1.Effect and Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Prescription on Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting Macrophage Polarization Through Wnt3a/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Yanxia LIANG ; Xuelian YU ; Wenwen WANG ; Guangsen LI ; Hongfei XING ; Maorong FAN ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):112-123
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether Bushen Tongluo prescription inhibits macrophage polarization by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, in order to elucidate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo prescription and provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, model group, pirfenidone group, and high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups. Except for the blank group, the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Intervention was initiated on day 28 after modeling. The high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups were administered Bushen Tongluo prescription at doses of 30.88, 15.44 g·kg-1, respectively, by intragastric gavage. The pirfenidone group was administered pirfenidone capsules at 110 mg·kg-1 by intragastric gavage. The blank and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage, once daily for 90 days. After treatment, the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in lung tissue and the collagen volume fraction were compared. The protein distribution and expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 19, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ) in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein distribution and expression of CD68, arginase-1 (Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue in the model group, with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The level of TGF-β1 in BALF was significantly increased. The protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue was decreased, whereas the protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Wnt3a, β-catenin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ was increased. The fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue were increased. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the airway walls, alveolar spaces, and interstitial tissue, decreased TGF-β1 levels in BALF, increased protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue, decreased protein expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, Col Ⅰ, and Col Ⅲ, decreased fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68, Arg-1, iNOS, Wnt3a, and β-catenin in lung tissue, and decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo prescription can improve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and the macrophage polarization mediated by this pathway.
2.Mechanistic Interpretation of Zheng’s San Qi San Powder in Treating Skeletal Muscle Injury via Bioinformatics Prediction, Chemical Analysis and Experimental Verification
Ding-Rui WANG ; Yun-Xin LIU ; Jun-Jie XU ; Liu YANG ; Jia-Hao LÜ ; Cheng-Yuan XING ; Lei LÜ ; Bei-Bei QIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1028-1047
ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.
3.Treatment of pathological myopic foveoschisis by pars plana vitrectomy with fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling and silicone oil tamponade
Jun ZHOU ; Yingqi LI ; Jing XU ; Zhumin YANG ; Xing HUANG ; Xian WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1358-1362
AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)combined with fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling and silicone oil(SO)tamponade for treating pathological myopic foveoschisis(PMF).METHODS:This study is a retrospective observational analysis of 10 cases(10 eyes)diagnosed with PMF that underwent PPV with fovea-sparing ILM peeling and SO tamponade between January 2023 and November 2024. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central foveal thickness(CFT), foveoschisis(FS), and the detachment and reattachment of FS and macular fovea were assessed preoperatively and at 1 wk, 1 and 3 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:Among the 10 cases of PMF patients(10 eyes), the complete reattachment rate was 30%(3 eyes), while partial reattachment was observed in 70%(7 eyes). At 3 mo postoperatively, BCVA(LogMAR)was significantly improved to 0.957±0.393 compared with 1.432±0.509 before surgery(P<0.05), and both CFT(437.9±180.4 vs. 207.5±76.1 μm)and FS(686.5±172.2 vs. 290.7±86.6 μm)showed significant decreases(P<0.05). No complications such as macular hole, retinal detachment, silicone oil emulsification, or endophthalmitis were observed during the surgery or throughout the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:PPV with SO tamponade and fovea-sparing ILM peeling has been demonstrated to facilitate both visual acuity improvement and anatomical reattachment in cases of PMF.
4.Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Animal Experiments
Qingyong ZHENG ; Donghua YANG ; Zhichao MA ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Yang LU ; Jingyu WANG ; Lina XING ; Yingying KANG ; Li DU ; Chunxiang ZHAO ; Baoshan DI ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):496-507
Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.
5.18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI for diagnosing seminal vesicle invasion of prostatic cancer
Yingying LUO ; Yihong YANG ; Zhiwen YOU ; Xing CHEN ; Zirong ZHOU ; Zengbei YUAN ; Haifeng WANG ; Jun ZHAO ; Haiyan WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):310-315
Objective To observe the value of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)-1007 PET/MRI for diagnosing seminal vesicle invasion(SVI)of prostatic cancer(PCa).Methods Totally 92 male patients with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive group(n=26)and negative group(n=66)based on postoperative pathology showed SVI or not.PET/MRI parameters,including maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax),minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmin),mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmean),SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA tumor volume(PSMA-TV)and total lesion PSMA(TL-PSMA)were compared between groups.The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the efficacy of each parameter for diagnosing SVI was analyzed.Results Among 92 cases of PCa,18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI showed 30 cases with SVI and 62 cases without SVI,with accuracy of 73.91%,sensitivity of 61.54%,specificity of 78.79%,positive predictive value of 53.33%and negative predictive value of 83.87%.Significant differences of ADCmin,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA were found between groups(all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of SUVmax,ADCmin,ADCmean,SUVmax/ADCmin,SUVmax/ADCmean,PSMA-TV and TL-PSMA for diagnosing SVI of PCa was 0.554,0.341,0.396,0.603,0.581,0.755 and 0.705,respectively.The AUC of PSMA-TV was higher than other parameters except for TL-PSMA,with sensitivity of 84.60%and specificity of 56.10%.Conclusion 18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI was helpful for diagnosing SVI of PCa.
6.Chemical constituents from salt-processed Litchi Semen and their antioxidant activities
Rui YIN ; Xing YANG ; Wei-mao DONG ; Xu-li DENG ; Yi-mou WANG ; Hong-chuan ZHANG ; Kui-lin ZHU ; Zhang-xian CHEN ; Hong-ping HE ; Fa-wu DONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):480-486
AIM To study the chemical constituents from salt-processed Litchi Semen and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The 85%ethanol extract from salt-processed Litchi Semen was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,MCI,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.DPPH and ABTS+free radical scavenging method were used to evaluate their antioxidant activities.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as dehydrocostuslactone(1),ananosmoside A(2),funingensin A(3),(2S)-pinocembrin-7-O-(6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside)(4),liquiritienin(5),quercetin(6),rutin(7),isorhamnetin-3-O-β-rutinoside(8),procyanidin A2(9),procyanidin A1(10),ethyl protocatechuate(11),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(12),di(2-ethyl-hexyl)phthalate(13),nicotinamide(14),(10E,15Z)-9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadeca-10,15-dienoic acid(15).Compounds 6-7,9-10 exhibited scavenging activities against DPPH radicals with IC50 values of(12.929±1.232),(14.104±0.946),(10.417±1.736),(6.944±0.030)μmol/L,respectively.Compounds 6-10 exhibited scavenging activities against ABTS+radicals with IC50 values of(21.952±0.577),(25.683±0.625),(22.970±1.336),(20.210±1.435),(18.725±0.324)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1,5,14-15 are isolated from Litchi genus for the first time.Compounds 6-7,9-10 have strong in vitro antioxidant activities.
7.The STAT3 signaling pathway in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus is involved in the body weight regulation of mice
Yang HE ; Haodong LIU ; Penghui LI ; Xing WANG ; Chenguang DU
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):327-334
Objective:To investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of signal transducer and activator of tran-scription 3(STAT3)in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN)of the hypothalamus in regulating body weight and energy metabolism in mice.Methods:AAV2/9-hSyn-Cre-EGFP virus was stereotactically injected into the PVN of STAT3Flox/Flox mice to conditionally knock out(CKO)STAT3 in the PVN.STAT3 expression was verified via immunoflu-orescence staining and Western blot.Body weight and temperature were monitored,glucose tolerance was assessed using glucose tolerance tests in mice,and morphological changes in the liver,interscapular brown adipose tissue(IBAT),in-guinal white adipose tissue(IWAT),and quadriceps muscle were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.RT-qPCR was used to measure mRNA levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α(PDGFRα),peroxisome prolifera-tor-activated receptor γ(PPARγ),hormone-sensitive lipase(HSL),and adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL)in these tissues.Results:STAT3 protein expression in the PVN of CKO mice was significantly reduced,and the number of STAT3-positive neurons was also decreased.Compared to wild-type(WT)mice,CKO mice exhibited increased body weight,impaired thermogenesis in IBAT,and reduced glucose tolerance.HE staining revealed lipid droplet accumula-tion in hepatocytes of the liver,enlarged adipocytes with hypertrophic lipid droplets and leukocyte infiltration in adipose tissues,and intermuscular fat deposition in the quadriceps muscle.RT-qPCR analysis showed decreased mRNA levels of PDGFRα,HSL,and ATGL in the liver;upregulated PPARγ mRNA but downregulated HSL and ATGL mRNA in IBAT and IWAT;and reduced PPARγ and HSL mRNA levels in the quadriceps muscle of CKO mice.Conclusion:The STAT3 signaling pathway in the PVN is critical for maintaining systemic energy balance and serves as a key node in met-abolic regulation.
8.Self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy in children with periventricular white matter injury
Tingting HUANG ; Zhuochen WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Kaihua YANG ; Hanyu ZHANG ; Man LI ; Wei XING ; Gang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):723-728
Objective To observe the efficacy of self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy(CP)in children with periventricular white matter injury(PVWMI).Methods Totally 383 children with PVWMI were retrospectively enrolled and divided into CP group(n=243)and non-CP group(n=140),while 214 children without obvious brain abnormality on brain MRI were taken as control group.ROI of 4 key anatomical structures related to CP,i.e.centrum semiovale,posterior limb of internal capsule,cerebral peduncle and thalamus were delineated on T1WI,while responsible lesions related to CP within the key anatomical structures were labeled on T2WI,and the images were then registrated and used as input of the networks.ResNet34 network was adopted combined with attention and self-guided networks to train the network for detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI,and their efficacies were evaluated.The optimal network was screened,and its efficacy for segmenting the key anatomical structures was evaluated.Results Self-guided attention network was the optimal network,its area under the curve(AUC)for detecting lesions was 0.794-0.914,and the Dice similarity coefficient for segmenting the key anatomical structures was 0.702-0.764.Conclusion Self-guided attention network could be used for preliminarily detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI.
9.Risk factors associated with colorectal adenomatous polyps
Yujia TIAN ; Xianzhao YANG ; Rong XING ; Fenglei WANG ; Fuwen ZHANG ; Shuying RU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(3):411-416
Objective:To investigate the risk factors of colorectal adenomatous polyps.Methods:The clinical data of 395 patients who underwent colonoscopy in the Tongzhou branch, Tongzhou District, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August 2017 to August 2021 were analyzed. According to the examination results, adenomatous polyps were divided into adenomatous polyps group (193 cases) and non-polyp group (202 cases). The risk factors of colorectal adenomatous polyps were screened by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:The results of single factor analysis suggested that: body mass index (BMI), sex, age, proportion of blood type A, history of large intestine polyps, history of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, history of alcohol consumption, history of smoking, proportion of heavy oil diet, history of oral calcium, history of oral statins, history of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, history of oral antibiotics, and high fat diet (pork, beef, and animal organs), high salt diet, love of pickled food, love of sweet food, love of greasy, good mood, anxiety, depression, impatience and irritability, history of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were statistically significant in the adenomatous polyp group and the non-polyp group (all P<0.05). Factors with P<0.05 in the above single factor analysis were taken as independent variables, and the incidence of disease was taken as dependent variable for multi-factor logistic regression analysis. The results showed that BMI, age, blood type A, Hp infection history, drinking history, smoking history, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs history, oral antibiotics history, high salt diet, good mood, hypertension were the influencing factors for the incidence of adenomatous polyps (all P<0.05). Conclusions:High BMI, old age, blood type A, history of Hp infection, smoking history, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug history, oral antibiotics history, high salt diet and hypertension are risk factors for the development of adenomatous polyps. Drinking alcohol and good mood can reduce the risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps. Therefore, targeted intervention measures can be formulated for high-risk patients to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps.
10.Research Progress of New State of Pharmaceutical Substance of the Proton Pump Inhibitors
Kun HU ; Wenwen WANG ; Cheng XING ; Zhaolin GAO ; Li ZHANG ; Yang LYU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(6):874-881
Currently,the first-generation of proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)commonly utilized in clinical practice for the treatment of peptic ulcer include omeprazole,lansoprazole,and pantoprazole,and the second generation include rabeprazole and esomeprazole.The predominant mode of PPI administration is oral,which poses numerous challenges in clinical settings owing to their poor solubility,susceptibility to gastric acid degradation,short half-life,and limited stability.This article presents a comprehensive review of studies exploring the novel states of these five PPIs,include polymorphism,co-crystal drugs,and nanodrugs.Furthermore,it summarizes the advancements in research aimed at modifying the physicochemical properties of these drugs through innovative solid states,thereby enhancing their bioavailability and stability.This work offers a new perspective for researchers endeavoring to develop new states of pharmaceutical substances that incorporate PPIs.

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