1.Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine regulation of MAPK signaling pathway in intervening slow transit constipation
Xiangrui KONG ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Yue ZOU ; Yong LIANG ; Yu SHI ; Yang ZHANG ; Ke MENG ; Hongxi ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1508-1514
low transit constipation (STC) is a common functional intestinal disorder caused by impaired colonic transit function, characterized by reduced bowel movement frequency, hard stools, and difficulty in defecation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which mainly includes extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 subtypes, plays a critical regulatory role in the occurrence and development of STC. This paper systematically reviews the multiple pathogenic mechanisms of the MAPK signaling pathway in STC and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention.At the mechanistic level, the MAPK signaling pathway promotes the progression of STC through the following links:(1) Activation of p38 upregulates the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3)/AQP4 in the colon, leading to excessive reabsorption of water in the intestinal lumen; (2) It forms a positive feedback loop with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to maintain low-grade intestinal inflammation, releases inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inhibits smooth muscle contraction; (3) Overactivation of p38 downregulates the expression of occludin and mucin 2 while upregulates the expression of claudin-2, thereby disrupting the mucosal barrier; (4) The JNK/p38 signaling pathway activates the caspase cascade to induce apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, neurons, and interstitial cells of Cajal; (5) Abnormal ERK signaling and excessive activation of p38/JNK inhibit intestinal smooth muscle contraction and reduce 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion, ultimately resulting in impaired colonic transit function.At the intervention level, TCM compound formulas and single herbs have been proven to improve STC by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Their effects are syndrome type-dependent:yin-nourishing formulas (Zengye Chengqi Tang, Tongbian Tang) mainly regulate the ERK/AQP axis; yang-warming formulas (Jichuan Jian) target both ERK/JNK and anti-apoptosis; heat-clearing formulas (Sanren Tang) focus on p38/NF-κB anti-inflammation. A single drug can simultaneously cover multiple aspects including water metabolism, inflammation, barrier function, apoptosis, and intestinal motility.Current relevant studies still have limitations such as mechanisms mostly remaining at the correlational level and a lack of disease-syndrome integrated research models. Future studies should combine specific inhibitors or gene knockout to identify core targets, establish disease-syndrome integrated STC models, and use network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to deeply analyze the fine mechanism of “component-target-phenotype”, so as to provide high-quality evidence for the precise regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway by TCM in the intervention of STC.
2.Research progress on the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in treating functional constipation based on the gut microbiota-bile acid axis
Xiangrui KONG ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Yue ZOU ; Yong LIANG ; Yu SHI ; Yang ZHANG ; Hongxi ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):244-249
Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional disorder of the intestines, mainly characterized by reduced bowel movement frequency, difficulty in defecation, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and hard stools, which severely affect patients’ quality of life. Research indicates that the pathogenesis of FC is closely related to gut microbiota dysbiosis and abnormal bile acid secretion. Bile acids, as endogenous natural laxatives, promote bowel movements by enhancing colonic secretion and regulating intestinal motility; meanwhile, gut microbiota influence colonic transit function by regulating the enteric nervous system, immune system, and their metabolic products. Based on an overview of the relationship between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism, this article systematically reviews the current research status on the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating FC by regulating the balance of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis. It is found that single Chinese medicinal herbs (such as Atractylodes macrocephala), isolated compounds (such as Platycodon grandiflorum polysaccharides), herbal formulas (such as Shanger huang pill), acupuncture, and moxibustion can up-regulate the abundance of beneficial bacteria, reshape the microbial structure, correct bile acid metabolism, and activate the Takeda G-protein receptor 5/farnesoid X receptor pathway to treat FC.
3.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
4.Middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence
Xiaoning GU ; Min YANG ; Yong LIU ; Bailing QIAN ; Zhenzhen CHENG ; Fang LIU ; Dongmei LIU ; Fuwen SHI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(9):1540-1543
Objective To observe the value of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Totally 97 female patients,including 52 with SUI(SUI group)and 45 without SUI(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Pelvic floor ultrasound was performed under resting state and the maximum Valsalva maneuver,respectively,and bladder neck mobility(BND),upper-lower mobility of middle urethra(UMupper-lower),anterior-posterior mobility of middle urethra(UM anterior-posterior),elasticity parameter of the anterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEanterior wall),as well as elasticity parameter of the posterior wall of middle urethral sphincter(ΔEposterior wall)were measured.Patients'general data and the above ultrasound parameters were compared between groups,and the efficacy of them for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of BND,UM upper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall,of also the proportion of lateral episiotomy history were found between groups(all P<0.05).Among them,UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall and ΔEposterior wall were all correlated with female SUI(rs=0.231,-0.533,-0.428,all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of UMupper-lower,ΔEanterior wall,ΔEposterior wall and their combination for diagnosing SUI was 0.634,0.820,0.748 and 0.867,respectively.The AUC of the combination was significantly higher than that of each parameter alone(all P<0.001).Conclusion The combination of middle urethral motion and sphincter elasticity was helpful for diagnosing female SUI.
5.Optimization of targeting B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model in vitro and its application in high-throughput screening of immunomodulatory traditional Chinese medicine
Ran SHI ; Xiao-yun LIU ; Dong-xue YE ; Wan-hui ZHOU ; Shi-juan CHENG ; Jia YANG ; Zi-ru LIU ; Rong RONG ; Yong YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2065-2074
Aim To perform high-throughput screen-ing of immunomodulatory traditional Chinese medicine(TCMs)based on an in vitro B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model,identifying active herbal candidates with immune-enhancing properties to pro-vide novel therapeutic options and theoretical support for influenza virus treatment in immunocompromised in-dividuals.Methods B cells were stimulated with dif-ferent concentrations of cytosine-phosphate-guanine oli-godeoxynucleotide 2006(CpG)and nterleukin-2(IL-2)to promote proliferation,differentiation,and anti-body secretion,and the effects of varying concentra-tions of the solvent DMSO were also evaluated.The op-timal conditions for the B cell differentiation-anti-body secretion model were determined based on the se-cretion levels of three antibody isotypes.The feasibility of the model was further validated using rapamycin,a known B cell function inhibitor.On this basis,a high-throughput screening platform for immunomodulatory a-gents was optimized and established.Subsequently,the immune-enhancing activity of 465 polarity extract from TCMs was evaluated.Results The optimal con-ditions for the model were determined as 2 mg·L-1 CpG,1.67 × 106 nkat·L-1 IL-2,and DMSO with a volume fraction of 0.1%.Rapamycin effectively inhib-ited B cell differentiation into plasmablast and signifi-cantly reduced antibody production,indicating the reli-ability of the model.Multiple rounds of screening re-vealed that the dichloromethane extract of licorice,the dichloromethane extract of Vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma,the cyclohexane extract of Honey-prepared Radix Asteris,and the aqueous extract of Siphonostegia chinensis Benth were identified to significantly promote both B cell proliferation and differentiation and anti-body secretion at a concentration of 600 μg·L-1.Conclusion This study successfully optimizes an in vitro B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model and identifies several TCM extracts,including licorice,with potential immune-enhancing activity.
6.EIF5A2 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition in intrahepatic chol-angiocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shao-hua YANG ; Yong-ping XU ; Zhuo-yu ZHAO ; Shi-bo ZHANG ; Xing-bao FANG ; Zhou-jun LIAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(10):757-762
Objective:To investigate the the differential expression of EIF5A2 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1,and its effects on HCCC9810 cell migration and invasion,epithelial mesenchymal transition,and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Methods:The differential expression of EIF5A2 in RBE,HCCC9810,and HUCCT1 cell lines was detected using WB method.The HCCC9810 cell line,with the highest expression of EIF5A2,was selected for this experiment.The expression of EIF5A2 in HCCC9810 cell line was silenced by transient transfection of small interfering RNA.The best silencing effect of small interfering RNA was screened by WB.Scratch assay and Tran-swell migration invasion assay were used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on the migration and invasion ability of HCCC9810 cells.WB was used to detect the effect of silencing EIF5A2 on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCCC9810 cells.Results:The WB results showed that EIF5A2 had the highest expression in the HCCC9810 cell line,and siRNA1 had the best silencing effect on EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line.Scratch assay and Transwell migration invasion assay results showed that silencing EIF5A2 in the HCCC9810 cell line resulted in a decrease in cell invasion and metastasis ability(P<0.05).At the same time,the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin expression increased(P<0.05)and the stromal cell marker N-cadherin expression decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:EIF5A2 may promote epi-thelial mesenchymal transition and enhance the migration and invasion ability of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
7.Construction of a visual model for predicting the risk of recurrence of thyroid cancer after radical surgery via areola endoscopy
Qing-feng SHI ; Bu-yong ZHANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Yang BAI ; Ling-bo XUE ; Jie LI
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(10):769-775
Objective:To explore the risk factors for recurrence of thyroid cancer after radical resection via areola endoscopy,and to construct a visual risk prediction model.Methods:The clinical data of 350 thyroid cancer patients who underwent radical surgery via areola endoscopy in our hospital from January 2016 to October 2018 were retro-spectively analyzed,and they were randomly divided into the modeling group(233 cases)and the internal validation group(117 cases)in a 2:1 ratio.All patients were followed up for 3 years after surgery,and the patients of modeling group were further divided into recurrent group(51)and non recurrent group(182)according to whether they with or not recurrence.Another 163 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical mastectomy at our hos-pital from January 2019 to May 2020 were selected as the external validation group.The risk factors for recurrence of thyroid cancer after radical surgery via areola endoscopy was analyzed by using Cox regression method,and a risk prediction nomogram model was established based on this.Internal validation of the nomogram model was conducted by using the Bootstrap method,and the calibration,predictive efficacy and clinical net benefit of the nomogram model were evaluated by the calibration curve,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).The external validation group data was used for external validation.Results:The recurrence rate of thyroid cancer patients after 5 years of radical surgery via areola endoscopy was 21.64%(111/513).The proportions of multiple le-sions,preoperative lymph node metastasis,TNM stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ and maximum tumor diameter,the levels of thyro-globulin(TG),triiodothyronine(T3),thyroxine(T4),free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroxine(FT4)and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non recurrence group(P<0.05).The Cox regres-sion analysis results showed that the maximum tumor diameter,multiple lesions,preoperative lymph node metasta-sis,TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ and TG,T3,T4,FT3,FT4 and TSH levels were all risk factors for recurrence of thyroid cancer after radical surgery via areola endoscopy(P<0.05).The risk prediction nomogram model of recurrence of thyroid cancer af-ter radical surgery under areola endoscopy was constructed based on the above influencing factors.After internal and external validation,the consistency indices of the modeling group,internal verification group and external verification group were 0.832,0.825 and 0.41 respectively,and the calibration curves of three groups were close to the standard curve.The ROC curve analysis and verification showed that the area under the curve predicted by the nomogram model of the modeling group,internal verification group and external verification group were 0.859,0.847 and 0.853 respectively.The DCA curve showed that the nomogram model had good clinical net benefits when the threshold probability of the modeling group,internal verification group and external verification group were 0.03-0.82,0.02-0.78 and 0.06-0.88 respectively.Conclusion:The maximum tumor diameter,multiple lesions,preoperative lymph node metastasis,TNM staging stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ and levels of TG,T3,T4,FT3,FT4 and TSH are all risk factors for recurrence of thy-roid cancer after radical surgery via areola endoscopy,and the risk prediction visualization nomogram model con-structed based on this is helpful for clinical screening of high-risk patients to guide early intervention and reduce the risk of recurrence.
8.Analysis of prostate cancer screening results and exploration of screening model for elderly males in Songjiang Rural Areas of Shanghai City based on PSA preliminary screening under the community linkage mode
Daocheng FANG ; Lingfeng WU ; Lixin CHEN ; Chunhua TANG ; Yong WANG ; Hui LI ; Hui WANG ; Kui ZHANG ; Shuangquan SUN ; Qiang GAO ; Mingyuan DONG ; Chao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Zhiwei YANG ; Jing LIU ; Wendi DU ; Zhenbing SHI ; Shumei BI ; Hui WEN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(2):230-234
This study aims to analyze the screening results and epidemiological characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa) among elderly males in the rural areas of Songjiang, Shanghai City, through the implementation of a preliminary prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening based on a community-linkage model, and to explore an effective screening approach. A retrospective observational study design was employed to collect data from residents who underwent PSA screening at Songjiang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in collaboration with multiple community health service centers in Songjiang District, Shanghai City, between June 2022 and June 2024, through free clinics and annual health examinations. Prostate biopsy was recommended for individuals with total PSA (tPSA) levels >10 ng/ml and those with 4 ng/ml≤tPSA≤10 ng/ml and abnormal free-to-total PSA (f/tPSA) ratios. Clinical characteristics of detected PCa patients were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted through phone calls and home visits by family doctors, coupled with enhanced health education. The results indicated that a total of 17 198 residents participated in the screening, among which 2 234 (12.99%) had tPSA levels between 4 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, and 257 (1.49%) had tPSA levels >10 ng/ml. Ultimately, 417 residents underwent prostate biopsy, with 171 being diagnosed with PCa, yielding a positive biopsy rate of 41.00% and a PCa detection rate of 0.99%. The predominant pathological subtype among PCa patients was adenocarcinoma (168 cases, 98.24%). Of the 146 PCa patients who received treatment, the majority were classified as intermediate or high-risk (124 cases, 84.93%). Furthermore, with the optimization of the screening model, there was a significant increase in the proportion of subsequent outpatient visits. In conclusion, the community-linkage-based PSA screening model demonstrated high effectiveness in screening for PCa among elderly males in the rural areas of Songjiang, Shanghai City. Epidemiological findings revealed that PCa patients in this region are primarily composed of intermediate and high-risk groups, highlighting the need for intensified early screening and health education.
9.Optimization of targeting B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model in vitro and its application in high-throughput screening of immunomodulatory traditional Chinese medicine
Ran SHI ; Xiao-yun LIU ; Dong-xue YE ; Wan-hui ZHOU ; Shi-juan CHENG ; Jia YANG ; Zi-ru LIU ; Rong RONG ; Yong YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2065-2074
Aim To perform high-throughput screen-ing of immunomodulatory traditional Chinese medicine(TCMs)based on an in vitro B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model,identifying active herbal candidates with immune-enhancing properties to pro-vide novel therapeutic options and theoretical support for influenza virus treatment in immunocompromised in-dividuals.Methods B cells were stimulated with dif-ferent concentrations of cytosine-phosphate-guanine oli-godeoxynucleotide 2006(CpG)and nterleukin-2(IL-2)to promote proliferation,differentiation,and anti-body secretion,and the effects of varying concentra-tions of the solvent DMSO were also evaluated.The op-timal conditions for the B cell differentiation-anti-body secretion model were determined based on the se-cretion levels of three antibody isotypes.The feasibility of the model was further validated using rapamycin,a known B cell function inhibitor.On this basis,a high-throughput screening platform for immunomodulatory a-gents was optimized and established.Subsequently,the immune-enhancing activity of 465 polarity extract from TCMs was evaluated.Results The optimal con-ditions for the model were determined as 2 mg·L-1 CpG,1.67 × 106 nkat·L-1 IL-2,and DMSO with a volume fraction of 0.1%.Rapamycin effectively inhib-ited B cell differentiation into plasmablast and signifi-cantly reduced antibody production,indicating the reli-ability of the model.Multiple rounds of screening re-vealed that the dichloromethane extract of licorice,the dichloromethane extract of Vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma,the cyclohexane extract of Honey-prepared Radix Asteris,and the aqueous extract of Siphonostegia chinensis Benth were identified to significantly promote both B cell proliferation and differentiation and anti-body secretion at a concentration of 600 μg·L-1.Conclusion This study successfully optimizes an in vitro B cell differentiation-antibody secretion model and identifies several TCM extracts,including licorice,with potential immune-enhancing activity.
10.Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence
Bailing QIAN ; Xiaoning GU ; Min YANG ; Yong LIU ; Zhenzhen CHENG ; Fang LIU ; Dongmei LIU ; Fuwen SHI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(9):574-578
Objective To observe the value of traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters for diagnosing female stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods Fifty two female SUI patients(SUI group)and 45 healthy women(control group)were prospectively enrolled.Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters and middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters were compared between groups,and logistic regression analysis was performed,the efficacy of each parameter alone and their combination for diagnosing SUI was analyzed.Results Significant differences of bladder neck descent(BND),urethral rotation angle(URA),posterior urethrovesical angle(PUA),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter at rest state(Q1),shear modulus of the middle urethral anterior wall sphincter under maximum Valsalva maneuver(Q2),and shear modulus of the middle urethral posterior wall sphincter at resting-state(H1)were found between groups(all P<0.05).BND,PUA,Q1 and Q2 were all influencing factors of female SUI(all P<0.05),with the area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing SUI of 0.721,0.718,0.659 and 0.288,respectively.Then traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and combined model were constructed based on traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters(BND,PUA),middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters(Q1,Q2)and their combination,respectively,with AUC for diagnosing SUI of 0.837,0.754 and 0.908,respectively.The AUC of combined model was higher than that of traditional ultrasound model,elasticity ultrasound model and each ultrasound parameter alone(all P<0.05).Conclusion Traditional pelvic floor ultrasound parameters combined with middle urethral sphincter elasticity parameters had high value for diagnosing female SUI.

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