1.Protective Effect of Xuebijing on Lung Injury in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Blocking FPRs/NLRP3 Inflammatory Pathway
Guixian ZHANG ; Dawei LIU ; Xia LI ; Xijing LI ; Pengcheng SHI ; Zhiqiao FENG ; Jun CAI ; Wenhui ZONG ; Xiumei ZHAO ; Hongbin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):113-120
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection (XBJ) on severe acute pancreatitis induced acute lung injury (SAP-ALI) by regulating formyl peptide receptors (FPRs)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a SAP-ALI model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose XBJ groups (4, 8, and 12 mL·kg-1), and a positive drug (BOC2, 0.2 mg·kg-1) group. For the sham group, the pancreas of rats was only gently flipped after laparotomy, and then the abdomen was closed, while for the remaining five groups, SAP-ALI rat models were established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (Na-Tc) via the biliopancreatic duct. XBJ and BOC2 were administered via intraperitoneal injection once daily for 3 d prior to modeling and 0.5 h after modeling. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta 6 h after the completion of modeling, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of ascites was measured, and the dry-wet weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissue were determined. Pancreatic and lung tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe pathological changes and then scored. The protein expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue were detected by the immunohistochemical method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the SAP-ALI model group showed significantly decreased dry-wet weight ratio of lung tissue (P<0.01), serious pathological changes of lung tissue, a significantly increased pathological score (P<0.01), and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of FPR1, FPR2, and NLRP3 in lung tissue (P<0.01). After BOC2 intervention, the above detection indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.01). After treatment with XBJ, the groups of different XBJ doses achieved results consistent with BOC2 intervention. ConclusionXBJ can effectively improve the inflammatory response of the lungs in SAP-ALI rats and reduce damage. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of FPRs and NLRP3 in lung tissue, which thereby reduces IL-1β and simultaneously antagonize the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.
2.Clinical outcomes of cyclosporine combined with lacrimal plug in the treatment of dry eye in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Lin AN ; Qiuhong WEI ; Jingjing CAI ; Chengwen YANG ; Rong ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):128-133
AIM: To analyze the clinical outcomes of cyclosporine combined with lacrimal plug in the treatment of dry eye in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients(120 eyes)who were admitted to the ophthalmology department and rheumatology and immunology department of Baoding No.1 Central Hospital and were diagonosed with siogren's syndrome dry eye after multidisciplinary consultation from June 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received regular treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome, and they were divided into three groups according to treatment methods: A, B and C, with 20 cases(40 eyes)in each group. The group A received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops, the group B received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops plus 0.05% cyclosporine eyedrops, and the group C received 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eyedrops plus 0.05% cyclosporine eyedrops combined with binocular lacrimal plugs. The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)score, conjunctival hyperemia score, tear film breakup time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score and tear secretion of the three groups of patients were compared before and at 4, 8 and 12 wk after treatment. The contents of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in tears were detected before and at 12 wk after treatment.RESULTS: At 4, 8 and 12 wk after treatment, the scores of OSDI, conjunctival hyperemia score and FL in the three groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, and the BUT, TMH and tear secretion were higher than those before treatment(all P<0.001). The OSDI score of the group C was lower than that of the group A and B, and the group B was lower than the group A(all P<0.001). The BUT, TMH and tear secretion of the group C were higher than those of the group A and B, with the group B higher than the group A(all P<0.001). At 12 wk after treatment, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the tears of the three groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, with the group C lower than the group A and B, and the group B lower than the group A(all P<0.001). There was no statistical significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups of patients(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The combined use of cyclosporine and lacrimal plug is safe and effective in improving the clinical symptoms of patients with moderate and severe dry eye, promoting the function of tear film and cornea, increasing tears secretion, and reducing the level of tear inflammatory factors.
3.Treatment strategy after neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Shifa ZHANG ; Haibo CAI ; Liji CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):216-222
Objective To investigate the necessity of further surgery for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following treatment with the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, and to assess its impact on survival. Methods Patients with stage ⅡA to ⅢB esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected for this study. Based on whether they underwent surgery after receiving PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, patients were divided into a surgery group and a non-surgery group. We compared the general clinical data, side effects, clinical complete response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Results A total of 58 patients were included in the study, comprising 45 males and 13 females, with an average age of (65.5±6.9) years. There were no statistical differences in general clinical data or adverse reactions between the two groups. Univariate analysis revealed that the objective response rate and surgery were significantly associated with PFS (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that surgery was the only independent risk factor for PFS (P=0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the PFS and OS in the surgery group were significantly higher than those in the non-surgery group (HR=0.13, 95%CI 0.036 to 0.520, P<0.001; HR=0.17, 95%CI 0.045 to 0.680, P=0.004). Conclusion After treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma still require surgical intervention to achieve improved PFS and OS.
4.The level of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue and its clinical significance in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Zhekai CAI ; Long XU ; Wenli LIU ; Yingqun XIAO ; Qingmei ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Min WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):57-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of HBV cccDNA in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and its correlation with HBV markers and liver histopathological changes. MethodsA total of 30 patients in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACL who were hospitalized in The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from January 2015 to October 2023 were enrolled as liver failure group, and 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), matched for sex and age, were enrolled as control group. The content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was measured, and its correlation with clinical data and laboratory markers was analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver failure group had a significantly lower content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue than the control group (-0.92±0.70 log10 copies/cell vs -0.13±0.91 log10 copies/cell, t=2.761, P=0.009). In the liver failure group, there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the HBeAg-positive patients and the HBeAg-negative patients (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different grades (G0-G2, G3, and G4) of liver inflammatory activity (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different stages (S0-S2, S3, and S4) of liver fibrosis (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with negative HBV DNA and those with positive HBV DNA (P>0.05). For the liver failure group, the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was positively correlated with the content of HBV DNA in liver tissue (r=0.426, P=0.043) and was not significantly correlated with the content of HBV DNA in serum (P>0.05). ConclusionThere is a significant reduction in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACLF. HBV cccDNA exists continuously and stably in liver tissue and can better reflect the persistent infection and replication of HBV than HBV DNA in serum and liver tissue.
5.Effect of integrin α5 on NLRP3 expression in periodontal ligament fibroblasts within an inflammatory microenvironment
DAI Jingyi ; CAI Hongxuan ; SI Weixing ; ZHANG Zan ; WANG Zhurui ; LI Mengsen ; TIAN Ya guang
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(1):24-32
Objective:
To investigate the effect of integrin α5 on the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) in periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) within an inflammatory microenvironment.
Methods:
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory animals. After rat PDLFs were treated with LPS (0.5, 5, and 50 µg/mL) for 24 h, the primary medium was discarded and replaced with serum-free culture medium. After 24 h, the supernatant was collected and mixed with DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum at a volume ratio of 1:1 to obtain conditioned medium (CM). The groups were labeled as the 0.5-CM, 5-CM, and 50-CM groups. In addition, PDLFs cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum were considered the 0-CM group. PDLFs were cultured with the above CM. In the inhibitor group, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM containing different concentrations of integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 (0, 0.025, 0.25, 2.5, 25, and 250 μg/mL). The effect of CM and integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 on cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. According to the CCK-8 results, in further inhibitor intervention experiments, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM, 5-CM (without/with 25 μg/mL ATN-161), and 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161, which were labeled as the 0-CM, 5-CM, ATN-161+5-CM, and ATN-161 groups, respectively. The expression changes of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were detected using Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques. For in vivo experiments, 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6). The control group contained healthy rats that received no treatment. The rats in the other three groups were injected with 40 µL of 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161 or 5-CM (without or with 25 μg/mL ATN-161) on the palatal side of the left maxillary first molar every three days; these groups were classified as the ATN-161, 5-CM, and ATN-161+5-CM groups, respectively. On the 30th day, the left maxillary tissue of rats was used for Micro-CT, HE staining, and immunohistochemical detection.
Results :
The CCK-8 assay showed that CM, 25 μg/mL ATN-161, and ATN-161 concentrations below 25 μg/mL had no significant effect on cell viability at 12 h and 24 h (P > 0.05). 50-CM and 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly inhibited cell viability at 48 h (P < 0.05). For in vitro experiments, compared to the 0-CM group, both the protein and mRNA levels of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were significantly increased in rat PDLFs in the 5-CM group (P < 0.05). Intervention with 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly attenuated the enhancement of 5-CM on the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 (P < 0.05). For in vivo experiments, compared to the control group, alveolar bone resorption and periodontal inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly increased in the 5-CM and ATN-161+5-CM groups, and the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, compared to the 5-CM group, the ATN-161+5-CM group had less alveolar bone resorption and fewer periodontal inflammatory cells. Further, the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly reduced (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that integrin α5 mediated NLRP3 expression in PDLFs under an inflammatory microenvironment. ATN-161 inhibited the expression of integrin α5, thus significantly downregulating the expression of NLRP3, which plays a role in inhibiting inflammation.
6.Electronic picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder based on Creative Problem Solving model: construction and intervention
Huili SHE ; Wenzhu CAI ; Yu JIANG ; Tingting FANG ; Wenpei ZHANG ; Ruting SHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(2):141-149
ObjectiveTo establish an educational intervention framework of electronic picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model, and observe the effect on social function. MethodsElectronic picture books were designed using CPS model, including the program of reading, interactive animation design and associated artistic activities. From March to June, 2023, 24 children with mild to moderate ASD were recruited from Maanshan Institute of Special Education, and randomly assigned into experimental group 1 (CPS-based cognitive picture book interventions, n = 8), experimental group 2 (CPS-based social picture book interventions, n = 8) and control group (Bloom's Taxonomy-based picture book interventions, n = 8), and received the interventions for four weeks, with a total of twelve times. They were assessed with speech, social, perceptual and health behavior using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) before and after treatment, and the differences were calculated. ResultsThere was a significant difference among the groups in the social and perceptual scores differences (F > 4.344, P < 0.05) and a near-significant difference in the health behaviour score difference (F = 2.921, P = 0.076). Post Hoc test showed that the differences in social scores were higher in both experimental groups than in the control group (P < 0.05); the difference in perceptual scores was significantly higher in experimental group 1 than in experimental group 2 (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference with the control group (P > 0.05); the difference in health behavior scores was higher in experimental group 2 than in the control (P < 0.05), and the difference in experimental group 1 was slightly higher than in the control group (P = 0.072). ConclusionElectronic picture book interventions based on the CPS model may be more effective in enhancing social, perceptual and health behavior in children with ASD, but there may be differences among models.
7.Experience in Staged Differentiation and Treatment of Cirrhotic Ascites Based on the Theory of Tonification and Purging
Haihang DONG ; Yujie CAI ; Huiqin ZHANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuying TU ; Dongling WANG ; Yinqiang ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):532-536
It is believed that patients with cirrhotic ascites exhibit a pathological mechanism characterized by the decline of healthy qi and the accumulation of pathogenic factors. Clinically, treatment should be based on the theory of tonification and purging, with a staged approach distinguishing between the active phase and the remission phase. The balance between tonification and purging should be adjusted according to the progression of pathogenic and healthy actors. In the acute phase, purging should take precedence over tonification, using purging as a means of tonification to facilitate the flow of water and qi through the triple energizer. The severity of water retention, dampness, blood stasis, and heat should be carefully assessed to ensure thorough elimination of pathogenic factors while avoiding harm to healthy qi. Medication adjustments should be made once the pathogenic factors are significantly weakened. In the remission phase, an integrated approach combining both tonification and purging should be adopted, incorporating purging within tonification to clear residual pathogens and prevent recurrence. Concurrently, proactive treatment of the underlying disease is essential to achieve complete recovery and prevent the recurrence of ascites.
8.Wuzhi Wuyang——Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Malignant Tumor
Baojin HAN ; Ying TAN ; Ruijuan CAI ; Qiyuan MAO ; Chuchu ZHANG ; Yiwei ZHONG ; Hongsheng LIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(2):93-97
In response to the clinical needs of cancer treatment and rehabilitation, Professor Lin Hongsheng proposed the Wuzhi Wuyang (five treatments and rehabilitation) concept on the basis of years of clinical experience and the Guben Qingyuan (consolidate the foundation and clear the source) theory. Wuzhi Wuyang emphasizes the importance of treatment and rehabilitation and aims to provide personalized and stage-specific treatment and rehabilitation plans by integrating the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern medicine to achieve comprehensive life-cycle management for patients with cancer. The proposal of Wuzhi Wuyang has provided new ideas and methods for the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of cancer, along with valuable references for clinical practice and academic research. This article summarizes the connotation of Wuzhi Wuyang and its application in the comprehensive management of cancer prevention and treatment with TCM.
9.Textual Research on Key Information of Famous Classical Formula Jiegengtang
Yang LEI ; Yuli LI ; Xiaoming XIE ; Zhen LIU ; Shanghua ZHANG ; Tieru CAI ; Ying TAN ; Weiqiang ZHOU ; Zhaoxu YI ; Yun TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):182-190
Jiegengtang is a basic formula for treating sore throat and cough. By means of bibliometrics, this study conducted a textual research and analysis on the key information such as formula origin, decocting methods, and clinical application of Jiegengtang. After the research, it can be seen that Jiegengtang is firstly contained in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Disease, which is also known as Ganjietang, and it has been inherited and innovated by medical practitioners of various dynasties in later times. The origins of Chinese medicines in this formula is basically clear, Jiegeng is the dried roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, Gancao is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, the two medicines are selected raw products. The dosage is 27.60 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and 13.80 g of Platycodonis Radix, decocted with 600 mL of water to 200 mL, taken warmly after meals, twice a day, 100 mL for each time. In ancient times, Jiegengtang was mainly used for treating Shaoyin-heat invasion syndrome, with cough and sore throat as its core symptoms. In modern clinical practice, Jiegengtang is mainly used for respiratory diseases such as pharyngitis, esophagitis, tonsillitis and lung abscess, especially for pharyngitis and lung abscess with remarkable efficacy. This paper can provide literature reference basis for the modern clinical application and new drug development of Jiegengtang.
10.Textual Research on Key Information of Famous Classical Formula Jiegengtang
Yang LEI ; Yuli LI ; Xiaoming XIE ; Zhen LIU ; Shanghua ZHANG ; Tieru CAI ; Ying TAN ; Weiqiang ZHOU ; Zhaoxu YI ; Yun TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):182-190
Jiegengtang is a basic formula for treating sore throat and cough. By means of bibliometrics, this study conducted a textual research and analysis on the key information such as formula origin, decocting methods, and clinical application of Jiegengtang. After the research, it can be seen that Jiegengtang is firstly contained in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Disease, which is also known as Ganjietang, and it has been inherited and innovated by medical practitioners of various dynasties in later times. The origins of Chinese medicines in this formula is basically clear, Jiegeng is the dried roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, Gancao is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, the two medicines are selected raw products. The dosage is 27.60 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and 13.80 g of Platycodonis Radix, decocted with 600 mL of water to 200 mL, taken warmly after meals, twice a day, 100 mL for each time. In ancient times, Jiegengtang was mainly used for treating Shaoyin-heat invasion syndrome, with cough and sore throat as its core symptoms. In modern clinical practice, Jiegengtang is mainly used for respiratory diseases such as pharyngitis, esophagitis, tonsillitis and lung abscess, especially for pharyngitis and lung abscess with remarkable efficacy. This paper can provide literature reference basis for the modern clinical application and new drug development of Jiegengtang.


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