1.Mechanisms of Liuwei Buqi Prescription in Regulating Macrophage Efferocytosis for Treatment of Lung-kidney Qi Deficiency Syndrome in COPD Based on Nrf2/MARCO Signaling Pathway
Jiankang JIANG ; Hui WANG ; Lu ZHANG ; Zegeng LI ; Jiabing TONG ; Fan WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):222-229
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Liuwei Buqi prescription (LWBQ) regulates alveolar macrophage efferocytosis and improves inflammatory responses in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by lung-kidney Qi deficiency based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) pathway. MethodsSuccessfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-dose LWBQ group (LWBQ-L, 2.25 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose LWBQ group (LWBQ-M, 4.5 g·kg-1·d-1), high-dose LWBQ group (LWBQ-H, 9 g·kg-1·d-1), and aminophylline group (AMIN, 50 mg·kg-1·d-1), with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 healthy rats were included as the blank group. Except for the blank group, rats in the remaining groups were subjected to smoke exposure combined with forced swimming, intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation, and subcutaneous hydrocortisone injection to establish a COPD model with lung-kidney Qi deficiency. After successful modeling, rats were administered different doses of LWBQ or AMIN by gavage. Body weight, fur condition, and oral secretions were observed. Pulmonary function was measured using an animal lung function analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum (SER). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to examine pathological changes in lung tissue. Giemsa staining was performed to detect eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils in BALF. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of efferocytosis-related proteins growth arrest-specific gene 6 (GAS6), milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8), and pathway-related proteins Nrf2 and MARCO in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reduced food intake, nasal and oral secretions with sputum, and decreased body weight (P<0.01), decreased peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P<0.01), increased forced vital capacity (FVC) (P<0.01), and decreased forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s/forced vital capacity [FEV0.3/FVC (%)] (P<0.01). The expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α in BALF and SER were increased (P<0.01). Lung tissue exhibited structural destruction, hyperplasia, inflammatory exudation, increased apoptotic cells, and increased mean optical density (P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of GAS6, MFG-E8, and MARCO, as well as Nrf2 mRNA expression, were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the LWBQ groups showed increased food intake, reduced nasal and oral secretions with sputum, and increased body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01). PEF was increased (P<0.01). FVC was increased in rats treated with low- and medium-dose LWBQ (P<0.01), and FEV0.3/FVC (%) was increased in rats treated with medium- and high-dose LWBQ (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α in BALF and SER were decreased (P<0.01). Lung tissue structure was relatively intact, with improvement in hyperplasia and inflammatory exudation. The number of apoptotic cells in lung tissue was reduced, and mean optical density was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of efferocytosis-related proteins GAS6 and MFG-E8 and pathway-related proteins Nrf2 and MARCO were increased (P<0.01). ConclusionLWBQ can alleviate pulmonary and systemic inflammation, improve lung function, and reduce lung tissue damage in rats with COPD characterized by lung-kidney Qi deficiency. The mechanism may be related to enhancement of alveolar macrophage efferocytosis through regulation of the Nrf2/MARCO pathway.
2.DiPTAC: A degradation platform via directly targeting proteasome.
Yutong TU ; Qian YU ; Mengna LI ; Lixin GAO ; Jialuo MAO ; Jingkun MA ; Xiaowu DONG ; Jinxin CHE ; Chong ZHANG ; Linghui ZENG ; Huajian ZHU ; Jiaan SHAO ; Jingli HOU ; Liming HU ; Bingbing WAN ; Jia LI ; Yubo ZHOU ; Jiankang ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):661-664
3.Hyssopus cuspidatus extract inhibited OVA-sensitized allergic asthma through PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.
Yali ZHANG ; Huiming PENG ; Jingjing LI ; Pan LV ; Mengru ZHANG ; Xu WANG ; Siyu WANG ; Siying ZHU ; Jiankang LU ; Xuepeng FAN ; Jinbo FANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):539-547
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss. extract (HCE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma.
METHODS:
Components identification of HCE was conducted using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Mice were sensitized with OVA to establish asthmatic model, and dexamethasone was used as positive control. Respiratory reactivity, white cells counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood, cytokine level measurement in serum and lung tissue, and histologic examination were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HCE on asthma. Network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Western blotting and untargeted lipidomics method were applied for mechanism validation.
