1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Signaling Pathways Related to Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer: A Review
Maofu ZHANG ; Xinyu LI ; Yanyun SHEN ; Yeyuan LIU ; Jialin ZHONG ; Lulu CHEN ; Haihong ZHAO ; Zhongyang SONG ; Zhiming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):297-306
Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) are a group of pathological changes caused by abnormalities in the structure, morphology, and differentiation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Since the early symptoms are hidden and non-specific, PLGC is not easy to be diagnosed and it has often developed into intermediate or advanced gastric cancer once being diagnosed and missed the best time for treatment. Accordingly, the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year, which lifts a heavy burden on the patients. The pathogenesis of PLGC is complex, involving inflammatory microenvironment, bile reflux, glycolysis, autophagy, and apoptosis. Currently, PLGC is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory and endoscopic therapies, which are difficult to curb the development of PLGC. Therefore, seeking a safe and effective therapy is an important topic of modern research. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic view, exerts effects via multiple pathways, mechanisms, and targets. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other signaling pathways. By targeting these pathways, TCM can inhibit aerobic glycolysis, reduce oxidative stress, repair the inflammatory microenvironment, regulate cellular autophagy, and promote vascular normalization, thereby delaying or reversing PLGC. However, few researchers have systematically summarized the TCM regulation of PLGC-associated pathways. By reviewing the relevant articles at home and abroad, this paper summarized the roles of the above signaling pathways in the development of PLGC and the research progress in the regulation of signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PLGC, with a view to providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical research on PLGC and the drug development for this disease.
2.Propofol improves bone metabolism in rat models with osteoporosis
Na SUN ; Linlin SONG ; Jinjin CHI ; Lulu ZHONG ; Zhensheng WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(11):1451-1456
Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on bone metabolism in glucocorticoid induced osteoporo-sis(GIOP)in rat models by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods Rats were grouped into a blank group,model(GIOP)group,2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg propofol groups and a propofol+LY294002(5 mg/kg propofol+5 mg/kg LY294002)group,with 12 rats in each group.A small animal bone densitometer was used to measure the tibial bone density(BMD)of rats.ELISA was applied to detect the level of bone gla-protein(BGP),procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide(PINP)and type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide(CTX-Ⅰ)in rat serum.HE staining microscopy was applied to observe the pathological morphology of rat bone tis-sue.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Pi3k,Akt,mTor,Beclin-1,and p62 in bone tissue.Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins and autophagy related proteins in rat bone tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the tibial BMD,serum BGP,and CTX-Ⅰ levels of GIOP group decreased(P<0.05).mRNA expression of Pi3k,Akt,mTor and Beclin-1 in bone tissue decreased(P<0.05).mRNA and protein expression of p62 increased(P<0.05).The expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins and Beclin-1 protein in bone tissue decreased(P<0.05).Compared to GIOP group,the changes of above indicators were obviously alleviated in the 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg propofol groups(P<0.05).On the basis of treatment with 5 mg/kg propofol,the use of LY294002 inhibited activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy and interfered with the positive regulatory effects of propofol on bone me-tabolism and bone tissue morphology improvement in GIOP rats(P<0.05).Conclusions Propofol may improve bone metabolism in rat models of GIOP through potential mechanism of activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
3.Preliminary effectiveness of the whole-life cycle management model for valvular heart disease at West China Hospital: A retrospective cohort study
Zechao RAN ; Yuqiang WANG ; Siyu HE ; Shitong ZHONG ; Tingqian CAO ; Xiang LIU ; Zeruxin LUO ; Lulu LIU ; Jun SHI ; Yingqiang GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(07):968-976
Objective To propose a whole-life cycle management model for valvular heart disease (VHD), systematically elucidate its underlying logic and implementation pathways, and concurrently review and analyze its preliminary application outcomes. Methods Since 2020, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has established a management system encompassing "assessment-decision-intervention-follow-up", including: (1) a risk-stratified, tiered management pathway; (2) six core functions ("promotion, screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation") coordinated by disease-specific managers; (3) an intelligent decision support information platform; and (4) a collaborative network of multidisciplinary teams and regional academic alliances. To evaluate the effectiveness of this management model, we retrospectively included three cohorts: (1) the population screened by echocardiography from 2020 to 2024, analyzing the detection rate of aortic valve disease and risk stratification; (2) patients enrolled in the whole-life cycle management from April 2021 to December 2024, assessing follow-up outcomes, hospital satisfaction, and changes in quality of life; (3) patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from January 2022 to January 2024, evaluating the one-year all-cause mortality rate, perioperative complications, and improvements in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Results Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 583 874 individuals underwent echocardiographic screening. A total of 48 089 patients with aortic valve disease were identified, including 3 401 (7.1%) high-risk patients, 18 657 (38.8%) moderate-risk patients, and 26 031 (54.1%) low-risk patients. Among them, 2 417 patients were enrolled in whole-life cycle management. Patient satisfaction scores showed a yearly increase, rising from 73.89 points before 2020 to 93.74 points in 2024. The 1-year mortality rate in the TAVR cohort decreased to 5.3%, significantly lower than the 8.2% observed under early standard management between 2014 and 2019 (P<0.01). Conclusion Through process optimization and resource integration, the VHD whole-life cycle management model has demonstrated significant effectiveness in standardizing diagnostic and follow-up procedures, enhancing patient satisfaction and quality of life, and reducing mortality. These outcomes highlight its practical value for broader implementation in China.
4.Predictive value of three stroke scale models on prognosis of acute cerebral infarction after intravenous thrombolytic therapy
Shanshan LIU ; Liang ZHONG ; Xiaoxuan HAN ; Lulu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(11):1463-1466
Objective To analyze the predictive value of Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),acute stroke registry and analysis of Lausanne(ASTRAL)and totaled health risks in vascular events(THRIVE)for prognosis of intravenous thrombolysis in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI).Methods A total of 118 elderly ACI patients receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy in Department of Emergency Medicine of Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital from January 2021 to September 2024 were prospectively recruited.According to the score of Modified Rankin scale(mRS)at 3 months after treatment,the patients were divided into good prognosis group(73 cases)and poor prognosis group(45 cases).The scores of ASPECTS,ASTRAL and THRIVE models were compared between the two groups.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive efficiency of the three models for 3-month prognosis,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated.Results The poor prognosis group had significantly higher ASTRAL score and THRIVE score but obviously lower ASPECTS score when compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC value of ASPECTS,ASTRAL and THRIVE models for prognosis evaluation was 0.731,0.935 and 0.799,respectively(P<0.01),with excellent goodness of fit.Conclusion All the three models can effectively predict the prognosis of elderly ACI patients at 3 months after intravenous thrombolytic therapy.
5.Predictive value of three stroke scale models on prognosis of acute cerebral infarction after intravenous thrombolytic therapy
Shanshan LIU ; Liang ZHONG ; Xiaoxuan HAN ; Lulu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(11):1463-1466
Objective To analyze the predictive value of Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),acute stroke registry and analysis of Lausanne(ASTRAL)and totaled health risks in vascular events(THRIVE)for prognosis of intravenous thrombolysis in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI).Methods A total of 118 elderly ACI patients receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy in Department of Emergency Medicine of Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital from January 2021 to September 2024 were prospectively recruited.According to the score of Modified Rankin scale(mRS)at 3 months after treatment,the patients were divided into good prognosis group(73 cases)and poor prognosis group(45 cases).The scores of ASPECTS,ASTRAL and THRIVE models were compared between the two groups.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive efficiency of the three models for 3-month prognosis,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated.Results The poor prognosis group had significantly higher ASTRAL score and THRIVE score but obviously lower ASPECTS score when compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC value of ASPECTS,ASTRAL and THRIVE models for prognosis evaluation was 0.731,0.935 and 0.799,respectively(P<0.01),with excellent goodness of fit.Conclusion All the three models can effectively predict the prognosis of elderly ACI patients at 3 months after intravenous thrombolytic therapy.
6.Dexmedetomidine attenuates osteoporosis in rats
Na SUN ; Linlin SONG ; Jinjin CHI ; Lulu ZHONG ; Zhensheng WANG ; Xinyun WEI
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(12):1656-1662
Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine(Dex)on osteoporosis(OP)rats and possible mechanisms.Methods The rats were divided into sham operation group,osteoporosis model group(OP,replica-ting the OP rat model with bilateral ovariectomies),Dex-L,M,and H(Dex low,medium,and high dose treat-ments)groups and Dex-H+XAV-939 group(Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor).Micro-CT was applied to meas-ure bone mineral density(BMD)and bone microstructure of rat femurs.The three-point bending experiment was applied to analyze the biomechanics of the femur(maximum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus).HE stai-ning was applied to observe pathological changes in the femur of rats.ELISA method was applied to evaluate bone metabolism indicators such as alkaline phosphatase(ALP),typeⅠ procollagen amino-terminal peptide(PINP)and typeⅠcollagen cross-linked C-telopeptide(CTX-Ⅰ).The expression of Runx2 and Wnt3a was examined by Immunohistochemistry.Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of Runx2 and Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway in femoral tissue.Results Compared to the Sham group,the bone volume and number of trabeculae in OP group were obviously reduced,the maximum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression decreased,CTX-Ⅰ increased(P<0.05).Compared to the OP group,the bone trabecular structure in the Dex-L,M,and H groups was restored,the maxi-mum load,fracture deflection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression all increased but CTX-Ⅰ decreased(P<0.05).Compared to the Dex-H group,the bone trabecular injury in the Dex-H+XAV-939 group showed a more severe damage.The maximum load,fracture de-flection,elastic modulus,BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,BV/TV,ALP,PINP,Runx2,Wnt3a,β-catenin expression decreased while CTX-Ⅰ increased(P<0.05).Conclusions Dex may antagonize OP effects by improving bone density,biomechanical properties and microstructure.The underlying mechanism might be related to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
7.A preliminary study on the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on the intestinal microecology of patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period.
Peiyan ZHONG ; Yimeng XU ; Shixian YE ; Feng YANG ; Lulu WU ; Guansheng SU ; Yuxin LIU ; Jiajie FENG ; Yu WANG ; Zhenyu WU ; Zeguang ZHENG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2023;35(4):352-357
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on intestinal microbiome and organism in patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period.
METHODS:
A prospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From December 2021 to May 2022, patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period who received FMT (FMT group) and patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period who did not receive FMT (non-FMT group) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were enrolled. The differences of clinical indicators, gastrointestinal function and fecal traits between the two groups were compared 1 day before and 10 days after enrollment. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes of intestinal flora diversity and different species in patients with FMT before and after enrollment, and metabolic pathways were analyzed and predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database (KEGG). Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between intestinal flora and clinical indicators in FMT group.
RESULTS:
The level of triacylglycerol (TG) in FMT group was significantly decreased at 10 days after enrollment compared with before enrollment [mmol/L: 0.94 (0.71, 1.40) vs. 1.47 (0.78, 1.86), P < 0.05]. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in non-FMT group was significantly decreased at 10 days after enrollment compared with before enrollment (mmol/L: 0.68±0.27 vs. 0.80±0.31, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in other clinical indexes, gastrointestinal function or fecal character scores between the two groups. Diversity analysis showed that the α diversity indexes of intestinal flora in FMT group at 10 days after enrollment were significantly higher than those in non-FMT group, and β diversity was also significantly different from that in non-FMT group. Differential species analysis showed that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria at the level of intestinal flora in FMT group at 10 days after enrollment was significantly lower than that in non-FMT group [8.554% (5.977%, 12.159%) vs. 19.285% (8.054%, 33.207%), P < 0.05], while the relative abundance of Fusobacteria was significantly higher than that in non-FMT group [6.801% (1.373%, 20.586%) vs. 0.003% (0%, 9.324%), P < 0.05], and the relative abundance of Butyricimonas, Fusobacterium and Bifidobacterium at the genus level of the intestinal flora was significantly higher than that in non-FMT group [Butyricimonas: 1.634% (0.813%, 2.387%) vs. 0% (0%, 0.061%), Fusobacterium: 6.801% (1.373%, 20.586%) vs. 0.002% (0%, 9.324%), Bifidobacterium: 0.037% (0%, 0.153%) vs. 0% (0%, 0%), all P < 0.05]. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis showed that the intestinal flora of FMT group was changed in bisphenol degradation, mineral absorption, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism, cardiac muscle contraction, Parkinson disease and other metabolic pathways and diseases. Correlation analysis showed that Actinobacteria and prealbumin (PA) in intestinal flora of FMT group were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.53, P = 0.043), Bacteroidetes was positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen (BUN; r = 0.56, P = 0.029) and complement C3 (r = 0.57, P = 0.027), Firmicutes was positively correlated with BUN (r = 0.56, P = 0.029) and complement C3 (r = 0.57, P = 0.027), Fusobacteria was significantly positively correlated with immunoglobulin M (IgM; r = 0.71, P = 0.003), Proteobacteria was significantly positively correlated with procalcitonin (PCT; r = 0.63, P = 0.012) and complement C4 (r = 0.56, P = 0.030).
CONCLUSIONS
FMT can reduce TG level, reconstruct intestinal microecological structure, change body metabolism and function, and alleviate inflammatory response by reducing the relative abundance of harmful bacteria in patients with severe pneumonia during the convalescence period.
Humans
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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
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Complement C3
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Convalescence
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Prospective Studies
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Feces
8.α/Sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrids agonist of GLP-1R with prolonged action both in vitro and in vivo.
Yan SHI ; Candy LEE ; Peng SANG ; Zaid AMSO ; David HUANG ; Weixia ZHONG ; Meng GU ; Lulu WEI ; Vân T B NGUYEN-TRAN ; Jingyao ZHANG ; Weijun SHEN ; Jianfeng CAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(4):1648-1659
Peptides are increasingly important resources for biological and therapeutic development, however, their intrinsic susceptibility to proteolytic degradation represents a big hurdle. As a natural agonist for GLP-1R, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is of significant clinical interest for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus, but its in vivo instability and short half-life have largely prevented its therapeutic application. Here, we describe the rational design of a series of α/sulfono-γ-AA peptide hybrid analogues of GLP-1 as the GLP-1R agonists. Certain GLP-1 hybrid analogues exhibited enhanced stability (t 1/2 > 14 days) compared to t 1/2 (<1 day) of GLP-1 in the blood plasma and in vivo. These newly developed peptide hybrids may be viable alternative of semaglutide for type-2 diabetes treatment. Additionally, our findings suggest that sulfono-γ-AA residues could be adopted to substitute canonical amino acids residues to improve the pharmacological activity of peptide-based drugs.
9.Doxorubicin-conjugated siRNA lipid nanoparticles for combination cancer therapy.
Kamila BUTOWSKA ; Xuexiang HAN ; Ningqiang GONG ; Rakan EL-MAYTA ; Rebecca M HALEY ; Lulu XUE ; Wenqun ZHONG ; Wei GUO ; Karin WANG ; Michael J MITCHELL
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(4):1429-1437
Evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, attributed in part to overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). In a variety of cancer types, including lymphoma, Bcl-2 is overexpressed. Therapeutic targeting of Bcl-2 has demonstrated efficacy in the clinic and is the subject of extensive clinical testing in combination with chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of co-delivery systems for Bcl-2 targeting agents, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), and chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin (DOX), holds promise for enabling combination cancer therapies. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a clinically advanced nucleic acid delivery system with a compact structure suitable for siRNA encapsulation and delivery. Inspired by ongoing clinical trials of albumin-hitchhiking doxorubicin prodrugs, here we developed a DOX-siRNA co-delivery strategy via conjugation of doxorubicin to the surface of siRNA-loaded LNPs. Our optimized LNPs enabled potent knockdown of Bcl-2 and efficient delivery of DOX into the nucleus of Burkitts' lymphoma (Raji) cells, leading to effective inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse model of lymphoma. Based on these results, our LNPs may provide a platform for the co-delivery of various nucleic acids and DOX for the development of new combination cancer therapies.
10. Diagnosis and individualized drug therapy for the rejection with hyperglycemia after liver Transplantation
Yining CHEN ; Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Lulu HUANG ; Hanbin XIONG ; Yu FU ; Baolin WANG ; Jiangen AO ; Jiake HE ; Yining CHEN ; Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Lulu HUANG ; Jiake HE ; Yining CHEN ; Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Lulu HUANG ; Jiake HE ; Jingsheng MA ; Xiaohui GUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jiake HE ; Jiake HE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2023;28(5):550-555
AIM: To establish individualized drug therapy strategy for patients with rejection and hyperglycemia after liver transplantation. METHODS: Clinical pharmacist collaborated with the surgeons and participated in the diagnosis and treatment of rejection and hyperglycemia after liver transplantation. Taking together liver function, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug-drug interactions between tacrolimus and wuzhi capsule, individualized drug therapy was adapted to improve the prognosis. RESULTS: The patient recovered well and survived in good health till now. CONCLUSION: It is highly suggested that clinical pharmacists actively involved in treatment of more severe and difficult-to-treat disease and design the individualized dosing regimens. This will largely contribute in reduced adverse drug reaction, improved safety and effectiveness in drug use as well as the quality of life in the "post-transplantation era".

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