1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Changes of levels of serum sST2 and ALB in patients with chronic heart failure and correlation with prognosis
Qian ZHONG ; Renyu ZHANG ; Yongling ZHENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):103-107
Objective To analyze the changes of levels of serum soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (sST2) and albumin (ALB) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and their correlation with prognosis. Methods The data of 216 patients with CHF (CHF group) and 98 healthy subjects with physical examination (healthy control group) were retrospectively analyzed. The changes in levels of serum sST2 and ALB between both groups and among different grades of New York Heart Association (NYHA), and their correlation with NYHA grading and cardiac function and their diagnostic value on the prognosis in patients with CHF were compared. Results The level of serum sST2 and LVEF value of CHF group were significantly higher than those of healthy control group (P<0.05) while the level of serum ALB was significantly lower than that of healthy control group (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of serum sST2 and ALB and LVEF value among patients with different HYHA grades and pairwise comparison between the any two grades (P<0.05). Serum sST2 level in patients with CHF was positively correlated with NYHA grading (P<0.001) and was negatively correlated with LVEF (P<0.001), and serum ALB level was negatively correlated with NYHA grading (P<0.001), and was positively correlated with LVEF (P<0.001). Serum sST2 level of poor prognosis group was significantly higher than that of good prognosis group (P<0.05) while serum ALB level was significantly lower than that of good prognosis group (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis of serum sST2 combined with ALB in diagnosing poor prognosis in CHF patients showed that the AUC and sensitivity were 0.907 and 98.04%, which were higher than the single diagnosis, and the specificity was 81.82%, which was lower than the single diagnosis. Conclusion The levels of serum sST2 and ALB in patients with CHF are correlated with NYHA grading and cardiac function, and the combination of the two indicators has high diagnostic value on predicting the poor prognosis of patients.
3.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
4.Association between overweight, obesity, central obesity and hypertension
YE Zhenmiao ; ZHANG Mohan ; FAN Lihui ; XIE Yimin ; JIANG Xuexia ; ZHENG Yuhang ; LUO Yongyuan ; XIA Zhezheng ; JIN Xi ; SUN Qian
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1113-1118
Objective:
To investigate the association between overweight, obesity, central obesity and hypertension, so as to provide the basis for formulating targeted hypertension prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
Permanent residents aged ≥18 years were selected in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province from June 2023 to August 2024 by a multistage cluster random sampling method. Data on demographic information, lifestyle, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. The prevalence of hypertension was calculated and standardized using the data of the Sixth National Population Census in 2010. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to determine overweight and obesity, while WC was used to identify central obesity. The association between overweight, obesity, central obesity and hypertension were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results:
A total of 38 593 residents were surveyed, including 19 481 (50.48%) males and 19 112 (49.52%) females. The median age was 46.00 (interquartile range, 26.00) years. The rates of overweight, obesity, and central obesity were 32.74% (12 634 individuals), 10.27% (3 963 individuals), and 27.87% (10 755 individuals), respectively. There were 11 813 cases of hypertension, with a prevalence and standardized prevalence of 30.61% and 24.41%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic information, lifestyle, diabetes and dyslipidemia, the likelihood of hypertension in the overweight and obesity groups was 1.927 (95%CI: 1.815-2.045) times and 3.724 (95%CI: 3.404-4.073) times that of the normal BMI group, respectively. The likelihood of hypertension in the central obesity group was 2.346 (95%CI: 2.214-2.486) times that of the normal WC group. The likelihood of hypertension in the central obesity only, overweight only, overweight with central obesity, obesity only and obesity with central obesity groups was 1.586 (95%CI: 1.391-1.809), 1.704 (95%CI: 1.582-1.835), 2.433 (95%CI: 2.254-2.626), 1.768 (95%CI: 1.424-2.194), and 4.466 (95%CI: 4.053-4.921) times that of the normal BMI and WC group, respectively.
Conclusions
Overweight, obesity and central obesity were all associated with hypertension among adult residents. The highest likelihood of hypertension was observed among adult residents with both general obesity and central obesity.
5.Transcriptomic analysis of key genes involved in sex differences in intellectual development.
Jia-Wei ZHANG ; Xiao-Li ZHENG ; Hai-Qian ZHOU ; Zhen ZHU ; Wei HAN ; Dong-Min YIN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):211-221
Intelligence encompasses various abilities, including logical reasoning, comprehension, self-awareness, learning, planning, creativity, and problem-solving. Extensive research and practical experience suggest that there are sex differences in intellectual development, with females typically maturing earlier than males. However, the key genes and molecular network mechanisms underlying these sex differences in intellectual development remain unclear. To date, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified 507 genes that are significantly associated with intelligence. This study first analyzed RNA sequencing data from different stages of brain development (from BrainSpan), revealing that during the late embryonic stage, the average expression levels of intelligence-related genes are higher in males than in females, while the opposite is observed during puberty. This study further constructed interaction networks of intelligence-related genes with sex-differential expression in the brain, including the prenatal male network (HELP-M: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in prenatal males) and the pubertal female network (HELP-F: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in pubertal females). The findings indicate that the key genes in both networks are Ep300 and Ctnnb1. Specifically, Ep300 regulates the transcription of 53 genes in both HELP-M and HELP-F, while Ctnnb1 regulates the transcription of 45 genes. Ctnnb1 plays a more prominent role in HELP-M, while Ep300 is more crucial in HELP-F. Finally, this study conducted sequencing validation on rats at different developmental stages, and the results indicated that in the prefrontal cortex of female rats during adolescence, the expression levels of the intelligence genes in HELP-F, as well as key genes Ep300 and Ctnnb1, were higher than those in male rats. These genes were also involved in neurodevelopment-related biological processes. The findings reveal a sex-differentiated intelligence gene network and its key genes, which exhibit varying expression levels during the neurodevelopmental process.
