1.Effect of Wulao Qisun Prescription on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of AS Fibroblasts by Regulating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Juanjuan YANG ; Ping CHEN ; Haidong WANG ; Zhendong WANG ; Haolin LI ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yuping YANG ; Weigang CHENG ; Jin SU ; Jingjing SONG ; Dongsheng LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):67-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group, low drug-containing serum group, medium drug-containing serum group, high drug-containing serum group, and positive drug group. After drug intervention, cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a, β-catenin, and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05). The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect (P<0.01). The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN, OPN, and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts, thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression, further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.
2.Yishen Huashi Granules Protect Kidneys of db/db Mice via p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Kaidong ZHOU ; Sitong WANG ; Ge JIN ; Yanmo CAI ; Xin ZHOU ; Yunhua LIU ; Xinxue ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):58-68
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yishen Huashi granules in alleviating renal tubular epithelial cell injury and relieving diabetic kidney disease by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MethodsThe db/db mice of 12 weeks old were randomly assigned into model , dapagliflozin (1.6 mg·kg-1), and Yishen Huashi granules (4.7 g·kg-1), and db/m mice were used as the control group. The general conditions of mice were observed, and fasting blood glucose and 24-h urinary protein and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured at weeks 0 and 12 of administration. After 12 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea (UREA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. The pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Mallory staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) in the renal tissue of mice. The immunohistochemical assay was employed to examine the expression of p38, phospho-p38 (p-p38), MCP-1, and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice. Western blotting was employed to measure the protein levels of p-p38, p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 in the renal tissue of mice.HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were grouped as follows: negative control, high glucose(30 mmol·L-1), Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum, and SB203580. After 48 h of cell culture in each group, RNA were extracted and the levels of MCP-1, and CCR2 mRNA were determined by Real-time PCR,proteins were extracted and the levels of p38, p-p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 were determined by Western blot. ResultsThe in vivo experiments showed that before treatment, other groups had higher body weight, blood glucose level, 24 h urinary protein, and ACR than the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01). After 12 weeks of treatment, compared with the model group, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed improved general conditions, a decreasing trend in body weight, lowered levels of blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, and ACR (P<0.01), reduced SCr and UREA (P<0.01), and declined levels of TC, TG, and LDL (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed alleviated damage and interstitial fibrosis in the renal tissue as well as reductions in glomerular foot process fusion and basement membrane thickening. Moreover, the Yishen Huashi granules group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 (P<0.01), reduced positive expression of p-p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38, MCP-1, and CCR2 (P<0.05) in the renal tissue. The cell experiment showed that compared with the high glucose group, the Yishen Huashi granule-containing serum group showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of MCP-1 and CCR2 (P<0.01) and down-regulated protein levels of p-p38/p38, MCP-1, and CCR2(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionYishen Huashi granules can regulate glucose-lipid metabolism, reduce 24 h urinary protein and ACR, improve the renal function, alleviate the renal tubule injury caused by high glucose, and protect renal tubule epithelial cells in db/db mice by reducing MCP-1/CCR2 activation via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
3.Survey on the perception and current status of drug risk management in medical institutions
Xuelin SUN ; Mingqing XING ; Zixuan ZHANG ; Wenjing ZHAO ; Dongfang QIAN ; Yan LIANG ; Li XU ; Pengfei JIN ; Yatong ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):7-12
OBJECTIVE To know about the perception and current status of drug risk management among pharmacists in Chinese medical institutions, providing insights and recommendations for enhancing the drug risk management system in medical institutions. METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted across 28 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions; stratified radom sampling was employed to study the population of medical workers and pharmaceutical professionals in medical institutions nationwide. The survey included information on the survey population, the current status of drug risk management implementation in medical institutions, the cognition, definition and process of drug risk management related concepts, and the content and mode of drug risk management work in medical institutions. Finally, suggestions were collected from various medical institutions on the system construction of drug risk management. Descriptive statistical analysis was adopted to summarize the obtained data. RESULTS A total of 446 questionnaires were collected in this survey, including 420 valid questionnaires and 26 invalid questionnaires. The questionnaire collection rate was 100%,and the effective rate was 94.17%. 51.19% of the respondents No.2020YFC2009001)。 based their understanding of drug risk management on Management Measures for Adverse Drug Reaction Reports and Monitoring, while 87.38% recognized the need for drug risk management throughout the drug use process. 63.33% of the participants stated that their medical institutions had dedicated positions related to drug risk management, with the highest proportion (72.17%) was in third-grade class A medical institutions. 66.43% reported implementing risk management across all drug use stages. Suggestions for the development of drug risk management systems in medical institutions by the research participants focused on enhancing guiding documents, clarifying concepts, establishing information-sharing mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS The overall awareness of drug risk management in China’s medical institutions is high, with practices in place across various stages in multiple forms. However, there remains a need to strengthen institutional documents, management regulations, system development, and information-sharing mechanisms to improve collaborative governance, improve drug management levels, and ensure patient safety.
4.Cost-effectiveness analysis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue combined with recombinant human growth hormone in the treatment of central precocious puberty
Chunsong YANG ; Jianing LIU ; Zheng LIU ; Linan ZENG ; Jin WU ; Lingli ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):79-85
OBJECTIVE To compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) combined with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (combination therapy regimen) versus GnRHa monotherapy (monotherapy regimen) in the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP). METHODS From the societal perspective and based on a real-world study conducted at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, the cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of two pharmacotherapy regimens for CPP girls, with final height as outcome indexes, using per capita disposable income of rural residents and urban residents (20 133-49 283 yuan) in 2022 as the social willing-to-pay (WTP) threshold. The robustness of the basic analysis result was verified by using one-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis, and the cost-effectiveness of different combinations of long-acting preparations was compared using scenario analysis. RESULTS The basic analysis result showed that the combination therapy regimen required an additional cost of 25 193.49 yuan for every one-centimeter improvement in the final height of girls with CPP compared with the monotherapy regimen, which was not cost-effective for residents in rural areas, but it was cost-effective for residents in urban areas. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the uncertain factors with potential impacts on the results were, in order, the price of rhGH, the final height of pediatric patients in the combination therapy regimen group, the course of rhGH in the combination therapy regimen group, and the final height of pediatric patients in the monotherapy regimen group. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the probability of the combination therapy regimen being cost-effective was higher than that of the monotherapy regimen when WTP was more than 26 010 yuan/cm. When GnRHa long-acting preparation was used for intramuscular injection every 3 months, the combination therapy regimen was not cost-effective for rural residents, but was cost-effective for urban residents; when rhGH long-acting preparation was injected subcutaneously once a week, the combination therapy regimen was not cost-effective for residents in both rural areas and urban areas. CONCLUSIONS The combination of GnRHa and rhGH is only recommended for CPP children with better affordability to improve final height. The benefits, risks, and affordability of treatment should be comprehensively considered before the decisions on pharmacotherapy, to avoid abuse of rhGH due to the blind pursuit of height growth.
5.Characteristics of public health emergencies in Jinhua City from 2014 to 2023
ZHANG Tao ; DU Zhiping ; WANG Zuoyi ; JIN Lü ; hua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):69-72
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of public health emergencies in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for prevention and control of public health emergencies.
Methods:
Data of public health emergencies and related information in Jinhua City from 2014 to 2023 were collected through Emergency Public Reporting System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Attack rates, and distribution of time, areas and places were descriptively analyzed.
Results:
A total of 276 public health emergencies were reported in Jinhua City from 2014 to 2023. There were 10 324 reported cases and 7 deaths, with an attack rate of 0.32%. There were 53 Ⅳ-level (19.20%) and 223 unclassified public health emergencies (80.80%). Infectious disease emergencies were predominant types, accounting for 97.83% (270 events). The three most common infectious disease emergencies were other infectious diarrhea (42.03%), influenza (21.01%) and COVID-19 (16.30%). The reported public health emergencies peaked in November and December, with 66 and 45 events reported, respectively. The three most counties (cities, districts) included Yiwu City, Wucheng District and Lanxi City, accounting for 24.28% (67 events), 18.48% (51 events) and 11.96% (33 events), respectively. School and preschool institutions were predominant places where public health emergencies occurred (198 events, 71.74%).
Conclusions
The public health emergencies in Jinhua City from 2014 to 2023 were Ⅳ-level and unclassified emergencies, and infectious disease emergencies were predominant. November and December were the peak reporting periods, and schools and preschool institutions were the main places where these events occurred.
6.Successful treatment of biliary fistula after Beger surgery by oral choledochoscopy-assisted percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous technique: A case report
Yuxin WANG ; Weigang GU ; Zheng JIN ; Xiaofeng ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):333-336
Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, also known as Beger surgery, has a high incidence rate of bile duct injury after surgery, while the treatment modality for bile duct injury depends on the severity of the injury, and endoscopic therapy is often challenging in case of severe bile duct injury. Recently a patient with biliary fistula after Beger surgery was admitted to Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University, and successful diagnosis and treatment were achieved through oral choledochoscopy-assisted percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous technique.
7.Effect of miR-130a-3p targeting PPAR-γ on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Xiaohui HAO ; Qian LI ; Yixuan JIN ; Qinxin ZHANG ; Yudi WANG ; Fang YANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):188-195
Background At present, the treatment of silicosis is still limited, and no method is available to cure the disease. miRNAs are involved in the process of fibrosis at the transcriptional level by directly degrading target gene mRNA or inhibiting its translation. However, how miR-130a-3p regulates silicosis fibrosis has not been fully elucidated yet. Objective To investigate whether miR-130a-3p promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors gamma (PPAR-γ), thereby pro-moting the process of silicotic fibrosis. To identify effective new targets for the treatment of silicotic fibrosis. Methods (1) Animal experiments: C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally injected with a one-time dose of 10 mg silica suspension (dissolved in 100 μL saline) as positive lung exposure. A silicosis model group was established 28 d after the exposure. A control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline into the trachea. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Sirius red staining were used to observe the pathological changes and collagen deposition in lung tissues respectively. Realtime fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assay the expression of miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in lung tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of PPAR-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Collagen Ⅰ in lung tissues. (2) Cells experiments: Mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) were induced with 5 µg·L−1 TGF-β1 for different time (0, 12, 24, 48 h). RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in cells. The binding relationship between miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. MLE-12 cells were stimulated by 5 µg·L−1 TGF-β1 after transfection of miR-130a-3p inhibitor, and Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of PPAR-γ, E-cadherin, and α-SMA in the TGF-β1-induced cells. Results In the silicosis model group, the alveolar septum was widened and the pulmonary nodules were formed. The Sirius red staining collagen deposition in pulmonary nodules indicated that a silicosis fibrosis model was successfully established. The expressions of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and Collagen Ⅰ proteins were increased, and the expressions of E-cadherin and PPAR-γ proteins were decreased in lung tissues of the silicosis group, compared with the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of miR-130a-3p was increased and the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was decreased in lung tissues of the silicosis model (P<0.01). The expression of miR-130a-3p was significantly increased, while the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was decreased in the TGF-β1 induced MLE-12 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The dual luciferase reporter assay showed a direct relationship between miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in MLE-12 cells. The transfection of miR-130a-3p inhibitor in the TGF-β1 induced MLE-12 cells inhibited the decrease of PPAR-γ and E-cadherin proteins, and the increase of α-SMA protein in the MLE-12 cells induced by TGF-β1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion miR-130a-3p promotes the development of silicosis fibrosis by targeting PPAR-γ to increase pulmonary EMT.
8.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates NF-κB Signaling Pathway for Treatment of Obesity: A Review
Zijing WU ; Jixin LI ; Linjie QIU ; Yan REN ; Chacha ZOU ; Meijie LI ; Wenjie LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):310-318
Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammation and a risk factor for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and malignant tumors, demonstrating an increasingly grim development situation. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is a key signaling pathway involved in the immune response and inflammatory response. In obese individuals, the expression of NF-κB is overactivated, which leads to abnormal inflammatory responses in the body. Therefore, it is expected to alleviate inflammation and treat obesity by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, which has been proven effective by a large number of studies. The available studies on the NF-κB signaling pathway mostly focus on tumors, and there is no systematic review of the mechanism of this pathway in mediating obesity and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. We reviewed the research progress in the pathological and physiological processes of obesity mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway and TCM treatment, aiming to give insights into the clinical treatment of obesity with TCM and provide reference targets and research directions for exploring the biological foundations and the development of new TCM preparations.
9.Research Progress on Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Jin GONG ; Jinjin ZHANG ; Lili CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Yanchao XING
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):75-82
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by synovial inflammation, cartilage loss. Often manifesting as joint pain and limited mobility, it severely affects the quality of life of patients. Traditional treatment methods such as pharmacological injections and surgical interventions primarily aim to alleviate symptoms but have limited effects on cartilage repair. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), due to their anti-inflammatory and chondrogenic capabilities, is considered a new hope for the treatment of KOA. This article synthesizes the latest research findings from both domestic and international sources to discuss the theoretical basis for the clinical application of hUC-MSCs in treating KOA, clinical study design, and efficacy evaluation. It also addresses the challenges in the clinical application of hUC-MSCs and explores future directions, in the hope of providing feasible theoretical support for the treatment of KOA with hUC-MSCs.
10.Processing History and Modern Research of Jianghuanglian: A Review
Ying LI ; Yun WANG ; Zhe JIA ; Lin YAN ; Min JIN ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):275-282
Jianghuanglian is one of the representative processed products of Coptidis Rhizoma for treating cold syndrome with drugs of heat nature, and ginger is used to restrict the bitter cold of Coptidis Rhizoma, which can be traced back to Bojifang, and it is suitable for stagnation of damp-heat in middle-jiao, cold-heat mutual knots and other symptoms. Jianghuanglian retains the alkaloids, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids of Coptidis Rhizoma, and also introduces gingerol components such as 6-gingerol in ginger, which has pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-tumor, and improving gastrointestinal function. The 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia and many local processing specifications have included the traditional processing process and quality standards of Jianghuanglian, but the specific process parameters and quality standards are incomplete, which limits the production and clinical application of this processed product. By summarizing the processing history, process research, quality evaluation, pharmacodynamic and medicinal property changes and application of Jianghuanglian in the past 20 years, there are differences in the processing methods and standards in various provinces and cities, which are mainly reflected in the preparation method, dosage, processing process and quantitative standards of ginger juice. In addition, there are also certain differences in the changes of the main components of Jianghuanglian prepared from ginger or dried ginger, as well as their efficacy and medicinal properties. The research on the processing process of Jianghuanglian plays an important role in improving its quality standards, and this review can provide a reference for improving the quality evaluation system of Jianghuanglian.


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