1.The Establishment of a Virus-related Lymphoma Risk Warning System and Health Management Model Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Conditions
Hanjing LI ; Shunan LI ; Zewei ZHUO ; Shunyong WANG ; Qiangqiang ZHENG ; Bingyu HUANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Chenxi QIU ; Ningning CHEN ; He WANG ; Tingbo LIU ; Haiying FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):335-339
Virus-related lymphoma exhibits a dual nature as both a hematologic malignancy and a viral infectious disease, making it more resistant to treatment and associated with poorer prognosis. This paper analyzes the understanding and therapeutic advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in virus-related lymphoma. It proposes a TCM-based approach centered around syndrome differentiation, using standardized measurements of the overall TCM condition, multi-omics research of hematologic tumors, and artificial intelligence technologies to identify the "pre-condition" of virus-related lymphoma. A risk warning model will be established to early identify high-risk populations with viral infections that may develop into malignant lymphoma, thereby establishing a risk warning system for virus-related lymphoma. At the same time, a TCM health management approach will be applied to manage and regulate virus-related lymphoma, interrupting its progression and forming a human-centered, comprehensive, continuous health service model. Based on this, a standardized, integrated clinical prevention and treatment decision-making model for virus-related lymphoma, recognized by both Chinese and western medicine, will be established to provide TCM solutions for primary prevention of major malignant tumors.
2.Study on the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and syndrome elements in lymphoma and the correlation between syndromes and Western medicine clinical indicators
Hanjing LI ; Shunan LI ; Zewei ZHUO ; Shunyong WANG ; Qiangqiang ZHENG ; Bingyu HUANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Chenxi QIU ; Ningning CHEN ; Yanyan QIU ; He WANG ; Tingbo LIU ; Haiying FU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):127-137
Objective:
To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and syndrome elements in lymphoma, as well as the correlation between TCM syndromes and Western clinical indicators, in order to analyze associations between TCM syndromes and these indicators.
Methods:
From January 2023 to May 2024, 216 patients with lymphoma who met the inclusion criteria in the Department of Hematology, Third People′s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled. Four diagnostic methods were applied to perform TCM syndrome differentiation and extract syndrome elements. The correlations between various syndromes and blood test indicators of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), neutrophil (NEUT), immunohistochemical markers of B-cell lymphoma-6 (BCL6), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), proto-oncogene MYC, and Ki67 protein expression, Ann Arbor staging, international prognostic index (IPI) score, bone marrow infiltration, concurrent infections during chemotherapy, and post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate were analyzed.
Results:
Five TCM syndromes, ranked by frequency, were syndromes of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation(41.67%), qi depression with phlegm obstruction(30.56%), cold-phlegm congelation and stagnation(12.96%), phlegm-blood stasis toxin(12.04%), and lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi(2.77%). Yin deficiency(50.93%) and phlegm(45.37%) were the more prevalent syndrome elements. The TCM syndromes were correlated with β2-MG, PLT, MYC, BCL2/MYC, Ki67 protein expression, and bone marrow infiltration (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in Ann Arbor staging or IPI score across the syndromes. Compared to the syndrome of cold-phlegm congelation and stagnation, the syndrome of qi depression with phlegm obstruction exhibited higher levels of NEUT, MYC, BCL2/MYC, and Ki67 protein expression, as well as a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression (P<0.05); the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin showed higher MYC and BCL2/MYC protein expression and a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate (P<0.05); the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation demonstrated higher MYC and BCL2/MYC protein expression and bone marrow infiltration rates, whereas PLT level was lower (P<0.05); the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi had higher MYC, BCL2/MYC, and Ki67 protein expression levels, as well as a higher rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of qi depression with phlegm obstruction, the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin exhibited lower Ki67 protein expression (P<0.05); the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation had higher β2-MG level, bone marrow infiltration rate, and rate of concurrent infections during chemotherapy, whereas PLT and NEUT levels and the rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression rate were lower (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of phlegm-blood stasis toxin, the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation had higher β2-MG level, whereas NEUT and the rate of post-chemotherapy bone marrow suppression were lower(P<0.05); the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi exhibited a higher Ki67 protein expression (P<0.05). Compared to the syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation, the syndrome of lingering pathogen due to deficient vital qi also showed a higher Ki67 protein expression(P<0.05).
