1.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Regulating Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Based on Qi Deficiency and Stagnation: A Review
Ziyang YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Wenjun MAO ; Guo YANG ; Xuewei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):248-255
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final stage of cardiovascular diseases. It is a complex syndrome, with dyspnea and edema as the main clinical manifestations, and it is characterized by complex disease conditions, difficult cure, and high mortality. Ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death, is different from other types of programmed cell death. Ferroptosis is iron-dependent, accompanied by lipid peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial shrinkage, becoming a hot research topic. Studies have confirmed that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of CHF. The regulation of ferroptosis may become a potential target for the treatment of CHF in the future. The theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation refers to the pathological state of original Qi deficiency and abnormal transportation and distribution of Qi, blood, and body fluid, which has guiding significance for revealing the pathogenesis evolution of some chronic diseases. We believe that Qi deficiency and stagnation is a summary of the pathogenesis of ferroptosis in CHF. Deficiency of Qi (heart Qi) is the root cause of CHF, and stagnation (phlegm turbidity and blood stasis) is the branch of this disease. The two influence each other in a vicious circle to promote the development of this disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of CHF, improving the prognosis and quality of life of CHF patients. This paper explores the correlation between the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation and the mechanism of ferroptosis in CHF. Furthermore, this paper reviews the mechanism of Chinese medicines and compound prescriptions in preventing and treating CHF by regulating ferroptosis according to the principles of replenishing Qi and dredging to remove stagnation, aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of CHF with TCM.
2.Regulation of Signaling Pathways Related to Myocardial Infarction by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun WU ; Chidao ZHANG ; Jingjing WEI ; Xue LI ; Bin LI ; Xinlu WANG ; Mingjun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):321-330
The pathological changes of myocardial infarction (MI) are mainly characterized by progressive myocardial ischemic necrosis, decline in cardiac diastolic function, thinning of the ventricular wall, and enlargement of the ventricles. The clinical manifestations include myocardial ischemia, heart failure, arrhythmia, shock, and even sudden cardiac death, rendering MI one of the most perilous cardiovascular diseases. Currently, the clinical treatment for MI primarily involves interventional procedures and drug therapy. However, due to their significant side effects and high complication rates associated with these treatments, they fail to ensure a satisfactory quality of life and long-term prognosis for patients. On the other hand, traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated remarkable potential in improving patient prognosis while reducing side effects. Research has elucidated that various signaling pathways such as nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), adenosine 5̒-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin (β-catenin), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) play crucial roles in regulating the occurrence and development of MI. Effectively modulating these signaling pathways through its therapeutic interventions, traditional Chinese medicine can enhance MI management by inhibiting apoptosis, providing anti-inflammatory properties, alleviating oxidative stress levels, and resisting myocardial ischemia. Due to its notable efficacy and favorable safety, it has become an area of focus in clinical practice.
3.Prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in key areas during the elimination phase
Chao LÜ ; Xiaojuan XU ; Jiajia LI ; Ting FENG ; Hai ZHU ; Yifeng LI ; Ling XU ; Zhihong FENG ; Huiwen JIANG ; Xiaoqing ZOU ; Wenjun WEI ; Zhiqiang QIN ; Yang HONG ; Shiqing ZHANG ; Jing XU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(5):475-481
Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ2 = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ2 = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ2 = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ2 = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ2 = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ2 = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.
4.Performance of four simplified screening methods of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents
LI Kunkun, TIAN Wei, TAO Mengmeng, CAO Wenjun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(2):277-282
Objective:
To evaluate the performance of four simplified screening methods of elevated blood pressure commonly used among children and adolescents according to Chinese guidelines for prevention and treatment of hypertension (revised in 2018), so as to provide a reference for the early detection of the elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents.
Methods:
Stratified cluster random sampling method was used to monitor the physical fitness of 5 211 children and adolescents in a city of Shanxi Province from October to November 2021. Chinese guidelines for prevention and treatment of hypertension was considered as gold standard, and sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC) and Kappa value were calculated to evaluate the screening effectiveness of formula method, height specific method, age group specific method, sex and age specific method for screening elevated blood pressure.
Results:
The detection rates of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents screened by gold standard, formula method, height specific method,age group specific method, sex and age specific method were 21.9%, 24.0%, 21.1%, 24.5% and 20.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference between prevalence of elevated blood pressure screened by formula method, sex and age specific method and gold standard( χ 2=1.21, 1.41, P >0.05), whereas height specific method and age group specific method had significant differences with gold standard ( χ 2=20.39, 67.09, P <0.05). AUC was the largest for height specific method [0.94(95% CI =0.93-0.95)], and the smallest for age group specific method [0.87(95% CI = 0.86 -0.88)]. The Kappa values of height specific method (0.89) and sex and age specific method (0.89) were both greater than 0.85 , which were more consistent with the screening effectiveness of gold standard. When comparing by sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the screening effectivenesses were consistent with the overall in boys, 6-11 years and normal body weight groups, while the screening effectivenesses were different in girls, 12-17 years, overweight and obese groups. The AUC (0.87), Kappa value (0.71) and sensitivity (82.33%) of age group specific method were the lowest and the screening effectiveness was the worst.
Conclusion
Height specific method is more effective and can be used for early identification and self detection of blood pressure abnormalities among children and adolescents.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Heart Failure by Regulating Autophagy via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway: A Review
Wenjun MAO ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Ziyang YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):112-122
Heart failure (HF) is a group of syndromes caused by cardiac dysfunction with impaired ventricular pumping, seriously affecting patients' health and quality of life. The pathogenesis of HF is complex, including myocardial contractility decline, myocardial fibrosis, and ventricular remodeling, and it is related to neuroendocrine regulation, inflammation, and cardiomyocyte autophagy. Autophagy is a key regulatory mechanism by which cells degrade themselves to maintain body homeostasis. In the process of HF, moderate autophagy can remove aging and damaged cardiomyocytes and maintain the balance of myocardial energy metabolism, while abnormal autophagy may lead to functional decline and pathological changes of cardiomyocytes. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is one of the classical pathways regulating autophagy. This pathway can mediate the autophagy of cardiomyocytes and play a role in protecting the cardiac function and delaying HF progression. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a long history has a unique theoretical system and shows satisfactory therapeutic effects and wide application prospects amid the integration with modern medicine. The clinical practice of TCM has accumulated rich experience in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A large number of studies have shown that the active components and compound prescriptions of TCM and Chinese patent medicines can mediate autophagy by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway to treat HF. This article explains the role of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway-mediated autophagy in the treatment of HF, introduces the understanding of autophagy, AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and HF based on TCM theories, and reviews the research progress in the regulation of autophagy by TCM in the treatment of HF via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. This review is expected to tap the potential of TCM in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, provide theoretical support for subsequent experimental studies, and demonstrate the advantages of TCM in clinical practice to achieve more accurate treatment.
6.Role of Mitophagy in Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure Based on PINK1/Parkin Pathway and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Ziyang YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Wenjun MAO ; Guo YANG ; Xuewei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):262-271
Heart failure is a group of complex clinical syndromes that represent the final stage of cardiovascular disease development, characterized by an extremely high mortality rate. However, due to the complexity of the pathological mechanisms, an effective treatment method has not yet been found. Mitochondria are among the most critical organelles in cells, playing an essential role in energy supply and widely participating in various life activities, such as the regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis. The normal functioning of mitochondria is crucial for maintaining the body's normal life activities. In recent years, studies have found that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the occurrence and progression of various diseases, particularly closely related to the onset of heart failure. An imbalance in mitochondrial homeostasis is a key factor in cardiomyocyte death and the onset of heart failure. Mitochondrial autophagy, as a means of regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, is significant for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy is a unique treatment approach in China now widely applied in clinical practice, demonstrating significant efficacy in treating heart failure, with unique advantages. Modern pharmacological research indicates that Chinese medicine monomers and compounds can target and regulate mitochondrial homeostasis in cardiomyocytes, affect mitochondrial autophagy, and protect cardiomyocytes, though the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this paper explored the mechanisms of the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin pathway in mitochondrial autophagy and heart failure, reviewed the effects of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy on heart failure, and discussed the therapeutic effects of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy on heart failure in conjunction with TCM. This paper is expected to provide new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of heart failure from the perspective of PINK1/Parkin regulation of mitochondrial autophagy.
7.Study on Iron Chelating Peptide Combined with Semaglutide Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease Mice
Shuang GUO ; Xiangrong SUN ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Juxia LIU ; Xiansheng HUANG ; Mingzhi ZHANG ; Zhenyou ZOU ; Wenjun ZHANG ; Ming CHEN ; Wei SHU
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(5):591-598
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide combined with semaglutide on the cognitive ability and pathological characteristics of D-Gal-induced Alzheimer's disease(AD) model mice.
METHODS
Forty mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely the healthy control group, PBS group, bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group, combined treatment group and positive control group, with 8 mice in each group, half of each sex. Except for the healthy control group, D-galactose was injected to induce the AD mice model for 6 weeks. For 3 consecutive weeks starting from the 4th week, the bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group was injected with bs-5-YHEDA(1 mg·mL–1) once every other day at 200 µL in the tail vein; the bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide(1 mg·mL–1) and semaglutide(25 nmol·kg–1·d–1) were given alternately once a day in the combination treatment group; the positive control group was given memantine(3.3 mg·kg–1·d–1) by gavage every other day. The healthy control group and PBS group were injected with the equal dose of PBS. At the end of treatment, the learning memory ability of mice was detected by the Morris water maze method, whole brain and whole blood were dissected, and pathological changes in hippocampal region were observed by HE staining, and Aβ expression and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were detected by immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting.
RESULTS
In the Morris water maze spatial exploration experiment, the differences in the number of times the mice traversed the platform, the ratio of swimming distance to the target quadrant, and the time ratio were statistically significant in each group(P<0.05); compared with the PBS group, the ratio of swimming distance to the target quadrant increased in the combined treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed that compared with the healthy control mice, the hippocampal area in the PBS group showed reduced levels of pyramidal cells, disorganized arrangement, cell edema, and deep staining of nuclei consolidation. Cellular disorganization, deep staining of nuclei and apoptosis in the hippocampus were significantly improved in each treatment group after drug treatment. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that the Aβ expression levels and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were significantly higher in the PBS-administered mice compared with the healthy control mice, and the Aβ expression levels and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were reduced in each group after drug treatment, with statistically significant differences(P<0.01 or P<0.001 ).
CONCLUSION
The combination of bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide and semaglutide can effectively improve the learning and memory ability and pathological characteristics of AD mice, but from the results of immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting experiments, the improvement of pathological characteristics of AD mice in the combination treatment group is not obvious compared with the single bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group, suggesting that there may be a threshold effect of our designed dual-target combination treatment on the cognitive improvement of AD mice, and the optimization and validation of the effect of multi-target combination treatment need further study.
8.Research on quality evaluation and improvement of in vitro diagnostic reagent supply chain based on zero inventory target
Han WU ; Zhiyong XU ; Xiaokun GAO ; Wenjun GE ; Xianli MA ; Wei DING ; Weizheng LI
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(2):127-131,161
Objective:To establish the objective of zero inventory management of in vitro diagnostic reagents,to evaluate the quality of supply chain,and to improve the existing problems in the supply of reagents.Methods:The problems existing in the management of in vitro diagnostic reagents were analyzed from the aspects of inventory,supply efficiency and product quality,and the management system of hospital operation,management quality and patient benefit optimization was established,and the zero-inventory management path and quality evaluation model were constructed.85 models of 21 types of in vitro diagnostic reagents purchased by Jiangsu Subei People's Hospital from January 2020 to March 2023 were selected.According to different supply chain quality management methods,on-demand inventory management mode(referred to as mode 1)and zero inventory management mode(referred to as mode 2)were adopted respectively.The demand procurement,inventory management and clinical use effects of the two management modes were compared.Results:The reagent procurement demand compliance rate,supply capacity high-quality quality rate and clinical use matching rate of mode 2 were(93.35±3.62)%,(94.87±2.63)% and(96.08±2.31)%,respectively,which were higher than those of mode 1,the difference was statistically significant(Z=2.489,2.836,2.838,P<0.05).The number of cases of long-term overstocking of products,substandard environment and untimely information in mode 2 were(2.92±2.54)cases,(2.83±1.59)cases and(5.58±3.12)cases,respectively,which were lower than those in mode 1,the difference was statistically significant(Z=2.959,3.037,3.703,P<0.05).The satisfaction of clinical departments,medical technology departments and procurement center with the supply,distribution and information communication of in vitro diagnostic reagents in mode 2 were 97.8% and 93.3%,97.0% and 87.9%,100% and 84.6%,respectively,which were higher than those in mode 1,the difference was statistically significant(x2clinical departments=5.428,6.133,x2medical technology departments=3.958,3.937,x2procurement center=5.159,4.996,P<0.05).Conclusion:The zero inventory management model can improve the standardization of in vitro diagnostic reagent demand procurement,reduce the incidence of backlog failure in inventory management,and improve the quality of clinical supply services.
9.Meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the experience of kinesiophobia in patients with cardiac rehabilitation
Jianping LIU ; Weiting GUO ; Wei GAO ; Wenjun WANG ; Yuan SHENG ; Chunmei FAN ; Qi LU ; Deshan LIU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(4):474-481
Objective To systematically review and synthesize the psychological experience of kinesiophobia in patients with cardiac rehabilitation.Methods PubMed,Web of science,Journals@Ovid,Embase,CINAHL,PsycINFO,Cochrane Library,CNKI,SinoMed,WanFang Database,Vip Database,American Heart Association,European Society of Cardiology and American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation were searched to collect qualitative research on the psychological experience of cardiac rehabilitation patients with kinesiophobia.The retrieval time was from the establishment of the databases to Jun 2023.The literature was evaluated using the Australian JBI Quality Evaluation Criteria for Qualitative Research in Evidence-based Health Care Centres(2016),and the results were consolidated using an aggregative integration approach.Results A total of 45 results were extracted from 14 studies.Similar results were summarized into 10 groups,and 3 integrated results were synthesized as followed.Kinesiophobia was influenced by many factors;kinesiophobia affects the life experience of patients;strategies to reduce the level of kinesiophobia.Conclusion Nurses should pay more attention to psychological experience of kinesiophobia,and take the corresponding intervention measures to help patients overcome the psychological barriers of kinesiophobia,perfect personalized exercise programs,and improve the level of physical activity.
10.Polydatin protects vascular endothelial cells by modifying the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Wenwen KONG ; Huizhen WEI ; Yuanying XU ; Wenjun SHA ; Jun LU ; Tao LEI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(7):1201-1205,1212
Objective To study the protective effect of polydatin on lipopolysaccharide-induced injury of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells(HUVECs)through the protein Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods HUVECs were cultured in vitro,and 500 ng/ml LPS induced their injury and set as a model group;based on the model group,endothelial cells were inter-vened with different concentrations(10,20,and 40 μmol/L)of polydatin for 24 h,and set as polydatin low concentration group,polydatin medium concentration group,and polydatin high concentration group,respectively;a control group was set as another group.CCK-8,monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion,scratch and Transwell assays were used to detect cell viability,adhesion,migration and invasive ability;ELISA was used to detect interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)levels in the cell supernatant;Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway levels of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway relat-ed proteins.Results Compared with the control group,the model group showed decreased cell survival(P<0.01),increased cell adhesion,migration and invasion(P<0.001,P<0.05,P<0.01),increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the cell supernatant(P<0.001),and increased levels of phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 pro-teins in the cells(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,LPS damage to cells was attenuated after polydatin intervention,cell survival was increased in polydatin low-,medium-and high-concentration groups(P<0.05),cell adhesion,migration,and invasion decreased(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.001),IL-6 and TNF-α levels in cell supernatants decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of cellular JAK2 and STAT3 protein phosphorylation lev-els decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Polydatin seems to reduce the inflammatory injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by LPS,reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors,and inhibiting the ability of cell ad-hesion,migration and invasion,which may be related to the down-regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway by polydatin.


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