1.Current Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Experimental Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Rats with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Pengxuan YAN ; Yiqing LIU ; Nanxing XIAN ; Linjing PENG ; Kun LI ; Jingchun ZHANG ; Yukun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):259-266
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and its resulting infertility is one of the common diseases of gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is relatively well-studied in the development of intervention in PCOS, and the experiments on PCOS in rats conducted by traditional Chinese medicine through this signaling pathway is also the main direction of mechanistic research. In this paper, 20 articles published in academic journals in the past 5 years were selected through the corresponding criteria, and the objective situation and existing problems of the selected research projects were analyzed from five aspects, namely, baseline data, modeling and treatment, grouping, evaluative indexes, and pharmacodynamic indexes. It is found that there were different degrees of problems in each research project, such as the observation indicators of modeling, criteria for judging the success of the model, the treatment period, the calculation of dosage of prescription/active ingredients and specific dosage were not clearly defined, which could easily lead the bias of the results or reduce the validity of experimental data. Based on this, the list of PCOS rat experimental research operations was formed, involving five categories of experimental rats, model construction, study implementation, outcome measures and analysis and report with a total of 21 operation lists, with a view to provide a reference for the subsequent PCOS experiments related to scientific research and helping to form high-quality results.
2.Quantitative analysis on microvasculature in the optic disc area of patients with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion
Jia SUN ; Jian LIU ; Peng YAN ; Nan LU ; Zhiming SHAN ; Dongni YANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):152-156
AIM: To observe the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and radial peripheral capillary(RPC)density in patients with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), and further analyze the correlation between RPC density and RNFL thickness.METHODS: Observational study. Totally 37 patients with unilateral BRVO diagnosed at the ophthalmology department of First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from October 2020 to January 2022 were selected, the 37 affected eyes were the unilateral BRVO group, and 37 fellow healthy eyes were the contralateral unaffected group, and 35 healthy individuals(35 right eyes were selected)without ocular diseases during the same period were selected as the normal control group. The best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, fundus and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)were examined in both eyes of all BRVO patients and healthy individuals. The central macular thickness(CMT), the RNFL thickness, and the optic disc-AV crossing distance(DAVD)were measured by built-in software of the OCTA equipment. The optimized U-net algorithm was used to eliminate the large blood vessels, and then the RPC density was calculated. The CMT, RNFL thickness and RPC density were compared among the three groups. And the correlations of the RPC density with the CMT, RNFL thickness, and the DAVD were investigated.RESULTS: Compared with the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group, the CMT and the RNFL thickness were significantly thickened in the unilateral BRVO group(all P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the CMT and the RNFL thickness between the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group(all P>0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group increased compared with the contralateral unaffected group and decreased compared with the normal control group, but there was no statistically difference(all P>0.05). However, the RPC density in the contralateral unaffected group decreased compared with the normal control group(P<0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group was not correlated with the CMT(P=0.960), but positively correlated with the RNFL thickness(r=0.401, P=0.014)and negatively correlated with the DAVD(r=-0.339, P=0.040).CONCLUSION: The RNFL thickened significantly and the RPC density did not change significantly in the optic disc area of BRVO patients. The RPC density is positively correlated with the RNFL thickness, indicating that the RNFL thickness can be used as a monitoring indicator to analyze and study the damage degree of the RPC density.
3.Serum Metabolomics of Simulated Weightless Rats Treated with Taikong Yangxin Pills
Xiaodi LIU ; Xuemei FAN ; Yiming WANG ; Mengjia YAN ; Yongzhi LI ; Jiaping WANG ; Junlian LIU ; Guoan LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):147-153
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Taikong Yangxin Pills on the metabolism of simulated weightless rats based on metabolomics and discuss the metabolism mechanism. MethodsIn the simulated space capsule environment on the ground, the rat model of simulated weightlessness was established by the tail suspension method. Rats were randomly grouped as follows: out-of-capsule control, in-capsule control, model, and high (3.0 g·kg-1) and low (1.5 g·kg-1) doses of Taikong Yangxin Pills, and they were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. The serum levels of endogenous metabolites in rats were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The obtained data were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential metabolites and potential biomarkers. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for pathway enrichment analysis to explain the metabolic regulation mechanism of the drug. ResultsCompared with the out-of-capsule control group, the in-capsule control group showed elevated levels of thirteen metabolites, including 14-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid (P<0.05), which suggested that the space capsule environment mainly affected the metabolism of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the rats. Compared with the in-capsule control group, the model group showed lowered levels of fourteen metabolites, including 4-imidazolone-5-propionic acid, isocitric acid/citric acid, and L-tyrosine (P<0.05), which were recovered after the treatment with Taikong Yangxin pills (P<0.05). The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that weightlessness induced by tail suspension and drug intervention mainly involved the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle. ConclusionThe simulated space capsule environment and simulated weightlessness induced by tail suspension can both affect the metabolism level of rats. Taikong Yangxin pills can ameliorate the metabolic abnormality in the rat model of weightlessness by regulating various amino acids and energy metabolism-related pathways.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Sepsis by Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway: A Review
Zhu LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Jing YAN ; Jinchan PENG ; Mingyao XU ; Liqun LI ; Sheng XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):314-322
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria. In addition to the manifestations of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and primary infection lesions, critical cases often have manifestations of organ hypoperfusion. The morbidity and mortality of sepsis have remained high in recent years, which seriously affect the quality of life of the patients. The pathogenesis of sepsis is complicated, in which uncontrollable inflammation is a key mechanism. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway plays a key role in mediating inflammation in sepsis. The available therapies of sepsis mainly include resuscitation, anti-infection, vasoactive drugs, intensive insulin therapy, and organ support, which show limited effects of reducing the mortality. Therefore, finding new therapeutic drugs is a key problem to be solved in the clinical treatment of sepsis. In recent years, studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway via multiple pathways, multiple effects, and multiple targets to inhibit inflammation and curb the occurrence and development of sepsis, which has gradually become a hot spot in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. Moreover, studies have suggested that TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of sepsis. TCM can regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and control apoptosis in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. Despite the research progress, a systematic review remains to be performed regarding the TCM treatment of sepsis by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. After reviewing relevant papers published in recent years, this study systematically summarizes the relationship between PI3K/Akt pathway and sepsis and the role of TCM in the treatment of sepsis, aiming to provide new ideas for the potential treatment of sepsis and the development of new drugs.
5.Analysis of Quality Uniformity of Hengzhi Kechuan Capsules Based on HPLC-DAD-CAD
Qian MA ; An LIU ; Qingxia XU ; Cong GUO ; Jun ZHANG ; Maoqing WANG ; Xiaodi KOU ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):168-174
ObjectiveTo establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules, to quantitatively analyze 10 index components, and to evaluate the quality uniformity of samples from different batches. MethodsThe fingerprints and quantitative analysis of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules were established by a combination method of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and charged aerosol detector(HPLC-DAD-CAD), adenosine, guanosine, vanillic acid, safflomin A, agarotetrol, naringin, hesperidin, militarine, ginsenoside Rb1, and glycyrrhizic acid were selected as quality attribute indexes. A total of 15 batches of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules from 2022 to 2024(3 boxes per batch) were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed, and the quality uniformity level of the manufacturers was characterized by parameters of intra-batch consistency(PA) and inter-batch consistency(PB). The homogeneity and difference of quality attribute indexes of samples from different years were analyzed by heatmap clustering analysis. ResultsHPLC fingerprints and quantitative method of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules were established, and the methods could be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of this preparation, which was found to be stable and reliable by method validation. The similarity of fingerprints of 15 batches of samples was 0.887-0.975, a total of 13 common peaks were calibrated, and 10 common peaks were designated, all of which were quality attribute index components. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the contents of the above 10 ingredients in the samples were 0.038-0.078, 0.115-0.251, 0.007-0.018, 0.291-0.673, 0.122-0.257, 0.887-1.905, 1.841-3.364, 1.412-2.450, 2.207-3.112, 0.650-1.161, respectively. And the contents of ginsenoside Rb1 and glycyrrhizic acid met the limit requirements in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. For the samples from 15 batches, the PA values of the 10 index components were all <10%, indicating good intra-batch homogeneity, and the PB values ranged from 33.86% to 92.97%, suggesting that the inter-batch homogeneity was poor. Heatmap clustering analysis showed that the samples from different years were clustered into separate categories, and adenosine, guanosine, safflomin A, naringin, hesperidin and agarotetrol were the main differential components. ConclusionThe intra-annual quality uniformity of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules is good and the inter-annual quality uniformity is insufficient, which may be related to the quality difference of Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Carthami Flos, Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, Citri Fructus, etc. In this study, the fingerprint and multi-indicator determination method of Hengzhi Kechuan capsules was established, which can be used for more accurate and efficient quality control and standardization enhancement.
6.Optimization of simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and the changes of chemical components after processing
Jianglin XUE ; Yuxin LIU ; Pei ZHONG ; Chanming LIU ; Tulin LU ; Lin LI ; Xiaojing YAN ; Yueqin ZHU ; Feng HUA ; Wei HUANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):44-50
OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score, the contents of gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), sennoside A+sennoside B, combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators; the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature, simmering time, paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors; validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion), five anthraquinone glycosides (barbaloin, rheinoside, rhubarb glycoside, emodin glycoside, and emodin methyl ether glycoside), two sennosides (sennoside A, sennoside B), gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h, simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃, the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 (RSD<1.0%). After simmering, the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly, while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents; a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing, which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.
7.Association between dietary components and gut microbiota: a Mendelian randomization study
CHEN Haimiao ; MA Yan ; LIU Mingqi ; MA Shanshan ; LI Jun ; XU Laichao
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):73-76,81
Objective:
To explore the causal association between dietary components (carbohydrate, fat, protein, and sugar) and 119 genera of known gut microbiota using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods.
Methods:
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for dietary components were collected from the DietGen, while GWAS data for gut microbiota were collected from the MiBioGen. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci associated with the four dietary components were used as instrumental variables, and 119 known gut microbiota genera were used as the outcomes. MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy and exclude outliers were tested using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test. Common genetic pleiotropic genes between dietary components and gut microbiota were identified by MAGMA and PLACO analyses.
Results:
The MR analysis revealed causal associations between carbohydrates and 4 gut microbiota genera, fats and 14 genera, proteins and 14 genera, and sugars and 11 genera (all P<0.05). The MR-Egger regression analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy among the selected SNPs, and the MR-PRESSO test did not identify any outliers (all P>0.05). The MAGMA and PLACO analyses revealed that 74.42% (32/43) of the causal associations had pleiotropic genes, with 1 to 10 pleiotropic genes identified. Multiple causal association groups shared the same pleiotropic genes.
Conclusion
There are potential genetic and causal associations between dietary components and gut microbiota.
8.Adverse reaction analysis of drug-induced liver injury
Yan ZHANG ; Yanjun LI ; Jiahui LIU ; Jiao DENG ; Yuan YUAN ; Jingyi ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(1):26-29
Objective To analyze the adverse reaction reports (ADRs) of drug-induced liver injury in recent ten years, explore the characteristics and related rules of drug-induced liver injury, and provide reference for clinical safe drug use. Methods ADRs in our hospital from 2011 to 2021 which belonged to drug-induced liver injuries were collected, and Pareto analysis was carried on. Results In 259 ADR reports, the most common type of drug-induced liver injury was hepatocellular injury (37.84%). The age of drug-induced liver injury was mainly over 46 years, totaling 195 (75.28%). Drugs were mainly distributed in cardiovascular system medicine (44.02%), anti-infective medicine (23.94%)and anti-tumor medicine (11.58%). Among the cardiovascular drugs, atorvastatin calcium 40mg and over 40mg were the highest proportion, with 53 cases (46.49%). The main anti-infectious drugs were cephalosporins (29.03%), carbapenem (19.35%), antifungal (17.74%)and quinolones (11.29%). Adverse reactions occurred within 6 days (69.88%), the duration of adverse reactions was 1-2 weeks (31.66%), and most patients were improved (47.88%) or cured (37.07%). Conclusion For middle-aged and elderly patients, when the application of cardiovascular system drugs, anti-infective drugs or anti-tumor drugs, it is necessary to monitor the liver function changes of patients for at least 6 days. If there are abnormalities, the drugs should be stopped or given treatment in time, to avoid the progress of drug-induced liver injury.
9.Association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students
Jian YIN ; Zeshi LIU ; Yan LI ; Yangyang GONG ; Naichuan CHEN ; Yuqi ZHAO ; Jia SONG ; Yanping ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):301-305
AIM:To analyze the association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students.METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in December 2022 on all students of a university in Shaanxi Province, and the questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, mobile phone addiction, high myopia, and lifestyle. Binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between mobile phone addiction and high myopia among college students.RESULTS:A total of 19 952 college students were included. The prevalence of high myopia was 7.31%. The rate of mobile phone addiction was 25.68%, and the mobile phone addiction score was 37.59±13.38. The incidence of high myopia among college students with mobile phone addiction was higher than non-mobile phone addiction(P<0.001). After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle, the risk of high myopia among college students with mobile phone addiction was 1.274 times(95%CI:1.131-1.434)higher than non-mobile phone addiction. For each point increase of total mobile phone addiction score, withdrawal symptoms score, salience score, social comfort score, and mood changes score, the risk of high myopia among college students increased by 0.9%(95%CI:1.005-1.013), 2.0%(95%CI:1.010-1.030), 2.6%(95%CI:1.010-1.043), 4.8%(95%CI:1.030-1.066), and 3.3%(95%CI:1.014-1.052), respectively.CONCLUSION:Mobile phone addiction is significantly associated with the increased risk of high myopia among college students, and early intervention of mobile phone use may reduce the risk of high myopia among college students.
10.Etiology and Management of Astronaut Low Back Pain Induced by Space Flight or Simulated Microgravity
Yan-Feng LIU ; Jing LEI ; Hao-Jun YOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):133-146
It has been demonstrated that long-term space flights have a significantly greater impact on the cardiovascular, skeletal, and nervous systems of astronauts. The structural and functional alterations in the skeletal and muscular systems resulting from exposure to weightlessness can lead to the development of low back pain, significantly impairing the ability of astronauts to perform tasks and respond to emergencies. Both space flight and simulated microgravity have been shown to result in low back pain among astronauts, with the following factors identified as primary contributors to this phenomenon. The occurrence of intervertebral disc (IVD) edema results in the stimulation of type IV mechanoreceptors, which subsequently activate nociceptive afferents. The protrusion of an IVD causes compression of the spinal nerve roots. Furthermore, the elongation of the vertebral column and/or the diminished lumbar curvature of the spine exert traction on the dorsal root nerves. Paravertebral muscle degeneration leads to the inhibition of decreased nociceptive activity of the wide-dynamic range neurons of the spinal dorsal horn. Moreover, endogenous pain descending facilitation triggered by conditioning stimulation can be enhanced via the thalamic mediodorsal nuclei, while endogenous pain descending inhibition triggered by conditioning stimulation can be weakened via the thalamic ventromedial nuclei. Psychological factors may contribute to the development of low back pain. The mechanisms governing the generation, maintenance, and alleviation of low back pain in weightlessness differ from those observed in normal gravitational environments. This presents a significant challenge for space medicine research. Therefore, the elucidation of the occurrence and development mechanism of low back pain in weightlessness is important for the prevention and treatment during space flight. To reduce the incidence of low back pain during long-term missions on the space station, astronauts may choose to wear specialized space clothing that can provide axial physiological loads, designed to stimulate both musculature and skeletal structures, mitigating potential increases in vertebral column length, diminished lumbar curvature, and intervertebral disc edema and/or muscular atrophy. Additionally, assuming a “fetal tuck position” described as the knees to chest position may increase lumbar IVD hydrostatic pressure, subsequently reducing disc volume, rectifying diminished lumbar curvature, and alleviating dorsal root nerve tensions. Moreover, this position may reduce type IV mechanoreceptor facilitation and nerve impulse propagation from the sinuvertebral nerves of the annulus fibrosus. Elongated posterior soft tissues (apophyseal joint capsules and ligaments) with spinal flexion may potentially stimulate type I and II mechanoreceptors. It is also recommended to exercise the paraspinal muscles to prevent and alleviate the decrease in their cross-sectional area and maintain their structure and function. Photobiomodulation has been proved to be an effective means of activating the pain descending inhibition pathway of the central nervous system. In addition, astronauts should be encouraged to participate in mission-related activities and strive to avoid psychological problems caused by the long-term confinement in a small space station. The article presents a concise review of potential causes and targeted treatment strategies for low back pain induced by space flight or simulated microgravity in recent years. Its objective is to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of low back pain in weightless environments while providing scientific evidence to inform the development of guidelines for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating low back pain during long-term space flights.


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