1.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
2.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
3.Increasing toe-out angle during drop-landing can diminish risk of inversion injuries among individuals with chronic ankle instability
Xiaoxue ZHU ; Qiongqiu ZHAO ; Teng ZHANG ; Dan WANG ; Jihong QIU ; Qipeng SONG ; Peixin SHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1827-1833
BACKGROUND:Individuals with chronic ankle instability are prone to inversion ankle sprains during landing.Moderately increasing the foot toe-out angle during landing may reduce the occurrence of inversion ankle sprains,but no studies have directly demonstrated this effect. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of increased toe-out angle during landing on the peak inversion angle,peak angular velocity,and the time to peak inversion among individuals with and without chronic ankle instability. METHODS:A total of 60 participants were recruited for this study,including 30 individuals with chronic ankle instability and 30 without chronic ankle instability.The study utilized a simulated sprain apparatus for drop-landing tests,featuring a platform that could tilt forward by 24° and inward by 15°,thus simulating the foot position during an ankle inversion sprain.Participants were required to perform drop-landing tests under two landing conditions:natural landing and toe-out landing,with the latter involving a greater foot toe-out angle,over 150%more than the former.Kinematic data of participants were recorded using a 12-camera three-dimensional motion capture system.Data analysis was conducted using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Significant main effects of condition were found for peak inversion angle during drop-landing(P<0.001,η2 p=0.270),peak inversion velocity(P=0.015,η2 p=0.098),and peak inversion time(P<0.001,η2 p=0.260);a significant main effect of group was found for peak inversion velocity(P=0.029,η2 p=0.080).(2)There were significant negative correlations between the foot toe-out angle at landing and the peak ankle inversion angle(P=0.021,r=-0.310;P=0.042,r=-0.278)as well as the peak inversion time(P=0.018,r=-0.312;P=0.021,r=-0.309)in both chronic ankle instability and non-chronic ankle instability groups.Moreover,a significant negative correlation was also found between the foot toe-out angle and peak inversion velocity in the chronic ankle instability group(P=0.021,r=-0.312).(3)It is indicated that increasing the foot toe-out angle at landing can reduce the peak inversion angle,peak inversion velocity,and the peak inversion time during landing in patients with chronic ankle instability and non-chronic ankle instability,thereby decreasing the risk of ankle inversion sprains.
4.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
5.Targeting cAMP in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a new rapid antidepressant strategy.
Yue ZHANG ; Jingwen GAO ; Na LI ; Peng XU ; Shimeng QU ; Jinqian CHENG ; Mingrui WANG ; Xueru LI ; Yaheng SONG ; Fan XIAO ; Xinyu YANG ; Jihong LIU ; Hao HONG ; Ronghao MU ; Xiaotian LI ; Youmei WANG ; Hui XU ; Yuan XIE ; Tianming GAO ; Guangji WANG ; Jiye AA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):667-681
Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.
6.Connotation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Regulating Gut Microbiota Based on "Lung and Large Intestine Being Interior-exterior Related"
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):169-177
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by persistent and often progressive airflow obstruction, including airway abnormalities (e.g., bronchitis and bronchiolitis) and chronic respiratory symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, cough, and expectoration). It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the lung and large intestine are interior-exterior related. Therefore, COPD can be treated from both the lung and intestine by the methods of tonifying and invigorating lung, spleen, and kidney, dispelling phlegm, and expelling stasis. Gut microbiota plays a key role in human immunity, nerve, and metabolism and may act on COPD by affecting the structures and functions of lung and intestine tissue and regulating lung inflammation and immunity. TCM can restore the balance of gut microbiota, which is conducive to the recovery from COPD. For example, the treatment method of tonifying lung and invigorating kidney can regulate gut microbiota, alleviate pulmonary and intestinal injuries, and improve lung immunity. The treatment methods of dispelling phlegm and expelling stasis can regulate gut microbiota and reduce pulmonary inflammation. According to the TCM theory of lung and large intestine being interior-exterior related, this review elaborates on the connotation of TCM in the treatment of COPD by regulating gut microbiota, aiming to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of COPD via gut microbiota.
7.Analysis of in-hospital and long term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction patients with NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit
Jianghong LIU ; Gang WANG ; Jihong FAN ; Ruifeng LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(4):397-403
Objective To analyze the in-hospital and long term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients with N-terminal B-type brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)peak value exceeding the up-per limit.Methods A total of 669 patients with AMI diagnosed in a hospital from 2013 to 2018 were selected as research objects.According to the peak value level of NT-proBNP,they were divided into the NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit group(50 cases)and the NT-proBNP peak value detectable group(619 cases).Propensity score was used for matching(1:2),and the patients were divided into NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit group(50 cases)and NT-proBNP peak value detectable group(107 cases),and the in-hospital prognosis and long-term prognosis of the two groups were compared,as well as the echo-cardiographic indexes of each group in the acute stage and recovery stage of AMI.Multiple linear regression a-nalysis was used to predict the factors affecting left ventricular ejection fraction in the recovery stage of AMI.Results After matching the propensity score,compared with the NT-proBNP peak value detectable group,the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,hypersensitive C reactive protein level and fibrinogen level in the NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit group were higher at admission,and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05).The proportion of Killip≥ Grade Ⅱ,left ventricular ejection fraction,hospitalization time and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the up-per limit group were compared with those in the NT-proBNP peak value detectable group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular shortening fraction of the NT-proBNP peak value detection group in AMI acute stage were higher than those in the NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit group in AMI acute stage,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed the relationship between the NT-proBNP peak value during hospitalization and the left ventricular ejection fraction of cardiac function during AMI re-covery.The results suggested that the NT-proBNP peak value was not a risk factor affecting the left ventricu-lar ejection fraction of cardiac function during AMI recovery.Conclusion AMI patients with NT-proBNP peak value exceeding the upper limit should be treated with a series of comprehensive treatment strategies to pro-mote their rehabilitation and improve their long-term prognosis.
8.Functional exercise for tendon adhesion in a model of deep flexor tendon Ⅱ injury of the third toe
Jie CHENG ; Jihong WANG ; Pei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(8):1161-1167
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that the modified Tsuge suture method can be used to repair chicken tendon injuries.However,the lack of post-repair functional exercise leads to obvious tendon adhesions.Therefore,a functional exercise after tendon repair is very important. OBJECTIVE:To explore a scheme for passive functional exercise against tendon adhesion in a chicken model of flexor toe tendon rupture following repair using the modified Tsuge suture method. METHODS:A total of 100 Sanhuang chickens,10 months of age,were taken to make animal models of deep flexor tendon Ⅱ rupture of the third toe of the right foot.Animal models were randomized into five groups(n=20 per group):groups A,B,C and D were given plaster immobilization for 3 weeks after surgery,and were simultaneously given passive functional exercise 1,2,3,and 0 times a day for 3 weeks,respectively;group E had neither plaster immobilization nor passive functional exercise after surgery.The gross morphology of the chicken claw,the morphology of the tendon anastomosis end and the degree of peritendinous adhesion were observed.The slipping distance of the deep flexor tendon of the third toe,the flexion angles of all joints,the pathological morphology of the tendon at the anastomotic end and the hydroxyproline content were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The tendon of group E was completely ruptured around 6 day after surgery and was removed from the experiment.The chicken claws in groups B and C had better grasping morphology,group D had almost no grasping morphology,and group A had worse grasping morphology than groups B and C.In groups B and C,the tendon anastomosis end was not obviously expanded,with the texture similar to that of normal tendon tissue.Compared with group C,tendon adhesion was relatively mild in group B.In group D,the tendon anastomosis end was obviously expanded,with the hard texture,obvious peritendinous scar and serious adhesion.Expansion at the tendon anastomosis end was more obvious than groups B and C but less severe than group D.The slipping distance and the related flexion angles of the deep flexor tendon of the third toe were better in groups B and C than groups A and D(P<0.05).The content of hydroxyproline in the tendon of chickens in group B was higher than those in groups A,C and D(P<0.05).Findings from hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining showed that collagen fibers of the tendon in groups A,C and B were gradually arranged in a directional manner,where the number of bright red and thick type Ⅰ collagen fibers was gradually increased and the number of tiny green type Ⅲ collagen fibers was gradually decreased.In group E,collagen fibers of the tendon were poorly arranged in a directional manner and type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers were cross-distributed.To conclude,adequate passive functional exercises twice a day following repair with the modified Tsuge suture method could effectively alleviate tendon adhesion and reduce tendon rupture in the chicken model of deep flexor tendon rupture.
9.Strolling through the glorious years of Alveolar Surgery, bravely stepping onto the path of practice and innovation
Yiming WANG ; Yang XUE ; Jihong ZHAO ; Jian PAN ; Duohong ZOU ; Nianhui CUI ; Wei ZHANG ; Qizhang WANG ; Zhizheng LI ; Yuqiong ZHOU ; Kaijin HU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(4):301-311
This article summarizes and organizes relevant publications in journals, along with a review of medical history, systematically summarizing the development process of dental alveolar surgery in China. The initial establishment phase (1935—1952) marked the starting point of Chinese Alveolar Surgery. Despite the impact of wars, it laid the foundation for subsequent research and practice. During the early development phase (1953—1966), the "Chinese Journal of Stomatology" was founded, which promoted the development of Alveolar Surgery. Research focused on tooth extraction methods and complications. Tooth Transplantation and Preprosthetic Surgery gradually began to take off. The stagnant phase (1967—1977) occurred due to the interruption of international exchanges, leading to an almost complete halt in the development of Alveolar Surgery. Entering the rapid catch-up phase (1978—1985), Alveolar Surgery scholars in China began striving to overcome the stagnation of the previous decade. While some progress was made, no significant innovative achievements emerged. In the scientific development phase (1986—2010), clinical research, basic experiments, and paper writing in modern Chinese Alveolar Surgery began to adhere to scientific standards with the rise of experimental medicine. The exploration and innovation stage (2011—2023) is the current development phase, during which Chinese Aveolar Surgery has reached its peak, making substantial progress in technology, clinical practices, and basic research, gradually reaching or even surpassing international advanced levels. Looking back at the development history in China, we can find the wisdom and hard work of the older generation of Alveolar Surgery scholars. However, contemporary challenges and issues, such as standardizing technology, promoting clinical practices, and talent cultivation, need to be addressed by present-day Alveolar Surgery professionals as they forge ahead.
10.Effect of residual dental follicle after removal of impacted mandibular third molars on the periodontal health of adjacent second molars
Tingting LI ; Chaofan WANG ; Yu CAI ; Zhizheng LI ; Jihong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(8):784-790
Objective:To investigate whether residual dental follicles in the alveolar socket after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars affect the periodontal health of adjacent mandibular second molars, in order to provide clinical reference for the management of residual dental follicles after third molar extraction.Methods:A total of 82 patients who underwent bilateral impacted mandibular third molar extraction at the Department of Oral Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology Wuhan University, from November 1, 2020, to November 30, 2022, were included in the study. Using a self-controlled method, each patient′s bilateral mandibular third molars were randomly divided into two groups: Group A underwent third molar extraction with thorough removal of residual dental follicle tissue, while Group B underwent third molar extraction without any treatment of the remaining dental follicle tissue. Operation time and adverse reactions were recorded. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 6-month follow-up to evaluate the periodontal parameters and alveolar bone height of the bilateral mandibular second molars, and differences between the two groups were compared.Results:All patients had successful bilateral mandibular third molar extractions, and no serious complications occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. There were no statistically significant differences in surgical time, postoperative pain, or facial swelling between the two groups ( P>0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the probing depth on the distal aspect of the mandibular second molars in Group A [2.67 (2.00, 3.67) mm] was significantly less than that in Group B [4.00 (3.00, 5.00) mm] ( Z=-6.55, P<0.001). The clinical attachment loss on the distal aspect of the mandibular second molars in Group A [1.00 (0.00, 3.00) mm] was less than that in Group B [3.00 (2.00, 5.00) mm] ( Z=-5.99, P<0.001). The distance from the alveolar crest to the cementoenamel junction on the distal aspect of the mandibular second molars in Group A [(1.86±1.34) mm] was less than that in Group B [(3.04± 1.89) mm] ( t=-6.87, P<0.001). In patients aged≥20 years, the probability of recovery of alveolar bone height to normal level on the distal aspect of the mandibular second molars in Group A [42.3% (11/26)] was significantly higher than that in Group B [0 (0/26)] ( P<0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference between Group A [63.3% (19/30)] and Group B [46.7% (14/20)] in patients aged<20 years ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Residual dental follicles in the alveolar socket after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars adversely affect the periodontal health of adjacent teeth. Thorough removal of residual dental follicles during impacted mandibular third molar extraction is beneficial for the postoperative recovery of alveolar bone height of the distal aspect of the mandibular second molars, especially in patients aged≥20 years.

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