1.Rehmanniae Radix Iridoid Glycosides Protect Kidneys of Diabetic Mice by Regulating TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Hongwei ZHANG ; Ming LIU ; Huisen WANG ; Wenjing GE ; Xuexia ZHANG ; Qian ZHOU ; Huani LI ; Suqin TANG ; Gengsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):56-66
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Rehmanniae Radix iridoid glycosides (RIG) on the kidney tissue of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsTwelve of 72 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 60 mice were fed with a high-fat diet for six weeks combined with injection of 60 mg·kg-1 STZ for 4 days to model type 2 diabetes mellitus. The successfully modeled mice were randomized into model, metformin (250 mg·kg-1), catalpol (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose RIG (RIG-L, 200 mg·kg-1) and high-dose RIG (RIG-H, 400 mg·kg-1) groups (n=11). Mice in each group were administrated with corresponding drugs, while those in the normal group and model group were administrated with the same dose of distilled water by gavage once a day. After 8 weeks of intervention, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. After mice were sacrificed, both kidneys were collected. The body weight, kidney weight, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), serum creatinine (SCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the serum level of fasting insulin (FINS), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The pathological changes in kidneys of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The immunohistochemical method (IHC) was employed to assess the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and collagen-3 (ColⅢ) in the kidney tissue. The protein levels of TGF-β1, cell signal transduction molecule 3 (Smad3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and ColⅢ in kidneys of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showcased decreased body weight and ISI (P<0.01), increased kidney weight, FBG, AUC, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, SCr, and BUN (P<0.01), glomerular hypertrophy, capsular space narrowing, and collagen deposition in the kidney, up-regulated protein levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, ColⅢ, and Smad3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of MMP-9 (P<0.01) in the kidney tissue. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had no significant difference in the body weight and decreased kidney weight (P<0.05, P<0.01). The FBG level declined in the RIG-H group after treatment for 4-8 weeks and in the metformin, catalpol, and RIG-L groups after treatment for 6-8 weeks (P<0.01). The AUC in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of TC, SCr, and BUN in the serum of mice in each treatment group became lowered (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of TG declined in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum level of FINS declined in the catalpol, RIG-L, and metformin groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups showed decreased HOMA-IR (P<0.01), increased ISI (P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes in the kidney tissue, and down-regulated expression of IL-1 and TGF-β1. In addition, the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups and IL-6 and TNF-α in the RIG-L group were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the catalpol group and ColⅢ in the RIG-L group showed a decreasing trend without statistical difference. The protein levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the protein level of MMP-9 was up-regulated in each treatment group (P<0.01). ConclusionRIG can improve the renal structure and function of diabetic mice by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
2.Effects of KHSRP targeting JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway on the malignant biological behavior of the adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction
ZHANG Haifenga ; WANG Mengyaob△ ; WANG Xiaolonga ; LIU Yangyangb ; LI Lia,b ; WEI Haitaoa
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(1):38-47
[摘 要] 目的:探讨KH型剪切调节蛋白(KHSRP)靶向调控JAK1/STAT3信号轴对食管胃结合部腺癌(AEG)细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭及移植瘤生长与肺转移的影响。方法:收集2017年1月至2018年12月间在淮河医院确诊的64例AEG组织和癌旁组织标本及临床资料,采用免疫组化法观察AEG组织和癌旁组织中KHSRP的表达水平。qPCR法检测AEG细胞OE-19、TE-7、BIC-1、FLO-1、SK-GT-4、BE-3与正常食管上皮细胞Het-1A中KHSRP的表达差异。通过慢病毒载体对KHSRP进行敲减和过表达处理,分别转染OE-19与TE-7细胞、FLO-1与SK-GT-4细胞,实验分为sh-NC组、sh-KHSRP组和Vector组、KHSRP过表达组(KHSRP组)。采用qPCR法检测敲减或过表达效率,CCK-8法、Transwell小室法分别检测敲减或过表达KHSRP对AEG细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。构建小鼠异种移植瘤和肺转移模型,观察KHSRP对移植瘤体内生长和转移的作用。WB法验证KHSRP靶向JAK/STAT信号通路。细胞拯救实验验证KHSRP是否通过调节JAK1/STAT3信号通路促进AEG细胞的恶性进程。结果:与癌旁组织相比,AEG组织中KHSRP表达水平显著增高(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。细胞功能实验分析显示,KHSRP过表达在体外均显著促进AEG细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。动物实验结果显示,KHSRP在裸鼠体内具有促进AEG细胞移植瘤生长与肺转移的作用(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。在敲减KHSRP后,JAK/STAT信号通路中JAK1、STAT3磷酸化水平均明显降低,过表达KHSRP后情况则均反之(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。细胞拯救实验显示,KHSRP可以逆转敲减JAK1/STAT3对细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。结论:KHSRP通过激活JAK1/STAT3信号通路调控AEG细胞转移的恶性进程,KHSRP有望成为AEG临床治疗的潜在靶点。
3.Relationship between metabolic score for insulin resistance and overactive bladder in the US population based on NHANES data from 2005 to 2018
Guoliang XU ; Feiyang GAO ; Xihao WANG ; Jiangtao ZHU ; Wei LIN ; Pengyue LIU ; Yongjun YAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):416-423
Objective: To assess the association between the metabolic score for insulin resistance index (METS-IR) and overactive bladder (OAB) in the US population,so as to explore the potential of METS-IR as a predictive tool for OAB risk and to provide insights for early screening and intervention strategies. Methods: Based on the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018,a cross-sectional design was employed,and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between METS-IR and OAB. METS-IR was analyzed both as a continuous variable and categorized into quartiles. To further validate the association between METS-IR and OAB across diverse populations,subgroup analyses were conducted in participants stratified by clinical characteristics. Smooth curve fitting was employed to test the linearity of the METS-IR-OAB relationship. Results: Elevated METS-IR was associated with an increased risk of OAB (P<0.001),and this positive correlation remained stable when METS-IR was categorized into quartiles (P<0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that the association between METS-IR and OAB was more pronounced in females,participants younger than 55 years,and non-diabetic individuals (P<0.05). Furthermore,smooth curve fitting confirmed a linear positive correlation between METS-IR and OAB,with this linear relationship observed in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Conclusion: This study,based on the NHANES 2005-2018 database,found a linear positive correlation between METS-IR and OAB.
4.Effectiveness of guide plate with mortise-tenon joint structure combined with off-axis fixation in treatment of Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures.
Xuanye ZHU ; Lijuan CUI ; Leilei ZHANG ; Yudong JIA ; Yingjie ZHU ; Youwen LIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(3):284-289
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectiveness of using 3 hollow compression screws combined with 1 screw off-axis fixation under the guidance of three-dimensional (3D) printed guide plate with mortise-tenon joint structure (mortise-tenon joint plate) for the treatment of Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures.
METHODS:
A clinical data of 78 patients with Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures, who were admitted between August 2022 and August 2023 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. The operations were assisted with mortise-tenon joint plates in 26 cases (mortise-tenon joint plate group) and traditional guide plates in 28 cases (traditional plate group), and without guide plates in 24 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in the baseline data of gender, age, body mass index, cause of injury, and fracture side between groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, incision length, incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 week after operation, and Harris score of hip joint at 3 months after operation were recorded and compared. X-ray re-examination was taken to check the quality of fracture reduction, fracture healing, and the shortening length of the femoral neck at 3 months after operation, and the incidences of internal fixation failure and osteonecrosis of the femoral head during operation.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy reduced in the two plate groups, and the quality of fracture reduction was better, but the incision was longer, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly higher in the traditional plate group than in the mortise-tenon joint plate group ( P<0.05), the incision was significantly longer ( P<0.05); and the difference in fracture reduction quality and the frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy was not significant between two plate groups ( P>0.05). There was 1 case of deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity in the traditional plate group and 1 case in the control group, while there was no thrombosis in the mortise-tenon joint plate group. There was no significant difference in the incidence between groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 13 months). There was no significant difference in VAS score at 1 week and Harris score at 3 months between groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the fracture healing time and the length of femoral neck shortening at 3 months after operation were significantly shorter in the two plate groups ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two plate groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidences of non-union fractures, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, or internal fixation failure between groups ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
For Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures, the use of 3D printed guide plate assisted reduction and fixation can shorten the fracture healing time, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and be more conducive to the early functional exercise of the affected limb. Compared with the traditional guide plate, the mortise-tenon joint plate can reduce the intraoperative bleeding and shorten the operation time.
Humans
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Femoral Neck Fractures/diagnostic imaging*
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Bone Plates
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
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Male
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Female
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Retrospective Studies
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Middle Aged
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Bone Screws
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Adult
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Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
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Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Operative Time
5.Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Exacerbates Pathological Processes of Parkinson's Disease: Insights from Signaling Pathways Mediated by Insulin Receptors.
Shufen LIU ; Tingting LIU ; Jingwen LI ; Jun HONG ; Ali A MOOSAVI-MOVAHEDI ; Jianshe WEI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):676-690
Parkinson's disease (PD), a chronic and common neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the dense part of the substantia nigra and abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin secretion. Extensive evidence has confirmed shared pathogenic mechanisms underlying PD and T2DM, such as oxidative stress caused by insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and disorders of energy metabolism. Conventional drugs for treating T2DM, such as metformin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, affect nerve repair. Even drugs for treating PD, such as levodopa, can affect insulin secretion. This review summarizes the relationship between PD and T2DM and related therapeutic drugs from the perspective of insulin signaling pathways in the brain.
Humans
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Parkinson Disease/drug therapy*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology*
;
Signal Transduction/physiology*
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Receptor, Insulin/metabolism*
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Animals
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Insulin Resistance/physiology*
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Insulin/metabolism*
6.Bridging the Gap: The Neuro-immune Axis as a Key Player in Neurodegenerative Disorders.
Tingting LIU ; Haojie WU ; Jianshe WEI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1887
Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a diverse array of disorders that have a profoundly detrimental impact on human health, characterized by their intricate and multifaceted pathogenesis. In the recent past, a growing body of scientific research has begun to shed light on the critical involvement of the neuro-immune axis in the onset and advancement of these debilitating conditions. This comprehensive review article delves into the intricate composition of the neuro-immune axis, elucidating the complex mechanisms through which it exerts its influence in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it explores the potential therapeutic applications of targeting the neuro-immune axis for the management and treatment of these diseases. This extensive examination aims to offer new perspectives and innovative strategies that could pave the way for more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, thereby providing hope for those afflicted by these challenging conditions.
Humans
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Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism*
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Animals
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Neuroimmunomodulation/physiology*
7.Predicting cardiotoxicity in drug development: A deep learning approach.
Kaifeng LIU ; Huizi CUI ; Xiangyu YU ; Wannan LI ; Weiwei HAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101263-101263
Cardiotoxicity is a critical issue in drug development that poses serious health risks, including potentially fatal arrhythmias. The human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium channel, as one of the primary targets of cardiotoxicity, has garnered widespread attention. Traditional cardiotoxicity testing methods are expensive and time-consuming, making computational virtual screening a suitable alternative. In this study, we employed machine learning techniques utilizing molecular fingerprints and descriptors to predict the cardiotoxicity of compounds, with the aim of improving prediction accuracy and efficiency. We used four types of molecular fingerprints and descriptors combined with machine learning and deep learning algorithms, including Gaussian naive Bayes (NB), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and Transformer models, to build predictive models. Our models demonstrated advanced predictive performance. The best machine learning model, XGBoost Morgan, achieved an accuracy (ACC) value of 0.84, and the deep learning model, Transformer_Morgan, achieved the best ACC value of 0.85, showing a high ability to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic compounds. On an external independent validation set, it achieved the best area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.93, surpassing ADMETlab3.0, Cardpred, and CardioDPi. In addition, we explored the integration of molecular descriptors and fingerprints to enhance model performance and found that ensemble methods, such as voting and stacking, provided slight improvements in model stability. Furthermore, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) explanations revealed the relationship between benzene rings, fluorine-containing groups, NH groups, oxygen in ether groups, and cardiotoxicity, highlighting the importance of these features. This study not only improved the predictive accuracy of cardiotoxicity models but also promoted a more reliable and scientifically interpretable method for drug safety assessment. Using computational methods, this study facilitates a more efficient drug development process, reduces costs, and improves the safety of new drug candidates, ultimately benefiting medical and public health.
8.Modern research progress of damp-heat confirmed constitution
Ruining LU ; Yanhong LIU ; Kaifeng LI ; Zhongcheng YANG ; Guiju ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(5):715-719
The research of damp-heat syndrome in modern TCM mainly focuses on inflammatory response, water metabolism, lipid metabolism, hemorheology, intestinal flora and so on. Modern omics techniques such as metabolomics and genomics provide a new perspective for the exploration of the micro-mechanism of damp-heat syndrome. The study found that the abnormal expression of aquaporin is closely related to the formation of "dampness" in damp-heat syndrome, and the release of inflammatory factors reflects the pathological characteristics of "heat". Damp-heat syndrome is often accompanied by dyslipidemia, hemorheological changes and intestinal flora imbalance, showing characteristic changes in urine, blood and saliva metabolomics, and there are differences in gene expression between damp-heat constitution and gentleness constitution. In the future, the pertinence and systematicness of research should be strengthened, the relationship between indicators should be deeply explored, build a biomarker system should be built, the immune-metabolic regulation mechanism should be explored, the multi-target mechanism of heat-clearing and dampness-removing Chinese materia medica should be clarified to further improve the damp-heat syndrome system, and provide theoretical support for clinical treatment.
9.Relationship between serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels and severity of the illness and clinical outcome in patients with active ulcerative colitis
Jinting WANG ; Chunyan XU ; Jie LIU ; Kaifeng SUN ; Zhen ZHOU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(4):441-446
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum tumor necrosis factor α stimulated gene 6(TSG-6)and collagen ⅩⅥ(col-16)levels and severity of the illness and clinical outcome in patients with active ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods A total of 79 patients with active UC admitted to the department of gastroenterology in the hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were selected as the active UC group,56 patients with UC in remission who were similar in gender and age to the active UC group were selected as the remission UC group,and 60 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Patients with active UC were divided into mild group(n=25),moderate group(n=34)and severe group(n=20)according to the modified Mayo score.Patients with active UC were divided into good prognosis group(n=58)and poor prognosis group(n=21)according to colonoscopy results after 2 months of treatment.Serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the relation-ship between serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels and severity of the illness,and the influence of serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels on clinical outcome was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression.Receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum TSG-6 and col-16 for poor prognosis in patients with active UC.Results The serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in active UC group and remission UC group were higher than those in control group,and the serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in active UC group were higher than those in remission UC group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in severe group and moderate group were higher than those in mild group,and serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in severe group were higher than those in moderate group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).By Spearman rank correlation analysis,serum TSG-6 and col-16 in active UC patients were positively correlated with modified Mayo scores(rs=0.695、0.627,P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with<159.32 ng/mL,patients with serum TSG-6 interquartile interval of 289.15-413.55 ng/mL and>413.55 ng/mL had a higher risk of poor prognosis.ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve of TG-6 and col-16 in predicting poor prognosis was 0.776 and 0.764,respective-ly.The predictive value of serum TG-6 and col-16 combined detection was better than that of single index(Z=3.392,4.218,P<0.05).Conclusion The serum TSG-6 and col-16 levels in active UC patients are ab-normally elevated,which is closely related to severity of the illness and clinical outcome.The levels of serum TSG-6 and col-16 can be used as potential biochemical indicators to judge the disease and predict the clinical outcome.
10.Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Bairui Granules (百蕊颗粒) in Treating Patients with Acute Pharyngitis with Wind-Heat Syndrome: A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Double-Simulation, Randomized Controlled Trial
Siming LIU ; Hui ZHOU ; Qiang LI ; Min ZHOU ; Qixiang WU ; Shanjun YANG ; Jun WANG ; Jingjing YUAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Ziqi ZHU ; Jingyi HU ; Shuang WU ; Mengting LI ; Zhanfeng YAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(11):1139-1145
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Bairui Granules (百蕊颗粒) in the treatment of acute pharyngitis with wind-heat syndrome. MethodsA multicenter, double-blind, double-simulation, randomised controlled trial was conducted, in which 162 patients with acute pharyngitis and wind-heat syndrome from 7 centers were recruited, and each center was divided into trial group and control group on the ratio of 2∶1. In the trial group, 108 cases were orally administered with Bairui Granules plus Reyanning Granules (热炎宁颗粒) simulant, and in the control group, 54 cases were orally administered with Reyanning Granules plus Bairui Granules simulant for 5 days, with a follow-up visit on the 6th day. Full analysis set (FAS) analysis and per protocol set (PPS) were used for analysis, respectively. The primary efficacy index was the disappearance rate of sore throat after 5-day treatment; the secondary efficacy indexes were the disappearance rate of sore throat after 3-day treatment, as well as the visual analogue score (VAS) of sore throat before treatment, every day during the treatment, and follow-up on day 6, and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score was performed before treatment and at the follow-up on day 6. The effectiveness on TCM syndrome was evaluated at the follow-up on day 6, and the changes of vital signs, blood routine, urine routine, liver functions, kidney function, the adverse events before and after the treatment were recorded, and safety analysis set (SS) was analysed. Results162 patients entered the FAS and SS analyses, and 158 cases (105 cases in the trial group and 53 cases in the control group) entered the PPS analysis. FAS analysis showed that the disappearance rate of sore throat after 5-day treatment was 80.56% (87/108) in the trial group and 64.81% (35/54) in the control group, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 5.10, P = 0.0239). PPS analysis showed that the disappearance rate of sore throat after 5-day treatment was 80.00% (84/105) in the trial group and 64.15% (34/53) in the control group, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (χ2 =4.85, P = 0.0277). FAS and SS analyses both showed that the difference in disappearance rate of sore throat between groups on 3-day treatment was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the VAS scores of sore throat were lower in both groups during treatment on day 2, 3, 4, 5, and follow-up on day 6 (P<0.01), but the difference between groups at each time point was not statistically significant (P>0.05). TCM syndrome scores of both groups at the follow-up were lower than that before treatment, and those of the trial group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The cure rate and effective rate of TCM syndrome of the trial group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function between groups before and after treatment (P>0.05), and no serious adverse events occured in both groups. ConclusionBairui Granules showed clinical effectiveness in the treatment of acute pharyngitis of wind-heat syndrome, and it could significantly improve the clinical symptoms, accelerate the disappearance time of sore throat with good safety.

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