1.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells.
2.Study on effect of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula on ovarian function and pregnancy outcome in rats with endometriosis
Guang SHI ; Xinchun YANG ; Jingrun CUI ; Yu ZHANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(3):374-382
Objective To explore the effect of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula on ovarian function and pregnancy outcome in endometriosis rats. Methods One hundred female SD rats were fed adaptively for 7 days. According to body weight, 98 rats with a normal estrous cycle were randomly divided into the blank group (n=14), the sham operation group (n=14), the donor group (n=12), and the receptor group (n=58). A rat model of endometriosis was established using allogeneic endometrial transplantation. After the model was successfully established, according to the body weight, 56 rats in the receptor group were randomly divided into the model group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 14 rats in each group. The Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were given 5.86, 11.72, and 23.44 g/kg of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula, and the blank group, the sham operation group, and the model group were given distilled water by gavage for 15 consecutive days. According to body weight, six rats were randomly selected to take abdominal aortic blood for determination of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. According to body weight, six rats were randomly selected in the remaining rats to undergo high-frequency small animal ultrasound examination to measure ovarian volume and ovarian artery blood supply (resistance index and pulsatility index), and follicle count were measured. The female mice were fed with male mice at a ratio of 2:1 to observe the pregnancy rate, live fetus number, still fetus number, and absorbed fetus number. The weights of uterus and fetus were measured, while the placental weight, fetal weight, body length, and tail length were measured for live fetus. Bone and visceral malformations were also detected for live fetus. Results There were no significant differences in serum AMH and ovarian volume among the groups. Compared with the model group, the numbers of follicles in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were increased; compared with the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-dose group, the numbers of follicles in the blank group and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula medium-dose group were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the resistance index and pulsatility index of ovarian artery blood flow in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were decreased(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate among the groups. Compared with the model group and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula low-dose group, the live fetus number and the weight of uterus and fetus in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula medium- and high-dose groups were increased (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the still fetus number, absorbed fetus number, placental weight, fetal weight, body length and tail length among the groups. No visceral or skeletal malformations were found in the live fetal rats among the groups.Conclusion In endometriosis model rats, the ovarian artery blood flow perfusion is insufficient, and the follicle count is reduced, affecting ovary function, thereby reducing the live fetus number. After applying the Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula, it can improve ovarian blood supply, increase the follicle count, and increase the live fetus number. The effect of increasing the live fetus number with the medium- and high-doses of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula is more significant, and there is no reproductive toxicity.
3.Survey of Disease Cognition in Patients with Endometriosis and Effect Evaluation of TCM Chronic Disease Management
Xinchun YANG ; Weiwei SUN ; Yong LIU ; Meiru BAO ; Ting XIONG ; Zhe LIU ; Yanhuan YANG ; Yiwei YU ; Ruihua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(4):157-163
Objective To understand cognition level and treatment intention of patients with endometriosis(EMs);To evaluate the effects of TCM chronic disease management on EMs patients.Methods The disease cognition level and treatment intention of 1 895 EMs patients from October 2020 to December 2021 in 19 provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities were analyzed through cross-sectional investigation.The cognitive effect of chronic disease management of TCM on 801 patients with EMs from 6 Grade A hospitals in Beijing was evaluated by self-control study.Results The cognition level of EMs patients for the disease was improved with the increase of educational background.Patients generally believed that EMs was a chronic disease,requiring regular review and long-term management.The proportion of patients with high school education or below,junior college education,bachelor degree or above who knew the possibility of malignant changes in EMs was less,only 32.3%,41.6%and 47.7%,respectively.The awareness rate of patients with high school education or below for recurrence after EMs conservative surgery was 46.9%,lower than that of those with junior college education(66.8%)and bachelor degree or above(72.7%).Among the patients with dietary contraindications,the proportion of patients with high school education or below,junior college education,bachelor degree or above who knew the contraindication of the forest frog oil was less,only 20.7%,30.3%and 32.9%,respectively.In the aspect of life adjustment,the awareness of patients was generally high.EMs patients mainly recognized the disease through face-to-face communication with gynecologists.Only 34.4%of patients with high school education or below learned about EMs through WeChat public accounts,APPs and other new media,which was lower than those with junior college education(48.6%)and bachelor degree or above(55.4%).EMs patients generally tend to be treated in comprehensive hospitals,with high acceptance of TCM treatment,mainly TCM decoction,and low acceptance of TCM appropriate technology.After 1 year of TCM chronic disease management,the disease awareness of EMs patients was significantly improved compared with before management,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion EMs patients with different educational backgrounds have different cognition of the disease,and each has different emphasis.Education and popularization should be carried out according to their knowledge blind spots.Chronic disease management of TCM can improve the disease cognition level of EMs patients.
4.Research progress of multimodal imaging diagnosis in pathological myopia
Danyang YU ; Haoru LI ; Qing HE ; Ruihua WEI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(10):828-834
The prevalence of pathological myopia(PM)is increasing year by year.A series of fundus lesions seconda-ry to PM is one of the irreversible blinding eye diseases,which greatly reduces the quality of life of patients.The main fun-dus manifestations of PM include myopic maculopathy and posterior scleral staphyloma.In recent years,the continuous de-velopment of imaging technology has helped doctors to have a more comprehensive understanding of PM and its severity grading in clinical diagnosis and treatment.The application of multimodal imaging technology provides a sound basis for the accurate diagnosis,progress monitoring,treatment strategy formulation and efficacy evaluation of PM.Therefore,this pa-per reviews the multimodal imaging diagnosis of PM.
6.Discussion on the application of ChatGPT in scientific research statistics
Wenbo SUN ; Kangda YU ; Ruihua SUN
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2023;36(3):171-177
Objective:This study aims to explore the feasibility and practicality of ChatGPT in scientific research statistics through examples, in order to better understand and evaluate the application value of ChatGPT in scientific research statistics.Methods:Literature research was used to illustrate the principles of ChatGPT artificial intelligence model, combined with practical examples and tests, to assess the reliability of its results and analyze the advantages and limitations of ChatGPT in scientific research statistics.Results:ChatGPT can be applied to various scenarios in scientific research statistics, such as literature retrieval and organization, experimental design, statistical analysis programming, and statistical graphing. It can provide efficient scientific research statistical analysis capabilities, but it also has limitations.Conclusions:Although there are limitations, ChatGPT has a promising future in scientific research statistics, and it will be applied widely and deeply to greatly facilitate scientific research.
7.Mechanism and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Tingting QIN ; Ruihua ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Xiaodong WEI ; Xiaoyu WEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2022;38(3):660-665
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, with the clinical manifestations of oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and anovulatory infertility, and it is often accompanied by metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. Women with PCOS often have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other metabolic-associated diseases, and PCOS and NAFLD are related in terms of pathogenesis and treatment. This article reviews the research advances in PCOS with NAFLD in recent years.
8.Mechanism of action of bone morphogenetic protein 9 in portopulmonary hypertension
Ruihua ZHANG ; Tingting QIN ; Yueming SHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Xiaoyu WEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2022;38(3):671-675
Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is an increase in pulmonary artery pressure that occurs on the basis of portal hypertension. As a member of the BMP family, bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) not only has the osteogenic activity, but can also protect endothelial integrity and maintain vascular homeostasis. This article reviews the pathogenesis of POPH, the physiological expression and role of BMP9, and related research advances in the BMP9 signaling pathway and its involvement in pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling, thereby exploring the possibility of BMP9 as a new biomarker for POPH to assist in the diagnosis of POPH.
9.Diagnostic value of cysteine rich 61, glyoxalase Ⅰ and microRNA-155 in endometrial carcinoma
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2022;45(4):310-313
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of cysteine rich 61 (Cyr61), glyoxalase Ⅰ (GLO -1) and microRNA-155(miR-155) in endometrial carcinoma.Methods:Eighty-five patients with endometrial cancer treated in Lu Southwest Hospital from June 2017 to March 2020 were selected as the observation group, including 15 cases of recurrence and 70 cases of non-recurrence. In addition, 85 patients with benign uterine lesions were selected as the control group. The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 were compared between the two groups, the correlation between the levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 and clinicopathological features were analyzed, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, the diagnostic value of the levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in endometrial cancer were evaluated, and the relationship between the levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 and the recurrence of endometrial cancer were analyzed.Results:The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (294.74 ± 78.41) μg/L vs. (156.82 ± 50.62) μg/L, (96.27 ± 19.85) pmol/L vs. (79.83 ± 15.69) pmol/L, 6.82 ± 2.27 vs. 2.57 ± 0.78, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in patients with endometrial cancer were positively correlated with clinical stage, myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05). The area under the curve(AUC) of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in the combined diagnosis of endometrial cancer was 0.906. The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in recurrence patients were higher than those non-recurrence patients : (358.21 ± 89.63) μg/L vs. (281.14 ± 75.29) μg/L, (109.89 ± 20.14) pmol/L vs. (93.35 ± 16.37)pmol/L, 8.04 ± 2.51 vs. 6.56 ± 2.17, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 were the risk factors of recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:The levels of serum Cyr61, GLO-1 and miR-155 in patients with endometrial cancer are significantly increased, which are related to clinical stage, degree of invasion, lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Detecting their levels can be used to diagnose endometrial cancer and predict recurrence, so as to guide clinical treatment.
10.Efficacy of additional treatment after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Xiao LI ; Lihua REN ; Yu QIU ; Chaohu YANG ; Ruihua SHI
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2022;39(2):118-122
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of additional treatment (chemoradiotherapy or esophagectomy) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Clinicopathological data of 97 patients of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with infiltration depth of M3-SM3 who underwent ESD in Zhongda Hospital from July 2014 to April 2019 were reviewed. There were 57 patients in the additional treatment group and 40 patients in the observation group. The rate of relapse-free survival (RFS) was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method (used log-rank test).Results:In the additional treatment group, 15 underwent esophagectomy after ESD, and no tumor metastases were found, but 1 patient died of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after surgery; 42 underwent chemoradiotherapy, and all patients were alive, but 3 patients experienced distant metastases. In the observation group, 13 patients experienced local recurrence, 2 patients died of tumor recurrence and 1 patient died of cerebrovascular disorder. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the RFS rate of the additional treatment group was higher than that of the observation group ( P=0.001). Conclusion:ESD followed by additional chemoradiotherapy or esophagectomy has good clinical efficacy and can improve prognosis for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (M3-SM3) patients.

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