1.Mechanism of Action of Guishenwan in Treatment of Ovarian Insufficiency Diseases: A Review
Yao CHEN ; Sainan TIAN ; Bin'an WANG ; Shengyu WANG ; Wen'e LIU ; Lei LEI ; Li TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):317-324
Guishenwan (GSW), originating from Jingyue Quanshu (Zhang Jingyue's Complete Works), is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with a history of over 400 years. Designed for kidney essence deficiency syndrome, it is clinically applied to treat diseases associated with essence-blood deficiency, such as ovarian insufficiency diseases in women, oligospermia-induced infertility in men, and lumbar disc herniation. Numerous studies have confirmed its significant efficacy and advantages in managing ovarian insufficiency diseases, including diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and premature ovarian failure (POF). According to recent literature, the therapeutic mechanisms of GSW in treating ovarian insufficiency diseases involve regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA) function, ameliorating reproductive endocrine disorders, improving ovarian function, modulating relevant signaling pathways, and exerting immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. A review of GSW in clinical treatment revealed that clinical applications of GSW, particularly in combination with Western medicine, not only alleviate symptoms but also compensate for the limitations of hormone replacement therapy, thereby reducing recurrence, minimizing adverse reactions, and enhancing safety. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for the rational clinical use of GSW in ovarian insufficiency diseases, offer innovative TCM strategies for developing novel ovarian-protective drugs, promote the integration of TCM and Western medicine in reproductive medicine, and ultimately contribute a Chinese approach to global management of ovarian insufficiency diseases.
2.Neutrophil activation is correlated with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass
Tingting WANG ; Yuanyuan YAO ; Jiayi SUN ; Juan WU ; Xinyi LIAO ; Wentong MENG ; Min YAN ; Lei DU ; Jiyue XIONG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):358-367
[Objective] To explore the relationship between neutrophil activation under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the incidence of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). [Methods] This prospective cohort study enrolled adult patients who scheduled for cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital between May 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The primary outcome was acute kidney injury (AKI). Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the central vein before surgery, at rewarming, at the end of CPB, and 24 hours after surgery. Neutrophils were labeled with CD11b, CD54 and other markers. To assess the effect of neutrophils activation on AKI, propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to equilibrate covariates between the groups. [Results] A total of 120 patients included into the study, and 17 (14.2%) developed AKI. Both CD11b+ and CD54+ neutrophils significantly increased during the rewarming phase and the increases were kept until 24 hours after surgery. During rewarming, the numbers of CD11b+ neutrophils were significantly higher in AKI compared to non-AKI (4.71×109/L vs 3.31×109/L, Z=-2.14, P<0.05). Similarly, the CD54+ neutrophils counts were also significantly higher in AKI than in non-AKI before surgery (2.75×109/L vs 1.79×109/L, Z=-2.99, P<0.05), during rewarming (3.12×109/L vs 1.62×109/L, Z=-4.34, P<0.05), and at the end of CPB (4.28×109/L vs 2.14×109/L, Z=-3.91, P<0.05). An analysis of 32 matched patients (16 in each group) revealed that CD11b+ and CD54+ neutrophil levels of AKI were 1.74 folds (4.83×109/L vs 2.77×109/L, Z=-2.72, P<0.05) and 2.34 folds (3.32×109/L vs 1.42×109/L, Z=-4.12, P<0.05), respectively, of non-AKI at rewarming phase. [Conclusion] Neutrophils are activated during CPB, and they can be identified by CD11b/CD54 markers. The activated neutrophils of AKI patients are approximately 2 folds of non-AKI during the rewarming phase, with disparity reached peak between groups during rewarming. These findings suggest the removal of 50% of activated neutrophils during the rewarming phase may be effective to reduce the risk of AKI.
3.Mechanisms of Action of Dendrobium officinale Against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Base on Its Components in Blood
Jilei ZHANG ; Lei FENG ; Yumei XU ; Heyan YAO ; Yanmei ZHANG ; Shunzhen ZHANG ; Jiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):168-175
ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effect and mechanism of Dendrobium officinale (DO) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsDO components in blood after administration were identified and analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-HF-MS/MS). Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were employed to obtain active ingredients and potential targets of DO for NAFLD control. High-fat feeds were used to replicate the NAFLD rat model. Biochemical kits were used for detecting the expression levels of blood lipids, hepatic lipids, and liver functions of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and oil red O staining were employed to observe pathological changes in rat liver, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR) assay was performed to validate potential targets obtained from the network pharmacology analysis. ResultsA total of 13 DO components were identified in blood, including berberine, dihydrosanguinarine, and oxypeucedanin. A total of 14 potential targets were screened through network pharmacology, including Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1R), involving pathways such as the advanced glycation end product (AGE)/receptor for AGE (RAGE) signaling pathway, blood lipids and atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and FoxO signaling. The results of animal experiments showed that the NAFLD rat model was successfully replicated. After the preventive treatment with DO for NAFLD rats, the indexes of blood lipids, hepatic lipids, and liver function were normalized; lipid deposition and lesions in the liver were significantly improved; the expression level of FoxO1 mRNA in the liver was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), EGFR, and IGF-1R were significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionDO has a preventive effect on NAFLD rats, and the mechanism of action may be related to the modulation of IGF1R and EGFR targets and activation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.
4.The mechanism and clinical application value of interleukin-10 family in anti-hepatic fibrosis
Qi LUO ; Biyu ZENG ; Rong ZHANG ; Liangjiang HUANG ; Lei FU ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):748-754
The interleukin-10 (IL-10) family is expressed in various types of cells and has a wide range of biological functions, and it plays an important role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by abnormal repair of hepatic tissues after injury, activation of hepatic stellate cells, and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. The IL-10 family members include IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, IL-26, IL-28, IL-29, and IL-35, with similarities in structure and function, and changes in their expression levels are closely associated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Moderate upregulation of the expression of IL-10 family members can help maintain the quiescent state of hepatic stellate cells, promote the transformation of macrophages to anti-inflammatory phenotype, and regulate the activity of natural killer cells, thereby inhibiting inflammatory response, regulating cell apoptosis and autophagy, and finally reversing the progression of hepatic fibrosis. This article discusses the mechanism of action of IL-10 family members and their application in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine therapies, in order to provide new thoughts for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
5.Efficacy comparison of different intraocular lens fixation in the treatment of aphakic patients lacking capsule support
Hua WU ; Lei YAO ; Yayuan YANG ; Chenxi YANG ; Lixin CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1313-1316
AIM: To compare the efficacy of different intraocular lens(IOL)fixation in aphakic patients lacking capsule support.METHODS:Retrospective study. Totally 120 cases(120 eyes)of aphakia patients who lacked capsule support admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2024 were selected as the study subjects and randomly assigned into group A and group B, with 60 cases in each group. Group A underwent subcapsular IOL deep scleral fixation, while group B underwent IOL suture suspension fixation in the ciliary groove. The surgery time, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), corneal endothelial cell density(CECD), corneal endothelial cell loss rate, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups before and at 1, 3, 6 mo after surgery.RESULTS:The operation time of the group A was lower than that of the group B(24.69±2.69 vs. 32.75±3.75 min, t=11.937, P<0.05). The UCVA and BCVA in both groups were better than those before operation, and the group A was better than the group B(all P<0.05). The loss rates of corneal endothelial cells in the group A were lower than those in the group B at 1, 3 and 6 mo after surgery, the IOP in the group A was lower than that in the group B at 1 mo after surgery, and the CECD in the group A was higher than the group B(all P<0.05). The 3 eyes(5.0%)of the postoperative IOL ectopic in the group A were less than 11 eyes in the group B(18.3%, P=0.023).CONCLUSION:Subcapsular IOL deep scleral fixation has prominent curative effects on aphakic patients who lack capsule support. It helps improve vision, with less operation time, and fewer postoperative complications.
6.Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation.
Zhikai LIAO ; Yunzhu YAO ; Bingqi DONG ; Yue LE ; Longfei LUO ; Fang MIAO ; Shan JIANG ; Tiechi LEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(11):1367-1378
BACKGROUND:
Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis.
METHODS:
Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8 + T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2 -/- ) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation.
RESULTS:
IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8 + T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs . lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs . 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs . 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs . 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ + mast cell and CD8 + T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2 -/- mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs . KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs . 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.
Vitiligo/metabolism*
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Mast Cells/immunology*
;
Animals
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Interferon-gamma/metabolism*
;
Mice
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Humans
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Melanocytes/metabolism*
;
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics*
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Male
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Female
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
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Stem Cell Factor/metabolism*
7.Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion evaluation and chemoimmunotherapy response prediction in lung adenocarcinoma using pathomic-based approach.
Wei NIE ; Liang ZHENG ; Yinchen SHEN ; Yao ZHANG ; Haohua TENG ; Runbo ZHONG ; Lei CHENG ; Guangyu TAO ; Baohui HAN ; Tianqing CHU ; Hua ZHONG ; Xueyan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):346-348
8.Immunomodulatory effect of short-chain fatty acids in hepatic encephalopathy and its potential diagnostic value
Weiyu CHEN ; Dewen MAO ; Han WANG ; Yang DU ; Wenqian FENG ; Lei FU ; Chun YAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):954-962
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of severe liver disease in the end stage, and it is urgently needed to improve the rate of effective treatment and clarify the pathogenesis of HE. The liver is a crucial hub for immune regulation, and disruption of immune homeostasis is a key factor in the pathological mechanisms of HE. As the main metabolites of intestinal flora, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a vital role in the biological processes of both innate and adaptive immunity and can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells maintain the homeostasis of intestinal microenvironment and the integrity of barrier function. Studies have shown that SCFAs participate in bidirectional and dynamic interactions with the liver-gut-brain axis through immunomodulatory pathways, thereby playing an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of HE. Starting from the immunoregulatory effect of SCFAs, this article summarizes and analyzes the crosstalk relationship between SCFAs and the liver-gut-brain axis and the significance of SCFAs in the diagnosis and treatment of HE, in order to provide new ideas for optimizing clinical prevention and treatment strategies.
9.Effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids on behavior and hippocampal tissue damage in manganese-exposed rats
Qian LEI ; Xiaodong YAO ; Yan LI ; Mengheng ZOU ; Zongyang PAN ; Yu CHEN ; Jinping LIU ; Jida LI ; Yuyan CEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):616-621
Background Manganese is an essential trace element for the human body and maintains normal development of many organs including the brain. However, long-term exposure to a high manganese environment or excessive manganese intake will lead to manganese poisoning and result in neurological diseases, and currently no effective treatment plan is available. Objective To develop an animal model for subchronic manganese exposure and assess the impact of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) on manganese associated behavioral and hippocampal effects in rats. Methods Fifty male SPF SD rats were randomly allocated into a control group (0.9% normal saline by intraperitoneal injection), two experimental groups [7.5 mg·kg−1 (low) or 15 mg·kg−1 (high) of MnCl2·4H2O by intraperitoneal injection], and two DNLA antagonistic groups [15 mg·kg−1 MnCl2·4H2O by intraperitoneal injection then either 20 mg·kg−1 (low) or 40 mg·kg−1 (high) DNLA by oral administration]. All groups of rats were adminaistered 5 d per wek, once a day, for consecutive 13 weeks. Following modeling, neurobehavioral assessments were conducted using open field, Morris water maze, and Y maze. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was utilized to measure manganese levels in the blood and brain tissues of the rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to examine neuronal morphological changes in the hippocampal tissues of the rats. Results The neurobehavioral tests revealed that the manganese-exposed rats exhibited decreased total movement distance, prolonged central zone dwelling time, and reduced motor activity in the open field test, indicating tendencies toward depression and anxiety (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm of the managanses-exposed rats were all reduced, while the latency period increased, suggesting impaired spatial exploration and learning-memory functions (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze navigation test, the escape latency was significantly longer in the manganese-exposed rats compared to the control group, and the number of platform crossings decreased in the spatial probe test, indicating a significant decline in spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). The ICP-MS analysis showed elevated manganese concentrations in the blood and hippocampus of the exposed rats (P<0.05), and the histopathological observation revealed hippocampal damage. Following the DNLA intervention, the manganese-exposed rats showed increased total movement distance and reduced central zone dwelling time in the open field test (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm increased, while the latency period decreased, suggesting alleviation of anxiety and improved exploratory behavior (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze test, the escape latency gradually shortened, and both the number of platform crossings and the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant increased, indicating improved spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). Additionally, the manganese levels in the blood and hippocampus decreased (P<0.05), and the hippocampal pathological changes were partially restored. Conclusion DNLA demonstrates the ability to counteract multiple neurotoxic effects following the elevation of manganese levels in the blood and hippocampal tissues of rats induced by subchronic manganese exposure. Specifically, DNLA is shown to ameliorate the behavioral alterations observed in rats after manganese exposure, and mitigate the hippocampal damage in manganese-exposed rats.
10.Causal relationship of liposomes and circulating metabolomes to schizophrenia: a two-step, two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Mengyun LEI ; Yanhong DU ; Yao GAO ; Huaili DENG ; Binhong WANG ; Zhiyong REN ; Sha LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):223-228
BackgroundSchizophrenia is a complex, chronic and severe mental disorder, and the pathogenesis of which has not been fully elucidated. The abnormalities in lipid metabolism and circulating metabolomes have already been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, available studies have mainly focused on a few liposomes and circulating metabolites, failing to systematically reveal the mediating role of circulating metabolomes in the causal relationship between liposomes and schizophrenia. ObjectiveTo uncover mediating role of circulating metabolomes in the causal relationship between liposomes and schizophrenia, thereby providing biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia. MethodsData from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) were analyzed, taking data on 179 liposomes as exposure variables, data on 123 circulating metabolites as intermediate variables, and data on schizophrenia as outcome variable. A two-step, two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR- Egger, Weighted median, and Weighted mode methods to study the causal relationship of liposomes with schizophrenia and the mediating role of circulating metabolomes in the relationship. ResultsIVW model identified 8 lipids associated with schizophrenia without reverse causality. There were 5 circulating metabolomes strongly associated with schizophrenia. Acetate played a significant mediating role in the causal relationship between phosphatidylinositol (18:0_18:2) and schizophrenia (P=0.023, 95% CI: 0.036~0.532), accounting for 28.4% of the causal relationship. ConclusionThis study demonstrates a causal relationship between liposomes and schizophrenia, with phosphatidylinositol being a risk factor in the progression of schizophrenia, and acetate playing a mediating role in this process. [Fund by National Natural Science Foundation of China General Program (number, 82271546); Shanxi Merit Funding for Overseas Students Sci-Tech Activities Project (number, 20240041); Shanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent Team Project (number, 202304051001049); Shanxi Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars (number, 2022-190); "Six Measures for Health Care Prosperity" Specialized Research Program (number, Y2024008)]

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