1.Effect of Oral Sodium Butyrate on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy via The Gut-muscle Axis in Antibiotic-pretreated CT26 Tumor-bearing Mice and Its Mechanism
Shu-Ling ZHANG ; Jun-Wei WANG ; Shi-Liang HU ; Tu-Tu WANG ; Shun-Chang LI ; Jia FAN ; Jun-Zhi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):724-739
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×107/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.
2.Application value and prospect of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer
Ziming YIN ; Lijia PAN ; Shilei LIU ; Rongqin WANG ; Hao LI ; Zimeng LI ; Yijun SHU ; Wei GONG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(7):862-867
Gallbladder cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy of the biliary system, often diagnosed at the advanced stage due to its insidious early symptoms, leading to poor overall progno-sis. In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their inte-gration into medicine have opened new avenues for the early diagnosis and precision treatment of gallbladder cancer. Currently, AI incorporating deep learning algorithm has significantly improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in ultrasound, computed tomography, and pathological analysis. However, clinical translation of AI models remains limited by challenges such as insufficient annota-ted data and limited model interpretability. Future research should focus on establishing multi-center data-sharing mechanisms, developing interpretability tools, and optimizing multimodal data integration strategies, thereby promoting the transformation of AI technologies from an auxiliary diagnostic tool to a core component of clinical decision-making.
3.Application of goal-directed pulse pressure variation combined with low central venous pressure technique in liver surgery
Ping-juan WANG ; Jian-wei SHU ; Tao JIANG ; Cha-bing LI ; Kun-kun GAO ; Yi-qiao WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(9):813-817
Objective To explore the application of goal-directed fluid therapy based on pulse pressure variation rate(PPV)combined with low central venous pressure(LCVP)technique in liver surgery.Methods A total of 86 patients who underwent liver lobe/segment resection in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were included,and randomly divided into two groups by random sequence method.Patients in the conventional group were treated with LCVP technique,while patients in the test group were given PPV goal-directed intervention on the basis of the conventional group.The surgical indicators,hemodynamic indicators,cognitive function,adverse reactions and recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients in the two groups were compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the operation time,Pringle maneuver time,first postoperative exhausting time or first postoperative defecation time of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).However,the intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative fluid infusion volume and hospital stay of patients in the test group were all less/shorter than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).Compared with the time point of T0,patients in the two groups showed increased heart rate(HR)but decreased mean arterial pressure(MAP)and central venous pressure(CVP)at time points of T1 and T2(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the HR or MAP of patients between the two groups at time points of T0,T1,T2 and T3(P>0.05).At time points of T1 and T2,the CVP of patients in the test group was lower than that in the conventional group(P<0.05).One day after operation,the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score of patients in the test group was higher than that in the conventional group(P<0.05).The MMSE scores 7 days after operation of patients in the two groups were higher than those 1 day after operation(P<0.05).Patients in the test group had a lower total incidence of adverse reactions and a shorter recovery time of gastrointestinal function than those in the conventional group(P<0.05).Conclusion The goal-directed fluid therapy based on PPV combined with LCVP technique has a good application effect in liver surgery,which can reduce intraoperative blood loss and fluid infusion volume of patients,shorten hospital stay,increase hemodynamic stability,improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction,and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function,with a relatively high treatment safety.
4.Patient experience of robot-assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty with bone cement injection into injured vertebrae under local anesthesia
Jiahong LI ; Shu LIN ; Liuyi TANG ; Jiang HU ; Yang YU ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(22):4647-4652
BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty assisted by C-arm under local anesthesia requires continuous adjustment of the puncture direction under multiple C-arm fluoroscopy.The establishment time of the working channel is longer,and the intraoperative pain stimulation of patients is larger.With the help of the robot,the puncture can be successfully performed at one time,which can significantly improve the experience of patients and reduce the risk of bone cement leakage.OBJECTIVE:To compare the patient experience and other outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty using robot-assisted and conventional C-arm fluoroscopy under local anesthesia.METHODS:A total of 241 patients with single-stage osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture were selected from Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences·Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital(Affiliated Hospital,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China).132 patients underwent robot-assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty under local anesthesia(robot-assisted group).109 cases of conventional C-arm assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty under local anesthesia(conventional fluoroscopy group).Patients'intraoperative experience evaluation,bone cement injection amount,operation time,working channel establishment time,hospitalization cost and complications were recorded.Puncture deviation and bone cement leakage were evaluated by imaging on the first day after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The intraoperative experience of 59 patients in the robot-assisted group was rated as"very good",43 as"good",16 as"average",10 as"poor",and 4 as"very poor,"while that of 30 patients in the conventional fluoroscopy group was rated as"very good",44 cases were"good",21"average",9"poor",and 5"very poor."There was a significant difference between the two groups in intraoperative experience evaluation(Z=-2.546,P=0.011).Intraoperative pain visual analog scale score was lower in the robot-assisted group than that in the conventional fluoroscopy group(t=-9.513,P=0.000).Totally 84 patients in the robot-assisted group and 47 patients in the conventional fluoroscopy group were willing to undergo percutaneous kyphoplasty again when necessary,and there was a significant difference between the two groups(Z=-2.730,P=0.006).(2)The operation time and hospitalization cost of the robot-assisted group were more than those of the conventional fluoroscopy group(t=2.860,P=0.003;t=36.522,P=0.000).The working channel establishment time of robot-assisted group was shorter than that of conventional fluoroscopy group(t=-27.066,P=0.000).The puncture deviation of robot-assisted group was better than that of conventional fluoroscopy group(Z=-3.656,P=0.000).The cement leakage of robot-assisted group was lower than that of conventional fluoroscopy group(χ2=7.284,P=0.007).(3)It is concluded that under local anesthesia,patients with robot-assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty have good surgical experience,with advantages of accurate puncture,short time to establish working channel,and low leakage rate of bone cement.
5.Luteolin alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting autophagy of hepatic stellate cells
Shu-ling CHEN ; Xi-xuan WANG ; Rui-qi LI ; Da-wei YANG ; Hui CAO ; Yong-feng YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1875-1883
Aim To explore the mechanism of luteolin in alleviating hepatic fibrosis.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,CCl4 group,silybin group(100 mg·kg-1)and luteo-lin group(100 mg·kg-1).After 10-week modeling and 2-week treatment,the serum levels of aminotrans-ferase and liver histopathology were examined.Hepatic fibrosis and autophagy-related gene expression were as-sessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluores-cence.Human hepatic stellate cell line(LX2)was cultured and divided into control,TGF-β1(10 mg·L-1),TGF-β1+silybin(40 μmol·L-1),TGF-β1+luteolin(40 μmol·L-1).Fibrotic and autophagy-re-lated markers were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,immunofluorescence and MDC staining.Results Compared with the CCl4 group,the treatment groups showed significantly improved liver function and reduced hepatic fibrosis,with markedly downregulated COL1A1 and α-SMA expression,and luteolin demonstrated superior efficacy.Compared with TGF-β1 group,luteolin treatment significantly de-creased mRNA levels of COL1A1,ACTA2 and MAP1LC3B,while increasing the mRNA level of SQSTM1,the protein levels of COL1A1 and α-SMA de-creased,p62 was enhanced,the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was downregulated,and autophagy was reduced.These effects of luteolin were reversed by autophagy inducer rapamycin.Conclusion Luteolin alleviates liver fi-brosis by decreasing the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.
6.Unilateral adrenal aldosteronoma with Klinefelter syndrome:one case report and literature review
Yue LI ; Shu-fei ZANG ; Yue-yue WU ; Bing-bing ZHA ; Guo-wei SHI ; Jun ZHANG ; Jun LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(5):752-758
Primary aldosteronism(PA)is the most common cause of secondary hypertension,yet its diagnosis remains under-recognized,with a high rate of missed diagnoses.This condition significantly impacts multiple systems,including the cardiovascular,renal,metabolic,and skeletal systems,resulting in notable complications.Patients with Klinefelter syndrome(KS)exhibit a markedly higher prevalence of metabolic disorders,which may further exacerbate cardiovascular and endocrine dysfunction.Here we report a patient who presented with refractory hypertension and an incidentally discovered adrenal mass,and was ultimately diagnosed with a left adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma combined with KS.We provide a detailed description of the patient's clinical manifestations,biochemical indices,diagnostic process,and postoperative histopathological findings in order to enhance the understanding of PA and KS and their potential interconnections,which offers diagnostic insights to reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.
7.A review on cell-based models of human pancreatic diseases in vitro
Wei-feng ZHU ; Li-jun PENG ; Jing LIU ; Shu-hong PENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):23-29
Unhealthy diet,smoking and drinking can cause a variety of pancreatic diseases,including pancreatitis,diabetes and pancreatic cancer,which seriously threaten human health.The construction of cell models in vitro is of great significance in the study of the etiology and pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases and the development and screening of medicines.At present,domestic and foreign scholars have developed a variety of in vitro pancreatic disease models.In this paper,we summarize the cell models of common pancreatic diseases in vitro,and review the characteristics,culture methods,modeling methods,and evalu-ation indexes of the model cells,so as to provide references for researchers related to pancreatic diseases.
8.Research on construction and application effect of Medical Immunology test bank
Jun LIU ; Lixin WANG ; Shu YU ; Li ZHENG ; Xiaoli WEI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(2):447-450
Objective:To research on the teaching effect of constructing and applying the test bank of Medical Immunology.Methods:A total of 475 students from Hainan Medical College in 2019 were set as the experimental group,the test bank was used in the teaching process,and 463 students from 2018 were set as the control group.The correlation between the test bank and final test scores of students of the two grades were analyzed and compared.Results:The final paper scores of grade 2019 students were not higher than those of grade 2018(P>0.05),the score distribution,average score,minimum score and pass rate of the 2019 grade were better than those of the 2018 grade(P<0.05).The experimental group had a significantly better learning effect on Medical Immunology than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The construction and application of Medical Immunology test bank can improve students'learning effect.
9.Exploration of the Application of Generative Artificial Intelligence to the Challenge of Medical Record Writing
Xiaoyuan GAO ; Xiaolin DIAO ; Fan XU ; Hongxia LI ; Xintong WU ; Zixing WANG ; Wei ZHAO ; Ting SHU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(5):76-79
Generative Artificial Intelligence ishows a broad application prospect in the field of healthcare and has become an important technical means to promote the development of medical informatization.It addresses the multi-faceted challenges of medical record documentation,including efficiency,quality,and doctor-patient communica-tion.It analyzes the adaptability and feasibility of Generative Artificial Intelligence in different clinical scenarios of intelli-gent medical record generation.Additionally,it explores the issues present in current applications and proposes corre-sponding solutions,providing references for the effective application and continuous optimization of Generative Artifi-cial Intelligence in medical record documentation.This provides a theoretical foundation for further expanding the appli-cation scenarios of automatic medical record documentation in China's healthcare industry.
10.Protective effects of aqueous extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma on intestinal mucosa of ulcerative colitis mice
Zhi-hua LI ; Qing LUO ; Xi-min WANG ; Shu-nan GUO ; Wei-bo DAI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2221-2228
AIM To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of aqueous extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma on intestinal mucosa in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS The UC mouse models established by sodium dextran sulfate were allocated into different groups and administered with sulfasalazine(200 mg/kg)or aqueous extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma(3.9,7.8 g/kg)by gavage,respectively.The mice had their changes of body weight,defecation patterns,disease activity index(DAI)and colon length recorded;their colon tissue pathological alterations and goblet cell quantification analyzed through HE and AB-PAS staining;their ROS levels in colon tissue measured via ELISA;their mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines,Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway components and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway regulators in colon tissue assessed by RT-qPCR;their protein expressions of Nrf2/HO-1 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway verified by immunohistochemistry;and their ZO1 and Occludin tight junction proteins in colon tissues quantified by Western blot analysis.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the high-dose Cimicifugae Rhizoma aqueous extract group demonstrated significantly increased body weight,colon length and DAI scores(P<0.01);mitigated intestinal mucosal barrier damage;reduced ROS levels in colon tissue(P<0.01);suppressed mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in colon(P<0.01);elevated expressions of tight junction protein ZO1 and Occludin in colon tissue(P<0.05);upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2,NQO1 and HO-1 in colon tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01);downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Keap1(P<0.05);and reduced expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome components(ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD)in mRNA and protein(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The aqueous extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma exerts protective effects against UC through dual mechanisms involving redox regulation and pyroptosis inhibition by reducing ROS level via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation and attenuating NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis via Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway inhibition,and thereby synergistically preserves the structural and functional integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier and mitigates UC progression.

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