1.Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Alleviating Inflammatory Pain in Rats by Regulating ErbB Subtypes in the Spinal Dorsal Horn
Yuxin WU ; Shuxin TIAN ; Zhengyi LYU ; Dingru JI ; Xingzhen LI ; Yue DONG ; Binyu ZHAO ; Yi LIANG ; Jianqiao FANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):69-78
ObjectiveTo observe the changes in the levels of different subtypes of epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB), namely ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4, in the spinal dorsal horn of inflammatory pain model rats, and to explore their mechanism of mediating hyperalgesia as well as the intervention mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)". MethodsThe study was divided into five parts. In experiment 1, 14 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control and inflammatory pain group (7 rats each group) to observe the pain behavior and the protein expression of different ErbB receptor subtypes in the spinal dorsal horn. In experiment 2, 30 rats were randomly divided into control group 1, inflammatory pain group 1, and low-, medium-, and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups, with 6 rats in each group, to observe the effect of inhibiting spinal ErbB3 on inflammatory pain. In experiment 3, 12 rats were randomly divided into control virus group and ErbB3 knockdown virus group, with 6 rats in each group, to observe the effect of knocking down ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn on inflammatory pain. In experiment 4, 44 rats were randomly divided into control group 2, inflammatory pain group 2, electroacupuncture group, and sham electroacupuncture group, with 11 rats in each group, to observe the effect of electroacupuncture. In experiment 5, 40 rats were randomly divided into control group 3, inflammatory pain group 3, electroacupuncture group 1, and electroacupuncture + NRG1 group, with 10 rats in each group, to observe the effect of activating ErbB3 on electroacupuncture. A rat model of inflammatory pain was established by subcutaneous injection of 100 μl of complete Freund's adjuvant into the sole of the unilateral hind foot of SD rats. Rats in the low-, medium-, and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 inhibitor TX1-85-1 on day 5 to day 7 after modeling. Rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group were injected with ErbB3 knockdown virus packaged with adenovirus vector-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into the spinal dorsal horn in situ 3 weeks before modeling. Rats in each electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)" from day 1 to day 7 after modeling, with dense-sparse waves at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of 0.5-1.5 mA for 30 minutes once a day. Rats in the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 ligand recombinant human neuregulin-1 (NRG1) after electroacupuncture intervention from day 5 to day 7 after modeling. The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were measured on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling to evaluate behavior, and Western Blot was used to detect the protein and phosphorylation levels of each ErbB subtype in the spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the inflammatory pain group showed decreased mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats, and increased expression of phosphorylated ErbB3 (p-ErbB3) protein in the spinal dorsal horn on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling (P<0.01). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the inflammatory pain group 1, the mecha-nical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the medium- and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups increased, and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased (P<0.05). On day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after modeling, compared with the control virus group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group increased (P<0.05). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the inflammatory pain group 2 and the sham electroacupuncture group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group increased, and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased (P<0.05). On day 5 and day 7 after modeling, compared with the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group 1 increased (P<0.05). ConclusionThe p-ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn involved in hyperalgesia in rats with inflammatory pain, and electroacupuncture at "Zusanli (ST 36)" and "Kunlun (BL 60)" can alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting the expression of p-ErbB3 protein in the spinal dorsal horn of rats.
2.Gene-predicted associations between 731 immune cell phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis
Fengzhi LIU ; Yuna DONG ; Wenyi TIAN ; Chunlei WANG ; Xiaodong LIANG ; Lin BAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1311-1319
BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is widely prevalent worldwide,with its high incidence and universality that considerably affects patients' quality of life.Previous studies have focused on a few immune cells or cytokines,whereas this study comprehensively provides a more complete view of the immune mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between 731 immune cell phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis using the Mendelian randomization method,thereby providing evidence of causality.METHODS:The 731 immune cell phenotypes used in this study were sourced from the GWAScatalog database,jointly developed by the National Human Genome Research Institute(NHGRI)and the European Bioinformatics Institute(EBI).The rheumatoid arthritis data were from the Finngen database,developed by the Finnish Institute for Molecular Medicine(FIMM).The inverse variance weighting method was employed as the primary analytical approach.Additionally,multiple analytical methods,including MR-Egger,weighted mode,simple mode,and weighted median,were concurrently utilized to complement the final results.Sensitivity analyses(Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger regression,and MR-presso analysis)were also conducted to verify the stability and feasibility of the data.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After excluding results through heterogeneity testing,the inverse variance weighting analysis indicated that 10 absolute cell counts,15 median fluorescence intensities of surface antigen levels,1 morphological characteristic,and 9 relative cell counts had a causal relationship with the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.(2)According to cell classification,this study found that seven types of B cells,seven types of classical dendritic cells,six types of mature T cells,four types of monocytes,three types of myeloid cells,three types of TBNK cells(lymphocyte subset T cells,B cells and natural killer cells),and five types of Tregs had a causal association with the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.(3)Through comprehensive bidirectional two-sample MR analysis,we demonstrated the complex causal relationships between multiple immune phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis,highlighting the intricate interaction patterns between the immune system and rheumatoid arthritis.These results provide new biomarkers for the early screening and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in China,and help to improve the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity.
3.Improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Ruifeng LIANG ; Wenjing GE ; Xiaobo KOU ; Ping TIAN ; Hongzhi AN ; Zheng WEI ; Mingli ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):331-337
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins (ABS) extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) based on cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A)/20-hydroxyeicosatetetraenoic acid (20-HETE)/G protein-coupled receptor 75 (GPR75) axis. METHODS Ten Wistar- Kyoto rats were taken as the normal control group. Forty SHR were first stratified by systolic blood pressure and then, within each stratum, randomly assigned using a random-number table to the model group (MOD group), captopril positive control group (CAP group, 10 mg/kg), ABS low- and high-dose extract groups (ABS-L group, ABS-H group, 60 and 120 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Animals in each group were given the corresponding drug or equal volume of pure water by gavage, once a day, for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration, systolic blood pressure of rats was measured. The levels of vasoactive substances, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators in serum were measured. The pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta were observed. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aortic tissue was analyzed. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), CYP4A, GPR75, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphorylated NF-κB p65, p22phox, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4(NOX4) in thoracic aorta tissue were detected. RESULTS After 28 d of treatment, compared with MOD group, the systolic blood pressure of rats in the ABS-L and ABS-H groups decreased significantly. The levels of 20-HETE, angiotensin Ⅱ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and malondialdehyde in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the levels of nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Intimal damage of thoracic aorta was reduced, and endothelial cell morphology was improved. The expressions of ROS, CYP4A, GPR75, p22phox, NOX4 and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in thoracic aorta were down-regulated or reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the expression of eNOS was up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ABS extract may alleviate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in SHR effectively by down-regulating the expression of CYP4A, reducing the production of 20-HETE, inhibiting the activation of GPR75, and subsequently suppressing the activation of downstream NF-κB and NOX4, thereby improving hypertension-related vascular endothelial dysfunction.
4.Gene-predicted associations between 731 immune cell phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis
Fengzhi LIU ; Yuna DONG ; Wenyi TIAN ; Chunlei WANG ; Xiaodong LIANG ; Lin BAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1311-1319
BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is widely prevalent worldwide,with its high incidence and universality that considerably affects patients' quality of life.Previous studies have focused on a few immune cells or cytokines,whereas this study comprehensively provides a more complete view of the immune mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between 731 immune cell phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis using the Mendelian randomization method,thereby providing evidence of causality.METHODS:The 731 immune cell phenotypes used in this study were sourced from the GWAScatalog database,jointly developed by the National Human Genome Research Institute(NHGRI)and the European Bioinformatics Institute(EBI).The rheumatoid arthritis data were from the Finngen database,developed by the Finnish Institute for Molecular Medicine(FIMM).The inverse variance weighting method was employed as the primary analytical approach.Additionally,multiple analytical methods,including MR-Egger,weighted mode,simple mode,and weighted median,were concurrently utilized to complement the final results.Sensitivity analyses(Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger regression,and MR-presso analysis)were also conducted to verify the stability and feasibility of the data.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After excluding results through heterogeneity testing,the inverse variance weighting analysis indicated that 10 absolute cell counts,15 median fluorescence intensities of surface antigen levels,1 morphological characteristic,and 9 relative cell counts had a causal relationship with the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.(2)According to cell classification,this study found that seven types of B cells,seven types of classical dendritic cells,six types of mature T cells,four types of monocytes,three types of myeloid cells,three types of TBNK cells(lymphocyte subset T cells,B cells and natural killer cells),and five types of Tregs had a causal association with the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.(3)Through comprehensive bidirectional two-sample MR analysis,we demonstrated the complex causal relationships between multiple immune phenotypes and rheumatoid arthritis,highlighting the intricate interaction patterns between the immune system and rheumatoid arthritis.These results provide new biomarkers for the early screening and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in China,and help to improve the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity.
5.Research Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of Pyroptosis for Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Qiongqiong GUO ; Meihao XUE ; Xuchao DONG ; Ping TIAN ; Rong HU ; Longxin XU ; Juan LI ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jintian LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):716-725
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment continues to face major challenges such as therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death, induces tumor cell death through gasdermin-mediated membrane pore formation and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby playing complex roles in lung cancer initiation, progression, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Active components and herbal formulas derived from traditional Chinese medicine can modulate pyroptosis-related signaling pathways through multi-target mechanisms, showing potential advantages in inducing lung cancer cell death, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and reversing chemoresistance. This review systematically summarizes relevant studies from domestic and international sources, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, its roles in lung cancer development and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and the current research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions targeting pyroptosis, with the aim of providing references for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer using traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Therapy Regulating IL-33/ST2/IL-1RAP to Improve Nasal Mucosal Tissue Remodeling and Intervene in Allergic Rhinitis
Huan WANG ; Hongping LUO ; Meiya WANG ; Yuyin LIU ; Chenlin WANG ; Chao LIAO ; Fangqi LIANG ; Peizheng XIONG ; Li TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):298-307
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qidan Yifei Tongqiao granules (QDYF) alleviate nasal mucosal remodeling in allergic rhinitis (AR) via the interleukin-33 (IL-33)/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2)/interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAP) signaling pathway from the perspective of Qi-replenishing and blood-activating therapy. MethodsFirst, according to the previous network pharmacology results, this study predicted the potential mechanisms of QDYF in treating AR by screening key pathways, components, and targets. Molecular docking was performed via AutoDock and PyMOL 2.5.5. Subsequently, a rat model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR was used for validation through in vivo experiments. Forty-eight rats were assigned into 6 groups: Control, model, low-dose QDYF (QDYF-L, 4.04 g·kg-1), medium-dose QDYF (QDYF-M, 8.08 g·kg-1), high-dose QDYF (QDYF-H, 16.16 g·kg-1), and loratadine (0.9 mg·kg-1). After 14 days of intervention, behavioral scores of the rats were observed. The morphological changes of nasal mucosa tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Masson staining was used to observe collagen fiber deposition in the nasal mucosal tissue and to calculate the collagen volume fraction (CVF). The expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) in the nasal mucosa tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. The serum levels of helper T cell 2 (Th2) cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) as well as helper T cell 1 (Th1) cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), IL-33, ST2, and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsIL-33, ST2, and IL-1RAP had strong binding ability with the main active ingredients—wogonin, 7-methoxy-2-methylisoflavone, formononetin, naringenin, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol of QDYF, with the binding energy < -4.25 kcal⋅mol-1(1 cal≈4.184 J). The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased behavioral scores (P<0.05), aggravated pathological damage of nasal mucosa, increased collagen fiber deposition and CVF (P<0.05), elevated serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, up-regulated protein levels of TGF-β1, IL-33, ST2, and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa (P<0.05), down-regulated expression of E-cad, and declined serum levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the QDYF groups and loratadine group showed reduced behavioral scores (P<0.05), alleviated pathological damage of nasal mucosa, reduced collagen fiber deposition and CVF (P<0.05), and up-regulated E-cad expression (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the QDYF-H group and the loratadine group showed raised levels of INF-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P<0.05), declined serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β1, IL-33, ST2, and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa (P<0.05). In addition, the QDYF-H group exhibited an elevated serum IL-2 level (P<0.05). The QDYF-M group showed down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β1, IL-33 and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa (P<0.05). The QDYF-L group demonstrated a down-regulated protein level of ST2 in the nasal mucosa (P<0.05). ConclusionQDYF may regulate the Th1/Th2 balance through the IL-33/ST2/IL-1RAP signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating nasal mucosal tissue remodeling and alleviating AR.
7.Follow up analysis on the relationship between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical fitness in preschool children
CHEN Lanzhi, WANG Junyu, LIANG Yixin, WANG Tian, HUANG Haiquan, ZHUANG Jie
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1257-1261
Objective:
To explore the cross sectional and longitudinal associations between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical fitness in preschool children, and to adopt the method of equal time substitution analysis to evaluate the impact of time redistribution of different activity behaviors on physical fitness scores,so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the health of preschool children.
Methods:
A total of 193 preschool children aged 3-6 years were selected from three Shanghai districts (Jing an, Baoshan, Jiading) from October to December 2023 by the stratified cluster random sampling method. The 24 hour movement behaviors were monitored via 7 day accelerometry, and physical fitness was measured according to the National Physical Fitness Measurement Standards (Revised 2023, preschool section). From October to December 2024, the follow up of physical fitness among preschool children used the same testing method. The comparison between groups was conducted by t-test. Compositional regression analyses evaluated the relationship of 24 hour movement behaviors and physical fitness among preschool children.
Results:
At baseline, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was significantly higher in boys [(84.10±25.78)min/d] than in girls [( 70.44± 25.98)min/d]; the composite physical fitness score was significantly higher in boys (71.65±8.69) than in girls (68.84±9.89), and the differences were statistically significant ( t =3.65, 2.10, both P <0.01). After adjusting for gender, age and body mass index, the results of component multiple linear regression analysis showed that MVPA time proportion was positively correlated with the composite physical fitness score at baseline among preschool children ( β =6.61), but was negatively correlated with two legged continuous hopping time at 1 year ( β =-1.12) (both P <0.05). Light physical activity (LPA) time proportion was negatively correlated with walking on the balance beam time at 1 year ( β =-4.44), and sedentary behavior (SB) time proportion was negatively correlated with the composite score of physical fitness at baseline ( β =-6.55) (both P <0.05). Isotemporal substitution analysis revealed that replacing 10 minutes of sleep (SP), SB, and LPA with MVPA increased the baseline physical fitness composite score by 0.750, 0.689 and 0.575 units, respectively; at 1 year follow up, the composite score increased by 1.440, 1.419 and 1.430 units, respectively (all P <0.05). Conversely, replacing MVPA with 10 minutes of SP, SB, and LPA,resulted in decreases in baseline physical fitness composite scores of 0.836, 0.777 and 0.669 units, and reductions of 1.613, 1.592 and 1.598 units at 1 year follow up (all P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
Preschool children s 24 hour movement behaviors, especially MVPA, are closely related to physical health. Implementing appropriate strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time may improve the physical fitness of preschoolers.
8.Construction of an infectious disease risk assessment system for childcare institutions in Shanghai
Lyulan HUANG ; Ruobing HAN ; Liang TIAN ; Junhua FAN ; Yan WANG ; Ning JIANG ; Renyi ZHU ; Jian CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):692-696
ObjectiveTo explore the construction of a risk assessment indicator system for common infectious diseases in Shanghai’s childcare institutions, and to provide a reference standard for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, staff training and system construction in childcare institutions. MethodsBy combining the Delphi method with the literature review and expert consultation, the hierarchical dimensions and items at all levels of the risk assessment indicator system for common infectious diseases in Shanghai’s childcare institutions were constructed, and the weighting coefficients were determined by analytic hierarchy process. ResultsA total of 14 experts from the field of childcare institutions, infectious disease control, child healthcare and health supervision participated in the Delphi consultation. The system consisted of four core dimensions: organizational management, team building, hardware equipment, and infectious disease surveillance and disposal, with the weighting coefficients of 0.285 9, 0.261 6, 0.204 3 and 0.248 2, respectively. The evaluation indicator system consisted of 4 primary indicators, 15 secondary indicators and 45 tertiary items. The positivity coefficients of the two rounds of Delphi consultation were 0.93 and 1.00, the authority coefficients were both 0.81, and the Kendall’s coefficient of concordance were 0.44 and 0.49, respectively (P<0.01). ConclusionThe high expert engagement and coordination indicate that organizational management and team building remain the critical priorities for infectious disease prevention and control in Shanghai’s childcare institutions. It is recommended to strengthen financial investment, improve institutional mechanisms, and enhance personnel reserves and capacity building for healthcare teachers, thereby systematically upgrading the infectious disease control capabilities of childcare institutions.
9.Consensus on low-altitude transport and delivery services for emergency medicines via drones (2025 edition)
Qinshui WU ; Yanfang CHEN ; Tao LIU ; Xiaoyan LI ; Yumin LIANG ; Xin LI ; Zhong LI ; Rong LI ; Xiaoman WANG ; Shuyao ZHANG ; Huishu TIAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2221-2225
OBJECTIVE To promote the application of drones in emergency rescue and related fields, expand “low-altitude+ medical” rescue services, and advance the standardization of “low-altitude+medical” distribution services. METHODS The Consensus on Low-altitude Transport and Delivery Services for Emergency Medicines via Drones (2025 Edition) (hereinafter referred to as the Consensus) was jointly initiated by the Division of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Chinese Pharmacological Society and the Expert Committee on Precision Medication of the Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association. Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital served as the leading unit, organizing 53 multidisciplinary experts nationwide to participate in drafting and reviewing. A nominal group technique was employed to discuss and finalize the consensus outline, resulting in a preliminary draft. Delphi method was employed, and 11 external review experts were invited to conduct the evaluation. After the experts’ opinions were analyzed and integrated, the Consensus was finalized. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The finalized Consensus includes its purpose, principles, and applicable scenarios, basic requirements, and operational procedures for low-altitude transport and delivery of emergency medications; distribution requirements and precautions for controlled substances, fragile medications, and temperature-sensitive medications; and recommendations for emergency medications supplies suitable for the low-altitude transportation and distribution. The release of this Consensus is expected to provide guidance and support for the standardization of “low-altitude+medical” distribution services and the application of low-altitude economy in the healthcare sector.
10.Prognostic factors and outcomes of extremity necrotising fasciitis in Singapore.
Shaun Kai Kiat CHUA ; Noah Tian Run LIM ; Anna Hien Anh TRAN ; Liang SHEN ; Choon Chiet HONG ; Joel Yong Hao TAN ; Mark Edward PUHAINDRAN ; Jonathan Jiong Hao TAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(10):679-681


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail