1.Effect of Berberine-Baicalin Combination on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Due to Internal Accumulation of Dampness-heat in Mice from Perspectives of Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics
Mengjie CHEN ; Yimin LIU ; Yun ZHOU ; Keming YU ; Min XIA ; Hongning LIU ; Yanhua JI ; Zhijun ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):52-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which the combination of berberine (BBR) and baicalin (BAI) ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat from the perspectives of gut microbiota and metabolomics. MethodsAntibiotics were used to induce pseudo-sterile mice. Thirty pseudo-sterile mice were randomized into a normal fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=10) and a T2DM (syndrome of internal accumulation of dampness-heat) fecal microbiota transplantation group (n=20). The mice were then administrated with suspensions of fecal microbiota from healthy volunteers and a patient with T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by gavage, respectively. Each mouse received 200 µL suspension every other day for a total of 15 times to reshape the gut microbiota. The T2DM model mice were then assigned into a model group (n=8) and a BBR-BAI group (n=11). BBR was administrated at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1, and BAI was administrated in a ratio of BBR-BAI 10∶1 based on preliminary research findings. The administration lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin (INS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured to evaluate the effects of the BBR-BAI combination on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in T2DM mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue. The expression of claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin in the colon tissue was determined by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the colon tissue. The fecal microbiota composition and differential metabolites were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), respectively. ResultsThe BBR-BAI combination lowered the FBG, HbA1c, and INS levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and alleviated insulin resistance (P<0.01) in T2DM mice. Additionally, BBR-BAI elevated the levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the colon (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that BBR-BAI increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Phascolarctobacterium, and Akkermansia (P<0.05), while significantly decreasing the relative abundance of Alistipes, Odoribacter, and Colidextribacter (P<0.05). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 differential metabolites, which were primarily involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism. ConclusionBBR-BAI can ameliorate T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by modulating the relative abundance of various bacterial genera in the gut microbiota and the expression of fecal metabolites.
2.Pathogenesis and treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury
Bo HE ; Wen CHEN ; Suilu MA ; Zhijun HE ; Yuan SONG ; Jinpeng LI ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Weiwei WANG ; Jing XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1230-1238
BACKGROUND:Flap transplantation technique is a commonly used surgical procedure for the treatment of severe tissue defects,but postoperative flap necrosis is easily triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Therefore,it is still an important research topic to improve the survival rate of transplanted flaps. OBJECTIVE:To review the pathogenesis and latest treatment progress of flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024.The search terms used were"flap,ischemia-reperfusion injury,inflammatory response,oxidative stress,Ca2+overload,apoptosis,mesenchymal stem cells,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathways,shock wave,pretreatment"in Chinese and English.After elimination of irrelevant literature,poor quality and obsolete literature,77 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Flap ischemia/reperfusion injury may be related to pathological factors such as inflammatory response,oxidative stress response,Ca2+overload,and apoptosis,which can cause apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells,vascular damage and microcirculation disorders in the flap,and eventually lead to flap necrosis.Studies have found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,platelet-rich plasma,signaling pathway modulators,shock waves,and pretreatment can alleviate flap ischemia/reperfusion injuries from different aspects and to varying degrees,and reduce the necrosis rate and necrosis area of the grafted flap.Although there are many therapeutic methods for skin flap ischemia/reperfusion injury,a unified and effective therapeutic method has not yet been developed in the clinic,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic methods have not yet been compared.Most of the studies remain in the stage of animal experiments,rarely involving clinical observations.Therefore,a lot of research is required in the future to gradually move from animal experiments to the clinic in order to better serve the clinic.
3.Development and application of a three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints
Xiaojing AO ; Kun LI ; Yuhang LIU ; Xiaoxuan YANG ; Xing WANG ; Zhijun LI ; Xiaoyan REN ; Shaojie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1834-1840
BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been studies on three-dimensional digitalization and visualization systems for adult acupoints,but there are not many reports on the visualization of pediatric acupoints based on real pediatric digital sectional anatomical datasets. OBJECTIVE:To design and develop a digital three-dimensional visualization system for children's neck acupoints,to provide a basis for acupuncture and moxibustion,meridian and acupoint science teaching,clinical practice,acupuncture manipulation practice,and acupuncture safety research,and to provide a basis for the development of children's acupoint simulation system. METHODS:Based on a real cross-sectional anatomical dataset of pre-school boys,a three-dimensional digital virtual anatomical model of the neck region of children and internal multi-organ three-dimensional reconstruction were completed using PhotoShop 2021 and Digihuman Reconstruction System software.A database of 11 acupoints was compiled,including Fengfu and Fengchi,using the Unity database language.A three-dimensional model of children's neck anatomy,acupoint database,and writing acupuncture operation codes were integrated in Unity3D software.A three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints was successfully created,which integrated simulation acupoint positioning,three-dimensional acupoint anatomy,acupuncture training,clinical teaching,and acupuncture safety research. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)This study was based on real child specimens.Manual layer by layer segmentation of cross-sectional images was used to ensure the accuracy of the three-dimensional model to the greatest extent possible.The 3D software Digihuman Reconstruction System was utilized to extract and save independent segmentation data.PhotoShop 2021 software was collaborated with to complete dozens of three-dimensional reconstruction anatomical models of the outer skin of the neck and its internal bone structure,cervical spinal cord,blood vessels and nerves,muscles,and ligaments in children.The basic morphology and overall contour integrity verification of each independent structure were completed in MeshLab software.The 3-material research 13.0 software was applied for final fine tuning and anatomical position confirmation,successfully simulating and restoring the true anatomical morphology of the neck of preschool children.(2)Based on and referring to the national standards of the People's Republic of China,a database of commonly used acupoints in children's neck region was collected and organized,including their names,meridians,positioning,local anatomy,needle insertion levels,acupuncture methods,acupuncture accidents and prevention,acupoint indications,and two-dimensional anatomical sectional images.(3)Unity3D software was employed to integrate the three-dimensional model of children's neck,acupuncture simulation operation,and acupoint database,and a three-dimensional digital children's neck acupoint acupuncture visualization system was successfully constructed.The system displayed information on children's neck acupoints,two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomical structures,and achieved two-dimensional and three-dimensional acupuncture simulation functions and acupuncture safety research functions for children's neck acupoints.Based on the ultra-thin sectional anatomical dataset of real child specimens,the first three-dimensional digital and visualization system for acupoints in the neck region of children had been constructed.Compared with previous acupoint acupuncture systems,it is more in line with the anatomical and morphological development characteristics of Asian children and has high application value in the fields of acupuncture safety research,clinical teaching,and acupuncture simulation training.
4.Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture(消肿止痛合剂)Combined with Antibiotic Bone Cement in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Damp-Heat Obstructing Syndrome:A Randomized Controlled Trial of 35 Patients
Xiaotao WEI ; Zhijun HE ; Tao LIU ; Zhenxing JIANG ; Fei LI ; Yan LI ; Jinpeng LI ; Wen CHEN ; Bihui BAI ; Xuan DONG ; Bo SUN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):704-709
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (消肿止痛合剂) combined with antibiotic bone cement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with damp-heat obstructing syndrome. MethodsA total of 72 DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome were randomly assigned to treatment group (36 cases) and the control group (36 cases). Both groups received standard treatment and topical antibiotic bone cement for ulcer wounds, while the treatment group received oral Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture (50 ml per time, three times daily) in additionally. Both groups underwent daily wound dressing changes for 21 consecutive days. Ulcer healing rate, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count were observed before and after treatment, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for wound pain, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and the DFU Healing Scale (DMIST scale) were also compared. Liver and kidney function were evaluated before and after treatment, and adverse events such as allergic reactions, worsening ulcer pain were recorded. ResultsTotally 35 patients in the treatment group and 33 in the control group were included in the final analysis. The ulcer healing rate in the treatment group was (87.93±9.34)%, significantly higher than (81.82±12.02)% in the control group (P = 0.035). Compared to pre-treatment levels, both groups showed significant reductions in serum CRP, WBC, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, with an increase in SOD level (P<0.05). TCM syndrome scores, VAS, and DMIST scores also significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05), with greater improvements in the treatment group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group during treatment. ConclusionXiaozhong Zhitong Mixture combined with antibiotic bone cement has significant advantages in promoting DFU healing, reducing inflammatory response, and alleviating oxidative stress in DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome, with good safety for DFU patients with damp-heat obstructing syndrome.
5.Relationship between screening myopia and physical fitness index in college freshmen without majoring in public safety administration
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):431-434
Objective:
To explore the relationship between visual acuity and physical fitness of university freshmen, so as to provide reference for myopia prevention and control for freshmen.
Methods:
From October to November 2022, 2 160 college freshman without majoring in public safety administration, selected from Guangxi Police College in 2022 by using the stratified cluster random sampling method, were reviewed for the results of visual acuity test and physical fitness scores. The physical fitness indices were evaluated by using the Z scores of physical fitness test scores, and the strength of association between the level of physical fitness index and myopia was analyzed by using Logistic regression model.
Results:
Among 2 160 college freshman without majoring in public safety administration, 917 (42.5%) students were diagnosed screening myopia, including 66 (3.1%) cases of high myopia, 383 (17.7%) cases of moderate myopia and 468 (21.7%) cases of mild myopia. The differences in the distribution of visual acuity tests among students with different physical fitness indices, body mass index, and gender were statistically significant ( Z/H=54.50, 49.53, 15.51, P <0.01). Low level and low middle level physical fitness indices were associated with screening myopia among freshmen[ OR (95% CI )=2.81(1.93-4.08),1.87(1.38-2.54)], and low level physical fitness indexes were associated with high myopia [ OR (95% CI )=7.22(2.33-22.32)] ( P <0.01).
Conclusions
Screening myopia among college freshman without majoring in public safety administration is related to physical fitness, and low level and low middle level physical fitness index are risk factors for myopia. Improving the level of physical fitness might be effective in preventing myopia.
6.Assignment of chemical exposure parameter in occupational health risk assessment models: Key consideration
Jiayun DING ; Meixia LIU ; Jiming ZHANG ; Yan YIN ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):497-502
The core idea of occupational health risk assessment models is to systematically evaluate occupational health risks according to target hazard characteristics and relevant exposure levels of workers. Occupational exposure assessment is based on concentration, frequency, exposure time, and other indicators that indicate actual exposure of workers to occupational hazards, which is a critical component of health risk assessment. However, the accuracy and comparability of assessment results are affected by differences in parameter assignment for exposure assessment across different studies, as well as insufficient emphasis on multiple occupational hazard exposure. This review aimed to explore the assignment and standardization of exposure assessment parameters for occupational health risk assessment modeling, and systematically sorted out the meaning, assignment methods, and sources of exposure assessment related parameters in commonly used occupational health risk assessment models, with the goal of providing researchers with standardized assessment tools to enhance the scientific rigor and practicality of occupational health risk assessments. Considering the individual differences and temporal fluctuations in occupational exposure, it is recommended that researchers should adopt appropriate sampling strategies, reasonably select sample subjects and time based on the division of similar exposure group (SEG), and conduct statistical inference on the obtained data to derive representative exposure parameters. For combined exposure to chemicals with similar toxic effects, the health risk assessment methods are relatively mature. However, the assessment of combined exposure to hazards with different properties and health effects still lacks scientific authority and needs further research and discussion.
7.Clinical Application of Green Prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine:Problems and Solution Strategies
Yike SONG ; Zhijun BU ; Wenxin MA ; Kai LIU ; Yuyi WANG ; Yuan SUN ; Yang SHEN ; Hongkui LIU ; Jianping LIU ; Zhaolan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1094-1098
Green prescription is a written prescription aimed at improving health by promoting physical activity and improving diet, with advantages such as high cost-effectiveness, strong feasibility, and minimal harm to patients. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) green prescription integrates the health philosophy of "following rule of yin and yang, and adjusting ways to cultivating health", the exercise philosophy of balancing yin-yang and the five elements, and the dietary philosophy of moderation and balance, which embody core TCM concepts such as treating disease before its onset and harmony between humans and nature. It has also developed traditional exercise practices like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yi-Gin-Ching, and Qigong, as well as dietary adjustments like medicated diet and herbal wines. However, it is believed that the TCM green prescription currently suffers from insufficient evidence-based research, low patient awareness and acceptance, and weak basic research. Based on this, it is proposed that large-sample clinical trials should be conducted in the future to improve the quality of evidence-based medicine, basic research can be carried out with the help of artificial intelligence and other methods in research design, the hospital information system (HIS) can be used for control at the implementation level, and publicity and patient education can be strengthened through the new media, so as to promote the development and application of the TCM green prescriptions in the field of global health treatment.
