1.Treatment of Liver Cancer by Intervening TGF-β Signaling Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Hao CHENG ; Haohao GUO ; Jun SUN ; Juan XUE ; Chunyan JI ; Shiyi LI ; Yuxue DING ; Huaqiang YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):318-326
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system and ranks sixth among newly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other physiological and pathological mechanisms and exerts cancer-suppressive and pro-cancerous dual effects in the process of tumor development. In recent years, with the continuous exploration of the mechanism of liver cancer, it has been found that the conversion of the cancer-suppressive effect into a pro-cancerous effect of this pathway plays a key role in the development of liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a unique perspective for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of liver cancer with its comprehensive regulatory effects of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. This paper summarized that the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway included promoting cancer cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, et al, while the pro-cancerous mechanisms included promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, et al. The TCM compounds intervening this pathway were sorted out, including Jianpi Huayu compound, Fuyang Baoyuan compound, Yipi Yanggan compound, Fuzheng Jiedu compound, compound Astragalus and Salvia, Biejia Jianwan, Dahuang Zhechong pill, and Qingxiang powder. The single TCMs mainly included Schizocapsa plantaginea, Dendrobii Caulis, Gleditsia sinensis, and Dracaena cochinchinensis. The active ingredients of TCM are mainly concentrated on flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and other kinds of compounds. At the same time, it summarized that the liver cancer inhibition mechanism of TCM by regulating this pathway mainly included promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells, blocking the cell cycle, and inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, immune escape, etc. The mechanism aims to give full play to the advantages of TCM and precisely regulate the TGF-β signal, thereby exerting positive anti-tumor effects, opening up a new direction for the precise targeted treatment of liver cancer, and providing a scientific basis and a new strategy for the application of TCM in the treatment of liver cancer.
2.Treatment of Liver Cancer by Intervening TGF-β Signaling Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Hao CHENG ; Haohao GUO ; Jun SUN ; Juan XUE ; Chunyan JI ; Shiyi LI ; Yuxue DING ; Huaqiang YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):318-326
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system and ranks sixth among newly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other physiological and pathological mechanisms and exerts cancer-suppressive and pro-cancerous dual effects in the process of tumor development. In recent years, with the continuous exploration of the mechanism of liver cancer, it has been found that the conversion of the cancer-suppressive effect into a pro-cancerous effect of this pathway plays a key role in the development of liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a unique perspective for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of liver cancer with its comprehensive regulatory effects of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. This paper summarized that the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway included promoting cancer cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, et al, while the pro-cancerous mechanisms included promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, et al. The TCM compounds intervening this pathway were sorted out, including Jianpi Huayu compound, Fuyang Baoyuan compound, Yipi Yanggan compound, Fuzheng Jiedu compound, compound Astragalus and Salvia, Biejia Jianwan, Dahuang Zhechong pill, and Qingxiang powder. The single TCMs mainly included Schizocapsa plantaginea, Dendrobii Caulis, Gleditsia sinensis, and Dracaena cochinchinensis. The active ingredients of TCM are mainly concentrated on flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and other kinds of compounds. At the same time, it summarized that the liver cancer inhibition mechanism of TCM by regulating this pathway mainly included promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells, blocking the cell cycle, and inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, immune escape, etc. The mechanism aims to give full play to the advantages of TCM and precisely regulate the TGF-β signal, thereby exerting positive anti-tumor effects, opening up a new direction for the precise targeted treatment of liver cancer, and providing a scientific basis and a new strategy for the application of TCM in the treatment of liver cancer.
3.A cohort study on the association between blood pressure trajectories and variability in adolescence and subsequent target organ damage
Tongshuai GUO ; Yue SUN ; Dan WANG ; Guilin HU ; Hao JIA ; Mingfei DU ; Jianjun MU
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(1):28-36
Objective:To investigate the relationship between blood pressure trajectories and blood pressure variability with the risk of target organ damage in Chinese population from childhood to middle age.Methods:This study is a population-based, long-term follow-up cohort study. Participants who had their blood pressure measured at least 5 times in the Hanzhong Adolescent hypertension cohort from 1987 to 2023 were included in this study. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify different systolic and diastolic blood pressure trajectories, and the subjects were divided into low-increasing group, moderate-increasing group and high-increasing group according to blood pressure trajectories. Blood pressure variability was assessed using standard deviation (SD), variability independent of the mean (VIM), and average real variability (ARV). Target organ damage was evaluated during the final follow-up in 2023 (middle age). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between blood pressure trajectories and blood pressure variability with the risk of target organ damage.Results:A total of 2 447 subjects were included, with a median age of 48 years, of whom 1 373 were male (56.1%). Based on systolic blood pressure, 868 were in the low-increasing group, 1 238 in the moderate-increasing group, and 341 in the high-increasing group. For diastolic blood pressure, the distribution was 894, 1 263 and 290, respectively. Compared with the low-increasing group of systolic blood pressure, the moderate-increasing group (arteriosclerosis: OR=4.14, 95% CI 2.96-5.79; proteinuria: OR=2.06, 95% CI 1.38-3.07; left ventricular hypertrophy: OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.00-2.82) and high-increasing group (arterial stiffness: OR=15.44, 95% CI 10.14-23.50; proteinuria: OR=5.80, 95% CI 3.63-9.29; left ventricular hypertrophy: OR=2.93, 95% CI 1.55-5.53) had a higher risk of target organ damage (all P<0.005). The moderate-increasing group of diastolic blood pressure had a higher incidence of arterial stiffness ( OR=3.72, 95% CI 2.69-5.12) and proteinuria ( OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.15-2.42) than the low-increasing group (all P<0.005), while the high-increasing group had a significantly higher risk of all type of target organ damage compared to the low-increasing group (arterial stiffness: OR=10.84, 95% CI 7.08-16.61; proteinuria: OR=3.72, 95% CI 2.31-5.99; left ventricular hypertrophy: OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.23-4.59; all P<0.005). Additionally, higher systolic blood pressure variability was associated with an increased incidence of arterial stiffness (SD: OR=2.25, 95% CI 1.96-2.57; VIM: OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.45-1.86; ARV: OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.50-1.93) and proteinuria (SD: OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.44-1.89; VIM: OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.22-1.63; ARV: OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.26-1.67; all P<0.005). The results for diastolic blood pressure variability indicators were similar to those for systolic blood pressure. Conclusion:Early-life blood pressure trajectories are predictive of target organ damage risk in middle age. Higher blood pressure variability is related to an increased risk of arterial stiffness and proteinuria, but was less associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Focusing on the risk of high blood pressure early in life can help prevent the occurrence of target organ damage in middle age.
4.Associations between statins and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events among peritoneal dialysis patients: A multi-center large-scale cohort study.
Shuang GAO ; Lei NAN ; Xinqiu LI ; Shaomei LI ; Huaying PEI ; Jinghong ZHAO ; Ying ZHANG ; Zibo XIONG ; Yumei LIAO ; Ying LI ; Qiongzhen LIN ; Wenbo HU ; Yulin LI ; Liping DUAN ; Zhaoxia ZHENG ; Gang FU ; Shanshan GUO ; Beiru ZHANG ; Rui YU ; Fuyun SUN ; Xiaoying MA ; Li HAO ; Guiling LIU ; Zhanzheng ZHAO ; Jing XIAO ; Yulan SHEN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xuanyi DU ; Tianrong JI ; Yingli YUE ; Shanshan CHEN ; Zhigang MA ; Yingping LI ; Li ZUO ; Huiping ZHAO ; Xianchao ZHANG ; Xuejian WANG ; Yirong LIU ; Xinying GAO ; Xiaoli CHEN ; Hongyi LI ; Shutong DU ; Cui ZHAO ; Zhonggao XU ; Li ZHANG ; Hongyu CHEN ; Li LI ; Lihua WANG ; Yan YAN ; Yingchun MA ; Yuanyuan WEI ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Yan LI ; Caili WANG ; Jie DONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2856-2858
5.Clinical characteristics of juvenile dermatomyositis in anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody-positive patients and risk factors for severity: a national multicenter retrospective study
Huiyuan YANG ; Wanzhen GUAN ; Ling2 YANG ; Haimei LIU ; Xiaoqing3 LI ; Haiguo YU ; Meiping LU ; Jun YANG ; Xiaohui LIU ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jihong XIAO ; Xiaozhong LI ; Guomin LI ; Hong CHANG ; Sheng HAO ; Yue DU ; Daliang XU ; Ling WU ; Wenjie ZHENG ; Li LIU ; Xinhui JIANG ; Shaohui ZHU ; Dongmei ZHAO ; Xuemei TANG ; Li SUN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1299-1305
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and independent risk factors of severe disease in patients with anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP) 2 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 219 anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM patients admitted to 23 children′s hospitals across China from July 2011 to July 2023. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups based on classification criteria for severe dermatomyositis. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to calculate optimal cut-off values. Results:Among the 219 patients, 108 were male and 111 were female, with an age at onset of 6.3 (3.5, 9.4) years. The severe group comprised 69 patients, and the non-severe group 150 patients. The severe group had significantly higher rates of fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, as well as elevated levels of ferritin-to-albumin ratio (FAR), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified anti-Ro52 antibody positivity ( OR=13.26, 95% CI 1.37-128.29) and elevated FAR ( OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09-2.31) as independent risk factors for severe anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM (both P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a FAR cutoff value of 6.82 predicted severe disease with an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.70. All patients received glucocorticoid therapy, and the severe group received higher proportions of steroid pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, biologics, and adjuvant treatments compared to the non-severe group (all P<0.05). In terms of outcomes, 2 patients (2.9%) in the severe group died (due to neurological involvement and intestinal perforation, respectively), while the remaining patients achieved complete clinical response or remission. All patients in the non-severe group achieved remission. Conclusions:The primary clinical features of anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM included fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, and elevated levels of CK, AST, LDH, and FAR. Furthermore, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity and a FAR>6.82 were identified as independent risk factors.
6.Hesperidin Suppressed Colorectal Cancer through Inhibition of Glycolysis.
Ke-Xiang SUN ; Wei-Shan TAN ; Hao-Yue WANG ; Jia-Min GAO ; Shu-Yun WANG ; Man-Li XIE ; Wan-Li DENG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(6):529-540
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the role of the natural compound hesperidin in glycolysis, the key ratelimiting enzyme, in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines.
METHODS:
In vitro, HCT116 and SW620 were treated with different doses of hesperidin (0-500 µmol/L), cell counting kit-8 and colone formation assays were utilized to detected inhibition effect of hesperidin on CRC cell lines. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to detect the ability of hesperidin (0, 25, 50 and 75 µmol/L) to migrate CRC cells. To confirm the apoptotic-inducing effect of hesperidin, apoptosis and cycle assays were employed. Western blot, glucose uptake, and lactate production determination measurements were applied to determine inhibitory effects of hesperidin (0, 25 and 50 µmol/L) on glycolysis. In vivo, according to the random number table method, nude mice with successful tumor loading were randomly divided into vehicle, low-dose hesperidin (20 mg/kg) and high-dose hesperidin (60 mg/kg) groups, with 6 mice in each group. The body weights and tumor volumes of mice were recorded during 4-week treatment. The expression of key glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes was determined using Western blot, and glucose uptake and lactate production were assessed. Finally, protein interactions were probed with DirectDIA Quantitative Proteomics, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses.
RESULTS:
Hesperidin could inhibit CRC cell line growth (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, hesperidin presented an inhibitory effect on the migrating abilities of CRC cells. Hesperidin also promoted apoptosis and cell cycle alterations (P<0.05). The immunoblotting results manifested that hesperidin decreased the levels of hexokinase 2, glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1), GLUT3, L-lactate dehydrogenase A, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), PFKFB3, and pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (P<0.01). It remarkably suppressed tumor xenograft growth in nude mice. GO and KEGG analyses showed that hesperidin treatment altered metabolic function.
CONCLUSION
Hesperidin inhibits glycolysis and is a potential therapeutic choice for CRC treatment.
Hesperidin/therapeutic use*
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Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Glycolysis/drug effects*
;
Animals
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Humans
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Glucose/metabolism*
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Cell Cycle/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice
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HCT116 Cells
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Lactic Acid
7.Pitavastatin-loaded procyanidins self-assembled nanoparticles alleviate advanced atherosclerosis via modulating macrophage efferocytosis and cholesterol efflux.
Yizhou WU ; Hongyan ZHOU ; Hao LIU ; Jiayao HU ; Yue SUN ; Wei YAN ; Chunyi TONG ; Ying KONG ; Bin LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3305-3320
Advanced atherosclerosis is the major global cause of death, as featured by the aggregation of apoptotic cells (ACs) in necrotic cores. The defective efferocytosis and dysfunctional cholesterol efflux of macrophages are the main reasons for forming necrotic cores in advanced atherosclerosis. In this study, we constructed self-assembled procyanidins (PC) NPs for loading pitavastatin (Pita). The designed HA@PC@Pita NPs with hyaluronic acid (HA) modification combined the advantages of efferocytosis restoration of Pita and cholesterol efflux enhancement of PC. In vitro assay indicated that HA@PC@Pita NPs could induce M1/M2 repolarization and upregulate ERK5/Mertk expression to restore efferocytosis of macrophages. Simultaneously, HA@PC@Pita NPs notably promoted cholesterol efflux by promoting macrophage lipophagy, a selective autophagy of lipid droplets. In vivo study showed that HA@PC@Pita NPs cleared necrotic core and enhanced plaque stability in the ApoE -/- mice model with advanced atherosclerosis. Taken together, this study demonstrated the potential of HA@PC@Pita NPs for the treatment of advanced atherosclerosis.
8.Latest research progress of rare earth-magnesium alloys in orthopedics.
Zhengming SUN ; Kun ZUO ; Xinke ZHU ; Hao YUE ; Zhengchao GAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):437-442
Due to their good properties of elastic modulus, degradability and ability to promote bone repair, magnesium alloys have become a research hotspot in research of orthopedic implants. Nevertheless, most of the biomedical magnesium alloys currently available fail to meet the requirements in orthopedics because of their rapid degradation after implantation. Rare earth-magnesium alloys possess excellent corrosion resistance and are expected to become important materials as clinical orthopedic implants. This review summarizes the recent progress in studies of the physiological functions of rare earth elements, the effects of supplementation of rare earth elements on biomechanical properties and the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of magnesium alloys, and their contribution to tendon-bone healing, addressing also the current clinical orthopedic applications of different rare earth-magnesium alloys, challenges, and future strategies for improving these alloys.
Alloys/chemistry*
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Magnesium/chemistry*
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Metals, Rare Earth/chemistry*
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Humans
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Biocompatible Materials
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Prostheses and Implants
9.Expert consensus on holistic integrative management of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Moyi SUN ; Zongxuan HE ; Haoyue XU ; Xiaoying LI ; Jie ZHANG ; Haijun LU ; Xiaohong ZHAN ; Dapeng HAO ; Shizhu BAI ; Wei GUO ; Zhangui TANG ; Guoxin REN ; Jian MENG ; Zhijun SUN ; Jichen LI ; Yue HE ; Chunjie LI ; Lizheng QIN ; Kai YANG ; Qing XI ; Lin KONG ; Bing HAN ; Lingxue BU ; Yuanyong FENG ; Kai SONG ; Hongyu HAN ; Jieying LI ; Qianwei NI ; Yun LI ; Juan CHAI ; Xiaochen YANG ; Man HU ; Mingjin XU ; Wei SHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):437-449
Oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)is a malignant lesion originating from the oral mucosal squamous epithelium,account-ing for over 80%of oral and maxillofacial malignancies.Key etiological factors include tobacco,alcohol abuse,and betel quid chewing.In China,its incidence has shown an overall upward trend,posing a significant threat to public health.OSCC exhibits high local invasive-ness,making early diagnosis critical for improving prognosis.Its clinical management requires close multidisciplinary collaboration among oral and maxillofacial surgery,head and neck surgery,radiation oncology,medical oncology,reconstructive surgery,radiology,patholo-gy,and nutritional support teams.Given the increasing disease burden of OSCC and rapid development of multidisciplinary collaborative models,an expert panel has formulated this integrated management consensus based on evidence-based medicine and extensive deliber-ation.Centered on the'Prevention-Screening-Diagnosis-Treatment-Rehabilitation'framework,the consensus provides comprehensive guidance for the entire disease course of OSCC patients,aiming to standardize clinical practice.
10.Role of G protein inhibitory α subunit 1/3 mediating the nerve growth factor pathway in postoperative learning and memory function in Alzheimer's disease mice
Cuicui SHI ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Enhui CUI ; Ming YAN ; Yue SUN ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(11):1562-1566
Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on cognitive function and the hippocampal nerve growth factor(NGF)and tyrosine receptor kinase A(TrkA)signaling pathway in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice,while explore the role of G protein inhibitory α subunit 1/3(Gαi1/3)in this pathway.Methods Twelve wide-type mice and 48 APP/PS1(AD)mice(all males)were respectively assigned into a control group and 4 experimental groups,including AD,AD+postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)group,empty adenovirus group,and Gαi1/3 overexpression group,with 12 mice in each group.Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted to assess the learning and memory function of each group;Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of amyloid P-protein 1-42(Aβ1-42),IL-6,TNF-α,synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,and NGF,p-TrkA,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1 in hippocampal tissues.Results Compared with the control group and AD group,the avoidance incubation period in the AD+POCD group is significantly extended from days 2 to 4(P<0.05),enhanced expression of Aβ1-42,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.05),and reduced expression of synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,NGF,p-TrkA,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1(P<0.05).When compared with the AD+POCD group and the empty adenovirus group,the avoidance latency in the Gαi1/3 overexpression group was significantly shorted on days 2 to 4(P<0.05),down-regulation of Aβ1-42(2.00±0.39 vs 3.38±0.38),IL-6(1.65±0.37 vs 3.36±0.39),and TNF-α(1.58±0.30 vs 2.90±0.31,P<0.05),and up-regulation of synaptotagmin-1,synapsin-1,Gαi1/3,and p-Gab1(P<0.05).Conclusion Isoflurane anesthesia can exacerbate POCD in AD mice,and overexpression of Gαi1/3 can improve cognitive function by activating the phosphorylation of Gab1.

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