1.Effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis:machine learning and 16S rDNA analysis
Fucheng GU ; Meixin YANG ; Weixin WU ; Weijun CAI ; Yangyi QIN ; Mingyi SUN ; Jian SUN ; Qiudong GENG ; Nan LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1058-1072
BACKGROUND:The Guilu Erxian Glue consists of Testudinis Plastrum,Cornu Cervi,Lycii Fructus,and Ginseng Radix.In earlier clinical observations,it is discovered that using Guilu Erxian Glue to treat patients with liver-kidney deficiency type knee osteoarthritis effectively alleviated knee pain,increased the range of motion,and improved walking ability.However,the exact mechanism by which oral administration of Guilu Erxian Glue can produce local therapeutic effects on the knee joint is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its mechanism using 16S rDNA sequencing and machine learning analysis.METHODS:Totally 18 female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,and Guilu Erxian Glue group,with 6 rats in each group.A knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgical method.After successful modeling,the Guilu Erxian Glue group was given a decoction of Guilu Erxian Glue by gavage,while the blank and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water.After 28 days of continuous intervention,high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the active ingredients of Guilu Erxian Glue.MRI imaging was used to observe the condition of rat knee articular cartilage.Fecal samples were collected;DNA was extracted using a kit,amplified and purified by PCR,and an Illumina sequencing library was constructed.The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for high-throughput sequencing to generate raw sequence data.After obtaining the raw data,QIIME2 software was used to process the data.Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size analysis and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species in microbial data.KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analyses were used to explore the association between key microbial communities and experimental groups.Linear discriminant analysis effect values and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species.Association networks were used to analyze the interactions between microbial communities,and machine learning methods were used to analyze the composition and changes of gut microbiota.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)LC-MS component identification was conducted on the traditional Chinese medicine formula of Guilu Erxian Glue,and a total of 7 effective ingredients were identified.(2)MRI imaging showed that synovitis scope of high-density shadows in rats of the Guilu Erxian Glue group was reduced,and the degeneration of medial femoral condyle cartilage was less than that in the model group.(3)16S rDNA sequencing showed that the model group rats exhibited significant microbial imbalance,with a significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level,while the proportion of Proteobacteria increased significantly(P<0.05).The gut microbiota structure of rats in the Guilu Erxian Glue group was significantly improved,and the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased,restoring a more diverse microbiota composition,approaching that of the blank group(P<0.05).(4)KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analysis showed that the Guilu Erxian Glue group significantly activated multiple metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and biotin synthesis pathways(P<0.05).(5)The results indicate that Guilu Erxian Glue contains seven active ingredients,and the changes in gut microbiota of knee osteoarthritis rats were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Guilu Erxian Glue can significantly improve the imbalance of gut microbiota,restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria,and have a significant impact on the composition of gut microbiota,providing scientific basis for the efficacy and mechanism of Guilu Erxian Glue.
2.Effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis:machine learning and 16S rDNA analysis
Fucheng GU ; Meixin YANG ; Weixin WU ; Weijun CAI ; Yangyi QIN ; Mingyi SUN ; Jian SUN ; Qiudong GENG ; Nan LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1058-1072
BACKGROUND:The Guilu Erxian Glue consists of Testudinis Plastrum,Cornu Cervi,Lycii Fructus,and Ginseng Radix.In earlier clinical observations,it is discovered that using Guilu Erxian Glue to treat patients with liver-kidney deficiency type knee osteoarthritis effectively alleviated knee pain,increased the range of motion,and improved walking ability.However,the exact mechanism by which oral administration of Guilu Erxian Glue can produce local therapeutic effects on the knee joint is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its mechanism using 16S rDNA sequencing and machine learning analysis.METHODS:Totally 18 female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,and Guilu Erxian Glue group,with 6 rats in each group.A knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgical method.After successful modeling,the Guilu Erxian Glue group was given a decoction of Guilu Erxian Glue by gavage,while the blank and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water.After 28 days of continuous intervention,high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the active ingredients of Guilu Erxian Glue.MRI imaging was used to observe the condition of rat knee articular cartilage.Fecal samples were collected;DNA was extracted using a kit,amplified and purified by PCR,and an Illumina sequencing library was constructed.The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for high-throughput sequencing to generate raw sequence data.After obtaining the raw data,QIIME2 software was used to process the data.Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size analysis and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species in microbial data.KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analyses were used to explore the association between key microbial communities and experimental groups.Linear discriminant analysis effect values and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species.Association networks were used to analyze the interactions between microbial communities,and machine learning methods were used to analyze the composition and changes of gut microbiota.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)LC-MS component identification was conducted on the traditional Chinese medicine formula of Guilu Erxian Glue,and a total of 7 effective ingredients were identified.(2)MRI imaging showed that synovitis scope of high-density shadows in rats of the Guilu Erxian Glue group was reduced,and the degeneration of medial femoral condyle cartilage was less than that in the model group.(3)16S rDNA sequencing showed that the model group rats exhibited significant microbial imbalance,with a significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level,while the proportion of Proteobacteria increased significantly(P<0.05).The gut microbiota structure of rats in the Guilu Erxian Glue group was significantly improved,and the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased,restoring a more diverse microbiota composition,approaching that of the blank group(P<0.05).(4)KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analysis showed that the Guilu Erxian Glue group significantly activated multiple metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and biotin synthesis pathways(P<0.05).(5)The results indicate that Guilu Erxian Glue contains seven active ingredients,and the changes in gut microbiota of knee osteoarthritis rats were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Guilu Erxian Glue can significantly improve the imbalance of gut microbiota,restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria,and have a significant impact on the composition of gut microbiota,providing scientific basis for the efficacy and mechanism of Guilu Erxian Glue.
3.Effect of sitravatinib on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Huan ZHANG ; Xiangyu WU ; Qianwen ZHAO ; Fajuan RUI ; Nan GENG ; Rui JIN ; Jie LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):600-607
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of sitravatinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. MethodsA total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into control group, CCl4 model group, and low- (5 mg/kg), middle- (10 mg/kg), and high-dose (20 mg/kg) sitravatinib groups. All mice except those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 4 consecutive weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since the first day of modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups were given sitravatinib at the corresponding dose by gavage every day. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured for the mice in each group; hepatic hydroxyproline content was measured; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1a1) in liver tissue. The therapeutic effect of sitravatinib was assessed based on the above results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, and ALT between the model group and the low-, middle-, and high-dose sitravatinib groups (all P>0.05). Hepatic hydroxyproline content decreased after sitravatinib intervention, with a significant difference between the middle-/high-dose sitravatinib groups and the CCl4 model group (both P<0.05). Histopathological staining showed that the sitravatinib treatment groups had a reduction in collagen deposition, along with thinning and fragmentation of fibrous septa, and in the high-dose sitravatinib group, 4 mice had a fibrosis stage of S0—S1 and 2 mice had a fibrosis stage of S2—S3, suggesting a certain degree of alleviation of liver fibrosis degree compared with the CCl4 model group (mainly S3—S4). The measurement of related molecules showed that sitravatinib downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col1a1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionSitravatinib can effectively alleviate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice, possibly by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen synthesis.
4.Analysis of Abnormal Hemoglobin Phenotypes and Gene Mutation in Diabetes Screening Population in Xi'an Region
Nan XU ; Zhi GUO ; Liang LIANG ; Yan GENG ; Youqiong LI
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(1):13-16,23
Objective To investigate the mutational spectrum and phenotype of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screening population in Xi'an Region. Methods A total of 30356 patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were collected and measured for HbA1c by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from January 2022 to December 2022. Both complete blood count and hemoglobin analysis were carried out when HPLC suggested an abnormal peak. Abnormal hemoglobins were identified by Sanger sequencing. Results In this study,the rate of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screening population of Xi'an region was 0.096% (28/30356). A total of 7 types of abnormal hemoglobins were detected:Hb E (n=10),G-Coushatta (n=6),Hb G-Taibei(n=6),Hb Q-Thailand (n=2),Hb North Manchester (n=2),Hb Ottawa (n=1) and Hb Queens (n=1). One case was Hb G-Taipei combined with IVS Ⅱ-659_664 (-GCAATA),the first report in the world. The abnormal hemoglobin phenotypes were normal except for seven cases of Hb E. Except for Hb G-Coushatta and Hb Ottawa,which did not interfere with the glycation test,the other five abnormal hemoglobins affected the glycation test results. Conclusion There is a certain prevalence rate of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screaning population of Xi'an,mainly Hb E,Hb G-Taibei and Hb G-Coushatta. Most abnormal hemoglobins present normal phenotypes,but they could interfere with glycation test results.
5.Relationships between color Doppler ultrasound parameters and insulin sensitivity index and clinical efficacy in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome complicated with hyperinsulinemia
Xizhen SUN ; Linlin GENG ; Juan CHEN ; Wei ZHANG ; Deming SUN ; Nan LI
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):82-89
Objective To analyze the relationships between color Doppler ultrasound parameters and insulin sensitivity index(ISI)and clinical efficacy in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)combined with hyperinsulinemia(HI).Methods A total of 140 3-week-old female SD SPF-grade rats were divided randomly into a PCOS without HI model(control group,n=70)and a PCOS combined with HI model(study group,n=70).After successful modeling,we used color Doppler ultrasound to detect the physical indicators,hemodynamic indicators,and ultrasound features of rat ovaries,and draw venous blood to evaluate ISI.Rats in the study group were treated with metformin by intragastric administration.The color Doppler ultrasound parameters of the good-effect and the poor-effect group were compared and a receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn to analyze the value of the color Doppler ultrasound parameters for evaluating the curative effect of metformin in rats with PCOS combined with HI.Results The total ovarian area(TA),ovarian volume(OV),ovarian interstitial area(SA),vascularization index(VI),blood flow index(FI),fasting insulin(FINS),and fasting blood glucose(BFG)of the research group were all greater than those of the control group,while the resistance index,pulsatility index and ISI were observed significantly lower compared with contrast,there were obvious difference(P<0.05).The color Doppler ultrasound parameters TA and SA were negatively correlated with ISI(r=-0.501,r=-0.492,respectively,P<0.05),and ovarian RI and PI were positively correlated with ISI(r=0.504,r=0.485,respectively,P<0.05).TA,OV,SA,VI,FI,VFI,PSV,PDV,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,FPG,FINS,LH,and FSH were all significantly lower while RI and PI were significantly higher in the good-curative-effect group compared with the poor-curative-effect group(all P<0.05).According to ROC curve analysis,the sensitivity and specificity of color Doppler ultrasound parameters combined with clinical efficacy were 90.9%and 90.2%,respectively,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.901.Conclusions Color Doppler ultrasound parameters are closely related to ISI and therapeutic efficacy in rats with PCOS combined with HI,and may thus predict clinical efficacy in patients with these conditions.
6.Relationships between color Doppler ultrasound parameters and insulin sensitivity index and clinical efficacy in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome complicated with hyperinsulinemia
Xizhen SUN ; Linlin GENG ; Juan CHEN ; Wei ZHANG ; Deming SUN ; Nan LI
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):82-89
Objective To analyze the relationships between color Doppler ultrasound parameters and insulin sensitivity index(ISI)and clinical efficacy in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)combined with hyperinsulinemia(HI).Methods A total of 140 3-week-old female SD SPF-grade rats were divided randomly into a PCOS without HI model(control group,n=70)and a PCOS combined with HI model(study group,n=70).After successful modeling,we used color Doppler ultrasound to detect the physical indicators,hemodynamic indicators,and ultrasound features of rat ovaries,and draw venous blood to evaluate ISI.Rats in the study group were treated with metformin by intragastric administration.The color Doppler ultrasound parameters of the good-effect and the poor-effect group were compared and a receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn to analyze the value of the color Doppler ultrasound parameters for evaluating the curative effect of metformin in rats with PCOS combined with HI.Results The total ovarian area(TA),ovarian volume(OV),ovarian interstitial area(SA),vascularization index(VI),blood flow index(FI),fasting insulin(FINS),and fasting blood glucose(BFG)of the research group were all greater than those of the control group,while the resistance index,pulsatility index and ISI were observed significantly lower compared with contrast,there were obvious difference(P<0.05).The color Doppler ultrasound parameters TA and SA were negatively correlated with ISI(r=-0.501,r=-0.492,respectively,P<0.05),and ovarian RI and PI were positively correlated with ISI(r=0.504,r=0.485,respectively,P<0.05).TA,OV,SA,VI,FI,VFI,PSV,PDV,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,FPG,FINS,LH,and FSH were all significantly lower while RI and PI were significantly higher in the good-curative-effect group compared with the poor-curative-effect group(all P<0.05).According to ROC curve analysis,the sensitivity and specificity of color Doppler ultrasound parameters combined with clinical efficacy were 90.9%and 90.2%,respectively,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.901.Conclusions Color Doppler ultrasound parameters are closely related to ISI and therapeutic efficacy in rats with PCOS combined with HI,and may thus predict clinical efficacy in patients with these conditions.
7.Recommendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease(2025)
Nan ZHI ; Jinwen XIAO ; Rujing REN ; Binyin LI ; Jintao WANG ; Jieli GENG ; Wenwei CAO ; Yaying SONG ; Hualong WANG ; Shuguang CHU ; Guoping PENG ; Jun LIU ; Xiaoyun LIU ; Fang YUAN ; Wen WANG ; Ronghua DOU ; Xia LI ; Ling YUE ; Wenshi WEI ; Xiaoling PAN ; Xiangyang ZHU ; Dian HE ; Weinü FAN ; Jingping SHI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Qin CHEN ; Cuibai WEI ; Xiaochun CHEN ; Gang WANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(9):1133-1140
In recent years,significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.In line with global advancements,two anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies have been approved and successfully launched in China for clinical use.Lecanemab and Donanemab were officially used in June 2024 and April 2025 in China,respectively.In order to standardize the rational and safe application of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease in China,this article integrates recom-mendations from the clinical trials and real-world experience from the author's team and domestic peers to further update the recom-mendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody based on the 2024 version.It includes indications for therapy,pre-treatment evaluation and preparation,administration protocols and safety measures during treatment,and post-treatment monitor-ing strategies.
8.Analysis of Abnormal Hemoglobin Phenotypes and Gene Mutation in Diabetes Screening Population in Xi'an Region
Nan XU ; Zhi GUO ; Liang LIANG ; Yan GENG ; Youqiong LI
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(1):13-16,23
Objective To investigate the mutational spectrum and phenotype of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screening population in Xi'an Region. Methods A total of 30356 patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were collected and measured for HbA1c by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from January 2022 to December 2022. Both complete blood count and hemoglobin analysis were carried out when HPLC suggested an abnormal peak. Abnormal hemoglobins were identified by Sanger sequencing. Results In this study,the rate of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screening population of Xi'an region was 0.096% (28/30356). A total of 7 types of abnormal hemoglobins were detected:Hb E (n=10),G-Coushatta (n=6),Hb G-Taibei(n=6),Hb Q-Thailand (n=2),Hb North Manchester (n=2),Hb Ottawa (n=1) and Hb Queens (n=1). One case was Hb G-Taipei combined with IVS Ⅱ-659_664 (-GCAATA),the first report in the world. The abnormal hemoglobin phenotypes were normal except for seven cases of Hb E. Except for Hb G-Coushatta and Hb Ottawa,which did not interfere with the glycation test,the other five abnormal hemoglobins affected the glycation test results. Conclusion There is a certain prevalence rate of abnormal hemoglobin in the diabetes screaning population of Xi'an,mainly Hb E,Hb G-Taibei and Hb G-Coushatta. Most abnormal hemoglobins present normal phenotypes,but they could interfere with glycation test results.
9.Research on traditional Chinese medicine improving neurodegenerative diseases based on mitochondrial dynamics
Zi-yang ZHAO ; Hao-nan SHI ; Yang GENG ; Lei ZHANG ; Qian-qian FENG ; Yan-yan JIANG ; Shi-fen DONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):201-207
Disorders of mitochondrial dynamics are closely re-lated to the development of neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs),which are characterized by the loss of neurons in brain and spinal cord cells.Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,Huntington's disease,and so on are in-volved in NDDs,which are often accompanied by disorders of mi-tochondrial dynamics during the development of these diseases.Recently,the researches on mitochondrial dynamics to study the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and related medica-tion innovation have garnered significant attention.This review focuses on the fundamental molecular processes of mitochondrial dynamics,such as mitochondrial transport,mitochondrial autoph-agy,and mitochondrial fission-fusion,and their molecular mecha-nisms in the pathogenesis of NDDs.It also outlines the recent research progress on Chinese materia medica and natural prod-ucts in ameliorating NDDs by modulating mitochondrial dynam-ics.The aim is to establish a foundation for researching innova-tive traditional Chinese medicine for NDDs-related diseases by focusing on mitochondrial dynamics.
10.Construction and evaluation of a cell model simulating the change of testicular microenvironment mediated by hypoxic and high-pressure conditions in varicocele mice
Shu-lin LIANG ; Li-guo GENG ; Ling HAN ; Chu-nan RONG ; Zhan QIN ; Juan DU ; Chao-ba HE ; Shao-ying YUAN
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(6):483-491
Objective:Varicocele(VC)induces male infertility by mediating changes in the testicular microenvironment,in which testicular hypoxia and high-pressure are important pathological conditions.This study aims to compare the mouse spermatogenesis(GC-2spd)cells and Sertoli(TM4)cells of mouse testis after hypoxic modeling and hypoxic and high-pressure combined modeling,and to explore the feasibility of establishing a hypoxic and high-pressure combined cell model.Methods:On the basis of cell hypoxia induced by CoCl2,the complex model of testicular cell hypoxia and high pressure was constructed by changing the osmotic pressure of GC-2 and TM4 cell medium with a high concentration of NaCl solution.After selecting the intervention concentration of CoCl2 by MTT test and detecting the expression level of HIF-1α for the determination of the optimal osmotic pressure conditions of the cell model,the cells were divided into normal group,hypoxia model group and composite model group.And the levels of OS,programmed cell death,inflammatory factors,and the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins were compared between the normal group and the groups with different modeling methods.Results:The optimal intervention concentration of CoCl2 in GC-2 and TM4 cells was 150 and 250μmol/L,respectively,and the expression of HIF-1α was the highest in both cells under osmotic pressure of 500 mOsmol/kg(P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the SOD levels of GC-2 and TM4 cells decreased(all P<0.05),CAT level decreased(all P<0.05),and MDA level increased(all P<0.01),and the OS level of GC-2 and TM4 cells was more obvious than that of the hy-poxia model group(all P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,apoptosis occurred in GC-2 and TM4 cells after composite model-ing(all P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the mRNA expressions of IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α and COX-2 in GC-2 and TM4 cells significantly increased(P<0.01)and higher than those in hypoxia model group(P<0.05)and induced pyroptosis(P<0.01).The expression level of GSDMD increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:The cell model with hypoxia and high pressure com-bined modeling can not only induce oxidative stress and apoptosis of cells better than that with hypoxia alone,but also further cause in-flammatory response damage and pyroptosis,which simulates the changes of testis microenvironment mediated by hypoxia and high pressure combined conditions in VC.This cell model can be used for studying the pathogenesis of VC-associated male infertility,evalu-ating drug efficacy,and exploring pharmacological mechanisms.

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