1.Protective effect of short-chain fatty acids against liver fibrosis and analogical application of its mechanism to pancreatic fibrosis
Yunjun YAN ; Liang SHENG ; Qi WANG ; Shun PENG ; Jia LI ; Lei ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1160-1165
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the main metabolic products generated by the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota. Studies have shown that SCFA not only play a role in energy metabolism, but also act as important signaling molecules, exhibiting a significant potential in alleviating liver and pancreatic fibrosis. The core mechanism of SCFA mainly involves the regulation of various key signaling pathways by activating G protein-coupled receptors and inhibiting the activity of histone deacetylase, thereby suppressing the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and pancreatic stellate cell (PSC), which is a key link in fibrosis formation. In addition, SCFA can effectively alleviate tissue inflammation response, improve intestinal barrier function, and regulate gut microbiota balance, thus indirectly preventing the process of fibrosis mediated by the “gut-liver/pancreas axis”. Compared with the research on SCFA in liver fibrosis, studies on their role in pancreatic fibrosis are limited. Given that HSC and PSC are highly homologous, the transcription factors and proteins that have been confirmed in liver fibrosis-related studies are also similarly expressed in PSC, suggesting that they may also influence the activation of PSC. This article systematically summarizes the recent advances in the research on SCFA in alleviating liver and pancreatic fibrosis, in order to provide new perspectives for exploring the mechanism of pancreatic fibrosis and developing related interventional strategies.
2.Mechanism of action of gut microbiota in chronic pancreatitis fibrosis and related treatment strategies
Yunjun YAN ; Liang SHENG ; Qi WANG ; Shun PENG ; Jia LI ; Lei ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):484-489
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a common disease in clinical practice characterized by progressive inflammatory fibrosis of the pancreas. Gut microbiota, known as the “second genome” of humans, bidirectionally modulates the progression of fibrosis in CP via the gut-pancreas axis. This article systematically elaborates on the characteristics of gut microbiota during the progression of CP and its molecular mechanism in mediating pancreatic fibrosis through bacterial translocation, metabolites, immune regulatory networks, and microbe-pancreatic stellate cell interactions, with a focus on the pivotal role of short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory cytokine networks in pancreatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition. In addition, this article explores the potential value of gut microbiota-targeted interventions in the prevention and treatment of CP fibrosis, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and discusses the translational potential of using multi-omics technologies to identify diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for CP, in order to provide new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of CP.
3.Dual Targeting of TBK1 and JAK-STAT1 Pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Type I Interferon-driven Inflammation
Liang LI ; Qi-Huan SHENG ; Huan LIU ; Wen-Hao YANG ; Jia-Lin SHI ; Ying-Jie SUN ; Rui JING ; Wei-Hua MAI ; Zhi-Min LI ; Xiao-Li XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1969-1983
ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.
4.Predictive Modeling of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From the Nationwide TREAT-AIS Registry
Jia-Hung CHEN ; I-Chang SU ; Yueh-Hsun LU ; Yi-Chen HSIEH ; Chih-Hao CHEN ; Chun-Jen LIN ; Yu-Wei CHEN ; Kuan-Hung LIN ; Pi-Shan SUNG ; Chih-Wei TANG ; Hai-Jui CHU ; Chuan-Hsiu FU ; Chao-Liang CHOU ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Shang-Yih YAN ; Po-Lin CHEN ; Hsu-Ling YEH ; Sheng-Feng SUNG ; Hon-Man LIU ; Ching-Huang LIN ; Meng LEE ; Sung-Chun TANG ; I-Hui LEE ; Lung CHAN ; Li-Ming LIEN ; Hung-Yi CHIOU ; Jiunn-Tay LEE ; Jiann-Shing JENG ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):85-94
Background:
and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking.
Methods:
This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance.
Results:
Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal.
Conclusions
The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.
5.The clinical outcomes analysis of drug-coated balloon de novo coronary lesions left with untreated dissection
Zhi-yuan CHENG ; Wen-rui MA ; Zi-lei PAN ; Chang-sheng NAI ; Shang CHANG ; Li LIANG ; Yao-jun ZHANG ; Qian LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(10):568-573
Objective To investigate the clinical prognosis of untreated residual coronary artery dissection treated with drug coated balloon(DCB).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and imaging data of patients with primary coronary artery lesions(2.5-4.0 mm)treated with DCB under angiography guidance at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital,Xuzhou New Health Geriatric Hospital,and Peixian Guotai Hospital from September 2017 to April 2023.According to the observation of coronary artery dissection through angiography,the patients were divided into a dissection group and a non dissection group.The main endpoint of this study was the major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)during a 12-month follow-up.Results A total of 381 patients were enrolled in the three research centers,with 30 cases(30 lesions)in the dissection group and 351 cases(367 lesions)in the non dissection group.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,gender,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes,smoking,previous myocardial infarction,previous percutaneous coronary intervention,coronary artery bypass grafting and other baseline clinical characteristics(all P>0.05).Except for the reference vessel diameter(P=0.049)and DCB pressure(P=0.032),there was no statistically significant difference in the characteristics of coronary angiography lesions between the two groups of patients(both P>0.05).During a 12-month follow-up,there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the incidence of MACE between the dissection group and the non dissection group after DCB treatment for primary coronary artery lesions in situ.Conclusions Untreated residual dissection after DCB treatment of de novo coronary lesions does not lead to an increase in clinical MACE.
6.Effect of evening primrose oil on aortic endothelial injury in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome based on network pharmacology
Ziyu LIU ; Liang HUI ; Wenxin MA ; Chang LIU ; Na HU ; Shuai ZHAO ; Dongmei CHEN ; Li YANG ; Jing PU ; Sheng MU ; Huiming MA
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):324-341
Objective To explore the effect of evening primrose oil(EPO)on aortic endothelial damage in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),using network pharmacology and in vivo experiments.Methods The potential targets of EPO for improving aortic endothelial injury in PCOS rats were predicted by network pharmacology,and the selected core targets and renin-angiotensin signaling(RAS)pathway were verified by experiments.Fifty-eight female SD rats were divided randomly into a blank group(n=10)and a modeling group(n=48).Rats in the blank group were fed a normal diet and rats in the modeling group received a high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The PCOS model was prepared at week 6 by administration of letrozole(1 mg/(kg·d))for 21 days.Blood was taken from the tail vein after modeling and serum was collected to detect hormone levels.The model rats were then divided randomly into four groups and treated with the corresponding drugs for 6 weeks.Blood,blood vessels,and ovaries were then collected.Tissue morphology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and serum levels of luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),endothelin(ET-1),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Serum levels of nitric oxide(NO)were determined by spectrophotometry.Protein expression levels of core targets and RAS pathway-related factors were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Twenty-five intersection targets of EPO and PCOS were identified by network pharmacological analysis.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that EPO improved vascular injury in PCOS rats via multiple pathways,including RAS.Serum levels of ET-1,FSH,LH,and T measured by ELISA were significantly decreased after EPO treatment,compared with the model group(P<0.01).EPO significantly decreased the expression levels of Ang Ⅰ,VEGF-B,AT2R,ET-1,and TNF-α proteins in the aorta(P<0.01)and significantly increased expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,CD31,and endothelial NO synthase proteins(P<0.01).Conclusions EPO may ameliorate vascular endothelial injury in PCOS model rats by inhibiting the RAS signaling pathway and by overactivation of the ACE/Ang Ⅱ/AT1 axis.
7.Analysis of Chemical Components of Suanzaoren Decoction and Components Absorbed into Blood of Female Rats Based on UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS
Ziyang KONG ; Liang WU ; Wen LI ; Jie HAN ; Chenmin SHENG ; Yuheng LIAN ; Lingdong MENG ; Yunan ZHAO ; Yaoyao BIAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):375-382
OBJECTIVE To analyze the blood components of Suanzaoren Decoction after oral administration using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology.METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were used as experimental subjects,and Suanza-oren Decoction was administered orally.Serum samples were collected,and the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction and the serum were analyzed using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology to identify the prototype components and metabolites absorbed into the blood by comparing and analyzing with the LuMet-TCM database.RESULTS It showed that a total of 458 components were iden-tified in the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction,and 26 chemical components were identified in the blood,including 23 prototype components and 3 metabolites.CONCLUSION The prototype components absorbed into the blood discovered in this study may be the active ingredients of Suanzaoren Decoction,providing a reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis of Suanza-oren Decoction.
8.Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of retrograde recanalization of occluded radial artery via distal transradial approach
Xiao-fei XIE ; Sheng-xin ZUO ; Jin-peng XU ; Xiao-liang HAN ; Gang-cheng SUN ; Liang LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(3):135-140
Objective Radial artery occlusion(RAO)is one of the common complications following coronary intervention via the traditional radial artery approach.This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of retrograde recanalization of occluded radial arteries through the distal transradial approach(dTRA)approach.Methods A total of 35 patients with RAO admitted to the cardiovascular department of the Anhui Chest hospital between December 2022 and April 2024,who were scheduled to undergo coronary intervention and had attempted recanalization of RAO via dTRA approach were selected.The primary result was the success rate of recanalizing RAO via dTRA.The secondary results included factors influencing the failure of recanalization via dTRA,postoperative puncture complications,and the patency rate at the 3-month follow-up.Results This study divided the patients into a successful group(29 cases,82.9%)and a failed group(6 cases,17.1%)based on whether the distal radial artery was successfully opened and occluded.The proportion of smoking(100.00%vs.17.24%,P=0.040),history of diabetes(100.00%vs.10.34%,P=0.025),and chronic total occlusion of coronary artery(83.33%vs.17.24%,P=0.030)in the failure group were higher than those in the success group,and the difference was statistically significant.The application rate of balloon tracking assisted technology in the failed group(16.67%vs.58.62%,P=0.045),and the diameter of the radial artery at 3 days after surgery[(1.63±0.13)mm vs.(2.13±0.32)mm,P=0.021]and the peak radial artery blood flow velocity at 3 days postoperatively[(0.10±0.78)m/s vs.(0.50±0.13)m/s,P<0.001]were all lower in the successful group,and the differences were statistically significant.Logistic regression analysis 3 days after surgery showed that chronic complete occlusion of the coronary artery was an independent risk factor for surgical opening failure(OR 0.042,95%CI 0.004-0.438,P=0.008).After 3 months of follow-up,the patency rate of the successful group was 55.2%.Conclusions Retrograde recanalization of RAO via dTRA is safe and feasible,but its long-term patency rate is not high.
