1.Mechanism of Modified Shengjiangsan in Improving Diabetic Kidney Disease by Activating Mitochondrial Autophagy Based on PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Jiaxin LI ; Liya ZHOU ; Yishuo ZHANG ; Ziqiang CHEN ; Yijun HOU ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):121-128
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan (MSJS) improves diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar, high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: a normal control group, a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose MSJS groups (7.7, 15.4, 30.8 g·kg-1, respectively), and an irbesartan group (0.384 g·kg-1). Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose, body weight, and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine urinary microalbumin (mALB), and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ (COX Ⅳ). ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index, blood glucose, and 24-hour urinary microalbumin (24 h mALB) (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly upregulated (P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion and increased deposition, podocyte foot process flattening and fusion, a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group, the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index, blood glucose, and 24 h mALB (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathological damage was alleviated, including reduced glomerular hypertrophy, decreased mesangial deposition, and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased, and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B, PINK1, and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated, whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced, and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.
2.Mechanism of Modified Shengjiangsan in Improving Diabetic Kidney Disease by Activating Mitochondrial Autophagy Based on PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Jiaxin LI ; Liya ZHOU ; Yishuo ZHANG ; Ziqiang CHEN ; Yijun HOU ; Jian SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):121-128
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan (MSJS) improves diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar, high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: a normal control group, a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose MSJS groups (7.7, 15.4, 30.8 g·kg-1, respectively), and an irbesartan group (0.384 g·kg-1). Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose, body weight, and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine urinary microalbumin (mALB), and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ (COX Ⅳ). ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index, blood glucose, and 24-hour urinary microalbumin (24 h mALB) (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly upregulated (P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion and increased deposition, podocyte foot process flattening and fusion, a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group, the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index, blood glucose, and 24 h mALB (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathological damage was alleviated, including reduced glomerular hypertrophy, decreased mesangial deposition, and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased, and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B, PINK1, and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated, whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced, and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.
3.Clinical scale assessments of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Junfang ZHOU ; Yaru WANG ; Zan WANG
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(3):213-216
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a type of parasomnia closely associated with neurodegenerative diseases related to α-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy, and early diagnosis is of great importance for disease monitoring and intervention.At present, RBD is mainly diagnosed based on video polysomnography (v-PSG) and nocturnal abnormal behaviors, but the application of v-PSG is limited by its high technical demands.Various validated RBD-related scales have become essential tools for auxiliary diagnosis, which provides methods and tools for the diagnosis of RBD and the assessment of disease progression and outcomes.
4.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.
5.Noninvasive diagnosis of anti-mitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cholangitis
Jia ZHOU ; Jingyuan ZHOU ; Yanhang GAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1896-1901
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by cholestasis of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) is currently the key serum marker for the diagnosis of PBC, and however, there are still 5%—10% of patients with PBC who have undetectable AMA in their serum and need liver biopsy to make a confirmed diagnosis. Noninvasive diagnosis remains a challenge in AMA-negative PBC patients. This article reviews the research advances in specific serum markers other than AMA, summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these serum markers in the diagnosis of AMA-negative PBC, and analyzes the types of new biomarkers that may be used in the noninvasive diagnosis of patients with AMA-negative PBC, in order to provide new ideas for identifying serum markers with higher sensitivities.
6.Effects of miR-141-3p on dorsal root ganglion inflammation and lower limb pain in rats with lumbar disc herniation
Gang XU ; Changchun ZHANG ; Kun ZHU ; Yuchen YE ; Pinghui ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(16):2593-2598
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that insulin-like growth factor 1/platelet-derived growth factor has an inhibitory effect on fibroblast apoptosis.miR-141-3p in bone marrow stromal cells increases with age and has a relationship with the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways,suggesting that it may be a therapeutic target for lumbar disc herniation. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of miR-141-3p on dorsal root ganglion inflammation and lower limb pain in rats with lumbar disc herniation by regulating insulin-like growth factor 1/platelet-derived growth factor. METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats,SPF level,were randomly divided into normal group,model group,miR-NC group,miR-141-3p inhibitor group and miR-141-3p mimics group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,animal models of lumbar disc herniation were established in rats by autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation.After successful modeling,rats in the miR-NC,miR-141-3p inhibitor and miR-141-3p mimics groups were injected intrathecally with 10 μL of 20 μmol/L miR-NC,miR-141-3p inhibitor,miR-141-3p mimics,once a day for 28 days,respectively,while those in the normal and model groups were injected with the same volume of saline at the same location at the same time.Paw withdrawal thermal latency threshold was used to evaluate lower limb pain in rats.The mRNA expression of miR-141-3p in dorsal root ganglion tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,the levels of inflammatory factors in dorsal root ganglion tissue were detected by ELISA,and the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1/platelet-derived growth factor in dorsal root ganglion tissue was detected by western blot.The correlation between miR-141-3p and insulin-like growth factor 1/platelet-derived growth factor was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no significant differences in all indexes between the miR-NC group and the model group.Paw withdrawal thermal latency threshold was significantly lower in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05),significantly lower in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group than the miR-NC group(P<0.05),and significantly higher in the miR-141-3p mimics group than in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of miR-141-3p in dorsal root ganglion tissue was significantly lower in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05),significantly lower in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group than in the miR-NC group(P<0.05),and significantly higher in the miR-141-3p mimics group than in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).The levels of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 1 in dorsal root ganglion tissue were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05),significantly higher in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group than in the miR-NC group(P<0.05),and significantly lower in the miR-141-3p mimics group than in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).The protein expressions of insulin-like growth factor 1 and platelet-derived growth factor in dorsal root ganglion tissue were significantly lower in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05),significantly lower in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group than in the miR-NC group(P<0.05),and significantly higher in the miR-141-3p mimics group than in the miR-141-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).The expressions of insulin-like growth factor 1 and platelet-derived growth factor showed a positive correlation with miR-141-3p(r=0.904,P<0.001;r=0.879,P<0.001).To conclude,miR-141-3p can significantly improve lower limb pain and inhibit inflammation in dorsal root ganglia in rats with lumbar disc herniation,and its mechanism may be related to the promotion of insulin-like growth factor 1/platelet-derived growth factor expression.
7.Application of Allograft Endometriosis Rat Model in Pharmaco-dynamic Evaluation of GnRH Agonists
Ruihua ZHONG ; Guoting LI ; Wenjie YANG ; Xiangjie GUO ; Jieyun ZHOU ; Yingyi HU ; Qicheng NI ; Ye YANG ; Min ZHANG ; Yan ZHU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(2):127-138
Objective To establish an allogeneic rat model of endometriosis and to evaluate the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist GenSci006 on experimental rat endometriosis. Methods Endometrium from SPF grade donor female SD rats were transplanted onto the abdominal wall of recipient female rats to construct an allogeneic endometriosis model. The rats undergoing sham surgery were divided into the sham group. Three weeks later, the length, width and height of the ectopic endometrium were measured, and the volume of the endometrium (V1) was calculated before drug administration. The modeling rats were randomly divided into four groups: model group, triptorelin group (0.25 mg/kg), GenSci006-1 group (0.125 mg/kg) and GenSci006-2 group (0.25 mg/kg). Each group had 16 rats and received a single dose of the corresponding drug. The sham group and model group were administered an equal volume of solvent. Three weeks after administration, ectopic endometrium was measured to calculate the volume V2 and inhibition rate. The effect of GenSci006 on rat uterus and ovarian tissues was assessed by comparing organ coefficients and changes in pathological sections. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) mRNA in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Western blot was used to detect the expression of estradiol receptor alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ) and progesterone receptor (PR) in ectopic endometrium. Results Three weeks after administration, compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the volume of ectopic endometrium significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham group, the model group showed no significant changes in uterine and ovarian organ coefficients or endometrial thickness (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the uterine organ coefficients and endometrial thickness were significantly reduced in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham group, the serum levels of E2, P4, FSH and LH in the model group showed no significant changes (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the ovarian organ coefficient and serum P4 levels of rats in the Triptorelin, GenSci006-1, and GenSci006-2 groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the serum LH levels of rats in the GenSci006-1 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in serum E2 and FSH levels in each group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of GnRHR mRNA in the pituitary tissue of rats in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05), with no significantly changes in the hypothalamus (P > 0.05). There were no significant changes in the expression level of GnRHR mRNA in the hypothalamus or the protein levels of ERα, ERβ and PR in the ectopic endometrial tissue in any group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The allogeneic endometriosis rat model is a suitable animal model for screening and evaluating drugs for treating endometriosis. The volume of ectopic endometrium, inhibition rate, uterine and ovarian organ coefficients, and serum E2 levels may serve as indicators for detecting drug efficacy.
8.A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, and Placebo-parallel Controlled Trial of Tibetan Medicine Ruyi Zhenbaowan in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Chunquan SUN ; Yanming XIE ; Jinghua GAO ; Weiheng CHEN ; Lianxin WANG ; Shangquan WANG ; Xiangdong TIAN ; Zujian XU ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Mingwang ZHOU ; Chungen LI ; Zhanwang XU ; Jiayi GUO ; Shuangqing DU ; Qigang CHEN ; Quan JI ; Zhiqiang BAI ; Jing XIAO ; Wanli QI ; Weiyi YANG ; Jingxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):57-67
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ruyi Zhenbaowan(RYZBW)in the treatment of initial and early knee osteoarthritis (KOA) through a prospective multicenter,randomized,double-blind,and placebo-parallel controlled trial. MethodFrom October 13th, 2021 to December 25th, 2021, 240 KOA subjects meeting the acceptance criteria were enrolled in 15 sub-centers including Wangjing Hospital, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 120 cases in each group. The intervention measures for the observation group were RYZBW + health education, and the intervention measures for the control group were RYZBW placebo + health education. The intervention period in both groups was four weeks, and they were followed up for four weeks after the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the total score of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score (WOMAC score), and the secondary outcome measures were the response rate of visual scale (VAS) pain score, WOMAC sub item scores (joint pain, joint stiffness, and joint function), quality of life (SF-12) score, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score. Result(1) Efficacy evaluation. The marginal model results showed that the observation group was better than the control group in improving the WOMAC total score and WOMAC pain score in the treatment of KOA with RYZBW, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in improving VAS score response rate, WOMAC function score, WOMAC stiffness score, SF12-PCS (quality of life-physical health) score, SF12-MCS (quality of life-mental health) score, and TCM syndrome score. (2) Subgroup analysis. ① In terms of VAS score response rate, the response rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group for subjects with baseline VAS score of (4, 5], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ② In terms of TCM syndrome score, for subjects aged [56, 60] and [61, 65], the decrease in total TCM syndrome score in the observation group was better than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionTibetan medicine RYZBW has good clinical efficacy in improving WOMAC total score, VAS score response rate, WOMAC pain score, WOMAC function score, and TCM syndrome score for patients with initial and early KOA, which can fill the lack of Tibetan medicine RYZBW in the treatment of KOA and make a demonstration study for the inheritance and development of ethnic medicine.
9.Analyzing the influencing factors of occupational stress of firefighters in Shenzhen City
Ye YANG ; Li SUN ; Dafeng LIN ; Wei ZHOU ; Naixing ZHANG
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(4):389-393
Objective To analyze the current status and influencing factors of occupational stress among firefighters in Shenzhen City. Methods A total of 5 434 first-line firefighters in Shenzhen City was selected as the study subjects using the judgment sampling method. The Job Content Questionnaire was used evaluate the occupational stress level. Results The detection rate of occupational stress in the study subjects was 52.5% (2 854/ 5 434). The result of dichotomous logistic regression analysis results showed that the risk of occupational stress was higher in firefighters who had a bachelor's degree or above than in those who had junior high school or below (P<0.01), the risk of occupational stress in those with irregular meals was higher than those with regular meals (P<0.01), and the risk of occupational stress was lower in those who exercised 1-3 times a month or ≥3 times a week than in those who did no daily exercise (all P<0.05). The risk of occupational stress was higher with older the weekly working hours, the more frequent the injury and the more firefighting workload (all P<0.01). The risk of occupational stress in firefighters who stand for a long time was higher than that in workers who not-stand for a long time (P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of occupational stress among the firefighters in Shenzhen City is relatively high. Educational level, dietary habits, daily exercise, weekly working hours, injury frequency, long-standing work and firefighting workload are all influencing factors for occupational stress in firefighters.
10.Analysis of brain gray matter volume alterations in adolescents with bipolar disorder
Shihui HUANG ; Linqi ZHOU ; Jialing HUANG ; Yun WU ; Jian LIN ; Changchun HU
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(33):52-55
Objective To explore the alterations in gray matter volume(GMV)in adolescents with bipolar disorder(BD).Methods 36 BD patients(BD group)and 37 healthy controls(HC group)who underwent magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)for artificial visual inspection in Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital,School of Medicine,Westlake University from September 2019 to December 2021 were selected.Structural MRI data were processed by using FreeSurferv6.0.0,and statistical analysis were conducted by using SPSS 26.0 and R language software.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were employed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of various brain regions.Results Compared to HC group,patients in BD group exhibited significant reductions in GMV in the right superior frontal gyrus,right nucleus accumbens,left insula,right lateral orbitofrontal cortex,and right medial orbitofrontal cortex(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that area under the curve(AUC)for the right superior frontal gyrus and right nucleus accumbens were 0.739 and 0.712 respectively,while the combined AUC for multiple brain regions was 0.820.Conclusion Adolescents with BD show significant reductions in GMV in specific brain regions,provide reference for the early identification and pathological mechanism research of BD.


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