1.Sanren Runchang Formula Regulates Brain-gut Axis to Treat IBS-C: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Teng LI ; Xinrong FAN ; He YAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Mengxi YAO ; Na YANG ; Yuhan WANG ; Huikai HU ; Wei WEI ; Tao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):154-161
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted, and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups (36 cases).The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily, and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL), and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used to assess clinical symptoms, and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% (33/36), which was higher than that (77.78%, 28/36) in the control group (χ2=4.50, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores, decreased IBS-SSS total score, abdominal pain and bloating scores, IBS-QOL health anxiety, anxiety, food avoidance, and behavioral disorders scores, SAS and SDS scores, serum 5-HT and VIP levels, and increased SP levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up, the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group, and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients, with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP, suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However, its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.
2.Effect of Yang-Reinforcing and Blood-Activating Therapy on the Long-Term Prognosis for Dilated Cardio-myopathy Patients with Yang Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome:A Retrospective Cohort Study
Shiyi TAO ; Jun LI ; Lintong YU ; Ji WU ; Yuqing TAN ; Xiao XIA ; Fuyuan ZHANG ; Tiantian XUE ; Xuanchun HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):53-59
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the long-term prognosis for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 371 DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. The yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was defined as the exposure factor. Patients were categorized into exposure group (186 cases) and non-exposure group (185 cases) according to whether they received yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy combined with conventional western medicine for 6 months or longer. The follow-up period was set at 48 months, and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both groups. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the risk of MACE, and subgroup analysis was performed. Changes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score were compared between groups at the time of first combined use of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy (before treatment) and 1 year after receiving the therapy (after treatment). ResultsMACE occurred in 31 cases (16.67%) in the exposure group and 47 cases (25.41%) in the non-exposure group. The cumulative incidence of MACE in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the non-exposure group [HR=0.559, 95%CI(0.361,0.895), P=0.014]. Cox regression analysis showed that yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was an independent factor for reducing the risk of MACE in DCM patients [HR=0.623, 95%CI(0.396,0.980), P=0.041], and consistent results were observed in different subgroups. Compared with pre-treatment, the exposure group showed decreased TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score, reduced LVEDD, and increased LVEF and LVFS after treatment (P<0.05); in the non-exposure group, TCM syndrome score decreased, LVEF and LVFS increased, and LVEDD reduced after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the exposure group had higher LVEF and LVFS, smaller LVEDD, and lower TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score compared with the non-exposure group (P<0.05). ConclusionCombining yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy with conventional western medicine can reduce the risk of MACE in DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, meanwhile improving their clinical symptoms, cardiac function, and quality of life.
3.Research progress and clinical challenges in immunosuppressive regimens for xenotransplantation
Yu ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Xuyuan ZHU ; Yuxiang CHEN ; Tao LI ; Xiaojie MA ; Hongtao JIANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):28-35
As a pivotal strategy to alleviate the shortage of organ donors, xenotransplantation has achieved remarkable advances in both pre-clinical and clinical studies in recent years, driven by continuous optimization of gene modification techniques and immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, clinical translation still confronts formidable challenges, including rejection and heightened infection risks, which severely compromise long-term graft survival. Consequently, the role of immunosuppressive regimens in xenotransplantation has become increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying xenogeneic immune rejection, the latest developments in immunosuppressive regimens, cutting-edge strategies for inducing immune tolerance and the major hurdles facing clinical xenotransplantation. It delves into potential optimization strategies and directions for future clinical research, aiming to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the safe and effective application of clinical xenotransplantation.
4.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
5.Research on interview outline design and quality control methods based on grounded theory for physician prescribing behavior
Liyuan TAO ; Li WANG ; Xinli XIANG ; Lu YANG ; Songleng DUAN ; Dechun JIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):524-528
OBJECTIVE To establish a interview outline design process and quality control evaluation method based on grounded theory, providing ideas for qualitative research interview outline design in medical fields. METHODS A literature review was conducted to understand the current research status; a preliminary interview outline was developed around the research content. The triangulation method, group evaluation, expert review and pre-interview were adopted to execute the interview outline and conduct quality control. The evaluation indicators and target values were formulated (an average score for the overall quality evaluation of all indicators ≥4.5, and an average score for individual indicators ≥4.00) to evaluate the effect of the interview outline. Taking the research on the mechanism of physicians’ prescribing behavior under the background of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) payment as an example, the methodological contents of above interview outline were applied in practical research. RESULTS The interview outline included basic information and interview questions. The interview questions were divided into three parts:influencing factors survey, promoting and hindering factors of standardizing physician prescription behavior, and communication, with a total of 12 questions. After being reviewed by members of the research group, experts review and pre- interview, a total of 9 people participated in the quality control evaluation of the interview outline. The overall evaluation score was 4.94 (>4.50), and the average score of each indicator was greater than 4.00, indicating that the quality of the outline met the requirements for the interview and could be used for the formal interview. CONCLUSIONS The established interview outline design and quality control method based on grounded theory provides ideas for the qualitative research interview outline design in the medical field, and lays the foundation for further using grounded theory to study the influencing factors and mechanisms of physician prescription behavior under the DRG background.
6.Mammalian pluripotent stem cells:effects on creating disease models,pathogenesis,drug discovery and personalized treatment
Wenqiang XU ; Haolin CHEN ; Chang YAN ; Tao XU ; Yabin XIE ; Xueling LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):136-146
BACKGROUND:The self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation of pluripotent stem cells possess the potential to revolutionize people's understanding of biology,medicine,development,and disease.Stem cells play an important role in the early stage of embryonic development,and the study of them could be beneficial to understanding of the basic principles of biological development and tissue or organ formation,exploring the potential mechanisms of various diseases,studying the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues or organs,and promoting drug discovery and personalized treatment. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of pluripotent stem cells,summarize and categorize the fundamental types of pluripotent stem cells,and elucidate the lineage situations of various types of pluripotent stem cells in common mammals. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched systematically,with the keywords"pluripotent stem cells;embryonic stem cells;induced pluripotent stem cells;expanded potential stem cells;livestock pluripotent stem cells"in English and Chinese.The 99 articles related to mammalian pluripotent stem cells were systematically screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and then reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to classical theory in mouse embryonic stem cell research,the pluripotent state of stem cells is divided into two forms:na?ve and primed.Na?ve state corresponds to the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos before attachment to the uterine wall,while primed state corresponds to the epiblast after implantation.These two states exhibit significant differences in epigenetic features,transcriptional activity,external signal dependency,and metabolic phenotype.It is later discovered that there is an intermediate state between na?ve and primed called formative pluripotency.Therefore,the pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells is a continuous developmental process rather than a unique cell state.(2)In addition to obtaining pluripotent stem cells from the inner cell mass,there are various methods and lineages for acquiring pluripotent stem cells,including embryonic germ cells established using primitive germ cells from mouse embryos,induced pluripotent stem cells created by the dedifferentiation of adult mouse and human fibroblasts with four factors—Oct3/4,Sox2,c-Myc,and Klf4;embryonic stem cell-like cell lines cultured from somatic cell nuclear transfer,parthenogenesis,neonatal or adult testicular or ovarian tissue,very small embryonic-like stem cells derived from various adult tissues and expanded pluripotent stem cells derived from pre-implantation stages.These pluripotent stem cells all share the common characteristics of continuous self-renewal,expressing core pluripotency factors and possessing the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers.(3)Currently,pluripotent stem cells are being used for disease modeling to study the mechanisms of various diseases and develop new drugs.Simultaneously,scientists are attempting to use pluripotent stem cells to cultivate various tissues and organs,offering new possibilities for regenerative medicine and transplantation.However,the clinical application of pluripotent stem cells faces safety challenges,including issues of cell mutations and immune rejection.Continual improvement in the methods of generating pluripotent stem cells will make them safer and more efficient for clinical applications.(4)Based on the methods of obtaining and lineage establishment of pluripotent stem cells in mice and humans,various types of pluripotent stem cells have been established in livestock,including embryonic stem cells,induced pluripotent stem cells,germ lineages of pluripotent stem cells,and expanded potential stem cells.Research on livestock pluripotent stem cells opens up new avenues for animal reproduction,breeding,genetic engineering,disease modeling,drug screening,and the conservation of endangered wildlife.
7.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
8.Mechanical stability of intertrochanteric fracture of femur with different internal fixation systems
Xi CHEN ; Tao TANG ; Tongbing CHEN ; Qing LI ; Wen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1783-1788
BACKGROUND:Intertrochanteric fracture of femur has various fracture types and fixation methods,and the mechanical stability of each fixation system is quite different.It is of scientific clinical significance to use finite element analysis method to carry out biomechanical research on various fixation systems. OBJECTIVE:To compare and analyze the mechanical stability of various internal fixations applied to femoral intertrochanteric fracture A031-A2.1 by finite element method. METHODS:Based on the validated finite element model of femur(Intact),the model was cut and made into A031-A2.1 intertrochanteric fracture of femur.Different internal fixation systems were implanted by simulating clinical operation methods,and fixation models of proximal femoral nail antirotation,dynamic hip screw,percutaneous compression plate and proximal femoral locking plate were established respectively.All nodes under the distal femur of the four groups of models were constrained,and compression loads of 700,1 400 and 2 100 N were applied to the femoral head.Von Mises stress distribution and compression stiffness of each group of models were observed through calculation and analysis,and mechanical stability of each group was compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Through calculation and analysis,after calculating the compression stiffness by comparing the deformation of each model,the compression stiffness of each model under various loads showed the trend:physiological group>proximal femoral nail antirotation group>proximal femoral locking plate group>percutaneous compression plate group>dynamic hip screw group.The compressive stiffness of the complete physiological group model was significantly higher than that of all surgical group models.(2)The stress index was observed.Due to the stress shielding effect,the stress peak value of each fixed group was higher than that of physiological group,and the maximum peak value was concentrated on each internal fixation.Proximal femoral nail antirotation group had the smallest stress peak,while dynamic hip screw group had the highest stress.The stress distribution trend showed physiological group
9.Effects of exercise intervention on intestinal flora in college students:a systematic review
Zhaozhi LIU ; Li HUANG ; Haodong TIAN ; Lan LI ; Xiao CHEN ; Yunfei TAO ; Li PENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2394-2401
BACKGROUND:The regulation of intestinal flora by exercise is closely related to human health,but intestinal flora involves many factors.Existing studies have lacked consistent evidence on the effect of exercise on the intestinal flora of college students. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of exercise on intestinal flora diversity and species composition of college students. METHODS:Through systematic search of PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Medline,Cochrane Library,CNKI,WanFang Database and VIP database,eight empirical studies were selected and included,and semi-quantitative analysis was performed on them. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In terms of the species diversity of the intestinal flora,both high-intensity interval training and Tai Chi exercise significantly enhance the species diversity of intestinal flora in college students,while aerobic exercise does not have a significant effect on the enhancement of intestinal flora diversity in college students.In terms of the species composition of the intestinal flora,all three exercise modalities significantly alter the compositional structure of the intestinal flora in college students,which can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Ruminalococcus,Faecalis prevotelli,Blautia,and decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia spp.Compared with high-intensity interval training,aerobic and Tai Chi exercise causes more elevated abundance of beneficial bacteria.In addition to changes in intestinal flora characteristics,exercise improves body composition,cardiorespiratory function,and executive function in college students,and these health benefits are closely linked to exercise-induced changes in intestinal flora that can produce health benefits for the body through metabolic regulation,barrier function,and neuromodulation.Although studies have confirmed the association between exercise and intestinal flora,the mechanism by which exercise affects intestinal flora has not yet been clarified,and at the same time,localizing the flora related to the host health is the key to targeting intestinal flora as a therapeutic target in the future,all of which are worthy of further attention and investigation.
10.Panax notoginseng saponins regulate differential miRNA expression in osteoclast exosomes and inhibit ferroptosis in osteoblasts
Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Zhao TIAN ; Qiang DING ; Chaohui LI ; Jianjie WEI ; Hao LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4011-4021
BACKGROUND:Steroid-induced femoral head necrosis is mostly caused by long-term and extensive use of hormones,but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear and needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To screen out the differential miRNAs in osteoclast exosomes after the intervention of Panax notoginseng saponins,and on this basis,to further construct an osteogenic-related ferroptosis regulatory network to explore the potential mechanism and research direction of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:MTT assay was used to detect the toxic effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone and different mass concentrations of Panax notoginseng saponins on Raw264.7 cell line.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and TUNEL assay were used to detect the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on osteoclast inhibition and apoptosis.Exosomes were extracted from cultured osteoclasts with Panax notoginseng saponins intervention.Exosomes from different groups were sequenced to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.CytoScape 3.9.1 was used to construct and visualize the regulatory network between differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs.Candidate mRNAs were screened by GO analysis and KEGG analysis.Finally,the differential genes related to ferroptosis were screened out,and the regulatory network of ferroptosis-related genes was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The concentration of dexamethasone(0.1 μmol/L)and Panax notoginseng saponins(1 736.85 μg/mL)suitable for intervention of Raw264.7 cells was determined by MTT assay.(2)Panax notoginseng saponins had an inhibitory effect on osteoclasts and could promote their apoptosis.(3)Totally 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from osteoclast-derived exosome samples,and 11 differentially expressed miRNAs related to osteogenesis were predicted by target mRNAs.The regulatory networks of 4 up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 155 down-regulated candidate mRNAs and 7 down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 238 up-regulated candidate mRNAs were constructed.(4)Twenty-four genes related to ferroptosis were screened out from the differential genes.Finally,12 networks were constructed(miR-98-5p/PTGS2,miR-23b-3p/PTGS2,miR-425-5p/TFRC,miR-133a-3p/TFRC,miR-185-5p/TFRC,miR-23b-3p/NFE2L2,miR-23b-3p/LAMP2,miR-98-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/TLR4,miR-23b-3p/ZFP36,and miR-182-5p/ZFP36).These results indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins may regulate osteoblast ferroptosis by regulating the expression of miRNAs derived from osteoclast exosomes,thus providing a new idea for the study of the mechanism of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.

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