1.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
2.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
3.Association between dietary components and gut microbiota: a Mendelian randomization study
CHEN Haimiao ; MA Yan ; LIU Mingqi ; MA Shanshan ; LI Jun ; XU Laichao
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):73-76,81
Objective:
To explore the causal association between dietary components (carbohydrate, fat, protein, and sugar) and 119 genera of known gut microbiota using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods.
Methods:
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for dietary components were collected from the DietGen, while GWAS data for gut microbiota were collected from the MiBioGen. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci associated with the four dietary components were used as instrumental variables, and 119 known gut microbiota genera were used as the outcomes. MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy and exclude outliers were tested using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test. Common genetic pleiotropic genes between dietary components and gut microbiota were identified by MAGMA and PLACO analyses.
Results:
The MR analysis revealed causal associations between carbohydrates and 4 gut microbiota genera, fats and 14 genera, proteins and 14 genera, and sugars and 11 genera (all P<0.05). The MR-Egger regression analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy among the selected SNPs, and the MR-PRESSO test did not identify any outliers (all P>0.05). The MAGMA and PLACO analyses revealed that 74.42% (32/43) of the causal associations had pleiotropic genes, with 1 to 10 pleiotropic genes identified. Multiple causal association groups shared the same pleiotropic genes.
Conclusion
There are potential genetic and causal associations between dietary components and gut microbiota.
4.The Impairment Attention Capture by Topological Change in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hui-Lin XU ; Huan-Jun XI ; Tao DUAN ; Jing LI ; Dan-Dan LI ; Kai WANG ; Chun-Yan ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):223-232
ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit early and lifelong attention deficits, which are closely related to the core symptoms of ASD. Basic visual attention processes may provide a critical foundation for their social communication and interaction abilities. Therefore, this study explores the behavior of children with ASD in capturing attention to changes in topological properties. MethodsOur study recruited twenty-seven ASD children diagnosed by professional clinicians according to DSM-5 and twenty-eight typically developing (TD) age-matched controls. In an attention capture task, we recorded the saccadic behaviors of children with ASD and TD in response to topological change (TC) and non-topological change (nTC) stimuli. Saccadic reaction time (SRT), visual search time (VS), and first fixation dwell time (FFDT) were used as indicators of attentional bias. Pearson correlation tests between the clinical assessment scales and attentional bias were conducted. ResultsThis study found that TD children had significantly faster SRT (P<0.05) and VS (P<0.05) for the TC stimuli compared to the nTC stimuli, while the children with ASD did not exhibit significant differences in either measure (P>0.05). Additionally, ASD children demonstrated significantly less attention towards the TC targets (measured by FFDT), in comparison to TD children (P<0.05). Furthermore, ASD children exhibited a significant negative linear correlation between their attentional bias (measured by VS) and their scores on the compulsive subscale (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that children with ASD have difficulty shifting their attention to objects with topological changes during change detection. This atypical attention may affect the child’s cognitive and behavioral development, thereby impacting their social communication and interaction. In sum, our findings indicate that difficulties in attentional capture by TC may be a key feature of ASD.
5.The Regulatory Role of Glucose Transporter 1 on the Function of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Under Ischemia-hypoxic Conditions
Meiling LI ; Siqi GAO ; Zhefu LIU ; Huanyan LIAO ; Fanmao LIU ; Wenhao XIA ; Jun GUO ; Yan LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):444-455
Abstract: ObjectiveThe study aims to explore the effects and regulatory roles of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) on the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under ischemia-hypoxic conditions. MethodsIn vitro experiments were conducted to subject HUVECs to an ischemia-hypoxic-mimicking environment (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2). The biological characteristics of HUVECs under normoxic and ischemia-hypoxic conditions were compared by assessing cell viability, proliferation capacity, and examining the expression changes of GLUT1, HIF-1α, and VEGFA proteins under ischemia-hypoxia using Western blot technology. Further, GLUT1 was overexpressed using plasmid transfection and the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were evaluated through scratch assays, cell adhesion assays, and tube formation assays. Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was detected by Seahorse metabolic analyzer to evaluate mitochondrial function. ResultsCompared with normoxic conditions, the ischemia-hypoxic environment significantly inhibited the proliferation, cell viability, migration, and adhesion capabilities of HUVECs and impaired their angiogenic potential. The expression levels of GLUT1, HIF-1α and VEGFA proteins were also markedly reduced. However, when GLUT1 expression was upregulated, the migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were significantly improved, and the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA and VEGFR were increased. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ischemic-hypoxia leads to mitochondrial swelling and matrix damage, while GLUT1 overexpression significantly alleviates mitochondrial morphology abnormalities. OCR results suggest that GLUT1 overexpression may enhance oxidative phosphorylation of endothelial cells in ischemic-hypoxic environments to improve energy metabolism. These results suggest that GLUT1 may influence the function and angiogenic potential of HUVECs by regulating glucose metabolism and energy supply. ConclusionsThis study reveals the significant regulatory role of GLUT1 in the function of HUVECs under ischemia-hypoxic conditions, potentially through modulating cellular energy metabolism and signal transduction pathways, thereby affecting cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis. These findings provide a new perspective on the role of GLUT1 in cardiovascular diseases and may offer potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
6.Association between medium to long term ambient PM 2.5 exposure and overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):937-940
Objective:
To investigate the association between medium to long term PM 2.5 exposure around school areas and overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students in Guangxi, providing data support and theoretical foundations for scientifically addressing overweight and obesity in primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
From September to November 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 251 183 students aged 7-18 years (grade 1 to grade 12) from 14 prefecture level cities (111 districts and counties) in Guangxi. PM 2.5 mass concentration data were obtained from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) dataset. Preliminary comparative analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, while binary Logistic regression models were applied to quantify the relationship between PM 2.5 exposure and overweight/obesity. Restricted cubic spline analysis was further utilized to examine the nonlinear association between PM 2.5 concentration and overweight/obesity risk.
Results:
The detection rate of overweight/obesity among Guangxi students in 2023 was 19.5%. The median PM 2.5 concentration in the year prior to the study was higher in the overweight/obesity group (23.22 μg/m 3) compared to the non overweight/obesity group (22.63 μg/m 3) ( Z=-15.66, P <0.01), and consistent trends were observed across gender (male/female) and educational stage (primary/junior/senior high school) subgroups (all P <0.01). Binary Logistic regression revealed that for every 10 μg/m 3 increase in the annual average PM 2.5 concentration, the risk of overweight/obesity increased by 12% ( OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.09- 1.15 , P <0.01). Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between monthly PM 2.5 levels and overweight/obesity risk ( P trend <0.01). Below 22.68 μg/m 3, PM 2.5 exposure showed no significant association with obesity risk; above the threshold, the risk increased with rising PM 2.5 levels.
Conclusion
Medium to long term PM 2.5 exposure around school environments is significantly associated with overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students.
7.Effect of Maxing Loushi Decoction on Inflammatory Factors, Immune Function, and PD-1/PD-L1 Signaling Pathway in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Phlegm Turbidity Obstructing Lung Syndrome
Yuexin SHI ; Zhi YAO ; Jun YAN ; Caijun WU ; Li LI ; Yuanzhen JIAN ; Guangming ZHENG ; Yanchen CAO ; Haifeng GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):143-150
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome, and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors, immune function, and the programmed death-1(PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted, enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table, with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), serum inflammatory factors, T lymphocyte subsets, and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% (33/42) in the control group and 95.35% (41/43) in the observation group, with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline (P<0.01). The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), with greater reductions in the observation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CD8+ levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), with more significant improvements observed in the observation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum PD-1 levels were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), with more pronounced changes in the observation group (P<0.05). ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors, improving immune function, and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.
8.Effect of Maxing Loushi Decoction on Inflammatory Factors, Immune Function, and PD-1/PD-L1 Signaling Pathway in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Phlegm Turbidity Obstructing Lung Syndrome
Yuexin SHI ; Zhi YAO ; Jun YAN ; Caijun WU ; Li LI ; Yuanzhen JIAN ; Guangming ZHENG ; Yanchen CAO ; Haifeng GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):143-150
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome, and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors, immune function, and the programmed death-1(PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted, enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table, with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), serum inflammatory factors, T lymphocyte subsets, and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% (33/42) in the control group and 95.35% (41/43) in the observation group, with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores (P<0.05, P<0.01) and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline (P<0.01). The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), with greater reductions in the observation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CD8+ levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), with more significant improvements observed in the observation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum PD-1 levels were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), with more pronounced changes in the observation group (P<0.05). ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors, improving immune function, and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.
9.Multivariate quantitative combined with chemometrics for evaluating the quality of Sophora flavescens from different producing areas
Jiahui CHEN ; Qiong LUO ; Junli ZHAO ; Yan HAI ; Chengdong LIU ; Tuya BAI ; Jun LI ; Yuewu WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2404-2408
OBJECTIVE To establish a content determination method for multiple components in Sophora flavescens from different origins and to evaluate its quality by combining with chemometrics. METHODS Thirteen batches (No. K1-K13) of S. flavescens from different origins were selected as test samples. A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was established to determine the contents of 12 components, including matrine, oxymatrine, betaine, cytisine, N-methylcytisine, sophoridine, genistein, sophoricoside, sophorone, formononetin, sophorolone Ⅰ and norkurarinone in S. flavescens. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Shim-pack GIST-HP C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol (A) and water containing 0.1% formic acid (B), using gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min, column temperature of 35 ℃, and an injection volume of 3 μL. Mass spectrometry was conducted using an electrospray ionization source with positive and negative ion scanning. Data were collected in segments using the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA)methods were employed to compare and comprehensively evaluate the 13 batches of S. flavescens from different origins. RESULTS The methodological validation for the content determination met the relevant regulatory requirements. The contents of the 12 components were 490.66-1 231.00, 11 088.10- 18 021.50, 7.91-25.38, 903.97-1 713.64, 336.08-1 485.54,1 065.33-2 075.50, 27.52-71.80, 109.36-517.83, 6 034.55-10 632.73, 21.26-145.35, 814.84-1 911.32, 1 040.87-3 446.37 μg/g), respectively. TOPSIS results showed that the top 7 samples in Euclidean distance ranking were K6, K12, K11, K3, K5, K10, K13. The GRA results showed that the top 7 samples in the relative correlation ranking were K12, K11, K10, K6, K13, K5, K3. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC-MS/MS method is rapid, accurate, highly sensitive, stable and reliable. Combined with chemometrics methods, it can be used for the quality control and evaluation of S. flavescens. The comprehensive quality of samples K3, K5, K6( from Hebei), K10( from Sichuan), K11-K13( from Shanxi), etc. is relatively superior.
10.Isorhamnetin Alleviates Inflammation-Induced Crosstalk between Kynurenine Pathway and Gut Microbiota in Depressed Mice
Mengjie XU ; Wei HE ; Ke YAN ; Xinru GAO ; Jun LI ; Dongyue XU ; Jiao XIAO ; Tingxu YAN
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):297-310
Depression is a widespread psychiatric disorder with complex pathogenesis and unsatisfactory therapeutic effects. As a native flavonoid, Isorhamnetin (ISO) has been deemed to exert neuroprotective effects by antioxidation and regulation of immunity. However, no reports of anti-depressed effect of ISO have yet been found. The present study was conducted to clarify the mechanism basis of anti-depressed effect of ISO utilizing behavioral, biochemical, molecular approaches in vitro and in vivo and bio-informatics analysis. The effects of ISO on depressed mice was investigated through the SPT and FST, and the lesions were examined by H&E staining. Besides, the inflammatory factor and indicator in kynurenine pathway were assessed through detection kits, and the microbiota were checked by 16sRNA. Molecular docking study was performed to investigate the target of ISO. Additionally, Western blot was used to test the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The results indicated that ISO could enhance the sugar water preference of mice in SPT and reduce immobility time in FST. Further more, ISO suppressed peripheral and central inflammation, regulated the changes in kynurenine pathway and gut microbiota, inhibited activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, and presented good binding patterns with target proteins on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that ISO alleviated depression-like behaviour by normalizing inflammation-induced dysregulation of the crosstalk between KP and gut microbiota disorder through regulated PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway.


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