1.Management Strategy for Full-course Chain of Gastric Precancerous Lesions Based on Core Pathogenesis of Deficiency, Stagnation, Phlegm, Stasis, and Toxin
Zhen LIU ; Shaoli WANG ; Xinqiao CHU ; Hongzheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):120-128
Gastric precancerous lesions, often presenting as decreased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, epigastric fullness, and upper abdominal pain, pose challenges to treatment and considerably affect patients' quality of life. Pathologically, these lesions are characterized by alterations in the gastric mucosa accompanied by intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia, which markedly elevate the risk of developing gastric cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners have explored various therapeutic approaches focusing on invigorating the spleen, resolving dampness, clearing heat, addressing phlegm accumulation, activating blood, and detoxifying. For contemporary populations suffering from gastric precancerous lesions, our team has innovatively proposed a core pathogenesis theory encompassing deficiency, stagnation, phlegm, stasis, and toxin. Furthermore, our team has developed a comprehensive prevention and treatment framework: Invigorating the spleen and harmonizing the stomach (foundational principles), balancing and restoring Qi movement (primary objectives), resolving phlegm and unblocking collaterals (routine practices), detoxifying and dissipating nodules (critical interventions), and comprehensive health management (supportive care). This framework provides a robust theoretical foundation along with practical guidance for preventing and treating diseases related to the spleen-stomach axis. From a pathological perspective, key interventions for managing gastric precancerous lesions include restoring integrity of the gastric mucosae while regulating its microenvironmental conditions and enhancing mucosal circulation, which are integral throughout the entire treatment process. On this basis, a full-course chain of prevention and treatment has been established within clinical practice, encompassing functional gastrointestinal disorders-superficial gastritis-atrophic gastritis-gastric precancerous lesions-prevention and treatment post-endoscopic submucosal dissection. The guiding principles of this treatment approach involve invigorating the spleen, regulating Qi movement, resolving phlegm, unblocking collaterals, and detoxifying. TCM compound formulas such as Jianpi Tongluo Jiedu prescription and Hezhong Xiaopi granules, as well as Chinese patent medicines like Weifuchun and Moluodan, can be used for treating gastric precancerous lesions at different stages. Through medicinal regulation, the state of the gastric mucosa can be improved, and thus the development of gastric precancerous lesions can be curbed from the perspective of full-course prevention and treatment.
2.Hezhong Xiaopi Granules Regulate Ncln-CHOP Axis to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Reduce Gastric Mucosal Cell Apoptosis
Hongzheng LI ; Shaoli WANG ; Zucheng SHANG ; Mengfan LI ; Zhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):129-138
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Hezhongxiaopi granules (HZXPG) on methylnitronitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-mediated gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and the regulatory effects on the Nicalin (Ncln)-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) axis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). MethodsThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to examine the inhibitory effect of MNNG on the proliferation of GES-1 cells, and the optimal effective dose of MNNG was selected. Human gastric mucosal GES-1 cells were allocated into the control, model (MNNG, 1.562 5 mmol·L-1), and low/high-dose HZXPG (5% and 10% HZXPG-containing serum) groups. Phalloidin staining was employed to detect MNNG-induced morphological changes in human gastric mucosal cells. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was adopted to assess cell apoptosis. Annexin Ⅴ/propidium iodide (Annexin Ⅴ/PI) flow cytometry was utilized to measure the alterations in the apoptotic cycle of human gastric mucosal cells. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of proteins related to apoptosis, ERS, and the Ncln/CHOP axis. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a reduction in the surface area of GES-1 cells, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dilation, increased early and late apoptosis rates of gastric mucosal cells, upregulated protein levels of truncated Bid (tBid), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8, and downregulated protein level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), Ncln, and CHOP were upregulated (P<0.01), with enhanced Ncln expression in the ER and elevated CHOP expression in the nucleus. Compared with the model group, the high-dose HZXPG group showed a significant increase in the surface area of gastric mucosal cells. Both dose groups exhibited inhibited ER dilation and reduced early and late apoptosis rates of gastric mucosal cells (P<0.01). Low-dose HZXPG decreased the expression of tBid and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01) and promoted Bcl-2 expression (P<0.01). High-dose HZXPG reduced the expression levels of tBid, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, and cleaved-Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased the Bcl-2 expression level (P<0.05). Furthermore, high-dose HZXPG downregulated the expression levels of BiP, Ncln, and CHOP (P<0.05, P<0.01), while decreasing the nuclear translocation of CHOP. ConclusionHZXPG alleviates MNNG-induced ERR-mediated apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells by inhibiting the Ncln-CHOP axis, thereby relieving gastric mucosal cell damage caused by precancerous gastric lesions.
3.Theoretical and Practical Analyses of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Senile Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Hongzheng LI ; Xinqiao CHU ; Shaoli WANG ; Zhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):139-146
Senile chronic atrophic gastritis (SCAG) is a condition characterized by high prevalence, prolonged duration, and difficulty in treatment, along with a significant risk of carcinogenesis. This severely impacts the quality of life among the elderly population in China. The prevention and management of SCAG represent one of the most urgent and prominent needs within the current health care and elderly care sectors. However, existing treatment options are limited, with insufficient mucosal repair following Helicobacter pylori eradication, as well as a lack of effective methods to reverse atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. The primary objectives in treating chronic gastritis in older adults are symptom relief and alleviation of mucosal histological abnormalities. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers unique advantages for managing patients with SCAG. Therefore, utilizing TCM methodologies underpinned by TCM theory to prevent and treat the progression of SCAG holds considerable clinical significance. Our research team has been dedicated to theoretical, clinical, and fundamental investigations into gastric precancerous lesions and SCAG for an extended period. This article systematically reviews the intricate causal relationship between the spleen-stomach system and aging while elucidating TCM pathogenesis of SCAG as internal deficiency coupled with excess in manifestations. It explores evolutionary patterns of dampness, stagnation, stasis, toxicity, and deficiency and proposes a progressive pathogenic evolution chain: Aging-deficiency of spleen and kidney-imbalance of Qi and blood-phlegm turbidity accompanied by Qi stagnation-accumulation of phlegm, stasis, and toxicity-weakness of stomach collaterals. The core treatment principle emphasizes simultaneous treatment targeting both spleen and kidney as its foundation while employing strategies such as promoting Qi movement to resolve dampness, alongside efforts aimed at removing stasis and detoxifying as primary approaches. Finally, this article summarizes current research achievements in TCM interventions for SCAG, aiming to provide new insights for clinical practice and scientific research in TCM interventions for SCAG.
4.From Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Excess to Stasis-toxin Damaging Collaterals: Dynamic Management Path in Whole-course Treatment Strategies for Ulcerative Colitis
Zhili ZHENG ; Hongzheng LI ; Shaoli WANG ; Tiantong JIANG ; Yuan DING ; Qiongqiong LU ; Zhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):147-153
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by unclear etiology, complex contributing factors, and a refractory course with malignant transformation potential, imposes a substantial burden on both individual patients and healthcare systems. There is an urgent need to explore effective therapeutic strategies and pharmacological interventions. Professor LIU Zhen, based on years of clinical practice, proposed a dynamic pathogenesis chain of UC: Spleen deficiency with dampness excess as the foundation, dampness obstruction as the nexus, stasis-toxin interaction as the key, and stasis-toxin damaging intestinal collaterals as the terminal outcome. The treatment, following the progression of deficiency (depression)-dampness-toxin-stasis (toxin), should focus on invigorating the spleen and resolving dampness. A stage-specific treatment approach is emphasized. During the susceptible stage, prevention is recommended, which relies on regulating the diet, maintaining a positive mental state, and adjusting daily routines to invigorate the spleen and replenish Qi. During the acute attack and remission stages, the treatment should be tailored according to clinical typing and disease severity, flexibly employing therapeutic strategies such as tonifying deficiency, resolving depression, eliminating dampness, clearing heat, detoxifying, arresting bleeding, and resolving stasis in order to interrupt disease progression. In the recovery stage, latent pathogenic factors should be addressed while the postnatal constitutional foundation be preserved to prevent recurrence. According to the TCM principle of treating disease before its onset, a whole-course management path of early protection-interception-stratified care-consolidation has been developed, covering all stages of UC, to inform its clinical prevention and treatment.
5.Expert consensus on prognostic evaluation of cochlear implantation in hereditary hearing loss.
Xinyu SHI ; Xianbao CAO ; Renjie CHAI ; Suijun CHEN ; Juan FENG ; Ningyu FENG ; Xia GAO ; Lulu GUO ; Yuhe LIU ; Ling LU ; Lingyun MEI ; Xiaoyun QIAN ; Dongdong REN ; Haibo SHI ; Duoduo TAO ; Qin WANG ; Zhaoyan WANG ; Shuo WANG ; Wei WANG ; Ming XIA ; Hao XIONG ; Baicheng XU ; Kai XU ; Lei XU ; Hua YANG ; Jun YANG ; Pingli YANG ; Wei YUAN ; Dingjun ZHA ; Chunming ZHANG ; Hongzheng ZHANG ; Juan ZHANG ; Tianhong ZHANG ; Wenqi ZUO ; Wenyan LI ; Yongyi YUAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Fang ZHENG ; Yu SUN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):798-808
Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation(CI) serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system(Favorable, Marginal, Poor). The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss(such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1) and syndromic hereditary hearing loss(such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome), which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans
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Cochlear Implantation
;
Prognosis
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Hearing Loss/surgery*
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Consensus
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Connexin 26
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Mutation
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Sulfate Transporters
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Connexins/genetics*
6.Venous CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer
Xiaomeng HAN ; Shunli LIU ; Jizheng LIN ; Henan LOU ; Hongzheng SONG ; Bo WANG ; Yaolin SONG ; Xiaodan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the value of CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods Totally 325 LAGC patients who received NACT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 247 were taken as training set,while the rest 78 were taken as validation set.Tumor regression scale(TRG)was evaluated according to postoperation pathology after NACT,and the efficacy of NACT was evaluated.Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze and screen clinical predictors of effect of NACT,and clinical model was constructed.Radiomics features were extracted based on venous phase enhanced CT pre-and post-NACT,and Delta radiomics features(i.e.the ratio of the difference of pre-and post-NACT radiomics features and pre-NACT radiomics features)were calculated.The best features were screened based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features to construct radiomics labels,the optimal label was screened and used to construct combined model through combining clinical model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate predicting efficiency of the above models.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to explore the clinical value of each model.Results In training set,significant effect was found in 67 cases,but not in 180 cases,while in validation set,significant effect was found in 18 cases but not in 60 cases.Borrmann classification of LAGC before NACT was the clinical predictor(P=0.031),and clinical model was constructed,which had AUC of 0.577 and 0.520 in training and validation sets,respectively.Based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features,19,14 and 17 best features were selected,and AUC of the established radiomics labels of Pre-Rad,Post-Rad and Delta-Rad in training set was 0.672,0.796 and 0.789,while in validation set was 0.558,0.805 and 0.666,respectively.Post-Rad was the optimal label,which was used to construct combined model.AUC of the obtained combined model in training and validation sets was 0.824 and 0.818,respectively,both higher than that of clinical model(both P<0.001)but not different with that of Post-Rad(both P>0.05).Taken 0.4 to 0.7 as the threshold,the combined model had higher clinical net benefit than the other two.Conclusion Venous CT radiomics could effectively predict effect of NACT for LAGC.Combining with clinical features could improve its predictive efficacy.
7.Venous CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer
Xiaomeng HAN ; Shunli LIU ; Jizheng LIN ; Henan LOU ; Hongzheng SONG ; Bo WANG ; Yaolin SONG ; Xiaodan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the value of CT radiomics for predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)for locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC).Methods Totally 325 LAGC patients who received NACT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 247 were taken as training set,while the rest 78 were taken as validation set.Tumor regression scale(TRG)was evaluated according to postoperation pathology after NACT,and the efficacy of NACT was evaluated.Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze and screen clinical predictors of effect of NACT,and clinical model was constructed.Radiomics features were extracted based on venous phase enhanced CT pre-and post-NACT,and Delta radiomics features(i.e.the ratio of the difference of pre-and post-NACT radiomics features and pre-NACT radiomics features)were calculated.The best features were screened based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features to construct radiomics labels,the optimal label was screened and used to construct combined model through combining clinical model.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate predicting efficiency of the above models.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed to explore the clinical value of each model.Results In training set,significant effect was found in 67 cases,but not in 180 cases,while in validation set,significant effect was found in 18 cases but not in 60 cases.Borrmann classification of LAGC before NACT was the clinical predictor(P=0.031),and clinical model was constructed,which had AUC of 0.577 and 0.520 in training and validation sets,respectively.Based on pre-NACT,post-NACT and Delta radiomics features,19,14 and 17 best features were selected,and AUC of the established radiomics labels of Pre-Rad,Post-Rad and Delta-Rad in training set was 0.672,0.796 and 0.789,while in validation set was 0.558,0.805 and 0.666,respectively.Post-Rad was the optimal label,which was used to construct combined model.AUC of the obtained combined model in training and validation sets was 0.824 and 0.818,respectively,both higher than that of clinical model(both P<0.001)but not different with that of Post-Rad(both P>0.05).Taken 0.4 to 0.7 as the threshold,the combined model had higher clinical net benefit than the other two.Conclusion Venous CT radiomics could effectively predict effect of NACT for LAGC.Combining with clinical features could improve its predictive efficacy.
8.The effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins through inhibiting JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway in calcific aortic valve disease
Hongzheng LI ; Tianjiao LIU ; Zucheng SHANG ; Mengfan LI ; Guosheng LIN ; Bin ZHANG ; Zikai YU ; Changgeng FU ; Yongjian WU ; Keji CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1550-1561
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase(JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway activation to alleviate calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)in mice.Methods Twenty-one male ApoE-/-mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into the model,PNS high-dose(60 mg/kg),and PNS low-dose(30 mg/kg)groups using the random number table method,with seven mice per group.Nine male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were used as the control group.Mice in the control group were fed a normal diet,whereas ApoE-/-mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks.After 12 weeks,three C57BL/6 and three ApoE-/-mice(one ApoE-/-mice from each group)were randomly selected to evaluate the CAVD modeling effect.After confirming successful modeling,the PNS high-and low-dose groups received daily intragastric PNS administration.The control and model groups were administered an equal volume of stroke-physiological saline solution by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks.The valve annulus diameter and peak velocity of the mice in each group were then detected using ultrasound.The degree of aortic valve calcification was evaluated using von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining.The serum triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected by biochemical method.Inflammatory factor interleukin-4(IL-4),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-10(IL-10)levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of calcification markers,runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2)were detected using immunohistochemistry.Aortic valve cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining,and JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway-related mRNA and mean fluorescence intensity were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group showed an increase in serum TC,TG,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,a decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in annulus diameter,an increase in peak flow velocity,and an increase in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas.Additionally,the model group showed an increase in aortic valve cell apoptosis rate,an increase in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,and an increase in JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,and TNF-α levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in positive area in Alizarin Red S staining.Furthermore,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).The PNS high-dose group showed an increase in HDL-C,IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas and cell apoptosis rate.The PNS high-dose group also showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2 positive staining rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Conclusion PNS may reduce valvular cell apoptosis,alleviate inflammation,and protect against aortic valve calcification in mice by inhibiting the activation of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.
9.The effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins through inhibiting JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway in calcific aortic valve disease
Hongzheng LI ; Tianjiao LIU ; Zucheng SHANG ; Mengfan LI ; Guosheng LIN ; Bin ZHANG ; Zikai YU ; Changgeng FU ; Yongjian WU ; Keji CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1550-1561
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase(JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway activation to alleviate calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)in mice.Methods Twenty-one male ApoE-/-mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into the model,PNS high-dose(60 mg/kg),and PNS low-dose(30 mg/kg)groups using the random number table method,with seven mice per group.Nine male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were used as the control group.Mice in the control group were fed a normal diet,whereas ApoE-/-mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks.After 12 weeks,three C57BL/6 and three ApoE-/-mice(one ApoE-/-mice from each group)were randomly selected to evaluate the CAVD modeling effect.After confirming successful modeling,the PNS high-and low-dose groups received daily intragastric PNS administration.The control and model groups were administered an equal volume of stroke-physiological saline solution by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks.The valve annulus diameter and peak velocity of the mice in each group were then detected using ultrasound.The degree of aortic valve calcification was evaluated using von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining.The serum triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected by biochemical method.Inflammatory factor interleukin-4(IL-4),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-10(IL-10)levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of calcification markers,runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2)were detected using immunohistochemistry.Aortic valve cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining,and JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway-related mRNA and mean fluorescence intensity were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group showed an increase in serum TC,TG,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,a decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in annulus diameter,an increase in peak flow velocity,and an increase in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas.Additionally,the model group showed an increase in aortic valve cell apoptosis rate,an increase in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,and an increase in JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,and TNF-α levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in positive area in Alizarin Red S staining.Furthermore,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).The PNS high-dose group showed an increase in HDL-C,IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas and cell apoptosis rate.The PNS high-dose group also showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2 positive staining rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Conclusion PNS may reduce valvular cell apoptosis,alleviate inflammation,and protect against aortic valve calcification in mice by inhibiting the activation of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.
10.The effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins through inhibiting JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway in calcific aortic valve disease
Hongzheng LI ; Tianjiao LIU ; Zucheng SHANG ; Mengfan LI ; Guosheng LIN ; Bin ZHANG ; Zikai YU ; Changgeng FU ; Yongjian WU ; Keji CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1550-1561
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase(JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway activation to alleviate calcific aortic valve disease(CAVD)in mice.Methods Twenty-one male ApoE-/-mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into the model,PNS high-dose(60 mg/kg),and PNS low-dose(30 mg/kg)groups using the random number table method,with seven mice per group.Nine male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were used as the control group.Mice in the control group were fed a normal diet,whereas ApoE-/-mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks.After 12 weeks,three C57BL/6 and three ApoE-/-mice(one ApoE-/-mice from each group)were randomly selected to evaluate the CAVD modeling effect.After confirming successful modeling,the PNS high-and low-dose groups received daily intragastric PNS administration.The control and model groups were administered an equal volume of stroke-physiological saline solution by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks.The valve annulus diameter and peak velocity of the mice in each group were then detected using ultrasound.The degree of aortic valve calcification was evaluated using von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining.The serum triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected by biochemical method.Inflammatory factor interleukin-4(IL-4),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-10(IL-10)levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of calcification markers,runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2)were detected using immunohistochemistry.Aortic valve cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining,and JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway-related mRNA and mean fluorescence intensity were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group showed an increase in serum TC,TG,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,a decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in annulus diameter,an increase in peak flow velocity,and an increase in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas.Additionally,the model group showed an increase in aortic valve cell apoptosis rate,an increase in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,and an increase in JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,and TNF-α levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in positive area in Alizarin Red S staining.Furthermore,the PNS low-dose group showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2-positive rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).The PNS high-dose group showed an increase in HDL-C,IL-4 and IL-10 levels,a decrease in serum TC,LDL-C,TNF-α,and IL-1β levels,an increase in annulus diameter,a decrease in peak flow velocity,and a decrease in von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining-positive areas and cell apoptosis rate.The PNS high-dose group also showed a decrease in BMP2 and RUNX2 positive staining rates,JNK and c-Jun mRNA expression levels,and p-JNK/JNK and p-c-Jun/c-Jun(P<0.05).Conclusion PNS may reduce valvular cell apoptosis,alleviate inflammation,and protect against aortic valve calcification in mice by inhibiting the activation of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.

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