Conclusion
The syndrome of yin deficiency with phlegm accumulation is relatively common in lymphoma. There is a correlation between TCM syndromes and Western medicine clinical indicators. The presence of heat signs in the syndromes may indicate active disease and poor prognosis, while the presence of strong pathogenic factors and weak vital qi in the syndromes may indicate a severer chemotherapy-related bone marrow suppression.
3.Effect of refractive status before small incision lenticule extraction surgery on postoperative accommodative function
Meiluo ZHANG ; Chunyu TIAN ; Qinghua YANG ; Liexi JIA ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Manmei LI ; Zhengqing DU ; Zhuo ZENG ; Xue WANG ; Wei ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):323-327
AIM: To investigate the abnormal conditions and change patterns of accommodative facility in patients with different refractive states before and after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)surgery.METHODS:A prospective clinical cohort study was conducted. A total of 59 patients(118 eyes)who underwent SMILE surgery and had visual function files established in our hospital from June to December 2023 were randomly selected, including 37 males and 22 females, aged 18-35 years(with an average age of 25.19±5.65 years). According to the preoperative spherical equivalent(SE), they were divided into two groups: the low-to-moderate myopia group(SE≥-6.00 DS)with 40 patients(80 eyes), and the high myopia group(SE<-6.00 DS)with 19 patients(38 eyes). The monocular and binocular accommodative facility before surgery and at 1 wk and 1 mo after surgery were compared, and the changes in accommodative facility before and after SMILE surgery in the two groups of patients were analyzed.RESULTS:All surgeries were completed successfully. In the low-to-moderate myopia group, 33 cases(66 eyes)completed the 1-month follow-up after surgery, with a loss to follow-up rate of 17.5%(7/40). In the high myopia group, 15 patients(30 eyes)completed the 1-month follow-up after surgery, with a loss to follow-up rate of 21.1%(4/19). After SMILE surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity and SE of both low-to-moderate myopia and high myopia were significantly improved(all P<0.05). The accommodative facility of the right eyes in all the patients at 1 mo after surgery was better than that before surgery and at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.002, 0.006), the accommodative facility of the left eyes was significantly increased at 1 mo after surgery than that at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.005), and the binocular accommodative facility at 1 mo after surgery was significantly increased compared with that before surgery(P<0.017). Furthermore, there were statistical significance in accommodative facility of the right eyes in the low-to-moderate group at 1 mo compared with that before surgery and at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.011, 0.004); it was significantly increased in the left eyes at 1 mo after surgery compared with that at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.001), and binocular accommodative facility at 1 mo after surgery was significantly better than that before surgery(P<0.001). Furthermore, there was no statistical significance in the right, left and binocular accommodative facility of patients in the high myopia group(all P>0.017).CONCLUSION: After SMILE surgery, the monocular accommodative facility shows a transient decrease and then exceeds the preoperative level at 1 mo after surgery, and the binocular accommodative facility gradually improves after surgery. SMILE surgery has a positive impact on the monocular and binocular accommodative facility in patients with low-to-moderate myopia, but has no significant impact on the accommodative facility in patients with high myopia. It is of clinical significance to strengthen the detection of monocular and binocular accommodative facility before and after SMILE surgery.
4.Research progress on impact of micro/nanoplastics exposure on reproductive health
Yan HUANG ; Yuanyuan HUANG ; Yanxi ZHUO ; Yiqin LIN ; Qipeng LI ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Wenxiang WANG ; Yuchen LI ; Wenya SHAO ; Henggui CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):490-496
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.
5.Influence of Gene Mutation on the Effectiveness of Arsenic-Containing Herbal Compound Formula in Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes of Different TCM Patterns
Zichun WANG ; Zhuo CHEN ; Dexiu WANG ; Haiyan XIAO ; Weiyi LIU ; Ruibai LI ; Chi LIU ; Fengmei WANG ; Shanshan ZHANG ; Mingjing WANG ; Liu LI ; Xiaoqing GUO ; Hongzhi WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1463-1472
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of gene mutation on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound formulas in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) of different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns, so as to provide the basis for the clinical application. MethodsClinical data of 442 MDS patients who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compound formulas were retrospectively collected, including the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Based on the TCM four examinations, the patients were divided into the spleen-kidney deficiency group as well as the qi-yin deficiency group, and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) test, they were divided into the group with and without gene mutation respectively. The influence of gene mutation on the clinical effectiveness of patients with different TCM patterns was analyzed, the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with different outcomes of the two TCM patterns were compared, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of the effective rate of MDS patients with gene mutation. ResultsA total of 190 cases were included in the spleen-kidney deficiency group (119 cases with gene mutation) and 43 cases in the qi-yin deficiency group (23 cases with gene mutation). No statistically significant differences were noted in effectiveness assessment, total effective rate, and total response rate between the spleen-kidney deficiency group and the qi-yin deficiency group (P>0.05). In the spleen-kidney deficiency group, the total effective rate of MDS with gene mutation was 65.55% (78/119), which was lower than 80.28% (57/71) of MDS without gene mutation, with statistical significance (P = 0.033), while no statistical differences in effectiveness assessment and total response rate were noted (P>0.05). In the qi-yin deficiency group, no statistical differences were observed in effectiveness assessment, total effective rate, and total response rate of the patients in with or without gene mutation (P>0.05). In the spleen-kidney deficiency group with gene mutation, the rate of complex karyotype (P = 0.031) and the mutation rate of CBL gene (P = 0.032) in the ineffective population were higher than those in the effective population, while the mutation rate of DDX41 gene in the effective population was higher than that in the ineffective population (P = 0.033). No statistically significant differences were found in other gene mutations, age, gender distribution, number of gene mutations, bone marrow hyperplasia degree, blast cell range, reticular fiber tissue proliferation or not, and prognosis of chromosomal abnormalities between the effective and ineffective populations (P>0.05). In the qi-yin deficiency group with gene mutation, no statistically significant differences were found in various items between populations with different outcomes (P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that complex karyotype, CBL mutation, and DDX41 mutation were independently associated with the effective rate of MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency and gene mutation (P<0.05). DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group (OR>1), while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors (OR<1). ConclusionThe arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas exhibited better effectiveness in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without mutation; and in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without complex karyotypes, CBL mutation, and with DDX41 mutations. Furthermore, DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group, while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors. In MDS with qi-yin deficiency pattern, gene mutation-related factors showed no significant impact on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas.
6.Ecological niche and interspecific relationship of mosquitoes in different habitats in Dongcheng District, Beijing, 2023
Xuqiang WEI ; Ran QUE ; Yunbo WANG ; Zhuo MA ; Minghua LI ; Xiaodi LU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):430-435
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of ecological niche and interspecific relationships of mosquitoes in different habitats in Dongcheng District, Beijing, and to provide a basis for mosquito ecological monitoring, control and the development or optimization of prevention and control strategies for related mosquito-borne diseases. MethodsFrom May to October 2023, the ecological monitoring in residential areas, parks, tourist attractions and medical institutions in Dongcheng District of Beijing was carried out using the carbon dioxide (CO2) mosquito trapping method, and the ecological niche characteristics and interspecific relationships of mosquitoes in different habitats were analyzed using Levins ecological niche breadth index, Pinaka ecological niche overlap index and ecological niche similarity coefficients. ResultsThe temporal ecological niche of Culex pipiens pallens (10.62) was higher than that of Aedes albopictus (8.29) in different habitats in Dongcheng District of Beijing, and the temporal ecological niche overlap index of the two mosquitoes was as high as 0.87. The ecological niche breadth of Culex pipiens pallens was higher than that of Aedes albopictus in different monitoring habitats, and the order of the ecological niche breadth of Culex pipiens pallens in different monitoring habitats was, from high to low, as follows: residential areas (11.09) > tourist attractions (10.25) > medical institutions (9.15) > parks (9.07), while the ecological niche breadth of Aedes albopictus in different habitats was, in descending order, residential areas (8.56) > medical institutions (7.68) > parks (7.44) > tourist attractions (5.73). The results of niche overlap analysis showed that the overlap index between Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes albopictus was the largest in residential areas (0.86), as for in other habitats, which was, in descending order, parks (0.81) > medical institutions (0.68) > tourist attractions (0.60). Besides, the ecological similarity coefficients further verified that similarity coefficients, between the two mosquito species, were highest in residential areas (0.712), lowest in tourist attractions (0.497), and which were 0.675 in parks and 0.598 in medical institutions, respectively. ConclusionIn different monitoring habitats in Dongcheng District of Beijing, Culex albopictus pallens demonstrates a stronger spatio-temporal resource utilization ability than Aedes albopictus, and the two species exhibit more similar spatio-temporal resource utilization patterns in residential areas. Corresponding control strategies targeting the characteristics of ecological niches and interspecific relationships of these two mosquito species in different habitats should be developed to enhance the prevention and control effect.
7.Evaluation and prospect of clinical pharmacist instructor training reform oriented toward enhancing clinical teaching competence
Li YOU ; Jiancun ZHEN ; Jing BIAN ; Zhuo WANG ; Yunyun YANG ; Jin LU ; Jing LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(17):2085-2091
OBJECTIVE To summarize the implementation experiences of the China Hospital Association’s Clinical Pharmacist Instructor Training Program Reform, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the reform, thus continuously enhancing the quality and standards of clinical pharmacist instructor training. METHODS The study drew on project evaluation methodologies to summarize the main characteristics of the comprehensive system and new model for clinical pharmacist instructor training established through the reform by literature review. The “learning assessment” and “reaction assessment” were conducted by using Kirkpatrick’s four-level model of evaluation in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the clinical pharmacist instructor training reform through statistically processing and analyzing the performance data and teaching evaluation data of the instructor participants. Based on problem and trend analysis, the future development directions were anticipated for the reform of clinical pharmacist instructor training. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The latest round of clinical pharmacist instructor training reform initiated by the Chinese Hospital Association had initially established a four-pronged training system encompassing “recruitment, training, assessment, and management”. It had also forged a training 。 model “oriented towards enhancing clinical teaching competency, with practical learning and skill-based assessment conducted on clinical teaching sites as its core”. Following a period of over three years of gradual reform, the new training system and model became increasingly mature. In both 2023 and 2024, the participants achieved relatively high average total scores in their initial completion assessments [with scores of (84.05± 5.83) and (85.82±4.35) points, respectively]. They also reported a strong sense of gain from the training reform [with self- perceived gain scores of (4.80±0.44) and (4.85±0.39) points, respectively]. The operation and implementation effects of the reform were generally satisfactory. In the future, clinical pharmacist instructor training reforms should continue to address the issues remaining from the current phase, while aligning with global trends in pharmacy education and industry development. Additionally, sustained exploration and practice will be carried out around the core objective of “enhancing clinical teaching competence”.
8.Chaihu and Longgu Mulitang Regulates ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway to Ameliorate Hippocampal Nerve Injury in Mouse Model of Depression
Shiyu JI ; Li WANG ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Yingzhe GAO ; Zefeng ZHANG ; Siyu CHEN ; Guangjing XIE ; Ping WANG ; Panpan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Chaihu and Longgu Mulitang (CLMT) on hippocampal neural damage in the mouse model of depression via the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into normal control, model, low/medium/high-dose (2.89, 5.78, and 11.56 g·kg-1, respectively) CLMT, and paroxetine (10 mg·kg-1) groups. A depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with social isolation. Behavioral tests were carried out to evaluate depressive-like behaviors. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were performed to assess hippocampal morphology and neuronal damage. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1). Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of ERK and CREB. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of ERK/CREB pathway proteins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software was used for molecular docking to evaluate the interactions between CLMT components and target proteins. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed decreased sucrose preference (P0.01), increased tail-suspension immobility time (P0.01), decreased activity in the central region of the open field test (P0.01), and decreased activity in the middle and open-arm region of the elevated plus maze test (P0.01). The hippocampal area in the model group showed wrinkled cells and a reduction in the number of cells, neurons with reduced sizes and Nissl bodies, enhanced fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 (P0.01), and down-regulated expression of phosphorylated (p)-ERK, p-CREB, and BDNF (P0.05, P0.01) and mRNA levels of ERK and CREB (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the CLMT group showed increased body weight (P0.05, P0.01), restored cell morphology, with only a small number of ruptured cells, normal neuronal structure and morphology with obvious nuclei and abundant Nissl bodies, weakened fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 (P0.05, P0.01), up-regulated mRNA levels of ERK and CREB (P0.05, P0.01) and protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-ERK, p-CREB, and BDNF in the hippocampal tissue (P0.05, P0.01). The results of molecular docking indicated that nine active ingredients in CLMT had good binding affinity with ERK and CREB. ConclusionCLMT may ameliorate the hippocampal nerve injury in the mouse model of depression by regulating the ERK/CREB pathway.
9.Regulatory Effects of Exercise on The Natural Immune System and Related Molecular Mechanisms
Shu-Yang ZHAO ; Xin LI ; Ke NING ; Zhuo WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2535-2549
The innate immune system serves as the body’s first line of defense against pathogens and plays a central role in inflammation regulation, immune homeostasis, and tumor immunosurveillance. In recent years, with the growing recognition of the concept “exercise is medicine”, increasing attention has been paid to the immunoregulatory effects of physical activity. Accumulating evidence suggests that regular, moderate-intensity exercise significantly enhances innate immunity by strengthening the skin-mucosal barrier, increasing levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and improving the functional capacity of key immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. It also modulates the complement system and various inflammatory mediators. This review comprehensively summarizes the effects of exercise on each component of the innate immune system and highlights the underlying molecular mechanisms, including activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), enhancement of mitochondrial function via the PGC-1α/TFAM axis, and initiation of autophagy through the ULK1/mTOR pathway. Emerging mechanisms are also discussed, such as exercise-induced epigenetic modifications (e.g., histone acetylation and miRNA regulation), modulation of the gut microbiota, and metabolite-mediated immune programming (e.g., short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), β‑hydroxybutyrate). The effects of exercise on innate immunity vary considerably among individuals, depending on factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities. For example, adolescents exhibit enhanced NK cell mobilization, whereas older adults benefit from reduced chronic inflammation and immune aging. Sex hormones and metabolic conditions (e.g., obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer) further modulate the immune response to exercise. Based on these insights, we propose a personalized approach to exercise prescription guided by the FITT (frequency, intensity, time, and type) principle, aiming to optimize immune outcomes across diverse populations. Importantly, given the dual role of exercise in immune activation and regulation, caution is warranted: while moderate exercise enhances immune defense, excessive or high-intensity activity may induce transient immunosuppression. In pathological contexts such as infection, autoimmune diseases, or tissue injury, exercise intensity and timing must be carefully adjusted. This review provides practical guidelines for exercise-based immune modulation and underscores the need for dose-response studies and advancements in precision exercise medicine. In conclusion, exercise represents a safe and effective strategy for enhancing innate immune function and mitigating chronic inflammatory diseases.
10.Effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on Th17/Treg Immune Imbalance and Notch1 Signaling Pathway in AIT Mice
Zhuo ZHAO ; Nan SONG ; Ziyu LIU ; Pin LI ; Yue LUO ; Pengkun ZHANG ; Zhimin WANG ; Yuanping YIN ; Tianshu GAO ; Zhe JIN ; Xiao YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):19-27
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, western medicine group (selenium yeast tablet, 32.5 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (4.78 g·kg-1·d-1), middle-dose (9.56 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (19 g·kg-1·d-1) Buzhong Yiqitang groups, with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water, and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously, the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroid hormone (FT4) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt), interleukin (IL)-17, forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), IL-10, Notch1, and hair division-related enhancer 1 (Hes1) in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group, the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged, and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb, FT3, and FT4 contents were significantly increased, and TSH content was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, Notch1, and Hes1 were significantly increased, while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups, and serum TGAb, FT3, and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased, and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, Notch1, and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice, and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.


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