1.Research progress and clinical challenges in immunosuppressive regimens for xenotransplantation
Yu ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Xuyuan ZHU ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Tao LI ; Xiaojie MA ; Hongtao JIANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):28-35
As a pivotal strategy to alleviate the shortage of organ donors, xenotransplantation has achieved remarkable advances in both pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years, driven by continuous optimization of gene modification techniques and immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, clinical translation still confronts formidable challenges, including rejection and heightened infection risks, which severely compromise long-term graft survival. Consequently, the role of immunosuppressive regimens in xenotransplantation has become increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying xenogeneic immune rejection, the latest developments in immunosuppressive regimens, cutting-edge strategies for inducing immune tolerance and the major hurdles facing clinical xenotransplantation. It delves into potential optimization strategies and directions for future clinical research, aiming to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the safe and effective application of clinical xenotransplantation.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on AMPK Signaling Pathway
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Xueqin WANG ; Yubin ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Xuhui TANG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):139-148
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a group of complex clinical syndromes caused by abnormal changes in the structure and/or function of the heart due to various reasons, resulting in disorders of ventricular contraction and/or diastole. CHF is a condition where primary diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and pulmonary heart disease recur frequently and persist for a long time, presenting blood stasis in meridians and collaterals, stagnation of water and dampness, and accumulation of Qi in collaterals. Its pathogenesis is complex and may involve myocardial energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress responses, myocardial cell apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory responses, etc. According to the theory of restraining hyperactivity to acquire harmony, we believe that under normal circumstances, the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway functions normally, maintaining human physiological activities and energy metabolism. Under pathological conditions, the AMPK signaling pathway is abnormal, causing energy metabolism disorders, inflammatory responses, and myocardial fibrosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate the AMPK signaling pathway through multiple mechanisms, targets, and effects, effectively curbing the occurrence and development of CHF. It has gradually become a research hotspot in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Guided by the theory of TCM, our research group, through literature review, summarized the relationship between the AMPK pathway and CHF and reviewed the research progress in the prevention and control of CHF with TCM active ingredients, TCM compound prescriptions, and Chinese patent medicines via regulating the AMPK pathway. The review aims to clarify the mechanism and targets of TCM in the treatment of CHF by regulating the AMPK pathway and guide the clinical treatment and drug development for CHF.
3.Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Thinking of Five Differentiation
Kun LIAN ; Lichong MENG ; Manting YI ; Lin LI ; Fei WANG ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):160-168
Chronic heart failure (CHF) refers to a clinical syndrome in which the function or structure of the heart is changed due to damage to the original myocardium, resulting in reduced pumping and/or filling functions of the heart. In recent years, the mechanisms, pathways, and targets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of CHF have been continuously confirmed, and the application of TCM theories in guiding the syndrome differentiation and precise treatment of CHF is currently a research hotspot. On the basis of the syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, Professor LI Candong innovatively proposed the thinking of five differentiation: Disease differentiation, syndrome differentiation, pathogenesis differentiation, symptom differentiation, and individual differentiation. This article explores the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF from this thinking, emphasizing comprehensive syndrome differentiation, objective analysis, dynamic assessment, and individualized treatment. In terms of diagnosis, the first is to identify the disease name, cause, location, severity, and type of CHF, determine the type and its evolution, and clarify the process of transmission and transformation between deficiency and excess. Secondly, it is necessary to distinguish the authenticity, severity, primary and secondary, urgency and complexity of CHF syndromes, providing scientific guidance for syndrome differentiation and treatment. Thirdly, according to the symptoms and the principles of deficiency and excess, the physician should identify the core pathogenesis of CHF from the perspectives of Qi, blood, Yin, Yang, deficiency, stasis, phlegm, water, and toxins. Fourthly, from the macro, meso and micro levels, the physician should carefully distinguish the presence or absence, severity, authenticity, and completeness of the symptoms to guide the diagnosis and treatment process of CHF. Finally, personalized medication for CHF should be promoted based on the patient's gender, age, constitution, and living habits. In terms of treatment, based on the thinking of five differentiation, we propose that the treatment of CHF should integrate the disease and syndrome, clarify the pathogenesis, and apply precise treatment. The treatment should be people-oriented, staged, and typed, and the medication should be adjusted according to symptoms. This diagnostic and therapeutic approach is based on the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment, and combines the three causes for appropriate treatment, providing new ideas and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
4.Textual Research on Historical Evolution and Key Information of Classical Famous Formula of Da Qinjiaotang
Na LI ; Jianying BAI ; Fuping LI ; Xiufen ZHANG ; Di LU ; Yishuo BAI ; Cuixiang WANG ; Kun SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):201-211
Da Qinjiaotang is the 54th formula of the 100 formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Formulas (the first batch) ,and it originated from the Collection of Writings on the Mechanism of Disease, Suitability of Qi, and Safeguarding of Life Discussed in Plain Questions. Da Qinjiaotang is composed of Gentiana macrophylla, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Notopterygium incisum, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Gypsum, Angelica dahurica, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Poria, and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix. It is a classical formula for treating strokes. Da Qinjiaotang is widely used in modern clinical practices for treating ischemic stroke, peripheral facial paralysis, cervical spondylosis, rheumatic arthritis, neurodermatitis, and other multisystem diseases. Therefore, following the Principles of Textual Research on the Key Information of Ancient Classical Famous Formulas, the authors collected the ancient Chinese medical literature of Da Qinjiaotang by the method of bibliometrics and screened out 177 valid data, involving 100 ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the historical evolution, composition, dosage, method of preparation, and preparation of the original medicinal materials of Da Qinjiaotang, a systematic study was carried out. It was found that among the 175 records of the main diseases and syndromes, stroke (144) was the most, accounting for 82.29% of the total diseases and syndromes. Later generations mostly followed the practice of LIU Wansu in using Da Qinjiaotang to treat stroke caused by "weak blood and inability to nourish tendon", featuring "hands and feet cannot move, stiff tongue hinders speaking", as well as other symptoms, such as slant of the mouth, hemiplegia, numbness of the limbs, paroxysmal pain, and acerbic syncope. The treatment scope was expanded, covering tendon dryness, clonic convulsion, spasm syndrome, and arthralgia syndrome. At the same time, it was found that there was a controversy between "internal wind" and "external wind" in the treatment of stroke by Da Qinjiaotang. LIU Wansu thought that stroke was caused by internal factors, created the theory of "hot stroke", and used Da Qinjiaotang to treat "internal wind". Many doctors in later generations focused on treating the "external wind" of "internal deficiency and evil". There were 76 valid data on the composition of drugs, 59 of which had doses for each drug. It was suggested to use the modern conversion dosage of the original formula, with 41.30 g per dose. The drug should be boiled in 600 mL water until 300 mL, decocted once, and taken in a warm state after removing the dregs anytime. Through the analysis and study of the ancient books about Da Qinjiaotang, the paper clarified its historical evolution and confirmed its key information, so as to provide the ancient literature evidence for the research and development of the classical famous formula Daqinjiaotan and its better clinical application.
5.Textual Research on Historical Evolution and Key Information of Classical Famous Formula of Da Qinjiaotang
Na LI ; Jianying BAI ; Fuping LI ; Xiufen ZHANG ; Di LU ; Yishuo BAI ; Cuixiang WANG ; Kun SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):201-211
Da Qinjiaotang is the 54th formula of the 100 formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Formulas (the first batch) ,and it originated from the Collection of Writings on the Mechanism of Disease, Suitability of Qi, and Safeguarding of Life Discussed in Plain Questions. Da Qinjiaotang is composed of Gentiana macrophylla, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Notopterygium incisum, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Gypsum, Angelica dahurica, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Poria, and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix. It is a classical formula for treating strokes. Da Qinjiaotang is widely used in modern clinical practices for treating ischemic stroke, peripheral facial paralysis, cervical spondylosis, rheumatic arthritis, neurodermatitis, and other multisystem diseases. Therefore, following the Principles of Textual Research on the Key Information of Ancient Classical Famous Formulas, the authors collected the ancient Chinese medical literature of Da Qinjiaotang by the method of bibliometrics and screened out 177 valid data, involving 100 ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the historical evolution, composition, dosage, method of preparation, and preparation of the original medicinal materials of Da Qinjiaotang, a systematic study was carried out. It was found that among the 175 records of the main diseases and syndromes, stroke (144) was the most, accounting for 82.29% of the total diseases and syndromes. Later generations mostly followed the practice of LIU Wansu in using Da Qinjiaotang to treat stroke caused by "weak blood and inability to nourish tendon", featuring "hands and feet cannot move, stiff tongue hinders speaking", as well as other symptoms, such as slant of the mouth, hemiplegia, numbness of the limbs, paroxysmal pain, and acerbic syncope. The treatment scope was expanded, covering tendon dryness, clonic convulsion, spasm syndrome, and arthralgia syndrome. At the same time, it was found that there was a controversy between "internal wind" and "external wind" in the treatment of stroke by Da Qinjiaotang. LIU Wansu thought that stroke was caused by internal factors, created the theory of "hot stroke", and used Da Qinjiaotang to treat "internal wind". Many doctors in later generations focused on treating the "external wind" of "internal deficiency and evil". There were 76 valid data on the composition of drugs, 59 of which had doses for each drug. It was suggested to use the modern conversion dosage of the original formula, with 41.30 g per dose. The drug should be boiled in 600 mL water until 300 mL, decocted once, and taken in a warm state after removing the dregs anytime. Through the analysis and study of the ancient books about Da Qinjiaotang, the paper clarified its historical evolution and confirmed its key information, so as to provide the ancient literature evidence for the research and development of the classical famous formula Daqinjiaotan and its better clinical application.
6.Diagnosis and treatment of 281 elderly patients with pulmonary ground-glass opacity: A retrospective study in a single center
Lei SU ; Yi ZHANG ; Yan GAO ; Bing WEI ; Tengteng WANG ; Yuanbo LI ; Kun QIAN ; Peilong ZHANG ; Leiming WANG ; Xiuqin WEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):94-99
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies for elderly patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods The imaging features and postoperative pathological findings of the elderly patients with pulmonary GGO receiving surgery in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an elderly patient group and a non-elderly patient group based on their age. Results Finally 575 patients were included in the study. There were 281 elderly patients, including 83 males and 198 females, with an average age of (67.0±5.3) years. There were 294 non-elderly patients, including 88 males and 206 females, with an average age of (49.1±7.3) years. Compared with the non-elderly patients, elderly GGO patients showed the following distinct clinical features: long observation time for lesions (P=0.001), high proportion of rough edges of GGO (P<0.001), significant pleural signs (P<0.001) and bronchial signs (P<0.001), and high proportion of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO (P<0.001), lobectomy type (P=0.013), and invasive lesions reported in postoperative pathology (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GGO diameter and GGO type were the main factors affecting the operation. Observation time, GGO diameter, GGO type and pleural signs were the main influencing factors for postoperative pathological infiltrative lesions. The cut-off value of GGO diameter in predicting infiltrating lesions was 10.5 mm in the elderly patients group. Conclusion The size and type of GGO are important factors in predicting invasive lesions and selecting surgical methods. Elderly patients with radiographic manifestations of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO lesions with a diameter greater than 10.5 mm should be closely followed up.
7.Premature Aging Prevention and Treatment Guided by Essence-Qi-Spirit Theory of Qiluo Doctrine: A Review
Chuanyuan JI ; Hongrong LI ; Jiameng HAO ; Dandong WANG ; Yucong MA ; Kun MA ; Cong WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):279-285
The theoretical basis of premature aging originates from The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic. The etiology of premature aging is complex, and the disease mechanism is based on deficiency. The treatment for premature aging is based on tonicity. The essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine summarizes that "essence is the origin of life, Qi is the driving force of life, and spirit is the embodiment of life", which is the law of life. The theory puts forward the core disease mechanism of aging, which states that "deficiency of kidney essence is the root of aging, deficiency of primordial Qi is the key to aging, impairment of soma and spirit is the manifestation of aging". The theory also proposes the treatment of "tonifying kidney and supplementing essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming and supporting primordial Qi, and nourishing soma and spirit" and the representative anti-aging drugs. The article unfolds from the perspective of the concepts of natural life span, premature senility before fifty, decline, and aging and also explains the origins and connotations of premature aging. The article explains the disease mechanism of premature aging under the guidance of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine, which is "early deprivation of kidney essence, deficiency of primordial Qi, accumulation of deficiencies into impairment, and decline and impairment of soma and spirit", summarizes the progress of modern medical research on the treatment of premature aging and representative drugs, and finds that Bazi Bushen capsules have a precise therapeutic effect on the overall premature aging, systematic functional decline, and related diseases. The study provides theoretical basis and new ideas to solve the problems of premature aging and geriatric diseases.
8.Epidural fibrous scar formation in rabbits following autologous ligamentum flavum intervention
Debao ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Kun LI ; Shaojie ZHANG ; Zhijun LI ; Shuwen LI ; Yimin WU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1168-1175
BACKGROUND:It has been proved clinically that adhesion of fibrous scar with the dura mater or nerve root after lumbar operation is an important factor for postoperative symptoms,such as postoperative pain and numbness. OBJECTIVE:To verify the inhibitory effect of autologous ligamentum flavum on the formation of epidural fibrous scar after lumbar surgery and explore the possible molecular biological mechanism. METHODS:Forty-eight Japanese white rabbits(6-8 months old)were randomly divided into three groups:a ligamentum flavum preservation group,a ligamentum flavum non-preservation group,and an autologous fat reposition group.A lumbar laminectomy model was established in all the three groups of rabbits,and rabbit epidural tissues were collected at 3 and 6 weeks after modeling.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe histological changes and the number and density of fibroblasts,VG staining was used to observe the percentage of collagen fiber area,and immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of transforming growth factor β1 and Smad3 proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining results revealed that fibroblasts in the ligamentum flavum preservation group were few and loosely arranged,while the cells in the ligamentum flavum non-preservation and autologous fat reposition groups were more numerous and closely arranged.The number density of fibroblasts in the ligamentum flavum preservation group was lower than that in the ligamentum flavum non-preservation and autologous fat reposition groups at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery(P<0.05);however,there was no significant difference between the latter two groups.VG staining results showed that the collagen fibers in the ligamentum flavum preservation group were sparse and distributed unevenly,while a lot of red collagen fibers were gathered in the ligamentum flavum non-preservation and autologous fat reposition groups.The area percentage of collagen fibers in the ligamentum flavum preservation group was lower than that in the ligamentum flavum non-preservation and autologous fat reposition groups at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the latter two groups.The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the degree of positive staining of retained histone the ligamentum flavum preservation group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups.The absorbance value of transforming growth factor β1 and Smad3 in the ligamentum flavum preservation group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the latter two groups.To conclude,there are different degrees of epidural fibrous scar formation after lumbar surgery.If the ligamentum flavum is preserved,it can help to reduce the number of epidural fibroblasts as well as the formation of collagen fibers,thus reducing the adhesion of the fibrous scar tissue to the dural sac and nerve root.The mechanism is not only a purely mechanical blockade,but also to reduce the formation of epidural fibrous scar by interfering with the transforming growth factor β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.
9.Development and application of a three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints
Xiaojing AO ; Kun LI ; Yuhang LIU ; Xiaoxuan YANG ; Xing WANG ; Zhijun LI ; Xiaoyan REN ; Shaojie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1834-1840
BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been studies on three-dimensional digitalization and visualization systems for adult acupoints,but there are not many reports on the visualization of pediatric acupoints based on real pediatric digital sectional anatomical datasets. OBJECTIVE:To design and develop a digital three-dimensional visualization system for children's neck acupoints,to provide a basis for acupuncture and moxibustion,meridian and acupoint science teaching,clinical practice,acupuncture manipulation practice,and acupuncture safety research,and to provide a basis for the development of children's acupoint simulation system. METHODS:Based on a real cross-sectional anatomical dataset of pre-school boys,a three-dimensional digital virtual anatomical model of the neck region of children and internal multi-organ three-dimensional reconstruction were completed using PhotoShop 2021 and Digihuman Reconstruction System software.A database of 11 acupoints was compiled,including Fengfu and Fengchi,using the Unity database language.A three-dimensional model of children's neck anatomy,acupoint database,and writing acupuncture operation codes were integrated in Unity3D software.A three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints was successfully created,which integrated simulation acupoint positioning,three-dimensional acupoint anatomy,acupuncture training,clinical teaching,and acupuncture safety research. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)This study was based on real child specimens.Manual layer by layer segmentation of cross-sectional images was used to ensure the accuracy of the three-dimensional model to the greatest extent possible.The 3D software Digihuman Reconstruction System was utilized to extract and save independent segmentation data.PhotoShop 2021 software was collaborated with to complete dozens of three-dimensional reconstruction anatomical models of the outer skin of the neck and its internal bone structure,cervical spinal cord,blood vessels and nerves,muscles,and ligaments in children.The basic morphology and overall contour integrity verification of each independent structure were completed in MeshLab software.The 3-material research 13.0 software was applied for final fine tuning and anatomical position confirmation,successfully simulating and restoring the true anatomical morphology of the neck of preschool children.(2)Based on and referring to the national standards of the People's Republic of China,a database of commonly used acupoints in children's neck region was collected and organized,including their names,meridians,positioning,local anatomy,needle insertion levels,acupuncture methods,acupuncture accidents and prevention,acupoint indications,and two-dimensional anatomical sectional images.(3)Unity3D software was employed to integrate the three-dimensional model of children's neck,acupuncture simulation operation,and acupoint database,and a three-dimensional digital children's neck acupoint acupuncture visualization system was successfully constructed.The system displayed information on children's neck acupoints,two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomical structures,and achieved two-dimensional and three-dimensional acupuncture simulation functions and acupuncture safety research functions for children's neck acupoints.Based on the ultra-thin sectional anatomical dataset of real child specimens,the first three-dimensional digital and visualization system for acupoints in the neck region of children had been constructed.Compared with previous acupoint acupuncture systems,it is more in line with the anatomical and morphological development characteristics of Asian children and has high application value in the fields of acupuncture safety research,clinical teaching,and acupuncture simulation training.
10.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR

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