1.Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan in Improving Glomerulosclerosis in db/db Mice via SIRT1/HIF-1α/VLDLr Signaling Pathway
Ruijia LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Shilong GUO ; Jing LI ; Qianqian ZHANG ; Wen DONG ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):11-18
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan (DSS) in ameliorating renal injury in db/db mice. MethodsThirty 8-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF)-grade male db/db mice and six db/m mice were acclimated for one week. Urinary microalbumin and blood glucose levels were measured weekly in both db/db and db/m mice. Successful modeling was determined by significantly higher microalbuminuria in db/db mice compared to db/m mice and a fasting blood glucose ≥16.7 mmol·L-1. The 30 db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups: the model group, the irbesartan (IBN) group, and three DSS dose groups (low-, medium-, and high-dose DSS groups, administered at 16.77, 33.54, 67.08 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively). Additionally, the six db/m mice served as the normal control group. The IBN group received irbesartan at 0.025 g·kg-1·d-1 by gavage, while the three DSS groups received DSS at 16.77, 33.54, and 67.08 g·kg-1·d-1 by gavage, respectively. The normal and model groups were administered with an equivalent volume of normal saline by gavage. All interventions lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After intervention, serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary total protein (UTP), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the treatments. Renal histopathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of silencing information regulator 1 (SIRT1), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLr), and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA levels of HIF-1α and VLDLr. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression and distribution of HIF-1α and Caspase-3. ResultsCompared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased SCr, BUN, UTP, TG, and LDL-C. HE staining revealed glomerulosclerosis, mesangial matrix hyperplasia, capillary loop distortion and thickening, with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration. Protein expression of SIRT1 and CD31 significantly decreased (P<0.05), while HIF-1α and VLDLr protein and mRNA levels increased (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed increased expression of HIF-1α and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), indicating hypoxia and apoptosis in renal cells. In all treatment groups, SCr, BUN, TG, and LDL-C were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05), and UTP was significantly improved in the medium-dose DSS group (P<0.05). Renal tissue structure and morphology were improved, inflammatory cells were reduced, and no vascular hyaline degeneration was observed. SIRT1 and CD31 protein expression was elevated to varying degrees compared to the model group (P<0.05), while HIF-1α and VLDLr protein and mRNA levels decreased (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed reduced expression of HIF-1α and Caspase-3 in all treatment groups (P<0.05), with the most significant improvement observed in the IBN group and medium-dose DSS group (P<0.05). ConclusionDSS can effectively ameliorate glomerulosclerosis and lipid deposition in db/db mice, and its mechanism may involve the SIRT1/HIF-1α/VLDLr signaling pathway.
2.Protective Effect and Potential Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan on Diabetic Kidney Disease in db/db Mice Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Glomerular Endothelial Cells
Ruijia LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Shilong GUO ; Sen YANG ; Jing LI ; Qianqian ZHANG ; Wen DONG ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):28-35
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Danggui Shaoyaosan (DSS) on renal injury in db/db mice and its impact on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in renal tissues. MethodsThirty 8-week-old male db/db mice and six db/m mice were acclimated for one week, after which urinary microalbumin and blood glucose levels were monitored to establish a diabetic kidney disease (DKD) model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group, an irbesartan group, and three DSS treatment groups with different doses (16.77, 33.54, and 67.08 g·kg-1·d-1). A normal group was set as control. Each group was intragastrically administered with the corresponding drugs or saline for 8 weeks. After the intervention, general conditions were observed. Serum cystatin C (Cys-C), 24-hour urinary total protein (24 h-UTP), 24-hour urinary microalbumin (24 h-UMA), urinary creatinine (Ucr), and urea nitrogen (UUN) were measured. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and ultrastructural changes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in glomerular endothelial cells. Western blot, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze renal tissue structure and the expression of GRP78, CHOP, and related markers. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the mice in the model group showed curled posture, sluggish response, poor fur condition, increased levels of Cys-C, 24 h-UTP, 24 h-UMA, and UUN (P<0.05), while Ucr decreased (P<0.05). The GBM was significantly thickened, with podocyte and foot process fusion. The protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and ATF6 were significantly upregulated (P<0.05), the mRNA levels of GRP78 and CHOP increased (P<0.05), and immunohistochemistry showed an enhanced GRP78 signal (P<0.05). After treatment, the mice exhibited improved behavior, normalized GBM and podocyte structure, improved ER morphology and markedly better biochemical indicators. Western blot, Real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry indicated that the ERS-related markers were downregulated in the DSS treatment groups (P<0.05), suggesting alleviated ERS and improved renal function. ConclusionDSS can effectively ameliorate renal pathological damage in db/db mice, possibly by regulating ERS in glomerular endothelial cells, although the underlying signaling mechanisms require further investigation.
3.Correlation between depressive symptom and traditional Chinese medicine constitution among school aged children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1222-1225
Objective:
To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents, so as to provide evidences for informing constitution based regulation and prevention of depressive symptom.
Methods:
From June to December 2024, a total of 4 729 students aged 6-14 were recruited by cluster random sampling from 10 primary schools in Baoding (Hebei Province), Heze and Liaocheng (Shandong Province). General information, TCM constitution and depressive symptom were collected. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to analyze related factors and threshold effects of depressive symptom. Binary Logistic regression was applied to examine the association between depressive symptom and TCM constitution, with subgroup analyses conducted.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptom among the included children and adolescents was 25.82%. RCS analyses indicated non linear associations between depressive symptom and age (inflection point at 10 years old), bedtime (inflection point at 22:00), and wake up time (inflection point at 6:30 ) (all P non linearity <0.01). Linear associations were observed with body mass index (BMI) and sleep duration (all P non linearity > 0.05 ). After adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI and sleep status, binary Logistic regression analyses showed that Yin deficient constitution ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.09-1.45) and Phlegm-dampness constitution ( OR =1.42, 95% CI =1.11-1.82) were significantly associated with depressive symptom among children and adolescents (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents is primarily associated with Yin deficiency and Phlegm dampness constitutions in TCM constitution. Active attention should be paid to susceptible TCM constitution among children and adolescents. Targeted health guidance and interventions should be implemented to improve TCM constitution health status for preventing the occurrence of depressive symptom.
4.Digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum based on HPLC-QTOF-MS~E and Adaboost.
Xiao-Han GUO ; Xian-Rui WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Ming-Hua LI ; Wen-Guang JING ; Xian-Long CHENG ; Feng WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1172-1178
Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum is a precious animal-derived Chinese medicinal material, while there are often adulterants derived from animals not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopeia in the market, which disturbs the safety of medication. This study was conducted with the aim of strengthening the quality control of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum and standardizing the medication. To achieve digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum from different sources, a digital identification model was constructed based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E) combined with an adaptive boosting algorithm(Adaboost). The young furred antlers of sika deer, red deer, elk, and reindeer were processed and then subjected to polypeptide analysis by UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E. Then, the mass spectral data reflecting the polypeptide information were obtained by digital quantification. Next, the key data were obtained by feature screening based on Gini index, and the digital identification model was constructed by Adaboost. The model was evaluated based on the recall rate, F_1 composite score, and accuracy. Finally, the results of identification based on the constructed digital identification model were validated. The results showed that when the Gini index was used to screen the data of top 100 characteristic polypeptides, the digital identification model based on Adaboost had the best performance, with the recall rate, F_1 composite score, and accuracy not less than 0.953. The validation analysis showed that the accuracy of the identification of the 10 batches of samples was as high as 100.0%. Therefore, based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E and Adaboost algorithm, the digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum can be realized efficiently and accurately, which can provide reference for the quality control and original animal identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum.
Animals
;
Algorithms
;
Antlers/chemistry*
;
Boosting Machine Learning Algorithms
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
;
Deer
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Quality Control
;
Reindeer
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Tissue Extracts/analysis*
5.Application scenarios of rare and endangered Chinese medicinal materials and their substitutes.
Wen-Ting HU ; Xiao-Bo ZHANG ; Yi-Jing ZHANG ; Zhi-Yong LI ; Lan-Ping GUO ; Lu-Qi HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2640-2647
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources are an important foundation for the theory and practice of TCM. Rare and endangered TCM, as a significant component of these resources, plays an essential role. Conducting research on substitutes for rare and endangered TCM resources is of great significance for alleviating resource shortages, promoting the sustainable utilization of TCM, and advancing TCM modernization. This paper reviews the conservation achievements of rare and endangered Chinese medicinal materials in China and organizes the substitution methods for these materials. Currently, the main substitution approaches include introduction and domestication, tissue culture, varietal replacement, and artificial synthesis. Furthermore, this paper proposes the following approaches for researching the application scenarios of rare and endangered medicinal materials, i.e., tracing the historical context of their use to clarify foundational principles; verifying disease classifications to strengthen the clinical application scenarios of these materials; analyzing the evolution patterns of prescription formulations to strengthen the mining of the compatibility application scenarios of rare and endangered medicinal materials; scientifically evaluating to strengthen the application scenario research and development of endangered Chinese patent medicine industry. These efforts aim to promote the scientific substitution and sustainable utilization of rare and endangered medicinal materials and their substitutes.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
China
;
Plants, Medicinal/growth & development*
;
Endangered Species
;
Conservation of Natural Resources
;
Animals
6.Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
Xuan YIN ; Xiao-Ling ZENG ; Jing-Jing LIN ; Wen-Qing XU ; Kai-Yu CUI ; Xiu-Tian GUO ; Wei LI ; Shi-Fen XU
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(2):159-168
OBJECTIVE:
Comorbid pain and depression are common but remain difficult to treat. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve symptoms of depression and relieve pain, but its neural mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to detect cerebral changes after initiating a mouse pain model via constriction of the infraorbital nerve (CION) and then treating these animals with EA.
METHODS:
Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups: control, CION model, EA, and sham acupuncture (without needle insertion). EA was performed on the acupoints Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 20 min, once a day for 10 consecutive days. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was tested 3 days after the surgery and every 3 days after the intervention. The depressive behavior was evaluated with the tail suspension test, open-field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), sucrose preference test, and marble burying test. The rs-fMRI was used to detect the cerebral changes of the functional connectivity (FC) in the mice following EA treatment.
RESULTS:
Compared with the CION group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold increased in the EA group at the end of the intervention (P < 0.05); the immobility time in tail suspension test decreased (P < 0.05); and the times of the open arm entry and the open arm time in the EPM increased (both P < 0.001). There was no difference in the sucrose preference or marble burying tests (both P > 0.05). The fMRI results showed that EA treatment downregulated the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity values, while these indicators were elevated in brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the CION model for comorbid pain and depression. Selecting the amygdala as the seed region, we found that the FC was higher in the CION group than in the control group. Meanwhile, EA treatment was able to decrease the FC between the amygdala and other brain regions including the caudate putamen, thalamus, and parts of the cerebral cortex.
CONCLUSION
EA can downregulate the abnormal activation of neurons in the amygdala and improve its FC with other brain regions, thus exerting analgesic and antidepressant effects. Please cite this article as: Yin X, Zeng XL, Lin JJ, Xu WQ, Cui KY, Guo XT, Li W, Xu SF. Brain functional changes following electroacupuncture in a mouse model of comorbid pain and depression: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 159-168.
Animals
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Male
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Depression/diagnostic imaging*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Brain/diagnostic imaging*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Mice
;
Pain/diagnostic imaging*
;
Acupuncture Points
7.Current situation of clinical trial registration in acupuncture anesthesia: A scoping review.
Yue LI ; You-Ning LIU ; Zhen GUO ; Mu-En GU ; Wen-Jia WANG ; Yi ZHU ; Xiao-Jun ZHUANG ; Li-Ming CHEN ; Jia ZHOU ; Jing LI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):256-263
BACKGROUND:
Modern acupuncture anesthesia is a combination of Chinese and Western medicine that integrates the theories of acupuncture with anesthesia. However, some clinical studies of acupuncture anesthesia lack specific descriptions of randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding processes, with subsequent systematic reviews indicating a risk of bias.
OBJECTIVE:
Clinical trial registration is essential for the enhancement of the quality of clinical trials. This study aims to summarize the status of clinical trial registrations for acupuncture anesthesia listed on the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).
SEARCH STRATEGY:
We searched the ICTRP for clinical trials related to acupuncture anesthesia registered between January 1, 2001 and May 31, 2023. Additionally, related publications were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Data. Registrations and publications were analyzed for consistency in trial design characteristics.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Clinical trials that utilized one of several acupuncture-related therapies in combination with pharmacological anesthesia during the perioperative period were eligible for this review.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS:
Data extracted from articles included type of surgical procedure, perioperative symptoms, study methodology, type of intervention, trial recruitment information, and publication information related to clinical enrollment.
RESULTS:
A total of 166 trials related to acupuncture anesthesia from 21 countries were included in the analysis. The commonly reported symptoms in the included studies were postoperative nausea and vomiting (19.9%) and postoperative pain (13.3%). The concordance between the publications and the trial protocols in the clinical registry records was poor, with only 31.7% of the studies being fully compatible. Inconsistency rates were high for sample size (39.0%, 16/41), blinding (36.6%, 15/41), and secondary outcome indicators (24.4%, 10/41).
CONCLUSION
The volume of acupuncture anesthesia clinical trials registered in international trial registries over the last 20 years is low, with insufficient disclosure of results. Postoperative nausea and vomiting as well as postoperative pain, are the most investigated for acupuncture intervention. Please cite this article as: Li Y, Liu YN, Guo Z, Gu ME, Wang WJ, Zhu Y, Zhuang XJ, Chen LM, Zhou J, Li J. Current situation of clinical trial registration in acupuncture anesthesia: A scoping review. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 256-263.
Humans
;
Acupuncture Analgesia
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Anesthesia
;
Clinical Trials as Topic
;
Registries
8.Environmental Temperature and the Risk of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Transmission in the Yangtze River Region of China.
Yan Qing YANG ; Min CHEN ; Jin LI ; Kai Qi LIU ; Xue Yan GUO ; Xin XU ; Qian LIANG ; Xing Lu WU ; Su Wen LEI ; Jing LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):290-302
OBJECTIVE:
To assess health equity in the Yangtze River region to improve understanding of the correlation between hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and socioeconomic factors.
METHODS:
From 2014-2016, data on HFMD incidence, population statistics, economic indicators, and meteorology from 26 cities along the Yangtze River were analyzed. A multi-city random-effects meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship between temperature and HFMD transmission, and health equity was assessed with respect to socio-economic impact.
RESULTS:
Over the study period, 919,458 HFMD cases were reported, with Shanghai (162,303) having the highest incidence and Tongling (5,513) having the lowest. Males were more commonly affected (male-to-female ratio, 1.49:1). The exposure-response relationship had an M-shaped curve, with two HFMD peaks occurring at 4 °C and 26 °C. The relative risk had two peaks at 1.30 °C (1.834, 95% CI: 1.204-2.794) and 31.4 °C (1.143, 95% CI: 0.901-1.451), forming an M shape, with the first peak higher than the second. The most significant impact of temperature on HFMD was observed between -2 °C and 18.1 °C. The concentration index (0.2463) indicated moderate concentration differences, whereas the Theil index (0.0418) showed low inequality in distribution.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of HFMD varied across cities, particularly with changes in temperature. Economically prosperous areas showed higher risks, indicating disparities. Targeted interventions in these areas are crucial for mitigating the risk of HFMD.
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Cities/epidemiology*
;
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/transmission*
;
Incidence
;
Risk Factors
;
Temperature
9.Interstitial Lung Disease With CA19-9 Elevation After Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine Adjuvant Therapy for Ileocecal Carcinoma:Report of One Case.
Wen-Jing YANG ; Guo-Wang YANG ; Ying LI ; Hao WANG ; Lin YANG ; Wei-Ru XU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(4):660-665
Both carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9 are considered as predictive markers of intestinal cancer recurrence and metastasis.In addition,CA19-9 elevation is considered as a predictive marker of connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease.The incidence of oxaliplatin and capecitabine-associated interstitial lung disease is low,and there is no report about CA19-9 as a predictive marker of oxaliplatin and capecitabine-associated interstitial lung disease.This paper reports a case of interstitial lung disease with CA19-9 elevation caused by oxaliplatin and capecitabine adjuvant therapy for ileocecal carcinoma.The change trend of serum carcinoembryonic antigen in this patient was consistent with tumor recurrence and metastasis,and that of serum CA19-9 was consistent with the severity of interstitial lung disease.Therefore,CA19-9 elevation after intestinal cancer surgery does not necessarily indicate the tumor recurrence and metastasis,and attention should be paid to the possibility of oxaliplatin and capecitabine-associated interstitial lung disease.
Humans
;
CA-19-9 Antigen/blood*
;
Capecitabine
;
Cecal Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
;
Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage*
;
Fluorouracil/administration & dosage*
;
Lung Diseases, Interstitial/blood*
;
Organoplatinum Compounds/administration & dosage*
;
Oxaliplatin
10.Genetic and clinical characteristics of children with RAS-mutated juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
Yun-Long CHEN ; Xing-Chen WANG ; Chen-Meng LIU ; Tian-Yuan HU ; Jing-Liao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Ye GUO ; Yao ZOU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Ying-Chi ZHANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Wen-Yu YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):548-554
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022.
RESULTS:
A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy*
;
Mutation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child
;
Infant
;
GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
;
Prognosis


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