1.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
2.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.
3.Dynamic Pathogenesis and Tiered Intervention Strategies for Allergic Diseases from the Perspective of "Latent Pathogens with Transformative Potential" Theory
Minye QU ; Ping ZHU ; Kaifeng WEI ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Haitong WAN ; Jin YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):375-380
Allergic diseases exhibited the characteristics of latent concealment and dynamic transmutation, which highly align with the pathogenic features of "latency and transformative change" described in the theory of latent pathogens. Based on the "latent pathogens with transformative potential" theory, this paper systematically explored the mechanisms of occurrence, transmission, and outcome of allergic diseases. It proposed that the insufficiency of kidney essence is the root cause enabling pathogens to lurk internally, leading to disease onset due to deficient healthy qi and lurking pathogens; the dysfunction of sanjiao serves as the pathway for pathogen stagnation, driving multi-system transmission; the accumulation of phlegm, stasis, and toxins constitutes the predicament of a protracted course, ultimately resulting in intractable pathological entanglement. Accordingly, a tiered intervention strategy is formulated,i.e. during the latency period, treatment should tonify the kidney and replenish essence to consolidate the foundation and halt the tendency of pathogens to lurk internally; during the transmission period, treatment should regulate sanjiao to intercept disease transmission and curb multi-system proliferation; during the protracted period, treatment should purge phlegm and resolve stasis to eliminate stubborn lesions, and break the vicious cycle of chronic accumulation and damage.
4.Effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of the Numb gene in treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Shihao ZHANG ; Changqing ZHAO ; Mingyan YANG ; Feifei XING ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC (hUC-MSCNumb-OE), and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector (hUC-MSCOE-EV) was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed to establish a rat model of CLF, and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group, hUC-MSC group, hUC-MSCOE-EV group, and hUC-MSCNumb-OE group, while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL, and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured, including serum biochemistry, liver histopathology, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the liver, hepatic stellate cell activation, ductular reaction, liver regeneration, and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group, the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSCOE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin), liver fibrosis markers (the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and ductular reaction markers (the expression levels of CK7 and CK19) (all P <0.05), and compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators (all P <0.05). In addition, compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers (albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α) and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis (Numb, pNumb, Mdm2, and p53) (all P <0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF, possibly by activating the Numb-PTBL-p53-HNF4α axis, promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.
5.The effect of prevention and control measures on drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Taiyuan City from 2019 to 2024
Yanyan LI ; Jing LIU ; Ping ZHANG ; Xiaoyong WEI ; Juan DU ; Xiaojia ZHANG ; Tingting PENG ; Ruijun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(11):895-900
Objective:To investigate the water improvement status and current disease situation in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Taiyuan City, evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for optimizing control measures.Methods:Monitoring data from 2019 to 2024 for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the diseased areas in Taiyuan City were collected from the Taiyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A retrospective analysis was conducted on water improvement status, water fluoride content, dental fluorosis in children aged 8 - 12, skeletal fluorosis, and urinary fluoride monitoring results in all endemic villages.Results:From 2019 to 2024, all endemic villages in the six endemic counties (districts) of Taiyuan City completed water improvement. The number of water improvement projects each year was 75, 75, 72, 68, 64, and 57, respectively, with all projects operating normally. The qualified rates of water fluoride content each year were 81.33% (61/75), 100% (75/75), 98.61% (71/72), 75.00% (51/68), 87.50% (56/64), and 75.44% (43/57), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 36.99, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis each year were 18.19% (600/3 298), 14.42% (530/3 676), 11.14% (435/3 904), 11.13% (421/3 781), 11.59% (435/3 754), and 5.37% (299/5 567), respectively, with statistical significant differences ( χ2 = 386.42, P < 0.001). In 2024, 824 people were screened for skeletal fluorosis, with 250 cases showing positive symptoms and signs. Among the 250 positive cases, 210 underwent X-ray examination, detecting 170 skeletal fluorosis patients, with an X-ray positive rate of 80.95% (170/210) and a skeletal fluorosis detection rate of 20.63% (170/824). Urinary fluoride monitoring results showed that the geometric mean of urinary fluoride in villages with excessive water fluoride content was 2.95 mg/L, which was higher than the normal upper limit (1.60 mg/L). However, there was no statistically significant difference in urinary fluoride levels between skeletal fluorosis patients and non-skeletal fluorosis individuals ( Z = 0.78, P = 0.434). Conclusions:From 2019 to 2024, the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Taiyuan City have undergone comprehensive water improvement and the water improvement projects are operating well. The qualified rate of water fluoride content has fluctuated, while the detection rate of dental fluorosis has decreased. Continuous monitoring is needed in the future to implement long-term water improvement measures and strengthen screening and treatment efforts for patients with fluorosis.
6.Preoperative prediction tertiary lymphoid structures of hepatocellular carcinoma on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI
Lin CHEN ; Yiman LI ; Jie CHENG ; Fengxi CHEN ; Ping CAI ; Wei CHEN ; Qingrui LI ; Huarong ZHANG ; Xiaoming LI
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(6):674-680
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl- diethy-lenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MRI features in the preoperative prediction of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical and pathological data from 297 HCC patients treated at the Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University between June 2021 and November 2022. Based on postoperative pathology, patients were categorized into TLS-negative ( n=93) and TLS-positive ( n=204) groups. MRI features of HCC lesions using Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement and relevant clinical data were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons of imaging features and laboratory findings were performed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of TLS positivity. A predictive model was constructed and visualized using a nomogram. The model′s predictive performance and clinical utility were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:Significant differences were observed between the TLS-negative and TLS-positive groups in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, intratumoral hemorrhage, and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified intratumoral hemorrhage ( OR=0.123, 95% CI 0.070-0.216, P<0.001) and peritumoral satellite nodules in the hepatobiliary phase ( OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.093-0.596, P=0.002) as independent predictive factors for TLS-positivity. The imaging model based on these two features yielded an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI 0.709-0.809) for predicting TLS-positivity. When combined with AFP levels, the resulting clinical-imaging model achieved a superior AUC of 0.784 (95% CI 0.732-0.829), which was significantly higher than that of the imaging model alone ( Z=2.20, P=0.028). A nomogram was constructed based on the clinical-imaging model. The calibration curve demonstrated good predictive performance of the nomogram, and the DCA showed that the curve remained above the default line across a range of reasonable threshold probabilities, indicating that patients could derive clinical benefit. Conclusion:A nomogram model based on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI features combined with AFP levels can effectively predict the presence of TLS in HCC.
7.Study on the Application Effect of Personalized Nutrition Program Combined with Rehabilitation Training in Stroke Rehabilitation Patients
Wen-fang HUANG ; Jian-liang WEI ; Qi-ping ZHU ; Peng ZHANG ; Jian-gong LAI ; Yi LU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(16):2698-2704,2714
Objective:To observe the intervention effect of personalized nutrition program combined with rehabilitation training in stroke rehabilitation patients.Methods:86 stroke rehabilitation patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to June 2024 were prospectively selected,they were divided into control group and study group according to the random number table method,with 43 cases in each group,the control group received rehabilitation training,while the study group received personalized nutrition program combine with rehabilitation training.Simple Fugl Meyer motor function(FMA)score,immune function indicators[immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgG,complement C3,IgM,complement C4],National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),nutritional status indicators[albumin(ALB),prealbumin(PA),total protein(TP),hemoglobin(HB)],Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale(SS-QOL),Barthel Index(BI)score were compared between the two groups.Results:NIHSS score in the study group at 8 weeks after intervention was lower than that in the control group,and SS-QOL score,BI score,FMA score,IgM,IgA,IgG,complement C3,complement C4,ALB,HB,TP and PA were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Personalized nutrition program combined with rehabilitation training in stroke rehabilitation patients,can reduce neurological damage,improve limb motor function,enhance nutritional status,immunity,and quality of life.
8.Nursing care of a patient with Danon disease after heart transplantation
Jia WANG ; Fengxia WENG ; Jianhua WEI ; Ming SANG ; Ping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(2):154-157
To summarize the nursing experience of a patient with Danon disease after heart transplantation.Nursing key points:closely monitor heart function,prevent right heart failure;phased analgesic and sedative measures were implemented to reduce the occurrence of related complications.Skeletal muscle function was evaluated and rehabilitation training was strengthened to promote the prognosis of patients.The patient was transferred to the general ward 5 days after operation,and was discharged 22 days after operation.
9.SchA ameliorates endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress
Hui-min HOU ; Wen-wen ZHANG ; Wei-ping ZHAO ; Xin ZHAO ; Xian-mei PIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):122-130
Aim To investigate the antagonistic effect of Schizandrin A(SchA)on oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and its mechanism of action.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were selected as the research subjects,and the effects of SchA on cell viability were detected by MTT assay;the content of ROS in the cells was detec-ted by flow cytometry;the content of MDA and CAT in the cells,and the content of NO and ET-1 in the cell supernatant were detected by kit assay;and the expres-sion of SOD1,p-eNOS/eNOS proteins,and ET-1 in the cell supernatant were detected by Western blot.Immu-nofluorescence experiments were performed to detect Nrf2 entry into the nucleus of cells.Results SchA re-versed the LPS-or hypoxia-induced increase in ROS and MDA content as well as the decrease in SOD1 and CAT content in HUVECs by activating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling pathway.SchA inhibited the decrease of p-eNOS and eNOS protein expression in HUVECs cells,as well as NO content in cell culture medium and the increase of ET-1 content induced by LPS.The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the antagonis-tic effects of SchA on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.Conclusions SchA antagonized LPS and hypoxia-induced oxidative stress,and SchA amelio-rated oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction by up-regulating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling path-way.
10.Quality evaluation of"Sangdi"based on HPLC fingerprints combined with chemometrics
Ping LIU ; Shi-ying LUO ; Meng-jia LI ; Xiao-yan TAN ; Jian-bin SUN ; Wei-zao LUO ; Ce TANG ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):14-21
AIM To evaluate the quality of Tibetan medicine"Sangdi"based on HPLC fingerprints combined with chemometrics.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Welch Ultimate AQ-C18 column(250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.2%phosphoric acid flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 245 nm,after which cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed,the contents of gentiopicroside,sweroside,mangiferin,isoorientin,8-hydroxy-1,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone(R2)and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone(R3)were determined.RESULTS There were 18 common peaks in the fingerprints for 15 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.90.Six constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R 2 ≥ 0.999 2),whose average recoveries were 96.93%-103.58%with the RSDs of 0.82%-2.9%.Various batches of samples were clustered into 2 categories,4 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 86.404%,mangiferin,gentiopicroside and isoorientin were taken as quality difference markers.CONCLUSION This stable,reliable and reproducibe method can provide a reference for the comprehensive quality evaluation of"Sangdi".

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