1.Role of amino acid metabolism in autoimmune hepatitis and related therapeutic targets
Peipei GUO ; Yang XU ; Jiaqi SHI ; Yang WU ; Lixia LU ; Bin LI ; Xiaohui YU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):547-551
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease. The pathogenesis of AIH remains unclear, but it is mainly autoimmune injury caused by the breakdown of autoimmune tolerance due to the abnormal activation of the immune system, while the specific molecular mechanism remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that abnormal amino acid metabolism plays an important role in the development and progression of AIH. This article reviews the research advances in amino acid metabolic reprogramming in AIH, in order to provide a theoretical basis for amino acid metabolism as a new target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AIH.
2.Cost-utility analysis of tislelizumab in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic (non-)squamous NSCLC
Chunyan WANG ; Jing WU ; Lixia SHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1370-1374
OBJECTIVE From the perspective of China’s healthcare system, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progresses or is intolerable after receiving platinum-containing dual chemotherapy in the past. METHODS Rationale-303 research data were used to construct a partitioned survival model. The model period was set to be 21 days and simulated to 120 months. Using quality-adjusted life year (QALY) as a health output index, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by discounting cost and health output with a discount rate of 5%. Single-factor sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were performed to verify the robustness of the basic analysis results. RESULTS Cost-utility analysis results showed that the ICER of tislelizumab group was 65 653.52 yuan/QALY, compared with docetaxel group. This means that the regimen of tislelizumab was more cost-effective than the docetaxel regimen when the willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) was 3 times China’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2023 (268 200 yuan/QALY). The results of single-factor sensitivity analysis showed that the three parameters that had a greater impact on ICER were the prices of tislelizumab, docetaxel and pemetrexed. The results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probabilities of the above two treatment regimens being cost-effective were both 50% when the WTP threshold was approximately 65 000 yuan/QALY. The probability of tislelizumab regimen being cost- effective was 100% when the WTP threshold was ≥134 000 yuan/QALY. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s healthcare system, when taking 3 times China’s GDP per capita in 2023 as the WTP threshold, tislelizumab is cost-effective for patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous or non-squamous NSCLC after receiving platinum-containing dual chemotherapy in the past, compared with docetaxel.
3.Treatment of Glaucoma Based on "Jueyin (厥阴) as the Closing Phase" from the Perspective of Spatiotemporal Theory
Xue WU ; Shuang CHEN ; Lixia ZHANG ; Piao JIANG ; Zhiyi ZHOU ; Wenying SUN ; Aixiang JIA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1400-1404
This paper explores the therapeutic approach for glaucoma based on the concept of "jueyin (厥阴) as the closing phase" from the perspectives of time and space. In traditional Chinese medicine, jueyin governs inward, converging aspect of qi, representing the crucial turning point between the end of yin and the emergence of yang, as well as the transformation between yin and yang. When the closing and descending function of jueyin operates smoothly, it promotes the inward convergence and smooth descent of qi, enabling the internal retention of blood, spirit, and emotions, which nourishes the internal organs and moistens the meridian-sinews. Conversely, dysfunction of this "closing" mechanism results in a disturbance of yin and yang, a mixture of cold and heat, and disharmony of qi and blood. It is proposed that "failure of jueyin to properly close and descend" is a core pathomechanism of glaucoma. From the perspective of spatiotemporal theory, clinical treatment should focus on "regulating the closing function of jueyin and harmonizing yin and yang". The modified Wumei Pill (乌梅丸) is recommended to adjust the ascending-descending and entering-exiting dynamics of jueyin qi transformation, thereby restoring its free flow, achieving yin and yang balance, and ensuring nourishment to the ocular system.
4.Potential Mechanism of Taraxaci Herba Against Bladder Cancer: A Review
Mingshun ZUO ; Zhicheng DONG ; Yu ZUO ; Hongchuan CHEN ; Hongjia CAI ; Congcong WU ; Xiaoyu AI ; Neng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):290-298
Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system, and its incidence is increasing year by year. At present, for all patients with resectable non-metastatic muscle-invasive BCa, radical cystectomy + bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection is strongly recommended, but they still face the risk of recurrence, metastasis and death. In recent years, the proportion of patients with advanced and metastatic BCa is increasing among patients with newly diagnosed BCa. Although current treatment models are diverse, they often struggle to achieve significant efficacy due to their low effectiveness and adverse effects, resulting in low survival rates for patients with advanced and metastatic BCa. Therefore, the treatment of BCa still faces great challenges, and there is an urgent need to discover an effective new antitumor drug. With the improvement of medical standards, traditional Chinese medicine has shown great advantages in the treatment of BCa. Traditional Chinese medicine is mild and easy to accept, and can inhibit tumor progression through a multi-pathway, multi-way and multi-target manner, so as to exert its anticancer effect. Taraxaci Herba is a medicinal and food homologous plant, which has many biological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, protecting liver and gallbladder, reducing blood sugar and enhancing immunity, and it has shown a clear anticancer effect in breast cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, tongue cancer and lung cancer. By reviewing previous studies worldwide, this article summarizes the mechanism of Taraxaci Herba extract in inducing autophagy and apoptosis, inhibiting cell migration and invasion, regulating cell cycle and proliferation, regulating cell metabolism, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, combining the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and regulating the transduction of related signal pathways. On this basis, this study systematically elaborates on the potential mechanism of Taraxaci Herba against BCa, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research and treatment of BCa.
5.Randomized, Open, Parallel Controlled, Multi-center Study for Efficacy and Safety of Lianhua Qingke Tablets in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis in Children with Syndrome of Phlegm-heat Obstructing Lung
Nan LI ; Shaoyi GENG ; Xiaofang WANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Lixia JIA ; Rongzhen KANG ; Xiangjun DU ; Lichun WU ; Linlin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):90-94
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lianhua Qingke tablets in the treatment of acute bronchitis in children with the syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing lung. MethodA randomized, open, parallel controlled, and multi-center clinical study was conduted. Children with acute bronchitis (syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing lung) were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group. The control group received routine basic treatment, and the observation group was treated with Lianhua Qingke Tablets on the basis of routine basic treatment. After 7 days of treatment, the clinical efficacy, TCM efficacy, time to symptom disappearance, time to cough disappearance, and clinical safety were compared between the two groups. ResultA total of 248 children were included (124 in the observation group and 124 in the control group). After 7 days of treatment, the total response rate in terms of clinical efficacy in the observation group was 96.8% (120/124), which was higher than that (90.3%, 112/124) in the control group (Z=-5.034, P<0.01). The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 97.6% (121/124), which was higher than that (93.5%, 116/124) in the control group (χ2=-5.326, P<0.01). The scores of physical signs and TCM symptoms in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at the time of taking medicine for 3 days and 7 days (P<0.01). The time to symptom disappearance and the time to cough disappearance in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.01). Drug-related adverse reactions occurred in neither group. ConclusionLianhua Qingke tablets demonstrate a definite effect on acute bronchitis in children with the syndrome of phlegm-heat blocking lung. The tablets can significantly shorten the course of disease and relieve cough and TCM symptoms, with high safety, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
6.Effect of Danggui Niantongtang on Intestinal Flora of Knee Osteoarthritis Mice Based on 16S rDNA Sequencing
Shuang WU ; Lixia YUAN ; Qing LIAO ; Yisi CAI ; Wei ZHONG ; Hong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):9-17
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential mechanism of Danggui Niantongtang in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by regulating the intestinal flora through 16S rDNA analysis. MethodThirty-six C57BL/6J mice were subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) to establish a KOA model and were randomly divided into the sham surgery group, model group, low-dose Danggui Niantongtang group (0.819 g·kg-1), medium-dose Danggui Niantongtang group (1.638 g·kg-1), high-dose Danggui Niantongtang group (3.276 g·kg-1), and Meloxicam group (0.975 mg·kg-1), with 6 mice in each group. Except for the treatment groups, the sham surgery group and model group were given normal saline by gavage. After 4 weeks of continuous intervention, feces and intact knee joints of the mice were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in knee joint tissue morphology. The 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal microorganisms before and after treatment, along with corresponding functional predictions. ResultHigh-dose Danggui Niantongtang and Meloxicam significantly relieved pain symptoms in KOA mice, improved the disorder of joint structure, maintained the integrity of knee articular cartilage, increased the expression of type Ⅱ collagen alpha 1 (Col2a1) in articular cartilage, and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). The results of 16S rDNA sequencing showed that high-dose Danggui Niantongtang could adjust the abundance and structure of intestinal microbial species. Compared with the sham surgery group, the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Ruminococcus, and Bacteroides was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05), while in the Danggui Niantongtang group, the abundance of these four flora was significantly reduced compared with the model group. Compared with the sham surgery group, the abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Oscillospira, and Akkermansia was significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05), while in the Danggui Niantongtang groups, the abundance of these three flora was significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.05). Functional pathway prediction of differential genera revealed that species differences among groups mainly involved metabolic pathways with high abundance associated with biosynthesis and precursors, as well as energy production, including amino acid biosynthesis, nucleotide and nucleoside biosynthesis, cofactors, prosthetic groups, electron carriers, and vitamin biosynthesis. ConclusionDanggui Niantongtang can effectively protect articular cartilage and delay the progression of KOA, possibly by regulating the structure of the intestinal flora, promoting probiotics, and inhibiting the growth of harmful pathogenic bacteria.
