1.The Effects of Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-Relieving Decoction (祛风通窍止咳方) on Cough Sensitivity,TRPV4 in Lung and Nasal Mucosal Tissues,and Neurogenic Inflammation in a Guinea Pig Model of Upper Airway Cough Syndrome
Jingshu LUO ; Jianling MA ; Liqing SHI ; Kun JI ; Song LIU ; Yuhan FAN ; Xianli LI ; Zhaodi GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):518-525
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of action of the Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-relieving Decoction (祛风通窍止咳方, QTCD) in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). MethodsTwenty-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group, model group, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and inhibitor group, with six guinea pigs in each group. Except for the blank group, guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection, followed by ovalbumin nasal drops combined with smoke exposure to establish the UACS model. After modeling, the TCM group was administered QTCD 0.9 g/(100 g·d) by gavage, the inhibitor group received the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 4 (TRPV4) inhibitor GSK2193874 1 mmol/L, 5 min by nebulisation, and the blank group and model group were given 2 ml/(100 g·d) normal saline by gavage once daily. After 7 days of treatment, a cough provocation test was performed using 0.4 mol/L citric acid. The levels of IgE in serum and inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological changes in lung and nasal mucosal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of TRPV4, substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV4, SP, and CGRP in lung tissues. ResultsHE staining showed significant structural damage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung and nasal mucosal tissues in the model group, while the TCM group and inhibitor group showed improved pathological changes. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased cough frequency, serum IgE level, and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF. The protein levels of TRPV4, SP, and CGRP in lung and nasal mucosal tissues and their mRNA expression were elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the TCM group and inhibitor group showed reduced cough frequency, serum IgE level, and TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues. The TCM group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF, and reduced TRPV4 and CGRP protein levels in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. The inhibitor group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum, BALF, and NLF, reduced IL-6 in BALF, reduced IL-8 in NLF, and decreased TRPV4, SP, and CGRP protein levels in lung tissues and SP and CGRP protein levels in nasal mucosal tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the TCM group, the inhibitor group had increased serum IgE, IL-6, and IL-8 levels, increased IL-6 level in BALF, and increased IL-8 levle in NLF, but decreased SP protein level in lung tissues and increased TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues (P<0.01). ConclusionQTCD effectively reduces cough frequency in the UACS guinea pig model. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of the TRPV4 pathway, improving airway neurogenic inflammation, alleviating inflammatory responses, and reducing cough hypersensitivity.
2.Therapeutic Effect of Wenweishu Granules on Functional Dyspepsia Rats with Spleen-stomach Deficiency Cold Syndrome Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation
Xinyu YANG ; Xiaoyi JIA ; Zihua XUAN ; Shuangying GUI ; Yanfang WU ; Yuhan MA ; Qin RUAN ; Jia ZHENG ; Zhiyong JIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):30-40
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wenweishu granule (WWSG) on functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsActive components and corresponding targets of WWSG were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Disease-related targets for FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome were screened using GeneCards and the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP). Core therapeutic targets were identified via Cytoscape and validated by molecular docking. A rat model of FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome was established using vinegar gavage combined with tail-clamping. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose WWSG groups (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g·kg-1), a domperidone group (3.0 mg·kg-1), a Fuzi Lizhong pillwan (0.8 g·kg-1), and a normal control group (n=10 per group). Drugs were administered once daily by gavage for 14 consecutive days. After treatment, body weight, symptom scores, and gastrointestinal motility indices were recorded. Gastric and duodenal pathologies changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Brain-gut peptides were measured in serum and tissue using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to assess stem cell factor (SCF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) protein expression in gastric tissues. ResultsA total of 305 drug targets, 1 140 disease targets, and 116 overlapping targets were identified. Cytoscape analysis revealed 104 core targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway was the key mechanism. Molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between active components of WWSG and SCF/c-Kit proteins (binding energy<-5.1 kcal·mol-1). Compared with the normal group, model rats exhibited slower weight gain (P<0.05), reduced gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion (P<0.01), mild gastric mucosal shedding, duodenal inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased levels of gastrin (GAS), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (P<0.05, P<0.01), and elevated somatostatin (SS) expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). WWSG treatment ameliorated weight gain, symptom scores, and low-grade inflammation in gastric/duodenal tissues. High-dose WWSG significantly improved gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, upregulated GAS, 5-HT, and VIP, and downregulated SS expression in serum and tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot demonstrated that SCF and c-Kit protein expression was decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was reversed by WWSG intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionWWSG exerts therapeutic effects on FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats, potentially by regulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway to enhance gastrointestinal motility.
3.Effects of psychological stress on inflammatory bowel disease via affecting the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Yuhan CHEN ; Xiaofen CHEN ; Suqin LIN ; Shengjun HUANG ; Lijuan LI ; Mingzhi HONG ; Jianzhou LI ; Lili MA ; Juan MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):664-677
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic intestinal inflammatory condition with chronic and relapsing manifestations and is characterized by a disturbance in the interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the gut, and the brain. The microbiota-gut-brain axis involves interactions among the nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, the gut microbiota, and the host immune system. Increasing published data indicate that psychological stress exacerbates the severity of IBD due to its negative effects on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, including alterations in the stress response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the balance between the sympathetic nervous system and vagus nerves, the homeostasis of the intestinal flora and metabolites, and normal intestinal immunity and permeability. Although the current evidence is insufficient, psychotropic agents, psychotherapies, and interventions targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis show the potential to improve symptoms and quality of life in IBD patients. Therefore, further studies that translate recent findings into therapeutic approaches that improve both physical and psychological well-being are needed.
Humans
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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/metabolism*
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Stress, Psychological/microbiology*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
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Brain/metabolism*
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
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Pituitary-Adrenal System
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Animals
4.Competitive roles of slow/delta oscillation-nesting-mediated sleep disruption under acute methamphetamine exposure in monkeys.
Xin LV ; Jie LIU ; Shuo MA ; Yuhan WANG ; Yixin PAN ; Xian QIU ; Yu CAO ; Bomin SUN ; Shikun ZHAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(7):694-707
Abuse of amphetamine-based stimulants is a primary public health concern. Recent studies have underscored a troubling escalation in the inappropriate use of prescription amphetamine-based stimulants. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the impact of acute methamphetamine exposure (AME) on sleep homeostasis remain to be explored. This study employed non-human primates and electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep staging to evaluate the influence of AME on neural oscillations. The primary focus was on alterations in spindles, delta oscillations, and slow oscillations (SOs) and their interactions as conduits through which AME influences sleep stability. AME predominantly diminishes sleep-spindle waves in the non-rapid eye movement 2 (NREM2) stage, and impacts SOs and delta waves differentially. Furthermore, the competitive relationships between SO/delta waves nesting with sleep spindles were selectively strengthened by methamphetamine. Complexity analysis also revealed that the SO-nested spindles had lost their ability to maintain sleep depth and stability. In summary, this finding could be one of the intrinsic electrophysiological mechanisms by which AME disrupted sleep homeostasis.
Animals
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Methamphetamine
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Electroencephalography
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Male
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Sleep/drug effects*
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Central Nervous System Stimulants
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Delta Rhythm/drug effects*
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Sleep Stages/drug effects*
5.CMD-OPT model enables the discovery of a potent and selective RIPK2 inhibitor as preclinical candidate for the treatment of acute liver injury.
Yong CHEN ; Xue YUAN ; Wei YAN ; Yurong ZOU ; Haoche WEI ; Yuhan WEI ; Minghai TANG ; Yulian CHEN ; Ziyan MA ; Tao YANG ; Kongjun LIU ; Baojian XIONG ; Xiuying HU ; Jianhong YANG ; Lijuan CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3708-3724
Acute liver injury (ALI) serves as a critical precursor and major etiological factor in the progression and ultimate manifestation of various hepatic disorders. The prevention and treatment of ALI is still a serious global challenge. Given the limited therapeutic options for ALI, exploring novel targeted therapeutic agents becomes imperative. The potential therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting RIPK2 is highlighted, as it may provide significant benefits by attenuating the MAPK pathway and NF-κB signaling. Herein, we propose a CMD-OPT model, a two-stage molecular optimization tool for the rapid discovery of RIPK2 inhibitors with optimal properties. Compound RP20, which targets the ATP binding site, demonstrated excellent kinase specificity, ideal oral pharmacokinetics, and superior therapeutic effects in a model of APAP-induced ALI, positioning RP20 as a promising preclinical candidate. This marks the first application of RIPK2 inhibitors in ALI treatment, opening a novel therapeutic pathway for clinical applications. These results highlight the efficacy of the CMD-OPT model in producing lead compounds from known active molecules, showcasing its significant potential in drug discovery.
6.Value of different assessment scales in the diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury
Jiaxi MA ; Tiantian YAO ; Hao CHENG ; Dan LIU ; Yuhan ZHANG ; Siyuan DU ; Linfei DONG ; Linhui HU ; Yan WANG ; Guiqiang WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(6):1203-1208
Objective To determine the scores of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury(DILI)using Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM),Maria&Victorino assessment scale,and Revised Electronic Causality Assessment Method(RECAM),to compare the accuracy of the three scales in diagnosis,and to investigate their clinical significance in the diagnosis of DILI.Methods A total of 98 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DILI who were hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital from January 2011 to December 2022 were enrolled,with liver biopsy results supporting DILI and a clear history of medication.Clinical data were collected from all subjects,and the above causality assessment scales were used for scoring.The chi-square test was used to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the causality assessment scales,and the weighted kappa coefficient was used to analyze the consistency between the three scales.Results For all patients with DILI enrolled,RECAM had the highest accuracy,with a significant difference compared with RUCAM(χ2=5.667,P=0.017).RUCAM and RECAM had moderate consistency in diagnosis(κw=0.469),while RECAM and Maria&Victorino scale had poor consistency(κw=0.156).For the patients with acute DILI,RECAM,RUCAM,and Maria&Victorino scales had a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 3.7%,11.1%,and 42.6%,respectively;for the patients with hepatocellular type DILI,the three scales of a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 8.9%,21.4%,and 62.5%,respectively;for the patients with cholestasis type or mixed type DILI,the three scales of a diagnostic inconsistency rate of 10.0%,22.5%,and 47.5%,respectively.Conclusion The use of RECAM and RUCAM scales in acute DILI can improve diagnostic rate,and for hepatocellular type DILI and DILI with the clinical manifestation of cholestasis(cholestasis type DILI and mixed type DILI),the use of RECAM and RUCAM scales can also improve diagnostic rate.The selection of causality assessment scales with a relatively high accuracy based on the course and clinical classification of the disease may help to further improve clinical diagnostic rate.
7.Effect of modified attention and interpretation therapy on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia
Jie CHENG ; Lu CHEN ; Qing MA ; Siqi ZHENG ; Yuhan WANG ; Yunlong WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(5):427-432
Background Patients with post-stroke hemiplegia are likely to experience fatigue and sleep disorder.Attention and interpretation therapy(AIT)has been shown to promote psychological flexibility,thereby alleviating their stress,improving emotional management and somatopsychic adaptation.Currently,there is a lack of application of AIT in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.Objective To explore the effect of modified AIT on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia,so as to provide references for physical and mental rehabilitation nursing of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.Methods A total of 120 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia attending the rehabilitation medicine department of North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital from August 1,2021 to June 30,2022 and fulfilling the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke 2018 and the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute intracerebral hemorrhage 2019 were enrolled.Patients were assigned into two groups using random number table methods,each with 60 cases.Control group was given chronic illness trajectory model-based nursing,while study group received modified AIT intervention.All participants were evaluated using the Chinese version of Neurological Fatigue Index for Stroke(NFI-Stroke)and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)at the baseline,after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of intervention.Results The repeated measures ANOVA on PSQI total score and scores on sleep quality,sleep time,sleep duration,sleep efficiency,sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction revealed a significant group effect,time effect and interaction effect(Fgroup=4.281,5.598,8.814,4.351,4.302,4.091,7.608,Ftime=122.230,19.698,19.289,16.403,15.421,28.879,90.876,Finteraction=19.508,3.227,11.586,5.237,5.507,5.799,3.338,P<0.05).Significant group effect,time effect and interaction effect were reported on NFI-Stroke total score and scores on physical subscale and cognitive subscale(Fgroup=7.140,5.466,5.547,Ftime=362.192,309.817,70.888,Finteraction=21.079,13.430,13.354,P<0.05).Conclusion Modified AIT may help alleviate fatigue and improve sleep quality in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.
8.Application Progress of Wearable Devices in the Field of Depression Monitoring and Intervention
Yangliuqing HE ; Fenrong LIANG ; Yiming WANG ; Yuhan WEI ; Tianpei MA
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2024;48(4):407-412
Depression's high recurrence rate and severe consequences pose significant challenges to public health.To address this issue effectively,this review explores the innovative application of wearable devices in monitoring and intervening in depression,surpassing the limitations of traditional subjective assessments and patient self-reports.The paper systematically analyzes recent studies utilizing wearable devices to monitor physiological and behavioral indicators of depression,categorizing them by different technological types and evaluating their practical effectiveness in early diagnosis and intervention.The findings indicate that wearable devices can continuously monitor physiological indicators and behavioral patterns related to depression,potentially enabling early detection of depressive episodes and supporting timely interventions.Despite challenges such as data privacy and user acceptance,wearable technology holds immense potential in enhancing clinical outcomes in depression treatment.
9.Study on predicting new onset heart failure events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using machine learning algorithms based on clinical and magnetic resonance features
Hongbo ZHANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Yuhan YI ; Chen ZHANG ; Guanyu LU ; Zhihui LU ; Lanling WANG ; Lili WANG ; Xiaohai MA
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(11):1283-1289
Objective:To explore the value of predicting new-onset heart failure events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features based on machine learning algorithms.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HCM who underwent CMR examinations at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from May 2017 to March 2021 were selected and randomly divided into the training set and the validation set in a ratio of 7∶3. Clinical data and CMR parameters (including conventional parameters and radiomics features) were collected. The endpoint events were heart failure hospitalization and heart failure death, with follow-up ending in January 2023. Features with high stability and P value<0.05 in univariate Cox regression analysis were selected. Subsequently, three machine learning algorithms—random forest, decision tree, and XGBoost—were used to build heart failure event prediction models in the training set. The model performance was then evaluated using the independent validation set, with the performance assessed based on the concordance index. Results:A total of 462 patients were included, with a median age of 51 (39, 62) years, of whom 332 (71.9%) were male. There were 323 patients in the training set and 139 in the validation set. The median follow-up time was 42 (28, 52) months. A total of 44 patients (9.5% (44/462)) experienced endpoint events (8 cases of heart failure death and 36 cases of heart failure hospitalization), with 31 events in the training set and 13 in the validation set. Univariate Cox regression analysis identified 39 radiomic features, 4 conventional CMR parameters (left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and late gadolinium enhancement ratio), and 1 clinical feature (history of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia) that could be included in the machine learning model. In the prediction models built with the training set, the concordance indices for the random forest, decision tree, and XGBoost models were 0.966 (95% CI 0.813-0.995), 0.956 (95% CI 0.796-0.992), and 0.973 (95% CI 0.823-0.996), respectively. In the validation set, the concordance indices for the random forest, decision tree, and XGBoost models were 0.854 (95% CI 0.557-0.964), 0.706 (95% CI 0.399-0.896), and 0.703 (95%CI 0.408-0.890), respectively. Conclusion:Integrating clinical and CMR features of HCM patients through machine learning aids in predicting heart failure events, with the random forest model showing superior performance.
10.Relationship between the ratio of small dense low density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein and contrast nephropathy after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute STEMI and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Di ZHENG ; Kai MA ; Wenhua LI ; Yuhan LI
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(20):63-67
Objective To explore the relationship between the ratio of small dense low density lipoprotein(HDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)and contrast nephropathy(CIN)after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Method Totally 187 patients with STEMI complicated with T2DM from May 2021 to November 2023 were selected for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.The creatinine level was measured within 48-72 hours after operation,which was divided into 52 cases in CIN group and 135 cases in non CIN group.The levels of sdLDL and HDL-c in all patients were measured,and the ratio between them was calculated.The difference of sdLDL/HDL-c between the two groups was compared,and its relationship with contrast nephropathy after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention was analyzed.Results SdLDL-C(1.283±0.432)mmol/L in CIN group was higher than that in non CIN group(0.884±0.436)mmol/L.HDL-C(0.822±0.213)mmol/L in CIN group was lower than that in non CIN group(1.013±0.224)mmol/L.sdLDL/HDL-C(1.712±0.793)in CIN group was higher than that in non CIN group(0.843±0.484).The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that among the risk factors of coronary heart disease,sdLDL-C/HDL-C was an independent risk factor for CIN after emergency intervention in STEMI patients with T2DM[OR=9.003,95%CI:3.510-23.089,P<0.001].ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of sdLDL-C/HDL-C to predict the occurrence of CIN in STEMI patients with T2DM was 0.836,optimal truncation was 1.159,the sensitivity was 76.1%,and the specificity was 83.7%.Conclusion SdLDL-C/HDL-C is closely related to the occurrence of CIN after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI complicated with T2DM.It may be used as an indicator for predicting the risk of CIN and has clinical guiding significance.

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