1.Theoretical Exploration of Same "Etiology-Mechanism-Syndrome-Treatment-Prevention" in Insomnia and Skin Aging
Bo XU ; Miao ZHU ; Kang SUN ; Yuan PENG ; Ping WANG ; Li YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):72-78
Sleep, skin, and health are closely interconnected. Clinically, insomnia has a high incidence and is often accompanied by or secondary to skin aging. The two conditions exhibit "different diseases with the same syndrome", significantly affecting the physical and mental health of the Chinese population. Preventing and treating skin aging by improving insomnia is an important strategy, with the principle of "treating different diseases with the same approach" serving as a crucial therapeutic guideline. However, effective clinical prevention and treatment methods for both conditions remain lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a profound theoretical foundation and notable efficacy in the concurrent treatment of insomnia and skin aging, yet there are few reports on the etiology, pathogenesis, therapeutic principles, and treatment methods of their shared treatment, warranting further exploration. Based on holistic view and syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, this study systematically investigates the theoretical origins of the shared manifestations of insomnia and skin aging from multiple dimensions, including etiology, pathological location, pathogenesis, disease nature, and prevention and treatment strategies. As early as Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huangdi Neijing), it was recognized that mental clarity during the day, sound sleep at night, and firm, healthy skin are key indicators of external health, whereas daytime lethargy, poor sleep quality, and dry, withered skin are prominent signs of aging. Maintaining mental clarity during the day and restful sleep at night is essential for skin integrity and healthy aging. Later medical scholars proposed that the common etiology of insomnia and skin aging lies in "internal-external interactions", with the pathological location involving "the five organ systems". The primary pathogenesis includes "deficiency, fire, stagnation, phlegm, and blood stasis", while the disease nature is often characterized by "a combination of deficiency and excess". Treatment should be guided by syndrome differentiation, following the principle of balancing Yin and Yang. This theoretical exploration enriches and advances TCM understanding of disease onset and prevention, providing theoretical guidance for the clinical prevention and treatment of insomnia-associated skin aging and contributing to the realization of the "Healthy China" initiative.
2.Sufei Pingchuan Formula (肃肺平喘方) for the Treatment of Bronchiectasis Patients Combined with Airflow Limitation of Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung and Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Shasha YUAN ; Haiyan ZHANG ; Xia SHI ; Bing WANG ; Xiaodong CONG ; Qing MIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):581-587
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Sufei Pingchuan Formula (肃肺平喘方) in the treatment of bronchiectasis with airflow limitation, phlegm-heat obstructing the lung, and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 72 patients with stable bronchiectasis with airflow limitation of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 36 cases in each group. On the basis of regular inhalation of tiotropium bromide inhalation spray, the treatment group was given Sufei Pingchuan Formula granules, and the control group was given Sufei Pingchuan Formula granule simulant. The course of treatment in both groups was 12 weeks. The pulmonary function of both groups before and after treatment was observed, specifically focusing on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); the modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, 24-hour sputum volume, COPD assessment test (CAT), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores were assessed before treatment and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment; acute exacerbations were recorded at weeks 4, 8, and 12; additionally, changes in routine blood tests, urinalysis, liver and kidney function, and adverse events were monitored before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, 4 patients in the treatment group and 6 in the control group dropped out. After 12 weeks of treatment, FEV1 increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.05), but the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared to before treatment, the treatment group showed a reduction in mMRC scores after 12 weeks (P<0.05) and a decrease in 24-hour sputum volume, CAT scores, and TCM syndrome scores at weeks 4, 8, and 12 (P<0.05). In the control group, 24-hour sputum volume decreased after 12 weeks (P<0.05), and TCM syndrome scores decreased at weeks 8 and 12 (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed a greater reduction in mMRC scores at week 12 (P<0.05), a decrease in 24-hour sputum volume and TCM syndrome scores at weeks 4, 8, and 12 (P<0.05), and lower CAT scores at weeks 8 and 12 (P<0.05). The frequency and number of acute exacerbations in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group at week 12 (P<0.05). No severe adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionSufei Pingchuan Formula can improve the pulmonary function FEV1, the severity of dyspnea, reduce 24-hour sputum volume and frequent acute exacerbations, and improve the quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation, with good safety.
6.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.
7.Progress in pharmaceutical crystallographic study of mannitol
Huina LIU ; Ke ZHANG ; Yan MIAO ; Yuanfeng WEI ; Yuan GAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):264-270
As a pharmaceutical excipient with low caloric value, low hygroscopicity, and high stability, mannitol is widely used in various dosage forms, such as solid, lyophilized and inhalation preparations, etc. It has different crystal structures (α, β and δ) and cocrystal, and the changes in the crystal structure will affect formulation properties of pharmaceutical formulations. This paper reviews structural features, physicochemical properties, and preparation methods of mannitol polymorphs and cocrystal formation, with emphasis on polymorphic transformation pathways, monitoring methods and the effect of polymorphic transformation on properties and application in pharmaceutical formulations, including tabletability, disintegration and dissolution properties. By systematically summarizing the crystallographic study of mannitol, this study attempts to provide new ideas for the development of novel pharmaceutical excipients and applications in pharmaceutical formulations.
8.Progress in pharmaceutical crystallographic study of mannitol
Huina LIU ; Ke ZHANG ; Yan MIAO ; Yuanfeng WEI ; Yuan GAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):264-270
As a pharmaceutical excipient with low caloric value, low hygroscopicity, and high stability, mannitol is widely used in various dosage forms, such as solid, lyophilized and inhalation preparations, etc. It has different crystal structures (α, β and δ) and cocrystal, and the changes in the crystal structure will affect formulation properties of pharmaceutical formulations. This paper reviews structural features, physicochemical properties, and preparation methods of mannitol polymorphs and cocrystal formation, with emphasis on polymorphic transformation pathways, monitoring methods and the effect of polymorphic transformation on properties and application in pharmaceutical formulations, including tabletability, disintegration and dissolution properties. By systematically summarizing the crystallographic study of mannitol, this study attempts to provide new ideas for the development of novel pharmaceutical excipients and applications in pharmaceutical formulations.
9.Evaluation of myopia prevention and control effect of defocus incorporated multiple segments lenses in children with monocular myopia
Lu JIANG ; Mengling PENG ; Miao MA ; Xue YUAN ; Chao ZHOU
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1683-1687
AIM:To compare the changes in diopters and axial length after 1 a of wearing defocus incorporated multiple segments(DIMS)lenses or single vision(SV)spectacle lenses in children with monocular myopia.METHODS:In this retrospective case group study, monocular myopia children aged from 6 to 14 years old in Hankou Aier Eye Hospital from October 2020 to October 2022, who were fitted with DIMS lens(n=52)or single-vision(SV)spectacle lenses(n=49)were collected. The spherical degree of myopia eyes ranged from -4.00 D to -0.50 D and the nonmyopic eyes ranged from 0 to +1.00 D, astigmatism in all eyes ranged from 0 to -2.00 D. The DIMS lens group was classified into DIMS-myopia group(the myopic eyes)and DIMS-nonmyopia group(the nonmyopic eyes). The SV lens group was also divided into SV-myopia group and SV-nonmyopia group. The changes in spherical equivalent refraction(SER)and axial length(AL)of each group were compare before and after wearing lenses for 1 a, and variations in SER and AL of both eye among groups were analzed.RESULTS: After wearing lenses for 1 a, the changes of SER in the DIMS-myopic group and the DIMS-nonmyopic group were -0.41±0.44 and -0.26±0.54 D, respectively, and the changes of AL were 0.18±0.20 and 0.15±0.15 mm, respectively. SER changes were -0.74±0.63 and -0.70±0.68 D in SV-myopic group and SV-nonmyopic group, and AL changes were 0.30±0.28 and 0.31±0.28 mm. The changes of SER and AL in the DMS-myopic and non-myopic groups were slower than those in SV group(all P<0.05). Compared with SV lenses, wearing DIMS lenses delayed and 44.6% in myopia eyes, and 62.9% in non-myopia eyes, AL delayed by 40.0% in myopia eyes and 51.6% in non-myopia eyes. The percentage of 1-year AL change ≤0.2 mm in the DIMS-myopic group and non-myopic group was 53.9% and 65.4%, respectively, which was higher than that in the SV myopic group(34.7% and 42.9%, all P<0.05). The percentage of AL change >0.4 mm in the DIMS-myopic group and nonmyopic group was 17.3% and 7.7%, respectively, which was lower than that in the SV myopic group(32.7% and 28.6%, all P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the change of AL and age and baseline AL in the DIMS-myopic and non-myopic groups after wearing lens for 1 a(all P>0.05); the change of AL in SV-myopic group and non-myopic group was negatively correlated with age(r=-0.446, P=0.001; r=-0.312, P=0.029), and there was no significant correlation with baseline AL(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: DIMS lens has a good effect on myopia control and prevention in both myopia and non-myopia children with monocular myopia. Children with early pre-myopia can wear DIMS to prevent myopia.
10.Application of bicuspid pulmonary valve sewn by 0.1 mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction
Jianrui MA ; Tong TAN ; Miao TIAN ; Jiazichao TU ; Wen XIE ; Hailong QIU ; Shuai ZHANG ; Jian ZHUANG ; Jimei CHEN ; Jianzheng CEN ; Shusheng WEN ; Haiyun YUAN ; Xiaobing LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1127-1132
Objective To introduce a modified technique of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using a handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve crafted from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and to summarize the early single-center experience. Methods Patients with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) who underwent RVOT reconstruction with a handmade ePTFE bicuspid pulmonary valve due to pulmonary regurgitation at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2021 to February 2022 were selected. Postoperative artificial valve function and right heart function indicators were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with a mean age of (18.18±12.14) years and a mean body weight of (40.94±19.45) kg. Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with a handmade valved conduit, with conduit sizes ranging from 18 to 24 mm. No patients required mechanical circulatory support, and no in-hospital deaths occurred. During a mean follow-up period of 12.89 months, only one patient developed valve dysfunction, and no related complications or adverse events were observed. The degree of pulmonary regurgitation was significantly improved post-RVOT reconstruction and during follow-up compared to preoperative levels (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area were all significantly reduced compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Conclusion The use of a 0.1 mm ePTFE handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve for RVOT reconstruction in complex CHD is a feasible, effective, and safe technique.

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