1.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
2.Targeted Regulation of Inflammation-related Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Mingxue ZHANG ; Ning LIU ; Jianan SU ; Yuhan AO ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):273-283
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases and seriously threatens human quality of life. Its prevention and treatment urgently need breakthroughs. The inflammatory response, which runs through the physiological and pathological evolution process of AS, is one of the important mechanisms for AS occurrence. Currently, the treatment methods for AS in Western medicine are relatively mature. However, they have adverse reactions such as abnormal liver and kidney function, drug tolerance, target vessel restenosis, and stent thrombosis, which remain the key bottleneck restricting clinical efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multi-pathway synergy, shows unique clinical application potential and efficacy advantages in the intervention of AS. This article reviewed the research progress of TCM in intervening in AS by regulating inflammatory-related signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), in the past five years. It summarized the combined mechanism of action of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and compound preparations in inhibiting the inflammatory cascade reaction through multiple targets, regulating lipid metabolism disorders, and improving vascular endothelial dysfunction and the imbalance of the microenvironment. It deepened the research on the molecular mechanism of TCM in anti-AS, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical transformation application and related theoretical research of TCM in anti-AS.
3.Risk factors for open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region among adult non-extraction patients treated with clear aligner therapy
WEI Xiaojiao ; HAN Shuang ; TANG Chenxin ; ZHANG Hao
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):54-64
Objective:
To investigate the incidence and risk factors of open gingival embrasures (OGEs) in the incisor region after treatment with clear aligners in adult non-extraction patients and provide a reference for preventing the occurrence of an open gingival wedge gap in the incisal area after orthodontic treatment.
Methods:
This study has been reviewed and approved by the institutional medical ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. A total of 125 adult patients with malocclusion who completed clear aligner treatment at Hefei Stomatological Hospital from September 2022 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Based on the presence or absence of OGEs in the incisor region observed in frontal intraoral photographs taken immediately after treatment completion, the patients were divided into a normal group and an OGE group. Clinical data, including intraoral photographs, digital models, and cone-beam computed tomography before and after treatment, were analyzed. Measurements such as incisor overlap and rotation, crown morphology, number of attachments, and interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) were recorded and analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of OGEs between the maxillary and mandibular central incisors after clear aligner treatment in adult patients was 28.8% and 39.2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the normal and OGE groups in terms of sex, Angle's classification, gingival biotype, overbite, overjet, IPR amount, age, treatment duration, tooth axis angulation, or horizontal movement distance of mandibular central incisors before and after treatment (P 0.05). However, significant differences were found in the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, distance from the interproximal contact point (ICP) to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) (ICP-ABC), horizontal distance between mesial cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of two adjacent central incisors (CEJ-CEJ) and labial alveolar bone thickness (P 0.05). IPR amount and mandibular incisor intrusion were significantly associated with the severity of OGEs (P 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, ICP-ABC distance, and CEJ-CEJ horizontal distance were significantly correlated with the occurrence of OGEs.
Conclusion
The incidence of open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region is relatively high among adult patients treated with clear aligners. The number of attachments (n = 2), the anteroposterior distance between the mesio-incisal angles, the distance from the tooth contact point to the alveolar bone crest, and the horizontal distance between adjacent cementoenamel junctions have been identified as risk factors for the development of open gingival embrasures upon completion of orthodontic treatment.
4.Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction and its active fractions on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Jinbiao YANG ; Xingtong CHEN ; Yunyue ZHOU ; Ruihong YANG ; Qiao WANG ; Shuang XUE ; Yukun ZHANG ; Wenying NIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):299-304
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) and its active fractions in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS BYHWD and its effective fractions obtained through ethanol precipitation, as well as 30% ethanol, 50% ethanol, and 75% ethanol fractions (namely, the CC effective fraction, 30YC effective fraction, 50YC effective fraction, and 75YC effective fraction), were prepared. These preparations were administered to rats via intragastric administration to prepare corresponding drug-containing serum (blank serum and simvastatin-containing serum were prepared using the same protocol). Human L02 hepatocytes were divided into control group, model group, simvastatin-containing serum group, BYHWD-containing serum group, CC-containing serum group, 30YC-containing serum group, 50YC-containing serum group, and 75YC-containing serum group. Except for the control group, other groups were given 0.2 mol/L oleic acid for 24 h to induce a lipid accumulation model, and then intervened with 20% drug-containing serum/blank serum for 24 h. The lipid deposition in cells was observed, and the proportion of lipid droplet area was calculated; the levels of triglycerides (TG) and indicators of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)] as well as liver function [alanine amino- transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST)] in cells were detected; protein and mRNA expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1)/glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) signaling pathway were also measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group, cells in the model group exhibited severe cellular steatosis, with a significantly increased proportion of lipid droplet area, as well as the elevated levels of TG, ALT, AST, and MDA in cells, along with significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of SREBP-1 and GPAT (P<0.05). The level of SOD, mRNA expression of AMPK, as well as the protein phosphorylation level of AMPK were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, cellular steatosis was alleviated in all drug-containing serum groups, and the levels of most of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BYHWD and its active fractions can exert a therapeutic effect on improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the AMPK/SREBP-1/GPAT signaling pathway, inhibiting oxidative stress responses, and reducing lipid deposition.
5.Development and evaluation of classification system for drug-related problems in China
Shuang ZOU ; Tingting LU ; Lei BAO ; Yun LIAO ; Ling LI ; Ping ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):371-376
OBJECTIVE To establish a Chinese drug-related problem (DRP) classification system applicable to pharmacist-led pharmaceutical care in China, providing pharmacists with an effective and practical tool for pharmaceutical care. METHODS A multi-stage process was employed to construct the DRP classification system, including literature review and analysis, comparison of existing classification systems, refinement of classification items and framework development, two rounds of standard case validation, expert discussion, and system revision. The Fleiss′ kappa test was used to calculate the consistency coefficient κ, assessing the reliability of pharmacists participating in evaluating the classification system. An electronic questionnaire comprising six items was employed to evaluate the system’s applicability. RESULTS The constructed Chinese DRP classification system comprised six sections [problem(including potential problems), DRP evaluation, cause (including possible causes of potential problems), intervention, acceptance of intervention and DRP status], with 24 primary codes and 96 secondary codes. In the first round of case validation, κ values exceeded 0.4 for all sections except “intervention” and “DRP status”. In the second round, κ values exceeded 0.4 for all sections. In the applicability evaluation of the classification system, positive ratings (“strongly agree” or “agree”) exceeded 85% for all items. Specifically, positive ratings for“the classification system can provide appropriate category selection”,“ the classification system is comprehensive”,“ the classification system is convenient to use” and “the classification system is highly satisfactory” exceeded 92%. CONCLUSIONS The Chinese DRP classification system developed demonstrates both high reliability and applicability, providing an effective and practical classification tool for pharmacists in China to conduct pharmaceutical care.
6.Distribution characteristics of pathogens and influencing factors analysis of infections within 90 days after liver transplantation
Huabin PENG ; Haofeng XIONG ; Fei HOU ; Shuang ZHAO ; Yizhi ZHANG ; Tingting CUI ; Zhiying HE ; Jingyi LIU ; Liying SUN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):212-226
Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of pathogens causing infections within 90 days after liver transplantation and the influencing factors of infection. Methods Clinical data of 176 recipients who underwent liver transplantation at the Liver Transplant Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from September 2021 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the infection group (n=124) and the non-infection group (n=52) based on whether they developed infection within 90 days after transplantation. The distribution characteristics of pathogens in infected patients were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the influencing factors of infection. Results Among the 176 liver transplant recipients, 124 cases developed 243 episodes of 518 bacterial, fungal, viral or mycoplasma infections within 90 days after transplantation, with an overall infection rate of 70.5% (124/176). The composition of pathogens was mainly Gram-negative bacteria (38.6%, 200/518), followed by Gram-positive bacteria (32.2%, 167/518) and viruses (15.4%, 80/518), and fungi accounted for 13.1% (68/518). Among Gram-negative bacteria, the main pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.8%, 35/518), and among Gram-positive bacteria, the main pathogen was Enterococcus faecalis (8.5%, 44/518). Viruses included Epstein-Barr virus (3.7%, 19/518) and cytomegalovirus (3.7%, 19/518), and fungi were mainly Candida albicans (6.8%, 35/518). The most common infection site among the 243 episodes was pulmonary infection (42.0%, 102/243), followed by abdominal infection (22.6%, 55/243) and bloodstream infection (18.1%, 44/243). The infections mainly occurred within 2 weeks after transplantation (60.9%, 148/243). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that preoperative infection within 2 weeks, a high preoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and preoperative sarcopenia were independent risk factors for infection within 90 days after liver transplantation (all odds ratio>1, P<0.05). After multivariate correction, the levels of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells within 90 days after surgery were independently associated with the occurrence of infection. Low levels of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells might be related to an increased risk of infection. Conclusions The infection rate after liver transplantation is high, and the pathogens are mainly Gram-negative bacteria. The lungs are the most common infection site. Preoperative MELD score, preoperative sarcopenia and preoperative infection within 2 weeks are independent risk factors for infection within 90 days after liver transplantation. Regular monitoring of immune indicators CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells levels after transplantation is helpful to reduce the occurrence of post-transplantation infection.
7.Dipsacus asper Treats Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating PPARα/TFEB Pathway
Mengmeng WANG ; Jianping ZHAO ; Limin WU ; Shuang CHU ; Yanli HUANG ; Zhenghao CUI ; Yiran SUN ; Pan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):104-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect of Dipsacus asper(DA) in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/transcription factor EB (TFEB) pathway. MethodsFirst, transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control, model, positive control (WY14643, 20 µmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (100, 200, and 400 mg·L-1, respectively) DA groups. The amyloid β-42 (Aβ42) formation in the muscle cells, the paralysis time, and the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, LC3I, LAMP2, and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα, and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain (LBD). ResultsCompared with the model group, the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time (P<0.05), and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head (P<0.01). DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, DA enhanced the autophagy flux (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1, Atg5, LAMP2, and CLN2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB (P<0.05), increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB (P<0.01). The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus (P<0.01). UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA, from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.
8.Study on meal preferences of school aged children based on discrete choice experiment
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):45-49
Objective:
To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children.
Methods:
From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices.
Results:
The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.
9.Synthetic MRI Combined With Clinicopathological Characteristics for Pretreatment Prediction of Chemoradiotherapy Response in Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Siyu CHEN ; Jiankun DAI ; Jing ZHAO ; Shuang HAN ; Xiaojun ZHANG ; Jun CHANG ; Donghui JIANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Shudong HU
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(2):135-145
Objective:
To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC).
Materials and Methods:
Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test.
Results:
The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively.
Conclusion
SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.
10.Research development of animal models for viral ocular diseases
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1285-1290
With the application and popularization of the polymerase chain reaction, many ocular diseases with unknown etiology in the past have been confirmed to be related to viral infections; from the classic herpes simplex keratitis to the cytomegalovirus intraocular infection which is gradually recognized by people at present, various viral ocular diseases have received increasing clinical attention. Ocular viral infections are complicated with various types of viruses causing different clinical manifestations. Since it is difficult to obtain corresponding tissue specimens from patients with viral ocular diseases, establishing an effective animal model is a crucial foundation for studying the characteristics of the disease course, the pathogenesis, and the pre-clinical evaluation of drugs. Based on the literature on animal models related to viral ocular diseases in recent years, this paper comprehensively summarizes the animal models of various diseases from the anterior segment to the posterior segment of the eye caused by different viruses and introduces in detail the types of viruses, viral loads, and the methods of virus challenge on various models; besides, it conducts a comparative evaluation from multiple dimensions such as the model stability, advantages and disadvantages of the models, and their application situations, so as to provide a basis for subsequent basic research on related diseases and drug transformation.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail