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.Autophagy-related gene expression in pulmonary fibrosis models:bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation
Kexin LIU ; Kaimin HAO ; Wenyue ZHUANG ; Zhengyi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1129-1138
BACKGROUND:The stress effect of autophagy on epithelial cells,fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is closely related to the formation process of pulmonary fibrosis.OBJECTIVE:To screen the genes related to autophagy in patients with pulmonary fibrosis,and explore their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis,in order to provide a new target for clinical intervention in pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:The gene expression profiling dataset downloaded from GSE70866 was used as a training set,differentially expressed genes between pulmonary fibrosis patients and normal healthy individuals was analyzed using the R language and intersected with autophagy-related genes to identify the differentially expressed genes with the most significant changes.Multiple analysis methods were used to identify key prognostic genes and construct genetic prognostic models.Patients with pulmonary fibrosis were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their risk scores,and the validity of the prognostic model was verified using the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets.A cell model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by inducing HFL-1 cells(human embryonic lung fibroblasts)with transforming growth factor-β1,and an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice by tracheal instillation of bleomycin to validate the expressions of prognostic genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were 2 650 differentially expressed genes between fibrotic tissue and normal tissue.Among them,34 genes related to autophagy showed significant expression changes.(2)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves for the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets showed significantly lower survival in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.(3)Three autophagy genes related to prognosis were screened out:myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC),C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2),and GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1(GABARAPL1).(4)Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that compared with the control group,the expression levels of myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the lung fibrosis model group(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the expression levels of GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.001).To conclude,bioinformatics methods are used to analyze the expression of three autophagy-related genes in pulmonary fibrosis and their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.The constructed prognostic model has good predictive ability for the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,in vivo and in vitro models have been used to verify that myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 are highly expressed in lung fibroblasts and tissues,and that GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 is lowly expressed.
3.Exploration of the Staged and Phased Differentiation and Treatment Approach for Gastric Cancer Immunotherapy Based on the Theory of Shaoyang (少阳) and Shaoyin (少阴) as the Pivots
Wenkang ZHANG ; Yuansha GE ; Kexin LIU ; Jie LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):730-735
Based on the theory that Shaoyang (少阳) and Shaoyin (少阴) function as the principal pivots, and integrating the laws of qi-fire transformation, yin-yang alternation, and the waxing and waning of healthy qi and pathogenic factors, as well as the action characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), this study systematically expounds the dynamic evolution laws of the Shaoyang and Shaoyin pivots and constructs a stage- and phase-based differentiation and treatment framework for gastric cancer immunotherapy. In the neoadjuvant treatment stage, the core pathogenesis is the dysfunction of the Shaoyang pivot and the disorder of qi and fire transformation, often accompanied by stagnation of cold-deficiency in the middle jiao (焦). In the postoperative adjuvant treatment stage, the dominant factors are the depletion of Shaoyin fire and the damage of yin fluid, accompanied by the lingering of residual pathogen in the Shaoyang level and the obstruction of collaterals by phlegm and stasis. In the advanced stage, the critical conditions are the exhaustion of the Shaoyin pivot, the blockage of orifices by turbid toxins, and the separation of yin and yang, leading to the rampant of pathogenic toxins and the emergence of various complicated syndromes. The treatment should be guided by the principle of regulating the double pivot. In the neoadjuvant treatment stage, it is recommended to activate the Shaoyang pivot and warm and promote the qi movement in the middle jiao. In the postoperative adjuvant treatment stage, clearing the residual pathogenic factors from the pivot and nourishing the Shaoyin. In the advanced stage, rescuing the Shaoyin pivot and opening the orifices to transform turbidity. Furthermore, stage-based treatment should serve as the foundation for dynamically assessing the patient's immune status and phase-specific changes in immunity, thereby promoting immune activation while preventing and managing immune overactivation and drug resistance.
4.Autophagy-related gene expression in pulmonary fibrosis models:bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation
Kexin LIU ; Kaimin HAO ; Wenyue ZHUANG ; Zhengyi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1129-1138
BACKGROUND:The stress effect of autophagy on epithelial cells,fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is closely related to the formation process of pulmonary fibrosis.OBJECTIVE:To screen the genes related to autophagy in patients with pulmonary fibrosis,and explore their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis,in order to provide a new target for clinical intervention in pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:The gene expression profiling dataset downloaded from GSE70866 was used as a training set,differentially expressed genes between pulmonary fibrosis patients and normal healthy individuals was analyzed using the R language and intersected with autophagy-related genes to identify the differentially expressed genes with the most significant changes.Multiple analysis methods were used to identify key prognostic genes and construct genetic prognostic models.Patients with pulmonary fibrosis were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their risk scores,and the validity of the prognostic model was verified using the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets.A cell model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by inducing HFL-1 cells(human embryonic lung fibroblasts)with transforming growth factor-β1,and an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice by tracheal instillation of bleomycin to validate the expressions of prognostic genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were 2 650 differentially expressed genes between fibrotic tissue and normal tissue.Among them,34 genes related to autophagy showed significant expression changes.(2)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves for the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets showed significantly lower survival in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.(3)Three autophagy genes related to prognosis were screened out:myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC),C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2),and GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1(GABARAPL1).(4)Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that compared with the control group,the expression levels of myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the lung fibrosis model group(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the expression levels of GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.001).To conclude,bioinformatics methods are used to analyze the expression of three autophagy-related genes in pulmonary fibrosis and their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.The constructed prognostic model has good predictive ability for the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,in vivo and in vitro models have been used to verify that myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 are highly expressed in lung fibroblasts and tissues,and that GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 is lowly expressed.
5.Ethical issues and countermeasures for peer psychological counseling conducted by university class committee member for psychology
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(6):819-825
This paper analyzed the characteristics of peer psychological counseling conducted by class committee member for psychology in universities and the dilemmas they faced in four aspects, including dual relationships, confidentiality issues, competence issues, and informed consent. It also examined the causes of these ethical dilemmas and corresponding countermeasures one by one. Specific work requirements were proposed for class committee member for psychology in conducting peer psychological counseling. These encompassed clarifying the nature and boundaries of the helping relationship, establishing appropriate settings, discussing the impacts of dual relationships, maintaining confidentiality awareness, adopting appropriate confidentiality measures, actively participating in training to improve competence, making timely referrals when exceeding their professional scope, ensuring proper informed consent, and maintaining value neutrality. Recommendations were also put forward for universities to strengthen the training and management of class committee member for psychology, enhance their ethical awareness, and ensure the effectiveness of peer counseling.
6.Research progress on influencing factors of bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents
WANG Kexin, LU Yining, ZHANG Zhiyun, LIU Rongze, CHEN Xuan, CHEN Shuang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1809-1814
Abstract
To explore the influence of the occurrence and development of bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents, the paper reviews the factors influencing bystander behavior from the perspective of social ecosystem theory at the individual level, microsystem (family and school factors), peripheral system (contextual factors), macrosystem (cultural factors) and digital environment (media factors). It is pointed out that the future research needs to further explore the internal interaction of micro system, the influence of time system and technological development on bystanders, and the complex interaction between social ecosystems, and design feasible intervention strategies to transform passive bystanders into active interveners.
7.Impact of ferroptosis-related gene expression on cardiovascular outcomes in chronic renal failure
Xuelan LIN ; Kexin LIU ; Xiao GE ; Yiming YU ; Lifang CAO
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2378-2384,2390
Objective To investigate the relationship between ferroptosis-related genes[heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),and long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase 4(ACSL4)]expression and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic renal failure(CRF),aiming to pro-vide clinical insights for risk assessment of cardiovascular complications.Methods A total of 124 CRF pa-tients(CRF group)admitted to the hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 and 124 healthy people(con-trol group)who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the research objects.The levels of ferroptosis-related gene HO-1,SLC7A11 and ACSL4 were detected and com-pared between the two groups.CRF patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge,and they were di-vided into concurrent group(n=56)and non-concurrent group(n=66)according to the occurrence of cardio-vascular events.Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between iron death relat-ed genes HO-1,SLC7A11,ACSL4 and cardiovascular events in CRF patients.Univariate and multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors of cardiovascular events in CRF pa-tients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of iron death re-lated genes HO-1,SLC7A11,and ACSL4 for cardiovascular events in CRF patients.Results Serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 levels in CRF group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),and the ACSL4 level was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).The serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 levels in concurrent group were lower than those in non-concurrent group(all P<0.05),and the serum ACSL4 level was higher than that in non-concurrent group(P<0.05).Ferroptosis-related genes HO-1 and SLC7A11 were negatively correlated with cardiovascular events(r=-0.708,—0.721,P<0.05),while ACSL4 was positively correlated with car-diovascular events(r=0.699,P<0.05).High serum ACSL4 expression and high cTnT level were risk fac-tors for cardiovascular events in CRF patients(P<0.05),and high hemoglobin level and high serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 expression were protective factors for cardiovascular events in CRF patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum HO-1,SLC7A11,ACSL4,hemo-globin and cTnT alone for predicting cardiovascular events in CRF patients were 0.787,0.735,0.773,0.651 and 0.782,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction of ferroptosis-related genes was 0.837,and the AUC of the combined application of five factors was 0.880.According to Delong's test,the AUC of both com-bined application models was significantly higher than those of individual application(P<0.05).The nomo-gram model showed that all ferroptosis-related genes were positively expressed(HO-1<1.5,SLC7A11<1.15,ACSL4≥2.75),and the risk of developing concurrent cardiovascular events in CRF patients could reach over 75%.Conclusion The expression of serum HO-1 and SLC7A11 in CRF patients is decreased,and the ACSL4 expression is increased,which is closely related to cardiovascular events,and the combined detection of three indexes has high value in predicting cardiovascular events in CRF patients.
