1.The Role and Mechanism of Circadian Rhythm Regulation in Skin Tissue Regeneration
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Xiao-Meng MA ; Zhen-Kai JIN ; Kun LI ; Min WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1165-1178
Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.
2.Shenfu Injection Improve Chronic Heart Failure by Regulates Glycolytic Pathway Mediated by HIF-1α/PFKFB3 Pathway
Ji OUYANG ; Kun LIAN ; Xiaoqian LIAO ; Lichong MENG ; Lin LI ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):136-145
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism and targets of Shenfu Injection in regulating glycolysis to intervene in myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/ 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of chronic heart failure was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the Sham group, Model group, Shenfu injection (SFI, 6 mL·kg-1) group, and inhibitor (3PO, 35 mg·kg-1) group, according to a random number table, and they were treated for 15 days. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasting body weight and heart weight were measured, and the heart index (HI) was calculated. Pathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining, and the fibrosis rate was calculated. Biochemical assays were used to determine serum levels of glucose (GLU), lactic acid (LA), and pyruvic acid (PA). Western blot was used to analyze the expression of proteins related to the HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway (HIF-1α and PFKFB3), glycolysis-related proteins (HK1, HK2, PKM2, and LDHA), and fibrosis-related proteins [transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Collagen type Ⅰ α1 (ColⅠA1)]. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PFKFB3 in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, the Model group showed significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS), interventricular septal thickness (IVSd), and interventricular septal strain (IVSs) (P<0.05), while left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVDd) and end-systole (LVIDs) were increased (P<0.05). Serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), and body weight was decreased. Heart weight was increased, and the HIT index was increased (P<0.05). Myocardial tissue exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, and the fibrosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.05). Serum GLU was decreased (P<0.05), while LA and PA levels were increased (P<0.05). Protein expressions of HIF-1α, PFKFB3, HK1, HK2, PKM2, LDHA, TGF-β1, α-SMA, and ColⅠA1, as well as the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PFKFB3 were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the Model group, both the SFI group and 3PO groups showed significant improvements in LVEF, LVFS, IVSd, and IVSs (P<0.05) and decreases in LVDd, LVIDs, and NT-proBNP levels (P<0.05). Body weight was significantly increased. Heart weight was significantly decreased, and the HIT index was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fiber deposition, and the fibrosis rate were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum GLU levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), while LA and PA levels were decreased (P<0.05). Expressions of glycolysis-related proteins, fibrosis-related proteins, and HIF-1α/PFKFB3 pathway-related proteins and mRNAs were significantly suppressed (P<0.05). ConclusionSFI improves cardiac function in chronic heart failure by downregulating the expression of HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway-related proteins, regulating glycolysis, and inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.
3.Pathogenesis of Chronic Heart Failure with Anxiety and Depression and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Bupleuri Radix-based Formulas from Theory of Shaoyang Pivot
Duoting TAN ; Kun LIAN ; Hao LIANG ; Lichong MENG ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):156-164
Chronic heart failure (CHF), as the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, is characterized by a prolonged clinical course and recurrent exacerbations. The coexistence of CHF with anxiety and depression falls under the category of psycho-cardiological diseases. Studies have demonstrated that anxiety and depression are closely associated with adverse outcomes including elevated risks of cardiovascular events and increased mortality in CHF patients. The complex pathogenesis poses challenges to modern medical treatments, which often face limited efficacy and concurrent side effects. According to the theory of Shaoyang Pivot in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this paper elucidates that obstructed Shaoyang Pivot—manifested as Qi transformation disorder, dysregulated fluid metabolism, and abnormal distribution of ministerial fire-serves as a critical pathological basis for CHF with anxiety and depression. Bupleuri Radix-based Formulas, such as Xiao Chaihu Tang, Chaihu Guizhi Tang, and Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang, aim to harmonize lesser Yang to restore the Qi transformation, activate Yang to promote water excretion, and redistribute ministerial fire, thus effectively alleviating pathological states such as Qi stagnation, blood stasis, water retention, and phlegm-fire disturbing the heart in CHF patients with anxiety and depression. Consequently, they mitigate symptoms of this psycho-cardiological disease. Mechanism studies have revealed that Bupleuri Radix-based formulas exhibit multi-target effects, including modulation of neurotransmitters, suppression of inflammatory responses, regulation of lipid metabolism, protection of cardiomyocytes, and improvement of the endothelial function. By interpreting the TCM pathogenesis of CHF with anxiety and depression from the theory of Shaoyang Pivot, this paper delves into the therapeutic principles and mechanisms of Bupleuri Radix-based formulas, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing TCM diagnosis and treatment strategies for psycho-cardiological diseases.
4.Research progress on radiation protection of mobile CT
Yuehui HUANG ; Hanlin LIAO ; Kun MENG ; Duoshuang XIE
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):450-455
Mobile computed tomography (CT) can be used for critically ill patients’ bedside CT scans in an operating room or intensive care unit because of its flexibility and convenience compared to conventional CT. Meanwhile, attention has been paid to the ionizing radiation hazards brought by mobile CT scans due to a lack of wall shielding protection from a fixed machinery room, especially the control of radiation dose to the surrounding medical staff and the public. This article mainly discusses the radiation protection of mobile CT from aspects such as radiation protection principles, protection management, and protection of examinees, staff, and the public by summarizing relevant standards, guidelines, and literature in China and globally to provide a reference for the standardized use of mobile CT.
5.Primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province in 2020-2022
Meng GUO ; Fanghua MEI ; Cong LIU ; Kangping ZHOU ; Junqiang XYU ; Kun CAI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):49-52
Objective To investigate the prevalence of primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2022, and to provide corresponding basis and data support for HIV antiviral therapy (ART) in Hubei Province. Methods During 2020-2022, plasma samples of HIV-1 infected patients before ART were collected., Patients’ demographic data and baseline laboratory test data were also collected. HIV-1 pol region was amplified by in-house method for sub-type typing and drug-resistant mutation site analysis. Results The pol gene sequence was successfully amplified in 242 of 285 cases, with a success rate of 84.9%. CRF07_BC was the predominant HIV-1 sub-type, accounting for 47.11% (114/242), followed by CRF01_AE, accounting for 25.21% (61/242), sub-type B, accounting for 14.16% (35/242), and CRF55_01B, accounting for 4.13% (10/242). The primary resistance rate was 6.20% (15/242). The mutation site of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was mainly M184V, and the mutation sites of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were mainly E138A/G/EG and V179E. These different mutation sites led to different degrees of drug resistance to 12 drugs. The incidence of drug resistance mutation of CRF55_01B sub-type was significantly higher than that of other sub-types. Conclusion The primary drug resistance rate of HIV-1 infected patients is at a slightly high level in Hubei Province, and close monitoring of primary drug resistance and mutation sites should be strengthened before ART, especially for CRF55_01B sub-type.
6.Transcriptomic Analysis of Wuzi Yanzongwan on Testicular Spermatogenic Function in Semi-castrated Male Mice
Dixin ZOU ; Yueyang ZHANG ; Xuedan MENG ; Wei LU ; Shuang LYU ; Fanjun ZENG ; Kun CHEN ; Chang LIU ; Zhongxiu ZHANG ; Yu DUAN ; Yihang DAI ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Zhimin WANG ; Ruichao LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):61-69
ObjectiveTo screen out the transcriptomes related to the intervention of Wuzi Yanzongwan on the spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice, and to explore its potential mechanism in the intervention of the progress of low spermatogenic function. MethodBalb/c mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, testosterone propionate group(0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1, intramuscular injection) and Wuzi Yanzongwan group(1.56 g·kg-1·d-1, intragastric administration) according to body weight, with 12 mice in each group. The right testicle and epididymis were extracted from the model group and the drug administration group to construct the semi-castrated model of low spermatogenic function, while the fur and the right scrotum of the sham-operated group were only cut and immediately sterilized and sutured. At the end of the intervention, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathology of testis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH). The sperm count and motility of epididymis were measured by automatic sperm detector of small animal. Transcriptomic microarray technology was used to detect the mRNA expression level of testicular tissue in each group, the transcriptome of genes related to the regulation of Wuzi Yanzongwan was screened, and three mRNAs were selected for Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) to verify the transcriptome data. Through the annotation analysis of Gene Ontology(GO) and the signaling pathway analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), the related functions of drugs regulating transcriptome were analyzed. ResultCompared with the sham-operated group, the testicular tissue of mice in the model group showed spermatogenic injury, contraction and vacuolization of the seminiferous tubules, reduction of spermatogenic cells at all levels, widening of the interstitial space, obstruction of spermatogonial cell development and other morphological abnormalities, and serum T significantly decreased, LH significantly increased(P<0.01), and FSH elevated but no statistically significant difference, the count and vitality of epididymal sperm significantly decreased(P<0.01). There were 882 differentially expressed mRNAs in the testicular tissues, of which 565 were up-regulated and 317 were down-regulated. Cluster analysis showed that these differentially expressed mRNA could effectively distinguish between the sham-operated group and the model group. Compared with the model group, the damage to testicular tissue in the Wuzi Yanzongwan group was reduced, the structure of the seminiferous tubules was intact, vacuolization was reduced, and the number of spermatogenic cells at all levels was significantly increased and arranged tightly. The serum T significantly increased, LH significantly decreased(P<0.01), and FSH decreased but the difference was not statistically significant. The count and vitality of sperm in the epididymis were significantly increased(P<0.01). Moreover, Wuzi Yanzongwan could regulate 159 mRNA levels in the testes of semi-castrated mice, of which 32 were up-regulated and 127 were down-regulated, and the data of the transcriptome assay was verified to be reliable by Real-time PCR. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the transcriptome functions regulated by Wuzi Yanzongwan were involved in the whole cell cycle process of sperm development such as sex hormone production of interstitial cells in testis, renewal, differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis and signal transduction of spermatogenic cells, and were closely related to the biological behaviors of signaling pathways such as spermatogenic stem cell function, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program. ConclusionWuzi Yanzongwan can effectively improve the low spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of testicular transcriptional regulatory network, the synthesis of sex hormones in testicular interstitial cells, the function of spermatogenic stem cells, the whole cell cycle process of spermatogenesis, as well as the expression of endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program related genes transcription.
7.Mental health status and influencing factors of permanent residents in Yichang, Hubei Province
Hong LIN ; Ying WANG ; Baohua XYU ; Kun MENG ; Hao TONG ; Yixing QIN ; Zhongchun LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(2):114-118
Objective To investigate the characteristics and influencing factors of mental health status of permanent residents in Yichang, Hubei Province. Methods A total of 9 576 permanent residents aged 18 years and older from Yichang City were selected by a multistage random sampling method between June and October 2022. The PHQ-9 was used to assess the residents’ depressive symptoms, the GAD-7 was used to assess their anxiety symptoms, the ISI was used to assess their insomnia status, and the PCL-5 was used to assess their stress status. The influence factors of depression and anxiety were analyzed using χ2 test and logistic regression. Results A total of 9 122 valid questionnaires were completed. The detection rate of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress symptoms were 29.98%, 19.03%, 11.97% and 1.58%, respectively. Gender, education level, monthly family income, self-rated health status, mental health literacy level, total GAD-7 score, total ISI score, and total PCL-5 score were the main factors that caused residents' anxiety symptoms, while gender, education level, self-rated health status, total PHQ-9 score, total ISI score, and total PCL-5 score were the main factors that caused residents' anxiety symptoms. Conclusion The prevalence of depression and anxiety is high among the permanent residents in Yichang, while the situation of insomnia and stress is relatively good. Measures such as improving the level of mental health literacy can be taken to improve mental health level of residents in Yichang.
8.Synthesis and evaluation for anti-HCoV-OC43 activity of novel aloperine derivatives with different core structures
Run-ze MENG ; Yue GONG ; Yu-long SHI ; Kun WANG ; Zong-gen PENG ; Dan-qing SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):404-412
In this study, we designed and synthesized 12 novel aloperine derivatives with different core structures. Among them, compound
9.Effects of Maxing Shigan Decoction on IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathway and TRPV1 Receptor in Rats with Cough Variant Asthma
Qian YANG ; Bo JIANG ; Qin-Guo SUN ; Kun LYU ; Meng LUO ; Tian-Hui HUANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):729-735
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Maxing Shigan Decoction on cough variant asthma(CVA)rats.Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,low and high dose groups of Maxing Shigan Decoction,and high-dose of Maxing Shigan Decoction + signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)activator Colivelin(Col)group,12 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the CVA model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin combined with moxa fumigation in all other groups of rats.After the corresponding treatment,the rats were observed for signs and cough counts,airway resistance(RE)was detected by pulmonary function meter,eosinophils(EOS)were counted by Diff-Quik staining,histopathological features of the lungs and bronchial tubes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and the lung tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and the protein expression levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),STAT3,and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel(TRPV1)were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group showed obvious asthma symptoms,severe inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in the lung tissue,bronchial epithelial cell necrosis,ciliated adhesion,mucus,and RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,TRPV1 were elevated(P<0.05);compared with the model group,rats in the low-and high-dose groups of Maxing Shigan Decoction showed significant improvement in asthma symptoms,reduction in lung and bronchial injury,and dose-dependent reduction in RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,and TRPV1(P<0.05);compared with the high-dose group of Maxing Shigan Decoction,the rats in the high-dose Maxing Shigan Decoction+Col group showed increased asthma,increased lung and bronchial injury,and increased RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,and TRPV1(P<0.05).Conclusion Maxing Shigan Decoction can effectively improve cough variant asthma in rats,and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and the high expression of TRPV1.
10.Challenges in the study of self-assembled aggregates in decoction of traditional Chinese medicine: A preliminary review
Qi WANG ; Xiao-meng GUO ; Qian-kun NI ; Mei-jing LI ; Rui XU ; Xing-jie LIANG ; Mu-xin GONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):94-104
Decoction is the most commonly used dosage form in the clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During boiling, the violent movement of various active ingredients in TCM creates molecular forces such as hydrogen bonding,


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