1.Exploring Therapeutic Mechanism of Xihuang Wan for Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments
Junliang WANG ; Peihua LIANG ; Xueli MA ; Juanxia SUN ; Tao HAN ; Yongmei LAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):41-49
ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic mechanism of Xihuang Wan for hyperplasia of mammary glands based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets of Xihuang Wan were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and A Bioinformatics Annotation daTabase for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) and supplemented by searching against PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of differential metabolites in tissues and urine were obtained from previous metabolomics studies through PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Drunbank were searched for the targets of hyperplasia of mammary glands. After the common targets were obtained via Veeny2.1.0, the STRING database was used to analyze the protein-protein interactions, and Cytoscape was used for the core target analysis and visualization. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed for enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was carried out in Autodock, and cell experiments were conducted to verify the prediction results. In the cell experiments, estradiol and progesterone (E2+P) were used to intervene in human mammary epithelial/MCF-10A cells, and thus the MCF-10A cell proliferation model was established. The cells were then treated with Xihuang Wan-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of key factors in MCF-10A cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsThe results of network pharmacology showed that 90 active ingredients and 316 common targets were obtained, from which 20 core targets and 38 corresponding active ingredients were screened out. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that Xihuang Wan exerted effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by regulating a variety of biological processes, which may be related to protein kinase B (Akt)-related molecular functions, estrogen signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway and other biological processes. The results of molecular docking showed that estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) all had strong binding activity with the nine active ingredients, suggesting that Xihuang Wan exert the effect through the ESR1/SRC/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results of cell experiments showed that E2+P intervention in MCF-10A cells promoted the proliferation of MCF-10A cells (P<0.05), while the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the proliferation of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum promoted the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Real-time PCR showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum down-regulated the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, JAK2, and STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Western blot showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.05). ConclusionXihuang Wan may exert the effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells, which may related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways.
2.Shenqi Yiliu Prescription Reverses Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway-mediated Glycolysis
Lan MA ; Yuping YANG ; Min BAI ; Yongqiang DUAN ; Zhining ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenqi Yiliu prescription reverses cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway-mediated glycolysis. MethodsThe human ovarian cancer A2780 cell line was intervened with progressively increasing doses of cisplatin (1 g·L-1) to establish the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR, and the cell sensitivity to cisplatin was examined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. High, medium, and low (39.9, 19.95, 9.98 g·kg-1) doses of Shenqi Yiliu prescription-containing sera were used to treat A2780cisR cells for 48 h. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured by the cuvette assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the activities of glucose transporter (GLUT), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis. Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), B-cell lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X-protein (Bax), and B-lymphoblastoma-2 gene-related promoter (Bad). Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of HK2, PKM2, Bax, Bcl-2, and Bad. ResultsThe median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin on A2780cisR cells was nearly 3 times that on A2780P cells. Compared with A2780P cells, A2780cisR cells showed increased glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax (P<0.05), and decreased apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). Compared with A2780cisR cells, medium- and high-dose Shenqi Yiliu prescription reduced the glucose consumption, lactate production, GLUT, PFK, and PK activities, and mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K, Akt, p-mTOR, HK2, PKM2, Bax, and Bad (P<0.05), while increasing the apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05). ConclusionShenqi Yiliu prescription can inhibit glycolysis mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to promote apoptosis, thereby reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.
3.Construction and Evaluation of Mouse Model of Qi Deficiency and Phlegm Dampness Syndrome
Qichun ZHOU ; Gangxing ZHU ; Yongchun ZOU ; Baoyi LAN ; Zhanyu CUI ; Xi WANG ; Mengfei XU ; Qing TANG ; Sumei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):138-146
ObjectiveQi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome is a common type of clinical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. However, there is no standard, scientific, and accurate report on the construction of animal models of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. This study aims to construct a mouse model of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome by using a multi-factor composite modeling method and to evaluate the model. MethodsTwenty-one C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups with seven mice in each group, which were the normal group, model group, and Shenling Baizhusan (SLBZ) group. The control group was fed with ordinary diet and kept in a normal environment. The model group and SLBZ group were fed with a high-fat diet in a high-humidity environment. Swimming with heavy weights until exhaustion and gavage with cold water or lard were used to establish the mouse model of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. In order to test the syndrome by prescription, mice in the SLBZ group were treated with SLBZ for 14 days after model construction. The exhaustive swimming time, body weight, serum lipid levels, tongue changes, "Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness" assessment scale score, and cecal index of mice in each group were measured. The feces of each group of mice were sent for metagenomics and metabolome sequencing, and the changes in intestinal flora and metabolites were analyzed. ResultsAfter the modeling of Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome, the exhaustive swimming time of mice was obviously shortened (P<0.01). The serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol of mice were significantly increased (all P<0.01). The tongue of mice was significantly different from that of the normal group, and the score of the assessment scale was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Cecal index decreased significantly (P<0.01). The serum lipid level, tongue image, assessment scale score, and cecal index were reversed in the SLBZ group. Metagenomic and metabolome sequencing results showed that intestinal flora and fecal metabolites were significantly changed in mice with Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome. Akkermansia_muciniphila, Faecalibaculum_rodentium, Eubacterium_plexicaudatum, Eubacterium sp 14_2, Candida glabrata, Romboutsia_ilealis, Turicibacter sp TS3, and other bacteria had significant changes, and the expressions of intestinal metabolites such as chenodeoxycholic acid, choline, L-phenylalanine betaine, and 2-phenylbutyric acid were significantly changed. Related metabolic pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, lysine degradation, arginine biosynthesis, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism were affected. ConclusionThe Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness model of mice can be constructed by the multi-factor composite modeling method of high-fat diet feeding, high-humidity environment feeding, exhaustive swimming with heavy weight, and intragastric administration with cold water or lard. The blood lipid level, tongue change, score of "Qi deficiency and phlegm dampness assessment scale", cecal index, and changes in related intestinal flora and metabolites of mice can be used as key indicators for model evaluation.
4.Variations of Chemical Components in Gardeniae Fructus Before and After Being Charred Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS
Lan LI ; Jie HONG ; Yanan SONG ; Yilan LI ; Yun WANG ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):175-182
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) before and after being charred, providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata(GFC). MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS) was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1, differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition, MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified, including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories, primarily including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and terpenoids, their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously, multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites, identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites, respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways, including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis, while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization, with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide, crocin Ⅱ, crocetin, and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin, geniposidic acid, gentiopicroside, and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.
5.Analysis of HPV Infection Characteristics and Influencing Factors for Lesion Grade in Patients with Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Cervical Cancer
Jingjing HAN ; Lijie ZHANG ; Ruyu CAI ; Haili LI ; He WANG ; Le DANG ; Hongda CHEN ; Ming'e LI ; Lan ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):156-165
To summarize the distribution characteristics of human papillomavirus(HPV) infection types in patients with cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion(SIL) and cervical cancer(CC), and to explore the impact of HPV vaccination, HPV infection types, and general clinical data on different grades of cervical lesions. Clinical data of women attending the gynecological colposcopy clinic of Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. Patients with HPV genotyping records and histopathologically diagnosed SIL or CC were included and divided into three groups based on pathological results: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL) group, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL) group, and CC group. The distribution of high-risk HPV subtypes was analyzed among the three groups, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify influencing factors for high-grade cervical lesions. A total of 4162 patients were included, comprising 4057 cervical SIL patients(3317 LSIL and 740 HSIL) and 105 CC patients. The overall mean age was(39.9±11.2) years. The HPV infection rate was 95.1%(3959/4162), and 25.0%(1040/4162) of patients had received HPV vaccination. Among high-risk HPV infections, HPV 52, HPV 16, HPV 58, and HPV 18 were the most common subtypes. HPV 52 had the highest infection rate in the LSIL group(27.6%), while HPV 16 was the most prevalent in the HSIL group(45.3%) and CC group(64.9%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HPV vaccination( HPV infection is common in patients with SIL and CC, but the distribution of high-risk HPV subtypes varies among different grades of cervical lesions. It is recommended to strengthen cervical cancer screening and monitoring of key high-risk HPV infections in older and multiparous women in Shenzhen, and to continue promoting HPV vaccination.
6.Five-year survival analysis and influencing factors of elderly lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Mianyang City
Haishi XUE ; Ling HUANG ; Junjie XIA ; Yu QIU ; Ke GE ; Jincheng WANG ; Yuting CHEN ; Runjiao CHEN ; Lingna LI ; An LAN ; Yan HOU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):138-141
Objective To study the five-year survival status and influencing factors of elderly patients with lung cancer complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A cohort study was conducted to follow up 450 patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. The endpoint of the follow-up was the end of a five-year period or death. The Life Tables method was used to calculate survival rates and plot survival curves. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of five-year survival. Results The results indicated that the overall five-year survival rate of patients was 4.89%, and it decreased year by year. Cox regression analysis showed that age, gender, family functioning, and psychological status significantly influenced patient survival rate (all P<0.05). Stratified analysis found that the smoking status, family functioning, and psychological status of male patients all had an impact on survival rate (all P<0.05), while the psychological status of female patients had a more significant impact on survival (P=0.008). Conclusion This study provides a scientific basis for comprehensive intervention of elderly lung cancer patients with COPD. It is recommended that clinical attention should be paid to psychological and family factors to improve patient prognosis.
7.Mechanisms of Huanglian Jiedutang and Its Major Active Constituents in Inhibiting LPS-induced M1 Polarisation of BV2 Microglia
Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Kunjing LIU ; Xin LAN ; Zijin SUN ; Chunyu WANG ; Wenyuan MA ; Wei SHAO ; Jinhua HAN ; Liyang DONG ; Changxiang LI ; Xueqian WANG ; Youxiang CUI ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):44-55
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJD) and its major active constituents (geniposide, baicalin, and berberine) can inhibit the inflammatory response of BV2 cells under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation via the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and to explore differences in therapeutic efficacy among the three monomers, their combined formula, and HLJD under equal content ratios. MethodsBV2 microglial cells were used as the primary experimental model. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method to examine the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 0.8%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.05%) on cell viability. IncuCyte was employed to monitor the growth of cells under different concentrations of HLJD (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 mg·L-1). Nitric oxide (NO) assay was used to screen the optimal HLJD concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determined the content of geniposide, baicalin, and berberine in HLJD, and experimental groups were subsequently established according to the relative proportions of these constituents. CCK-8 assay evaluated cell viability under different treatments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) in the supernatant. Flow cytometry assessed the effects of treatments on M1-type polarization of BV2 cells. Western blot determined the expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group, DMSO at concentrations ≤0.2% did not affect cell viability within 48 h. BV2 cell growth plateaued at 24 h after treatment with 200 mg·L-1 HLJD. Under stimulation with 2 mg·L-1 LPS, this concentration of HLJD effectively reduced NO release, and 6 h pre-treatment had a stronger inhibitory effect on NO than direct administration. HPLC results showed that 1 mg of HLJD freeze-dried powder contained approximately 24 μg of geniposide, 15 μg of baicalin, and 30 μg of berberine. Based on these ratios, experimental groups were blank, LPS (2 mg·L-1), HLJD (200 mg·L-1), monomer combination, geniposide (4.8 mg·L-1), baicalin (3 mg·L-1), and berberine (6 mg·L-1). The monomer combination group consisted of all three active constituents dissolved together. LPS and HLJD or its active constituents did not affect cell viability compared with the blank group. LPS significantly increased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in the supernatant (P<0.01). HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01) while upregulating anti-inflammatory IL-10 (P<0.01), with the monomer combination showing the strongest effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, LPS significantly increased the proportion of CD80⁺CD86⁺ (M1-type) BV2 cells (P<0.01). HLJD and its constituents partially inhibited M1 polarization (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the monomer combination exhibiting the most pronounced effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, LPS upregulated HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB-related proteins (P<0.01), whereas HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced their expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the monomer combination having the strongest regulatory effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHLJD and its major active constituents (geniposide, baicalin, berberine) can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 cells. The combination of the three active constituents demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect, significantly attenuating M1-type polarization of BV2 cells via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin Decoction in Treatment of Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Its Effect on Serum H2S and Ca2+
Zhuojun ZHANG ; Lijuan SHEN ; Hongyi LAN ; Jiajing ZHAO ; Liyang SHEN ; Tiantian HUANG ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiaodong TAN ; Shu LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):210-217
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shenqi Yangxin decoction in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and its effect on serum hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and calcium ion (Ca2+). MethodsA total of 64 ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a control group (n=32) and a treatment group (n=32). All patients received conventional Western medicine treatment. The treatment group was additionally given Shenqi Yangxin decoction. The TCM syndrome score, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification, and serum H2S and Ca2+ levels were compared between the two groups pre- and post-treatment. ResultsTwo cases dropped out from each group during the study. Finally, 30 patients in each group were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender, course of coronary heart disease, underlying diseases, and laboratory tests between the two groups. Compared with baseline, the TCM syndrome score, MLHFQ score, and NT-proBNP in both treatment group and control group decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01), and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the MLHFQ score and NT-proBNP in the treatment group decreased (P<0.05), the TCM syndrome score decreased significantly (P<0.01), LVEF, 6MWT, and serum Ca2+ increased (P<0.05), and H2S increased significantly (P<0.01). The improvement degree of the NYHA cardiac function classification in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference. ConclusionShenqi Yangxin decoction is effective in treating ICM patients with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis, which could significantly improve cardiac function and quality of life, and its therapeutic effect may be related to the regulation of serum H2S and Ca2+ levels.
