1.The Association between Educational Attainment and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Chinese Adults: Findings from the REACTION Study
Yuanyue ZHU ; Long WANG ; Lin LIN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Shuangyuan WANG ; Hong LIN ; Xueyan WU ; Chunyan HU ; Mian LI ; Min XU ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Yufang BI ; Yuhong CHEN ; Jieli LU
Gut and Liver 2024;18(4):719-728
		                        		
		                        			 Background/Aims:
		                        			Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusions
		                        			In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Corrigendum to: The Association between Educational Attainment and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Chinese Adults: Findings from the REACTION Study
Yuanyue ZHU ; Long WANG ; Lin LIN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Shuangyuan WANG ; Hong LIN ; Xueyan WU ; Chunyan HU ; Mian LI ; Min XU ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Yufang BI ; Yuhong CHEN ; Jieli LU
Gut and Liver 2024;18(5):926-927
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Systematic review and Meta-analysis of Gusongbao preparation in treatment of primary osteoporosis.
Jie-Hang LU ; Zheng-Yan LI ; Guo-Qing DU ; Jun ZHANG ; Yu-Peng WANG ; Jin-Yu SHI ; You-Zhi LIAN ; Fu-Wei PAN ; Zhen-Lin ZHANG ; Hong-Sheng ZHAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(11):3086-3096
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aims to provide evidence for clinical practice by systematically reviewing the efficacy and safety of Gusongbao preparation in the treatment of primary osteoporosis(POP). The relevant papers were retrieved from four Chinese academic journal databases and four English academic journal databases(from inception to May 31, 2022). The randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Gusongbao preparation in the treatment of POP was included after screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of articles was evaluated using risk assessment tools, and the extracted data were subjected to Meta-analysis in RevMan 5.3. A total of 657 articles were retrieved, in which 15 articles were included in this study, which involved 16 RCTs. A total of 3 292 patients(1 071 in the observation group and 2 221 in the control group) were included in this study. In the treatment of POP, Gusongbao preparation+conventional treatment was superior to conventional treatment alone in terms of increasing lumbar spine(L2-L4) bone mineral density(MD=0.03, 95%CI[0.02, 0.04], P<0.000 01) and femoral neck bone mineral density, reducing low back pain(MD=-1.69, 95%CI[-2.46,-0.92], P<0.000 1) and improving clinical efficacy(RR=1.36, 95%CI[1.21, 1.53], P<0.000 01). Gusongbao preparation was comparable to similar Chinese patent medicines in terms of improving clinical efficacy(RR=0.95, 95%CI[0.86, 1.04], P=0.23). Gusongbao preparation was inferior to similar Chinese patent medicines in reducing traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores(MD=1.08, 95%CI[0.44, 1.71], P=0.000 9) and improving Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy(RR=0.89, 95%CI[0.83, 0.95], P=0.000 4). The incidence of adverse reactions of Gusongbao preparation alone or combined with conventio-nal treatment was comparable to that of similar Chinese patent medicines(RR=0.98, 95%CI[0.57, 1.69], P=0.94) or conventio-nal treatment(RR=0.73, 95%CI[0.38, 1.42], P=0.35), and the adverse reactions were mainly gastrointestinal discomforts. According to the available data, Gusongbao preparation combined with conventional treatment is more effective than conventional treatment alone in increasing lumbar spine(L2-L4) bone mineral density and femoral neck bone mineral density, reducing low back pain, and improving clinical efficacy. The adverse reactions of Gusongbao preparation were mainly gastrointestinal discomforts, which were mild.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Bone Density
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Low Back Pain
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Medicine, Chinese Traditional
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Osteoporosis/drug therapy*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Safety and efficacy of the early administration of levosimendan in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and elevated NT-proBNP levels: An Early Management Strategy of Acute Heart Failure (EMS-AHF).
Feng XU ; Yuan BIAN ; Guo Qiang ZHANG ; Lu Yao GAO ; Yu Fa LIU ; Tong Xiang LIU ; Gang LI ; Rui Xue SONG ; Li Jun SU ; Yan Ju ZHOU ; Jia Yu CUI ; Xian Liang YAN ; Fang Ming GUO ; Huan Yi ZHANG ; Qing Hui LI ; Min ZHAO ; Li Kun MA ; Bei An YOU ; Ge WANG ; Li KONG ; Jian Liang MA ; Xin Fu ZHOU ; Ze Long CHANG ; Zhen Yu TANG ; Dan Yu YU ; Kai CHENG ; Li XUE ; Xiao LI ; Jiao Jiao PANG ; Jia Li WANG ; Hai Tao ZHANG ; Xue Zhong YU ; Yu Guo CHEN
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(4):374-383
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Aged
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Simendan/therapeutic use*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Heart Failure/drug therapy*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Peptide Fragments
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Arrhythmias, Cardiac
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Biomarkers
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Prognosis
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.Preliminary study on three-dimensional morphological reconstruction method for external nose defect based on three-dimensional face template.
Ao Nan WEN ; Yong WANG ; Hong Qiang YE ; Zi Xiang GAO ; Yu Jia ZHU ; Qing Zhap QIN ; Hui Zhen HU ; Yun Song LIU ; Yi Jiao ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2023;58(5):414-421
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To provide a new solution for the digital design of nasal prostheses, this study explores the three-dimensional (3D) facial morphology completion method for external nasal defects based on the non-rigid registration process of 3D face template. Methods: A total of 20 male patients with tooth defect and dentition defect who visited the Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from June to December 2022 were selected, age 18-45 years old. The original 3D facial data of patients were collected, and the 3D facial data of the external nose defect was constructed in Geomagic Wrap 2021 software. Using the structured 3D face template data constructed in the previous research of the research group, the 3D face template was deformed and registered to the 3D facial data of external nose defect (based on the morphology of non-defective area) by non-rigid registration algorithm (MeshMonk program), and the personalized deformed data of the 3D face template was obtained, as the complemented facial 3D data. Based on the defect boundary of the 3D facial data of the external nose defect, the complemented external nose 3D data can be cut out from the complemented facial 3D data. Then the nasofacial angle and nasolabial angle of the complemented facial 3D data and the original 3D facial data was compared and analyzed, the ratio between the nose length and mid-face height, nose width and medial canthal distance of the complemented facial 3D data was measured, the edge fit between the edge curve of the complemented external nose 3D data and the defect edge curve of the 3D facial data of external nose defect was evaluated, and the morphological difference of the nose between the complemented external nose 3D data and the original 3D facial data was analyzed. Results: There was no significant statistically difference (t=-0.23, P=0.823; Z=-1.72, P=0.086) in the nasofacial angle (28.2°±2.9°, 28.4°±3.5° respectively) and nasolabial angle [95.4°(19.2°), 99.9°(9.5°) respectively] between the 20 original 3D facial data and the complemented facial 3D data. The value of the ratio of nose length to mid-face height in the complemented facial 3D data was 0.63±0.03, and the value of the ratio of nose width to medial canthal distance was 1.07±0.08. The curve deviation (root mean square value) between the edge curve of the complemented external nose 3D data and the defect edge curve of the 3D facial data of external nose defect was (0.37±0.09) mm, the maximum deviation was (1.14±0.32) mm, and the proportion of the curve deviation value within±1 mm was (97±3)%. The distance of corresponding nose landmarks between the complemented facial 3D data and the original 3D facial data were respectively, Nasion: [1.52(1.92)] mm; Pronasale: (3.27±1.21) mm; Subnasale: (1.99±1.09) mm; Right Alare: (2.64±1.34) mm; Left Alare: (2.42± 1.38) mm. Conclusions: The method of 3D facial morphology completion of external nose defect proposed in this study has good feasibility. The constructed complemented external nose 3D data has good facial coordination and edge fit, and the morphology is close to the nose morphology of the original 3D facial data.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma: a clinicopathological analysis of four cases.
Jin HUANG ; Yan Li LUO ; Yue Qing BAI ; Qiong JIAO ; Jie CHEN ; Zhi Ming JIANG ; Zhi Yan LIU ; Hui Zhen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2023;52(1):25-30
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To investigate the clinical, radiological, histological and molecular features and the differential diagnosis of fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma (FM). Methods: Four cases of FM diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed. Related literature was also reviewed. Results: Case 1 was a 10-year-old girl with bone destruction in the sacrum and L5 articular processes revealed by CT scan. Case 2 was a 7-year-old girl with an aggressive lesion in her right distal ulna. Case 3 was an 11-year-old boy with a lesion in the metaphysis of his left proximal tibia. Case 4 was an 11-year-old boy with bone destruction in the distal portion of a radius. Microscopically, the four tumors all consisted of numerous spindle cells, hyaline cartilage nodules, and bone trabeculae. The hypocellular to moderately cellular spindle cell component contained elongated cells with slightly hyperchromatic, mildly atypical nuclei arranged in bundles or intersecting fascicles. Benign-appearing cartilaginous nodules of various sizes and shapes were scattered throughout the tumors. There were areas mimicking epiphyseal growth-plate characterized by chondrocytes arranged in parallel columns and areas of enchondral ossification. The stroma was rich in mucus in case 1. Mutation of GNAS and IDH1/IDH2 and amplification of MDM2 gene were not found in any of the three tested cases. Conclusions: FM is very rare and tends to affect young patients. It most frequently occurs in the metaphysis of long tubular bones, followed by the iliac-pubic bones and vertebrae. FM is characterized by a mixed population of spindle cells, hyaline cartilage nodules and trabeculae of bone, without specific immunophenotypes and molecular alternations. As a borderline, locally aggressive neoplasm, surgical removal with a wide margin is generally the treatment of choice for FM.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
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		                        			Female
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		                        			Child
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		                        			Mesenchymoma/pathology*
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		                        			China
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Osteogenesis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cartilage/pathology*
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		                        			Tomography, X-Ray Computed
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.Evaluation of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Ying ZHANG ; Ting GU ; Jia Jun QIAN ; Jun Qing XUE ; Sheng Nan LIU ; Li Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2023;58(3):244-250
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(opscc) and find out the optimal index to improve the accuracy of HPV detection. Methods: A total of 153 cases, from May 2014 to May 2020, diagnosed OPSCC in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected. This cohort included 130 males and 23 females, aged (58.6±10.0) years old. HPV RNA in situ hybridization was chosen as the gold standard to detect their HPV status. p16 immunohistochemistry and p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry were performed on all cases, and the p16/Ki-67 double positive index including 20%, 40%, and 60% were used as the thresholds to compare their sensitivity, specificity, and positive prediction value (PPV), negative prediction value (NPV) and prognosis prediction ability. Results: Among the 153 patients with OPSCC, 114 were HPV-negative and 39 were HPV-positive, and the HPV infection rate of OPSCC patients was 25.5% (39/153). Only 58.1% (36/62) of single p16 positive cases were HPV-positive, and the prognosis of patients could not be distinguished using p16 immunohistochemistry only. Using p16/Ki-67 double staining, the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis has been improved. The HPV diagnostic ability was the highest when the p16/Ki-67 double positive index was 40% (sensitivity=86.8%, specificity=94.8%, PPV=84.6%, NPV=95.6%, area under the curve=0.897), which could distinguish the prognosis of patients (P=0.012). Conclusions: The p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry can improve the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis rate and diagnosis of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is the most accurate when the double-positive index is 40% as the threshold to judge HPV status and could serve as better surrogate marker for HPV detection.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.To compare the efficacy and incidence of severe hematological adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia.
Xiao Shuai ZHANG ; Bing Cheng LIU ; Xin DU ; Yan Li ZHANG ; Na XU ; Xiao Li LIU ; Wei Ming LI ; Hai LIN ; Rong LIANG ; Chun Yan CHEN ; Jian HUANG ; Yun Fan YANG ; Huan Ling ZHU ; Ling PAN ; Xiao Dong WANG ; Gui Hui LI ; Zhuo Gang LIU ; Yan Qing ZHANG ; Zhen Fang LIU ; Jian Da HU ; Chun Shui LIU ; Fei LI ; Wei YANG ; Li MENG ; Yan Qiu HAN ; Li E LIN ; Zhen Yu ZHAO ; Chuan Qing TU ; Cai Feng ZHENG ; Yan Liang BAI ; Ze Ping ZHOU ; Su Ning CHEN ; Hui Ying QIU ; Li Jie YANG ; Xiu Li SUN ; Hui SUN ; Li ZHOU ; Ze Lin LIU ; Dan Yu WANG ; Jian Xin GUO ; Li Ping PANG ; Qing Shu ZENG ; Xiao Hui SUO ; Wei Hua ZHANG ; Yuan Jun ZHENG ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2023;44(9):728-736
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Adult
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Adolescent
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Incidence
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Retrospective Studies
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Pyrimidines/adverse effects*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Treatment Outcome
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		                        			Benzamides/adverse effects*
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		                        			Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase/drug therapy*
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		                        			Aminopyridines/therapeutic use*
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		                        			Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.Effect and Mechanism of Baoshen Prescription in Alleviating Renal Fibrosis in UUO Mice by Regulating ERK/p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Zhen WANG ; Min WANG ; Qiqi DENG ; Qing ZHU ; Jiao GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(21):69-78
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Baoshen prescription against renal fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanism through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments. MethodAll mice were randomly divided into sham surgery group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Baoshen prescription groups, and a benazepril hydrochloride group. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was performed to establish a renal fibrosis model, and the administration of Baoshen prescription at low, medium, and high doses (0.455, 0.91, and 1.82 g·kg-1), and benazepril hydrochloride (1.68 mg·kg-1) or distilled water began on the same day as model preparation. Mice in the model group and the sham surgery group were given an equal volume of distilled water. The intervention was carried out once daily for 14 days. Mouse serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe renal pathological changes. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and E-cadherin, which are related to renal fibrosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal tissues. The mechanism of Baoshen prescription in improving renal fibrosis was explored through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and Western blot experiments. ResultCompared with the sham surgery group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of BUN and Cr (P<0.01). The model group exhibited abnormal renal glomerular morphology, loss of tubular brush borders, tubular dilation, and an enlarged area of blue collagen fibers. Mice in the model group showed significantly elevated levels of FN and α-SMA (P<0.01), significantly decreased expression of E-cadherin (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of TGF-β1, TNF-α, NLRP3, and MCP-1 mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Baoshen prescription groups showed significantly reduced BUN and Cr levels (P<0.01), alleviated renal pathological damage, improved fibrosis, reduced expression of FN and α-SMA (P<0.01), increased E-cadherin expression (P<0.01), and downregulated mRNA expression of TGF-β1, TNF-α, NLRP3, and MCP-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted that Baoshen prescription could potentially improve renal fibrosis through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Pharmacological research showed that compared with the sham surgery group, the model group exhibited significantly increased expression of phosphorylated (p)-ERK and p-p38 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose Baoshen prescription groups showed significantly downregulated expression of p-ERK and p-p38 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBaoshen prescription can effectively improve renal fibrosis induced by UUO in mice, and its mechanism of action may be related to the ERK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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