1.Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Xueqing LIU ; Xinyu ZHONG ; Tingting WANG ; Ning WANG ; Man LIU ; Li WU ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):69-78
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and one of its most common complications. Prolonged hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and pathological angiogenesis, ultimately disrupting the blood-retinal barrier(BRB) and leading to visual impairment or even blindness. Recent studies show that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of DR's pathological changes. Meanwhile, Chinese herbal monomers have been shown to modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby intervening in the development of DR. In terms of inhibiting oxidative stress, saponin compounds such as platycodin-D and ginsenoside Rb1 downregulate the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby ameliorating retinal oxidative stress. Flavonoids such as total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata flower and puerarin upregulate the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), effectively clearing lipid peroxides. Regarding the suppression of inflammation, phenolic compounds like resveratrol and chlorogenic acid inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, reducing the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and mitigating inflammatory responses. In the context of inhibiting apoptosis, polysaccharides such as Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide and Angelica sinensis polysaccharide downregulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and suppress the activity of the executioner Caspase-3, thereby reducing the apoptosis rate. As for the inhibition of neovascularization, compounds including bilobalide and physcion significantly decrease the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to a reduction in retinal pathological angiogenesis. Furthermore, Chinese herbal compound prescriptions such as Tongluo Zhujing pills, Yiqi Huoxue Yangyin decoction, Qiming granules, and Danlou tablets can also intervene in the onset and progression of DR through the mechanisms described above. In summary, both Chinese herbal monomers and Chinese herbal compound prescriptions can modulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress, alleviate inflammation, and participate in maintaining BRB integrity, suppressing retinal neovascularization, and preventing neurodegeneration, thereby delaying the progression of DR. Therefore, this paper reviews and summarizes recent studies at home and abroad on how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) works to treat DR, and the relationship between the Nrf2 pathway and DR. It aims to provide research ideas for preventing and treating DR.
2.Mechanism of Shenfu Xiongze Prescription in Regulating Autophagy Level to Intervene in Myocardial Remodeling in Rats via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xueqing WANG ; Wei ZHONG ; Liangliang PAN ; Caihong LI ; Man HAN ; Xiaowei YANG ; Yuanwang YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):136-144
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline (ISO) was established. Rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription,and the captopril group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group,the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution (8.4,16.8,and 33.6 g·kg-1),and the captopril group was administered captopril solution (25 mg·kg-1). As for the blank group and the model group, the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function,and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Collagen Ⅰ),type Ⅲ collagen (Collagen Ⅲ),and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),LC3,yeast Atg6 homolog protein (Beclin-1),AMPK,and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),LC3,Beclin-1,p62, phosphorylation(p)-AMPK,p-mTOR,AMPK,and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group,rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) (P<0.01), significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs) (P<0.01). Additionally, the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue, significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and mTOR (P<0.01),and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3,Beclin-1,and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-,medium-, and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values (P<0.01) and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs (P<0.05). In these groups, the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP (P<0.01), significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, p62, and p-mTOR (P<0.01), significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ, Collagen Ⅲ, α-SMA, and mTOR (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3, Beclin-1, and AMPK (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level,enhance cardiac function,and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
3.Iatrogenic risks and countermeasures of smart healthcare for chronic diseases
Yiming HU ; Haotian WU ; Yang LIU ; Dong CHEN ; Yaqiang WANG ; Qian ZHOU ; Xueqing YANG ; Liling CHEN ; Xiangjun YIN ; Jing WU
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(3):234-238
Smart healthcare plays an important role in easing the strain on medical resources and improving the continuity of chronic disease management. This study analysed the iatrogenic risks from the intrinsic attributes and the external environment of smart healthcare, including doctor-patient conflict risk, technical operation risk, information leakage risk, humanistic absence risk, legal risk, regulatory risk and ethical risk. Based on the " structure process result" model, suggestions were proposed to optimize the construction of a smart healthcare platform for chronic diseases, improve the legal system and industry standards, strengthen talent cultivation and capacity building, establish an integrated regulatory system, and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of chronic disease management. These suggestions provided references for creating a healthy, orderly, and safe smart healthcare environment for chronic disease patients.
4.Lycium barbarum polysaccharides alleviates cisplatin-induced granulosa cell injury by downregulating miR-23a
Liuqing LIU ; Kun WANG ; Xueqing WANG ; Bingxin DU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2340-2349
Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms.Methods Human granulosa-like tumor cell line(KGN)were treated with 2.5 μg/mL cisplatin for 24 h,followed by treatment with 100,500,and 1000 mg/L LBP,and the changes in cell viability,apoptosis,level of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry,ELISA and transmission electron microscopy.The cellular expressions of Bax,caspase-3,Bcl-2,and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting,and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR.KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP.Results Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability,induced apoptosis,decreased AMH level,caused ultrastructural abnormalities,increased Bax and caspase-3 expression,and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells.Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells.LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells,and in particular,LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability,reduced apoptosis,enhanced their endocrine function,and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities.Mechanistically,medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells,subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2.Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP.Conclusion LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.
5.Clinicopathological significance of DICER1 mutation in follicular thyroid carcinoma
Xueqing LI ; Yulian WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Junsheng ZHAO ; Weimao KONG ; Xingzhu PAN ; Longnü BAO ; Kongzheng YANG ; Haiyan GU ; Jigang WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(3):250-258
Objective:To investigate the clinical and pathological significance of the DICER1 mutation in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).Methods:Sixty-eight cases of primary FTC resected between 2009 and 2023 were retrieved from The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Sanger sequencing was performed to identify DICER1 and TERT promoter mutations in all cases. Cases with DICER1 or TERT promoter mutations were subject to additional examination of potential mutations in KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS. The clinical and pathological features of DICER1-mutant FTCs were then analyzed. The relationship between DICER1 mutations and TERT-promoter/RAS mutations was also assessed.Results:DICER1 mutations were detected in 16 of the 68 FTC cases (23.5%), with 11 near E1813 at exon 25, 6 near D1709 at exon 24, and 1 in the splice region of exon 25. Two cases harbored two (distinct) mutations. All patients with DICER1-mutant FTC were female. Compared with patients with DICER1-wild-type FTC, those with DICER1-mutant were much younger, and had a higher proportion of minimally invasive subtype. Nine FTCs with DICER1 mutations were subject to further sequencing on adjacent non-cancerous tissues or lymph node tissues, but no mutations were detected. TERT-promoter or RAS hotspot mutations were not identified in any of the DICER1-mutant cases. However, TERT-promoter mutation was found in 6 DICER1-wild-type cases (8.8%, 6/68), with 3 cases also having RAS hotspot mutations and exhibiting highly aggressive biological behaviors.Conclusion:DICER1 mutations may occur in FTCs and appear mutually exclusive with RAS and TERT-promoter mutations, warranting further study as RAS-like mutations.
6.Advancements in the smartification of reproductive health care: examining the utilization and convergence of artificial intelligence technologies in assisted reproduction
Na WANG ; Jing LIU ; Shimin WANG ; Junmei FAN ; Xueqing WU ; Jia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(2):121-125
Recently, intelligent care is gradually changing the traditional care way, and artificial intelligence (AI) application is gradually broadening in the field of assisted reproduction. This review systematically analyzes the AI application in multiple aspects of reproductive health care. It also indicates the challenge during the process, including data privacy, technical reliability, ethics and legal provisions, and humanistic care. Both the opportunities of AI in assisted reproduction are highlighted and the ensuing problems are analyzed in depth. The purpose is to provide ideas for future studies to ensure that AI technology can be safely, efficiently and responsibly integrated with the field of reproductive health care.
7.Progress on key genes in oocyte maturation and its fertilization process
Jiayao CHEN ; Zhiping ZHANG ; Shimin WANG ; Pengfei ZHU ; Xueqing WU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(1):90-95
Oocyte maturation disorders and fertilization failures are caused by a variety of factors, including complex factors such as chromosomal abnormalities and poor oocyte quality. With the widespread use of high-throughput sequencing technology, more and more genetic mutations have been found to be associated with oocyte maturation and fertilization process in infertile patients. This paper summarizes and discusses 11 key genes ( TRIP13, TBPL2, LHX8, PATL2, TUBB8, CDC20, WEE2, ZP, ASTL, JUNO and CD9) related to oocyte maturation and fertilization-related disorders in females, providing a basis for research on the prevention of diseases associated with oocyte maturation blockage and fertilization failure and the development of targeted therapies.
8.Research progress on the effect of enzyme deficiencies and female reproductive health in patients with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Shimin WANG ; Xiuping ZHANG ; Jiayao CHEN ; Pengfei ZHU ; Xueqing WU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(6):637-643
Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH), an autosomal recessive disorder, stems from genetic mutations affecting the enzymes and cofactors integral to adrenal steroidogenesis. These mutations may result in diminished activity or a complete loss of function for critical enzymes, such as 21-hydroxylase, 11β-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17α-hydroxylase, and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). The impairment of these enzymatic processes has profound implications for reproductive health in females, mediated through both genetic and endocrine pathways. This review aims to explore the pathogenesis of various enzyme defects in different types of NCCAH, their clinical features, and their impact on female fertility. It is hoped that this will help refine the diagnostic strategies for infertility associated with NCCAH, thereby enhancing fertility of patients and providing new directions and opportunities for further research in this field.
9.Characteristics of Aurora Kinase A-Mediated Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer and Mining of Active Compounds From Chinese Herbs
Mengyao LI ; Dongming HUA ; Zhiyan WANG ; Zhiyi LIU ; Hangjun GONG ; Yunchuan SUN ; Xueqing HU ; Yan WANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(1):59-67
Objective To investigate the effects of Aurora kinase A(AURKA)on the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer(CRC)and to predict the active compounds in Chinese herbs that can target AURKA.Methods Based on the transcriptomic data and clinical information from 380 CRC tissues and 51 paracancerous tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,the infiltration of different cells in the tumor tissues was analyzed using xCell and the binding of active compounds of Chinese herbs with AURKA was predicted through molecular docking.Results The expression of AURKA was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared with that in paracancerous tissues(P<0.05),and CRC patients with high AURKA expression had shorter overall survival.Compared with the AURKA low-expression group,the abundance of macrophages,monocytes,and effector memory CD4+and CD8+T cells was significantly downregulated in the AURKA high-expression group(P<0.05).In addition,the cytotoxicity of T cells was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Further analysis revealed that AURKA expression was positively correlated with the abundance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)and the expression levels of their chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL5(P<0.05).Genes that were differentially expressed between the AURKA high-and low-expression groups were mainly enriched in monocyte migration,chemokine-induced cellular responses,and other related processes.Chinese herbal compounds,including hesperidin,aristololactam A Ⅱ a,anacardic acid,coumestrol,and 17β-estradiol,all showed binding energies to AURKA lower than-1.2 kcal/mol,indicating a certain level of binding stability.Among these Chinese herbal compounds,17β-estradiol exhibited the best binding stability to AURKA-3UOL.Conclusion The high expression of AURKA in CRC tissues suggests a poor clinical prognosis.AURKA can promote the development of a suppressive immune microenvironment in CRC,and 17β-estradiol,an active compound from Chinese herbs,is a potential therapeutic agent targeting AURKA.
10.Clinical characteristics and drug resistance of Streptococcus anginosus group pulmonary abscess in patients
Xuan HOU ; Xiaoliang HE ; Yan JIANG ; Xueqing WU ; Wei ZHANG ; Hui WANG ; Junqi TAO ; Minghui DENG ; Mengrong ZHOU ; Yihai GU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(2):207-213
Objective To understand the clinical characteristics of patients with Streptococcus anginosus group(SAG)pulmonary abscess and resistance of SAG.Methods 67 patients with pulmonary abscess admitted to a hos-pital from January 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,clinical data of patients with SAG pulmonary abscess were analyzed,and the minimum inhibitory concentration of antimicrobial agents to 18 SAG strains was de-tected by microbroth dilution method,the carriage of resistance genes and virulence genes of SAG were detected by high-throughput sequencing technology.Results Among 67 patients with pulmonary abscess,SAG accounted for 29.9%(20/67),out of which 2 were excluded due to bacterial inactivation,and 18 patients were included for fur-ther studies.18 patients with SAG pulmonary abscess were all community acquired,with an average age of(60.9±9.1)years.There were 13(72.2%)male patients,most patients(94.4%)complicated chronic pulmonary disease,with cough(94.4%)and expectoration(88.9%)as the initial symptoms,some patients(44.4%)had chest pain,and more than half(61.1%)didn't have fever.The proportion of neutrophils,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and C-reactive protein were mostly elevated,while procalcitonin was normal.The resistance rate of 18 SAG strains to erythromycin,clindamycin,and tetracycline was>65%,out of which 14 strains carried resistance gene ermB,13 strains carried resistance gene tetM,and 1 strain carried both resistance gene msrD and mefA.18 SAG strains were detected virulence gene psaA,out of which 3 strains were detected virulence gene nan A.Conclusion SAG is an im-portant pathogen that causes pulmonary abscess,and the patients'complications are mainly chronic pulmonary di-seases,with non-specific clinical manifestations;Most strains carry ermB and tetM genes,mediating resistance to macrolides,lincosamides,and tetracyclines.

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