1.Study on the mechanism of Huatan qushi huoxue formula in improving metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis
Yajie GUAN ; Qizhen ZHANG ; Junjiao XU ; Yijia SONG ; Dongfang SHANG ; Wenxia ZHAO ; Minghao LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):864-869
OBJECTIVE To focus on the classic NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/Caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway and explore the mechanism by which Huatan qushi huoxue formula (HQHF) inhibits macrophage pyroptosis to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). METHODS RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups: Control group (10% blank serum), Model group [10% blank serum+5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], HQHF-L group (2.5% drug-containing serum+7.5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS), HQHF-M group (5% drug-containing serum+5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS), and HQHF-H group (10% drug-containing serum+5 μg/mL LPS). After 24 h of routine culture post-administration, cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy; localization and expression of gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N) were observed by immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 contents in supernatants were detected by ELISA; mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with the Control group, the Model group showed typical pyroptotic morphology (cell membrane bulging and pore formation), increased aggregation and fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N on the cell membrane ( P <0.05), significantly increased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants ( P <0.05), and significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in cells ( P <0.05). Compared with the Model group, the HQHF-L, HQHF-M and HQHF-H groups showed improved pyroptotic morphology, reduced membrane localization and significantly weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N ( P <0.05), significantly decreased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants ( P <0.05), and significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in cells ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS HQHF inhibits LPS-induced macrophage pyroptosis, and its mechanism of improving MASH may be associated with the suppression of the activation of the classical NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.
2.Effect and mechanism of action of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid on an in vitro cell model of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Tong LIU ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yijia SONG ; Wenjing WU ; Beilei CUI ; Yajie GUAN ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1586-1596
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential targets of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the molecular mechanism by which it regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsA network pharmacology analysis was performed at first, and related databases were used to obtain the common action targets of 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD, followed by molecular docking and pathway enrichment analysis to predict the potential biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by these targets. Then mouse normal hepatocytes AML-12 were used for cell experiments, and CCK-8 assay was used to determine the three optimal intervention concentrations of 2,5-DHBA. AML-12 cells were divided into control group, model group (cells cultured in a medium containing 2 mmol/L free fatty acid [FFA] to establish a cell model of MAFLD), and three 2,5-DHBA intervention groups (cells cultured with FFA and 2,5-DHBA at the three different concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L, respectively). Oil red O staining was used to observe intracellular lipid accumulation; the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to measure the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); biochemical assays were used to measure the content of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC); quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the expression levels of related genes and proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsA total of 32 common targets were obtained for 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD. Within a concentration range of 1.25 — 20 μmol/L, 2,5-DHBA treatment, starting from the concentration of 2.5 μmol/L, increased the viability of AML-12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The minimum effective concentration of 1.25 μmol/L, the intermediate gradient concentration of 5 μmol/L, and the maximum safe concentration within the effective range of 20 μmol/L were selected for low-, middle-, and high-dose intervention, respectively. Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA intervention at concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L could significantly reduce lipid droplet accumulation in cells (all P<0.05), and there were significant differences in TG and TC between the model group and the three intervention groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had a significant increase in ROS fluorescence intensity (P<0.05), and compared with the model group, there was a dose-dependent reduction in intracellular ROS level after treatment with 5 μmol/L or 20 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA treatment at concentrations of 5 and 20 μmol/L significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of the lipogenic genes SREBf1 and FASN and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of the key antioxidant gene Nrf2 and its downstream target gene HO-1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in the model group was significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt were significantly decreased after 5 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in the model group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased after treatment with 1.25 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacology and cellular experiments confirm that 2,5-DHBA can alleviate lipid deposition and oxidative stress by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on MAFLD.
3.Construction of a regional collaborative cloud-based treatment model for patients with severe traffic injuries and evaluation of the timeliness of care
Shuaishuai ZHOU ; Sa WANG ; Danping YAN ; Shurong XU ; Yajie LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Yulin LI ; Yuwei WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(2):170-176
Objective To construct a regional collaborative cloud-based treatment model treatment model for patients with severe road traffic injuries,and to preliminarily evaluate the differences in nursing timeliness indicators and outcomes.Methods The regional collaborative cloud-based treatment platform includes 4 ports,including public security traffic police,pre-hospital emergency center,regional trauma center triage,and regional trauma center resuscitation unit.This forms a standardized real-time interactive treatment process between regional medical services and police for patients with severe road traffic injuries.Using a concurrent control study design,241 patients with severe road traffic injuries admitted to the emergency department of a regional trauma center in Zhejiang Province from May 2022 to May 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Among them,120 patients treated with the regional real-time collaborative cloud-based treatment model were designated as an experimental group,while 121 patients treated with the original trauma care process were designated as a control group.The differences in timeliness indicators and outcomes between the 2 groups were compared.Results The study included 241 patients with severe trauma.After the application of the regional collaborative cloud-based treatment model,the time from the scene of the accident to the hospital,the proportion of information early waming,completion time of pre-examination and triage,waiting time of the trauma team,the time of the first CT,the length of multidisciplinary consultation,and the time for completing hospitalization procedures in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05),the proportion of information early waming in the experimental group was 100%(120/120),and the proportion of information early waming in the control group was 52.1%(63/121).The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001).The survival rate of the experimental group was 90.8%(109/120),and that of the control group was 86.0%(104/121).There was no significant difference between the two groups(x2=1.399,P=0.237).Conclusion The regional collaborative cloud-based treatment model improves the timeliness and standardization of the treatment of patients with severe road traffic injury,which has certain reference significance and promotion value.
4.Emergency care for a patient with severe hypothermia Parkinson's disease complicated with cardiac arrhy-thmia
Yuwei WANG ; Shuaishuai ZHOU ; Danping YAN ; Yajie LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Shurong XU ; Sa WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1642-1645
This report summarizes the emergency care and nursing interventions for a Parkinson's disease patient with severe hypothermia complicated by ventricular arrhythmia.Key nursing points included continuous core temperature monitoring with goal-directed,phased,progressive rewarming;proactive identification and rapid response to arrhythmias;precise fluid management and skin protection to dynamically optimize blood perfusion and pressure redistribution;vigilant prevention and early intervention of hypothermia-related complications.With multidisciplinary treatment and meticulous nursing care,the patient was successfully discharged after 17 days of hospitalization with a favorable recovery.At the three-month follow-up after discharge,the patient had recovered well with no recurrence of similar episodes.
5.Association between serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adults
Qizhen ZHANG ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yajie GUAN ; Junjiao XU ; Wenxia ZHAO ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1083-1089
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on the NHANES database, and to evaluate the potential significance of CCR as an indicator reflecting the metabolic status of the body. MethodsBased on the data from the NHANES database in 1999 — 2004, a total of 4 217 participants were enrolled and divided into NAFLD group with 1 726 participants and non-NAFLD group with 2 491 participants. CCR was compared between the two groups, and the association between CCR and NAFLD was analyzed. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between CCR and NAFLD; CCR was divided into 4 groups based on quartiles, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in the regression model was calculated with the first quartile as reference. In addition, the restricted cubic spline analysis was used to investigate whether there was a non-linear relationship between CCR and NAFLD, and interaction items were introduced into the Logistic regression model to perform an interaction analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the stratification of variables to investigate the difference in the association between CCR and NAFLD in different populations. ResultsThe non-NAFLD group had a significantly higher CCR than the NAFLD group (Z=-4.76,P<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis showed that in model 1 without adjustment of variables, CCR was negatively associated with NAFLD (OR=0.993,95%CI:0.989 — 0.996,P<0.01), and in model 3 with adjustment of all variables, CCR was still negatively associated with NAFLD (OR=0.986,95%CI:0.981 — 0.991,P<0.01). The analysis of CCR based on quartiles showed a significant association between the increase in CCR and the reduction in the risk of NAFLD. In model 3, compared with the individuals with the lowest quartile of CCR, the individuals with the highest quartile of CCR had a significantly lower risk of NAFLD (OR=0.426,95%CI:0.316 — 0.574,P<0.01). Further interaction and subgroup analyses showed that the interaction between CCR and age/sex had a statistical significance (Pinteraction<0.01 and Pinteraction=0.04). The subgroup analysis based on age showed a more significant association between CCR and NAFLD in the middle-aged population (≤60 years) (OR=0.982,95%CI:0.976 — 0.987), and the subgroup analysis based on sex showed a stronger association between CCR and NAFLD in women (OR=0.979,95%CI:0.972 — 0.986). ConclusionThis study shows a significant negative association between CCR and NAFLD, and such association is more significant in middle-aged individuals and women.
6.Role and clinical application prospect of epigenetics in lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Sutong LIU ; Qizhen ZHANG ; Yajie GUAN ; Beilei CUI ; Wenjing WU ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1161-1166
Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially among lean individuals. The research on related epigenetic mechanisms has provided new clues and directions for revealing the underlying causes and treatment strategies of NAFLD. This article introduces the role of epigenetics in the development and progression of NAFLD among lean individuals in recent years, analyzes the latest research advances in the epigenetics of NAFLD in this population, and briefly describes the basic concepts of epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation. This article also discusses how epigenetic alterations impact the pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment strategies of NAFLD in lean individuals.
7.Acute toxicity and eye irritation of hydroquinone
Dan ZHOU ; Danfei SHEN ; Yajie XU ; Yidan XU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(5):489-495
Objective To evaluate the acute toxicity and acute eye irritation of hydroquinone. Methods i) Acute toxicity test. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice were randomly divided into four dose groups, 10 mice per group with equal number of males and females. Hydroquinone was administered as a single exposure via oral gavage and intraperitoneal injection at doses of 0.00, 100.00, 250.00, and 500.00 mg/kg body weight. The mice were observed for 14 days. The toxic symptoms were recorded, and median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was calculated. ii) In vitro eye irritation test. Fertilized chicken embryos were randomly divided into four dose groups, with six embryos in each group. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to evaluate the acute eye irritation potential of hydroquinone in vitro. iii) SPF Kunming mice were randomly divided into three doses groups, 10 mice per group with equal numbers of males and females. Hydroquinone was administered via tail vein injection at doses of 0.00, 25.00, and 50.00 mg/kg body weight. Blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), methemoglobin (MetHb), and cholinesterase levels were measured using colorimetric methods after one hour exposure. Organ coefficients of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys in mice were calculated. Results i) Following oral administration of 500.00 mg/kg body weight hydroquinone, the mice rapidly developed severe toxic symptoms, including agitation, cyanosis of the lips, eye closure, and limb convulsions. Trunk rigidity and curling occurred within 15-60 mins, ended up with death. After intraperitoneal injection at 500.00 mg/kg body weight hydroquinone, toxic reactions occurred more rapidly, with all mice died within five mins. The LD50 values for acute oral and intraperitoneal exposure were 356.64 and 275.90 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Female mice had higher LD50 values for acute intraperitioneal exposure than males (316.58 vs 276.38 mg/kg body weight). ii) The in vitro eye irritation test results showed an irritation score of 3.05 at a dose of 100.00 mg/kg body weight, indicating mild eye irritation, accompanied by vascular congestion and edema in the embryos. iii) Tail vein injection results showed that mouse serum ALT activity increased with increasing hydroquinone doses (all P<0.05), and ALT activity was higher in males than in females (P<0.01). Serum AST activity of mice in the 25.00 and 50.00 mg/kg body weight groups was higher than that in the 0.00 mg/kg body weight group (both P<0.05). With increasing hydroquinone-exposed doses, whole bood MetHb levels increased and cholinesterase activity decreased in both male and female mice (both P<0.05). Male mice had higher MetHb levels than females at corresponding doses among 25.00 and 50.00 mg/kg body weight groups (all P<0.05). Serum cholinesterase levels in male mice were higher than that in females at corresponding doses among 0.00 and 25.00 mg/kg body weight groups (both P<0.05). As the hydroquinone exposure dose increased, the liver organ coefficients decreased in both female and male mice (both P<0.05). The liver organ coefficient in male mice at the 50.00 mg/kg body weight group was higher than that in female mice (P<0.05). Compared to mice of the same sex in the 25.00 mg/kg body weight group, the kidney organ coefficients decreased in both female and male mice in the 0.00 mg/kg body weight group (all P<0.05), and decreased in the 50.00 mg/kg body weight group (all P<0.05). The male mice had lower kidney organ coefficient than female mice at 25.00 mg/kg body weight group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hydroquinone is classified as a moderately toxic substance. Increasing exposure doses result in pronounced eye irritation and affect hepatic and renal functions of mice.
8.Cheng's Juanbi Decoction Inhibits Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathology by Blocking the WTAP-Wnt7b-Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Axis
Yajie WU ; Wenbo XU ; Meiling YUAN ; Xinyue ZHOU ; Yikang CAI ; Huibo CAO ; Qiangjun DUAN ; Tongxiang TAO ; Chenggui MIAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(5):1260-1272
Objective Cheng's Juanbi Decoction(CSJBD)is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating rheumatoid arthritis(RA),exhibiting significant clinical efficacy,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.We investigated whether CSJBD inhibited RA pathology by blocking the WTAP-Wnt7b-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis using a collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)mouse model and fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLSs)derived from RA patients(RA FLSs)and examined the underlying mechanisms.Methods We conducted in vivo experiments.Male C57BL/6 mice weighing 17 to 20 g were used to establish the CIA model.The mice were assigned to 6 groups,including the normal group,the model(CIA)group,the model+CSJBD-L(8.1 g/kg)group,the model+CSJBD-M(16.2 g/kg)group,the model+CSJBD-H(32.4 g/kg)group,and the model+leflunomide(LEF)(0.05 mg/10 g)group,with 10 mice in each group.CSJBD was administered twice daily via gastric gavage,while LEF was administered once daily via gastric gavage,for a duration of 28 days.We also conducted in vitro experiments.RA FLSs were assigned to 4 groups,including the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-L group receiving 10%CSJBDS-containing serum,the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-M group receiving 15%CSJBDS-containing serum,the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-H group receiving 20%CSJBDS-containing serum,and the RA FLSs+NC group(negative control).To study whether WTAP regulated Wnt7b,RA FLSs were divided into the RA FLSs group,the RA FLSs+si-WTAP#3 group,the RA FLSs+si-WTAP#3+Wnt7b-OE group,and the RA FLSs+si-WTAP#3+Wnt7b-NC group.To study the underlying mechanism by which CSJBT affected RA FLSs,RA FLSs were divided into the RA FLSs group,the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-M group,the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-M+Wnt7b-OE group,and the RA FLSs+CSJBDS-M+NC group.We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)to identify and quantify key monomer compounds from CSJBD as quality criteria for CSJBD preparation.Bioinformatics,CCK-8,RT-qPCR,Western blot,immunofluorescence,and related methods were employed to assess the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of CSJBD in treating RA.Results According to the UPLC analysis,ferulic acid,osthole,mulberroside A,notopterol,and gentiopicroside were identified as quality control standards for the preparation of CSJBD formula.CSJBD improved RA pathology in CIA mice,reduced the levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in their serum,and decreased the expression of RA pathological genes MMP3 and fibronectin,with the difference between groups being statistically significant.Bioinformatics analysis suggested that CSJBD might inhibit RA pathology by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through Wnt7b.Experimental results showed that the expression of WTAP and Wnt7b was significantly increased in RA.After knocking down WTAP,the expression of Wnt7b was significantly reduced,and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was also inhibited,with the difference between groups being statistically significant(P<0.05),confirming that WTAP regulated the pathway via Wnt7b.According to experimental verification,CSJBD significantly inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the proliferation of RA FLSs.Wnt7b overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of CSJBD on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the proliferation of RA FLSs,indicating that Wnt7b is the direct target of CSJBD.Conclusion CSJBD inhibits RA pathology by blocking the WTAP-Wnt7b-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis,with Wnt7b identified as a direct therapeutic target of CSJBD.
9.Research progress of adoptive cell therapy in acute leukemia
Yifan HE ; Shuhui XU ; Zengzheng LI ; Yajie WANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(6):1442-1446
Acute leukemia is a common hematological malignancy.Conventional chemotherapy,targe-ted drug therapy,hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and other treatment methods have made progress,but the mortality rate of patients after recurrence is still high.Adoptive cell therapy(ACT)has emerged as an effective therapeutic option for acute leukemia,particularly chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T-cell therapy,which has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL)and ma-lignant lymphoma.However,CAR-T cell therapy may induce cytokine release syndrome.Recent studies have highlighted the potent anti-leukemia effects of CAR-NK cell therapy.This review summarizeed the research progress of ACT employing various immune cells targeting different antigens in the treatment of acute leukemia.
10.Effects of edema metabolic and hematoma dynamics changes on motor and cognitive recovery in intracerebral hemorrhage patients based on MR spectroscopy imaging
Yajie CHEN ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Feng CHEN ; Xiang CHEN ; Yang LI ; Yuhao XU ; Yan ZHU ; Ranchao WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):721-725
Objective To investigate the predictive value of edema metabolic and hematoma dynamics changes on motor and cog-nitive recovery outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods The CT data of ICH patients were collected to evaluate hematoma volume changes from admission to day 3.On day 3,multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)was per-formed with region of interest located in the edema region and contralateral normal tissue.Motor and cognitive function recovery was assessed using the simplified F-M scale and the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)on day 3 and at the 3-month follow-up,respec-tively.Overall clinical outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow outcome scale(GOS),and all patients were divided into good and poor outcome groups.Clinical data and metabolic differences in the edema region between the two groups were compared,respec-tively.Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to identify and evaluate independent prognostic factors.Subgroup analysis were performed via stratification of hematoma location.Results The logistic regression analy-sis indicated that intraventricular extension,hematoma changes,and the ratio of N-acetyl aspartate(NAA)around the hematoma to contralateral normal brain parenchyma NAA(rNAA)were inde-pendent prognostic factors for poor outcomes(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for each factor and the combined model were 0.69,0.73,0.79,and 0.82,respectively.In patients with ICH in the basal ganglia region,△F-M was negatively correlated with hematoma changes and positively correlated with rNAA value(P<0.001).In patients with ICH in the thalamic and lobar regions,△MoCA was not significantly correlated with hematoma changes(P>0.05),but was positively correlated with rNAA value(P<0.001).Conclusion The rNAA holds predictive value for motor and cognitive recovery outcomes following standard treatment.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail