1.From Renal Tubule to Glomerulus: Emerging Insights into Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Interventions with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yanying LI ; Yang WANG ; Xueying LIU ; Chen JIANG ; Pengwei ZHUANG ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Qingsheng YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):260-268
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and persistent clinical management challenges. Historically, glomerular injury has been regarded as the central pathological hallmark of DKD, with research predominantly focusing on hyperfiltration, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and podocyte dysfunction. Emerging evidence, however, underscores the renal tubule-not merely as a passive bystander but as an early initiator and pivotal driver-in DKD pathogenesis. Hyperglycemia, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic low-grade inflammation induce tubular epithelial cell injury at early disease stages. Such injury disrupts tubuloglomerular feedback, thereby elevating intraglomerular pressure and sustaining hyperfiltration. Concurrently, injured tubular cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic factors, promoting epithelia-mesenchymal transition, interstitial hypoxia, and progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis that ultimately culminate in irreversible decline of renal function. This "tubule-first" paradigm represents a fundamental shift from the classical glomerulocentric model and redefines the conceptual framework of DKD progression. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its inherent advantages of multi-component synergy, multi-target engagement, and systemic homeostatic regulation, has demonstrated compelling renoprotective effect, particularly in preserving tubular integrity and function, mitigating tubular cellular stress, and indirectly alleviating glomerular hemodynamic burden. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence supports the efficacy of numerous single herbs and standardized formulae of TCM in attenuating tubulointerstitial injury and slowing down DKD progression. This review systematically delineates the sequential pathogenic cascade-from initial tubular insult to secondary glomerular deterioration-and critically evaluates the mechanism basis and translational potential of TCM-based interventions targeting tubular resilience. We aim to provide a refined pathophysiological rationale and actionable insights for optimizing clinical strategies and accelerating the development of novel therapeutics for DKD.
2.From Renal Tubule to Glomerulus: Emerging Insights into Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Interventions with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yanying LI ; Yang WANG ; Xueying LIU ; Chen JIANG ; Pengwei ZHUANG ; Yanjun ZHANG ; Qingsheng YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):260-268
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and persistent clinical management challenges. Historically, glomerular injury has been regarded as the central pathological hallmark of DKD, with research predominantly focusing on hyperfiltration, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and podocyte dysfunction. Emerging evidence, however, underscores the renal tubule-not merely as a passive bystander but as an early initiator and pivotal driver-in DKD pathogenesis. Hyperglycemia, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic low-grade inflammation induce tubular epithelial cell injury at early disease stages. Such injury disrupts tubuloglomerular feedback, thereby elevating intraglomerular pressure and sustaining hyperfiltration. Concurrently, injured tubular cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic factors, promoting epithelia-mesenchymal transition, interstitial hypoxia, and progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis that ultimately culminate in irreversible decline of renal function. This "tubule-first" paradigm represents a fundamental shift from the classical glomerulocentric model and redefines the conceptual framework of DKD progression. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its inherent advantages of multi-component synergy, multi-target engagement, and systemic homeostatic regulation, has demonstrated compelling renoprotective effect, particularly in preserving tubular integrity and function, mitigating tubular cellular stress, and indirectly alleviating glomerular hemodynamic burden. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence supports the efficacy of numerous single herbs and standardized formulae of TCM in attenuating tubulointerstitial injury and slowing down DKD progression. This review systematically delineates the sequential pathogenic cascade-from initial tubular insult to secondary glomerular deterioration-and critically evaluates the mechanism basis and translational potential of TCM-based interventions targeting tubular resilience. We aim to provide a refined pathophysiological rationale and actionable insights for optimizing clinical strategies and accelerating the development of novel therapeutics for DKD.
3.Quercetin mitigates HIV-1 gp120-induced rat astrocyte neurotoxicity via promoting G3BP1 disassembly in stress granules.
Pengwei HUANG ; Jie CHEN ; Jinhu ZOU ; Xuefeng GAO ; Hong CAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):304-312
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the effect of quercetin for mitigating HIV-1 gp120-induced astrocyte neurotoxicity and its underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Primary rat astrocytes were isolated and treated with quercetin, HIV-1 gp120, or gradient concentrations of quercetin combined with HIV-1 gp120. The formation of stress granules (SGs) in the treated cells was observed with immunofluorescence assay, and the levels of oxidative stress markers and protein expressions were measured using specific assay kits and Western blotting. HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mice were treated with quercetin (50 mg/kg) by gavage for 4 weeks, and the changes in cognitive functions and oxidative stress levels were examined by behavioral assessments, oxidative stress index analysis in serum, and immunohistochemical and Western blotting of the brain tissue.
RESULTS:
In primary rat astrocytes, treatment with quercetin significantly reduced HIV-1 gp120-induced SG formation, increased the levels of antioxidant indexes, decreased the levels of oxidative substances, and up-regulated protein level associated with SG depolymerization. In the transgenic mouse models, quercetin obviously improved the cognitive function of the rats, reduced oxidative stress levels, and promoted the expression of proteins associate with SG depolymerization in the brain tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin mitigates HIV-1 gp120-induced astrocyte neurotoxicity and cognitive function impairment by inhibiting oxidative stress, enhancing expressions of SG depolymerization-related proteins, and promoting SG disassembly, suggesting the value of quercetin as a potential therapeutic agent for neuroprotection in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Animals
;
Quercetin/pharmacology*
;
Astrocytes/metabolism*
;
HIV Envelope Protein gp120
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Stress Granules/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Cells, Cultured
4.Determination of carbonate compounds in workplace air by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Pengwei LIU ; Yulai TIAN ; Xiaowei FANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Xiang CHEN ; Zhonglin ZHAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(6):672-676
Objective To establish a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for the simultaneous determination of four carbonate compounds (CCs), including ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), vinylene carbonate (VC), and ethylene carbonate (EC) in workplace air. Methods Vapor-phase EMC, DEC, VC, and EC in workplace air were collected using activated carbon tubes. After desorption with dichloromethane, the samples were analyzed by GC-MS. Qualitative identification was performed based on retention times and characteristic ions, while quantitative analysis was conducted using peak areas of selected characteristic ions. Results The quantitative determination ranges for the four CCs were from 0.57×10⁻³ to 200.00 mg/L, with correlation coefficients ≥0.999 45. The detection limit ranged from 0.17 to 1.60 μg/L, and the lower limit of quantification ranged from 0.57 to 5.33 μg/L. The minimum detection concentration and minimum quantitation concentration were 0.11-1.07 and 0.38-3.55 μg/m³, respectively. Mean spiked recoveries ranged from 85.70% to 111.65%. The intra- and inter-batch relative standard deviations were 0.11%-2.04% and 1.27%-5.18%, respectively. Mean desorption efficiencies of the method ranged from 74.70% to 118.20%. EMC, DEC, and EC samples were stable for up to five days at 4 °C, while VC samples were stable for up to three days at 4 °C. Conclusion The GC-MS method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of the four CCs including EMC, DEC, VC, and EC in workplace air.
5.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in the bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units in China:results from 2020 to 2022
Jing LIU ; Huiyuan YAN ; Gangfeng YAN ; Guoping LU ; Pan FU ; Chuanqing WANG ; Danqun JIN ; Wenjia TONG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Jianli CHEN ; Yi LIN ; Jia LEI ; Yibing CHENG ; Qunqun ZHANG ; Kaijie GAO ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Shufang XIAO ; Juan HE ; Li JIANG ; Huimin XU ; Yuxia LI ; Hanghai DING ; Hehe CHEN ; Yao ZHENG ; Qunying CHEN ; Ying WANG ; Hong REN ; Chenmei ZHANG ; Zhenjie CHEN ; Mingming ZHOU ; Yucai ZHANG ; Yiping ZHOU ; Zhenjiang BAI ; Saihu HUANG ; Lili HUANG ; Weiguo YANG ; Weike MA ; Qing MENG ; Pengwei ZHU ; Yong LI ; Yan XU ; Yi WANG ; Yanqiang DU ; Huijun CAI ; Bizhen ZHU ; Huixuan SHI ; Shaoxian HONG ; Yukun HUANG ; Meilian HUANG
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(3):303-311
Objective This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units(PICU)in China for better antimicrobial therapy.Methods Clinical isolates were collected from 17 institutions,including tertiary care children's hospitals and pediatric department of tertiary general hospitals in China from January 1,2020 to December 31,2022.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems.Results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2020.Results A total of 10 688 isolates were collected,including gram-positive organisms(39.2%)and gram-negative organisms(60.8%).The top three organisms were S.aureus(13.6%,1 453/10 688),A.baumannii(10.0%,1 067/10 688),and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(9.9%,1 058/10 688).Multi-drug resistant organisms(MDROs)were very common in children.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE),carbapenem-resistant E.coli,carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae(CRKP),carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii(CRAB),and carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa(CRPA)was 41.1%,19.4%,8.8%,30.9%,67.4%,and 28.8%,respectively.Overall,more than 50%of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to cephalosporins,while nearly 25%of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to carbapenems.MDROs were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics.More than 80%of CRE and CRAB strains were resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics.CRE and CRAB showed low resistance rates to tigecycline and polymyxin.CRPA showed lower resistance rates to piperacillin,beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations than the resistance rates to third and fourth generation cephalosporins.All of the Staphylococcus and Enterococcus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and tigecycline.None of PRSP strains isolated from meningitis and nonmeningitis samples were resistant to rifampicin,vancomycin,or linezolid.The prevalence of β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant(BLNAR)strains was 43.3%in Haemophilus influenzae.Conclusions MDROs were prevalent in PICU.It is necessary to establish an effective multidisciplinary team(MDT)to control the antimicrobial resistance.
6.Comparison of therapeutic effects between AcoStream and AngioJet in acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis
Guohua WANG ; Baoxing CHEN ; Huipeng LI ; Pengwei GUO ; Hua ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(1):52-56
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of two thrombus thrombectomy devices,AcoStream and AngioJet,in the treatment of acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis(AIFVT).Methods A total of 97 AIFVT patients were treated with different thrombus clearing devices according to their states of illness,and patients were divided into the AcoStream group(41 cases)and the AngioJet group(56 cases).The thrombus clearing status,degree of swelling reduction in affected limb,surgical time and intraoperative blood loss were compared between the two groups,and the need for assisted catheter contact thrombolysis(CDT)treatment,urokinase dosage,iliac vein stent placement,incidence of complications,length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs were also compared between the two groups.Regular follow-up was conducted to record for recurrence of thrombosis,the patency of the stent,deep vein thrombosis syndrome(PTS)and PTS degree were evaluated in lower limbs.Results There were no significant differences in age,gender,affected limb,time of illness,site of illness and causes of illness between the two groups(P>0.05).The operation was successful in both groups and the thrombus removal effect was satisfactory.There were no significant differences in terms of thrombus clearance rate,the degree of swelling reduction in the limb 48 hours after surgery and assisted CDT rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the AcoStream group,the AngioJet group had a longer surgical time,reduced intraoperative blood loss,increased hospitalization costs and higher rates of complications(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of thrombosis between the two groups(P>0.05),and there was no occurrence of iliac vein stent occlusion or PTS in either patients.Conclusion Two mechanical thrombus clearing devices of AcoStream and AngioJet are safe and effective for treating AIFVT.
7.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in the bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units in China:results from 2020 to 2022
Jing LIU ; Huiyuan YAN ; Gangfeng YAN ; Guoping LU ; Pan FU ; Chuanqing WANG ; Danqun JIN ; Wenjia TONG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Jianli CHEN ; Yi LIN ; Jia LEI ; Yibing CHENG ; Qunqun ZHANG ; Kaijie GAO ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Shufang XIAO ; Juan HE ; Li JIANG ; Huimin XU ; Yuxia LI ; Hanghai DING ; Hehe CHEN ; Yao ZHENG ; Qunying CHEN ; Ying WANG ; Hong REN ; Chenmei ZHANG ; Zhenjie CHEN ; Mingming ZHOU ; Yucai ZHANG ; Yiping ZHOU ; Zhenjiang BAI ; Saihu HUANG ; Lili HUANG ; Weiguo YANG ; Weike MA ; Qing MENG ; Pengwei ZHU ; Yong LI ; Yan XU ; Yi WANG ; Yanqiang DU ; Huijun CAI ; Bizhen ZHU ; Huixuan SHI ; Shaoxian HONG ; Yukun HUANG ; Meilian HUANG
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(3):303-311
Objective This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units(PICU)in China for better antimicrobial therapy.Methods Clinical isolates were collected from 17 institutions,including tertiary care children's hospitals and pediatric department of tertiary general hospitals in China from January 1,2020 to December 31,2022.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems.Results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2020.Results A total of 10 688 isolates were collected,including gram-positive organisms(39.2%)and gram-negative organisms(60.8%).The top three organisms were S.aureus(13.6%,1 453/10 688),A.baumannii(10.0%,1 067/10 688),and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(9.9%,1 058/10 688).Multi-drug resistant organisms(MDROs)were very common in children.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE),carbapenem-resistant E.coli,carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae(CRKP),carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii(CRAB),and carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa(CRPA)was 41.1%,19.4%,8.8%,30.9%,67.4%,and 28.8%,respectively.Overall,more than 50%of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to cephalosporins,while nearly 25%of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to carbapenems.MDROs were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics.More than 80%of CRE and CRAB strains were resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics.CRE and CRAB showed low resistance rates to tigecycline and polymyxin.CRPA showed lower resistance rates to piperacillin,beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations than the resistance rates to third and fourth generation cephalosporins.All of the Staphylococcus and Enterococcus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and tigecycline.None of PRSP strains isolated from meningitis and nonmeningitis samples were resistant to rifampicin,vancomycin,or linezolid.The prevalence of β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant(BLNAR)strains was 43.3%in Haemophilus influenzae.Conclusions MDROs were prevalent in PICU.It is necessary to establish an effective multidisciplinary team(MDT)to control the antimicrobial resistance.
8.Comparison of therapeutic effects between AcoStream and AngioJet in acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis
Guohua WANG ; Baoxing CHEN ; Huipeng LI ; Pengwei GUO ; Hua ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(1):52-56
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of two thrombus thrombectomy devices,AcoStream and AngioJet,in the treatment of acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis(AIFVT).Methods A total of 97 AIFVT patients were treated with different thrombus clearing devices according to their states of illness,and patients were divided into the AcoStream group(41 cases)and the AngioJet group(56 cases).The thrombus clearing status,degree of swelling reduction in affected limb,surgical time and intraoperative blood loss were compared between the two groups,and the need for assisted catheter contact thrombolysis(CDT)treatment,urokinase dosage,iliac vein stent placement,incidence of complications,length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs were also compared between the two groups.Regular follow-up was conducted to record for recurrence of thrombosis,the patency of the stent,deep vein thrombosis syndrome(PTS)and PTS degree were evaluated in lower limbs.Results There were no significant differences in age,gender,affected limb,time of illness,site of illness and causes of illness between the two groups(P>0.05).The operation was successful in both groups and the thrombus removal effect was satisfactory.There were no significant differences in terms of thrombus clearance rate,the degree of swelling reduction in the limb 48 hours after surgery and assisted CDT rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the AcoStream group,the AngioJet group had a longer surgical time,reduced intraoperative blood loss,increased hospitalization costs and higher rates of complications(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of thrombosis between the two groups(P>0.05),and there was no occurrence of iliac vein stent occlusion or PTS in either patients.Conclusion Two mechanical thrombus clearing devices of AcoStream and AngioJet are safe and effective for treating AIFVT.
9.Prenatal diagnosis of a rare case of complete ring chromosome 15
Hongrui CHEN ; Pengwei JING ; Songling YANG ; Ling LEI ; Xueqi LI
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2024;27(1):74-77
This article reported a prenatally diagnosed case of complete ring chromosome 15. A 38-year-old woman who conceived by in vitro fertilization and frozen embryo transfer underwent amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis at 18 +5 weeks of gestation due to advanced maternal age. The result of G-banding karyotyping was mos 46,XX,r(15)[88]/45,X,-15[11]/46,XX,r(15;15)[1]. No numerical abnormalities of chromosomes or definite pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) were detected by chromosomal microarray analysis. Amniocentesis was performed again at 31 +6 weeks of gestation. The result of genome copy number variation sequencing indicated no pathogenic CNV and fluorescence in situ hybridization on cultured amniocytes revealed nuc ish(15q)×1[15]/(15q)×3[5]/(15q)×2[80]. Based on all the prenatal diagnosis results, it was suggested that the fetus carried a complete ring chromosome 15. As the peripheral blood chromosomes of the couple were normal and no obvious abnormalities were detected by the prenatal ultrasound either in our hospital or another hospital, the pregnant woman decided to continue the pregnancy after genetic counseling and delivered a baby girl at 41 weeks of gestation. The girl showed no physical abnormalities during a seven-month follow-up.
10.Knowledge, attitude, practice and influencing factors on influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou
Rui WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Cheng LIU ; Pengwei CUI ; Feng XU ; Jiarun JIANG ; Liling CHEN ; Haibing YANG ; Fang LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(12):1672-1678
Objective:To understand the current knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou and to analyze its influencing factors to provide technical support data for public health strategies for promoting influenza vaccination in pregnant women.Methods:A questionnaire was designed, and a stratified sampling method was used to conduct a face-to-face survey among pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy who received antenatal examinations at different levels of medical institutions in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in 2023. KAP status and influencing factors were analyzed by χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 2 195 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey. The M( Q1, Q3) of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou was 7.60 (5.23, 9.80) points, and the score range was 0.20-14.71 points, the passing rate was 34.12%, the awareness rate of influenza vaccine was 57.45%, and the vaccination rate of influenza vaccine was 1.91% within one year before the survey. The willingness to receive influenza vaccine during pregnancy was only 3.57%. Multivariate analysis of influenza and influenza vaccine-related knowledge scores showed that the passing rate was positively correlated with education level and gestational age. In contrast, family income was negatively correlated with living in rural areas, working as migrant workers, and having no medical insurance. Multivariate analysis of vaccination intention showed that decreased effectiveness of influenza vaccine and increased adverse reactions decreased vaccination intention during pregnancy. Conclusions:The pregnant women in Suzhou pay more attention to influenza, and vaccination rates and intentions are generally low. Pregnant women with early and second trimester of pregnancy, low education, living in rural areas, working as migrant workers, and not purchasing medical insurance are the key groups to popularize the knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccine.

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