1.Ginsenoside Rg2 Protects Heart After Acute Myocardial Infarction by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xixian ZHANG ; Junjie SUN ; Qingya LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):185-193
ObjectiveTo investigate the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg2 in regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats. Methods(1) Cellular experiment: Cardiomyocytes were isolated from 24-hour-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) neonatal rats and subjected to primary culture. An in vitro model of cardiomyocytes under an ischemic-hypoxic microenvironment was established. Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with ginsenoside Rg2 (1, 2, 3 mg·L-1) for 4 hours, then placed in RPMI 1640 serum-free medium and cultured for 24 hours in a three-gas incubator (94% N2, 5% CO2, 1% O2). The survival rate of cardiomyocytes was assessed using the methyl thiazolyl terazolium (MTT) assay. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the cell culture supernatant were measured using spectrophotometry. (2) Animal experiment: Specific-pathogen-free (SPF) SD rats were used to establish an AMI model using the Olivette method combined with previous studies. Rats that survived 24 hours post-surgery were randomly divided into a model group and ginsenoside Rg2 high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. The normal and model groups received normal saline, while the ginsenoside Rg2 groups were administered intragastrically at doses of 8, 4, and 2 mg·kg-1, once daily for 3 days. The levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px in myocardial tissues were detected. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using the TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, p62, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ in myocardial tissues were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. Pathological changes in the infarct border zone were observed under a light microscope. Results(1) Cellular experiment: Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited a significantly decreased cardiomyocyte survival rate, as well as reduced SOD and GSH-Px activity, whereas LDH activity and MDA content were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, ginsenoside Rg2 intervention significantly increased cardiomyocyte survival, SOD activity, and GSH-Px activity, while reducing LDH activity and MDA content (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Pathological examination revealed that ginsenoside Rg2 alleviated infarct size, myocardial degeneration, and necrosis, while significantly reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis. (2) Animal experiment: Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly lower SOD and GSH-Px activity (P<0.05) and higher MDA content (P<0.05) in myocardial tissues. Compared with the model group, all ginsenoside Rg2 groups showed significantly increased SOD and GSH-Px activity (P<0.05) and reduced MDA content (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, p62,and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,whereas the expression levels of NF-κB p65 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ginsenoside Rg2 groups showed significantly increased PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and p62 expression, while NF-κB p65 expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner,the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ in ginsenoside Rg2 high-dose groups were significantly increased(P<0.05). ConclusionGinsenoside Rg2 exerts cardioprotective effects following AMI in rats, potentially through the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein expression.
2.History, Experience, Opportunities, and Challenges in Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment in Linxian, Henan Province, A High Incidence Area for Esophageal Cancer
Lidong WANG ; Xiaoqian ZHANG ; Xin SONG ; Xueke ZHAO ; Duo YOU ; Lingling LEI ; Ruihua XU ; Jin HUANG ; Wenli HAN ; Ran WANG ; Qide BAO ; Aifang JI ; Lei MA ; Shegan GAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(4):251-255
Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading
3.Comparative study on the mechanism and efficacy of Zexie tang traditional decoction and formula granules in reducing lipid accumulation
Yuanyuan GUO ; Lina MA ; Huqin LIN ; Changhui ZHENG ; Jiayi LI ; Zhijun LI ; Junling CAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1202-1208
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Zexie tang (ZXT) on reducing lipid accumulation through network pharmacology, and compare the difference of traditional decoction versus formula granules. METHODS The active components and targets of ZXT were identified using TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases. GeneCards, OMIM, DisGeNET and TTD databases were used to analyze the related targets of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); protein-protein interaction network model was constructed by String database;“ ZXT-NAFLD target-pathway” network diagram was constructed by using CytoScape software; target enrichment analysis was performed by using Metascape platform. Fat accumulation model of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells was established to observe the effects of traditional decoction and formula granules of ZXT on lipid accumulation of cells. RESULTS Alisol B, alisol C, 1-monolinolein and alisol B monoacetate were the key active components of ZXT in the treatment of NAFLD. The core targets included MDM2, MAPK1, PIK3CB, PRKCQ and MAPK14, etc. The core signaling pathways included endocrine resistance, insulin resistance and Th17 cell differentiation. Compared with model group, except for the Zexie formula granules group and Baizhu formula granules group, the absorbance values in all other administration groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01); the absorbance value of Baizhu traditional decoction group was significantly higher than that of ZXT traditional decoction group (P<0.01); the absorbance values of Zexie formula granule group and Baizhu formula granule group were significantly higher than that of ZXT formula granule group (P<0.01); the absorbance value of Zexie formula granule group was significantly higher than that of Zexie traditional decoction group (P<0.01); the absorbance value of Baizhu formula granule group was significantly higher than that of Baizhu traditional decoction group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ZXT reduces lipid accumulation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through multiple components, multiple target and multiple pathways, and its traditional decoction and formula granules exhibit slightly different lipid-lowering effects.
4.Practice innovation in pharmaceutical management for infusion safety in hospitalized patients
Jie CHEN ; Man YOU ; Pengfei CAO ; Wenfeng TAI ; Lu MENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Guanghong HE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1238-1242
OBJECTIVE To establish a pharmaceutical management model for infusion safety in hospitalized inpatients and ensure the safety of drug use. METHODS Our hospital established the standardized management process for infusion scheme, formulated rules for compatibility contraindications in drug combinations. In the form of embedded hospital official account, the infusion scheme and medication guidance WeChat developed by pharmacists are pushed to the mobile phone of inpatients, providing electronic medication guidance services for patients, and forming a pharmaceutical management model for infusion safety of inpatients. RESULTS Our hospital provided a total of 45 291 inpatients with pharmaceutical services including the formulation of individualized infusion scheme and WeChat push infusion scheme and medication guidance as of December 2023. After the implementation of the management model, the intervention rate of pharmacists on the compatibility contraindications in drug combination of long-term medical orders for inpatients increased from 18.25% before implementation to 90.58% (P<0.01), and the satisfaction rate of inpatients increased from 87.50% to 94.50% (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The pharmaceutical management model for infusion safety of hospitalized patients integrates pharmaceutical services throughout the entire process of intravenous medication treatment. Pharmacists can participate in the management of infusion usage while providing qualified finished infusion products, achieving closed-loop management of pharmaceutical services, improving the hospital’s pharmaceutical service capabilities and patient satisfaction, and providing guarantees for the safety and effectiveness of patient medication.
5.Features of intestinal flora in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and Helicobacter pylori infection
Jingjing LIU ; Qike WANG ; Zhiqiang MA ; Yan LIANG ; Renping LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):862-871
ObjectiveTo investigate the features and mechanism of action of intestinal flora in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection by comparing the changes in intestinal flora between the healthy population, the patients with HP infection, the patients with NAFLD, and the patients with NAFLD and HP infection. MethodsThis study was conducted among the 19 patients with NAFLD (NAFLD group), 19 patients with HP infection (HP group), and 19 patients with NAFLD and HP infection (NAFLD+HP group) who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from March 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024, and 20 individuals undergoing physical examination were enrolled as control group. Fecal samples were collected, total DNA was extracted for PCR amplification, and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to compare the features of intestinal flora between the four groups. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups. The Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of the species in intestinal flora. ResultsThe NAFLD+HP group showed a tendency of reduction in flora abundance compared with the other three groups. There was a significant difference in flora distribution between the NAFLD+HP group and the NAFLD group and between the NAFLD group and the control group (P<0.05). At the phylum level, the top three species in the NAFLD+HP group were Firmicutes (59.94%), Proteobacteria (17.00%), and Actinobacteria (14.75%), with an increase in the proportion of Proteobacteria and a reduction in the proportion of Actinobacteria compared with the other three groups. At the genus level, the top five dominant bacteria in the NAFLD+HP group were Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Agathobacter, and Ruminococcus gnavus_group. Compared with the NAFLD group, the NAFLD+HP group had increases in the abundance of Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Rothia and reductions in the abundance of Dialister and Ruminococcus toraues_group. Compared with the HP group, the NAFLD+HP group had reductions in the abundance of Collinsella, Subdoligranulum, Catenibacterium, and Porphyromonas and increases in the abundance of Citrobacter and Olsenella (all P<0.05). ConclusionPatients with NAFLD and HP infection have changed in intestinal flora. These flora may be the intestinal microecological factors for HP infection in promoting the development and progression of NAFLD.
6.Visual quality after different interval spherical lens optometry-guided small-incision lenticule extraction for the correction of low-to-moderate myopia
Hongli* MA ; Xueying* SONG ; Shiyang LI ; Xueyan LIU ; Hong SU ; Xiaoniu ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1413-1419
AIM: To compare the visual quality in patients with low-to-moderate myopia after 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 400 cases(400 eyes)with low-to-moderate myopia that underwent SMILE in the ophthalmology department of 989th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled and the data from the right eyes were collected for analysis. According to the method of optometry test modality, they were divided into 0.05 D group and 0.25 D group, with 200 eyes in each group. The differences were compared between the two groups of patients in intraoperative corneal ablation thickness, uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), high-order corneal aberrations(HOA), spherical aberrations, vertical coma, horizontal coma and trefoil aberrations before and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after surgery. Additionally, the percentage of eyes with residual spherical equivalent(SE)≤±0.25 D, postoperative visual symptoms and scores on the quality of visual(Qov)were compared between the two groups at 6 mo after surgery.RESULTS: The corneal ablation thickness in the 0.05 D group was 92.78±16.56 μm, which was slightly higher than that in the 0.25 D group(83.24±17.33 μm; P<0.001). The UDVA at each postoperative time point in the 0.05 D group was superior to that in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.001). The HOA, spherical aberration, horizontal coma and vertical coma in the two groups at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation were higher than those before operation(all P<0.05). The spherical aberration in the 0.05 D group at each time point after surgery were higher than those in the 0.25 D group, and vertical coma were lower than those in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.05). At 6 mo postoperatively, the percentage of eyes with residual SE ≤±0.25 D in the 0.05 D group was 97.5%(195 eyes), which was higher than 87.5%(175 eyes)in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05). The most common adverse visual symptoms after SMILE in both groups were hazy vision and glare. The total Qov score in the 0.05 D group was 0.35(0.24, 0.55), which was lower than [0.62(0.32, 0.89)] in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE, the 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE for the correction of low-to-moderate myopia has better predictability and can achieve better vision and visual quality.
7.Drug Selection and Evaluation in Medical Institutions: A Scoping Review
Simin XU ; Zeqi DAI ; Junling CAO ; Xing LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):154-162
ObjectiveBy analyzing the current situation of drug selection and evaluation in medical institutions in the world,we aim to understand the development of relevant selection methods and tools,provide reference basis for drug selection in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medical institutions,and promote the optimization of drug catalogs in TCM medical institutions. MethodBased on the method of scoping review,the eight databases were systematically searched,the included documents were screened,extracted and analyzed,and the research results were graphically displayed. ResultA total of 23 articles were included in this study,including 13 in Chinese and 10 in English,involving 23 methods or tools related to drug selection. Of the 14 methods or tools from Chinese medical institutions,the earliest one was published in 2012,and five were published in 2022. The published methods or tools involved different levels of hospitals,different drug varieties,different evaluation angles,etc.,such as the drug selection methods of one county hospital and one township hospital, methods and tools for different types of drugs such as antibacterial drugs,ibuprofen preparations,proton pump inhibitors and hypoglycemic drugs used in pediatric intensive care units, Chinese patent medicine selection tools, tools for evaluation from the perspective of pharmacoeconomics, and universal tools for selecting domestic medical institutions. The nine drug selection tools of foreign medical institutions were from the European,American,Asian and African countries. It was first published in 1955. The contents included the formulation standards that medical institutions should follow for drug prescription sets,the management formulation and update of hospital prescription sets,and drug evaluation tools. ConclusionOn the whole,the drug selection methods and institutional methods of foreign medical institutions developed earlier than those in China. In recent years,Chinese medical institutions have paid high attention to drug selection and released various types of drug selection tools. However,the standardization should be further improved in the future.
8.Research progress on endogenous small-molecule phenolics and the proposal of "phenolomics"
Hong-qian KUI ; Chuan-xin LIU ; Qiang WANG ; Hai-feng ZHAI ; Jian-mei HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):336-349
Small-molecule phenolic substances widely exist in animals and plants, and have some shared biological activities. The metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the human body, and especially the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters, produces endogenous small-molecule phenols. Endogenous small-molecule phenolic substances are functionally related to the important physiological processes and the occurrence of mental diseases in humans and some animals, which are systematically sorts and summarized in this review. Integrating the previous experimental research and literature analysis on natural small-molecule phenols by our research group, the understanding of the hypothesis that "small-molecule phenol are pharmacological signal carriers" was deepened. Based on above, the concept of "phenolomics" was further proposed, analyzed the research direction and research content which can bring into the knowledge framework of phenolomics. The induction of phenolomics will provide wider perspectives on explaining the pharmacological mechanism of drugs, discovering new drug targets, and finding biomarkers of mental diseases.
9.Effects of liraglutide on cardiovascular metabolism,left ventricular structure and function in NAFLD patients with T2DM
Baili SONG ; Liujun FU ; Yina CHANG ; Yuan YUAN ; Hongwei JIANG ; Huifang PENG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(14):1737-1742
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of liraglutide on cardiovascular metabolism, left ventricular structure and function of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS Totally 351 NAFLD patients with T2DM were enrolled retrospectively, who visited the Department of Endocrinology in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. They were divided into control group (196 cases) and observation group (155 cases) according to different treatment regimens. The control group received conventional standard treatment, and the observation group was additionally given Liraglutide injection 0.6 mg/d subcutaneously once a day based on the control group, adjusted to 1.2 mg/d after 7 days. Both groups received regular treatment for more than 12 months. The propensity matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1. The cardiovascular metabolism indexes and cardiac ultrasound parameters were compared, and the correlation between left ventricular structure, function parameters and cardiovascular metabolism indexes was analyzed. RESULTS After propensity score matching, there was no significant difference in baseline clinical data between the two groups (each 155 cases) before treatment (P>0.05). After 12 months of treatment, the waist circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglyceride (TG) of both groups, as well as the diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), uric acid (UA) and left ventricular mass (LVM) of the observation group, exhibited a significant decrease compared to pre-treatment levels (P<0.05). The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and E/A ratio in both groups, as well as the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the control group and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the observation group, were all significantly increased compared with before treatment in the same group (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvement of the above indicators (except for TG and SBP) in the observation group was generally more significant than those in the control group (P<0.05). The left ventricular structure and functional parameters (LVM, LVEF, E/A ratio) of the two groups before and after treatment had varying degrees of correlation with the patients’ waist circumference, body weight, BMI, SBP, FBG and HbA1c. Moreover, BMI (observation group: β= 0.229, P=0.004) and SBP (control group: β=0.240, P=0.004; observation group: β=0.226, P=0.007) were independent influential factors for LVM of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Liraglutide combined with conventional standard treatment can effectively control blood glucose in NAFLD patients with T2DM, reduce waist circumference, body weight and blood pressure, improve blood lipid disorders, and protect their cardiac structure and function.
10.Effect of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang on Myocardial Microangiogenesis and HIF-1α/VEGF-related Pathways in Myocardial Ischemia Model Rats
Wenhao CHEN ; Weishan MENG ; Hong LI ; Weiwei TIAN ; Qi ZHANG ; Yingying TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang on cardiac function and myocardial histopathological changes in rats with ischemic myocardial injury, and to observe the effect of myocardial microvascular density (MVD), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways on myocardial microangiogenesis. MethodSeventy male SD rats were randomly selected, with six rats in the normal group. The remaining rats were fed a high-fat diet and injected with isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO,80 mg·kg-1·d-1, 2 d) to induce a hyperlipidemia-based ischemic heart disease model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the model group, high, medium, and low dose groups of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang, and the metoprolol group. The high, medium, and low dose groups of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang were given Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang at 10.42, 5.21, 2.61 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively, while the metoprolol group was given metoprolol at 2.6 mg·kg-1·d-1. Both the normal and model groups were given an equivalent volume of physiological saline for 28 days. After the intervention, relevant tests were conducted, and serum was collected to measure heart function-related indicators. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining were performed on ventricular tissue to observe pathological changes under a light microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the positive expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and VEGF. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PI3K/mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased serum levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB, NT-proBNP, and VEGF (P<0.01), significantly increased collagen volume fraction (CVF) (P<0.01), significantly decreased MVD (P<0.01), and elevated protein expression levels of PI3K, mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the metoprolol group had significantly lower serum levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB, and NT-proBNP (P<0.01), significantly higher VEGF levels (P<0.01), significantly decreased CVF (P<0.01), significantly increased MVD (P<0.01), and significantly increased protein expression levels of PI3K, mTOR, and VEGF (P<0.01), with no statistically significant change in HIF-1α protein expression. Compared with the model group, the high and medium dose groups of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang had decreased serum levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB, and NT-proBNP (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased VEGF levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced CVF (P<0.01), increased MVD (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased protein levels of PI3K, mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF (P<0.01). In the low dose group of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang, compared with the model group, serum levels of LDH and NT-proBNP were decreased (P<0.05), VEGF was increased (P<0.05). Moreover, CVF was decreased (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF were significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionGualou Xiebai Banxiatang can improve cardiac function, reduce myocardial pathological damage, enhance endothelial cell function, promote myocardial microvascular formation, and upregulate the expression of PI3K, mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF proteins in myocardial tissue in rats with ischemic myocardial injury.

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