1.Exploring Academic Characteristics of Contemporary Experts and Schools in Traditional Chinese Medicine Gynecology in Treating Endometriosis Diseases Based on SrTO
Zhiran LI ; Xiaojun BU ; Xiaodan WANG ; Le ZHANG ; Ruixue LIU ; Jingyu REN ; Xing LIAO ; Weiwei SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):249-259
ObjectiveStarting from the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of endometriosis and adenomyosis, to integrate and sort out the academic characteristics of contemporary renowned experts and schools in the field of traditional Chinese medicine gynecology. MethodsAccording to the systematic review of text and opinion (SrTO) process developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) in Australia, this paper determined literature screening criteria by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Literature Database. Information was extracted after literature screening, and quality evaluation was conducted using the JBI Narrative, Text, and Opinion Systematic Review Strict Evaluation Checklist. The JBI Narrative, Opinion, Text Evaluation, and Review Tool Summary Table was used for information synthesis, and data analysis and display were conducted in the form of text and charts. ResultsThe 146 articles related to 39 renowned experts and 19 articles related to 10 schools of thought were included. Research has found that contemporary experts and schools in traditional Chinese medicine gynecology consider blood stasis as the core pathogenesis in understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of two diseases and related infertility. Their viewpoints varied from multiple aspects such as clinical symptom characteristics, meridian circulation location, pathological product evolution, disease duration, emotional psychology, lifestyle habits, preference for food and drink, innate endowment, and acquired injury. In terms of treatment, it was advocated to divide the stage, treat according to different types, adapt to the times, integrate nature and humans, and combine multiple methods to treat comprehensively when necessary. It was also recommended to skillfully use insects, make good use of classic formulas and small prescriptions, pay attention to protecting the spleen and stomach and regulating emotions, and make good use of self-formulated empirical formulas for internal or external use. Besides, individualized long-term management of patients was also advocated. ConclusionThis study applies the SrTO process to systematically summarize the academic ideas of contemporary renowned experts and schools in traditional Chinese medicine gynecology regarding the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatments of endometriosis, providing a scientific and standardized reference for future theoretical exploration.
2.Astrocyte FGF7/FGFR2 autocrine signaling mediates neuroinflammation and promotes MPTP-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.
Xin SUN ; Yueping WANG ; Yajie ZHANG ; Ruixue HAN ; Min WANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Ting SUN ; Yang LIU ; Gang HU ; Lei CAO ; Ming LU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4730-4750
Reactive astrocytes, which exhibit a correlation with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, are present in a considerable number during the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the underlying factors shaping astrocyte reactivity and neuroinflammation in PD remain inadequately elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7)/FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) autocrine signaling intensifies astrocyte reactivity and inflammation. Genetic deletion of Arrb2, β-Arrestin2 encoding gene, led to escalated astrocyte reactivity in MPTP-treated mice, which was further substantiated in astrocyte-specific Arrb2 knockdown mice. RNA sequencing profiling of Arrb2 knockout astrocytes identified Fgf7 as a critical effector of astrocyte reactivity. Subsequently, conditional knockdown of Fgf7 and its receptor Fgfr2 in astrocytes elicited advantageous effects for MPTP-treated mice by restraining the inflammatory phenotypic transition of reactive astrocytes. Furthermore, deletion of astrocytic Fgf7 mitigated MPTP-induced pathology in Arrb2 knockout mice. Mechanistically, STAT1 was distinguished as the transcription factor suppressing Fgf7 expression, while β-Arrestin2 counteracted the proteasomal degradation of STAT1 by binding to RNF220, an E3 ubiquitin ligase for STAT1. More importantly, selectively engaging dopamine D2 receptor (Drd2)/β-Arrestin2-biased signaling using the agonist UNC9995 exhibited therapeutic potential in MPTP-treated mice via moderation of astrocytic FGF7 production, thereby restoring balance in astrocyte reactivity. Collectively, our study bridges a crucial knowledge gap by elucidating the novel functions of FGF family members within the central nervous system, particularly within the context of PD. The autocrine signaling of FGF7/FGFR2 represents a novel mechanism and a potential druggable target for modulating astrocyte-derived inflammation.
3.Multidrug resistance reversal effect of tenacissoside I through impeding EGFR methylation mediated by PRMT1 inhibition.
Donghui LIU ; Qian WANG ; Ruixue ZHANG ; Ruixin SU ; Jiaxin ZHANG ; Shanshan LIU ; Huiying LI ; Zhesheng CHEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Dexin KONG ; Yuling QIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(9):1092-1103
Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of various chemotherapeutics. Novel approaches, particularly the development of MDR reversal agents, are critically needed to address this challenge. This study demonstrates that tenacissoside I (TI), a compound isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, traditionally used in clinical practice as an ethnic medicine for cancer treatment, exhibits significant MDR reversal effects in ABCB1-mediated MDR cancer cells. TI reversed the resistance of SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PAC) by downregulating ABCB1 expression and reducing ABCB1 drug transport function. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), whose expression correlates with poor prognosis and shows positive association with both ABCB1 and EGFR expressions in tumor tissues, was differentially expressed in TI-treated SW620/AD300 cells. SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells exhibited elevated levels of EGFR asymmetric dimethylarginine (aDMA) and enhanced PRMT1-EGFR interaction compared to their parental cells. Moreover, TI-induced PRMT1 downregulation impaired PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, PRMT1-EGFR interaction, and EGFR downstream signaling in SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells. These effects were significantly reversed by PRMT1 overexpression. Additionally, TI demonstrated resistance reversal to PAC in xenograft models without detectable toxicities. This study establishes TI's MDR reversal effect in ABCB1-mediated MDR human cancer cells through inhibition of PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, suggesting TI's potential as an MDR modulator for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Humans
;
Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects*
;
ErbB Receptors/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects*
;
Methylation/drug effects*
;
Saponins/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics*
;
Doxorubicin/pharmacology*
;
Paclitaxel/pharmacology*
;
Female
;
Repressor Proteins
4.Effects of usnic acid on proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of A549 and NCI-H358 cells
Xinwei Li ; Yanting Wang ; Ruixue Li ; Huimin Bai ; Jinlong Liu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):455-462
Objective:
To investigate the effects of usnic acid(UA) on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and autophagy of lung cancer cells A549 and NCI-H358.
Methods:
The CCK-8 method was used to detect the inhibitory effect of UA on two kinds of lung cancer cells proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle arrest effect of UA on two types of lung cancer cells. The fluorescence amount of UA-induced reactive oxygen species(ROS) in two kinds of lung cancer cells were detected by DCFH-DA probe assay and flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis related proteins Bax, Caspase-3, Cleaved-Caspase-3, and autophagy related proteins LC3-Ⅰ and LC3-Ⅱ in two types of lung cancer cells after treatment with UA and UA+ROS inhibition.
Results:
(1) Usnic acid reduced the survival rates of two types of cells and had a stronger ability to inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells than NCI-H358 cells.(2) Usnic acid blocked A549 cells in the G0/G1phase, while NCI-H358 cells in the G2/M and S phases.(3) Usnic acid induced an increase in ROS content in two types of cells. Compared to A549, NCI-H358 cells showed a greater increase in ROS, and the ROS inhibitor reduced the intracellular ROS increase induced by UA.(4) Usnic acid induced high expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 and increased the ratio of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in both lung adenocarcinoma cells, and its pro-apoptotic and autophagic effects were stronger in A549 than in NCI-H358. After ROS inhibition, the expression levels of Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio of both lung adenocarcinoma cells decreased, and the decrease was greater in NCI-H358 cells.
Conclusion
Usnic acid inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer A549 and NCI-H358 cells, induces cell cycle arrest, and induces apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. The inhibitory and killing effect of UA on A549 cells is stronger than that on NCI-H358 cells. In this case, the induced cell ROS are involved in the action of UA in two types of lung cancer cells. In contrast to A549 cells,ROS might play a more significant role in mediating the apoptosis and autophagy induced by usnic acid in NCI-H358 cells.
5.Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors for adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients with COVID-19
Qianqian YANG ; Shiwei LIU ; Ruixue DUAN ; Wanrong DOU ; Jie YANG ; Xiaoqin CHEN ; Linlin GAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2024;32(1):35-43
Objective:The purpose of this study is to explore the clinical characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and analyze the risk factors for adverse outcomes.Methods:2 052 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in Shanxi Bethune Hospital between December 1, 2022 and March 20, 2023 were included. They were divided into diabetes group ( n=70) and non-diabetes group ( n=1 982) according to the presence or absence of comorbid T2DM. The two groups were matched at 1:1 via propensity score matching. Clinical characteristics and laboratory examination results of the two groups were compared. According to the outcomes during hospitalization, the two groups were further divided into two subgroups respectively. Univariate analysis and subsequent binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes. Results:After the propensity score matching, the most common comorbid condition in diabetes group and non-diabetes group was hypertension. The proportion of patients with severe or critical disease in diabetes group was higher compared with non-diabetes group. The levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher in the diabetes group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis within the diabetes group showed that hypertension ( OR=3.640, 95% CI: 3.156 to 4.290), FBG>11 mmol/L ( OR=3.283, 95% CI: 1.416 to 7.611), HbA1c>10% ( OR=2.718, 95% CI: 1.024 to 7.213) were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the non-diabetes group, patients with COVID-19 and T2DM have worse inflammatory response and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. The elevated levels of FBG and HbA1c are related to the adverse outcome in patients with COVID-19 and T2DM.
6.Evaluation of the clinical relevant effect of hospital-wide blood glucose management in perioperative cholelithiasis patients with type 2 diabetes
Jie YANG ; Shiwei LIU ; Wanrong DOU ; Le JIANG ; Qianqian YANG ; Ruixue DUAN ; Chenxia ZHANG ; Jie ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2024;32(1):44-49
Objective:To evaluate the clinical relevant effect of hospital-wide blood glucose management in perioperative cholelithiasis patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:The subjects of the study were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with cholelithiasis who were treated at the Baiqiu'en Hospital in Shanxi from September 2022 to October 2023. The patients were divided into hospital-wide blood sugar management group and conventional treatment group, according to different blood glucose management they received. The differences in preoperative blood glucose control, length of stay, postoperative complications, and hospitalization expenses between the two groups were compared.Results:Compare based on the median (quartiles) of the observed indicators, patients with cholelithiasis who underwent hospital-wide blood glucose management based on insulin pumps had a higher proportion of time in range [72.00(70.21, 82.90)% vs. 64.80 (61.55,70.50)%, P<0.001)], lower average blood glucose level [9.00 (8.55, 10.44) mmol/L vs. 11.50 (10.50, 12.50) mmol/L, P<0.001], and shorter hospital stay [8.00 (7.00,13.00) days vs. 10.00 (8.00, 12.00) ) days, P<0.05]. Moreover, the incidence of postoperative complications was lower [5(11.11)% vs. 15(33.33)%, P<0.05], and hospitalization expenses were lower [16 535.34 (14 271.44, 29 569.23) yuan vs. 18 633.85 (17 482.66) yuan , 22 855.02) yuan, P<0.05] in patients who received hospital-wide blood glucose management. Conclusion:Hospital-wide blood glucose management based on insulin pumps showed favorable effects in the perioperative clinical application in cholelithiasis patients with type 2 diabetes, and could contribute to shortening the average length of stay, reducing hospitalization costs, and reducing postoperative complications.
7.A nationwide cross-sectional study of depressive symptoms among community-based patients with neoplasms in China
Hanyun LI ; Xiuting LI ; Ruixue XU ; Fuqin MU ; Yan QIN ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yibo WU ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):55-62
Objective:To investigate the associated factors of depressive symptoms among patients with neo-plasms.Methods:Nationwide(excluding Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan),30 505 residents were selected by a combination of stratified sampling and quota sampling according to the proportion of the seventh national population census.Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9),General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7),self-made questionnaire,and simplified perceived social support scale used to evaluate depressive symptoms,anxiety symptoms,behaviors,and perceived social support among patients with neoplasms.Results:Totally 359(1.2%)patients with self-repor-ted clinically diagnosed neoplasms were included,of which 151(42.1%)patients with malignant neoplasms and 208(57.9%)patients with benign neoplasms.The detection rate of depressive symptoms in patients with neo-plasms was 76.6%.Less than three days of walking for more than 10 minutes per day in the past week(OR=6.63),4-6 days of walking for more than 10 minutes per day in the past week(OR=5.00),the low(OR=4.80)or medium(OR=3.06)overall sleep quality,the lower perceived friend support(OR=4.66),and anxiety symp-toms(OR=1.74)among patients with neoplasms were risk factors for depressive symptoms.Conclusion:Patients with neoplasms generally might be at a high risk of depressive symptoms,especially for those patients with less ex-ercise,poor sleep quality,and low perceived social support.
8.Analysis of osteoporosis-related biomarker levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jie ZHENG ; Ruixue DUAN ; Yuxiang ZHAO ; Xin LI ; Xiaoqin CHEN ; Shiwei LIU
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(4):279-283
Objective:To investigate the levels of osteoporosis-related biomarkers in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A cross-sectional study. From January 2021 to June 2022, 40 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, 40 patients with type 2 diabetes, 40 patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with subclinical hypothyroidism, and 40 individuals receiving physical examination in Shanxi Bethune Hospital were selected as subjects in this study. The glucose and lipid metabolism indexes and bone metabolism indexes of the subjects were detected, and the differences and correlations of the metabolic indexes among the groups were analyzed by t-tests, nonparametric tests or correlation analysis. Results:Compared with healthy group, beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTX) level in type 2 diabetes group was higher [(344.60±125.61) vs (227.56±68.33) pg/ml] ( t=-5.176, P<0.001), osteocalcin (OC) and total procollagen type 1 aminoterminal peptide (t-PINP) were both lower [(15.76±4.70) vs (28.02±5.83)ng/ml, (43.49±13.63) vs (59.58±15.80) ng/ml] ( t=10.352, t=4.874, P<0.001). The β-CTX level in type 2 diabetes patients complicated with hypothyroidism was higher than that in patients with simple subclinical hypothyroidism [(380.51±122.22) vs (212.41±44.17) pg/ml] ( t=-8.180 ,P<0.001), but the levels of OC and t-PINP were both lower [(13.67±4.06) vs (26.12±4.55) ng/ml, (38.76±9.53) vs (61.50±12.31) ng/ml] ( t=12.897, P<0.001); but there was no significant difference in the three biomarkers between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by subclinical hypothyroidism and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus alone. [β-CTX: (380.51±122.22) vs (344.60±125.61) pg/ml, OC: (13.67±4.06) vs (15.76±4.70) ng/ml, t-PINP: (38.76±9.53) vs (43.49±13.63) ng/ml] ( t=1.296,1.890,-1.799 ,all P>0.05). In the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by subclinical hypothyroidism, the β-CTX was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)( r=0.293,0.487,all P<0.05), while OC and t-PINP were negatively correlated with FBG and HbA1c ( r=-0.560,-0.502,-0.289,-0.326, P<0.05). Conclusion:Changes of serum osteoporosis-related biomarkers in subclinical hypothyroidism patients with type 2 diabetes indicate the increased risk of osteoporosis in those patients.
9.Vaspin improves insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes rats by regulating the polarization of adipose tissue macrophages
Shaobo PANG ; Shiwei LIU ; Ruixue DUAN ; Yuxiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(2):145-157
Objective:This study aimed to explore the effect of Vaspin on adipose tissue macrophage polarization and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Fifty male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were chosen and randomly allocated into three groups: the normal control(NC), the type 2 diabetes(T2DM), and various concentrations of Vaspin intervention(V1: 480 ng/kg, V2: 960 ng/kg, V3: 1 440 ng/kg). Vaspin was administered via intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were evaluated via intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test(IPITT) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage polarization were assessed using immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and western blotting.Results:After 8 weeks of intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in body weight and blood lipid levels among groups. IPGTT, IPITT, and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp experiments demonstrated that Vaspin intervention improved blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, exhibiting a dose-dependent manner( P<0.05). IF and RT-PCR showed that Vaspin downregulated the expression of CD11c, IL-1β, and TNF-α in eWAT, while upregulating the expression of CD206, IL-10, and PPARγ, which correlated with Vaspin concentration( P<0.05). ELISA revealed that Vaspin intervention reduced the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum, while increasing the concentration of IL-10( P<0.05). Western blotting demonstrated that Vaspin downregulated iNOS protein expression, while upregulating Arg1, p-Akt, and PPARγ expression in a dose-dependent manner( P<0.05). Conclusion:Vaspin promotes M2 polarization of adipose tissue macrophages via PPARγ pathway, leading to reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity in T2DM rats.
10.Prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia among workers in an electronics factory in Wuhan
Jiajie SUN ; Chao XIA ; Yuqin SHI ; Pengli CAI ; Hao ZHANG ; Jinxin CHENG ; Ruixue ZHAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Wenjun YIN ; Jingrong LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(3):90-94
Objective To understand the prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in electronics factory workers in Wuhan, and to provide evidence for the health protection of electronics factory workers. Methods A total of 1 415 employees in an electronics factory in Wuhan were selected as the research subjects, and the physical examination and determination of various biochemical indicators, as well as questionnaire survey were carried out. Results The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in the electronics factory in Wuhan was 32.43%, with 36.33% for men and 14.11% for women, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=46.077,P<0.001). The detection rate of hyperuricemia was the highest (33.77%) among those with university or college education, followed by graduate students and above (31.50%). Compared with subjects with good lifestyle habits, people with drinking habits had higher hyperuricemia detection rate (49.38%), and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.001). The detection rates of hyperuricemia in those with central obesity and elevated alanine aminotransferase were 48.23% and 61.29%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the subjects without the above diseases (26.91% and 27.21%, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). Obese people had the highest detection rate of hyperuricemia (66.95%), followed by overweight people (43.75%), and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that alcohol drinking (OR=1.836, 95% CI=1.139-2.961, P =0.013) and body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m2 (OR=2.175, 95% CI=1.686 -2.806, P <0.001) were risk factors for hyperuricemia in electronic factory workers. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly correlated with hyperuricemia (OR=2.964, 95%CI=2.146-4.095 , P <0.001). Female gender was a protective factor for hyperuricemia in workers in the electronics factory (OR=0.441, 95%CI=0.297-0.653 , P <0.001). Conclusion The detection rate of hyperuricemia among workers in an electronics factory in Wuhan is high, and the detection rate of hyperuricemia in men is higher than that in women. Alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity will increase the risk of hyperuricemia. Elevated ALT is associated with hyperuricemia. Maintaining an ideal body mass index and establishing a good lifestyle play an important role in preventing hyperuricemia.


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