1.Effect and mechanism of compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix on ferroptosis in T2DM insulin resistance rats
Shuang WEI ; Feng HAO ; Wenchun ZHANG ; Zhangyang ZHAO ; Ji LI ; Dongwei HAN ; Huan XING
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):57-63
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and potential mechanism of the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix on ferroptosis of liver cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) insulin resistance (IR) rats. METHODS Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (12 rats) and modeling group (48 rats). The modeling group was fed with a high- fat diet for 4 consecutive weeks and then given a one-time tail vein injection of 1% streptozotocin to establish T2DM IR model. The model rats were randomly divided into model group, the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group [QG group, 4.05 g/(kg·d), intragastric administration], ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 group [Fer-1 group, 5 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, once every other day], the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix+ferroptosis inducer erastin group [QG+erastin group, 4.05 g/(kg·d) by intragastric administration+erastin 10 mg/(kg·d), intraperitoneal injection]. After 4 weeks of intervention, serum fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured in each group of rats, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the natural logarithm of insulin action index(IAI) were calculated; the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), Fe2+ and Fe content, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, NADP+/NADPH ratio and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. The pathological morphology of its liver tissue was observed; the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3), ACSL4, ferritin mitochondrial (FTMT), and cystine/glutamate anti-porter (xCT) in the liver tissue of rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group, the liver cells in the model group of rats showed disordered arrangement, swelling, deepened nuclear staining, and more infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as a large number of hepatocyte vacuoles and steatosis; FBG (after medication), the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, FINS, MDA and ROS, HOMA-IR, Fe2+ and Fe content, NADP+/NADPH ratio and protein expression of ACSL4 were significantly increased or up-regulated, while the levels of HDL-C, GSH and SOD, IAI, protein expressions of GPX4, FTH1, ACSL3, FTMT and xCT were significantly reduced or down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both QG group and Fer-1 group showed varying degrees of improvement in pathological damage of liver tissue and the levels of the above indicators, the differences in the changes of most indicators were statistically significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with QG group, the improvement of the above indexes of QG+erastin group had been reversed significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The compatibility decoction of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix can reduce the level of FBG in T2DM IR rats, and alleviate IR degree, ion overload and pathological damage of liver tissue. The above effects are related to the inhibition of ferroptosis.
2.Current research status and application prospects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in islet transplantation
Rui LI ; Dianxiang WANG ; Zhaowei LIANG ; Bing HAN ; Hao LIAN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):163-168
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet β cells. Pancreatic islet transplantation provides a treatment method for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to restore endogenous insulin secretion. However, some problems limit the widespread application of islet transplantation, such as the shortage of donors and post-transplantation rejection damage. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (MSC-Exo) has become a potential tool for islet transplantation therapy due to their immunomodulatory and tissue repair capabilities. MSC-Exo shows great promise for application, because of low immunogenicity, easily being stored and transported, and the potential as drug delivery vehicles. However, challenges such as preparation, purification, standardization and safety verification need to be overcome before converting MSC-Exo into clinical practice. Therefore, this article reviews the application and potential advantages of MSC-Exo in islet transplantation, aiming to providing more effective and safer treatment options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
3.Analysis of Animal Models of Allergic Asthma Based on Data Mining
Han WU ; Zhixiang HU ; Meiqi JI ; Hao YIN ; Yu'e LYU ; Chuntao ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):211-217
ObjectiveTo provide a basis for the establishment of an ideal animal model of allergic asthma by statistically analyzing the modeling characteristics and the selection of indicators of the available models. MethodsWe retrieved the relevant articles from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and PubMed with "allergic asthma" as the keyword and the time interval from January 2019 to January 2024. Through integrating the literature and extracting data, we used Excel 2021 to create a personal database and sorted out the animal strains, genders, allergenic substances, modeling routes, and test indicators and methods. Excel 2021, Cytoscape 3.10.2, and SPSS Modeler 18.0 were then used to analyze the relevant characteristics of the animal models. ResultsA total of 418 articles were included in the database, and the comparative analysis showed that the most frequently used animal strain for modeling was BALB/c mice, and female animals were mostly used. The main modeling method was sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), which was combined with intranasal inhalation. The test indicators mainly included appearance signs, cellular analysis, lung histopathology, lung function indicators, and protein and gene expression in the lung. The test methods mainly involved pathological staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assays. ConclusionThere is no recognized modeling method or evaluation standard for the animal models of allergic asthma. Based on the results of data analysis, the OVA-induced allergic asthma model in BALB/c mice is recommended. The main criteria for evaluating the success of modeling are the general behavioral changes, the morphological changes of the airway and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue, the changes of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, and the alterations of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
4.Effects and mechanism of astilbin on renal injury in chronic renal failure rats
Xiaowei GAO ; Yingying LIU ; Cong HAN ; Shifei HAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):434-439
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of astilbin (AST) on renal injury in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats based on the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway. METHODS CRF model was constructed by 5/6 nephrotomy. The successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into Model group, AST low-dose group (AST-L group), AST high-dose group (AST-H group), high-dose of AST+Notch pathway activator (Jagged-1/FC chimerin, referred to as “JFC”) group (AST-H+ JFC group), and control group (CK group) for open surgery without resection was set up, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the AST-L group and AST-H group were given 40 and 80 mg/kg AST, respectively; the rats in the AST-H+JFC group were simultaneously given 80 mg/kg AST and 0.5 mg/kg JFC, and the rats in the CK group and Model group were given an equal volume of normal saline, once a day, for 4 weeks. After the last administration, the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and the level of 24 h urinary protein (UP) in urine, as well as the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in each group were detected. The morphology and fibrosis of renal tissue were observed. The content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were detected. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were also observed. RESULTS Compared with CK group, the renal tissue of rats in the Model group was obviously damaged, renal tissue fibrosis was severe; the serum BUN and SCr levels, urine UP level, serum 4 LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β, HIF-1α, α-SMA, cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were significantly increased, while the serum IL-10 level, ATP content and activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with Model group, the renal tissue damage and fibrosis in the AST groups were reduced, the serum BUN and SCr levels, urine UP level, serum LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and the protein expressions of TGF-β, HIF-1α, α-SMA, cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 were significantly decreased, while the serum IL-10 level, ATP content and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria were significantly increased; the changes in the aforementioned indicators in AST- H group were more significant than those in the AST-L group(P<0.05). JFC could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high dose of AST on renal injury in CRF rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AST can reduce inflammation in CRF rats, alleviate renal tissue damage and fibrosis, and improve renal mitochondrial capacity metabolism, possibly by inhibiting the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway.
5.Evaluation of the comprehensive intervention effect on lunch for primary and secondary school students in Minhang District of Shanghai
HU Yuhuan, ZANG Jiajie, XU Huilin, GUO Qi, HAN Yan, TANG Hongmei, YING Fangjia, LIANG Hao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):191-195
Objective:
To evaluate the comprehensive intervention effect of lunch for primary and secondary school students in Minhang District, so as to provide a theoretical and practical basis for lunch intervention in school.
Methods:
From October to December 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to select 1 937 students from one primary and secondary school in Minhang District.A comprehensive intervention measure focusing on "reducing oil and salt" for lunch recipe optimization and nutrition education was carried out, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the intervention effect three months later. Chi square test and Wilcoxon rank test were used to compare the data before and after the intervention.
Results:
After intervention, the use of cooking oil and salt, the supply of protein and fat in primary and secondary school lunches were reduced, and had no obvious impact on energy and other major nutrients. After intervention, compared to before intervention, the proportion of primary school students who felt that lunch was greasy decreased (8.9%, 6.2%, χ 2=4.35), and the proportion of primary and secondary school students who felt that lunch were delicious decreased significantly (33.2%, 23.2%; 63.9%, 53.5%, χ 2=26.39, 17.52) ( P < 0.05 ). Secondary school students also felt reduced variety of food ingredients (46.9%, 38.3%, χ 2=16.05, P <0.05). In addition, after intervention, the total surplus rate of primary school students meals decreased (7.4%, 4.4%, χ 2=5.73), mainly reflected in the decrease of the surplus rate of staple foods (7.1%, 2.4%, χ 2=17.39), while the surplus rate of vegetable dishes increased ( 16.0 %, 21.2%, χ 2=6.01) ( P <0.05). Although there was no significant change in the total surplus rate of meals for secondary school students, the surplus rate of staple foods decreased (12.9%, 5.4%, χ 2=33.52), while the surplus rates of meat and vegetable dishes increased (11.2%, 26.9%; 17.5%, 33.2%, χ 2=74.26, 61.88) ( P <0.05). After intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the overweight and obesity rates of primary school students ( χ 2=0.11,0.43) and secondary school students ( χ 2=0.01,0.00) compared to before intervention( P >0.05). After intervention, the lung capacity of primary school students [1 564 (1 269,1 890) mL] and sitting forward flexion [11.3 (7.6, 15.2) cm] increased compared to before intervention [1 522 (1 259, 1 819 ) mL, 10.5 (6.3, 13.5) cm] ( Z =2.20, 4.68, P <0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference in lung capacity and sitting forward flexion of secondary school students before and after intervention ( Z =-0.46, -0.08, P >0.05).
Conclusion
The comprehensive intervention of school lunch has promoted a significant decrease in the use of oil and salt in lunch and improved the quality of recipes, and has a positive impact on the situation of leftover lunch and the health of students to a certain extent.
6.Effects of honey-processed Astragalus on energy metabolism and polarization of RAW264.7 cells
Hong-chang LI ; Ke PEI ; Wang-yang XIE ; Xiang-long MENG ; Zi-han YU ; Wen-ling LI ; Hao CAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):459-470
In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed
7.Clinical application value of intracavitary PRP infusion combined with IVF-FET in patients with chronic endometritis
Xiaotong ZHANG ; Xiaoyuan HAO ; Rui FANG ; Shuyao HU ; Linkun MA ; Yaqi ZHAO ; Wei HAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):382-387
[Objective] To evaluate the clinical application value of intrauterine perfusion with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with in vitro fertilization-frozen-thawed embryo transfer (IVF-FET) in patients with chronic endometritis (CE). [Methods] A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted, enrolling 60 CE patients undergoing artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer at our hospital from January 2022 to January 2024. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (routine frozen embryo transfer, n=20), Group B (routine frozen embryo transfer + one PRP intrauterine perfusion, n=20), and Group C (routine frozen embryo transfer + two PRP intrauterine perfusions, n=20). Endometrial thickness during the transformation and transplantation phases, uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic peak velocity/end-diastolic velocity (S/D) ratio during transplantation, serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α during transplantation, as well as biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and early miscarriage rate were compared across groups. [Results] No significant differences in endometrial thickness were observed among the three groups during the transformation phase (P>0.05). During the transplantation phase, endometrial thickness in Groups C and B was significantly higher than in Group A[9.54 (8.96-10.22) and 8.90 (8.34-9.72) vs 8.37 (7.89-8.75) mm, P<0.05], with Group C showing greater thickness than Group B (Z=3.733, P<0.05). Endometrial thickness in Groups C and B during transplantation was significantly increased compared to their respective transformation phases (Z=2.191, 2.462; P<0.05). Groups C and B exhibited lower PI, RI, and S/D values than Group A[PI:1.87 (1.77-1.97), 1.94 (1.88-2.15) vs 2.43 (2.35-2.49); RI:0.75 (0.73-0.77), 0.78 (0.75-0.81) vs 0.84 (0.83-0.86); S/D:2.61 (2.33-3.42), 3.01 (2.20-3.93) vs 3.72 (3.06-4.49); P<0.05]. Group C demonstrated lower PI and RI than Group B (P<0.05). IL-2 levels in Groups C and B were higher than in Group A[3.88 (2.71-5.01), 3.59 (2.73-4.38) vs 3.16 (2.11-3.25) ng/L, P<0.05], while IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels were significantly lower (IL-4: Z=1.428, 2.421; IL-6: Z=1.754, 2.435; IL-10: Z=1.754, 2.854; TNF-α: Z=1.961, 1.765; P<0.05). Group C had lower IL-6 levels than Group B (Z=3.976, P<0.05). Biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in Group C were significantly higher than in Group A (75% vs 40%, 70% vs 35%, 60% vs 20%, P<0.05). No significant differences in early miscarriage rates were observed among the groups (χ2=3.750, P>0.05). [Conclusion] Intrauterine autologous PRP perfusion in CE patients enhances pregnancy and live birth rates, improves pregnancy outcomes post-FET, and demonstrates superior efficacy in endometrial repair and receptivity with two PRP perfusions compared to a single perfusion. This provides a safe and effective therapeutic option for optimizing outcomes in CE patients with prior implantation failure.
8.Construction and value of a vestibular function calibration test recognition model based on dual-stream ViT and ConvNeXt architecture
Xu LUO ; Peixia WU ; Weiming HAO ; Yinhong QU ; Han CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(2):207-211
Objective To improve the efficiency and accuracy of videonystagmography calibration test results while enabling effective recognition of saccadic undershoot waveform by developing a dual-stream architecture-based deep learning model. Methods A vestibular function calibration test recognition model with cross-modal feature fusion was constructed by integrating vision transformer (ViT) and a modified ConvNeXt convolutional network. The model utilized trajectory pictures and spatial distribution maps as inputs, employed a multi-task learning framework to classify calibration data, and to directly evaluate undershoot waveform. Results The model showed outstanding performance in assessing calibration compliance. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of the model in left side, middle, and right side were all greater than 90%, and AUC values were all greater than 0.99, with 97.66% of optimal accuracy (middle), 98.98% of optimal sensitivity (middle), 96.87% of optimal specificity (right side), and
9.Regulating ferroptosis of osteoblasts by traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head
Mianyu ZHANG ; Jie HAN ; Hao ZENG ; Xiangshan CHEN ; Zhengang GAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):185-192
BACKGROUND:Some studies have found that ferroptosis of osteoblasts can be an important mechanism to induce the occurrence and development of hormone-induced femoral head necrosis.With the development of Chinese medicine,some scholars have found that some Chinese medicine monomer,Chinese medicine compound and Chinese patent medicine can regulate the ferroptosis of osteoblasts through various pathway mechanisms,and finally play a role in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the mechanism of Chinese medicine regulating ferroptosis of osteoblasts in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,so as to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. METHODS:With"ferroptosis,steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,reactive oxygen species,glutathione peroxidase"as Chinese search terms,and"ferroptosis,hormonal necrosis of the femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,ROS,GPX4"as English search terms,the search was conducted on CNKI,PubMed,WanFang,VIP and other databases.The relevant articles on osteoblast ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine intervention from the establishment of each database to 2023 were screened.Finally,76 articles were systematically analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis of osteoblasts plays an important role in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(2)The occurrence of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is regulated by a variety of mechanisms,such as intracellular iron overload causing ferroptosis.Lipid peroxidation damages cell membrane and causes ferroptosis.Cystine/glutamate reverse transporter induced ferroptosis by influencing glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity.Fenton reaction in the cell produces a large number of reactive oxygen species and causes ferroptosis.(3)Chinese medicine monomer icariin,Chinese medicine compound Qinge pills and Chinese patent medicine Bushen Huoxue granules can regulate the occurrence of osteoblast ferroptosis,and help to prevent and treat steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(4)The mechanism of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is still unclear.Further investigation on the mechanism of action of both is expected to provide a new choice for clinical treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.
10.Correlation between Muscle Tension,Clinical Characteristics, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Wilson Disease Based on Digital Muscle Function Assessment System Myoton PRO
Yulong YANG ; Wenming YANG ; Han WANG ; Xiang LI ; Taohua WEI ; Wenjie HAO ; Yue YANG ; Yufeng DING ; Yuqi SONG ; Wei HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):147-154
ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension,clinical characteristics, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration [also known as Wilson disease(WD)]. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension(increased or decreased,hereinafter the same) who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected,all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension,Goldstein, and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed,and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ,the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common(60 patients),followed by the damp-heat syndrome(33 patients),and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome(11 patients). The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group(P<0.01). The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group(P<0.05),and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs(P<0.01). Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs(r=0.20,P<0.05,r=0.38,P<0.01)and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores(muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group,r=0.36,P<0.01,r=0.42,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group,r=0.70,P<0.01,r=0.60,P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group,r=0.64,P<0.01,r=0.53,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group,r=0.59,P<0.01,r=0.70,P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group,r=0.70,P<0.01,r=0.74,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group,r=0.85,P<0.01,r=0.62,P<0.01).


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