1.Ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Pancreatic Endocrine and Exocrine Co-Morbidities from the Attributes of Zang-Fu Organs of Pancreas
Yulin LENG ; Jiacheng YIN ; Xianglong LI ; Jiahong ZHANG ; Yi SU ; Hong GAO ; Chunguang XIE ; Xiaoxu FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):145-149
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Based on advancements in modern medical research regarding the intricate connection between the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas, as well as the relationship between pancreatic functions and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) spleen system, this paper discussed the categorization of the pancreas. It is proposed that the pancreas is neither a true zang organ nor a fu organ, but possessed the attributes of an extraordinary fu-organ and can be classified under the spleen. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, ascent of the clear and dispersion of essence, which encompasses the endocrine and exocrine functions, and pancreatic enzymes and glucose-regulating hormones form the material basis for the spleen's function of dispersing essence. Diseases of the pancreas exhibit characteristics of both zang-organ deficiency and fu-organ excess, so treatment should simultaneously supplement zang-organ disease and regulate fu-organ disease when pancreas showing endocrine and exocrine co-morbidities, with focus on restoring the pancreas (spleen)'s dispersing essence function. Therapeutic strategies include supplementing spleen qi, nourishing spleen yin to strengthen spleen earth, unblocking spleen collaterals, raising spleen yang, and removing spleen turbidity to support the spleen's dispersing essence function, so as to replenish the essential qi of zang-fu organs, ensure their distribution throughout the body, and improve the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Role and Mechanism of Cucurbitacin B in Suppressing Proliferation of Breast Cancer 4T1 Cells via Inducing Ferroptosis
Yidan RUAN ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Huating HUANG ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Aina YAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG ; Xiaohan XU ; Shiman LI ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):91-97
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 μmol·L-1)on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFR1), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). ResultsCompared with that in the blank group, the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition, compared with that in the blank group, the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups (P<0.01). The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group, the protein expression of p53, ACSL4, and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups (P<0.05), and that of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53, which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe3+ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage, resulting in an elevated free Fe2+ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generates excess ROS, imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism, and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Long-term auditory monitoring in children with Alport syndrome based on different degrees of renal injury.
Lining GUO ; Wei LIU ; Min CHEN ; Jiatong XU ; Ning MA ; Xiao ZHANG ; Qingchuan DUAN ; Shanshan LIU ; Xiaoxu WANG ; Junsong ZHEN ; Xin NI ; Jie ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;38(1):44-49
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate long-term auditory changes and characteristics of Alport syndrome(AS) patients with different degrees of renal injury. Methods:Retrospectively analyzing clinical data of patients diagnosed AS from January 2007 to September 2022, including renal pathology, genetic detection and hearing examination. A long-term follow-up focusing on hearing and renal function was conducted. Results:This study included 70 AS patients, of which 33(25 males, 8 females, aged 3.4-27.8 years) were followed up, resulting in a loss rate of 52.9%.The follow-up period ranged from 1.1to 15.8 years, with 16 patients followed-up for over 10 years. During the follow-up, 10 patients presenting with hearing abnormalities at the time of diagnosis of AS had progressive hearing loss, and 3 patients with new hearing abnormalities were followed up, which appeared at 5-6 years of disease course. All of which were sensorineural deafness. While only 3 patients with hearing abnormalities among 13 patients received hearing aid intervention. Of these patients,7 developed end-stage renal disease(ESRD), predominantly males (6/7). The rate of long-term hearing loss was significantly different between ESRD group and non-ESRD group(P=0.013). There was no correlation between the progression of renal disease and long-term hearing level(P>0.05). kidney biopsies from 28 patients revealed varying degrees of podocyte lesion and uneven thickness of basement membrane. The severity of podocyte lesion was correlated with the rate of long-term hearing loss(P=0.048), and there was no correlation with the severity of hearing loss(P>0.05). Among 11 cases, theCOL4A5mutationwas most common (8 out of 11), but there was no significant correlation between the mutation type and hearing phenotype(P>0.05). Conclusion:AS patients exhibit progressive hearing loss with significant heterogeneity over the long-term.. THearing loss is more likely to occur 5-6 years into the disease course. Hearing abnormalities are closely related to renal disease status, kidney tissue pathology, and gene mutations, emphasizing the need for vigilant long-term hearing follow-up and early intervention.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Male
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		                        			Child
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
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		                        			Humans
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		                        			Nephritis, Hereditary/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Retrospective Studies
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kidney
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Deafness
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hearing Loss/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kidney Failure, Chronic/pathology*
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		                        			Mutation
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Active Ingredients of Chinese Medicines Induce Ferroptosis in Tumor Cells: A Review
Huizhong ZHANG ; Yibo ZHANG ; Jing FU ; Huating HUANG ; Yidan RUAN ; Xingbin YIN ; Changhai QU ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):245-253
