1.Severity Assessment Parameters and Diagnostic Technologies of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Zhuo-Zhi FU ; Ya-Cen WU ; Mei-Xi LI ; Ping-Ping YIN ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):147-161
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO2), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO2 plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.
2.Research progress on the structural modification of isosteviol and the biological activities of its derivatives
Li-jun ZHAO ; You-fu YANG ; Tong-sheng WANG ; Yan-li ZHANG ; Ya WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):22-36
Isosteviol is a tetracyclic diterpenoid compound obtained by hydrolysis of natural stevia glycoside under acidic conditions. It has many pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Due to its low water solubility, low activity and low bioavailability, isosteviol has poor performance. In order to overcome these shortcomings, scholars have obtained a large number of isosteviol derivatives with novel structures and excellent activity. In this paper, we review the recent progress in the research on the structure modification, biological activity, structure-activity relationship and microbial transformation of isosteviol, in order to provide a reference for the development of new drugs of isosteviol and its derivatives.
3.Diagnostic Techniques and Risk Prediction for Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Song HOU ; Lin-Shan ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin HONG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Cai-Li ZHANG ; Yan ZHU ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2585-2601
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.
4.Neuroprotective effect of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone on cerebral hemorrhage in mice by regulating the TrkB/BDNF signal pathway
Kun WANG ; Li-Bo WEN ; Jin-Xia FU ; He-Nan ZHANG ; Li-Jun HAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):52-56
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone(7,8-DHF)on cerebral hemorrhage in mice by regulating the tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB)/brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)signal pathway.Methods C57BL/6 mice were injected with bacterial collagenase V Ⅱ to establish cerebral hemorrhage model.The mice were randomly grouped into model group,control group(5 mg·kg-1 7,8-DHF),experimental group(1 mg·kg-1 K252a),and combined group(5 mg·kg-1 7,8-DHF+1 mg·kg-1 K252a),mice injected with normal saline were used as sham-operation group,with 10 mice in each group.After the treatment,the mice were scored for neurological function by Garcia method,brain water contents of the brain tissue were detected by the dry and wet weight method,the blood brain barrier permeability was examined using the Evans blue method,the neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method,and the protein expression levels of TrkB,phosphorylated TrkB(p-TrkB)and BDNF were detected by Western blot.Results The neurological function scores of control,experimental,combined,model and sham-operation groups were(15.47±1.55),(7.23±0.73),(10.55±1.06),(10.45±1.05)and(16.12±1.62)points;the brain water contents were(62.88±2.19)%,(83.77±3.11)%,(72.71±2.59)%,(72.88±2.61)%and(59.64±2.06)%;the Evans blue contents were(3.26±0.36),(16.23±1.63),(8.78±0.88),(9.47±0.95)and(1.02±0.11)μg·g-1;neuronal apoptosis rates were(9.82±0.99)%,(39.88±3.99)%,(22.15±2.24)%,(25.71±2.58)%and(6.46±0.65)%;p-TrkB/TrkB ratios were 1.01±0.11,0.21±0.03,0.48±0.05,0.49±0.05 and 1.03±0.11;the protein expression levels of BDNF were 1.15±0.12,0.18±0.02,0.46±0.05,0.42±0.05 and 1.18±0.12,respectively.The above indexes of sham-operation,control and experimental groups were compared with those of model group,and the above indexes of control and experimental groups were compared with those of combined group,the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion 7,8-DHF has neuroprotective effect on mice with intracerebral hemorrhage,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of TrkB/BDNF signal pathway.
5.Toxicology study on repeated administration of Qingre Xiaoyanning tablets
Li ZHAO ; Li-Jun FU ; Zhi-Yi ZHOU ; Shuai YI ; Heng-Xin WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):82-86
Objective To explore the effect of Qingre Xiaoyanning tablets on chronic toxicity in SD rats.Methods A total of 120 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group(water)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(2.63,5.25 and 10.50 g·kg 1 Qingre Xiaoyanning dry paste powder),with 30 rats per group.Four groups were administered continuously for 4 weeks with a recovery period of 4 weeks.SD rats were dissected as planned.The general condition,weight gain,hematological and biochemical indexes,major organ coefficients,macroscopic and microscopic tissue morphology were observed.Results There were no significant differences in the general condition,body mass growth,coagulation index and histopathology of rats between the experimental-L,-M,-H groups and the blank group.End of administration,the mean hemoglobin concentrations of experimental-H and blank groups were(370.70±3.78)and(365.90±5.77)g·L-1,glucose were(5.98±0.63)and(6.61±0.93)mmol·L-1,blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were(4.72±1.01)and(5.78±1.64)mmol·L-1,liver coefficients were 3.05±0.17 and 2.89±0.19,and the differences were statistically significant(P≤0.05,P≤0.01).Resumption of the final,direct bilirubin of experimental-L and blank groups were(0.38±0.18)and(0.19±0.18)pmol·L 1,BUN of experimental-M and blank groups were(4.45±0.56)and(5.65±1.16)mmol·L-1,and the differences were statistically significant(all P≤0.05).Conclusion Repeated administration of Qingre Xiaoyanning tablets showed no significant toxicity in SD rats.
6.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
7.Research status of anti-inflammatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine based on NLRP3 inflammatory body
Fu-Mei XU ; Jun-Yuan ZENG ; Lei ZHAO ; Qi-Li ZHANG ; Peng-Fei XIA ; Yin-Qiang JIA ; Jie WANG ; Peng-Xia FANG ; Yan-Li XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):923-927
Inflammasome is a kind of intracellular polyprotein complex,which is an important component of the complex system of local inflammatory microenvironment after human tissue damage.When the inflammasome is activated,it induces the activation of cysteine aspartate proteinase 1(caspase-1),mediates the maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines,such as interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18,and induces cell death,which plays an important role in regulating the host immune response to pathogen infection and tissue repair of cell damage.Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammatory body,which is composed of NLRP3,pro-cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-1(pro-caspase-1)and apoptosis-related spot-like protein(ASC),is the most deeply and widely studied type of inflammatory body,which plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation.When NLRP3 inflammatory bodies are activated,inflammatory mediators are produced and released,which participate in the occurrence and development of a variety of inflammatory diseases.Some studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can improve the pathological state of a variety of diseases by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatory bodies,and play a role in the prevention and treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases,including cardiovascular diseases,joint inflammation,diabetes and so on.This paper systematically combs the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies,and summarizes the latest research reports on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription,traditional Chinese medicine monomers and traditional Chinese medicine extracts on NLRP3 inflammatory bodies in the treatment of inflammatory diseases,in order to provide new ideas for the further study of the pathogenesis and drug treatment of many inflammatory diseases.
8.Retrospective cohort study on the relationship between MTHFR and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms and high-dose methotrexate toxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Rui XU ; Jing LI ; Yu HU ; Li-fu Wu-jü-dan·A MAI ; Rui ZHANG ; Wen JIANG ; Xuan SUN ; Lin WANG ; Jun ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1963-1967
Objective To determine the relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)C677T,A1298C and multidrug resistance 1(ABCB1)C3435T gene polymorphisms and the adverse reactions of high-dose methotrexate(HD-MTX)in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL).Methods Blood samples of ALL children treated with HD-MTX chemotherapy were collected,and the polymorphic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T,A1298C and ABCB1 C3435T genes were detected by sequencing method.The adverse drug reactions after MTX chemotherapy were evaluated according to the common adverse drug reaction grading criteria.The relationship between MTHFR C677T,A1298C and ABCB1 C3435T gene polymorphisms and HD-MTX adverse drug reactions was analyzed.Results The risk of MTHFR A1298C AC+CC type hepatic injury(grade 2)was higher than AA type[odds ratio(OR)2.350,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.038-5.320,P<0.05],no correlations were found between MTHFR A1298C and myelosuppression,mucositis,gastrointestinal reaction and acute renal impair(all P>0.05).ABCB1 C3435T CT type hepatic injury(grade 2)was higher than TT type(OR 5.161,95%CI 1.371-19.424,P<0.05),ABCB1 C3435T CC+CT type hepatic injury(grade 2)was higher than TT type(OR 4.231,95%CI 1.165-15.362,P<0.05);no correlations were found between ABCB1 C3435T and myelosuppression,mucositis,gastrointestinal reaction and acute renal impair(all P>0.05).No correlations wre found between MTHFR C677T and HD-MTX adverse drug reactions(all P>0.05).Conclusion When treating ALL with HD-MTX,adverse drug reactions can be predicted by detecting MTHFR A1298C and ABCB1 C3435T genotypes,so as to implement more scientific individualized medication.
9.Research on population pharmacokinetics of propofol injection in adult patients under general anesthesia
Jin-Xia LI ; An-Cheng GU ; Fu-Miao YUAN ; Cai LI ; Hai-Jun DENG ; Zhong-Yuan XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2124-2128
Objective To quantitatively assess the influence of various factors on the pharmacokinetic parameters of propofol and to develop a propofol population pharmacokinetic model tailored for Chinese patients.Methods Thirty patients scheduled for selective abdominal surgeries received an anesthesia dose of propofol at 2.0 mg·kg-1.The concentration of propofol in collected venous blood samples was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Polymorphisms in metabolizing enzyme genes were detected through Sanger sequencing technology.Pharmacokinetic parameters were computed,and models were constructed and evaluated using Phoenix Winnonlin software.Results Through software analysis,the drug's in vivo process was best described by a three-compartment model.The population mean values for the central compartment clearance rate(CL),shallow peripheral compartment clearance rate(Q2),deep peripheral compartment clearance rate(Q3),central compartment volume of distribution(V),shallow peripheral compartment volume of distribution(V2),and deep peripheral compartment volume of distribution(V3)were 1.71 L·min-1,1.31 L·min-1,1.51 L·min-1,5.92 L,19.86 L and 99.06 L,respectively.Body weight was identified as a significant covariate affecting CL and V,and was incorporated into the model.Conclusion The evaluation of the final model demonstrates its substantial predictive capability,offering directional guidance for the clinical administration of propofol.
10.Characteristics of myocardial injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with pleural effusion and its influence on long-term prognosis
Guangren GAO ; Lianrong FENG ; Jinguo FU ; Run GUO ; Heping NIU ; Fengpeng LI ; Qianyu ZHANG ; Jun ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(2):197-201
Objective To explore the characteristics of myocardial injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)complicated by pleural effusion and its effect on long-term prognosis.Methods It was a prospective single-center study.Patients with AMI who were admitted to hospital within 15 days from symptom onset and performed echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR)during hospitalization were consecutively enrolled and assigned to the with-pleural effusion group and the without-pleural effusion group according to the echocardiography result.Baseline data,cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial injury index and echocardiography characteristics were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)was recorded through outpatient follow-up and telephone follow-up,including all-cause death,re-infarction,revascularization,rehospitalization for congestive heart failure and stroke.Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze influencing factors of all-cause death.Results Among 211 patients,31(14.7%)patients had pleural effusion and 180(85.3%)had no pleural effusion.Compared with the group without pleural effusion,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was larger,and left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography was lower in the group with pleural effusion(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in infarct size,left ventricular end-diastolic volume,left ventricular end-systolic volume,left ventricular ejection fraction and the presence of microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage between the two groups in CMR(all P>0.05).At a median follow-up of 31 months,MACCE occurred in 43(20.4%)patients,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(χ2=3.160,P=0.075).Six cases(2.8%)had all-cause death.The incidence of all-cause death was higher in the group with pleural effusion than that in the group without pleural effusion(9.7%vs.1.7%,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of other adverse events between the two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age and presence of pleural effusion were independent risk factors of all-cause death during follow-up.Conclusion Patients with AMI combined with pleural effusion have more severe myocardial injury and higher all-cause mortality.

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