1.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
2.Analysis on Quality Standard of Sennae Folium(Cassia angustifolia) Dispensing Granules Based on Standard Decoctions
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):192-200
ObjectiveTo establish the quality standards for Sennae Folium(Cassia angustifolia) dispensing granules based on standard decoctions. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established for 15 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) standard decoctions and 10 of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules from different manufacturers, and the similarity evaluation, hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) were performed. Linear calibration with two reference substances(LCTRS) and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS) were established for the common peaks in the specific chromatograms to determine the contents of main components in the decoction pieces, standard decoctions and dispensing granules, and to calculate their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions and dispensing granules. ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 15 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) standard decoctions and 10 batches of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules were all greater than 0.95, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and five of them were identified, including kaempferol-3,7-O-diglucoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-gentianoside, sennoside B and sennoside A. HCA and PCA results showed that there were certain differences in the composition of different batches of standard decoctions, but no clustering was observed in the production area. As the standard decoctions, the extract rate of 15 batches of samples was 26.54%-45.38%, the contents of kaempferol-3,7-O-diglucoside, apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-gentianoside, sennoside B and sennoside A were 12.16-19.26, 2.57-4.94, 3.27-5.11, 6.75-11.39, 4.69-7.79 mg·g-1, and their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions were 45.41%-79.02%, 29.12%-55.07%, 40.52%-67.90%, 24.72%-49.12%, 27.54%-49.34%, respectively. The extract rates of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules(C8-C10) were 38.10%-39.50%, the transfer rates of the above five components from decoction pieces to dispensing granules were 72.85%-73.58%, 53.43%-53.94%, 40.19%-40.74%, 24.62%-25.00%, 28.65%-29.11%, respectively, which were generally consistent with the transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions. ConclusionCompared with the relative retention time method, LCTRS has higher prediction accuracy and is more suitable for chromatographic columns. The established quality control standard of Sennae Folium(C. angustifolia) dispensing granules based on standard decoction is reasonable and reliable, and all indicators of samples from different manufacturers are within the range specified based on the standard decoction, which can provide reference for the quality control and process research of this dispensing granules.
3.Quality Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Dispensing Granules Based on HPLC Specific Chromatogram and Two Reference Substances for Determination of Multiple Components
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):246-253
ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram of Chuanxiong Rhizoma dispensing granules(CRdg), and to evaluate its quality by chemometrics and two reference substances for determination of multiple components(TRSDMC). MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established using 13 batches of CRdg from 7 manufacturers, and preliminary quality evaluation was performed by similarity evaluation and chemometrics analysis. Eight characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram of CRdg were measured on 22 different types of C18 columns, and the actual retention times were recorded. Taking chlorogenic acid(peak 1) and senkyunolide A(peak 8) as double standard compounds, the retention times of the eight characteristic peaks were predicted by linear calibration using two reference substances(LCTRS), and the method was validated on three other columns of different brands. Taking chlorogenic acid as reference peak, the relative correction factor method(RCFM) was used to quantify cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I and senkyunolide A, and the results were compared with the external standard method(ESM). ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 13 batches of CRdg were all >0.90, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and six of them were identified, including chlorogenic acid(peak 1), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 2), caffeic acid(peak 3), ferulic acid(peak 5), senkyunolide I(peak 6) and senkyunolide A(peak 8). Through chemometric analysis, it was found that ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide I and cryptochlorogenic acid were the main components causing quality difference in CRdg, and the accuracy of LCTRS in predicting the retention time of 8 characteristic peaks was superior to that of the relative retention time method(RRT). Further comparison of the results obtained from RCFM and ESM showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. ConclusionA quality evaluation method for CRdg based on HPLC specific chromatogram and TRSDMC is established, its qualitative accuracy is better than that of RRT, the quantitative accuracy is similar to that of ESM, and 4 quality-differentiated components among different manufacturers are found. This method is stable and reliable, and has reference value for the quality evaluation of other dispensing granules.
4.Quality Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Dispensing Granules Based on HPLC Specific Chromatogram and Two Reference Substances for Determination of Multiple Components
Jinxin LI ; Xue DONG ; Shuai DUAN ; Guiyun CAO ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Yongfu LUAN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Xiaodi DONG ; Zhaoqing MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):246-253
ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram of Chuanxiong Rhizoma dispensing granules(CRdg), and to evaluate its quality by chemometrics and two reference substances for determination of multiple components(TRSDMC). MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) specific chromatograms were established using 13 batches of CRdg from 7 manufacturers, and preliminary quality evaluation was performed by similarity evaluation and chemometrics analysis. Eight characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram of CRdg were measured on 22 different types of C18 columns, and the actual retention times were recorded. Taking chlorogenic acid(peak 1) and senkyunolide A(peak 8) as double standard compounds, the retention times of the eight characteristic peaks were predicted by linear calibration using two reference substances(LCTRS), and the method was validated on three other columns of different brands. Taking chlorogenic acid as reference peak, the relative correction factor method(RCFM) was used to quantify cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I and senkyunolide A, and the results were compared with the external standard method(ESM). ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 13 batches of CRdg were all >0.90, and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated, and six of them were identified, including chlorogenic acid(peak 1), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 2), caffeic acid(peak 3), ferulic acid(peak 5), senkyunolide I(peak 6) and senkyunolide A(peak 8). Through chemometric analysis, it was found that ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide I and cryptochlorogenic acid were the main components causing quality difference in CRdg, and the accuracy of LCTRS in predicting the retention time of 8 characteristic peaks was superior to that of the relative retention time method(RRT). Further comparison of the results obtained from RCFM and ESM showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. ConclusionA quality evaluation method for CRdg based on HPLC specific chromatogram and TRSDMC is established, its qualitative accuracy is better than that of RRT, the quantitative accuracy is similar to that of ESM, and 4 quality-differentiated components among different manufacturers are found. This method is stable and reliable, and has reference value for the quality evaluation of other dispensing granules.
5.Expression and clinical significance of lysosome-associated membrane protein 3 and activating transcription factor 4 in cervical cancer
WANG Yayue1 ; LUAN Xiaona2 ; CHEN Xiaohan3 ; MA Huihui3 ; LI Mingyu1 ; TIAN Tian3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(5):518-524
[摘 要] 目的:探讨溶酶体相关膜蛋白3(LAMP3)与转录激活因子4(ATF4)在宫颈癌中的表达及其与临床病理参数的相关性。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测正常宫颈组织、宫颈上皮内病变组织及宫颈癌组织中LAMP3与ATF4的表达情况,分析两种蛋白与宫颈癌患者临床病理参数之间的关系,并且分析两种蛋白的相关性。结果:LAMP3在正常宫颈组及高级别鳞状上皮内病变组中均为阴性或低表达,在宫颈癌中高表达率为38.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 14.113,P = 0.001)。ATF4在正常宫颈组中高表达率为26.7%,在高级别鳞状上皮内病变组中高表达率为10.0%,在宫颈癌组中高表达率为58.3%,差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 11.078,P = 0.004)。LAMP3的表达与宫颈癌FIGO分期(χ2 = 10.139,P = 0.006)、淋巴结转移(χ2 = 8.475,P = 0.004)有关,差异均有统计学意义。ATF4的表达在宫颈癌病灶大小(χ2 = 4.578,P = 0.032)、FIGO分期(χ2 = 8.971,P = 0.009)、淋巴结转移(χ2 = 7.881,P = 0.005)等方面的差异均有统计学意义。LAMP3与ATF4在宫颈癌中的表达呈正相关(r = 0.388,P = 0.002)。结论:LAMP3与ATF4在宫颈癌组织中表达升高,两者的表达程度具有相关性,且在宫颈癌的发生发展中发挥重要的促进作用,有望成为宫颈癌治疗的潜在靶点。
6.Effect of storage conditions on long-term preservation of PRP growth factors
Qing QI ; Zhaojie LI ; Qiong WU ; Pingping MAO ; Yangzi SUN ; Jianfeng LUAN ; Shujun WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(6):759-765
Objective: To compare the changes in the concentration of relevant growth factors released from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored at -80℃ by cryopreservation and at 4℃ by refrigerated lyophilization over 2 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for prolonging PRP storage duration. Methods: PRP (n=15) was separated using a blood cell separator and stored under -80℃ cryopreservation (F-PRP group) and 4℃ refrigerated freeze-drying conditions (FD-PRP group). The contents of growth factors (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF) in both groups were measured by ELISA at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months. Results: PDGF-AA and VEGF maintained good stability in both groups for up to 24 months. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 showed high stability in the first 12 months but their stability decreased gradually from 12th to 24th months. EGF demonstrated good stability in the first 6 months, and its stability gradually decreased from the 9th to 24th months. Comparing the F-PRP and FD-PRP groups, the concentrations of the five growth factors in the FD-PRP group were either not statistically different or higher than those in the F-PRP group at all time points. Specifically, the concentrations of EGF were significantly higher in the FD-PRP group at all time points. Conclusion: Both -80℃ freezing and 4℃ freeze-drying enable long-term preservation of PRP. Freeze-drying imposes less stringent storage requirements and facilitates growth factor compared to frozen storage.
7.The Relationship of Transcription Factor BRF1 Expression to Tumor and Cardiomyopathy
Li-Ling ZHENG ; Yong-Luan LIN ; Mei-Ling CHEN ; Zheng-Yan ZHONG ; Shuping ZHONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2241-2251
TFIIB-related factor 1 (BRF1) is an important transcription factor. It specifically regulates the transcription of RNA polymerase III-dependent genes (RNA Pol III genes). The products of these genes are some small non-coding RNAs, including transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 5S ribosomal RNAs (5S rRNA). The transcription levels of tRNAs and 5S rRNA vary with changes in intracellular BRF1 amounts. tRNAs and 5S rRNA play a crucial role in determining protein synthesis. Studies have demonstrated that dysregulation of tRNAs and 5S rRNA is closely related to cell growth, proliferation, transformation, and even tumorigenesis. BRF1 is a key factor determining the generation of tRNAs and 5S rRNA. Increasing BRF1 expression enhances cell proliferation and transformation, promoting tumor development. In contrast, repressing BRF1 activity decreases the rates of cell proliferation and transformation, and inhibits tumor growth. High levels of BRF1 are found in the samples of patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, gastric carcinoma, lung cancer, prostate carcinoma, and other cancers. It indicates that high levels of BRF1 are closely related to the occurrence of human cancer and may be a common landmark of tumors. But there is discrepancy in the regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways of BRF1 overexpression in different cancers. In general, high levels of BRF1 in patients suffering from cancer show short survival period and poor prognosis. However, there is one exception, namely breast cancer. Approximate 80% of cases of breast cancer are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and 20% are ER-. The cases with high levels of BRF1 reveal longer survival period and better prognosis after they accepted the hormone treatment by Tamoxifen (Tam), compared to the cases with low level BRF1. It seems like a contradiction. Most of the cases with high levels of BRF1 belong to ER+ status. Tam has been used to treat ER+ cases of breast cancer after diagnosis and surgery. Thus, hormone therapy, such as Tam, is more effective on these patients. This is because, on one hand, that Tam competes with E2 (17β-estradiol) to bind to estrogen receptor α (ERα), but does not dissociate to occupy the receptors, blocking E2 binding to this receptor and inhibiting its biological effects. On other hand, Tam can inhibit the expression of BRF1, leading to a decline of intracellular BRF1 levels. Therefore, the actual levels of BRF1 are lower in the patients with ER+ breast cancer. It appears the prognosis of the high BRF1 expression cases better than that of the low BRF1 expression cases. Myocardial hypertrophy manifests magnification of cardiomyocyte volume rather than number increasing in the postnatal heart. Myocardial hypertrophy is a critical risk factor underlying cardiovascular diseases. No matter how myocardial hypertrophy occur, it will ultimately lead to myocardial dysfunction and heart failure. Hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes requires a large amount of protein synthesis to meet its needs of cardiomyocyte growth. Animal models and cell experiments have shown that myocardial hypertrophy stimulates a significant increase in BRF1 expression and transcription of tRNAs and 5S rRNA. Interestingly, elevated levels of BRF1 are found in the myocardium tissues of patients with myocardial hypertrophy. These studies demonstrate that BRF1 indeed plays a critical role in myocardial hypertrophy. In summary, high levels of BRF1 are found in patients suffering from different cancers and myocardial hypertrophy. It implies that BRF1 is a promising biological target of cancer and cardiomyopathy. BRF1 is expected to become a common biomarker for early diagnosis and prognostic observation of different human cancers. It is also an important biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathy. BRF1 not only holds an important position in the field of basic medical research but also has great prospects for translational medicine. In the present article, we summarize the progress on studies of BRF1 expressions in cancer and cardiomyopathy, proposes future research directions. It is a new research area. Here, we emphasize the significancy of BRF overexpression in the two huge diseases of human, cancer and cardiomyopathy to raise people's attention to this field.
8.Erratum: Author correction to "Tumor-microenvironment activated duplex genome-editing nanoprodrug for sensitized near-infrared titania phototherapy" Acta Pharm Sin B (2022) 4224-4234.
Zekun LI ; Yongchun PAN ; Shiyu DU ; Yayao LI ; Chao CHEN ; Hongxiu SONG ; Yueyao WU ; Xiaowei LUAN ; Qin XU ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Yujun SONG ; Xin HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):897-899
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.06.016.].
9.Moderating effect of salidroside on intestinal microbiota in mice exposed to PM2.5
Siqi LI ; Chen LIU ; Weihong XU ; Wenbo WU ; Ruixi ZHOU ; Limin ZHANG ; Chao SONG ; Yumei LIU ; Fengjiao TAN ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Xiaolin HAN ; Jinfeng TAN ; Li YU ; Dongqun XU ; Qin WANG ; Xiaohong LI ; Wanwei LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(2):125-132
Background Salidroside (SAL) has a protective effect on multiple organ systems. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in gut microbiota and impact intestinal health. The regulatory effect of SAL on the gut microbiota of mice exposed to PM2.5 requires further investigation. Objective To evaluate gut microbiota disruption in mice after being exposed to PM2.5 and the potential effect of SAL. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an SAL group, a PM2.5 group, and an SAL+PM2.5 group, each containing 10 mice. In the SAL group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, the mice were administered SAL (60 mg·kg−1) by gavage, while in the control group and the PM2.5 group, sterile saline (10 mL·kg−1) was administered by gavage. In the PM2.5 group and the SAL+PM2.5 group, PM2.5 suspension (8 mg·kg−1) was intratracheally instilled, and in the control group and SAL group, sterile saline (1.5 mL·kg−1) was intratracheally administered. Each experiment cycle spanned 2 d, with a total of 10 cycles conducted over 20 d. Histopathological changes in the ileum tissue of the mice were observed after HE staining. Colon contents were collected for gut microbiota sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurements. Results The PM2.5 group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ileum tissue, while the SAL+PM2.5 group exhibited only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased Shannon index (P<0.05) and increased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in this group was decreased; the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased Shannon index compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05) and decreased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in mice intervened with SAL was increased. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a significant separation between the PM2.5 group and the control group, while the separation trend was less evident among the control group, the SAL group, and the SAL+PM2.5 group. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) clustering tree results showed that the control group and the SAL group clustered together first, followed by clustering with the SAL+PM2.5 group, and finally, the three groups clustered with the PM2.5 group. The PCoA and UPGMA clustering results indicated that the uniformity and similarity of the microbiota in the PM2.5 group were significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, the PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05) and increased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, genus Escherichia, genus Bacteroides, genus Prevotella, genus Enterococcus, and genus Proteus (P<0.05). Compared to the PM2.5 group, the SAL+PM2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, genus Prevotella, and genus Proteus (P<0.05), and increased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05). The PM2.5 group showed reduced levels of propionic acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the control group (P<0.05), while the SAL+PM2.5 group showed increased levels of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the PM2.5 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 can cause pathological alterations, microbial dysbiosis, and disturbing production of SCFAs in intestinal tissue in mice. However, SAL can provide a certain degree of protective effect against these changes.
10.Comparison of diagnostic efficacy between two imaging methods for training injury of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle
Hai LUAN ; Lin LI ; Lei GE ; Hui LI ; Chunsheng WANG ; Litai ZHANG
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(2):166-169
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy between magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and ultrasound for training injury of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle.Methods:Clinical data of 70 cases with lower limb training injury suspected to be in the medial head of gastrocnemius muscle from Jan 2013 to Jan 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were examined by ultrasound and MRI,and their sensitivity,specificity and accuracy according to the final clinical diagnosis was compared.Results:Of the 70 cases of training injury,48 cases were finally diagnosed as medial head injury of gastrocnemius muscle,and 22 cases had no gastrocnemius injury.And there were 19 cases of gastrocnemius tissue injury,28 cases of myofascial injury edema and tissue interstitial effusion,26 cases of tendon and tendon sheath injury,and 6 cases of tendon insertion enthesiopathy.The sensitivity of ultrasound and MRI in the diagnosis of training injury of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle were 85.4%(41/48),97.9%(47/48)and the accuracy was 84.3%(59/70),95.7%(67/70),respectively.The diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of MRI were higher than those of ultrasound(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in specificity between the two methods(P>0.05).Conclusion:MRI has higher accuracy and sensitivity compared with ultrasound in the diagnosis training injury of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle,which has important diagnostic value.

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