Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huanglian Heye Formula(composed of Nelumbinis Folium,Coicis Semen,Atractylodis Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Coptidis Rhizoma,Crataegi Fructus,and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma)combined with insulin aspart in treating obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)presenting damp-heat obstructing middle jiao syndrome.Methods A total of 94 obese T2DM patients with damp-heat obstructing middle jiao syndrome were treated at the Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from April 2022 to January 2024.The patients were randomly assigned to the control group and the observation group,with 47 patients in each group.The control group was treated with insulin aspart,and the observation group was treated with Huanglian Heye Formula plus insulin aspart,both groups were treated for 12 weeks.Changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,lipid metabolism parameters[total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)],obesity indicators[waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),body mass index(BMI),glucose metabolism markers[glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),2-hour postprandial glucose(2hPG),fasting plasma glucose(FPG)],and serological indicators(visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor[VASPIN],homeostasis model assessment of[3-cell function(HOMA-β)]were observed before and after treatment.Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results(1)The observation group demonstrated significantly higher total efficacy[93.62％(44/47)]compared to the control group[78.72％(37/47);the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy in the observation group was superior to the control group(P＜0.05).(2)Both groups showed reduced TCM syndrome scores(heaviness in head/body,epigastric fullness,sticky/foul-smelling stools,halitosis,dry/bitter mouth,heartburn/vomiting,yellowish urine,and emotional distress;all P＜0.05),with greater improvements in the observation group(P＜0.01).(3)Lipid profiles of TC,TG and LDL-C were improved in both groups(P＜0.05),with more significant reductions in the observation group(P＜0.01).(4)Obesity indicators(WHR,BMI)decreased in both groups(P＜0.05),showing superior reductions in the observation group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)Glucose metabolism markers(HbA1c,2hPG,FPG)were significantly lowered in both groups(P＜0.05),with the observation group achieving better outcomes(P＜0.01).(6)Serological analysis revealed increased VASPIN and HOMA-[3 levels in both groups(P＜0.05),with more pronounced elevations in the observation group(P＜0.01).(7)No severe adverse events occurred.The incidence of adverse reactions was 8.51％(4/47)in the observation group versus 6.38％(3/47)in the control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Huanglian Heye Formula combined with insulin aspart significantly improves clinical outcomes in obese T2DM patients with damp-heat obstructing middle jiao syndrome by protecting pancreatic[3-cell function,reducing body mass,ameliorating glucose/lipid metabolism,and modulating VASPIN expression,with demonstrated safety.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism implicated in the treatment of primary myelofibrosis （PMF） using Chinese medicinal herbs （CMH） by bioinformatics and molecular dynamics. MethodsData mining was performed to find the high-frequency CMH in treating PMF between the year of 1985 and 2024 by searching CNKI， Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database （CCD）， and China Academic Journal Database （CSPD）. TCMSP， SwissTargetPrediction and related reports were used to collect the main active ingredients of high-frequency CMH and their targets. The PMF datasets GSE44426 and GSE124281 were downloaded from GEO database， and R software was used for data normalization and differentially expressed genes （DEGs） screening. Key module hub genes were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） analysis. The common intersection genes of active ingredient targets， DEGs and key module hub genes of CMH were selected， and the target network was generated using Cytoscape 3.9.2 software. The core target network was generated by topological analysis， while key pathways were selected by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis， and protein interaction relationships were obtained from the String database， so as to construct drug-ingredient-target network and protein interaction network （PPI） relationship diagrams. Discovery Studio 2020 software was used to perform molecular docking， and the GROMACS program was used to perform molecular dynamics simulation. ResultsA total of 21 prescriptions were collected involving 121 herbs. There were 9 herbs with a frequency ≥10 times， which were Danshen （Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae）， Huangqi （Radix Astragali）， Baizhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae）， Danggui （Radix Angelicae Sinensis）， Dangshen （Radix Codonopsis）， Gancao （Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae）， Baishao （Radix Paeoniae Alba）， Fuling （Poria） and Shudihuang （Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata） from high- to low-frequency. A total of 98 active ingredients and 1125 potential targets were obtained from 9 high-frequency CMH. GSE44426 and GSE124281 data sets screened out 24 gene samples， including 14 of the healthy control group and 10 of the PMF group， and identified 319 DEGs between the two groups， including 122 up-regulated genes and 197 down-regulated genes. WGCNA screened out 24 co-expression module genes and found that the five modules closely related to the onset of PMF were MEpink， MEdarkred， MEblack， MEgrey， and MEturquoise， involving 7112 key module hub genes. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that lipids and the atherosclerosis pathways were mainly involved in the mechanism of above high-frequency CMH in treating PMF， which included six hub protein targets： HSP90AA1， HSP90AB1， SRC， MAPK1， IL1B and IL10. From the drug-ingredient-target network， seven active ingredients of CMH targeting at these six hub targets were found， including verbascoside， verbascos isoflavone， kaempferol， luteolin， naringenin， quercetin and pachymic acid. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses showed that the key CMH were Shudihuang， Huangqi， Baishao， Danshen， Gancao and Fuling， and among the seven active ingredients， calycosin had the highest binding affinity with HSP90AB1. ConclusionThe main CMH for the treatment of PMF may be Shudihuang， Huangqi， Baishao， Danshen， Gancao and Fuling， and the active ingredients include verbascoside， verbascos isoflavones， kaempferol， luteolin， naringenin， quercetin and pachymic acid. The relevant targets are HSP90AA1， HSP90AB1， SRC， MAPK1， IL-10， and IL-1β， and the most critical pathways are lipid and atherosclerosis pathways.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanisms of the flavonoids from new "Zhe Eight Flavors" Quzhou Fructus Aurantii(PTFC) against hepatocellular carcinoma based on the prediction of network pharmacology and experimental verification. METHODS From TCMSP, TCMID, ETCM, BATMAN-TCM and SwissTargetPrediction databases, the potential target proteins of PTFC, including naringin, narirutin and neohesperidin were collected. Based on the GeneCards, CTD, Disgenet, and OMIM databases, a set of target proteins for hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed. Taking the intersection of potential target proteins of PTFC and target proteins of hepatocellular carcinoma, key target proteins were obtained and a protein-protein interaction network was established. Besides, GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the core target proteins was performed and a Compounds-Targets-Pathways-Disease network was constructed. Through proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration experiments, the effects of PTFC on the viability of HepG2 liver cancer cells were analyzed. Using fluorescence probe staining the impacts of PTFC on the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis of HepG2 were observed. Finally, the validation of the regulatory effect of PTFC on the key predicted target PRKCA were carried out through RT-qPCR. RESULTS Based on network pharmacology, a total of 217 potential target proteins for PTFC were screened, with 59 intersecting target proteins related to diseases, including ALB, ESR1, PRKCA, and others. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the PTFC target proteins were involved in 193 biological processes and 13 cancer-related signaling pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that PTFC could impact the proliferation, cloning, wound healing, and migration abilities of liver cancer cells, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting cell apoptosis. The results of RT-qPCR confirmed a significant downregulation of PRKCA expression by PTFC, validating the predictions made by network pharmacology analysis. CONCLUSION This study has revealed the potential molecular mechanism of PTFC treating hepatocellular carcinoma via the PRKCA target, laying the foundation for clinical application of PTFC.

OBJECTIVE To identify and classify the chemical components and components absorbed into blood of Sishen Pills u-sing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry.METHODS SD rats were divided into blank group and drug administration group.The rats in drug administration group were given water extract of Sishen Pills formula intragastrically,and blank and drug-containing plasma were collected respectively.A Hypersil GOLD VANQUISH column(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.9 μm)was used,with 0.1%formic acid water acetonitrile as the mobile phase,gradient elution,volume flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1,and column temperature of 35℃.Electrospray ion source(ESI)with positive and negative ion scanning mode was used for chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry data acquisition.The chemical components of Sishen Pills were identi-fied by comparing the exact molecular mass,fragment ion information and relative retention time with the map of reference substance,matching with the self-established database and combining with literature reports.On this basis,the components absorbed into blood of Sishen Pills were analyzed by comparing the blank plasma and drug-containing plasma.RESULTS A total of 181 chemical compo-nents were identified from Sishen Pills,mainly including flavonoids,alkaloids,lignans and other components.A total of 49 prototype blood components were identified from the plasma samples,mainly including flavonoids,alkaloids and other components.CONCLU-SION A variety of chemical components in Sishen Pills and drug-containing plasma are comprehensively,accurately and quickly i-dentified,and all of them are assigned to the various medicinal materials in the prescription.This study provides reference for the qual-ity control,basic research on medicinal effect materials and clinical application of Sishen Pills.

Objective To explore the value of combined detection of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2),neuron specific enolase(NSE)and S-100 calcium binding protein β(S-100β)in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of acute cerebral infarction(ACI)in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning(CMP).Methods A total of 102 patients with CMP complicated with ACI admitted to the hospital from Jan-uary 2020 to November 2021 were selected as the study group,meanwhile,102 patients with simple CMP were enrolled as the control group.Patients in the study group were followed up for 6 months after discharge,ac-cording to the follow-up results,they were grouped into good prognosis group(60 cases)and poor prognosis group(42 cases).The serum levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assay(ELISA).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the value of the combination of serum Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of patients with CMP and ACI.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the study group were obviously higher(P<0.05).The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined detection of serum Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β for the diagnosis of CMP complicat-ed with ACI was greater than the AUC of single detection of each indicator(P<0.001).Compared with the good prognosis group,the levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the poor prognosis group were obviously higher(P<0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the combined detection of ser-um Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β for the prognosis of patients with CMP complicated with ACI was greater than the AUC of single detection of each indicator(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in serum of patients with CMP complicated with ACI is high,and the combined detection of the three has certain value in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation for patients with CMP complicated with ACI.

BACKGROUND:Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an empirical formula for the treatment of cerebral palsy in Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,with clear clinical efficacy,but the specific mechanism needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=12)and a model group(n=52).An animal model was established by the Rice-Vannucci method.After successful modeling,52 model rats were randomly divided into control model group(n=12),minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of the Shujin Jiannao Prescription(n=10 per group).Rats in the minocycline group were given 40 mg/kg·d minocycline by gavage;rats in the low-,medium,and high-dose groups were given 4,8,and 16 g/kg·d Shujin Jiannao Prescription granules by gavage,respectively;and rats in the normal group and control model group were given an equal dose of normal saline by gavage.Medication in each group was given once a day for 1 week.The rats in each group were evaluated behaviorally using suspension test,abnormal involuntary movement score,and Bederson score.The pathological changes of the cerebral cortex were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 10 in the cerebral cortex were determined using ELISA.The positive expressions of Janus kinase 2(JAK2),phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3)in the cerebral cortex were detected using immunohistochemistry.The protein expression levels of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 were detected using western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group,the suspension test score and involuntary movement score were decreased in the control model group(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).The pathological results showed structural disruption of nerve cells,formation of large numbers of vacuoles,cell swelling,and increased intercellular space in the control model group.In addition,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the expression of interleukin 10 was decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01)in the control model group compared with the normal group.Compared with the model group,minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at each dose could improve the behavioral indexes of rats(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05)and ischemic-hypoxic pathological changes were attenuated,with only a small amount of necrotic nerve cells and a few vacuoles,and reduced intercellular space.Moreover,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were decreased in each drug group compared with the control model group(P＜0.05),while the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The most obvious improvement was observed in the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription group.To conclude,Shujin Jiannao Prescription can inhibit inflammation in the cerebral cortex of rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is one of the most common causes of cerebral palsy.Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an experienced formula for treating cerebral palsy and improving blood supply to the brain developed by the Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating hypoxic-ischemic cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups.There were 12 rats in each of the control and model groups as well as 10 animals in each of the minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Shujin Jiannao Prescription.The neonatal rat ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy model was established in all groups except for the control group.After successful modeling,rats in each drug group were respectively gavaged with minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at a dose of 4,8,and 16 g/kg per day for 1 week.Body mass of rats was measured and behavioral changes were detected before and after drug administration.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histomorphology of hippocampal CA1 region of rat brain tissue,and immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue of rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly increased the body mass of rats(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,minocycline effectively prolonged the suspension time of ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy rats(P<0.05),while medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription significantly prolonged the suspension time,shortened the inclined plane test time,and increased the Longa score of rats(P<0.05).The pathological results showed that after drug intervention,only a small number of neuronal cells in the brain tissue of rats were necrotic,the cells were more neatly arranged,the cell structure was more complete,and only part of the cell nuclei became smaller.Compared with the model group,minocycline and medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription reduced the expression of Bax Caspase-3(P<0.05),medium-and high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription increased the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05),and Bcl-2/Bax protein expression was increased in minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P<0.05).In addition,the protein expression was increased in a dose-dependent manner after intervention with Shujin Jiannao Prescription,and there was no significant difference between the minocycline and three Shujin Jiannao Prescription groups(P>0.05).To conclude,the mechanism by which Shujin Jiannao Prescription treats ischemic-hypoxic cerebral palsy in rats may be to enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,and reduce the expression of Caspase-3,ultimately inhibiting the apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells in rats with cerebral palsy.Within a certain range,the higher dose of Shujin Jiannao Prescription indicates the better therapeutic effect,and the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription is as effective as minocycline.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma and Ophiopogonis Radix on renal tissue injury and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway in rats with diabetic nephropathy （DN） and explore its possible mechanism of delaying DN. MethodThirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group （6 rats） and a model group （30 rats）. The model group was fed with a high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin （STZ） to establish a rat model of type 2 diabetes. After the successful preparation of the model， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low， medium， and high dose groups of Coptidis Rhizoma and Ophiopogonis Radix （100， 200， 400 mg·kg^-1）， and metformin group （200 mg·kg^-1）. After administration， the levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， 24 h urine protein （24 h-UTP）， creatinine （SCr）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， and uric acid （UA） were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissue in rats. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect the related protein expression of EGFR， PI3K， and Akt and their mRNA expression levels in the renal tissue of rats in each group. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the levels of FBG， SCr， BUN， UA， 24 h-UTP， and kidney index in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， most renal tubular epithelial cells were necrotic， and the content of collagen in glomeruli was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the above indexes of rats in each administration group were improved to varying degrees. The FBG， SCr， BUN， UA， 24 h-UTP， and kidney index of rats in each dose group and metformin group were significantly decreased （P<0.01， P<0.05）. The necrosis degree of renal tubular epithelial cells was reduced， and the fibrosis area was decreased （P<0.01）. There related protein and mRNA expressions of EGFR， PI3K， and Akt were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionCoptidis Rhizoma and Ophiopogonis Radix can alleviate renal tissue injury in rats with DN， and their mechanism may be related to the regulation of the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods:From September 2015 to October 2021, the clinical data of 180 LACC patients (age: 22-76 years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before CCRT at Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. The metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), SUV max, and SUV mean were computed by using the margin threshold of 42%SUV max. The optimal threshold for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) was obtained by ROC curve analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for survival analysis, and the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival rate between groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze progression for PFS. Results:The median follow-up was 19.1 months, and 54 patients (30.0%, 54/180) suffered from disease progression. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of MTV was 31.145 ml, with the AUC of 0.641. Para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis had the highest AUC value (0.589) among the clinical factors, followed by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (0.581). The 1-year PFS rates of patients with MTV<31.145 ml ( n=88) and MTV≥31.145 ml ( n=92) were 80.68% and 59.78%, respectively ( χ2=13.72, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that pathological type (hazard ratio ( HR)=3.075, 95% CI: 1.370-6.901, P=0.006), FIGO stage ( HR=1.955, 95% CI: 1.031-3.707, P=0.040), PALN metastasis ( HR=2.136, 95% CI: 1.202-3.796, P=0.010) and MTV ( HR=2.449, 95% CI: 1.341-4.471, P=0.004) were the significant predictors for PFS. Conclusions:Pathological type, FIGO stage, PALN metastasis and MTV are independent prognostic risk factors for PFS. MTV as the baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameter, can realize prognostic stratification analysis.