1.Mechanism of Shaoyaotang in Modulating MDSCs-related Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Prevention and Treatment of Colitis-associated Carcinogenesis
Xue CHEN ; Chenglei WANG ; Bingwei YANG ; Haoyu ZHAI ; Ying WU ; Weidong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):10-19
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shaoyaotang in the prevention and treatment of colitis-associated carcinogenesis (CAC) based on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)-related immunosuppressive microenvironment. MethodsA total of 140 six-week-old SPF FVB male mice were randomly divided into seven groups: Blank group, Shaoyaotang without model group (7.12 g·kg-1), model group, sulfasalazine group (0.52 g·kg-1), Shaoyaotang low-dose group (3.56 g·kg-1), Shaoyaotang medium-dose group (7.12 g·kg-1) and Shaoyaotang high-dose group (14.24 g·kg-1), with 20 mice in each group. The blank control group and the Shaoyaotang without model group received a single intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline (10 mg·kg-1), while the other five groups were given a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) (10 mg·kg-1). After 1 week, the mice were given drinking water containing 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 1 week, followed by normal drinking water for 2 weeks. This cycle was repeated three times over a total period of 14 weeks to establish the CAC mouse model. Each group was administered gavage once daily for 2 weeks starting on the 14th day of the experiment, followed by three times a week until the end of the experiment. The body weight of the mice was recorded weekly. Mice were sacrificed on the 28th and 98th days of the experiment. After dissection, the colon length, colon weight, spleen weight, tumor size, and tumor number were measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the pathological morphology of colon tumor tissue. Flow cytometry was used to detect MDSCs, regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the spleen. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in the colon tissue. ResultsOn day 14, compared with the blank group, the body weight of the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01), reaching its lowest point on day 28 (23.39 ± 0.95 ) g. On days 28 and 98, compared with the blank group, the colon length in the model group was significantly shortened (P<0.01), the colon index significantly increased (P<0.01), the spleen index significantly increased (P<0.01), and the tumor load significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that in the model group, tumor cells, a large number of inflammatory cell infiltrates, goblet cell disappearance, and crypt loss were observed. In each dose group of Shaoyaotang, the damage to the colonic mucosa, inflammatory cell infiltration, and crypt structure destruction were alleviated. Compared with the model group, the body weight of mice in each dose group of Shaoyaotang increased. On day 98, the colon length was significantly increased (P<0.01), the colon index significantly decreased (P<0.01), the spleen index significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the tumor burden significantly decreased (P<0.01) in each Shaoyaotang dose group. On days 28 and 98, MDSCs and Tregs in the spleen of the medium- and high-dose Shaoyaotang groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while CD4+ T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio were significantly increased (P<0.01). The proportion of CD8+ T cells in the spleen and the expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the colon tissues of mice in each Shaoyaotang dose group were significantly increased to varying degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). On days 28 and 98, the expression of p-AMPK-positive cells in the colon tissue of the medium- and high-dose Shaoyaotang groups was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression of p-NF-κB and HIF-1α was significantly reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionShaoyaotang can regulate MDSC recruitment and modulate the immune function of T lymphocyte subsets to inhibit the occurrence and development of AOM/DSS-induced CAC in mice. The mechanism may be related to the activation of the AMPK/NF-κB/HIF-1α pathway.
2.Nuangong Tiaojing Decoction (暖宫调经汤) Combined with Ginger Moxibustion at Baliao (八髎) Acupoints for Patients with Premature Ovarian Failure of Yang-Deficiency Uterus-Coldeness Syndrome:65 Cases Clinical Observation
Yuqiong MENG ; Qiang GAO ; Tingting ZHAI ; Zhihong YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):59-64
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effectivess of Nuangong Tiaojing Decoction (暖宫调经汤) combined with ginger moxibustion at Baliao acupoints (Eight Bone-Holes) for treating premature ovarian failure (POF) of yang-deficiency uterus-coldeness syndrome, based on conventional western medical treatment. MethodsA total of 130 patients diagnosed with POF of yang-deficiency uterus-coldeness syndrome were divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 65 cases in each group, based on patient preference. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment, while the treatment group was additionally given Nuangong Tiaojing Decoction orally one dose per day and underwent ginger moxibustion at Baliao points once daily. Both groups were treated for three months. Before and after treatment, ovarian function indicators, including ovarian volume, follicle count, ovarian peak systolic velocity (PSV), and endometrial thickness were assessed, and serum sex hormone levels including progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and testosterone (T), as well as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were also measured. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores were evaluated, covering symptoms such as reduced libido, lumbosacral pain, fear of cold with cold extremities, fatigue, dull complexion, lower abdominal distension and pain, pale tongue, and deep and rough pulse. After treatment, clinical effectiveness and safety were determined. ResultsCompared with the pre-treatment levels within group, both groups showed significant increases in ovarian volume, follicle count, PSV, endometrial thickness, and levels of P, E2, and AMH after treatment, while the levels of FSH, LH, PRL, and T, as well as scores of lumbosacral pain, reduced libido, dull complexion, deep and rough pulse, and total TCM syndrome scores significantly reduced after treatment. Furthermore, the treatment group exhibited higher ovarian volume, follicle count, PSV, endometrial thickness, and levels of P, E2, and AMH compared to the control group, while FSH, LH, PRL, T levels, and all symptom scores, as well as total TCM syndrome scores, were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The clinical effectiveness in treatment group was 96.92% (63/65), significantly higher than 81.54% (53/65) in control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 26.15% (17/65), while in the control group it was 32.31% (21/65), with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine treament, Nuangong Tiaojing Decoction combined with ginger moxibustion at Baliao acupoints for patients with POF of yang-deficiency uterus-coldeness syndrome can significantly improve ovarian function and clinical symptoms, regulate hormone levels, and thereby enhance clinical effectiveness.
3.Quality index monitoring and application evaluation of nucleic acid pooling detection mode in blood stations
Fei DONG ; Yang LIU ; Guoliang DONG ; Weiwei ZHAI ; Weimin LIU ; Xuemei LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):251-256
[Objective] To explore the influencing factors of quality monitoring index on the nucleic acid pooling detection mode and continuously improve the detection quality of nucleic acid laboratory. [Methods] The quality monitoring indicators (NAT reactive rate, NAT resolution reactive rate, NAT invalid batch rate, NAT invalid result rate, equipment failure rate) and causes of invalidity in our laboratory from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The quality monitoring indicators of the laboratory during 2020 to 2022 were compared longitudinally. The quality monitoring indicators of the laboratory in 2022 were compared horizontally with the overall level in Shandong for the same period to find the differences. [Results] From 2020 to 2022, a total of 218 686 samples were detected, the NAT reactive rate was 0.15‰ (32 samples in total), the resolution reactive rate was 39.02%, the invalid batch rate was 1.06%, the invalid result rate was 1.18%, and the equipment failure rate was 3.58%. There were no differences in the NAT reactive rate, NAT resolution reactive rate and NAT invalid batch rate among different years (P>0.05), but there were differences in the invalid result rate (P<0.05). Equipment failure was the main cause of invalid results (56.53%). Compared with other laboratories in Shandong, there were differences in the NAT reactive rate and invalid result rate (P<0.05). There were differences in the reaction rate, resolution rate and invalid result rate among different reagents (P<0.05). Compared with other two laboratories using the same manufacturer's reagent, there were differences in the reactive rate and invalid result rate (P<0.05), but no difference in the resolution rate and invalid batch rate (P>0.05). [Conclusion] Establishing quality indexes for process control and regular analysis can timely detect potential risks in laboratory operation. The use of quality indicators to implement self-comparison and inter-laboratory comparison can help the laboratory systematically and scientifically evaluate its own operating status and formulate corresponding quality management strategies, thereby improving the laboratory's testing capacity and ensure the safety of blood use.
4.Influencing factors for autism spectrum disorder in Chinese children: a meta analysis
CHEN Xi ; YANG Hongsheng ; LI Wei ; ZHAI Rui ; JIANG Yanlin ; WANG Junhong
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):181-188
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the influencing factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Chinese children, so as to provide the evidence for risk prediction and intervention of ASD.
Methods:
The publications pertaining to the influencing factors for ASD in Chinese children were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed and Embase database from inception to August 2024. A meta-analysis was performed using R package version 4.4.1. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the "leave-one-out" evaluation procedure. Publication bias was assessed using Egger regression test.
Results:
A total of 38 high-quality articles out of 9 015 articles were finally included, covering 149 607 individuals, with 5 974 cases of ASD. The meta-analysis showed that demographic factors including family history of related diseases (OR=14.958), maternal age of ≥35 years (OR=2.287) and parental history of hazardous occupations (OR=3.511); pregnancy-related factors including history of abortion (OR=5.832), no folate supplementation before and during pregnancy (OR=4.566), tobacco exposure before and during pregnancy (OR=2.596), history of other adverse exposures before and during pregnancy (OR=3.533), history of infectious diseases during pregnancy (OR=3.753), history of non-infectious diseases during pregnancy (OR=2.563), psychological problems during pregnancy (OR=3.864), history of medication during pregnancy (OR=6.651), adverse environmental exposures during pregnancy (OR=3.754), severe pregnancy reactions (OR=5.082), abnormal perinatal period (OR=2.987), cesarean delivery (OR=1.659), other perinatal adverse factors (OR=3.856), history of neonatal asphyxia (OR=2.792) and neonatal jaundice (OR=3.687); parenting factors including non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.510), early/excessive screen exposure (OR=3.589) and feeding problems (OR=3.113); and individual factors including being male (OR=3.333) and history of convulsions/epilepsy (OR=7.035) were influencing factors for ASD in Chinese children.
Conclusions
The prevalence of ASD in Chinese children is primarily associated with 23 influencing factors, including family history of related diseases, history of abortion, no folate supplementation before and during pregnancy, medication during pregnancy, early/excessive screen exposure and history of convulsions/epilepsy.
5.Dapagliflozin on acute kidney injury and prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention
Huifang HAO ; Xiufeng ZHAI ; Qing LI ; Shicheng YANG ; Peng ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):469-474
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of dapagliflozin on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) and prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS Retrospective selection of data on T2DM patients with ACS who underwent PCI treatment in the Cardiology Department of Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 1st 2021 to December 31st 2022. The patients were divided into dapagliflozin group (96 cases) and control group (148 cases) based on whether they received dapagliflozin or not. Renal function indicators were measured for all enrolled patients before PCI and at 48 h and 1 week after PCI, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), cystatin-C (Cys-C), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG). All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The incidence of CIAKI and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) during follow-up were recorded for both groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of dapagliflozin on the occurrence of CIAKI, while the Log-rank test was applied to compare the incidence of MACE between the two groups. Cox regression was employed to analyze the impact of dapagliflozin on prognosis. RESULTS At 48 h and 1 week after PCI, serum levels of Cys-C, KIM-1 and β2-MG were significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of CIAKI was lower in the dapagliflozin group compared to the control group (6.25% vs. 14.86%, P=0.042). Logistic regression analysis revealed that dapagliflozin was an independent protective factor against CIAKI (OR=0.280, 95%CI 0.101-0.780,P=0.015). During the follow-up period, the incidence of MACE was lower in the dapagliflozin group compared to the control group (7.29% vs. 17.57%, P=0.049). Cox regression analysis indicated that dapagliflozin reduced the occurrence of MACE after PCI (HR=0.374, 95%CI 0.161-0.866, P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS With adequate hydration, the use of dapagliflozin does not increase the risk of CIAKI following PCI in T2DM patients with ACS.
6.Regulation of Tumor Immune Homeostasis by Programmed Cell Death and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Under Theory of Regulating Qi and Resolving Toxins
Bingwei YANG ; Xue CHEN ; Chenglei WANG ; Haoyu ZHAI ; Weidong LI ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):212-220
Tumor immune homeostasis is a dynamic equilibrium state in which the body removes abnormal mutated cells in time to prevent tumor development without damaging other normal cells under the surveillance of the immune system. It is an important concept to understand the process of tumor development. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a kind of regulable cell death including various forms such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis. It is regarded as an important way for the body to remove abnormal or mutated cells. In recent years, modern research has found that PCD has a bi-directional regulatory effect on carcinogenesis and tumor development. In the early stage of tumor formation, PCD can control tumor development in time by playing a specific immune clearance role, while in the later tumorigenic stage, PCD can promote the growth and development of tumor cells by forming a tumor-specific microenvironment, resulting in carcinogenic effects. Therefore, PCD is regarded as an important way to maintain tumor immune homeostasis. Based on the idea of ''supporting the vital Qi and cultivating the root'' by professors Yu Guiqing and Piao Bingkui, the team proposed the theory of ''regulating Qi and resolving toxins'' and applied it to clinical tumor prevention and treatment. Based on the theory of ''regulating Qi and resolving toxins'', the research summarized the current progress of modern medical research on mechanisms related to PCD to explore the role of PCD in the regulation of tumor immune homeostasis. The article believed that the harmonious state of Qi movement was the basic condition for normal PCD to maintain tumor immune homeostasis, while the disorder of Qi movement and the evolution of tumor toxicity were the core processes of abnormal PCD and disorder of tumor immunity homeostasis, which led to the escape and development of tumor cells. Therefore, under the guidance of ''regulating Qi and removing toxins'', the idea of full-cycle prevention and treatment of tumors was proposed summarily. In the early stage of tumor formation, the method of ''regulating Qi movement and strengthening vital Qi'' was applied to reestablish tumor immune homeostasis and to promote the elimination of abnormal cells. In the late tumorigenic stage, the method of ''resolving toxins and dispelling evils'' was applied to reverse the specific microenvironment of tumors and inhibit the development of tumor cells, with a view to providing new theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of tumors through traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Regulation of Tumor Immune Homeostasis by Programmed Cell Death and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Under Theory of Regulating Qi and Resolving Toxins
Bingwei YANG ; Xue CHEN ; Chenglei WANG ; Haoyu ZHAI ; Weidong LI ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):212-220
Tumor immune homeostasis is a dynamic equilibrium state in which the body removes abnormal mutated cells in time to prevent tumor development without damaging other normal cells under the surveillance of the immune system. It is an important concept to understand the process of tumor development. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a kind of regulable cell death including various forms such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis. It is regarded as an important way for the body to remove abnormal or mutated cells. In recent years, modern research has found that PCD has a bi-directional regulatory effect on carcinogenesis and tumor development. In the early stage of tumor formation, PCD can control tumor development in time by playing a specific immune clearance role, while in the later tumorigenic stage, PCD can promote the growth and development of tumor cells by forming a tumor-specific microenvironment, resulting in carcinogenic effects. Therefore, PCD is regarded as an important way to maintain tumor immune homeostasis. Based on the idea of ''supporting the vital Qi and cultivating the root'' by professors Yu Guiqing and Piao Bingkui, the team proposed the theory of ''regulating Qi and resolving toxins'' and applied it to clinical tumor prevention and treatment. Based on the theory of ''regulating Qi and resolving toxins'', the research summarized the current progress of modern medical research on mechanisms related to PCD to explore the role of PCD in the regulation of tumor immune homeostasis. The article believed that the harmonious state of Qi movement was the basic condition for normal PCD to maintain tumor immune homeostasis, while the disorder of Qi movement and the evolution of tumor toxicity were the core processes of abnormal PCD and disorder of tumor immunity homeostasis, which led to the escape and development of tumor cells. Therefore, under the guidance of ''regulating Qi and removing toxins'', the idea of full-cycle prevention and treatment of tumors was proposed summarily. In the early stage of tumor formation, the method of ''regulating Qi movement and strengthening vital Qi'' was applied to reestablish tumor immune homeostasis and to promote the elimination of abnormal cells. In the late tumorigenic stage, the method of ''resolving toxins and dispelling evils'' was applied to reverse the specific microenvironment of tumors and inhibit the development of tumor cells, with a view to providing new theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of tumors through traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Epigenetic changes and exercise regulation:mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle aging and improvement
Rao FAN ; Jianda KONG ; Lin LI ; Teng ZHAI ; Zirou YANG ; Lei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):419-429
BACKGROUND:Muscle aging is closely related to various epigenetic changes,and exercise has a certain regulatory effect on these epigenetic changes.However,the specific mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To review the epigenetic mechanisms of skeletal muscle and how exercise can improve skeletal muscle aging and promote adaptive changes in muscle through these epigenetic mechanisms,aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of skeletal muscle aging and disease mechanisms. METHODS:During the period from June 1st to August 1st,2023,literature searches were conducted for relevant literature published from database inception to August 2023 in databases including Web of Science,PubMed,CNKI,WanFang,and VIP.The search terms used included"skeletal muscle,""muscle,""aging,""older adult,""aging,""exercise,""physical exercise,""epigenetic,"and"epigenetics"in Chinese as well as"skeletal muscle,muscle,aging,older adult,senescence,age,exercise,sports,physical activity,epigenetic,epigenetics"in English.Boolean logic operators were used to connect the search terms for retrieval,and corresponding strategies were developed.According to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria,70 eligible articles were selected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Epigenetics refers to the phenomenon where gene expression and function are regulated without changes in gene sequence,and epigenetic changes in skeletal muscle are an important field.The epigenetic mechanisms of skeletal muscle play an important role in muscle aging,mainly involving DNA methylation,histone modification,regulation of non-coding RNAs,chromatin remodeling,changes in mitochondrial function and expression changes of aging-related genes.Exercise significantly regulates the epigenetics of skeletal muscle,including promoting DNA methylation,muscle histone modification,regulating miRNA expression,and regulating lncRNA expression,regulating muscle factors(such as interleukin-6),regulating mitochondrial function(such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors γ co-activator 1α).Future studies are recommended for long-term,cross-diverse population-based exercise interventions;the application of multi-omics techniques such as proteomics and metabolomics;strengthening the understanding of epigenetic changes at the single-cell level;cross-species comparative studies as well as human clinical trials for the translation of animal model findings to humans;strategies for combining exercise and pharmacological interventions to assess their synergistic effects;and epigenetic studies of crosstalk interactions between skeletal muscle and different organs.
9.Analysis of Disease Burden and Attributable Risk Factors of Early-onset Female Breast Cancer in China and Globally from 1990 to 2021
Danqi HUANG ; Min YANG ; Wei XIONG ; Jingyi LIU ; Wanqing CHEN ; Jingbo ZHAI ; Jiang LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):777-784
To analyze the disease burden, temporal trends, and attributable risk factors of early-onset female breast cancer (EOBC) in China and globally from 1990 to 2021. Data on the absolute numbers and crude rates of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for EOBC (diagnosis age < 50 years) in China and globally were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Attributable DALY proportions for five risk factors (smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, high red meat consumption, elevated fasting plasma glucose) and all combined risk factors were obtained. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to assess temporal trends in age-standardized rates, quantified by annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). From 1990 to 2021, age-standardized incidence rates of EOBC increased significantly in both China (AAPC=2.25%) and globally (AAPC=0.64%; pairwise comparison, China's age-standardized EOBC incidence is rising rapidly and approaching global levels, while mortality and DALY rates have increased over the past decade, underscoring persistent challenges in disease control. Future efforts should prioritize expanding the coverage of breast cancer screening programs, optimizing screening protocols, and enhancing public awareness of cancer prevention to mitigate the growing burden of EOBC in China.
10.Exploration on the Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Strategies for Inflammation-Cancer Transformation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on the Theory of Cold Qi-Induced Accumulation
Jiahe WU ; Muyao CUI ; Xue CHEN ; Bingwei YANG ; Haoyu ZHAI ; Chenglei WANG ; Ying WU ; Weidong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1489-1494
It is proposed that cold qi-induced accumulation encapsulates the core pathogenesis of the inflammation-cancer transformation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cold pathogens may serve as the initiating factor. When first invading the intestines, cold pathogens obstruct the flow of qi; over time, the lingering cold impairs the middle jiao (焦), eventually leading to the accumulation of cold-phlegm and blood stasis. Based on the progressive nature of this transformation, the process can be divided into three stages, active stage, remission stage, and carcinogenic stage. In the active stage, the main pathogenesis involves stagnation of cold qi and accumulation of damp-heat in the intestines; in the remission stage, cold qi impairs the spleen, disrupting its transport and transformation functions; and in the carcinogenic stage, the mechanisms include cold-induced accumulation, phlegm accumulation from cold, and stagnation of cold and blood stasis. Accordingly, the treatment strategies are proposed.In the active stage, regulating qi, relieving stagnation, and harmonizing cold and heat; in the remission stage, warming yang, dispersing cold, tonifying qi, and strengthening the spleen; and in the carcinogenic stage, promoting qi circulation, dispersing cold, resolving phlegm, activating yang, and eliminating stasis to remove accumulation. These approaches aim to interrupt the transformation of IBD into colorectal cancer.


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