1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Role of naringenin in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis and its molecular mechanism
Changwen LIN ; Qiuyi REN ; Mengjie ZHENG ; Huan YAN ; Jia LI ; Jiaxin FENG ; Haiying LIN ; Faming SHU ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Dewen MAO ; Fuli LONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1419-1425
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease mediated by T lymphocytes, and it can progress to liver cirrhosis or even liver failure without timely intervention. As a natural flavonoid compound, naringenin (NAR) shows a potential value in the prevention and treatment of AIH through multiple mechanisms such as remodeling immune homeostasis, targeted inhibition of inflammatory pathways, antioxidation, regulating hepatocyte metabolism and apoptosis, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating intestinal flora. However, the clinical translation and application of NAR is limited by issues such as low bioavailability and insufficient efficiency of liver-targeted delivery. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of NAR in the prevention and treatment of AIH, explores the potential signaling pathways involved in this process, and analyzes existing challenges in its translation and application and future research directions, so as to provide a reference for further research on NAR and its application in the prevention and treatment of AIH.
4.Clinicopathological analysis of medullary thyroid carcinoma combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Ying YIN ; Yan SHU ; Ruiping LI ; Zheng ZENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(27):41-45
Objective To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics of medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC)combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC),and to improve the detection rate of mixed thyroid tumors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathological data of 11 cases of MTC combined with PTC diagnosed in the Department of Pathology,Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine from April 2010 to April 2025,and analysis.Results Among the 11 patients,there were 4 males and 7 females with a median age of 57 years.The preoperative puncture pathology of 11 cases was not diagnosed as MTC combined with PTC.All patients underwent intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis.Among them,5 cases were MTC combined with PTC,3 cases were PTC combined with thyroid follicular neoplasm,and the rest were diagnosed with single tumor(PTC or MTC).Conventional pathology diagnosed that all 11 patients had MTC combined with PTC,among which 2 cases were mixed MTC-PTC,and 6 cases were combined with multinodular goiter,and 3 cases combined with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.The histological morphology of MTC and PTC was diverse,presenting in arrangements such as papillary,island,follicular or solid.MTC cells are round,oval,spindle-shaped or plasma cell-like,with indistinct boundaries.The cytoplasm is eosinophilic,bicolotropic or transparent.The nucleus is round,irregular or spindle-shaped,with rough chromatin that does not have the characteristics of PTC cell nuclei.Amyloid deposits are seen in the interstitium.Immunohistochemistry expresses calcitonin(CT)and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),but does not express thyroglobulin(Tg).Special staining shows Congo red as brick red,and under a polarizing microscope,it appears as a refractive apple green.The nuclei of PTC cells are round or oval,and the cytoplasm is eosinophilic or bicolotropic.The nuclei are enlarged and arranged in a crowded manner.Nuclear grooves and pseudo-inclusions within the nucleus can be seen.Immunohistochemistry expressed thyroid transcription factor-1,paired box gene 8,and mesothelial cell membrane protein protenin mesothelial cell membrane protenin-1,Tg,galectin-3,cytokeratin are not expressed.CT and CEA are not expressed.Special staining is negative for Congo red.Conclusion MTC combined with PTC is relatively rare.There are no special manifestations in clinical features and imaging examinations.Preoperative puncture pathology and intraoperative rapid pathology are difficult to make a clear diagnosis.Clinicians and pathologists should avoid missed diagnoses or misdiagnoses.
5.Protective effect of Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills against house dust mite-induced allergic asthma in mice
Tong-wen ZUO ; Xiao-qun GU ; Shu-xian SUN ; Lin LI ; Ya-jun SONG ; Fu-man HUANG ; Qian ZHAO ; Kang ZHOU ; Jie ZHENG ; Min HONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2542-2549
AIM To investigate the protective effect of Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills against house dust mite(HDM)-induced allergic asthma in mice.METHODS Compared to the intact BALB/c mice in the blank control group,the BALB/c mice randomly assigned into the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.67 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills groups(15,30 and 60 mg/kg),were induced into acute allergic asthma models via weekly intraperitoneal sensitization with 0.1 mL HDM solution(0.5 mg/mL)for three weeks followed by three consecutive daily intranasal challenges with 10 μL HDM solution(2.5 mg/mL)starting in the third week.The drug administered continuously 7 days after the last excitation.The mice had their airway reactive Penh value detected,their pulmonary pathological changes observed by HE staining,their blood eosinophils(EOS)counted,their Th2 cytokines in lung tissue and serum IgE levels detected by ELISA,and their number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)and pulmonary Th2 cells detected by flow cytometry.Chronic allergic asthma was induced in grouped BALB/c mice through repeated intranasal challenges with 10 μL HDM solution(2.5 mg/mL)administered five times weekly for five consecutive weeks.Drug treatment continued for 14 days following the final challenge.After the final treatment,the mice had their pulmonary pathological changes observed by HE staining,and their levels of Th2 cytokines in B ALF and lung tissue and serum IgE detected by ELISA.RESULTS Compared to the blank control group,the acute allergic asthma model group exhibited increases in Penh value,EOS count and IgE level in serum,IL-4 and IL-5 levels in lung tissue(P<0.01);obvious pulmonary inflammatory cells infiltration,and thickened airway wall;and increase in pulmonary number of Th2 cells(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills demonstrated decreased Penh value,serum EOS count,IgE level and IL-5 level in lung tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01);reduced pulmonary inflammatory infiltration and alleviated airway wall thickening;and decreased number of pulmonary Th2 cells.Compared to the blank group,the chronic allergic asthma model group showed obvious pulmonary inflammatory infiltration and airway wall thickening;and increased EOS count and IgE level in serum,IL-4 and IL-13 in lung tissue and IL-14 in BALF(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with either medium-dose or high-dose Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills demonstrated reduced pulmonary inflammatory infiltration;and decreased serum EOS count,IgE level,IL-13 in lung tissue and IL-14 in BALF(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills reduce Th2 cells in peripheral blood and lung tissue,suppress type 2 inflammation,and thereby alleviate allergic asthma.
6.Research on construction and application effect of Medical Immunology test bank
Jun LIU ; Lixin WANG ; Shu YU ; Li ZHENG ; Xiaoli WEI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(2):447-450
Objective:To research on the teaching effect of constructing and applying the test bank of Medical Immunology.Methods:A total of 475 students from Hainan Medical College in 2019 were set as the experimental group,the test bank was used in the teaching process,and 463 students from 2018 were set as the control group.The correlation between the test bank and final test scores of students of the two grades were analyzed and compared.Results:The final paper scores of grade 2019 students were not higher than those of grade 2018(P>0.05),the score distribution,average score,minimum score and pass rate of the 2019 grade were better than those of the 2018 grade(P<0.05).The experimental group had a significantly better learning effect on Medical Immunology than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The construction and application of Medical Immunology test bank can improve students'learning effect.
7.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
8.The dismounted coronary stent was removed through the proximal radial artery and embedded in the distal radial artery:a case report
Fa ZHENG ; Shu-shuai SONG ; Chen-ji XU ; Chang-hong LU ; Xian-liang LI ; Qi SONG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(1):47-50
Stent entrapment is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention.In recent years,with the development of distal radial artery puncture technology,the rare complications related to distal radial artery have been gradually understood.This article describes a patient who underwent coronary intervention through a distal radial approach,and the stent was dislodged and trapped in the far radial artery.The patient came to our hospital for stent implantation because of acute extensive anterolateral myocardial infarction.During the intervention,the balloon could not be filled when the stent was released from the left anterior descending artery,and the retracting stent could not be used to remove the guide catheter.The stent was dislodged and embedded in the distal vessel.The sheath was inserted through the proximal radial reverse puncture,and the stent was captured with a snare and removed.
9.Clinicopathological analysis of medullary thyroid carcinoma combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Ying YIN ; Yan SHU ; Ruiping LI ; Zheng ZENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(27):41-45
Objective To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics of medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC)combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC),and to improve the detection rate of mixed thyroid tumors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathological data of 11 cases of MTC combined with PTC diagnosed in the Department of Pathology,Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine from April 2010 to April 2025,and analysis.Results Among the 11 patients,there were 4 males and 7 females with a median age of 57 years.The preoperative puncture pathology of 11 cases was not diagnosed as MTC combined with PTC.All patients underwent intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis.Among them,5 cases were MTC combined with PTC,3 cases were PTC combined with thyroid follicular neoplasm,and the rest were diagnosed with single tumor(PTC or MTC).Conventional pathology diagnosed that all 11 patients had MTC combined with PTC,among which 2 cases were mixed MTC-PTC,and 6 cases were combined with multinodular goiter,and 3 cases combined with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.The histological morphology of MTC and PTC was diverse,presenting in arrangements such as papillary,island,follicular or solid.MTC cells are round,oval,spindle-shaped or plasma cell-like,with indistinct boundaries.The cytoplasm is eosinophilic,bicolotropic or transparent.The nucleus is round,irregular or spindle-shaped,with rough chromatin that does not have the characteristics of PTC cell nuclei.Amyloid deposits are seen in the interstitium.Immunohistochemistry expresses calcitonin(CT)and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),but does not express thyroglobulin(Tg).Special staining shows Congo red as brick red,and under a polarizing microscope,it appears as a refractive apple green.The nuclei of PTC cells are round or oval,and the cytoplasm is eosinophilic or bicolotropic.The nuclei are enlarged and arranged in a crowded manner.Nuclear grooves and pseudo-inclusions within the nucleus can be seen.Immunohistochemistry expressed thyroid transcription factor-1,paired box gene 8,and mesothelial cell membrane protein protenin mesothelial cell membrane protenin-1,Tg,galectin-3,cytokeratin are not expressed.CT and CEA are not expressed.Special staining is negative for Congo red.Conclusion MTC combined with PTC is relatively rare.There are no special manifestations in clinical features and imaging examinations.Preoperative puncture pathology and intraoperative rapid pathology are difficult to make a clear diagnosis.Clinicians and pathologists should avoid missed diagnoses or misdiagnoses.
10.Clinical and genetic characteristics of follicular lymphoma with bulky disease
Tianyuan XU ; Ruichi LI ; Rui SUN ; Nan WANG ; Shu CHENG ; Li WANG ; Pengpeng XU ; Weili ZHAO ; Zhong ZHENG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(10):1502-1508
Objective To explore the characteristics and prognosis of follicular lymphoma(FL)with bulky disease under rituximab-based first-line treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 525 FL patients diagnosed between September 2009 and September 2021 who received rituximab as a first-line treat-ment[342 patients received rituximab combined with chemotherapy(R-chemo),183 patients received rituximab plus lenalidomide(R2)].The clinicopathologic characteristics,gene mutations,and prognosis of bulky FL patients were analyzed.Results Compared to non-bulky FL patients,bulky FL patients had a significantly higher proportion of lymph node≥5 sites,≥2 extranodal involvement,bone marrow involvement,elevated LDH,and a higher proportion in the high-risk group of FLIPI1 and FLIPI2.Gene sequencing revealed a significantly higher mutation rate of ZNF608 in bulky FL patients compared to non-bulky FL patients.In patients receiving R-chemo as the first-line treatment,there was no significant difference in progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)between bulky and non-bulky FL patients.However,in patients treated with R2,the PFS and OS of bulky FL patients was significantly shorter.Conclusions Bulky FL patients compared to non-bulky FL patients have a significantly higher proportion of high-risk baseline characteristics.For bulky FL at diagnosis,chemo-free regimens require further exploration on the basis of R2.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail