1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Alleviates Dry Eye Disease by Regulating Tear Film Homeostasis: A Review
Sainan TIAN ; Bin'an WANG ; Yao CHEN ; Guicheng LIU ; Li TANG ; Pei LIU ; Genyan QIN ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):172-181
Dry eye (DE) is a prevalent multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, clinically characterized by tear film homeostasis imbalance accompanied by related ocular surface symptoms. Specifically, the tear film is a thin liquid layer of tears covering the cornea and conjunctiva through blinking, while tear film homeostasis serves as the foundation for maintaining normal ocular surface structure and function. Insufficient tear secretion and excessive tear film evaporation lead to tear hyperosmolarity and the production of inflammatory mediators, disrupting tear film homeostasis and subsequently forming DE. Additionally, cascade reactions are triggered, resulting in a "vicious cycle of DE" that exacerbates the disease severity and prolongs its duration. Therefore, for DE treatment, it is crucial to restore tear film homeostasis and terminate this vicious cycle. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which differentiates and treats DE based on systemic conditions, often achieves favorable therapeutic outcomes, offering additional treatment options for DE. Studies have demonstrated that TCM can alleviate DE by regulating tear film homeostasis and terminating the vicious cycle. This review systematically summarizes recent basic experimental research in China and abroad on TCM in alleviating DE by regulating tear film homeostasis, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and an insight for research design.
2.Effect of Runmu Dihuang Decoction on Perimenopausal Dry Eye in Rats with Liver-kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome Based on SIRT3/HIF-1α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Sainan TIAN ; Wei MA ; Yao CHEN ; Yu CAO ; Guicheng LIU ; Pei LIU ; Junxian LEI ; Qinghua PENG ; Jun PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):201-210
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Runmu Dihuang decoction (RMDHD) in treating perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome based on the silent information regulator 3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 per group): Sham operation group, model group, sodium hyaluronate eye drop group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose RMDHD groups (5.625, 11.25, 22.50 g·kg-1). Except for the sham operation group, all rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were administered 0.1% benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with long-term chronic irritation to establish a perimenopausal dry eye model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. Drug administration began in the 11th week after modeling and continued for 21 days. General conditions, screen-grip test scores, tear secretion volume, tear film breakup time (TFBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining were recorded. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (PROG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in the lacrimal glands, corneas, and uteri were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Protein expression levels of SIRT3, HIF-1α, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and total NF-κB p65 in the lacrimal glands were detected by Western blot. The expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the lacrimal glands was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsAfter model establishment, no significant differences were observed among the groups except the sham operation group. Compared with the sham operation group, the other groups exhibited slowed movement, dull responses, increased irritability, reduced body weight, elevated rectal temperature, decreased screen-grip test scores, reduced tear secretion, and significantly shortened TFBUT (P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the model group, the sodium hyaluronate eye drop group and all RMDHD groups showed improved general conditions, significantly increased tear secretion (P<0.05), prolonged TFBUT (P<0.05), and elevated screen-grip test scores (P<0.05). Serum ROS and FSH levels were significantly decreased, while E2 and PROG levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Pathological damage to the cornea, lacrimal glands, and uterus was ameliorated. In addition, protein expression levels of SIRT3 and HIF-1α in the lacrimal glands were significantly upregulated (P<0.05), whereas the expression of p-NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and TNF-α was significantly downregulated (P<0.05). ConclusionRMDHD increases tear secretion and TFBUT, improves lacrimal gland and corneal injury, and alleviates dry eye symptoms in a perimenopausal dry eye rat model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. The underlying mechanism may be related to regulation of the SIRT3/HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and reduction of ocular surface tissue damage.
3.Bibliometric Analysis of Acupuncture Treatment for Colorectal Cancer Based on CiteSpace
Hui WU ; Haitao CHEN ; Qinghua YAO
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(2):189-196
[Objective]Through visual analysis of the literature on acupuncture treatment of colorectal cancer in the past 25 years,to understand the current status in the field and provide a reference for future development directions.[Methods]With the theme of"colorectal cancer"and"acupuncture",the relevant literature in the field of acupuncture treatment of colorectal cancer from January 1998 to December 2023 in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)were searched.The selected literatures were imported into Zotero software in Refworks format for file review and imported into CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software after data format conversion for visual analysis of authors,institutions,keywords and other information.[Results]A total of 307 relevant literatures were included,and the number of literature generally showed an increasing trend,especially in 2020.A total of 262 core authors emerged from the atlas,with less collaboration between author teams.At present,the main research institutions in this field are various universities of Chinese medicine and their affiliated hospitals,and the inter-institutional cooperation and contact presents a regional nature.Keyword analysis shows that the research hotspots in recent years mainly include auricular point sticking,electroacupuncture,Zusanli,laparoscope,gastrointestinal function,etc.,and future research directions will focus on the field of rehabilitation.[Conclusion]It is necessary to strengthen the cooperation between authors and institutions,enhance cross-regional research cooperation,carry out high-quality basic research and clinical research,and intensify multidisciplinary integration in the research field of acupuncture treatment of colorectal cancer,providing sufficient evidence for the application and promotion.
4.Effects of surgical timing on incidence of perioperative complications and postoperative 30-day mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture
Shuangpeng JIANG ; Gang ZHANG ; Teng ZHANG ; Chao DONG ; Di AI ; Qinghua SI ; Libin PENG ; Hongxing SONG ; Qi YAO
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(3):204-209
Objective:To investigate the effects of surgical timing on incidence of perioperative complications and postoperative 30-day mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture.Methods:The data were retrospectively analyzed of the 450 elderly patients with hip fracture who had been admitted to Department of Joint Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the time from admission to surgery. In the early surgery group of 143 cases [41 males and 102 females with an age of 82(75, 86) years], the time from admission to surgery was ≤ 48 hours. In the delayed surgery group of 307 cases [88 males and 219 females with an age of 83(77, 87) years], the time from admission to surgery was over 48 hours. The 2 groups were compared in terms of comorbidities, perioperative complications, death events within postoperative 30 days, ICU transfer rate and total length of hospital stay.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data like age and gender between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The proportions of patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease [30.0%(92/307)], a stroke history [19.9%(61/307)], abnormal heart function [55.4%(170/307)] and abnormal kidney function [24.4%(75/307)] in the delayed surgery group were significantly higher than those in the early surgery group [18.2%(26/143), 10.5% (15/143), 39.2%(56/143), and 12.6%(18/143)] ( P<0.05). The proportions of perioperative pulmonary infection [22.5% (69/307)] and urinary infection [21.2%(65/307)] in the delayed operation group were significantly higher than those in the early operation group [11.9%(17/143) and 11.2%(16/143)] ( P<0.05). The total hospital stay in the delayed operation group [18(14, 22) d] was significantly longer than that in the early operation group [14(10, 17) d] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ICU transfer rate or postoperative 30-day mortality between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For elderly patients with hip fracture, delayed surgery may increase the incidence of pulmonary infection and urinary infection, and extend their total hospital stay, but have no effect on the postoperative 30-day mortality.
5.Pathogen genome databases development and application in public health
Ziquan LYU ; Yanbo YANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Xiangjie YAO ; Xuemei LU ; Yulin FU ; Xiran WANG ; Qinghua HU ; Xuan ZOU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1697-1703
Infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to global public health. Successive global shocks caused by emerging and re-emerging pathogens have continuously challenged existing surveillance systems, highlighting the urgent need to build efficient and precise pathogen surveillance networks. Pathogen genomic databases have been developed rapidly in recent two decades, significantly improving the molecular identification, evolutionary analysis, and transmission tracking of pathogens, and changing disease surveillance strategies and patterns. This paper summarizes the developmental history and current state of pathogen genomic databases, and discusses their applications in public health, including pathogen variation surveillance, emerging or suspected pathogen identification, and epidemiological tracing. Furthermore, this paper systematically analyzes the limitations and key challenges faced by current global health prevention and control system, and suggests the focus of the development of online pathogen databases to address existing shortcomings, ultimately improve global infectious disease surveillance and early warning
6.Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency evidence
Sainan TIAN ; Guicheng LIU ; Yao CHEN ; Pei LIU ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG ; Shujuan HU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1270-1279
Objective To establish a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency from the perspective of"measuring evidence by prescription"in Chinese medicine.Methods Thirty SPF-grade female SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated,model,and Qiju Dihuang soup groups(n=10).Rats in the latter two groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were given 0.1%benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with provocation for 10 weeks to establish a model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency.After modeling,rats in the Qiju Dihuang soup group were gavaged with Qiju Dihuang soup at a dose of 8.37 g/(kg·d),rats in the sham-operated and model groups were gavaged with saline at a rate of 1 mL/100(g·d)for 21 d.The general condition,retinal screen test scores,tear secretion,time of tear film rupture,and corneal fluorescein staining were observed and recorded in each group.Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2),and progesterone(PROG)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands were detected by hematoxylin/eosin staining.Expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-a in the cornea were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed behavioral signs of slow action and reaction,irritability,body mass loss,and increased anal temperature(P<0.05),decreased retinal screen test scores(P<0.05),tear secretion(P<0.05),and time of tear film rupture(P<0.05),and pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands.FSH levels increased and E2 and PROG levels decreased(P<0.05)and expression levels of IL-1 and TNF-α increased in the model group compared with the sham group.All the above indexes were significantly improved in the Qiju Dihuang soup group compared with the model group.Conclusions From the perspective of"measuring evidence by formula"in Chinese medicine,we successfully established a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome,which provides a theoretical and experimental basis for future systematic and in-depth research on the mechanism of perimenopausal dry eye with formula and evidence.
7.Mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine in modulating gut microbiota on primary open-angle glaucoma: a study based on data mining, network pharmacology, and Mendelian randomization
Yu TANG ; Bingyao ZHU ; Qianhong LIU ; Kai WU ; Pai ZHOU ; Xiaolei YAO ; Qinghua PENG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):491-503
Objective:
To elucidate the potential mechanisms by which Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) regulates gut microbiota (GM) to influence the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Methods:
Data mining, network pharmacology, and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses (two-sample design) were conducted in integration to systematically explore the CHM-GM-POAG axis. Literature-based data mining method was applied to identify frequently used herbs and herb pairs for POAG, and the properties and meridian tropism of the herbs were analyzed as well. Target prediction and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify shared molecular pathways among CHM components, GM, and POAG. MR analysis was performed to assess the genetically predicted causal associations between specific microbial taxa and POAG risk.
Results:
Our data mining work indicated that commonly used CHMs were mainly bitter and sweet in flavors and cold in property, with meridian tropism toward the liver, lung, and kidney. The predominant therapeutic effects of the CHMs included soothing the liver and regulating Qi, promoting blood circulation, and reducing fluid retention. Representative herb pairs were Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata)-Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Gouqi (Lycii Fructus)-Fuling (Poria) with Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos)-Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). Network pharmacology revealed overlapping targets involving antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation pathways. MR analysis demonstrated that higher abundances of Ruminiclostridium 6 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58 – 0.92, P = 0.007], Ruminococcaceae UCG-002 (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63 – 0.96, P = 0.018), Ruminococcus torques group (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57 – 0.90, P = 0.004), and Victivallis (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70 – 0.96, P = 0.016) were causally associated with reduced POAG risk, whereas Actinomyces (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06 – 1.68, P = 0.013) and Blautia (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.90, P = 0.042) showed positive associations.
Conclusion
This study revealed potential causal links between GM and POAG and provided integrative evidence that CHM may modulate the microbiota to exert neuroprotective effects. These findings offer new integrative insights into the gut-eye axis and a theoretical basis for developing microbiota-targeted CHM strategies in glaucoma management.
8.Analysis of Dry Eye Animal Models Based on Clinical Disease and Syndrome Characteristics in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Guicheng LIU ; Yao CHEN ; Binan WANG ; Pei LIU ; Jun PENG ; Sainan TIAN ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):200-208
ObjectiveAccording to the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics of dry eye (DE), this paper aims to analyze existing DE animal models to provide recommendations for building more clinically relevant DE models that integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine. MethodsBy the retrieval and analysis of relevant literature on DE animal experiments, combined with expert consensus, an evaluation scale was created to assess relevance from the perspectives of pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation. On the basis of data provided by the literature, the clinical relevance was evaluated for the animal models constructed in the literature. ResultsAmong the existing methods for establishing a DE animal model, benzalkonium chloride eye-drop induction showed the highest clinical relevance, demonstrating 98% alignment with Western medicine. However, current models generally showed higher relevance to Western medicine than to TCM, and there was a lack of models integrating disease with syndrome. ConclusionAs DE involves diverse causes and pathogenesis, single-factor models cannot fully simulate the complex pathology of DE. Future research should focus on building multi-mechanism DE models, exploring new etiological directions, standardizing model evaluation systems, and promoting integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. This will help precisely simulate the pathophysiological process of human DE and provide more valuable guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.
