1.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
2.Effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Prescription on sPD-L1 in Peripheral Blood of Patients Treated with EGFR-TKIs and Prognosis Analysis
Liping SHEN ; Yuqing CAI ; Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):219-226
ObjectiveTo observe the prognosis effect of soluble programmed death ligand-1(sPD-L1) in treating patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs) and the influence of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription. MethodA prospective cohort-controlled study was conducted to enroll patients treated with EGFR-TKIs in the first line of treatment,who were admitted to the Oncology Department of Longhua Hospital and Shanghai Chest Hospital from May 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2023, and they were evaluated as non-progressive and identified with deficiency of Qi and Yin after one month of treatment. The patients were divided into an exposed group (EGFR-TKIs combined with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription) and a non-exposed group (EGFR-TKIs alone)according to whether or not they were treated with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription and were treated until disease progression, or death and intolerable adverse reactions occurred. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the level of sPD-L1 in patients at the time of enrollment and disease progression,and Cox risk proportionality model was used to analyze the independent prognostic factors affecting disease progression of patients treated with EGFR-TKIs. ResultA total of 90 patients (39 in the exposed group and 51 in the non-exposed group) undergoing disease progression after EGFR-TKI treatment were enrolled. At the time of enrolment and after disease progression,the levels of serum sPD-L1 in the 90 patients were 12.06 (27.54) ng·L-1 and 41.99 (62.93) ng·L-1,respectively. Compared with that at the time of enrollment, the serum sPD-L1 level in the 90 patients was significantly increased after disease progression (P<0.01). The serum sPD-L1 level in patients in the exposed group was 12.27 (24.78) ng·L-1 and 29.57 (61.12)ng·L-1 respectively at the time of enrolment and after disease progression. In the non-exposed group, patients had serum sPD-L1 levels of 11.81 (28.46) ng·L-1 and 49.54 (74.12) ng·L-1 respectively at the time of enrolment and after disease progression. Compared with that at the time of enrollment, the serum sPD-L1 level in the two groups of patients was significantly increased after disease progression (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the non-exposed group, the sPD-L1 level in the exposed group was greatly reduced after disease progression(P<0.01). Cox multifactorial analysis showed that sPD-L1 level and age at the time of enrolment were associated with patients' progression-free survival(PFS),and that low levels of sPD-L1 (<12.06 ng·L-1) prolonged the PFS and reduced the risk of disease progression in patients treated with EGFR-TKIs compared with high levels of sPD-L1. ConclusionElevated sPD-L1 level is a poor prognostic factor for the long-term efficacy of EGFR-TKIs,and treatment with Yiqi Yangiin Jiedu prescription can down-regulate sPD-L1 level of patients treated with EGFR-TKIs.
3.Construction of a system for isolation and purification of NK cells from whole blood donations
Tengyu CAO ; Huayu LIN ; Xuanzhi ZHANG ; Cuimi DUAN ; Yi LIU ; Xiaonan XUE ; Liping SUN ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):181-188
[Objective] To explore the feasibility of using whole blood as a source of NK cells for allogeneic CAR NK cell therapy and activated NK cell reinfusion therapy, and initially construct a technical system for the separation and purification of NK cells from whole blood. [Methods] All peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were enriched from 400 mL of whole blood by manual separation and machine separation, respectively. The erythrocyte loss rate, PBMCs number, NK cell purity of the two methods were compared. NK cells were sorted from PBMCs by three separation and enrichment methods as immunomagnetic bead negative selection method, platelet lysate culture expansion and PERCOLL density gradient separation method, and the purity and yield of NK cells, the activity of NK cells and the tumor-killing ability of the three separation and enrichment methods were compared. [Results] The proportion of NK cells in the lymphocyte population was higher in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(13.16±5.16)% vs (8.56±3.92)%, P<0.05]; the number PBMCs was lower in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(4.09±1.80)×108vs (6.49±2.16)×108, P<0.05], and there was no difference in the red blood cell loss between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using immunomagnetic was (96.77±2.31)%; the yield was (56.27±10.47)%; the inhibition of tumor proliferation was (38.67±14.05)%; and the tumor killing rate was (19.90±8.05)%. The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using platelet lysis culture expansion method was the highest at day 7, which was (54.84±15.80)%; the cell expansion multiple could reach 16.92±6.28 at day 7; the in vitro tumor killing rate of NK cells was (15.83±5.5)%; the tumor inhibition rate was (44.33±13.5)%; and there was no difference in the toxicity and activity of NK cells between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched by PERCOLL density gradient separation method was (15.83±5.82)%, and the yield was (14±6.25)%, which was significantly lower than the other two methods. [Conclusion] PBMCs isolated from whole blood by manual separation and NK cells enriched by negative selection with immunomagnetic beads have the potential to provide NK cell materials for CAR-NK cell therapy, and NK cells enriched by platelet lysate-conditioned medium have the potential to provide NK cells for large-scale NK cell activation reinfusion therapy.
4.Effect and Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 Combined with Hirudin in Treating Myocardial Fibrosis in Mice After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Yi LIU ; Liping CHANG ; Yujie YIN ; Ningxin HAN ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):86-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) combined with hirudin in treating myocardial fibrosis in the mouse model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MethodSeventy-five C57BL/6N mice were randomized into sham, model, G-Rg1 (20 mg·kg-1), hirudin (20 mg·kg-1), and G-Rg1 (20 mg·kg-1) + hirudin (20 mg·kg-1) groups. The mouse model of AMI was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and continued gavage for 4 weeks. The success of the modeling was judged by ECG changes of mice before and after ligation. The heart weight index, echocardiography, myocardial fibrosis, type Ⅰ collagen α1(COL1A1), platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured before and after treatment. ResultAfter ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, the R wave and T wave merged into a tall tented wave, and the ST segment presented a "damaged" change, indicating that the model was successfully prepared. Compared with the sham group, the model group showed dull and dry hair, slow movement, increased heart weight index (P<0.01), decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) (P<0.01), increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd) (P<0.01), disarranged myocardial fibers, collagen fiber hyperplasia (P<0.01), increased expression of COL1A1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P<0.01), downregulated CD31 expression, and upregulated α-SMA expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups recovered the above indexes in different degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the combined group had better effect (P<0.05). ConclusionG-Rg1 combined with hirudin can ameliorate myocardial fibrosis after AMI by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecular protein in the heart tissue, reducing the adhesion of inflammatory cells, alleviating cardiac inflammation, and inhibiting cardiac endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
5.Molluscicidal effect of spraying different formulations of niclosamide ethanolamine salt with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in ditches
Zelin ZHU ; Xia ZHANG ; Junyi HE ; Ying CHEN ; Weisi WANG ; Hehua HU ; Chunli CAO ; Ziping BAO ; Suying GUO ; Liping DUAN ; Yi YUAN ; Jing XU ; Shizhu LI ; Xiaonong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(5):527-530
Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of spraying different formulations of niclosamide ethanolamine salt with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in ditches. Methods A semi-dry and semi-wet ditch with O. hupensis snails was selected in the second branch field of Jiangbei Farm, Jiangling County, Hubei Province in May 2023, and divided into 4 experimental areas, named groups A1, A2, B1 and B2. Environmental cleaning was performed in groups A1 and B2, and was not conducted in groups A2 or B2. Then, 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt was sprayed with drones at an effective dose of 2 g/m2 in groups A1 and A2, and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granule was sprayed with drones at an effective dose of 2 g/m2 in groups B1 and B2. O. hupensis snails were surveyed using the systematic sampling method 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after spraying, and the natural mortality and corrected mortality of O. hupensis snails were calculated. Results The occurrence of frames with living snails, mean density of living snails and natural mortality of snails were 97.50% (117/120), 6.30 snails/0.1 m2 and 1.18% (9/765) in the test ditch before spraying, respectively. There were significant differences in the mortality of snails among four groups 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after spraying niclosamide formulations with drones (χ2 = 17.230, 51.707, 65.184, 204.050 and 34.435, all P values < 0.01). The overall mortality rates of snails were 94.51% (1 051/1 112), 79.44% (908/1 143), 96.54% (977/1 012) and 88.55% (1 021/1 153) in groups A1, A2, B1 and B2 (χ2 = 207.773, P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, there was no significant difference in the overall snail mortality between groups A1 and B1 (P > 0.05), and the snail mortality in groups A1 and B1 were both statistically different from that in groups A2 and B2 (all P values < 0.05). Conclusion Both 50% wettlable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granule sprayed with drones are active against O. hupensis snails in ditches, and environmental cleaning may improve the molluscicidal effect.
6.Rapid Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Zhangbang Nine Steaming Nine Sun-dying Rehmanniae Radix Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Technique and Study on the Function of Solid Excipiemts in Alleviating the "Nourishing and Spleen-impairing" in Rehmanniae Radix
Xudong ZHU ; Wei YAO ; Feixia YAN ; Dong HUANG ; Song WANG ; Na ZHU ; Mingming YUAN ; Liping HUANG ; Yi WU
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1332-1342
OBJECTIVE
To study the chemical composition and the function of solid excipients in relieving the "nourishing and spleen-impairing" effect of Zhangbang nine steaming nine sun-dying Rehmanniae Radix(RR) by using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique.
METHODS
UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to collect the data of Zhangbang nine steaming nine sun-dying RR, and UNIFI platform and self-built database were used for the rapid qualitative analysis and identification of the chemical components of Zhangbang nine steaming nine sun-dying RR. The effect of solid excipients on the function of RR "nourishing and spleen-impairing" was investigated by establishing a mouse model of low gastric motility and measuring its gastric residual rate and small intestine propulsion rate.
RESULTS
The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UNFI platforms identified 76 chemical components in nine steaming nine sun-dying RR, including 9 iridoid glycosides, 11 phenylethyl glycosides, 31 flavonoids, 6 saccharides and 19 other compounds; the results of gastric emptying and small intestinal propulsion experiments on mice showed that Zhangbang nine steaming nine sun-dying RR had gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion effects.
CONCLUSION
This method can be used for the rapid identification and analysis of nine steaming nine sun-dying RR, which has solid excipients Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and Amomi Fructus to alleviate the "nourishing and spleen-impairing" function of RR. This study can provide a reference for quality control and elucidation of the material basis of the medicinal effects of specialty beverage of Zhangbang nine steaming nine sun-dying RR.
7.The application of ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of obese polycystic ovary syndrome
Yi ZHANG ; Liping CAO ; Xiaoyan LI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(2):177-181
Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography (UE) in patients with obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods:A total of 86 PCOS patients diagnosed in the Second People′s Hospital of Beilun District, Ningbo City from June 2019 to April 2022 were selected as the study group, including 32 patients with body mass inde(BMI) ≥25 kg/m 2 (obese group) and 54 patients with BMI < 25 kg/m 2 (non-obese group). Another 40 women with healthy physical examination and matching age and BMI of the study group were selected as the normal control group. All of them underwent routine vaginal ultrasound and UE examination, and the differences of parameters in each group were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of relevant parameters for PCOS and obesity PCOS. Results:The number of follicles and ovarian volume in the study group were higher than those in the normal control group, and the PI and RI of ovarian interstitial artery were lower than those in the normal control group: (17.50 ± 3.23) unit vs. (8.15 ± 2.01) unit, (12.97 ± 3.20) ml vs. (5.36 ± 1.82) ml, 0.82 ± 0.14 vs. 0.93 ± 0.20, 0.52 ± 0.12 vs. 0.58 ± 0.10, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The number of follicles and ovarian volume in the obese group were significantly higher than those in the non-obese group: (18.98 ± 3.45) unit vs. (16.62 ± 3.17) unit, (15.00 ± 3.15) ml vs. (11.77 ± 2.63) ml, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); but the PI and RI between the obese group and the non-obese group had no significant differences ( P>0.05). In the study group, 56 cases (65.12%) had type 1 elastic pattern, which was significantly higher than 4 cases (10.00%) in the normal control group ( χ2 = 17.61, P<0.01). The elastic pattern was no significant difference between the obese group and the non-obese group ( P>0.05). The elastic coefficient (B/A ratio) in the study group was higher than in the normal control group:7.86 ± 1.51 vs. 4.53 ± 1.10, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). The B/A ratio in the obese group was higher than that in the non-obese group and the normal control group: 8.76 ± 1.35 vs. 7.32 ± 1.34, 4.53 ± 1.10, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of B/A ratio for the diagnosis of PCOS was 0.962, when the cut-off value was 5.56, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 93.02% and 87.50%. The AUC of B/A ratio for the diagnosis of obese PCOS was 0.788, when the cut-off value was 8.35, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 78.12% and 85.19%. Conclusions:The UE has great diagnostic value for PCOS and certain discrimination performance for obese PCOS.
8.Prognositic value of anoikis and tumor immune microenvironment-related gene in the treatment of osteosarcoma
Dong WANG ; Qing DENG ; Yi PENG ; Zhaochen TONG ; Zixin LI ; Liping HUANG ; Jin ZENG ; Jinsong LI ; Jinglei MIAO ; Shijie CHEN
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(5):758-774
Objective:Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary malignant bone tumor commonly seen in children and adolescents,with a poor prognosis.Anchorage-dependent cell death(anoikis)has been proven to be indispensable in tumor metastasis,regulating the migration and adhesion of tumor cells at the primary site.However,as a type of programmed cell death,anoikis is rarely studied in osteosarcoma,especially in the tumor immune microenvironment.This study aims to clarify prognostic value of anoikis and tumor immune microenvironment-related gene in the treatment of osteosarcoma. Methods:Anoikis-related genes(ANRGs)were obtained from GeneCards.Clinical information and ANRGs expression profiles of osteosarcoma patients were sourced from the therapeutically applicable research to generate effective therapies and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ANRGs highly associated with tumor immune microenvironment were identified by the estimate package and the weighted gene coexpression network analysis(WGCNA)algorithm.Machine learning algorithms were performed to construct long-term survival predictive strategy,each sample was divided into high-risk and low-risk subgroups,which was further verified in the GEO cohort.Finally,based on single-cell RNA-seq from the GEO database,analysis was done on the function of signature genes in the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment. Results:A total of 51 hub ANRGs closely associated with the tumor microenvironment were identified,from which 3 genes(MERTK,BNIP3,S100A8)were selected to construct the prognostic model.Significant differences in immune cell activation and immune-related signaling pathways were observed between the high-risk and low-risk groups based on tumor microenvironment analysis(all P<0.05).Additionally,characteristic genes within the osteosarcoma microenvironment were identified in regulation of intercellular crosstalk through the GAS6-MERTK signaling pathway. Conclusion:The prognostic model based on ANRGs and tumor microenvironment demonstrate good predictive power and provide more personalized treatment options for patients with osteosarcoma.
9.Analysis of laboratory tests and prevention strategies for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by anti-M
Hecai YANG ; Xiaoli MA ; Yonglei LYU ; Dongdong TIAN ; Qunjuan ZENG ; Minglu GENG ; Yi CAO ; Liping WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(6):648-653
Objective To analyze the application of serological test results in the diagnosis and treatment of anti-M-in-duced hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn(HDFN),and to explore HDFN prevention strategies.Methods The se-rological test results of 12 cases of HDFN caused by anti-M diagnosed in our laboratory from January 2017 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,including blood group identification of mothers and children,serum total bilirubin/hemoglo-bin/antibody titer test,and three hemolysis tests in newborns.Clinical data of the children and mothers were collected,in-cluding pregnancy history,blood transfusion history,prenatal antibody testing,history of intrauterine blood transfusion and gestational week of delivery,and the prognosis of the children was followed up.Results All 12 cases of fetal neonatal he-molytic disease due to anti-M were RhD+MN phenotype newborn born to RhD+NN mother,with maternal-fetal incompati-blility in MN blood groups.In the ABO blood group system,ABO incompatibility between mother and child accounted for 41.7%(5/12).None of the mothers had a history of blood transfusion,and the median titer of the test at 4℃was 32,and the median titer at 37℃was 4.The mothers of 3 cases had a history of multiple intrauterine blood transfusions,with an inci-dence of 25%(3/12).One case had an abnormal first pregnancy,with an incidence of 8.3%(1/12),and seven cases had an abnormal pregnancy with a miscarriage,with an incidence of abnormal pregnancy and birth history of 58.3%(7/12).There were 6 cases of premature labor,with an incidence of 50%(6/12).The mothers in three cases underwent regular ob-stetric examination and the specificity of the antibodies was determined,accounting for 25%(3/12).Twelve children had free antibodies with a median titer of 6 at 4℃and 2 at 37℃.Two children had anti-M antibodies that were not reactive at 37℃,with a negative rate of 16.7%(2/12).The positive rate of DAT and elution test was respectively 8.3%(1/12)and 16.7%(2/12)in the children.The median minimum hemoglobin value was 75 g/L,and all 12 children received blood transfusions.The median peak total bilirubin value was 157.5 μmol/L,and none of them reached the threshold for blood ex-change.The rate of delayed anemia was16.7%(2/12),the postnatal mortality rate was8.3%(1/12),and 11 children was free of growth and neurodevelopmental delay in prognosis.Conclusion Anti-M can cause severe HDFN,which can also oc-cur in primigravida.The intensity of antibody titer does not correlate with the severity of the disease,and it is prone to cause delayed anemia,which should be monitored regularly according to the serological characteristics of anti-M and clinical symp-toms,and should be treated timely.
10.Study on the facial spectrum and color characteristics of patients with essential hypertension
FU Hongyuan ; CHUN Yi ; JIAO Wen ; SHI Yulin ; TU Liping ; LI Yongzhi ; XU Jiatuo
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(4):429-440
Methods:
From September 3, 2018, to March 23, 2024, participants with essential hypertension (receiving antihypertensive medication treatment, hypertension group) and normal blood pressure (control group) were recruited from the Cardiology Department of Shanghai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Coronary Care Unit of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, the Physical Examination Center of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Gaohang Community Health Service Center. This study employed the propensity score matching (PSM) method to reduce study participants selection bias. Spectral information in the facial visible light spectrum of the subjects was collected using a flame spectrometer, and the spectral chromaticity values were calculated using the equal-interval wavelength method. The study analyzed the differences in spectral reflectance across various facial regions, including the entire face, forehead, glabella, nose, jaw, left and right zygomatic regions, left and right cheek regions as well as differences in parameters within the Lab color space between the two subject groups. Feature selection was conducted using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, followed by the application of various machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). The reduced-dimensional dataset was split in a 7 : 3 ratio to establish a classification and assessment model for facial coloration related to primary hypertension. Additionally, model fusion techniques were applied to enhance the predictive power. The performance of the models was evaluated using metrics including the area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy. Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to interpret the outcomes of the models.
Results:
A total of 114 participants were included in both hypertension and control groups. Reflectance analysis across the entire face and eight predefined areas revealed that the hypertensive group exhibited significantly higher reflectance of corresponding color light in the blue-violet region (P < 0.05) and a lower reflectance in the red region (P < 0.05) compared with control group. Analysis of Lab color space parameters across the entire face and eight predefined areas showed that hypertensive group had significantly lower a and b values than control group (P < 0.05). LASSO regression analysis identified a total of 18 facial color features that were highly correlated with hypertension, including the a values of the chin and the right cheek, the reflectance at 380 nm and at 780 nm of the forehead. The results of the multi-model classification showed that the RF classification model was the most effective, with an AUC of 0.74 and an accuracy of 0.77. The combined model of RF + LR + SVM outperformed a single model in their classification performance, achieving an AUC of 0.80 and an accuracy of 0.76. SHAP model visualization results indicated that the top three contributors to ideal prediction results based on the characteristics from the facial spectrum were the reflectance at 380 nm across the entire face and of the nose as well as the a value of the chin.
Conclusion
Within the same age group, patients with essential hypertension exhibited significant and regular changes in facial color and facial spectral reflectance parameters after the administration of antihypertensive drugs. Furthermore, facial reflectance indicators, such as the overall reflectance at 380 nm and the a value of the chin, could offer valuable references for clinically assessing the drug efficacy and health status of patients with essential hypertension.


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