1.Da Chengqitang Protects Intestinal Barrier in Septic Mice via Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptide mCRAMP
Yuanyuan LI ; Xuan ZHONG ; Lei LIU ; Shuya SUN ; Jiajun LING ; Rongfeng LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):20-28
ObjectiveMolecular docking and animal experiments were employed to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Da Chengqitang (DCQD) on intestinal barrier in septic mice. MethodText mining method was used to screen the active ingredients in DCQD. AutoDock Tools and Discovery Studio were used to study the interactions of active components with the core target proteins [claudin-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, endogenous antimicrobial peptide mCRAMP, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)] in sepsis. Fifty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham, model, low- and high-dose (4 g∙kg-1 and 8 g∙kg-1) DCQD, and ulinastatin groups (n=10). Before, during, and after the day of modeling surgery, each group was administrated with corresponding drugs. The mice in other groups except the model group were subjected to modeling by cecal ligation and puncture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used measure the serum level of D-lactic acid to assess intestinal mucosa permeability. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes in the ileum and assess the intestinal mucosal damage and inflammatory infiltration. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin in the ileal tissue, which were indicative of the bowel barrier function. The TNF-α and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA to assess the intestinal inflammation. The expression of mCRAMP in the ileal tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of mCRAMP, TLR4, and MyD88 in mouse ileal tissue were determined by Real-time polymerase chain reaction, on the basis of which the mechanism of DCQD in protecting the intestinal barrier of septic mice was explored. ResultMolecular docking results showed that most of the 10 active ingredients of DCQD that were screened out by text mining could bind to sepsis targets by van der Waals force, hydrogen bonding, and other conjugated systems. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group, low- or high-dose DCQD lowered the D-lactic acid level in the serum (P<0.01), alleviated damage to the ileal tissue and mucosal edema, protected the small intestine villus integrity, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, promoted the expression of claudin-1 (P<0.01), lowered the IL-6 level (P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of mCRAMP (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and MyD88 (P<0.01) in the ileal tissue. In addition, high-dose DCQD lowered the TNF-α level and promoted the expression of occludin in the ileum tissue (P<0.01), and low-dose DCQD up-regulated the protein level of occludin in the ileum tissue (P<0.05). ConclusionDCQD has a protective effect on intestinal barrier in septic mice. It can reduce intestinal inflammation, repair intestinal mucosal damage, improve the tight junction protein level, and reduce intestinal mucosal permeability by up-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of mCRAMP and the down-regulating the expression of genes in the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
2.Study on the Distribution Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Dry Eye and Its Correlation with Gender and Age
Yu-Xuan LI ; Ni TIAN ; Lan YU ; Rui-Ying ZHONG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):550-554
Objective To explore the etiology and pathogenesis of dry eye by studying the distribution pattern of gender,age and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome type in dry eye patients and by analyzing their correlation.Methods A total of 244 patients with dry eye who met the inclusion criteria were selected.The distribution of gender,age and TCM syndrome types was statistically analyzed,and then the correlation of TCM syndrome types with gender and age of dry eye patients was explored.Results(1)Of the 244 dry eye patients,96(39.34%)were male and 148(60.66%)were female,the incidence of the female being higher than that of the male.There were 124(50.82%)patients younger than 45 years old,81(33.20%)patients aged 45-60 years old,and 39(15.98%)patients older than 60 years old.The proportion of the patients younger than 45 years old was higher than that of other age groups.(2)Among the 244 patients with dry eyes,89 cases(36.47%)were differentiated as liver and kidney deficiency syndrome,75 cases(30.74%)were differentiated as qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome,69 cases(28.28%)were differentiated as spleen and kidney deficiency,and 11 cases(4.51%)were differentiated as yin deficiency and damp-heat syndrome.And the occurrence frequency of the above four syndrome types was in descending order.(3)In the dry eye patients of various age groups,patients aged<45 years old predominantly suffered from qistagnation and blood stasis syndrome,accounting for 41.94%(52/124);patients aged 45-60 years old and those aged>60 years old predominantly suffered from liver and kidney deficiency syndrome,accounting for 46.91%(38/81)and 53.85%(21/39),respectively.The distribution of TCM syndrome types varied in the patients with different age groups,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 22.128,P<0.01).(4)In male dry eye patients,qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome was predominant,accounting for 39.58%(38/96);among female dry eye patients,liver and kidney deficiency syndrome and spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome were prevalent,accounting for 41.89%(62/148)and 31.08%(46/148),respectively.The distribution of TCM syndrome types varied in the patients with different genders,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2 = 82.610,P<0.01).Conclusion The TCM syndromes of patients with dry eyes are frequently differentiated as liver and kidney deficiency syndrome,followed by the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome.The prevalence of dry eyes is related to the gender and age,and gender and age are correlated with the TCM syndrome types to certain extent.
3.Effects of Electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC6) - "Zhongwan" (RN12) for Rats with Functional Dyspepsia on Gastric Motility and Metabolites of Antral Tissue
Jingying ZHOU ; Hongzhi YIN ; Qian LIU ; Xuan XU ; Yitian LAI ; Guoshan ZHANG ; Huan ZHONG ; Mi LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(14):1478-1487
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Zhongwan" (RN12) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into model group, Neiguan (PC6) group, Zhongwan (RN12) group, and Neiguan-Zhongwan (PC6-RN12) group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups of rats were cogavaged with 0.1% sucrose iodoacetamide solution combined with small platform standing training to establish FD rat models. After successful modeling, the rats in the normal group and model group were tied up for 30 min/d for 7 days; the Neiguan group, Zhongwan group, and Neiguan-Zhongwan group were treated with electroacupuncture intervention at "Neiguan" (PC6), "Zhongwan" (RN12), and "Neiguan" - "Zhongwan" (PC6-RN12) acupoints, respectively, using continuous wave, frequency of 2 Hz, current intensity of 1 mA, 30 min/d, and continuous intervention for 7 days. The general condition of rats in each group was observed. After treatment, the body weight and food intake of rats were measured, and the gastric emptying rate was calculated; HE staining was performed on the gastric antrum tissue of rats to observe the histopathologic changes; the expressions of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and Ghrelin protein in gastric antrum were detected by Western Blot; the metabolites in gastric antrum tissues were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and differential metabolites were screened by correlation analysis, then Metabo Analyst 5.0 and KEGG databases were used for metabolic pathway analysis. ResultsUnder light microscope, the gastric antrum structure was complete and the glands were abundant. No obvious inflammation and edema were found in gastric mucosa. Compared with the normal group, the body weight, food intake, and gastric emptie rate of rats in model group decreased, the expression of Ghrelin protein decreased and the expression of CGRP protein increased in gastric antrum tissue (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the body weight, food intake, and gastric emptance rate of rats in Neiguan group, Zhongwan group and Neiguan-Zhongwan group all increased, CGRP protein expression decreased in Neiguan group, and Ghrelin protein expression increased and CGRP protein expression decreased in Zhongwan group and Neiguan-Zhongwan group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with Neiguan-Zhongwan group, Ghrelin protein expression decreased and CGRP protein expression increased in Neiguan group and Zhongwan group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Metabolomics results showed that compared with normal group, the content of metabolites adenosine diphosphate ribose, adenosine monophosphate and adenosine diphosphate in gastric antrum tissue of model group decreased; compared with model group, the contents of adenosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and citicoline in Neiguan group increased, the contents of nicotine adenine dinucleotide, cytidine diphosphate ethanolamine and citicoline in Zhongwan group increased, and the contents of adenosine diphosphate, cytidine diphosphate and citicoline in Neiguan-Zhongwan group increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group, the main metabolic pathways of different metabolites in PC6-RN12 group were glycerophospholipid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, purine metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism. ConclusionElectroacupuncture at “Neiguan” and “Zhongwan” acupoints can effectively regulate gastrointestinal motility and improve FD symptoms in FD rats, and the effect is better than that of "Neiguan" or "Zhongwan" acupoints alone. The mechanism may be related to the influence of related metabolites on energy metabolism, glucose metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, thereby regulating gastrointestinal motility hormones.
4.Gadopiclenol,a new radiological diagnostic drug used in magnetic resonance imaging
Lu ZHENG ; Ting YANG ; Chao-Yang CHEN ; Ran WEI ; Xuan-Ling ZHANG ; Jing-Zhong DENG ; Ying ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1661-1664
Gadopiclenol was used in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older during magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)to detect and view lesions of the central nervous system(brain,spine,and associated tissues)and body(head and neck,chest,abdomen,pelvis,and musculoskeletal system)with abnormal vascular properties.Gadopiclenol is a new type of macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).In this article,the molecular structure,principle of action,pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics,clinical studies,safety and other aspects of Gadopiclenol were reviewed,in order to introduce the current research status and existing achievements of Gadopiclenol.
5.Risk factors for death within 30 days after admission in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and acute kidney injury and construction of a nomogram model
Xueyun GUO ; Xuan ZHONG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Sihai CHEN ; Wang ZHANG ; Bimin LI ; Xuan ZHU ; Anjiang WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(11):2221-2228
Objective To investigate the predictive factors for death within 30 days after admission in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and acute kidney injury(AKI),and to establish and validate a nomogram prediction model.Methods The Joint Medical Record Management System of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University was used to obtain the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Infectious Diseases from January 2015 to December 2020,among whom 330 patients who met the 2015 International Club of Ascites diagnostic criteria for AKI were enrolled and divided into training group with 193 patients and validation group with 137 patients.A Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the predictive factors for death,and then a nomogram prediction model for the risk of death within 30 days after admission was established and validated.The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups;The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups,while the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups.The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Results The prevalence rate of AKI was 16.5%in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.The 330 patients included in the study had a mean age of 53.6±12.4 years,and male patients accounted for 79.1%.The mortality rate was 50.0%within 30 days after admission,with a mortality rate of 46.6%in the training group and 54.7%in the validation group.The presence of acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)on admission was an independent risk factor for the progression of AKI into stage 1(odds ratio=2.571,95%confidence interval:1.143-5.780,P=0.022).The nomogram based on white blood cell count,international normalized ratio,presence or absence of hepatic encephalopathy,and AKI stage on admission could well predict the risk of death with 30 days after admission,with a C-index of 0.680 in the training group and 0.683 in the validation group,and it was not inferior to CTP score and MELD score.Conclusion ACLF is an independent risk factor for the progression of AKI into stage 1.The nomogram prediction model established in this study can effectively predict the risk of death within 30 days after admission and thus has important guiding significance for the early identification and management of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and AKI.
6.Establishment and Evaluation of A High-Speed Fragment-Induced Penetrating Liver Injury Model Assisted by Portable Ultrasound
Zhaoming ZHONG ; Jianxin GAO ; Yi SHAN ; Xuan ZHANG ; Xuejuan WANG ; Yang ZHAO ; Chengcheng LI ; Faqin LV
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(2):113-118
Purpose To establish and evaluate a high-speed fragment-induced penetrating liver injury model in pigs assisted by portable ultrasound.Materials and Methods With the aid of portable ultrasound,the lower edge of the liver at the end of expiration and the lower edge of the right chest at the end of inspiration of 10 Landrace pigs were positioned on the body surface.Then the sighting line was traced to determine the direction of projection and the sighting point.High-speed(about 627 m/s)fragments were projected through an experimental ballistic gun to induce penetrating liver injury.Blood pressure,heart rate,respiratory rate,pulse oxygen saturation and other physiological indexes were measured 15 minutes before shooting and 20 minutes after shooting.20 minutes after injury,the liver injury and the degree of injury were examined by ultrasound.After injury,the liver injury and abdominal fluid accumulation were observed by on-site portable ultrasound,and the size of liver trauma,liver injury grade,abdominal fluid accumulation location and maximum depth were recorded.The degree of liver injury was evaluated by comparison with the gross pathological results.Results Nine out of ten pigs were successfully modeled.The success rate of penetrating liver injury induced by fragments was 90%(9/10),other organ injury in abdominal cavity was 22.22%(2/9),and diaphragm penetrating injury was 22.22%(2/9),which did not occur obvious hemopneumothorax.After injury,the systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse oxygen saturation of the pigs decreased[(132.44±12.65)mmHg vs.(103.33±33.43)mmHg,(96.44±12.27)mmHg vs.(70.89±24.21)mmHg,(89.44±8.49)%vs.(76.00±13.41)%;t=2.440,2.651,4.084,all P<0.05],and the heart rate increased[(94.00±17.39)times/min vs.(139.89±37.21)times/min;t=3.534,P<0.05].Within 20 minutes after modeling,portable ultrasound images showed that the liver injury was a patchy,heterogeneous,slightly strong echo area with clear and irregular boundary,and the continuity of the local liver capsule was interrupted.The ascites appeared in the abdominal cavity with the maximum depth of(4.16±1.35)cm.The American association for the surgery of trauma(AAST)liver injury grading of gross pathology after the animals were killed showed that there were 6 cases of grade Ⅱ and 3 cases of grade Ⅲ.Along the fragment projection direction,the short diameter measured by ultrasound was positively correlated with the depth of gross pathological laceration(r=0.945,P<0.001).Compared with the gross specimen,the accuracy rate of ultrasonic AAST grading of liver injury was 88.89%(8/9).Conclusion The model of high-speed fragment-induced liver injury in pigs assisted by portable ultrasound is accurate and stable,and portable ultrasound can effectively evaluate the penetrating liver injury,which provides a basis for the treatment of liver firearm injury.
7.The taste correction process of ibuprofen oral solution based on the combination of electronic tongue technology and artificial taste comprehensive evaluation
Rui YUAN ; Yun-ping QU ; Yan WANG ; Ya-xuan ZHANG ; Wan-ling ZHONG ; Xiao-yu FAN ; Hui-juan SHEN ; Yun-nan MA ; Jin-hong YE ; Jie BAI ; Shou-ying DU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(8):2404-2411
This experiment aims to study the taste-masking effects of different kinds of corrigent used individually and in combination on ibuprofen oral solution, in order to optimize the taste-masking formulation. Firstly, a wide range of corrigent and the mass fractions were extensively screened using electronic tongue technology. Subsequently, a combination of sensory evaluation, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-fuzzy mathematics evaluation, and Box-Behnken experimental design were employed to comprehensively assess the taste-masking effects of different combinations of corrigent on ibuprofen oral solution, optimize the taste-masking formulation, and validate the results. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (ethical code: 2024BZYLL0102). The results showed that corrigent fractions and types were screened separately through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, a Box-Behnken response surface design combined with AHP and fuzzy mathematics evaluation was used to fit a functional model:
8.Research progress on the role of inflammatory factors in the occurrence and development of myopia
Zhiming GU ; Weiqi ZHONG ; Xuan LIAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(9):749-752
Exploring the pathogenesis of myopia is of positive significance for its prevention and control.In recent years,studies have found that inflammatory factors such as interleukin,tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide are highly expressed in eyes of myopic patients,indicating that myopia is associated with inflammatory factors.The inflammatory fac-tors interact with nuclear factor-Kb,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 and other inflammatory signaling pathways and participate in myopia progression by regulating the retinal proinflammatory state,choroidal blood flow and scleral matrix remodeling.This paper reviews the regulation of in-flammatory factors and related signaling pathways,providing a new perspective for further exploring the causes of myopia and intervening its progression.
9.Bibliometric analysis of myopia research from 2013 to 2022 based on Web of Science
Weiqi ZHONG ; Zhiming GU ; Changjun LAN ; Xuan LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(7):647-655
Objective:To analyze the current status and hotspots of myopia research in the past 10 years and the future development direction based on the bibliometric method.Methods:Relevant original research and reviews on myopia published from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science core database.Co-occurrence analysis of countries, research organizations, and authors was performed using the VOSviewer software.Cluster analysis of keywords and co-cited references was performed using the CiteSpace software.Results:A total of 9 745 articles were included, involving 123 countries/regions, 7 150 institutions, and 29 343 authors.The analysis revealed that the global publication in myopia has been increasing, with China having the highest publication, and research from the United States being the most cited.Keyword analysis showed that the early hotspots of myopia mainly focused on refractive surgery, diagnosis and treatment of complications, genetics, and epidemiological characteristics, while recent research has rapidly shifted towards myopia prevention and control.The results of the cluster analysis of the co-cited references showed that myopia research contained several clusters, such as #0 school-aged children, #1 small incision lenticule extraction, #2 myopia control, #3 refractive error, #4 contact lenses, etc.The current research frontier focuses on myopia management technology, myopia and retinal and choroidal vessels, and the application of artificial intelligence in myopia.Conclusions:Myopia research in the past 10 years covers a wide range of disciplines, including ophthalmology, molecular biology, genetics, optometry and epidemiology.In the future, there is a need to further explore the etiology and pathogenesis of myopia, enhance early identification and screening methods, improve management techniques for myopia, advance artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis of myopia to develop more effective and safe strategies for myopia prevention and control.
10.Synthesis and Antibacterial Performance Analysis of MoO3-x Nanoenzyme Functionalized with Glucopyranose
Yi-Xuan SUN ; Ze-Zhong LIU ; Lu BAI ; Yu-Sheng NIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(9):1316-1327
The synergistic antibacterial strategy of peroxidase mediated chemodynamic therapy(CDT)and photothermal therapy(PTT)has been proven to effectively resist bacteria.However,the antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa is severely limited due to the factors such as short lifespan of reactive oxygen species(ROS)(<200 ns)and limited diffusion distance(about 20?200 nm).In this study,glucopyranose functionalized MoO3-x(P-MoO3-x)nanoenzyme was successfully synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal method.This nanoenzyme exhibited both peroxidase-like activity and a photothermal effect.The combined antibacterial performance and biological safety of P-MoO3-x was analyzed and verified.By utilizing specific interactions with glucopyranose and lectin,P-MoO3-x nanoenzyme could target the surface of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.This targeted approach effectively shortened the range of hydroxyl radicals,significantly enhancing the antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Under photothermal action,P-MoO3-x could reach the optimal reaction effect at 70℃.Even at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide(50 μmol/L),it released more hydroxyl radicals.In vitro antibacterial analysis experiments demonstrated that the inactivation efficiency of the P-MoO3-x antibacterial system against Pseudomonas aeruginosa(106 CFU/mL)exceeded 99%.Furthermore,in vivo experiments confirmed the significant therapeutic effects of P-MoO3-x in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)infected wounds and promoting wound healing,without producing toxicity to cells.In conclusion,P-MoO3-x exhibited excellent antibacterial ability and good biocompatibility,making it a promising anti-infective nanoenzyme with broad application prospects.

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