8.Characteristic volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Yazhen HE ; Chunguang DING ; Junyun WANG ; Yuzhen FENG ; Fangda PENG ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Chunmin ZHANG ; Rui GAO ; Qingyu MENG ; Zhijun WU ; Jingguang FAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):571-577
Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.
9.Mechanism of Huangqi Gegen Decoction in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Intestinal Mucosal Barrier
Lili PENG ; Miao HAO ; Zhijun YANG ; Yajie LIU ; Hongxia YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huangqi Gegentang (HGT) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through the application of proteomic techniques. MethodsThe rat model of T2DM was established by streptozotocin combined with a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Thirty-two male SD rats were randomized into four groups: blank, model, HGT (8.10 g·kg-1·d-1), and positive control (metformin hydrochloride, 76.5 mg·kg-1·d-1). After 6 weeks of drug intervention, the fasting blood glucose level was measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to assess the level of glycated hemoglobin (GHbA1c) in the serum. The limulus amebocyte lysate assay was employed to measure the serum level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pathological changes in the colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in the colon tissue were quantified via Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Additionally, the protein and mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon tissue were assessed by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively. Label-free quantitative proteomics was employed to identify the differentially expressed proteins between the colon tissue samples from the blank, model, and HGT groups. Key proteins identified were subsequently validated by Western blot and Real-time PCR. Finally, bioinformatics analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited increased fasting blood glucose, AUC, and GHbA1c levels (P<0.01), damaged colonic mucosal epithelial structure and inflammatory cell infiltration, up-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and an increase in serum LPS content (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HGT group showed reductions in fasting blood glucose, AUC, and GHbA1c (P<0.01), alleviated damage to the colonic mucosal epithelium, down-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon, a reduction in serum LPS content (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon (P<0.05, P<0.01). Proteomics analysis identified 70 differentially expressed proteins that exhibited a downward trend in the model group relative to the blank group and an upward trend in the HGT group relative to the model group. These findings were corroborated by Western blot and Real-time PCR, which confirmed that the protein and mRNA levels of mucin 2 (Muc2) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor 1 (Tgfbr1) in the colon tissue were consistent with the proteomic data. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these 70 differentially expressed proteins identified were significantly enriched in multiple signaling pathways, among which the TGF-β and advanced glycation endproduct (AGE)/receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) signaling pathways were closely associated with damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. This suggests that HGT may ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage by regulating these pathways. ConclusionHGT potentially exerts anti-T2DM effects by influencing AGE/RAGE and TGF-β signaling pathways, thereby contributing to the restoration of the intestinal mucosal barrier.
10.Progress and prospect of the antihypertensive effect from Bidens pilosa L.
Xinxia WANG ; Zhijun LIU ; Lei LYU ; Shuang ZHANG ; Shouhong GAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(9):427-430
Hypertension is a systemic chronic vascular disease. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Syndromes, hypertension belongs to the category of liver fire, vertigo, liver yang, headache and so on. Chinese medicine treatment of hypertension has gradually become a hot research topic, and using Chinese herbal medicine to reduce blood pressure has also achieved good results. In recent years, researches on anti-hypotension of Bidens pilosa L. has gradually increased. The related research of Bidens pilosa L., including the ancient literature, modern research, functional components and mechanism were mainly summarized, the application of Bidens pilosa L. in lowering blood pressure were anticipated, with a view to provide reference for the further development and utilization of Bidens pilosa L. in treatment of hypertension.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail