1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Role of Autophagy in Cardiovascular Diseases and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment: A Review
Yiting ZHAO ; Hewei QIN ; Xia WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):284-292
Cardiovascular diseases, a group of major non-infectious diseases, are characterized by high morbidity and mortality, significantly influencing patients' quality of life. Hence, it is imperative to discover a secure and efficacious treatment approach. As a form of programmed cell death, autophagy has been demonstrated to be associated with the pathogeneses of hypertension, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular disorders. It serves as one of the potential targets for the clinical intervention in cardiovascular diseases by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Autophagy exerts dual regulatory effects on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases, and its specific effect predominantly depends on the extent of autophagy and the pathological stage of diseases. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases by directly regulating autophagy or interacting with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis under the regulation of autophagy, exhibiting the unique advantages of multiple targets, multiple components, and mild adverse reactions. This article reviews the experimental research progress in the role of autophagy and the intervention by active components and compound prescriptions of TCM and Chinese patent medicines in common cardiovascular diseases (such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, and atherosclerosis) in recent years and summarizes the research shortcomings, providing a theoretical basis and strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
3.Role of Autophagy in Cardiovascular Diseases and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment: A Review
Yiting ZHAO ; Hewei QIN ; Xia WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):284-292
Cardiovascular diseases, a group of major non-infectious diseases, are characterized by high morbidity and mortality, significantly influencing patients' quality of life. Hence, it is imperative to discover a secure and efficacious treatment approach. As a form of programmed cell death, autophagy has been demonstrated to be associated with the pathogeneses of hypertension, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular disorders. It serves as one of the potential targets for the clinical intervention in cardiovascular diseases by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Autophagy exerts dual regulatory effects on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases, and its specific effect predominantly depends on the extent of autophagy and the pathological stage of diseases. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases by directly regulating autophagy or interacting with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis under the regulation of autophagy, exhibiting the unique advantages of multiple targets, multiple components, and mild adverse reactions. This article reviews the experimental research progress in the role of autophagy and the intervention by active components and compound prescriptions of TCM and Chinese patent medicines in common cardiovascular diseases (such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, and atherosclerosis) in recent years and summarizes the research shortcomings, providing a theoretical basis and strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
4.Role of Nrf2 in vascular cognitive impairment and progress in traditional Chinese medicine interventions
Yiting ZHAO ; Hewei QIN ; Jiandong LIU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(8):146-157
Vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)is a syndrome of cognitive decline attributed to vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular diseases.A range of pathophysiological processes induced by vascular injury,including inflammation,oxidative stress,cell death,disruption of the blood-brain barrier,and synaptic damage are intricately linked to the development of VCI.Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),encoded by the NFE2L2 gene,is a potent transcription factor that plays a critical role in antioxidant defense.Extensive research has demonstrated that Nrf2 mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation by upregulating the expression of antioxidant response elements,thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species.Nrf2 also modulates programmed cell death,enhances blood-brain barrier integrity,and promotes synaptic plasticity,ultimately delaying the progression of VCI.This review examines the role of Nrf2 in VCI and highlights recent research on traditional Chinese medicines targeting Nrf2 for the prevention and treatment of VCI,thus providing novel insights and approaches for managing this condition.
5.18F-FDG PET/CT in Differential Diagnosis of Breast Cancer with Solitary Pulmonary Lesions
Yiting ZHAO ; Qin PENG ; Mei MA ; Mengying YANG ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(10):1072-1078
Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)PET/CT in differentiating primary lung cancer(PLC)from metastatic pulmonary breast cancer in breast cancer patients with solitary pulmonary lesion(SPL).Materials and Methods This retrospective analysis included 58 breast cancer patients with SPL in the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to August 2024.All patients had pathologically confirmed breast cancer with SPL and underwent PET/CT scans,including 36 cases of PLC and 22 cases of metastatic pulmonary breast cancer.Differences in clinical pathological features,high resolution CT morphological,and PET metabolic characteristics were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression was utilized to investigate independent predictive factors for SPL diagnosis.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between lesion density,nodule-lung interface,bubble sign,vascular convergence sign and pleural indentation sign(χ2=9.420,7.000,8.487,all P<0.05).PET/CT metabolic analysis revealed a significant difference in maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)between the two groups(Z=4.613,P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that bubble sign,pleural indentation sign and lower SUVmax were independent predictors for PLC.With an SUVmax threshold of 2.5,the area under the receiver operating curve(AUC)was 0.862,with a sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 77.8%and an accuracy of 82.8%.Combined analysis of high resolution CT and SUVmax demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficacy,with an area under the curve of 0.937,sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 94.4%and accuracy of 93.1%.Conclusion The presence of bubble sign,pleural indentation and SUVmax<2.5 suggests a high likelihood of PLC.Combined high resolution CT imaging features and PET metabolic characteristics significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for SPLs in breast cancer patients.
6.Advancements in research on the role of exosomes derived from immune cells in atherosclerosis
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):382-387
Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory disease involving various immune cells and is char-acterized by lipid deposition and inflammatory response.In recent years,the field of exosome research has been rapidly developed,thereby enhancing our comprehension of their role in AS.Immune cell-derived exosomes are extracellular vesi-cles secreted by immune cells that possess specificity,stability,and biocompatibility.These exosomes have the capacity to induce diverse responses including modulating gene transcription and regulating cytokine production,thereby influenc-ing the body's inflammatory and immune response.During AS progression,these exosomes primarily participate in patho-logical processes including endothelial dysfunction,lipid deposition,vascular calcification,and plaque rupture,all of which significantly influence the development of AS.This review is focused on exploring the role of exosomes derived from monocytes,macrophages,neutrophils,lymphocytes,as well as other immune cells(neutrophils,eosinophils,mast cells,and myeloid-derived suppressor cells)in AS,aiming to offer insights for diagnosis and clinical treatment.
7.Role of Nrf2 in vascular cognitive impairment and progress in traditional Chinese medicine interventions
Yiting ZHAO ; Hewei QIN ; Jiandong LIU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(8):146-157
Vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)is a syndrome of cognitive decline attributed to vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular diseases.A range of pathophysiological processes induced by vascular injury,including inflammation,oxidative stress,cell death,disruption of the blood-brain barrier,and synaptic damage are intricately linked to the development of VCI.Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),encoded by the NFE2L2 gene,is a potent transcription factor that plays a critical role in antioxidant defense.Extensive research has demonstrated that Nrf2 mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation by upregulating the expression of antioxidant response elements,thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species.Nrf2 also modulates programmed cell death,enhances blood-brain barrier integrity,and promotes synaptic plasticity,ultimately delaying the progression of VCI.This review examines the role of Nrf2 in VCI and highlights recent research on traditional Chinese medicines targeting Nrf2 for the prevention and treatment of VCI,thus providing novel insights and approaches for managing this condition.
8.Advancements in research on the role of exosomes derived from immune cells in atherosclerosis
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):382-387
Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory disease involving various immune cells and is char-acterized by lipid deposition and inflammatory response.In recent years,the field of exosome research has been rapidly developed,thereby enhancing our comprehension of their role in AS.Immune cell-derived exosomes are extracellular vesi-cles secreted by immune cells that possess specificity,stability,and biocompatibility.These exosomes have the capacity to induce diverse responses including modulating gene transcription and regulating cytokine production,thereby influenc-ing the body's inflammatory and immune response.During AS progression,these exosomes primarily participate in patho-logical processes including endothelial dysfunction,lipid deposition,vascular calcification,and plaque rupture,all of which significantly influence the development of AS.This review is focused on exploring the role of exosomes derived from monocytes,macrophages,neutrophils,lymphocytes,as well as other immune cells(neutrophils,eosinophils,mast cells,and myeloid-derived suppressor cells)in AS,aiming to offer insights for diagnosis and clinical treatment.
9.18F-FDG PET/CT in Differential Diagnosis of Breast Cancer with Solitary Pulmonary Lesions
Yiting ZHAO ; Qin PENG ; Mei MA ; Mengying YANG ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(10):1072-1078
Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)PET/CT in differentiating primary lung cancer(PLC)from metastatic pulmonary breast cancer in breast cancer patients with solitary pulmonary lesion(SPL).Materials and Methods This retrospective analysis included 58 breast cancer patients with SPL in the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to August 2024.All patients had pathologically confirmed breast cancer with SPL and underwent PET/CT scans,including 36 cases of PLC and 22 cases of metastatic pulmonary breast cancer.Differences in clinical pathological features,high resolution CT morphological,and PET metabolic characteristics were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression was utilized to investigate independent predictive factors for SPL diagnosis.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between lesion density,nodule-lung interface,bubble sign,vascular convergence sign and pleural indentation sign(χ2=9.420,7.000,8.487,all P<0.05).PET/CT metabolic analysis revealed a significant difference in maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)between the two groups(Z=4.613,P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that bubble sign,pleural indentation sign and lower SUVmax were independent predictors for PLC.With an SUVmax threshold of 2.5,the area under the receiver operating curve(AUC)was 0.862,with a sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 77.8%and an accuracy of 82.8%.Combined analysis of high resolution CT and SUVmax demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficacy,with an area under the curve of 0.937,sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 94.4%and accuracy of 93.1%.Conclusion The presence of bubble sign,pleural indentation and SUVmax<2.5 suggests a high likelihood of PLC.Combined high resolution CT imaging features and PET metabolic characteristics significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for SPLs in breast cancer patients.
10.Effectiveness of switching to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in virologically suppressed people with HIV with historical drug resistance mutations.
Ziwei CHANG ; Hongyan ZHU ; Yiting ZHANG ; Yaling CHEN ; Jiahui LI ; Jiamin QIN ; Yueping ZHU ; Hongxia WEI ; Yongfeng YANG ; Meiyin ZOU ; Feng QIAN ; Zhiliang HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(22):2758-2760

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