1.Effect of astragaloside Ⅳ on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and its mechanism
Wanchun ZHU ; Jiahao QIU ; Yu CUI ; Yijing ZHANG ; Zhi SHANG ; Yueqiu GAO ; Lingying HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):608-617
ObjectiveTo investigate the liver-protecting and anti-liver fibrosis effects of astragaloside Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ) in vitro and in vivo, as well as its mechanism of action in intervention against liver fibrosis. MethodsIn the animal experiment, C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group, model group, low-dose AS-Ⅳ (20 mg/kg) group, and high-dose AS-Ⅳ (80 mg/kg) group. The mice were given intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and since week 3 of injection, the mice in the low-dose AS-Ⅳ group and the high-dose AS-Ⅳ group were given AS-Ⅳ by gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, respectively. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured after 4 weeks of administration, as well as the serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide (PⅢNP), and collagen type Ⅳ (Col-Ⅳ). HE staining, picrosirius red staining, and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathology and collagen deposition; RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, and Col3a1 in liver tissue, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type Ⅲ (Col-Ⅲ), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated PI3K (pPI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphorylated AKT (p-Akt) in liver tissue; transcriptome sequencing was performed for liver tissue to identify differentially expressed genes and perform a bioinformatics analysis. In the cell experiment, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was used to induce the activation of LX-2 cells, and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the PI3K activator 740 Y-P were used for intervention. The cells were divided into control group, model group, AS-Ⅳ group, LY294002 group, and AS-Ⅳ+740 Y-P group, and the cells were harvested after 36 hours of intervention. Changes in the protein expression levels of α-SMA, Col-Ⅲ, pPI3K/PI3K, and pAkt/Akt in LX-2 cells were measured, as well as changes in the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, and Col3a1. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the animal experiment, compared with the model group, the AS-Ⅳ treatment group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN, PⅢNP, and Col-Ⅳ (all P<0.01), the mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, and Col3a1 in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of α-SMA, Col-Ⅲ, pPI3K, and pAkt (Ser473) in liver tissue (all P<0.05). In the cell experiment, compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of α-SMA, Col-Ⅲ, pPI3K, and pAkt (Ser473) after TGF-β induction (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the AS-Ⅳ group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of α-SMA, Col-Ⅲ, pPI3K, and pAkt (Ser473) (all P<0.05), and both the AS-Ⅳ group and the LY294002 group had significant reductions in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, and Col3a1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group, there were significant increases in the protein expression level of pPI3K and the relative mRNA expression levels of Acta2, col1a1, and Col3a1 after 740 Y-P intervention (all P<0.05). ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver fibrosis, possibly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
2.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
3.Expert consensus on neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (2026)
LI Jinsong ; LIAO Guiqing ; LI Longjiang ; ZHANG Chenping ; SHANG Chenping ; ZHANG Jie ; ZHONG Laiping ; LIU Bing ; CHEN Gang ; WEI Jianhua ; JI Tong ; LI Chunjie ; LIN Lisong ; REN Guoxin ; LI Yi ; SHANG Wei ; HAN Bing ; JIANG Canhua ; ZHANG Sheng ; SONG Ming ; LIU Xuekui ; WANG Anxun ; LIU Shuguang ; CHEN Zhanhong ; WANG Youyuan ; LIN Zhaoyu ; LI Haigang ; DUAN Xiaohui ; YE Ling ; ZHENG Jun ; WANG Jun ; LV Xiaozhi ; ZHU Lijun ; CAO Haotian
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):105-118
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Tangshen Dihuang Decoction in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease with Liver-kidney Yin Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Its Impact on Gut Microbiota
Chaomao YANG ; Shunxiao ZHANG ; Zhixin YANG ; Jiandong GAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):171-178
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Tangshen Dihuang decoction in treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with liver-kidney Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and its impact on gut microbiota. MethodsA randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted, in which 102 DKD patients with liver-kidney Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were randomly assigned to the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group and the control group. Each group consisted of 51 cases, and the treatment period was 3 months. The primary efficacy indicators included urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 hPBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ), serum cystatin C (Cys-C), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MB), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, and gut microbiota. ResultsAfter treatment, the total response rate in the Tangshen Dihuang decoction was 87.23% (41/47), which was higher than that (69.57%, 32/46) in the control group (Z=4.30, P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores decreased in both groups (P<0.01) and were lower in the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group than in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the control group showed decreases in UACR, Uβ2-MG, AngⅡ, and FBG (P<0.05) as well as 2 hPBG and HbA1C (P<0.01), and no significant differences in BUN, Cys-C, eGFR, SCr, and NAG. The Tangshen Dihuang decoction group showed increased eGFR (P<0.05), declined levels of UACR, BUN, Cys-C, Uβ2-MB, AngⅡ, FBG, 2 hPBG, NAG, and HbA1C (P<0.01), and no significant difference in SCr. The Tangshen Dihuang decoction group had lower BUN (P<0.05), Cys-C (P<0.05), AngⅡ (P<0.05), 2 hPBG (P<0.05), Uβ2-MG (P<0.01), and NAG (P<0.01) and higher eGFR level (P<0.05) than the control group. After treatment, the control group showed declines in Shannon, Observed_species, and Chao1 indices (P<0.05). The samples from both groups showed statistically significant differences in the principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) plot based on Anosim analysis (P<0.05). After treatment, the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group showed decreased relative abundance of Actinobacteria (P<0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly lower in the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group than in the control group (P<0.05). At the genus level, the control group showed decreased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (P<0.05), and the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group presented increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Blautia_A (P<0.05). After treatment, the Tangshen Dihuang decoction group had higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium than the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionTangshen Dihuang decoction has a significant therapeutic effect on DKD patients with liver-kidney Yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. It can markedly relieve clinical symptoms and reduce proteinuria and postprandial blood glucose by antagonizing the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and alleviating gut microbiota dysbiosis.
5.Efficacy and safety of sequential or combined therapy with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in entecavir-treated patients with low-level viremia
Yijing ZHANG ; Lingying HUANG ; Bowu CHEN ; Wanchun ZHU ; Man LI ; Jie SHEN ; Yueqiu GAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):66-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of sequential tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) therapy versus the regimen of entecavir (ETV) combined with TAF in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients experiencing low-level viremia (LLV) after ETV therapy, as well as their impact on virologic response, liver and renal function, and blood lipid levels. MethodsA total of 217 CHB patients with LLV after ETV treatment who were admitted to Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled, and according to the treatment regimen, they were divided into TAF group (180 patients receiving sequential TAF therapy) and combined group (37 patients receiving ETV+TAF therapy). The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to match the patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and finally 37 patients were included in each group to balance the baseline confounding factors. The two groups were compared in terms of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) clearance rate, hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) clearance rate, liver and renal function parameters (liver stiffness measurement [LSM], platelet count [PLT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and creatinine [Cr]), blood lipid levels (total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), and the incidence rate of adverse reactions. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison within each group; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAfter 48 weeks of treatment, compared with the TAF group, the combined group had significantly higher HBV DNA clearance rate (86.49% vs 59.46%, χ²=6.852, P=0.009) and HBeAg clearance rate (59.46% vs 35.14%, χ²=4.391, P=0.036). After treatment, compared with the TAF group, the combined group had significantly lower levels of LSM (7.01±1.50 kPa vs 7.90±1.68 kPa, t=2.404, P=0.019), AST (18.02±2.28 U/L vs 21.12±2.85 U/L, t=5.166, P<0.001), and ALT (19.85±3.86 U/L vs 22.00±3.90 U/L, t=2.383, P=0.020) and significantly higher levels of PLT [(218.35±42.60)×109/L vs (192.82±44.13)×109/L, t=2.532, P=0.014] and Cr (70.92±6.54 μmoL/L vs 67.60±6.13 μmoL/L, t=2.253, P=0.027). After treatment, there was a slight increase in the level of TC in both the TAF group (5.60±0.89 mmol/L vs 5.18±0.85 mmol/L, t=2.076, P=0.041) and the combined group (5.45±0.80 mmol/L vs 5.02±0.83 mmol/L, t=2.269, P=0.026). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the TAF group and the combined group (21.62% vs 18.92%, χ²=0.084, P=0.772). ConclusionFor ETV-treated CHB patients experiencing LLV, compared with sequential TAF therapy, the ETV+TAF combined therapy can effectively increase virologic response rate, alleviate liver fibrosis, and improve liver function, whereas sequential TAF therapy has less impact on renal function. Sequential or combined therapy with TAF may induce a slight increase in the level of TC, which should be taken seriously in clinical practice.
6.Effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of the Numb gene in treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Shihao ZHANG ; Changqing ZHAO ; Mingyan YANG ; Feifei XING ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC (hUC-MSCNumb-OE), and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector (hUC-MSCOE-EV) was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed to establish a rat model of CLF, and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group, hUC-MSC group, hUC-MSCOE-EV group, and hUC-MSCNumb-OE group, while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL, and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured, including serum biochemistry, liver histopathology, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the liver, hepatic stellate cell activation, ductular reaction, liver regeneration, and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group, the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSCOE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin), liver fibrosis markers (the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and ductular reaction markers (the expression levels of CK7 and CK19) (all P <0.05), and compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators (all P <0.05). In addition, compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers (albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α) and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis (Numb, pNumb, Mdm2, and p53) (all P <0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF, possibly by activating the Numb-PTBL-p53-HNF4α axis, promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.
7.Diagnosis and Treatment of Cough Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease from Collaterals Deficiency with Latent Wind
Fang SUN ; Shiqi SUN ; Yan XUE ; Wei ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1057-1059
It is believed that the basic mechanism of cough associated with interstitial lung disease is collaterals deficiency with latent wind: the deficiency of the lung organs and lung collaterals is the basis of its pathogenesis, and latent wind in lung collaterals is the key mechanism of the cough which is difficult to cure. Treatment is based on the principle of supplementing deficiency and treating wind, dispelling the pathogens and unblocking the collaterals. Supplementing deficiency should supplement lungs, boost kidneys, and strengthen spleens to consolidate the root and banking up the origin, and regulate and tonify the lung collaterals; dispelling the pathogens should treat the internal and external winds at the same time, and taking into account the combined pathogens of phlegm, stasis and dampness to clear the stagnation of the lung collaterals.
8.Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction and its active components inhibit alternative pathway complement activation in rat model of IgA nephropathy.
Ting SONG ; Guang-Yu SHENG ; Wei RUAN ; Ya-Heng ZHANG ; Xue-Jun YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1626-1636
This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction(MHLQ) and its main active components in treating immunoglobin A nephropathy(IgAN). The rat model of IgAN was established by a combination of measures including gavage of bovine serum albumin, subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride, and tail vein injection of lipopolysaccharide. The modeled rats were randomized into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose(1.773, 3.545, and 7.090 g·kg~(-1), respectively) MHLQ, phillyrin(PHI, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), pseudoephedrine(PSE, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), and losartan potassium(LP, 9.003 mg·kg~(-1)) groups, and Wistar rats were used as the control. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Urine, serum, liver, and kidney samples were collected from rats in each group at the end of drug administration. The 24 h urine protein and renal function were examined, and staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the renal tissue. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of IgA and complement C3/C3b/C3c in the renal tissue. Electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of the renal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the expression of complement C3 and sublytic C5b-9 in the serum and renal tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of hepatic and renal complement C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, C5b-9, and complement factor B(CFB). Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was employed to measure the expression of complement C3 in the renal tissue. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group had elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and extracellular matrix, and glomerular deposition of IgA immune complexes or electron-dense material. In addition, the model group showcased increased serum C3 levels and up-regulated expression of CFB, C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, and C5b-9 in the renal tissue and C3/C3b/C3c and C5b-9 in the hepatic tissue. After treatment with MHLQ and its active components, all of the above indexes were reversed. In conclusion, MHLQ and its active components can improve the renal function and reduce the deposition of immune complexes and pathological damage in the renal tissue of the rat model of IgAN by inhibiting the alternative pathway complement activation.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Glomerulonephritis, IGA/genetics*
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Rats
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Male
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Disease Models, Animal
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Rats, Wistar
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Complement Activation/drug effects*
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Kidney/immunology*
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Humans
9.Tanreqing Capsules protect lung and gut of mice infected with influenza virus via "lung-gut axis".
Nai-Fan DUAN ; Yuan-Yuan YU ; Yu-Rong HE ; Feng CHEN ; Lin-Qiong ZHOU ; Ya-Lan LI ; Shi-Qi SUN ; Yan XUE ; Xing ZHANG ; Gui-Hua XU ; Yue-Juan ZHENG ; Wei ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2270-2281
This study aims to explore the mechanism of lung and gut protection by Tanreqing Capsules on the mice infected with influenza virus based on "the lung-gut axis". A total of 110 C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control group, model group, oseltamivir group, and low-and high-dose Tanreqing Capsules groups. Ten mice in each group underwent body weight protection experiments, and the remaining 12 mice underwent experiments for mechanism exploration. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/08/1934(PR8) via nasal inhalation for the modeling. The lung tissue was collected on day 3 after gavage, and the lung tissue, colon tissue, and feces were collected on day 7 after gavage for subsequent testing. The results showed that Tanreqing Capsules alleviated the body weight reduction and increased the survival rate caused by PR8 infection. Compared with model group, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate the lung injury by reducing the lung index, alleviating inflammation and edema in the lung tissue, down-regulating viral gene expression at the late stage of infection, reducing the percentage of neutrophils, and increasing the percentage of T cells. Tanreqing Capsules relieved the gut injury by restoring the colon length, increasing intestinal lumen mucin secretion, alleviating intestinal inflammation, and reducing goblet cell destruction. The gut microbiota analysis showed that Tanreqing Capsules increased species diversity compared with model group. At the phylum level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, while reducing the abundance of Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria to maintain gut microbiota balance. At the genus level, Tanreqing Capsules significantly increased the abundance of unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae while reducing the abundance of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Phocaeicola to maintain gut microbiota balance. In conclusion, Tanreqing Capsules can alleviate mouse lung and gut injury caused by influenza virus infection and restore the balance of gut microbiota. Treating influenza from the lung and gut can provide new ideas for clinical practice.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Mice
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Lung/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Capsules
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Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Male
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Humans
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Female
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Influenza A virus/physiology*
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Influenza, Human/virology*
10.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Consensus
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Surveys and Questionnaires


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