1.Exploring Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula in Alleviating Immune Cell Exhaustion in Sepsis Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Rui CHEN ; Qiusha PAN ; Kaiqiang ZHONG ; Shuqi MA ; Wei HUANG ; Jiahua LAI ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Xiaotu XI ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):109-118
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula(YHJF) on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated, model, low-dose YHJF(4.1 g·kg-1), and high-dose YHJF(8.2 g·kg-1) groups. Except for the sham-operated group, a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses, while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention, the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded, and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention, and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and differential metabolites in the spleen, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), flow cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice(P0.05). Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling, with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells, an increase in the spleen index, and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.05). Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups, potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer(NK) cell-mediated positive immune regulation, cell killing, cytokine production, positive regulation of innate immune cells, and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis identified CD160, granzyme B(GZMB), and chemokine ligand 4(CCL4) as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention, and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI) anchor biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen, along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression, and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T(NKT) cells in the spleen(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen, a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group, CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased(P0.01), while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression(P0.01). ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160, and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula in Alleviating Immune Cell Exhaustion in Sepsis Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Rui CHEN ; Qiusha PAN ; Kaiqiang ZHONG ; Shuqi MA ; Wei HUANG ; Jiahua LAI ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Xiaotu XI ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):109-118
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula(YHJF) on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated, model, low-dose YHJF(4.1 g·kg-1), and high-dose YHJF(8.2 g·kg-1) groups. Except for the sham-operated group, a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses, while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention, the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded, and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention, and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and differential metabolites in the spleen, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), flow cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice(P0.05). Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling, with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells, an increase in the spleen index, and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.05). Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups, potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer(NK) cell-mediated positive immune regulation, cell killing, cytokine production, positive regulation of innate immune cells, and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis identified CD160, granzyme B(GZMB), and chemokine ligand 4(CCL4) as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention, and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI) anchor biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen, along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression, and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T(NKT) cells in the spleen(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen, a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group, CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased(P0.01), while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression(P0.01). ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160, and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.
3.Percutaneous coronary intervention vs . medical therapy in patients on dialysis with coronary artery disease in China.
Enmin XIE ; Yaxin WU ; Zixiang YE ; Yong HE ; Hesong ZENG ; Jianfang LUO ; Mulei CHEN ; Wenyue PANG ; Yanmin XU ; Chuanyu GAO ; Xiaogang GUO ; Lin CAI ; Qingwei JI ; Yining YANG ; Di WU ; Yiqiang YUAN ; Jing WAN ; Yuliang MA ; Jun ZHANG ; Zhimin DU ; Qing YANG ; Jinsong CHENG ; Chunhua DING ; Xiang MA ; Chunlin YIN ; Zeyuan FAN ; Qiang TANG ; Yue LI ; Lihua SUN ; Chengzhi LU ; Jufang CHI ; Zhuhua YAO ; Yanxiang GAO ; Changan YU ; Jingyi REN ; Jingang ZHENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(3):301-310
BACKGROUND:
The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China.
METHODS:
This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences.
RESULTS:
Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans
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Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
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Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
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Renal Dialysis/methods*
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Middle Aged
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Aged
;
China
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Treatment Outcome
4.Traditional Chinese medicine dry powder inhalers: research status and development ideas and methods.
Yu-Wen MA ; Yi-Chen ZENG ; Hao-Ran WANG ; Guang-Fu LIU ; Jun JIANG ; Yu-Song ZENG ; Bai-Xiu ZHAO ; Jin FANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):620-631
As an innovative dosage form, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dry powder inhalers have emerged as a focal point in the research and development of new preparations due to its high efficiency, safety, and bioavailability. This paper systematically reviewed the relevant literature and patents associated with TCM dry powder inhalers to analyze the origins and the current research and development status. Furthermore, this paper probed into the research and development ideas of TCM dry powder inhalers regarding clinical positioning, prescription screening, and druggability. Additionally, the paper thoroughly analyzed the technical barriers in druggability studies and elaborated on corresponding research techniques and coping measures. Furthermore, it emphasized the need for improved regulations and policies governing TCM dry powder inhalers, advocated for strengthened oversight, and called for the establishment of a scientific quality evaluation system. Measures such as promoting production-education-research collaboration, enhancing personnel training, and fostering international exchanges were proposed to provide a scientific and systematic reference for the future research, development, and application of TCM dry powder inhalers, thereby facilitating the rapid modernization of TCM.
Humans
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Dry Powder Inhalers/trends*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/instrumentation*
;
Administration, Inhalation
5.VIRMA-mediated SHQ1 m6A modification enhances liver regeneration through an HNRNPA2B1-dependent mechanism.
Hao CHEN ; Haichuan WANG ; Jiwei HUANG ; Guoteng QIU ; Zheng ZHANG ; Lin XU ; Xiao MA ; Zhen WANG ; Xiangzheng CHEN ; Yong ZENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5212-5230
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a crucial post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism and the most abundant and highly conserved RNA epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. Previous studies have indicated the involvement of m6A modification in various tissue regeneration processes, including liver regeneration. Vir-like m6A methyltransferase associated protein (VIRMA) is an m6A methyltransferase with robust methylation capability. However, its role in liver regeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, we generated liver-specific Virma knockout mice using the Cre-loxP system and investigated the biological functions of VIRMA in liver regeneration using both the Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) mouse model and the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) mouse model. The expression level of VIRMA was rapidly up-regulated after ALPPS surgery and gradually down-regulated during liver repair. Virma deficiency significantly impaired liver regeneration capacity and disrupted cell cycle progression. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) analysis revealed that Shq1 is an effective downstream target of VIRMA-mediated m6A modification. The upregulation of Shq1 enhanced the proliferation ability of cells, which was attenuated by the specific AKT inhibitor ipatasertib. Supplementation of Shq1 in vivo alleviated the liver cell proliferation inhibition caused by Virma deficiency. Furthermore, the m6A-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein a2b1 (HNRNPA2B1) enhanced the mRNA stability of Shq1. Mechanistically, Virma deficiency resulted in decreased m6A modification on Shq1 mRNA, leading to reduced binding ability of m6A-binding protein HNRNPA2B1 with Shq1, thereby decreasing the mRNA stability of Shq1 and reducing its protein expression level. Downregulation of Shq1 inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby suppressing cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, ultimately impeding liver regeneration. In summary, our results demonstrate that VIRMA plays a critical role in promoting liver regeneration by regulating m6A modification, providing valuable insights into the epigenetic regulation during liver regeneration.
6.The Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis-Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Neural Circuit Regulates Neuropathic Pain Through the Brain-Spleen Axis.
Shoumeng HAN ; Xin CHEN ; Li MA ; Xin ZENG ; Ying WANG ; Tingting XIE ; Fancan WU ; Kun SONG ; Kenji HASHIMOTO ; Hanbing WANG ; Long WANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2148-2166
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. While the spleen may influence neuropathic pain, its role has been poorly understood. This study demonstrates that the spleen plays a crucial role in regulating neuropathic pain through the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) - paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) neural circuit in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. Splenectomy, splenic denervation, or splenic sympathectomy significantly increased the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and reduced macrophage infiltration in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of CCI mice. Pseudorabies virus injections into the spleen revealed connections to the BNST and PVN in the brain. Chemogenetic inhibition of the BNST-PVN circuit increased macrophage infiltration in the DRG and decreased the MWT; these effects were reversed by splenectomy, splenic denervation, or sympathectomy. These findings underscore the critical role of the spleen, regulated by the BNST-PVN circuit, in neuropathic pain.
Animals
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Neuralgia/pathology*
;
Septal Nuclei/physiopathology*
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Male
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Spleen/physiopathology*
;
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiopathology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Splenectomy
;
Mice
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Neural Pathways/physiopathology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Ganglia, Spinal/physiopathology*
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Sympathectomy
;
Macrophages
7.Study advances in analgesic management in severe patients after neurosurgery
Qingjing MA ; Yan RAO ; Xiwen ZHU ; Hai CHEN ; Guoqing ZENG ; Guangyou DUAN ; Jie CHEN
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(1):145-148
Analgesia is an important link in the treatment of severe patients after neurosurgery and plays a vital role in improving the prognosis of the patients.Understanding the status quo and influencing fac-tors of pain in severe patients after neurosurgery helps to predict the occurrence of pain,which is crucial for determining the new pain assessment methods and auxiliary analgesic methods and developing novel analgesic drugs.This paper reviews the pain status,pain evaluation and analgesic methods of severe patients after neuro-surgery in recent years so as to understand the pain management current status of the patients with severe neurological conditions and provide reference for the medical staff to implement the analgesic programs.
8.Progress in prevention and treatment of hypoxemia during painless gastrointestinal endoscopy
Yan RAO ; Qingjing MA ; Yuanjing CHEN ; Guoqing ZENG ; Guangyou DUAN ; Jie CHEN
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(4):617-622
The goal of gastrointestinal endoscopy anesthesia management is to effectively calm and re-lieve pain while minimizing related adverse reactions and ensuring patient safety.Hypoxemia is the most com-mon adverse event during painless gastrointestinalendoscopy,and severe hypoxemia can cause cardiac and brain accidents.Therefore,how to prevent and reduce the occurrence of hypoxemia isa hot topic in clinical re-search.This article reviews the methods of preventing and reducing hypoxemia in general painless gastrointes-tinal endoscopy,and provides a reference for the selection of appropriate sedation and ventilation strategies for general painless gastrointestinal endoscopy anesthesia.
9.Microbial contamination status of swimming places for infants and young children in Shijia-zhuang City and comparison with other public places, 2021–2022
Fangting ZENG ; Yue QU ; Fengge CHEN ; Hui MA ; Jun YANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(1):83-88
Background At present, China's Public places health management regulations list 7 categories and 28 sub-categories of public places, but infant and young child swimming places are not in the list yet. Objective To understand the microbial pollution status in commercial infant and young child swimming places in Shijiazhuang City, compare with the microbial pollution in other five types of public places, and find the potential safety hazards in infant and young child swimming places. Methods A total of 3438 microbial samples were collected from the environment of infant and young child swimming places and 5 types of public places (hotels, barber stores, waiting rooms, shopping malls and supermarkets, and conventional swimming places) in Shijiazhuang City from 2021 to 2022. Sampling and monitoring were carried out according to the requirements of Examination methods for public places—Part 6: Technical specifications of health monitoring (GB/T 18204.6-2013). Chi-square test was used to compare hygiene qualification by microbial indicators, and Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare overall distributions of total bacterial counts on the surface of public articles. Results From 2021 to 2022, the highest qualified rate of microbial indicators on the surface of public articles was Staphylococcus aureus (100%) for all tested public places in Shijiazhuang City, followed by coliforms (99.44%), and that of total bacterial count was relative low (92.83%). The qualified rate of total bacterial count on the surface of public articles in the swimming places for infants and young children was 87.76%, and the qualified rates in hotels, barber stores, waiting rooms, shopping malls and supermarkets were all above 92%, and the difference among the 5 types of places was statistically significant (P<0.001). The highest value of total bacterial count on the surface of public articles in the swimming places for infants and young children was 80000 CFU·(25 cm2)−1 [100 CFU·(25 cm2)−1=4 CFU·cm−2]; that in 4 types of public places such as hotels (except mouthwash cups), barber stores, waiting rooms, and shopping malls or supermarkets was 2500 CFU·(25 cm2)−1. The difference of total bacteria count on the surface of public articles was statistically significant in comparing infant and young child swimming places with hotels (except mouthwash cups) or barber stores (H=5.432, H=2.997, both Ps<0.05); but the difference was not significant in comparing with waiting rooms and shopping malls or supermarkets (P>0.05). The qualified rates of total bacteria count and coliforms in pool water of infant and young child swimming places were 45.99% and 74.69% respectively, and the two indicators in pool water of conventional swimming places were 94.57% and 98.91% respectively; both showed significant differences between the two types of public places (χ2=162.532, χ2=71.910, both Ps<0.001). Conclusion Compared to conventional swimming places, hotels, barber stores, waiting rooms, and shopping malls or supermarkets, the infant and young child swimming places are not optimistic in hygiene condition; therefore, there is an urgent need to formulate national health standards for infants and young child swimming places, and include them in standard management to further improve their hygiene condition.
10.Comparison of Anatomic Locking Titanium Plate and Intramedullary Nail in the Treatment of Distal Tibial Fractures
Mengjun MA ; Yanbo CHEN ; Gang ZENG ; Chen CHEN ; Weidong SONG ; Wenzhou LIU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):108-113
ObjectivesTo compare the clinical efficacy and complications of anatomic locking titanium plate (hereinafter referred to as “titanium plate screw”) and intramedullary nail in the treatment of distal tibial fractures.Methods From September 2019 to September 2021, 32 patients diagnosed with AO-A fracture of distal tibia at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in this study. Of these, 15 cases were treated with titanium plate screws and 17 cases were treated with intramedullary nails. General surgical indexes, fracture healing time and postoperative operation were compared between the two groups.ResultsAll patients were followed up for 10 to 20 months, with an average of 12 months. The operative time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times of intramedullary nail group were longer than those of titanium plate screw group, but the preoperative waiting time and hospitalization days was less or were fewer than those of titanium plate screw group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (P> 0.05). At 6 weeks after operation, VAS scores in both groups were lower than those before operation, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the intramedullary nail group and the titanium plate screw group (P> 0.05). AOFAS scores 6 months after surgery, ankle joint motion and complication rate 1 year after surgery in intramedullary screw group were better than those in titanium plate screw group, and the differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS scores between the two groups at 1 year after operation (P> 0.05).ConclusionTitanium plate screw and intramedullary nail are both effective methods for the treatment of distal tibial AO-A fracture, and there is no significant difference in long-term clinical efficacy. Intramedullary nail has fewer soft tissue complications, less impact on ankle motion, faster recovery and higher safety, while titanium plate screw has a higher probability of postoperative soft tissue infection. We suggest that in clinical work, preoperative evaluation of patients should be done well. Under the premise of grasping the indications, intramedullary nail has fewer complications and certain advantages.

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