1.Current Status and Prospective of Research on Disease-Syndrome Integrated Animal Models of Spleen and Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi ZHANG ; Lihui FANG ; Yongtian WEN ; Shan LIU ; Zhuo SHI ; Xintong WANG ; Xinyi DAI ; Meiling SHE ; Lanshuo HU ; Yangxi FU ; Zheng WANG ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):510-516
Animal model research on spleen and stomach diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is of great significance for elucidating the nature of diseases and syndromes and for revealing the mechanisms of action of Chinese herbal medicinals. At present, studies on classical TCM syndrome models of spleen and stomach diseases mainly focus on spleen deficiency syndrome, liver constraint syndrome, and damp-heat syndrome. Model construction is mostly based on the etiological and pathophysiological characteristics of syndrome, and model evaluation primarily involves macroscopic manifestations and physicochemical indicators. This paper summarizes the current research status of animal models integrating disease and syndrome for seven common spleen and stomach diseases, including chronic gastritis and gastric precancerous lesions, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea. The modeling methods and characteristics of disease-syndrome combined animal models for each disease are analyzed. It is proposed that future research on disease-syndrome integration in spleen and stomach diseases should move toward syste-matic, precise, and integrative development, and that interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research approaches should be adopted to enhance the predictive value and application efficiency of disease-syndrome combined animal models.
2.Deoxyshikonin inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and tumor immune microenvironment in breast cancer cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway
Shaolan YU ; Dayan NIE ; Xia GUAN ; Lihui SHAN ; Xun YU ; Sanjun GUO
Nutrition Research and Practice 2026;20(2):167-181
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:
Deoxyshikonin (DSK) has been reported to inhibit tumor growth in various types of cancers, but its roles and action mechanisms in breast cancer (BC) are unclear. This study examined the anti-cancer function and mechanism of DSK in BC.MATERIALS/METHODS: MDA-MB-231 and BT549, human BC cells, were used. The cell viability and apoptosis levels were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 experiments and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-related factors (Ki-67, Bax, and Bcl-2), CD206, CD168, and proteins involved in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)uclear factor (NF)-κB pathway was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The cell invasion ability was determined using the Transwell experiment. The levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The in vivo functions of DSK were assessed using a xenograft mouse model.
RESULTS:
DSK inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced cell apoptosis, and reduced the cell invasion of MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells. DSK also reduced the levels of CD206 and CD168 proteins, as well as IL-10 and TGF-β in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced THP-1 cells.DSK downregulated the expression of the phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-NF-κB proteins in cells. These effects were reversed by 740 Y-P (PI3K/AKT activator). In addition, DSK significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight in a xenograft mouse model. DSK increased the level of cell apoptosis and decreased the expression of Ki-67 and CD206 in subcutaneous tumor tissue. DSK also inactivated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins.
CONCLUSION
DSK inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and tumor immune microenvironment of BC cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, indicating that DSK may be a potential therapeutic option for BC treatment.
3.Analysis of hearing screening results for newborns with failed genetic screening of 23-cite chip
Yu RUAN ; Cheng WEN ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jinge XIE ; Yue LI ; Lin DENG ; Shan GAO ; Lihui HUANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(4):215-220
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between 23-site chip genetic screening failures and the results of newborns hearing screening,and to provide clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic screening failures.METHODS There were 1 916 newborns born in the Beijing area from November 2022 to May 2024,who did not pass the 23-site chip genetic screening tests and underwent newborn hearing screening with definite initial screening results.Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between different mutation types and genotypes and the initial hearing screening results.RESULTS The overall neonatal hearing screening failure rate was 5.27%(101/1 916),with a higher failure rate of 61.54%(56/91)for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations than the failure rate of 2.54%(45/1 772)for heterozygous mutations,0%(0/34)for digenic gene heterozygous mutations,and 0(0/19)for mtDNA 12S rRNA mutations,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Among the homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations,the failure rates of homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene and SLC26A4 gene were 59.76%(49/82)and 77.78%(7/9),respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.488).The homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene were divided into three groups based on genotype:c.109G>A homozygous mutations,c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations,and other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations.The hearing screening failure rates of the three groups,from highest to lowest,were as follow:other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations(88.89%,8/9),c.109G>A homozygous mutations(65.12%,28/43),and c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations(43.33%,13/30),with a statistically significant difference(P=0.029).The failure rates of heterozygous for GJB2 gene,SLC26A4 gene and GJB3 gene were 2.86%(40/1 398),1.25%(4/321)and 1.89%(1/53),respectively,with no statistically significant difference among the three groups(P=0.241).The failure rate of hearing screening for individuals with GJB2 heterozygotes of different genotypes and individuals with SLC26A4 heterozygotes of different genotypes did not show statistically significant differences.CONCLUSION The failure rate of newborn hearing screening for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation of 23-site chip genetic screening is higher than that of other mutation types,verifying the effectiveness of the newborn hearing screening program.Some newborns of homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation can pass the hearing screening,especially those with the c.109G>A homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation,who need clinical follow-up.
4.Analysis on trend of hearing changes in infants with p.V37I mutation in GJB2 gene at different months of age.
Shan GAO ; Cheng WEN ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Lin DENG ; Yu RUAN ; Jinge XIE ; Lihui HUANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(1):10-18
Objective:To explore the trend of hearing changes in infants with GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation at different months. Methods:The subjects were 54 children(108 ears) with p.V37I homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in GJB2 gene. All the subjects underwent auditory brainstem response, auditory steady-state response, acoustic immittance and other audiological tests. Children were divided into three groups according to their age, 26 cases in group A were ≤3 months old, 17 cases in group B were>3~≤6 months old, and 11 cases in group C were>6 months old. Statistical analysis was performed on the three groups of ABR response threshold, hearing degree, the ASSR average response threshold of four frequencies and the ASSR response thresholds for each frequency of 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz. Results:Among the 54 cases, 35 were male and 19 were female, with an age rang of 2-27 months and a median age of 4 months. The ABR response threshold of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The ABR response thresholds of the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B, and group C. The comparison between groups showed that the ABR response thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A(P=0.006). The proportion of confirmed hearing loss in the three groups was 34.61%, 50.00% and 63.64%, respectively, and the difference of hearing level among the three groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). The comparison between groups showed that the difference between group A and group C was statistically significant(P=0.012), normal hearing accounted for the highest proportion in group A(65.39%), while mild hearing loss accounted for the highest proportion in group C(45.46%). The ASSR average response thresholds of the four frequencies in the three groups were ranked from low to high as group A, group B and group C, and the difference is statistically significant(P<0.05). The comparison between groups showed that response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than that of group A(P=0.002). Response thresholds of ASSR in each frequency in the three groups were all ranked from low to high as in group A, group B and group C, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Compared with each other between groups, response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than those of group A(P=0.003) and group B(P=0.015) at 500 Hz, while response ASSR thresholds of group C was higher than group A at 1 000 Hz(P=0.010) and 2 000 Hz(P<0.001), and there was no statistical difference at 4 000 Hz. Conclusion:The incidence of hearing loss in GJB2 gene p.V37I mutation increased with age, and the degree of hearing loss increased, the hearing progression was mainly 500, 1 000 and 2 000 Hz suggesting regular follow-up and alert to hearing changes.
Humans
;
Connexin 26
;
Male
;
Female
;
Infant
;
Child, Preschool
;
Mutation
;
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
;
Connexins/genetics*
;
Auditory Threshold
;
Hearing/genetics*
;
Hearing Loss/genetics*
5.Prediction of hearing change in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct with different genotypes by linear mixed-effects model.
Lin DENG ; Lihui HUANG ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Shan GAO ; Yu RUAN ; Jinge XIE
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(8):717-723
Objective:To explore the hearing changes of children with different genotypes of SLC26A4 with enlarged vestibular aqueduct(EVA) using the linear mixed effect model(LMM), providing evidence for the risk prediction of progressive hearing loss. Methods:A total of 48 children with EVA diagnosed in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2024. All subjects underwent two or more auditory tests. According to the results of deafness gene screening and sequencing, the genotypes are divided into: type A: homozygous mutation of c. 919-2A>G, type B: compound heterozygous or heterozygous mutation containing c. 919-2A>G, and type C: no mutation site of c. 919-2A>G of SLC26A4 gene. LMM was used to analyze the hearing thresholds change of 500 Hz, 1 000 Hz, 2 000 Hz, 4 000 Hz and the average in children with different genotypes with age. Results:A total of 92 ears, 314 audiograms of 48 children were included, the median number of audiograms was 3, the median age of initial diagnosis was 4 months, and the median follow-up time was 13 months. According to LMM, the standard deviation of random effects between patients and ears was large. There was no significant difference in hearing thresholds of different frequencies and the average in genotype A, genotype B, and genotype C, indicating that genotype had no effect on hearing threshold. There is an interaction between age and genotype. Taking genotype C as the reference, children with genotype B had the lowest increase in 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and the average hearing threshold, followed by type A. Conclusion:EVA children exhibit substantial inter-individual/ear hearing threshold variability. Low-frequency thresholds progress slower than high frequencies. Genotype modulates progression rates, with wild-type(Type C) demonstrating fastest deterioration, supporting personalized auditory monitoring strategies.
Humans
;
Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities*
;
Genotype
;
Sulfate Transporters
;
Mutation
;
Auditory Threshold
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Hearing Loss/genetics*
;
Hearing Tests
;
Linear Models
;
Infant
6.The Analysis of SLC26A4 Gene Testing in 34 Nuclear Families
Jinge XIE ; Lin DENG ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Liping ZHAO ; Yu RUAN ; Cheng WEN ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Shan GAO ; Lihui HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):29-33
Objective To investigate the sequencing results of the SLC26A4 gene in 34 nuclear families and the genetic diagnosis on the offspring in the nuclear families who have been screened for SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in the deafness genetic screening,to provide a basis for genetic consulting.Methods A retrospective anal-ysis was performed on the results of SLC26A4 gene testing in 34 nuclear families,in which the offspring with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening of each nuclear family.The offspring of 34 nucle-ar families with the second mutation site detected by sequencing,their audiological results were included in the anal-ysis;and if they suffered from hearing loss,the results of temporal bone CT or inner ear MRI were also included in the analysis.Results The sequencing results of 34 nuclear families showed that there were 23 offsprings(67.65%,23/34)with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and one parent was SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation.There were 11 offsprings(32.35%,11/34)with second site,among which 7 offsprings(63.64%,7/11)with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutations,and their parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutations.Among the 7 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutation,3 cases were with hearing loss,all of which were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome,and the other 4 cases were normal.While 4 offsprings(36.36%,4/11)with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation(cis mutation),and one parent was SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation.The hearing 4 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutations were normal.Among the 34 nuclear families,3 pairs of parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and both mutation sites were pathogenic,risk of reproducing children with hereditary hearing loss was 25%.Conclusion The detec-tion sites of deafness gene chip are limited.Using gene sequencing technology to sequence the nuclear family can fur-ther clarify the gene mutation type in offspring and provide guidance for parents to reproduce.
7.Clinical observation on the combined use of acupuncture and medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs
Shan YU ; Zhiming LI ; Lihui YANG ; Ke HE ; Tao WANG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(3):264-270
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points combined with Western medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs,as well as the effects on clinical symptoms and serum albumin.Methods:Seventy patients with diarrhea caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the different treatment methods,with 35 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with the same Western medication,and the observation group was additionally treated with acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points.After treatment,changes in the Hart score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score,and serum albumin were observed in both groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the Hart score,TCM symptom score,and serum albumin level between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).No adverse reactions occurred during treatment in either group.After 3 d of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 68.6%,which was higher than 25.7%of the control group(P<0.01);after 7 d of treatment,the total effective rate of both the observation group and the control group was 100.0%,but the cured rate of the observation group was 80.0%,which was significantly higher than 2.9%of the control group(P<0.01).The Hart score and TCM symptom score of both groups after 3 d and 7 d of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 7 d of treatment,the albumin level of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture at the front-Mu points combined with lower He-sea points to routine Western mediation treatment for diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs is more effective than Western medication alone and can improve the clinical symptoms and nutritional status of the patients at an early stage.
8.Clinical observation on the combined use of acupuncture and medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs
Shan YU ; Zhiming LI ; Lihui YANG ; Ke HE ; Tao WANG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(3):264-270
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points combined with Western medication in the treatment of diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs,as well as the effects on clinical symptoms and serum albumin.Methods:Seventy patients with diarrhea caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the different treatment methods,with 35 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with the same Western medication,and the observation group was additionally treated with acupuncture at the front-Mu points and the lower He-sea points.After treatment,changes in the Hart score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score,and serum albumin were observed in both groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the Hart score,TCM symptom score,and serum albumin level between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).No adverse reactions occurred during treatment in either group.After 3 d of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 68.6%,which was higher than 25.7%of the control group(P<0.01);after 7 d of treatment,the total effective rate of both the observation group and the control group was 100.0%,but the cured rate of the observation group was 80.0%,which was significantly higher than 2.9%of the control group(P<0.01).The Hart score and TCM symptom score of both groups after 3 d and 7 d of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 7 d of treatment,the albumin level of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture at the front-Mu points combined with lower He-sea points to routine Western mediation treatment for diarrhea induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs is more effective than Western medication alone and can improve the clinical symptoms and nutritional status of the patients at an early stage.
9.The Analysis of SLC26A4 Gene Testing in 34 Nuclear Families
Jinge XIE ; Lin DENG ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Liping ZHAO ; Yu RUAN ; Cheng WEN ; Yiding YU ; Yue LI ; Shan GAO ; Lihui HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):29-33
Objective To investigate the sequencing results of the SLC26A4 gene in 34 nuclear families and the genetic diagnosis on the offspring in the nuclear families who have been screened for SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in the deafness genetic screening,to provide a basis for genetic consulting.Methods A retrospective anal-ysis was performed on the results of SLC26A4 gene testing in 34 nuclear families,in which the offspring with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening of each nuclear family.The offspring of 34 nucle-ar families with the second mutation site detected by sequencing,their audiological results were included in the anal-ysis;and if they suffered from hearing loss,the results of temporal bone CT or inner ear MRI were also included in the analysis.Results The sequencing results of 34 nuclear families showed that there were 23 offsprings(67.65%,23/34)with SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and one parent was SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation.There were 11 offsprings(32.35%,11/34)with second site,among which 7 offsprings(63.64%,7/11)with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutations,and their parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutations.Among the 7 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene complex heterozygous mutation,3 cases were with hearing loss,all of which were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome,and the other 4 cases were normal.While 4 offsprings(36.36%,4/11)with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation(cis mutation),and one parent was SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutation.The hearing 4 offsprings with SLC26A4 gene double heterozygous mutations were normal.Among the 34 nuclear families,3 pairs of parents were SLC26A4 gene single-allele mutation,and both mutation sites were pathogenic,risk of reproducing children with hereditary hearing loss was 25%.Conclusion The detec-tion sites of deafness gene chip are limited.Using gene sequencing technology to sequence the nuclear family can fur-ther clarify the gene mutation type in offspring and provide guidance for parents to reproduce.
10.Modulation of synaptic damage by Bushen Tiansui Decoction via the PI3K signaling pathway in an Alzheimer’s disease model
HUI Shan ; ZHENG Qing ; LI Hongli ; ZHU Lemei ; WU Beibei ; LIANG Lihui ; YANG Jingjing
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(3):284-293
Methods:
(i) Animal experiments. This study conducted experiments using specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. The animals were divided into three groups: WT group (WT mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), APP/PS1 group (APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), and BSTSD group [APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, treated with BSTSD suspension at a dosage of 27 g/(kg·d) for 90 d]. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). Post-experiment, hippocampal tissues were collected for analysis of pyramidal cell and synaptic morphology through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (ii) Cell experiments. The HT-22 cells were divided into control group (untreated), Aβ25-35 group (treated with 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h), icariin group (pre-treated with 20 μmol/L icariin for 60 min, followed by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for an additional 24 h), and icariin + LY294002 group [treated with 20 μmol/L icariin and 20 μmol/L LY294002 (an inhibitor of the phosphoinostitide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling pathway) for 60 min, then exposed to 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h], and cell viability was measured. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of synapse-associated proteins [synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)] and PI3K signaling pathway associated proteins [phosphorylated (p)-PI3K/PI3K, p-protein kinase B (Akt)/Akt, and p-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR].
Results:
(i) Animal experiments. Compared with APP/PS1 group, BSTSD group showed that escape latency was significantly shortened (P < 0.01) and the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Morphological observation showed that pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were arranged more regularly, nuclear staining was uniform, and vacuole-like changes were reduced after BSTSD treatment. TEM showed that the length of synaptic active zone in BSTSD treatment group was increased compared with APP/PS1 group (P < 0.01), and the width of synaptic gap was decreased (P < 0.01). (ii) Cell experiments. Icariin had no obvious toxicity to HT-22 cells when the concentration was not more than 20 μmol/L (P > 0.05), and alleviated the cell viability decline induced by Aβ25-35 (P < 0.01). Western blot results showed that compared with Aβ25-35 group, the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR in icariin group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the protein expression levels of SYP and PSD-95 were increased (P < 0.01). These effects were blocked by LY294002 (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
BSTSD and icariin enhance cognitive function and synaptic integrity in AD models and provide potential therapeutic strategies through activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

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