1.Literature Data Analysis on the Evolution Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Psoriasis Vulgaris
Kewen GUAN ; Xiuli XIE ; Chuanjian LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):834-840
ObjectiveTo explore the distribution and evolution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and syndrome elements in psoriasis vulgaris (PV). MethodsLiterature related to TCM syndromes of PV published in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Chinese Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from their inception to December 31, 2023, was retrieved. Statistical analysis was conducted on the distribution of TCM syndromes and syndrome elements in the included studies. The data were further categorized into five-year periods to analyze the dynamic changes in syndromes and syndrome elements over time. ResultsA total of 2,853 studies were included, with 5,896 syndrome occurrences. The most common TCM syndromes in PV were blood-heat syndrome (2,167 occurrences, 36.75%), blood-stasis syndrome (1,219 occurrences, 20.68%), blood-dryness syndrome (1,124 occurrences, 19.06%), and damp-heat syndrome (263 occurrences, 4.46%). The most frequent syndrome categories included blood syndromes (4,680 occurrences, 79.38%) and dampness syndromes (347 occurrences, 5.89%). The most common syndrome elements related to disease location were blood division (4,874 occurrences, 94.38%) and spleen (99 occurrences, 1.92%). The most common syndrome elements related to disease nature were blood-heat (2,213 occurrences, 25.96%), blood-dryness (1,434 occurrences, 16.82%), and blood-stasis (1,330 occurrences, 15.60%). Except for the period 1978-1983, blood-heat, blood-stasis, and blood-dryness syndromes consistently ranked among the top three, with their combined proportion showing an overall upward trend (from 67.65% to 81.69%). The proportion of spleen deficiency with damp obstruction syndrome also increased (from 0.24% to 1.46%). In terms of syndrome classification, the proportion of blood syndromes showed an overall upward trend (from 67.65% to 83.46%), ranking first in all periods. The proportion of dampness syndromes showed a general downward trend (from 17.65% to 4.54%), ranking second after blood syndromes in most periods except for 1994-1998 and 1999-2003. The proportion of spleen-related syndromes showed an overall increase (from 0.24% to 1.85%). Regarding disease location elements, the proportion of blood division remained stable above 90%, while the proportion of spleen involvement increased (from 0.68% to 3.23%). As for disease nature elements, blood-heat (from 19.23% to 33.27%) and blood-stasis (from 1.92% to 20.83%) significantly increased, while dampness initially decreased and then slightly increased (from 11.54% to 5.73%). ConclusionIn the distribution of PV-related TCM syndromes, blood-heat, blood-stasis, and blood-dryness syndromes are the most common. Blood syndromes dominate syndrome classification, with disease location primarily in the blood division and disease nature characterized by blood-heat, blood-stasis, and blood-dryness. Evolutionary trends indicate that blood-heat, blood-stasis, and blood-dryness syndromes remain predominant and are increasing in proportion, while spleen deficiency with damp obstruction syndrome is also rising. Among syndrome classifications, the proportion of blood syndromes is increasing, dampness syndromes are decreasing, and spleen-related syndromes are on the rise. In terms of syndrome elements, blood division remains dominant, while spleen involvement is increasing. The proportion of blood-heat and blood-stasis is significantly increasing, while dampness first declines and then slightly rebounds. Overall, the mainstream TCM perspective of treating PV based on blood differentiation remains unchanged, with syndrome distribution focusing on blood division. The increasing importance of spleen deficiency and dampness in disease pathogenesis represents a new trend.
2.Nano-traditional Chinese Medicine-Induced Cuproptosis and Ferroptosis in Tumor Resistance: A Review
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):308-314
Cuproptosis and ferroptosis, two recently identified metal ion-dependent forms of cell death, are triggered by homeostasis dysregulation of intracellular copper and iron, as well as oxidative stress. They demonstrate considerable potential in anti-tumor therapy. Cuproptosis arises from mitochondrial dysfunction and proteotoxic stress caused by copper overload, while ferroptosis is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits regulatory effects on cuproptosis and ferroptosis, its clinical application is hindered by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Through physical nanonization or carrier-based delivery technologies adopted by nano-TCM, the targeting specificity, stability, and bioavailability of drugs are significantly improved. By integrating sustained-release and controlled-release properties, metal ion homeostasis and redox balance in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can be precisely modulated. Research demonstrates that nano-TCM, such as celastrol-copper nanocomplexes (Cel-Cu NPs), induces cuproptosis by augmenting intracellular copper accumulation and suppressing glutathione (GSH) levels. Nano-systems encapsulating camptothecin or artemisinin trigger ferroptosis via Fenton reaction and GSH depletion. Synergistic strategies of nano-materials, including ferrum-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) combined with piperlongumine, further amplify antitumor efficacy. Despite advancements in targeting cuproptosis and ferroptosis, challenges persist in nano-TCM development, including complex fabrication processes, suboptimal dosage optimization, and insufficient integration with the holistic principles of TCM. Future research should focus on exploring the interaction between cuproptosis and ferroptosis, developing multi-targeted nanodelivery systems, and fostering deeper integration of TCM theory with nanomedicine to advance novel therapeutic strategies for oncology.
3.Nano-traditional Chinese Medicine-Induced Cuproptosis and Ferroptosis in Tumor Resistance: A Review
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):308-314
Cuproptosis and ferroptosis, two recently identified metal ion-dependent forms of cell death, are triggered by homeostasis dysregulation of intracellular copper and iron, as well as oxidative stress. They demonstrate considerable potential in anti-tumor therapy. Cuproptosis arises from mitochondrial dysfunction and proteotoxic stress caused by copper overload, while ferroptosis is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits regulatory effects on cuproptosis and ferroptosis, its clinical application is hindered by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Through physical nanonization or carrier-based delivery technologies adopted by nano-TCM, the targeting specificity, stability, and bioavailability of drugs are significantly improved. By integrating sustained-release and controlled-release properties, metal ion homeostasis and redox balance in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can be precisely modulated. Research demonstrates that nano-TCM, such as celastrol-copper nanocomplexes (Cel-Cu NPs), induces cuproptosis by augmenting intracellular copper accumulation and suppressing glutathione (GSH) levels. Nano-systems encapsulating camptothecin or artemisinin trigger ferroptosis via Fenton reaction and GSH depletion. Synergistic strategies of nano-materials, including ferrum-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) combined with piperlongumine, further amplify antitumor efficacy. Despite advancements in targeting cuproptosis and ferroptosis, challenges persist in nano-TCM development, including complex fabrication processes, suboptimal dosage optimization, and insufficient integration with the holistic principles of TCM. Future research should focus on exploring the interaction between cuproptosis and ferroptosis, developing multi-targeted nanodelivery systems, and fostering deeper integration of TCM theory with nanomedicine to advance novel therapeutic strategies for oncology.
4.Survey on the awareness and clinical application of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians
Yuanyuan KONG ; Yujie GUO ; Yujuan GUAN ; Xuan LIANG ; Zhongjie HU ; Xiaobo LU ; Mingqin LU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Meifang HAN ; Hong YOU ; Zhiyun YANG ; Jidong JIA
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1068-1074
ObjectiveTo investigate the awareness and clinical practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. MethodsFrom July 19 to December 31, 2024, a self-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed via the WeChat mini program to collect related data from 1 588 clinicians nationwide, including their awareness and practice based on 18 questions regarding testing and referral, diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up. ResultsAmong all respondents, only 350 clinicians correctly understood all the updated key points of antiviral indications and treatment for special populations in the 2022 edition of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with an overall awareness rate of 22.0%. Only 20% — 40% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and an age of >30 years receive antiviral therapy, while 80% — 100% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and a family history of hepatitis B cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma receive antiviral therapy. The median follow-up rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 67.5% 57.5% and 47.5%,respectively, showing a trend of gradual reduction, which might be associated with the influencing factors such as insufficient time for follow-up management by clinicians, insufficient awareness of the disease among patients, and poor adherence to follow-up. ConclusionThere is a gap between the awareness and practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. It is recommended to further strengthen training and focus on the whole process of “detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management” for patients with chronic hepatitis B in healthcare institutions, in order to promote the implementation of the guidelines.
5.Biological function of tRNA-derived small RNA and its expression and clinical significance in liver diseases
Yinli LI ; Yan XU ; Zhiwei GUAN ; Lu MENG ; Yitong QU ; Jianli QIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1227-1234
Liver diseases cannot be easily detected in the early stage, and although invasive diagnostic methods, such as liver biopsy, are relatively accurate, they tend to have a low degree of acceptance, which greatly limits the improvement in diagnosis and treatment techniques for liver diseases. Therefore, it is of great importance to search for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. As an emerging biomarker for liquid biopsy, tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) is abnormally expressed in various liver diseases including viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver injury, and liver cancer, and it can affect the development and progression of liver diseases by regulating the biological functions such as gene expression, epigenetic regulation, and protein translation. This article reviews the origin, classification, and biological function of tsRNA, as well as the research advances in tsRNA as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for liver diseases, so as to provide ideas for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.
6.The Mechanisms of Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors in Exercise Central Fatigue
Lu-Lu GUAN ; Bo-Te QI ; Du-Shuo FENG ; Jing-Wang TAN ; Meng CAO ; Yu ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1321-1336
Exercise fatigue is a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon that includes peripheral fatigue in the muscles and central fatigue in the brain. Peripheral fatigue refers to the loss of force caused at the distal end of the neuromuscular junction, whereas central fatigue involves decreased motor output from the primary motor cortex, which is associated with modulations at anatomical sites proximal to nerves that innervate skeletal muscle. The central regulatory failure reflects a progressive decline in the central nervous system’s capacity to recruit motor units during sustained physical activity. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of central neurochemical regulation in fatigue development, particularly through neurotransmitter-mediated modulation. Alterations in neurotransmitter release and receptor activity could influence excitatory and inhibitory signal pathways, thus modulating the perception of fatigue and exercise performance. Increased serotonin (5-HT) could increase perception of effort and lethargy, reduce motor drive to continue exercising, and contribute to exercise fatigue. Decreased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) neurotransmission can negatively impact arousal, mood, motivation, and reward mechanisms and impair exercise performance. Furthermore, the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems interact with each other; a low 5-HT/DA ratio enhances motor motivation and improves performance, and a high 5-HT/DA ratio heightens fatigue perception and leads to decreased performance. The expression and activity of neurotransmitter receptors would be changed during prolonged exercise to fatigue, affecting the transmission of nerve signals. Prolonged high-intensity exercise causes excess 5-HT to overflow from the synaptic cleft to the axonal initial segment and activates the 5-HT1A receptor, thereby inhibiting the action potential of motor neurons and affecting the recruitment of motor units. During exercise to fatigue, the DA secretion is decreased, which blocks the binding of DA to D1 receptor in the caudate putamen and inhibits the activation of the direct pathway of the basal ganglia to suppress movement, meanwhile the binding of DA to D2 receptor is restrained in the caudate putamen, which activates the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia to influence motivation. Furthermore, other neurotransmitters and their receptors, such as adenosine (ADO), glutamic acid (Glu), and γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) also play important roles in regulating neurotransmitter balance and fatigue. The occurrence of central fatigue is not the result of the action of a single neurotransmitter system, but a comprehensive manifestation of the interaction between multiple neurotransmitters. This review explores the important role of neurotransmitters and their receptors in central motor fatigue, reveals the dynamic changes of different neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, NE, and ADO during exercise, and summarizes the mechanisms by which these neurotransmitters and their receptors regulate fatigue perception and exercise performance through complex interactions. Besides, this study presents pharmacological evidence that drugs such as agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibitors could affect exercise performance by regulating the metabolic changes of neurotransmitters. Recently, emerging interventions such as dietary bioactive components intake and transcranial electrical stimulation may provide new ideas and strategies for the prevention and alleviation of exercise fatigue by regulating neurotransmitter levels and receptor activity. Overall, this work offers new theoretical insights into the understanding of exercise central fatigue, and future research should further investigate the relationship between neurotransmitters and their receptors and exercise fatigue.
7.Clinical features of hepatitis B virus-related early-onset and late-onset liver cancer: A comparative analysis
Songlian LIU ; Bo LI ; Yaping WANG ; Aiqi LU ; Chujing LI ; Lihua LIN ; Qikai NING ; Ganqiu LIN ; Pei ZHOU ; Yujuan GUAN ; Jianping LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1837-1844
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical features of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related early-onset liver cancer and those with late-onset liver cancer, to assess the severity of the disease, and to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 695 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related liver cancer for the first time in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, from January 2019 to August 2023, among whom 93 had early-onset liver cancer (defined as an age of50 years for female patients and40 years for male patients) and 602 had late-onset liver cancer (defined as an age of ≥50 years for female patients and ≥40 years for male patients). Related clinical data were collected, including demographic data, clinical symptoms at initial diagnosis, comorbidities, smoking history, drinking history, family history, routine blood test results, biochemical parameters of liver function, serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), virological indicators, coagulation function, and imaging findings. The pan-inflammatory indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were calculated, as well as FIB-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), S index, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, albumin-bilirubin (AIBL) grade, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of male patients and the incidence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease (χ2=6.357, 15.230, 11.467, and 14.204, all P0.05), and compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly higher proportion of patients progressing to liver cancer without underlying cirrhosis (χ2=24.657, P0.001) and a significantly higher proportion of patients with advanced BCLC stage (χ2=6.172, P=0.046). For the overall population, the most common clinical symptoms included abdominal distension, abdominal pain, poor appetite, weakness, a reduction in body weight, edema of both lower limbs, jaundice, yellow urine, and nausea, and 55 patients (7.9%) had no obvious symptoms at the time of diagnosis and were found to have liver cancer by routine reexamination, physical examination suggesting an increase in AFP, or radiological examination indicating hepatic space-occupying lesion; compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the patients in the early-onset liver cancer group were more likely to have the symptoms of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and jaundice (all P0.05). Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly larger tumor diameter (Z=2.845, P=0.034), with higher prevalence rates of multiple tumors and intrahepatic, perihepatic, or distant metastasis (χ2=5.889 and 4.079, both P0.05), and there were significant differences between the two groups in tumor location and size (χ2=3.948 and 11.317, both P0.05). Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group, the early-onset liver cancer group had significantly lower FIB-4 index, proportion of patients with HBsAg ≤1 500 IU/mL, and levels of LMR and Cr (all P0.05), as well as significantly higher positive rate of HBeAg and levels of log10 HBV DNA, AFP, WBC, Hb, PLT, NLR, PLR, TBil, ALT, Alb, and TC (all P0.05). ConclusionCompared with late-onset liver cancer, patients with early-onset liver cancer tend to develop liver cancer without liver cirrhosis and have multiple tumors, obvious clinical symptoms, and advanced BCLC stage, which indicates a poor prognosis.
8.Disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021
ZHOU Xiaoyan ; GONG Weiwei ; PAN Jin ; DAI Pinyuan ; GUAN Yunqi ; WANG Hao ; LI Na ; LU Feng ; ZHONG Jieming
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):757-761
Objective:
To analyze the disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and changes in its risk factors among residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021, so as to identify key priorities for COPD prevention and control.
Methods:
Data on COPD mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Standardized mortality and standardized DALY rate were calculated using the GBD 2021 world population standard structure. Premature mortality was computed via the life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was applied to analyze trends in COPD mortality, DALY rate, and premature mortality. Changes in deaths of COPD risk factors were evaluated using population attributable fraction (PAF).
Results:
From 1990 to 2021, the standardized COPD mortality in Zhejiang Province decreased from 272.40/100 000 to 70.56/100 000 (AAPC=-4.395%), and the standardized DALY rate declined from 4 167.37/100 000 to 1 071.89/100 000 (AAPC=-4.396%). Similar downward trends were observed in both males (AAPC=-3.933%, -4.173%) and females (AAPC=-4.785%, -4.480%), all P<0.05. Crude mortality and DALY rates increased with age, and the crude mortality and DALY rates of various age groups in Zhejiang Province showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The premature mortality declined from 4.37% to 0.60% from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC=- 6.206%), with consistent trends across males and females (AAPC=- 6.144%, - 6.379%, all P<0.05). From 1990 to 2021, particulate matter pollution showed the largest reduction in PAF (- 56.76%), while ambient ozone pollution had the largest increase (103.07%) in Zhejiang Province. By 2021, smoking became the leading risk factor for deaths of COPD (PAF=43.32%).
Conclusions
The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, and premature mortality for COPD show consistent declining trends in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021. However, risk factors such as smoking and ambient ozone pollution require intensified focus to further reduce disease burden of COPD.
9.Synthesis of phenylacetamide derivatives and their protective effects on islet cell damage induced by palmitic acid
Ai-Yun LI ; Li GUAN ; Wan-Zhen SU ; Yang-Yang LU ; Sheng-Jie ZHANG ; Wei-Ze LI ; Xiang-Ying JIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1130-1136
Aim To design and synthesize a series of phenylacetamide derivatives with different substituted phenylacetic acid as raw materials,and to investigate the protective effects of the compound on the damage of pancreatic β cells induced by palmitate acid(PA).Methods Min6 cells were cultured and divided into B blank control group,PA treatment group and PA+compounds group.The viability of Min6 cells was de-tected by CCK-8.The protein expressions of TXNIP and NLRP3 were observed by Western blot.MDA con-tent and SOD activity were detected by MDA and SOD kit.The insulin secretion of Min6 islet cells was meas-ured with insulin ELISA kit.Results A total of 10 phenylacetamide derivatives were designed and synthe-sized.Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and ESI-MS.Pharmacological activity study showed that most of the compounds had protective effects on islet βcells,among which LY-6 and LY-8 had stronger pro-tective effects than PA model group,with the cell via-bility of 61.4%,and LY-6 had the highest cell activi-ty,reaching to 104.9%.Compared with PA group,the protein expression of TXNIP and NLRP3 decreased in LY-6 and LY-8 groups,MDA content decreased and SOD activity increased,and insulin secretion of Min6 cell increased.Conclusions LY-6 and LY-8 inhibit TXNIP expression and decrease the activation of NL-RP3 inflammasome,and decrease the production of MDA and increase SOD activity,and thus reducing is-let β cells apoptosis and increasing insulin secretion.Therefore,the compound LY-6 could serve as a poten-tial anti-diabetic new chemical entity.
10.Research progress of hydrogen sulfide in H-type hypertension
Lu-Fan SHEN ; Hong WANG ; Hong-Ying LYU ; Guan-Jun JIA ; Ming-Shuang HOU ; Lin YI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1601-1607
Hydrogen sulfide(H2 S),an endogenous gas trans-mitter involved in the regulation of vascular tone,has a variety of physiological properties,such as antihypertensive,vascular re-laxation,anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential,and plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation.Chinese scholars call essential hypertension combined with hyperhomocysteinemia(HCY≥10 μmol·L-1)as H-type hypertension.Studies have shown that H2S can antagonized hypertension and hyperhomocys-teinemia,suggesting that H2S may be a potential therapeutic tar-get for H-type hypertension.Therefore,this article briefly sum-marizes the mechanism of H2S on hypertension and homocys-teine.Homocysteine(HCY)is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases.Hyperhomocysteine-mia(HCY ≥ 10 μmol·L-1)is a risk factor for coronary ath-erosclerotic heart disease,stroke,and other cardiovascular dis-eases,and Chinese scholars define primary hypertension accom-panied by hyperhomocysteinemia as H-type hypertension,which accounts for about 75%of the adult hypertensive patients in Chi-na.The treatment of H-type hypertension should simultaneously reduce blood pressure and plasma HCY levels.Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide(H2 S)can antagonise hypertension and high HCY,suggesting that H2S may be a potential therapeu-tic target for H-type hypertension.Therefore,this paper summa-rizes the mechanism of action of H2S on hypertension and HCY.


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