1.Research progress on strategies to target intestinal microbiota to improve drug resistance in tumor immunotherapy
Hui-ling LI ; Bi-qing LIU ; Ying-nan FENG ; Xin HU ; Lan ZHANG ; Xian-zhe DONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):260-268
A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.
2.Syndrome Element Distribution and Complication Risks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients:A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Yu WEI ; Lili ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Qing NI ; Xiaolin TONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1363-1368
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on maximum body mass index (maxBMI) and explore their association with complication risks. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was used to collect clinical data from hospitalized T2DM patients, extracting age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, duration of disease, HbA1c level, complications, and TCM syndromes, and extracting the syndrome elements of disease location and disease nature based on their TCM syndromes. MaxBMI was calculated by telephone survey of patients' self-reported maximum body weight; patients with maxBMI ≥24 kg/m2 were classified into spleen-heat syndrome group, and those with maxBMI <24 kg/m2 were classified into consumptive-heat syndrome group. The distribution of TCM syndrome types and syndrome elements of patients in the two groups were analysed. Then the propensity score matching method was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups and compare the differences in the distribution of syndrome types and syndrome elements and the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications between the two groups. ResultsAmong the 1178 T2DM patients, syndrome elements in spleen-heat patients (1034 cases) were primarily located in the spleen (351 cases, 33.95%), liver (240 cases, 23.21%), and stomach (139 cases, 13.44%), while in consumptive-heat patients (144 cases), they were concentrated in the spleen (57 cases, 39.58%), liver (34 cases, 23.61%), and kidneys (17 cases, 11.81%); regarding syndrome elements of disease nature, spleen-heat patients were predominantly characterized by qi deficiency (481 cases, 46.52%), phlegm (353 cases, 22.73%), and dampness (241 cases, 23.31%), whereas consumptive-heat patients showed more qi deficiency (84 cases, 58.33%) and yin deficiency (44 cases, 30.56%). After propensity score matching, 132 cases were included in each group, and no statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of syndrome elements of disease location between the two groups (P>0.05), but the phlegm element was significantly more prevalent in spleen-heat patients than in consumptive-heat patients (P = 0.006). Regarding the risk of complications, spleen-heat patients had a significantly higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients (OR=2.04, P=0.010), while no significant differences were found between groups in the occurrence of microvascular complications (P>0.05). ConclusionThe spleen-heat T2DM patients show a more frequent syndrome element of disease nature of phlegm, and a higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients.
3.Establishment of Psoriasis Rat Model with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Obstruction Syndrome Induced by External Dampness Factors
Yating ZHANG ; Haojie SU ; Fanlu LIU ; Panyu ZHOU ; Qing WANG ; Junhong ZHANG ; Jingjing WU ; Ling HAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1369-1377
ObjectiveTo construct a rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type), and evaluate the macroscopic manifestations and microscopic indicators of the model. MethodsTwenty-two SD rats were divided into normal group (n=3), common psoriasis group (n=5), spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (n=7), and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (n=7). The spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) rat model was established through 32-week exposure to an artificially simulated high-humidity environment, while the common psoriasis model was developed via 7-day topical application of imiquimod cream, and these two approaches were combined to construct a composite model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type). Rats in the normal group were housed under normal humidity conditions. The general state, tongue manifestation of rats were observed to evaluate the macroscopic syndrome manifestations; the microscopic syndrome manifestations of rats were evaluated through adipose tissue and liver tissue changes; the severity of psoriasis in rats was evaluated through skin pathological changes, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and spleen tissue changes; changes in rat CD4+ interferon-γ+ cells (CD4+IFN-γ+ cells), CD4+ tumour necrosis factor-α+ cells (CD4+ TNF-α+ cells), and forkhead framing protein P3+ regulatory T cells (CD3+CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cells) were detected by flow cytometry. ResultsMacroscopically, both the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group exhibited manifestations of spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction, including lethargy, huddling behavior, dull and disheveled fur, as well as soft or loose stools and perianal soiling in some individuals; both these two groups displayed enlarged tongue, swollen, and moist tongue texture, accompanied by slippery tongue surface. Microscopically, compared to the common psoriasis group, the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group showed increased epididymal fat index (P<0.05); compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group, the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group demonstrated significantly elevated spleen mass (P<0.05), while hepatic gross morphology and HE staining revealed no significant histopathological changes across all groups. Dorsal skin lesions were markedly exacerbated in the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group when compared to those in common psoriasis group. Both the common psoriasis group and psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group exhibited significantly higher erythema scores, scaling scores, infiltration scores, PASI total scores, and proportions of CD3+CD4+FoxP3+Treg cells compared to the normal group and spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (P<0.05), with pronounced PCNA-positive expression observed in the epidermal basal layer and dermis; the psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group displayed significantly increased proportions of CD4+TNF-α+cells compared to the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) group (P<0.05); whereas no significant differences were detected in CD4+IFN-γ+cell proportions among groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe rat model of psoriasis with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction syndrome (external dampness type) can be successfully constructed by artificially simulating a high-humidity environment combined with imiquimod induction.
4.Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sleep Deprivation-induced Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Si-Ru YAN ; Ming-Yang CAI ; Ya-Xuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xue-Ling DAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2474-2485
Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.
5.Research progress on extracellular vesicles in knee osteoarthritis
Xi XIE ; Ye SHI ; Han-Qing DENG ; Xu-Xia YANG ; Xu-Fang TAN ; Hong-Jun LOU ; Ling LI ; Xi GAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1020-1024
The incidence of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)is in-creasing year by year,seriously affecting patients'health.Mes-enchymal stem cells are multipotent cells with multiple differen-tiation functions.The extracellular vesicles released by these cells can carry various"cargo"to corresponding cells and tis-sues,exerting biological functions.They have shown great clini-cal potential in the treatment of KOA.This study reviews the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of extracellular vesicles se-creted by mesenchymal stem cells from different tissues such as bone marrow,adipose tissue,and synovium in KOA.It is found that miRNA is an important biological component in exerting therapeutic effects.The study also discusses the research pro-gress of engineered extracellular vesicles in KOA,pointing out the current challenges in clinical application,such as standard-ized acquisition of extracellular vesicles and difficulties in targe-ted action,aiming to provide a certain reference for the basic re-search and clinical application of extracellular vesicle therapy for KOA.
6.Study of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network mediated by serum exosomes in coronary heart disease and prediction and experimental validation of potential target herbal medicines
Lu MA ; Lei YANG ; Huang DING ; Wan-Yu LI ; Wei TAN ; Yan-Ling LI ; Yan-Yan ZHANG ; Xiao-Dan LIU ; Zhao-Wen ZENG ; Chang-Qing DENG ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1153-1164
Aim To analyze serum exosome sequencing data from patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and normal subjects by using bioinformatics-related methods to construct a competitive endogenous ln-cRNA-miRNA-mRNA(ceRNA)regulatory network,to mine the predicted potential Chinese medicines,and to perform preliminary validation of the biological processes and core Chinese medicines involved in the ceRNA network.Methods We used exoRbase data-base to obtain the expression matrix of differential genes,combined with the raw letter method to con-struct the ceRNA network,and performed GO analysis and KEGG analysis on the differential mRNAs in the network,and used COREMINE database to predict the biological processes and core target genes involved in the ceRNA network,and to screen the herbal medi-cines with potential therapeutic effects;AVECs oxida-tive damage cell model was constructed in vitro,and the cytoskeleton,tube-forming function,cell prolifera-tion,LDH leakage rate,ROS level and p-AKT,AKT,p-PI3K and AKT protein expression were examined to verify the action pathways and targets of the core Chi-nese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza for the treatment of coronary heart disease.Results Compared with nor-mal subjects,395 mRNAs,80 miRNAs,60 lncRNA differential genes,and 80 miRNAs were predicted in serum exosomes of coronary heart disease,and the constructed ceRNA sub-network,mainly consisted of 21 lncRNAs,80 miRNAs,and 82 mRNAs;AKT1,VEGFA,IL1B and other genes in the network.The abnormally expressed mRNAs were involved in biologi-cal processes such as oxidative stress and signaling pathways such as PI3 K/Akt,and Dan Shen,Chuanx-iong and Panax notoginseng were most closely related to exosome-mediated biological processes and core genes in coronary heart disease.The active ingredients of tanshinone ⅡA,the core Chinese medicine,could pro-mote vascular endothelial cell proliferation,tube for-mation,skeleton formation and repair,reduce LDH leakage rate and ROS level,and promote the expres-sion of p-AKT and p-PI3K protein.Conclusion There is a complex ceRNA regulatory network trans-duction in coronary artery disease serum exosomes,and traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat CHD through multi-target intervention,and Dan Shen,Chuanxiong and Panax notoginseng are expected to be candidate sources of traditional Chinese medicine,a-mong which the active ingredient of Dan Shen,tanshi-none ⅡA,activates PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway to play a protective role against oxidative stress-injured cells,and treats CHD.
7.Effects of Compound Dihuang Granules on α-syn,VAPB,PTPIP51 on substantia nigra of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's disease model rats with Yin deficiency and wind syndrome
Guang-Jie SUN ; Xing-Ling WANG ; Zi-Wei LYU ; Jian-Cheng HE ; Jian-Qing LIANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1179-1186
Aim To observe the effects of Compound Dihuang Granules on α-syn,VAPB and PTPIP51 in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease(PD)rats with Yin deficiency and wind syndrome,and to explore the possible mechanisms of their actions.Methods The 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PD model of rats was constructed.The model rats were randomly divided into the model group,madopar group,CLD group,CMD group and CHD group,while the NC group did not re-ceive any treatment and the SO group was injected with ascorbic acid,with 13 rats in each group.The neurobe-havioral changes of the rats were observed,and the ex-pressions of α-syn,VAPB and PTPIP51 in the sub-stantia nigra were detected by Western blot,RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry;the histopathological and morphological changes of the substantia nigra tissue were observed by HE staining,the changes of mito-chondrial ultrastructure in the substantia nigra cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and the changes of ATP content in substantia nigra tis-sue in each group were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the NC and SO groups,rats in the model group showed that the number of rotational cir-cles and pole-climbing time increased,the expression of α-syn increased,the expression of VAPB and PTPIP 5 1 decreased,the number of neuronal cells decreased,the neuronal cells became crumpling,and mitochondrial swelling,disappearance of the mitochon-drial cristae,a larger distance between the ER-mito-chondrial contacts were observed;the ATP content de-creased.Compared with the model group,rats in Mado-par group and CLD group,CMD group and CHD group showed that the number of rotational circles and pole-climbing time decreased,the expression of α-syn de-creased,the expression of VAPB and PTPIP51 in-creased,the degree of neuronal damage was reduced,the morphology of mitochondria was improved and the content of ATP increased,showing the change of the difference in quantitative efficacy;the relative efficacy of Madopar group and CHD group was better,and there was no statistically significant difference.Con-clusions Compound Dihuang granules attenuate the behavioral symptoms in PD rats and may play a thera-peutic role in PD by down-regulating the expression ofα-syn,up-regulating the expression of PTPIP51 and VAPB and improving mitochondrial function.
8.Research progresses of endogenous vascular calcification inhibitor BMP-7
Xin ZHOU ; Lu XING ; Peng-Quan LI ; Dong ZHAO ; Hai-Qing CHU ; Chun-Xia HE ; Wei QIN ; Hui-Jin LI ; Jia FU ; Ye ZHANG ; Li XIAO ; Hui-Ling CAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1226-1230
Vascular calcification is a highly regulated process of ectopic calcification in cardiovascular system while no effective intervention can be clinically performed up to date.As vascular calcification undergoes a common regulatory mechanism within bone formation,bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP-7)main-tains contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells and further inhibits vascular calcification via promoting the process of osteoblast differentiation,reducing ectopic calcification pressure by increasing bone formation and reducing bone resorption.This work systematically reviews the role of BMP-7 in vascular calcifi-cation and the possible mechanism,and their current clinical application as well.The current proceedings may help develope early diagnostic strategy and therapeutic treatment with BMP-7 as a new molecular marker and potential drug target.The expec-tation could achieve early prevention and intervention of vascular calcification and improve poor prognosis on patients.
