1.Effects of Electroacupuncture at "Fengchi" (GB 20), "Waiguan" (TE 5), and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) on Nociceptive Sensitization and PKC/TRPV1 Pathway in the Trigeminal Ganglion of Chronic Migraine Model Rats
Yixiang ZENG ; Runze TU ; Shucong ZHAO ; Yang YANG ; Haojia WEN ; Zhuozhong HE ; Shengli ZHOU ; Lei TAN ; Ke HE ; Lei FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):283-289
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of electroacupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20), Waiguan (TE 5), and Yanglingquan (GB 34) in treating chronic migraine from the perspective of nociceptive sensitization. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture + agonist group, and inhibitor group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats were injected intraperitoneally with nitroglycerin to establish a chronic migraine rat model. After successful modeling, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at bilateral "Fengchi" (GB 20), "Waiguan" (TE 5), and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) for 30 minutes each session. The electroacupuncture + agonist group received the same electroacupuncture treatment and additional injection of protein kinase C (PKC) agonist Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1.0 ng/μl, 25 μl) via the infraorbital foramen. The inhibitor group received PKC inhibitor Chelerythrine Chloride (1.0 ng/μl, 10 μl) via the infraorbital foramen. The blank group, model group, and inhibitor group underwent restraint for 30 minutes without other interventions. All groups were continuously intervened for 5 days. After the intervention, the nociceptive thresholds (mechanical and thermal pain) of the periorbital area and hind paw were measured. The expression levels of transient receptor potential vanillic acid subtype 1 (TRPV1), phosphorylated TRPV1 (p-TRPV1), PKC proteins, Trpv1, Pkc mRNA, and the average fluorescence intensity of transient receptor potential vanillic acid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and PKC in the trigeminal ganglion were detected using Western Blot, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence methods. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the mechanical and thermal pain thresholds of the periorbital area and hind paw were reduced in the model group, and the protein levels of TRPV1, PKC, p-TRPV1, as well as the mRNA expression of Trpv1 and Pkc, and the average fluorescence intensity of TRPV1 and PKC in the trigeminal ganglion significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the electroacupuncture group exhibited increased mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in the periorbital and hind paw areas, and decreased protein levels of TRPV1, PKC, p-TRPV1, mRNA expression of Trpv1 and Pkc, and average fluorescence intensity of TRPV1. In the electroacupuncture + agonist group, the average fluorescence intensity of TRPV1 in the trigeminal ganglion decreased. The inhibitor group exhibited increased mechanical pain thresholds in the periorbital area and thermal pain thresholds in the hind paw, along with decreased protein levels of TRPV1, PKC, p-TRPV1, and the average fluorescence intensity of TRPV1 and PKC (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the electroacupuncture + agonist group showed an increase in the protein levels of TRPV1, PKC, p-TRPV1, and the mRNA expression of Trpv1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionElectroacupuncture at the "Fengchi" (GB 20), "Waiguan" (TE 5), and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) acupoints can increase the mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in chronic migraine rats and alleviate nociceptive sensitization. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PKC/TRPV1 pathway.
2.A Brief Overview of Acupuncture in Regulating the Spirit for Treating Head and Facial Orifice Disorders
Zijing WANG ; Chao YANG ; Bing HONG ; Shuo DU ; Jiping ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):317-320
It is believed that the head and facial orifices are connected with the brain's spirit and the spirits of the five organs. Their functions, including vision, hearing, smell, taste, and speech, are manifestations of the activity of the spirit. Furthermore, head and facial orifice disorders are interrelated with spirit disorders, forming a cause-and-effect relationship. Acupuncture has a regulatory effect on the spirit. Based on this, acupuncture for regulating the spirit in treating head and facial orifice disorders is proposed. This includes regulating the brain's spirit to treat functional disorders, regulating the heart's spirit to clarify the functions of governing substances, regulating the organ's spirit to benefit the orifices and enhance the communication of the spirit, and regulating the liver's spirit to promote the flow of Qi (气) and relieve stagnation, thereby providing a framework for acupuncture to treat head and facial orifice disorders.
3.Seroprevalence characteristics of hepatitis E virus among blood donors infected with hepatitis B virus
Qin YU ; Tingting XU ; Hao YANG ; Lei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):1-6
[Objective] To investigate the seroprevalence characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among blood donors with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, so as to provide data support for the monitoring, prevention and treatment of HEV. [Methods] From January to December 2022, 219 samples positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 142 occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) samples (HBV group) and 873 samples tested negative (control group) were collected. 361 samples were further tested with viral load assay and serological testing for five serological markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb), and the DNA load was measured using real time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used for the detection of anti-HEV IgG, anti-HEV IgM and HEV antigen (Ag). The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to assess the differences in the reactivity rates of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM among different blood donor populations and different variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine potential risk factors associated with anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence. [Results] In the HBV group, HBsAg positive donors exhibited low expression of antigen. The HBV DNA load of OBI infected donors ranged from 1 to 131.43 IU/mL (median 11.24 IU/mL). The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibody in the HBV group were 34.63% and 1.11%, respectively. Among them, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM in the HBV group was 34.63% and 0, respectively (P<0.05), while in the OBI donors, they were 41.55% and 2.82%, respectively. In the normal donors, the reactivity rates for anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM were 18.67% and 1.49%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was a difference in the reactivity rate of anti-HEV IgG between the HBV-infected donors and the normal donors (34.63% vs 18.67%, P<0.05), but no difference in the reactivity rate of anti-HEV IgM (1.11% vs 1.49%, P>0.05). No HEV Ag was detected in either group of blood donors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age was an independent risk factor for anti-HEV IgG reactivity in both groups of blood donors. [Conclusion] The reactivity rate of anti-HEV IgG among HBV-infected blood donors was significantly higher than that in the normal donors in Wuhan, with age being an independent risk factor. Therefore, for HBV-infected donors, it is essential to strengthen and prioritize the prevention and treatment of HEV to reduce the spread of HEV.
4.Genetic analysis of weak expression of ABO blood group antigens in neonates
Jiali YANG ; Ding ZHAO ; Wei LI ; Xiaopan ZHANG ; Zhihao LI ; Dongdong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):85-90
[Objective] To perform genetic analysis on samples with weak agglutination and mixed agglutination of ABO blood group antigens in neonates, and to investigate the molecular biological characteristics of ABO subtypes in neonates. [Methods] Serological identification of ABO blood group was performed by tube method and microcolumn gel method. The ABO exons 2-7 were amplified by PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing method to determine the genotype. [Results] Among the ABO blood group serological results of 14 neonates, 8 cases showed weakened A antigen, and 6 cases showed weakened B antigen. Seven samples were identified with ABO subtype alleles, with genotypes as A102/B101+c.538C>T, Aw26/B102, A205/O02, A205/B101(2 cases), Aw26/O02, B(A)06/O01, B101/O01(3 cases), A102/O01(2 cases), A102/B101 and B101/O02. Additionally, three other family members were also found to carry B(A)06 allele in a pedigree investigation. [Conclusion] For samples showing weakened antigens in ABO blood type identification of neonates, it is necessary to consider the possibility of ABO subtype in addition to age factors, and genetic testing can be used to prevent missed detection of ABO subtypes in neonates.
5.Optimization of Rh blood group antigen precision transfusion strategy across multiple hospital campuses by PDCA circle
Qiming YING ; Luyan CHEN ; Kedi DONG ; Yiwen HE ; Yating ZHAN ; Yexiaoqing YANG ; Feng ZHAO ; Dingfeng LYU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):106-111
[Objective] To explore the effectiveness of applying the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle to enhance the compatibility rate of five Rh blood group antigen phenotypes between donors and recipients across multiple hospital campuses. [Methods] Clinical blood transfusion data from May to July 2022 were selected. Specific improvement measures were formulated based on the survey results, and the PDCA cycle management model was implemented from August 2022. The post-intervention phase spanned from August 2022 to October 2023. The Rh phenotype compatibility rate, the detection rate of Rh system antibodies, and the proportion of Rh system antibodies among unexpected antibodies were compared between the pre-intervention phase (May to July 2022) and the post-intervention phase. [Results] After the continuous improvement with the PDCA cycle, the compatibility rate for the five Rh blood group antigen phenotypes between donors and recipients from August to October 2023 reached 81.90%, significantly higher than the 70.54% recorded during the pre-intervention phase (May to July 2022, P<0.01), and displayed a quarterly upward trend (β=0.028, P<0.05). The detection rate of Rh blood group system antibodies (β=-9.839×10-5, P<0.05) and its proportion among all detected antibodies (β=-0.022, P<0.05) showed a quarterly decreasing trend, both demonstrating a negative correlation with the enhanced compatibility rate (r values of -0.981 and -0.911, respectively; P<0.05). [Conclusion] The implementation of targeted measures through the PDCA cycle can effectively increase the compatibility rate of five Rh blood group antigen phenotypes between donors and recipients, reduce the occurrence of unexpected Rh blood group antibodies, thereby lowering the risk of transfusion and enhancing the quality and safety of medical care.
6.Research advances in cancer therapy of cisplatin liposome
Weixuan ZHAO ; Xue LU ; Ruilin ZHAO ; Yanmei ZHANG ; Ye YANG ; Deying CAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):356-361
Chemotherapy based on cisplatin or its combination therapy is a common cancer treatment method. However, the non-specific side effects of cisplatin, poor pharmacokinetic properties of small molecule drugs, and susceptibility to drug resistance greatly limit the clinical application of cisplatin as first-line anti-tumor drug. With the development of nanocarrier technology, liposomes have become an ideal carrier for delivering cisplatin drugs due to their excellent properties of targeting, reducing toxicity, and enhancing efficacy. This paper reviews the status of cisplatin liposome both domestically and internationally which have entered clinical trials, including L-NDDP,SPI-077®, Lipoplatin®,LiPlaCis,SLIT and ILC, etc. Currently, only Lipoplatin® and ILC are showing good potential in cancer therapy. Although cisplatin liposome has made some progress in reducing systemic toxicity and improving treatment efficiency in clinical research, there is still potential for further improvement in tumor targeting and reducing side effects. In the future, more low-toxicity and efficient cisplatin liposomes can be developed through formulation technologies such as co-delivery liposome, stimuli-responsive liposome and targeting liposome.
7.Palpitations, Shortness of Breath, Weakness in Limbs, Edema, and Dyspnea: A Rare Inflammatory Myopathy with Positive Aniti-mitochondrial Antibodies and Cardiac Involvement
Chunsu LIANG ; Xuchang ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Lin KANG ; Xiaohong LIU ; Jiaqi YU ; Yingxian LIU ; Lin QIAO ; Yanli YANG ; Xiaoyi ZHAO ; Ruijie ZHAO ; Na NIU ; Xuelian YAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):248-255
This article presents a case study of a patient who visited the Geriatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to "palpitations, shortness of breath for more than 2 years, limb weakness for 6 months, edema, and nocturnal dyspnea for 2 months". The patient exhibited decreased muscle strength in the limbs and involvement of swallowing and respiratory muscles, alongside complications of heart failure and various arrhythmias which were predominantly atrial. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of multiple autoantibodies and notably anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with anti-mitochondrial antibody-associated inflammatory myopathy. Treatment involved a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, along with resistance exercises for muscle strength and rehabilitation training for lung function, resulting in significant improvement of clinical symptoms. The case underscores the importance of collaborative multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing and treating rare diseases in elderly patients, where careful consideration of clinical manifestations and subtle abnormal clinical data can lead to effective interventions.
8.Efficacy of orthokeratology lenses in adolescent myopia patients with different diopters
Xiaojing LI ; Lingling WU ; Qianqian YANG ; Sen ZHAO ; Yun LIU ; Li MENG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):162-165
AIM: To explore the control effects of wearing orthokeratology lens for 1 a on adolescent myopia patients with different diopters.METHODS: Prospective non-randomized controlled study. A total of 120 adolescent myopic patients(224 eyes), with an average age of 11.00±2.08 years old, who were fitted with orthokeratology lenses in the optometry department of our hospital from November 2022 to May 2023 were collected. There were 3 groups according to the spherical equivalent, including 86 eyes in the group of -0.50--2.00 D, 99 eyes in the group -2.25--4.00 D, and 39 eyes in group -4.25--6.00 D. Patients were followed up for 1 a to observe the changes of uncorrected visual acuity, axial length, corneal curvature, corneal central thickness and corneal endothelial cells density in the three groups after wearing lens for 1 a.RESULTS:A total of 113 cases(212 eyes)were followed up for 1 a, including 82 eyes in the group of -0.50--2.00 D, 95 eyes in the group of -2.25--4.00 D, and 35 eyes in the group of -4.25--6.00 D. There was no statistical difference in corneal central thickness and corneal endothelial cell density among the three groups of patients after wearing lens for 1 a(all P>0.05). Uncorrected visual acuity was significantly improved, and flat kerotometry(FK)and steep kerotometry(SK)were significantly flatter(both P<0.01). Furthermore, the growth of axial length in the three groups of patients after wearing lens for 1 a was 0.21±0.26, 0.13±0.21 and 0.09±0.10 mm, respectively(P<0.05). There were differences between the -0.50--2.00 D group and the -2.25--4.00 D group and -4.25--6.00 D group(P=0.028, 0.010), and there were no differences between the -2.25--4.00 D group and the -4.25--6.00 D group(P=0.344).CONCLUSION:It is safe and effective for young myopia patients to wear orthokeratology lenses, which can prevent the non-benign growth of the axial length and effectively delay the development of myopia, and the myopia control effect is better especially for myopia patients of above -2.0 D.
9.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
10.Shentong Zhuyutang Regulates SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway to Ameliorate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats
Jiajun HUANG ; Diyou WU ; Guangyi TAO ; Yu ZHAO ; Junqing HUANG ; Bin YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):29-39
ObjectiveTo study the effect and mechanism of Shentong Zhuyutang in treating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in rats. MethodsIn the cell experiment, male rats were administrated with normal saline or low-, medium-, and high-dose (3.38, 6.75,13.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Shentong Zhuyutang by gavage, respectively, and serum samples were collected after 7 days of continuous administration. Another 10 male rats were selected for the isolation of nucleus pulposus cells. The cell model of IDD was established by treatment with interleukin (IL)-1β. The modeled cells were then treated with Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum and the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), respectively, to investigate the effects of Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum on the proliferation and ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. To study the role of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the regulation of ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells by Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum, this study treated the cells with the SIRT1 inhibitor Ex 527 and the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, respectively, in addition to the treatment with IL-1β and high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and EdU staining were employed to measure the cell viability and proliferation, respectively. The Fe2+, glutathione (GSH), and malondiadehyde (MDA) levels were measured by colorimetric assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4), Collagen Ⅱ, Aggrecan, SIRT1, and Nrf2. Immunofluorescence was used detect SIRT1 expression. In the animal experiment, male rats were treated with anulus puncture for the modeling of IDD. Rats were randomly assigned into sham operation, model, Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum (13.5 g·kg-1), and positive control (nimesulide dispersible tablets, 0.18 mg·kg-1) groups. Rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents at 1 mL·kg-1, and those in the sham operation and model groups were administrated with equal volumes of normal saline, once daily for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the last administration, the histopathological changes in the intervertebral discs of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and scored by the Masuda method. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ in the nucleus pulposus tissue. ResultsCompared with the control group, the IL-1β group of nucleus pulposus cells showed elevated levels of Fe2+, MDA, and ACSL4 (P<0.05), decreased cell viability, lowered GSH level, and down-regulated protein levels of GPX4, Collagen Ⅱ, and Aggrecan (P<0.05). Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum and Fer-1 reversed the effects of IL-1β on the viability and ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and up-regulated the protein levels of Collagen Ⅱ and Aggrecan in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the IL-1β group showcased down-regulated expression of Sirt1 and Nrf2 in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β group, the high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum+IL-1β group showed up-regulated expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in nucleus pulposus cells (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose Shentong Zhuyutang-containing serum+IL-1β group, the ML385 group showed down-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and GPX4, lowered GSH level, and elevated Fe2+ and MDA levels (P<0.05). In addition, the Ex 527 group showed down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, and GPX4 (P<0.05). The results of the animal experiment showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group had severe degeneration of the intervertebral disc tissue with increased pathological score, up-regulated protein level of ACSL4 (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Shentong Zhuyutang group showed alleviated IDD with declined pathological score, down-regulated protein level of ACSL4 (P<0.05), and up-regulated protein levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, GPX4, and Collagen Ⅱ (P<0.05). ConclusionShentong Zhuyutang may activate the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit the ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells, thereby delaying the process of IDD in rats.

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