1.Effect of Co-treatment Method of Stagnation of Phlegm and Blood Stasis (Danlou Tablet) on Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Atherosclerosis
Qian WU ; Xinzheng HOU ; Qianyu LYU ; Xuejiao YE ; Shihan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):168-175
ObjectiveTo clarify the protective effect of Danlou tablet, a representative traditional Chinese medicine of the stagnation of phlegm and blood stasis co-treatment method, on vascular endothelial function in patients with atherosclerosis (AS). MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. From September 2023 to November 2023, a total of 72 patients who were diagnosed at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) combined with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (receiving conventional Western medicine treatment) and an observation group (receiving Danlou tablet combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 36 cases in each group. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. The frequency of angina pectoris attacks was recorded to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Danlou tablet. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients, and the expression levels of serum endothelial injury markers before and after treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The nitrate reductase method was employed to evaluate the protective effect of Danlou tablet on vascular function. The expression levels of serum inflammatory factors and lipoproteins were determined by ELISA and an automatic biochemical analyzer (dynamic timed scatter turbidimetry and enzymatic method) to assess the anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating effects of Danlou tablet. ResultsIn terms of angina pectoris attacks, compared with that in the control group, the frequency of attacks in the observation group was reduced (P<0.05). In terms of endothelial injury markers, compared with the levels before treatment within the same group, the levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the peripheral blood of the observation group were decreased (P<0.05), while the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the differences in ET-1, NO, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were significant (P<0.05). In terms of serum inflammatory factors, after treatment, the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the observation group was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the IL-6 level in the observation group was decreased significantly (P<0.01). In terms of serum lipoproteins, after treatment, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the observation group was decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of safety evaluation, no serious adverse events occurred in either group during the intervention period. ConclusionDanlou tablet applied to patients with CAS combined with CHD can improve endothelial function, reduce inflammatory indicators, alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life of patients, and demonstrate good safety.
2.Effect of Co-treatment Method of Stagnation of Phlegm and Blood Stasis (Danlou Tablet) on Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Atherosclerosis
Qian WU ; Xinzheng HOU ; Qianyu LYU ; Xuejiao YE ; Shihan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):168-175
ObjectiveTo clarify the protective effect of Danlou tablet, a representative traditional Chinese medicine of the stagnation of phlegm and blood stasis co-treatment method, on vascular endothelial function in patients with atherosclerosis (AS). MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted. From September 2023 to November 2023, a total of 72 patients who were diagnosed at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) combined with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (receiving conventional Western medicine treatment) and an observation group (receiving Danlou tablet combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 36 cases in each group. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. The frequency of angina pectoris attacks was recorded to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Danlou tablet. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients, and the expression levels of serum endothelial injury markers before and after treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The nitrate reductase method was employed to evaluate the protective effect of Danlou tablet on vascular function. The expression levels of serum inflammatory factors and lipoproteins were determined by ELISA and an automatic biochemical analyzer (dynamic timed scatter turbidimetry and enzymatic method) to assess the anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating effects of Danlou tablet. ResultsIn terms of angina pectoris attacks, compared with that in the control group, the frequency of attacks in the observation group was reduced (P<0.05). In terms of endothelial injury markers, compared with the levels before treatment within the same group, the levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the peripheral blood of the observation group were decreased (P<0.05), while the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the differences in ET-1, NO, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were significant (P<0.05). In terms of serum inflammatory factors, after treatment, the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the observation group was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the IL-6 level in the observation group was decreased significantly (P<0.01). In terms of serum lipoproteins, after treatment, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the observation group was decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of safety evaluation, no serious adverse events occurred in either group during the intervention period. ConclusionDanlou tablet applied to patients with CAS combined with CHD can improve endothelial function, reduce inflammatory indicators, alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life of patients, and demonstrate good safety.
3.The Application of Spatial Resolved Metabolomics in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Lu-Tao XU ; Qian LI ; Shu-Lei HAN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Qing-Yuan HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2346-2359
The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is fundamentally linked to complex and profound alterations in metabolic networks within the brain, which exhibit marked spatial heterogeneity. While conventional bulk metabolomics is powerful for detecting global metabolic shifts, it inherently lacks spatial resolution. This methodological limitation hampers the ability to interrogate critical metabolic dysregulation within discrete anatomical brain regions and specific cellular microenvironments, thereby constraining a deeper understanding of the core pathological mechanisms that initiate and drive NDDs. To address this critical gap, spatial metabolomics, with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) at its core, has emerged as a transformative approach. It uniquely overcomes the limitations of bulk methods by enabling high-resolution, simultaneous detection and precise localization of hundreds to thousands of endogenous molecules—including primary metabolites, complex lipids, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and essential metal ions—directly in situ from tissue sections. This powerful capability offers an unprecedented spatial perspective for investigating the intricate and heterogeneous chemical landscape of NDD pathology, opening new avenues for discovery. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the field, beginning with a discussion of the technical features, optimal application scenarios, and current limitations of major MSI platforms. These include the widely adopted matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI, the ultra-high-resolution technique of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)-MSI, and the ambient ionization method of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI)-MSI, along with other emerging technologies. We then highlight the pivotal applications of spatial metabolomics in NDD research, particularly its role in elucidating the profound chemical heterogeneity within distinct pathological microenvironments. These applications include mapping unique molecular signatures around amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) plaques, uncovering the metabolic consequences of neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and characterizing the lipid and metabolite composition of Lewy bodies. Moreover, we examine how spatial metabolomics contributes to constructing detailed metabolic vulnerability maps across the brain, shedding light on the biochemical factors that render certain neuronal populations and anatomical regions selectively susceptible to degeneration while others remain resilient. Looking beyond current applications, we explore the immense potential of integrating spatial metabolomics with other advanced research methodologies. This includes its combination with three-dimensional brain organoid models to recapitulate disease-relevant metabolic processes, its linkage with multi-organ axis studies to investigate how systemic metabolic health influences neurodegeneration, and its convergence with single-cell and subcellular analyses to achieve unprecedented molecular resolution. In conclusion, this review not only summarizes the current state and critical role of spatial metabolomics in NDD research but also offers a forward-looking perspective on its transformative potential. We envision its continued impact in advancing our fundamental understanding of NDDs and accelerating translation into clinical practice—from the discovery of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis to the development of high-throughput drug screening platforms and the realization of precision medicine for individuals affected by these devastating disorders.
4.The application of family empowerment model on the primary caregivers of first-episode stroke dysphagia patients
Hong YU ; Jing DU ; Qian XU ; Mingming XU ; Xiangge FAN ; Fan ZHANG ; Xueyun WENG ; Xiaoming MA ; Yanhua HOU ; Linqing LI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(4):263-271
Objective:To explore the effect of family empowerment model on the improvement of swallowing care ability and care preparedness of primary caregivers of first-episode stroke dysphagia patients, further to explore its impact on patients′s wallowing function and life quality.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled study. From January 2021 to December 2022, 80 main caregivers of patients with dysphagia caused by manual stroke admitted to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research objects, and 40 cases in the control group and 40 cases in the observation group were selected by random number table method. The control group were treated with conventional nursing care of first-episode stroke dysphagia patients in the acupuncture and moxibustion Department. On the basis of the conventional care in the control group, the observation group were treated with family empowerment model intervention for 14 days and was followed up for 28 days. Primary caregivers′ swallowing care ability, Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS), patients′ swallowing function rate, Swallowing Related Quality of Life (SWALQOL) were used to evaluate the effects before intervention and at the end of intervention.Results:There were 18 males and 19 females primary caregivers in the control group, aged (55.61 ± 7.43) years old. There were 18 males and 21 females primary caregivers in the observation group, aged (58.23 ± 8.22) years old. The swallowing care ability score showed a statistically significant difference between the observation group (143.47 ± 3.96) and the control group (107.74 ± 1.43) ( t=-26.76, P<0.05). After intervention, the caregiver preparedness scale was (26.11 ± 3.81) in the observation group, and (18.35 ± 4.54) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-4.11, P<0.05).The patients′ swallowing function rate and SWALQOL score were respectively 97.44% (38/39) and (91.41 ± 8.08) points in the observation group, and 72.97% (27/37) and (80.33 ± 4.21) points in the control group, and the difference was both statistically significant ( χ2=10.76, t=-2.54, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The implementation of family empowerment model could enhance the swallowing care ability and care preparedness of primary caregivers of the first-episode stroke dysphagia patients, which could further improve patients′ swallowing function and life quality.
5.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine:Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Juan JIAO ; Jinyang TANG ; Xiujuan HOU ; Mengtao LI ; Dongfeng LIANG ; Yuhua WANG ; Weixia JING ; Guangtao LI ; Qin ZHANG ; Yongfeng ZHANG ; Guangyu LI ; Qian WANG ; Yang YANG ; Jin HUO ; Mei MO ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):216-222
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a refractory, chronic non-articular rheumatic disease characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, for which there are no satisfactory therapeutic drugs or options. There are rich Chinese medical therapies, and some non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Ba-Duan-Jin, have shown satisfactory efficacy and safety and definite advantages of simultaneously adjusting mind and body. FMS is taken as a disease responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018. In order to clarify the research progress in FMS and the clinical advantages of TCM/integrated Chinese and Western medicine, the China Academy of Chinese Medicine organized a seminar for nearly 20 experts in Chinese and Western medicine, including rheumatology, psychology, acupuncture and moxibustion, and encephalopathy, with the topic of difficulties in clinical diagnosis and treatment of FMS and advantages of TCM and Western medicine. The recommendations were reached on the difficulties in early diagnosis and solutions of FMS, mitigation of common non-specific symptoms, preferential analgesic therapy, TCM pathogenesis and treatment advantages, and direction of treatment with integrated Chinese and Western medicine. FMS is currently facing the triple dilemma of low early correct diagnosis, poor patient participation, and unsatisfactory benefit from pure Western medicine treatment. To solve the above problems, this paper suggests that rheumatologists should serve as the main diagnostic force of this disease, and they should improve patient participation in treatment decision-making, implement exercise therapy, and fully utilize the holistic and multidimensional features of TCM, which is effective in alleviating pain, improving mood, and decreasing adverse events. In addition, it is suggested that FMS treatment should rely on both TCM and Western medicine and adopt multidisciplinary joint treatment, which is expected to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment of FMS in China.
6.Survey on COVID-19 among residents in Anhui province in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control
Qian ZHU ; Sai HOU ; Meng ZHU ; Yujie FENG ; Biao ZHU ; Lei GONG ; Jiabing WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(8):1455-1459
Objective To understand current epidemic trend of coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)in Anhui province in the optimization policy stage,and to analyze the pathogenic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)in different population.Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design,from December 19 to 20,2022,an online questionnaire survey was conducted among residents of Anhui province through the official Wechat public accounts of provincial and municipal institutions with high traffic,to collect infor-mation on the incidence and clinic situation of COVID-19.The chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms in different regions,ages and occupations.Results A total of 69 014 question-naires were distributed and 68 232 valid questionnaires were recovered with an effective rate of 98.97%.The pro-portion of the participants with COVID-19 suspected symptoms in the past 2 weeks was 51.37%,of which 77.88%self-medicated at home.The top three cities were Bozhou,Fuyang and Bengbu.The age group of 15-59 had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(51.96%).Among various occupations,service providers had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(61.07%).70.20%of the respondents felt anxious about the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and thought it was more serious than the flu.Conclusion The relatively high number of the infected cases and the anxiety of the people are all challenges faced by Anhui province in the stage of optimizing policies.Under the new situation of the epidemic,it is necessary to continuously monitor the local preva-lent strains and strengthen the monitoring of clinical symptoms of the infected cases,and effectively control the speed of the virus spread through public health policies and various economic and publicity measures,so as not to cause a run on medical resources and excessive excess deaths.
7.Correlation between metabolic markers and blood lipid levels in kidney transplant recipients
Yuan XU ; Shuang HOU ; Qian CHEN ; Yulin NIU ; Haiyang LI
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(4):599-606
Objective To analyze the co-expressed genes in blood lipid metabolism,hyperlipidemia and tacrolimus metabolism and their correlation with blood lipid levels in kidney transplant recipients.Methods Co-expressed genes were screened from Comparative Toxicogenomic Database(CTD).Baseline data of 25 kidney transplant recipients were collected.The expression levels of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1(ABCA1),peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ(PPAR-γ)and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored high density lipoprotein binding protein 1(GPIHBP1)were measured.All recipients were followed up.The concentrations of fasting blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,triglyceride,total protein,albumin,globulin,cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein and tacrolimus blood concentration were collected at postoperative 1,3,6 and 12 months,and the incidence of hyperlipidemia in the recipients was analyzed.The correlation between ABCA1,GPIHBP1,PPAR-γ and clinical indexes was assessed.The diagnostic effiiciency of related indexes for hyperlipidemia after kidney transplantation was evaluated.Results Three co-expressed genes including ABCA1,PPAR-γ and GPIHBP1 were screened.ABC Al was positively correlated with cholesterol level at postoperative 6 months and tacrolimus blood concentration at postoperative 3 months,whereas negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose level at postoperative 3 months(all P<0.05).GPIHBP1 was negatively correlated with preoperative cholesterol and triglyceride levels,whereas positively correlated with tacrolimus blood concentration at postoperative 3 months(all P<0.05).PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with preoperative globulin and low-density lipoprotein levels(both P<0.05).ABCA1,GPIHBP1 and PPAR-γ combined with preoperative globulin and blood glucose level at postoperative 1 and 6 months after operation yielded high diagnostic effiiciency for hypertriglyceridemia after kidney transplantation(AUC=0.900).ABCA1,GPIHBP1 and PPAR-γ combined with tacrolimus blood concentrations at postoperative 1 and 6 months and blood glucose level at postoperative 6 months had high diagnostic effiiciency for hypercholesterolemia after kidney transplantation(AUC=0.931).Conclusions ABCA1,GPIHBP1 and PPAR-γ are correlated with blood lipid level and tacrolimus blood concentration after kidney transplantation to different degrees.No definite evidence has been supported for predicting hyperlipidemia after kidney transplantation.Immunity improvement and rational blood glucose management may be beneficial factors for hyperlipidemia control.
8.Optimization of oral fat tolerance test
Yilin HOU ; Qian MA ; Guangyao SONG ; Xiaoyu HOU ; Yamin LU ; Peipei TIAN ; Tingxue ZHANG ; Dandan LIU ; Shaojing ZENG ; Jinrui JI ; Luping REN
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(3):204-211
Objective:To compare the effects of different test meals on postprandial triglycerides and to optimize the standard meal composition and the blood sampling protocol for the oral fat tolerance test.Methods:This study is a prospective, open-label, randomized, cross-over trial. In March 2023, 36 volunteers were recruited in Hebei General Hospital. They underwent a health examination and oral glucose tolerance test. Twenty-six healthy volunteers(11 males and 15 females) were included in this study, with an average age of(39.08±4.56) years. Each volunteer received 75 g protein meal, 75 g fat meal, 700 kcal fixed-calorie high-fat mixed meal, and a high-fat mixed meal with energy adjusted based on 10 kcal/kg body weight. A one-week washout period of regular diet was applied before each trial. Blood was collected at fasting status and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours after a meal to detect serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), glucose, and insulin. The variations of postprandial metabolic indicators over time following the consumption of different test meals were analyzed. The disparities in postprandial metabolic responses between the two types of mixed meals were compared.Results:The protein meal, fat meal, fixed-calorie high-fat mixed meal, and adjusted-calorie high-fat mixed meal resulted in postprandial triglyceride increases of 22.45%, 115.40%, 77.14%, and 63.63%, and insulin increase of 560.43%, 85.69%, 554.18%, and 598.97%, respectively, and with reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C ranging from 5.64%-21.81%, respectively. The blood glucose changed slightly. Changes in metabolic indicators mainly occured within 4 hours. The comparison of the characteristics of postprandial triglycerides between the two high-fat mixed meals showed no statistically significant differences( P>0.05). Conclusion:A standardize protocol with a 700 kcal fixed-calorie high-fat mixed meal as test meal, and blood lipid levels measured at fasting and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after consumption, can serve as an optimized approach for oral fat tolerance test.
9.Foundation of ceRNA networks and functional validation of AFAP1-AS1 in lung adenocarcinoma
Huixin WANG ; Qian LI ; Xiaowen HOU ; Xinzhu SHI ; Xu FENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(04):576-584
Objective A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network associated with long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) specific for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) was constructed based on bioinformatics methods, and the functional mechanism of actinfilament-associated protein 1-antisense RNA1 (AFAP1-AS1) in LUAD was analyzed, in order to provide a new direction for the study of LUAD therapeutic targets. Methods The gene chip of LUAD was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and lncRNA and mRNA with differential expression between LUAD and normal tissues were screened using GEO2R online software, and their target genes were predicted by online databases to construct ceRNA networks and perform enrichment analysis. In cell experiments, AFAP1-AS1 was genetically knocked down and siRNA was constructed and transfected into LUAD cells A549 by cell transfection. CCK8, transwell, scratch assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the ability of cells to proliferate, invade, migrate and apoptosis. Results A total of 6 differentially expressed lncRNA and 494 differentially expressed mRNA were identified in the microarray of LUAD. The ceRNA network involved a total of 6 lncRNA, 22 miRNA, and 55 mRNA. Enrichment analysis revealed that mRNA was associated with cancer-related pathways. In cell assays, knockdown of AFAP1-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and AFAP1-AS1 promoted apoptosis. Conclusion In this study, we construct a lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network, which may help to further investigate the mechanism of action of LUAD. In addition, through cellular experiments, AFAP1-AS1 is found to have potential as a therapeutic target for LUAD.
10.Stains:recent research progress for endometriosis
Xian QIN ; Qian WANG ; Jia HOU ; Dongmei XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(5):488-494
Defined as a common gynecologic en-docrine disease,endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrium outside of the uterus cavity,affecting about 10%to 15%of reproductive-aged women worldwide.Moreover,Asian women tend to have a nine-fold increased risk of endome-triosis compared with their white counterparts in Europe and the United States.Endometriosis not only causes chronic pelvic pain,dysmenorrhea,painful sex and other pain symptoms,but also leads to infertility,pushing the patients into a state of fatigue,high sensitivity and anxiety,thus reduc-ing their quality of life.As the aging of Chinese pop-ulation intensifies and the women's childbearing age delays,it is highly urgent to find solutions to those gynecological endocrine diseases such as en-dometriosis,which hamper women's fertility.In re-cent years,studies have shown that patients with endometriosis have abnormal serum lipid metabo-lism and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseas-es.At the same time,as a type of cholesterol-lower-ing drug,statins can inhibit the progression of en-dometriosis at the cellular and animal levels.Also,a few clinical studies have exhibited that statins ex-ert a positive effect on the treatment of endometri-osis.Therefore,this article aims to review the re-searches regarding the relationship between endo-metriosis and the cardiovascular disease,as well as the research progress of statin therapy on endome-triosis based on the level of cells,animals and hu-man beings.


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