9.The mediating role of reduced amygdala subregion volume between childhood trauma and depression severity in patients with major depressive disorder
Azi SHEN ; Wenyue GONG ; Yinghong HUANG ; Yiwen WANG ; Qiudong XIA ; Kaiyu SHI ; Qinghua ZHAI ; Rui YAN ; Qing LU ; Zhijian YAO
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(5):356-364
Objective:This study aims to explore the independent and interactive effects of childhood trauma (CT) and major depressive disorder (MDD) on amygdala subregion volumes and to examine whether volumetric changes in these subregions mediate the relationship between CT and depressive severity.Methods:A total of 129 MDD patients and 127 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from Nanjing Brain Hospital between October 2022 and November 2024. All participants underwent 3D-T 1 weighted MRI scans,and amygdala subregions were segmented using the FreeSurfer software. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA),respectively. Childhood trauma exposure was evaluated via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Generalized linear models (GLM) were applied to analyze the main and interactive effects of MDD diagnosis (depression/healthy controls) and CT (presence/absence),adjusting for age,estimated intracranial volume,sex,medication history,and education years. Partial correlation and mediation analyses were conducted to explore associations between amygdala subregion volumes and clinical measures in MDD patients. Results:MDD diagnosis was independently associated with increased volumes in the right central nucleus ( Wald χ2=9.09, P=0.026) and medial nucleus ( Wald χ2=10.08, P=0.026). CT exposure was independently associated with reduced volumes in the right central nucleus ( Wald χ2=7.99, P=0.047) and medial nucleus ( Wald χ2=9.20, P=0.047). No significant interaction effects between MDD and CT were observed in any amygdala subregion. Mediation analysis revealed that reduced right medial nucleus volume partially mediated the relationship between total CTQ scores and depressive severity (proportion mediated: 26.69%,95% CI=0.002-0.060) and mediated the association between emotional neglect and depressive severity (proportion mediated: 26.75%,95% CI=0.006-0.150). Such mediating effects were not found for the right central nucleus. Conclusion:CT and MDD exhibit divergent patterns of influence on amygdala subregions. CT is linked to volumetric reductions,whereas MDD is associated with volumetric enlargement. Reduced volume of the right medial nucleus mediates the relationship between CT and depression severity.
10.Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency evidence
Sainan TIAN ; Guicheng LIU ; Yao CHEN ; Pei LIU ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG ; Shujuan HU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1270-1279
Objective To establish a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency from the perspective of"measuring evidence by prescription"in Chinese medicine.Methods Thirty SPF-grade female SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated,model,and Qiju Dihuang soup groups(n=10).Rats in the latter two groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were given 0.1%benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with provocation for 10 weeks to establish a model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency.After modeling,rats in the Qiju Dihuang soup group were gavaged with Qiju Dihuang soup at a dose of 8.37 g/(kg·d),rats in the sham-operated and model groups were gavaged with saline at a rate of 1 mL/100(g·d)for 21 d.The general condition,retinal screen test scores,tear secretion,time of tear film rupture,and corneal fluorescein staining were observed and recorded in each group.Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2),and progesterone(PROG)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands were detected by hematoxylin/eosin staining.Expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-a in the cornea were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed behavioral signs of slow action and reaction,irritability,body mass loss,and increased anal temperature(P<0.05),decreased retinal screen test scores(P<0.05),tear secretion(P<0.05),and time of tear film rupture(P<0.05),and pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands.FSH levels increased and E2 and PROG levels decreased(P<0.05)and expression levels of IL-1 and TNF-α increased in the model group compared with the sham group.All the above indexes were significantly improved in the Qiju Dihuang soup group compared with the model group.Conclusions From the perspective of"measuring evidence by formula"in Chinese medicine,we successfully established a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome,which provides a theoretical and experimental basis for future systematic and in-depth research on the mechanism of perimenopausal dry eye with formula and evidence.

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