9.Effect of evening primrose oil on aortic endothelial injury in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome based on network pharmacology
Ziyu LIU ; Liang HUI ; Wenxin MA ; Chang LIU ; Na HU ; Shuai ZHAO ; Dongmei CHEN ; Li YANG ; Jing PU ; Sheng MU ; Huiming MA
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):324-341
Objective To explore the effect of evening primrose oil(EPO)on aortic endothelial damage in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),using network pharmacology and in vivo experiments.Methods The potential targets of EPO for improving aortic endothelial injury in PCOS rats were predicted by network pharmacology,and the selected core targets and renin-angiotensin signaling(RAS)pathway were verified by experiments.Fifty-eight female SD rats were divided randomly into a blank group(n=10)and a modeling group(n=48).Rats in the blank group were fed a normal diet and rats in the modeling group received a high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The PCOS model was prepared at week 6 by administration of letrozole(1 mg/(kg·d))for 21 days.Blood was taken from the tail vein after modeling and serum was collected to detect hormone levels.The model rats were then divided randomly into four groups and treated with the corresponding drugs for 6 weeks.Blood,blood vessels,and ovaries were then collected.Tissue morphology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and serum levels of luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),endothelin(ET-1),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Serum levels of nitric oxide(NO)were determined by spectrophotometry.Protein expression levels of core targets and RAS pathway-related factors were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Twenty-five intersection targets of EPO and PCOS were identified by network pharmacological analysis.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that EPO improved vascular injury in PCOS rats via multiple pathways,including RAS.Serum levels of ET-1,FSH,LH,and T measured by ELISA were significantly decreased after EPO treatment,compared with the model group(P<0.01).EPO significantly decreased the expression levels of Ang Ⅰ,VEGF-B,AT2R,ET-1,and TNF-α proteins in the aorta(P<0.01)and significantly increased expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,CD31,and endothelial NO synthase proteins(P<0.01).Conclusions EPO may ameliorate vascular endothelial injury in PCOS model rats by inhibiting the RAS signaling pathway and by overactivation of the ACE/Ang Ⅱ/AT1 axis.
10.Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of retrograde recanalization of occluded radial artery via distal transradial approach
Xiao-fei XIE ; Sheng-xin ZUO ; Jin-peng XU ; Xiao-liang HAN ; Gang-cheng SUN ; Liang LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(3):135-140
Objective Radial artery occlusion(RAO)is one of the common complications following coronary intervention via the traditional radial artery approach.This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of retrograde recanalization of occluded radial arteries through the distal transradial approach(dTRA)approach.Methods A total of 35 patients with RAO admitted to the cardiovascular department of the Anhui Chest hospital between December 2022 and April 2024,who were scheduled to undergo coronary intervention and had attempted recanalization of RAO via dTRA approach were selected.The primary result was the success rate of recanalizing RAO via dTRA.The secondary results included factors influencing the failure of recanalization via dTRA,postoperative puncture complications,and the patency rate at the 3-month follow-up.Results This study divided the patients into a successful group(29 cases,82.9%)and a failed group(6 cases,17.1%)based on whether the distal radial artery was successfully opened and occluded.The proportion of smoking(100.00%vs.17.24%,P=0.040),history of diabetes(100.00%vs.10.34%,P=0.025),and chronic total occlusion of coronary artery(83.33%vs.17.24%,P=0.030)in the failure group were higher than those in the success group,and the difference was statistically significant.The application rate of balloon tracking assisted technology in the failed group(16.67%vs.58.62%,P=0.045),and the diameter of the radial artery at 3 days after surgery[(1.63±0.13)mm vs.(2.13±0.32)mm,P=0.021]and the peak radial artery blood flow velocity at 3 days postoperatively[(0.10±0.78)m/s vs.(0.50±0.13)m/s,P<0.001]were all lower in the successful group,and the differences were statistically significant.Logistic regression analysis 3 days after surgery showed that chronic complete occlusion of the coronary artery was an independent risk factor for surgical opening failure(OR 0.042,95%CI 0.004-0.438,P=0.008).After 3 months of follow-up,the patency rate of the successful group was 55.2%.Conclusions Retrograde recanalization of RAO via dTRA is safe and feasible,but its long-term patency rate is not high.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail