1.Chinese Materia Medica by Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Prevention and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Yasheng DENG ; Lanhua XI ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Tianwei LIANG ; Hui HUANG ; Shan LI ; Xian HUANG ; Chun YAO ; Guochu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):321-330
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa and submucosa, and its complex pathogenesis involves immune abnormality, oxidative stress and other factors. The nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), encoded by the Nfe212 gene, plays a central role in antioxidant responses. It not only activates various antioxidant response elements such as heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), but also enhances the activity of glutathione-S-transferase(GST) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1), effectively eliminating reactive oxygen species(ROS) accumulated in the body, and mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage to intestinal mucosa. In addition, Nrf2 can reduce the release of inflammatory factors and infiltration of immune cells by regulating immune response, cell apoptosis and autophagy pathways, thereby alleviating intestinal inflammation and promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged mucosa. Based on this, this paper reviews the research progress of Chinese materia medica in the prevention and treatment of UC by modulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It deeply explores the physiological role of Nrf2, the molecular mechanism of activation, the protective effect in the pathological process of UC, and how active ingredients in Chinese materia medica regulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway through multiple pathways to exert their potential mechanisms. These studies have revealed in depth that Chinese materia medica can effectively combat oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It can also play a role in anti-inflammatory, promoting autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier, and promoting intestinal mucosal repair, providing new ideas and methods for the multi-faceted treatment of UC.
2.Textual Research on Historic Evolution and Ancient and Modern Application of Classic Prescription Huangqintang
Yuxin LI ; Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jialei CAO ; Tongyi HUANG ; Hejia WAN ; Bingqi WEI ; Mengting ZHAO ; Xiaoyang TIAN ; Bingxiang MA ; Weili DANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):184-191
Huangqintang, with its accurate efficacy, is a classic formula specialized in treating dysentery recommended and promoted by medical experts from successive generations, and it was included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (the Second Batch, Han Chinese medicine prescriptions) published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinses Medicine (TCM) in 2023. The method of bibliometrics was applied in this study to conduct textual research on the classic formula Huangqintang and provide a literature reference for the development of modern preparations of Huangqintang. A total of 2 026 pieces of ancient literature were searched with "Huangqintang" as the key word, and 23 pieces of effective data were selected, involving 15 ancient TCM books. The historic evolution, composition, dosage, origin, processing methods, preparation and decocting methods, efficiency, and application of Huangqintang were carefully reviewed. The results showed that Huangqintang was first recorded in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by ZHANG Zhongjing. It has the effect of clearing heat, stopping dysentery, regulating the middle, and downbearing counterflow and has become one of the classic formulas widely used in clinical practice. Because of its accurate efficacy, medical experts from later generations have modified it from its original composition. Though many prescriptions have different names, it is the manifestation of physicians' inheritance and development of the thought of ZHANG Zhongjing. Ancient literature showed this prescription had wide indications yet centered on digestive system diseases such as dysentery and abdominal pain. Modern applications of Huangqintang involve digestive, respiratory, ophthalmology and otolaryngology, gynecological, skin, musculoskeletal system, and connective tissue, and this prescription has great potential in treating ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, acute enteritis, and damp-heat dysentery. Through a systematic textual excavation and review of the ancient literature about Huangqintang, the paper has confirmed its key information, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and new drug development of classic formulas.
3.Homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats
Yongjin GAN ; Ruize CHEN ; Jian’an LING ; Yanni HUANG ; Danyu LIANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):218-223
Background Pneumoconiosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that cannot be completely cured. Therefore, how to control lung inflammation and delay of the body aging is one of the keys to treating pneumoconiosis. The studies in past two decades suggested that many small molecule drugs are able to enhance cardiopulmonary function. Objective To explore the effects of homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats. Methods Seventy-two SD specific pathogen-free rats were randomized into 4 groups (18 mice in each group): negative control group (ultrapure water, without dust), positive control group, homeopathic treatment group, co-administered treatment group. One mL of quartz dust suspension was injected into the rat trachea by disposable non-exposed tracheal injection method (50 mg·mL−1) to establish a rat silicosis model. Rats were administered by gavage since the 4th day after dust exposure. The homeopathic treatment group rats received taurine solution (0.03 g·mL−1) in the morning and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (0.03 g·mL−1) in the afternoon; the co-administered treatment group rats received a mixed solution (0.015 g·mL−1 β-nicotinamide mononucleotide + 0.015 g·mL−1 taurine) twice, in the morning and afternoon respectively. The positive and negative control groups received equivalent of ultrapure water in the morning and afternoon. All groups of rats were administered 5 d a week for a total of 6 weeks. The rats were neutralized after 6 weeks of administration. Organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, whole lung dry and wet weights, whole lung free silica content, and cell count and classification in lung lavage fluid were measured and calculated, and lung histopathological changes in lung samples were observed. Results Compared with the positive control group, the whole lung wet weight, whole lung dry weight , total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were reduce in the homeopathic treatment group, and the co-administered treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were elevated in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group, the whole lung dry weight was elevated in the co-administered treatment group, and those differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The rat lung histopathological results showed that, in the positive control group, round or oval nodules were formed in the lung tissue, which were phagocytic cellular nodules, and the alveolar structures in some areas still existed. The histopathological changes in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group were similar to those of the positive group, but less severe. No pathological change was observed in the lung tissue of the negative control group. Conclusion Some improvement and dust removal in experimental silicosis rats by homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine are observed.
4.Protective strategies and management recommendations for medical staff based on NIOSH's Managing Hazardous Drug Exposures: Information for Healthcare Settings (2023 Edition)
Hengjuan LIANG ; Bo YANG ; Jing WEN ; Xiaohong HUANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):232-237
The Hazardous Drug Exposure Management: Information for Healthcare Settings (2023 Edition) released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of US provided detailed protection recommendations for medical personnel to mitigate the risks of occupational exposure to hazardous drugs. This study reviewed the literature in terms of hazard identification, occupational exposure assessment, risk assessment, risk management planning, and waste and spill control. It also explored the precautions for each step of hazardous drug handling, aiming to raise medical personnel's awareness of hazardous drug protection and improve their self-protection skills. The findings provided valuable references for medical institutions to develop hazardous drug disposal plans and reduce employees' exposure to hazardous drugs and occupational injuries.
5.Development of a RP scoring system for predicting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy by optimizing RENAL and MAP scores
Liang ZHENG ; Bohong CHEN ; Haoxiang HUANG ; Cong FENG ; Jin ZENG ; Wei CHEN ; Dapeng WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):53-58
[Objective] To establish a new scoring system to predict the perioperative outcomes (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and trifecta achievement) in patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) by integrating the RENAL and Mayo adhesive probability (MAP) scores. [Methods] Clinical data of 178 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent RAPN performed by the same surgeon in our hospital during Jan.2015 and Jan.2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The RENAL and MAP scores of all patients were calculated.Linear regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations between the components of the RENAL and MAP scores (a total of 6 variables) and perioperative outcomes.The factors with significant associations were then included into logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors for constructing an assessment system for perioperative outcomes, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to predict its efficacy. [Results] Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that tumor size (β=6.14, 95%CI: 1.93—10.34, P=0.004), exophytic rate (β=10.60, 95%CI: 3.44—17.76, P=0.004), and perinephric fat thickness (β=16.48, 95%CI: 8.52—24.45, P<0.001) were significantly associated with operation time.Tumor size (β=10.55 95%CI: 5.60—15.49, P<0.001) was associated with both intraoperative blood loss and trifecta achievement (OR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.26—2.36, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of these 3 factors identified tumor size (OR=9.07, 95% CI: 1.18—69.45, P=0.03) and perinephric fat thickness (OR=2.28, 95%CI: 1.86—6.04, P=0.01) as independent predictors of perioperative outcomes.Based on these findings, the tumor size and perinephric fat thickness (RP) scoring was constructed, which demonstrated better predictive ability than RENAL score or MAP score alone (RP vs.RENAL vs.MAP: 0.766 vs.0.548 vs.0.684). [Conclusion] The RP score includes fewer variables than the RENAL and MAP scores but outperforms them.
6.Research progress on autologous blood patch pleurodesis
Jiawei HUANG ; Hanping LIANG ; Xihao XIE ; Wanli LIN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):136-140
Autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) was first proposed in 1987. Now it is mainly used to treat intractable pneumothorax and persistent air leakage after pneumonectomy, and also used to treat pneumothorax in children and other rare secondary pneumothorax. Persistent air leakage and pneumothorax of various causes are essentially alveolar pleural fistula. It can usually be treated by closed thoracic drainage, continuous negative pressure suction and surgery. Pleurodesis is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for patients who have failed conventional conservative treatment and can not receive operations. Compared with other pleurodesis adhesives, autologous blood (ABPP) is safer and more effective, and it is simple, painless, cheap and easy to be accepted by patients. But in the domestic and foreign researches in recent years, many details of ABPP treatment have not been standardized. For further research and popularization of ABPP, this article reviews the detailed regulations, efficacy and safety of this technology.
7.Analysis of the safety, economic benefit and social psychological satisfaction of day breast conserving surgery for breast cancer
Jiao ZHOU ; Xiaoxiao XIAO ; Jiabin YANG ; Yu FENG ; Huanzuo YANG ; Mengxue QIU ; Qing ZHANG ; Yang LIU ; Mingjun HUANG ; Peng LIANG ; Zhenggui DU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):160-166
Objective To investigate the safety, economic benefits and psychological effects of day breast conserving surgery for breast cancer. Methods The demographic data and clinical data of breast cancer patients undergoing day (day surgery group) and ward (ward surgery group) breast conserving surgeries in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from March 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected; the demographic data, clinical data, medical and related transportation costs, and preoperative and postoperative BREAST-Q scores of breast cancer patients undergoing day (day surgery group) and ward (ward surgery group) breast conserving surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2021 to June 2022 were prospectively collected. The safety, economic benefit, and psychological satisfaction of day surgery was analyzed. Results A total of 42 women with breast cancer were included in the retrospective study and 39 women with breast cancer were included in the prospective study. In both prospective and retrospective studies, the mean age of patients in both groups were <50 years. There were only statistical differences between the two groups in the aspects of hypertension (P=0.022), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.037) and postoperative pathological estrogen receptor (P=0.033) in the prospective study. In postoperative complications, there were no statistical differences in the surgical-related complications or anesthesia-related complications between the two groups in either the prospective study or the retrospective study (P>0.05). In terms of the overall cost, we found that the day surgery group was more economical than the ward surgery group in the prospective study (P=0.002). There were no statistical differences in postoperative psychosocical well-being, sexual well-being, satisfaction with breasts or chest condition between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion It is safe and reliable to carry out breast conserving surgery in day surgery center under strict management standards, which can save medical costs and will not cause great psychological burden to patients.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
9.Clinical Efficacy of Tonifying Kidney and Replenishing Essence on Asthenospermia Patients with Syndrome of Kidney Essence Deficiency and Effect of This Method on Expression Levels of AMPK/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway-associated Proteins
Yuanjie FU ; Fuhao LI ; Chenghua PENG ; Dong XU ; Guoan YIN ; Xiaopeng HUANG ; Degui CHANG ; Liang DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):141-147
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules, while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally, eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group, and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated (p)-AMPK, regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) and p-RAPTOR, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment, as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% (3/33), which was higher than that (3.33%, 1/30) in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% (28/33) in the observation group and 66.7% (20/30) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference. After treatment, both groups were improved considering PR, PR+NP, MMP, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group (P<0.05), while the changes in PR, PR+NP, and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group, the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK (P<0.01). The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 (P<0.01). However, the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period, neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway, lowering the protein level of PINK1, and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.
10.Research progress of Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy in downstaging and conversion of hepatocellular carcinoma
Licong LIANG ; Yuchan LIANG ; Wensou HUANG ; Yongjian GUO ; Jingjun HUANG ; Liteng LIN ; Mingyue CAI ; Kangshun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):9-14
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China are among the highest in the world, imposing a heavy social burden. Liver resection and liver transplantation are the primary radical treatments for HCC, although most patients are no longer able to meet the surgical requirements at initial diagnosis. Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) has the advantages of shrinking tumors, enlarging residual liver, regressing portal vein tumor thrombus and improving the quality of life, which can be used for conversion, downstaging and bridging therapy for HCC before surgical treatment, enabling patients regain the chance of radical treatment and reducing the postoperative recurrence rate. This review focuses on the clinical application and progress of 90Y-SIRT in this field.

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