1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Exploring the mechanism of myofascial trigger points deactivation by Tuina via the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway
Liya TANG ; Xiaowei LIU ; Jiadong ZANG ; Yuqiao ZHANG ; Xiang FENG ; Wu LI ; Jiangshan LI
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):103-113
Objective:
To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby deactivating these points.
Methods:
This study comprised two experimental phases. In phase 1, 27 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control 1, model 1, and Tuina 1 groups. Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise. After successful modeling, rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb. Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold (PPT) and soft tissue tension (STT). Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ⅲ, and TGF-β1. In phase 2, 45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups: control 2, model 2, Tuina 2, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TI), and Tuina + TGF-β1 agonist (Tuina + TA) groups. All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling. Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation. TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine, while Tuina + TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group. WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-Smad3)/Smad3.
Results:
In phase 1, Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats (P < 0.01), reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement, abnormal myocyte morphology, and exacerbated fibrosis. In addition, in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group, expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) were upregulated, and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs. In phase 2, compared with model 2 group, rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs, alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist, the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated, with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs, and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
Conclusion
Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.
3.Mechanism of Qingre antai decoction in improving pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome based on JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT dual signaling pathways
Liya MA ; Yanduo SHEN ; Jiale ZHANG ; Liujun WU ; Bingheng XIE ; Xingfei WU ; Chen LIU ; Minghao ZHANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1127-1133
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Qingre antai decoction improves pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome. METHODS The pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dydrogesterone group (0.002 g/kg), and Qingre antai decoction group (44.1 g/kg), with 13 rats in each group. Except for normal group, other groups were given warming-yang Chinese medicine and corresponding drugs intragastrically, once a day, for 12 consecutive days. On the 13th day of pregnancy, a single intragastric administration of mifepristone (5 mg/kg) was performed to establish a model of threatened abortion with blood heat syndrome. On the 14th day of pregnancy, the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated; the pathological morphology of pregnant uterine was observed; the serum levels of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid hormone (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) in the pregnant uterus were all determined; the expressions of mRNA and protein related to Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways were detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group, the model group exhibited endometrial tissue damage, a reduced number of decidual cells, and a significant presence of blood stasis within the uterus; abortion rate, the serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH, the mRNA expressions of JAK2, STAT3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) as well as protein expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 in the pregnant uterus were increased significantly ( P <0.05); uterine coefficient, the levels of VEGF and NO in pregnant uterus, mRNA expressions of VEGFR2, PI3K, AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS), protein expressions of VEGFR2, PI3K and eNOS as well as phosphorylation level of AKT in the pregnant uterus were significantly reduced ( P <0.05). Compared with model group, the endometrial tissue damage and congestion in the Qingre antai decoction group were significantly improved, and the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qingre antai decoction can improve the pregnancy outcomes in rats with threatened abortion of blood heat syndrome, the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and activating PI3K/AKT pathway.
4.Cognitive and motor abilities in post-stroke rehabilitation patients and factors related to falls
Wei PU ; Xuezhi YANG ; Cuicui LIU ; Xiao YANG ; Xiaosong QI ; Yutian ZHANG ; Liya ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(4):185-188
Objective To analyze the relationship between cognitive function, motor ability and the risk of falls in patients during the rehabilitation period after stroke. Methods A total of 330 patients with stroke who received rehabilitation treatment in the hospital from February 2022 to February 2025 were classified into fall group (n=105) and non-fall group (n=225) based on the occurrence of falls during rehabilitation period. The clinical data of patients were collected, and the motor function of patients was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer scale, and the cognitive function of patients was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were applied to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of falls. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between motor ability, cognitive function and risk of falls. Results The proportions of osteoporosis, malnutrition, sleep disorder and history of falls in the fall group were higher while the education level, Fugl-Meyer score and MMSE score were lower compared to the non-fall group (P<0.05). After logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that osteoporosis, malnutrition, sleep disorder, history of falls, low education level, low Fugl-Meyer score and low MMSE score were risk factors for falls in patients during post-stroke rehabilitation period (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that the motor ability and cognitive function in patients during post-stroke rehabilitation period were negatively associated with the occurrence of falls (r=-0.579, -0.438, P<0.001). Conclusion The cognitive function, motor ability of patients in the post-stroke rehabilitation period are closely related to the risk of falls. Clinically, the risk of falls in patients during post-stroke rehabilitation period can be reduced by improving the motor ability and cognitive function.
5.Effects of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids on type 2 diabe-tes mellitus and the progress
Mengli ZHANG ; Fangfang WU ; Zhien TAN ; Min OU ; Lingjie LIU ; Na LU ; Liya QIAO ; Xia-onan YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(4):526-532
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabol-ic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels.Traditionally,amino acids are primarily viewed as the basic building blocks for proteins and peptide synthesis.However,in recent years,amino acids have gained increased attention as signaling mole-cules that play crucial roles in the maintenance and regulation of metabolic homeostasis.It has been found that there is a close correlation between the metabolism of branched-chain and/or aromatic amino acids and the occurrence or development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Furthermore,there have been successive reports on the regulation mecha-nism involved.This article will focus on the meta-bolic processes,mechanisms and clinical value of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids in type 2 diabetes mellitus.It will also summarize and pro-vide an outlook on the current state of amino acid metabolism in the treatment of diabetes mellitus,with the aim of offering new ideas for the treat-ment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
6.Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Liaoning Cancer Regi-stration Areas from 2016 to 2020 and Trends from 2006 to 2020
Huijuan MU ; Yanxia LI ; Xiang MA ; Jun NA ; Liya YU ; Jiang TIAN ; Li LIU
China Cancer 2025;34(4):279-289
[Purpose]To analyze cancer incidence and mortality in Liaoning cancer registration areas from 2016 to 2020 and the trends from 2006 to 2020.[Methods]Cancer data in cancer registra-tion areas in Liaoning Province from 2016 to 2020 were collected.The incidence and mortality,age-standardized rate,cumulative rate(0~74 years old),and age-specific rate were calculated.Age-standardized incidence and mortality rate were calculated by the Chinese standard popula-tion(ASIRC,ASMRC)and Segi world standard population(ASIRW,ASMRW).Joinpoint software was applied to analyze the trends of incidence and mortality.[Results]From 2016 to 2020,the crude incidence rate of cancer in Liaoning cancer registration areas was 422.30/105,the ASIRC and ASIRW were 215.67/105 and 209.52/105.The ASIRC was higher in urban areas(225.00/105)than that in rural areas(190.15/105),and higher in male(221.47/105)than that in female(213.03/105).The crude mortality rate was 254.22/105,the ASMRC and ASMRW were 113.26/105 and 112.91/105.The ASMRC in urban areas(113.12/105)was the same as that in rural areas(113.01/105),and higher in male(146.86/105)than that in female(83.46/105).The ASIRW of lung cancer was 46.13/105,and the ASMRW was 32.04/105,both ranking the first of all cancers.From 2006 to 2020,the crude incidence,ASIRC and ASIRW in urban areas showed an increasing trend(AAPC=3.921%,t=16.222,P<0.05;AAPC=0.823%,t=2.409,P<0.05;AAPC=0.875%,t=2.933,P<0.05).The crude incidence,ASIRC and ASIRW in urban female were all rising(AAPC=4.151%,t=15.888,P<0.05;AAPC=1.597%,t=4.819,P<0.05;AAPC=1.514%,t=4.752,P<0.05).During the same period,the cancer mortality in urban areas showed an increasing trend(AAPC=3.175%,t=14.745,P<0.05),and the ASMRW showed a decreasing trend(AAPC=-0.908%,t=-2.273,P<0.05).The crude mor-tality of both men and women showed an increasing trend(AAPC=3.010%,t=6.032,P<0.05;AAPC=2.820%,t=5.921,P<0.05),while the crude mortality and ASMRW for female showed a significant downward trend(AAPC=-1.487%,t=-2.437,P<0.05;AAPC=-2.680%,t=-2.246,P<0.05).From 2016 to 2020,the crude incidence,ASIRC and ASIRW in rural areas showed no significant change;however,the crude incidence in male was increasing(AAPC=2.025%,t=3.853,P<0.05).In the same period,the crude mortality rate in rural areas increased(AAPC=3.577%,t=9.377,P<0.05),while there was no significant change in the ASMRC and ASMRW.The crude mortality of both men and women showed an increasing trend(AAPC=3.377%,t=10.615,P<0.05;AAPC=3.978%,t=7.245,P<0.05),while there was no significant change in ASMRC and ASMRW.[Conclusion]The cancer burden in Liaoning from 2016 to 2020 was higher than the average level in China,can-cer prevention and control should be further strengthened in the provice.
7.The influence of phase coding on streaking artifact of Star-volumetric interpolated body examination sequence
Jun LIU ; Jianwei WANG ; Lulu XU ; Hai XU ; Zhisheng LIN ; Liya JI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):857-860
Objective To discuss the mechanism of the streaking artifact of Star-volumetric interpolated body examination(Star-VIBE)sequence and the influence of phase coding on it.Methods Twenty-six volunteers underwent many times Star-VIBE sequences scanning with different phase coding(320,640,960,1 280,1 600).The severity of streaking artifact of images in different phase cod-ing groups was evaluated qualitatively.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of muscle,thyroid and contrast-enhanced artery,contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between soft tissues,and CNR between muscle and contrast-enhanced artery of the images in different phase coding groups were evaluated quantitatively.Results In qualitative evaluation,with the number of phase coding increased,the streaking artifact decreased(H=83.022,P<0.005).In quantitative evaluation,SNRmuscle,SNRthyroid,SNRcontrast-enhanced artery and CNRcontrast-enhanced gradually increased with the increase of phase coding number(SNRmuscle:F=6.913,P<0.005;SNRthyroid:F=3.930,P=0.005;SNRcontrast-enhanced artery:F=6.980,P<0.005;CNRcontrast-enhanced:F=6.482,P<0.005),while CNRsoft tissue showed no statistical difference(F=1.114,P=0.339).Conclusion There is streaking artifact on the image of the Star-VIBE sequence,which can be reduced by increas-ing the number of phase coding appropriately.The most suitable phase coding is 960.
8.Effects of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids on type 2 diabe-tes mellitus and the progress
Mengli ZHANG ; Fangfang WU ; Zhien TAN ; Min OU ; Lingjie LIU ; Na LU ; Liya QIAO ; Xia-onan YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(4):526-532
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabol-ic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels.Traditionally,amino acids are primarily viewed as the basic building blocks for proteins and peptide synthesis.However,in recent years,amino acids have gained increased attention as signaling mole-cules that play crucial roles in the maintenance and regulation of metabolic homeostasis.It has been found that there is a close correlation between the metabolism of branched-chain and/or aromatic amino acids and the occurrence or development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Furthermore,there have been successive reports on the regulation mecha-nism involved.This article will focus on the meta-bolic processes,mechanisms and clinical value of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids in type 2 diabetes mellitus.It will also summarize and pro-vide an outlook on the current state of amino acid metabolism in the treatment of diabetes mellitus,with the aim of offering new ideas for the treat-ment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
9.The influence of phase coding on streaking artifact of Star-volumetric interpolated body examination sequence
Jun LIU ; Jianwei WANG ; Lulu XU ; Hai XU ; Zhisheng LIN ; Liya JI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):857-860
Objective To discuss the mechanism of the streaking artifact of Star-volumetric interpolated body examination(Star-VIBE)sequence and the influence of phase coding on it.Methods Twenty-six volunteers underwent many times Star-VIBE sequences scanning with different phase coding(320,640,960,1 280,1 600).The severity of streaking artifact of images in different phase cod-ing groups was evaluated qualitatively.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of muscle,thyroid and contrast-enhanced artery,contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between soft tissues,and CNR between muscle and contrast-enhanced artery of the images in different phase coding groups were evaluated quantitatively.Results In qualitative evaluation,with the number of phase coding increased,the streaking artifact decreased(H=83.022,P<0.005).In quantitative evaluation,SNRmuscle,SNRthyroid,SNRcontrast-enhanced artery and CNRcontrast-enhanced gradually increased with the increase of phase coding number(SNRmuscle:F=6.913,P<0.005;SNRthyroid:F=3.930,P=0.005;SNRcontrast-enhanced artery:F=6.980,P<0.005;CNRcontrast-enhanced:F=6.482,P<0.005),while CNRsoft tissue showed no statistical difference(F=1.114,P=0.339).Conclusion There is streaking artifact on the image of the Star-VIBE sequence,which can be reduced by increas-ing the number of phase coding appropriately.The most suitable phase coding is 960.
10.Intervention Effect and Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao Power in Rats of Spontaneous Abortion Based on Protenomics
Liya MA ; Bin LIU ; Shen GUO ; Zhaoxuan ZU ; Jingwen DU ; Jiahao GAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Tong ZHANG ; Aoyu QI ; Yu TANG ; Minghao ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):268-280
Objective To investigate the intervention effects and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion rats.Methods A total of 60 first-day pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups,with 10 rats in each group.The low,middle,and high dose groups were given Danggui Shaoyao power 5.175 g·kg-1,10.35 g·kg-1,20.7 g·kg-1,respectively,from 1 to 12 days of gestation,and the dydrogesterone group was given dydrogesterone tablet solution 2 mg·kg-1 once a day.On the 13th day of gestation,rats model of spontaneous abortion was established by intragastric administration of 5 mg·kg-1 of mifepristone tablet solution except for the normal group.Serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 were measured,and abortion rates and uterine coefficients were calculated.The pathological changes of pregnant uterus were observed by haematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The differential proteins in rats pregnant uterus were detected by Label-Free shotgun proteomic technique,and the PPI,Gene Ontology(GO),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways analysis of the differential proteins were analyzed.Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression levels of differential proteins.Results Compared with normal group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were decreased,and the abortion rates were increased in model group(P<0.05).There were abortion lesions of spontaneous abortion in model group.Compared with model group,the serum levels of GnRH,FSH,LH,E2 and uterine coefficients were increased(P<0.05),and the abortion rates were decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Proteomic results showed that a total of 550 proteins were quantified in this study.PPI analysis showed that a total of 159 proteins interacted with other proteins as hubs;the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the intervention effect of Danggui Shaoyao power on spontaneous abortion is related to the focal adhesion pathway,and involved upregulation of Akt2,Col6a1,Col6a2 and downregulation of Pten.Immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with normal group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was increased(P<0.05)in model group.Compared with model group,the expression level of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2 were increased(P<0.05),and the expression level of Pten was decreased(P<0.05)in dydrogesterone group and Danggui Shaoyao power low,middle,and high dose groups.Conclusions Danggui Shaoyao power has the intervention effect on spontaneous abortion,and its mechanism may be related to by demoting the protein expressions of Pten,and promoting the protein expressions of Akt2,Col6a1 and Col6a2.


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