1.The role of bile acid dynamics in inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Si-Rui Yu ; Run Sun ; Mei-Ya Shi ; Mei Yang ; Kun Chen ; Qiong Pan ; Ling Zhao ; Ming-Yue Wu ; Jin Chai
Liver Research 2026;10(1):35-50
The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is higher among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in the general population. Emerging evidence indicates that the development of MASLD in patients with IBD may occur independently of traditional metabolic risk factors, suggesting a unique pathophysiological mechanism distinct from conventional MASLD pathways. Bile acids (BAs), which act as critical signaling molecules in enterohepatic circulation, play an essential role in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis through bidirectional gut–liver axis communication. These molecules are increasingly recognized as pivotal regulators in the progression of both MASLD and IBD. While previous studies have characterized the dynamics of BA in blood or fecal samples under both conditions, a comprehensive understanding of their metabolic profiles and the associated interactions within the gut–liver axis is still lacking. This review synthesizes current evidence from studies employing BA metabolomics to investigate IBD and MASLD. By focusing on BA signatures, we summarize conserved alterations between these two conditions and their potential mechanisms of disease progression. Our review advances understanding of BA-mediated pathways in IBD and MASLD, providing a foundation for assessing their roles in contributing to the pathogenesis of MASLD in patients with IBD.
2.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR
3.Efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya Pills with Different Proportions of Goat Horn Replacing Antelope Horn on Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Tengjian WANG ; Wanlu ZHAO ; Yang YU ; Yan LIU ; Kun CAO ; Zheyuan LIN ; Yue WU ; Lilan LUO ; Weizhi LAI ; Zhaohuan LOU ; Qiaoyan ZHANG ; Quanlong ZHANG ; Luping QIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):68-78
ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). In this experiment, 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows: model (n=8), captopril (0.01 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.342 g·kg-1) (n=6), high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.684 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.378 g·kg-1) (n=6), high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1) (n=6), low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.378 g·kg-1) (n=6), and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1) (n=6). Additionally, 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration, 3 h post administration, and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions, 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows: model, blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.684 g·kg-1), antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.756 g·kg-1), 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.824 g·kg-1), 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (0.969 g·kg-1), and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills (1.112 g·kg-1). The normal group included 8 WKY rats, and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks, and blood pressure was recorded at various time points (pre-administration, 3 h post administration, and on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 of administration). Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ), renin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart, kidney, and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2, angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R), and angiotensinogen (AGT) in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot, while the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group, all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE, Ang Ⅱ, renin, and IL-6, while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pathological changes in the heart, kidney, and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups, with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R, AGT, NF-κB p65, and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with model group, with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.
4.WANG Jianmin's Experience in Treating Cathartic Colon from the Perspective of "Keeping Sweet to Return Liquid"
Siyuan ZHANG ; Ming LI ; Kun TANG ; Ran TANG ; Yueyue ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1104-1108
To summarize Professor WANG Jianmin's experience in cathartic colon from "keeping sweet to return liquid". It is believed that the key to the pathogenesis of cathartic colon is fluid consumption and intestinal dryness, including yin depletion of spleen earth, and lack of sources for body fluids production; discordance of water and fire in kidneys, and irregular distribution of body fluids; and closure of the lungs and liver leads to inability of the flow of fluids. The treatment is based on the principle of "keeping sweet to return liquid", using sweet medicinals mainly, assistant with sour, bland and acrid medicinals, and self-prescribed Lipi Shengjin Decoction (理脾生津汤), Wenshen Runchang Decoction (温肾润肠汤), Kaifei Shunchang Decoction (开肺顺肠汤), Rougan Tongbian Decoction (柔肝通便汤) could be used to regulate spleen yin by the sweet and bland, and establish qi and promote fluid production; the sweet and warm medicinals can replenish water and fire, transform into qi, and distribute body fluids; the acrid and sweet can open lung depression, descend qi, and flow the body fluids; the sour and sweet can emolliate liver, move qi, and transform fluids.
5.Simultaneous content determination of twelve constituents in Anshen Buxin Liuwei Pills by HPLC-MS/MS and their chemical pattern recognition
Cheng-dong LIU ; Jun LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Jing-kun LU ; Xin DONG ; Yuan-hong LIAO ; Yue-wu WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2834-2840
AIM To establish an HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous content determination of dehydrodiisoeugenol,eugenol,costiolactone,dehydrocostiolactone,quercetin,isorhamnetin,luteolin,caffeic acid,gallic acid,protocatechuic acid,ellagic acid and kaempferol in Anshen Buxin Liuwei Pills,and to make chemical pattern recognition.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Shim-pack GST-HP C18 column(2.1 mm × 100 mm,3 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-water(containing 0.1%formic acid)flowing at 0.25 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and electron spray ionization source was adopted in positive and negative ion scanning with multiple reaction monitoring mode.Subsequently,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis were performed.RESULTS Twelve constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 95.38%-105.00%with the RSDs of 1.91%-5.14%.Thirteen batches of samples were clustered into 3 types,ellagic acid,dehydrocodenolactone,dehydrodiisoeugenol,protocatechuic acid,gallic acid,quercetin and kaempferol were taken as potential quality differential markers.CONCLUSION This accurate,sensitive,stable and reproducible method can be used for the quality control and evaluation of Anshen Buxin Liuwei Pills.
6.Effect of Electroacupuncture on TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-related Protein Expression in Rats with Neurogenic Bladder After Spinal Cord Injury
Xiaojing LUO ; Chuning TIAN ; Lifen ZHAN ; Qian LI ; Roujun LIANG ; Lubo XIAO ; Yue ZHUO ; Kun AI ; Ming XU ; Hong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):120-126
Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)related proteins in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after spinal cord injury;To explore the possible mechanism of EA in improving NB fibrosis.Methods Totally 36 female SD rats were randomly selected,with 10 rats in the sham-operation group and the remaining 26 rats undergoing complete transection of the spinal cord beneath the T8 vertebrae to establish a NB rat model.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group and EA group,with 10 rats in each group.EA group was applied to"Ciliao","Zhongji"and"Sanyinjiao",20 min per time,once a day for 7 days.The general condition of the rats in each group was observed,the ultrasound index of the bladder was detected by ultrasound technique,the bladder function of the rats was detected by urodynamics,the body mass of the rats and the wet weight of the bladder were recorded,and the bladder index was calculated.HE staining was used to observe bladder tissue morphology,the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis and bladder wall thickness were detected by Masson staining.The positive expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the model group significantly increased(P<0.001),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly increased(P<0.001),the bladder index increased significantly(P<0.001),the bladder epithelial cells were thickened and arranged irregularly,the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness significantly increased(P<0.001),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue increased(P<0.01),and the expression of E-cadherin decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the EA group decreased significantly(P<0.05),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly decreased(P<0.05),the bladder index significantly decreased(P<0.05),the thickness of the bladder epithelial cell layer became thinner and arranged more neatly,and the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness of the bladder were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of E-cadherin significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion EA may reduce the EMT of bladder epithelial cells and decrease the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway,thereby improving bladder function in NB rats after spinal cord injury.
7.The novel compound Austocystin R induces cycle arrest and autophagy in triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Xin-yue GONG ; Min WEI ; Xiao-qin YU ; Yun-lei XU ; Yi-fan BAI ; Cheng-xiong LIU ; Fan CHENG ; Kun ZOU ; Jian-feng CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1651-1658
Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.
8.Effect of the number of times to urinate on the modeling rate of neurogenic bladder model in rats after complete spinal cord transection
Roujun LIANG ; Lifen ZHAN ; Xuejiu ZENG ; Qiangsheng DING ; Xiaojing LUO ; Yue ZHUO ; Kun AI ; Shifeng DENG ; Ming XU ; Hong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3840-3847
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury often leads to neurogenic bladder with hyperreflexia of the forced urethral muscle,but there is a lack of clear understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment,and establishing a stable and reliable animal model has an important impact on revealing its pathomechanisms and exploring therapeutic approaches.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the number of times to urinate on neurogenic model rats after complete spinal cord transection in order to improve the postoperative survival and modeling rate of neurogenic model rats.METHODS:Out of 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats,6 were selected as the sham-operated group using the random number table method,and the remaining 40 rats were randomly divided into 0,1,3,and 5 times daily urination groups after complete spinal cord transection modeling,with 10 rats in each group.The residual urine volume was measured every 3 days within 19 postoperative days,and the survival and modeling were observed on the 19th day after the operation,and urodynamics tests and contraction experiments of isolated forced urethra muscle strips were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Survival and modeling rate:there was 10%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 0 times daily urination;20%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 1 time daily urination;70%survival rate and 70%modeling rate in the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination.(2)Residual urine volume:compared with the sham-operated group,the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was significant increased on postoperative days 3,6,9,12,and 15(P<0.01);the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was increased on the 18th day after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the 3 times daily urination group,the residual urine volume was decreased in the 5 times daily urination group on the 6th day after surgery(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the residual urine volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups on the 3rd,9th,12th,15th,and 18th days after surgery.(3)Urodynamics:Compared with the sham-operated group,the differential pressure at the point of leakage was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the maximal volume was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.There was no statistical difference in the differential pressure at the point of leakage and the maximal volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.(4)Muscle-strip contraction test of isolated detrusor muscles:Compared with the sham-operated group,the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips between the 3 and 5 times daily-urination groups.In conclusion,assisted urination is one of the keys to establish a successful neurogenic model of urethral reflexes,and there is no significant difference in the effects of urinating 3 or 5 times a day on the neurogenic model.It is recommended to urinate at least 3 times a day based on the actual workload and the modeling rate.
