1.Textual Research on Classical Formula Mulisan
Dongsen HU ; Xiangyang ZHANG ; Canran XIE ; Jiawei SHI ; Ziyi WANG ; Zhuoyan ZHOU ; Lin ZHANG ; Yexin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):191-200
The classic formula Mulisan is the 45th of the 93 formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Formulas (second batch) of Han medicine published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It consists of Ostreae Concha, Astragali Radix, Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma, and wheat, with the effect of replenishing qi and stopping sweating. It is a common formula in the clinical treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. This study analyzes the historical evolution, composition, dosage, original plants and their processing methods, decocting method, efficacy, indications, and modern clinical application of Mulisan by tracing, comparative analysis, and bibliometric methods. The results showed that Mulisan firstly appeared in the Pulse Classic written by WANG Shuhe in the Western Jin Dynasty. The formulation idea can be traced back to the Important Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergency in the Tang Dynasty. The herb composition, dosage, efficacy, and indications of Mulisan were first recorded in the Treatise on Diseases, Patterns, and formulas Related to Unification of the Three Etiologies in the Southern Song dynasty. In terms of original plants and their processing methods, Ostreae Concha is the shell of Ostrea rivularis, which should be calcined before use. Astragali Radix and Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Ephedra sinica, respectively, the raw material of which should be used. Wheat is the dried mature fruit of T. aestivum, which can be used without processing, while the stir-fried fruit, being thin and deflated, demonstrates better effect. The composition of Mulisan is Ostreae Concha 8.26 g, Astragali Radix 8.26 g, Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma 8.26 g, and wheat 7.92 g. The medicinal materials should be ground into coarse powder and decocted with 450 mL water to reach a volume of 240 mL, and the decoction should be taken warm. In modern clinical practice, Mulisan has a wide range of indications, including spontaneous sweating and night sweating caused by Yang deficiency or Qi deficiency. The clinical disease spectrum treated by Mulisan involves endocrine system diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory system diseases, and cancer. This formula plays a significant role in the treatment of internal medicine diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the subsequent research, development, and clinical application of Mulisan.
2.Textual Research on Classical Formula Mulisan
Dongsen HU ; Xiangyang ZHANG ; Canran XIE ; Jiawei SHI ; Ziyi WANG ; Zhuoyan ZHOU ; Lin ZHANG ; Yexin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):191-200
The classic formula Mulisan is the 45th of the 93 formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Formulas (second batch) of Han medicine published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It consists of Ostreae Concha, Astragali Radix, Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma, and wheat, with the effect of replenishing qi and stopping sweating. It is a common formula in the clinical treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. This study analyzes the historical evolution, composition, dosage, original plants and their processing methods, decocting method, efficacy, indications, and modern clinical application of Mulisan by tracing, comparative analysis, and bibliometric methods. The results showed that Mulisan firstly appeared in the Pulse Classic written by WANG Shuhe in the Western Jin Dynasty. The formulation idea can be traced back to the Important Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergency in the Tang Dynasty. The herb composition, dosage, efficacy, and indications of Mulisan were first recorded in the Treatise on Diseases, Patterns, and formulas Related to Unification of the Three Etiologies in the Southern Song dynasty. In terms of original plants and their processing methods, Ostreae Concha is the shell of Ostrea rivularis, which should be calcined before use. Astragali Radix and Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Ephedra sinica, respectively, the raw material of which should be used. Wheat is the dried mature fruit of T. aestivum, which can be used without processing, while the stir-fried fruit, being thin and deflated, demonstrates better effect. The composition of Mulisan is Ostreae Concha 8.26 g, Astragali Radix 8.26 g, Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma 8.26 g, and wheat 7.92 g. The medicinal materials should be ground into coarse powder and decocted with 450 mL water to reach a volume of 240 mL, and the decoction should be taken warm. In modern clinical practice, Mulisan has a wide range of indications, including spontaneous sweating and night sweating caused by Yang deficiency or Qi deficiency. The clinical disease spectrum treated by Mulisan involves endocrine system diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory system diseases, and cancer. This formula plays a significant role in the treatment of internal medicine diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the subsequent research, development, and clinical application of Mulisan.
3.Value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices with significant portal hypertension in compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis
Cheng LIU ; Jiayi ZENG ; Mengbing FANG ; Zhiheng CHEN ; Bei GUI ; Fengming ZHAO ; Jingkai YUAN ; Chaozhen ZHANG ; Meijie SHI ; Yubao XIE ; Xiaoling CHI ; Huanming XIAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):263-268
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension, and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy, they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group (GOV group) and non-esophageal and gastric varices group (NGOV group). Related data were collected, including age, sex, imaging findings, and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models, i.e., fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), LOK index, LPRI, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR). The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group, the GOV group had a significantly higher age (52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years, t=0.453, P<0.05) and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase [42.00 (24.00 — 17.00) U/L vs 82.00 (46.00 — 271.00) U/L, Z=-3.065, P<0.05], aspartate aminotransferase [44.00 (32.00 — 96.00) U/L vs 62.00 (42.50 — 154.50) U/L,Z=-2.351, P<0.05], and platelet count [100.00 (69.00 — 120.00)×109/L vs 119.00 (108.50 — 140.50)×109/L, Z=-3.667, P<0.05]. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667, 0.681, 0.730, and 0.639, respectively, in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices (all P<0.05), and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%, 65.28%, 67.33%, and 58.86%, respectively, with no significant differences in AUC values (all P>0.05), while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value (P>0.05). A combined model (LAF) was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%, with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR used alone (Z=-2.773,-2.479,-2.206, and-2.672, all P<0.05). ConclusionFIB-4, LOK index, LPRI, and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension, and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy, which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.
4.Risk factors of blood transfusion in total knee revision in the United States
Xiaoyin LI ; Liangxiao BAO ; Hao XIE ; Qinfeng YANG ; Pengcheng GAO ; Jian WANG ; Zhanjun SHI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):201-208
[Objective] To explore the incidence and risk factors of blood transfusion undergoing total knee revision (TKR) using a nationwide database. [Methods] A retrospective data analysis was conducted based on the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), enrolling patients who underwent TKR from 2015 to 2019 with complete information. Patients under 18 years old and those using anticoagulants, antiplatelets, antithrombotic and non-steroidal were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received blood transfusion or not. The demographic characteristics, length of stay (LOS), total charge of hospitalization, hospital characteristics, hospital mortality, comorbidities and perioperative complications by Wilcoxon rank test for continuous data and chi-square test for categorical data. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors of blood transfusion undergoing TKR. [Results] The NIS database included 63 359 patients who underwent TKR. Among them, 5 271 patients received blood transfusion, with an incidence of blood transfusion of 7.8%. There was a decrease in the incidence over the years from 2015 to 2019, dropping from 10.2% to 6.5%. TKR patients requiring transfusions had experienced longer LOS, incurred higher total medical expenses, utilized Medicare more frequently, and had increased in-hospital mortality rates (all P<0.001). Independent risk factors for blood transfusion included female gender, iron-deficiency anemia, rheumatoid disease, collagen vascular disease, chronic blood loss anemia, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy, diabetes with chronic complications, lymphoma, fluid and electrolyte disorders, peripheral vascular disorders, renal failure, valvular disease and weight loss (malnutrition). In addition, risk factors for transfusion in TKR surgery included sepsis, acute myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute renal failure, postoperative delirium, wound infection, lower limb nerve injury, hemorrhage, seroma, hematoma, wound rupture and non healing. [Conclusion] Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing the risk factors of blood transfusion in TKR and establishing corresponding clinical pathways and intervention measures to reduce the occurrence of adverse events.
5.Effects and mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure
Meiling MAO ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Yan PANG ; Liyu XIE ; Jiayong CHEN ; Xinyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Junshen LU ; Weiqi SHI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):160-165
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group, Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups (12.25, 24.50 g/kg, calculated by crude drug), and chemical medicine group (Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets, 10.42 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group; control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication, the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in serum and phosphatidic acid (PA) and cardiolipin (CL) in myocardial tissue were all detected; the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed; the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined; the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed; the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), Mfn2, optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group,the serum content of NT-proBNP, apoptotic rate of myocardial cells, and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly; serum content of ATP,contents of PA and CL, and relative expressions of Mfn1, Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced (P<0.05). There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue, degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells, and severe fibrosis; the mitochondria were swollen, with reduced or absent cristae, and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction, the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats (excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group) were significantly reversed (P<0.05); the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved, fibrosis had significantly reduced, mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal, cristae had increased, and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats, thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.
6.Effects and mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure
Meiling MAO ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Yan PANG ; Liyu XIE ; Jiayong CHEN ; Xinyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Junshen LU ; Weiqi SHI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):160-165
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group, Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups (12.25, 24.50 g/kg, calculated by crude drug), and chemical medicine group (Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets, 10.42 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group; control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication, the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in serum and phosphatidic acid (PA) and cardiolipin (CL) in myocardial tissue were all detected; the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed; the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined; the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed; the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), Mfn2, optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group,the serum content of NT-proBNP, apoptotic rate of myocardial cells, and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly; serum content of ATP,contents of PA and CL, and relative expressions of Mfn1, Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced (P<0.05). There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue, degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells, and severe fibrosis; the mitochondria were swollen, with reduced or absent cristae, and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction, the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats (excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group) were significantly reversed (P<0.05); the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved, fibrosis had significantly reduced, mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal, cristae had increased, and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats, thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.
7.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
8.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine learning identification of key genes in rheumatoid arthritis synovium
Yingkai WU ; Gaolong SHI ; Zonggang XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):294-301
BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that affects the entire immune system in the body and is known for causing inflammatory hyperplasia in the joints and destruction of articular cartilage.The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis is still unclear;therefore,there is an urgent need to discover new highly sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarkers. OBJECTIVE:To identify and screen key genes in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients using bioinformatics techniques and machine learning algorithms and to construct and validate a rheumatoid arthritis prediction model. METHODS:Three datasets containing synovial tissue samples from rheumatoid arthritis patients(GSE77298,GSE55235,GSE55457)were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.GSE77298 and GSE55235 were used as the training set,while GSE55457 served as the test set,with a total of 66 samples,including 39 samples from rheumatoid arthritis patients and 27 normal synovial samples.Differentially expressed genes in the training set were selected using R language,and then the weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to modularize the genes in the training set.The most relevant module was selected,and feature genes within this module were identified.Differentially expressed genes and the feature genes from the module were intersected for the subsequent machine learning analysis.Three machine learning methods,namely the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm,support vector machine with recursive feature elimination,and random forest algorithm,were employed to further analyze the intersected genes and identify the hub genes.The hub genes obtained from these three machine learning algorithms were intersected again to obtain the key genes in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis.A predictive rheumatoid arthritis model was constructed using these key genes as variables,and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in patients was inferred based on the model.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the diagnostic value of the rheumatoid arthritis prediction model and its key genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through the differential analysis,a total of 730 differentially expressed genes were identified in the training set,and 185 feature genes were identified in the weighted gene co-expression network analysis feature modules.There were 159 intersected genes obtained.There were 4 hub genes identified by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm,11 hub genes by the support vector machine with recursive feature elimination algorithm,and 5 hub genes by the random forest algorithm.After intersection,2 key genes(TNS3 and SDC1)were obtained.Based on the two key genes,a nomogram model was constructed in the training and test sets,with good fit between the calibration prediction curve and the standard curve,and good clinical efficacy in predicting the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.These findings indicate that TNS3 and SDC1,obtained based on bioinformatics and machine learning algorithms,may become key targets for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
9.Incidence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Neuropsychiatric Dysfunctions After Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study
Sining XIE ; Chenguan JIANG ; Xiangjiahui LI ; Ruquan HAN ; Zhou YANG ; Bingxin LI ; Lin SHI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):300-306
To investigate the incidence of postoperative neuropsychic dysfunction (PND) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) and to analyze its influencing factors. A prospective study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2022, recruiting PD patients from the Functional Neurosurgery Outpatient Clinic of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University. All patients were scheduled to undergo bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS surgery. Perioperative clinical data were collected, and PND (outcome measure) within 3 days postoperatively was assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Hamilton depression and anxiety scales, and 3-minute diagnostic interview for confusion assessment method (3D-CAM). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of PND. A total of 216 PD patients were enrolled. Within 3 days after DBS surgery, 77 patients (35.6%) developed PND, including 24 cases (31.2%) of depression or worsening depression, 16 cases (20.8%) of anxiety or worsening anxiety, 13 cases (16.9%) of cognitive decline, and 24 cases (31.2%) of delirium. Univariate analysis revealed that dural opening method, dural opening time, intraoperative improvement rate of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale -Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) score, and postoperative intracranial air volume were significantly different between PND and non-PND patients (all PD patients have a high incidence of PND after DBS surgery. Sex, postoperative intracranial air volume, and the degree of improvement in PD motor symptoms can influence the risk of PND. These findings highlight the importance of individualized management based on sex, improving surgical techniques, and enhancing monitoring of neuropsychiatric status to optimize the efficacy of DBS surgery.
10.Value of serum Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yunling DU ; Changjiang SHI ; Fangyuan GAO ; Mengna ZHANG ; Lingling WANG ; Zhuqing ZHANG ; Ying MING ; Shoujun XIE
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):684-689
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of serum Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in northern China, and to provide a new and valuable biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of HCC. MethodsThis study was conducted among 102 patients with HCC, 119 patients with benign liver disease, and 132 patients with other malignant tumors who attended The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University and 148 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination from May 2020 to May 2024. ELISA and chemiluminescence were used to measure the serum levels of AKR1B10 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between three groups and further comparison between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to assess diagnostic efficiency. ResultsThe expression level of AKR1B10 was 3 053.79 (1 475.67 — 4 605.86) pg/mL in the HCC group, 1 324.42 (659.68 — 2 023.88) pg/mL in the benign liver disease group, 660.68 (377.56 — 2 087.77) pg/mL in the other malignant tumor group, and 318.30 (82.73 — 478.82) pg/mL in the healthy group, with a significant difference between the four groups (H=240.86, P<0.001), and further comparison between two groups showed that the HCC group had a significantly higher level than the other three groups (all P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis of the HCC group and the other three groups showed that serum AKR1B10 had an optimal cut-off value of 1 584.97 pg/mL in the diagnosis of HCC, with an AUC of 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82 — 0.90), a sensitivity of 74.3%, and a specificity of 85.2%. Compared with each indicator alone, a combination of AKR1B10 and AFP could improve the sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (91.4%) of HCC diagnosis. AKR1B10 had an AUC of 0.84 (95%CI: 0.78 — 0.90) in the diagnosis of patients with early- or middle-stage HCC, with a sensitivity of 76.2% and a specificity of 81.2%. AKR1B10 had an AUC of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.77 — 0.92) in the diagnosis of patients with AFP-negative HCC, with a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 79.9%. ConclusionAKR1B10 is a promising serological marker for the diagnosis of HCC, and a combination of AKR1B10 and AFP can improve the detection rate of HCC patients in northern China, especially those with early- or middle-stage HCC and AFP-negative HCC.

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