7.Clinical efficacy of adjunctive perampanel in focal epilepsy patients≥12 years old
Xiaoli SHI ; Lixia LI ; Yanting LU ; Lang SHEN ; Xiangru LU ; Jinou ZHENG ; Yuan WU ; Lu YU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):48-54
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy, tolerability and safety of adjunctive perampanel in focal epilepsy patients≥12 years old.Methods:One hundred and nineteen focal epilepsy patients≥12 years old accepted adjunctive perampanel in Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from July 2020 to December 2022 were chosen. At 1-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-9 months and 10-12 months after adjunctive perampanel, seizure frequency changes every 28 d, medication retention rate and adverse reactions were recorded to evaluate the clinical efficacy (a reduction in seizure frequency≥50% from baseline was defined as overall valid treatment), tolerability and safety of adjunctive perampanel. According to efficacy results after adjunctive perampanel of 4-6 months (short-term) and 10-12 months (long-term), these patients were divided into valid group and invalid group; and the influencing factors for short-term and long-term efficacy were analyzed.Results:At 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 months after adjunctive perampanel, reduction in seizure frequency every 28 d was 66.7% (24.3%, 97.2%), 77.5% (48.6%, 100%), 94.6% (50%, 100%), 100% (70.9%, 100%), enjoying overall valid rate of 60.2% (59/98), 75.0% (7/76), 78.9% (45/57), 86.5% (32/37). The retention rate at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after adjunctive perampanel was 85.2% (98/115), 67.9% (76/112), 54.3% (57/105), 41.1% (37/90). Adverse reactions were reported in 33 patents (27.7%), mainly with dizziness and secondly with mental symptoms. After short-term and long-term adjunctive perampanel, no significant difference was noted in gender, initial age of adjunctive perampanel, course of disease, etiology, EEG results, imaging results, number and type of combined anti-seizure drugs, or maximum dose of pirampanel between the valid group and invalid group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Perampanel has good efficacy, tolerability and safety in adolescents and adults≥12 years old with focal epilepsy; no clear influencing factors for pirampanel valid treatment is found so far.
8.Exploration of Myopia Prevention and Control Strategies of Myopia in Children and Adolescents from the Perspective of "Rhythmic Equilibrium"
Lixia ZHANG ; Shuang CHEN ; Zhiyi ZHOU ; Xue WU ; Mengying TANG ; Piao JIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(10):1005-1008
The theory of “rhythmic equilibrium” is developed based on the idea of sharing the same laws between nature and human, and by integrating with the medical concept of homeostasis of calm yin and sound yang. "Rhythmic instability" runs through the entire process of the occurrence and development of myopia, covering four aspects including imbalance of rhythm (high-risk period of myopia), imbalance of qi and blood (premyopia), imbalance of sinew-membranes (low myopia), and imbalance of essence and blood (high myopia). The treatment should focus on adjusting the rhythm and harmonizing situation, which can help balance yin and yang, and nourish the eye system. For high-risk period of myopia, adjusting sleeping time and increasing outdoor activities are stressed to adjust the rhythm in a timely manner. In the stage of premyopia, appropriate techniques of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as pressing needles can be added to harmonize qi and blood. In the period of low myopia, appropriate TCM techniques such as pressing needles and ear acupuncture are mainly used, supplemented by modified Danggui Buxue Decoction (当归补血汤) to soften tendons and unblock collaterals. During the period of high myopia, it is recommended to control the development of existing disease and put focus on nourishing essence and blood, usually with Zhujing Pill (驻景丸) or modified Siwu Wuzi Decoction (四物五子汤) to restore the stability of the eyes and the whole body.
9.Reliability,validity,and cut-off score of the Chinese version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised
Caizhi WU ; Xin BAI ; Xueyu PENG ; Lixia YU ; Zhihong REN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(3):366-370
Objective To examine the reliability and validity of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised(SBQ-R)among Chinese undergraduates and to find out cut-off score for screening the risk of suicide in clinical undergraduates.Methods A total of 488 Chinese undergraduates participated in this study.Of them,366 participants were asked to complete the Chinese version of SBQ-R,Psychache Scale,and Satisfaction with Life Scale.And 45 undergraduates were re-tested after four weeks;122 undergraduates were tested by using the Suicidality Module Section of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Chinese version of SBQ-R.Results ① The results showed that The Chinese version of SBQ-R had one factor with good fit indices.② The internal consistency reliability,split-half reliability,and one-month retest reliability of the total questionnaire were 0.76,0.79,and 0.93,respectively.③ The total score of the SBQ-R in Chinese was positively correlated with psychache but negatively correlated with satisfaction of life,indicating that the scale has good criterion-related validity.④ Receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve evaluation suggested that the cut-off score was 9 in terms of identifying the clinical undergraduates at high risk of suicide.Conclusion SBQ-R is a reliable,valid,and practical instrument to measure the risk of suicide among Chinese undergraduates.SBQ-R>9 is the best cut-off value for screening for high suicide risk in China.
10.Construction of luciferase-expressing pancreatic cancer cell lines and evaluation of their application in detecting cytotoxicity efficacy of immune cells
Qian LIANG ; Chongfeng XU ; Guoya LI ; Lixia ZHANG ; Xueling WU ; Xiaoya ZHOU ; Shufang MENG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(1):58-66
Objective:To construct pancreatic cancer cell lines expressing luciferase and mesothelin (MSLN), and evaluate the feasibility of using them as target cells in analyzing the cytotoxicity activity of immune cells.Methods:Lentiviral vectors expressing luciferase and MSLN genes were constructed, and pancreatic cancer cell lines were infected after lentivirus packaging. Single-cell clones were obtained by limited dilution following antibiotic screening, and the stable expression of the target genes were verified. These cells were used as target cells to detect the cytotoxicity of immune cells by real-time cell analysis (RTCA) and luciferase activity. Besides, these luciferase-expressing cells were transplanted into B-NDG mice to establish the animal models of pancreatic cancer, and in vivo optical imaging technology was used to detect the expression of luciferase and monitor the tumor growth in mice. The cytotoxicity of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells was verified in these animal models. Results:Three pancreatic cancer cell lines, panc-1-luc, panc-1-luc-MSLN and capan-2-luc, that could stably express luciferase and MSLN genes were successfully constructed. The expression of the reporter gene in these cells were high, and positively correlated with the number of cells. There were 95.6% of panc-1-luc-MSLN cells expressing MSLN. MSLN-CAR-T cells had specific killing effect on MSLN-positive panc-1-luc-MSLN cells and capan-2-luc cells, with the minimum killing rates of (70.00±18.19)% and (57.00±5.29)%, respectively. But they had no cytotoxicity to MSLN-negative panc-1-luc cells. RTCA results showed that MSLN-CAR-T cells were able to lyse all three pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the minimum killing rates were (56.33±7.64)%, (93.00±2.65)% and (26.33±28.15)%, respectively. The killing of target cells by NK-92MI cells was not depended on MSLN expression. The cytotoxicity in the mice models of pancreatic cancer was consistent with the results in vitro. The in vivo and in vitro test results suggested that the expression of luciferase by target cells could reflect the cytotoxicity of immune cells. Conclusions:This study establishes three pancreatic cancer cell lines stably expressing luciferase, which can be used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of immunotherapy products targeting tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

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