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death different from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, is closely associated with a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Iron-mediated accumulation of reactive oxygen species is the main inducement of ferroptosis, the mechanism of which is related to intracellular lipid metabolism, iron metabolism, and antioxidant defense pathways. Multiple signaling axes and regulators jointly regulate the occurrence and disruption of ferroptosis. Studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis regulates the growth and proliferation of tumor cells. Inducing ferroptosis in tumor cells can control the growth, metastasis, and multi-drug resistance of tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of ferroptosis on tumor cells have become a hot topic in anti-cancer research. As the research advances, a variety of ferroptosis inducers has been used in the clinical chemotherapy for cancers and demonstrate significant efficacy. Accordingly, the development of ferroptosis-inducing anticancer drugs has become a new research direction for tumor treatment. Some active ingredients such as lycorine, oleanolic acid, dihydroartemisinin, pseudolaric acid B, and ophiopogonin B of Chinese medicines can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells via lipid metabolism, iron metabolism, system Xc-, and GPX4/GSH to regulate the development of tumors, demonstrating a promising prospect in clinical treatment. Based on the theory of the mechanism of ferroptosis, this paper reviews the research progress in ferroptosis induced by active ingredients of Chinese medicines in tumor cells and describes the metabolic regulatory network of ferroptosis from signaling pathways and regulatory factors, providing new strategies for applying active ingredients of Chinese medicines in the treatment of tumors. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Total Saponins in Paridis Rhizoma: A Review
Yibo ZHANG ; Huizhong ZHANG ; Jing FU ; Yidan RUAN ; Aina YAO ; Pingzhi ZHANG ; Xingbin YIN ; Changhai QU ; Jian NI ; Xiaoxu DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):232-243
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Paridis Rhizoma possesses the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, alleviating swelling and relieving pain, cooling the liver and calming the convulsion. Saponins are the main active components of Paridis Rhizoma. Studies have shown that total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have obvious inhibitory effect on solid tumors such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer and non-solid tumors such as leukemia. The saponins may exert the anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells, regulating cell cycle, inducing apoptotic and non-apoptotic death pathways, and regulating metabolism and tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hemostatic, and uterus-contracting activities. At the same time, they may induce apoptosis of normal cells, inflammation and oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders. In recent years, the reports of liver injury, reproductive injury, gastrointestinal injury, hemolysis, and other adverse reactions caused by total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have been increasing. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that there are significant differences in the metabolism of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma administrated in different ways. Injection has a fast clearance rate, while oral administration may have hepatoenteric circulation. Meanwhile, due to the low solubility and activation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) molecular pump, the prototype absorption, intestinal permeability, and recovery rate of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma are poor, which affects the bioavailability. The bioavailability can be improved to some extent by preparing new dosage forms or new drug delivery systems with advanced technology. This paper reviews the pharmacological effect, pharmacokinetics, and adverse reactions of Rhizoma Paridis total saponins by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and Web of Science with ''Rhizoma Paridis total saponins'' as the keywords, hoping to provide references for the research, development, and clinical application of such components. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Clinical study of sacubitril valsartan in the treatment of patients with heart failure of midrange ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(2):177-181
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of sacubitril valsartan in the treatment of heart failure(HF)of midrange ejection fraction(HFmrEF)in patients after acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A total of 102 patients with HFmrEF after AMI were divided into the control group and the experimental group,with 51 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment for AMI and anti-HF treatment,and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker(ARB)was used without contraindications.The experimental group was replaced by ACEI/ARB with sacubitril valsartan on the basis of the control group.After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rates of the two groups after treatment were analyzed,and the cardiac function,N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and serum inflammatory factor C-reactive protein(CRP)were compared before and after treatment.The occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment was recorded.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the cumulative cardiovascular mortality,HF rehospitalization rate and end-event-free survival after 6 months of treatment in two groups.Results After treatment,there was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).The total effective rate was higher in the experimental group than that of the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),stroke volume(SV),mitral diastolic blood flow velocity E peak and A peak ratio(E/A)and 6 min walking distance(6MWD)were increased in the two groups,and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)and left atrial diameter(LAD)were decreased in the two groups after treatment(all P<0.05).After treatment,LVEF,SV,E/A and 6MWD were higher in the experimental group than those in the control group(P<0.05).LVEDD and LAD were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).Compared with results before treatment,NT-proBNP and CRP were decreased after treatment in the experiment group than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the cumulative cardiovascular mortality between the experiment group and the control group(3.9%vs.5.9%,P=0.524).The cumulative HF rehospitalization rate was lower in the experimental group than that of the control group(9.8%vs.23.5%,P=0.042).The cumulative end-point-free survival rate was higher in the experiment group than that of the control group(86.3%vs.70.6%,P=0.037).Conclusion Sacubitril valsartan is safer and more effective than ACEI/ARB in the treatment of AMI patients with HFmrEF,and it is worthy of clinical promotion.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Advances on the long-term prognosis of septic shock in children
Xiaoxu TONG ; Ni YANG ; Tiening ZHANG
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2024;31(1):68-72
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			The mortality rate of septic shock in children is high,and the number of cases has been increasing year by year.In recent years,the number of deaths has decreased with the development of medical technology.With the increasing number of surviving children with septic shock,the prognosis regarding these patients is gaining more attention of PICU physicians than before.The long-term sequelae of patients with septic shock,which often leads to multiple organ dysfunction and complications,severely affects the quality of children life after discharge from the hospital.Notably,the meaningful outcomes mainly include physical,mental,emotional,and social functioning.Currently,few studies focusing on quality of life in children surviving from septic shock have been reported in China.Herein,this review summarized the progress of research on the long-term prognosis of patients with septic shock.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Discussion on the relationship between the disposal time of hypobaric oxygen chamber and the establishment of rat cardiac arrest model at high altitude
Jie LIU ; Zengwen MA ; Xiaoxu SHI ; Yan WU ; Cuoji NAN ; Fengqing SONG ; Bin ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(1):82-85
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To establish the rat cardiac arrest model in high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia environment, and to explore the effect of the treatment time in the hypobaric oxygen chamber on the reproduction of high-altitude rat cardiac arrest model.Methods:SPF grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used as observation subjects. The experiment was conducted in two different altitude areas. The rats from the Plateau Branch of Institute of Cardiopulmonary and Cerebral Resuscitation of Sun Yat-sen University (Xining, Qinghai) were weighed and numbered, and they were placed in a hypobaric oxygen chamber (simulated altitude of 3 000 meters, speed of ascent and descent of 15 m/min, temperature of 20 ℃, cabin pressure of 69.5 kPa, cabin oxygen pressure of 14.5 kPa). After 30 days of feeding, the rats were obtained according to random number table method, and the cardiac arrest model was established by asphyxia method as the 30-day hypobaric hypoxia group. After 60 days of feeding, rats were randomly selected again, and the cardiac arrest model was established as the 60-day hypobaric hypoxia group. Thirty rats were randomly selected from the Institute of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation at Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, Guangdong) by the same method, and the cardiac arrest model was established as the plain control group. The differences in the body weight of rat modeling precursors and the induction time of asphyxia during the modeling process among different groups were compared.Results:Finally, cardiac arrest model was established in 16 rats in the 30-day hypobaric hypoxia group and in 22 rats in the 60-day hypobaric hypoxia group. There was no significant difference in the body weight of rats before modeling among the plain control group, 30-day hypobaric hypoxia group and 60-day hypobaric hypoxia group [g: 429.00 (389.25, 440.75), 440.00 (415.50, 486.25), 440.00 (400.00, 452.50), all P > 0.05]. The asphyxia induction time of rats in the 60-day hypobaric hypoxia group was significantly longer than that in the 30-day hypobaric hypoxia group (s: 294.59±75.39 vs. 234.31±93.86, P < 0.01), even about 1.4 times of the plain control group (s: 294.59±75.39 vs. 208.73±30.88, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the asphyxia induction time between the 30-day hypobaric hypoxia group and the plain control group ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Rats treated in a hypobaric oxygen chamber for 60 days are more suitable for the preparation of high-altitude cardiac arrest model, and are also consistent with the oxygen reserve and hypoxia tolerance of high-altitude rats.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Impact of early percutaneous coronary intervention after thrombolysis on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Yajing MIAO ; Xiaoxu WANG ; Yanbo WANG ; Gaojie HAN ; Qiaoli TONG ; Xuqian ZHANG ; Jinglan WU ; Xinshun GU ; Hongning YIN
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(2):98-105
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the effects of early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after thrombolysis.Methods:A total of 108 patients with STEMI treated in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were divided into early PCI following thrombolysis group ( n=65) and primary PCI (pPCI) group ( n=43). The general clinical data, and the parameters of routine echocardiography at 1 day after PCI and before discharge were compared between the two groups. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was used to evaluate myocardial perfusion at 1 day after PCI and before discharge. Results:There were no significant differences in general clinical data between the early PCI following thrombolysis group and the pPCI group (all P>0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge was significantly higher than that on the 1st day after PCI(both P<0.05). The difference of LVEF was significant between the early PCI following thrombolysis group and the pPCI group before discharge and 1 day after PCI ( P<0.05). Compared with 1 day after PCI, the global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) of left ventricle increased in early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge(both P<0.05). The difference of LVGLS between early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge and 1 day after discharge was statistically significant( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left atrial volume (LAV), ratio of mitral early diastolic velocity to late diastolic velocity (E/A), mean early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (Em) and E/Em 1 day after PCI and before discharge between early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group (all P>0.05). MCE showed that the MCE score index of early PCI following thrombolysis group and pPCI group before discharge was significantly lower than that of 1 day after PCI(both P<0.001). Compared to the 1 day after PCI, the early PCI following thrombolysis group showed a significant increase in the proportion of normal microvascular perfusion (nMVP) and a decrease in the proportion of delayed microvascular perfusion (dMVP) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) before discharge (all P<0.05). In contrast, the pPCI group demonstrated a significant decrease in the proportion of both nMVP and dMVP before discharge compared to the first day after PCI (all P<0.05). However, the decrease in the proportion of MVO was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Early PCI following thrombolysis and pPCI can enhance left ventricular systolic function and myocardial perfusion in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Early PCI following thrombolysis may offer additional advantages in improving left ventricular systolic function and myocardial perfusion.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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