1.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
2.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
3.Root causes of quality changes in cultivated Chinese materia medica and countermeasures for high-quality production.
Chao-Geng LYU ; Chuan-Zhi KANG ; Ya-Li HE ; Zhi-Lai ZHAN ; Sheng WANG ; Xiu-Fu WAN ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3529-3535
In order to support the implementation of the Opinions on Improving the Quality of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry and fundamentally promote the high-quality development of Chinese materia medica(CMM) industry, this article analyzed the quality and safety issues arising during the transition of CMM from wild harvesting to cultivation. Root causes of these issues were identified, including changes in the habitats of medicinal plants caused by inappropriate field cultivation patterns, excessive use of chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, and shortened cultivation periods due to rising economic costs. To address the above issues, the following countermeasures and suggestions were proposed to advance the high-quality development of CMM:(1) comprehensively adjust the cultivation patterns, vigorously promote ecological cultivation of CMM, and ensure production quality and safety of CMM from the source;(2) strengthen the breeding of high-quality, stress-resistant CMM varieties, improve cultivation techniques to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improve the quality and efficiency of ecological cultivation of CMM;(3) systematically design the production, operation, and supervision models for ecological cultivation of CMM, carry out demonstrations of "high quality with fair price", and ensure the sustainable development of ecological cultivation of CMM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
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Quality Control
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Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
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Plant Roots/chemistry*
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China
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Fertilizers/analysis*
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Materia Medica/standards*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
4.Herbal Textual Research on Houttuyniae Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Dan ZHAO ; Changgui YANG ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Chenghong XIAO ; Zhikun WU ; Hongliang MA ; Jiwen WANG ; Xiufu WAN ; Sheng WANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):250-259
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Houttuyniae Herba(HH) by referring to the medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the research materials related to modern and contemporary times, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this herb. In ancient literature, HH was often referred to as "Ji" and "Jicai", the name of "Ji" was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu during the Han and Wei dynasties, and the name of Yuxingcao was first seen in Lyuchanyan Bencao during the southern Song dynasty and has continued to this day. The origin of HH used throughout history is consistent, all of which are the whole herb or aboveground parts of Houttuynia cordata in Saururaceae family. HH recorded throughout history has a wide range of production areas, mostly self-produced self-marketing. In ancient times, fresh HH was often used as medicine by pounding its juice without involving any processing steps. Both fresh and dried products can be used as medicine, the fresh products uses the whole plant, while the dried products uses the aboveground parts, which are cleaned, selected and processed before use. Fresh products are harvested regardless of season, while dried products are harvested in both summer and autumn, with summer as the best. In ancient times, there were no specific requirements for the quality of HH, while in modern times, "intact stems and leaves with a strong fishy smell" are preferred. In addition, the medicinal properties of HH have undergone significant changes from ancient to modern times. In the early period, it was believed that its medicinal property was slightly warm, until the 1977 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia officially changed it to slightly cold. Both ancient and modern literature states that HH can be used for the treatment of carbuncle and malignant sores, Lyuchanyan Bencao for the first time introduced HH fresh juice can relieve summer heat, since Diannan Bencao recorded that it can be used for lung carbuncle, and gradually developed into the first choice for the treatment of lung carbuncle. Based on the research results, it is suggested that fresh herb or dried aboveground parts of H. cordata are used as medicine when developing famous classical formulas.
5.Effects of high-fat diet intake on pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets in healthy Chinese subjects
Cai-hui GUO ; Yu-fang XU ; Cong-yang DING ; Guang-tao HAO ; Hao-jing SONG ; Xue SUN ; Zhan-jun DONG ; Wan-jun BAI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):225-229
Objective To evaluate the effects of fasting and high-fat diet on the pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.Methods A single-center,randomized,open,two-agent,two-sequence,four-cycle,fully repeated crossover,single-dose trial design was used in this study,healthy subjects were assigned to receive single dose of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets 0.1 g in either fasting or high-fat diet state,and blood samples were taken at different time points,respectively.The concentrations of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated in plasma were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS),the model method of the non-compartmental was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters by Phoenix WinNonlin 8.2.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets in fasting state and high-fat diet state were as follows:Cmax were(339.63±156.47)and(318.86±132.13)ng·mL-1;t1/2 were(2.34±0.68)and(3.60±2.40)h;AUC0_t were(556.62±251.65)and(528.50±201.78)ng·mL-1·h;AUC0-∞ were(563.39±255.69)and(535.15±203.24)ng·mL-1·h;tmax were 3.65 and 6.99 h.After high-fat diet,the Cmax and AUC of rapeprazole sodium after high-fat and high-calorie diet decreased,Cmax decreased by 6.12%,AUC0-t decreased by 5.05%,AUC0-∞ decreased by 5.01%,andtmaxwas delayed by about 3.34 h.Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ 90%confidence interval were 73.13%-115.10%,83.22%-112.28%and 83.40%-112.13%,respectively.Neither was between 85.00%-125.00%.Conclusion High-fat diet affects the absorption rate and degree of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated,so it is suitable to be administered on an empty stomach.
6.Phytosteroidemia presenting as necrobiotic xanthogranuloma clinicopathologic and molecular genetic analysis of 4 cases
Chaohang LU ; Yiyun SHENG ; Jie LIU ; Yusen QIU ; Yuan ZHAN ; Hongping WAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(6):771-775,781
Purpose To explore the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of phytosterolemia(PTSL)with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.Methods 4 cases of PTSL with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma as the primary mani-festation were reviewed.Gene mutations were detected by whole-exome sequencing and screened and verified by Sanger sequencing.The clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,genetic testing results,treatment and prognoses of the pa-tients were analyzed.Results All 4 patients developed subcutaneous masses on the face over a period of 3-13 years.Case 4 showed weakness of both lower limbs and an intracranial mass on MRI.Blood smear analysis revealed that the patients had platelets of varying sizes and were generally large,with increased stomatocytes.Total cholesterol(6.9-11.36 mmol/L)and low-density lipoprotein(4.45-7.08 mmol/L)were elevated in 4 patients.Genetic analysis re-vealed that cases 2 and 4 carried heterozygous mutations in the ABCG5 gene,and case 3 had a homozygous mutation in the ABCG8 gene.Conclusion Thrombocytopenia,stomatocytosis and splenomegaly are the special clinical manifesta-tions of patients with PTSL,and necrobiotic xanthogranuloma may be one of the late manifestations of the disease.Early genetic testing plays a critical role in the timely diagnosis and management of PTSL.
7.Develop an evaluation system for quality palliative care based on the guidelines of National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care
Minling XU ; Weiying DENG ; Lijun ZHAN ; Wenyan CHEN ; Lan WAN
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(9):57-65
Objective To develop an evaluation system for quality palliative care and provide an evaluation tool for quality palliative care service.Methods A preliminary evaluation system was drafted by using literature review and group discussion,aligning with the U.S.National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care(NCP).The system was revised and refined by two rounds of Delphi consultation with 15 palliative care experts(including specialists in clinical practice,nursing management,nursing research and education)from Tier-IIIA hospitals in Guangdong Province.Indicator weights were determined via consensus.Results Both rounds of expert consultation achieved 100.00%response rates.Expert authority coefficient(Cr)was 0.855.The importance scores of the level-1,level-2 and level-3 indicators of the second round of expert consultation were 4.90-5.00,4.80-5.00 and 4.37-5.00,respectively.Coefficients of variation were 0-0.06,0-0.1 and 0-0.19,respectively.The full score ratio ranged between 0.93 and 1.00,0.8 and 1.00,and 0.67 and 1.00.Kendall's W coefficients were 0.214,0.287 and 0.245,respectively(all P<0.01).The nine level-1 indicators were identified as care structure and process,physiological care,psychological care,social care,mental care,cultural care,end-of-life care,ethical care and quality improvement,with the weight coefficients of 0.123,0.153,0.110,0.106,0.098,0.082,0.119,0.092 and 0.117,respectively.The final evaluation system for quality palliative care included 9 indicators in level-1,22 in level-2 and 69 in level-3.Conclusion The evaluation system for quality palliative care developed on the basis of NCP is scientifically innovative and valid in content.Further studies are required to evaluate its validity..
8.Effect of intrathecal morphine combined with liposomal bupivacaine adductor canal block on postopera-tive analgesia and opioid-sparing effect in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty
Chenglong LI ; Lun WAN ; Lisha HUANG ; Yucheng ZHAN ; Shiying LONG ; Zheng WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(19):3083-3088
Objective To evaluate the effects of low-dose intrathecal morphine(ITM)combined with liposomal bupivacaine adductor canal block(LB-ACB)on postoperative analgesia and opioid-sparing efficacy in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods In this randomized,double-blind,controlled trial,80 TKA patients were allocated to either an intervention group(ITM 0.1 mg+LB-ACB,n=40)or a control group(intrathecal saline+LB-ACB,n=40).Primary outcomes included resting/movement visual analog scale(VAS)scores at 6,12,24,48,and 72 hours postoperatively,48-hour morphine consumption,time to first rescue analgesia,and incidence of complications.Results(1)The intervention group showed significantly lower resting and movement VAS scores at 6,12,24,and 48 hours postoperatively compared with controls(all P<0.05),except at 72 hours(P>0.05).(2)The intervention group had a significant reduction in 48-hour morphine consumption(4.58±1.0 mg vs.9.34±4.8 mg,P=0.027),a significantly lower rescue analgesia rate(15.0%vs.47.5%,P=0.002),and a significantly prolonged time to first rescue analgesia(48.8±7.5 h vs.14.5±5.5 h,P<0.001).(3)The intervention group demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of nausea(from 15.0%to 35.0%,P=0.039)and vomiting(from 10.0%to 27.5%,P=0.045),but no significant differences were observed in the incidences of pruritus,urinary retention,or motor block(all P>0.05).Conclusion Low-dose ITM(0.1 mg)combined with LB-ACB significantly enhances early postoperative analgesia,reduces opioid consumption,and decreases nausea/vomiting risk,without increasing the risks of other complications.This regimen aligns with enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)principles.
9.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
10.Aiwixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion
Hui-tian XIN ; Ya-li BAO ; Xiao-feng GAO ; Hui-hui LI ; Wan-yue LI ; Ainiwar DINA ; Nasier NUERAILAGULI ; Anwaier GULINIGAER ; Zhan SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2177-2185
Aim To investigate the mechanism by which Aiweixin oral liquid(AWX)alleviates myocar-dial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through the reg-ulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission.Methods Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups(n=12)using a ran-dom number table:sham surgery group,model group,low-dose AWX(1 mL·kg-1)group,medium-dose AWX(2 mL·kg-1)group,high-dose AWX(4 mL·kg-1)group,and positive control drug trimetazidine(10 mg·kg-1)group.A myocardial ischemia-reper-fusion injury(MIRI)model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of the rat heart,followed by 30 minutes of ischemia and 90 mi-nutes of reperfusion.In the sham surgery group,only a suture was placed without ligation.The rats in the treatment groups were pre-gavaged with AWX starting 10 days prior to the modeling procedure.Lead Ⅱ elec-trocardiograms were recorded before and after reperfu-sion in each group to observe the changes in electrocar-diographic parameters.The myocardial infarct size in each group was assessed using TTC staining.The his-topathological changes in myocardial tissue were exam-ined under a light microscope using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The serum levels of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and cardiac troponin I(cTnI)were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(ELISA).Superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were determined using bio-chemical assay kits.The protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1(dynamin-relatedprotein 1,DRP1),mitochondrial fission factor(mitochondrial fis-sion factor,MFF),mitochondrial fission protein 1(mi-tochondrial fission protein 1,FIS1),mitofusin 1(mito-fusion-1,MFN1),and mitofusin 2(mitofusion-2,MFN2)were evaluated by Western blot analysis.Re-sults Compared with the sham group,the model group exhibited aggravated myocardial tissue pathological damage,an increased percentage of myocardial infarct size,decreased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,and significantly elevated levels of MDA,cTnI,and LDH activity.Additionally,the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1 was up-regulated,while the expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2 was downregulated.Compared with the model group,Aiweixin oral liquid significantly alle-viated myocardial injury,reduced the percentage of my-ocardial infarct size,increased serum SOD activity and ATP levels,decreased MDA content and cTnI and LDH activity,downregulated the protein expression of mito-chondrial fission factors DRP1,MFF,and FIS1,and up-regulated the protein expression of fusion-related factors MFN1 and MFN2.Conclusion Aiweixin oral liquid alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fis-sion.

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