1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Sepsis by Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway: A Review
Zhu LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Jing YAN ; Jinchan PENG ; Mingyao XU ; Liqun LI ; Sheng XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):314-322
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria. In addition to the manifestations of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and primary infection lesions, critical cases often have manifestations of organ hypoperfusion. The morbidity and mortality of sepsis have remained high in recent years, which seriously affect the quality of life of the patients. The pathogenesis of sepsis is complicated, in which uncontrollable inflammation is a key mechanism. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway plays a key role in mediating inflammation in sepsis. The available therapies of sepsis mainly include resuscitation, anti-infection, vasoactive drugs, intensive insulin therapy, and organ support, which show limited effects of reducing the mortality. Therefore, finding new therapeutic drugs is a key problem to be solved in the clinical treatment of sepsis. In recent years, studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway via multiple pathways, multiple effects, and multiple targets to inhibit inflammation and curb the occurrence and development of sepsis, which has gradually become a hot spot in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. Moreover, studies have suggested that TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of sepsis. TCM can regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and control apoptosis in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. Despite the research progress, a systematic review remains to be performed regarding the TCM treatment of sepsis by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. After reviewing relevant papers published in recent years, this study systematically summarizes the relationship between PI3K/Akt pathway and sepsis and the role of TCM in the treatment of sepsis, aiming to provide new ideas for the potential treatment of sepsis and the development of new drugs.
2.Influencing factors and construction of a nomogram predictive model for postoperative anastomotic leak in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction
Hao PENG ; Siqi SHENG ; Jing CHEN ; Maitiasen MAIRHABA ; Haizhu SONG ; Jun YI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):208-215
Objective To analyze the influencing factors for postoperative anastomotic leak (AL) in carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction and construct a nomogram predictive model. Methods The patients who underwent radical esophagectomy at Jinling Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine from January 2018 to June 2020 were included in this study. Relevant variables were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A nomogram was then developed to predict the risk factors associated with postoperative AL. The predictive performance of the nomogram was validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results A total of 468 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction were included in the study, comprising 354 males and 114 females, with a mean age of (62.8±7.2) years. The tumors were predominantly located in the middle or lower esophagus, and 51 (10.90%) patients experienced postoperative AL. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, preoperative albumin levels, diabetes mellitus, anastomosis technique, anastomosis site, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were potentially associated with AL (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, BMI, tumor location, diabetes mellitus, anastomosis technique, and CRP levels as independent risk factors for AL (P<0.05). A nomogram was developed based on the findings from the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.803, indicating a strong concordance between the actual observations and the predicted outcomes. Furthermore, decision curve analysis demonstrated that the newly established nomogram holds significant value for clinical decision-making. Conclusion The predictive model for postoperative AL in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction demonstrates strong predictive validity and is essential for guiding clinical monitoring, early detection, and preventive strategies.
3.Risk factors of malaria infection and risk prediction model research in in labor export in Langfang City
Xuejun ZHANG ; Kun ZHAO ; Jing ZHAO ; ZHUO WANG ; Qiang GUO ; Jie XIAO ; Juanjuan GUO ; Jinhong PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(1):118-122
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of malaria infection of labor service exported to overseas in Langfang City, in order to establish a visualization tool to assist clinicians in predicting the risk of malaria. Methods A total of 4 774 expatriate employees of the Nibei Pipeline Project of the Pipeline Bureau from October 2021 to August 2023 were taken as the subjects, and the gender, age, overseas residence area and Knowledge of malaria controlscores of the study subjects were investigated by questionnaire survey, and the possible risk factors of malaria were screened by logistic regression model. At the same time, the nomogram prediction model was established, and the subjects were divided into the training group and the validation group at a ratio of 2:1, and the area under the curve (ROC) and the decision curve were plotted to evaluate the prediction ability and practicability of the prediction model in this study. Results Among the 4 774 study subjects, 96 cases of malaria occurred, and the detection rate was 2.01%. Junior school (OR=1.723,95% CI:1.361-2.173), and residence in rural areas(OR=2.091,95%CI:1.760 -3.100)were risk factors (OR>1), while protective measures(OR=0.826,95% CI : 0.781 - 0.901) and high malaria education scores (OR=0.872,95% CI : 0.621 - 0.899)were protective factors.The nomogram prediction model results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model in the training group was 0.94 (95% CI : 0.85 - 1.00), while the validation group was 0.93 (95% CI : 0.80 - 1.00). The results of the decision curve showed that when the threshold probability of the population was 0-0.9, the nomogram model was used to predict the risk of malaria occurrence with the highest net income. Conclusion The nomogram prediction model (including gender, education, region, protection and malaria education score) established and validated in this study is of great value for clinicians to screen high-risk patients with malaria.
