1.Mechanisms of Dihuang Yinzi in Treating Advanced Parkinson's Disease Based on Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation Axis
Renzhi MA ; Yasi LIN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Hongmei ZHU ; Jiayuan LI ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Wenxin FAN ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):11-21
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on motor dysfunction in rats with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and to investigate the mechanisms by which DY improves advanced PD symptoms through the "gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-inflammation-neuroprotection pathway". MethodsAn advanced PD rat model was induced by rotenone. Rats were divided into a normal group, model group, positive drug group (levodopa, 50 mg·kg-1), and DY low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.2, 10.4, 20.8 g·kg-1). After 7 days of administration, motor function was evaluated using the open-field, pole-climbing, and inclined plate tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in the substantia nigra and colon, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), Levodopa, homovanillic acid (HVA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the content of SCFAs in colonic contents. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased movement speed and distance in the open-field test, prolonged pole-climbing time, and reduced retention angle on the inclined plate (P<0.01), accompanied by increased α-Syn expression (P<0.01) and decreased TH expression (P<0.01) in the brain. Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups improved motor dysfunction in advanced PD rats to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated pathological damage in the brain and colon. High-dose DY significantly reduced α-Syn aggregation in the substantia nigra (P<0.01) and increased TH expression (P<0.01). ELISA and Western blot results showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreased levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum (P<0.01), increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum (P<0.01), and significantly reduced expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups increased the levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose DY group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum were reduced (P<0.01), while the expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the intestine was increased. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the relative abundances of Actinobacteriota, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased in the model group, whereas the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, class Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, and Akkermansia muciniphila were decreased. These changes were effectively reversed after high-dose DY intervention. GC analysis showed that the content of SCFAs in the colonic contents of rats in the model group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while after high-dose DY intervention, the levels of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and butyrate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDY may exert therapeutic effects in advanced PD by regulating the gut microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation pathway.
2.Retrospective study on bone defects of mandibular incisors in adult orthodontic patients
YANG Hongmei ; CHEN Xin ; LI Xingjian ; QIU Weizhuo ; CHEN Song
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(4):367-377
Objective:
To explore the prevalence of bone defect and alveolar bone thickness changes in the mandibular incisors of untreated adults and post-orthodontic treatment adults, with the aim of providing strategies for preventing and managing alveolar bone defects during orthodontic treatment.
Methods:
This study was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee. Clinical records, panoramic radiographs, cephalometric radiographs, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and informed consent were obtained for 150 untreated adults and 150 post-orthodontic adults. The untreated adults and post-orthodontic adults were respectively divided into three subgroups: skeletal ClassⅠ, Class Ⅱ and Class Ⅲ, with 50 cases per subgroup. Meanwhile, 60 cases with completeness of pre- and post-orthodontic data were enrolled from 150 post-orthodontic adults, including 20 cases each of skeletal ClassⅠ, Class Ⅱ, and Class Ⅲ. Cephalometric radiographs were imported into Dolphin software to measure skeletal parameters. CBCT images were imported into Mimics software to assess alveolar bone defects and to measure alveolar bone thickness of mandibular incisors among three groups: 150 untreated adult groups, 150 post-orthodontic groups and the pre- and post-treatment status of 60 patients selected from the latter group.
Results:
Untreated adult patients: the prevalence of labial dehiscence and fenestration in the mandibular incisors was higher than that on the lingual side among skeletal ClassⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ malocclusion patients, and there was a statistically significant difference in the alveolar bone thickness of the mandibular incisors among the three classes. Post-orthodontic treatment adults: for skeletal ClassⅠ and Ⅱ patients, the prevalence of lingual bone dehiscence in the mandibular incisors was significantly higher in the extraction groups than in the non-extraction groups; correspondingly, the lingual alveolar bone was also thinner in the extraction groups; Class Ⅱ non-extraction patients showed a higher prevalence of labial bone fenestration but a lower prevalence of lingual bone fenestration in mandibular incisors compared to Class Ⅱ extraction patients; the orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment group showed significantly higher prevalence of labial/lingual bone dehiscence and thinner alveolar bone at multiple sites in the mandibular incisors compared to the camouflage group in skeletal Class Ⅲ patients. Comparison of mandibular incisor bone defects and thickness before and after orthodontic treatment in adult patients: in skeletal ClassⅠ and Ⅱ patients treated with premolar extraction and Class Ⅲ patients treated with orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment, the lingual alveolar bone of mandibular incisors exhibited significant resorption and thinned after treatment, and this was accompanied by an increased prevalence of dehiscence; in non-extraction patients, ClassⅠ non-extraction patients showed thinning of the crestal-labial bone and apical-lingual bone, Class Ⅱ patients showed thinning of the crestal-labial bone and middle-labial bone of the mandibular incisors, along with an increased prevalence of dehiscence
Conclusion
In malocclusion adults, alveolar bone defects were already present in the mandibular incisors before orthodontic treatment. The alveolar bone defects and thickness in mandibular incisors among post-orthodontic adults were influenced by the treatment plan and Class of skeletal malocclusion.
3.Mechanism of action of flavonoids in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and related signaling pathways
Wenxuan GUO ; Hongmei LIU ; Zhezhu JIN ; Chenghao LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1688-1697
The incidence rate of hepatic fibrosis remains at a high level, and there is still a lack of specific therapeutic drugs, posing a serious threat to human health. As a type of natural active components widely present in plants, flavonoids have multiple physiological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities, and a large number of studies have confirmed the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of flavonoids. As for the mechanism of action, flavonoids can target the functions of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting their proliferation and differentiation, promoting their apoptosis, regulating the level of autophagy, reducing the formation of extracellular matrix, and regulating iron metabolism in hepatic stellate cells, and meanwhile, they can inhibit chronic liver inflammatory response, improve oxidative stress status, regulate intestinal flora balance, and block epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby blocking the progression of fibrosis through multiple dimensions. At the level of signaling pathways, flavonoids mainly exert an anti-fibrotic effect by regulating the abnormal activation of the signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor-β1/Smad, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, nuclear factor-kappa B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Wnt/β-catenin, and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase. This article summarizes the research advances in the anti-fibrotic effect of flavonoids, in order to provide a theoretical basis for further exploring their medicinal potential.
4.Research progress of nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems in the treatment of atherosclerosis
Xiying HE ; Jingjing WEI ; Teng MA ; Fan SU ; Hongmei ZHENG ; Xiaoman LI ; Xiaomei WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(20):2759-2764
Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems can provide new research strategies for targeted intervention at atherosclerosis (AS) lesions by regulating the in vivo distribution and release behavior of drugs. Existing studies have shown that polymeric and lipid nanocarriers, cell membrane-coated systems, and microenvironment-responsive drug delivery strategies can intervene in the pathological progression of AS by modulating macrophage function, promoting cholesterol efflux, and controlling inflammation and oxidative stress; some systems have attempted to achieve multi-target synergistic intervention through combined delivery and theranostics; some drug delivery systems can improve drug enrichment in lesions and modulate related pathological processes. However, their long-term safety, lesion-targeting stability, scale-up manufacturing, and incremental clinical benefit remain to be validated. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the matching between delivery mechanisms and pathological features and to establish evaluation systems for pharmacokinetics and safety, thereby providing a basis for the clinical translation of nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems.
5.Huashi Baidu Granules Treat Influenza Viral Pneumonia by Regulating Gut-Lung Axis
Qijing LI ; Hanhui HUANG ; Yurong DENG ; Ao'ao WANG ; Jianliang LI ; Jianhui SUN ; Liyu HAO ; Zongyuan LI ; Guimin LIU ; Hongmei LI ; Luqi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):59-69
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huashi Baidu granules in treating influenza A (H1N1) virus infection based on the gut-lung axis. MethodsBALB/c mice were randomly assigned into a blank control group, a model control group, a positive control (oseltamivir phosphate capsules, 19.5 mg·kg-1) group, and a Huashi Baidu granules (17.81 g·kg-1) group. Mice in other groups except the blank control group were instilled nasally by H1N1 viral fluid for the modeling of influenza viral pneumonia and treated with corresponding drugs once daily by gavage for 5 consecutive days. The mouse lung index was calculated, and pathological changes in the lung and colon tissue were observed. Western blot was employed to quantify the expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase -1 (Caspase-1), apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-1β, and colonic tight junction protein 1 (CLDN1), and Occludin in the lung and colon tissue. Non-targeted metabolomics was employed to analyze the metabolic profiles of the lung tissue and intestinal contents. The 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to analyze the gut microbiota structure in intestinal contents. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in the serum, lung tissue, and colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model control group showed elevated lung index, marked inflammatory cell infiltration and alveolar structural destruction in the lung tissue, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and mucosal epithelial damage in the colon tissue, upregulated protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the lung and colon tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), downregulated protein levels of CLDN1 and Occludin in the colon tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, Huashi Baidu Granules reduced the lung index (P<0.01), alleviated pathological damage in the lungs and colon, inhibited the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in lung and colon tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated the expression of CLDN1 and Occludin in the colon tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis showed that Huashi Baidu Granules downregulated the 5-HT pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism pathway in the lung and colon tissue, while upregulating nucleotide metabolism and TCA cycle. Compared with the blank control group, the model control group exhibited elevated levels of 5-HT in the serum, lung tissue, and colon tissue (P<0.01). The intervention with Huashi Baidu Granules lowered the levels of 5-HT in the serum (P<0.05) and the lung and colon tissue (P<0.01). Huashi Baidu Granules increased the diversity of gut microbiota, enriched beneficial bacteria such as Blautia, and inhibited pathogenic bacteria such as Desulfovibrio. ConclusionHuashi Baidu Granules significantly alleviate lung inflammation and pathological damage in mice infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus, reshape the intestinal microecology, and repair the intestinal barrier. It may exert cross-organ regulation by inhibiting the cascade of "gutogenic 5-HT release-circulatory transport-pulmonary 5-HT receptor activation-NLRP3 inflammasome assembly." It exerts therapeutic effects on influenza viral pneumonia through the gut-lung axis. This study provides a modern biological interpretation for the TCM theories of interior-exterior relationship between the lung and large intestine and simultaneous treatment of the lung and intestine.
6.Hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplantation from the same donor in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and literature review
Yan YIN ; Zilin QUAN ; Li SONG ; Zhonglin FENG ; Dongmei CUI ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yuhang HU ; Qinghua ZHOU ; Xiaoli KANG ; Junjie LIAO ; Qizhen LIANG ; Suijin WU ; Hongmei WU ; Shuangxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(9):691-695
The paper reports a 32-year-old female acute myeloid leukemia patient who developed graft-versus-host disease after paternal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which subsequently led to renal thrombotic microangiopathy. She subsequently required a kidney transplant from the same donor 5 years later due to renal failure. Considering that both the bone marrow and kidney were from the same donor and the recovery of renal function was favorable, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued after a short course of anti-rejection treatment, with maintained stable kidney function. This case suggests that under the condition of high chimerism, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and kidney transplantation from the same donor can achieve immune tolerance, potentially improving solid organ transplantation success rate. The findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for solid organ transplantation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
7.Clinical pathway for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis
Yuan ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Haiyan YIN ; Shengwei JIN ; Bangjiang FANG ; Guiwei LI ; Xijing ZHANG ; Hongmei GAO ; Donghao WANG ; Changsong WANG ; Keliang XIE ; Lai JIANG ; Yan QU ; Zhaocai ZHANG ; Jianying KAN ; Daihua YU ; Junling LIU ; Jun LI ; Weiwei AN ; Yong CHEN ; Jianbo YU
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(3):257-261
Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequently encountered acute abdominal syndrome in clinical settings,and the integrated model of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM)has demonstrated notable advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of AP.To systematize and standardize clinical practices related to develop clinical pathway for integrated TCM-WM diagnosis and treatment of AP,which enhances the efficiency and quality of patient care.This pathway focuses on AP,a common acute and life-threatening disease within the digestive system,and outlines that the central pathological mechanism involves pancreatic injury and localized inflammation resulting from the abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes.It has the characteristics of rapid onset,multiple causes,and complex manifestations.Severe cases can be life-threatening.At present,conventional treatments encompass a diverse range of modalities.Moreover,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)holds distinct advantages in alleviating relevant symptoms,and TCM-WM is gaining increasing prevalence.To enhance the standardization and consistency of diagnostic and therapeutic practices,this clinical pathway clearly delineates the target patient population,which includes individuals diagnosed with abdominal pain disorder according to TCM and with AP in accordance with WM criteria,as well as the corresponding inclusion standards.The diagnostic framework integrates both TCM and WM guidelines,and further incorporates disease staging,severity grading,and syndrome differentiation to support a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic strategy.The treatment integrates approaches from both TCM and WM.Within the WM framework,interventions consist of basic supportive care,infection control,nutritional support,and the management of complications.In the context of TCM,the protocol includes syndrome differentiation and corresponding therapeutic strategies(Distinct syndrome patterns are identified and managed during the acute and convalescent phases),such as acupuncture and retention enema.This clinical pathway addresses multiple key components,including preventive strategies,post-treatment follow-up,criteria for evaluating therapeutic efficacy,admission and discharge,admission examination protocols,discharge criteria,and the rationale for deviations or withdrawal from the pathway.It is designed to provide a systematic and standardized reference framework for relevant clinical practices.
8.Clinical efficacy of irradiation conditioning regimen in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for high-risk myeloid malignancies
Shuhong LIU ; Yide SUN ; Jun WANG ; Jiangwei HU ; Yuhang LI ; Yongfeng SU ; Na LIU ; Zhuoqing QIAO ; Liangding HU ; Lei XU ; Hongmei NING
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(5):438-445
Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of irradiation-incorporated and chemotherapy only-based myeloablative conditioning regimens in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies.Methods:This study retrospectively collected clinical data from 63 high-risk acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) patients who underwent haplo-HSCT at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. These patients were classified into the irradiation ( n = 17) and chemotherapy ( n = 46) groups based on different conditioning regimens. The differences between the two groups were compared in terms of hematopoietic reconstitution, cumulative incidence of acute/chronic graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD and cGVHD), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse rate (RR), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS), followed by the analysis of prognostic factors. Results:The median follow-up time for the irradiation and chemotherapy groups was 78.5 and 72.3 months, respectively. The median time for neutrophil engraftment was 14.0 days in the irradiation group and 14.5 d in the chemotherapy group, and for platelet engraftment was 15.0 and 13.0 d, respectively. As a result, the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in hematopoietic reconstitution ( P > 0.05). The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD was higher in the irradiation group compared to the chemotherapy group, yet showing no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Specifically, the cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD within 100 d was 29.4% and 21.7% for the irradiation and chemotherapy groups, respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 23.5% and 13.0%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of severe cGVHD within five years was 11.8% in the irradiation group and 8.7% in the chemotherapy group. In terms of long-term survival, the cumulative 5\|year RR and NRM were 20.2% and 28.4% in the irradiation group, 5.9% and 23.9% in the chemotherapy group, respectively, showing no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The 5-year DFS and OS rates were 73.9% and 47.7% in the irradiation group, and 81.1% and 54.4% in the chemotherapy group, respectively, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Notably, the irradiation group manifested more favorable DFS and OS survival curves compared to the chemotherapy group. The survival curves indicate that the irradiation-incorporated regimen exhibited better trends in OS, DFS, and cGVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS). However, multivariate analysis did not reveal that irradiation conditioning is an independent prognostic factor affecting survival [ HR = 0.532 (0.163-1.735), 0.370 (0.091-1.516), 0.683 (0.248-1.882), P > 0.05]. Conclusions:In haplo-HSCT for high-risk myeloid malignancies, the irradiation-incorporated conditioning regimen demonstrates lower RR and NRM, higher DFS and OS, and potentially superior survival outcomes compared to the chemotherapy only-based regimen. Therefore, the irradiation-incorporated conditioning regimen may be preferentially considered in haplo-HSCT.
9.Research progress on the association between prenatal nutritional factors and autism spectrum disorder
Wenli ZHAO ; Changlu PAN ; Dongdan LI ; Jie YAN ; Hongmei HUANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(9):1559-1565
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition originating in early life, presenting significant challenges for affected families and society. ASD is characterized by atypical brain development occurring throughout gestation. Maternal diet during pregnancy plays a crucial role in ASD pathogenesis. Specifically, prenatal multivitamin supplementation and adequate vitamin D intake may reduce ASD risk; similar protective effects have been associated with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and iron consumption. Although research findings are inconsistent, prenatal nutritional interventions represent a promising strategy for mitigating the future risk of mental health and other disorders in offspring. Therefore, this article reviews key nutrients implicated in ASD risk during pregnancy, to provide a theoretical foundation for developing precise perinatal nutritional intervention plans.
10.Study of characteristics of faculty of high-level public health schools in China based on internet information
Huiwen DENG ; Shengfeng WANG ; Yajun XU ; Huakang TU ; Xueyan JING ; Hongmei WANG ; Xifeng WU ; Ying LI ; Siyan ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(3):476-483
Objective:To understand the characteristics of faculty in high-level public health schools in China, and analyze the differences in age, area and school level.Methods:Based on the internet information, the faculty information of 18 high-level public health schools was collected for a descriptive analysis on faculty characteristics.Results:There were 1 642 faculty members in the schools of public health in China, in whom 51.8% were women, 92.8% had doctorate, 32.4% had postdoctoral experience and 56.8% were former students staying to teach. The average age of the faculty members was (45.6±9.8) years. Meanwhile the top three study subjects were epidemiology and health statistics (31.0%), occupational health and environmental sanitation (16.5%), and health toxicology (16.3%). In the faculty members aged >40 years, 90.2% had doctorate, 62.6% were former students staying to teach, and 24.7% had no educational background of public health. The proportions of faculty members aged ≤40 years in the three groups mentioned above were 98.2%, 45.8% and 39.1% respectively. In terms of study subject, big data study were mainly conducted in the schools with top subject ranking and the schools in developed areas.Conclusions:The public health faculty was characterized by cross education background and high capability. The study subjects and sub-disciplines varied with schools and areas.


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