1.Molecular Mechanisms of Salvia Miltiorrhiza and Its Active Ingredients against Colorectal Cancer: A Review
Jianing GUO ; Xiaochen NI ; Kaiyuan ZHANG ; Wei FAN ; Chuhang WANG ; Chao XU ; Jianbo HUANG ; Tao JIANG ; Guangji ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):307-314
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, with its incidence ranking high among cancers. It stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the early stages, CRC lacks specific symptoms, and most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, making it a major research focus in the field of gastrointestinal tumors. Currently, clinical CRC treatments face several common challenges, including high surgical risks, frequent metastasis and recurrence, drug resistance, and significant side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. With the development and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has been found that TCM and its active ingredients can effectively inhibit CRC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis, and promote apoptosis and autophagy, thereby slowing the progression of CRC. This has become a key focus of CRC treatment research. Salvia Miltiorrhiza has multiple pharmacological effects, including activating blood circulation to dispel blood stasis, unlocking meridians to relieve pain, clearing heat to calm irritability, and cooling blood to reduce abscesses. It contains a variety of chemical components, including diterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, nitrogen-containing compounds, steroids, and lactone compounds. This review summarized the molecular mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its active ingredients in the treatment of CRC. It is found that these ingredients exert anti-CRC effects through various molecular mechanisms, including cell cycle arrest, promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of cell invasion and migration, induction of autophagy, suppression of tumor angiogenesis, and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. The review aims to provide new insights for the drug development and clinical application of Salvia miltiorrhiza in CRC treatment.
2.Empirical study of input, output, outcome and impact of community-based rehabilitation stations
Xiayao CHEN ; Ying DONG ; Xue DONG ; Zhongxiang MI ; Jun CHENG ; Aimin ZHANG ; Didi LU ; Jun WANG ; Jude LIU ; Qianmo AN ; Hui GUO ; Xiaochen LIU ; Zefeng YU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(1):83-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the present situation of input, output, outcome and impact of all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia in China, and analyze how the input predict the output, outcome and impact. MethodsFrom March 1st to April 30th, 2025, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all registered community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia, covering four dimensions: input, output, outcome and impact. A total of 1 365 questionnaires were distributed. The input included four items: laws and policies, human resources, equipment and facilities, and rehabilitation information management. The output included two items: technical paths and benefits/effectiveness. The outcome included three items: coverage rates, rehabilitation interventions and functional results. The impact included two items: health and sustainability. Each item contained several questions, all of which were described in a positive way. Each question was scored from one to five. A lower score indicated that the situation of the community-based rehabilitation station was more in line with the content described in the question. Regression analysis was performed using the total score of each item of input dimension as independent variables, and the total scores of the output, outcome and impact dimensions as dependent variables. ResultsA total of 1 262 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean values of input, output, outcome and impact of community-based rehabilitation stations were 1.827 to 1.904, with coefficient of variation of 45.892% to 49.239%. The regression analysis showed that, rehabilitation information management, human resources, and laws and policies significantly predicted the output dimension (R² = 0.910, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, all four items in the input dimension predicted both the outcome (R² = 0.850, P < 0.001) and impact dimensions (R² = 0.833, P < 0.001). ConclusionInput, output, outcome and impact of the community-based rehabilitation stations in Inner Mongolia were generally in line with the content of the questions, although some imbalances were observed. Additionally, the input of community-based rehabilitation stations could significantly predict their output, outcome and impact.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervening Mitochondrial Dysfunction for Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Review
Xiaochen WEN ; Ying WANG ; Ruoshi LIU ; Ziying LIU ; Xiaoyan MA ; Chengjun GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):300-311
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a microvascular complication of diabetes, with a complex pathogenesis, in which mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be the core of DKD development. Taking mitochondria as a target to regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism, mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitophagy, and mitochondrial dynamic function represents a promising strategy for the DKD prevention and treatment, with good prospects in clinical application. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has great potential to mediate mitochondrial dysfunction in the DKD prevention and treatment. This article deeply explores the intrinsic relationship between various forms of mitochondrial dysfunction and DKD, and summarizes the current research status of various Chinese herbal compounds and Chinese herbal formulas in targeting mitochondrial dysfunction for the DKD prevention and treatment. This article aims to provide new targets and strategies for the DKD prevention and treatment, and the research and development of TCM.
4.Effect of Xibining Formula (膝痹宁) on Knee Cartilage Tissue Damage and the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway in Knee Osteoarthritis Model Mice
Houyu FU ; Xiaochen LI ; Zijian GONG ; Lishi JIE ; Jiangyu LIU ; Yingqi CHEN ; Peimin WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1257-1264
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of action of Xibining Formula (膝痹宁) for cartilage damage in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) through the cyclic guanosine-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)- stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (10 per group), sham operation group, KOA model group, low-dose Xibining Formula group, high-dose Xibining Formula group, and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group. The KOA models were constructed using the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) method in all groups but the sham surgery group. Two weeks after surgery, the low- and high-dose Xibining Formula groups were administered Xibining Formula at doses of 3.58 g/(kg·d) and 14.32 g/(kg·d) respectively via gavage. The high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group received 14.32 g/(kg·d) of Xibining Formula via gavage followed by an intraperitoneal injection of Vadimezan (DMXAA) at 25 mg/kg. The sham surgery group and the KOA model group mice were given an equivalent volume of normal saline at 5 ml/(kg·d) via gavage, once daily for four consecutive weeks. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by ELISA; pathological changes in cartilage tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Pathological changes were scored according to the Mankin scoring system; the levels of cartilage tissue matrix regulation-related indicators such as matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS), type-Ⅱ collagen (CⅡ) and aggregated proteoglycan (Aggrecan), and also cGAS-STING pathway-related protein and mRNA expression levels were detected by Western blot and qPCR methods. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the KOA model group showed severe cartilage edge destruction, significantly increased Mankin scores, significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan, and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, MMP3, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, serum level of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α in all the intervented groups decreased (P<0.01), while compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group, level of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in low-dose Xibining Formula group and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group increased (P<0.01). Compared with the KOA model group, all the intervention groups exhibited alleviated cartilage pathological changes, signi-ficantly reduced Mankin scores, significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan, and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, MMP3, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 (P<0.01). Compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group, high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group showed cartilage edge destruction, significantly increased Mankin scores, significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan, and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, MMP3, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 (P<0.01). ConclusionXibining Formula may improve KOA cartilage damage by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, decreasing matrix degradation-related proteins, and elevating matrix composition-related proteins.
5.68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Zhenyu ZHAO ; Lulu ZHANG ; Xiaochen YAO ; Chuan ZHANG ; Fei YU ; Jieping SONG ; Xue XUE ; Guoqiang SHAO ; Feng WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):268-272
Objective To observe the value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing pheochromocytoma(PCC)and paraganglioma(PGL).Methods Thirty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed PCC/PGL who underwent 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 20 cases underwent 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG)SPECT/CT during the same period.The value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL at individual and lesion levels were analyzed and compared to the results of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT.Results Among 38 cases,there were 20 cases of PCC,14 cases of PGL,1 case of adrenocortical carcinoma and 3 cases of benign adrenal hyperplasia.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL in all 38 cases was 87.88%(29/33),60.00%(3/5),93.55%(29/31),42.86%(3/7)and 84.21%(32/38),respectively.Totally 188 lesions were detected in 34 cases,with detection rate of 89.95%(188/209).For 20 patients who underwent both 2 kinds examinations,the detection rate of bone,lymph node,liver,lung metastases and the overall lesions of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were all higher than those of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(all P<0.05).No significant difference of diagnostic accuracy of PCC/PGL was found between 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT and 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(P>0.05).Conclusion The value of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL was comparable to that of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT,but the former showed higher detection rate of metastases,hence being helpful to staging and risk stratification of PCC/PGL.
6.Changes in the composition of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of MMTV-PyMT breast cancer mice at different ages
Xiaochen LIN ; Lihong GONG ; Yingxue GUO ; Lu JIN ; Mengyun CHEN ; Penghao WANG ; Cui YU ; Huiying FU ; Qiyang SHOU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(7):935-946
Objective This study aimed to investigate the tumorigenic properties of MMTV-PyMT breast cancer transgenic mice at different ages(in weeks)and the changes in the composition of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.Methods Eight groups of 4,6,8,10,12,14,16 and 18 weeks of age MMTV-PyMT female mice(FVB mice as the background)and one group of 8 weeks of FVB female mice were prepared for routine blood testing,the pathological changes of the mammary gland and lung metastases were observed by histopathological sections,and the immune cells in blood,spleen,and tumor were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results MMTV-PyMT mice showed adenular ductal lesions at 4~6 weeks of age;the ductal portion expanded to the growth boundary at 8~9 weeks of age,and then gradually broke through the glandular boundary to form early breast cancer at 8~12 weeks of age,and advanced breast cancer at 10~14 weeks of age.At 12 weeks of age,metastases were visible in the lungs of some mice,and at 14 weeks of age,the number of metastases in the lungs increased significantly.As the age of the mice increased,the number of white blood cells,neutrophils,and platelets in their blood increased gradually,while the lymphocytes and erythrocytes showed a gradual downward trend.Flow cytometry showed that with the increase in age,the proportion of T cells in the spleen and tumor gradually decreased,the MDSCs in the blood,spleen,and tumor gradually increased,and the NK cells in the tumor also gradually increased.Conclusions This study analyzed routine blood tests,pathology,and immune cells in the tissues of MMTV-PyMT mouse models of different weeks of age,providing a novel perspective on the dynamic alterations of the tumor immune microenvironment during the malignant progression of breast cancer.
7.Xibining Ⅱ attenuates cartilage damage in knee osteoarthritis rats by regulating glycolysis through AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway
Yibao WEI ; Zhenyuan MA ; Deren LIU ; Enrui HU ; Xiaochen LI ; Peimin WANG ; Taiyang LIAO ; Wei MEI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(8):1569-1577
AIM:To investigate whether Xibining Ⅱ(XBN Ⅱ)attenuates cartilage damage in rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by modulating glycolysis via the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-acti-vated receptor γ coactivator 1α(PGC1α)signaling pathway.METHODS:Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into sham group,KOA group,XBN Ⅱ group and metformin(AMPK activator)group,with 8 rats in each group.The rats in KOA group were subjected to the anterior cruciate ligament transection procedure to establish the KOA model.Starting from the 14th day after modeling,the rats in XBN Ⅱ group received a daily dose of XBN Ⅱ via gavage once a day,and those in metformin group were administered metformin via intraperitoneal injection once a day for 4 weeks.Subsequently,the histopathological changes of the cartilage were examined by HE and safranin O-fast green staining with matching Mankin and OARSI scores.The protein levels of phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK)and PGC1α in cartilage were quanti-fied through immunohistochemistry.In addition,RT-qPCR and Western blot were conducted to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of glycolysis-related factors,including glucose transporter 1,hexokinase 2 and lactate dehydroge-nase A,biomarkers related to cartilage synthesis and catabolism,such as collagen type Ⅱ,aggrecan,matrix metallopro-teinase 13 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5,and AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway-re-lated indicators.RESULTS:Lactate levels in cartilage and serum were higher in KOA group compared with sham group(P<0.05).Similarly,the cartilage in KOA group exhibited significant surface abrasion and structural damage,with faint-stained matrix and significantly higher Mankin and OARSI scores compared with sham group(P<0.05).Further analysis revealed significant decreases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of factors related to cartilage anabolism and AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway in KOA group compared with sham group(P<0.05).In contrast,there were marked in-creases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of factors related to cartilage catabolism and glycolysis(P<0.05).No-tably,XBN Ⅱ and metformin treatments significantly improved the cartilage morphology,reduced Mankin and OARSI scores,and reversed the changes in mRNA and protein levels of the aforementioned indexes(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:Treatment with XBN Ⅱ can alleviate cartilage damage in KOA rats by inhibiting glycolysis,through a mechanism involving activation of the AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway.
8.Investigation of the Mechanism of Cold Hyperalgesia in KOA Mice Relieved by Shangke Lengtongtie Based on HMGB1/CX-CL12/CXCR4 Signaling Axis
Yibao WEI ; Li ZHANG ; Taiyang LIAO ; Lishi JIE ; Zhenyuan MA ; Peng WU ; Zhengquan HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Liang DING ; Wei MEI ; Runlin XING ; Songjiang YIN ; Xiaochen LI ; Nongshan ZHANG ; Jun MAO ; Pei-min WANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):195-202
OBJECTIVE To explore the intervention mechanism of Shangke Lengtongtie on cold hyperalgesia in KOA mice based on the HMGB1/CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis.METHODS Monosodium iodoacetate(MIA)was used for the intra-articular injec-tion into the knee joint to establish mice model of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Peripheral blood monocytes were extracted from mice,cultured,and then reinfused into the tail vein of the mice.Subsequently,in vivo animal imaging was used to observe the recruitment sites of these monocytes.The cold hyperalgesia threshold was measured at various time points in each group of mice.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate the level of synovial pathological changes.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of in-flammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α,and pain mediators CGRP and Substance P in mouse serum.Western blot and qPCR methods were used to detect the protein and gene expression of cold hyperalgesia-related indicators such as TRPA1,TRPM8,HMGB1,CXCL12,CXCR4,Collagen Ⅰ,and Netrin-1 in synovial tissue,as well as DCC in dorsal root ganglia(DRG)tissue.RESULTS In vivo ima-ging showed that after the monocytes were reinfused into KOA mice,they were recruited to the knee joint area,with the HMGB1 group exhibiting a greater recruitment of circulating monocytes at the knee joint.Additionally,compared to the control group,the KOA group and HMGB1 group showed inflammatory pathological changes in the synovium,increased expression of serum inflammatory factors and pain mediators,reduced cold hyperalgesia threshold,and upregulated protein and gene expression of cold hyperalgesia-related indica-tors in synovial and DRG tissues.The changes were more significant in the HMGB1 group compared to the KOA group(P<0.05).Af-ter treatment with Shangke Lengtongtie or GL intervention,synovial inflammation was alleviated,serum inflammatory factors and pain mediators decreased,cold hyperalgesia threshold increased,and the upregulation of cold hyperalgesia-related indicator protein and gene expression levels was significantly reversed(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Shangke Lengtongtie exerts a beneficial effect on the mitigation of synovitis and cold hyperalgesia in KOA mice,a therapeutic mechanism that possibly mediated through the inhibition of the HMGB1/CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis.
9.Impact of leadership empowerment on work engagement of clinical research nurses: a chain mediating effect of professional identity and positive coping
Xingyan WANG ; Li WU ; Xiaochen NIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(27):3715-3720
Objective:To explore the chain mediating role of professional identity and positive coping between leadership empowerment and work engagement of clinical research nurses (CRNs) .Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 250 CRNs working in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from August to September 2024 for the study. The survey was conducted with the General Information Questionnaire, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Empowering Leadership Behavior Scale, Professional Identification Scale for Nurse, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. The chain mediating effects were tested using Model 6 of the SPSS PROCESS program.Results:A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, 236 questionnaires were recovered, and 223 valid questionnaires were recovered after excluding the regularly answered questionnaires, with an effective recovery rate of 89.20% (223/250). Mediating effect analysis revealed that leadership empowerment directly and positively predicted work engagement of CRNs, with a direct effect value of 0.194, accounting for 67.60% of the total effect. Leadership empowerment also had an impact on work engagement of CRNs through three mediating paths. Mediating path 1: leadership empowerment→professional identity→ work engagement, with an effect value of 0.036, accounting for 12.54% of the total effect. Mediating path 2: leadership empowerment → positive coping → work engagement, with an effect value of 0.049, accounting for 17.07% of the total effect. Mediating path 3: leadership empowerment → professional identity → positive coping → work engagement, with an effect value of 0.008, accounting for 2.79% of the total effect. The total mediating effect was 0.093, accounting for 32.40% of the total effect.Conclusions:Leadership empowerment can not only directly affect work engagement of CRNs, but also indirectly affect it through the mediating role of professional identity and positive coping.
10.Association of urine cadmium levels with thyroid hormone levels among middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89 years in selected areas of China
Changzi WU ; Xiaochen WANG ; Yue CHEN ; Zheng LI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yuan WEI ; Bing WU ; Wenli ZHANG ; Zhengxiong YANG ; Xiaojie DONG ; Ruiting HAO ; Xiu YE ; Luxi WEI ; Yingli QU ; Haiyan CHU ; Yuebin LYU ; Ying ZHU ; Dongqun XU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(2):209-215
Objective:To explore the relationship between urinary cadmium levels and thyroid hormone levels in people aged 40-89 years old in selected areas of China.Methods:Based on the "Investigation of the Impact of Soil Quality of Agricultural Land on Human Health in Typical Areas" project from October 2019 to August 2020, a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to include 6 588 middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89. Demographic characteristics, dietary frequency and disease status were collected through the questionnaire and physical examination. Urinary cadmium and urinary creatinine were detected by random midstream urine. Fasting venous blood was collected for the detection of Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The linear mixed effects model was used to explore the association of urine cadmium levels with thyroid hormone levels. Its dose-response relationship was explored by using the restricted cubic spline.Results:The age of the subjects was (63.48±12.18) years, with males accounting for 51.28%. The M ( Q 1,Q 3) of urinary cadmium level, T3 and T4 was 2.48 (1.36, 4.42) μg/g·creatinine, (1.96±0.51) nmol/L and (113.75±29.11) nmol/L, respectively. The linear mixed effects model showed that the changes of T3 and T4 were 0.027 (0.009, 0.044) nmol/L and 2.019 (1.084, 2.953) nmol/L for each one-unit increase (natural logarithm transformed) of urinary cadmium. The restricted cubic spline showed that there was a positive nonlinear association between urinary cadmium and T3 as well as T4 (all Pnonlinear<0.05). Conclusion:In selected areas of China, the urinary cadmium level of middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89 years is positively associated with T3 and T4.

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