1.Risk factors for acute kidney injury after liver transplantation and establishment of a predictive model
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):380-386
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation, and to establish and validate a risk prediction model, and to provide a basis for early identification of high-risk patients and intervention in clinical practice. MethodsA single-center retrospective study was conducted, and clinical data were collected from 162 patients who received liver transplantation in Liver Transplantation Center of The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2020 to June 2025. The patients were divided into AKI group with 69 patients and non-AKI group with 93 patients according to the diagnostic criteria for AKI established by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes organization and the presence or absence of AKI within 7 days after surgery. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The univariate differential analysis was used to obtain the factors associated with AKI after liver transplantation, and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors and establish a nomogram model; the Bootstrap method with 1 000 repeated samples was used to perform internal validation of the model. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7∶3, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discriminatory ability, calibration, and clinical applicability of the predictive model. ResultsBody mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR]=1.281, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.037 — 1.582, P=0.022), serum creatinine (OR=1.097, 95%CI: 1.020 — 1.181, P=0.013), intraoperative blood loss (OR=1.005, 95%CI: 1.002 — 1.009, P=0.004), and cold ischemia time (OR=0.984, 95%CI: 0.976 — 0.991, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for the development of AKI after liver transplantation. The nomogram prediction model established based on the above factors had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.964 (95%CI: 0.931 — 0.997), with an optimal cutoff value of 0.319, a sensitivity of 0.971, and a specificity of 0.903. In the training set (n=113), the nomogram had an AUC of 0.969 (95% CI: 0.933 — 0.971), while in the validation set (n=49), the nomogram had an AUC of 0.941 (95%CI: 0.855 — 0.944). The calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted incidence rate and the actual incidence rate, and DCA showed that it had good net clinical benefit. ConclusionBMI, serum creatinine, cold ischemia time, and intraoperative blood loss are independent risk factors for the development of AKI after liver transplantation, and the nomogram prediction model established based on these factors performs well and has a good value in predicting the development of AKI after liver transplantation.
2.Establishment and application of a determination method for plasma concentrations of venetoclax,busulfan and voriconazole in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Zhenhua ZHANG ; Mengru ZHANG ; Aoxiang GUO ; Hui CHEN ; Shijian XIANG ; Benjie ZHOU ; Bingchen GE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1323-1328
OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole in plasma of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and apply it clinically. METHODS Plasma samples were subjected to protein precipitation using acetonitrile and subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using venetoclax-D 8 , busulfan-D 8 and posaconazole as internal standards. The separation was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex ® C 18 column with a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid solution (2 mmol/L ammonium acetate)-0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (gradient elution) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 40 ℃, the sample size was 5 μL, and the total run time was 3.10 min. An electrospray ionization source was employed, and positive ion scanning was conducted using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ion pairs used for quantitative analysis included m/z 868.4→636.3 (venetoclax), m/z 264.1→151.1 (busulfan), and m/z 350.1→224.0 (voriconazole). The above LC-MS/MS method was adopted to determine plasma concentrations of venetoclax and voriconazole in 10 AML patients, as well as plasma concentration of busulfan in 5 patients undergoing conditioning treatment for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. RESULTS The linear ranges of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole were 50-10 000, 15-3 000 and 50-10 000 ng/mL, respectively ( R 2 ≥0.999 0), with lower limits of quantification of 50, 15 and 50 ng/mL, respectively. The RSDs of intra-day and inter-day precision tests for all three analytes were all less than 10%, with accuracy (relative errors) ranging from -10.00% to 12.96%. The average extraction recovery ranged from 92.54% to 100.95%, and the average matrix effect was 89.98%-101.49%. Dilution reliability covered all dilution factors used in the test samples, and the absolute values of relative errors in stability tests were all≤16.25%. The plasma concentrations of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole in enrolled patients were 496.20-4 250.45, 233.48-2 002.28 and 475.51-5 710.18 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The LC-MS/MS method established in this study is rapid, sensitive and easy to operate, and can be used for the therapeutic drug monitoring of venetoclax, busulfan and voriconazole.
3.Prediction of the drug-drug interaction between sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate and clopidogrel based on the PBPK model
Die ZHANG ; Lichao ZHANG ; Mengru SUN ; Fengdan QIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1746-1750
OBJECTIVE To develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for sodium tanshinone Ⅱ A sulfonate (STS), clopidogrel (Clo), and its metabolites, to predict the potential drug-drug interaction (DDI) between STS and Clo during co-administration, and to identify the key factors influencing the predicte d DDI, and provide evidence for rational clinical medication. METHODS Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of Clo, its metabolites, and STS were retrieved from PubMed, DrugBank, and SwissADME for PBPK model development. The steady-state area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum concentration ( c max ) of clopidogrel thiol H4 (Clo-AM) were used as indicators to evaluate the DDI between STS and Clo. Single-factor sensitivity analysis was performed to identify key parameters influencing DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. RESULTS Compared with Clo alone, after 7 days of Clo combined with STS 40 mg, the AUC ratio and c max ratio of Clo-AM were 0.75 and 0.63, respectively. When the dose of STS was increased to 80 mg, the AUC ratio and c max ratio of Clo-AM were 0.62 and 0.56, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the absolute values of normalized sensitivity coefficients for the lipophilicity of Clo-AM, the inhibition constants of STS for CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, and the hepatic clearance of Clo-AM were 15.19, 11.34, 10.98, 3.08, respectively. These parameters were the highly sensitive parameters in the DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. CONCLUSIONS The established PBPK model can be used to predict the DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. Co-administration of STS and Clo may lead to decreased exposure of Clo-AM. The lipophilicity-related parameters of Clo-AM and the inhibition parameters related to CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are key parameters influencing the prediction of Clo-AM exposure, among which the inhibitory effects of STS on CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 may be an important mechanism mediating the DDI between STS and Clo.
4.Prediction of the drug-drug interaction between sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate and clopidogrel based on the PBPK model
Die ZHANG ; Lichao ZHANG ; Mengru SUN ; Fengdan QIAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1746-1750
OBJECTIVE To develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for sodium tanshinone Ⅱ A sulfonate (STS), clopidogrel (Clo), and its metabolites, to predict the potential drug-drug interaction (DDI) between STS and Clo during co-administration, and to identify the key factors influencing the predicte d DDI, and provide evidence for rational clinical medication. METHODS Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of Clo, its metabolites, and STS were retrieved from PubMed, DrugBank, and SwissADME for PBPK model development. The steady-state area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum concentration ( c max ) of clopidogrel thiol H4 (Clo-AM) were used as indicators to evaluate the DDI between STS and Clo. Single-factor sensitivity analysis was performed to identify key parameters influencing DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. RESULTS Compared with Clo alone, after 7 days of Clo combined with STS 40 mg, the AUC ratio and c max ratio of Clo-AM were 0.75 and 0.63, respectively. When the dose of STS was increased to 80 mg, the AUC ratio and c max ratio of Clo-AM were 0.62 and 0.56, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the absolute values of normalized sensitivity coefficients for the lipophilicity of Clo-AM, the inhibition constants of STS for CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, and the hepatic clearance of Clo-AM were 15.19, 11.34, 10.98, 3.08, respectively. These parameters were the highly sensitive parameters in the DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. CONCLUSIONS The established PBPK model can be used to predict the DDI between STS and Clo during co-administration. Co-administration of STS and Clo may lead to decreased exposure of Clo-AM. The lipophilicity-related parameters of Clo-AM and the inhibition parameters related to CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are key parameters influencing the prediction of Clo-AM exposure, among which the inhibitory effects of STS on CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 may be an important mechanism mediating the DDI between STS and Clo.
5.Study on the metabolomic mechanism of Limosilactobacillus reuteri in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucosal injury
Xinru WAN ; Jie CHEN ; Mengru YUAN ; Zhongxuan GUI ; Qingyi GE ; Mei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(6):1091-1102
ObjectiveTo investigate the metabolic mechanisms of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) in alleviating chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucosal injury (CIMI). MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the Control group, Model group, and L. reuteri treatment group (n=8 per group). Mice in the L. reuteri group were intragastrically administered L. reuteri (1 × 109 CFU/mL) for 10 consecutive days. From day 5, mice in the Model and L. reuteri groups were intraperitoneally injected with 5-FU (65 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days to establish a CIMI model. Body weight changes, colon length, and related indicators were recorded. Intestinal histopathological injury was assessed by HE staining with measurement of villus height and crypt depth. The expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, Claudin-4, Muc1, and Muc2 in ileal tissues were determined by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to evaluate intestinal barrier function. In addition, untargeted metabolomics was performed on cecal contents from each group to analyze metabolic profiles and enrichment of differential metabolic pathways. ResultsL. reuteri intervention significantly alleviated body weight loss (P<0.001) and colon shortening (P<0.05) in CIMI mice, effectively reducing ileal tissue pathological damage, and upregulating the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin4, Muc1, and Muc2 (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that L. reuteri treatment reversed the abnormal metabolic profile in the cecal contents of CIMI mice, bringing it closer to normal. Various differential metabolites, such as acylcarnitines and polyunsaturated fatty acids, might play an important role in L. reuteri-mediated alleviation of CIMI. These differential metabolites were primarily enriched in key pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. ConclusionThis study reveals that L. reuteri improves intestinal barrier function and alleviates CIMI by regulating the intestinal metabolic profile, particularly lipid and amino acid metabolism. It provides a novel potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of CIMI.
6.A Cross-Sectional Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitutions and Factors Associated with Hyperuricemia
Zhongyi ZHANG ; Fangli LI ; Shiping HU ; Shujie AN ; Xihuan ZHU ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Luyao JIN ; Yuhan ZONG ; Mengru ZHOU ; Ji WANG ; Huaiyu WANG ; Qi WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(20):2210-2218
ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and factors associated with hyperuricemia (HUA) in the HUA population, providing a reference for persona-lized prevention and management of HUA. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals who had completed both serum uric acid (SUA) testing and TCM constitution identification during health examinations. According to SUA levels, participants were divided into a hyperuricemia group and a normal SUA group; according to the constitution identification results, participants were classified into balanced constitution, single biased constitution, and mixed constitution. The distribution characteristics of TCM constitution were compared between the two groups; participants in the hyperuricemia group were stratified by sex and age (≥18 years and <40 years, ≥40 years), and the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution were compared across different sex and age groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with HUA, with further stratified analyses by sex and age. ResultsA total of 10 920 participants were included, comprising 4170 cases (38.19%) in the hyperuricemia group and 6750 cases (61.81%) in the normal serum uric acid group. According to TCM constitution, there were 420 cases (3.85%) with balanced constitution, 6108 cases (55.93%) with single biased constitution, and 4392 cases (40.22%) with mixed constitution. In the hyperuricemia group, there were 80 cases (19.05%) with balanced constitution; 2275 cases (37.25%) with single biased constitution, among which damp-heat constitution (1205 cases, 52.97%), phlegm-dampness constitution (500 cases, 21.98%), and qi-stagnation constitution (181 cases, 7.96%) accounted for relatively high proportions; and 1815 cases (41.33%) with mixed constitution, among which mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness (51.35%, 932 cases), mixed constitution involving blood stasis (47.00%, 853 cases), and mixed constitution involving damp-heat (41.21%, 748 cases) accounted for relatively high proportions. Logistic regression showed that qi-stagnation constitution (OR=1.68), mixed constitution involving qi-stagnation (OR=1.53), mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness (OR=1.55), and mixed constitution involving blood stasis (OR=1.50) were independently associated with HUA (P<0.05). Sex-stratified analysis showed that mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness was positively associated with HUA risk in females; age-stratified analysis showed that, among individuals aged ≥18 and <40 years, qi-stagnation constitution, mixed constitution involving qi stagnation, and mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness were positively associated with HUA risk (all P<0.05). ConclusionThe prevalence of HUA differs markedly by sex and age. Mixed constitution accounts for a higher proportion of HUA patients. Qi-stagnation constitution, mixed constitution involving qi stagnation, mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness, and mixed constitution involving blood stasis are associated with HUA. Notably, the specific association of mixed constitution involving phlegm-dampness in females and qi-stagnation constitution in young adults is particularly prominent.
7.Construction and practice of the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine
Zhipeng WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Chun YAO ; Minggang WANG ; Na WANG ; Mengru PENG ; Ningfang MO ; Yaqing ZHENG ; Rongzhen ZHANG ; Dewen MAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):370-374
Hepatic encephalopathy is a difficult and critical disease with rapid progression and limited treatment methods in the field of liver disease, and it is urgently needed to make breakthroughs in its pathogenesis. Selection of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies is of great importance in delaying disease progression and reducing the incidence and mortality rates. This article reviews the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis” and related prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy in traditional Chinese medicine/Zhuang medicine, proposes a new theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, analyzes the scientific connotations of “turbid”, “toxin”, and the theory of “turbid toxin pathogenesis”, and constructs the “four-step” prevention and treatment strategies for hepatic encephalopathy, thereby establishing the new clinical prevention and treatment regimen for hepatic encephalopathy represented by “four prescriptions and two techniques” and clarifying the effect mechanism and biological basis of core prescriptions and techniques in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
8.Hypoxic transcriptional phenotype and cellular ultrastructural changes of tumor-associated macrophages in gliomas
Haizhen FAN ; Lixia WANG ; Yue CHENG ; Lujing WANG ; Qianying RUAN ; Jiale JI ; Mengru WANG ; Zhen QIN ; Yi ZHANG ; Zhicheng HE ; Yifang PING ; Yu SHI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(9):904-911
Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the transcriptional phenotype and ultrastructure of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in glioma.Methods CD14+monocytes were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood samples collected from the Blood Bank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,and the cells were induced to differentiate into TAMs through co-culture with glioma cell-conditioned medium.Hypoxic TAM models were established using varying concentrations of cobalt chloride hexahydrate(CoCl2,50~400 μmol/L)or hypoxic conditions(1%,5%,10%O2)for 48 h,while normoxic TAM models(21%O2)served as controls.RT-qPCR and transcriptome sequencing were employed to analyze transcriptional changes in TAMs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was applied to compare the differences in angiogenesis,glycolysis and other hypoxia-responsive pathways between the 2 conditions.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)or immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the ultrastructural alterations in cytoskeleton,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),and mitochondria in normoxic and hypoxic TAMs(1%O2).Results Hypoxic TAMs exhibited up-regulated transcription of hypoxia-responsive markers(oxygen transport,glycolysis,pro-angiogenesis),with the effects correlating with hypoxia severity(P<0.05).GSEA revealed significant up-regulation of hypoxia,angiogenesis regulation,glycolysis and gluconeogenesis,and starvation stress pathways,alongside down-regulation of innate immunity,macrophage activation,cytoskeleton,and protein maturation pathways in hypoxic TAMs(P<0.05).TEM and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated obvious ultrastructure changes,including disrupted cytoskeletal organization,shortened rough ER with reduced ribosomes,mitochondrial swelling with cristae damage,and diminished ER-mitochondria contacts in hypoxic TAMs.Conclusion CoCl2 and hypoxia induce a hypoxic transcriptional phenotype in TAMs,which may potentially associated with ultrastructural remodeling of the cytoskeleton,ER,and mitochondria.
9.Application of an improved"outside-in"technique in hip arthroscopic surgery
Jing YANG ; Qiang WANG ; Baojin SU ; Baohua HE ; Hang SHI ; Yuchen SHANG ; Wei DONG ; Mengru LI ; Yuhao ZHENG ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(3):171-176
Objective To explore the clinical effect of applying an improved"outside-in"technique in hip arthroscopic surgery.Methods Totally 136 patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery between June 2021 and July 2023 were selected and studied retrospectively.According to their different surgi-cal approach,they were divided into a modified approach group(n=75,including 30 males and 45 fe-males,with an average age of 36±14)and a classic approach group(n=61,including 33 males and 28 females,with an average age of 31±11).Before as well as 4 weeks,3 months and 6 months after the surgery,both groups were evaluated using the visual analog scale(VAS)and Harris hip score,and observed their surgical complications.Moreover,the surgical outcomes and time of sur-gical approach establishment were compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in general information,preoperative VAS and Harris scores.More-over,no significant difference was found between the two groups in the Harris score after surgery.Compared with the classic approach group,the improved group had significantly less surgical time(49.0±16.9 min vs.66.0±13.3 min,P<0.05),without using the C-arm fluoroscopy during surgery.Moreover,in the modified approach group,the time for establishing the mid-anteriorapproach was sig-nificantly shortened(10.4±5.9 min vs.25.9±15.1 min,P<0.05),along with the traction time during surgery(66.0±13.3 min vs.49.0±16.9 min,P<0.05).Conclusion The modified"outside-in"hip ar-throscopy technique is a safe and effective surgical method,easier to operate,with shorter surgical time.
10.Discovery of a novel AhR-CYP1A1 axis activator for mitigating inflammatory diseases using an in situ functional imaging assay.
Feng ZHANG ; Bei ZHAO ; Yufan FAN ; Lanhui QIN ; Jinhui SHI ; Lin CHEN ; Leizhi XU ; Xudong JIN ; Mengru SUN ; Hongping DENG ; Hairong ZENG ; Zhangping XIAO ; Xin YANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):508-525
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.

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