1.Study on the effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder against bronchial asthma based on transcriptomics
Jiacheng JIN ; Wenyan CHEN ; Xin LI ; Qing XU ; Hangyu WANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Pinghua SUN ; Jinhui WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):595-601
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder (QDP) on bronchial asthma in mice. METHODS The mice were divided into blank group (normal saline), model group (normal saline), dexamethasone group (2 mg/kg), and QDP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (200, 400, 800 mg/kg), with 14 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, mice in all other groups were given ovalbumin via intraperitoneal injection followed by aerosol inhalation to induce a bronchial asthma model. During the modeling process, mice in each group were administered corresponding drug solutions or normal saline intragastrically/intraperitoneally. After the last medication, the number of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the mice was observed and counted; the pathological changes of the bronchus and lung tissue were observed; the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the lung tissue of the mice were determined, and the level of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the BALF and serum was determined. Transcriptomics was employed to predict and validate the mechanism of action of QDP against bronchial asthma. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the total cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and macrophage counts in the BALF of the QDP high-dose group were all significantly reduced ( P <0.05); the levels of MDA and NO in the lung tissue, and the levels of IL-17 in the BALF and serum were all decreased significantly ( P <0.05); the levels of T-SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased ( P <0.05); the arrangement of lung tissue cells tended to normalize, with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased exfoliation of bronchial simple columnar epithelial cells. The transcriptomic results revealed that the differentially expressed genes were B-cell receptor signaling pathway, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, ferroptosis signaling pathway, and others. Further validation revealed that, compared with the model group, the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and chemokine ligand 20, as well as the phosphorylation level of NF-κB inhibitor protein α, were significantly decreased in the lung tissues of the mice in all QDP groups ( P <0.05). Conversely, the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were significantly increased ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS QDP can effectively alleviate bronchial asthma by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, regulating oxidative stress, and reducing inflammatory responses.
2.Successful treatment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridging to lung transplantation in a patient with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease
Yi GONG ; Xinyu LING ; Rui YAN ; Bo SUN ; Ke MA ; Guifang WANG ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):154-159
A 42-year-old male with chest tightness and dyspnea was admitted to the hospital. Chest CT indicated diffuse interstitial lung infiltration. Despite receiving anti-infective therapy, glucocorticoid therapy, and immunosuppressive agents, the patient developed refractory hypoxaemia. Endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation failed to improve oxygenation. Therefore the patient was diagnosed with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) accompanied by type Ⅰ respiratory failure. Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated, and oxygenation improved in this patient. The patient subsequently underwent bilateral lung transplantation with veno-arterio-venous (VAV) ECMO support. ECMO machine was withdrawn on day 1, and extubation was achieved on day 9 after surgery. Histopathology revealed fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with hyaline membrane formation. The patient developed ICU-acquired myasthenia and received early rehabilitation, with gradual recovery of muscle strength. During follow-up, graft lung function remained stable. This case demonstrates that ECMO can serve as a bridge to lung transplantation in RP-ILD patients.
3.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
4.A Systematic Strategy for Discovering First-in-class Anti-fibrotic Drugs from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wen HUANG ; Guang XIN ; Sanyin ZHANG ; Tao WANG ; Wei CHEN ; Zeliang WEI ; Qilong ZHOU ; Ke LI ; Dan SUN ; Kui YU ; Shilin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):296-307
Pulmonary fibrosis(PF) is a progressive and life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for innovative drug discovery strategies. To address this challenge, the authors propose the formula-originated rational intelligent screening&translation(FIRST), a systematic framework for developing anti-fibrotic monomers derived from classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The strategy integrates three key dimensions, including tissue-oriented intelligent screening of active compounds, structural optimization based on drug-target spatial interactions and plant biosynthetic pathways, and cross-scale validation of drug. We further highlight its applications in discovering tissue-oriented novel drugs from clinically validated TCM, the development and mechanistic elucidation of anti-fibrotic therapeutics, as well as the clinical translation and secondary development of candidate drugs. This strategy paves the way for first-in-class, formula-derived monomeric drugs with defined structures, clarified mechanisms, and proven safety, offering a transformative avenue to meet the urgent therapeutic needs of PF and setting a new paradigm for TCM-based drug innovation.
5.Association between socio ecological risk factors, physical activity developmental trajectory and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students
SUN Zhiying, LIU Zhonghui, LI Fengqin, WANG Xiaoyang, XU Ke, CUI Yushan, ZHANG Xianwei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(5):676-679
Objective:
To explore the relationship between socio ecological risk factors (SERF), physical activity (PA) developmental trajectories, and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students in Tianjin, in order to provide theoretical support for comprehensive interventions for adolescent depression.
Methods:
A longitudinal follow up design was adopted. In September 2022, a baseline survey was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method in two junior high schools and two senior high schools in Tianjin, collecting data on students basic information, SERF, PA, and depressive symptoms. Two follow up surveys were conducted in September 2023 and 2024, yielding 588 valid participants. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to identify PA developmental trajectory categories among junior and senior high school students. Logistic regression was applied to examine the associations between depressive symptoms and SERF as well as PA trajectories.
Results:
The detection rates of depressive symptoms among Tianjin junior and senior high school students over the three years were 26.53%, 20.24%, and 21.26 %, respectively. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with SERF ( OR=1.04, 95%CI=1.03-1.05, P <0.05). The highest risks were observed in the individual dimension and family dimension ( OR =1.28, 1.21, both P <0.05). LCGA identified three PA trajectory groups:persistently low level (80.65%), persistently high level (4.58%), and slowly increasing group ( 14.77 %). Multivariate regression analysis showed that compared with the persistently low level PA, the slowly increasing PA significantly reduced the risk of depressive symptoms ( OR=0.44, 95%CI =0.20-0.88), while SERF still increased the risk of depressive symptoms ( OR=1.04, 95%CI =1.03-1.05) (both P <0.05).
Conclusion
SERF are risk factors for depression symptoms among junior and senior high school students, whereas slowly increasing PA development trajectory demonstrates a protective effect.
6.Correlation between extraocular muscle thickness and clinical activity score in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Laijuan PENG ; Xu XU ; Zhongxu SUN ; Peng ZHU ; Ke MENG ; Tao ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1281-1286
AIM: To analysis the correlation between extraocular muscle thickness measured by quantitative CT analysis of orbital structures and clinical activity score(CAS)of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS:This was a retrospective analysis, selecting clinical data of TAO patients admitted to the hospital from October 2020 to February 2025. Healthy individuals were chosen from hospital's physical examination as the control group. All participants underwent CT examination, the superior rectus muscle, inferior rectus muscle, medial rectus muscle, lateral rectus muscle, orbital area, protrusion degree, and total cross-sectional area of extraocular muscles/total orbital area ratio(OM/TOA)from the two groups of participants were compared. CAS was used to evaluate TAO patients, and the correlation between CAS score and quantitative analysis indicators of CT orbital structure was analyzed. Quantitative analysis indicators for CT orbital structure in TAO patients at different stages of activity were compared, and the predictive value of these indicators for TAO patients at different activity stages was investigated.RESULTS:A total of 77 TAO patients were enrolled in this study, including 38 males and 39 females, with ages ranging from 28 to 70 y(mean age 49.5±6.9 y). There were 77 cases in the control group, including 40 males and 37 females, with ages ranging from 26 to 70 y(mean age 49.0±7.3 y). There was no significant difference in gender and age between the two groups(both P>0.05). The quantitative analysis of left eye, right eye, and binocular CT orbital structure in TAO group patients showed significantly higher indicators than the control group(all P<0.001), and the CAS score of TAO group was 3.94±1.51 points. The CAS score was positively correlated with various indicators of CT orbital structure quantitative analysis(all P<0.05). According to the CAS score results, 14 cases(28 eyes)of TAO patients with a CAS score<3 were classified as inactive phase, including 8 males and 6 females, with an average age of 43.79±9.58 y. A total of 63 cases(126 eyes)with a CAS score of ≥3 was classified as active phase, including 30 males and 33 females, with an average age of 50.78±5.47 y. There was no significant difference in gender among TAO patients with different active phases(P=0.519), but there was a significant difference in age(P<0.001). The quantitative indicators of CT orbital structure in inactive patients were significantly lower than those in active patients(P<0.05). Finally, the superior rectus muscle, age, and degree of protrusion were selected to be included in the Logistic regression model. The analysis results showed that there was a correlation between the superior rectus muscle index, degree of protrusion and TAO activity phase(P<0.05), while age, and TAO activity phase showed no significant correlation(P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.863, the standard error was 0.063, P<0.001, and the 95% confidence interval(95% CI)of AUC was 0.740-0.985. The sensitivity of the model prediction was 73.0%, the specificity was 92.9%, and the Youden index was 0.659. The prediction accuracy was 97.9%, the recall rate was 73.0%, and the F1 value was 0.836. The predicted optimal critical value was 0.857. The predicted probability was 0.74.CONCLUSION:Quantitative CT analysis of orbital structures can be used to assess disease severity in TAO patients.
7.Immediate effect of vocal training on tear film stability in people with dry eye
Danxia LIU ; Ke HU ; Ling WANG ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Minzhi ZHANG ; Lijuan SUN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1479-1484
AIM:To evaluate the immediate effect of vocal training on tear film stability in patients with dry eye disease.METHODS:A prospective crossover controlled study. From April 1 to April 20, 2026, volunteers with mild-to-moderate dry eye [Ocular Surface Disease Index-6(OSDI-6)score: 4-8] were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to receive two interventions in different sequences. Group A underwent a 50-min standardized vocal training session during the first intervention, while Group B served as a blank control; The two groups crossed over to the alternative intervention for the second session, with a 1-week washout period between the two interventions. The immediate post-intervention changes in Dry Eye Symptoms Questionnaire(CDES-Q)score, pre-and post-intervention non-invasive tear film breakup time(NIBUT), including first NIBUT and average NIBUT, as well as tear meniscus height(TMH), were recorded for each session.RESULTS:A total of 32 eligible participants(64 eyes)were enrolled and completed the study per protocol. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups with different intervention sequences. Group A(16 participants, 32 eyes)comprised 3 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 61.69±4.56 y and a mean OSDI-6 score of 5.750±1.183. Group B(16 participants, 32 eyes)comprised 3 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 63.19±1.56 y and a mean OSDI-6 score of 5.250±1.438.There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05). After vocal training intervention, the net effect size for first NIBUT was 1.883 s(P=0.042), and for average NIBUT was 2.076 s(P=0.019). No significant change was observed in TMH(P=0.652). The CDES-Q score difference was -47.188(P<0.001). Further individual data analysis revealed that 59% of participants exhibited prolonged first NIBUT and 50% exhibited prolonged average NIBUT after vocal training.CONCLUSION: Vocal training can immediately improve tear film stability. This therapeutic approach shows promise for dry eye management and provides a reference for future large scale and long-term investigations.
8.Mechanism of Cuscutae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Regulating IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathway to Treat Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Based on Network Pharmacology and Cell Experiment Validation
Haoxian WANG ; Jiuxian LI ; Yan LIU ; Shuo SUN ; Xiangyu LI ; Ke ZHANG ; Yuyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):22-30
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Cuscutae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiment verification. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and UniPort databases were used to screen and organize the active ingredients and corresponding targets of Cuscutae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The potential therapeutic targets of RSA were screened in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), GeneCards database, DrugBank database, DisGeNET database, and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The potential core targets of Cuscutae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma for treating RSA were further screened by constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and topological analysis. Meanwhile, the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was chosen to perform enrichment analysis on intersection targets. On this basis, AutoDock software was used for molecular docking, and the data were imported into PyMOL software for visualization and composition. Finally, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) experiment, Transwell cell invasion assay, and Western blot were used to detect the effects of serum containing Cuscutae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on HTR-8/SVneo cells and observe the effects on the interleukin (IL)-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) signaling pathway and related proteins. ResultsThrough network pharmacology analysis, a total of 69 active ingredients, 73 potential therapeutic targets, and 17 core targets, including IL-6, IL-10, and STAT3, were collected. The 73 common targets were enriched in 614 Gene Ontology (GO) entries and 57 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways. The molecular docking results indicated that IL-6 and STAT3 had good binding ability with the main active ingredients, including matrine, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone ⅡA. The cell experiment results showed that, compared with those of the control group, after 24 hours of treatment with the drug-containing serum, the survival and invasion rates of HTR-8/SVneo cells were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and related proteins IL-10 and c-Myc was significantly elevated (P<0.05). Moreover, the trend of action in the drug-containing serum group was consistent with that of pathway agonists. ConclusionCuscutae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma may enhance the survival rate and invasive activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells to further prevent and treat RSA by activating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and upregulating the expression of downstream factors IL-10 and c-Myc in the pathway.
9.TOMM40L promotes proliferation and migration of triple negative breast cancer cells and correlates with poor prognosis
Ke ZHANG ; Jiangning LU ; Lixin SUN ; Long YU ; Lichao SUN ; Yuliang RAN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(5):575-582
Objective To explore the clinical significance and to investigate the expression of TOMM40L in the tis-sue of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods The expression of TOMM40L in TNBC tissues and normal tissues was analyzed with TCGA and UALCAN databases.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and Nomogram model were used to evaluate the prognostic value of TOMM40L in TNBC patients.Furthermore,the ex-pression of TOMM40L in breast cancer cell lines was evaluated using Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR.Specific siRNA knockdown was performed to evaluate the migration,and cell proliferation of TOMM40L.The potential signaling pathways of TOMM40L were identified by GO and KEGG and GSEA.Results TOMM40L was highly expressed in the TNBC compared to non-TNBC tumor tissues(P<0.001).TOMM40L levels were en-hanced in TNBC cell lines as compared to other non-TNBC cell lines.CCK-8 and Transwell assay demonstrated that TOMM40L knockdown reduced the proliferation and migration of TNBCcell lines.Functional enrichment analysis showed that TOMM40L was involved in glucose metabolism-related pathways.Conclusions The expression of TOMM40L is increased in TNBC and is correlated with poor prognosis.TOMM40L may promote TNBC migration and proliferation.
10.Effect of up-regulating tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 3 expression on hippocampal neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
Meng ZHANG ; Li-Hui SUN ; Yue-Jing WANG ; Hong-Bo YAO ; Ke-Shuang ZHANG ; Yin GAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):277-283
Objective To investigate the effect of up-regulating tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 3(TNFAIP3)expression on hippocampal neurons in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods The mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham group,sham empty vector group(sham-),sham TNFAIP3 high expression group(sham+),model group,model empty vector group(model-),model TNFAIP3 high expression group(model+).A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was established using the suture method.After the successful establishment of the model,lentivirus was injected into the hippocampus 24 hours later.Two weeks later,samples were collected and Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TNFAIP3 and ERK signaling pathway proteins.The changes in ischemic area were observed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining;HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of hippocampal neurons,and ELISA was used to detect the expressions of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)and interleukin(IL)-8.Results The results of Western blotting indicated that the TNFAIP3 expression in the model group decreased significantly compared with the sham group(P<0.05);Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in TNFAIP3 expression in the model-group(P>0.05);The TNFAIP3 expression in the model+group increased significantly compared with the model group and model-group(P<0.05).Compared with the sham group,the results of the sham+group showed that the ischemic area had no significant changes in TTC staining,and there were no significant changes in hippocampal neuronal morphology,and the expressions ERK signaling pathway proteins,Lp-PLA2 and IL-8(P>0.05);Compared with the sham-and sham+groups,the model group showed an increase in ischemic area,significant damage to hippocampal neurons,a decrease in the number of Nissl bodies,and a significant increase in the expressions of ERK signaling pathway proteins,Lp-PLA2,and IL-8(P<0.05);Compared to the model-group,the model+group showed a decrease in ischemic area,an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampus and the number of Nissl bodies,and a significant decrease in the expressions of ERK signaling pathway proteins,Lp-PLA2,and IL-8(P<0.05).Conclusion Up-regulation of TNFAIP3 may be one of the methods for repairing hippocampal neuronal damage caused by cerebral ischemia reperfusion.


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