1.LIU Shangyi's Experience in Treating Pruritus Vulvae Using Self-Prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方)
Xiao LIU ; Zhaozhao HUA ; Yiyuan ZHOU ; Taiwei ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Shuang HUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Kaiyang XUE ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):992-995
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in treating pruritus vulvae. It is believed that women have the physiological characteristics of liver and kidney as the root, and their pubic area is easily attacked by wind-dampness pathogenic qi, so the core mechanism of pruritus vulvae is proposed as wind-dampness accumulation and deficiency of liver and kidney. The core treatment method is to dispel wind-dampness and nourish the liver and kidneys, and modify the Danggui Decoction (当归饮子) to form a self-prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方) as the basic prescription to treat pruritus vulvaen.
2.Baihe Wuyaotang Ameliorates NAFLD by Enhancing mTOR-mediated Liver Autophagy
Rui WANG ; Tiantian BAN ; Lihui XUE ; Xinyi FENG ; Jiyuan GUO ; Jiaqi LI ; Shenghe JIANG ; Xiaolei HAN ; Baofeng HU ; Wenli ZHANG ; Naijun WU ; Shuang LI ; Yajuan QI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):66-77
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Baihe Wuyaotang (BWT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elucidate its underlying mechanism. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control, model, positive drug (pioglitazone hydrochloride 1.95×10-3 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose BWT (1.3,2.5 and 5.1 g·kg-1). Following a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD) inducement, the mice underwent six weeks of therapeutic intervention with twice-daily drug administration. Body weight was monitored weekly throughout the treatment period. At the fifth week, glucose tolerance (GTT) and insulin tolerance (ITT) tests were conducted. Subsequently, the mice were euthanized for the collection of liver tissue and serum, and the subcutaneous adipose tissue (iWAT) and epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT) were weighed. Serum levels of total triglycerides (TG) and liver function indicators,such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were determined. Histological examinations, including oil red O staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy, were performed to evaluate hepatic lipid deposition, pathological morphology, and ultrastructural changes, respectively. Meanwhile, Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to analyze alterations, at both gene and protein levels, the insulin signaling pathway molecules, including insulin receptor substrate 1/2/protein kinase B/forkhead box gene O1 (IRS1/2/Akt/FoxO1), glycogen synthesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (Pepck) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), lipid metabolism-related genes stearoyl-coA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), fibrosis-associated molecules α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen (CollagenⅠ), and the fibrosis canonical signaling pathway transforming growth factor-β1/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein2/3(TGF-β1/p-Smad/Smad2/3), inflammatory factors such as interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8, IL-11, and IL-1β, autophagy markers LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62/SQSTM1, and the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). ResultCompared with the model group, BWT reduced the body weight and liver weight of NAFLD mice(P<0.05, P<0.01), inhibited liver lipid accumulation, and reduced the weight of white fat: it reduced the weight of eWAT and iWAT(P<0.05, P<0.01) as well as the serum TG content(P<0.05, P<0.01). BWT improved the liver function as reflected by the reduced ALT and AST content(P<0.05, P<0.01). It improved liver insulin resistance by upregulating IRS2, p-Akt/Akt, p-FoxO1/FoxO1 expressions(P<0.05). Besides, it improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders: it reduced fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose(P<0.05, P<0.01), improved GTT and ITT(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the expression of Pepck, G6Pase, and SCD-1(P<0.01), and increased the expression of CPT-1(P<0.01). The expressions of α-SMA, Collagen1, and TGF-β1 proteins were down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of p-Smad/Smad2/3 was downregulated(P<0.05), suggesting BWT reduced liver fibrosis. BWT inhibited inflammation-related factors as it reduced the gene expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-11 and IL-1β(P<0.01) and it enhanced autophagy by upregulating LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression(P<0.05)while downregulating the expression of p62/SQSTM1 and mTOR(P<0.05). ConclusionBWT ameliorates NAFLD by multifaceted improvements, including improving IR and glucose and lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and enhancing autophagy. In particular, BWT may enhance liver autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway.
3. Investigating the effect and mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination in ameliorating psoriatic lesions
Xing-Kang WU ; Lu WANG ; Yang LI ; Yu-Shuang MA ; Xue-Mei QIN ; Xing-Kang WU ; Lu WANG ; Yang LI ; Yu-Shuang MA ; Xue-Mei QIN ; Xing-Kang WU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):171-180
Aim In this study, a mouse model of psoriasis-like lesions induced by 62. 5 mg imiquimod was used to explore the effect and mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for the topical treatment of psoriasis. Methods Firstly, the topical administration of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for treating psoriasis in progressive and recurrent stages was evaluated by psoriatic mouse model and HE staining. Secondly, immunohistochemistry was used to study the regulatory effects of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination on the pivotal pathological mechanism of psoriasis-the positive feedback loop between the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes and skin immune microenvironment. Finally, metabolomics technology was used to explore whether Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination topically treat psoriasis by regulating inflammation-related metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. Results The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae alleviated psoriasis-like lesions in mice. It effectively relieved the recurrence after the cure of psoriatic lesions in mice, and the efficacy is comparable to that of benweimod. The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae inhibited the proliferation of mouse epidermal keratinocytes and reduced the number of T cells in the skin. The potential molecular mechanism was that the combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae regulated arachidonic acid metabolism, sphin- golipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusions The combination of Sophora Flavescens Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae can relieve psoriasis-like lesions in mice by inhibiting the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and reducing the number of T cells in the skin and regulating metabolism to intervene psoriasis recurrence. This study provides a potential topical drug of psoriasis for relieving psoriasis recurrence.
4.Role of intestinal flora in hypertension complicated with osteoporosis
Mei-Long SI ; Hua JIN ; Min-Ke LIU ; Shuang-Fang LIU ; Bi-Shi LING ; Shang-Wen QI ; Xue-Li MA
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):449-453
Hypertension and osteoporosis(OP)are common diseases in middle-aged and elderly people,and the number of patients with both diseases has gradually increased in recent years.Because the onset of the disease is hidden,it is easy to cause fractures and serious complications of heart,brain and kidney in the later stage,which not only seriously damages the quality of life of patients,but also increases the difficulty of clinical treatment.Therefore,it is particularly necessary to strengthen the research on this disease.More and more studies have found that the disorder of intestinal flora will lead to the occurrence of OP,while the intestinal flora of patients with hypertension is obviously out of balance.Therefore,this paper thinks that intestinal flora may be the key influencing factor of hypertension complicated with OP,and the imbalance of intestinal flora will lead to the imbalance of short-chain fatty acid metabolism,immune inflammatory reaction and increased sympathetic nerve activity,thus causing the imbalance of bone homeostasis and promoting the occurrence of OP.Therefore,it is suggested that regulating intestinal flora may be a new way to intervene hypertension complicated with OP.
5.Research stauts of mRNA vaccines in cancer and infectious diseases
Can LI ; Shuang LIU ; Xue ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1665-1669
With the advantages of high efficiency,safety,potential for rapid development,and cost-effectiveness,mRNA vaccines have become a powerful therapeutic platform for cancer and infectious diseases.The shortcomings of mRNA vaccines,such as instability and low in vivo delivery efficiency,have been effectively improved by structural modification of mRNA vaccines and delivery improvement.Based on the currently approved mRNA vaccines and clinical trials of mRNA vaccines,this paper reviews the classification,structural modification,mechanism of action,and applications of mRNA vaccines in cancer and infectious diseases,and discusses the current challenges and future development prospects of mRNA vaccines.
6.TSHR Variant Screening and Phenotype Analysis in 367 Chinese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism
Hai-Yang ZHANG ; Feng-Yao WU ; Xue-Song LI ; Ping-Hui TU ; Cao-Xu ZHANG ; Rui-Meng YANG ; Ren-Jie CUI ; Chen-Yang WU ; Ya FANG ; Liu YANG ; Huai-Dong SONG ; Shuang-Xia ZHAO
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2024;44(4):343-353
Background:
Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes.
Methods:
In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity.
Results:
Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants.
Conclusions
We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.
