1.Zishen Tiaogan Prescription Treats Diminished Ovarian Reserve in Rats via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Zhongtong LI ; Yaping ZHANG ; Chen YOU ; Qingqing LI ; Yingjie WANG ; Siwen OU ; Taomei XUE ; Chuqi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):72-80
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose (350 mg·kg-1) combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling, 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (6.39, 12.78, 25.56 g·kg-1, respectively) Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary, loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer, declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) in the serum, elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P<0.01), lowered levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) (P<0.01), and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.01). In addition, the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased (P<0.01), in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group, the estradiol valerate and low-, medium-, and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index (P<0.01) and serum E2 and AMH levels (P<0.01), declined levels of FSH and LH (P<0.01), increased follicles in the ovary, elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH, and reduced accumulation of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased positive expression of SOD2 (P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones, down-regulate the expression of Keap1, up-regulate the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD2, enhance the antioxidant capacity, and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
2.Zishen Tiaogan Prescription Treats Diminished Ovarian Reserve in Rats via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Zhongtong LI ; Yaping ZHANG ; Chen YOU ; Qingqing LI ; Yingjie WANG ; Siwen OU ; Taomei XUE ; Chuqi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):72-80
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Zishen Tiaogan prescription on the oxidative stress injury in the rat model of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and explore the role of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight female SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group (n=12) and a modeling group (n=36). The rats in the modeling group received subcutaneous injection of galactose (350 mg·kg-1) combined with immobilization stress daily. After 28 days of modeling, 6 rats in the normal group and 6 rats in the modeling group were sacrificed to examine the modeling results. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (6.39, 12.78, 25.56 g·kg-1, respectively) Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with 6 animals per group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the estrous cycle and the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue. The ovarian index was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of sex hormones and oxidative stress-related indexes. Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the ovarian tissue. The positive expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the ovarian tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced follicles in the ovary, loose arrangement of the follicle granule layer, declined levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) in the serum, elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P<0.01), lowered levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) (P<0.01), and increased accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.01). In addition, the modeling led to up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased (P<0.01), in the ovarian tissue. Compared with model group, the estradiol valerate and low-, medium-, and high-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription groups showed increases in the ovarian index (P<0.01) and serum E2 and AMH levels (P<0.01), declined levels of FSH and LH (P<0.01), increased follicles in the ovary, elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH, and reduced accumulation of MDA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, these groups showcased down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Keap1 (P<0.01), the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression level of HO-1 protein was increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased positive expression of SOD2 (P<0.01). ConclusionZishen Tiaogan prescription can regulate the serum levels of hormones, down-regulate the expression of Keap1, up-regulate the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD2, enhance the antioxidant capacity, and reduce the peroxidation damage in the ovarian tissue to improve the ovarian reserve function in the rat model of DOR. High-dose Zishen Tiaogan prescription demonstrated the best effect and the mechanism is associated with the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
3.Effect and mechanism of atractyloin LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice
Meigui YOU ; Hongmiao WANG ; Yijia TANG ; Caihua WANG ; Yaping XU ; Hongyuan ZHONG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):758-765
This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of atractylon on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Changes in lung function parameters were measured in mice after intraperitoneal administration of atractylon. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by H&E staining, and the degree of pulmonary edema was assessed by the lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). Kit assays were used to detect changes in oxidative stress markers in mouse serum and the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). ELISA was employed to measure the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in BALF and serum. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proteins related to the cGAS-STING pathway and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in lung tissue. Results showed that, compared to the ALI model group, mice in the low-dose and high-dose atractylon groups exhibited significant improvement in lung function parameters, alleviated pulmonary edema, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. Protein content and inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and BALF were decreased, while serum oxidative stress indicators were improved. Western blot results further indicated that atractylon could regulate the cGAS-STING pathway, blocking the generation of inflammatory signals, and simultaneously inhibit VCAM-1 expression, thereby reducing pulmonary vascular injury. The results suggest that atractylon may alleviate LPS-induced ALI by modulating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and improving vascular endothelial injury. This study provides a new potential target and theoretical basis for the treatment of ALI, as well as a potential drug candidate for ALI therapy.
4.Application of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria in patients with liver cirrhosis
Minjie JIANG ; Juan CHEN ; Muchen WU ; Jing WU ; Xiaotong XU ; Juan LI ; Can LIU ; Yaping ZHAO ; Xin HUA ; Qinghua MENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):97-104
Background::The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were published to build a global consensus on nutritional diagnosis. Reduced muscle mass is a phenotypic criterion with strong evidence to support its inclusion in the GLIM consensus criteria. However, there is no consensus regarding how to accurately measure and define reduced muscle mass in clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate the optimal reference values of skeletal muscle mass index for diagnosing sarcopenia and GLIM-defined malnutrition, as well as the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition in hospitalized cirrhotic patients.Methods::This retrospective study was conducted on 1002 adult patients with liver cirrhosis between January 1, 2018, and February 28, 2022, at Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University. Adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and who underwent an abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination during hospitalization were included in the study. These patients were randomly divided into a modeling group (cohort 1, 667 patients) and a validation group (cohort 2, 335 patients). In cohort 1, optimal cut-off values of skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar skeletal muscle index (L3-SMI) were determined using receiver operating characteristic analyses against in-hospital mortality in different gender groups. Next, patients in cohort 2 were screened for nutritional risk using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), and malnutrition was diagnosed by GLIM criteria. Additionally, the reference values of reduced muscle mass in GLIM criteria were derived from the L3-SMI values from cohort 1. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between GLIM-defined malnutrition and clinical outcomes.Results::The optimal cut-off values of L3-SMI were 39.50 cm 2/m 2 for male patients and 33.06 cm 2/m 2 for female patients. Based on the cut-off values, 31.63% (68/215) of the male patients and 23.3% (28/120) of the female patients had CT-determined sarcopenia in cohort 2. The prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition in cirrhotic patients was 34.3% (115/335) and GLIM-defined malnutrition was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis ( Wald = 6.347, P = 0.012). Conclusions::This study provided reference values for skeletal muscle mass index and the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis. These reference values will contribute to applying the GLIM criteria in cirrhotic patients.
5.Atrial fibrillation detection using millimeter-wave radar
Hengji ZHOU ; Yihan YANG ; Yuanhui HU ; Yuguang CHU ; Xintian SHOU ; Yaping YOU ; Wenjing XUE ; Shaowei FAN ; Yong WANG ; Huiliang SHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2024;41(1):81-87
A novel technology is proposed for non-contact and real-time detection of atrial fibrillation using millimeter-wave radar.A 60 GHz PCR millimeter wave radar is used to continuously detect the chest echo signal of the subject.After signal acquisition,I-Q signal is generated through I-Q demodulation,and the signal phase information is extracted using effective points phase trend evaluation for obtaining the signals from oscillations in the chest wall,from which the respiratory signals and cardiac signals are extracted through digital filtering for the analysis of cardiac movement.Whether the atrial fibrillation occurs or not is determined by the characteristics of atrial fibrillation wave in the time domain.The effective points phase trend evaluation for extracting more accurate signal phase information and the time-domain method for real-time atrial fibrillation detection are the innovations of the study.The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a detection accuracy of 99.2%in clinic.
6.Summary of the best evidence for rehabilitation exercise in patients after lumbar spinal stenosis surgery
Dongyue GAO ; Yaping DING ; Xuemei ZENG ; Yun YOU ; Zhengxiang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(9):1174-1180
Objective:To summarize the best evidence of rehabilitation exercise in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis surgery.Methods:The evidence-based questions were established based on PIPOST's principles, and Wanfang data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, UpToDate, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, American Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and other databases and websites were searched by computer. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to October 31, 2022. Two researchers conducted quality evaluation, evidence extraction, and summarization of the included literature.Results:A total of 10 articles were included, including six expert consensus articles, three systematic review articles, and one meta-analysis article. A total of 16 pieces of evidence were summarized from nine aspects of rehabilitation exercise evaluation, principles, timing, methods, health education, psychotherapy, pain management, evaluation and post discharge follow-up.Conclusions:This study summarizes the best evidence for rehabilitation exercise in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis after surgery, and it suggests that healthcare professionals apply evidence based on clinical context and patient willingness.
7.Qualitative study on postoperative continuing health education needs of patients with degenerative scoliosis after surgery
Dongyue GAO ; Yaping DING ; Yun YOU ; Chaoyu YANG ; Ying WANG ; Yuwen XING
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(18):2432-2436
Objective:To understand the current rehabilitation status and existing problems of patients with degenerative scoliosis after surgery, and analyze the needs of continuous health education for patients.Methods:A total of 15 patients with degenerative scoliosis undergoing surgical treatment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from December 2021 to June 2022 were selected by the convenient sampling method. The semi-structured interview was used to understand the patient's feelings on the operation effect, experience on the postoperative life impact, thoughts on rehabilitation exercise, self-cognition of home status and future development planning. Based on the rooted theory, Colaizzi 7-step analysis was applied to extract the topic.Results:The four themes related to the continuous health education needs of patients with degenerative scoliosis after surgery were summarized, which were unacceptable movement limitation of lower back or lower extremity, blind area of continuous rehabilitation exercise, lack of knowledge of self-management of spinal disease after surgery and need for social and psychological support.Conclusions:Patients with degenerative scoliosis lack of postoperative rehabilitation knowledge and skills, and the need for health education is strong. Medical staff can meet the patients' transitional care needs by educating them to adapt to the current situation, providing personalized rehabilitation goals, guiding patients in managing risk factors that affect their own rehabilitation and improving social and family support systems, thereby promoting rapid recovery of patients.
8.Effects of best evidence-based practice for rehabilitation exercises in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis
Dongyue GAO ; Yaping DING ; Xuemei ZENG ; Yun YOU ; Jing ZHUO ; Jinfeng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(23):3139-3146
Objective:To explore the clinical effects of the best evidence-based practice plan for rehabilitation exercises in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) .Methods:Guided by the evidence-based practice model of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare in Australia, the best evidence was combined with the clinical context to develop quality review indicators for clinical practice. In December 2022, a baseline review was conducted with 30 patients undergoing surgery for LSS (before evidence application). From December 2022 to February 2023, the baseline review results were analyzed to identify facilitating and obstructive factors between the current status and the review indicators, and improvement strategies were implemented based on available resources. In February 2023, another 30 patients (after evidence application) were selected to evaluate the post-application effects. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) score, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) score, and quality of life scores were compared between the two groups at 24 hours, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. The execution rate of clinical quality review indicators and the knowledge scores on rehabilitation exercises of 25 nurses before and after training were also compared.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in JOA scores, ODI, TSK scores, GSES scores, and quality of life scores between the two groups at 24 hours postoperatively ( P > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in these scores at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively ( P< 0.01). After evidence application, the execution rate of seven clinical quality review indicators improved, and the knowledge scores on rehabilitation exercises of the 25 nurses increased significantly ( P< 0.05) . Conclusions:The evidence-based practice for rehabilitation exercises in patients undergoing surgery for LSS is safe and feasible. It standardizes evidence-based nursing practice behavior, enhances nurses' knowledge levels, effectively improves postoperative lumbar function, promotes physical rehabilitation, and enhances the quality of life.
9.Atractylodin induces apoptosis and autophagy of lung cancer cells via ROS/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway
Zhenhui WU ; Hongmiao WANG ; Jingyi LI ; Meigui YOU ; Yaping XU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(11):2050-2058
AIM:This study investigates the apoptotic and autophagic effects of atractylodin on lung cancer cells,elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)A549 and H460 cells,in addition to non-cancerous HBE cells,were cultured in vitro.The effects of atractylodin at various concen-trations on cell viability were assessed using CCK-8 assay.Apoptotic effects were evaluated through Hoechst staining and flow cytometry,while Western blot analysis was performed to detect changes in protein expressions associated with apopto-sis and autophagy,including P62,beclin-1,microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3),Kelch-like epichloro-hydrin(ECH)-associated protein-1(Keap-1),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1).Autophagic flux was further analyzed using acridine orange(AO)stain-ing,and immunofluorescence for LC3 and Nrf2.Additionally,autophagy inhibition experiments were conducted using chloroquine(CQ),followed by analyses of autophagy and apoptosis.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were quanti-fied using DCFH-DA.RESULTS:Treatment with atractylodin significantly reduced the viability of A549 and H460 lung cancer cells,promoting apoptosis and inducing autophagy.This was evidenced by an increase in acidic autophagic vesi-cles,upregulation of LC3 and beclin-1,and downregulation of P62.Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine reversed atrac-tylodin-induced apoptosis.Moreover,atractylodin heightened ROS production,inhibited Keap-1,and stimulated the ex-pression of Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1.CONCLUSION:Atractylodin effectively inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and autophagy.These effects are mediated through the modulation of the ROS/Nrf2/HO-1 sig-naling pathway,underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent in lung cancer treatment.
10.Three methods for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction from water,deficiency and blood stasis
Xin ZHAO ; Qingyong HE ; Jie WANG ; Yuzhi JIA ; Yaping YOU ; Xinyu LU ; Haifang WU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):747-752
This study investigated the primary pathogenesis and syndrome evolution of different heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)stages based on the classical and clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),combined with the clinical characteristics of pre-heart failure,symptomatic heart failure,and advanced heart failure.This study summarizes and refines the three core syndrome factors:water,deficiency and blood stasis.Water-fluid retention was observed throughout these three stages,from the beginning to the end.With the advancement of the disease,the heart yang changes from stagnation to deficiency,water-fluid retention gradually increases,blood stasis becomes increasingly prominent,and the disease location develops dynamically from the upper to the middle and lower jiao.This study proposes three methods of treating HFpEF.The main pathogenesis of pre-heart failure is lung qi dysfunction-induced water retention,which can be treated by dispersing lung qi and transforming water retention using Fuling Xingren Gancao Decoction.The primary pathogenesis of symptomatic heart failure is yang and qi deficiency-induced water retention,which can be treated with tonifying yang,supplementing qi,and transforming water retention using Shengxian Decoction combined with Linggui Zhugan Decoction.The primary pathogenesis of advanced heart failure is yang deficiency with blood stasis and water retention affecting the heart,which can be treated with tonifying yang,circulating blood,and expelling water retention using Zhenwu Tingli Decoction.Chinese medicine can be flexibly added or subtracted according to the patients'concurrent patterns.However,the daily care of patients should be considered.This study explores the staging treatment of HFpEF from water,deficiency and blood stasis to provide a TCM clinical reference for treating HFpEF.

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