Female
;
Intelligence/physiology*
;
Male
;
Sex Characteristics
;
Animals
;
Brain/growth & development*
;
E1A-Associated p300 Protein/physiology*
;
beta Catenin/physiology*
;
Transcriptome
;
Rats
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
6.Prediction of quality markers for cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on plasma pharmacology combined with network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
Qing-Qing CHEN ; Yuan-Xian ZHANG ; Qian WANG ; Jin-Ling ZHANG ; Lin ZHENG ; Yong HUANG ; Yang JIN ; Zi-Peng GONG ; Yue-Ting LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):959-973
This study predicts the quality markers(Q-markers) for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on pharmacodynamics, plasma drug chemistry, network pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Strong ammonia solution spray and phenol red secretion assays were employed to evaluate the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules. Twentysix absorbed prototype components of Kening Granules were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with QExactive Plus quadrupole/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap HRMS). Through network pharmacology, 11 potential active components were screened out for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules. The 11 components acted on 40 common targets such as IL6, TLR4, and STAT3, which mainly participated in PI3K/Akt, HIF-1, and EGFR signaling pathways. Pharmacokinetic quantitative analysis was performed for 7 prototype components. Three compounds including azelaic acid, caffeic acid, and vanillin were identified as Q-markers for the cough-relieving and phlegm-expelling effects of Kening Granules based on their effectiveness, transmissibility, and measurability. The results of this study are of great significance for clarifying the pharmacological substance basis, optimizing the quality standards, and promoting the clinical application of Kening Granules.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Cough/blood*
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Quality Control
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Antitussive Agents/chemistry*
7.Preparation of new hydrogels and their synergistic effects of immunochemotherapy
Wen-wen YAN ; Yan-long ZHANG ; Ming-hui CAO ; Zheng-han LIU ; Hong LEI ; Xiang-qian JIA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):479-487
In recent years, cancer treatment methods and means are becoming more and more diversified, and single treatment methods often have limited efficacy, while the synergistic effect of immunity combined with chemotherapy can inhibit tumor growth more effectively. Based on this, we constructed a sodium alginate hydrogel composite system loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines (named SA-DOX-NA) with a view to the combined use of chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines. Firstly, the tumor vaccine (named NA) degradable under acidic conditions was constructed by
8.Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription Treats Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Excessive Mitophagy via PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Haofeng ZHANG ; Jinye ZHOU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):182-189
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards, and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal, model, high-, medium-, and low-dose (50, 25, 12.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Huazhuo Jiedu prescription, and mesalazine (0.52 g·kg-1·d-1) groups, with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method, the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 (PHB2), ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15), ubiquitin-specific protease 30 (USP30) in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.
9.Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription Treats Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Excessive Mitophagy via PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Haofeng ZHANG ; Jinye ZHOU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):182-189
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards, and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal, model, high-, medium-, and low-dose (50, 25, 12.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Huazhuo Jiedu prescription, and mesalazine (0.52 g·kg-1·d-1) groups, with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method, the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 (PHB2), ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15), ubiquitin-specific protease 30 (USP30) in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.
10.Environmental contamination status of norovirus outbreaks in schools and nurseries in Linhai City
ZHENG Jianjun, WANG Xi,HONG Danyang, LI Yaling, XU Qiumeng, ZHANG Huili, HAN Qian, LU Da, ZHENG Qiao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):601-603
Objective:
To investigate the environmental contamination of norovirus in nurseries and primary/secondary schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control measures.
Methods:
A total of 483 external environmental samples were collected from 34 cluster outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools in Linhai City from 2021 to 2024. Pathogen detection was conducted using a rapid nucleic acid extraction kit and realtime fluorescence RT-PCR, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fishers exact test.
Results:
Among the collected external environmental samples, the total positive rate of surface contamination was 13.66%. The positive rates in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools were 12.20% and 15.82%, respectively. In kindergartens, the five surfaces with the highest detection rates were desks/chairs (23.33%), toilet stool troughs (20.69%), urinal troughs (12.00%), washbasins/sinks (11.11%), and toilet mops (9.38%). In primary/secondary schools, the top five were toilet stool troughs (38.30%), urinal troughs (23.53%), toilet door handles (13.04%), toilet mops (12.50%), and drinking cups (11.11%). The difference in positive detection rates among different external environments in primary/secondary schools was statistically significant (Fishers exact probability test, P<0.01). The positive detection rate in sanitary toilets was higher than that in classroom environments (χ2=17.38), while the positive detection rate in classroom environments of kindergartens was higher than that in primary/secondary schools (χ2=5.42)(P<0.05).
Conclusions
Norovirus exhibits a high contamination rate in nurseries and schools, particularly in restroom areas. Strengthening sanitation and disinfection in highrisk environments, and improving hygiene awareness among children and staff, are essential for the effective prevent and control of norovirus.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail