1.Wumeiwan Promotes M1 Polarization of Tumor-associated Macrophages to Treat Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Nianzhi CHEN ; Shiyun TANG ; Yuanyuan FENG ; Yan WANG ; Ningning LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):92-100
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Wumeiwan on liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer and its potential mechanism. MethodsFirstly, mice were randomized into control, low-dose (20 g·kg-1) Wumeiwan, high-dose (40 g·kg-1) Wumeiwan, and paclitaxel (10 mg·kg-1) groups. Secondly, liver metastasis and lung metastasis models of colorectal cancer were established in mice. After 4 weeks of intervention, the body weight of each mouse was recorded, and the lung weight, liver weight, and survival time of mice with metastatic colorectal cancer were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to detect the effects of Wumeiwan on liver metastasis and lung metastasis. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in the liver tissue. Finally, the content of M1 macrophage markers CD80 and CD86 in the liver tissue was measured by flow cytometry. ResultsCompared with the control group, Wumeiwan and paclitaxel reduced the body weight (P<0.01) and liver weight (P<0.01) and prolonged the survival of the mouse model of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (P<0.01). In the mouse model of lung metastasis of colorectal cancer, Wumeiwan and paclitaxel also reduced the body weight (P<0.01) and lung weight (P<0.01) and extended the survival time (P<0.01). Histopathological results showed that compared with the control group, Wumeiwan inhibited the liver and lung metastases of colorectal cancer. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group, Wumeiwan upregulated the mRNA levels of M1 macrophage markers IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) in the liver and lung tissue of mice with liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer (P<0.01). Meanwhile, Wumeiwan downregulated the mRNA levels of M2 macrophage markers Arg1, CD163, and CD206 (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the flow cytometry results showed that compared with the control group, Wumeiwan increased the content of CD86 and CD80 (P<0.01). In addition, immunohistochemical results showed that Wumeiwan promoted the expression of CD86 and inhibited the expression of CD206 in the liver and lung tissue of mice with liver metastasis and lung metastasis. ConclusionWumeiwan can inhibit the liver metastasis and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer by promoting the M1 polarization of macrophages in the liver and lung of the model mice.
2.Role of liver cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma and related strategies for targeted therapy
Wenting CUI ; Ningning LIU ; Xiuzhen MA ; Ping MAI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):457-463
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with relatively high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, and its therapeutic resistance and recurrence mechanism are closely associated with liver cancer stem cells (LCSC). This article systematically introduces the biological characteristics of LCSC and their key role in the progression of HCC, reviews the functional characteristics of the specific surface markers (such as EpCAM and CD133) and related signaling pathways (such as Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and STAT3), elaborates on the interaction between LCSC and tumor microenvironment, and summarizes the latest clinical treatment strategies targeting LCSC and the countermeasure for existing resistance mechanisms. The article points out that LCSC promote tumor development and progression through metabolic reprogramming and immune microenvironment remodeling, and it is proposed to establish a standardized detection system for LCSC specific markers and promote a triple synergistic therapeutic paradigm combining targeted therapy, immune regulation, and traditional chemotherapy, in order to provide new ideas for the clinical intervention of HCC.
3.Impact of DRG payment on length of stay and medical costs in COPD patients from Kashgar region
Jiale YANG ; Ningning WANG ; Aierken AIZEZIJIANG ; Lingkai LIAN ; Xinyi LYU ; Pengcheng LIU ; Wenbing YAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):991-997
OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) payment reform on the length of stay and medical costs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Kashgar region, aiming to provide localized empirical evidence for the optimization of regional medical insurance payment methods. METHODS Based on the inpatient settlement database of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Healthcare Security Administration, settlement data of COPD inpatients from 17 medical institutions in Kashgar region between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, were extracted. The overall changes in patients’ length of stay and costs were compared before and after the reform. Subsequently, interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was employed to explore the impact of the DRG payment reform on these variables. RESULTS Following the reform, both the average length of stay and various cost decreased significantly compared to the pre-reform period ( P <0.001). At the overall sample level, the average length of stay, average total cost, average drug cost, average medical service cost, and average examination cost per admission all demonstrated significant long-term downward trends after the reform ( P <0.05). However, the decrease in average out-of-pocket costs and the increase in average consumable costs per admission were not statistically significant ( P >0.05). In tertiary medical institutions, the average length of stay and all categories of costs (except average consumable costs per admission) exhibited significant long-term upward trends after the reform ( P <0.05); conversely, in secondary and lower-level medical institutions, the average length of stay, average total cost, average drug cost, average medical service cost, and average examination cost per admission showed significant long-term downward trends ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The DRG payment reform has achieved an overall effect of reducing the length of stay and controlling costs in COPD patients from Kashgar region. However, the effects vary across different levels of medical institutions: secondary and lower-level institutions show a long-term downward trend in length of stay and costs, whereas tertiary institutions exhibit a long-term upward trend. Furthermore, patients’ out-of-pocket financial burden does not show significant improvement.
4.The Establishment of a Virus-related Lymphoma Risk Warning System and Health Management Model Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Conditions
Hanjing LI ; Shunan LI ; Zewei ZHUO ; Shunyong WANG ; Qiangqiang ZHENG ; Bingyu HUANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Chenxi QIU ; Ningning CHEN ; He WANG ; Tingbo LIU ; Haiying FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):335-339
Virus-related lymphoma exhibits a dual nature as both a hematologic malignancy and a viral infectious disease, making it more resistant to treatment and associated with poorer prognosis. This paper analyzes the understanding and therapeutic advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in virus-related lymphoma. It proposes a TCM-based approach centered around syndrome differentiation, using standardized measurements of the overall TCM condition, multi-omics research of hematologic tumors, and artificial intelligence technologies to identify the "pre-condition" of virus-related lymphoma. A risk warning model will be established to early identify high-risk populations with viral infections that may develop into malignant lymphoma, thereby establishing a risk warning system for virus-related lymphoma. At the same time, a TCM health management approach will be applied to manage and regulate virus-related lymphoma, interrupting its progression and forming a human-centered, comprehensive, continuous health service model. Based on this, a standardized, integrated clinical prevention and treatment decision-making model for virus-related lymphoma, recognized by both Chinese and western medicine, will be established to provide TCM solutions for primary prevention of major malignant tumors.
5.Study on the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and syndrome elements in lymphoma and the correlation between syndromes and Western medicine clinical indicators
Hanjing LI ; Shunan LI ; Zewei ZHUO ; Shunyong WANG ; Qiangqiang ZHENG ; Bingyu HUANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Chenxi QIU ; Ningning CHEN ; Yanyan QIU ; He WANG ; Tingbo LIU ; Haiying FU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):127-137
Objective:
To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and syndrome elements in lymphoma, as well as the correlation between TCM syndromes and Western clinical indicators, in order to analyze associations between TCM syndromes and these indicators.
Methods:
From January 2023 to May 2024, 216 patients with lymphoma who met the inclusion criteria in the Department of Hematology, Third People′s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled. Four diagnostic methods were applied to perform TCM syndrome differentiation and extract syndrome elements. The correlations between various syndromes and blood test indicators of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), neutrophil (NEUT), immunohistochemical markers of B-cell lymphoma-6 (BCL6), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), proto-oncogene MYC, and Ki67 protein expression, Ann Arbor staging, international prognostic index (IPI) score, bone marrow infiltration, concurrent infections during chemotherapy, and post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate were analyzed.
Results:
Five TCM syndromes, ranked by frequency, were syndromes of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation(41.67%), qi depression with phlegm obstruction(30.56%), cold-phlegm congelation and stagnation(12.96%), phlegm-blood stasis toxin(12.04%), and lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi(2.77%). Yin deficiency(50.93%) and phlegm(45.37%) were the more prevalent syndrome elements. The TCM syndromes were correlated with β2-MG, PLT, MYC, BCL2/MYC, Ki67 protein expression, and bone marrow infiltration (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in Ann Arbor staging or IPI score across the syndromes. Compared to the syndrome of cold-phlegm congelation and stagnation, the syndrome of qi depression with phlegm obstruction exhibited higher levels of NEUT, MYC, BCL2/MYC, and Ki67 protein expression, as well as a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression (P<0.05); the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin showed higher MYC and BCL2/MYC protein expression and a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate (P<0.05); the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation demonstrated higher MYC and BCL2/MYC protein expression and bone marrow infiltration rates, whereas PLT level was lower (P<0.05); the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi had higher MYC, BCL2/MYC, and Ki67 protein expression levels, as well as a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of qi depression with phlegm obstruction, the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin exhibited lower Ki67 protein expression (P<0.05); the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation had higher β2-MG level, bone marrow infiltration rate, and rate of concurrent infections during chemotherapy, whereas PLT and NEUT levels and the rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate were lower (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin, the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation had higher β2-MG level, whereas NEUT and the rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression were lower(P<0.05); the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi exhibited a higher Ki67 protein expression (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation, the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi also showed a higher Ki67 protein expression(P<0.05).
Conclusion
The syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation is relatively common in lymphoma. There is a correlation between TCM syndromes and Western medicine clinical indicators. The presence of heat signs in the syndromes may indicate active disease and poor prognosis, while the presence of strong pathogenic factors and weak vital qi in the syndromes may indicate a severer chemotherapy-related bone marrow suppression.
6.Research Progress on Immunomodulatory Activity and Mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum
Jinyu LI ; Ningning QIU ; Chang YI ; Mengqin ZHU ; Yanfeng YUAN ; Guang CHEN ; Xili ZHANG ; Wenlong LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):298-306
Polygonatum sibiricum, as a traditional Chinese medicine with both medicinal and edible properties, has attracted considerable attention due to its functions of nourishing Yin and moistening the lungs, tonifying the spleen and benefiting Qi, and nourishing the kidneys and filling essence. Recent studies have demonstrated that Polygonatum sibiricum plays a significant role in regulating the immune system, effectively enhancing and improving the morphology and function of immune organs, stimulating the proliferation and activation of immune cells, and regulating the secretion and release of immune factors, thereby enhancing the immune function of the body and improving various immune-related diseases. Although a large number of studies have explored the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of P. sibiricum, there has been no systematic review and summary of its immune regulatory activity and mechanisms. Therefore, this article comprehensively reviews the research achievements of P. sibiricum polysaccharides and saponins in the field of immune regulation in recent years, and further sorts out the immune regulatory mechanisms of P. sibiricum in multiple aspects: including increasing the organ index of the spleen and thymus, increasing the number and activity of tumor-suppressive bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, improving intestinal flora imbalance, regulating the quantity and proportion of T lymphocyte subsets, increasing the level of immunoglobulin, promoting the proliferation of macrophages, enhancing the activity of natural killer cells, increasing the number of white blood cells, and promoting the maturation of dendritic cells, providing a solid theoretical basis and scientific evidence for the research and application of P. sibiricum, and promoting its development and application in traditional Chinese medicine immune enhancers and various functional products.
7.Single-center retrospective analysis of peritoneal mesothelioma
Qi LIU ; Muwen NIE ; Jingqi ZHANG ; Ningning LI ; Lin ZHAO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(10):1362-1367
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment experience of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma by analyzing the clinical characteristics of patients with single center peritoneal mesothelioma.Methods Retrospec-tively analyze the clinical data,including age and treatment regimens,of 99 patients with malignant peritoneal mes-othelioma admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2012 to July 2023.Kaplan-Meier for surviv-al analysis and Logistic and Cox regression were applied to assess the impact of factors like age and treatment regi-mens on survival time.Results The median age of diagnosis for 99 patients with peritoneal mesothelioma was 56 years,of which 82 were pathologically diagnosed.Among them,38 cases(51.4%)underwent tumor cell reduction surgery,and 57 cases(77.0%)underwent systemic or local treatment.The median survival time for all patients was 43 years.The age of diagnosis may affect the prognosis of patients with malignant mesothelioma,and those aged≥65 at the time of diagnosis have a worse prognosis.Conclusions Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare but invasive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis.There is still a need to develop novo drugs and comprehensive treat-ment strategies.
8.Intervention of Sinomenine in Rat Osteoarthritis by Modulating FABP4
Shiqi ZHANG ; Jun ZHAO ; Ningning LIU ; Yu ZHANG ; Yifei ZHAO ; Jiao LIU ; Hongjian YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):115-123
ObjectiveThis study aims to observe the effect of sinomenine (SIN) on fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in synovial tissue of rats with osteoarthritis (OA) and investigate the therapeutic mechanism of SIN on OA, further providing new ideas for the management of osteoarthritis by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsAn OA rat model was constructed and randomly divided into a control group, an OA group, an OA + SIN-L group (50 mg·kg-1), an OA + SIN-M (100 mg·kg-1), an OA + SIN-H (200 mg·kg-1), and an OA + prednisone (PDN) group (5 mg·kg-1). Following surgical modeling for three weeks, an appropriate medication was administered for four weeks. During modeling and administration, a hot plate test was performed to detect the pain and swelling of the knee joints of the rats. The periarticular tissue was collected for arthropathological observation at the end of drug administration. The expression of cleaved Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), and FABP4 in the synovial tissue of rats was detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and the expression and distribution of FABP4 protein in the synovial membrane were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with those in the control group, the levels of inflammatory factors and FABP4 in the serum of rats in the OA group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and joint swelling was significantly elevated (P<0.01). The thermal pain threshold was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of FABP4 protein and the fluorescence intensity were significantly increased (P<0.01). The synovial tissue exhibited significantly increased inflammatory infiltration, proliferated fibroblasts, and an elevated apoptotic index (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the OA group, the serum lipid metabolism indexes of rats in the SIN administration group gradually returned to normal (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the levels of inflammatory factors and FABP4 in the serum of rats in the SIN-administered group were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and joint swelling was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The thermal pain threshold was significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of FABP4 protein and fluorescence intensity in the synovial tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The synovial tissue displayed significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration and a decreased apoptotic index (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of SIN on OA may be related to the down-regulation of FABP4 expression, reduction of apoptosis, and inhibition of inflammatory factor expression.
9.Cerebral Blood Flow Characteristics of Boys with Different Subtypes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Relationship with Executive Function
Xinyi ZHANG ; Ningning LIU ; Haimei LI ; Yufeng WANG ; Lu LIU ; Qiujin QIAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):314-320
Objective To analyze the differences in cerebral blood flow(CBF)characteristics among children with different subtypes of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)and their relationship with executive function using arterial spin labeling(ASL)technology.Methods A case-control study was conducted,including children diagnosed with ADHD at the outpatient clinic of Peking University Sixth Hospital from July 2015 to December 2019 as the ADHD group,and typically developing schoolchildren from January to December 2021 as the healthy control group.Both groups underwent pseudo-continuous ASL(pCASL)scanning to measure CBF,and executive function was assessed using the parent version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function(BRIEF).Differences in CBF between ADHD children and healthy controls were com-pared.For brain regions showing significant group differences,CBF values were extracted and linear regression models were constructed with BRIEF scores to further explore the relationship between regional CBF and execu-tive function.Results A total of 134 boys with ADHD were included[83 with ADHD predominantly inat-tentive subtype(ADHD-Ⅰ)and 51 with ADHD combined subtype(ADHD-C)],along with 25 healthy control boys.Intergroup comparisons revealed that the CBF in the left middle temporal gyrus was significantly lower in ADHD-C children compared to both ADHD-Ⅰ children(P=0.010)and healthy controls(P<0.001),while no significant difference was observed between ADHD-Ⅰ children and healthy controls(P=0.280).After adjusting for age and total IQ scores,the linear regression model showed that the CBF in the left middle temporal gyrus of ADHD-C children was negatively correlated with the planning/organization score on the BRIEF(β=-0.062,P=0.030).Conclusions The CBF in the left middle temporal gyrus of boys with ADHD-C is significantly lower than that of boys with ADHD-Ⅰ and healthy controls.This reduced regional CBF may be associated with executive function deficits in organization and planning abilities in ADHD-C,providing new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ADHD subtypes.
10.Role of neoadjuvant rectal score in prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making in locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy
Qiang ZENG ; Yuan TANG ; Haitao ZHOU ; Ning LI ; Wenyang LIU ; Silin CHEN ; Shuai LI ; Ningning LU ; Hui FANG ; Shulian WANG ; Yueping LIU ; Yongwen SONG ; Yexiong LI ; Jing JIN
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(4):335-343
Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (<8), intermediate (8-16), and high (>16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P<0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P<0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P<0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P<0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.


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