1.Mechanism of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription in Regulating Autophagy Level to Intervene in Myocardial Remodeling in Rats via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xueqing WANG ; Wei ZHONG ; Liangliang PAN ; Caihong LI ; Man HAN ; Xiaowei YANG ; Yuanwang YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):136-144
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline (ISO) was established. Rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription,and the captopril group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group,the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution (8.4,16.8,and 33.6 g·kg-1),and the captopril group was administered captopril solution (25 mg·kg-1). As for the blank group and the model group, the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function,and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Collagen Ⅰ),type Ⅲ collagen (Collagen Ⅲ),and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),LC3,yeast Atg6 homolog protein (Beclin-1),AMPK,and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),LC3,Beclin-1,p62, phosphorylation(p)-AMPK,p-mTOR,AMPK,and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group,rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs) (P<0.01). Additionally, the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue, significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and mTOR (P<0.01),and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3,Beclin-1,and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values (P<0.01) and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs (P<0.05). In these groups, the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, p62, and p-mTOR (P<0.01), significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ, Collagen Ⅲ, α-SMA, and mTOR (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3, Beclin-1, and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level,enhance cardiac function,and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
2.Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Xueqing LIU ; Xinyu ZHONG ; Tingting WANG ; Ning WANG ; Man LIU ; Li WU ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):69-78
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and one of its most common complications. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and pathological angiogenesis, ultimately disrupting the blood-retinal barrier(BRB) and leading to visual impairment or even blindness. Recent studies show that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of DR's pathological changes. Meanwhile, Chinese herbal monomers have been shown to modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby intervening in the development of DR. In terms of inhibiting oxidative stress, saponin compounds such as platycodin-D and ginsenoside Rb1 downregulate the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby ameliorating retinal oxidative stress. Flavonoids such as total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata flower and puerarin upregulate the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), effectively clearing lipid peroxides. Regarding the suppression of inflammation, phenolic compounds like resveratrol and chlorogenic acid inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and mitigating inflammatory responses. In the context of inhibiting apoptosis, polysaccharides such as Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide and Angelica sinensis polysaccharide downregulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and suppress the activity of the executioner Caspase-3, thereby reducing the apoptosis rate. As for the inhibition of neovascularization, compounds including bilobalide and physcion significantly decrease the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to a reduction in retinal pathological angiogenesis. Furthermore, Chinese herbal compound prescriptions such as Tongluo Zhujing pills, Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin decoction, Qiming granules, and Danlou tablets can also intervene in the onset and progression of DR through the mechanisms described above. In summary, both Chinese herbal monomers and Chinese herbal compound prescriptions can modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress, alleviate inflammation, and participate in maintaining BRB integrity, suppressing retinal neovascularization, and preventing neurodegeneration, thereby delaying the progression of DR. Therefore, this paper reviews and summarizes recent studies at home and abroad on how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) works to treat DR, and the relationship between the Nrf2 pathway and DR. It aims to provide research ideas for preventing and treating DR.
3.Relationship Between YWHAQ Expression and Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Xueqing LIU ; Libo YANG ; Linhai LI ; Ping SHENG ; Sicheng LIU ; Lihua LI
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(5):393-399
Objective To investigate the expression of YWHAQ protein in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and its correlation with clinical pathological features and prognosis. Methods A total of 127 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical surgery were enrolled. Clinical data and postoperative cancer tissue samples were collected from the patients. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of YWHAQ in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues. The relationship between YWHAQ expression and clinical pathological features and prognosis was analyzed. Bioinformatics prediction was performed to identify potential pathways regulated by YWHAQ in gastric adenocarcinoma. A protein-protein interaction network for YWHAQ was constructed using the STRING database. Results YWHAQ gene expression was significantly higher in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal tissues (P<0.05). The expression level of the YWHAQ protein was significantly correlated with age, tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high YWHAQ expression had significantly poorer long-term survival than those with low expression (P<
4.Development and evaluation of a competitive ELISA based on a porcine neutralizing Fab antibody against Senecavirus A.
Yubin LIANG ; Xueqing MA ; Yixuan HE ; Caihe WANG ; Kun LI ; Pinghua LI ; Yuanfang FU ; Zengjun LU ; Xiaohua DU ; Xia LIU ; Pu SUN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2748-2759
Senecavirus A (SVA) is a major viral pathogen causing disease in pigs, and effective monitoring of SVA infection is critical for disease control. In this study, we aimed to develop a reliable ELISA method for rapidly detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We used HEK293F cells to express an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody and verified the biological activity of the Fab antibody by indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay, virus neutralization test, and Western blotting. The Fab antibody was biotinylated and used as a competitive antibody to establish a competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We then evaluated the C-ELISA in terms of sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and result agreement rate with the VNT. The results showed that we successfully prepared an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody, which showed high affinity for SVA. We named this antibody 1M33Fab and designated it as Bio-1M33Fab after biotin labeling. The assay conditions were optimized as follows: the coating concentration of SVA particles being 1 μg/mL, the working concentration of Bio-1M33Fab being 0.5 μg/mL, the optimal serum dilution of 1:10, and the optimal dilution of enzyme-labeled avidin being 1:30 000. At a percent inhibition (PI) of 47%, the assay demonstrated the highest sensitivity (96.88%) and specificity (100%), with no cross-reactivity observed with the positive sera of major porcine viral diseases. The intra-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.12% to 7.34%, while the inter-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.10% to 8.97%, indicating good repeatability. In the detection of 224 clinical pig serum samples, C-ELISA and VNT showed a result agreement rate of 93.75%. In conclusion, we successfully develop a C-ELISA method for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA by using a porcine-derived Fab antibody, which lays a foundation for the development of detection kits.
Animals
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Swine
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Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology*
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods*
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/immunology*
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Antibodies, Viral/immunology*
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Picornaviridae/immunology*
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Humans
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HEK293 Cells
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Swine Diseases/diagnosis*
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Picornaviridae Infections/diagnosis*
5.Research advances in therapeutic drugs for hepatic fibrosis
Jian HUANG ; Xueqing GONG ; Yan ZENG ; Hui LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2141-2148
Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic pathological condition characterized by hepatic stellate cell activation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which would progress to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, reversal of hepatic fibrosis is of great importance for improving quality of life and prolonging survival time. Currently, various therapeutic drugs for hepatic fibrosis have entered the stage of clinical trial. This article reviews the research advances in therapeutic drugs for hepatic fibrosis in the recent years, in order to provide insights into the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and future research directions for drugs.
6.Effects of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription on isoproterenol induced myocardial fibrosis in rats
Xueqing WANG ; Wei ZHONG ; Caihong LI ; Yuanwang YU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):336-341
Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription on myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats.Methods:SD rats were divided into blank control group, model group, and Shenfu Xiongze Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups according to random number table method. with 7 rats in each group. Except for the blank control group, the other groups were induced to form myocardial fibrosis in rats by intraperitoneal injection of isoprenaline. Shenfu Xiongze Prescription low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were administered Shenfu Xiongze Prescription solution at dosages of 8.4, 16.8, and 33.6 g/kg, respectively, while the blank control group and the model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, once a day, for consecutive 3 weeks. The heart structure and function were observed by echocardiography, the levels of BNP and IL-6 in serum were detected by ELISA, the pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the EF and FS values of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription in all dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01), the LVIDd and LVIDs increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins in myocardial tissue decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05); the levels of BNP and IL-6 in serum of the Shenfu Xiongze Prescription medium and high-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the level of IL-6 in the low-dosage group decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Shenfu Xiongze Prescription can inhibit rat myocardial fibrosis induced by isoprenaline, improve rat cardiac function, and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation in the heart and down-regulating the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins.
7.Characteristics of Aurora Kinase A-Mediated Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer and Mining of Active Compounds From Chinese Herbs
Mengyao LI ; Dongming HUA ; Zhiyan WANG ; Zhiyi LIU ; Hangjun GONG ; Yunchuan SUN ; Xueqing HU ; Yan WANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):59-67
Objective To investigate the effects of Aurora kinase A(AURKA)on the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer(CRC)and to predict the active compounds in Chinese herbs that can target AURKA.Methods Based on the transcriptomic data and clinical information from 380 CRC tissues and 51 paracancerous tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,the infiltration of different cells in the tumor tissues was analyzed using xCell and the binding of active compounds of Chinese herbs with AURKA was predicted through molecular docking.Results The expression of AURKA was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared with that in paracancerous tissues(P<0.05),and CRC patients with high AURKA expression had shorter overall survival.Compared with the AURKA low-expression group,the abundance of macrophages,monocytes,and effector memory CD4+and CD8+T cells was significantly downregulated in the AURKA high-expression group(P<0.05).In addition,the cytotoxicity of T cells was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Further analysis revealed that AURKA expression was positively correlated with the abundance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)and the expression levels of their chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL5(P<0.05).Genes that were differentially expressed between the AURKA high-and low-expression groups were mainly enriched in monocyte migration,chemokine-induced cellular responses,and other related processes.Chinese herbal compounds,including hesperidin,aristololactam A Ⅱ a,anacardic acid,coumestrol,and 17β-estradiol,all showed binding energies to AURKA lower than-1.2 kcal/mol,indicating a certain level of binding stability.Among these Chinese herbal compounds,17β-estradiol exhibited the best binding stability to AURKA-3UOL.Conclusion The high expression of AURKA in CRC tissues suggests a poor clinical prognosis.AURKA can promote the development of a suppressive immune microenvironment in CRC,and 17β-estradiol,an active compound from Chinese herbs,is a potential therapeutic agent targeting AURKA.
8.Development and design of distal radial artery puncture compression hemostatic device
Xueqing ZHU ; Yang GE ; Meng LI ; Sheng YUAN ; Jingjing WANG ; Zhenyu LIU
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(2):196-199
To research and design a new type of distal radial artery puncture compression hemostatic device,to solve the problem of distal radial artery puncture and compression hemostat that has not been clinically applied in China.The hemostatic device was mainly composed of hemostatic part,pressure regulating part,fixing part and visual window.The hemostatic device can accurately compress the puncture point,and it was convenient for medical staff to observe the wound through the visual window,find out abnormal conditions such as bleeding or hematoma in time,and take measures to deal with them,which greatly improved the hemostatic effect and comfort of the postoperative puncture point.The new hemostatic device has the advantages of reasonable design and simple clinical operation,which is worthy of clinical promotion.
9.Comparative study of Ovarian-Adnexal Ultrasound Reporting and Data System and the ADNEX Model in the diagnostic performance of ovarian-adnexal lesions
Xueqing WEI ; Luchen CHANG ; Tan ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Xi WEI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(3):229-235
Objective:To compare and validate the diagnostic performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS ) and the ADNEX model in the diagnosis of malignant ovarian-adnexal lesions.Methods:A total of 275 patients who underwent surgery for ovarian-adnexal lesions at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical, pathological aud ultrasound dates of the patients were collected.Statistical methods, including chi-square tests and ROC curve analysis, were employed to assess the diagnostic performance of O-RADS and the ADNEX model for ovarian-adnexal lesions.Results:Among the 275 patients included in this study, 127 (46.2%) had benign lesions, and 148 (53.8%) had malignant lesions.Based on the O-RADS classification, 46 cases (16.7%) were O-RADS 2, 50 cases (18.2%) were O-RADS 3, 66 cases (24.0%) were O-RADS 4, and 113 cases (41.1%) were O-RADS 5. The malignancy rates for O-RADS 2, O-RADS 3, O-RADS 4, and O-RADS 5 were 0%, 0.08%, 56.06%, and 94.7%, respectively. ROC curve analysis for malignant ovarian-adnexal lesions yielded an area under ROC curve of 0.93(95% CI=0.90-0.96) for O-RADS and 0.94(95% CI=0.91-0.97) for the ADNEX model. Using O-RADS ≥4 and ADNEX model ≥10% as cutoff values, there was no significant difference in sensitivity between the two methods( P=0.740), but O-RADS exhibited higher specificity compared to the ADNEX model (72.4% vs 56.7%, P=0.044). Conclusions:When O-RADS ≥4 and the ADNEX model ≥10% are used as cutoff values, both methods demonstrate excellent diagnostic performance for malignant ovarian-adnexal lesions, with O-RADS exhibiting higher specificity.
10.Standard for the management of hyperkalemia—whole-process management mode of multi- department cooperation
Zhiming YE ; Jianfang CAI ; Wei CHEN ; Hong CHENG ; Qiang HE ; Rongshan LI ; Xiangmin LI ; Xinxue LIAO ; Zhiguo MAO ; Huijuan MAO ; Ning TAN ; Gang XU ; Hong ZHAN ; Hao ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Xueqing YU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(3):245-254
Hyperkalemia is one of the common ion metabolism disorders in clinical practice. Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium higher than 5.0 mmol/L according to the guidelines at home and abroad. Acute severe hyperkalemia can cause serious consequences, such as flaccid paralysis, fatal arrhythmia, and even cardiac arrest. The use of renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system inhibitors, β-blockers and diuretics, low-sodium and high-potassium diets, and the presence of related comorbidities increase the occurrence of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia risk exist in all clinical departments, but there is a lack of a standardization in the management of multi- department cooperation in hospital. Therefore, a number of domestic nephrology and cardiology department experts have discussed a management model for multi-department cooperation in hyperkalemia, formulating the management standard on hospital evaluation, early warning, diagnosis and treatment, and process. This can promote each department to more effectively participate in nosocomial hyperkalemia diagnosis and treatment, as well as the long-term management of chronic hyperkalemia, improving the quality of hyperkalemia management in hospital.

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