1.Role of aspirin in metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Yongqi LI ; Yanqiu LI ; Lina SUN ; Chaoran WANG ; Ying FENG ; Liang WANG ; Xianbo WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):178-182
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the main type of chronic liver disease in the world, with an increasingly higher incidence rate and a younger age of onset. At present, the treatment of MAFLD mainly depends on lifestyle intervention and comorbidity management, and there is still a lack of effective drugs for MAFLD itself. As a classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the salicylic acid family, aspirin can intervene in the pathological process of MAFLD by regulating lipid metabolism, relieving insulin resistance, reducing liver inflammation and oxidative stress response, exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect, and inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma, and therefore, it has the value of preventing disease onset, delaying disease progression, and reversing disease condition. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action and safety of aspirin in the treatment of MAFLD, in order to provide more drug treatment options for MAFLD patients.
2.Ethical challenges and countermeasures of generative artificial intelligence in medical informed consent: a case study of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer
Yongqi REN ; Mengyuan LI ; Xing LIU ; Xiaomin WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):307-313
Informed consent constitutes a fundamental ethical principle in medical practice. With the in-depth integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) represented by Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) with medicine, it has brought revolutionary development to traditional informed consent while also introducing new ethical challenges. ChatGPT offers features such as improving the readability of informed consent content, enhancing its comprehensiveness and accuracy, and increasing the convenience of obtaining informed consent. However, as the application of ChatGPT in informed consent is still in the exploratory stage, it is imperative to proactively and fully consider the accompanying ethical issues, such as information security, liability determination, transparency, and fairness. This paper conducted an ethical analysis on the challenges faced by generative AI, represented by ChatGPT, in the application of informed consent and proposed countermeasures, such as upholding free and fully informed consent, strengthening the balance of rights and obligations in informed consent, and establishing a transparent and fair supervision mechanism. The aim was to promote the ethically compliant, orderly, and controllable development of generative AI in the field of medical informed consent.
3.Mechanisms of Macrophage Glycolysis in Regulating Acute Lung Injury and TCM Intervention Strategies Based on Theory of "Spleen Failing to Disperse Essence"
Qian XU ; Maofu ZHANG ; Xiali LIANG ; Guoxiong HAO ; Jingwei LI ; Xiaojie JIN ; Yongqi LIU ; Xiangxia LUO ; Zhiming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):218-226
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical respiratory emergency caused by various non-cardiogenic factors, including severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, lung contusion, and sepsis. Its pathological features are centered on alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, uncontrolled inflammatory responses, and impaired alveolar fluid clearance, manifesting as refractory hypoxemia and respiratory distress, with a poor clinical prognosis. Modern studies have revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction and glucose metabolic reprogramming in macrophages, characterized by hyperactivated glycolysis, drive pro-inflammatory polarization and represent a key mechanism leading to excessive inflammatory responses and disease progression in ALI. Therefore, targeting macrophage glycolysis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI. The Plain Questions: Special Discussion on Channels and Vessels in Huangdi's Internal Classic states that "The spleen disseminates essence upward to the lungs". When the spleen fails in transport and transformation, the distribution of refined nutrients becomes disordered, resulting in the endogenous generation of turbid pathogens that obstruct the pulmonary collaterals, causing failure of lung dispersion and descent and leading to dyspneic reversal. This forms the dynamic pathological pattern of ''deficiency in the root with excess in the manifestation'', thereby proposing the core pathogenesis of ALI as ''spleen deficiency with transport dysfunction and turbid pathogens obstructing the lungs''. This process is intrinsically associated with the inflammatory cascade triggered by disordered macrophage glucose metabolism. Taking the theory of ''spleen failing to disperse essence'' as the entry point, the present study systematically elucidates the progressive pathological mechanism of "energy metabolism disorder-cytokine storm'' in ALI from the perspectives of the ''spleen deficiency-turbid obstruction'' pathogenesis and macrophage glycolysis-pro-inflammatory polarization. In addition, we summarize Chinese medicine compound formulas and monomeric components that ''restore spleen transport and eliminate turbid pathogens'', and explore their potential mechanisms in the treatment of ALI by regulating macrophage metabolic phenotypes to improve the state of ''spleen failing to disperse essence''. This provides a molecular basis for elucidating the ''spleen-lung'' energy metabolism dialogue, deepens understanding of the multi-target regulatory mechanisms of herbal prescriptions, and promotes the deep integration of classical theory with modern medicine.
4.Role of sphingolipid metabolism signaling in a novel mouse model of renal osteodystrophy based on transcriptomic approach.
Yujia WANG ; Yan DI ; Yongqi LI ; Jing LU ; Bofan JI ; Yuxia ZHANG ; Zhiqing CHEN ; Sijie CHEN ; Bicheng LIU ; Rining TANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):68-78
BACKGROUND:
Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is a skeletal pathology associated with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) that is characterized by aberrant bone mineralization and remodeling. ROD increases the risk of fracture and mortality in CKD patients. The underlying mechanisms of ROD remain elusive, partially due to the absence of an appropriate animal model. To address this gap, we established a stable mouse model of ROD using an optimized adenine-enriched diet and conducted exploratory analyses through ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq).
METHODS:
Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into three groups: control group ( n = 5), adenine and high-phosphate (HP) diet group ( n = 20), and the optimized adenine-containing diet group ( n = 20) for 12 weeks. We assessed the skeletal characteristics of model mice through blood biochemistry, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and bone histomorphometry. RNA-seq was utilized to profile gene expression changes of ROD. We elucidated the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). DEGs were validated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
RESULTS:
By the fifth week, adenine followed by an HP diet induced rapid weight loss and high mortality rates in the mouse group, precluding further model development. Mice with optimized adenine diet-induced ROD displayed significant abnormalities in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, accompanied by pronounced hyperparathyroidism and hyperphosphatemia. The femur bone mineral density (BMD) of the model mice was lower than that of control mice, with substantial bone loss and cortical porosity. ROD mice exhibited substantial bone turnover with an increase in osteoblast and osteoclast markers. Transcriptomic profiling revealed 1907 genes with upregulated expression and 723 genes with downregulated expression in the femurs of ROD mice relative to those of control mice. Pathway analyses indicated significant enrichment of upregulated genes in the sphingolipid metabolism pathway. The significant upregulation of alkaline ceramidase 1 ( Acer1 ), alkaline ceramidase 2 ( Acer2 ), prosaposin-like 1 ( Psapl1 ), adenosine A1 receptor ( Adora1 ), and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 5 ( S1pr5 ) were successfully validated in mouse femurs by qRT-PCR.
CONCLUSIONS
Optimized adenine diet mouse model may be a valuable proxy for studying ROD. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the sphingolipid metabolism pathway is likely a key player in ROD pathogenesis, thereby providing new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Animals
;
Mice
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Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder/genetics*
;
Male
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Sphingolipids/metabolism*
;
Transcriptome/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/genetics*
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X-Ray Microtomography
;
Adenine
5.A meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of lower limb peripheral artery disease
Yongqi LI ; Hai ZHOU ; Ganggang WANG ; Liulan QIAN ; Zhongzhi JIA
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1071-1077
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of calcified lesions in lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD).Methods:A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase, including studies related to IVL for calcified lesions in PAD published from January 2016 to December 2024. Data on patient baseline characteristics, lesion information, IVL procedural parameters, changes in vascular stenosis, and complication occurrence were extracted and included. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.1 software. The heterogeneity of different studies was evaluated using Cochran′s Q test. The publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Egger test.Results:A total of nine studies were included (1 983 patients, 2 387 lesions). The meta-analysis demonstrated that regarding efficacy, after IVL treatment, the average reduction in vascular stenosis was 52.1% (95% CI 45.3%-58.9%). Regarding safety, the incidence of flow-limiting dissection was only 0.6% (95% CI 0.1%-1.4%), and the perforation rate was 0.4%-0.5%, with no events of severe amputation or death. In combined treatments, the usage rate of drug-coated balloons reached 51.2%, and the stent implantation rate was 20.4%. Conclusions:IVL can effectively reduce the degree of vascular stenosis in calcified lesions and has a high safety profile. Combined treatment with drug-coated balloons can reduce the dependence on stents.
6.Efficacy and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor in treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Yongqi LI ; Yanqiu LI ; Lina SUN ; Chaoran WANG ; Ying FENG ; Xianbo WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2397-2402
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in China, and advanced HCC is a difficult issue in current treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), as an emerging treatment regimen, has shown a certain effect in clinical practice, but there are still problems such as low overall response rate and a high incidence rate of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Traditional Chinese medicine exhibits unique advantages in the treatment of advanced HCC. Through a retrospective analysis of related studies in recent years, this article shows that traditional Chinese medicine combined with ICI can control disease progression, prolong survival time, and reduce irAEs in the treatment of advanced HCC through the synergistic effect between multiple components, targets, and pathways. The potential mechanism of this treatment modality may involve various aspects such as the direct inhibition of tumor cells and the regulation of immune system and intestinal flora.
7.Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Flos in Ulcerative Colitis Mice by Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Yuzhuo WEI ; Li LIU ; Shu BU ; Yongqi WANG ; Zhiwei MIAO ; Yi XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):40-50
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of action of the combination of Sanguisorbae Radix-Sophorae Flos (DH) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) using network pharmacology methods and molecular docking technology. MethodsNetwork pharmacology analysis was utilized to predict the potential targets of DH for the treatment of UC. The therapeutic effects were experimentally validated by inducing a UC model in mice with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The experimental groups were the normal group, the model group, the salazosulfapyridine group (100 mg·kg-1), and the low, medium, and high dose groups of DH (1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 g·kg-1). The efficacy of the treatment was assessed through the general condition of the mice, histopathological examination, and the expression levels of inflammatory markers in the colon. The effect of DH on angiogenesis was explored by messenger RNA (mRNA) detection of colonic angiogenesis-related mediators, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunohistochemistry, microvessel density (MVD) detection, and transmission electron microscopy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway proteins were quantitatively analyzed through Western blot to assess whether the suppression of pathological angiogenesis by DH is associated with this pathway. ResultsNetwork pharmacological analysis yielded 112 potential core therapeutic targets for the treatment of UC with DH, of which the core targets were tumor protein 53 (TP53), JUN, interleukin (IL)-6, Akt1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Compared with the normal group, mice in the model group showed significant weight loss, colon shortening, and high DAI score, increased expression of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as increased mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related mediators VEGF, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), angiotensin 1 (Ang1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in colonic tissue increased, and the protein expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway was increased (P<0.05). The endothelial cells of the colonic mucosa and the colonic vasculature were severely damaged. Compared with the model group, mice in the DH groups had significantly reduced weight loss and colon shortening, lower DAI scores, and a significant decrease in mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related mediators. In addition, there was decreased positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in colonic tissue and decreased protein expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation are applied to explore the mechanism of action of DH in the treatment of UC, and it is found that DH is able to improve the symptoms of colitis and inhibit the pathological angiogenesis in UC mice. Its action might be related to affecting the PI3K/Akt pathway.
8.Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Flos in Ulcerative Colitis Mice by Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Yuzhuo WEI ; Li LIU ; Shu BU ; Yongqi WANG ; Zhiwei MIAO ; Yi XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):40-50
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of action of the combination of Sanguisorbae Radix-Sophorae Flos (DH) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) using network pharmacology methods and molecular docking technology. MethodsNetwork pharmacology analysis was utilized to predict the potential targets of DH for the treatment of UC. The therapeutic effects were experimentally validated by inducing a UC model in mice with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The experimental groups were the normal group, the model group, the salazosulfapyridine group (100 mg·kg-1), and the low, medium, and high dose groups of DH (1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 g·kg-1). The efficacy of the treatment was assessed through the general condition of the mice, histopathological examination, and the expression levels of inflammatory markers in the colon. The effect of DH on angiogenesis was explored by messenger RNA (mRNA) detection of colonic angiogenesis-related mediators, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunohistochemistry, microvessel density (MVD) detection, and transmission electron microscopy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway proteins were quantitatively analyzed through Western blot to assess whether the suppression of pathological angiogenesis by DH is associated with this pathway. ResultsNetwork pharmacological analysis yielded 112 potential core therapeutic targets for the treatment of UC with DH, of which the core targets were tumor protein 53 (TP53), JUN, interleukin (IL)-6, Akt1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Compared with the normal group, mice in the model group showed significant weight loss, colon shortening, and high DAI score, increased expression of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as increased mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related mediators VEGF, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), angiotensin 1 (Ang1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in colonic tissue increased, and the protein expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway was increased (P<0.05). The endothelial cells of the colonic mucosa and the colonic vasculature were severely damaged. Compared with the model group, mice in the DH groups had significantly reduced weight loss and colon shortening, lower DAI scores, and a significant decrease in mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related mediators. In addition, there was decreased positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in colonic tissue and decreased protein expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation are applied to explore the mechanism of action of DH in the treatment of UC, and it is found that DH is able to improve the symptoms of colitis and inhibit the pathological angiogenesis in UC mice. Its action might be related to affecting the PI3K/Akt pathway.
9.Evidence-based practice of perioperative patient-controlled analgesia management in patients with liver cancer receiving TACE treatment
Yongqi LIANG ; Yao LIU ; Jianbo ZHAO ; Wenxuan YU ; Fenfen LIN ; Qinqin ZHU ; Yunan LI
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(12):1376-1384
Objective To evaluate the application of evidence-based perioperative patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)management in patients with liver cancer receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)treatment.Methods By using the application model of clinical evidence-based practice,the review indicators were formulated based on the best evidence.The baseline assessment was conducted,the barrier factors were analyzed,the best clinical decision was made,the implementation steps of PCA management,including training,monitoring,education,etc.were refined,and two rounds of clinical review were carried out.The knowledge-belief-practice level and the implementation of review indicators in 50 medical and nursing staff engaged in PCA management,as well as the changes in pain scores,the incidence of adverse reactions due to PCA management,and the patient's satisfaction in 159 patients after the application of evidence were compared with their corresponding values determined before the application of evidence.Results After implementing the evidence-based practice plan and applying the evidence,at multiple time points the pain scores and the incidences of adverse reactions were decreased significantly(P<0.05),the patient's satisfaction increased remarkably(P<0.01),the execution rate of medical and nursing staff for the review indicators were strikingly increased(P<0.01),and the knowledge-belief-practice level concerning PCA management was prominently improved(P<0.01).Conclusion The implementation of perioperative PCA management in patients with liver cancer receiving TACE treatment can help to reduce the perioperative pain level,improve the patient discomfort,increase the patient's satisfaction degree,and improve the ability of medical staff in performing PCA management and evidence-based practices.
10.A meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of lower limb peripheral artery disease
Yongqi LI ; Hai ZHOU ; Ganggang WANG ; Liulan QIAN ; Zhongzhi JIA
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1071-1077
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of calcified lesions in lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD).Methods:A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase, including studies related to IVL for calcified lesions in PAD published from January 2016 to December 2024. Data on patient baseline characteristics, lesion information, IVL procedural parameters, changes in vascular stenosis, and complication occurrence were extracted and included. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.1 software. The heterogeneity of different studies was evaluated using Cochran′s Q test. The publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Egger test.Results:A total of nine studies were included (1 983 patients, 2 387 lesions). The meta-analysis demonstrated that regarding efficacy, after IVL treatment, the average reduction in vascular stenosis was 52.1% (95% CI 45.3%-58.9%). Regarding safety, the incidence of flow-limiting dissection was only 0.6% (95% CI 0.1%-1.4%), and the perforation rate was 0.4%-0.5%, with no events of severe amputation or death. In combined treatments, the usage rate of drug-coated balloons reached 51.2%, and the stent implantation rate was 20.4%. Conclusions:IVL can effectively reduce the degree of vascular stenosis in calcified lesions and has a high safety profile. Combined treatment with drug-coated balloons can reduce the dependence on stents.

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