1.Staged Characteristics of Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in Chronic Heart Failure with Heart-Yang Deficiency Syndrome and Prescription Intervention from Theory of Reinforcing Yang
Zizheng WU ; Xing CHEN ; Lichong MENG ; Yao ZHANG ; Peng LUO ; Jiahao YE ; Kun LIAN ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):129-138
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by ventricular dysfunction, with mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder being a critical factor in disease progression. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, as the core pathogenesis of CHF, persists throughout the disease course. Insufficiency of heart-Yang leads to weakened warming and propelling functions, resulting in the accumulation of phlegm-fluid, blood stasis, and dampness. This eventually causes Qi stagnation with phlegm obstruction and blood stasis with water retention, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease progression. According to the theory of reinforcing Yang, the clinical experience of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master Tang Zuxuan in treating CHF with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, and achievements from molecular biological studies, this study innovatively proposes an integrated research framework of "TCM syndrome differentiation and staging-mitochondrial metabolism mechanisms-intervention with Yang-reinforcing prescriptions" which is characterized by the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome is classified into mild (Stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ), severe (Stage Ⅲ), and critical (Stage Ⅳ) stages. The study elucidates the precise correlations between the pathogenesis of each stage and mitochondrial metabolism disorders from theoretical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic perspectives. The mild stage is characterized by impaired biogenesis and substrate-utilization imbalance, corresponding to heart-Yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid aggregation. Linggui Zhugantang and similar prescriptions can significantly improve the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α(PGC-1α)/silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and ATPase activity. The severe stage centers on oxidative stress and structural damage, reflecting Yang deficiency with water overflow and phlegm-blood stasis intermingling. At this stage, Zhenwu Tang and Qiangxin Tang can effectively mitigate oxidative stress damage, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and repair mitochondrial structure. The critical stage arises from calcium overload and mitochondrial disintegration, leading to the collapse of Yin-Yang equilibrium. At this stage, Yang-restoring and crisis-resolving prescriptions such as Fuling Sini Tang and Qili Qiangxin capsules can inhibit abnormal opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and protect mitochondrial function. By summarizing the characteristics of mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders at different stages of CHF, this study explores the application of the theory of reinforcing Yang in treating heart-Yang deficiency syndrome and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
2.Clinical application of KASP-based RHCE genotyping in RhD-positive patients
Xiaoyu LIAN ; Mengdan LI ; Xiaoyu GUAN ; Li TIAN ; Chenying WANG ; Di WU ; Tianqiong LUO ; Xiaolin DU ; Xin JI ; Haixia XU ; Jue WANG ; Ling LI ; Zhong LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(5):596-602
Objective: To develop a RHCE genotyping assay based on kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) and assess its clinical accuracy for RhCE blood group determination. Methods: KASP primers were designed to interrogate three RHCE loci: the 109 bp insertion/deletion in intron 2, c. 307T>C, and c. 676C>G. A total of 1 194 RhD-positive inpatients from Chengdu were typed by both KASP genotyping and manual tube serology. Discordant samples (n=10) were retested by both methods and further resolved by Sanger sequencing. An additional 377 cases were tested for the c. 48C>G locus to evaluate the predictive accuracy of individual loci and combined locus testing for RhC antigen. Results: Genotyping concordance with serology was 100.0% for both the c. 676C>G locus (RhE/Rhe) and the c. 307T>C locus (Rhc). For RhC prediction using the 109 bp insertion, overall accuracy was 99.7% (1 191/1 194); the 3 discordant cases were confirmed by Sanger sequencing to be false negatives attributable to 109 bp deletion in intron 2. Testing the c. 48C>G allele for RhC prediction yielded 7 false positives, with an accuracy of 98.1% (370/377). RhC antigen status was determined by combining the 109 bp insertion and the c. 48C allele. After excluding 10 samples with inconsistent results between the two loci, the accuracy reached 100% in the remaining 367 samples. When both loci were applied in combination, accuracy reached 100% in the 367 cases with concordant results. Among the 1 194 patients, CCee (45.8%) and CcEe (31.7%) were the most common RhCE phenotypes. The e antigen had the highest positivity rate (92.2%), and the Ce haplotype was the most frequent (66.9%). Conclusion: The KASP-based RHCE genotyping method achieves high accuracy for clinical RhCE typing. Combining the 109 bp insertion/deletion with the c. 48C allele significantly improves RhC antigen prediction compared with either locus alone. This method was applied to RhCE genotyping of 1 194 RhD-positive inpatients in Chengdu, providing local RhCE phenotype and haplotype distribution data to support RhCE-matched transfusion practice.
3.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
4.Liquiritin improves macrophage degradation of engulfed tumour cells by promoting the formation of phagolysosomes via NOX2/gp91phox.
Caiyi YANG ; Kehan CHEN ; Yunliang CHEN ; Xuting XIE ; Pengcheng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Junjie LIANG ; Xueqian XIE ; Xiaoyun CHEN ; Yanping CAI ; Bo XU ; Qing WANG ; Lian ZHOU ; Xia LUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101093-101093
The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages (Mϕ) is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis, and the degradation function of Mϕ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes. In our preliminary experiments, we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) reduced the ability of Mϕ to degrade engulfed tumour cells. Above this, we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours, to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells. We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mϕ phagosomes, causing Mϕ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation. Conversely, inhibiting NOX2 in Mϕ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion, therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis, and subsequently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens. We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox, blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox, thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2. This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mϕ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis, and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.
5.Exploration of New Susceptible Genes associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Children with Obesity Using Whole Exome Sequencing.
Xiong Feng PAN ; Cai Lian WEI ; Jia You LUO ; Jun Xia YAN ; Xiang XIAO ; Jie WANG ; Yan ZHONG ; Mi Yang LUO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):727-739
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to evaluate the association between susceptibility genes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity.
METHODS:
We conducted a two-step case-control study. Ninety-three participants were subjected to whole-exome sequencing (exploratory set). Differential genes identified in the small sample were validated in 1,022 participants using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing (validation set).
RESULTS:
In the exploratory set, 14 genes from the NAFLD-associated pathways were identified. In the validation set, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index, ECI2 rs2326408 (dominant model: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72; additive model: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47), C6orf201 rs659305 (dominant model: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69; additive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.45), CALML5 rs10904516 (pre-ad dominant model: OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83; adjusted dominant model: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03-1.91; and pre-ad additive model: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.66) polymorphisms were significantly associated with NAFLD in children with obesity ( P < 0.05). Interaction analysis revealed that the gene-gene interaction model of CALML5 rs10904516, COX11 rs17209882, and SCD5 rs3733228 was optional ( P < 0.05), demonstrating a negative interaction between the three genes.
CONCLUSION
In the Chinese population, the CALML5 rs10904516, C6orf201 rs659305, and ECI2 rs2326408 variants could be genetic markers for NAFLD susceptibility.
Humans
;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics*
;
Child
;
Male
;
Female
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Adolescent
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Obesity/complications*
;
Pediatric Obesity/complications*
;
China
6.Analysis of the association between moderate-to-vigorous-physical activity and obesity, poor sleep quality and multimorbidity in 7- to 8-year-old children in Shanghai City
Qiong YAN ; Weili CHEN ; Liting CHU ; Lijing SUN ; Xinyao LIAN ; Jianhui GUO ; Chunyan LUO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(11):1924-1931
Objective:To analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous-physical activity (MVPA) and obesity, poor sleep quality, as well as multimorbidity in 7- to 8-year-old children in Shanghai City.Methods:From September to November 2023, a cluster sampling method was used to select second-grade students from four primary schools in Jinshan District, Shanghai. Three-axis acceleration motion sensors (GT3X+, Acti-graph) were used to monitor daily physical activity for seven consecutive days. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between MVPA duration characteristics and obesity, poor sleep quality and multimorbidity in school-age children.Results:Of the 937 study participants, 512 (54.64%) were boys and 425 (45.36%) were girls. Among them, 89 (9.50%) were obese and 782 (83.46%) had poor sleep quality. A total of 77 cases (8.22%) were affected by obesity and poor sleep quality. The average daily MVPA time was (45.97±15.87) minutes, and the MVPA attainment rate was 17.18%. The multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that, after adjusting for covariates, the daily average MVPA time was negatively associated with the risk of obesity ( OR=0.982, 95% CI: 0.968-0.997), as well as multimorbidity ( OR=0.981, 95% CI: 0.965-0.997). The risk of obesity, poor sleep quality and multimorbidity in <1 d was 2.228 ( OR=2.228, 95% CI: 1.398-3.549), 1.702 ( OR=1.702, 95% CI: 1.141-2.540) and 2.150 ( OR=2.150, 95% CI: 1.310-3.528) times higher than that in ≥1 d. Conclusion:Obesity, poor sleep quality and multimorbidity of school-age children are closely related to the level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
7.Treatment of varus knee osteoarthritis secondary to tibial fracture malunion by high tibial osteotomy assisted by digital orthopedic techniques
Bin ZHAO ; Wei LUO ; Songqing YE ; Haohao BAI ; Zijian LIAN ; Xuan JIANG ; Zhihu ZHAO ; Xinlong MA
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(2):117-124
Objective:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) assisted by digital orthopedic techniques in the treatment of varus knee osteoarthritis secondary to tibial fracture malunion.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 16 patients who had been admitted to Clinical Application Center of Digital Orthopedic Technology, Tianjin Hospital for varus knee osteoarthritis secondary to tibial fracture malunion from April 2022 to October 2023. There were 6 men and 10 women, with an age of (56.3±1.6) years and a mean body mass index of (23.8±0.9) kg/m 2. HTO was performed for all the patients using patient-specific instrumentation integrated osteotomy and orthopedic guide which was designed and printed with digital orthopedic techniques. If preoperative imaging indicated symptomatic meniscus injury (tear), intraarticular free body, or intercondylar fossa stenosis in a patient, arthroscopic clearance was first conducted before subsequent performance of HTO at one stage. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated by measuring and comparing hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), posterior tibial slope (PTS), lower limb weight-bearing line (WBL) ratio, Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and knee range of motion (ROM) before surgery and 12 months after surgery. Results:The operative time was (41.3±2.1) min and intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed only once in all the patients. All the wounds healed by the first stage with no such complications as hinge point fracture, wound infection, vascular injury, nerve injury, delayed union or nonunion of fracture, lower limb deep venous thrombosis, loosening of internal fixation, or plate rupture. The follow-up time for the 16 patients was (16.3±0.7) months. At 12 months after surgery, the HKA (179.5°±0.5°), MPTA (91.7°±0.5°), WBL ratio (61.2%±0.4%), WOMAC osteoarthritis index [(12.8±0.8) points], VAS pain score [(1.8±0.3) points] and knee ROM (121.8°±1.8°) were significantly better than those before surgery [166.6°±1.3°, 81.8°±0.4°, 29.6%±1.0%, (38.4±2.1) points, (4.8±0.3) points, and 110.5°±2.1°] ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PTS between pre-surgery and 12 months after surgery ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:When HTO is used to treat varus knee osteoarthritis secondary to tibial fracture malunion, assistance of digital orthopedic techniques can improve HKA, MPTA, lower limb alignment, and knee ROM to reduce and recover knee function for the patients.
8.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):189-207
Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
9.Liquiritin improves macrophage degradation of engulfed tumour cells by promoting the formation of phagolysosomes via NOX2/gp91phox
Caiyi YANG ; Kehan CHEN ; Yunliang CHEN ; Xuting XIE ; Pengcheng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Junjie LIANG ; Xueqian XIE ; Xiaoyun CHEN ; Yanping CAI ; Bo XU ; Qing WANG ; Lian ZHOU ; Xia LUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):1016-1032
The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages(Mφ)is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis,and the degradation function of Mφ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes.In our preliminary experiments,we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)reduced the ability of Mφ to degrade engulfed tumour cells.Above this,we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours,to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells.We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mφ phagosomes,causing Mφ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation.Conversely,inhibiting NOX2 in Mφ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion,therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis,and subse-quently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens.We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox,blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox,thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2.This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mφ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis,and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.
10.Reforming general practitioner training in China: system construction and practical exploration for a new era
Zequan JI ; Bingjie HU ; Yuyin LIAN ; Fangjian LI ; Xiang LIANG ; Yichuan LUO
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(9):1163-1167
This paper analyzes current issues in general practitioners (GP) education (e.g., inadequate systems, faculty shortages, misaligned training with community needs, low workforce attractiveness) and proposes strategies for reform in the new development era. Key recommendations include: strengthening academic discipline building in general practice within medical universities; innovating curricula to integrate prevention with treatment and emphasize practical skills; leveraging institutional resources to foster clinician-educator-researcher roles; tailoring training pathways to regional contexts; deepening collaboration between medical education and healthcare delivery systems; and building a robust lifelong learning framework for GPs. Furthermore, the paper details the comprehensive reform initiatives undertaken by Guangzhou Medical University (GMU). These include establishing integrated education platforms spanning university, hospital, and community settings. GMU′s experience offers valuable insights for enhancing GP training quality and scalability in China.

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