RESULTS:
Fifty-two compounds were identified in HCE, predominantly terpenoids and flavonoids. HCE markedly reduced airway resistance, the eosinophil infiltration in lung tissues, and the levels of immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13. Network pharmacology analysis suggested phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) may be key proteins of HCE in the treatment of allergic asthma. Western blot results indicated that the levels of phosphorylated PI3K, JNK, and P38 were downregulated in HCE-treated group. Moreover, HCE significantly upregulated the levels of ceramide and sphingomyelin and downregulated the level of phosphatidylcholine.
CONCLUSION
HCE inhibited allergic asthma via PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.
4.Damage effect of combined noise and CO exposure on spermatogenesis in male rats
Lulu GUO ; Zhonghao ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Chaofeng SHI ; Jiankang WANG ; Lei SUN ; Jinyi LIU ; Yingqing LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(15):1729-1740
Objective To analyze the detrimental effects of exposure to environmental noise alone and combined with carbon monoxide(CO)on spermatogenesis in male rats,investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in such damage,and evaluate the protective role of pterostilbene(PTE)against these adverse effects.Methods Sixty male SD rats(6~8 weeks old,weighing 200±10 g)were randomly divided normal control group(standard housing),sham-exposure control group(restraint stress only),noise exposure(85 dB),CO exposure(460 mg/m3),combined exposure(simultaneous exposure),and PTE intervention(80 mg/kg pretreatment),with 10 animals in each group.The rats were exposed daily for 2 h via a nose-only inhalation exposure system within a multifactorial environmental simulation chamber for 60 consecutive days.Sperm count and viability were measured after exposure.Histopathological changes of testicular tissues were observed with HE staining.qRT-PCR was used to measure stage-specific mRNA levels in germ cells.Serum sex hormone levels and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)concentrations in testes and sperm were detected.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was applied to observe the ultrastructural damage in the spermatocytes.Additionally,transcriptome sequencing was performed on testicular tissue,followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results Compared with the negative control group,the combined exposure group exhibited significant reductions in sperm viability and count(P<0.05),and developmental arrest of immature germ cells in the testicular tissue,with obviously less spermatogonia,spermatocytes,and round/elongated spermatids(P<0.01).Additionally,significantly reduced levels of reproductive-related hormones,such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and testosterone,and ATP levels in testes and sperm were observed in the mice after combined exposure(P<0.01),accompanied by mitochondrial rupture and cristae disruption in spermatocytes.Conversely,the PTE intervention group showed marked alleviation of these impairments,with parameters recovering almost to normal levels.Transcriptome sequencing identified biological processes related to reproductive development and ATP-dependent pathways as potential contributors to testicular injury induced by noise and CO exposure,with key genes including Nppa,Adm,Gnrh1,Ptafr,Atp13a5,Atp8b1,and LOC102555469.Conclusion Noise and CO exposure induce spermatogenic damage in rats,which may be related with energy metabolism and hormonal regulation,while PTE demonstrates significant protective effects against such reproductive impairments.
5.Serum CCL27 and LAMC2 levels and prognostic value before TURBT in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Huiyu CHEN ; Ruiqing XING ; Jiankang CHEN ; Jing LI ; Jin GUO
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(14):1682-1688
Objective To investigate the serum C-C motif chemokine ligand 27(CCL27)and laminin sub-unit gamma-2(LAMC2)levels and prognostic value before transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods A total of 104 patients with NMIBC who underwent primary TURBT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from February 2019 to February 2021 were retrospectively selected as the NMIBC group,and another 50 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the same hospital during the same period were se-lected as the control group.The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in the two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the effect of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT on the prognosis of NMIBC patients.COX regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients with NMIBC.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the value of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in evaluating the prognosis of NMIBC pa-tients.Results The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 in the NMIBC group before TURBT were higher than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in patients with NMIBC at tumor stage T1 and high-grade pathological grade were higher than those in patients with tumor stage Ta/Tis and low-grade pathological grade,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 3-year progression-free survival rate of patients in the high-level CCL27 group was lower than that in the low-level CCL27 group,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=20.021,P<0.001).The 3-year progression-free survival rate of patients in the high-level LAMC2 group was lower than that in the low-level LAMC2 group,and the difference was statistically signifi-cant(χ2=11.012,P<0.001).Tumor stage T1,high-grade pathological grade,high level of serum CCL27,and high level of serum LAMC2 were risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with NMIBC(P<0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve and 95%CI of the combined serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT for the prognosis assessment of NMIBC patients were 0.901(0.881-0.925),which were larger than those of the single detection,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=4.620,4.912,P<0.001).Conclusion The elevated levels of serum CCL27 and LAMC2 before TURBT in NMIBC patients are related to the degree of tumor malignancy,and can serve as prognostic markers for in-dividualized treatment strategies.
6.Development and Challenges of Additive Manufactured Customized Implant
Changning SUN ; Zijie MENG ; Ling WANG ; Jiankang HE ; Qin LIAN ; Lin GAO ; Xiao LI ; Mao MAO ; Hui ZHU ; Dichen LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2024;48(3):237-244
Additive manufacturing(3D printing)technology aligns with the direction of precision and customization in future medicine,presenting a significant opportunity for innovative development in high-end medical devices.Currently,research and industrialization of 3D printed medical devices mainly focus on nondegradable implants and degradable implants.Primary areas including metallic orthopaedic implants,polyether-ether-ketone(PEEK)bone implants,and biodegradable implants have been developed for clinical and industrial application.Recent research achievements in these areas are reviewed,with a discussion on the additive manufacturing technologies and applications for customized implants.Challenges faced by different types of implants are analyzed from technological,application,and regulatory perspectives.Furthermore,prospects and suggestions for future development are outlined.
7.Adrenal pheochromocytoma impacts three main pathways:cysteine-methionine,pyrimidine,and tyrosine metabolism
LAI CHONG ; YANG QINGLING ; ZHANG YUNUO ; GONG RENJIE ; WANG MAJIE ; LI JIANKANG ; LAI MAODE ; SUN QINGRONG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2024;25(5):410-421
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs)cause symptoms by altering the circulation levels of catecholamines and peptide hormones.Currently,the diagnosis of PPGLs relies on diagnostic imaging and the detection of catecholamines.In this study,we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS)analysis to identify and measure the perioperative differential metabolites in the plasma of adrenal pheochromocytoma patients.We identified differentially expressed genes by comparing the transcriptomic data of pheochromocytoma with the normal adrenal medulla.Through conducting two steps of metabolomics analysis,we identified 111 differential metabolites between the healthy group and the patient group,among which 53 metabolites were validated.By integrating the information of differential metabolites and differentially expressed genes,we inferred that the cysteine-methionine,pyrimidine,and tyrosine metabolism pathways were the three main metabolic pathways altered by the neoplasm.The analysis of transcription levels revealed that the tyrosine and cysteine-methionine metabolism pathways were downregulated in pheochromocytoma,whereas the pyrimidine pathway showed no significant difference.Finally,we developed an optimized diagnostic model of two metabolites,L-dihydroorotic acid and vanylglycol.Our results for these metabolites suggest that they may serve as potential clinical biomarkers and can be used to supplement and improve the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.
8.The Influence of Merged County-based Medical Community on the Conscientiousness of Physicians in Township Health Centers:the Mediating Role of Emotional Feeling
Wen LI ; Qingsiyuan LUO ; Jiankang DONG ; Qian FU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(2):46-50
Objective Based on the affective events theory,explore the influence of the cmerged county-based medical community reform on the conscientiousness of physicians in township health centers and its internal mechanism,and provide references for improving their conscientiousness.Methods Self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct the survey,including the basic personal information,physician's conscientiousness,county-based integrated service delivery networks and efficacy emotional feeling.Select physicians from 23 township health centers of 2 merged county-based medical community in Hubei Province as the investigation objects and use structural equation model to analyze the the influence of compact county-based integrated service delivery networks on the conscientiousness.Results The county-based integrated service delivery networks efficacy had a positive impact on the emotional feeling.Emotional feeling had a positive impact on the conscientiousness.The county-based integrated service delivery networks efficacy on the was conscientiousness 0.044,while the indirect effect was 0.236,and the ratio of indirect effect to the total effect was 84.3%.Conclusions The emotional feeling plays a fully mediating role between county-based integrated service delivery networks efficacy and physician's conscientiousness of township health centers.
