1.Exploring Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment Strategies of Panvascular Diseases Based on ''Latent Pathogen'' Theory
Ruoqi ZHANG ; Jie WANG ; Lanchun LIU ; Chao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):23-29
Panvascular diseases refer to systemic vascular lesions with atherosclerosis as its common pathological basis, affecting the vascular networks of multiple organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, limbs, and large arteries. This concept transcends the limitations of traditional classifications and promotes comprehensive vascular health management through multidisciplinary collaboration. Latent pathogenic factors play a critical role in the pathogenesis of panvascular diseases. They remain dormant within the body until finding an opportunity to manifest, which aligns closely with the characteristics of panvascular diseases, including their early covert progression and subsequent adverse vascular events. According to the ''latent pathogen'' theory, this article elucidates the pathogenesis of panvascular diseases from latent pathogen, vessel damage, and healthy Qi consumption. It posits that the disease onset involves a pathological process progressing from Qi to blood, with endothelial injury serving as the initiating factor. Disease progression encompasses changes from blood to vessels, with inflammatory responses accelerating the disease course. A comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based prevention and treatment system has been developed, dividing the disease course into three stages. In the early stage, pathogenic factors lurk in the vessels, primarily manifesting as abnormal lipid metabolism. In the middle stage, pathogenic factors evolve, leading to inflammatory cascade reactions. In the late stage, pathogenic factors become excessive while positive factors decline, resulting in abnormal energy metabolism. Three core therapeutic approaches-invigorating the spleen and resolving phlegm, activating blood and resolving stasis, and reinforcing healthy Qi and nourishing deficiency-have been established to address key pathological links. In conjunction with modern medical research, the mechanisms of these methods in regulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and modulating energy metabolism to prevent and treat panvascular diseases are explained. It is anticipated that this theoretical framework will enrich the diagnostic and therapeutic thinking in TCM for panvascular diseases and provide a theoretical foundation for constructing TCM-characteristic prevention and treatment plans for panvascular diseases.
2.Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Angiogenesis: A Review
Zeming ZHANG ; Lanchun LIU ; Qiyang LI ; Xuan SUN ; Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yiyao ZHANG ; Jie WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):277-286
Angiogenesis, as a core mechanism for maintaining tissue perfusion and repairing ischemic injury, plays a crucial role in ischemic diseases such as coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its advantages of multi-target and synergistic regulation, provides a unique perspective for therapeutic angiogenesis. Based on this, this article intends to delve into the synergistic effects of key signaling pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)/VEGF receptor(VEGFR), Notch, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR), and angiopoietin/endothelial TEK tyrosine kinase(Ang/Tie2), and elucidate the driving mechanisms of endothelial cell metabolic reprogramming and exosome-mediated intercellular communication within this process. Based on existing literature, it summarizes the microenvironment-dependent and bidirectional regulatory characteristics of natural active components of TCM(such as terpenes, tanshinones, and flavonoids) on angiogenesis. Furthermore, it systematically discusses how classical TCM formulas achieve blood vessel formation and functional maturation by protecting the neurovascular units, recruiting pericytes, and remodeling the microenvironment. Current evidence highlights the advantages of multi-target synergy and temporal regulation in TCM, but also reveals challenges such as high heterogeneity and a lack of functional evaluations and high-quality clinical trials. Future efforts should integrate multi-omics to decipher network mechanisms, optimize formula compatibility, and conduct multicenter studies to promote the development of innovative preparations. This review highlights the academic value of TCM in angiogenesis, provides an evidence base for treating ischemic diseases, and supports multidisciplinary integration and innovation.
3.Progress of Krüppel-like factor 5 in tumors
Yubin YANG ; Tao ZHANG ; Ruoqi WANG ; Juanjuan GUO ; Xiaoming HOU
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(9):713-716
Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) has been confirmed as a key transcription factor in the occurrence and development of tumors, which is closely related to the malignant biological behaviors such as the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. This article summarizes the latest progress of KLF5 in tumor research, explores the mechanism and role of KLF5 in promoting tumor progression, aiming to further explore the potential of KLF5 as a therapeutic target and bring new thinking to the research in this field.
4.Development, reliability and validity testing of Flavor Perception Dysfunction Scale
Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yifan LI ; Jianfeng LIU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(6):604-610
Objective:To develop and validate a specialized scale for the diagnosis and evaluation of flavor perception disorders, providing a reference tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The core dimensions of the Flavour Perception Dysfunction Scale were identified, including basic information, type and degree of flavour perception disorder, impact on quality of life, and mental and physical health status. After initial development, the scale underwent expert consultation, with revisions based on feedback. The revised scale was administered to a clinical sample to measure its reliability (Cronbach′s alpha coefficient) and validity (content validity and structural validity), validating its measurement performance.Results:The scale comprised 40 entries covering 3 sections: basic information, characteristics of flavour perception disorder, and assessment of quality of life impact and psychosomatic health. In 106 clinical samples, the internal consistency test of the scale showed a Cronbach′s alpha coefficient of 0.979, with all dimensions>0.8; the split-half coefficient was 0.872. The content validity assessment showed that the content validity index of the scale reached 1.0 for the entries and 1.0 for both items and the full scale, demonstrating excellent content validity. For structural validity, the KMO test yielded a coefficient of 0.839 by KMO adaptability, and the Bartlett′s test of sphericity was significant (P<0.05), supporting factor analysis. T Exploratory factor analysis extracted two factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 87.725%, confirming high reliability and validity.Conclusion:The Flavor Perception Dysfunction Scale demonstrates strong reliability and validity, effectively assessing the severity of flavor perception disorders and their combined physical-psychological impacts. It provides a reliable tool for clinical diagnosis and intervention in flavor perception disorder.
5.Influence of cathepsin K on periodontitis and periodontal regeneration
Weiting MAO ; Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yuewen ZHAO ; Shan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):388-393
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily triggered by dysregulation of microbial communities and altered host immune response.It is clinically presented by alveolar bone resorption,which is one of the main causes of loosening of teeth and tooth loss.Cathepsin K(CTSK)is a highly expressed collagenase produced by osteo-clasts and can directly degrade matrix collagen proteins and indirectly increase osteoclast activity.The expression level of CTSK fluctuates in response to the progression of periodontal inflammation.The expression of Toll-like receptors is upregu-lated in periodontitis lesions.Pathogen-associated molecular pattern binds to relevant TLRs,initiating downstream im-mune pathways that promote receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-dependent osteoclastogenesis,along with in-creased expression of CTSK.Intervening in the process of alveolar bone resorption can be achieved through the regulation of CTSK.This paper provides a summary of the pathogenic mechanism of CTSK in periodontitis and highlights the research progress regarding the use of CTSK as a therapeutic target.The aim is to offer insights and references for the treatment of periodontitis.
6.Influence of cathepsin K on periodontitis and periodontal regeneration
Weiting MAO ; Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yuewen ZHAO ; Shan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):388-393
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily triggered by dysregulation of microbial communities and altered host immune response.It is clinically presented by alveolar bone resorption,which is one of the main causes of loosening of teeth and tooth loss.Cathepsin K(CTSK)is a highly expressed collagenase produced by osteo-clasts and can directly degrade matrix collagen proteins and indirectly increase osteoclast activity.The expression level of CTSK fluctuates in response to the progression of periodontal inflammation.The expression of Toll-like receptors is upregu-lated in periodontitis lesions.Pathogen-associated molecular pattern binds to relevant TLRs,initiating downstream im-mune pathways that promote receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-dependent osteoclastogenesis,along with in-creased expression of CTSK.Intervening in the process of alveolar bone resorption can be achieved through the regulation of CTSK.This paper provides a summary of the pathogenic mechanism of CTSK in periodontitis and highlights the research progress regarding the use of CTSK as a therapeutic target.The aim is to offer insights and references for the treatment of periodontitis.
7.Progress of Krüppel-like factor 5 in tumors
Yubin YANG ; Tao ZHANG ; Ruoqi WANG ; Juanjuan GUO ; Xiaoming HOU
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(9):713-716
Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) has been confirmed as a key transcription factor in the occurrence and development of tumors, which is closely related to the malignant biological behaviors such as the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. This article summarizes the latest progress of KLF5 in tumor research, explores the mechanism and role of KLF5 in promoting tumor progression, aiming to further explore the potential of KLF5 as a therapeutic target and bring new thinking to the research in this field.
8.Development, reliability and validity testing of Flavor Perception Dysfunction Scale
Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yifan LI ; Jianfeng LIU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(6):604-610
Objective:To develop and validate a specialized scale for the diagnosis and evaluation of flavor perception disorders, providing a reference tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The core dimensions of the Flavour Perception Dysfunction Scale were identified, including basic information, type and degree of flavour perception disorder, impact on quality of life, and mental and physical health status. After initial development, the scale underwent expert consultation, with revisions based on feedback. The revised scale was administered to a clinical sample to measure its reliability (Cronbach′s alpha coefficient) and validity (content validity and structural validity), validating its measurement performance.Results:The scale comprised 40 entries covering 3 sections: basic information, characteristics of flavour perception disorder, and assessment of quality of life impact and psychosomatic health. In 106 clinical samples, the internal consistency test of the scale showed a Cronbach′s alpha coefficient of 0.979, with all dimensions>0.8; the split-half coefficient was 0.872. The content validity assessment showed that the content validity index of the scale reached 1.0 for the entries and 1.0 for both items and the full scale, demonstrating excellent content validity. For structural validity, the KMO test yielded a coefficient of 0.839 by KMO adaptability, and the Bartlett′s test of sphericity was significant (P<0.05), supporting factor analysis. T Exploratory factor analysis extracted two factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 87.725%, confirming high reliability and validity.Conclusion:The Flavor Perception Dysfunction Scale demonstrates strong reliability and validity, effectively assessing the severity of flavor perception disorders and their combined physical-psychological impacts. It provides a reliable tool for clinical diagnosis and intervention in flavor perception disorder.
9.Lipopolysaccharide was administered via a self-made cannula in the cerebellomedullary cistern of rats to induce CNS infection
Yao GUO ; Chang GUO ; Kaini WANG ; Ruoqi ZANG ; Jie GAO ; Yang MA ; Yitong CHEN ; Yu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(3):334-340
Objective:This study introduces a novel approach utilizing a self-made drug delivery cannula implanted into the cerebellomedullary cistern(CMC)of rats to allow repeated administrations in conscious subjects.Methods:A self-made medication cannula is inserted through a drilled hole at the midpoint of the occipital crest of the rat's skull,de-scending along the inner wall of the occipital bone until reaching the CMC,and securing it in place with skull screws and self-curing resin.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)is injected into the CMC to induce neuroinflammation,and the feasibility of this method is assessed using X-ray imaging,behavioral testing,and immunofluorescence staining.Results:The place-ment of the brain cannula was confirmed using X-ray film and pontamine sky blue staining.Rats in the LPS group exhib-ited a lower facial mechanical pain threshold compared to the Control group(P<0.001),along with reduced residence time in the open field center(P<0.01).Immunofluorescence staining revealed LPS-induced activation of caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus(SpVc)microglia.Conclusion:This method proves to be suitable for multiple administrations to the cerebellomedullary cistern of conscious rats,enabling the study of the SpVc's role in pain modulation.
10.Analysis on the Difference of Median Survival Time of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Intervention Times of Chinese Herbal Medicine:A Retrospective Study
Jing WANG ; Chaoyong WU ; Bin LIU ; Ruoqi ZHANG ; Rui MIAO ; Xiuwei GUO ; Peitong ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(22):2332-2337
ObjectiveTo observe the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types in advanced pancreatic cancer patients, and explore the association between median survival time and different TCM syndromes and different intervention times of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). MethodsThe clinical data of 136 advanced pancreatic cancer patients who have received CHM for more than 3 months were collected retrospectively, including gender, age, family history, smoking history, drinking history, location of disease, lymph node metastasis, multiple distant metastasis, western medicine treatment methods, TCM diagnosis and treatment information, and survival time. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimator was used, and the median survival time of patients was calculated. The TCM syndrome type of each patient was judged, and the main single syndrome types and compound syndrome types were summarized. The median survival time was compared among different compound syndrome types. The patients were further divided into the group of those having received CHM ≥6 months and those having received CHM <6 months. Whether receiving CHM ≥6 months was taken as the grouping variable, while the matching variables were age, gender, family history, smoking history, drinking history, location of disease, lymph node metastasis, multiple distant metastasis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy when propensity score matching was performed, and the difference in median survival time between the two groups of patients before and after matching was compared. ResultsFor 136 cases of advanced pancreatic cancer, the top five single syndromes were spleen qi deficiency, liver blood stasis, liver qi stagnation, spleen dampness, and liver heat. The main compound types were liver constraint, spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, liver-gallbladder damp-heat and blood stasis syndrome, liver constraint, qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and spleen deficiency and dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome. The overall median survival time before and after matching was 12.47 (7.70,17.10) months and 13.77 (8.83,17.20) months, respectively, and was significantly higher in the group treated with CHM ≥ 6 months than that treated with CHM <6 months (P<0.05). Among the 136 patients before matching, the median survival time of patients with spleen deficiency and dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome was longest [16.23 (14.17,19.40) months], while that of patients with spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was the shortest [7.33 (5.80,12.83) months]. For patients with liver constraint, spleen deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, liver-gallbladder damp-heat and blood stasis syndrome, and spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, those having received CHM ≥ 6 months have much longer median survival time than those having received CHM <6 months (P<0.05). Among the 108 patients after matching, the median survival time of those with spleen deficiency and dampness-heat internal accumulation syndrome was the longest [15.23 (7.67,18.27) months], while that of spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was the shortest [8.80 (6.90,16.17) months]. For patients with liver-gallbladder dampness-heat and blood stasis syndrome and spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, the median survival time was higher in the group treated with CHM ≥ 6 months treated with CHM <6 months (P<0.05). ConclusionAfter treatment with CHM, advanced pancreatic cancer patients with spleen deficiency and damp-heat internal accumulation had a better prognosis, while those with spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis had a worse prognosis. Treatment with CHM ≥ 6 months could extend the median survival of advanced pancreatic cancer patients with liver-gallbladder damp-heat and blood stasis syndrome and spleen-stomach yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

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