1.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
2.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
3.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
4.Clinical study of hysteroscopic combined with laparoscopic repair and reconstruction of diverticulum in the treatment of post-cesarean section uterine diverticulum
Hong WANG ; Jia CHENG ; Zhi-qin HUANG ; Fang NAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(6):501-505
Objective To observe the clinical effect of hysteroscopic combined with laparoscopic repair and reconstruction of diverticulum in the treatment of post-cesarean section uterine diverticulum(PCSD).Methods A total of 150 patients with PCSD admitted to the department of gynaecology of our hospital from January 2020 to February 2022 were selected and divided into the transvaginal group(transvaginal repair of diverticulum)and the combined group(hysteroscopic combined with laparoscopic repair and reconstruction of diverticulum)according to different surgical plans,with 75 cases in each group.The general condition of surgery,days of menstrual period,thickness of muscular layer,inflammation-related factor levels,complications and pregnancy in patients with birth plan were recorded in both groups.Results The operation time of patients in the combined group was longer than that in the transvaginal group,and the time of anal exhaustion and postoperative hospital stay of patients in the combined group were shorter than those in the transvaginal group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);There was no significant difference in terms of the intraoperative bleeding volume of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-8(IL-8),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)7 days after surgery of patients were lower in both groups compared with those before surgery,and the combined group was lower than the transvaginal group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with that before the surgery,the days of menstrual period of patietns in both groups 6 and 12 months after the surgery decreased,and the thickness of muscular layer increased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);while no statistically significant difference was found in terms of the days of menstrual period or thickness of muscular layer of patients 6 and 12 months after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of cumulative complications such as incision infection,hyponatraemia,bladder injury and vaginal infection between the two groups(P>0.05).The intrauterine pregnancy rate of patients with birth plan and the full-term pregnancy rate in the combined group were higher than those in the transvaginal group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the abortion rate or preterm birth rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The hysteroscopic combined with laparoscopic repair and reconstruction of diverticulum for patients with PCSD has a fast postoperative recovery,a short hospital stay,and can increase the pregnancy rate of patients with birth plan.
5.Negative pressure wound therapy promotes wound healing by regulating riboflavin and glutathione metabolism: based on metabolomics
Xinwen KUANG ; Zhengyun LIANG ; Yijun XIA ; Mengjie SHAN ; Yan HAO ; Cheng FENG ; Zhi WANG ; Youbin WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(10):1061-1071
Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in a rabbit full-thickness wound model using non-targeted metabolomics.Methods:Eighteen male New Zealand rabbits (11-12 weeks old) were used. Two symmetrical circular full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of each rabbit. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (no treatment), Saline group (debridement with saline irrigation), and NPWT+ Saline group (saline debridement followed by 2 h of NPWT at -125 mm Hg once daily for two weeks). Wound healing was documented on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14. The wound healing rate was calculated as (original area-unhealed area)/original area × 100%. Histopathological changes were evaluated via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Metabolomic profiling of wound tissues was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Differential metabolites were identified, and pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, were measured using commercial kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD test or Welch’s ANOVA with Games-Howell test was applied as appropriate.Results:On days 3, 10, and 14, the wound healing rate in the NPWT+ Saline group was significantly higher than that in the Control and Saline groups ( P<0.05). On day 7, the NPWT+ Saline group showed a significantly higher healing rate than the Saline group ( P<0.01), but no significant difference compared with the Control group ( P>0.05). HE staining on day 7 revealed enhanced epithelialization, thicker granulation tissue, higher microvessel density, and more abundant, well-organized collagen in the NPWT+ Saline group. By day 14, all groups had formed relatively continuous epithelial structures. Non-targeted metabolomics identified riboflavin and spermidine as differential metabolites. Pathway analysis highlighted riboflavin metabolism and glutathione metabolism as the most significantly enriched pathways. Compared with the Control and Saline groups, the NPWT+ Saline group exhibited significantly increased CAT and SOD activities ( P<0.05) and decreased MDA content ( P<0.01), indicating reduced oxidative stress. Conclusion:NPWT may promote wound healing by elevating riboflavin and spermidine levels, thereby modulating riboflavin and glutathione metabolism and regulating local redox reactions.
6.Effects of key molecules in m6A methylation modification on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus
Zhi-rong CHENG ; Min YAO ; Xue-yun LI ; Chao-jie CHAI ; Pin-xiang DANG ; Si-yu WANG ; Fang-lin ZHANG ; Xin LYU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):150-157
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)and methyltransferase methyltransferase like protein 3(METTL3),key molecules in N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification,on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV).Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by packaging the FTO and green fluorescent protein into lentiviral vectors.Neuro2a cells,a mouse neuroblastoma cell line,were infected with the lentivirus,and stable FTO-expressing cell lines were obtained through puromycin selection.Successful overexpression of FTO was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy,real-time quantitative PCR,and western blot analysis.When Neuro2a cells overexpressing FTO were infected with JEV,the overexpression of FTO decreased JEV replication in the cells,and increased the expression of interferon(IFN)and related molecules.Additionally,treatment of JEV-infected Neuro2a cells with the METTL3-specific inhibitor STM2457 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in JEV replication and viral protein expression.These findings suggested that lowering m6A methylation levels inhibits JEV replication,thus shedding light on the regulatory role of methylation modification in JEV replication.
7.The value of total volume response and total mass response in the therapeutic evaluation of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma
Jun-cheng WAN ; Cai-hong YU ; Chang-yu LI ; Yong-jie ZHOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jian-hua WANG ; Zhi-ping YAN ; Guo-wei YANG ; Zhuo-yang FAN ; Xu-dong QU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):201-208,231
Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.
8.Therapeutic mechanism of Compound Xuanju Capsule on erectile dysfunction
Zi-jie LI ; Hao-xiang XU ; Wei WANG ; Yue YANG ; Cheng-lin YANG ; Zhi CAO ; Xiao-ming ZHANG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(8):675-683
Objective:To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Compound Xuanju Capsule in the treatment of erectile dysfunction(ED)by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active ingredients and targets of Compound Xuanju Capsule were screened using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP).TTD,OMIM,DrugBank and GeneCards databases were used to obtain genes related to ED,and the union of the results was taken as the disease genes of ED.The common target of drug and disease was taken as the potential target of Compound Xuanju Capsule in ED,and the drug-disease interaction network was constructed by using Cytoscape software.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed by using String database,which was then imported into Cytoscape to identify the key target.Based on the drug-disease intersection genes,GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the relevant signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of Compound Xuanju Capsule for the treatment of ED.Autodock software was used to perform molecular docking between the active ingredients and the core targets.Results:Forty chemical components of Compound Xuanju Capsule were screened,and 239 predicted targets were obtained.A total of 1 907 ED-related genes were screened,and 97 common targets were identified between Compound Xuanju Capsule and ED,among which the core targets included EGFR,ESR1,HIF1A,PTGS2,and STAT3.The signaling pathways obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis included calcium signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,cGMP-PKG signaling pathway,relaxin signaling pathway,Serotonergic synapse signaling pathway.The molecular docking results showed that there were molecular binding sites between the key active ingredients and the core targets with strong binding activity.Conclusion:Compound Xuanju Capsule may treat ED through multi-target pathways such as anti-inflamnmato-ry and improving cellular oxidative stress.
9.Effects of key molecules in m6A methylation modification on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus
Zhi-rong CHENG ; Min YAO ; Xue-yun LI ; Chao-jie CHAI ; Pin-xiang DANG ; Si-yu WANG ; Fang-lin ZHANG ; Xin LYU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):150-157
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)and methyltransferase methyltransferase like protein 3(METTL3),key molecules in N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification,on the replication and proliferation of Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV).Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by packaging the FTO and green fluorescent protein into lentiviral vectors.Neuro2a cells,a mouse neuroblastoma cell line,were infected with the lentivirus,and stable FTO-expressing cell lines were obtained through puromycin selection.Successful overexpression of FTO was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy,real-time quantitative PCR,and western blot analysis.When Neuro2a cells overexpressing FTO were infected with JEV,the overexpression of FTO decreased JEV replication in the cells,and increased the expression of interferon(IFN)and related molecules.Additionally,treatment of JEV-infected Neuro2a cells with the METTL3-specific inhibitor STM2457 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in JEV replication and viral protein expression.These findings suggested that lowering m6A methylation levels inhibits JEV replication,thus shedding light on the regulatory role of methylation modification in JEV replication.
10.The value of total volume response and total mass response in the therapeutic evaluation of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma
Jun-cheng WAN ; Cai-hong YU ; Chang-yu LI ; Yong-jie ZHOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jian-hua WANG ; Zhi-ping YAN ; Guo-wei YANG ; Zhuo-yang FAN ; Xu-dong QU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):201-208,231
Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.

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