9.Safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet 2 h versus overnight fasting before non-emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: A single-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial
Wenbo MENG ; W. Joseph LEUNG ; Zhenyu WANG ; Qiyong LI ; Leida ZHANG ; Kai ZHANG ; Xuefeng WANG ; Meng WANG ; Qi WANG ; Yingmei SHAO ; Jijun ZHANG ; Ping YUE ; Lei ZHANG ; Kexiang ZHU ; Xiaoliang ZHU ; Hui ZHANG ; Senlin HOU ; Kailin CAI ; Hao SUN ; Ping XUE ; Wei LIU ; Haiping WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Songming DING ; Zhiqing YANG ; Ming ZHANG ; Hao WENG ; Qingyuan WU ; Bendong CHEN ; Tiemin JIANG ; Yingkai WANG ; Lichao ZHANG ; Ke WU ; Xue YANG ; Zilong WEN ; Chun LIU ; Long MIAO ; Zhengfeng WANG ; Jiajia LI ; Xiaowen YAN ; Fangzhao WANG ; Lingen ZHANG ; Mingzhen BAI ; Ningning MI ; Xianzhuo ZHANG ; Wence ZHOU ; Jinqiu YUAN ; Azumi SUZUKI ; Kiyohito TANAKA ; Jiankang LIU ; Ula NUR ; Elisabete WEIDERPASS ; Xun LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(12):1437-1446
Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.
10.A multicenter population investigation on precancerous lesions of gastric cancer in Lishui District,Nan-jing
Chunyan NIU ; Xiaoping WANG ; Xiangyang ZHAO ; Jiankang HUANG ; Yue CHEN ; Yongqiang SHI ; Yongqiang SONG ; Hui WANG ; Xinguo WU ; Yongdan BU ; Jijin LI ; Tao TAO ; Jinhua WU ; Changlin XUE ; Fuyu ZHANG ; Jinming YANG ; Chunrong HAN ; Juan YUAN ; Yinling WU ; Hongbing XIONG ; Peng XIAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(20):2929-2934
Objective By population survey,to explore the epidemiological characteristics of gastric precancerous lesions in Lishui District of Nanjing and provide objective basis for the prevention and treatment of early gastric cancer.Methods From July 2021 to December 2022,21 977 patients who received endoscopy and/or 13C-UBT in Lishui District People's Hospital and 6 medical community units in Nanjing City were retrospectively analyzed for demography characteristics,detection rate of gastric precancerous lesions,and H.Pylori infection rate.Results(1)590 cases of gastric precancerous lesions were detected(detection rate 2.68%);(2)The total detection rate of precancerous lesions and three pathological types in males were all higher than those in females(all P<0.001);(3)The minimum age for the total detection rate of precancerous lesions in males and the mini-mum age for each pathological type were lower than in females(P<0.001,0.009,0.005,0.002);(4)The popu-lation total H.pylori infection rate was 23.10%,the H.pylori infection rate in patients with precancerous lesions was higher than that in non-precancerous lesions(P<0.001),both H.pylori infection rate of male and female in precancerous lesions were all higher than those of non-precancerous lesions of the same sex(all P<0.001),in addition,the H.pylori infection rate of male whether in precancerous or non-precancerous lesions was higher than that of female(all P<0.001);(5)The precancerous lesions detection rate in male,female,and the overall age range of 20~29 to 70~79 years is positively correlated with age growth(P<0.001),and rapidly decreases after the age of 79,the of H.pylori infection rate was also positively correlated with age growth(P<0.001),and the trend of age change(P<0.001)was parallel to the precancerous lesions detection rate.Conclusions The detec-tion rate of gastric precancerous lesions in this region is above the average level in China;the total H.pylori infec-tion rate is at a relatively low level in China;the H.pylori infection rate is parallel to the age trend of the detection rate of gastric precancerous lesions,and increases with age.

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