1.Discussion on Scientific Connotation of Vital Qi Strengthening for Detoxification Therapy in Treatment of Community-acquired Pneumonia Based on Theory of "Vital Qi Deficiency and Toxic Stasis"
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Haotian XU ; Xin PENG ; Ziming DANG ; Kun YANG ; Qianqian WANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):226-234
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to an infectious inflammation of the lung parenchyma (including the alveolar wall,that is,the broad pulmonary interstitium) acquired outside the hospital. Its common pathogens include streptococcus pneumoniae,respiratory viruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and so on. The related factors for the occurrence and development of CAP include patient characteristics (immune function,mucus production and clearance function,coagulation function,physical condition, and comorbidity) and pathogen characteristics (susceptibility,virulence,and antibiotic resistance). The pathogenesis of CAP lies in immune deficiency,pathogen invasion,inflammatory response disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder, coagulation disorder, and so on. The pathogenesis of CAP in traditional Chinese medicine can be described as "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis". Vital Qi deficiency (lack of immunity) is the potential pathogenesis of the disease and easy to be invaded by external pathogens (respiratory pathogens). Toxic stasis (inflammatory disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder,and coagulation dysfunction) is the key pathogenic factor. Vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis are intermingled in a state of deficiency and excess,which suggests that the treatment of CAP lies in strengthening vital Qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. This involves strengthening vital Qi in the whole process to consolidate body resistance and nourish promordial Qi. It also involves clearing heat,eliminating phlegm,removing dampness,and dispelling stasis to dispel pathogenic toxins based on the syndrome differentiation. Its action mechanism is to regulate immune and inflammatory responses,resist pathogens,and improve mucus production and clearance, as well as coagulation disorders. Starting from the key pathogenesis of CAP,"vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis", this paper discussed the pathogenesis of CAP and summarized the action mechanism of vital Qi strengthening for detoxification in its treatment. It is intended to complement the theoretical system by identifying "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis" as the key pathogenesis underlying CAP and the scientific connotation of treating CAP with vital Qi strengthening for detoxification,thereby providing insights for its clinical application.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
4.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
5.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
6.The effectiveness analysis of potassium-competitive acid blocker-based regiments inre-eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection: a real-world research
Yifan XU ; Fujuan LUAN ; Yanjun CHEN ; Danrong SHENG ; Yaqian LU ; Huang FENG
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2025;45(4):229-234
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of eradication therapy based on potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) for Helicobacter pylori( HP) infection in re-eradication therapy (the second-line therapy treatment after initial eradication failure of HP infection) and determine whether it can achieve the ideal eradication rate (90%). Methods:From January 2022 to December 2023, the clinical data of patients who received vonoprazan-based HP re-eradication therapy were collected in Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to their different HP treatment regimens, including VAMB group (vonoprazan 20 mg, quaque die( qd)+ amoxicillin 1 g, bis in die( bid)+ minocycline 100 mg, bid+ potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 156 cases), VA group (vonoprazan 20 mg, bid+ amoxicillin 1 g, ter in die( tid); 44 cases), VMFB group (vonoprazan 20 mg qd+ minocycline 100 mg, bid+ furazolidone 100 mg, bid+ potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 42 cases), and VAFB group (vonoprazan 20 mg, qd+ amoxicillin 1 g, bid+ furazolidone 100 mg, bid + potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 13 cases). All the 4 groups of patients took the medication for 14 days. The 13C or 14C urea breath test would be conducted 4 weeks after the treatment. The overall eradication rate to evaluate the treatment efficacy. The eradication rate and adverse reaction rate were calculated for each group, and the eradication rates and adverse reaction rates between groups were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:The total eradication rate of HP infection based on P-CAB therapy was 91.8% (234/255), and the total adverse reaction rate was 5.1% (13/255). The eradication rate and adverse reaction rate were 92.9% (145/156) and 3.2% (5/156) in the VAMB group, 84.1% (37/44) and 0 in the VA group 95.2% (40/42) and 11.9% (5/42) in the VMFB group, 12/13 and 3/13 in the VAFB group, respectively. Additionally, there was no statistical difference in the eradication rate among the 4 groups (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.227), but there was a statistical difference in the adverse reaction rates (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.002), and the adverse reaction rate of the VAFB group was higher than that of VAMB and VA groups and the differences were statistically significant (both Fisher′s excact test, P=0.016 and 0.010). Conclusions:The total HP re-eradication rate based on P-CAB therapies can reach 91.8%, achieving the ideal eradication rate of HP infection. The VA therapeutic regimen has the lowest incidence of adverse reactions, representing a novel therapeutic option for HP re-eradication.
7.Effect of caprylic acid on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes of calves
Tianjiao YANG ; Yaqi CHANG ; Yunfei LUAN ; Jihang LI ; Zexin ZHANG ; Chuang XU ; Bingbing ZHANG ; Wei YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(7):1485-1492
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of medium-chain fatty acids(MC-FAs)caprylic acid(C8∶0)on lipid metabolism of calf hepatocytes.Primary calf hepatocytes were extracted and cultured,and 1.2 mmol/L nonesterified fatty acids(NEFAs)were added to the hep-atocytes to construct a model of hepatic lipid deposition in primary calf hepatocytes,Five process-ing groups have been set up:Control group(Ctrl),NEFA added group(NEFA),C8∶0 1.2 mmol/L treatment group(C8∶0 1.2),NEFA+C8∶0 0.2 mmol/L treatment group(NEFA+C8∶00.2),C8∶0 0.2 mmol/L treatment group(C8∶0 0.2).Stimulate calf liver cells for 12 hours,and the levels of triglyceride(TG),lipid oxidation(MDA),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)and total SOD activity were detected by biochemical kit,and FAS,a protein related to lipid synthesis,was detec-ted by Western blot.The results showed that compared with the control group,the concentrations of TG,MDA and H2O2 in NEFA group increased significantly(P<0.01),and the activity of SOD decreased significantly(P<0.05).The protein expression levels of FAS,ACC1,DGAT2 and SREBP-1C were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01),while the expression level of CPT1A was significantly down-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with the NEFA group,the protein expression levels of SREBP-1C and DGAT2 in the NEFA+C8∶0(concentration 0.2 mmol/L)group de-creased significantly(P<0.05),and the protein expression level of fatty acid β-oxidation related molecule CPT1A was slightly higher than that in the NEFA group,but there was no statistical sig-nificance(P>0.05),and the MDA level in hepatocytes decreased significantly(P<0.05).In a word,the results of this study show that C8∶0 has antioxidant effect,which can effectively reduce the liver injury caused by oxidative stress,regulate the expression of liver fat gene,and then pro-tect liver injury.
8.Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Three Access Bronchoscopy in the Treatment of Central Airway Stenosis
Tong-tong HUANG ; Ying XIN ; Shangyang LUAN ; Tao XU ; Kuixu LAN
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(10):80-83
Objective:To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventional bronchoscopy with rigid bronchoscopy(scleroscope),laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal intubation access for the treatment of central airway stenosis.Methods:The data of patients with central airway stenosis who underwent interventional bronchoscopy under general anesthesia were collected,and divided into rigid bronchoscopy group,laryngeal mask group and tracheal intubation group.The average Cost-Effectiveness Ratio(CER)was calculated using total hospitalization cost and total surgery cost as the cost indices,and improvement of shortness of breath symptoms as the effect index.The stability of the evaluation result was analyzed by one-factor sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.Results:A total of 205 patients were included:rigid bronchoscopy group(66 patients),laryngeal mask group(64 patients)and tracheal intubation group(75 patients).The CERs were 8 851.29 for the rigid bronchoscopy group,10 942.62 for the laryngeal mask group,and 8 902.98 for the tracheal intubation group when using total hospitalization cost as the cost index.For total surgery cost,the CERs were 2 617.80,3 389.73,and 2 741.38,respectively.The order was rigid bronchoscopy<tracheal intubation<laryngeal mask.The main factors affecting the model results were the discount rate,non-surgical costs,and improvement of shortness of breath symptoms.Probabilistic sensitivity analysis shows that the results of the basic analysis are stable.Conclusion:Interventional bronchoscopy via rigid bronchoscope is the most economical method for treating central airway stenosis.
9.Effects of various mouse sample storage conditions on median fluores-cence intensity of antibodies and positive cell percentage using flow cy-tometry
Dongmei WEI ; Xianing GUO ; Na GUO ; Hao XU ; Minghua LÜ ; Dandan YUN ; Zhenyu ZHU ; Jing LUAN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(10):2064-2072
AIM:Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effects of short-term storage conditions(fresh,frozen at-80℃for 7 d,and stored at 4℃for 7 d)on the median fluorescence intensity(MFI)of antibodies and the percentage of immune cell subsets in mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and splenocytes.METHODS:The PBMC and splenocyte suspensions from six male Kunming mice were collected and analyzed under three different processing con-ditions to compare differences in the antibody MFI and percentages of monocyte subsets(Ly-6clow/Ly-6cmedium/Ly-6chigh),macrophages(M1/M2),and dendritic cells.RESULTS:Both tissue and antibody specificity were demonstrated by changes in the antibody MFI values.Following storage at-80℃,the MFIs of certain antibodies(such as CD45 and F4/80 in PBMCs,and CD115,Ly-6c,F4/80,CD80 and MHC-II in the spleen)were similar to those of the fresh groups,where-as after storage at 4℃,the MFIs of other antibodies(such as 7-AAD,CD115,Ly-6c and MHC-II in PBMCs,and CD11b,CD206 and CD11c in the spleen)were closer to those of the fresh groups.The MFI of most of the examined anti-bodies varied significantly following storage.Both storage conditions significantly reduced the viability of PBMCs and sple-nocytes.In PBMCs stored at 4℃,the percentages of total monocytes,Ly-6cmedium/Ly-6chigh monocytes,total macrophages,and dendritic cells were similar to those in the fresh group.Compared with the fresh group,both storage groups presented significantly lower percentages of M1 macrophages and dendritic cells(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the percentages of total monocytes,Ly-6cmedium monocytes,Ly-6chigh monocytes,total macrophages,M1 and M2 macrophages,or dendritic cells in the spleen among the three groups(P>0.05).The percentage of Ly-6clow monocytes did not differ substantially(P>0.05)between the fresh and-80℃frozen groups but was significantly lower in the 4℃storage group than in the fresh group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The storage conditions of the samples had a substantial effect on the flow cytometry results(antibody MFI and cell subset percentages)of the PBMCs and splenic cells,with tissue specificity.If the percentage of immune cell subgroups(particularly monocytes/macrophages/dendritic cells)in PBMCs is highly important,storage at 4℃for 7 d is preferable.If the MFI values of specific antibodies(such as CD45 and F4/80)are important,freezing at-80℃may be more appropriate.If the MFI values of most antibodies or the percentages of criti-cal subgroups(such as total monocytes/Ly-6chigh/total macrophages/dendritic cells)in splenic cells need to be close to those of fresh samples,4 ℃ storage for 7 d is more effective.Freezing at-80℃is preferable if the MFI values of particular anti-bodies(such as CD115 and Ly-6c)need to be determined.
10.Relationship between CALLY index,serum autotaxin,PRSS2 and postoperative recurrence and metastasis in gastric cancer patients
Renjie LUAN ; Baoli XU ; Ge GAO ; Wenhao TENG ; Guang LI
Immunological Journal 2025;41(9):632-638
Objective To investigate the relationship of C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte(CALLY)index,serum autotaxin and serine protease 2(PRSS2)with postoperative recurrence and metastasis in gastric cancer patients.Methods A total of 188 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from December 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects.According to the postoperative situation,they were divided into the recurrence and metastasis group(n=72)and the non-recurrence and metastasis group(n=116).C reactive protein(CRP)was detected by immunoturbidimetry,albumin was detected by bromocresol green method,lymphocyte count was detected by blood routine analyzer,and CALLY index was calculated.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of autotaxin and PRSS2,and Spearman/Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CALLY index,serum autotaxin,PRSS2 levels and clinical data.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of CALLY index,serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels for recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between CALLY index,serum autotaxin,PRSS2 levels and postoperative recurrence and metastasis.Results Compared with the non-recurrence and metastasis group,the recurrence and metastasis group had a higher proportion of patients with TNM stage Ⅲ,Borrmann type Ⅲ-Ⅳ,lymphovascular invasion,neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative chemotherapy,higher serum levels of autotaxin and PRSS2,and lower CALLY index(P<0.01).TNM stage,Borrmann type,lymphovascular invasion,neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative chemotherapy were negatively correlated with CALLY index,and positively correlated with serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels,while serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels were negatively correlated with CALLY index(P<0.01).TNM stage,Borrmann type,lymphovascular invasion,CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS2 were the influencing factors of recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection(P<0.05,P<0.01).The area under the curve(AUC)of CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS2 for predicting recurrence and metastasis was 0.962,which was significantly larger than that of CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS alone(P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with low CALLY index expression[56.52%(52/92)]was higher than that of patients with high CALLY index expression[20.83%(20/96)](P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with high expression of autotaxin[49.47%(47/95)]was higher than that of patients with low expression[26.88%(25/93)](P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with high PRSS2 expression[47.87%(45/94)]was higher than that of patients with low PRSS2 expression[28.72%(27/94)](P<0.01).Conclusion The CALLY index decreases,and serum autotaxin and PRSS2 increase in patients with postoperative recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer.The combined prediction of the three factors demonstrates higher predictive performance for postoperative recurrence and metastasis.

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