1.Research progress on the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer
Tianhao SONG ; Weiheng XU ; Yan WANG ; Li CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):65-70
Liver cancer, one of the most common primary malignancies in humans, is a malignant tumor characterized by multifactorial induction, polygenic involvement, and intricate molecular mechanisms. This disease is characterized by its treatment challenges and poor prognosis, which are closely related to its unique tumor microenvironment composition. The tumor microenvironment of liver cancer is a dynamic ecosystem composed of heterogeneous cellular populations, soluble cytokines, and remodeled extracellular matrix. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer, revealed an important role in the occurrence, development, and treatment of liver cancer. The key regulatory elements of the tumor microenvironment in liver cancer were systematically summarized, such as activation of hepatic stellate cells, dysfunction of immune cells, abnormalities of platelet, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, which provided theoretical foundations for prevention and treatment strategies against liver cancer.
2.Mechanistic study of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglucoside in improving nephrotic syndrome via regulating the HIF-1α/miR-155-5p/Nrf2 pathway
Yifan TAO ; Chundong SONG ; Xu WANG ; Chong ZHANG ; Ying SU ; Xidong JIA ; Haoran JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):602-606
OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglucoside (TWM) on nephrotic syndrome in rats. METHODS The nephrotic syndrome model was established by intravenous injection of adriamycin via the tail vein. The modeling rats were randomly divided into the model group (distilled water), prednisone group (10 mg/kg), and TWM high- and low-dose groups (10 and 5 mg/kg, respectively). Additionally, blank group (distilled water) without model induction was established. Each group consisted of 9 rats. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or distilled water by gavage, once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. The histopathological morphology of kidney tissues in rats was observed; the levels of 24-hour urinary protein (24 h-UTP) and serum biochemical indicators [albumin (ALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), cholesterol (CHOL), and triglyceride (TG)] in rats were determined; the levels of oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)] in kidney tissue of rats were determined; expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/microRNA-155-5p (miR-155-5p)/nuclear factor erythriod 2- related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related mRNA and protein in the renal tissues of rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group exhibited disordered renal tissue structure, with a small amount of glomerular necrosis and edema of the renal tubular epithelial cells. 24 h-UTP, serum levels of SCr, BUN, CHOL and TG, MDA content, mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and Keap1 as well as the expression of miR-155-5p in renal tissues were increased significantly ( P <0.05). Serum level of ALB, SOD level in renal tissue as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 were decreased significantly ( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, TWM high-dose and low-dose groups exhibited significant improvements in renal injury, with notable reversals in the levels of the above quantitative indicators ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS TWM can alleviate oxidative stress-induced damage and thereby improve nephrotic syndrome in rats by regulating the HIF-1α/miR-155-5p/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
3.Effect of Huanglian Jiedutang on Focal Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Mice and Its Impact on Oligodendrocyte-related Gene Expression
Zijin SUN ; Kai WANG ; Haojia ZHANG ; Linjing SONG ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Wenxiu XU ; Jing JI ; Yonglin SHAN ; Qianqian SHI ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):54-63
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on cerebral infarction injury in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and to explore its mechanism of action on oligodendrocytes, particularly its potential in myelin repair. MethodsMultiple experimental approaches were used to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the effects of drug intervention. Laser speckle imaging was used to detect changes in cerebral blood flow, 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to measure infarct volume, and neurological function was scored according to the Zea-Longa criteria. Brain tissues were routinely embedded in paraffin and subjected to HE and Nissl staining to observe tissue structure and neuronal damage. Animals were divided into a sham group (n=24), model group (n=24), Huanglian Jiedutang group (n=24), and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group (n=18). After 1 week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg-1, and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg-1 after preparation as a 2.16 g·L-1 solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 0.2 mL·(10 g)-¹·d-¹. The MCAO model was established after the final administration on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze brain tissue cellular composition and changes in oligodendrocyte subpopulations. Distinct subpopulations were identified by Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering, and marker gene expression was analyzed. Pathway enrichment and causal inference were further performed using IPA. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify mRNA expression changes of myelin-related genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores (P<0.01), significantly impaired blood flow (P<0.01), significantly enlarged cerebral infarct area (P<0.01), and pathological changes including disordered cortical structural arrangement, aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased neurological function scores (P<0.01), markedly restored blood flow levels (P<0.01), significantly reduced cerebral infarct area (P<0.01), and improvement in cortical structural disorder, alleviation of cytoplasmic vacuolization, and a reduction in Nissl bodies. Single-cell data showed that a myelin-associated oligodendrocyte (Mye-OL) subpopulation existed among oligodendrocytes, which was closely related to myelin generation. Compared with the sham group, the number of Mye-OL cells decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of Mye-OL cells increased in the Huanglian Jiedutang group. This subpopulation promoted the expression of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG, via transcription factors such as OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10, thereby regulating myelin generation, restoring cognition, and exerting therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction. Compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression levels of OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10 were significantly downregulated in the model group (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG, were also significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10 (P<0.01), and significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG (P<0.01). ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction by regulating the OLIG1/2-NKX2-2-SOX10 signaling pathway to promote myelin generation by Mye-OL cells.
4.Regulatory Role of Huanglian Jiedutang in Microglial Metabolic Reprogramming to Suppress Neuroinflammatory Damage Based on Single-cell Transcriptomics
Zijin SUN ; Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Linjing SONG ; Chuanzun WANG ; Wen WANG ; Jing JI ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Wenxiu XU ; Qingguo WANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):64-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of metabolic reprogramming during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury using single-cell transcriptome sequencing, analyze the heterogeneity of microglial populations, and evaluate the interventional effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on metabolic abnormalities and neuroinflammation. MethodsA transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was used to establish ischemic stroke in mice. Local cerebral blood flow changes were monitored by laser speckle imaging. Neurological impairment was evaluated using the Zea-Longa score, and histopathological damage in brain tissue was observed by HE and Nissl staining. Animals were divided into a sham group, model group, Huanglian Jiedutang group, and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group. After 1 week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg-1, and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg-1 after preparation as a 2.16 mg/mL solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days (0.2 mL/10 g/day), and the tMCAO model was established on day 6 after the final administration. At the molecular level, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on ischemic hemisphere tissue. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was used to cluster microglial subpopulations, combined with differential expression analysis, metabolic reprogramming assessment, and inflammatory factor correlation analysis to elucidate their functional characteristics in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Transcription factor enrichment analysis was further conducted to identify key regulatory nodes. Finally, PCR was used to detect mRNA expression changes of relevant genes to validate the single-cell sequencing results. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed increased neurological function scores (P<0.01), decreased blood flow levels (P<0.01), disordered cortical structure, increased cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed decreased neurological function scores (P<0.01), increased blood flow levels (P<0.01), alleviated cortical structural disorder, reduced cytoplasmic vacuolization, and decreased Nissl bodies. Single-cell analysis showed that microglia could be divided into five subpopulations. Among them, clusters 3 and 5 exhibited significant pro-inflammatory phenotypes, with marked activation of hypoxia and NF-κB signaling pathways, and were identified as pro-inflammatory subpopulations. Clusters 1 and 2 were enriched in Wnt/β-catenin and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β signaling pathways and exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory and reparative characteristics. Meanwhile, glycolysis-related genes, such as HK2, PFKP, and LDHA, were significantly upregulated in the pro-inflammatory subpopulations. Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of inflammatory molecules were positively correlated with glycolysis-related gene expression levels, whereas the expression levels of reparative and anti-inflammatory molecules were negatively correlated with glycolysis-related gene expression levels, indicating that microglia rely on the glycolytic pathway for energy acquisition under ischemic conditions. Further single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed that Huanglian Jiedutang effectively downregulated key genes driving metabolic reprogramming (such as HK2, PFKP, and LDHA), significantly reduced the proportion of microglial subpopulations accompanied by glycolytic reprogramming, and inhibited their transformation toward a damage phenotype, thereby reducing inflammatory injury. Meanwhile, compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01) in the model group, whereas the mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte-related functional genes, including RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3, were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte-related functional genes, including RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3 (P<0.01). ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating the metabolic reprogramming state of microglia and modulating their inflammatory levels, thereby inhibiting neuroinflammatory injury.
5.Effect of Huanglian Jiedutang on Focal Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Mice and Its Impact on Oligodendrocyte-related Gene Expression
Zijin SUN ; Kai WANG ; Haojia ZHANG ; Linjing SONG ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Wenxiu XU ; Jing JI ; Yonglin SHAN ; Qianqian SHI ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):54-63
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on cerebral infarction injury in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and to explore its mechanism of action on oligodendrocytes, particularly its potential in myelin repair. MethodsMultiple experimental approaches were used to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the effects of drug intervention. Laser speckle imaging was used to detect changes in cerebral blood flow, 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to measure infarct volume, and neurological function was scored according to the Zea-Longa criteria. Brain tissues were routinely embedded in paraffin and subjected to HE and Nissl staining to observe tissue structure and neuronal damage. Animals were divided into a sham group (n=24), model group (n=24), Huanglian Jiedutang group (n=24), and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group (n=18). After 1 week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg-1, and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg-1 after preparation as a 2.16 g·L-1 solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 0.2 mL·(10 g)-¹·d-¹. The MCAO model was established after the final administration on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze brain tissue cellular composition and changes in oligodendrocyte subpopulations. Distinct subpopulations were identified by Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering, and marker gene expression was analyzed. Pathway enrichment and causal inference were further performed using IPA. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify mRNA expression changes of myelin-related genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores (P<0.01), significantly impaired blood flow (P<0.01), significantly enlarged cerebral infarct area (P<0.01), and pathological changes including disordered cortical structural arrangement, aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased neurological function scores (P<0.01), markedly restored blood flow levels (P<0.01), significantly reduced cerebral infarct area (P<0.01), and improvement in cortical structural disorder, alleviation of cytoplasmic vacuolization, and a reduction in Nissl bodies. Single-cell data showed that a myelin-associated oligodendrocyte (Mye-OL) subpopulation existed among oligodendrocytes, which was closely related to myelin generation. Compared with the sham group, the number of Mye-OL cells decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of Mye-OL cells increased in the Huanglian Jiedutang group. This subpopulation promoted the expression of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG, via transcription factors such as OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10, thereby regulating myelin generation, restoring cognition, and exerting therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction. Compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression levels of OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10 were significantly downregulated in the model group (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG, were also significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of OLIG1, OLIG2, NKX2-2, and SOX10 (P<0.01), and significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes, including MOG, MBP, and MAG (P<0.01). ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction by regulating the OLIG1/2-NKX2-2-SOX10 signaling pathway to promote myelin generation by Mye-OL cells.
6.Regulatory Role of Huanglian Jiedutang in Microglial Metabolic Reprogramming to Suppress Neuroinflammatory Damage Based on Single-cell Transcriptomics
Zijin SUN ; Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Linjing SONG ; Chuanzun WANG ; Wen WANG ; Jing JI ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Wenxiu XU ; Qingguo WANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):64-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of metabolic reprogramming during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury using single-cell transcriptome sequencing, analyze the heterogeneity of microglial populations, and evaluate the interventional effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on metabolic abnormalities and neuroinflammation. MethodsA transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was used to establish ischemic stroke in mice. Local cerebral blood flow changes were monitored by laser speckle imaging. Neurological impairment was evaluated using the Zea-Longa score, and histopathological damage in brain tissue was observed by HE and Nissl staining. Animals were divided into a sham group, model group, Huanglian Jiedutang group, and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group. After 1 week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg-1, and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg-1 after preparation as a 2.16 mg/mL solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days (0.2 mL/10 g/day), and the tMCAO model was established on day 6 after the final administration. At the molecular level, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on ischemic hemisphere tissue. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was used to cluster microglial subpopulations, combined with differential expression analysis, metabolic reprogramming assessment, and inflammatory factor correlation analysis to elucidate their functional characteristics in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Transcription factor enrichment analysis was further conducted to identify key regulatory nodes. Finally, PCR was used to detect mRNA expression changes of relevant genes to validate the single-cell sequencing results. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed increased neurological function scores (P<0.01), decreased blood flow levels (P<0.01), disordered cortical structure, increased cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed decreased neurological function scores (P<0.01), increased blood flow levels (P<0.01), alleviated cortical structural disorder, reduced cytoplasmic vacuolization, and decreased Nissl bodies. Single-cell analysis showed that microglia could be divided into five subpopulations. Among them, clusters 3 and 5 exhibited significant pro-inflammatory phenotypes, with marked activation of hypoxia and NF-κB signaling pathways, and were identified as pro-inflammatory subpopulations. Clusters 1 and 2 were enriched in Wnt/β-catenin and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β signaling pathways and exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory and reparative characteristics. Meanwhile, glycolysis-related genes, such as HK2, PFKP, and LDHA, were significantly upregulated in the pro-inflammatory subpopulations. Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of inflammatory molecules were positively correlated with glycolysis-related gene expression levels, whereas the expression levels of reparative and anti-inflammatory molecules were negatively correlated with glycolysis-related gene expression levels, indicating that microglia rely on the glycolytic pathway for energy acquisition under ischemic conditions. Further single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed that Huanglian Jiedutang effectively downregulated key genes driving metabolic reprogramming (such as HK2, PFKP, and LDHA), significantly reduced the proportion of microglial subpopulations accompanied by glycolytic reprogramming, and inhibited their transformation toward a damage phenotype, thereby reducing inflammatory injury. Meanwhile, compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 were significantly upregulated (P<0.01) in the model group, whereas the mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte-related functional genes, including RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3, were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte-related functional genes, including RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3 (P<0.01). ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating the metabolic reprogramming state of microglia and modulating their inflammatory levels, thereby inhibiting neuroinflammatory injury.
7.Effect of red blood cell transfusion volume on postoperative oxygenation index during lung transplantation
Dapeng WANG ; Zhongping XU ; Xiaoshan LI ; Tao ZHOU ; Song WANG ; Hongyang XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):72-78
Objective To investigate the impact of intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume on the postoperative oxygenation index in lung transplant recipients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent lung transplantation at Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2023. Patients were divided into a non-severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) group and a severe PGD group based on whether their postoperative oxygenation index was>200 mm Hg at 0, 24, and 48 h. General patient data and intraoperative RBC transfusion volumes were compared between the two groups. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to explore the effect size (OR and its 95%CI) of RBC transfusion volume on postoperative oxygenation status at different time points (0, 24, and 48 h). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate the model's diagnostic performance. Results A total of 351 patients were included (260 males, 91 females), with ages ranging from 20 to 77 years. The OR for the effect of intraoperative RBC transfusion on poor oxygenation was 1.486 (95%CI 0.982 to 2.248, P=0.061) at 0 h postoperatively, 3.111 (95%CI 1.793 to 5.399, P<0.001) at 24 h, and 1.583 (95%CI 1.026 to 2.442, P=0.038) at 48 h. This indicated that as time progressed, the postoperative oxygenation status of lung transplant recipients was affected by the intraoperative transfusion volume. Furthermore, an RBC transfusion volume>975 mLhad a significant impact on patient oxygenation at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Conclusion The volume of intraoperative RBC transfusion has a significant impact on the oxygenation status at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Intraoperative RBC transfusion volume is associated with the occurrence of severe PGD after lung transplantation. Controlling the volume of RBC transfusion during lung transplantation may help reduce the incidence of severe PGD.
8.Mechanism of Buyang Huanwutang in Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Enhancing Neurological Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury via GPX4-ACSL4 Axis
Luchun XU ; Guozheng JIANG ; Yukun MA ; Jiawei SONG ; Yushan GAO ; Guanlong WANG ; Jiaojiao FAN ; Yongdong YANG ; Xing YU ; Xiangsheng TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):20-30
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Buyang Huanwutang regulates the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) axis to inhibit ferroptosis and promote neurological functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsNinety rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group, model group, low-dose Buyang Huanwutang group (12.5 g·kg-1), high-dose Buyang Huanwutang group (25 g·kg-1), and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group (25 g·kg-1 + 5 g·kg-1 RSL3). The SCI model was established by using the allen method. Tissue was collected on the 7th and 28th days after operation. Motor function was assessed by using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Nissl, and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to observe spinal cord histopathology. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial ultrastructure. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein (MBP), GPX4, and ACSL4. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of GPX4 and ACSL4. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Colorimetric assays were used to determine the iron content in spinal cord tissue. ResultsCompared to the sham operation group, the model group exhibited significantly reduced BBB scores (P<0.01), severe pathological damage in spinal cord tissue, and marked mitochondrial ultrastructural disruption. In addition, the model group showed a decrease in the number of NeuN-positive cells (P<0.01), reduced fluorescence intensity of MBP and GPX4 (P<0.01), lower levels of GSH and SOD (P<0.01), and downregulated mRNA expression of GPX4 (P<0.01). Moreover, compared to the sham operation group, the model group had elevated levels of ROS, MDA, and tissue iron content (P<0.01), along with increased fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group, the Buyang Huanwutang group showed significantly improved BBB scores (P<0.05, P<0.01) and exhibited less severe spinal cord tissue damage, reduced edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, increased neuronal survival, and more intact myelin structures. Additionally, mitochondrial ultrastructure was significantly improved in the Buyang Huanwutang group. Compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group, the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly increased the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of MBP (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, Buyang Huanwutang significantly increased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of GPX4 (P<0.01) and decreased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 (P<0.01) compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. Finally, the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly decreased ROS, MDA, and tissue iron content (P<0.01) and significantly increased GSH and SOD levels (P<0.01) compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. ConclusionBuyang Huanwutang inhibits ferroptosis through the GPX4/ACSL4 axis, reduces secondary neuronal and myelin injury and oxidative stress, and ultimately promotes the recovery of neurological function.
9.Morphologic and functional effect of core training combined with respiratory training on multifidus and transversus abdominis in patients with lumbar disc herniation
Jianing SONG ; Xiaole LOU ; Huan LIU ; Xue HAN ; Lei XU ; Min WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(1):107-116
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of respiratory training based on core stabilization training on lumbar disc herniation. MethodsFrom January, 2023 to October, 2024, 96 patients with lumbar disc herniation admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University were divided into control group (n = 32), core group (n = 32) and respiratory group (n = 32). All the groups underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, with core stabilization training in the core group and respiratory training combined with core stabilization training in the respiratory group, additionally, for four weeks. Before and after training, the scores of Visual Analogue Scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) were compared, the average electromyographic value (AEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were detected by surface electromyography (sEMG); and the thickness of the multifidus and transversus abdominis were measured by musculoskeletal ultrasonography bilaterally. ResultsThe intra-group effect (F > 597.796, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 16.535, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 49.622, P < 0.001) were significant in the scores of VAS, JOA and ODI; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.05), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 7971.631, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 177.760, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 478.771, P < 0.001) were significant in the thickness of the transversus abdominis and multifidus; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 144303.007, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 1495.458, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 3121.361, P < 0.001) were significant in the RMS of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and the core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The intra-group effect (F > 1890.532, P < 0.001), inter-group effect (F > 607.132, P < 0.001) and interaction effect (F > 824.923, P < 0.001) were significant in the AEMG of the multifidus and transversus abdominis; which were better in the respiratory group than in the control group and core group (P < 0.001), and were better in the core group than in the control group (P < 0.001). ConclusionCore training combined with respiratory training can more effectively reduce pain and improve dysfunction by enhancing the strength and control of the core muscles, thus improving the quality of life of patients with lumbar disc herniation.
10.Effect of NEP1-40/PLGA on facial nerve repair in rats
XUE Bing ; XI Hualei ; YAO Lihong ; XU Wanqiu ; XU Xiaohang ; LIN Song ; PIAO Guiyan ; WANG Xiumei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(2):110-119
Objective:
To investigate the effect of neurite outgrowth inhibitor extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) combined with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin electrospun fiber membrane on facial nerve repair in rats.
Methods:
According to the principle of random grouping, 108 male SD rats were divided into four groups (n = 27 in each group, approved by the ethics committee), namely, the sham group, control group, PLGA group, and NEP1-40 + PLGA group. A facial nerve fracture model was established for all of the groups except for the sham group. The control group received no further treatment, the PLGA group and the NEP1-40+PLGA group were supported by PLGA membrane, and the NEP1-40+PLGA group received one immediate local injection of NEP1-40 (5 μg/μL) at a dose of 10 μL. Facial nerve function analysis, electrophysiological examination, transmission electron microscope observation, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining of myelin marker S100β and axonal marker β3-tubulin were used to evaluate the recovery of injured facial nerves of rats at 2, 4 and 8 weeks.
Results :
At 8 weeks, the facial nerve function score of the NEP1-40+PLGA group was better than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), and facial nerve function was significantly restored. Electrophysiological examination of nerve action potentials at the injured facial nerve showed that the amplitude in the NEP1-40+PLGA group was higher than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in latency and conduction velocity results between the groups (P > 0.05). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness in the cross-section of the injured facial nerve in the NEP1-40+PLGA group were greater than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, HE staining showed that the facial nerves in the control group had partially recovered, but the overall cell distribution was uneven and the boundary with surrounding tissues was slightly blurred. In contrast, the NEP1-40+PLGA group had a relatively uniform cell distribution and a clearer boundary with surrounding tissues. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the immunohistochemical results showed that in the cross-section of the injuried facial nerve, NEP1-40 increased the expression of neural markers S100 β and β3-tubulin, especially β3-tubulin, which was close to normal levels (P > 0.05)
Conclusion
NEP1-40 is beneficial for the generation of new myelin sheaths and axons at the site of injury, and it can promote the repair and regeneration of injured facial nerves to a certain extent, thus accelerating the recovery of injured nerve function.


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