking vasectomy consultation at the Andrology Center, Department of Urology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between December 2023 and December 2024 were recruited to assess reliability and validity of the VIS.Results:The VIS comprises 11 items across three dimensions: "background" factors, "stance and behavior" factors and "information" factors. The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.739). Correlations between each dimension and the total scale ("background" factors r=0.849, "stance and behavior" factors r=0.744, "information" factors r=0.440) exceeded inter-dimension correlations (ranging from 0.145 to 0.312), confirming robust construct validity. The vasectomy rates among men with different intention levels were 65.7% (92/140) in the high-intention group, 28.9% (33/114) in the moderate-intention group, and 0% (0/11) in the low-intention group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=43.42, P<0.001). Conclusion:The VIS exhibits strong reliability and validity, serving as a validated instrument for measuring the strength of men's vasectomy intentions.
6.A learning curve analysis of domestic robot-assisted thyroid surgery via BABA approach
Jing XU ; Peng ZHOU ; Yongxiang LIU ; Jian ZHU ; Meng WANG ; Gang WANG ; Dayong ZHUANG ; Qingqing HE
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(4):503-508
Objective:To summarise the main points of operation during thyroid surgery using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with a domestic robot and to analyse the learning curve.Methods:From May. 2023 to Oct. 2023, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 38 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with domestically manufactured robot via BABA attending the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, proposed and constructed learning curves using cumulative and analytical methods to study the minimum number of learning cases required for the loading time of assistants and surgeon-in-charge with da Vinci surgical experience to transition from the initial learning stage to the proficiency stage. The age, BMI, surgical time (loading time, operating time), postoperative drainage time, and number of lymph nodes dissected were compared among patients at different stages of the learning curve.Results:A total of 38 thyroidectomy patients successfully underwent surgery, with an average surgical time of (176.61 ± 47.98) minutes. After 18 cases, the assistant's loading time shortened and stabilized at (42.20 ± 3.44) minutes. The operator reached peak proficiency at the 18th case (loading time, operating time), which was considered the dividing point between the learning phase and the proficiency phase. During the learning phase, the average surgical time was (209.72 ± 49.28) minutes, operation time: (165.44 ± 49.93) minutes, while in the proficiency phase, the average surgical time decreased to 146.80 ± 18.34 minutes, operation time: (104.60 ± 19.01) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, postoperative drainage time, or the number of central compartment lymph nodes dissected between the two phases ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Over the results of this study, it was shown that for robosurgeons with experience in da Vinci robotic surgery, the transition from the learning stage to the proficiency stage could be considered after crossing the learning curve for 18 cases, and that assistants could become proficient in loading techniques after 18 procedures.
7.Time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters for differentiating invasive breast cancer with ductal carcinoma in situ and simple invasive breast cancer
Hao XU ; Ao YANG ; Yakun HE ; Meining CHEN ; Jieke LIU ; Peng ZHOU ; Heping DENG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(4):255-259
Objective To explore the value of time-dependent diffusion MRI(td-dMRI)parameters for differentiating invasive breast cancer(IBC)with ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)(IBC-DCIS)from simple IBC.Methods A total of 19 patients with IBC-DCIS(IBC-DCIS group)and 53 patients with simple IBC(IBC group)confirmed by surgery and postoperation pathology were retrospectively enrolled.Breast td-dMRI acquired with oscillating gradient spin-echo(OGSE)and pulsed gradient spin-echo(PGSE)sequences before operation were interpreted,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and microstructure parameters,including OGSE-ADC value,PGSE-ADC value,cellularity,cell diameter,intracellular volume fraction and extracellular diffusion coefficient were obtained and compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of parameters being significantly different between groups were plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of these parameters for differentiating IBC-DCIS from IBC.Results Significant differences of OGSE-ADC value,PGSE-ADC value,cellularity,cell diameter,intracellular volume fraction and extracellular diffusion coefficient were found between groups(all P<0.05).The AUC of the above parameters for differentiating IBC-DCIS from IBC was 0.81,0.79,0.78,0.68,0.77 and 0.81,respectively.Conclusion td-dMRI parameters could be used to noninvasively and effectively differentiate IBC-DCIS from simple IBC.
8.Acupuncture Therapy on Dysphagia in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Hong-Ji ZENG ; Wei-Jia ZHAO ; Peng-Chao LUO ; Xu-Yang ZHANG ; Si-Yu LUO ; Yi LI ; He-Ping LI ; Liu-Gen WANG ; Xi ZENG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):261-269
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease.
METHODS:
This randomized controlled study lasted 42 days and included 112 patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (56 cases each group) using the completely randomized design, all under routine treatment. The experimental group was given acupuncture therapy. The primary outcome was Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). The secondary outcomes were (1) Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and (2) nutritional status including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin. Adverse events were recorded as safety indicators.
RESULTS:
One participant quitted the study midway. There were no significant differences in baseline assessment (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in PAS, SSA and nutritional status except for BMI of the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the PAS for both paste and liquid, SSA (25.18±8.25 vs. 20.84±6.92), BMI (19.97±3.34 kg/m2vs. 21.26 ±2.38 kg/m2), serum albumin (35.16 ±5.29 g/L vs. 37.24 ±3.98 g/L), prealbumin (248.33 ±27.72 mg/L vs. 261.39 ±22.10 mg/L), hemoglobin (119.09±12.53 g/L vs. 126.67±13.97 g/L) (P<0.05). There were no severe adverse events during the study.
CONCLUSION:
The combination of routine treatment and acupuncture therapy can better improve dysphagia and nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease, than routine treatment solely. (registration No.
CLINICALTRIAL
gov NCT06199323).
Humans
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Parkinson Disease/therapy*
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Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology*
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Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects*
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Male
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Female
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Aged
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Middle Aged
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Treatment Outcome
;
Nutritional Status
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Body Mass Index
9.Enhanced BBB penetration and microglia-targeting nanomodulator for the two-pronged modulation of chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
Ya WEI ; Xue XIA ; Xiaorong WANG ; Wenqin YANG ; Siqin HE ; Lulu WANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Yang ZHOU ; Feng CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Fu PENG ; Guobo LI ; Zheng XU ; Jintao FU ; Huile GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1098-1111
Intervention in chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low permeability of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and non-selective distribution in the brain severely restrict AD drugs' disease-modifying efficacy. Here, an immunosuppressant TREM2-lowing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and resveratrol co-loaded cationic liposome is developed as an immune reprogramming nanomodulator modified by acid-cleavable BBB-targeting peptide and microglia-targeting peptide (Res@TcMNP/ASO) for AD management. Res@TcMNP/ASO can enter brain endothelial cells via D-T7 peptides. Then D-T7 undergoes an acid-responsive cleavage, facilitating the escape of Res@MNP/ASO from endo/lysosomes to cross the BBB. The detached Res@MNP/ASO specifically targets M1-phenotype microglia via exposed MG1 peptides to prompt the simultaneous delivery of two drugs into activated microglia. This nanomodulator can not only restore the immune function of microglia through TREM2-lowing ASO but also mitigate the immune stimulation to microglia caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through resveratrol, thereby synergistically inhibiting the chronic activation of microglia to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD. Our results indicate that this combination treatment can achieve significant behavioral and cognitive improvements in late APP/PS1 mice.
10.Intravenous delivery of STING agonists using acid-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticles for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.
Ying HE ; Ke ZHENG ; Xifeng QIN ; Siyu WANG ; Xuejing LI ; Huiwen LIU ; Mingyang LIU ; Ruizhe XU ; Shaojun PENG ; Zhiqing PANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1211-1229
Although cancer immunotherapy has made great strides in the clinic, it is still hindered by the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway which can modulate TIME effectively has emerged as a promising therapeutic recently. However, the delivery of most STING agonists, specifically cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), is performed intratumorally due to their insufficient pharmacological properties, such as weak permeability across cell membranes and vulnerability to nuclease degradation. To expand the clinical applicability of CDNs, a novel pH-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticle (LNP-B) system was developed for intravenous delivery of CDNs. LNP-B significantly extended the circulation of CDNs and enhanced the accumulation of CDNs within the tumor, spleen, and tumor-draining lymph nodes compared with free CDNs thereby triggering the STING pathway of dendritic cells and repolarizing pro-tumor macrophages. These events subsequently gave rise to potent anti-tumor immune reactions and substantial inhibition of tumors in CT26 colon cancer-bearing mouse models. In addition, due to the acid-sensitive property of the polycationic polymer, the delivery system of LNP-B was more biocompatible and safer compared with lipid nanoparticles formulated with an indissociable cationic DOTAP (LNP-D). These findings suggest that LNP-B has great potential in the intravenous delivery of CDNs for tumor immunotherapy.


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