1.Yishen Huashi Granules Protect Kidneys of db/db Mice via p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Kaidong ZHOU ; Sitong WANG ; Ge JIN ; Yanmo CAI ; Xin ZHOU ; Yunhua LIU ; Xinxue ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):58-68
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yishen Huashi granules in alleviating renal tubular epithelial cell injury and relieving diabetic kidney disease by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodsThe db/db mice of 12 weeks old were randomly assigned into model , dapagliflozin (1.6 mg·kg-1), and Yishen Huashi granules (4.7 g·kg-1), and db/m mice were used as the control group. The general conditions of mice were observed, and fasting blood glucose and 24-h urinary protein and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured at weeks 0 and 12 of administration. After 12 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea (UREA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Mallory staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) in the renal tissue of mice. The immunohistochemical assay was employed to examine the expression of p38, phospho-p38 (p-p38), MCP-1, and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice. Western blotting was employed to measure the protein levels of p-p38, p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice.HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were grouped as follows: negative control, high glucose(30 mmol·L-1), Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum, and SB203580. After 48 h of cell culture in each group, RNA were extracted and the levels of MCP-1, and CCR2 mRNA were determined by Real-time PCR,proteins were extracted and the levels of p38, p-p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 were determined by Western blot. ResultsThe in vivo experiments showed that before treatment, other groups had higher body weight, blood glucose level, 24 h urinary protein, and ACR than the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01). After 12 weeks of treatment, compared with the model group, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed improved general conditions, a decreasing trend in body weight, lowered levels of blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, and ACR (P<0.01), reduced SCr and UREA (P<0.01), and declined levels of TC, TG, and LDL (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed alleviated damage and interstitial fibrosis in the renal tissue as well as reductions in glomerular foot process fusion and basement membrane thickening. Moreover, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 (P<0.01), reduced positive expression of p-p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 (P<0.05) in the renal tissue. The cell experiment showed that compared with the high glucose group, the Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum group showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 (P<0.01) and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38, MCP-1, and CCR2(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionYishen Huashi granules can regulate glucose-lipid metabolism, reduce 24 h urinary protein and ACR, improve the renal function, alleviate the renal tubule injury caused by high glucose, and protect renal tubule epithelial cells in db/db mice by reducing MCP-1/CCR2 activation via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
2.Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ermiao Situ Decoction in Modulating JAK/STAT Pathway in Rats with Damp-heat Eczema
Kangning HAN ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):37-47
ObjectiveUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of Ermiao Situ decoction on rats with damp-heat eczema. MethodsA rat model of damp-heat eczema was established by artificial climate chamber intervention combined with sensitization induction by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and it was randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the medium- and high-dose groups of Ermiao Situ decoction (3.40 g·kg-1 and 6.80 g·kg-1), and the prednisone acetate group (2.51 mg·kg-1), with eight rats in each group, totalling 46 rats, of which six rats were tested with the drug-containing serum. The chemical analysis of drug-containing serum from rats was carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with network pharmacology for the prediction of key components, core targets, and signaling pathways, and molecular docking experiments were performed by CB-Dock2 online website. The pharmacological effects of Ermiao Situ decoction in the treatment of damp-heat eczema were investigated by epitaxial indexes combined with the pathologic tissue staining method. The serum levels of gastrin (GAS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), phosphorylated (p)-JAK1, signal transduction and activation of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), and p-STAT3 protein expression level was determined by Western bolt. ResultsA total of 19 active ingredients were detected in drug-containing serum samples of rats, which were predicted to act on 198 targets for the treatment of damp-heat eczema, among which the key ingredients included rhodopsin, huangpai alkaloids, and quercetin, and the main core targets included STAT3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, which were mainly involved in the cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase (Akt) signaling pathway, T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation signaling pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The molecular docking results suggested that the key components had strong binding activities with the core targets IL-6, JAK1, and STAT3 in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group were depressed. They had loose hair, loose stools, epidermal oozing, vesiculation, and generation of thick scabs in the form of scales, decreased body weight, increased anus temperature and water intake, and increased indexes of the spleen, thymus gland, and stomach (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the lesion tissue could be seen to be hyperkeratotic, with the aggregation of inflammatory cells and nonsignificant separation of epidermis and dermis. The gastric mucosa was thinned, deficient, and structurally disorganized, and obvious inflammatory cell aggregation was seen. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the lesion tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in each administration group had stable mental states, formed feces, a clean perianal area, and basically normal epidermis. Only a small amount of scaly scabs existed, and the rats had body weight increased, with decreased anal temperature and water intake, as well as decreased spleen, thymus, and gastric indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Epidermal thickness was decreased, and epidermal and dermal separation boundaries were obvious, but hyperkeratotic and accumulation of inflammatory cells could still be seen. The thickness of gastric mucosa increased, and the structure was restored to varying degrees. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 content in the serum of rats were increased to varying degrees, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the dermal lesion tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionErmiao Situ decoction may exert therapeutic effects on rats with damp-heat eczema by modulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
3.Exploration of the antidepressant machanism of Shugan hewei tang based on metabolomics of PFC-NAc-VTA neural circuit
Xinyue QU ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1172-1178
OBJECTIVE To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shugan hewei tang (SGHWT) based on the metabolomics of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-nucleus accumbens (NAc)-ventral tegmental area (VTA) neural circuit. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, SGHWT low-, medium- and high-dose groups [3.67, 7.34, 14.68 g/(kg·d), by raw material], and fluoxetine group [1.58 mg/(kg·d), positive control], with 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with individual cage housing in the remaining groups, and the corresponding drug solution or normal saline was administered via gavage during modeling, once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. After the last administration, the body weight, sucrose preference rate, total moving distance, frequency into the center and immobility time of rats in each group were detected. Samples of PFC, NAc and VTA areas of rats in the blank group, model group, SGHWT medium-dose group and fluoxetine positive control groups were collected,and their histomorphological features were observed, and non-targeted metabolomics analysis (except for fluoxetine group)were performed and validated. RESULTS Compared with model group, the cytolysis, structural damage and other pathological damages in three brain regions of rats were significantly alleviated in each drug group, while their body weight, sucrose preference rate, total moving distance and frequency into the center were all significantly higher or longer (P<0.05), and immobility time was significantly shorter (P<0.05). The results of non-targeted metabolomics showed that a total of 78 endogenous differential metabolites were identified, with 40, 35 and 24 in the PFC, NAc and VTA regions respectively, mainly involved in amino acid, lipid and sphingolipid metabolism. The results of metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that SGHWT affected the neural circuits of depressed rats by regulating sphingolipid metabolism, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism, saturated fatty acid biosynthesis, among which alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism was predominantly involved. Validation experiments showed that SGHWT significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and decreased the protein expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 1 (NMDAR1) in the NAc region of rats. CONCLUSIONS SGHWT significantly improves the depression-like behavior and attenuates pathological damage of PFC-NAc-VTA neural circuit of model rats, the mechanism of which is associated with inhibiting NMDAR1 expression and activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
4.Circulating immunological transcriptomic profile identifies DDX3Y and USP9Y on the Y chromosome as promising biomarkers for predicting response to programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 blockade.
Liting YOU ; Zhaodan XIN ; Feifei NA ; Min CHEN ; Yang WEN ; Jin LI ; Jiajia SONG ; Ling BAI ; Jianzhao ZHAI ; Xiaohan ZHOU ; Binwu YING ; Juan ZHOU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):364-366
5.Early follow-up study on three-dimensional-printed customized porous acetabular components for reconstructing extensive acetabular bone defects in primary total hip arthroplasty.
Shangkun TANG ; Zhuangzhuang LI ; Xin HU ; Linyun TAN ; Hao WANG ; Yitian WANG ; Minxun LU ; Fan TANG ; Yi LUO ; Yong ZHOU ; Chongqi TU ; Li MIN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(12):1543-1550
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the feasibility and short-term effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D)-printed customized porous acetabular components for reconstruction of extensive acetabular bone defects during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 8 patients with extensive acetabular bone defects, who were treated with 3D-printed individualized porous acetabular components between July 2018 and January 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort comprised 4 males and 4 females with an average age of 48 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. Acetabular bone defects were classified as Paprosky type ⅢA in 3 cases and type ⅢB in 5 cases. The causes of acetabular destruction were hip tuberculosis (5 cases), pigmented villonodular synovitis (2 cases), and syphilitic arthritis (1 case). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris hip score (HHS) were used to evaluate the pain relief and hip function before and after operation. Reconstruction outcomes were further assessed by imaging results [X-ray film and Tomosynthesis Shimadzumetal artefact reduction technology (T-SMART)], and the mechanical properties were evaluated by finite element analysis.
RESULTS:
The operation time ranged from 174 to 195 minutes (mean, 187 minutes), and intraoperative blood loss ranged from 390 to 530 mL (mean, 465 mL). All 8 patients were follow-up 26-74 months (mean, 44 months). Among the 5 patients with tuberculosis, none experienced postoperative recurrence. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.3±0.5 and the HHS score was 87.9±3.7, both significantly improved compared to preoperative values ( t=25.170, P<0.001; t=-28.322, P<0.001). X-ray films at 2 years after operation demonstrated satisfactory matching between the 3D-printed customized acetabular component and the acetabulum. The postoperative center of rotation of the operated hip was shifted by (2.1±0.5) mm horizontally and (2.0±0.7) mm vertically relative to the contralateral side, with both offsets showing significant differences compared to preoperative values ( t=24.700, P<0.001; t=55.230, P<0.001). T-SMART imaging showed satisfactory osseointegration at the implant-host bone interface. No complications such as aseptic loosening or screw breakage was observed during follow-up. Finite element analysis showed that the acetabular component had good mechanical properties.
CONCLUSION
The application of 3D-printed individualized porous acetabular components in the reconstruction of extensive acetabular bone defects demonstrated precise anatomical reconstruction, stable mechanical support, and good functional performance in short-term follow-up, offering a potential alternative for acetabular defect reconstruction in primary THA.
Humans
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/instrumentation*
;
Acetabulum/diagnostic imaging*
;
Adult
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Hip Prosthesis
;
Prosthesis Design
;
Porosity
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
6.Family socioeconomic status and children's reading fluency: the chain mediating role of family reading environment and children's living and learning styles.
Wen-Xin HU ; Lei ZHANG ; Cai WANG ; Zi-Yue WANG ; Jia-Min XU ; Jing-Yu WANG ; Jia ZHOU ; Wen-Min WANG ; Meng-Meng YAO ; Xia CHI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(4):451-457
OBJECTIVES:
To study the impact of family socioeconomic status on children's reading fluency and the chain mediation effect of family reading environment and children's living and learning styles in this relationship.
METHODS:
A total of 473 children from grades 2 to 6 in two primary schools in Nanjing were selected through stratified random sampling. The children's reading fluency was assessed, and a questionnaire was used to collect information on family socioeconomic status, family reading environment, and children's living and learning styles. The mediation model was established using the Process macro in SPSS, and the Bootstrap method was employed to test the significance of the mediation effects.
RESULTS:
Family socioeconomic status, family reading environment, and children's living and learning styles were significantly positively correlated with reading fluency (P<0.001). The family reading environment and children's living and learning styles mediated the relationship between family socioeconomic status and children's reading fluency. Specifically, the independent mediation effect of family reading environment accounted for 11.02% of the total effect, while the independent mediation effect of children's living and learning styles accounted for 10.79%. The chain mediation effect of family reading environment and children's living and learning styles accounted for 7.41% of the total effect.
CONCLUSIONS
Family socioeconomic status can affect children's reading fluency through three pathways: family reading environment, children's living and learning styles, and the chain mediation effect of family reading environment and children's living and learning styles.
Humans
;
Child
;
Male
;
Female
;
Reading
;
Learning
;
Social Class
;
Family
7.Efficacy and Safety of DCAG Regimen in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Hui-Sheng ZHOU ; Yu-Qing LI ; Yu-Xin WANG ; Ya-Lei HU ; Kai-Li MIN ; Chun-Ji GAO ; Dai-Hong LIU ; Xiao-Ning GAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(1):9-19
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCAG (decitabine, cytarabine, anthracyclines, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) regimen in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 64 R/R AML patients received treatment at Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary endpoints included efficacy measured by overall response rate (ORR) and safety. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and duration of response (DOR). The patients were followed from enrollment until death, or the end of last follow-up (June 1st, 2023), whichever occurred first.
RESULTS:
Sixty-four patients who failed prior therapy were enrolled and completed 1 cycle, and 26 and 5 patients completed 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. Objective response rate was 67.2% [39: complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), 4: partial remission (PR)]. With a median follow-up of 62.0 months (1.0-120.9), the median overall survival (OS) was 23.3 and event-free survival was 10.6 months. The median OS was 51.7 months (3.4-100.0) in responders (CR/CRi/PR) while it was 8.4 months (6.1-10.7) in nonresponders ( P <0.001). Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities were observed in all patients. Four patients died from rapid disease progression within 8 weeks after chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
The DCAG regimen represents a feasible and effective treatment for R/R AML.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Cytarabine/administration & dosage*
;
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/administration & dosage*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Decitabine
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Anthracyclines/administration & dosage*
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Middle Aged
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Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Aged
;
Recurrence
8.Effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a varicocele model of rats.
Biao WANG ; Yang YANG ; Ze-Rui QIU ; En-Min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Xin HUANG ; Qun-Fang LIN ; Qing ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(2):150-156
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele (VC) models of rats, and to explore its possible mechanism.
METHODS:
Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (sham group, model group, Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group). After the establishment of models, the rats were treated with intragastric administration for eight consecutive weeks. The general condition of the rats was observed. After the gavage, the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated. Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer. Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining. And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartate protease-3 (caspase-3) in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the sham group, testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, the percentage of progressive motility of sperm (PR%) and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P<0.01). An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, PR% and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were detected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P<0.01). Similarly, the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration, PR% and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05, P<0.01), where showed decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue, which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.
Male
;
Animals
;
Varicocele/drug therapy*
;
Rats
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Semen Analysis
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Spermatozoa/drug effects*
;
Testis/drug effects*
9.Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment: Integrating Immunotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicines to Enhance Immune Response.
Yu-Xin XU ; Lin CHEN ; Wen-da CHEN ; Jia-Xue FAN ; Ying-Ying REN ; Meng-Jiao ZHANG ; Yi-Min CHEN ; Pu WU ; Tian XIE ; Jian-Liang ZHOU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):856-864
10.Expert consensus on early orthodontic treatment of class III malocclusion.
Xin ZHOU ; Si CHEN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Weiran LI ; Jun WANG ; Min HU ; Yang CAO ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jiejun SHI ; Jie GUO ; Zhihua LI ; Wensheng MA ; Yi LIU ; Huang LI ; Yanqin LU ; Liling REN ; Rui ZOU ; Linyu XU ; Jiangtian HU ; Xiuping WU ; Shuxia CUI ; Lulu XU ; Xudong WANG ; Songsong ZHU ; Li HU ; Qingming TANG ; Jinlin SONG ; Bing FANG ; Lili CHEN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):20-20
The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans
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Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification*
;
Orthodontics, Corrective/methods*
;
Consensus
;
Child

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