1.Regulation of Renal Interstitial Fibrosis-related Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Dandan WEI ; Shanshan LI ; Yongjie WANG ; Hongling WANG ; Zongyao WU ; Qingbo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):254-265
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common pathological change process from the development of various chronic nephropathies to the end stage, and it is an important histological manifestation of renal function decline. At present, no effective anti-fibrosis drugs have been found in clinical practice. In recent years, with the continuous development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacology, molecular biology, system biology, and network pharmacology, the research on regulating RIF with TCM monomer, single TCM, TCM compound, Chinese patent medicine, and TCM injection is deepening. Among them, Jianpi Yishen recipe, Shendi Bushen capsules, Jianzhong Bushen Xiaozheng decoction, Liuwei Dihuangtang, and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides can regulate transforming growth factor-β/small mother against decapentaplegic (TGF-β1/Smads), Wnt/β-catenin, and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch) signaling pathways. Wulingsan, Zhenwutang, pachymic acid ZA, pachymic acid ZC, and pachymic acid ZD, which mainly induce diuresis, can regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Hirudin, curcumin, and Fuzheng Huayu recipe, which mainly promote blood circulation, can inhibit inflammation-related pathways such as p-nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptor 4/p-nuclear transcription factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB), and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT), so as to achieve anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects and alleviate the progression of RIF. Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction, Shenkang injection, and Shenshuai recipe, which are mainly used for invigorating Qi, removing blood stasis, and removing turbidity, can inhibit transdifferentiation of pericytes-myofibroblasts through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathway. At present, there are many studies on the regulation of the RIF signaling pathway by TCM, but there is a lack of a systematic summary. In this study, by combing the signaling pathway of TCM in the treatment of RIF, the effective target of TCM treatment is screened, and its possible mechanism is found, which provides new ideas for clinical treatment and new drug research and development.
2.Melatonin receptor 1a alleviates sleep fragmentation-aggravated testicular injury in T2DM by suppression of TAB1/TAK1 complex through FGFR1.
Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyu TANG ; Ting GAO ; Yuanfang GUO ; Guangping LU ; Qingbo LIU ; Jiahao LI ; Jie WANG ; Mingrui LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3591-3610
A major obstacle in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sleep fragmentation (SF), which negatively affects testicular function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that SF induces testicular damage through a mechanism involving lipid metabolism, specifically mediated by melatonin (MEL) receptor 1a (MT1). T2DM mice with SF intervention displayed several deleterious phenotypes such as apoptosis, deregulated lipid metabolism, and impaired testicular function. Unexpectedly, sleep recovery (SR) for 2 consecutive weeks could not completely abrogate SF's detrimental effects on lipid deposition and testicular function. Interestingly, MEL and MT1 agonist 2-iodomelatonin (2IM) effectively improved lipid homeostasis, highlighting MEL/2IM as a promising therapeutic drug for SF-trigged testicular damage. Mechanistically, MEL and 2IM activated FGFR1 and sequentially restrained the crosstalk and physical interaction between TAB1 and TAK1, which ultimately suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1 to block lipid deposition and cell apoptosis caused by SF. The ameliorating effect of MEL/2IM was overtly nullified in Fgfr1 knockout (Fgfr1-KO +/- ) diabetic mice. Meanwhile, testicular-specific overexpression of Tak1 abolished the protective effect of FGF1mut on diabetic mouse testis. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the testicular pathogenesis associated with SF and propose a novel therapeutic approach for addressing male infertility in T2DM.
3.Cumulative sum analysis of the learning curve for CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy
Yadan LI ; Meng WANG ; Kepu DU ; Shuai LI ; Fei GAO ; Mengyu GAO ; Qingbo HUANG ; Lin CHEN ; Zhigang ZHOU
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(7):784-788
Objective To investigate the learning curve of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy.Methods Using cumulative sum(CUSUM)analysis method,the clinical data from 110 patients,who underwent CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy performed by the same physician at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China between May 2024 and October 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.The CUSUM learning curve was fitted,and R2 was used to assess the goodness of fit.The baseline and perioperative data were compared between different stages of the learning curve so as to determine the number of accomplished surgical cases that was required for a physician to reach the proficiency stage from the learning stage in performing CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy.Results Successful CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy was accomplished in all patients,with a mean operation time of(20.2+3.4)minutes(range of 15-29 minutes).With the accumulation of surgical cases,the operation time showed a gradual downward trend.The learning curve was best fitted with a cubic equation,the equation was as follows:CUSUM(110)=0.000 3x3-0.081 3x2+5.597 9x+0.774 3(where x representing the number of cases),with a goodness-of-fit coefficient R2=0.991.The fitted curve reached its peak at the performance of the 46th case,which was used as the cutoff point to divide the learning curve into two phases.Compared with the learning phase,in the proficiency phase the incidence of complications was significantly lower(pneumothorax:18.8%vs 37.0%,P=0.033)and the mean operation time was obviously shorter[(18.33+2.31)min vs(22.80±3.02)min,P<0.001].Conclusion Through precise CUSUM analysis of the learning curves obtained from 110 patients receiving CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy,the results of this study indicates that it requires to accomplish 46 operations before a physician can skillfully master the technique of CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy.
4.Intervention effect and mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis in rats
Dandan WEI ; Shanshan LI ; Minghao ZHANG ; Yurun WEI ; Hongling WANG ; Shuangshuang CHAI ; Jingjing YIN ; Min ZHANG ; Han ZHAO ; Zongyao WU ; Kuicheng ZHU ; Qingbo WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(6):671-677
OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and potential mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis (HF) in rats based on the transforming growth factor-β(1 TGF-β1)/Smad2/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1(ERK1) and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) pathways. METHODS Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, breviscapine low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (5.4, 10.8, 21.6 mg/kg), and colchicine group (positive control, 0.45 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group, half male and half female. Except for the normal control group, HF model of the other groups was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Subsequently, each drug group was given corresponding medicine by gavage once a day for 28 days. The liver appearance of rats in each group was observed and their liver coefficients were calculated. The levels of alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)in serum, those of ALT, AST, superoxide dismutase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH- Px) in liver tissue were detected. The liver tissue inflammatory and fibrotic changes were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, ERK1, Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed large areas of white nodular lesions in the liver, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition. The body weight, the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue, the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly lowered in the model group (P<0.05); the liver coefficient, the percentage of Masson staining positive area, ALT and AST levels of serum and liver tissue, MDA level of liver tissue, the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, ERK1 and Keap1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the liver lesions of rats in each drug group were improved, and the above quantitative indexes were generally reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Breviscapine has a good intervention effect on HF rats, which may be related to inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1 pathway for anti-fibrosis and regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.
5.Mechanism by which static exercise improves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes
Juan WEI ; Ting LI ; Mengting HUAN ; Ying XIE ; Zhouyu XIE ; Qingbo WEI ; Yunchuan WU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(8):1271-1276
BACKGROUND:Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is the key pathological link of type 2 diabetes.Static exercise can effectively improve skeletal muscle insulin resistance,but the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of static exercise on insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic mice based on the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glucose transporter(GLUT4)signaling pathway. METHODS:After 1 week of adaptive feeding,7 out of 40 C57BL/6 mice were randomly selected as blank group and fed common diet,while the other mice were fed high-fat diet and taken to prepare type 2 diabetes models through the low-dose streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection.Twenty-four mice were successfully modeled and they were randomly divided into model group(n=8),metformin group(n=8)and static exercise group(n=8),which continued to be fed high-fat diet.The metformin group was given 200 mg/kg metformin dissolved in normal saline(2 ml/kg)by gavage,once a day,for 6 weeks.The static exercise group was given normal saline daily by gavage and carried out static exercise,30 minutes a day,6 days per week.The model group was given the same dose of normal saline daily by gavage without exercise intervention.After the intervention,the fasting blood glucose of each group was detected,the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed,and the area under the glycemic curve was calculated.Glycosylated hemoglobin,serum insulin,insulin resistance index were detected by ELISA.Total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein were detected using biochemical methods.The mRNA expression levels of PI3K,AKT and GLUT4 in the gastrocnemius of mice were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Morphological changes of the gastrocnemius were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank group,fasting blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,area under the glycemic curve,insulin resistance index,total cholesterol,triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Whereas,these indicators were significantly lower in the static exercise and metformin group than the model group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,serum insulin and high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly declined in the model group(P<0.01)and the mRNA expression of PI3K,AKT and GLUT4 in the gastrocnemius of mice were also significantly reduced(P<0.01).These indicators were significantly elevated in the metformin group and static exercise group compared with the blank group(P<0.01).Compared with the blank group,the muscle fibers in the model group were disordered,and the muscle cells atrophied and the muscle fiber gap widened.The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was significantly decreased in the model group compared with the blank group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,atrophy of the gastrocnemius fibers and muscle fiber space were improved in the static exercise group and the metformin group,and the cross-sectional area of muscle fiber was significantly increased in both groups(P<0.01).These findings indicate that static resistance training may promote glucose uptake and utilization by up-regulating the expression of PI3K,AKT and GLUT4 mRNA in skeletal muscle tissue,thereby improving the morphology and function of skeletal muscle tissue,alleviating insulin resistance and regulating glucose homeostasis.
6.CT measurement of blood perfusion in hepatocellular carcinoma: from basic principle, measurement methods to clinical application
Yukai LI ; Qingbo WANG ; Yubo LIANG ; Yang KE
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(10):940-947
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common and fatal malignant tumors worldwide, and the burden of HCC is particularly severe in China. Physiologically, the blood supply to healthy liver is mainly from the portal vein, supplemented by the hepatic artery. While in the development of HCC, the main source of blood supply to HCC is changed from the portal vein to the hepatic artery. The characteristics of HCC vascularization are important for imaging, surgery, interventional therapy, targeted therapy, etc. Even in the future, with the development of radiation therapy technology, such as proton and heavy ion therapy and artificial intelligence technology, the dynamic changes in HCC blood perfusion can be used as a new biomarker of tumor activity to provide accurate information on the intensity modulation of radiotherapy, so that accurate measurements of HCC blood perfusion is of great significance in guiding the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The technologies for measurement of HCC blood perfusion have developed from invasive techniques, such as inert gas scavenging, electromagnetic flowmeter, and radionuclide-labeled erythrocyte elution in the middle of the last century to the present non-invasive techniques of CT. With the development of CT imaging technology in the last 30 years, the CT-based imaging technology can assess the status of organ and tissue perfusion relatively easily and accurately. In this paper, the various CT measurement techniques of blood perfusion in HCC were categorized into three types: semi-quantitative technique, relative quantitative technique, and absolute quantitative technique. Their basic principle, scanning methods, and clinical applications were discussed to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
7.A case of recurrent convulsions caused by acute sulfuryl fluoride gas poisoning
Qingbo ZHANG ; Zhenhua LI ; Rui WANG ; Yugang ZHANG ; Chunhua SU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(8):613-615
Sulfuryl fluoride is a kind of pesticide with strong permeability, convenient use at low temperature, non-corrosive and other characteristics, which can kill food pests and has strong lethality to termites. In acute sulfuryl fluoride poisoning, patients can see recurrent convulsions, epileptic electroencephalogram abnormalities such as matrix spikes or high amplitude spikes. In this paper, a patient with sulfuryl fluoride poisoning with convulsion-based mental system symptoms was reported, and after clinical treatment with dexamethasone and phenobarbital sodium, the patient was cured and discharged.
8.CT measurement of blood perfusion in hepatocellular carcinoma: from basic principle, measurement methods to clinical application
Yukai LI ; Qingbo WANG ; Yubo LIANG ; Yang KE
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(10):940-947
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common and fatal malignant tumors worldwide, and the burden of HCC is particularly severe in China. Physiologically, the blood supply to healthy liver is mainly from the portal vein, supplemented by the hepatic artery. While in the development of HCC, the main source of blood supply to HCC is changed from the portal vein to the hepatic artery. The characteristics of HCC vascularization are important for imaging, surgery, interventional therapy, targeted therapy, etc. Even in the future, with the development of radiation therapy technology, such as proton and heavy ion therapy and artificial intelligence technology, the dynamic changes in HCC blood perfusion can be used as a new biomarker of tumor activity to provide accurate information on the intensity modulation of radiotherapy, so that accurate measurements of HCC blood perfusion is of great significance in guiding the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The technologies for measurement of HCC blood perfusion have developed from invasive techniques, such as inert gas scavenging, electromagnetic flowmeter, and radionuclide-labeled erythrocyte elution in the middle of the last century to the present non-invasive techniques of CT. With the development of CT imaging technology in the last 30 years, the CT-based imaging technology can assess the status of organ and tissue perfusion relatively easily and accurately. In this paper, the various CT measurement techniques of blood perfusion in HCC were categorized into three types: semi-quantitative technique, relative quantitative technique, and absolute quantitative technique. Their basic principle, scanning methods, and clinical applications were discussed to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
9.The clinical application value of semiconductor laser combined with flat-panel CT in guiding foramen ovale puncture
Tao ZHANG ; Yongqiang XU ; Qingbo WANG ; Haitao ZHANG ; Zefu LI ; Hailong XING
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(12):2046-2049
Objective To explore the clinical application value of semiconductor laser combined with flat-panel CT guidance in foramen ovale puncture for trigeminal neuralgia(TN).Methods A total of 86 patients with primary TN were selected and randomly divided into control group(n=43)and observation group(n=43).The control group used empirical manual puncture,and the observation group used semiconductor laser combined with flat-panel CT-guided radiofrequency ablation.The first puncture success rate,puncture success time,total operation time,and intraoperative flat-panel CT scan times were carefully evaluated.Results The puncture success time,total operation time,and intraoperative flat-panel CT scan times in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).In addition,the first puncture success rate and surgical efficiency 12 months after surgery were significantly improved(P<0.05).The incidence of facial congestion in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),but there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of chewing weakness,cerebrospinal fluid leakage,and intracranial infection between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Minimally invasive foramen ovale puncture under the guidance of semiconductor laser combined with flat-panel CT for the treatment of TN has the advantages of simple operation,accurate positioning,low risk,and few complications,with important clinical application value.
10.A case of recurrent convulsions caused by acute sulfuryl fluoride gas poisoning
Qingbo ZHANG ; Zhenhua LI ; Rui WANG ; Yugang ZHANG ; Chunhua SU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(8):613-615
Sulfuryl fluoride is a kind of pesticide with strong permeability, convenient use at low temperature, non-corrosive and other characteristics, which can kill food pests and has strong lethality to termites. In acute sulfuryl fluoride poisoning, patients can see recurrent convulsions, epileptic electroencephalogram abnormalities such as matrix spikes or high amplitude spikes. In this paper, a patient with sulfuryl fluoride poisoning with convulsion-based mental system symptoms was reported, and after clinical treatment with dexamethasone and phenobarbital sodium, the patient was cured and discharged.

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