9.The protective effect of PPARδ agonist GW501516 on neurovascular unit injury induced by high glucose in vitro and its mechanism
Sai WANG ; Qing-Jie CHEN ; Jin-Ling ZHANG ; Ye-Pu HE ; Hui CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1963-1970
Aim To explore the protective effect of PPARδ agonist GW501516 on neuro-vascular unit(NVU)injury induced by high glucose in vitro and its mechanism.Methods SD rat hippocampal neurons(Neu),astrocytes(Ast)and brain microvascular en-dothelial cells(BMEC)were isolated,purified and cultured in vitro,and NVU co-culture system was estab-lished.NVU co-culture system cells were divided into the control group,high glucose group(HG group),HG+GW501516 low,medium and high concentration groups(25,50 and 100 nmol·L-1)and HG+GW501516(100 nmol·L-1)+ANA12(TrkB inhibi-tor,5 μmol·L-1)group.NUV barrier function was e-valuated by transendothelial resistance(TEER)test and leakage test;the proliferative activity of Neu cells in co-culture system was detected by CCK-8 assay;the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA;the levels of SOD,MDA and NO in Neu cells were detected by chemical method;the apoptosis level was detected by flow cytometry;the protein expression levels of PPARδ,Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-3,and BDNF/TrkB pathway-related proteins BDNF,p-TrkB,and TrkB in Neu cells were detected by Western blot.Re-sults Compared with the control group,the TEER val-ue decreased and leakage value increased in HG group;the proliferation activity of Neu cells decreased,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β in supernatant and MDA and NO in Neu cells increased,and the SOD lev-el decreased;Neu cell apoptosis rate and expression levels of Bax and Cleaved caspase-3 increased,while the expression levels of PPARδ,Bcl-2,BDNF and p-TRKB/TrkB decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the HG group,after treatment with different concentra-tions of GW501516,TEER value increased,leakage value decreased,proliferation activity of Neu cells in-creased,levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β in supernatant and MDA and NO in Neu cells decreased,and SOD level increased,and apoptosis rate of Neu cells and ex-pression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were de-creased,and expression levels of PPARδ,Bcl-2,BDNF and p-TRKB/TrkB increased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.However,ANA12 intervention re-versed the effect of GW501516 on NVU damage under high glucose conditions.Conclusion PPARδ agonist GW501516 improves in vitro NVU injury induced by high glucose by activating BDNF/TrkB signaling path-way.
10.Research on mechanism of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula inhibiting HIF-1a/Foxm1/smad3 pathway to improve pulmonary microvascular injury of systemic sclerosis
Bo BIAN ; Qing MIAO ; Fan-Wu WU ; Yi-Ling FAN ; Jin-Li KONG ; Hua BIAN ; Kai LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2119-2123
Aim To investigate the molecular mecha-nisms of the Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula in in-hibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(En-doMT)of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and improving pulmonary microvascular injury in sys-temic sclerosis(SSc).Methods Pulmonary micro-vascular endothelial cells were cultured with serum from SSc patients to establish SSc pulmonary microvas-cular endothelial cells.A hypoxia model was estab-lished in SSc pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells using liquid paraffin sealing,and the cells were treated with the Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula or HIF-1a inhibitor KC7F2.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of VE-cadherin,CD31,vimen-tin,HIF-1α,Foxm1,smad3,Tie-1,and vWF.ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of E-selectin and ICAM-1 in cell culture medium.The luciferase re-porter gene system was used to detect the promoter ac-tivity of the Foxm1 gene.Results Compared to the control group,the levels of VE-cadherin,CD31,HIF-1α,Foxm1,smad3,Tie-1,and vWF significantly de-creased under hypoxic condition,while the levels of vi-mentin,E-selectin,and ICAM-1 significantly in-creased.In addition,the cell morphology exhibited a distinct"spindle-like"myoblast morphology.Treat-ment with the Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula or KC7F2 reversed these changes in protein expression levels and cell morphology induced by hypoxia.Con-clusion The Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo formula im-proves pulmonary microvascular injury in SSc by inhib-iting the HIF-1a/Foxm1/smad3 pathway-mediated En-doMT of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells.

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