1.Mechanistic Study on Tougu Xiaotong Capsules in Regulating PANoptosis to Delay Degeneration of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Jinxia YE ; Yixin LIN ; Xiaoqing LEI ; Yanfeng HUANG ; Changlong FU ; Desen LI ; Wenyi WANG ; Lan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):149-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TGXTC) on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis, delay of chondrocyte degeneration, and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn vivo experiments: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n=10 per group): sham operation group, model group, low-dose TGXTC group (7.2 g·kg-1), high-dose TGXTC group (14.4 g·kg-1), and diclofenac sodium group (0.05 g·kg-1). Except for the sham group, KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction, the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg-1 for 6 weeks, while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score; micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan the knee, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence (IF) co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3, receptor-interacting protein 3 (RlPK3), and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in cartilage tissue, while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, RIPK3, and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments: The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated, and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h), and the TGXTC treatment group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection, AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-18) were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the model group, and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly, with joint spaces narrower, osteophyte formation increased, secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, RlPK3, and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue (P<0.01). In addition, The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS, orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining, green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group (P<0.01) . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased (P<0.01). The expression of PANoptosis related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3) were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score, an increase in joint space, a decrease in osteophyte formation, diminished cartilage damage, reduced release of ROS, and alleviation of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in chondrocytes: cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well (P<0.05). ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.
2.Mechanistic Study on Tougu Xiaotong Capsules in Regulating PANoptosis to Delay Degeneration of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Jinxia YE ; Yixin LIN ; Xiaoqing LEI ; Yanfeng HUANG ; Changlong FU ; Desen LI ; Wenyi WANG ; Lan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):149-161
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TGXTC) on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis, delay of chondrocyte degeneration, and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn vivo experiments: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n=10 per group): sham operation group, model group, low-dose TGXTC group (7.2 g·kg-1), high-dose TGXTC group (14.4 g·kg-1), and diclofenac sodium group (0.05 g·kg-1). Except for the sham group, KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction, the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg-1 for 6 weeks, while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score; micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan the knee, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence (IF) co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3, receptor-interacting protein 3 (RlPK3), and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in cartilage tissue, while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3, RIPK3, and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments: The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated, and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h), and the TGXTC treatment group (pretreated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection, AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-18) were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01) in the model group, and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly, with joint spaces narrower, osteophyte formation increased, secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, RlPK3, and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue (P<0.01). In addition, The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS, orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining, green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group (P<0.01) . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased (P<0.01). The expression of PANoptosis related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3) were also significantly upregulated(P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score, an increase in joint space, a decrease in osteophyte formation, diminished cartilage damage, reduced release of ROS, and alleviation of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in chondrocytes: cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-8, RIPK3, ZBP1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well (P<0.05). ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.
3.Research progress on peripheral defocus-based optical interventions combined with other therapies for myopia control
Xiaoqing LIU ; Jinhai ZHONG ; Quan LIN
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1814-1819
The global myopia epidemic presents a significant public health challenge, necessitating diverse intervention strategies. The primary objective of myopia management is to achieve a dual therapeutic effect: providing children with clear, comfortable, and sustained vision, while also curbing rapid myopic progression to prevent high myopia. Optical interventions based on the theory of peripheral retinal defocus have become first-line treatments owing to their dual capacity for vision correction and axial elongation control. For children with myopia who show suboptimal response to defocus-based optical interventions, combination therapy has gradually emerged as a new clinical trend. Current combination strategies primarily include defocus-based optical interventions combined with low-concentration atropine, red-light therapy, and vision training, among others. This review summarizes available evidence on these three combination strategies, focusing on clinical efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms, with the aim of supporting evidence-based and personalized myopia management plans for clinicians.
4.Research Hotspots and Trends of Growth Mindset in Medical Education: A Bibliometric Analysis
Ning ZHANG ; Gechong RUAN ; Yang JIAO ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Jonathan LIO ; Lin KANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1501-1510
This study aims to analyze the international research trends and frontier hotspots related to the application of growth mindset in medical education from 2016 to 2024. The objective is to provide insights and references for the development of relevant research in China. The Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases were searched for English-language literature on the application of growth mindset in medical education, published between January 1, 2016, and December 15, 2024. VOSviewer (v.1.6.18) software was utilized to extract bibliographic information and generate diagrams that illustrate cooperation networks among countries, regions, and authors. Additionally, CiteSpace (v.6.1.R6) software was employed to perform co-occurrence and cluster analyses on various datasets, including those pertaining to document authors and countries/regions. From 2016 to 2024, a total of 109 articles, comprising 92 research papers and 17 review articles, were published on the application of growth mindset in medical education. The annual publication volume exhibited a significant upward trend overall. The United States emerged as the country with the highest number of publications, totaling 77 (70.6%), as well as the highest citation frequency, with 1191 citations (57.5%) in this domain. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Mayo Clinic ranked as the two institutions with the highest citation frequency, recording 423 and 417 citations, respectively. Professor Carol S.Dweck of Stanford University holds the title for the highest total citation frequency in this field, with 128 citations, while Anthony R.Artino from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has the highest citation frequency for individual publications, totaling 383 citations. High-frequency keywords primarily encompass " academic success ""academic performance ""resilience ""professional development", and "faculty develop-ment", all of which underscore the outcomes of medical education. Additionally, the terms "undergraduate medical education" and "graduate medical education" delineate the target groups within this field. Furthermore, "coaching""feedback", and "competency-based education" emphasize the pedagogical approaches employed in this educational context. Since 2016, the application of the growth mindset in medical education-related research has garnered significant disciplinary attention. Developed countries, particularly the United States, are at the forefront of this field. Currently, the research focus encompasses teaching methods, educational goals, and the educational psychology associated with the application of the growth mindset in medical education, as well as its role in enhancing the well-being and mental health of medical students. Practically, the experiences of the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago in implementing the growth mindset serve as a valuable reference for domestic medical institutions engaging in related research.
5.Er, Cr: YSGG laser ablation combined with photodynamic therapy in the treatment of gingival leukoplakia: two case reports and literature review
WANG Xiaoqing ; HAN Lin ; YU Xixi
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(12):1078-1084
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical feasibility and potential for malignant transformation prevention of hyperkeratotic oral leukoplakia (OLK) treatment using erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser (Er,Cr:YSGG) ablation combined with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), providing a reference for clinical practice.
Methods:
Two cases of histopathologically confirmed gingival leukoplakia were treated. Following Er,Cr:YSGG (wavelength: 2,780 nm) ablation of the hyperkeratotic layer, 20% ALA solution was topically applied for 3 hours, followed by irradiation with a 635 nm diode laser (energy density: 100 J/cm²). Follow-up assessments included lesion regression and exfoliative cytology DNA ploidy stability, supplemented by a systematic literature review on OLK treatment advancements.
Results:
Case 1: at 1-year follow-up, > 90% lesion regression was observed (residual: 2 mm circular white patch) without recurrence, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Case 2: complete lesion resolution and no recurrence at 1 year, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Literature review showed that pharmacological therapies ameliorate OLK symptoms but fail to halt malignant progression, while surgical interventions carry recurrence risks. PDT demonstrates unique advantages by selectively targeting dysplastic cells. However, uneven ALA penetration due to the keratin barrier limits efficacy. Compared to needling, diode laser, or CO₂ laser pretreatment, Er,Cr:YSGG leverages water absorption for precise, low-thermal keratin ablation, substantially enhancing tissue permeability and optimizing ALA diffusion, thereby improving PDT outcomes.
Conclusion
Er,Cr:YSGG ablation combined with PDT serves as an optimized regimen for hyperkeratotic OLK, offering a novel approach to mitigate OLK carcinogenesis.
6.Therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with refractory gout
Shuting HONG ; Jinyuan QIU ; Xiaoqing HUANG ; Jianyu LIN ; Yingjie CHEN ; Yongsong CHEN ; Yongru CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(9):50-54
Objective To explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on blood uric acid(UA)metabolism,adverse reactions,and gout control in patients with refractory gout.Methods A total of 102 patients with refractory gout in the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University from June 2020 to June 2023 were randomly divided into two groups,with 51 cases in each group.Control group received benzbromarone and febuxostat treatment,while the observation group re-ceived fecal microbiota transplantation.The gout control status and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed in both groups;intestinal flora,UA,levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-18(IL-18),interleukin-6(IL-6),and scores of joint pain,swelling and limited mobility were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results Five patients in each group were lost to follow-up.The total gout control rate in the observation group was 89.13%,which was significantly higher than 69.57% in the control group(P<0.05).At 4 and 12 weeks after treatment,the levels of Escherichia coli,UA,CRP,IL-18 and IL-6 as well as the scores of joint swelling,pain and limited mobility in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the lev-els of Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to Escherichia coli(B/E)ratio were signifi-cantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The total incidence of adverse reactions was 10.87% in the observation group and 6.52% in the control group,with no significant between-group difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Fecal microbiota transplantation has a definite therapeutic effect for patients with refractory gout,which can significantly reduce UA level and control clinical symptoms,and its mechanism may be related to the correction of intestinal flora imbalance.
7.Effects of Different Virulence Types of Helicobacter Pylori on Gastric Micro-environment
Xiaoqing ZHAO ; Jiaxin XIAO ; Yong LIN ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Wenhui WANG ; Wenjie ZHANG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(2):148-152
Objective To observe the effects of different virulence types of Helicobacter pylori on pepsin and inflammatory factors.Methods 110 patients admitted from December 2021 to March 2023 were collected and divided into HP positive group(n=79)and HP negative group(n=31)according to 13 carbon breath test results.The HP positive group was divided into type Ⅰ group(n=52),type Ⅱ group(n=11)and undetermined group(n=16)according to the Helicobacter pylori antibody typing.The HP negative group was selected and divided into blank control group(n=12).Gastric juice pH value,sodion(Na+),potassium(K+),chloridion(Cl-),IL-6,IL-8,gastrin 17(G-17),pepsinogen Ⅰ(PG Ⅰ)and pepsinogen Ⅱ(PG Ⅱ)were detected in all patients.Results Th-ere was no difference in pH,Na+,Cl-,K+ between Hp positive group and Hp negative group(P>0.05).The content of Cl-in HP-positive group was lower than that in HP-negative group(P<0.05).The levels of IL-6,IL-8,G-17,PG Ⅰ and PG Ⅱ in HP-positive group were significantly higher than those in HP-negative group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in pH,Na+ and K+ between type Ⅰ group and type Ⅱ group,undetermined group and blank control group(P>0.05).The content of Cl-in type Ⅰ group and undetermined group was lower than that in blank control group(P<0.05).The levels of IL-6,IL-8 and PG Ⅰ in type I group were higher than those in type Ⅱ group,undetermined group and blank control group(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in PG Ⅱ between the blank control group and the other groups(P<0.05).There was no difference in G-17 content between type Ⅰ group and undetermined group(P>0.05).The level of G-17 in type I group was higher than that in type Ⅱ group and blank control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Type I Hp infection may cause gastric mucosal injury by increasing the expression of IL-6,IL-8 and G-17,and then lead to abnormal digestive function.
8.Study on the feasibility of the application of organ dose modulation technique of CT scanning for the eye
Xiaoqing WANG ; Rong JIANG ; Siyuan LIN ; Ning WANG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):40-45
Objective:To study the feasibility and value of applying organ dose modulation technique in computed tomography(CT)scanning on eyes.Methods:A total of 330 patients who admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from August 2021 to August 2023 and underwent CT examination on eyes were selected.They were divided into modulation group,conventional group and low-dose group based on the control methods of tube current in scanning.The modulation group used organ dose modulation technique with intelligent automatic tube current of 70-150 mA,and the conventional dose group used a fixed tube current of 100 mA,and the low-dose group used a fixed tube current of 70 mA.The differences in radiation dose and CT imaging quality among 3 groups were compared.Results:The dose length product(DLP),volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and effective dose(ED)of cross-sectional scan of the modulation group were respectively 62.37,12.83 and 0.143 mSv,which were significantly lower than 115.23,18.93 and 0.265mSv of conventional dose group,respectively,with statistically significant(F=2544.944,6009.596,2544.944,P<0.05).The DLP,CTDIvol and ED of coronary scan of the modulation group were 68.19,13.15 and 0.156,respectively,which were significantly lower than 122.41,19.20 and 0.282 mSv of the conventional dose group,respectively,with statistically significant(F=1232.413,3813.940,1232.413,P<0.05).The excellent rates of cross-sectional scans among the modulation group,conventional group and lower-dose group were respectively 98.83%,86.15%and 47.69%,and the difference among three groups was statistically significant(x2=53.908,P<0.05).The excellent rates of image qualities of the modulation group,conventional group and low-dose group were respectively 96.61%,80.70%and 48.28%,and the difference among three groups was statistically significant(x2=20.992,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of organ dose modulation technique in CT scanning on eyes can significantly reduce radiation dose on patient under ensures imaging quality can meet diagnostic needs when undergoes cross-sectional and coronal scans,which has higher clinical feasibility and application value.
9.Blood concentration monitoring of tacrolimus in patients with nephrotic syndrome and establishment of MLP prediction model
Xiaolu YAN ; Hua OUYANG ; Longsheng ZHU ; Lingzhao ZHENG ; Xiaoqing LIN ; Xiaofeng LIN ; Hongyuan LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(5):584-589
OBJECTIVE To investigate the monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentration in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS),and to establish a prediction model for tacrolimus blood concentration. METHODS Data from 509 concentration monitoring sessions of 166 NS patients using tacrolimus were collected from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. The relationship of efficacy and adverse drug reaction(ADR) with blood concentration was analyzed. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) prediction model was established by using the blood concentration monitoring data of 302 times from 109 NS patients with genetic information, and then verified. RESULTS In terms of efficacy, the median blood concentration of tacrolimus in the non-remission group was 2.20 ng/mL, which was significantly lower than that in the partial remission group (4.00 ng/mL, P<0.001) and the complete remission group (3.60 ng/mL, P=0.002). In terms of ADR, the median blood concentration of tacrolimus in the ADR group was 5.01 ng/mL, which was significantly higher than that in the non-ADR group (3.37 ng/mL) (P=0.001). According to the subgroup analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve, when the blood concentration of tacrolimus was ≥6.65 ng/mL, patients were more likely to develop elevated blood creatinine [area under the curve (AUC) was 0.764, P<0.001); when the blood concentration of tacrolimus was ≥6.55 ng/mL, patients were more likely to develop blood glucose (AUC=0.615, P= 0.005). The established MLP prediction model has a loss function of 0.9, with an average absolute error of 0.279 5 ng/mL between the predicted and measured values. The determination coefficient of the validation scatter plot was 0.984, indicating an excellent predictive performance of the model. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus blood concentration has an impact on both efficacy and ADR in NS patients. The use of the MLP model for predicting blood concentration exhibits high accuracy with minimal error between predicted and measured values. The model can be used as an important tool in clinical individualized medication regimens.
10.Effects of Natural Moxibustion at "Feishu (BL 13)" on Th17/Treg Immune Balance and Inflammatory Response in Healthy Rats
Jia LIN ; Xiaomei SHAO ; Ruiyang FU ; Jinxia LI ; Xiaoqing GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(16):1703-1708
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of natural moxibustion at "Feishu (BL 13)" on immune balance of T helper cell 17 (Th17) / regulatory T cell (Treg) in healthy rats. MethodsForty-eight rats were randomly divided into 10 rats in the sham moxibustion group and 38 rats in natural moxibustion group. The rats in the sham moxibustion group applied blank acupoint stickers to bilateral "Feishu (BL 13)", and the rats in natural moxibustion group applied acupoint stickers filled with Compound Banmao Ointment (复方斑蝥膏) to bilateral "Feishu (BL 13)" for a period of 8 h. Thirty rats in natural moxibustion group were successfully blistered after 8 h, and then were randomly divided into 1-day, 3-day and 7-day groups with 10 rats in each group. The general condition of rats was recorded during the experiment; different time groups of natural moxibustion were sampled at the corresponding time, and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the skin in the area of application; flow cytometry was used to detect the subpopulations of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood, and the value of Th17/Treg was calculated; and ELISA was used to detect the serum interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels. ResultsCompared with sham moxibustion group, blisters can be seen in the application area of rats in 1-day natural moxibustion group, and the rats often scratched the skin of the moxibustion area, which showed loose stratum corneum, thickening of the stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum, absence of cells in the basal layer, inflammatory cell infiltration, and elevation of Treg in peripheral blood, and serum IL-17A, IL-6; in 3-day natural moxibustion group, the moxibustion area of the rats was scabbed and partially detached, with the most obvious dermatopathological changes, and elevated peripheral blood Th17 and Treg, and serum IL-17A, IL-6, IL-10; in 7-day natural moxibustion group, skin damage and pathological changes in the area of moxibustion were basically restored; Th17/Treg values were reduced in 1-, 3- and 7-day moxibustion groups after blistering (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the 1-day moxibustion group, peripheral blood Th17, Treg, and serum IL-17A elevated in the 3-day moxibustion group; peripheral blood Treg, serum IL-17A, and IL-6 decreased, and Th17/Treg values elevated in the 7-day moxibustion group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the 3-day moxibustion group, the 7-day moxibustion group had lower peripheral blood Th17 and Treg, serum IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-10, and higher Th17/Treg values (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionNatural moxibustion at "Feishu (BL 13)" can shift the Th17/Treg balance towards Treg of healthy rats, which will gradually lead to immune homeostasis, and regulate the relevant inflammatory factors in the serum to prevent inflammation from occurring and developing.


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