1.The Effect of Qishao Tongbi Capsule (芪芍通痹胶囊) on the Wnt/β-catenin Pathway in a Rat Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yumen XUE ; Xilin XU ; Wei HAN ; Jiaben XU ; Wenting XU ; Zelin LIU ; Xiaofeng ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):79-88
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Qishao Tongbi Capsule (芪芍通痹胶囊, QTC) in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). MethodsSeventy-five rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, low-dose QTC group, high-dose QTC group, high-dose QTC +agonist group, with 15 rats in each group. Except for the control group, all other groups were subjected to a fibrous ring puncture to prepare an IDD model. After modeling, rats in low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group were given QTC at doses of 0.2 and 0.8 g/(kg·d) by gavage, respectively. Rats in high-dose QTC+ agonist group was given QTC at 0.8 g/(kg·d) and SKL2001 solution at 10 mg/(kg·d) by gavage. The control group and model group were given 10 ml/(kg·d) distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After treatment, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to detect IDD degree. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the intervertebral disc tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the levels of proteoglycan, type Ⅱ collagen (COL Ⅱ), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the intervertebral disc tissue. Western blotting was used to detect the extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins (proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13), aging-related proteins (P53, P21, P16), apoptosis related proteins, including B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (BCL-2), BCL-2 related X protein (BAX), Cleaved Caspase-3, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins such as Wnt3a, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin in the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue. Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of Wnt3a, GSK-3β, and β-catenin in intervertebral disc tissue. ResultsCompared with the model group, rats in the low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group exhibited improved DHI, decreased Pfirmann grading, and alleviated IDD. The structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus increased, and the number of the NP increased. The levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β increased, while the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX, Cleaved Caspase-3, Wnt3a and β-catenin protein decreased. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA decreased, while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose QTC group, the high-dose QTC group showed further improvements in DHI, decrease in Pfirrmann grading (P<0.05), and greater alleviation of IDD. The structural integrity of NP and annulus fibrosus was further enhanced, and the number of NP cells further increased. The levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β were higher, while the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX, Cleaved Caspase-3, Wnt3a and β-catenin were lower. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin decreased, while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased (P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose QTC group, the high-dose QTC +agonist group showed a decrease of DHI, an increase of Pfirmann grading (P<0.05), significant aggravation of IDD, reduction in structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus, a decrease of NP cell count, lower levels of proteoglycan, COL Ⅱ, BCL-2 and GSK-3β, and higher levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, P53, P21, P16, BAX and Cleaved Caspase-3. Additionally, GSK-3β mRNA expression decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionQTC can inhibit NP cell aging, apoptosis, and ECM degradation in IDD rats, and its therapeutic effect may be mediated through the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
2.Regulation of Immune Balance by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Cough Variant Asthma: A Review
Han YANG ; Yonghuang YAN ; Wenting ZHANG ; Peixuan ZHU ; Fang YAN ; Yujie WU ; Shiqing QIAO ; Tieshan WANG ; Zeqi SU ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):206-212
Cough variant asthma (CVA) is a chronic respiratory disease with cough as its main symptom. The occurrence of CVA is closely related to non-specific airway inflammation, and its pathogenesis involves environmental, genetic, immune, and other factors. In recent years, the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of CVA have attracted the attention of experts and scholars in China and abroad, especially its prominent role in regulating immune balance, relieving cough symptoms in CVA patients, and reducing recurrence. T Helper cells 1 (Th1), T helper cells 2 (Th2), T helper cells 17 (Th17), and regulatory T cells (Treg) are derived from CD4+ T cells. Immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is a new hotspot in the pathogenesis of CVA and a potential key target in the treatment of CVA by TCM. Th cell subsets are in dynamic balance under physiological conditions, maintaining respiratory immune homeostasis in which pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines are balanced. Immature helper T cells (Th0) can be differentiated into Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg, and other cell subsets due to cytokine types in the microenvironment in the stage of CVA maturation. The proliferation of Th2 cells leads to eosinophilic airway inflammation. Excessive differentiation of Th17 cells induces neutrophil airway inflammation. Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells are mutually restricted in number and function, and the immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is easy to aggravate the generation of inflammatory response. Restoring immune balance is particularly important for the airway anti-inflammatory therapy of CVA. In this paper, the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg and the pathogenesis of CVA were systematically expounded. Meanwhile, the latest research on the regulation of immune imbalance by TCM compound, single TCM, and its effective ingredients in the treatment of CVA was reviewed. It provides ideas and references for revealing the scientific connotation of TCM regulating immune balance therapy of CVA, as well as the development of clinical treatment and basic research of CVA.
3.Research progress in signaling pathways related to acupuncture regulation of post-stroke depression
Zexu DAI ; Kaifeng HE ; Jiejie HUANG ; Wenting HAN ; Lifen WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(1):129-133
The signaling pathways involved in acupuncture intervention in post-stroke depression (PSD) mainly include cAMP signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, CREB signaling pathway, and CaMK signaling pathway. A variety of regulatory networks are formed between these signaling pathways, which play a key role in reducing inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, improving neuroplasticity, promoting angiogenesis, and protecting neurons.
4.Research progress of acupuncture for treating post-stroke depression
Wenting HAN ; Lifen WANG ; Kaifeng HE ; Xue BAI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(2):270-272,F4
Acupuncture has a certain effect for the patients with post-stroke depression. In clinics, acupuncture treat this disease from the brain, liver and kidney, heart and spleen, and phlegm and blood stasis. Acupuncture plays a role in nourishing the bone of marrow, regulating the liver and kidney, nourishing the heart and mind, and invigorating the spleen and stomach. Acupuncture plays an antidepressant role by regulating neurotransmitters and receptors, promoting nerve function repair, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors, reducing inflammatory response, inhibiting the hyperfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and regulating the brain-gut axis.
5.Pharmacokinetics of Cordycepin and Its Metabolite 3′-Deoxyinosine in Rats
Nan HU ; Zhenwei JIANG ; Minyan QIAN ; Wenting ZHANG ; Lujun CHEN ; Xiao ZHENG ; Han-Jie YING ; Jingting JIANG
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(3):345-351
Objective To establish a method of LC-MS/MS for determining cordycepin(Cor)and 3′-deoxyinosine(3′-Deo)concentration in rat plasma,and to study their pharmacokinetics in rats.Methods Protein was precipitated with methanol using 2-chloadenosine(2-Chl)as an internal standard.The chromatography was performed on Kinetex C18(3 mm×100 mm,2.6 μm,Phenomenex,USA)with gradient elution in aqueous(5 mmol·L-1 ammonium acetate)-methanol solution as mobile phase.ESI ion source was used for mass spectrometry,and positive ion multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)was used for scanning detection.The pharmacokinetics of Cor and 3′-Deo after oral administration of Cor(10 mg·kg-1)were studied in rats.Results Cor at 0.5-100 ng·mL-1 and 3′-Deo at 1-200 ng·mL-1 had good linearity,and the lower limits of quantification were 0.5 and 1 ng·mL-1,respectively.After oral administration of Cor in rats,the plasma concentration of Cor was low,which was mainly converted into the metabolite 3′-Deo.The Cmax of Cor and 3′-Deo were(5.4±3.4)and(142.0±50.0)ng·mL-1,and AUC0-360min min were(658.4±459.3)and(18 034.9±4 981.1)ng·min·mL-1,respectively.Conclusion The method is simple,sensi-tive,and accurate,which is suitable for determining Cor and 3′-Deo concentration in plasma and the pharmacokinetic study.
6.Implications of Reciprocity Mechanism Based on Gift Exchange Game for Physicians'Altruistic Behavior Incentives
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(1):1-3
Objective:To propose ideas for designing an incentive system that aligns with the unique characteristics of the medi-cal industry while maintaining altruism.Methods:The concepts of reciprocal altruism theory and gift exchange game experiments are introduced from the field of economics to incentivize physicians'altruistic behavior.Results:It proposes the indirect reciprocal altru-ism theory,which focuses on the three-party principal-agent relationship between physicians,patients,and management in the medical field.The compensation incentive concept that measures health value is also introduced.Additionally,it constructs a model for the incentive mechanism of physicians'altruistic behavior based on the three-party gift exchange game.Conclusion:Based on the concept of value-based incentives for physicians'altruistic behavior,it develops an incentive system that caters to the unique characteristics of the medical industry and promotes its high-quality development.
7.Effects of a nursing care plan decision-making support system in the training management of newly hired nurses
Lijun HAN ; Weixin CAI ; Wenting XIE ; Pengwei LU ; Yanrong LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(22):3030-3034
Objective:To build a nursing care plan decision-making support system based on the hospital's nursing information system and evaluate its effects in newly hired nurses.Methods:This study adopted a non-synchronous pre-post control design. Totally 181 newly hired nurses recruited by Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, were selected by convenience sampling. The control group consisted of 85 new nurses hired in August 2021, while the intervention group consisted of 96 new nurses hired in August 2022. The control group received traditional training methods, while the intervention group received training through the nursing care plan decision-making support system in addition to the traditional methods. The nursing decision-making ability and the quality of specialty nursing care were compared between the two groups.Results:Finally, 81 nurses were included in the control group, and 93 nurses were included in the intervention group. The nursing decision-making ability score in the intervention group was (80.15±4.59), which was significantly higher than the (78.62±5.13) in the control group ( t=-2.080, P=0.039). The intervention group also had a significantly higher qualified rate of specialty nursing care compared to the control group (χ 2=6.626, P=0.036) . Conclusions:The application of the nursing care plan decision-making support system in the standardized training of newly hired nurses can improve their nursing decision-making abilities and the quality of specialty nursing care.
8.Research on Syndrome and Treatment Rules of Famous Doctors in Treating Ulcerative Colitis Based on Data Mining
Yujie WU ; Ting WANG ; Peixuan ZHU ; Yonghuang YAN ; Han YANG ; Wenting ZHANG ; Fang YAN ; Shiqing QIAO ; Cai ZHANG ; Zeqi SU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;64(21):2241-2247
ObjectiveTo systematically review the clinical experience of four sessions of Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine and two sessions of National Famous Chinese Medicine Practitioners in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Data mining and analysis were conducted to clarify the diagnosis and treatment ideas and characteristics of prescription used by these famous doctors in treating UC. MethodsRelevant literature on the treatment of UC by renowned doctors was retrieved from the establishment of the database until March 31, 2023. The literature was collected from databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database. The data mining techniques including frequency analysis, association rules, and cluster analysis were conducted using the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform V2.3.5. ResultsA total of 157 literatures were included in this study, including 115 clinical case data. The study found that UC can be categorized into 14 types of syndrome patterns for treatment, including large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (75,65.22%), syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (23, 20.00%), spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome (21, 18.26%). The main affected organs were the spleen (85, 73.91%) and large intestine (75, 65.22%), and they were closely related to liver (24, 20.87%) and the kidney (21, 18.26%). The predominant pathogenic factors were dampness (83, 72.17%) , heat (80, 69.57%) and qi deficiency (65, 56.52%). The treatment involved 30 kinds of treatment methods, including heat-clearing and dampness-draining method (75, 65.22%), pleen-tonifying and qi-boosting method (25,21.74%) and spleen-invigorating and dampness-transforming method (23, 20.00%). The medication involved 187 ingredients, with the most commonly used being heat-clearing herbs (37, 19.79%) and tonifying herbs (27, 14.44%). The tastes of the herbs were mostly sweet (85, 45.45%) , bitter (80, 42.78%) , and pungent (71, 37.97%). The association rules revealed 16 high-frequency combinations mainly composed of Huanglian (黄连), Baishao (白芍) and Gancao (甘草) along with Baizhu (白术), Fuling (茯苓), Muxiang (木香) and Danggui (当归). ConclusionFamous doctors are skilled in diagnosing and treating UC based on the differentiation of the zang-fu organs and qi-blood. The key pathological mechanism is “spleen deficiency as the root, and large intestine damp-heat as the manifestation”. The core treatment approach is “heat-clearing, spleen-tonifying, and dampness-draining”, with the inclusion of “regulating qi and blood, and balancing cold and heat”.
9.Effect of hyperoside on transverse aortic constriction-induced cardiac hypertrophy
Xiaodong ZHANG ; Yantao ZHANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Wenting DONG ; Huixian AN ; Yang HAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Zhiguo LIU ; Wei LI ; Wei WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(12):2058-2063
Objective To investigate the protective effect of hyperoside(Hyp)on transverse aortic constriction-in-duced cardiac hypertrophy and its possible mechanism.Methods Forty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:Sham group,TAC group,Hyp+TAC group and Hyp+ML385+TAC group.Four weeks after operation,cardiac function including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)and left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness(LVPWd)were measured with echocardiography.HE staining was used to evaluate the myocyte cross-sectional area.Masson staining was used to determine myocardial fibrosis.The ratio of heart weight/body weight was calculated.DHE staining was used to assess reactive oxygen species(ROS)production.The mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC)were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein levels of NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),superoxide dismutase2(SOD2)and NAD-PH-Oxidase 2(gp91phox)were detected by Western blot.Differences among groups were compared by one-way a-nalysis of variance,and LSD-t test was used for comparison between the two groups.Results Compared with the Sham group,the values of LVEF and LVFS in the TAC group decreased(P<0.01).The value of LVPWd,the cross-sectional area,fibrosis and the ratio of HW/BW increased(P<0.01).The mRNA levels of ANP,BNP andβ-MHC were upregulated(P<0.01).The ROS production and gp91phox protein level were elevated in the TAC group(P<0.01),while the protein levels of Nrf2,HO-1 and SOD2 decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the TAC group,the values of LVEF and LVFS in the Hyp+TAC group increased(P<0.01).The value of LVPWd,the cross-sectional area,fibrosis and the ratio of HW/BW decreased(P<0.01).The mRNA levels of ANP,BNP and β-MHC were downregulated(P<0.01).The ROS production and gp91 phox protein levels were reduced in the Hyp+TAC group(P<0.01),while the protein levels of Nrf2,HO-1 and SOD2 increased(P<0.01).However,ML385 could partially reverse the protective effects of Hyp on TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy.Conclusion Hyp alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting oxidative stress and fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.
10.Investigation and analysis of prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases among interventional surgeons in some top three hospitals in Tianjin
Huixing WANG ; Jingzhi LIU ; Wenting MA ; Xiaodong HUO ; Chenyang HAN ; Kemei SHI
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2023;41(9):655-658
Objective:To analyze the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases among interventional surgeons in top three hospitals, and to provide suggestions for prevention of musculoskeletal diseases.Methods:In June 2022, a self-designed questionnaire was used to collect general information of doctors engaged in interventional surgery (121) and non-interventional surgery (124) in some top three hospitals in Tianjin. The standard version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate information related to musculoskeletal diseases. The prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases among interventional and non-interventional surgeons were analyzed.Results:The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases among interventional surgeons and non-interventional surgeons was 59.50% (72/121) and 62.90% (78/124) . Compared with non-interventional surgeons, interventional surgeons had a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in the shoulders and upper back, and a lower prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in the waist. The differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, weekly time of physical exercise, time of intervention operation, and wearing protective clothing were independent risk factors for musculoskeletal diseases ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal diseases among doctors engaged in interventional surgery is relatively high in some top three hospitals in Tianjin, and proper enhancement of physical exercise and shortening of interventional time are conducive to reducing musculoskeletal diseases.

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