1.Staged Characteristics of Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in Chronic Heart Failure with Heart-Yang Deficiency Syndrome and Prescription Intervention from Theory of Reinforcing Yang
Zizheng WU ; Xing CHEN ; Lichong MENG ; Yao ZHANG ; Peng LUO ; Jiahao YE ; Kun LIAN ; Siyuan HU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):129-138
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by ventricular dysfunction, with mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder being a critical factor in disease progression. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, as the core pathogenesis of CHF, persists throughout the disease course. Insufficiency of heart-Yang leads to weakened warming and propelling functions, resulting in the accumulation of phlegm-fluid, blood stasis, and dampness. This eventually causes Qi stagnation with phlegm obstruction and blood stasis with water retention, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease progression. According to the theory of reinforcing Yang, the clinical experience of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master Tang Zuxuan in treating CHF with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome, and achievements from molecular biological studies, this study innovatively proposes an integrated research framework of "TCM syndrome differentiation and staging-mitochondrial metabolism mechanisms-intervention with Yang-reinforcing prescriptions" which is characterized by the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Heart-Yang deficiency syndrome is classified into mild (Stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ), severe (Stage Ⅲ), and critical (Stage Ⅳ) stages. The study elucidates the precise correlations between the pathogenesis of each stage and mitochondrial metabolism disorders from theoretical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic perspectives. The mild stage is characterized by impaired biogenesis and substrate-utilization imbalance, corresponding to heart-Yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid aggregation. Linggui Zhugantang and similar prescriptions can significantly improve the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α(PGC-1α)/silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and ATPase activity. The severe stage centers on oxidative stress and structural damage, reflecting Yang deficiency with water overflow and phlegm-blood stasis intermingling. At this stage, Zhenwu Tang and Qiangxin Tang can effectively mitigate oxidative stress damage, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and repair mitochondrial structure. The critical stage arises from calcium overload and mitochondrial disintegration, leading to the collapse of Yin-Yang equilibrium. At this stage, Yang-restoring and crisis-resolving prescriptions such as Fuling Sini Tang and Qili Qiangxin capsules can inhibit abnormal opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and protect mitochondrial function. By summarizing the characteristics of mitochondrial energy metabolism disorders at different stages of CHF, this study explores the application of the theory of reinforcing Yang in treating heart-Yang deficiency syndrome and provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
2.Exploration on the effects of Shenfu Injection on apoptosis and improvement of chronic heart failure based on Fas/FasL pathway
Kun LIAN ; Xin LI ; Fei WANG ; Peng LUO ; Lichong MENG ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):327-335
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Shenfu Injection in treating chronic heart failure (CHF) based on Fas/FasL apoptosis signaling pathway.Methods:A total of 70 SPF male C57BL/6 mice were divided into blank group (15 mice) and model group (55 mice) according to random number table. The CHF model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol. After 4 weeks, the successfully modeled mice were randomly divided intoa model group, Shenfu Injection group, and Western medicine group using a random number table method. After adfministration for 15 d, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS) of each group of mice were measured by heart color ultrasound 1; serum NT-proBNP was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the changes of myocardial tissue morphology; TUNEL pod method was used to detect apoptosis; the mRNA transcription levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were detected by RT-PCR; protein expression levels of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. The logarithmically grown H9c2 cells were divided into blank group, model group and Shenfu Injection group. The cells in blank group were cultured for 48 hours; cells in the model group were exposed to 80 μmol/L isoproterenol for 48 hours; cells in Shenfu Injection group were pretreated with 5 μl/ml Shenfu injection for 3 hours and exposed to 80 μmol/L isoproterenol for 48 h. The cell growth was observed under microscope. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of related proteins and mRNA transcription. TUNEL pod and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis.Results:Compared with the model group, the cardiac function improved in the model group and Shenfu Injection group, serum NT ProBNP levels decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), myocardial cell injury and apoptosis were reduced ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 in myocardial tissue decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). The H9c2 cells in the blank group were spindle shaped with clear structure; the myocardial cells in the model group shrank and became shorter, with blurred cell boundaries and exhibiting apoptotic and necrotic morphology; Most H9c2 cells in the reference group were spindle shaped, with reduced cell death and increased density. Compared with the model group, the levels of TNF-α, Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 protein and mRNA in H9c2 cells of the Shenfu Injection group decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Shenfu Injection may improve cardiac function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis of CHF mice through Fas/FasL signaling pathway.
3.Syndrome Differentiation from Micro to"Near-micro":Origins,Controversies and Prospects
Liqin ZHONG ; Dan SHENG ; Wanghua LIU ; Zhixi HU ; Qinghua PENG ; Weixiong JIAN ; Yingjie WU ; Yanjie WANG ; Shuyue FU ; Hao LIANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(3):8-12
As an emerging discipline that combines traditional diagnostic methods with modern scientific technology,micro syndrome differentiation has good prospects for development,but there are some controversies in the research process.Based on ancient and modern literature,this article reviewed the origin and flow of research on micro syndrome differentiation,and summarized the problems to be improved in the process of research on micro syndrome differentiation from three aspects:application of disease type,guiding ideology and micro indicators.Based on this,the article further expounded the new thinking on"near-micro"syndrome differentiation from three aspects:connotation,scope of application,and links to traditional identification and micro-identification,and pointed out that the modern medical detection basis should be incorporated into the field of TCM syndrome differentiation,and at the same time,it should be based on the overall thinking mode of TCM,which would provide a new idea for the development of modern TCM diagnosis technology.
4.Analysis of the prevalence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-positive drug-resistant bacteria in China from 2017 to 2023
Kexin LI ; Yang XIAO ; Mingliang CHEN ; Shengshu WANG ; Boqian WANG ; Zhixi PENG ; Shengnan LIANG ; Hongguang REN ; Hongbin SONG ; Xiaofeng HU
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(12):907-913
Objective To comprehensively analyze the epidemiological characteristics and resistance mechanisms of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase(NDM)-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria in China.Methods Relevant literatures on NDM-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria discovered in China were searched in the CNKI and PubMed databases(publications from January 1,2017 to December 31,2023).The epidemiological analysis was conducted on the types of NDM-positive bacterial strains,their regional distribution,infection sources,resistance profiles,and transfer mechanisms.Results A total of 118 eligible articles were collected,reporting 1627 NDM-positive bacterial strains.The number of reports increased annually from 2011 to 2019,but began to decline annually from 2020 onwards.NDM-1 and NDM-5 were the most commonly reported variants.The highest number of reports came from Eastern China,followed by Central China and North China.The primary pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherichia coli,and Enterobacter cloacae.The age distribution of patients with NDM-positive infections showed distinct patterns,with neonates and children accounting for 27.25%and patients over 50 years old accounting for 49.57%.The majority of positive bacterial infections came from sputum(38.28%),urine(28.94%),and blood(23.28%).The main departments reporting NDM-positive bacteria were the ICU(39.93%)and pediatrics(20.14%).These resistant bacteria exhibited resistance to more than 50.00%of antibiotics,with lower resistance to colistin and tigecycline(below 30.00%).The predominant plasmid type carrying the blaNDMwas IncX3,and the insertion sequences upstream and downstream of the blaNDM showed diversity.Conclusion NDM-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria are widely prevalent across regions in China,exhibiting multidrug-resistance.This poses significant challenges to clinical antibiotic selection and necessitates the development of effective countermeasures.
5.Discussion on the staged treatment of chronic heart failure based on the theory of "deficiency, blood stasis, water and toxin"
Kun LIAN ; Shumin HUANG ; Ge FANG ; Haobo JIANG ; Peng LUO ; Zizheng WU ; Zhixi HU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(11):1350-1355
Deficiency, stasis, water and toxin are of great significance in the pathogenesis and pathologic evolution of chronic heart failure (CHF). Based on "deficiency, blood stasis, water and toxin", the pathogenesis and treatment of CHF were discussed in this article. It was found that in the pathogenesis, deficiency--deficiency of heart qi and deficiency of heart yang were the origin of the disease, and blood stasis, water and toxin were the markers of the disease. Among them, blood stasis was the central pathological link, and also an important mechanism that could aggravate the disease and cause a vicious cycle; water-phlegm and water dampness were the basic pathological products; toxin-heat toxin, water toxin, and stasis toxin were the final results of disease progress and product accumulation. In terms of treatment, CHF can be divided into four stages: early, middle, late and end. In the early stage, tonifying qi and regulating heart can be used for the treatment of root cause, and promoting blood circulation and water can be used for the treatment of symptoms; tonifying qi and yin and reinforcing the healthy qi, reducing blood stasis, purging turbid, and eliminating pathogenic factors can be used in the middle stage; reducing blood stasis and removing toxic materials should be used in the late stage, supplemented with warming yang and increasing urine excretion; astringing yang,generating body fluids, tonifying qi and yang should be used in the end stage. At the same time of treating by stages, attention should be paid to adhering to a holistic concept and dialectical treatment; pay attention to timing and flexible medication; adopting a combination of Chinese and Western approaches and integrating them.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail