1.Current Status,Challenges,and Strategies of Basic Research on the Brain-Gut Interaction Theory for Spleen and Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ting CHEN ; Jinxia ZHU ; Xiaohua HOU ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Lifei ZHENG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xinxin WANG ; Xuan LI ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):517-522
The brain-gut interaction theory is a multidimensional integrative concept based on the brain-gut axis, involving neural, endocrine, and immune regulatory networks as well as the gut microbiota. Zang-fu organs (脏腑) theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows a high degree of consistency with the brain-gut interaction theory, and the core functions such as the spleen and stomach governing the ascending of the clear and descending of the turbid, the liver governing the free flow of qi, and the heart governing mental and emotional activities are closely associated with the multi-level regulatory mechanisms of the brain-gut axis. TCM therapy can modulate brain-gut interactions through multiple pathways in the treatment of spleen and stomach diseases, including the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone secretion, neurotransmitter levels, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune homeostasis and inflammatory responses, as well as the gut microecology. However, current basic research on the brain-gut interaction theory in TCM for spleen and stomach diseases still faces several challenges, such as difficulties in integrating TCM spleen-stomach theory with modern pathophysiology, lack of innovation in research concepts, and limitations in research methodologies. It is therefore proposed that multidisciplinary collaboration, multi-omics technologies, and targeted research approaches should be adopted to provide more comprehensive methods for basic research on TCM spleen and stomach diseases, thereby promoting the in-depth development of brain-gut interaction theory.
2.Role of autophagy in treatment of paracetamol-induced liver injury
Guojing XING ; Lifei WANG ; Longlong LUO ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Chun GAO ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):389-394
N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) is an antipyretic analgesic commonly used in clinical practice, and APAP overdose can cause severe liver injury and even death. In recent years, the incidence rate of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) tends to increase, and it has become the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that removes unwanted cytosolic proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation to achieve the metabolic needs of cells themselves and the renewal of organelles. A large number of studies have shown that autophagy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AILI, involving the mechanisms such as APAP protein conjugates, oxidative stress, JNK activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and apoptosis. This article elaborates on the biological mechanism of autophagy in AILI, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of AILI and the development of autophagy regulators.
3.Practical research and exploration on the construction of the new model for cultivating young medical research talents
Zongfang ZHENG ; Lifei TANG ; Jun TIAN ; Qiuyue ZHANG ; Jieru CHEN ; Chunhui ZHAO ; Jiancheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2025;38(4):320-326
Objective:To address the challenges in cultivating young medical researchers, including the lack of initial research funding, insufficient interdisciplinary collaboration, absence of academic exchange platforms, and inadequate talent incentives, this study analyzes the specific practical measures of the new model(Fund-Alliance-Academic activities-Award Model, hereinafter referred to as ″FAAA model″) of A certain medical college in enhancing the innovative capabilities and interdisciplinary research proficiency of young medical talents in initial stage, and evaluates the practical significance of these initiatives.Methods:Through literature review, the inevitability of interdisciplinary integration was examined in the context of China′s developmental needs and medical discipline advancement. Innovative practices under the FAAA model of A certain medical college were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on the construction of a medical youth scientific innovation and development platform.Results:The FAAA model had achieved effective outcomes in improving young researchers′ capabilities, fostering interdisciplinary achievements, expanding academic influence, and advancing talent echelon development, yet required further refinement.Conclusions:The FAAA model effectively addresses critical bottlenecks in the growth of young medical researchers through systematic support mechanisms, significantly enhancing their scientific competitiveness and interdisciplinary innovation capacity. Its practical measures offer referential value for peer institutions. Future efforts should optimize the ″early funding-achievement incubation-national project linkage″ chain, strengthen institutionalized interdisciplinary collaboration, and build a data-driven ecosystem to provide sustainable talent support for medical science and technology innovation.
4.Mechanism of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia in gastric mucosa induced by Helicobacter pylori infection
Hainuo WANG ; Yufan LI ; Yuying WANG ; Qianying SHEN ; Jinxia ZHU ; Lifei ZHENG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(1):130-134
Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection triggers gastric mucosal inflammatory responses and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia(SPEM).These pathological conditions can escalate the severity of chronic gas-tritis,gastric ulcers and even cause gastric cancer.SPEM is frequently viewed as an early sign of gastric mucosal injury and the onset of carcinogenesis.A comprehensive analysis of the genesis and molecular regulation of SPEM cells in the context of H.pylori infection further has enlightened the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal diseases and provide new ideas and targets for diagnosing and treatment of H.pylori-related gastric mucosal diseases.This paper reviews a variety of molecular biomarkers associated with SPEM,encompassing TFF2,CD44v9,and AQP5,and delineates their pivotal regulatory functions in H.pylori infection and SPEM.This paper also reviews the origination of SPEM cells and pertinent molecular regulatory mechanisms.
5.Practical research and exploration on the construction of the new model for cultivating young medical research talents
Zongfang ZHENG ; Lifei TANG ; Jun TIAN ; Qiuyue ZHANG ; Jieru CHEN ; Chunhui ZHAO ; Jiancheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2025;38(4):320-326
Objective:To address the challenges in cultivating young medical researchers, including the lack of initial research funding, insufficient interdisciplinary collaboration, absence of academic exchange platforms, and inadequate talent incentives, this study analyzes the specific practical measures of the new model(Fund-Alliance-Academic activities-Award Model, hereinafter referred to as ″FAAA model″) of A certain medical college in enhancing the innovative capabilities and interdisciplinary research proficiency of young medical talents in initial stage, and evaluates the practical significance of these initiatives.Methods:Through literature review, the inevitability of interdisciplinary integration was examined in the context of China′s developmental needs and medical discipline advancement. Innovative practices under the FAAA model of A certain medical college were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on the construction of a medical youth scientific innovation and development platform.Results:The FAAA model had achieved effective outcomes in improving young researchers′ capabilities, fostering interdisciplinary achievements, expanding academic influence, and advancing talent echelon development, yet required further refinement.Conclusions:The FAAA model effectively addresses critical bottlenecks in the growth of young medical researchers through systematic support mechanisms, significantly enhancing their scientific competitiveness and interdisciplinary innovation capacity. Its practical measures offer referential value for peer institutions. Future efforts should optimize the ″early funding-achievement incubation-national project linkage″ chain, strengthen institutionalized interdisciplinary collaboration, and build a data-driven ecosystem to provide sustainable talent support for medical science and technology innovation.
6.Mechanism of action of follicular helper T cells in autoimmune hepatitis
Longlong LUO ; Lifei WANG ; Guojing XING ; Ying ZHENG ; Lixia LU ; Chuyi LI ; Bin LI ; Jun MA ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(7):1466-1469
Autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)is a type of chronic hepatitis caused by the attack of hepatocytes by the autoimmune system,and with the prolongation of disease course,it may gradually progress to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma.Although great achievements have been made in the understanding and treatment of AIH,its etiology and pathogenesis still remain unclear.T cells play a crucial role in the development and progression of AIH,and by focusing on follicular helper T cells,this article elaborates on the research advances in follicular helper T cells in AIH,in order to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of AIH.
7.Role of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in the treatment of drug-induced liver injury
Guojing XING ; Longlong LUO ; Lifei WANG ; Shunna WANG ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Lixia LU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):633-638
The incidence rate of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is increasing year by year with unknown mechanisms, and the treatment methods for DILI mainly include drugs, liver support systems, and liver transplantation, all of which have certain limitations. Therefore, the search for safer and more effective treatment methods has become a research hotspot at present. Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes can alleviate liver injury by reducing liver inflammation, promoting hepatocyte proliferation and regeneration, inhibiting the apoptosis of hepatocytes, improving oxidative stress, and regulating immunity. This article briefly reviews the role of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in the treatment of DILI, so as to provide a reference for further research.
8.Adolescent Gitelman syndrome:a case report and literature review
Linlu ZHENG ; Lifei ZHOU ; Pingping ZHANG ; Yaying CHENG ; Yali LI
Clinical Medicine of China 2023;39(4):287-291
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and genetics of a Chinese patient with Gitelman syndrome (GS) and improve the awareness and diagnosis of GS among clinicians.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the GS patient's clinical feature, laboratory examination, diagnosis, treatment and literature review admitted to Hebei General Hospital in September 2022.Results:A twelve-year-old boy was admitted to our department due to weakness of lower limbs. Laboratory tests after admission showed hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and metabolic alkalosis. Genetic testing showed tow compound heterozygous mutations in the SLC12A3 gene (c.1456G>A and c.634G>A), which ultimately diagnosed as GS. The patient is on the mend and allowed to leave the hospital after treated by potassium supplement.Conclusion:The rate of leak diagnosis is high. Genetic testing should be undergo earlier if the patients suspected GS.
9.Research advances in mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in treatment of autoimmune hepatitis
Longlong LUO ; Lifei WANG ; Ying ZHENG ; Bin LI ; Lixia LU ; Chuyi LI ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2023;39(12):2920-2925
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a type of chronic hepatitis caused by the autoimmune system attacking hepatocytes, and its chronic progression may lead to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, pharmacotherapy and liver transplantation are the main treatment methods for AIH, but both methods have their own limitations, which limits the clinical benefits of patients. Therefore, it is a critical issue to search for new therapeutic agents and methods. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and their exosomes can improve the symptoms of patients with AIH by suppressing inflammatory response, enhancing the regeneration of hepatocytes, and regulating the immune system and thus have wide application prospects in the treatment of AIH. By summarizing related articles, this article reviews the possible mechanisms and application of MSC and their exosomes in the treatment of AIH, in order to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of AIH.
10.Research progress on dual blockade of TIGIT and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways in tumor im-munotherapy
Shunna WANG ; Liulu GAO ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Guojing XING ; Lifei WANG ; Huijuan SHAO ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2023;50(21):1124-1129
Programmed death-1 and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1)are regulatory immune checkpoint molecules that inhibit T cell activation and,therefore,play an important role in tumor immunotherapy.In recent years,increasing numbers of targeted therapeutic agents have been developed,but single immune checkpoint blockers cannot completely inhibit tumor occurrence,and tumor escape sporadically occurs.Consequently,combination therapy of targeted drugs is considered a useful method to inhibit tumorigenesis and tumor development.T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif(ITIM)domain(TIGIT)is an inhibitory type 1 poliovirus receptor that has recently been a hotspot of targeted drug therapy research.It has been shown that the combination therapy of TIGIT plus PD-1/PD-L1 can reduce tumor escape and inhibit tumorigenesis more effectively.Therefore,this review summarizes and discusses the progress on the dual blockade of TIGIT and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways in tumor immunotherapy to provide a theoretical basis for tumor im-munotherapy.

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