1.Research progress on the relationship between brown adipose tissue and weight loss therapy
Jiaojiao LIU ; Zhitian ZHANG ; Yin CHEN ; Xijia HE ; Hongmei YAN ; Ruwen WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):113-120
In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes has emerged as a critical global public health concern. Sustained weight loss exceeding 10% of total body weight has been shown to ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatic steatosis. Recently, the potential of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to improve metabolism has garnered significant attention. However, evidence regarding weight loss therapies that promote BAT activation remains limited in preclinical models and is even scarcer in clinical studies, partly due to the paucity of appropriate BAT assessment techniques. This review aims to explore the potential impact of various weight loss therapies on BAT, with the goal of providing novel insights and strategies for the treatment of obesity.
2.Effect of Yifei Jianpi Prescription on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Lung Immune Inflammatory Response in Rats Based on STAT1/IRF3 Pathway
Hongjuan YANG ; Yaru YANG ; Yujie YANG ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Quan MA ; Yanlin WU ; Hongmei LI ; Xuhui ZHANG ; Xiping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):146-155
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yifei Jianpi prescription on the of signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 1 (STAT1)/interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) signaling pathway in a pneumonia model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to explore the mechanism of Yifei Jianpi prescription in improving lung immune and inflammatory responses. MethodsSixty male SPF SD rats were used in this study. Ten rats were randomly assigned to the normal control group, and the remaining 50 were instilled with LPS in the trachea to establish a pneumonia model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the model group, dexamethasone group (0.5 mg·kg-1), and Yifei Jianpi prescription high-dose (12 mg·kg-1), medium-dose (6 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (3 mg·kg-1) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Treatment was administered once daily, and the normal control and model groups received the same volume of normal saline. After 14 days, flow cytometry was used to detect the classification of whole blood lymphocytes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and the content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe lung tissue pathology and score the damage. Thymus weight, spleen weight, and wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D) were recorded. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of STAT1, IRF3, IL-6, and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in lung tissues, while Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IL-6, and IFN-α. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significantly increased proportion of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, decreased proportions of NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased serum levels of IgG and IgA, significantly increased IgM levels (P<0.01), significantly elevated content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in BALF, and significantly decreased IL-10 levels (P<0.01). Lung tissue damage was evident, with significant increases in thymus and spleen weights and a higher W/D ratio (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IFN-α, and IL-6 in lung tissues was significantly upregulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yifei Jianpi prescription groups showed significantly reduced proportions of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, increased proportions of NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratios (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly increased serum levels of IgG and IgA, significantly decreased IgM levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in BALF, and significantly increased IL-10 levels (P<0.01). Lung tissue damage was alleviated, thymus and spleen weights were significantly reduced, and the W/D ratio was markedly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IFN-α, and IL-6 in lung tissues was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionYifei Jianpi prescription can alleviate lung tissue damage and improve immune and inflammatory responses in LPS-induced pneumonia rats. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of STAT1/IRF3 signaling pathway activation.
3.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
4.Effects of LSS function deficiency on intestinal function in NAFLD model mice
Hongmei Bai ; Zhen Yang ; Weikang Hu ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Mingcong Li ; Li Liu ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Sumei Zhang ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1653-1660
Objective:
To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet.
Methods:
LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / -) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system.After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months,the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining,the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining.The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits.The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste.The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining,and the expression of LSS,tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1,Claudin-5,cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ,and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group.The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 01) ,but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues.The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes.The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P<0. 05) .The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P <0. 05 ) ,while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P <0. 05) .
Conclusion
In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet,LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5.
5.Clinical effectiveness assessment of a single dose of tranexamic acid for perioperative blood loss control in patients treated with craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery: a meta-regression analysis of registered randomized controlled trials
Chenxi LI ; Hongmei MA ; Yao LIU ; Jingfei HAN ; Mingchao DING ; Jialin SUN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(1):52-68
Objective:To comprehensively evaluate the clinical effectiveness with respect to a single dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) given preoperatively for blood loss control in perioperative patients accepted craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery.Methods:Embase, PubMed, WanFang Data, VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were electronically retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to appraise the efficacy in perioperative craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery patients used TXA from inception to August 2024. Based on the result of methodological heterogeneity, corresponding paired meta-analyses were carried out with a random-effects or fixed-effects model applying R 4.0.4 software. Subgroup analysis was performed based on type of surgery, patient age, regional distribution of patients, and sample size included in the studies. A meta-regression analysis was performed on studies that reported the effect of different doses of TXA on reducing perioperative bleeding. Sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the stability of the meta result. Egger’s test was used to analyze potential publication bias.Results:A total of 31 RCTs were included, involving 2 072 patients, with 1 051 in the TXA group and 1 021 in the placebo group. The paired meta-analysis random-effects model ( I2=90%) showed that compared with the control group, the use of TXA significantly reduced the amount of bleeding in perioperative patients[standardized mean difference ( SMD)=-1.13, 95% CI -1.47 to -0.80, P < 0.01]. Subgroup analysis revealed that TXA had a significant effect on reducing intraoperative bleeding in patients with different surgeries, ages, regions, and sample sizes. The most effective subgroups were cases in orthognathic surgery ( SMD=-1.44, 95% CI -2.07 to -0.80, P< 0.01), less than 30 year-old( SMD=-1.32, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.96, P< 0.01], Asian patients( SMD=-1.29, 95% CI -1.72 to -0.86, P< 0.01), less than 30 individuals ( SMD=-1.16, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.82, P< 0.01). The result of the meta regression showed there was no significant difference in the hemostatic effect of TXA on patients with increasing doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg/kg) ( P>0.05). Sensitivity analysis verified that the pooled values were stable and reliable. The Egger’s test indicated a certain degree of publication bias ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Taken as a whole, existing evidence suggests that TXA can effectively reduce perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing craniofacial plastic surgery, regardless of its dosage administered. However, further clinical researches are still needed to provide more baselined data, transfusion-related indicators, and information on adverse events such as vascular embolism, in order to comprehensively evaluate and analyze the efficacy and safety of a single dose of TXA for perioperative blood loss control in patients treated with craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery.
6.Study on the current situation of frailty and influencing factors in elderly patients with colorectal cancer before surgery
Siyuan ZHANG ; Huanling GAO ; Lihong LIU ; Hongmei LI ; Weijing CHEN ; Xiaolong DU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1302-1308
Objective To analyze the influencing factors and action paths of frailty in elderly patients with col-orectal cancer,so as to provide a theoretical clinical intervention.Methods A convenience sampling method was adopted.A total of 254 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who were scheduled for elective surgery in a tertiary A hospital in Shanxi Province from March 2023 to September 2024 were selected as the research subjects.General information questionnaires,Fried frailty phenotype,Perceived Ageism Scale,Multidimensional Assessment Scale of In-teroceptive Awareness Version 2-Chinese,Cancer Patient Self-Management Assessment Scale,and Anderson Symptom Inventory were used for the investigation,and a structural equation model was constructed.Results The incidence of frailty in elderly colorectal cancer patients before surgery is 38.98%.Anderson Symptom Assessment and Per-ceived Ageism were positively correlated with frailty(r=0.534,0.568,P<0.01),while interoceptive sensitivity and the self-management level were negatively correlated with frailty(r=-0.444,-0.659,P<0.01).Self-management behavior had only a direct effect on patients' frailty(β=-0.349,P<0.001),while Anderson Symptom Assessment,perceived age discrimination and interoceptive sensitivity had both direct and indirect effects on patients' frailty(direct effects β=0.235,0.287,-0.220;indirect effects β=0.147,0.090,-0.113;all P<0.001).Conclusion The incidence of frailty in elderly patients with colorectal cancer before surgery is high.Attention should be paid to patients who are elderly,female and have a low level of education.Medical staff can take targeted measures to enhance patients' interocep-tive concentration and stability,so that patients can better monitor and regulate their bodies and emotions,and im-prove their health-promoting decisions and behaviors.At the same time,attention should also be paid to the prob-lem of age discrimination to create a good medical environment for patients.
7.Association between body roundness index and hyperuricemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Fanfan LI ; Lu NIU ; Jingjuan LI ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Ruifei YANG ; Xiaoqiong CHENG ; Binbin AN ; Zhenya WU ; Hongmei MA ; Lijuan WANG ; Shengnan LIU ; Jinyang WANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(6):419-423
Objective To investigate the association between body roundness index(BRI)and hyperuricemia(HUA)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods 555 T2DM inpatients were selected from July 2022 to October 2023 in Gansu Province People's Hospital Endocrinology.According to BRI,the T2DM patients were divided into four group:low BRI(L-BRI,BRI≤3.579,n=140)group,moderate BRI(M-BRI,3.579
8.Effect of obesity-related indexes on cardiovascular autonomic nervous function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Hongmei MA ; Zhenya WU ; Lijuan WANG ; Shengnan LIU ; Fanfan LI ; Jingjuan LI ; Ruifei YANG ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Qian GUO ; Jinyang WANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(3):161-166
Objective To investigate the effects of obesity-related indexes on cardiovascular autonomic nervous function in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients.Methods A total of 421 T2DM patients treated in the Department of Endocrinology of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled in this study from October 2020 to October 2023.All the patients were divided into simple T2DM group with VFA<100 cm2(n=193)and obese group with VFA≥100 cm2(OB,n=228)according to visceral fat area(VFA).BMI,waist-to-height ratio(WHtR),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),lipid accumulation index(LAP),visceral fat index(VAI),Chinese visceral fat index(CVAI),tapeness index(CI),body shape index(ABSI),and body roundness index(BRI)were calculated.Time domain parameters of heart rate variability(HRV)in 24 h holter electrocardiogram were recorded,including the global standard deviation(SDNN)of normal sinus RR interval,standard deviation of mean value of sinus RR interval(SDANN),root mean square difference(RMSSD)of normal continuous sinus RR interval.The percentage of adjacent RR interval difference>50 ms in total interval(PNN50),the HRV triangle index,the standard deviation of the difference of the entire adjacent NN interval length(SDSD).Results Compared with T2DM group,the OB group showed an increase in age,weight,BMI,WC,hip circumference(HC),neck circumference(NC),SBP,HbA1c,TG,SUA,CI,WHtR,WHR,VFA,SFA,VAI,LAP,CVAI,and BRI(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while a decrease in HDL-C(P<0.05).The SDNN,SDANN,SDSD,RMSSD,HRV trigonometric index,and PNN50 were lower in OB group than in T2DM group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Spearman correlation analysis showed that SDNN and HRV trigonometric index was negatively correlated with age,DM duration,HR,SBP,PWV,WHtR,TG,SUA,VAI,LAP,BRI,VFA,LAP,and CVAI(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Logistic regression analysis shows that age,VFA,and LAP are influencing factors for cardiac autonomic dysfunction.The analysis of the working characteristic curve of the subjects showed that the area under the curve of VFA,age,and LAP in predicting cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction was 0.680,0.614,and 0.577,with sensitivity of 87.5%,41.7%,and 61.8%,and specificity of 47.3%,73.6%,and 55.6%respectively.Conclusions BMI,HC,NC,WC,TG,SFA,CI,WHtR,WHR,LAP,BRI,VAI,CVAI and VFA are closely related to cardiovascular autonomic nervous function in T2DM patients.As VFA,Ageand LAP increase,the risk of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction increases.
9.Impacts of different surgical methods under hysteroscopy on the surgical time and endometrial thickness in patients with endometrial polyp
Jie NIU ; Hongmei LIU ; Fan SHU ; Wanyu XIE
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(6):17-23
Objective To explore the impacts of different surgical methods under hysteroscopy on the surgical time and endometrial thickness of patients with endometrial polyp(EP).Methods 180 patients with EP from April 2021 to April 2023 were regarded as the subjects.They were separated into group A,group B,and group C according to surgical methods,with 60 cases in each.Group A underwent hysteroscopic resection,group B underwent hysteroscopic cold knife surgery,and group C underwent hysteroscopic curettage surgery.The pictorial blood loss assessment chart(PBAC)score before and after treatment,endometrial lesion,intraoperative bleeding volume,hospitalization time,surgical time,hospitalization cost,clinical efficacy,complications,pregnancy rate and recurrence rate were compared.Results The intraoperative bleeding volume in group C was obviously less than that in group A and group B,hospitalization time,and surgical time were obviously shorter than those in group A and group B,and the hospitalization cost was obviously higher than that in group A and group B,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The PBAC score in groups C was obviously less than that in group A and group B,the endometrial thickness was obviously smaller than that in group A and group B,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The clinical efficacy of group A was obviously lower than that of group B and group C,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05),and there was no statistically obvious difference between group B and group C(P>0.05).The complication rate in group C and group B were obviously less than that in group A(P<0.05),and there was no statistically obvious difference between group B and group C(P>0.05).The recurrence rate within 12 months in three groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The pregnancy rate in group C was obviously higher than that in group B and group A,and group B was higher than group A,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Hysteroscopic curettage is more effective in clearing lesions,shortening surgical time,reducing intraoperative bleeding,lowering endometrial thickness,and promoting menstrual recovery in patients compared to other hysteroscopic surgical methods,with high safety.
10.Efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing perioperative blood loss in craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Hongmei MA ; Chenxi LI ; Yao LIU ; Jingfei HAN ; Jiaojun ZHAO ; Mingchao DING ; Jialin SUN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(12):1770-1778
Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy of a single dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery through meta-regression analysis. Methods: Embase, PubMed, Wanfang Data, VIP database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were electronically retrieved to collect clinical studies evaluating efficacy of perioperative TXA administration in patients undergoing craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery, from inception to August 2024. Quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed using Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool. Based on the results of methodological heterogeneity, corresponding meta-analyses were conducted using either random-effects or fixed-effects models in R programming software. Results: Thirty-one articles were included, involving 2 072 patients who underwent craniomaxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeries. Among these patients, 1 051 were in the TXA treatment group, and 1 021 were in the control group. The paired meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, the use of TXA significantly reduced bleeding volume in perioperative patients [standardized mean difference (SMD)=-1.13; 95%CI (-1.47, -0.80), P<0.001]. Subgroup analysis revealed that TXA significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding volume in patients across different surgeries, with the order of efficacy as follows: orthognathic surgery [SMD=-1.44; 95%CI (-2.07, -0.80), P<0.001], cleft palate repair [SMD=-1.32; 95%CI (-2.14, -0.50), P<0.001], rhinoplasty [SMD=-0.97; 95%CI (-1.63, -0.30), P<0.001], and craniosynostosis [SMD=-0.96; 95%CI (-1.40, -0.53), P=0.040]. The result of the meta regression showed there was no significant difference in the hemostatic effect of TXA on patients with increasing doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg/kg) (P=0.650). Sensitivity analysis verified that the pooled values were stable and reliable. The Egger's test indicated a certain degree of publication bias (Z=-3.40, P<0.001). Conclusion: Existing evidence suggests that TXA effectively reduces perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing craniofacial plastic surgery, regardless of its dosage administered.


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