1.Mechanism of action of organelle interactions in the progression of liver fibrosis and traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment strategies
Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Lihui ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Wenxia ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):711-717
Liver fibrosis is the core pathological stage of the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis, and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the abnormal accumulation of collagen fibers are important processes for the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In recent years, studies have shown that HSC activation is regulated by the complex interactions between various organelles (including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, and peroxisomes), and such interactions affect the key cellular processes such as energy metabolism, protein synthesis and folding, reactive oxygen species balance, and autophagy, thereby participating in the progression of liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients with multi-target synergistic effects have attracted wide attention. From the perspective of the interaction between organelles, this article systematically elaborates on the specific mechanism of such interactions in the progression of liver fibrosis and reviews how traditional Chinese medicine inhibits HSC activation and collagen production by regulating the function of these organelle and their interaction networks, thereby exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect, in order to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of liver fibrosis and the development of new traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies.
2.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.
3.Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with different clinical phenotypes: Pathogenesis and strategies for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment
Wenxia ZHAO ; Lei GAO ; Xinju CHEN ; Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Qing ZHAO ; Chenlu ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):930-937
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic metabolic liver disorder with complex etiologies. Different clinical phenotypes of MAFLD (such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the postmenopausal state, and chronic hepatitis B) have different mechanisms of action in the development and progression of MAFLD, leading to high heterogeneity in its clinical progression and prognosis. This article systematically reviews the pathogeneses and clinical features of the above five clinical phenotypes of MAFLD and elaborates on the corresponding individualized diagnosis and treatment regimens integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, in order to provide a reference for clinical practice and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment.
4.Study on the Mechanism of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction in Ovariectomized NAFLD Rats Based on ERα/PGC1α/PPARα
Chenlu ZHAO ; Suping MA ; Fangdong SHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Wenxia ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):792-800
Objective To explore the effect on the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα pathway,the therapeutic effect of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on ovariectomized NAFLD rats was observed.Methods 60 female non-pregnant SPF SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),model group(Model),estrogen group(E2),traditional Chinese medicine high,medium and low dose group(DHR-H/M/L).Sham group was given normal diet after sham operation,and the other groups were given high-fat,high-fructose and high-cholesterol diet(HF/HF/HC)after bilateral ovariectomy to prepare postmenopausal NAFLD model.The Sham group and the Model group were given normal saline by gavage,and the other groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.The intervention time was 12 weeks,and the experimental period was 14 weeks.The general condition and body weight of rats in each group were recorded.HE staining of uterus was used to observe the morphology of uterus,HE staining of liver and oil red O staining were used to observe steatosis.Serum liver function(ALT,AST)and lipid metabolism indexes(TG,TC)were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer.The levels of serum E2 and free fatty acid(FFA)and the expression of FFA and TG in liver tissue were detected by ELISA.The mRNA and protein expressions of ERα,PGC1α and PPARα in liver tissues were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the Model group,by Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction,the body weight and liver weight of ovariectomized NAFLD rats significantly decreased,liver fat deposition significantly decreased,E2 level increased,ALT,AST,TG,TC,FFA and liver tissue homogenate FFA,TG content significantly decreased,liver ERα,PGC1α,PPARα mRNA and protein expression up-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction can improve liver steatosis in postmenopausal NAFLD model rats.The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα signaling pathway to promote liver FFA oxidation and reduce liver TG deposition.
5.Study on the Mechanism of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction in Ovariectomized NAFLD Rats Based on ERα/PGC1α/PPARα
Chenlu ZHAO ; Suping MA ; Fangdong SHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yuanyuan ZHENG ; Wenxia ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):792-800
Objective To explore the effect on the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα pathway,the therapeutic effect of Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on ovariectomized NAFLD rats was observed.Methods 60 female non-pregnant SPF SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),model group(Model),estrogen group(E2),traditional Chinese medicine high,medium and low dose group(DHR-H/M/L).Sham group was given normal diet after sham operation,and the other groups were given high-fat,high-fructose and high-cholesterol diet(HF/HF/HC)after bilateral ovariectomy to prepare postmenopausal NAFLD model.The Sham group and the Model group were given normal saline by gavage,and the other groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.The intervention time was 12 weeks,and the experimental period was 14 weeks.The general condition and body weight of rats in each group were recorded.HE staining of uterus was used to observe the morphology of uterus,HE staining of liver and oil red O staining were used to observe steatosis.Serum liver function(ALT,AST)and lipid metabolism indexes(TG,TC)were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer.The levels of serum E2 and free fatty acid(FFA)and the expression of FFA and TG in liver tissue were detected by ELISA.The mRNA and protein expressions of ERα,PGC1α and PPARα in liver tissues were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the Model group,by Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction,the body weight and liver weight of ovariectomized NAFLD rats significantly decreased,liver fat deposition significantly decreased,E2 level increased,ALT,AST,TG,TC,FFA and liver tissue homogenate FFA,TG content significantly decreased,liver ERα,PGC1α,PPARα mRNA and protein expression up-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Danhe Liuwei Dihuang Decoction can improve liver steatosis in postmenopausal NAFLD model rats.The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of ERα/PGC1α/PPARα signaling pathway to promote liver FFA oxidation and reduce liver TG deposition.
6.Establishment and application of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip assay for detection of caprine enterovirus
Xuebo ZHENG ; Xuyuan CUI ; Naitian YAN ; Qianying WANG ; Hongwei LI ; Lihui CHEN ; Wenjie GONG ; Xinping WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(4):662-667
To establish an immunochromatographic method for rapid detection of caprine enterovir-us(CEV),the monoclonal antibody against CEV VP1 protein was used as gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies,and the purified rabbit-derived polyclonal antibody of CEV-VP1 and sheep anti-mouse IgG were used as the detection line and quality control line,respectively.The colloidal gold immu-nochromatographic test strips for CEV were prepared according to the principle of double antibody sandwich,evaluated,and applied for clinical specimen detection.The results showed that the meth-od specifically recognized CEV without cross-reaction with bovine enterovirus and bovine viral di-arrhea virus.The minimum detection limit of the method was 102.49 TCID50/mL and had good re-producibility.The prepared test strips had a shelf life of three months kept at 4 ℃.Detection of clin-ical samples using the immunochromatographic test strips showed 100%coincidence rate with RT-PCR method.In conclusion,the colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strips for detection of the emerging CEV with good specificity,sensitivity and repeatability,which provides a new techni-cal means easily used for the rapid detection/diagnosis and epidemiological investigation on CEV infection.
7.Vagal Response During Pulmonary Vein Isolation:Incidence,Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes
Erpeng LIANG ; Weifeng SONG ; You ZHOU ; Ke CHEN ; Xianqing WANG ; Chuanyu GAO ; Lihui ZHENG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(5):475-479
Objectives:This study aims to investigate the incidence,characteristics and clinical outcomes of vagal response(VR)during pulmonary vein isolation(PVI).Methods:A total of 702 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(AF)who received the first PVI radiofrequency ablation in Central China Fuwai Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were consecutively enrolled.PVI was initiated from right superior pulmonary vein(RSPV),followed by other pulmonary veins(PVs).The VR was defined as atrioventricular block(AVB),asystole or a 50%increase in the RR interval.Results:Among 702 patients with AF,380 patients(54.1%)were paroxysmal AF and 322 patients(45.9%)were persistent AF.77 patients(11.0%)developed 81 VR episodes,which were more common in paroxysmal group than in persistent AF group(19.5%vs.0.9%,P<0.001).VR manifestations included 51 sinus arrest(63.0%),26 sinus bradycardia(32.1%),and 4 atrioventricular block(AVB,4.9%).Most VR episodes were observed in the left superior ganglionated plexi(67[82.7%]).Paroxysmal AF(OR=18.667,95%CI:6.638-52.491,P<0.001),body mass index(BMI)≥28.0 kg/m2(OR=2.361,95%CI:1.376-4.051,P=0.002)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)≥62.0%(OR=1.964,95%CI:1.119-3.447,P=0.019)were independent risk factors of VR.During a mean of(13.0±7.1)months follow up,among paroxysmal AF patients,6 patients(8.1%)with VR and 33 patients(10.8%)without VR experienced AF recurrence(P=0.496).Kaplan-Meier curves estimated that the AF-free survival rate was similar between VR group and non-VR group among paroxysmal AF patients(log-rank P=0.735).Conclusions:The most common sites of VR when initiating PVI from right RSPV occur in left superior ganglionated plexi.Paroxysmal AF,BMI≥28.0 kg/m2 and LVEF≥62.0%are independent risk factors of VR.VR does not affect AF-free survival.
8.Research Progress of Remote Monitoring in Patients With Heart Failure
Qiongling WANG ; Huang SUN ; Wenjie LIU ; Lihui ZHENG ; Yimin LI ; Nan WANG ; Ruijie LI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(5):516-520
Heart failure(HF)is the final stage of various cardiovascular diseases.The period of high incidence of death and readmission in patients with HF within 2 to 3 months after discharge is defined as the"vulnerable period".The management of vulnerable period focuses on how to identify high-risk groups with the need of close follow-up and more active intervention.Despite the application of various effective medical treatment and nursing strategies,readmissions in HF patients remain high,which not only poses a significant financial burden on the healthcare system but also carries the prognostic impact of worsening survival associated with repeated hospitalizations.Remote monitoring is a promising approach for early detection of worsening HF and intervention before apparent decompensation.Remote monitoring includes patient reporting of remote vital signs monitoring,wearable devices,information from cardiac implantable electronic devices and invasive remote hemodynamic monitoring.Remote cardiac monitoring devices have developed rapidly.A wide variety of monitoring devices have been developed,and trials have been conducted to explore the availability and safety of remote monitoring devices and their effectiveness in reducing the risk of HF re-hospitalization.Wearable devices are easy to be accepted by patients because of their non-invasive,portable,cost and other factors.
9.Origin Traceability Study of Artemisiae Argyi Folium Based on Elemental Fingerprint Combined with Chemometrics
Yiqin FEI ; Lihui ZHENG ; Bo WANG ; Ling XIAO ; Pan LYU ; Min HU ; Shimei PENG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(7):1142-1149
Objective To establish an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS)method for the analysis of 29 mineral elements in Artemisiae Argyi Folium(AAF),and to develop a model for judging the origin of AAF based on the elemental fingerprint combined with chemometrics.Methods The variance method was used to compare the contents of 29 mineral elements in AAF samples from Qichun of Hubei province,Hebei province and Henan province,respectively.The discriminant models of AAF from different habitats were established by discriminant analysis,PLS-DA and PCA-Logistic regression algorithms.Results The differences of the 22 elements(V,Cr,Ni,As,Se,Rb,Mo,Cd,Sb,Ba,Hg,Pb,K,Li,B,Mg,Al,P,Ca,Fe,Zn,and Ga)in samples from Qichun of Hubei province,Hebei province and Henan province are extremely significant(P<0.01).The discriminant analysis model showed that eight kinds of element variables(P,Cr,K,Li,Hg,Ba,Mg,and Mo),which have a significant effect on the origin discrimination are gradually introduced into the discriminant model,and the correct rate of back test is 100%.The correct rate of"leave one method"cross-validation is 96.7%.The PLS-DA model showed good prediction ability,and the variable importance projection values of K,P and Mg elements were greater than one,which could be used as the difference marker of AAF from different habitats.The accuracy of the origin discrimination model constructed by PC A-Logistic regression analysis was 100%.The elements with high first principal component loadings were Li,B,Mg,Al,P,K,Ca,V,Cr,Fe,Ni,Zn,As,Rb,Cd,Sb,and Ba.Conclusion This study shows that elemental fingerprint technology combined with chemometric analysis can identify AAF from Qichun of Hubei province,Hebei province,or Henan,providing technical support for the traceability of the origin of Artemisia argyi.
10.Metformin attenuates insulin resistance by activating hypothalamic MC4R in high-fat diet-fed rats
Yan LI ; Haohao ZHANG ; Yanqi REN ; Lihui FENG ; Youqin WANG ; Lu ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(8):1467-1476
AIM:To explore the central mechanisms by which metformin(Met)attenuates insulin resistance in high-fat diet(HF)-fed rats.METHODS:Forty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal chow(NC)group,HF group,HF+Met group,and HF+Met+SHU9119[melanocortin 4 receptor(MC4R)antagonist]group,with 10 rats per group.Treatments with HF and Met lasted for 12 weeks,while SHU9119 was injected for the last 10 d.Skeletal muscle AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)ex-pression and activity were measured,along with mitochondria oxidative stress markers,mitochondrial function and quanti-ty.Systemic and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity were assessed using the average glucose infusion rate from 60 to 120 min(GIR60-120)and 2-deoxyglucose uptake(DGU)during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.RESULTS:The rats in HF group exhibited significantly reduced expression and activity of AMPK/SIRT1 in skeletal muscles(P<0.05).More-over,mitochondrial oxidative stress markers,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA),were marked-ly elevated(P<0.05),and the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase(GPX)and manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD)was significantly decreased in HF group(P<0.05).There was also a notable decline in the activity of citrate synthase(P<0.05),a marker of mitochondrial oxidative capacity,and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in HF group.These changes were correlated with significantly decreased GIR60-120 and DGU(P<0.05).Notably,Met treat-ment(HF+Met)restored the AMPK/SIRT1 expression and activity,improved mitochondrial function,and reduced oxida-tive stress,leading to improved insulin sensitivity(P<0.05).However,these beneficial effects of Met were reversed by the MC4R antagonist SHU9119 in HF+Met+SHU9119 group.CONCLUSION:Treatment with Met enhances skeletal muscle AMPK/SIRT1 expression and activity,reverses mitochondrial dysfunction,and improves insulin resistance in HF-fed rats.These effects might be mediated through the activation of hypothalamic MC4R.

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