1.Effect of Serum Containing Zhenwutang on Apoptosis of Myocardial Mast Cells and Mitochondrial Autophagy
Wei TANG ; Meiqun ZHENG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhiyong CHEN ; Chi CHE ; Zongqiong LU ; Jiashuai GUO ; Xiaomei ZOU ; Lili XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):11-21
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment, AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cell culture supernatant, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently, the experiment was divided into a blank group (20% blank serum), a model group (20% blank serum + 5×10-5 mol·L-1 AngⅡ), low-, medium-, and high-dose (5%, 10% and 20%) serum containing Zhenwutang groups, an autophagy inhibitor group (1×10-4 mol·L-1 3-MA), and autophagy inducer group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 rapamycin). The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe (Lyso Tracker) and mitochondrial probe (Mito Tracker) co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C) in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways, phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin), phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1), p62, and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways, and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10-5 mol·L-1, the cell activity was the lowest, and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased (P<0.05). Therefore, AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10-5 mol·L-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group, the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group, the relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, the relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased, and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group, the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while that of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups, the relative protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased, and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.
2.Lower vs. standard starting dose oral roxadustat for treating anemia in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis: A prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Yan TU ; Yan XU ; Li YAO ; Beiru ZHANG ; Tiekun YAN ; Aiping YIN ; Xinzhou ZHANG ; Min YANG ; Jun LIU ; Caili WANG ; Xiaomei PENG ; Jianqin WANG ; Wei NIU ; Wenqing JIANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2520-2522
3.Effects of acupoint catgut embedding on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids in Parkinson's disease patients with constipation.
Xiaomei ZHANG ; Jie JIANG ; Wenying LI ; Juping CHEN ; Yin HUANG ; Wei REN ; Yafang SONG ; Jianhua SUN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1533-1540
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation.
METHODS:
A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
RESULTS:
Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans
;
Constipation/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Parkinson Disease/complications*
;
Aged
;
Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
;
Catgut
;
Feces/microbiology*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Quality of Life
;
Adult
4.Analysis on Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanism of Famous Classical Formula Renshen Wuweizi Tang in Treatment of Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Shanshan LI ; Yute ZHONG ; Xiaomei XIANG ; Wei KANG ; Shufan ZHOU ; Ping WANG ; Haiyu XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):31-39
ObjectiveBased on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, to explore the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of Renshen Wuweizi Tang in treating spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. MethodsThe chemical components in the decoction of Renshen Wuweizi Tang were systematically characterized and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, and network pharmacology was used to screen potential active ingredients, collect component targets and gene sets related to spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome, and obtain protein interaction relationships through STRING. Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct a "formula-syndrome" association network and calculate topological feature values. Gene ontology(GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed on core genes to explore potential pharmacodynamic links, the average shortest path between the formula-drug target network and the pharmacodynamic link gene network was calculated to discover dominant pharmacodynamic links, and MCODE plugin was used to identify core gene clusters from the dominant pharmacodynamic links, which were validated using Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO), and molecular docking was performed between key components and core targets. ResultsOne hundred and thirty-seven components were identified in the negative ion mode, and eighty components were identified in the positive ion mode. After deduplication, a total of 185 components were identified, mainly composed of triterpenoid saponins(49) and flavonoids(54). Based on the "formula-syndrome" correlation network analysis, energy metabolism was determined to be the dominant pharmacodynamic link of Renshen Wuweizi Tang in the treatment of spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. The results of molecular docking showed that 7 components(adenosine, atractylenolide Ⅱ, atractylenolide Ⅲ, ginsenoside Rg1, glycyrrhizin B2, glycyrrhizin E2 and campesterol) from 4 medicinal materials(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Poria) in this formula might regulate energy metabolism by acting on 6 targets, namely cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein 1(CREB1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH), interleukin(IL)-6, nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα), and tumor necrosis factor(TNF), thus improving the symptoms of diseases related to spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. ConclusionThis study established a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for rapid characterization and identification of chemical components in the decoction of Renshen Wuweizi Tang, expanding the understanding of the material composition of this formula, and found that 7 components might act on the key advantageous pharmacodynamic link "energy metabolism" through 6 targets to improve the related symptoms of spleen-lung Qi deficiency syndrome. This can provide a reference for the subsequent exploration of the material benchmark and mechanism of the famous classical formula.
5.Analysis of factors influencing visual prognosis after glucocorticoid pulse therapy in first-onset demyelinating optic neuritis
Bei HE ; Li MA ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiaomei WEI ; Yibin XI ; Xiaowei KANG
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(6):444-450
Objective:To observe and analyze the subtype-specific prognostic factors for visual recovery in patients with demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) after glucocorticoid pulse therapy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. A total of 195 patients (249 eyes) with DON diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital) from January 2021 to December 2024 were included in the study. According to the results of serum antibody detection and clinical diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)-associated optic neuritis (ON) (NMOSD-ON) group, the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antitide-associated ON (MOG-ON) group, and the double antibody negative ON group. They were 51 cases (58 eyes), 72 cases (103 eyes), and 72 cases (88 eyes) respectively. Baseline clinical data, imaging characteristics, and treatment protocols were collected. The primary endpoints were complete visual recovery [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 1.0] and moderate recovery (BCVA ≥0.5) at 3 months post-onset. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors for visual outcomes within each subtype.Results:At 3 months post-onset, complete recovery rates were 9 (15.5%, 9/58) in the NMOSD-ON group, 64 (62.1%, 64/103) in the MOG-ON group, and 31 (35.2%, 31/88) in the double-seronegative ON group. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio ( OR) =0.901, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.854-0.950, P<0.001] and peak visual acuity ( OR=0.311, 95% CI 0.147-0.660, P=0.002) and the involvement of optic nerve length ≥1/2 ( OR=3.849, 95% CI 1.083-13.682, P=0.037) were the influencing factors for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the double antibody negative ON group. Age ( OR=0.958, 95% CI 0.933-0.983, P=0.001) was the only influencing factor for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the MOG-ON group. Peak visual acuity ( OR=0.288, 95% CI 0.090-0.927, P=0.037) and optic nerve involvement length ≥1/2 ( OR=19.974, 95% CI 1.905-209.559, P=0.013) were the influencing factors for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the NMOSD-ON group. Age ( OR=0.936, 95% CI 0.890-0.983, P=0.009), time from onset to intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone sodium succinate intervention ( OR=0.854, 95% CI 0.759-0.961, P=0.009), optic disc edema ( OR=4.405, 95% CI 1.108-17.512, P=0.035) and peak visual acuity ( OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.046-0.365, P<0.001) were the influencing factors for the moderate recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the double antibody negative ON group. Peak visual acuity was the only influencing factor for the moderate recovery of visual acuity in the MOG-ON group ( OR=0.060, 95% CI 0.010-0.352, P=0.002) and the NMOSD-ON group ( OR=0.163, 95% CI 0.053-0.500, P=0.001). Conclusions:The prognostic factors for visual recovery in patients with DON after glucocorticoid pulse therapy are subtype-specific. Peak visual acuity is a common predictor for all subtypes. For NMOSD-ON and double antibody-negative ON, attention should be paid to the length of optic nerve lesions. MOG-ON is age-related. Early intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone sodium succinate for double antiantibody negative ON is more likely to achieve moderate vision recovery.
6.Electroacupuncture Alleviates Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats by Down-Regulating GCPII Gene Expression
Xiaomei WEI ; Rongbo DUAN ; Yangyang TANG ; Tao WU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(7):1887-1897
Objective To study whether electroacupuncture(EA)attenuates traumatic brain injury(TBI)by down-regulating glutamate carboxypeptidase Ⅱ(GCPII)gene expression in rats.Methods Rats were divided into Sham group(n=10),TBI group(n=11),TBI+EA group(n=11),TBI+EA+GCPII-NC group(n=11)and TBI+EA+GCPII-OE group(n=11).Sham group rats underwent sham surgery,while other groups rats underwent TBI modeling using an electronic brain injury instrument.The rats in Sham group and TBI group were fed normally,and the rats in other groups were treated with electroacupuncture for 14 days.On the basis of electroacupuncture treatment,rats in TBI+EA+GCPII-NC group and TBI+EA+GCPII-OE group were injected with GCPII-NC and GCPII-OE,respectively.After treatment,the cognitive function of rats was evaluated by neurological function score and Morris water labyrinth task.HE and TUNEL staining were performed on brain tissue.The water content,glutamate(Glu)content,calcium(Ca2+)concentration,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in brain tissue of rats in each group were measured.The mRNA or protein expression of GCPII,Bax,Bcl2 and cleaved caspase-3 in brain tissue were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot.Results Compared with Sham group,the expression of mRNA and protein of GCPII in TBI group increased,the neurological function score and escape latency increased,the number of crossing the platform decreased,the water content increased,the cortex showed obvious damage,the content of Glu increased,the concentration of calcium increased,the levels of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px decreased,the level of MDA increased,the positive rate of TUNEL increased,the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with TBI group,the expression level of mRNA and protein of GCPII in TBI+EA group decreased,the neurological function score and escape latency decreased,the number of crossing platform increased,the water content decreased,the morphology of cortex improved obviously,the content of Glu decreased,the concentration of calcium decreased,the level of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px increased,the level of MDA decreased,the positive rate of TUNEL decreased,the expression level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein decreased,and the expression level of Bcl2 protein increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with TBI+EA group and TBI+EA+GCPII-NC group,the expression level of mRNA and protein of GCPII in TBI+EA+GCPII-OE group increased,neurological function score and escape latency increased,the number of crossing platform decreased,water content increased,cortical injury aggravated,Glu content increased,calcium concentration increased,SOD,CAT and GSH-Px levels decreased,MDA level increased,TUNEL positive rate increased,Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion By down-regulating the expression of GCPII gene,electroacupuncture reduced the content of glutamate in the brain tissue of TBI rats,thereby inhibiting calcium overload,oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in the brain tissue,and thereby improving cognitive function and alleviating brain injury.
7.Epidemiology and correlation of dysphagia in community-dwelling elderly patients with chronic diseases
Chang AN ; Zulin DOU ; Xiaomei WEI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(3):416-422
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of dysphagia in community-dwelling elderly patients with chronic dis-eases and to analyze the correlation between the categories of chronic diseases and the prevalence of dysphagia.Method:Elderly people(aged ≥60 years)with one of five common chronic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,respiratory diseases,and hepatobiliary diseases)were recruited from Shipai Community health service center of Tianhe District.Eating assessment tool-10 and Water Swallow Test were used to evalu-ate swallowing function.Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(ACCI)classification,grip strength test and 4-meter walking test were used to evaluate physical endurance of patients.The prevalence of dysphagia was de-termined among individuals with these chronic diseases and varying degrees of multimorbidity.The correlation between dysphagia and gender,age,chronic diseases,grip strength and walking endurance was analyzed.Result:The total number of respondents was 2352,of which 2121 were effectively surveyed.Among them,252 cases were positive for dysphagia,and the prevalence of dysphagia was 11.88%.The prevalence of dys-phagia was 63.89%for hypertension,28.57%for diabetes,39.68%for coronary heart disease,8.73%for respi-ratory diseases,and 2.78%for hepatobiliary diseases.There was no statistically significant difference in the cor-relation between gender,age and grip strength and dysphagia.Univariate regression analysis showed that respi-ratory diseases(t=3.987,P<0.001),hepatobiliary diseases(t=2.158,P<0.05),ACCI(t=2.745,P<0.05),4-meter walk test(t=7.082,P<0.001),the results were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Dysphagia is highly prevalent among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in the community.Respiratory diseases,hepatobiliary diseases,ACCI score,and 4m walk test are positively correlated with the prevalence of dysphagia.
8.Construction and identification of a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library
Yakun ZHAO ; Xiaoyue WEI ; Fanliang MENG ; Wentao LIU ; Jiaming FAN ; Lijin LONG ; Wanting WANG ; Jianling CHEN ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Lihua HE ; Liyong LIU ; Rui ZHAO ; Di SUN ; Xuezhen YUAN ; Xiaomei YAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):288-295
Objective:To construct a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library to screen high-affinity specific antibodies in vitro. Methods:Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 126 healthy individuals, subsequently reverse-transcribed into cDNA, and used as a template. PCR amplification was performed to obtain the V H from IgG, IgM and light chain κ, λ, separately, with the initial PCR products serving as templates for a second round of PCR. Overlap extension PCR was employed to generate fragments of the κ and λ light chains. These fragments were ligated with the phage vector pNC3, which harbors the variable region 1 of the heavy chain, to construct a recombinant phage plasmid. This plasmid was then electroporated into competent Escherichia Coli TG1 cells to establish a naive human Fab phage display antibody library. One hundred clones were randomly selected for identification and sequencing, and antibody gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the IMGT database and MAFFT software. Recombinant α-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus was utilized to screen Fab antibody fragments through biopanning of the antibody library, followed by random selection of phage ELISA-identified clones. The positive clones (antigen A450∶blank control A450≥2.1) were sequenced. Results:Two large naive Fab phage display antibody libraries were successfully constructed, in which the capacity of κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 1.25×10 11 and 1.54×10 11, respectively. The titers for two antibody libraries were 6.04×10 13 CFU/ml and 3.50×10 13 CFU/ml. The positive transformation insertion rates for κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 96% (96/100) and 100% (100/100), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all antibody sequences were unique. The amino acid sequences in the skeletal region were relatively conserved. In contrast, significant variations in the length of the complementarity determining region (CDR) were found, and the diversity of amino acid sequence of the complementary determining region was high, especially the CDR3. Analysis using the IMGT database indicated that the sequences exhibited a broad distribution across variable-diversity-joining gene families. After six rounds of panning, specific phage antibodies enrichment targeting α-hemolysin were achieved. A total of 142 monoclonal antibodies were sequenced, yielding 8 distinct Fab antibody sequences. Conclusion:This study successfully constructed two naive human Fab phage display antibody libraries with large capacity and good diversity, which can be used for screening human antibodies for serum epidemiology.
9.Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy in 10 children: clinical features and treatment outcomes
Qing WU ; Qianying LYU ; Haimei LIU ; Wanzhen GUAN ; Yinyu GONG ; Yifan LI ; Qiaoqian ZENG ; Xiaomei ZHANG ; Qijiao WEI ; Ling YANG ; Guomin LI ; Xihua LI ; Lei ZHAO ; Li SUN
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(7):575-582
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and to explore early identification and management strategies to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and treatment outcomes of 10 pediatric patients with anti-HMGCR antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy admitted to the Department of Rheumatology, Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from December 2020 to December 2024. Statistical description was performed using SPSS 22.0.Results:Among the 10 patients, the male-to-female ratio was 1:4, the age of onset was (7.2±4.0) years, and the disease duration at diagnosis was (22.2±19.6) months. None had a history of statin exposure. Six patients presented with muscle weakness, and4 were diagnosed due to asymptomatic elevation of creatine kinase (CK); 4 had dermatomyositis-like rashes. All patients showed significantly elevated CK levels [median 3 291(1 969, 8 776)U/L] and underwent muscle biopsy. Histopathological findings revealed myofiber degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration in all cases, with inflammatory infiltration in 9 cases, MHC-Ⅰ positivity in all, and C5b-9 positivity in 9 cases. The median follow-up duration was (15.7±6.3) months. At the last follow-up, muscle strength was normal or nearly normal, and the CK median value had decreased to 977.5 (211.0, 3 536.0) U/L.Conclusion:For patients with suspected idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and significantly elevated CK, muscle-specific antibody testing-including anti-HMGCR-and muscle biopsy should be performed promptly regardless of the presence of skin rash, to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide treatment, thereby avoiding misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.
10.Plasma club cell secretory protein reflects early lung injury: comprehensive epidemiological evidence.
Jiajun WEI ; Jinyu WU ; Hongyue KONG ; Liuquan JIANG ; Yong WANG ; Ying GUO ; Quan FENG ; Jisheng NIE ; Yiwei SHI ; Xinri ZHANG ; Xiaomei KONG ; Xiao YU ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Jun DONG ; Jin YANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():26-26
BACKGROUND:
It is inaccurate to reflect the level of dust exposure through working years. Furthermore, identifying a predictive indicator for lung function decline is significant for coal miners. The study aimed to explored whether club cell secretory protein (CC16) levels can reflect early lung function changes.
METHODS:
The cumulative respiratory dust exposure (CDE) levels of 1,461 coal miners were retrospectively assessed by constructed a job-exposure matrix to replace working years. Important factors affecting lung function and CC16 were selected by establishing random forest models. Subsequently, the potential of CC16 to reflect lung injury was explored from multiple perspectives. First, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to compare the trends of changes in lung function indicators and plasma CC16 levels after dust exposure. Then mediating analysis was performed to investigate the role of CC16 in the association between dust exposure and lung function decline. Finally, the association between baseline CC16 levels and follow-up lung function was explored.
RESULTS:
The median CDE were 35.13 mg/m3-years. RCS models revealed a rapid decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and their percentages of predicted values when CDE exceeded 25 mg/m3-years. The dust exposure level (<5 mg/m3-years) causing significant changes in CC16 was much lower than the level (25 mg/m3-years) that caused changes in lung function indicators. CC16 mediated 11.1% to 26.0% of dust-related lung function decline. Additionally, workers with low baseline CC16 levels experienced greater reductions in lung function in the future.
CONCLUSIONS
CC16 levels are more sensitive than lung indicators in reflecting early lung function injury and plays mediating role in lung function decline induced by dust exposure. Low baseline CC16 levels predict poor future lung function.
Uteroglobin/blood*
;
Humans
;
Dust/analysis*
;
Occupational Exposure/analysis*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Coal Mining
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Air Pollutants, Occupational
;
Female

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