1.Effect of Hei Xiaoyaosan on Neuroinflammation and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway in APP/PS1 Mice
Jun ZHOU ; Mingcheng LI ; Yujie LYU ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yunyun HU ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):124-133
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hei Xiaoyaosan on the learning and memory abilities of Alzheimer's disease model mice (APP/PS1 mice), and to explore its mechanism through the inflammatory cascade mediated by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/cysteine aspartate-specific protease (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway. MethodsSPF-grade 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into the model group, MCC950 group, and Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. C57BL/6J mice were used as the blank group. After 7 days of adaptive feeding, mice in each group were intervened. The Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were given corresponding doses by gavage (25.79, 12.90, 6.45 g·kg-1·d-1), the MCC950 group was intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg·kg-1·2 d-1, and the blank group received the same volume of physiological saline by gavage. After 90 days of intervention, the learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Y maze and Morris water maze tests. The structural changes of hippocampal neurons were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampal CA3 region was detected by immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-18, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-localization of GSDMD-N and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the hippocampus. Results① In the Y maze test, compared with the blank group, the spontaneous alternation rate of the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the spontaneous alternation rate in the Hei Xiaoyaosan high- and low-dose groups was significantly increased (P<0.01). ② In the Morris water maze test, during the 1-4 days of the location navigation test, the escape latency time of mice decreased with the extension of training time. On day 4, compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significantly increased escape latency (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan low-dose group showed significantly reduced escape latency (P<0.05). In the spatial exploration experiment, compared with the blank group, the number of platform crossings in the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Hei Xiaoyaosan low-dose group showed significantly increased platform crossings (P<0.05). ③ HE staining showed that, compared with the blank group, the hippocampal CA3 cells of the model group were damaged, arranged loosely and irregularly, swollen, with unclear boundaries, and the nuclei were pyknotic and deeply stained. MCC950 and all doses of Hei Xiaoyaosan improved the hippocampal CA3 cell damage in APP/PS1 mice to varying degrees. ④ Immunohistochemical results indicated that, compared with the blank group, the expression of APP in the hippocampal CA3 region was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). MCC950 and all doses of Hei Xiaoyaosan could reduce the expression of APP in the hippocampal CA3 region of APP/PS1 mice (P<0.01). ⑤ ELISA results showed that the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in the hippocampus of mice in the model group were significantly increased, and IL-10 levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the IL-18 levels in the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01). IL-1β levels in the hippocampus of the MCC950 group and Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The IL-10 levels in the hippocampus of the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ⑥ Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the hippocampus of the treated groups was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of GSDMD in the hippocampus of the Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of GSDMD-N in the hippocampus of the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ⑦ Immunofluorescence results showed that, compared with the blank group, the co-expression of GSDMD-N and Iba-1 in the hippocampus of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the co-expression of GSDMD-N and Iba-1 in the treated groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may regulate the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway to affect the release of inflammatory factors, alleviate neuroinflammation,improve hippocampal histopathological changes,and improve learning and memory deficits,thus providing potential therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease.
2.Trends of diabetes in Beijing, China.
Aijuan MA ; Jun LYU ; Zhong DONG ; Li NIE ; Chen XIE ; Bo JIANG ; Xueyu HAN ; Jing DONG ; Yue ZHAO ; Liming LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):713-720
BACKGROUND:
The global rise in diabetes prevalence is a pressing concern. Despite initiatives like "The Healthy Beijing Action 2020-2030" advocating for increased awareness, treatment, and control, the specific situation in Beijing remains unexplored. This study aimed to analyze the trends in diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among Beijing adults.
METHODS:
Through a stratified multistage probability cluster sampling method, a series of representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Beijing from 2005 to 2022, targeting adults aged 18-79 years. A face-to-face questionnaire, along with body measurements and laboratory tests, were administered to 111,943 participants. Data from all survey were age- and/or gender-standardized based on the 2020 Beijing census population. Annual percentage rate change (APC) or average annual percentage rate change (AAPC) was calculated to determine prevalence trends over time. Complex sampling logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between various characteristics and diabetes.
RESULTS:
From 2005 to 2022, the total prevalence of diabetes among Beijing adults aged 18-79 years increased from 9.6% (95% CI: 8.8-10.4%) to 13.9% (95% CI: 13.1-14.7%), with an APC/AAPC of 2.1% (95% CI: 1.1-3.2%, P <0.05). Significant increases were observed among adults aged 18-39 years and rural residents. Undiagnosed diabetes rose from 3.5% (95% CI: 3.2-4.0%) to 7.2% (95% CI: 6.6-7.9%) with an APC/AAPC of 4.1% (95% CI: 0.5-7.3%, P <0.05). However, diabetes awareness and treatment rates showed annual declines of 1.4% (95% CI: -3.0% to -0.2%, P <0.05) and 1.3% (95% CI: -2.6% to -0.2%, P <0.05), respectively. The diabetes control rate decreased from 21.5% to 19.1%, although not statistically significant (APC/AAPC = -1.5%, 95% CI: -5.6% to 1.9%). Overweight and obesity were identified as risk factors for diabetes, with ORs of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.38-1.98) and 2.48 (95% CI: 2.07-2.99), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of diabetes in Beijing has significantly increased between 2005 and 2022, particularly among young adults and rural residents. Meanwhile, there has been a concerning decrease in diabetes awareness and treatment rates, while control rates have remained stagnant. Regular blood glucose testing, especially among adults aged 18-59 years, should be warranted. Furthermore, being male, elderly, overweight, or obese was associated with higher diabetes risk, suggesting the needs for targeted management strategies.
Humans
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology*
;
Beijing/epidemiology*
;
Prevalence
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
3.A phenome-wide spectrum of morbidity and mortality risks related to the number of offspring among 0.5 million Chinese men and women: A prospective cohort study.
Meng XIAO ; Aolin LI ; Canqing YU ; Yuanjie PANG ; Pei PEI ; Ling YANG ; Yiping CHEN ; Huaidong DU ; Yujie HUA ; Junshi CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Jun LYU ; Liming LI ; Dianjianyi SUN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2925-2937
BACKGROUND:
Prospective evidence on how offspring number influences morbidity and mortality remains limited. This study investigated the associations between number of offspring and morbidity and mortality risks among 0.5 million Chinese adults.
METHODS:
By using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB; n = 512,723, an approximately 12-year follow-up), sex-stratified phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) analyses were conducted to investigate associations between offspring number (without vs . with offspring; more than one vs . one offspring) and risks of ICD10-coded morbidity and mortality. Sex-specific adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional-hazards models.
RESULTS:
Among 210,129 men and 302,284 women aged 30-79 years, 1,338,837 incident events were recorded. PheWAS results revealed that offspring number was associated with disease risks across multiple systems. Cox models showed that childless men ( vs . one offspring) had higher risks for nine of 36 diseases, while childless women for five of 37. Each additional offspring was associated with reduced risks of mental and behavioral disorders in men (aHR [95% CI] = 0.93 [0.87-0.98]) and both mental and behavioral disorders (aHR [95% CI] = 0.93 [0.89-0.97]) and breast cancer (aHR [95% CI] = 0.82 [0.78-0.86]) in women. However, each additional offspring was associated with a 4% increase in the risk of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in women (aHR [95% CI] = 1.04 [1.02-1.07]). Among 282,630 patients, 44,533 deaths were documented. Childless patients had higher mortality risk in both men (aHR [95% CI] = 1.37 [1.28-1.47]) and women (aHR [95% CI] = 1.27 [1.15-1.41]). For men, each additional offspring reduced mortality by 4% (aHR [95% CI] = 0.96 [0.95-0.98]), while for women, the lowest risk was observed among those with three to four offspring ( Pnonlinear <0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Offspring number is closely linked to morbidity and mortality risks. Further research is warranted to verify our findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms involved.
Adult
;
Aged
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Morbidity
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Prospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
Family Characteristics
;
Mortality
;
East Asian People
4.Conserved translational control in cardiac hypertrophy revealed by ribosome profiling.
Bao-Sen WANG ; Jian LYU ; Hong-Chao ZHAN ; Yu FANG ; Qiu-Xiao GUO ; Jun-Mei WANG ; Jia-Jie LI ; An-Qi XU ; Xiao MA ; Ning-Ning GUO ; Hong LI ; Zhi-Hua WANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):757-774
A primary hallmark of pathological cardiac hypertrophy is excess protein synthesis due to enhanced translational activity. However, regulatory mechanisms at the translational level under cardiac stress remain poorly understood. Here we examined the translational regulations in a mouse cardiac hypertrophy model induced by transaortic constriction (TAC) and explored the conservative networks versus the translatome pattern in human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The results showed that the heart weight to body weight ratio was significantly elevated, and the ejection fraction and fractional shortening significantly decreased 8 weeks after TAC. Puromycin incorporation assay showed that TAC significantly increased protein synthesis rate in the left ventricle. RNA-seq revealed 1,632 differentially expressed genes showing functional enrichment in pathways including extracellular matrix remodeling, metabolic processes, and signaling cascades associated with pathological cardiomyocyte growth. When combined with ribosome profiling analysis, we revealed that translation efficiency (TE) of 1,495 genes was enhanced, while the TE of 933 genes was inhibited following TAC. In DCM patients, 1,354 genes were upregulated versus 1,213 genes were downregulated at the translation level. Although the majority of the genes were not shared between mouse and human, we identified 93 genes, including Nos3, Kcnj8, Adcy4, Itpr1, Fasn, Scd1, etc., with highly conserved translational regulations. These genes were remarkably associated with myocardial function, signal transduction, and energy metabolism, particularly related to cGMP-PKG signaling and fatty acid metabolism. Motif analysis revealed enriched regulatory elements in the 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) of transcripts with differential TE, which exhibited strong cross-species sequence conservation. Our study revealed novel regulatory mechanisms at the translational level in cardiac hypertrophy and identified conserved translation-sensitive targets with potential applications to treat cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in the clinic.
Animals
;
Humans
;
Cardiomegaly/physiopathology*
;
Ribosomes/physiology*
;
Protein Biosynthesis/physiology*
;
Mice
;
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics*
;
Ribosome Profiling
5.Polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting TLR4/NLRP3 pathway.
Xin ZHAN ; Zi-Xu LI ; Zhu YANG ; Jie YU ; Wen CAO ; Zhen-Dong WU ; Jiang-Ping WU ; Qiu-Yue LYU ; Hui CHE ; Guo-Dong WANG ; Jun HAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2450-2460
This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Polysaccharides/isolation & purification*
;
Polygonatum/chemistry*
;
Brain Ischemia/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Humans
6.Medicinal properties and compatibility application of aromatic traditional Chinese medicine monomer components based on action of volatile components against viral pneumonia.
Yin-Ming ZHAO ; Lin-Yuan WANG ; Jian-Jun ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi LI ; Xiao-Fang WU ; Qi ZHANG ; Xing-Yu ZHAO ; Lin-Ze LI ; Rui-Lin LYU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2013-2021
Aromatic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has played an important role against epidemics and viruses, and volatile components are the main components that exert the pharmacological effects of aromatic TCM. By screening the related monomer components in aromatic TCM against epidemic and viruses and analyzing and endowing TCM with medicinal properties based on its clinical application and pharmacological research according to the theoretical thinking of TCM, the key technical issues of compatibility of TCM monomer components were solved from a theoretical perspective, providing new ideas and methods for screening raw materials and formulas for the development of new TCM drugs. Based on the conditions of antiviral activity, clinical application foundation, definite therapeutic effect, and high safety, a gradient screening of aromatic TCM was carried out. Firstly, 30 aromatic TCM were screened from anti-epidemic literature and clinical trial formulas, and seven volatile monomers were further screened from them. Then, four monomer components with significant effects, namely patchouli alcohol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and eucalyptol were screened. By adopting the "four-step method for a systematic study of TCM properties", the four monomer components were endowed with medicinal properties, and compatibility and combination studies were conducted to explore the theoretical basis of monomer formulas and form monomer formulas guided by TCM theory. The screening results of volatile monomers in aromatic TCM against viral pneumonia included patchouli alcohol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and eucalyptol. The medicinal properties and compatibility theory of volatile monomer components in TCM were explored. Patchouli alcohol was the main herb, with a cool and pungent nature. It entered the lung meridian to dispel evil Qi and has the effects of aromatization, detoxification, and epidemic prevention. Carvacrol was a minister drug with a cool and pungent taste. It had the effects of aromatizing, moistening, and dissolving the exterior, as well as strengthening the spleen and stomach. p-Cymene was an adjunctive medicine with a mild and pungent nature. It entered the lungs and kidneys and had the effects of aromatic purification, cough relief, and asthma relief. Eucalyptol was also an adjunctive medicine with a pungent and warm taste. It had the functions of aromatic purification, cough relief, phlegm reduction, and pain relief. The combination of the four medicines had the effects of aromatizing, moistening, detoxifying, and epidemic prevention, as well as relieving cough and asthma and strengthening the spleen and stomach. They were used to treat viral pneumonia caused by upper respiratory tract viral infections, with symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, wheezing, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, nausea, and vomiting. This study has laid a literature and theoretical foundation for further drug efficacy verification experiments, compatibility efficacy experiments, and subsequent product development and clinical applications, and it serves as an innovative practice that combines literature research, theoretical research, experimental research, and clinical practice to develop new products.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Pneumonia, Viral/virology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology*
;
Animals
7.Mechanistic of Yueju Wan volatile oil in inhibiting inflammation for antidepressant effects by regulating AGE/PI3K/Akt pathway.
Tan-Lu CHU ; Ze-Jun GUO ; Wei ZHANG ; Ling-Feng WANG ; Shu-Rui LYU ; Wan-Yu GUO ; Xiao-Ming ZHONG ; Feng-Mei QIU ; Zhen HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3147-3158
The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals
;
Antidepressive Agents/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology*
;
Oils, Volatile/chemistry*
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Depression/metabolism*
;
Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology*
;
Humans
8.Effects of ginsenoside Rb_1 on liver FXR pathway and liver and fecal bile acid profiles in rats induced by high-fat diet based on targeted metabolomics.
Xue LENG ; Yang LI ; Qi WANG ; Xin-Tong LI ; Mei-Jun LYU ; Yan-Na SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4649-4658
A targeted metabolomics study was conducted on the bile acid profiles in the liver and feces of rats induced by a high-fat diet and intervened by ginsenoside Rb_1, along with the detection of FXR pathway gene expression in the liver, to explore and clarify its mechanism of action. The content of biochemical indicators in the serum were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to detect pathological changes and lipid deposition in the liver. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of FXR, small heterodimer partner(SHP), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c) in the liver. Targeted bile acid metabolomics technology was employed to analyze changes in bile acid profiles in liver tissue and feces, and a correlation analysis was performed between key genes such as FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, SREBP-1c and differential bile acid metabolites. The results showed that ginsenoside Rb_1 significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) in the serum, alleviated the large fat vacuoles and lipid deposition in the liver, increased the expression of FXR mRNA in the liver, and decreased the expression of SREBP-1c mRNA. The expression of CYP7A1 and SHP mRNA was increased, but the differences were not statistically significant. Targeted bile acid metabolomics showed that ginsenoside Rb_1 could restore the levels of 9 bile acids in the liver and 8 bile acids in the feces. Ginsenoside Rb_1 also increased the percentage of taurocholic acid(TCA) in the liver(56.78%) and the percentage of 12-ketolithocholic acid(12-KLCA) in the feces(26.10%). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed two pathways involved in bile acid metabolism: primary bile acid biosynthesis and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, and SREBP-1c were positively correlated with multiple differential bile acids. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb_1 may intervene in lipid metabolism disorders induced by a high-fat diet by regulating the FXR pathway and modulating bile acid profiles in the liver and feces.
Animals
;
Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics*
;
Liver/drug effects*
;
Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
;
Metabolomics
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Feces/chemistry*
;
Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase/metabolism*
;
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1/genetics*
;
Humans
9.Application of oblique lateral interbody fusion channel technique in lumbar infection.
Sheng-Yun LI ; Jun LI ; Xiao-Rui ZHANG ; Jie SONG ; Xiu-Lei XU ; Kai LYU ; Xing ZHAO
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(5):473-481
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the efficacy and safety of oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF) channel technique combined with pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of single-segment lumbar intervertebral space/vertebral body infection.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbar infection from January 2021 to December 2022. The patients were divided into the OLIF channel group and the traditional open surgery group according to the surgical methods. There were 16 cases in the OLIF channel group, including 9 males and 7 females, with an average age of (68.5±12.1) years old;there were 7 cases in the traditional open surgery group, including 4 males and 3 females, with an average age of (75.0±3.2) years old. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, incision length, visual analogue scale(VAS), activities of daily living (ADL) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP) before and 1 week and 3 months after the operation, and the intervertebral fusion status on the last follow-up CT were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with the open surgery group, the OLIF channel group had shorter operation time (209.87±31.5) min vs. (246.0±42.7) min, less intraoperative blood loss (225.625±91.1) ml vs. (364.2±74.8) ml, and shorter incision length (6.1±1.2) vs. (14.0±1.4) cm, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Before and 1 week and 3 months after the operation, the lumbar VAS in the OLIF group were (6.3±0.6), (2.8±0.7), (1.1±0.5), and those in the traditional open surgery group were (6.4±0.6), (3.4±0.5), (1.2±0.3);the ADL scores in the OLIF group were (45.0±4.5), (60.3±4.3), (94.1±4.2), and those in the open group were (46.4±5.6), (60.7±4.5), (92.9±4.9); the ODI scores in the OLIF group were (86.3±2.9)%, (69.5±4.1)%, (23.0±3.2)%, and those in the open group were (87.3±3.8)%, (69.8±4.2)%, (23.8±3.6)%, all of which showed significant improvement(P<0.05). Three months after the operation, CRP, PCT, and ESR were significantly lower than those before the operation, and CRP and PCT returned to normal, while ESR was still slightly elevated in some patients. The last follow-up CT showed that continuous trabecular bone formation was observed between the upper and lower endplates of the surgical segments in all patients, and the fusion time was (8.7±4.5) months.
CONCLUSION
The OLIF channel technique combined with posterior internal fixation is a minimally invasive and effective treatment method, which can effectively control infection, relieve pain, and improve the quality of life of patients. Compared with traditional open surgery, it has the advantages of minimally invasive, shorter operation time, and less intraoperative blood loss.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Spinal Fusion/methods*
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/microbiology*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Pedicle Screws
;
Infections/surgery*
10.Bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury: Incidence and influencing factors.
Min JIANG ; Jun-Wei ZHANG ; He-Hu TANG ; Yu-Fei MENG ; Zhen-Rong ZHANG ; Fang-Yong WANG ; Jin-Zhu BAI ; Shu-Jia LIU ; Zhen LYU ; Shi-Zheng CHEN ; Jie-Sheng LIU ; Jia-Xin FU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):477-484
PURPOSE:
To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
METHODS:
A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Patients with SCI in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2023 were collected. According to the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites, the patients were divided into the lumbar spine group and the hip joint group. According to the BMD value, the patients were divided into the normal bone mass group (t > -1.0 standard deviation) and the osteopenia group (t ≤ -1.0 standard deviation). The influencing factors accumulated as follows: gender, age, height, weight, cause of injury, injury segment, injury degree, time after injury, start time of rehabilitation, motor score, sensory score, spasticity, serum value of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus. The trend chart was drawn and the influencing factors were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the BMD values of the lumbar spine and bilateral hips. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of osteoporosis after SCI. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
The incidence of bone loss in patients with SCI was 66.3%. There was a low concordance between bone loss in the lumbar spine and the hip, and the hip was particularly susceptible to bone loss after SCI, with an upward trend in incidence (36% - 82%). In this study, patients with SCI were divided into the lumbar spine group (n = 100) and the hip group (n = 185) according to the BMD values of different sites. Then, the lumbar spine group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 53) and the osteopenia group (n = 47); the hip joint group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 83) and the osteopenia group (n = 102). Of these, lumbar bone loss after SCI is correlated with gender and weight (p = 0.032 and < 0.001, respectively), and hip bone loss is correlated with gender, height, weight, and time since injury (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of bone loss after SCI was high, especially in the hip. The incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in the lumbar spine and hip were different. Patients with SCI who are male, low height, lightweight, and long time after injury were more likely to have bone loss.
Humans
;
Spinal Cord Injuries/complications*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Incidence
;
Adult
;
Bone Density
;
Middle Aged
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Osteoporosis/etiology*
;
Lumbar Vertebrae
;
Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology*
;
Aged
;
Risk Factors

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail