1.Mechanism of Wendan Ningxin Granules in Modulating Diastolic Calcium Leakage-related Proteins to Improve Inflammation-associated Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility
Biyue SHANG ; Tingting ZHU ; Shunxin LYU ; Zhiwei ZHANG ; Yufei WANG ; Xiangning CUI ; Yingdong LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):133-143
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Wendan Ningxin granules (WNG) on susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF) in mice with inflammatory injury. Methods100 C57BL/6 mice were divided into a blank control group, a model group, a low-dose WNG group (2.34 g·kg-1·d-1), a high-dose WNG group (4.68 g·kg-1·d-1), and an amiodarone positive control group (0.091 g·kg-1·d-1), with 20 mice in each group. Except for the blank control group, mice in other groups received intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an inflammatory injury model. Treatment groups received continuous intragastric administration of their respective interventions for four weeks. During the fourth week, the treatment groups received LPS injections concurrently with their treatments. The blank control and model groups received distilled water (10 mL·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, with a gavage volume of 10 mL·kg-1 for all groups, once daily. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining were used to observe atrial tissue morphology and fibrosis degree. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in mouse atrial tissue. Electrophysiological detection was performed using a multi-channel electrophysiology mapping system to measure AF inducibility, AF duration, and atrial effective refractory period (AERP). High-resolution optical mapping was used to measure action potential duration (APD) dispersion, conduction heterogeneity index, and calcium transient (CaT) dispersion. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of proteins related to diastolic calcium leakage in mouse atria: Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ), ryanodine receptor 2(RyR2), sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA), and sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of CaMKII, RyR2, SERCA, and NCX proteins in myocardial tissue from each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). ResultsPathological staining results showed that compared with the blank control group, the model group exhibited disrupted atrial tissue structure, inflammatory cell infiltration, atrial fibrosis, and diffuse infiltration of numerous brown α-SMA positive cells in the atrial interstitium (P<0.01). AF could be induced by electrical stimulation with a longer duration. AERP was shortened, while APD dispersion, conduction heterogeneity index, and CaT dispersion were increased (P<0.01). The expression of proteins associated with diastolic calcium leakage, including CaMKⅡ, RyR2, and NCX1, showed elevated mRNA and protein levels, whereas SERCA2a mRNA and protein expression decreased (P<0.05). Serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, intervention with WNG alleviated cardiac structural damage, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, improved atrial fibrosis, and reduced the diffuse infiltration of α-SMA positive cells (P<0.01). AF inducibility and AF duration upon electrical stimulation were significantly reduced (P<0.05), AERP was prolonged (P<0.05), mRNA and protein expression of CaMKⅡ, RyR2, and NCX1-proteins associated with diastolic calcium leakage-were reduced, whilst mRNA and protein expression of SERCA2a increased (P<0.05), and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionBoth low‑ and high‑dose WNG can effectively reduce susceptibility to inflammation-related AF. The mechanism by which WNG reduce AF susceptibility may be related to regulating proteins involved in sarcoplasmic reticulum diastolic calcium leak, thereby improving cardiac electrical remodeling, and alleviating inflammation-induced myocardial fibrosis, thus improving cardiac structural remodeling.
2.Effect of Modified Baoyuantang Combined with Linggui Zhugantang on Myocardial Mitochondrial Damage and NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated Pyroptosis in Rat Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Heart Failure
Tingting ZHU ; Lifei LYU ; Biyue SHANG ; Zhiwei ZHANG ; Shunxin LYU ; Yufei WANG ; Xiangning CUI ; Yingdong LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):1-12
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of modified Baoyuantang combined with Linggui Zhugantang on post-myocardial infarction heart failure in rats and its influence on NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.52, 5.04, 10.08 g·kg-1, respectively) modified Baoyuantang combined with Linggui Zhugantang, and sacubitril/valsartan sodium (0.021 g·kg-1) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except the sham group, the other groups underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for the modeling of myocardial infarction. The treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and the sham and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. Administration began on the first day after successful modeling, once daily, for 4 weeks. Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (LVIDd and LVIDs), left ventricular posterior wall thicknesses at end-diastole and end-systole (LVPWd, LVPWs), and left ventricular volumes at end-diastole and end-systole (LV Vold and LV Vols). Cardiac mass index and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio were calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Sirius Red staining were performed to observe myocardial morphology and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of type I collagen (Collagen Ⅰ), NLRP3, GSDMD, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure. Tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) staining was conducted to assess mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in cardiomyocytes. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), IL-1β, GSDMD, and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the myocardial tissue. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p50, and NF-κB p65 in the myocardial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, and IL-6. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed increased LVIDd, LVIDs, LV Vold, LV Vols, cardiac mass index, and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio (P<0.05), decreased LVPWs, LVEF, LVFS, and MMP (P<0.05), evident myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and mitochondrial damage, upregulated expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, NF-κB p50, and NF-κB p65, and elevated serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, modified Baoyuantang combined with Linggui Zhugantang reduced the LVIDd, LVIDs, LV Vols, cardiac mass index, and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio (P<0.05), increased the LVPWs, LVEF, LVFS, and MMP (P<0.05), alleviated myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, improved the mitochondrial structure and function, downregulated the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, NF-κB p50, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05), and reduced the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Baoyuantang combined with Linggui Zhugantang can ameliorate post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodeling and improve the cardiac function by reducing mitochondrial damage and inhibiting NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.
3.Exploring the Role of Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming in Regulating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on the Theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"
Tingting SHANG ; Wenyue CHEN ; Die WU ; Chenxi GU ; Shu ZOU ; Qingling REN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):878-886
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a complex disease that significantly impacts women's reproductive and metabolic health.The reprogramming of glucose metabolism points to fundamental changes in energy metabolism,which are central to the imbalance in energy metabolism,hormonal abnormalities,increasing insulin resistance,and chronic inflammatory states observed in PCOS.This represents a core pathological link in the pathogenesis of PCOS.The theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"provides a comprehensive overview of spleen function,essential for ensuring the normal operation of organs and the distribution of Qi,blood,and bodily fluids.It serves as a crucial theoretical support for the treatment of PCOS with traditional Chinese medicine.This article explores the role of regulating PCOS based on the theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"with a focus on the reprogramming of glucose metabolism.The mechanism of traditional Chinese medicinal treatments that assist Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence is closely related to regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming,offering a novel research direction for the treatment of PCOS with TCM.
4.Overview of the amendments and revisions to the General Technical Requirements adopted by the Volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
ZHANG Jun ; NING Baoming ; WEI Shifeng ; SHEN Haoyu ; SHANG Yue ; ZHU Ran ; XU Xinyi ; CHEN Lei ; LIU Tingting ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):034-044
To introduce the general thinking, guidelines, work objectives and elaboration process of the general technical requirements adopted by volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, and to summarize and figure out the main characteristics on dosage forms, physico-chemical testing, microbial and biological testing, reference standards and guidelines The newly revised general chapters of pharmacopoeia give full play to the normative and guiding role of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard, track the frontier dynamics of international drug regulatory science and the elaboration of monographs, expand the application of state-of-the-art technologies, and steadily promote the harmonization and unification with the ICH guidelines; further enhance the overall capacity of TCM quality control, actively implement the 3 R principles on animal experiments, and practice the concept of environmental-friendly; replace and/or reduce the use of toxic and hazardous reagents, strengthen the requirements of drug safety control This paper aims to provide a full-view perspective for the comprehensive, correct understanding and accurate implementation of general technical requirements included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.
5.Overview of the amendments and revisions to the General Technical Requirements adopted by the Volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Jun ZHANG ; Baoming NING ; Shifeng WEI ; Haoyu SHEN ; Yue SHANG ; Ran ZHU ; Xinyi XU ; Lei CHEN ; Tingting LIU ; Shuangcheng MA
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):34-44
To introduce the general thinking,guidelines,work objectives and elaboration process of the general technical requirements adopted by volume Ⅳ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition,and to summarize and figure out the main characteristics on dosage forms,physico-chemical testing,microbial and biological testing,ref-erence standards and guidelines.The newly revised general chapters of pharmacopoeia give full play to the norma-tive and guiding role of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard,track the frontier dynamics of international drug regu-latory science and the elaboration of monographs,expand the application of state-of-the-art technologies,and stead-ily promote the harmonization and unification with the ICH guidelines;further enhance the overall capacity of TCM quality control,actively implement the 3 R principles on animal experiments,and practice the concept of environ-mental-friendly;replace and/orreduce the use of toxic and hazardousreagents,strengthen the requirementsofdrug safety control.This paper aims to provide a full-view perspective for the comprehensive,correct understanding and accurate implementation of general technical requirements included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.
6.Astragalus Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of hBMSCs and Alleviates Osteoporosis by Targeting SOX11 Via miR-181d-5p
Yuan XIAO ; Yongli SITU ; Tingting WANG ; Shang KONG ; Jiangqi LIU ; Hong NIE
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1287-1301
Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of Astragalus(AST)on osteoporosis(OP)and the downstream mechanisms.Methods Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)were induced to differentiate into osteogenic cells.After transfection with relevant plasmids,cell proliferation,cell cycle progression,and apoptosis were assessed.Alizarin red staining was used to detect calcium nodules in the cells,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining was used to detect ALP activity in the cells,and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine RUNX2 and Osterix expression levels.An OP rat model was established using ovariectomy and micro-computed tomography scanning.Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to evaluate the pathological conditions of bone tissues,while immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect RUNX2 in bone tissues.Results AST promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs,reduced miR-181d-5p expression levels,and increased SOX11 expression levels.Restoring miR-181d-5p expression or reducing SOX11 expression levels reversed the effects of AST on the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs.miR-181d-5p was found to target SOX11 in hBMSCs.AST improved OP in rats,and miR-181d-5p overexpression or SOX11 inhibition reversed the therapeutic effects of AST on OP in rats.Conclusion AST promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and alleviated OP by targeting SOX11 via miR-181d-5p.
7.Research progress on the definition of multimorbidity and the design of conceptual frameworks
SHI Shang, TAO Shuman, TONG Haojie, LI Tingting, TAO Fangbiao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):295-299
Abstract
The issue of multimorbidity in children and adolescents is becoming increasingly prominent, but there is no consensus on the definition of multimorbidity. As research deepens, issues related to the comparability and standardization of relevant findings are gradually emerging. As a solution, a systematic review of both domestic and international research on multimorbidity is conducted, and a classification system for defining the concept of multimorbidity is proposed, offering more convenient conditions for the advancement of future research and cross study exchange.
8.Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Elements in Different Risk Populations of Heart Failure Complicated with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study Based on Nomogram Model and Factor Analysis
Tingting LI ; Zhipeng YAN ; Yajie FAN ; Wenxiu LI ; Wenyu SHANG ; Yongchun LIANG ; Yiming ZUO ; Yuxin KANG ; Boyu ZHU ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1140-1146
ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in different risk populations of heart failure complicated with type 2 diabetes. MethodsClinical data of 675 type 2 diabetes patients were retrospectively collected. Lasso-multivariate Logistic regression was used to construct a clinical prediction nomogram model. Based on this, 441 non-heart failure patients were divided into a low-risk group (325 cases) and a high-risk group (116 cases) according to the median risk score of heart failure complicated with type 2 diabetes. TCM diagnostic information (four diagnostic methods) was collected for both groups, and factor analysis was applied to summarize the distribution of TCM syndrome elements in different risk populations. ResultsLasso-multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified age, disease duration, coronary heart disease, old myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, absolute neutrophil count, activated partial thromboplastin time, and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase as independent risk factors for heart failure complicated with type 2 diabetes. These were used as final predictive factors to construct the nomogram model. Model validation results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the modeling group and validation group were 0.934 and 0.935, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (modeling group P = 0.996, validation group P = 0.121) indicated good model discrimination. Decision curve analysis showed that the curves for All and None crossed in the upper right corner, indicating high clinical utility. The low-risk and high-risk groups each obtained 14 common factors. Preliminary analysis revealed that the main disease elements in the low-risk group were qi deficiency (175 cases, 53.85%), dampness (118 cases, 36.31%), and heat (118 cases, 36.31%), with the primary locations in the spleen (125 cases, 38.46%) and lungs (99 cases, 30.46%). In the high-risk group, the main disease elements were yang deficiency (73 cases, 62.93%), blood stasis (68 cases, 58.62%), and heat (49 cases, 42.24%), with the primary locations in the kidney (84 cases, 72.41%) and heart (70 cases, 60.34%). ConclusionThe overall disease characteristics in different risk populations of type 2 diabetes patients with heart failure are a combination of deficiency and excess, with deficiency being predominant. Deficiency and heat are present throughout. The low-risk population mainly shows qi deficiency with dampness and heat, related to the spleen and lungs. The high-risk population shows yang deficiency with blood stasis and heat, related to the kidneys and heart.
9.Research progress of pyroptosis in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis
Tingting SHANG ; Cuiping WANG ; Rui CAI ; Lin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):546-552
Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by prominent inflammatory responses.As a classic chronic inflammatory disease,atherosclerosis(As)has been demonstrated to exhibit specific expression of multiple pyroptosis-related proteins within plaques.Accumulating evidence indicates that pyroptosis plays a crucial regulatory role in the initiation and progression of As.This review primarily focuses on three key cell types involved in As—endothelial cell,macrophage,and vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC),and systematically summarizes their pyroptotic mechanisms and contributions to atherosclerotic development.Furthermore,we comprehensively summarize current advances in anti-atherosclerotic drugs and bioactive compounds targeting pyroptosis,aiming to provide theoretical foundations and research perspectives for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of As.
10.Exploring the Role of Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming in Regulating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on the Theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"
Tingting SHANG ; Wenyue CHEN ; Die WU ; Chenxi GU ; Shu ZOU ; Qingling REN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):878-886
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a complex disease that significantly impacts women's reproductive and metabolic health.The reprogramming of glucose metabolism points to fundamental changes in energy metabolism,which are central to the imbalance in energy metabolism,hormonal abnormalities,increasing insulin resistance,and chronic inflammatory states observed in PCOS.This represents a core pathological link in the pathogenesis of PCOS.The theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"provides a comprehensive overview of spleen function,essential for ensuring the normal operation of organs and the distribution of Qi,blood,and bodily fluids.It serves as a crucial theoretical support for the treatment of PCOS with traditional Chinese medicine.This article explores the role of regulating PCOS based on the theory of"Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence"with a focus on the reprogramming of glucose metabolism.The mechanism of traditional Chinese medicinal treatments that assist Spleen Qi to Dispersing Essence is closely related to regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming,offering a novel research direction for the treatment of PCOS with TCM.


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