1.Analysis of the changes in intestinal microbiota of patients with moderate to severe acne based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology
Shichao JIANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Song QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Birong GUO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):98-103
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between acne vulgaris and gut microbiota. MethodsA total of 29 clinical cases diagnosed with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris and 26 healthy individuals as control subjects were recruited. Fecal specimens were collected from all participants, and further analysis of gut microbial communities was performed by leveraging high-throughput sequencing techniques that target the hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA genes. ResultsAssociations between acne vulgaris and alterations in gut microbiota were identified. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota exhibited a statistically significant elevation in the acne vulgaris cohort when compared with the healthy control group (P<0.01), while Cyanobacteria was significantly lower in the acne group (P<0.01). At the genus level, the top five different bacterial taxa in both groups were Bacteroides, Escherichia⁃Shigella, Klebsiella, Roseburia, and Parabacteroides. Among them, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Parabacteroides were more abundant in acne patients. Linear discriminant analysis identified five biomarkers all belonging to the Bacteroidota phylum in the acne and control groups. These biomarkers belong to the phylum Bacteroidetes. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota between acne patients and healthy people. Changes in the richness of specific bacterial genera may become new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of acne.
2.Exploring on Quality Evaluation Methods of Clinical Case Reports in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Bo ZHOU ; Haimin CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Changcheng HOU ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Guoshuang ZHU ; Shukun GONG ; Jianwen HE ; Yang YE ; Yuqiu AN ; Chunquan SUN ; Qingjie YUAN ; Buman LI ; Xingzhong FENG ; Kegang CAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhining TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):271-276
As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) academic thought and clinical experience, the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges, including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic, encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization, characteristics and advantages, application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment, while aligning with modern scientific research standards, achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently, this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases, contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge, evidence-based practice, and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.
3.Preliminary application of histological evaluation of donor pancreas biopsy tissue in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation
Jiao WAN ; Hui GUO ; Jiali FANG ; Guanghui LI ; Luhao LIU ; Yunyi XIONG ; Wei YIN ; Tong YANG ; Junjie MA ; Zheng CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):250-256
Objective To preliminarily investigate the safety and efficacy of donor pancreas needle biopsy in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 7 cases undergoing donor pancreas biopsy were collected retrospectively. All cases underwent donor pancreas biopsy before or during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Frozen section or paraffin sectioning techniques were used for tissue preparation, and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were performed to histologically evaluate the donor pancreas. The quality of donor pancreas was comprehensively assessed by combining histological findings with the donor's clinical data. Postoperative follow-up data of 5 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients were collected to summarize the safety of donor pancreas biopsy and the prognosis of transplant recipients. Results The 7 pancreas donors were aged 28 to 62 years, with a body mass index ranging from 20.76 to 27.68 kg/m2. Liver ultrasound indicated fatty liver in 3 cases, while pancreatic ultrasound did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Among them, biopsy was performed on 2 donors after completion of pancreatic procurement and processing, and the frozen section histology showed moderate acute pancreatitis changes (edema of acinar cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Combined with a serum amylase level elevated more than 3 times the upper limit of normal value, these two donor pancreases were finally discarded. The remaining 5 cases underwent biopsy immediately after pancreatic vascular anastomosis during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, and histological evaluation was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. No biopsy-related complications (such as bleeding, pancreatic fistula, etc.) occurred after transplantation. One recipient died of severe infection 2 months after transplantation, while the other 4 recipients were followed up for more than 5 years, with well-functioning transplant kidneys and pancreases. Conclusions Donor pancreas biopsy is relatively safe, and the risk of biopsy-related complications after transplantation is controllable. Comprehensive assessment of donor pancreas quality by combining histological evaluation with the donor's clinical indicators is conducive to improving the accuracy of donor pancreas selection and organ utilization.
4.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating ATF3 to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway
Xingyu* WAN ; Yujia LIU ; Ruiyan WANG ; Hao WANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Lu GUO ; Zhihua YANG ; Xinghua LÜ
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):275-286
Objective To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods hucMSC-Exos were isolated and characterized. A mouse renal IRI model was established and the animals were divided into Sham, IRI, IRI+hucMSC-Exo, IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Sham+JY-2 groups. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate renal histopathology. Enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay was performed to determine serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteineyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1 p20 and Gasdermin D(GSDMD). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD. An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established in HK-2 cells and divided into Control, H/R, H/R+hucMSC-Exo, H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Control+JY-2 groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 mRNA. Results HucMSC-Exos were successfully isolated and identified. Compared with the Sham group, the IRI group exhibited elevated Scr and BUN, higher tubular injury scores, increased protein expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD, and raised mRNA expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB. Compared with the IRI group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group showed decreased Scr and BUN, lower tubular injury scores, up-regulated ATF3 protein and mRNA, down-regulated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD protein, and declined TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA. Compared with the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group exhibited increased Scr and BUN levels, elevated renal tubular injury scores, decreased ATF3 protein expression levels, elevated protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD, decreased ATF3 mRNA expression levels, and elevated mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB. (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group, the expression levels of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased in the H/R group, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased. Compared with the H/R group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was increased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were decreased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were decreased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group. Compared with the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was decreased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions HucMSC-Exos alleviate renal IRI by up-regulating ATF3, thereby negatively regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and subsequently inhibiting pyroptosis.
5.Major changes in the United Kingdom Serious Hazards of Transfusion System (Part 2): promoting learning from continuing excellence in transfusion
Yongjian GUO ; Hongjie WANG ; Junhong YANG ; Xia HUANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):294-304
As the second part of this series, this article summarizes and synthesizes the key aspects of UK Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), SHOT’s continuous promotion of learning from excellent daily transfusion events over the past six years. This summary is based on an introduction to the holistic approach to improving patient safety—proactively learning from both failures and successes. The covered topics include an overview, definitions, case studies, implementation methods, safety culture, psychological safety in the workplace, civility in work, the use of neutral language, leading and lagging indicators, and compassionate governance. It is hoped that this article will assist domestic colleagues in understanding and studying the strategic significance of the transformation of transfusion safety governance in the UK, and inspire reflection on the strategic development direction of transfusion safety governance in China.
6.Pathogenesis Evolution and Stage-based Treatment of Gout: An Exploration Based on Theory of ''Endogenous Dampness Leading to Bi Syndrome''
Yingjie ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Zhuoming ZHENG ; Siwei PENG ; Yan XIAO ; Peng CHEN ; Youxin SU ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):74-83
Gout is a crystal-associated arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals and is closely related to purine metabolic disorders and impaired uric acid excretion. It is clinically characterized by hyperuricemia, recurrent joint swelling and pain, and tophus formation. The disease course is divided into three stages: The hyperuricemia stage, acute attack stage, and chronic gouty arthritis stage. Modern medicine has reached a consensus on its pathology, but traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lacks a systematic stage-specific understanding of gout pathogenesis and its underlying mechanisms, making it difficult to guide precise syndrome differentiation and treatment. By integrating classical TCM theory, clinical practice, and modern medical understanding, and drawing upon descriptions of Bi syndrome caused by endogenous dampness and turbidity in classical texts such as Huangdi Neijing·Ling Shu and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, our team proposes the pathogenic concept of gout as ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome'' and the core pathogenesis of ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of dampness-turbidity''. We systematically elucidate the evolution of pathogenesis across different stages and corresponding therapeutic strategies. This study posits that metabolic byproducts such as urate fall under the category of ''endogenous pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When genetic or dietary factors lead to metabolic abnormalities, it manifests as ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation'', resulting in ''internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When damp-turbidity stagnates in the blood vessels, serum uric acid levels rise. When it stagnates in the viscera and limbs, monosodium urate crystals deposit in the joints. Triggered by precipitating factors, this leads to gout attacks—the core pathological process of ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome''. Based on this theory, the stage-specific pathogenic characteristics of gout are proposed: The hyperuricemia stage is characterized by ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation, internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity'', the acute attack stage is primarily marked by ''dampness-turbidity and static heat obstructing the limbs and joints'', while the chronic stage is defined by ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity, intermingled with phlegm-stasis binding''. The treatment principle centers on ''strengthening the spleen and draining dampness'' throughout all stages. During the hyperuricemia stage, treatment focuses on ''strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, and eliminating turbidity''. In the acute attack stage, the treatment should "strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, clear heat, eliminate turbidity, alleviate swelling, and relieve pain''. In the chronic stage, the treatments emphasizes to ''strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, transform turbidity, clear heat, resolve phlegm, and activate blood circulation''. This approach has yielded favorable therapeutic outcomes in clinical practice. This theoretical system clarifies the nature of gout as ''spleen deficiency being the root, dampness-turbidity being the secondary manifestation'' and systematically analyzes its pathogenesis evolution process and characteristics. The constructed stage-based treatment protocol has been validated through clinical and basic research, providing systematic theoretical guidance and a practical framework for the precise TCM management of gout, thereby promoting the modernization of TCM pathogenesis theory related to gout.
7.Analysis of Chronic Gouty Arthritis Animal Models Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Yan XIAO ; Siyuan LIN ; Fan YANG ; Qianglong CHEN ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Meiling WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jiali LUO ; Youxin SU ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):84-92
ObjectiveBased on the clinical characteristics of chronic gouty arthritis (CGA) in both traditional Chinese and western medicine, this study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing CGA animal models, providing recommendations for establishing animal models that align with the pathological characteristics of CGA and the manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. MethodsBy comprehensively retrieving Chinese and international databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and PubMed, all relevant literature on CGA animal models was collected. Based on the guidelines, the diagnostic criteria of both traditional Chinese and western medicine were summarized and organized. The evaluation indicators for the CGA model were constructed with reference to existing evaluation modes, and the CGA animal models were analyzed to systematically evaluate the clinical concordance of existing models. ResultsThe current methods used to construct CGA animal models mainly include monosodium urate crystal induction, high-protein diet induction (poultry lack urate oxidase), and high-fat diet combined with urate oxidase inhibitors and joint injection. Based on 11 pieces of included literature, the traditional Chinese and western medicine scoring data of each model were extracted, and the average scoring values of all models were ultimately calculated. The results show that the average clinical concordances of existing CGA animal models in both traditional Chinese and western medicine are 43.33% and 64.44%, respectively. Among them, the model with the highest clinical concordance rate is the one with a high-fat diet combined with potassium oxonate to induce hyperuricemia plus joint injection, achieving 83.33% clinical concordance in western medicine and 60% in traditional Chinese medicine. This model aligns well with the pathogenic characteristics and pathological changes of clinical CGA. ConclusionAlthough current CGA animal models can simulate some pathological characteristics of CGA, they struggle to comprehensively reflect the complex pathological processes of CGA and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to establish the CGA animal models that incorporate the clinical disease and syndrome characteristics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and formulate the uniform model evaluation criteria, providing more precise tools for CGA mechanism research and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Presciption in Regulating Macrophage Polarization and Improving Low-grade Inflammation in Rats with Chronic Gouty Arthritis
Yuwan LI ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Siyuan LIN ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Qianglong CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Jun LIU ; Bingyan CHEN ; Peng CHEN ; Jiemei GUO ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):93-104
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Huazhuo SanJie Chubi presciption (HSCD) on chronic gouty arthritis (CGA) rats with low-grade inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanism with a focus on macrophage polarization. MethodsThe 41 male 6-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated, using the random number table, to a normal group (n=8) and a model group (n =33). CGA with low-grade inflammation was induced in the model group by daily gavage of potassium oxonate (250 mg·kg-1·d-1) and hypoxanthine (300 mg·kg-1·d-1), combined with intra-articular injection of a monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension (50 μL, 25 g·L-¹) into the left ankle twice weekly. After 4 weeks of modeling, 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for model validation. The remaining successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily), an M1 polarization agonist group (L-methionine sulfoximine, 300 mg·kg-1, subcutaneous injection every other day), an M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group, an M2 polarization inhibitor group (PD0325901, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily), and M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group. The corresponding drug or drug combination was administered according to group assignment, whereas rats in the normal and model groups received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) vehicle (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1, gavage once daily). All interventions were continued for four weeks. During the intervention period, except for the normal group, potassium oxonate (250 mg·kg⁻¹) and hypoxanthine (300 mg·kg-1) were co-administered by gavage every other day to maintain the model. At the end of treatment, serum uric acid (SUA), ankle joint diameter and joint swelling index were measured. The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 (S100A8/A9), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in serum and joint fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High-frequency ultrasound was used to assess MSU deposition in the ankle joint. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to evaluate synovial histopathological changes. Quantitative Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the M1 macrophage polarization markers inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the M2 macrophage polarization marker scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 (CD163) in synovial tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly elevated SUA level and joint swelling index, and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, CCL2, and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid (P<0.05), accompanied by MSU deposition and synovial inflammation in the ankle joint. The mRNA and protein expression levels of macrophage polarization M1/M2 markers iNOS and CD163 in synovial tissues were also significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with model group, rats in HSCD group had significantly lower SUA levels, attenuated joint swelling, reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in both serum and joint fluid, accompanied with alleviated MSU deposition and synovial inflammation (P<0.05). HSCD markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of M1 marker iNOS (P<0.05), whereas it had no significant effect on the expression of M2 marker CD163. Compared with the M1 polarization agonist group, the M1 polarization agonist + HSCD group showed significantly reduced joint swelling, lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid (P<0.05). In addition, synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were attenuated, and iNOS mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 polarization inhibitor group, the M2 polarization inhibitor + HSCD group exhibited reduced joint swelling, decreased levels of CCL2 and S100A8/A9 in joint fluid and ameliorated synovial inflammation (P<0.05), whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10, Arg-1) and CD163 mRNA and protein expression were not significantly increased. ConclusionHSCD alleviates low-grade inflammation in CGA rats, at least in part, by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.
9.Effect and Action Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Prescription on Gouty Bone Erosion Model Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Zhuoming ZHENG ; Jun LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Yuwan LI ; Siwei PENG ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):105-117
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the effect of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi prescription (HSCD) on the gouty bone erosion model rats and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsThirty-six two-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group with nine rats and the modeling group with 27 rats. The rats in the modeling group were administered hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1·d-1, combined with intra-articular injection of 200 μL monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension at 25 g·L-1 into the right ankle joint (joint injection once every three days), so as to induce the gouty bone erosion model. After four weeks of modeling, three rats were selected from these two groups to validate the model. The modeled 24 rats were randomly divided into the model group, HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1), allopurinol group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1), and inhibitor group (LY294002, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1), with six rats per group. Except for the blank group, rats in all other groups continued to receive hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1 via gavage concurrently with administration to maintain modeling intervention. The rats in the HSCD group and allopurinol group received administration by gavage at the above doses. The rats in the inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection at the above dose. The rats in the blank group and model group received saline (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for four consecutive weeks. After administration, ankle joint swelling of the rats in all groups was observed, and the diameters were measured. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone surface area to bone volume (BS/BV) were observed and quantitatively analyzed by Micro-CT. Histopathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining. The uric acid in the rats' serum was determined by enzyme colorimetry. The levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphorylated (p)-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) in ankle joint tissues of rats were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of the proteins related to the bone erosion, including RANKL, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
10.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

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