1.Effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma Before and After Steaming with Wine on Intestinal Flora and Immune Environment in Constipation Model Mice
Yaya BAI ; Rui TIAN ; Yajun SHI ; Chongbo ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Li ZHANG ; Yonggang YAN ; Yuping TANG ; Qiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):192-199
ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma(RH) before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, lactulose group(1.5 mg·kg-1), high, medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine(PRH)(8, 4, 1 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride(6 mg·kg-1) in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling, each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution, and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration, the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, the levels of gastrin(GAS), motilin(MTL), interleukin-6(IL-6), γ-interferon(IFN-γ) in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cell(Treg) in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate(P<0.01), the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium, localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated, necrotic and atrophied, a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner, the contents of GAS and MTL, the proportions of CD4+, CD8+ and Treg were significantly reduced(P<0.01), the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees, the contents of GAS, MTL, IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly increased(P<0.01), although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend, there was no significant difference. In addition, the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant(ASV) and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group, and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group, the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH, and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased, and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis, promote immune system activation, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function, which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.
2.Analysis of management indicators for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Urumqi City from 2017 to 2021
WANG Yingjie ; SUN Gaofeng ; ZHAO E ; TIAN Yuan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):92-95
Objective:
To investigate the implementation and evaluate the effectiveness of health management services for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Urumqi City from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide the reference for enhancing T2DM patients management.
Methods:
Data on the rates of record establishment, health management and standardized management for T2DM patients, and blood glucose control rate in managed patients in Urumqi City from 2017 to 2021 were collected through the quarterly reports on basic public health service management from the Weining Health Platform System. The trends in the four management indicators, and the differences between urban and rural areas were analyzed.
Results:
The rates of record establishment, health management and blood glucose control rate in managed patients in Urumqi City were 46.94%, 38.37% and 59.92%, respectively, showing upward trends from 2017 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The rate of standardized management was 75.89%, showing a downward trend (P<0.05). The rate of record establishment was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (47.76% vs. 40.56%, P<0.05). The rates of standardized management and blood glucose control in managed patients were lower in urban areas than in rural areas (75.18% vs. 81.46%, 58.93% vs. 67.64%, both P<0.05). The rate of health management was 38.39% in urban areas and 38.24% in rural areas, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The trends in the rates of record establishment, health management and standardized management in both urban and rural areas were consistent with those in the overall population.
Conclusions
From 2017 to 2021, the rates of record establishment, health management and blood glucose control in managed patients in Urumqi City showed upward trends, while the rate of standardized management exhibited a downward trend. There were urban-rural differences in the rates of record establishment, standardized management and blood glucose control in managed patients.
3.Study of adsorption of coated aldehyde oxy-starch on the indexes of renal failure
Qian WU ; Cai-fen WANG ; Ning-ning PENG ; Qin NIE ; Tian-fu LI ; Jian-yu LIU ; Xiang-yi SONG ; Jian LIU ; Su-ping WU ; Ji-wen ZHANG ; Li-xin SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):498-505
The accumulation of uremic toxins such as urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and uric acid of patients with renal failure
4.HerbRNomes: ushering in the post-genome era of modernizing traditional Chinese medicine research
Yu TIAN ; Hai SHANG ; Gui-bo SUN ; Wei-dong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):300-313
With the completion of the "Human Genome Project" and the smooth progress of the "Herbal Genome Project", the research wave of RNAomics is gradually advancing, opening the research gateway for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and initiating the post-genome era of medicinal plant RNA research. Therefore, this article proposes for the first time the concept of HerbRNomes, which involves constructing databases of medicinal plant, medicinal fungus, and medicinal animal RNA at different stages, from different origins, and in different organs. This research aims to explore the role of HerbRNA in self-genetic information transmission, functional regulation, as well as cross-species regulation functional mechanisms and key technologies. It also investigates application scenarios, providing a theoretical basis and research ideas for the resistance of TCM or medicinal plants to adversity and stress, molecular assistant breeding, and the development of small nucleic acid drugs. This article reviews recent research progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the transmission and expression of genetic information, self-regulation and cross-species regulation of herbs at the RNA level, along with key technologies. It proposes a development strategy for small nucleic acid drugs based on HerbRNomes, providing theoretical support and guidance for the modernization of TCM based on HerbRNomes research.
5.Treatment of Sepsis-induced Inflammatory Responses with Xijiao Dihuangtang by Modulation of PKM2-mediated One-carbon Metabolism Pathway
Qixiang YAN ; Yeyan ZHU ; Fan GE ; Qimeng SUN ; Leyao YE ; Fang TIAN ; Jun LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):18-26
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xijiao Dihuangtang (XJDHT) on mice with sepsis and cellular models of sepsis and explore its molecular mechanism in alleviating sepsis-induced inflammatory responses via regulating pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-mediated one-carbon metabolism pathway. MethodsForty C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low-dose XJDHT group (7.7 g·kg-1), and high-dose XJDHT group (15.4 g·kg-1). After one week of continuous gavage, sepsis was induced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in groups except the normal group. 24 h after the surgery, mortality rates in all groups were recorded, and serum cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lung histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. During the in vitro experiment, the human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was exposed to various concentrations of XJDHT and treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a final concentration of 2 mg·L-1 for 24 h. Cell apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by Western blot. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes in all groups and conduct gene ontology (GO) enrichment. Key genes in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, including pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), were verified by Western blot. A PKM2 inhibition model was established using shikonin for further protein expression analysis. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated body temperature and lung pathology (P<0.01) and increased serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). High-dose XJDHT reduced body temperature and lung tissue damage (P<0.01) and significantly decreased serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). Low-dose XJDHT treatment showed no significant temperature change (P<0.01) but reduced serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing and Western blot revealed significant differences in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and one-carbon metabolism genes (PKM2, MTR, and PHGDH) (P<0.01). Cell experiments demonstrated that compared to the normal group, the model group showed elevated protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells (P<0.01), decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing and Western blot revealed significant differences in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and one-carbon metabolism genes (PKM2, MTR, and PHGDH) (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, high-dose XJDHT significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and PHGDH protein expression (P<0.01) and effectively reduced cell apoptosis (P<0.01) while down-regulating protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, PKM2, and MTR (P<0.01). Low-dose XJDHT moderately increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and PHGDH protein expression (P<0.05), reduced apoptosis (P<0.05), and decreased IL-1β and MTR protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there were no significant changes in TNF-α and PKM2 expression. After PKM2 inhibition by shikonin in THP-1 cells, the expression of protein related to one-carbon metabolism was detected. Compared with the blank group, the LPS-induced model group showed significantly upregulated PKM2 and MTR protein expression (P<0.01) and downregulated PHGDH expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, shikonin treatment significantly reduced PKM2 expression (P<0.05), increased PHGDH expression (P<0.01), and decreased MTR expression (P<0.05). ConclusionXJDHT can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in sepsis, and its mechanism is related to the intervention of the PKM2-regulated one-carbon metabolism pathway in macrophages.
6.Mechanism of action of sex hormones in regulating T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis: A study based on the phenomenon of female bias
Haiqiang WANG ; Dasha SUN ; Han WANG ; Jiahua TIAN ; Xinyue CUI ; Ming LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):742-747
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune disease characterized by liver parenchymal destruction and chronic fibrosis, and it is often mediated by T cells. The pathogenesis of AIH involves multiple factors, including sex, region, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility. A notable predisposition is observed in female individuals, and the incidence rate of AIH in female individuals is significantly higher than that in male individuals. This sex difference is associated with various factors, and sex hormones may be an important cause of the female predominance of AIH, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of AIH will help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease and may provide important clues for developing future treatment methods and prevention strategies. This article reviews the mechanism of action of estrogen and androgen in regulating the pathogenesis of AIH by regulating T cells, in order to provide new ideas and directions for further exploring the potential role of sex hormones in the etiology of autoimmune diseases.
7.Establishment of HPLC fingerprint and content determination of Gerbera delavayi
Lisha SUN ; Li JIANG ; Li LI ; Lin TIAN ; Yang WANG ; Jie PAN ; Yueting LI ; Yongjun LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1052-1058
OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of Gerbera delavayi and the methods for the content determination of 11 components in G. delavayi. METHODS High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was adopted to establish the fingerprints of 13 batches of G. delavayi(No. S1-S13), and the similarities were evaluated according to Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2012 edition), while the common peaks were identified. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were carried out by using SPSS 25.0 software and SIMCA 14.1 software. The contents of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 3,8-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxylic acid, caffeic acid, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2- oxo-2H-1-benzopyran- 5-carboxylic acid, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isochlorogenic acid A, apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isochlorogenic acid C and xanthotoxin were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The similarities in HPLC fingerprint of 13 batches of G. delavayi were 0.801-0.994; a total of 38 common peaks were identified and 13 common peaks were identified. The results of HCA showed that S1-S5 and S7 were clustered into one group, S6 into one category, S8 into one category, S9 and S11 into one category, S10, S12 and S13 into one category, and the results of PCA were consistent with them. The results of OPLS-DA showed that variable importance values for the projection of peak 7 (chlorogenic acid), peak 21 (isochlorogenic acid A), peak 26 (xanthotoxin), peak 19 (isochlorogenic acid B), peak 33, peak 13, peak 23 (isochlorogenic acid C), peak 2 (new chlorogenic acid), peak 17 (luteolin-7-O-β-D- glucoside) were greater than 1. The above 11 components had good linearity in their respective detection concentration ranges (r was greater than 0.999). RSDs of precision, repeatability, and stability tests were not more than 2% (n=6). The average recovery rates were 92.54%-105.55%, and the RSDs were 0.83%-1.93% (n=6). The average contents of 11 components were 0.744, 5.014, 0.646, 0.431, 0.069, 0.582, 0.979, 2.754, 0.157, 1.284 and 2.943 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The constructed HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods are simple, accurate and stable, which can provide reference for quality control of G. delavayi. Xanthotoxin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, luteolin-7-O- β -D-glucoside, isochlorogenic acid C and new chlorogenic acid can be used as markers for G. delavayi.
8.Annual review of clinical research on lung transplantation of China in 2024
Xiaohan JIN ; Yixin SUN ; Jier MA ; Zengwei YU ; Yaling LIU ; Senlin HOU ; Xiangyun ZHENG ; Haoji YAN ; Dong TIAN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):379-385
Lung transplantation is currently the only recognized effective treatment for end-stage lung disease and has improved the quality of life for patients. However, lung transplantation still faces many challenges, including rejection, infection, post-transplant acute kidney injury, post-transplant diabetes mellitus, ischemia-reperfusion injury and donor shortage, etc. Chinese lung transplantation scholars made a series of important progress in the field of clinical research in 2024, focusing on the study and solution of the above problems, and providing new ideas for lung transplantation surgery. This article systematically reviews the clinical research and technological innovation in the field of lung transplantation in 2024, summarizes the achievements of clinical research in the field of lung transplantation in China in 2024, and aims to providing new directions and strategies for future research.
9.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
10.Monotropein resists atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Hongliang LI ; Bingqian YE ; Jiping TIAN ; Bofan WANG ; Yiwen ZHA ; Shuying ZHENG ; Tan MA ; Wenwen ZHUANG ; Won Sun PARK ; Jingyan LIANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(2):245-255
Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.


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