7.Aptasensor for Detection of Small Molecules Based on Displacement Fluorescent Probe
Cheng YANG ; Sheng-Nan CUI ; Yue WANG ; Guo-Feng WANG ; Cheng-Ming LI ; Shuang-Chao GU ; Chang-Ying XUE
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(5):674-684,中插10-中插13
By using thioflavin T(ThT)as displacement-based fluorescent probes,three kinds of aptasensors were constructed for rapid detection of three kinds of small molecules such as ochratoxin A(OTA),aflatoxin B1(AFB1)and adenosine.In the absence of target molecule,ThT bound with the aptamer to form an aptamer-ThT complex and exhibited a significant fluorescence response.Upon the addition of target molecule,because of the higher affinity between target and aptamer than that between ThT and the aptamer,ThT was displaced by the target molecule from the aptamer-ThT complex,resulting in weakened fluorescence signal.Based on this principle,the target molecule could be detected quantitatively.Further study through circular dichroism spectra showed that there was no significant change in the conformation of the aptamer after addition of ThT or target molecules.The stoichiometric ratios of ThT to OTAapt,AFB1apt and Adeapt measured through the method of equimolar continuous variation was 1∶1,1∶1 and 2∶1,respectively,and their dissociation constants were all larger than those between the target molecule and its aptamer.Therefore,the principle of this detection method was the displacement of fluorescent probe(ThT)in aptamer-ThT complex by target molecule,resulting in decrease of fluorescence intensity.Under optimal experimental conditions,the limits of detection(LODs)were 0.8 nmol/L for OTA,1.3 nmol/L for AFB1,and 0.10 μmol/L for adenosine,respectively.This method was label-free,simple to operate,with low cost,good selectivity and high sensitivity.The developed assay kit based on this method could be used for actual sample detection.
8.Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women with advanced maternal age in Tangshan City
Ze-Liang LIU ; Xin-Yi GONG ; Xiao HAN ; Xue-Qi JIANG ; Bei-Bei MIAO ; Shuang MENG ; Ai-Ying DONG ; Juan LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(10):1199-1205
Objective To analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility,molecular types,serotypes,virulence factors and resistance mechanisms of Streptococcus agalactiae(S.agalactiae)isolated from pregnant women with ad-vanced maternal age in Tangshan City,and provide basic data for the treatment,prevention and control of S.aga-lactiae infection.Methods 42 strains of S.agalactiae isolated from pregnant women with advanced maternal age in North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital as well as Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital were collected.Detection of antimicrobial susceptibility and whole genome sequencing of 13 antimi-crobial agents were performed.Results The percentage of tetracycline,erythromycin,levofloxacin,and chloram-phenicol concurrently resistant strains was 7.1%,35.7%of the strains presented multidrug resistance to erythro-mycin,clindamycin,and levofloxacin.The carriage rates of resistance genes ermB and tetM were 66.7%and 47.6%,respectively.29 strains(69.0%)exhibited mutations in both gyrA and parC fluoroquinolone resistance determi-nants.42 strains of S.agalactiae belonged to 4 serotypes,namely ⅠB(35.7%),Ⅲ(33.3%),Ⅴ(26.2%),andⅠA(4.8%);and 11 sequence types(STs),with the highest proportion being ST10(35.7%)and ST19(31.0%);as well as 6 clonal complexes(CCs),among which CC19(42.9%)and CC12(35.7%)had the highest proportion.All S.agalactiae carried virulence factor-encoding genes of cfb,cylE,and pavA.Conclusion The molecular types and serotypes of S.agalactiae carried by pregnant women with advanced maternal age in Tangshan City pre-sent polymorphism,with obvious multidrug resistance,and carry multiple types of drug resistance genes and viru-lence genes.
9.Dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Xu-Huan ZOU ; Rui LAN ; Xue-Qin FU ; Wei-Wei WANG ; Man-Man WANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Hong-Yu LI ; Xiao-Ming SHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1056-1066
Aim To investigate the dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by establishing a model of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were ran-domly divided into six groups:sham group and cere-bral ischemia-reperfusion injury(IR)groups at differ-ent time points.Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)technique.The Longa sco-ring method was used to assess neurobehavioral scores in rats.After successful model preparation,routine paraffin sections were made,and TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry staining with NeuN antibody were performed to observe cell apoptosis and neuronal cell survival,respectively.Immunohistochemistry stai-ning was also performed to investigate the changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)as a marker for astrocytes,ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1)as a marker for microglia,and CD31 as a marker for endothelial cells at different time points.Results No significant changes were observed in neu-ronal cells of the sham group at different time points.In the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury groups,cell apoptosis was activated at IR3h and increased in quan-tity with morphological damage as time progressed.Ne-uN+neurons showed signs of ischemic injury after IR3h,with abnormal cell morphology.From 12 h,Ne-uN+neurons decreased in a time-dependent manner and reached their peak severity at 24 h.GFAP+astro-cytes decreased significantly after IR3h,while poorly labeled GFAP+astrocytes increased at IR 6 h and al-most disappeared in the infarcted area at 24 h and 48 h.The number of IBA-1+microglia-positive cells de-creased at IR3h,and their volume increased at IR6h.Microglial cell death was observed in the infarcted area at IR12h.CD31+endothelial cells around the infarc-ted cortex and striatum increased significantly after IR3h and persisted until 48 h.Conclusions After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,the number of ap-optotic cells increases with the prolongation of time,and NeuN+neurons exhibit the most severe damage at 24 h.GFAP+astrocytes and microglial cells gradually die over time.The number of CD31+endothelial cells increases significantly around the infarcted cortex and striatum after 3 h of reperfusion and persists until 48 h.
10.Clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of common lymphatic malformations in superficial soft tissues
Qiuyu LIU ; Chunxiao LI ; Dakan LIU ; Shuang XUE ; Fangfang FU ; Xiaoshuang ZHU ; Lingfei KONG ; Changxian DONG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(3):230-236
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, classification, and genetic characteristics of common lymphatic malformation (CLM) in superficial soft tissue.Methods:A retrospective study of 110 patients with the diagnosis of CLM at the Henan Province People′s Hospital, China from August 2019 to August 2022 was performed. The clinicopathological features, relevant immunohistochemical (IHC) staining results, and fluorescence quantitative PCR of PIK3CA mutation were analyzed, and patients were followed up.Results:Among the 110 CLM patients, there were 53 males and 57 females; 65 cases (65/110, 59.1%) were first detected when the patients were≤2 years old. The most common location was the head and neck in 41 cases (41/110, 37.3%). Clinically, 102 cases (102/110, 92.7%) were solitary, 83 cases (83/110, 75.5%) were skin-colored, 69 cases (69/110, 62.7%) had indistinct borders, and 10 cases (10/110, 9.1%) had diffuse and severe macroscopic manifestations. There were 52 macrocystic type (52/110, 47.3%), 23 microcystic type (23/110, 20.9%), and 35 combined type (35/110, 31.8%). The macrocystic CLM presented as soft, translucent masses with large cystic cavities on the cut surface, and histologically they were composed of large, irregularly dilated channels that were thicker with irregular smooth muscle and lymphocytic infiltration. Microcystic CLM showed wartlike projections or translucent blisters on the skin, with small honeycomb structures on the cut surface, and histologically consisted of round or angular dilated small lymphatic vessels with little or no smooth muscle. The combined CLM had both macrocystic and microcystic morphologies. IHC staining showed that the lymphatic endothelial cells were positive for LYVE-1, D2-40, PROX1, CD31, and VEGFR3 but negative for CD34; in the macrocystic and combined CLM vessel walls were positive for SMA. Eight of 13 CLM had PIK3CA mutation. All patients were followed up, and 24 (24/110, 21.8%) had relapses, which more frequently occurred in combined type, followed by microcystic type.Conclusions:CLM is a congenital vascular malformation composed of dilated, abnormal lymphatic channels, with PIK3CA mutation. There are significant differences in clinicopathological characteristics among the different types. Since microcystic and combined CLM are prone to recurrence, accurate pathological subtyping is necessary to guide treatment and to predict prognosis.

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