1.Effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function,intestinal flora and metabolite content in slow transit constipation rat
Ziqi ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Qiong ZHAO ; Yuan DENG ; Yu ZHAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):154-159
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function, intestinal flora and the contents of metabolites [γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] in slow transit constipation (STC) rats. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (10 rats) and modeling group (30 rats), with half male and half female. The STC model was established by intragastric administration of Compound diphenoxylate tablets in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group [56 g/(kg·d), calculated by crude drug] and positive control group [lactulose 2.09 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine intragastrically, the blank group and model group received an equivalent volume of normal saline, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. During the experiment, the general situation of rats was observed in each group. After the last medication, the body weight was measured, and the Bristol score was used to evaluate the fecal characteristics. The fecal moisture content, intestinal propulsion rate, and the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal content were detected; the diversity of intestinal flora in intestinal contents was investigated, and the correlation between the contents of GABA, 5-HT and relative abundance of microbiota was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, general conditions such as small body shape, sparse and rough fur, and slow movement were all improved in Modified shaoyao gancao decoction body weight, Bristol score, fecal moisture content,intestinal propulsion rate, 5-HT content, Chao1 index and Shannon index were increased significantly, while GABA content and Simpson index were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The intestinal flora of rats in the Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group could be classified as the same as the blank group, but was far from the model group; the relative abundances of Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in this group showed a tendency of pull back, but the differences were not statistically significant compared to model group (P>0.05). Desulfobacterota was an intergroup differential factor (P<0.05). The content of GABA was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota (P<0.05). The content of 5-HT was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Campilobacterota (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Modified shaoyao gancao decoction can improve the fecal properties and intestinal motility of STC rats. Its mechanism may be related to improving intestinal flora and then affecting the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal contents. In addition, the contents of GABA and 5-HT may be significantly correlated with the relative abundance of specific bacterial phyla such as Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota.
2.Effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function,intestinal flora and metabolite content in slow transit constipation rat
Ziqi ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Qiong ZHAO ; Yuan DENG ; Yu ZHAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):154-159
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Modified shaoyao gancao decoction on intestinal transit function, intestinal flora and the contents of metabolites [γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] in slow transit constipation (STC) rats. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group (10 rats) and modeling group (30 rats), with half male and half female. The STC model was established by intragastric administration of Compound diphenoxylate tablets in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group [56 g/(kg·d), calculated by crude drug] and positive control group [lactulose 2.09 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine intragastrically, the blank group and model group received an equivalent volume of normal saline, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. During the experiment, the general situation of rats was observed in each group. After the last medication, the body weight was measured, and the Bristol score was used to evaluate the fecal characteristics. The fecal moisture content, intestinal propulsion rate, and the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal content were detected; the diversity of intestinal flora in intestinal contents was investigated, and the correlation between the contents of GABA, 5-HT and relative abundance of microbiota was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, general conditions such as small body shape, sparse and rough fur, and slow movement were all improved in Modified shaoyao gancao decoction body weight, Bristol score, fecal moisture content,intestinal propulsion rate, 5-HT content, Chao1 index and Shannon index were increased significantly, while GABA content and Simpson index were decreased significantly (P<0.05). The intestinal flora of rats in the Modified shaoyao gancao decoction group could be classified as the same as the blank group, but was far from the model group; the relative abundances of Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in this group showed a tendency of pull back, but the differences were not statistically significant compared to model group (P>0.05). Desulfobacterota was an intergroup differential factor (P<0.05). The content of GABA was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota (P<0.05). The content of 5-HT was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Campilobacterota (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Modified shaoyao gancao decoction can improve the fecal properties and intestinal motility of STC rats. Its mechanism may be related to improving intestinal flora and then affecting the contents of GABA and 5-HT in intestinal contents. In addition, the contents of GABA and 5-HT may be significantly correlated with the relative abundance of specific bacterial phyla such as Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota.
3.Study on the mechanism of Shaoyao gancao decoction in improving intestinal motility in rats with slow transit constipation by regulating the ASIC3/ERK signaling pathway
Ziqi ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Qiong ZHAO ; Yuan DENG ; Mengjie ZHAO ; Chen ZHAO ; Jingyi CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(15):1852-1858
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Shaoyao gancao decoction in improving intestinal motility in rats with slow transit constipation (STC) by regulating acid-sensitive ion channel 3 (ASIC3)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. METHODS SD rats were used to construct an STC model by gavage with compound diphenoxylate. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, Shaoyao gancao decoction group (1.5 g/mL), lactulose group (208.4 mg/mL, positive control), and combined inhibition group (Shaoyao gancao decoction 1.5 g/mL+amiloride hydrochloride 20 μg/kg), with 12 rats in each group. Additionally, 12 healthy rats were selected as the blank group. They were given relevant medicine once a day and continuously intervened for 14 days. After intervention, the intestinal propulsion function and visceral sensitivity of the model rats were detected. The expression of ASIC3 in the colon tissue of rats was observed by immunohistochemical staining. mRNA expressions of ASIC3, ERK1 and ERK2 as well as protein expressions of ASIC3, ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in colon tissue of rats were detected; the ultrastructural changes of the enteric nervous system (ENS) -interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC)-smooth muscle cell (SMC) network in the rat colon were observed under electron microscopy. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the intestinal propulsion rate of the Shaoyao gancao decoction group was significantly increased, while the visceral pain threshold was significantly decreased. The proportion of the positive area of ASIC3 in the colonic tissue was significantly increased. The relative mRNA expression levels of ERK1, ERK2, and ASIC3, as well as the relative protein expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and ASIC3, and the p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 in the colonic tissue, were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, there was marked repair of the morphological structure of ICC and SMC, with closer gap junctions observed. Compared with the Shaoyao gancao decoction group, the combined inhibition group exhibited a diminished improvement in intestinal motility of rats, with statistically significant differences in the levels of some indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the repairing of the morphological structure of ICC and SMC was notably attenuated. CONCLUSIONS Shaoyao gancao decoction can effectively improve the intestinal transmission function and promote intestinal repair in STC rats, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the balance of the ENS-ICC-SMC network mediated by the ASIC3/ERK signaling pathway, thus promoting intestinal motility and reducing visceral sensitivity.
4.Characteristics of cyst fluid can predict the benign or malignant nature of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
Jingyuan WANG ; Jiayu FAN ; Pingping ZHANG ; Hongyun MA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang LI ; Zhendong JIN ; Gang JIN ; Kaixuan WANG
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(6):509-516
Objective To investigate the predictive ability of cyst fluid characteristics for malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Methods We prospectively collected fresh cyst fluid from patients undergoing pancreatic resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Spleen Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, from September 2023 to December 2024, who were ultimately pathologically confirmed with IPMN. We assessed the characteristics of cyst fluid, including viscosity, clarity, and color, and explored its predictive performance for benign or malignant. Results A total of 40 patients with IPMN were included. The sensitivity of the string sign (+) for diagnosing high-grade dysplasia/ invasive carcinoma (HGD/IC) was 90.9%, specificity was 92.9%, and accuracy was 76.0%. The cyst fluid of intestinal-type IPMN often exhibited a gelatinous consistency, and there was no significant difference in the distribution of gelatinous consistency between the HGD/IC group and the low-grade dysplasia (LGD) group. There were no significant differences in CEA, glucose, and amylase levels in the cyst fluid between the HGD/IC group and the LGD group. Conclusions The characteristics of pancreatic cyst fluid, especially viscosity, can effectively predict the benign or malignant nature of IPMN.
5.Research advances in yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yongle ZHAO ; Honglin CHEN ; Han ZHANG ; Xinyue ZHU ; Zhicheng YANG ; Maoting TAN ; Hongyun ZHAO
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(8):1035-1041
Primary liver cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in China,with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)accounting for 75%-85%.Approximately 70%of HCC patients are in the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis and miss the opportunity for radical surgery,leading to a poor prognosis.Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy(90Y-SIRT),an emerging therapeutic modality,delivers radioactive microspheres via the hepatic artery to target tumors and uses beta radiation for localized tumor ablation.Compared to conventional transarterial chemoembolization and pharmacotherapy,90Y-SIRT shows the advan-tages of significant clinical benefits,good safety profiles,and broad applicability across diverse patient populations.This article re-views the advances in the application of 90Y-SIRT in HCC treatment.
6.Advances in the application of multimodal molecular imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer
Yongle ZHAO ; Zhicheng YANG ; Maoting TAN ; Honglin CHEN ; Han ZHANG ; Hongyun ZHAO
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(10):1375-1378
Primary liver cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide,and the early diagnosis of pri-mary liver cancer and the optimization of precise treatment strategies have become critical issues in the healthcare field.Due to the in-sufficient capabilities for molecular characterization,it is increasingly difficult for traditional imaging techniques to meet clinical needs in the era of precision medicine.Multimodal molecular imaging technology integrates the advantages of imaging modalities such as ul-trasound imaging,magnetic resonance imaging,and optical imaging,thereby achieving synergistic enhancement between molecular bio-logical information of liver cancer and precise anatomical localization and demonstrating a significant value in the diagnosis and treat-ment of liver cancer.This article reviews the advances in the application of multimodal molecular imaging in the early diagnosis,pre-cise treatment,and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of liver cancer.
7.Advances in anticancer drug delivery systems
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(3):176-179
Drug delivery system (DDS) holds promise in reducing off-target effects of antitumor drugs. The carriers of antitumor drug DDS mainly include nanoparticles, small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, antibodies and cells, which carry antitumor drugs through linker to deliver the drugs to specific tumor tissues and cells. DDS will propel progress in the field of cancer precision medicine.
8.Novel therapeutic strategies: targeting cancer metastasis
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(8):528-531
Tumor-related death is often associated with tumor metastasis. Metastasis process includes the acquisition of dissemination traits of tumor cells, dormancy awakening, and distant growth. Changing dissemination traits of cancer cells, maintaining and killing dormant tumor cells, editing pre-metastatic microenvironment, and reprogramming hallmarks of cancer will be key to block tumor metastasis. Bevacizumab, denosumab and cilengitide have been approved for clinical therapies. Tumor screening based on blood tests combined with artificial intelligence will provide new targeted metastasis strategies for clinical treatment.
9.Optical Tweezers in Human Cancers
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(4):296-299
Optical tweezers are a means to manipulate objects with light. Optical tweezers can obtain a nanometer space, piconewton force, and a millisecond resolution; thus, they are excellently suited for studying biological processes from the single-cell to the single-molecule level. Optical tweezers can screen and manipulate tumor cells, study single molecule, and monitor cancer treatments. Thus, optical tweezers will promote the progress of cancer research and treatments.
10.Improvement of Depression-like Behavior of Depression Model Mice by Sinisan via Regulating GSK-3β/A20/C/EBPβ to Inhibit Activation of Microglia
Hongyun CHEN ; Dongying YANG ; Huiqing LIAO ; Yanyan ZENG ; Linke PAN ; Shasha BAI ; Di DENG ; Yafei SHI ; Rong ZHANG ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):16-23
ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effect of Sinisan (SNS) by regulating glycogen aynthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(A20)/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β(C/EBPβ) to inhibit the activation of microglia. MethodA total of 72 male C57/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, fluoxetine group (5.0 mg·kg-1), low-dose Sinisan group (4.9 g·kg-1), medium-dose Sinisan group (9.8 g·kg-1), and high-dose Sinisan group (19.6 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was performed to establish the depression model. In the fifth week, drug treatment was conducted for four weeks. In the ninth week, behavioral tests were performed, including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OPT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and forced swimming test (FST). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), GSK-3β, A20, and C/EBPβ in the cortex. The expression of M1-polarized ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) in microglia was detected by immunofluorescence. ResultAfter eight weeks of CUMS, compared with the normal group, the mice in the model group had a significantly reduced sucrose preference rate (P<0.01), and the activity in the central area of the OPT was significantly reduced (P<0.01). The activity in the open arm area of the EPM test was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the immobility time of FST was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of inflammatory proteins IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS were increased (P<0.01), and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was increased (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). After four weeks of SNS intervention, compared with the model group, the mice in the SNS group had significantly increased sucrose preference rate (P<0.01), significantly increased activities in the central area and the open arm area in the OPT and the EPM test (P<0.05), and significantly reduced immobility time in the FST (P< 0.01). The protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was decreased in the high-dose SNS group (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ in the medium-dose and high-dose SNS groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and that of A20 was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionThe antidepressant effect of SNS is related to the regulation of GSK-3β/A20/C/EBPβ protein expression and the inhibition of M1-type activation of microglia.

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