9.Construction of a mouse model for alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell-specific knockout of SENP1 gene based on the Cre-loxP recombinase system
Kun YANG ; Rong ZHANG ; Yue WU ; Xiaoping LEI ; Yunchuan SHEN ; Lan KANG ; Wenbin DONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(14):2943-2950
BACKGROUND:Previously,a SENP1 gene-silenced human alveolar epithelial cell line was successfully constructed in vitro,and the role of SENP1 in hyperoxic lung injury was investigated at the cellular level.OBJECTIVE:To construct a mouse model of alveolar type II epithelial cell-specific knockout of SENP1 gene based on the Cre-loxP recombinase system.METHODS:SENP1flox/-mice were self-crossed to obtain SENP1flox/flox and SENP1flox/-mice;Sftpc-Cre+/+mice were crossed with wild-type mice to obtain more Sftpc-Cre+/-mice.Sftpc-Cre+/+or offspring Sftpc-Cre+/-mice were crossed with SENP1flox/-or offspring SENP1flox/flox mice to obtain SENP1flox/-Sftpc-Cre+/-double heterozygous mice.SENP1flox/-Sftpc-Cre+/-mice were then crossed with SENP1flox/flox mice to obtain SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice.The genomic DNA was extracted by tail clipping and amplified by PCR.The amplified product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the mouse genotypes.Lung tissues of SENP1flox/flox and SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice were subjected to immunofluorescence double-labelling and western blot assay to verify the knockdown effect of SENP1 gene.Heart,liver,lung and kidney tissues of SENP1flox/flox and SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe the histomorphology of each organ in the two groups of mice.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice were correctly screened by agarose gel electrophoresis.Immunofluorescence double-labeling experiments showed that the mean fluorescence intensity of SENP1 was reduced in lung tissues of SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice compared with that of SENP1flox/flox mice(P<0.01)and no significant co-localization of SENP1 and Sftpc was observed(P<0.01).Western blot results showed that SENP1 protein expression was reduced in lung tissues of SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice compared with SENP1flox/flox mice(P<0.001).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed no significant alterations in the histomorphology of heart,liver,lung and kidney tissues in SENP1flox/flox and SENP1flox/floxSftpc-Cre+/-mice.This study successfully constructed alveolar type II epithelial cell-specific knockout SENP1 gene mice using the Cre-loxP recombinase system,which provides a good tool for the subsequent study of the role of SENP1 gene in lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,in which alveolar type II epithelial cells are the main damage cells.
10.Clinical efficacy of serum beta-amyloid 42 detection and accuracy verification of test kit
Kun JIANG ; Yue TAO ; Minqi CAI ; Dezhu CHEN ; Yiqiang CHEN ; Siyuan LIU ; Bing BAI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(19):1-5,11
Objective To retrospectively analyze the results of serum beta-amyloid 42(Aβ42)tests conducted in the laboratory and explore potential issues associated with this testing.Methods All the Aβ42 test data collected up to the initiation of this study were compiled,and the positive rates for various diagnoses,including Alzheimer's disease(AD),cognitive decline,and dementia were ana-lyzed.Accuracy of the test kit was preliminarily validated using the kit's own reference,mouse brain tissue,and in vitro cultured cell-based reference samples.Results Data from 546 patients were col-lected,with 166 positive cases(positive rate of 30.4%).Among them,3 out of 6 AD patients tested positive;among 149 patients diagnosed with cognitive decline and 59 dementia patients,there were 29 and 24 positive cases respectively,with positive rates of 19.5%and 40.7%.The kit's detection of its own reference was affected by the serum matrix and failed to effectively detect positive mouse brain tissue and cellular reference samples.The kit's detection was generally unaffected by the amyloid precursor protein(APP)of Aβ,but it did not demonstrate good recovery rates for its own reference samples added to various clinical serum specimens.Conclusion The positive rate of serum Aβ42 test results in laboratory is lower than expected,and the accuracy of the test kit may require further improvement.


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