1.Role of naringenin in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis and its molecular mechanism
Changwen LIN ; Qiuyi REN ; Mengjie ZHENG ; Huan YAN ; Jia LI ; Jiaxin FENG ; Haiying LIN ; Faming SHU ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Dewen MAO ; Fuli LONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(6):1419-1425
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease mediated by T lymphocytes, and it can progress to liver cirrhosis or even liver failure without timely intervention. As a natural flavonoid compound, naringenin (NAR) shows a potential value in the prevention and treatment of AIH through multiple mechanisms such as remodeling immune homeostasis, targeted inhibition of inflammatory pathways, antioxidation, regulating hepatocyte metabolism and apoptosis, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating intestinal flora. However, the clinical translation and application of NAR is limited by issues such as low bioavailability and insufficient efficiency of liver-targeted delivery. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of NAR in the prevention and treatment of AIH, explores the potential signaling pathways involved in this process, and analyzes existing challenges in its translation and application and future research directions, so as to provide a reference for further research on NAR and its application in the prevention and treatment of AIH.
2.Exploring the Role of Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming in Regulating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on the Theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"
Tingting SHANG ; Wenyue CHEN ; Die WU ; Chenxi GU ; Shu ZOU ; Qingling REN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):878-886
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a complex disease that significantly impacts women's reproductive and metabolic health.The reprogramming of glucose metabolism points to fundamental changes in energy metabolism,which are central to the imbalance in energy metabolism,hormonal abnormalities,increasing insulin resistance,and chronic inflammatory states observed in PCOS.This represents a core pathological link in the pathogenesis of PCOS.The theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"provides a comprehensive overview of spleen function,essential for ensuring the normal operation of organs and the distribution of Qi,blood,and bodily fluids.It serves as a crucial theoretical support for the treatment of PCOS with traditional Chinese medicine.This article explores the role of regulating PCOS based on the theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"with a focus on the reprogramming of glucose metabolism.The mechanism of traditional Chinese medicinal treatments that assist Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence is closely related to regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming,offering a novel research direction for the treatment of PCOS with TCM.
3.Effect and mechanism of extracts from oxytropis falcata on improv-ing oxidative damage of podocytes induced by high glucose via regu-lating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway
Menghan REN ; Jianli YAO ; Lixia YANG ; Chang SHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(10):1361-1373
AIM:To investigate the effect of drug-containing serum of oxytropis falcata extract on oxi-dative stress injury of podocyte induced by high glucose through PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway.METH-ODS:The rat renal podocyte was cultured in vitro,and the concentration and time of D-glucose mod-elling and the optimal concentration and time of administration in the drug-containing serum of oxy-tropis falcata extract were screened.The cells were divided into normal group,high glucose group,high glucose+blank serum group,oxytropis falcata group,inhibitor group,oxytropis falcata+inhibitor group.Rhodamine staining and electron microsco-py were used to observe the morphological and pathological changes of podocyte,flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis rate,and cell migra-tion ability was detected by scratch test.Immuno-fluorescence and fluorescence probe were used to detect the fluorescence expression of p-AKT and ROS level of cells,ELISA was used to detect the con-tent of MDA,NO,SOD and T-AOC in the superna-tant of cells,and Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT and Nrf2 in cells.The mRNA expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,GCLM and SOD were detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:It was selected that 45 mmol/LD-glucose induction for 48 hours was the best modeling con-dition,and the 1-fold dilution of the medicated se-rum of oxytropis falcata extract for 48 hours was the best concentration and intervention time.Com-pared with the normal group,the foot processes of the high glucose group were widely fused and ad-hered to each other,the apoptosis rate,migration ability and intracellular ROS level were significantly increased(P<0.01),the fluorescence expression of p-AKT was markedly decreased(P<0.01),the con-tents of MDA and NO were dramatically enhanced,and the contents of SOD and T-AOC were signifi-cantly downregulated(P<0.01).The protein expres-sion of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,Nrf2 and the mRNA expression of Nrf2,HO-1,GCLM and SOD markedly declined(P<0.01).Compared with high glucose group,foot process fusion and adhesion of podo-cytes in oxytropis falcata group and oxytropis falca-ta+inhibitor group were improved in varying de-grees,apoptosis rate,migration ability and intracel-lular ROS level significantly declined(P<0.05,P<0.01),p-AKT fluorescence expression increased(P<0.01),NO content decreased,T-AOC level elevated(P<0.01);the content of MDA decreased and the activity of SOD notably rose(P<0.01),the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,Nrf2 and the mRNA expression of Nrf2,HO-1,GCLM and SOD markedly increased in oxytropis falcata group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the level of ROS in podocytes im-proved(P<0.01),the fluorescence expression of p-AKT decreased(P<0.05),the content of NO upregu-lated,the content of T-AOC downregulated,and the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,Nrf2 pro-tein and HO-1,GCLM,SOD mRNA decreased in in-hibitor group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with oxy-tropis falcata group,the apoptosis rate,migration ability and intracellular ROS level of podocytes in oxytropis falcata+inhibitor group markedly in-creased(P<0.05,P<0.01),p-AKT fluorescence ex-pression declined(P<0.01),MDA and NO content increased,SOD and T-AOC content decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,Nrf2 protein and Nrf2,HO-1,GCLM,SOD mRNA expression all dramatically downregulated(P<0.05,P<0.01).CON-CLUSION:Oxytropis falcata extract may protect podocytes by activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signal-ing pathway,thereby improving the morphological,structural and functional changes of podocytes in-duced by high glucose and inhibiting oxidative stress response.
4.Diagnostic value of reflectance confocal microscopy in papular dermatoses of the female vulva.
Zhen TANG ; Lingxue HU ; Yu RAO ; Ruijian REN ; Shu DING
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):366-372
OBJECTIVES:
Papular dermatoses commonly affecting the female vulva, such as molluscum contagiosum, syringoma, lymphangioma, folliculitis, verruca vulgaris, ectopic sebaceous glands, and bowenoid papulosis, often present with similar clinical appearances and are frequently misdiagnosed. This study aims to explore the clinical diagnostic value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in differentiating these conditions.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on RCM imaging and histopathological findings from lesion sites in 172 female patients with vulval papular dermatoses. RCM characteristics confirmed by biopsy were summarized and diagnostic clues were explored.
RESULTS:
RCM diagnosis was consistent with histopathological diagnosis in 147 out of 172 cases (85.47%). Molluscum contagiosum, syringoma, lymphangioma, and folliculitis all exhibited cystic-like structures under RCM, differing in the location of the structures, wall characteristics, internal contents, and reflectivity. Verruca vulgaris, ectopic sebaceous glands, and bowenoid papulosis lacked such structures. Verruca vulgaris showed distinctive low-refractive vacuolated cells in the spinous layer; bowenoid papulosis exhibited mild cytologic atypia in the spinous layer; ectopic sebaceous glands were characterized by moderately to low-refractive, fish roe-like sebaceous lobules within the dermis.
CONCLUSIONS
RCM enables noninvasive, real-time, and dynamic visualization of key diagnostic and differential features of common vulvar papular dermatoses in women, offering high diagnostic value.
Humans
;
Female
;
Microscopy, Confocal/methods*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adult
;
Vulvar Diseases/diagnosis*
;
Middle Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Aged
;
Adolescent
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Child
;
Skin Diseases/pathology*
;
Molluscum Contagiosum/diagnosis*
5.Tripterygium wilfordii attenuates acute lung injury by regulating the differentiation and function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
Lingyu WEI ; Shu TONG ; Meng'er WANG ; Hongzheng REN ; Jinsheng WANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):840-850
OBJECTIVES:
Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute respiratory failure syndrome characterized by impaired gas exchange. Due to the lack of effective targeted drugs, it is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of TW on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in ALI, providing experimental evidence for TW as a potential adjuvant therapy for ALI.
METHODS:
Eighteen specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC; intranasal saline), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg intranasally to induce ALI), and LPS+TW (50 mg/kg TW by gavage on the first day of modeling, followed by 5 mg/kg LPS intranasally to induce ALI) groups (n=6 each). Lung injury and edema were assessed by histopathological scoring and wet-to-dry weight ratio. Cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in lung tissue lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to assess the proportions of MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood, and lung tissue, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lung tissues. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (ARG-1) in lung tissues were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PMN-MDSCs sorted from the lungs of LPS-treated mice were co-cultured with splenic CD3+ T cells and divided into NC, triptolide (TPL)-L, and TPL-H groups, with bovine serum albumin, 25 nmol/L TPL, and 50 nmol/L TPL, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of PMN-MDSCs on T-cell proliferation, and RT-qPCR was used to measure iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression.
RESULTS:
Compared with the NC group, the LPS group showed marked lung pathology with significantly increased histopathological scores and wet-to-dry ratios (both P<0.001). TW treatment significantly alleviated lung injury and reduced both indices compared with the LPS group (both P<0.05). Cytokine levels were significantly decreased in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.001). The proportions of MDSCs in CD45+ cells from spleen, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lung, as well as PMN-MDSCs from spleen, peripheral blood, and lung, were significantly reduced in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05), accompanied by reduced ROS levels in lung tissues (P<0.001). iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression in lung tissues was significantly lower in the LPS+TW group than in the LPS group (both P<0.001). In vitro, compared with the TPL-L group, the TPL-H group showed significantly increased CD3+ T-cell proliferation (P<0.001), and decreased iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
TW alleviates the progression of LPS-induced ALI in mice, potentially by reducing the proportion of MDSCs in lung tissues and attenuating the immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs.
Animals
;
Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/cytology*
;
Tripterygium/chemistry*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Diterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Epoxy Compounds
;
Phenanthrenes
6.Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: Expert consensus 2.0
Di WU ; Jia-Horng KAO ; Teerha PIRATVISUTH ; Xiaojing WANG ; Patrick T.F. KENNEDY ; Motoyuki OTSUKA ; Sang Hoon AHN ; Yasuhito TANAKA ; Guiqiang WANG ; Zhenghong YUAN ; Wenhui LI ; Young-Suk LIM ; Junqi NIU ; Fengmin LU ; Wenhong ZHANG ; Zhiliang GAO ; Apichat KAEWDECH ; Meifang HAN ; Weiming YAN ; Hong REN ; Peng HU ; Sainan SHU ; Paul Yien KWO ; Fu-sheng WANG ; Man-Fung YUEN ; Qin NING
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(Suppl):S134-S164
As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements. The 2.0 Consensus was aimed to update the original consensus with the latest available studies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current relevant scientific literatures regarding functional cure of hepatitis B, with a particular focus on issues that are not yet fully clarified. These cover the definition of functional cure of hepatitis B, its mechanisms and barriers, the effective strategies and treatment roadmap to achieve this endpoint, in particular new surrogate biomarkers used to measure efficacy or to predict response, and the appropriate approach to pursuing a functional cure in special populations, the development of emerging antivirals and immunomodulators with potential for curing hepatitis B. The statements are primarily intended to offer international guidance for clinicians in their practice to enhance the functional cure rate of chronic hepatitis B.
7.Anatomical features and clinical significance of the pelvic segment of the obturator artery
Li-na REN ; Xiu-ning XUAN ; Jian-yue REN ; Xue-hui ZHANG ; Pu-yi WANG ; Shu-xuan LI ; Jing LI ; Zhe XING ; Jing-han DU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):868-871
Objective To observe the origin and course of the obturator artery(OA),so as to provide anatomical reference for reducing hemorrhage during pelvic surgery and pubic fracture fixation.Methods A total of 65 human hemi-pelvises specimens with intact structure were dissected to observe the origin,course and other variations of OA.Measure the length of the inner section of OA basin and the outer diameter at the origin,etc.Results OA originated from the internal iliac artery in 57 cases(87.7%),including 3 cases(4.6%)of the superior gluteal artery,5 cases(7.7%)of the inferior gluteal artery,3 cases(4.6%)of the external iliac artery and 5 cases(7.7%)of the inferior epigastric artery.OA participated in the formation of the arterial trunk in 3 cases(4.6%).The length of the pelvic segment of the OA in male and female was(50.87±15.41)mm and(51.71±14.19)mm,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between them(P>0.05).The outer diameters at the origin of the OA in male and female were(2.79±1.05)mm and(2.35±0.86)mm,and there was no statistically significant difference between them(P>0.05).Conclusion OA mainly originated from the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery,with a few OA originated from the branches of the posterior trunk or the inferior epigastric artery,or participated in the formation of the arterial trunk.In pelvic surgery involving OA area,attention should be paid to the length of its pelvic segment and the outer diameter at the origin of OA,so as to better locate and protect blood vessels during surgery.
8.Application effect of hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Sheng-hui MA ; Jia REN ; Xin WANG ; Xiu-xia SHI ; Shu-yun CAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(5):431-434
Objective To explore the clinical effect of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunos-tomy for gastric cancer.Methods Ninety cases of gastric cancer patients were seleted,of which 45 cases undergoing Roux-en-Y esophagoje-junostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the control group,while 45 cases undergoing hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction were set as the observation group.Patients in the control group underwent laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract,while patients in the observation group underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy to reconstruct digestive tract.The perioperative indicators and complications of patients in the two groups were compared.Results The surgical time,time of esophagojejunostomy,and time to get out of bed after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05),the pain score 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of complications or Clavien-Dindo grading(P>0.05).Conclusion Hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction has a good clinical effect in gastric cancer during totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.It can shorten the surgical time and time of esophagojejunostomy,reduce postoperative pain,and accelerate postoperative recovery,whose safety is comparable to Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy.
9.COVID-19 outcomes in patients with pre-existing interstitial lung disease: A national multi-center registry-based study in China.
Xinran ZHANG ; Bingbing XIE ; Huilan ZHANG ; Yanhong REN ; Qun LUO ; Junling YANG ; Jiuwu BAI ; Xiu GU ; Hong JIN ; Jing GENG ; Shiyao WANG ; Xuan HE ; Dingyuan JIANG ; Jiarui HE ; Sa LUO ; Shi SHU ; Huaping DAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1126-1128
10.Study on the efficacy of automatic-controlled pressure cupping for lumbar disc herniation.
Bo-Chen PENG ; Min-Shan FENG ; Li LI ; Gui-Ju REN ; Yi-Zhen YUAN ; Li-Jie CHANG ; Shu-Ying REN ; Liu ZENG ; Guang-Wei LIU ; Li-Guo ZHU ; Na YUAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1133-1138
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping.
METHODS:
A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety.
RESULTS:
All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*
;
Cupping Therapy/methods*
;
Pressure
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome

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