1.Mechanisms of Dihuang Yinzi in Treating Advanced Parkinson's Disease Based on Gut Microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation Axis
Renzhi MA ; Yasi LIN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Hongmei ZHU ; Jiayuan LI ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Wenxin FAN ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):11-21
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on motor dysfunction in rats with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and to investigate the mechanisms by which DY improves advanced PD symptoms through the "gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-inflammation-neuroprotection pathway". MethodsAn advanced PD rat model was induced by rotenone. Rats were divided into a normal group, model group, positive drug group (levodopa, 50 mg·kg-1), and DY low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.2, 10.4, 20.8 g·kg-1). After 7 days of administration, motor function was evaluated using the open-field, pole-climbing, and inclined plate tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in the substantia nigra and colon, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), Levodopa, homovanillic acid (HVA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the content of SCFAs in colonic contents. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly decreased movement speed and distance in the open-field test, prolonged pole-climbing time, and reduced retention angle on the inclined plate (P<0.01), accompanied by increased α-Syn expression (P<0.01) and decreased TH expression (P<0.01) in the brain. Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups improved motor dysfunction in advanced PD rats to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated pathological damage in the brain and colon. High-dose DY significantly reduced α-Syn aggregation in the substantia nigra (P<0.01) and increased TH expression (P<0.01). ELISA and Western blot results showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited decreased levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum (P<0.01), increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum (P<0.01), and significantly reduced expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all DY dose groups increased the levels of DA, 5-HT, DOPAC, Levodopa, and HVA in the striatum to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose DY group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and striatum were reduced (P<0.01), while the expression of ZO-1 (P<0.05) and occludin in the intestine was increased. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the relative abundances of Actinobacteriota, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased in the model group, whereas the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, class Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, and Akkermansia muciniphila were decreased. These changes were effectively reversed after high-dose DY intervention. GC analysis showed that the content of SCFAs in the colonic contents of rats in the model group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while after high-dose DY intervention, the levels of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and butyrate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDY may exert therapeutic effects in advanced PD by regulating the gut microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation pathway.
2.Early recognition and intervention strategy of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer
Yuhao SONG ; Wenxin TIAN ; Donghang LI ; Jiangyu WU ; Hanbo YU ; Hongfeng TONG ; Yaoguang SUN ; Peng JIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):710-716
Elderly patients with lung cancer have a significantly increased risk of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications due to physiological decline, high incidence of complications and reduced surgical tolerance, which directly affects postoperative recovery and long-term survival. Although the concepts of minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery have improved clinical outcomes, early recognition and intervention of postoperative complications in elderly patients remains a significant challenge in the field of thoracic surgery. By integrating recent literature and clinical practice, this paper systematically analyzes the pathophysiological mechanism and risk factors of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer, and discusses individualized intervention strategies based on risk stratification and multidisciplinary team, in order to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for optimizing perioperative management and improving postoperative prognosis in elderly patients.
3.Impact of 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT on Diagnostic Efficacy and Immunotherapy Decision-Making in Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Yu ZHANG ; Zhiyi LIN ; Hong CHEN ; Mingdian YU ; Chenshen HUANG ; Wenxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(7):768-774
Purpose To explore the diagnostic efficacy of 99Tcm labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor(FAPI)SPECT/CT for metastatic lesions in advanced colorectal cancer and its impact on decisions regarding immunotherapy,and to compare it with 18F-FDG PET/CT.Materials and Methods A total of 34 patients with advanced colorectal cancer who underwent both 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging from August 2022 to November 2023 in Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital were prospectively included.The gold standard was based on biopsy or clinical and imaging follow-up results.Chi-square tests and rank sum tests were used to compare differences between the groups.Results Among the 34 patients,17 patients subsequently received immunotherapy.The uptake of 99Tcm-FAPI was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG for the primary tumor site(Z=-2.389,P=0.017),peritoneal metastasis(Z=-2.497,P=0.013)and liver metastasis(Z=-0.106,P=0.015).The diagnostic efficacy of 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT for patients with peritoneal metastasis was superior to that of 18F-FDG PET/CT(χ2=4.65,P=0.033).Metastatic lesions that did not uptake 99Tcm-FAPI had a better clinical prognosis after immunotherapy(χ2=11.839,P=0.006),and maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)-FDG/SUVmax-FAPI ratio was a promising predictive factor for a better prognosis after immunotherapy,with an optimal cut-off value of 5.04.Conclusion 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT has superior diagnostic efficacy for peritoneal metastasis in advanced colorectal cancer compared with 18F-FDG PET/CT.SUVmax-FDG/SUVmax-FAPI ratio is a promising radiomic parameter for predicting patient prognosis after immunotherapy,which can help guide clinical decision-making further.
4.Fufang Kangjiaolv Capsules Treat Anxiety in Rat Model of Chronic Restraint Stress via Microbiota-gut-brain Axis
Wenxin FAN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Yifan LU ; Mengmeng LIU ; Jiayuan LI ; Renzhi MA ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):95-107
ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules on anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and explore the mechanism underlying the anti-anxiety effect via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. MethodsRats were assigned into blank, model, positive drug (diazepam, 1 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.75, 1.5, 3 g·kg-1, respectively) Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules groups. After 14 days of administration, the elevated plus maze test, open field test, light and dark box test, and marble burying test were performed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus and colon of rats, and Nissl staining was conducted to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the colon of rats. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the colon, serum, and hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ZO-1, occludin, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the colon tissue and NF-κB p65 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in the time and frequency ratio of rats entering the elevated plus maze, the time and frequency of rats entering the central area of the open field, the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark box, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules ameliorated the anxiety of the model rats to varying degrees, and the high-dose group had the best effect, with increases in the proportions of time and frequency of rats entering the open arm in the elevated plus maze (P<0.05), the number of rats entering the central area in the open field (P<0.05), the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark boxes, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.01). Moreover, the high-dose group showed alleviated pathological damage of hippocampal neurons and colon. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the model group had increased relative abundance of Firmicutes, Deferribacterota, Romboutsia, and Phascolarctobacterium, while it had decreased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota and Lactobacillus. The drug administration groups showed increased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota, Bacteroides, norank f norank o Clostridia UCG-014, and Blautia and decreased relative abundance of Firmicutes and Deferribacterota. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules up-regulated the mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 (P<0.01) and occludin (P<0.05) in the colon, down-regulated the protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.05), and up-regulated the protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus. ConclusionFufang Kangjiaolv capsules can reduce the anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of CRS by regulating the gut microbiota disturbance, up-regulating the expression of tight junction proteins in the colon, repairing intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier, and down-regulating NF-κB/BDNF signaling pathway, thereby reducing peripheral and central inflammation. This study proves the hypothesis that Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules play an anti-anxiety role via the microbiota-gut-brain axis, providing a new idea for further research.
5.High-throughput single-microbe RNA sequencing reveals adaptive state heterogeneity and host-phage activity associations in human gut microbiome.
Yifei SHEN ; Qinghong QIAN ; Liguo DING ; Wenxin QU ; Tianyu ZHANG ; Mengdi SONG ; Yingjuan HUANG ; Mengting WANG ; Ziye XU ; Jiaye CHEN ; Ling DONG ; Hongyu CHEN ; Enhui SHEN ; Shufa ZHENG ; Yu CHEN ; Jiong LIU ; Longjiang FAN ; Yongcheng WANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(3):211-226
Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics*
;
Bacteriophages/physiology*
;
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods*
;
Bacteria/virology*
6.The surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy for the prevention of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly
Wenxin TIAN ; Peng JIAO ; Yaoguang SUN ; Hanbo YU ; Donghang LI ; Jiangyu WU ; Hongfeng TONG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(8):1107-1113
Objective:To evaluate the impact of the surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct(TD) ligation established through fluorescence thoracoscopy TD imaging technology on the occurrence of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.Elderly patients who underwent right lung cancer surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from October 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled as the research subjects.The surgical approaches involved pulmonary resection, systematic lymphadenectomy, and selective TD ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy.Prior to the surgery, 0.4 mg/kg indocyanine green(ICG)was injected subcutaneously into the right inguinal region of all patients.Clinical data, surgical details, pathological information, and intraoperative TD imaging, including the course, collateral vessels, and any injuries, were collected.Postoperative chylothorax and other complications were also recorded.Results:A total of 83 patients were enrolled, of which 38 were males, and 45 were females, with a median age of 68 years raging from 60 to 83 years old, TD imaging was observed in 69 cases(83.1%)within one hour after IGC injection.Intraoperative injuries of collateral branches were visualized in 4 cases(4.8%). Among them, 2 cases had injuries in both the 2R+ 4R and the subcarinal station, while 2 others had injuries of collateral branches only in the 2R+ 4R station.These 4 patients underwent concurrent TD ligation.No TD or collateral injury was found in the remaining patients during the surgery, and the TD was not ligated, none of the patients developed chylothorax postoperatively, and no adverse reactions related to indocyanine green were observed.Conclusions:Fluorescence thoracoscopy-guided TD imaging technique can well visualize TD and its collateral injuries in elderly lung cancer surgeries, assist in the management of leaks or TD ligation, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of postoperative chylothorax.
7.Research progress on new drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Yingying YU ; Jing LI ; Wenxin WANG ; Peiyao FAN ; Fusheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(5):493-499
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global public health problem. There will be about 257 million chronic HBV-infected patients worldwide, according to the World Health Organization's estimation by 2025. Currently, the main drugs for the treatment of chronic HBV infection are nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN). However, previous research results show that whether it is nucleos(t)ide analogues and PEG-IFN-α monotherapy or combination therapy, or sequential combination therapy, the rate of hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion in patients is low, and there is still a high risk of disease progression after a certain course of antiviral treatment. Therefore, to achieve the ambitious target of "eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030" set by the World Health Organization and help more hepatitis B patients achieve functional cure, a large number of new drugs have been developed and entered clinical trials. This paper summarizes and reviews the types, safety, and efficacy of new drugs to further promote advancements in the field of treatment of chronic HBV infection.
8.Impact of 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT on Diagnostic Efficacy and Immunotherapy Decision-Making in Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Yu ZHANG ; Zhiyi LIN ; Hong CHEN ; Mingdian YU ; Chenshen HUANG ; Wenxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(7):768-774
Purpose To explore the diagnostic efficacy of 99Tcm labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor(FAPI)SPECT/CT for metastatic lesions in advanced colorectal cancer and its impact on decisions regarding immunotherapy,and to compare it with 18F-FDG PET/CT.Materials and Methods A total of 34 patients with advanced colorectal cancer who underwent both 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging from August 2022 to November 2023 in Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital were prospectively included.The gold standard was based on biopsy or clinical and imaging follow-up results.Chi-square tests and rank sum tests were used to compare differences between the groups.Results Among the 34 patients,17 patients subsequently received immunotherapy.The uptake of 99Tcm-FAPI was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG for the primary tumor site(Z=-2.389,P=0.017),peritoneal metastasis(Z=-2.497,P=0.013)and liver metastasis(Z=-0.106,P=0.015).The diagnostic efficacy of 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT for patients with peritoneal metastasis was superior to that of 18F-FDG PET/CT(χ2=4.65,P=0.033).Metastatic lesions that did not uptake 99Tcm-FAPI had a better clinical prognosis after immunotherapy(χ2=11.839,P=0.006),and maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)-FDG/SUVmax-FAPI ratio was a promising predictive factor for a better prognosis after immunotherapy,with an optimal cut-off value of 5.04.Conclusion 99Tcm-FAPI SPECT/CT has superior diagnostic efficacy for peritoneal metastasis in advanced colorectal cancer compared with 18F-FDG PET/CT.SUVmax-FDG/SUVmax-FAPI ratio is a promising radiomic parameter for predicting patient prognosis after immunotherapy,which can help guide clinical decision-making further.
9.The surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy for the prevention of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly
Wenxin TIAN ; Peng JIAO ; Yaoguang SUN ; Hanbo YU ; Donghang LI ; Jiangyu WU ; Hongfeng TONG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(8):1107-1113
Objective:To evaluate the impact of the surgical strategy of selective thoracic duct(TD) ligation established through fluorescence thoracoscopy TD imaging technology on the occurrence of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery in the elderly.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted.Elderly patients who underwent right lung cancer surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Hospital from October 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled as the research subjects.The surgical approaches involved pulmonary resection, systematic lymphadenectomy, and selective TD ligation using fluorescence thoracoscopy.Prior to the surgery, 0.4 mg/kg indocyanine green(ICG)was injected subcutaneously into the right inguinal region of all patients.Clinical data, surgical details, pathological information, and intraoperative TD imaging, including the course, collateral vessels, and any injuries, were collected.Postoperative chylothorax and other complications were also recorded.Results:A total of 83 patients were enrolled, of which 38 were males, and 45 were females, with a median age of 68 years raging from 60 to 83 years old, TD imaging was observed in 69 cases(83.1%)within one hour after IGC injection.Intraoperative injuries of collateral branches were visualized in 4 cases(4.8%). Among them, 2 cases had injuries in both the 2R+ 4R and the subcarinal station, while 2 others had injuries of collateral branches only in the 2R+ 4R station.These 4 patients underwent concurrent TD ligation.No TD or collateral injury was found in the remaining patients during the surgery, and the TD was not ligated, none of the patients developed chylothorax postoperatively, and no adverse reactions related to indocyanine green were observed.Conclusions:Fluorescence thoracoscopy-guided TD imaging technique can well visualize TD and its collateral injuries in elderly lung cancer surgeries, assist in the management of leaks or TD ligation, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of postoperative chylothorax.
10.Research progress on new drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Yingying YU ; Jing LI ; Wenxin WANG ; Peiyao FAN ; Fusheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(5):493-499
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global public health problem. There will be about 257 million chronic HBV-infected patients worldwide, according to the World Health Organization's estimation by 2025. Currently, the main drugs for the treatment of chronic HBV infection are nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN). However, previous research results show that whether it is nucleos(t)ide analogues and PEG-IFN-α monotherapy or combination therapy, or sequential combination therapy, the rate of hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion in patients is low, and there is still a high risk of disease progression after a certain course of antiviral treatment. Therefore, to achieve the ambitious target of "eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030" set by the World Health Organization and help more hepatitis B patients achieve functional cure, a large number of new drugs have been developed and entered clinical trials. This paper summarizes and reviews the types, safety, and efficacy of new drugs to further promote advancements in the field of treatment of chronic HBV infection.

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