8.Regenerative effects of engineered extracellular vesicles on repairing bone defects
Yang ZHOU ; Kexin LIU ; Deli WANG ; Zhang SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7839-7847
BACKGROUND:Extracellular vesicles have received extensive attention in the field of bone defect regeneration and repair in recent years.However,natural extracellular vesicles have deficiencies in sustained controlled release,tissue targeting,and drug loading capacity.Therefore,the introduction of engineering strategies to modify extracellular vesicles to enhance their therapeutic efficacy has become a research hotspot.OBJECTIVE:To review the role and application progress of engineered extracellular vesicles in the regeneration and repair of bone defects.METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched for relevant articles published in the past fifteen years.The search terms were"engineering,extracellular vesicles,exosomes,bone defect,bone regeneration,bone repair"in Chinese and English.After removal of poorly related,outdated,and duplicate studies by screening,93 articles were finally included for review according to inclusion criteria.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Extracellular vesicles are primarily isolated based on their density,size,immunoaffinity,and surface charge.After isolation,extracellular vesicles are characterized using imaging techniques,size-and counting-based techniques,and flow cytometry.(2)Extracellular vesicles stimulate bone regeneration by regulating immunity,angiogenesis,and proliferation and differentiation of target cells.(3)The engineering strategies of extracellular vesicles include surface modification and cargo loading.(4)The introduction of bone morphogenetic protein 2,mutant hypoxia-inducible factor-1α,vascular endothelial growth factor,miRNA and other bioactive factors into extracellular vesicles through engineering strategies can enhance their regenerative repair ability for bone defects.
9.Acteoside ameliorates hepatocyte ferroptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via targeting PCBP2.
Kexin JIA ; Yinhao ZHANG ; Fanghong LI ; Runping LIU ; Jianzhi WU ; Jiaorong QU ; Ranyi LUO ; Zixi HUANG ; Zhe XU ; Xiaojiaoyang LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2077-2094
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) has been considered as an inevitable process of liver transplantation. Hepatocyte ferroptosis is a key factor in HIRI development, yet precise mechanism and potential therapies are still unclear. Here, we demonstrated a strong correlation between hepatocyte ferroptosis and the downregulation of poly(rC)-binding protein (PCBP2), which compromised the stability of antiporter system Xc- (consisted of SL3A2/SLC7A11). Besides, inhibiting PCBP2 contributed to facilitating cofactor p300 to enhance the transcriptional activity of HIF1α, leading to the expression and secretion of HMGB1. Then, released HMGB1 from ferroptotic hepatocytes worsened M1 macrophage recruitment and immune response during HIRI. Additionally, acteoside (ACT) was shown to assist PCBP2 in stabilizing the mRNA stability of Slc3a2 and Slc7a11, as well as enhance the binding affinity of PCBP2-system Xc-. Beyond that, ACT also supported PCBP2 to limit HMGB1-induced M1 macrophage recruitment through imposing restrictions on p300 and HIF1α. Furthermore, specific knockdown of PCBP2 in hepatocytes directly interposed the therapeutic efficacy of ACT on HIRI mice. In conclusion, ACT alleviated hepatocyte ferroptosis and HIRI via promoting PCBP2 to maintain the stability of system Xc- and limit HIF1α/p300-HMGB1 signaling. These findings highlight the therapeutic benefits of ACT in treating HIRI and offer insights into innovative therapeutic strategies.
10.GB promotes phagocytosis of myelin debris by astrocytes and mechanism discussion
Xiaohui LI ; Kexin LIU ; Lijuan SONG ; Jiezhong YU ; Dong MA ; Jianjun HUANG ; Qing WANG ; Cungen MA
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):19-24
Objective:To investigate the effect of ginkgolide B(GB)on astrocyte(AST)phagocytosis of myelin debris,and to investigate the mechanism of this functional therapy to demyelination by targeting AST.Methods:In vitro culture of AST,and divided AST into three groups:Control group,Myelin debris(Debris)group and Debris+GB group,incubed them in a constant temperature CO2 cell culture incubator for 24 hours,and then detected relevant indicators to observe the effect of GB on AST on phagocytic myelin debris.Results:Compared to the phagocytosis of myelin debris by primary AST,GB could effectively promote the phagocytosis by AST and show enhanced ABCA-1 expression(both P<0.05).Phagocytosis of myelin debris had no effect on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by in vitro cultured AST.Debris+GB increased the expressions of neurotrophic CNTF and B-FGF compared to Debris(both P<0.05).Furthermore,Debris+GB decreased Bax and Caspase-3,while increased Bcl-2 expression(all P<0.05).Conclusion:GB can promote the phagocytosis of myelin debris by AST,which may be related to the upregulation of ABCA-1.Meanwhile,phagocytosis of myelin debris by AST increases the expression of the neurotrophic factors and the inhibits the apoptosis of AST themselves.


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