4.Decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder and its relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms
Yuxiang WANG ; Luoya ZHANG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Juan DENG ; Yanjie PENG ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Kezhi LIU ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):22-27
BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However, the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder, and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently, 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used for assessment, and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning (PRL) task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion, perseverative errors, win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group (t=3.684, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion, perseverative errors and win-stay rate (t=0.329, 0.132, 0.609, P>0.05). In depression group, BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate(r=0.450, 0.398, P<0.01). ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore, the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. [Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University (number, 2019LZXNYDJ39]
5.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR
6.Analysis of the association between the use of oral progesterone drugs in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus
Yan QIN ; Jinhua GU ; Jing ZHU ; Lin LUO ; Peng PING ; Lingqi GU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):721-726
OBJECTIVE To explore the association between the use of oral progesterone drugs in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS Through real-world retrospective cohort research method, pregnant women who underwent the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at the Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nantong University between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Based on whether oral progesterone drugs were used in early pregnancy, they were divided into treatment group and control group; propensity score matching (PSM) with a 1∶1 ratio was employed to control for confounding factors; Logistic regression and linear regression were employed to analyze the association between drug factors (whether use of oral progesterone drug, duration of medication, dosage, and drug type) and outcome indicators (occurrence of GDM, fasting blood glucose levels, and OGTT 1 and 2 h blood glucose levels in late pregnancy). RESULTS A total of 709 pregnant women were enrolled in the two groups before PSM; after PSM, 256 cases were included in both the treatment group and the control group. The results of association analysis indicated that there was no significant association between the use of oral progesterone drugs and GDM (P>0.05); but a significant correlation was found with OGTT 1 h blood glucose levels [β=0.965, 95%CI (0.007,1.922), P<0.05], specifically with Dydrogesterone tablets [β=0.977, 95%CI (0.009, 1.944), P<0.05] and Progesterone soft capsules [β =1.089, 95%CI (0.077, 2.102), P<0.05]. There was no significant correlation between other drug factors and outcome indicators (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of oral progestogen drugs in early pregnancy is not significantly associated with GDM. The blood glucose levels in late pregnancy, especially OGTT 1 h blood glucose levels, have a certain correlation with Progesterone soft capsules and Dydrogesterone tablets.
7.Multidimensional Analysis of Mechanisms of Nuciferine Against Cerebral Ischemia Based on Transcriptomic Data
Yingying QIN ; Peng LI ; Sha CHEN ; Yan LIU ; Jintang CHENG ; Qingxia XU ; Guohua WANG ; Jing ZHOU ; An LIU ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):184-191
ObjectiveStudies have shown that nuciferine has anti-cerebral ischemia effect, but the specific mechanism of action has not been elaborated. Based on the transcriptome results, the pharmacological mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia was analyzed from multiple dimensions including tissue, cell, pathological process, biological process and signaling pathway. MethodsThirty SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group and nuciferine group(40 mg·kg-1) according to weight. Except for the sham group, the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was established by thread embolization method after 30 min of administration in the other two groups. Twenty-four hours after surgery, transcriptome sequencing was used to detect the gene expression profiles in the cortex penumbra of rat cerebral tissue, and gene ontology(GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for differentially expressed genes. The mechanismof nuciferine against cerebral ischemia was analyzed from 5 dimensions of tissue, cell, pathological process, biological process and signaling pathway by the transcriptome-based multi-scale network pharmacology platform(TMNP). ResultsTranscriptome sequencing and gene quantitative analysis showed that 667 genes were significantly reversed by nuciferine. Further enrichment analysis of KEGG and GO suggested that the pathways of nuciferine involved regulating stress response, ion transport, cell proliferation and differentiation, and synaptic function. TMNP research found that at the tissue level, nuciferine could significantly improve the cerebral tissue injury caused by ischemia. At the cellular and pathological levels, nuciferine could play an anti-cerebral ischemia role by improving the state of various nerve cells, mobilizing immune cells, regulating inflammation. And at the level of biological processes and signaling pathways, nuciferine mainly acted on the processes such as vascular remodeling, inflammation-related signaling pathways, and synaptic signaling. ConclusionCombined with the results of transcriptome sequencing, gene quantitative analysis and TMNP, the mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia may be related to processes such as intervening in stress response and inflammation, affecting vascular remodeling and regulating synaptic function. These results can provide a basis and reference for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of nuciferine against cerebral ischemia.
8.Mortality and life loss due to coronary heart disease and stroke in Wujiang District of Suzhou in 2011 - 2022
Siyi GUN ; Rongyan ZHANG ; Jianxin SHEN ; Mei YANG ; Xiaochu PENG ; Jing TANG ; Mengxiang CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(2):100-104
Objective To understand the mortality and potential life loss due to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in Wujiang District, Suzhou from 2011 to 2022, and to provide strategies and basis for the prevention and treatment of CHD and stroke. Methods We collected the data of death cases due to CHD and stroke from the death monitoring system in Suzhou from 2011 to 2022. The mortality of CHD and stroke, potential years of life lost (potential years of life lost , PYLL), average years of life lost (average years of life lost , AYLL) and potential years of life lost rate (potential years of life lost rate , PYLLR) were calculated to analyze the development trend of death and disease burden of CHD and stroke. Results From 2011 to 2022, the crude mortality of CHD was 31.91/10 million, and that of stroke was 118.93/10 million. CHD and stroke mortality rates both showed an upward trend(P<0.05, a statistically significant trend). From 2011 to 2022, the mortality rate of CHD and stroke in Wujiang District increased rapidly with the increase of age. From 2011 to 2022, the disease burden caused by CHD totaled 11005 person-years, with PYLLR of 1.26% and AYLL of 12.34 years per person. The PYLL caused by stroke was 13 587.5 people-years, the PYLLR was 1.55%, and the AYLL was 8.93 years per person. PYLL, PYLLR and AYLL all decreased in women(P<0.05), with no significant change in men(P>0.05). Conclusion From 2011 to 2022, the mortality rate of CHD and stroke in Wujiang District appeared a tendency towards a rise, effective intervention and prevention measures should be taken among elderly and male residents.
9.Buzhong Yiqitang Regulates Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Skeletal Muscle via PINK1 Pathways to Resist Exercise-induced Fatigue
Huani WEI ; Ting JIANG ; Juan PENG ; Chunxiang JING ; Wei LIU ; Huashan PAN ; Daorui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):31-39
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank, model, low-, medium-, high-dose (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Buzhong Yiqitang, and vitamin C (0.04 g·kg-1) groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group, other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and the thymus, spleen, liver, and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid (LD), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure, with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), rises in serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.01), disarrangement of skeletal muscle, broken muscle fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps, abnormal morphological changes (increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae) of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells, and decreased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP, weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05), up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin), hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 (HEY1), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), sequestosome 1 (p62), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B (LC3B) (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time (P<0.01), increased the weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.05, P<0.01). The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement, reduced inflammatory cells, intact mitochondria with dense cristae, and increased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content, enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, HEY1, LC3B, and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated expression level of p62 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.
10.Buzhong Yiqitang Regulates Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Skeletal Muscle via PINK1 Pathways to Resist Exercise-induced Fatigue
Huani WEI ; Ting JIANG ; Juan PENG ; Chunxiang JING ; Wei LIU ; Huashan PAN ; Daorui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):31-39
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank, model, low-, medium-, high-dose (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Buzhong Yiqitang, and vitamin C (0.04 g·kg-1) groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group, other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and the thymus, spleen, liver, and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid (LD), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure, with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), rises in serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.01), disarrangement of skeletal muscle, broken muscle fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps, abnormal morphological changes (increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae) of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells, and decreased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP, weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05), up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin), hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 (HEY1), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), sequestosome 1 (p62), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B (LC3B) (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time (P<0.01), increased the weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.05, P<0.01). The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement, reduced inflammatory cells, intact mitochondria with dense cristae, and increased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content, enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, HEY1, LC3B, and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated expression level of p62 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.


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