1.Mechanism of Xinnao shutong capsule alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating ferroptosis
Huani LI ; Changhe LIU ; Xiaoyan GUO ; Xin ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Wenjing GE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):306-311
OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of Xinnao shutong capsule alleviating cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats by regulating the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Xinnao shutong low-dose, high-dose group (220, 440 mg/kg), Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group (positive control, 150 mg/kg). Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication/normal saline for 7 consecutive days. Transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was adopted to induce the CIRI model; the samples were taken 24 h after the operation; the cerebral infarction area of rats was detected, and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated. The pathological changes of brain tissues were observed, and the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in cerebral tissue were detected; mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were all detected in cerebral tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with model group, the cerebral infarction rate, the content of total iron in cerebral tissue and serum level of LPO (except for Ginkgo biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong low-dose group) were all decreased significantly in G. biloba leaves extract group and Xinnao shutong groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the serum level of GSH, the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and GPX4 were all increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The pathological damage to brain tissue was reduced, the number of nerve cells increased, the edema was alleviated, and the nuclear membrane was flattened. CONCLUSIONS Xinnao shutong capsule can inhibit ferroptosis and reduce CIRI, the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway.
2.Relationship of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin
HAN Yu, LI Zhi, LI Penghong, CUI Tingkai, XIONG Wenjuan, QU Zhiyi, XI Wei, ZHANG Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):162-166
Objective:
To investigate the association of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin, so as to provide scientific evidence for childhood obesity prevention and intervention measures in the population.
Methods:
From January 2022 to June 2024, 296 children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders aged 2-18 years were recruited from special education schools and institutions in Tianjin. Height and weight were measured, and a standardized questionnaire was used to assess physical activity and screen time. Binary Logistic regression analysis was carried out to investigate the association of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity.
Results:
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin were 17.2% and 21.6%, respectively, and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 38.9%. The median of moderatetovigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was 0.20 h/d, and physical activity sufficiency rate was 7.8%. The median of screen time was 1.79 h/d, and the screen time compliance rate was 68.2%. The binary Logistic regression results showed that lower levels of MVPA time and increased screen time were associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs [OR(95%CI)=1.80(1.06-3.07), 2.40(1.42-4.07),P<0.05].
Conclusions
Insufficient physical activity and excessive screen time are associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs. Therefore, comprehensive intervention measures should be implemented as early as possible to prevent and reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity in this population.
3.Exploring the treatment approach for bone marrow suppression after radiotherapy and chemotherapy from the perspective of "acute deficiency syndrome"
Zhiming LI ; Fen HUANG ; Jiawang JIANG ; Wei JIANG ; Xiaochun CHEN ; Xin LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):122-126
Bone marrow suppression is one of the common adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Anticancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy first directly damage the patient′s peripheral blood cells, impairing qi and blood; further, they damage the actively proliferating cell populations in the bone marrow, impairing yin and blood; and then they interfere with hematopoietic stem cells, impairing essence and blood. This process is rapid and intense, consistent with the characteristics of " acute deficiency syndrome" , marked by sudden onset, rapid changes, critical condition, complexity and variability, multiple complications, and poor prognosis. Given this, its diagnosis and treatment should differ from those of general deficiency syndromes. This paper advocates the principles and ideas of diagnosis and treatment such as " preventing first and treating early to prevent changes; supplementing for deficiency and strengthening vital qi to eliminate pathogenic factor; urgent rescue for critical conditions, no time to lose; and comprehensive supplementing throughout the process, with severe cases requiring singular action" . This approach is intended to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for bone marrow suppression after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
4.Construction of Tax-PC/SDC/PVP-K30 micelles and their protective effect on alcoholic liver injury
Shi-yu ZHANG ; Jing-meng SUN ; Dong-dong LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Jia-hui ZHANG ; Wei-yu ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):488-497
Taxifolin (Tax) has been proved to be a medicinal edible substance with protective effects against alcoholic liver injury, however, its poor hydrophilicity and permeability have hindered the clinical application of Tax. In this study, we prepared taxifolin-phosphatidylcholine/sodium deoxycholate/PVP-K30 micells (Tax-MLs). Box-Behnken test was used to obtain the optimal preparation process, and Tax-MLs were characterised by transmission electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Physicochemical parameters such as proximate micelle concentration, equilibrium solubility and oil-water partition coefficient were determined, and the release pattern of Tax-MLs was investigated by
5.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
6.Analysis on current situation of drug use in Chinese aeromedical rescue
Aobo LI ; Wei WANG ; Yanrong ZHU ; Chunyan XIN ; Chen LI ; Xu GE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1035-1039
OBJECTIVE To analyze the current situation of drug use in domestic aeromedical rescue, and provide references for the development of aeromedical rescue services and the rational use of drugs on board. METHODS All literature on aeromedical rescue in China were retrieved from the databases of SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang data up to September 1st, 2024. Extracting descriptive analysis were conducted on the literature screened by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS A total of 36 literature were included. Aeromedical rescue cases had been reported in China since 1985, with a cumulative total of 5 370 cases reported. Prehospital rescue performed 861 cases, with 96.40% of them involving the use of at least 9 categories, totaling at least 10 different drugs, primarily emergency drugs. Interhospital rescue performed 4 509 cases, and 85.23% of them used over 48 kinds of drugs across 19 categories, mainly emergency drugs supplemented by specialty drugs. From the view of transportation, 5 166 air transfers were made by helicopters, of which 88.00% involved the use of drugs, and 204 cases by fixed-wing aircraft, of which 91.18% involved the use of drugs. CONCLUSIONS Drugs are frequently used in aeromedical rescue involving a wide variety of types in China. It is imperative to strengthen the focus on the equipment and rational use of drugs in aeromedical rescue, thereby facilitating the establishment of a standardized theoretical framework.
7.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
9.The Mesencephalic Locomotor Region for Locomotion Control
Xing-Chen GUO ; Yan XIE ; Xin-Shuo WEI ; Wen-Fen LI ; Ying-Yu SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1804-1816
Locomotion, a fundamental motor function encompassing various forms such as swimming, walking, running, and flying, is essential for animal survival and adaptation. The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), located at the midbrain-hindbrain junction, is a conserved brain area critical for controlling locomotion. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the MLR’s structure and function across species, from lampreys to mammals and birds, with a particular focus on insights gained from optogenetic studies in mammals. The goal is to uncover universal strategies for MLR-mediated locomotor control. Electrical stimulation of the MLR in species such as lampreys, salamanders, cats, and mice initiates locomotion and modulates speed and patterns. For example, in lampreys, MLR stimulation induces swimming, with increased intensity or frequency enhancing propulsive force. Similarly, in salamanders, graded stimulation transitions locomotor outputs from walking to swimming. Histochemical studies reveal that effective MLR stimulation sites colocalize with cholinergic neurons, suggesting a conserved neurochemical basis for locomotion control. In mammals, the MLR comprises two key nuclei: the cuneiform nucleus (CnF) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). Both nuclei contain glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, with the PPN additionally housing cholinergic neurons. Optogenetic studies in mice by selectively activating glutamatergic neurons have demonstrated that the CnF and PPN play distinct roles in motor control: the CnF drives rapid escape behaviors, while the PPN regulates slower, exploratory movements. This functional specialization within the MLR allows animals to adapt their locomotion patterns and speed in response to environmental demands and behavioral objectives. Similar to findings in lampreys, the CnF and PPN in mice transmit motor commands to spinal effector circuits by modulating the activity of brainstem reticular formation neurons. However, they achieve this through distinct reticulospinal pathways, enabling the generation of specific behaviors. Further insights from monosynaptic rabies viral tracing reveal that the CnF and PPN integrate inputs from diverse brain regions to produce context-appropriate behaviors. For instance, glutamatergic neurons in the PPN receive signals from other midbrain structures, the basal ganglia, and medullary nuclei, whereas glutamatergic neurons in the CnF rarely receive inputs from the basal ganglia but instead are strongly influenced by the periaqueductal grey and inferior colliculus within the midbrain. These differential connectivity patterns underscore the specialized roles of the CnF and PPN in motor control, highlighting their unique contributions to coordinating locomotion. Birds exhibit exceptional flight capabilities, yet the avian MLR remains poorly understood. Comparative studies suggest that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) in birds is homologous to the mammalian PPN, which contains cholinergic neurons, while the intercollicular nucleus (ICo) or nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (ImC) may correspond to the CnF. These findings provide important clues for identifying the avian MLR and elucidating its role in flight control. However, functional validation through targeted experiments is urgently needed to confirm these hypotheses. Optogenetics and other advanced techniques in mice have greatly advanced MLR research, enabling precise manipulation of specific neuronal populations. Future studies should extend these methods to other species, particularly birds, to explore unique locomotor adaptations. Comparative analyses of MLR structure and function across species will deepen our understanding of the conserved and evolved features of motor control, revealing fundamental principles of locomotion regulation throughout evolution. By integrating findings from diverse species, we can uncover how the MLR has been adapted to meet the locomotor demands of different environments, from aquatic to aerial habitats.
10.Prospective Study on Tooth Loss and Risk of Esophageal Cancer Among Residents of A Natural Village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province
Jingjing WANG ; Ruihua XU ; Yanfang ZHANG ; Xueke ZHAO ; Qiang ZHANG ; Xin SONG ; Mengxia WEI ; Junfang GUO ; Xuena HAN ; Yaru FU ; Bei LI ; Junqing LIU ; Lingling LEI ; Min LIU ; Qide BAO ; Lidong WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):548-553
Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss


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