9.Association between metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease and bone mineral density among children and adolescents
ZHAO Zengtong*,WANG Lan ,LIU Qin,WANG Mingming, LIU Junting
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):470-474
Objective:
To investigate the association between metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and bone mineral density among children and adolescents, so as to provide evidence for the early prevention and intervention of bone health in this population.
Methods:
In September 2022, a method combining convenience sampling with cluster sampling was used to select 5 089 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years in 9 schools from kindergarten to senior high school in Tongzhou District, Beijing, for physical measurements, ultrasound measurements, blood biochemical index testing, and questionnaire surveys. Participants were categorized into three groups: the normal control group ( n =1 515), the metabolic abnormality group (MA, n = 3 007 ), and the MASLD group ( n =567). Multivariable linear regression model was applied to examine the association between MASLD and bone speed of sound (SOS), while multivariable Logistic regression model was used to assess the association between MASLD and low bone mineral density. Subgroup analysis was conducted by sex and age groups.
Results:
Compared with the normal control group, the MASLD group showed significantly lower SOS values ( β =-6.31, 95% CI =-9.63 to -2.99), lower SOS Z scores ( β = -0.21, 95% CI =-0.32 to -0.10), and higher susceptibility to low bone mineral density( OR =1.56, 95% CI =1.25-1.96)(all P <0.05). No significant differences in SOS or odds of low bone density were observed between the MA and normal control groups (all P > 0.05). In sex stratified analyses, males with MASLD exhibited significantly lower SOS Z scores ( β =-0.35, 95% CI =-0.49 to -0.20 , P <0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in females with MASLD ( β =-0.03, 95% CI =-0.21-0.15; P >0.05). When hepatic steatosis grade (0, 1, 2, and 3) was treated as a continuous variable, each one grade increase was associated with a 31% higher odds of low bone mineral density ( OR =1.31, 95% CI =1.13 to 1.53, P <0.05).
Conclusions
MASLD is significantly associated with low bone mineral density among children and adolescents, with a stronger association in males. Moreover, children and adolescents with hepatic steatosis have a higher risk of impaired bone health compared with those with metabolic abnormalities alone.
10.Research progress on the microbiota-gut-brain axis regulatory mechanisms and targeted dietary interventions in autism spectrum disorder
Mingyue HAO ; Jiajun CHANG ; Zhihua ZHANG ; Lan GAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):376-386
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as autism, is a series of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social disorders and repetitive stereotyped behaviors/narrow interests. Its pathogenesis is complex, and there is a lack of effective treatment drugs, with some cases having adverse outcomes. Recent studies have consistently revealed that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit characteristics such as gut microbiota dysbiosis (abnormal Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio), impaired intestinal barrier function (elevated serum levels of zonulin and LPS), and intestinal immune dysregulation (increased pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α), suggesting that gastrointestinal abnormalities may influence central nervous system development through neuroendocrine, immunoregulatory, and metabolic pathways. Consequently, growing scholarly attention has focused on dietary interventions as potential approaches to alleviate clinical symptoms in children with ASD. This review systematically summarizes the role of gut microbiota and their metabolite alterations in ASD pathogenesis, along with recent advancements in understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms. Additionally, it elaborates on the therapeutic effects and underlying biological basis of restrictive diet therapy, modified diet therapy, and nutritional supplementation therapy in promoting the health of children with ASD. This systematic review reveals that children with ASD exhibit significant gut microbiota dysbiosis (e.g., increased Clostridium, decreased Faecalibacterium) and abnormal metabolite profiles (e.g., altered short-chain fatty acid spectra, elevated 4EPS levels). These alterations exacerbate neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, thereby impacting nervous system development and function. Furthermore, interventions such as ketogenic diets, camel milk, and specific nutritional supplements can alleviate certain ASD symptoms by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, and improving metabolic pathways. Future investigations should aim to create multi-omics evaluation systems for pinpointing potential beneficiaries, devise individualized intervention strategies rooted in microbiome characteristics, and verify their therapeutic value and safety in large-scale randomized controlled trials. These efforts are crucial to transitioning ASD treatment from symptomatic control to address disease etiology, thereby paving the way for improving prognoses.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail