1.Rectal Administration of Leek and Konjac-derived Extracellular Vesicles Alleviates High-fat Diet-induced Obesity in Mice via Gut Microbiota Modulation
Ya-Ru ZHANG ; Yu-Jia WU ; Cheng-Bang LIANG ; Xin-He YU ; Yan MU ; Yan TAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1224-1239
ObjectiveObesity, a global chronic metabolic disease, is closely associated with disruptions in lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. Current intervention strategies still have limitations in terms of safety and microecological regulation, necessitating the exploration of novel natural regulatory approaches. Based on the early pathological characteristics of obesity, this study innovatively employs a rectal delivery method alongside a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model to systematically evaluate the inhibitory effects, safety, and gut microbiota regulation mechanisms of leek-derived and konjac-derived extracellular vesicles on obesity development. By simulating early clinical intervention scenarios, this study aims to explore the preventive potential of plant-derived extracellular vesicles during the initial stages of obesity onset. MethodsExtracellular vesicles from leek and konjac were isolated using ultracentrifugation combined with density gradient centrifugation. Their nanoscale properties were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), leek-derived extracellular vesicles (LEVs), and konjac-derived extracellular vesicles (KEVs). Beginning simultaneously with HFD feeding, mice in the intervention groups received 20 g/L vesicles rectally every 3 d for 4 weeks. Body mass and body composition were monitored throughout. At endpoint, mouse serum, adipose tissue, and colonic contents were collected. Serum biochemical indices (lipid profile, liver and kidney function, cardiac markers) were assessed to evaluate safety and metabolic efficacy, while 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze gut microbial structure and diversity. ResultsDLS, NTA, and TEM confirmed that both LEVs and KEVs exhibited typical cup-shaped nanostructures with average particle sizes of approximately 284 nm and 223 nm, respectively. LEVs and KEVs treatment significantly suppressed HFD-induced weight gain and elevation of body-fat percentage (P<0.05), and reduced accumulation of abdominal white and epididymal adipose tissue. Serological analyses showed that both vesicles lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, and ameliorated liver enzyme profiles (ALT, AST), demonstrating lipid-metabolic regulation and hepatoprotective effects. No hepatic, renal or cardiac dysfunction was observed, indicating favorable safety. Gut microbiota analyses revealed that vesicle intervention partially restored HFD-depleted microbial diversity and reshaped community structure. Notably, LEVs markedly increased the relative abundance of the beneficial taxon Lachnospiraceae at the family level, which is known for producing short-chain fatty acids and enhancing intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) functional prediction suggested that LEVs and KEVs modulated gut microbial functions through distinct mechanisms: LEVs downregulated pathways related to ribosomes and DNA replication while enhancing xenobiotic degradation, whereas KEVs tended to upregulate energy metabolism and protein synthesis toward healthy levels. ConclusionRectally administered LEVs and KEVs exhibit excellent safety and pronounced metabolic benefits during the early phase of obesity, suppressing weight gain, correcting lipid dysregulation, and exerting effects via modulation of gut microbial composition and function. This study provides systematic experimental evidence supporting plant-derived exosome-like vesicles as an early intervention strategy against obesity.
2.Rectal Administration of Leek and Konjac-derived Extracellular Vesicles Alleviates High-fat Diet-induced Obesity in Mice via Gut Microbiota Modulation
Ya-Ru ZHANG ; Yu-Jia WU ; Cheng-Bang LIANG ; Xin-He YU ; Yan MU ; Yan TAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1224-1239
ObjectiveObesity, a global chronic metabolic disease, is closely associated with disruptions in lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. Current intervention strategies still have limitations in terms of safety and microecological regulation, necessitating the exploration of novel natural regulatory approaches. Based on the early pathological characteristics of obesity, this study innovatively employs a rectal delivery method alongside a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model to systematically evaluate the inhibitory effects, safety, and gut microbiota regulation mechanisms of leek-derived and konjac-derived extracellular vesicles on obesity development. By simulating early clinical intervention scenarios, this study aims to explore the preventive potential of plant-derived extracellular vesicles during the initial stages of obesity onset. MethodsExtracellular vesicles from leek and konjac were isolated using ultracentrifugation combined with density gradient centrifugation. Their nanoscale properties were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), leek-derived extracellular vesicles (LEVs), and konjac-derived extracellular vesicles (KEVs). Beginning simultaneously with HFD feeding, mice in the intervention groups received 20 g/L vesicles rectally every 3 d for 4 weeks. Body mass and body composition were monitored throughout. At endpoint, mouse serum, adipose tissue, and colonic contents were collected. Serum biochemical indices (lipid profile, liver and kidney function, cardiac markers) were assessed to evaluate safety and metabolic efficacy, while 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze gut microbial structure and diversity. ResultsDLS, NTA, and TEM confirmed that both LEVs and KEVs exhibited typical cup-shaped nanostructures with average particle sizes of approximately 284 nm and 223 nm, respectively. LEVs and KEVs treatment significantly suppressed HFD-induced weight gain and elevation of body-fat percentage (P<0.05), and reduced accumulation of abdominal white and epididymal adipose tissue. Serological analyses showed that both vesicles lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, and ameliorated liver enzyme profiles (ALT, AST), demonstrating lipid-metabolic regulation and hepatoprotective effects. No hepatic, renal or cardiac dysfunction was observed, indicating favorable safety. Gut microbiota analyses revealed that vesicle intervention partially restored HFD-depleted microbial diversity and reshaped community structure. Notably, LEVs markedly increased the relative abundance of the beneficial taxon Lachnospiraceae at the family level, which is known for producing short-chain fatty acids and enhancing intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) functional prediction suggested that LEVs and KEVs modulated gut microbial functions through distinct mechanisms: LEVs downregulated pathways related to ribosomes and DNA replication while enhancing xenobiotic degradation, whereas KEVs tended to upregulate energy metabolism and protein synthesis toward healthy levels. ConclusionRectally administered LEVs and KEVs exhibit excellent safety and pronounced metabolic benefits during the early phase of obesity, suppressing weight gain, correcting lipid dysregulation, and exerting effects via modulation of gut microbial composition and function. This study provides systematic experimental evidence supporting plant-derived exosome-like vesicles as an early intervention strategy against obesity.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Yishen Jiangtang Decoction Combined with Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Diabetic Kidney Disease with Pattern of Qi-Yin Deficiency Combined with Dampness-heat and Blood Stasis
Yunjie YANG ; Yasheng DENG ; Kaiying HE ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongxin YU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Zhuang HAN ; Qiwei CHEN ; Yi WEI ; Qiu CHEN ; Jing WU ; Mingqian JIANG ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU ; Lixiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):157-167
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis, and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis (RF). MethodsA single-center, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment) and an experimental group (Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores, TCM syndrome efficacy, and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3, as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1, with renal function, proteinuria, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition, safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study (38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group). ① Baseline data: The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age, with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed reductions in BUN, SCr, UACR, FBG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01) and increases in eGFR level (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%, which was higher than that (57.89%) in the control group (P<0.05). Regarding overall clinical efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%, which was higher than that (50.00%) in the control group (P<0.05). ③ Mechanism outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3, and TGF-β1 and urinary level of TGF-β1 after treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3,and TGF-β1 and the urinary level of TGF-β1 in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN, SCr, UACR, and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR (P<0.05). ④ Safety outcomes: Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions, and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Yishen Jiangtang Decoction Combined with Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Diabetic Kidney Disease with Pattern of Qi-Yin Deficiency Combined with Dampness-heat and Blood Stasis
Yunjie YANG ; Yasheng DENG ; Kaiying HE ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongxin YU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Zhuang HAN ; Qiwei CHEN ; Yi WEI ; Qiu CHEN ; Jing WU ; Mingqian JIANG ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU ; Lixiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):157-167
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis, and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis (RF). MethodsA single-center, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment) and an experimental group (Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores, TCM syndrome efficacy, and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3, as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1, with renal function, proteinuria, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition, safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study (38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group). ① Baseline data: The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age, with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed reductions in BUN, SCr, UACR, FBG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01) and increases in eGFR level (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%, which was higher than that (57.89%) in the control group (P<0.05). Regarding overall clinical efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%, which was higher than that (50.00%) in the control group (P<0.05). ③ Mechanism outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3, and TGF-β1 and urinary level of TGF-β1 after treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3,and TGF-β1 and the urinary level of TGF-β1 in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN, SCr, UACR, and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR (P<0.05). ④ Safety outcomes: Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions, and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.
5.Mechanism of Shenji Guben Prescription in Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Mice
Zibo SUN ; Jing YAO ; Tingyu PAN ; Qi ZHAO ; Jing WANG ; Jun ZHAO ; Yong XU ; Xianmei ZHOU ; Yu WEI ; Hailang HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):159-168
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Shenji Guben prescription (SJGB) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mice and to explore its potential therapeutic mechanism via transcriptomics. MethodsA mouse model of COPD was established by combined exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke. C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into a control group, a model group, an acetylcysteine (78 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, and low- (7.5 g·kg-1·d-1), medium- (15 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (30 g·kg-1·d-1) SJGB groups. After 13 weeks of modeling, oral administration was initiated and continued for 28 days. The therapeutic effects of SJGB were assessed based on body weight, lung function, lung tissue pathology, and inflammatory factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to identify the active ingredients in SJGB. Transcriptomic profiling of lung tissue was performed by RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyotoencyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. Key genes were further validated by Western blot and Real‑time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsAfter drug intervention, the final body weights of mice in medium- and high-dose SJGB groups were higher than those in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, SJGB groups demonstrated a significant decrease in expiratory time (Te), along with increases in peak expiratory flow (PEF), 50% expiratory flow (EF50), tidal volume (TV), and expiratory volume (EV) (P<0.05). High-dose SJGB ameliorated pathological changes in the lung tissue, reduced peribronchial inflammation scores, and decreased mean linear intercept (MLI) (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose SJGB groups showed reductions in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels (P<0.01). UHPLC-MS/MS revealed that the five most abundant components in SJGB were (S)-actinidine, ephedrine, pyroglutamic acid, methylephedrine, and coumarin. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 219 DEGs regulated by SJGB, suggesting that the anti-COPD effects of SJGB may be mediated through key genes such as cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), integrin subunit alpha X (ITGAX), and cathepsin S (CTSS), primarily involved in the lysosomal pathway. Western blot and Real-time PCR results confirmed that SJGB inhibited the expression of CD68, ITGAX, and CTSS compared with the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionSJGB effectively improved the lung function and attenuated lung tissue inflammation in the mouse model of COPD by modulating the lysosomal pathway and related genes including CD68, ITGAX, and CTSS.
6.Value of combined detection of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in evaluating degree of cognitive impairment and predicting disease progression in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Yu SHI ; Xiaohui JU ; Qi WANG ; Qin LI ; Li HE
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(12):13-18
Objective To evaluate value of combined detection of cerebrospinal fluid synaptosom-al-associated protein 25(SNAP-25)and long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched transcript 1(NEAT1)in assessing cognitive impairment severity and disease progression in patients with Alzhei-mer's disease.Methods A total of 650 patients with Alzheimer's disease were selected as research subjects and divided into normal group(n=162),mild cognitive impairment group(n=380)and dementia group(n=108)according to their cognitive function.The correlations of the levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid with the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale(CDR)were analyzed.According to whether the patients in the mild cognitive impairment group progressed to dementia(followed up for 6 months),they were divided into disease progression group(progressed to dementia)and stable disease group(did not progress to dementia).The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients in each group were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 for dementia and its predictive efficacy for the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia.Results The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in cerebrospinal fluid in the mild cognitive impairment group and the dementia group were significantly higher than those in the normal group;the levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in the dementia group were significantly higher than those in the mild cognitive impairment group(P<0.05).The levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in pa-tients of the mild cognitive impairment group and the dementia group were negatively correlated with the MMSE score(P<0.05),and positively correlated with the CDR score(P<0.05).In the mild cognitive impairment group,133 patients' conditions progressed from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.The levels of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 and NEAT1 mRNA in the disease progres-sion group were significantly higher than those in the stable disease group(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 in diagno-sing dementia was 89.63%,the specificity was 54.08%,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.884.The sensitivity of cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 combined with NEAT1 in predicting the pro-gression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia was 83.41%,the specificity was 56.70%,and the AUC was 0.867.Conclusion The levels of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid in-crease significantly with the aggravation of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's dis-ease.The combined detection of SNAP-25 and NEAT1 has relatively high diagnostic efficacy for de-mentia and predictive value for the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
7.Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatial Distribution of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Lanping County from 2018 to 2023
Furong ZHANG ; Yidan YU ; Jiarui ZHANG ; Xiujun LUO ; Xinyue LI ; Qi DENG ; Zhong SUN ; Guozhong HE
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(6):20-28
Objective To investigate the epidemiological trends,temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Lanping County.Methods Based on tuberculosis management data and basic information systems from the"China Disease Prevention and Control Information System,"pulmonary tuberculosis data from Lanping County for 2018-2023 were obtained.Descriptive epidemiology,concentration method,circular distribution method,and spatial autocorrelation analysis were used to conduct epidemiological and spatial analyses of the pulmonary tuberculosis data.Results A total of 2836 TB cases were reported in Lanping County from 2018 to 2023,with an average annual incidence rate of 233.26 per 100000,showing a declining trend.The male-to-female ratio was 1.95∶1,with the highest incidence among individuals aged 60 and above(932 cases,32.86%).Cases were predominantly among farmers(91.01%)and the Lisu ethnic group(52.68%).TB incidence showed weak seasonality with a bimodal distribution,with primary peak occurring from October to March and secondary peak from June to August.Tu'e Township(324.74 per 100,000),Shideng Township(307.42 per 100000),and Jinding Town(260.98 per 100,000)had the highest incidence rates,accounting for 1,284 cases or 45.28%of the county's total cases.In 2020,the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Lanping County showed a spatial clustering distribution(global Morans's I value<0,P value<0.05),with Shideng Township consistently showing high-low aggregation characteristics.Conclusion Between 2018-2023,while the tuberculosis incidence rate in Lanping County has declined,it still falls short of Yunnan Province's tuberculosis prevention and control targets,and the prevention and control work continues to face significant challenges.Strengthening screening of high-risk populations and providing medical support to remote areas will be key measures for future prevention and treatment.
8.Analysis of Surgical Treatment Outcomes in 709 Cases of Infective Endocarditis
Chaoji ZHANG ; Zining WU ; Xingrong LIU ; Guotao MA ; Shangdong XU ; Jianzhou LIU ; Sheng YANG ; Yanxue ZHAO ; Xinpei LIU ; Xiaocui WANG ; Xiaojun MA ; Ligang FANG ; Chunhua YU ; Huaiwu HE ; Qi MIAO ; Jun ZHENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;17(1):197-203
To review the clinical characteristics, short-term outcomes, and risk factors of patients with infective endocarditis(IE) who underwent surgical treatment at a single center, and to summarize treatment experience. Consecutive patients diagnosed with IE who underwent cardiac surgery at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between May 2012 and June 2024 were enrolled. Statistical analyses were performed on their baseline characteristics, comorbidities, IE predisposing factors, surgical indications, pathogen distribution, surgical strategies, short-term outcomes, and associated risk factors. A total of 709 IE patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. IE involved left-sided valves in 85.3% of cases. The median age was 48(35, 58) years, and 68.0% were male. Prosthetic valve endocarditis accounted for 8.7%. Patients with left-sided IE had a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Streptococcus was the causative pathogen in 43.2% of patients, while right-sided IE was more frequently associated with Significant differences in pathogen distribution were observed between patients with left-sided and right-sided IE. Heart failure was identified as an independent risk factor for both perioperative mortality and adverse outcomes in surgically treated patients. Through strict timing of surgical intervention and optimized perioperative management, surgical treatment may effectively reduce mortality and improve prognosis in patients with IE.
9.Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at rs700519 and rs4646 loci and risk of Breast cancer.
Xiaoying HE ; Sheng XU ; Ruijuan HENG ; Yong ZHOU ; Pan QI ; Yu SONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):587-591
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs700519 and rs4646 loci of cytochrome P450 19A1 (CYP19A1) gene with risk of Breast cancer.
METHODS:
Two hundred patients with breast cancer treated at Xinxiang Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024 and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled as the study group and control group, respectively. The genotypes of the CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci were determined by direct sequencing. The general data, distribution of CYP19A1 genotypes and alleles were compared between the two groups. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Central Hospital (Ethics No. 2021-182).
RESULTS:
No significant difference was found in age, body mass index, times of conception and proportion of menopause between the two groups (P > 0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele at the rs700519 locus, and the CC genotype and C allele at the rs4646 locus in the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype at the rs700519 locus and CC genotype at the rs4646 locus in patients with breast cancer at stages III-IV were significantly higher than those at stage I-II (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci are associated with susceptibility of breast cancer. The AA and CC genotypes at the two loci may increase the risk for breast cancer.
Humans
;
Female
;
Breast Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Aromatase/genetics*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Adult
;
Genotype
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Alleles
;
Gene Frequency
;
Risk Factors
;
Aged
10.Study on synergistic promotion of ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts by erastin combined with shikonin
Jian-jun WANG ; Yan-hua WANG ; Yu-ting TANG ; Jing-yi ZHANG ; Fang MA ; Xi HE ; Hui-xia YANG ; Qi-peng ZHAO ; Zhi-gang BAI ; Yin-ju HAO ; Gui-zhong LI ; Yi-deng JIANG ; Jiang-yong SHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):268-276
Aim To explore the mechanism of the syn-ergistic effect of the ferroptosis inducer erastin com-bined with shikonin in promoting ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts(HSFBs).Methods Hypertrophic scar tissues provided by the General Hos-pital of Ningxia Medical University were collected,and HSFBs were extracted.HSFBs were identified by HE staining and immunofluorescence.The inhibitory rates of Era and SHK on HSFBs at different concentrations were detected by CCK-8 assay,and the IC50 value was calculated.CompuSyn software was used to calculate the co-use index(CI).Control group,Erastin(Era)group,shikonin(SHK)group and Era+SHK group were set up,and the number and morphological chan-ges of cells were observed after 24 hours of interven-tion.The ability of cell migration and invasion was de-tected by scratch test and Transwell test.The changes of malondialdehyde(MDA),total iron ion and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by corresponding biochemical kits.The expressions of collagen I,α-SMA and GOT1,SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH1 were detected by Western blot.Results The IC50 value of Era and SHK of primary HSFBs was 2.22 μmol·L-1 and 3.94μmol·L-1 respectively,which was used as the single drug concentration for subsequent experiments.The CompuSyn software was employed to calculate the CI value when the two drugs were used in combination,and the concentrations corresponding to CI=0.39597(Era:1.2 μmol·L-1+SHK:1.5 μmol·L-1)were selected as subsequent combination concentrations(Because when CI was equal to 0.395 97,the concen-tration of each drug was lower than the concentration of single drug,and the inhibition rate of combined drug was greater than 50%).Compared with the monother-apy group,the number of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group was significantly reduced,cell membrane showed breakage and vesiculation,cell wrinkling became smal-ler,and cytoplasm was concentrated.The migration and invasion ability of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group were obviously weakened(P<0.05),and the expres-sion of fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA was reduced(P<0.05);the contents of MDA,total i-ron ions,and ROS in HSFBs of the SHK+Era group increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression lev-els of SLC7A11,GOT1,GPX4,and FTH1 further de-creased(P<0.05).Conclusions Erastin in combi-nation with shikonin can synergistically inhibit the pro-liferation,migration and fibrosis levels of HSFBs.The mechanism may be that erastin enhances the inhibition of shikotin on GOT1,increases the levels of cellular i-ron ions,ROS,and lipid peroxides,thereby promoting ferroptosis in HSFBs.

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