1.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.
2.Analysis of plasma metabonomic characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with turbid toxin accumulation syndrome
Ziqi ZHAO ; Pai PANG ; Yue REN ; Bin WANG ; Yuntao MA ; Qianjing YANG ; Shentao WU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):34-42
Objective:
To explore the plasma metabonomic characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome.
Methods:
One hundred and three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome were enrolled from November 2023 to February 2024 in the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 54 healthy individuals were recruited. The general data of the two groups were analyzed, and the plasma metabolite content was detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Construct an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model to screen metabolites with significant intergroup changes. The variable importance in projection≥ 1, |log2FC|>1, and P<0.05 were used as the criteria for the screening of differential metabolites. Annotate differential metabolites using internal databases and the human metabolome database, and perform pathway analysis using MetaboAnalyst website.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between the two groups.Seventeen potential differential metabolites were identified. The D-4′-phosphopantothenate, 2, 6-dichloroindophenol, 4-methylphenol, hypoxanthine, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, oleamide, 3-phenyllactic acid contents were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05); 3-anisic acid, 3-iodo-octadecanoic acid, mebendazole, β-alanine, citric acid, trans-aconitic acid, geranyl diphosphate, lysophosphatidylcholine(18∶2), phosphatidylethanolamine(18∶1), and caprolactam contents were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05). Ten metabolic pathways were identified, including the key metabolic pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways.
Conclusion
Metabolic differences were observed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome and healthy individuals, and the underlying mechanism may involve the pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways, jointly mediated by D-4′-phosphopantothenate and β-alanine.
3.Efficacy and safety of robot-assisted modified Y-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder reconstruction
Tonglei ZHAO ; Weipu MAO ; Yiduo WANG ; Bin XU ; Shuqiu CHEN ; Weidong ZHU ; Ming CHEN ; Jianping WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(2):137-142
Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted modified Y-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder reconstruction,so as to provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: The clinical data of 44 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy,lymph node dissection,and modified Y-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder reconstruction during Feb.2020 and Aug.2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The surgical position,Trocar position,and key surgical steps were reported.The perioperative conditions,postoperative complications,neobladder volume,maximum urinary flow rate,postvoid residual,renal function,and urinary control function were recorded. Results: All 44 surgeries were successfully completed,with operation time of (314.32±51.02) min,modified Y-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder reconstruction time of (103.52±9.56) min,and bleeding volume of (128.18±57.27) mL.The postoperative time for fluid intake was (4.16±0.86) days,catheter indwelling time was (14.02±3.20) days,and patients were discharged 1 to 2 days after catheter removal.Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ complications occurred in 15 and 2 patients,respectively.During the follow-up of (20.77±5.90) months,dysuria occurred in 1 case,urethral calculi in 2 cases,and incomplete bowel obstruction in 2 cases. The postoperative neobladder capacity was (195.75±15.51) mL,maximal urinary flow rate (20.30±2.05) mL/s,postvoid residual (19.86±13.80) mL and serum creatinine (81.98±25.97) μmol/L. The incidence of daytime and nocturnal urinary incontinence 3,6 and 12 months after operation were 20.45% and 29.55%,11.36% and 18.18%,and 4.55% and 9.09%,respectively. Conclusion: Robot-assisted modified Y-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder reconstruction has favorable efficacy and safety,and low incidence of postoperative complications,which can be applied in clinical practice.
4.Research progress on Buyang Huanwu Decoction in preventing and treating vascular dementia by regulating inflammatory factors
Yan-Hong LIU ; Shu-Yuan CONG ; Feng WU ; Ke-Wu ZHAO ; Xiao-Hong DONG ; Ning ZHANG ; Bin LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):749-753
Objective Vascular dementia(VD)is a clinical syndrome caused by various cerebrovascular diseases,including ischemic,hemorrhagic,and acute and chronic hypoxic cerebrovascular diseases,leading to impaired brain function and affecting patients'cognitive ability,daily life,and work abilities.Vascular dementia is a preventable and reversible form of dementia,second only to Alzheimer's disease as the second common cause of dementia.At present,the relevant pathogenesis of vascular dementia is not clear,and there is no clear treatment method.However,its pathogenesis may be related to neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,neuronal damage and white matter lesions.Its main risk factors include genetic factors,hypercholesterolemia,diabetes,hypertension,etc.Neuroinflammatory response plays a major role in the process of secondary brain injury caused by cerebral ischemia,and inflammatory factors lead to an inflammatory cascade reaction that exacerbates damage to the nervous system.Inhibiting the inflammatory pathway and reducing the expression of inflammatory factors can improve the symptoms of vascular dementia patients and animal models,indicating that neuroinflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.This article explores the effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on inflammatory factors from the perspective of summarizing relevant literature in recent years.It mainly reviews the pharmacological effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on treating vascular dementia,the relationship between inflammatory factor levels and vascular dementia,and the prevention and treatment of vascular dementia by regulating inflammatory factor levels.
5.Bibliometric analysis of researches on liver organoids
Canli XU ; Wenxing HE ; Lei WANG ; Fangting WU ; Jiahui WANG ; Xuelin DUAN ; Tiejian ZHAO ; Bin ZHAO ; Yang ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(7):1099-1104
BACKGROUND:In recent years,the development of liver organoids has made it a hot spot in the field of international liver disease research,but there is still no article on the bibliometric analysis of liver organoids. OBJECTIVE:To explore the hot trends in liver organoids in the last 20 years based on bibliometrics and visualization analysis. METHODS:We searched the articles about liver organoids in the Web of Science Core Collection from January 1,2002 to November 12,2022.Origin,Office,and CiteSpace software were used for bibliometrics and visualization analysis.We statistically analyzed the number of annually published articles,countries,institutions,authors,journals,and keywords of the articles by generating charts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The number of articles,citation frequency,institutions and personnel involved in the research about liver organoids showed an overall upward trend in the last 20 years,indicating that the field was growing rapidly and attention was increasing.The USA had published the most papers and had the strongest influence in this field.Although it had invested a lot of time and energy,the number of papers published by a single research institution in the USA was not the highest among many research institutions.China was second only to the USA in the number of publications,with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Fudan University leading the list.Utrecht University in the Netherlands was the institution with the most publications.Clevers H was the author with the highest number of articles.The article with the highest co-citation frequency was"Long-term culture of genome-stable bipotent stem cells from adult human liver".The main fields of study for liver organoids were Molecular Science,Biology,and Immunology.The most frequently occurring keywords were stem cell,in vitro,and culture.The research hotspots in the liver organoids field were mainly focused on in vitro stem cell three-dimensional culture,differentiation and gene expression.
6.The First Application of Domestically Produced Self-expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Controllable Bending Delivery System in China
Yang CHEN ; Guoliang CHEN ; Di SONG ; Hongliang ZHANG ; Moyang WANG ; Guannan NIU ; Zheng ZHOU ; Qian ZHANG ; Qingrong LIU ; Zhenyan ZHAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Bin ZHANG ; Dejing FENG ; Wence SHI ; Jicheng XI ; Yongjian WU
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(3):285-289
A domestically produced self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve controllable bending delivery system(VitaFlow? Ⅲcontrollable bending retrievable delivery system)was first used to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in a symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis patient with severe heart failure and high risk of surgery in China on September 22,2023.The patient successfully completed TAVR under general anesthesia,with good valve position and function after the operation.Before discharge and at one month of follow-up,the patient's symptoms and degree of heart failure were significantly improved.The follow-up results of this case showed that the VitaFlow? Ⅲ controllable bending retrievable delivery system for TAVR is safe and feasible,and future prospective,multicenter clinical trials are expected to evaluate its efficacy.
7.Disease costs in inpatients with schizophrenia,major depressive disorder,and bipolar disorder
Guoping WU ; Jingming WEI ; Yueqin HUANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yanling HE ; Liang ZHOU ; Jie ZHANG ; Yuandong GONG ; Yan LIU ; Bo LIU ; Jin LU ; Zijian ZHAO ; Yuhang LIANG ; Libo WANG ; Bin LI ; Linling JIANG ; Zhongcai LI ; Zhaorui LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):9-15
Objective:To evaluate direct and indirect costs for schizophrenia,major depressive disorder(MDD)and bipolar disorder,and to compare their differences of cost composition,and to explore the drivers of the total costs.Methods:A total of 3 175 inpatients with schizophrenia,MDD,and bipolar disorder were recruited.In-patient's self-report total direct of medical costs outpatient and inpatient,out-of-pocket costs,and direct non-medical costs were regarded as direct costs.Productivity loss and other loss caused by damaging properties were defined as indirect costs.The perspectives of this study included individual and societal levels.Multivariate regression analysis was applied for detecting the factors influencing disease costs.Results:The total cost of schizophrenia was higher than those of MDD and bipolar disorder at individual and societal levels.The indirect costs of three mental disorders were higher than the direct costs,and the indirect cost ratio of bipolar disorder was higher than those of schizophre-nia and MDD.Age,gender,working condition and marital status(P<0.05)were the important drivers of total costs.Conclusion:The economic burden of the three mental disorders is relatively heavy.Schizophrenia has heaviest disease burden,and the productivity loss due to mental disorders is the driving force of the soaring disease cost
8.Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Pre-sleep Arousal Scale in patients with brief insomnia disorder
Aike WU ; Yiqi PU ; Yuhan ZHAO ; Leqin FANG ; Lulu YANG ; Xue LUO ; Bin ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(2):131-137
Objective:To test the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Pre-sleep Arousal Scale(PSAS)in patients with brief insomnia disorder(BID).Methods:Totally 170 patients with BID and 150 normal sleepers(NS)were recruited.All participants were assessed with the PSAS,Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI).After 3 months,72 patients with BID were retested with the PSAS,HADS and ISI.Results:The PSAS scores of BID group were characteristic of a normal distribution.The PSAS total scores were positively correlated with the scores of HADS and ISI(r=0.55,0.40,Ps<0.01).Two factors of so-matic and cognitive arousal were extracted in PSAS by the exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis,interval variance value was 55.84%,and the load scores of items were 0.46-0.89.The scores of PSAS and its subscales were higher in the BID group than in the NS group(Ps<0.001).The best cut-off score for the overall PSAS was found at 32/33 and had high sensitivity(0.72)and specificity(0.81).The Cronbach's α coefficient and the Spearman Brown split reliability were 0.91 and 0.76,respectively,the correlation coefficients between the items and total score ranged from 0.46 to 0.89(Ps<0.01),and the test-retest reliability was 0.37(P<0.01).Addi-tionally,rate of change of PSAS scores was positively correlated with the rate of change of HADS scores and ISI scores(Ps<0.05).Conclusion:The Chinese version of PSAS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess pre-sleep arousal in patients with brief insomnia disorder.
9.Evaluation of Simulated Weightlessness Model of Hindlimb Unloading Miniature Pigs and Their Tissue Damage
Yingxin TU ; Yilan JI ; Fei WANG ; Dongming YANG ; Dongdong WANG ; Zhixin SUN ; Yuexin DAI ; Yanji WANG ; KAN GUANGHAN ; Bin WU ; Deming ZHAO ; Lifeng YANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(5):475-486
Objective To establish a weightlessness simulation animal model using miniature pigs, leveraging the characteristic of multiple systems’ tissue structures and functions similar to those of humans, and to observe pathophysiological changes, providing a new method for aerospace research. Methods Nine standard-grade miniature pigs were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) and a control group (n=2). The experimental group was fixed using customized metal cages, with canvas slings suspending their hind limbs off the ground, and the body positioned at a -20° angle relative to the ground to simulate unloading for 30 days (24 hours a day). Data on body weight, blood volume, and blood biochemistry indicators were collected at different time points for statistical analysis of basic physiological changes. After the experiment, the miniature pigs were euthanized and tissue samples were collected for histopathological observation of the cardiovascular, skeletal and muscle systems HE and Masson staining. Statistical analysis was also conducted on the thickness of arterial vessels and the diameter of skeletal muscle fibers. Additionally, western blotting was employed to detect the expression levels of skeletal muscle atrophy-related proteins, including muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRf-1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx, as known as Atrogin-1), while immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an indicator of astrocyte activation in the brain, reflecting the pathophysiological functional changes across systems. Results After hindlimb unloading, the experimental group showed significant decreases in body weight (P<0.001) and blood volume (P<0.01). During the experiment, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count levels significantly decreased (P<0.05) but gradually recovered. The expression levels of alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase initially decreased (P<0.05) before rebounding, while albumin significantly decreased (P<0.001) and globulin significantly increased (P<0.01). Creatinine significantly decreased (P<0.05). The average diameter of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the experimental group significantly shortened (P<0.05), with a leftward shift in the distribution of muscle fiber diameters and an increase in small-diameter muscle fibers. Simultaneously, Atrogin-1 expression in the gastrocnemius and paravertebral muscles significantly increased (P<0.05). These changes are generally consistent with the effects of weightlessness on humans and animals in space. Furthermore, degenerative changes were observed in some neurons of the cortical parietal lobe, frontal lobe, and hippocampal regions of the experimental group, with a slight reduction in the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar region, and a significant enhancement of GFAP-positive signals in the hippocampal area (P<0.05). Conclusion Miniature pigs subjected to a -20° angle hind limb unloading for 30 days maybe serve as a new animal model for simulating weightlessness, applicable to related aerospace research.
10.Interpretation of guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia combined with disease and syndrome
Ziqi ZHAO ; Yuntao MA ; Pai PANG ; Shentao WU ; Qing NI ; Bin WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(4):409-414
Along with the change in lifestyle and diet, diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia has been a major risk and death factor for cardiovascular disease with the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia year by year. In order to promote and make full use of unique characteristics and advantages of TCM, the guidance writing group adopted the pattern of combination with disease and syndrome to make a standardized approach to diagnosis and treatment based on emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperlipidemia Combined with Disease and Syndrome (hereinafter referred to as " the Guideline") was published in the World Chinese Medicine in August, 2021. Based on the pattern of combination with disease and syndrome, the Guideline highlights the significant characteristics, such as: precise diagnosis and treatment by combined with disease and syndrome, updating criteria, rehabilitation diet therapy and exercise and following the principles which include but not limited to evidence-based medicine. According to the evidence of evidence-based medicine and expert consensus, the Guideline gives recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia. In the article, the main contents and characteristics of the new guideline were interpreted in order to provide concise and practical guidance for clinicians and promote the clinical popularization and application of the Guideline.


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