1.Potential Mechanism of Zuojinwan in Improving Liver Fibrosis Based on Hepatic Tissue Metabolomics
Yiting JIANG ; Kexin LIU ; Yixi QIAN ; Rui ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Hongyan WU ; Li CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):54-61
ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of Zuojinwan in improving liver fibrosis through hepatic tissue metabolomics analysis. MethodsTwenty-four mice were randomly allocated into normal group, model group , positive drug group (silymarin, 100 mg·kg-1), and Zuojinwan group (Zuojinwan solution, 2.5 g·kg-1), with per group six mice. Liver fibrosis model was induced via intraperitoneal injection of olive oil solution with 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 μL·g-1, three times weekly for 8 weeks) in all groups except the normal group. During the final 4 weeks, the silymarin group received silymarin (100 mg·kg-1) by gavage thrice weekly, while the Zuojinwan group was administered Zuojinwan solution (2.5 g·kg-1) under the same regimen. After the last administration, the levels of liver fibrosis indicators and liver injury markers in serum were detected. The pathological morphological changes of the liver tissues were observed. The levels of liver fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ) were detected. Metabolomics was analyzed on mice's liver tissues. The mice's serum was collected for metabolomics analysis. ResultsCompared with the model group, Zuojinwan significantly improved indicators related to liver fibrosis and liver injury. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly elevated levels of fibrosis markers such as laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen typeⅢ (PC-Ⅲ), and type Ⅳ Collagen (Ⅳ-C), while liver injury indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total bilirubin (TBIL), exhibited a marked upward trend (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the silymarin group showed a significant decrease in the aforementioned indicators (P<0.05). Notably, compared with the model group, the Zuojinwan group exhibited a significant reduction in all these indicators (P<0.05), with efficacy comparable to that of the silymarin group. Zuojinwan reduced mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and ColⅠ in the liver tissue. Metabolomics results revealed that compared with the model group, Zuojiinwan significantly reduced levels of glucose metabolism-related metabolites such as D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), sodium beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), fumaric acid, and D-glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) (P<0.05). Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect glucose metabolism indicators and further validate the regulatory effect of Zuojinwan on glucose metabolism. ConclusionThese results suggest that Zuojinwan may improve liver fibrosis by regulating the dysregulated levels of glucose metabolism during the progression of liver fibrosis.
2.Investigation and Analysis of Deacclimatization in Tibetan College Students Upon First Visit to Low-Altitude Regions
Weihua ZHANG ; Kezhen HAN ; Li SHAO ; Chao YANG ; Kexin ZHAO ; Zhao JIANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):254-261
Objective To investigate the correlation between changes in physiological indicators and altitude,age,and sex among ethnic Tibetan college students living in Xizang on long-term basis upon their first ever visit to a low-altitude region,thereby providing health guidance for long-term residents of high-altitude regions when they visit low-altitude environments for the first time.Methods A cluster random sampling method was used to select 170 healthy first-year college students of Tibetan ethnicity(85 males and 85 females),from Xizang Minzu University.The participants did not have any respiratory,circulatory,or nervous system diseases,nor any family history of such conditions.Based on their responses to questionnaires and the monitoring data of their physiological indicators,an analysis was conducted to assess the incidence and duration of deacclimatization symptoms among these Tibetan college students during the first month after their arrival at a low-altitude region.In addition,the R programming language and the SPSS software were used to analyze the correlation between changes in blood pressure,heart rate,and body weight and the participants'age,sex,and the altitude of their long-term residence in Xizang before and after their arrival at a low-altitude region.Results Statistical analysis revealed that Tibetan college students experienced deacclimatization symptoms within the first week of their first ever visit to a low-altitude region,primarily characterized by dizziness,fatigue,and drowsiness.The incidence was 41.9%among female students and 22.5%among male students.Furthermore,after arriving at low-altitude region,the participants experience an initial decrease followed by a recovery in both blood pressure and heart rate.They gained an average of 1.5 kg in body mass compared with their initial measurements upon arrival in a low-altitude region.Significant differences in blood pressure,heart rate,and body mass were observed among Tibetan students of different sexes and altitudes of their long-term residence in Xizang after their arrival in a low-altitude region.Conclusion After arriving at a low-altitude region,Tibetan college students exhibit marked changes in physiological indicators,showing strong correlations between systolic blood pressure,body mass,etc.,and sex,altitude,and other parameters.
3.Evaluation of insulin sensitivity in mice using 13C-glucose labeled clamp technique
Kexin CAO ; Zhuohang LIU ; Yishen JIANG ; Xu SUN ; Jie CHEN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(4):442-449
Objective To establish a 13C isotope-labeled hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp model for the assessment of insulin sensitivity in mice.Methods The mouse model of insulin resistance was established by high-fat diet feeding.The phosphorylation level of downstream insulin signaling protein,Protein Kinase,also known as Akt was assessed.Glucose metabolism was evaluated using glucose tolerance test,insulin tolerance test,and pyruvate tol-erance tests and the area under the curve of the respective testes over 2 hours was calculated to quantify overall blood glucose level.Mice underwent jugular vein catheterization surgery,and a 13C isotope-labeled hyperinsulinemic-eugly-cemic clamp experiment was conducted to monitor blood glucose levels and to calculate the glucose infusion rate(GIR).Tail vein serum was collected for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis to determine glucose disposal rate(GDR)and hepatic gluconeogenesis rate(HGP).Following the inhibition of glycog-enolysis in mice,Akt phosphorylation level was measured to evaluate insulin signaling.The clamp test was repeated to calculate GIR,and tail vein blood serum was analyzed by LC-MS/MS to determine GDR and HGP.Results After one week of high-fat diet feeding,mice exhibited significantly elevated blood glucose level(P<0.001)accompanied by reduced p-Akt level in liver and muscle.Glucose tolerance tests,insulin tolerance tests and pyruvate tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase in blood glucose level(P<0.05)and a higher area under curves(AUC)(P<0.001)in high-fat-fed mice.During the 13C-labeled hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp experiment,after the blood glucose levels were stable,the GIR of high-fat-fed mice was significantly reduced(P<0.001),GDR was de-creased(P<0.0001)and hepatic gluconeogenesis rate was increased(P<0.01).After pharmacological inhibition of glycogenolysis,mice showed elevated blood glucose level(P<0.001)and further reductions in p-Akt level in liver and muscle.The 13C-labeled clamp experiment revealed that in the treated group,the GIR decreased(P<0.01)while GDR was reduced(P<0.000 1)and HGP increased(P<0.01).Conclusions An improved hyperinsulinemic-eugly-cemic clamp model was developed to assess insulin sensitivity in mice.
4.Relationship between fluid shear stress in alveolar bone under orthodontic forces and bone remodeling rate.
Bin WU ; Kexin HU ; Fan YANG ; Yi LU ; Di JIANG ; Yang YI ; Bin YAN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(2):190-196
OBJECTIVES:
This study explores the differences in fluid flow within alveolar cancellous bone at various sites under orthodontic forces and elucidates the relationship between fluid shear stress and bone remodeling. These fin-dings lay the groundwork for understanding the biomechanical mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement.
METHODS:
Stress relaxation tests were performed on human alveolar bone samples to determine material parameters by using the Prony series. An inverse model of alveolar bone was then developed for numerical simulations of fluid-structure interactions to calculate fluid flow within cancellous bone. Meanwhile, a rat model of tooth movement was established to investigate variations in bone remodeling speeds across different regions.
RESULTS:
The microstructural distribution of cancellous alveolar bone was similar in humans and rats. The bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness gradually decreased from root cervical region to root apical region, while the trabecular space gradually increased. Under the influence of orthodontic forces, fluid shear stress within cancellous bone showed spatial variability across different levels, with the highest shear stress occurring at the root apical region, ranging from 0 to 0.936 6 Pa. Additionally, the rat model of tooth movement indicated that bone remodeling occurred more rapidly at the root apical region.
CONCLUSIONS
Fluid stimulation has a remarkable effect on al-veolar bone remodeling, causing changes in the structure of alveolar bone and ultimately regulating the speed of structu-ral remodeling.
Bone Remodeling
;
Animals
;
Tooth Movement Techniques
;
Rats
;
Alveolar Process/physiology*
;
Stress, Mechanical
;
Humans
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Cancellous Bone/physiology*
;
Shear Strength
5.Association between remnant cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a community population in Shanghai
Yingqi DENG ; Minhua TANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; Xiaohua LIU ; Yanan WU ; Qian PENG ; Liping YI ; Jianhua SHI ; Yingfeng LU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Genming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):935-941
Objective:To analyze the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in community population in Shanghai.Methods:Using baseline and follow-up data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank, individuals with ASCVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) at baseline were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between RC and ASCVD risk and the association under different LDL-C levels.Results:A total of 57 281 participants were included, with a median follow-up of 5.61 person-years. During the follow-up, 1 436 ASCVD events (2.51%) were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with moderate ( HR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or high RC levels ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.51) had an increased risk of ASCVD. The association was stronger in participants younger than 60 years-old (interaction P=0.048). Participants with RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C <3.40 mmol/L demonstrated a 19% ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35) increased risk of ASCVD. When RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C ≥3.40 mmol/L, ASCVD risk increased by 42% ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Conclusions:Elevated RC increases ASCVD risk, regardless of LDL-C levels. RC can serve as a valuable predictor and intervention target for ASCVD.
6.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
7.Association between remnant cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a community population in Shanghai
Yingqi DENG ; Minhua TANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; Xiaohua LIU ; Yanan WU ; Qian PENG ; Liping YI ; Jianhua SHI ; Yingfeng LU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Genming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):935-941
Objective:To analyze the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in community population in Shanghai.Methods:Using baseline and follow-up data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank, individuals with ASCVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) at baseline were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between RC and ASCVD risk and the association under different LDL-C levels.Results:A total of 57 281 participants were included, with a median follow-up of 5.61 person-years. During the follow-up, 1 436 ASCVD events (2.51%) were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with moderate ( HR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or high RC levels ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.51) had an increased risk of ASCVD. The association was stronger in participants younger than 60 years-old (interaction P=0.048). Participants with RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C <3.40 mmol/L demonstrated a 19% ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35) increased risk of ASCVD. When RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C ≥3.40 mmol/L, ASCVD risk increased by 42% ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Conclusions:Elevated RC increases ASCVD risk, regardless of LDL-C levels. RC can serve as a valuable predictor and intervention target for ASCVD.
8.Research progress on assessment tools for emotional blunting in patients with Parkinson's disease
Mengwei XIAO ; Ruiling LI ; Yu WANG ; Kexin WANG ; Xuan SU ; Linlin HOU ; Qiuhuan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(1):106-111
Emotional blunting leads to significant declines in cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson's disease, thereby impacting their quality of life and increasing the caregiver burden. Emotional blunting is a progressive condition, and early detection and intervention can slow its progression, making it necessary to assess emotional blunting in patients early. Currently, there are various tools for assessing emotional blunting, but there is a lack of evidence to guide tool selection. This review discusses the impact of emotional blunting on patients with Parkinson's disease and reviews existing assessment tools for emotional blunting, including their content, applications, advantages, and limitations. It also summarizes issues in the application of these tools and offers future directions, aiming to provide a basis for the identification and assessment of emotional blunting in Parkinson's disease patients.
9.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
10.Research progress on assessment tools for emotional blunting in patients with Parkinson's disease
Mengwei XIAO ; Ruiling LI ; Yu WANG ; Kexin WANG ; Xuan SU ; Linlin HOU ; Qiuhuan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(1):106-111
Emotional blunting leads to significant declines in cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson's disease, thereby impacting their quality of life and increasing the caregiver burden. Emotional blunting is a progressive condition, and early detection and intervention can slow its progression, making it necessary to assess emotional blunting in patients early. Currently, there are various tools for assessing emotional blunting, but there is a lack of evidence to guide tool selection. This review discusses the impact of emotional blunting on patients with Parkinson's disease and reviews existing assessment tools for emotional blunting, including their content, applications, advantages, and limitations. It also summarizes issues in the application of these tools and offers future directions, aiming to provide a basis for the identification and assessment of emotional blunting in Parkinson's disease patients.

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