1.Role and pathogenesis of pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in osteoporosis
Jiamu XU ; Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):691-700
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between pyroptosis,inflammatory factors and osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To review the effects of pyroptosis and inflammatory factors on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis from the perspectives of osteogenic differentiation and osteoclastic differentiation,based on an overview of pyroptosis in relation to the interaction of relevant inflammatory factors.METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published by each database until 2024,and searched CNKI,WanFang,VIP and PubMed databases with the search terms of"pyroptosis,inflammatory factors,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signaling pathway,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 79 papers were finally included according to the inclusion criteria.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The progression of osteoporosis is closely related to inflammation,in which pyroptosis plays a key role.Immune cells induce pyroptosis through apoptosis pathway,promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-18,interleukin-1β and NLRP3,build an inflammatory immune microenvironment,and regulate bone metabolism through complex signaling pathways,resulting in enhanced bone absorption and reduced bone formation,thereby leading to osteoporosis.Previous studies have shown that inhibiting pyroptosis is anti-inflammatory and slows the progression of osteoporosis,and it has been shown to improve inflammatory bone loss in vitro and in animal models.At present,research on pyroptosis and osteoporosis is limited.On the one hand,the exact mechanism of osteoporosis and the pathogenesis of pyroptosis are unknown,and the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms remain to be understood.On the other hand,therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis are still theoretical,not clinically proven,and drug side effects are unknown.In the future,the research focus is to further explore the pathogenesis,especially the mechanism of pyroptosis,identify potential therapeutic targets,further study the pyroptosis signaling pathway and Gasdermin protein,and develop new drugs to improve the therapeutic effect in patients with osteoporosis.
2.Role and pathogenesis of pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in osteoporosis
Jiamu XU ; Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):691-700
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between pyroptosis,inflammatory factors and osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To review the effects of pyroptosis and inflammatory factors on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis from the perspectives of osteogenic differentiation and osteoclastic differentiation,based on an overview of pyroptosis in relation to the interaction of relevant inflammatory factors.METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published by each database until 2024,and searched CNKI,WanFang,VIP and PubMed databases with the search terms of"pyroptosis,inflammatory factors,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signaling pathway,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 79 papers were finally included according to the inclusion criteria.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The progression of osteoporosis is closely related to inflammation,in which pyroptosis plays a key role.Immune cells induce pyroptosis through apoptosis pathway,promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-18,interleukin-1β and NLRP3,build an inflammatory immune microenvironment,and regulate bone metabolism through complex signaling pathways,resulting in enhanced bone absorption and reduced bone formation,thereby leading to osteoporosis.Previous studies have shown that inhibiting pyroptosis is anti-inflammatory and slows the progression of osteoporosis,and it has been shown to improve inflammatory bone loss in vitro and in animal models.At present,research on pyroptosis and osteoporosis is limited.On the one hand,the exact mechanism of osteoporosis and the pathogenesis of pyroptosis are unknown,and the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms remain to be understood.On the other hand,therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis are still theoretical,not clinically proven,and drug side effects are unknown.In the future,the research focus is to further explore the pathogenesis,especially the mechanism of pyroptosis,identify potential therapeutic targets,further study the pyroptosis signaling pathway and Gasdermin protein,and develop new drugs to improve the therapeutic effect in patients with osteoporosis.
4.Treating diabetic kidney disease based on "using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory
Weimin JIANG ; Yaoxian WANG ; Shuwu WEI ; Jiale ZHANG ; Chenhui XIA ; Jie YANG ; Liqiao SUN ; Xinrong LI ; Weiwei SUN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):1-7
The Huangdi Neijing proposes the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory to guide clinical prescription and formulation of herbal remedies based on the physiological characteristics and functions of the five zang viscera, along with the properties and flavors of medicinal herbs. This study explored diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment based on the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory. Kidney dryness is a key pathological factor in diabetic kidney disease, and the disharmony of kidney dryness is an essential aspect of its pathogenesis. Strengthening is the primary therapeutic principle, and kidney dryness is a persistent factor throughout the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney disease. In the early stage, the pathogenesis involves heat-consuming qi and injuring yin, leading to kidney dryness. In the middle stage, the pathogenesis manifests as qi deficiency and blood stasis in the collaterals, resulting in turbidity owing to kidney dryness. In the late stage, the pathogenesis involves yin and yang deficiency, with kidney dryness and disharmony. This study proposes the staging-based treatment based on the " need for firmness" characteristic of the kidney. The aim is to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine by rationally using pungent, bitter, and salty medicinal herbs to nourish and moisturize the kidney. This approach seeks to promote precise syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment for different stages of diabetic kidney disease, thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.
5.Predictive value of coronary microcirculation dysfunction after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction for acute heart failure during hospitalization.
Lan WANG ; Yuliang MA ; Weimin WANG ; Tiangang ZHU ; Wenying JIN ; Hong ZHAO ; Chengfu CAO ; Jing WANG ; Bailin JIANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):267-271
OBJECTIVE:
To study incident and clinical characteristics of the coronary microcirculation dysfunction (CMD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and to explore the predictive value of CMD for in-hospital acute heart failure event.
METHODS:
One hundred and forty five patients with AMI who had received PCI and completed MCE during hospitalization in Peking University People' s Hospital from November 2015 to July 2021 were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into CMD group and normal group according to the coronary microcirculation status detected by MCE. Clinical data and MCE data of the two groups were collected and analyzed. The acute heart failure event during hospitalization was described. A multivariate Logistic regression model was built to analyze the risk of acute heart failure in patients with CMD. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of CMD in predicting acute heart failure event.
RESULTS:
CMD detected by MCE occurred in 87 patients (60%). Compared with normal group, patients with CMD had higher troponin I (TnI) peak level [52.8 (8.1, 84.0) μg/L vs. 18.9 (5.7, 56.1) μg/L, P=0.005], poorer Killip grade on admission (P=0.030), different culprit vessel (P < 0.001) and more patients had thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow pre-PCI less than grade 3 in culprit vessel (65.1% vs. 43.1%, P=0.025). Meanwhile, patients with CMD had poorer left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [52% (43%, 58%) vs. 61% (54%, 66%)], poorer global longitudinal strain (GLS) [-11.2% (-8.7%, -14.0%) vs.-13.9% (-10.8%, -17.0%)] and worse wall motion score index (WMSI) (1.58±0.36 vs. 1.25± 0.24) (P all < 0.001). Acute left heart failure happened in 13.8% of the CMD patients, which were significant higher than that in the patients with normal coronary microcirculation perfusion (1.7%, P=0.013). After correcting for the culprit vessel, the TIMI flow pre-PCI in the culprit vessel and the peak TnI value, the risk of acute left heart failure in the patients with CMD was still high (OR=9.120, 95%CI: 1.152-72.192, P=0.036). The area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.677 (95%CI: 0.551-0.804, P=0.035).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of CMD detected by MCE in patients with AMI post-PCI was 60%. Patients with CMD have a higher risk of acute left heart failure during hospitalization.
Humans
;
Heart Failure/physiopathology*
;
Microcirculation
;
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects*
;
Myocardial Infarction/complications*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Hospitalization
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Echocardiography
;
Coronary Circulation
;
Predictive Value of Tests
;
Troponin I/blood*
6.Ferroptosis and osteoporosis
Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Dongcheng RAN ; Jiamu XU ; Wangxiang WU ; Jiafu XU ; Jingjing CHEN ; Guangfu JIANG ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):554-562
BACKGROUND:It has also been confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to a variety of musculoskeletal diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,osteosarcoma,and osteoporosis.The pathophysiological mechanisms of ferroptosis and osteoporosis need to be further studied and elucidated to broaden our understanding of iron metabolism and osteoporosis.It will provide research ideas for the future elucidation of new mechanisms of osteoporosis and the development of new technologies and drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To provide an overview of the current status of research on ferroptosis in osteoporosis,to provide a new direction for future research on the specific molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis,and to provide more effective and better options for osteoporosis treatment strategies. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published from 2000 to 2024 in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases with search terms"ferroptosis,iron metabolism,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signal pathway,musculoskeletal,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 68 articles were finally included according to the selection criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years,which is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during cell death,and its occurrence is iron-dependent.This is distinctly different from several types of cell death that are currently being hotly studied(e.g.,cellular pyroptosis,necrotic apoptosis,cuproptosis,and autophagy).(2)Intracellular iron homeostasis is manifested as a balance between iron uptake,export,utilization,and storage.The body's iron regulatory system includes systemic and intracellular regulation.The main factor of systemic regulation is hepcidin produced by hepatic secretion,and cellular regulation depends on the iron regulatory protein/iron response element system.Of course,intracellular iron homeostasis can be controlled by other factors,such as hypoxia,cytokines,and hormones.(3)Lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage to biological membranes(plasma membrane and internal organelle membranes),lipoproteins,and other lipid-containing molecules.Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids are important targets of lipid peroxidation.Free polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important substrate for lipid oxidation and can bind to the phospholipid bilayer,leading to over-oxidation and thus triggering lipid apoptosis.(4)Several studies have shown that osteoblasts are overloaded with iron in different ways,resulting in the accumulation of unstable ferrous iron and the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides,causing ferroptosis of osteoblasts and ultimately a decrease in bone formation,affecting bone homeostasis and the development of osteoporosis.(5)Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of mononuclear macrophage cell lines or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by nuclear factor-κB ligand receptor activator,and they have the function of bone resorption.Iron ions can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption through the production of intracellular lipid reactive oxygen species,while iron chelators can inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and thus affect the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
7.Endoscopic assisted surgery combined with sclerotherapy injection and negative pressure drainage for the treatment of children with microcystic lymphatic malformation
Weidong WANG ; Tao HAN ; Haini CHEN ; Jie CUI ; Weimin SHEN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(11):1130-1135
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and effect of endoscopic assisted surgery combined with sclerosing agent injection and negative pressure drainage for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformation in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of pediatric patients with microcystic lymphatic malformations between December 2021 and December 2023 in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The treatment protocol consisted of endoscope-assisted surgery combined with sclerotherapy and negative pressure drainage. Preoperatively, two-dimensional ultrasound was utilized to demarcate the surface extent of the malformation. Intraoperatively, subcutaneous lymphatic malformation tissues were resected as thoroughly as possible under endoscopic guidance, and cystic cavities were interconnected. Postoperatively, a drainage tube was placed and connected to a negative pressure system. Starting on the third postoperative day, the cystic cavity was irrigated with absolute ethanol every other day. Irrigation was continued until the drainage fluid became light yellow and clear, and the daily drainage volume fell below 5 ml, at which point the drainage tube was removed. Complications were monitored, and treatment efficacy was assessed at the last follow-up using a four-tiered outcome scale: cured, markedly effective, effective, and ineffective. The overall effectiveness rate was calculated as (cured + markedly effective + effective) cases/total number of cases × 100%. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics.Results:A total of 20 pediatric patients were enrolled, including 8 males and 12 females. The age range was from 1 month to 13 years, with a mean age of 7 years and 7 months. All lesions were located superficially, distributed as follows: head, face, and neck (8 cases), chest (2 cases), abdomen (3 cases), back (2 cases), and limbs (5 cases). The lesion volumes ranged from 5.8 cm × 4.2 cm × 3.8 cm to 14.5 cm × 10.4 cm × 8.4 cm. No complications such as absolute ethanol intoxication, severe allergic reactions, surgical site infection, neurovascular injury, thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism occurred during the treatment period. All patients had their negative pressure drainage tubes removed on postoperative day 10. After tube removal, one case developed serous drainage from the incision, which resolved after 4 days of wound care and compressive dressing. The remaining 19 cases demonstrated satisfactory incision healing. During a follow-up period of 6 to 12 months, no significant postoperative scarring and recurrence were observed. Treatment outcomes were as follows: 4 cases of cured, 10 cases of markedly effective, 5 cases of effective, and 1 case of ineffective. The overall effective rate was 95%(19/20).Conclusion:The integrated approach of endoscope-assisted surgery combined with sclerotherapy and negative pressure drainage for the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations in children yields definite and favorable outcomes. This comprehensive technique is characterized by its minimal invasiveness, stable long-term result as confirmed by follow-up, absence of severe complications, and a low recurrence rate.
8.The mechanism and application prospects of mitochondrial quality control in osteoarthritis
Liang WANG ; Yinshuan DENG ; Tao QU ; Chaoming DA ; Yunfei HE ; Rui LIU ; Weimin NIU ; Weishun YAN ; Zhen CHEN ; Shuo LI ; Zhiyun YANG ; Binbin GUO ; Xueqian LAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(2):282-288
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a common joint disease in clinical practice,and cartilage damage is a typical pathological change.The pathogenesis of OA is complex,and various adverse factors can lead to the occurrence of OA.Mitochondria are im-portant organelles within cells and play important roles in cellular physiological and pathological activ-ities.Mitochondrial quality control is an important regulatory mechanism in the body to maintain nor-mal mitochondrial structure and function,mainly including mitochondrial biogenesis,mitochondrial dynamics,mitochondrial autophagy,mitochondrial oxidative stress,and other forms.The imbalance of mitochondrial quality control in chondrocytes is closely related to the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis,and regulating the balance of mi-tochondrial quality control is a potential therapeu-tic point for osteoarthritis.The author reviewed rel-evant research literature in recent years to provide a review of the relationship between mitochondrial quality control and the occurrence and develop-ment of osteoarthritis,in order to provide new ideas and directions for the research and diagnosis and treatment strategies of osteoarthritis.
9.Comparison of electrochemical therapy by Cupric ion and selective suprahemorrhoid mucosal resection and stapling surgery for the treatment of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ hemorrhoids
Qi TAO ; Long NIE ; Yihui WANG ; Weimin WANG ; Wu ZHENG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(2):183-186
Objective To compare the efficacy and complications of cupric ion electrochemical therapy and selective suprahemorrhoid resection and stapling surgery for the treatment of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳhemorrhoids.Methods 204 patients with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ mixed hemorrhoids admitted to our hospital from September 2022 to October 2023 were included as the study subjects.They were divided into two groups using numerical method,with 102 cases in each group.The observation group received copper ion electrochemical therapy,while the control group received selective hemorrhoid mucosal resection and stapling surgery.Compare the surgical outcomes,efficacy,pain scores,anal function scores,quality of life index scores,and incidence of complications between two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in gender,age,hemorrhoid grade,surgical time,and hospitalization period between the observation group and the control group(P>0.05),but the intraoperative blood loss in the observation group was less than that in the control group[(11.37±5.32)ml and(26.72±14.24)ml],and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).The severity of pain in the observation group was lower than that in the control group on the 1st and 7th day after surgery(P<0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the Wexner anal incontinence scores between the two groups at 1 and 8 weeks after surgery(P>0.05).The observation group had a better gastrointestinal quality of life index(GIQLI)score than the control group at 2 weeks after surgery[(20.92±4.63)and(26.77±5.03)scores,P<0.05],and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at 8 weeks[(4.38±0.90)and(4.68±1.41)mm,P>0.05].The total incidence of postoperative complications in both groups was statistically significant(8.8%vs 20.6%,P<0.05).An average follow-up of six months showed no recurrence.Conclusion Cupric ion electrochemical therapy for mixed hemorrhoids is safe,effective,and has no serious complications,providing a more convenient and minimally invasive treatment method.
10.AI and ROSS-assisted ultra-early thalamic hematoma drainage in elderly patients with minor thalamus and internal capsule hematoma and severe hypoperfusion in the internal capsule area
Ruishan ZHANG ; Weimin ZHANG ; Xianghui ZHANG ; Sibo XUE ; Jian SONG ; Kai WANG ; Tingting SHEN ; Yan ZHOU ; Hongbin KU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(5):488-495
Objective:To evaluate the application value of artificial intelligence (AI) and robot of stereotactic surgery (ROSS)-assisted ultra-early thalamic hematoma drainage in elderly patients with minor thalamus and internal capsule hematoma (TICH) and severe hypoperfusion in the internal capsule area.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed; 278 patients with TICH and severe hypoperfusion in the internal capsule area identified by AI medical imaging diagnostic system were enrolled from Department of Neurosurgery, Xingtai Central Hospital from January 2023 to August 2024. Among them, 134 patients (study group) received AI and ROSS-assisted ultra-early thalamic hematoma drainage, and 144 patients (control group) received drug treatment. Differences in baseline data and therapy efficiency between the two groups of patients were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent influencing factors for prognosis in the study group 180 days after onset (good prognosis: modified Rankin scale scores of 0-3).Results:Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly higher Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the internal capsule area 14 days after onset, and statistically higher therapy efficiency and good prognosis rate 180 days after onset ( P<0.05). In the study group, 84 patients had a good prognosis and 50 had a poor prognosis 180 days after onset; compared with the good prognosis group, the poor prognosis group had significantly higher proportion of patients with hyper-homocysteinemia history, lower GCS score on admission, larger volume of thalamic hematoma, higher proportions of patients with combined intraventricular hemorrhage and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, and lower rCBF in the internal capsule area on admission ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that thalamic hematoma volume ( OR=2.527, 95% CI: 1.504-4.247, P<0.001), combined intraventricular hemorrhage ( OR=2.325, 95% CI: 1.460-3.703, P<0.001), shunt dependent hydrocephalus ( OR=2.371, 95% CI: 1.267-4.078, P=0.006), and rCBF in the internal capsule area on admission ( OR=0.672, 95% CI: 0.314-1.025, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for prognosis of patients in the study group. Conclusion:AI and ROSS-assisted ultra-early thalamic hematoma drainage is effective for elderly patients with minor TICH and severe hypoperfusion in the internal capsule area; patients with large thalamic hematoma volume, combined intraventricular hemorrhage, shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, and low rCBF in the internal capsule area on admission are prone to have a poor prognosis.


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