1.Pattern Identification and Treatment of Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on the Turbidity Toxin Theory
Shiyuan FAN ; Qian YANG ; Diangui LI ; Zheng ZHI ; Xiaolan SU ; Bolin LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):300-303
Guided by the turbidity toxin theory, it is believed that the key pathogenesis of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is the obstruction of turbidity toxin and the disruption of intestinal function. Treatment is based on the principles of dispelling turbidity toxin and promoting intestinal function. The clinical patterns can be divided into three types, turbidity toxin heat accumulation pattern, turbidity toxin combined with liver depression and qi stagnation pattern, and turbidity toxin combined with qi and yin deficiency pattern. The treatment can respectively use self-prescribed Tongfu Jiangzhuo Formula (通腑降浊方) to clear heat and unblock the bowels, direct the turbid downward and resolve toxins; use self-prescribed Shugan Jiangzhuo Formula (疏肝降浊方) to soothe the liver and move qi, direct the turbid downward and resolve toxins; use self-prescribed Mazhi Jiangzhuo Formula (麻枳降浊方) to boost qi and nourish yin, moisten the intestines to remove turbidity and resolve toxins.
2.Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription Treats Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Excessive Mitophagy via PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Haofeng ZHANG ; Jinye ZHOU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):182-189
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards, and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal, model, high-, medium-, and low-dose (50, 25, 12.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Huazhuo Jiedu prescription, and mesalazine (0.52 g·kg-1·d-1) groups, with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method, the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 (PHB2), ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15), ubiquitin-specific protease 30 (USP30) in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.
3.Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription Treats Ulcerative Colitis by Inhibiting Excessive Mitophagy via PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway
Haofeng ZHANG ; Jinye ZHOU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):182-189
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards, and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal, model, high-, medium-, and low-dose (50, 25, 12.5 g·kg-1, respectively) Huazhuo Jiedu prescription, and mesalazine (0.52 g·kg-1·d-1) groups, with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method, the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 (PHB2), ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15), ubiquitin-specific protease 30 (USP30) in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group, the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin (P<0.05), weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 (P<0.05), and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 (P<0.05). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.
4.Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Jinye ZHOU ; Haofeng ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Yican WANG ; Yanru CAI ; Yuxi GUO ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Qian YANG ; Bolin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):41-47
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group (180 mg·L-1), a moradan group (1.4 g·kg-1), and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high, medium, and low doses (36, 9, 18 g·kg-1), followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched 1 (Ptch1), and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis, fewer mitochondria, and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group, the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Gli1, and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
5. Study on spleen strengthening effects and mechanisms of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana
Ming-Yang CUI ; Yi-Hui DING ; Yang QU ; Zhi-Li XU ; Qian CAI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):181-188
Aim To analyze the differences in plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathways between Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana after intervention in spleen deficiency rats, and discuss the spleen strengthening mechanism of the two from a non targeted metabolomics perspective. Methods A spleen deficiency model was established in SD rats using a composite factor method of improper diet, excessive fatigue, and bitter cold diarrhea. To determine the content of gastrointestinal and immunological indicators, UHPLC-QE-MS technology was used, combined with principal component analysis (PC A) and orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) methods to search for biomarkers in plasma of spleen deficiency rats, and metabolic pathways were induced using the Pathway database. Results After administration of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana, various indicators in plasma of spleen deficiency rats showed varying degrees of regression. Metabolomics analysis showed that Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana respectively recalled 70 and 82 plasma differential metabolites. Atractylodes chinensis mainly regulated two metabolic pathways : "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism". Atractylodes coreana mainly regulated five metabolic pathways, "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism", "Thiamine metabolism, "Pyrimidine metabolism", "Butanoate metabolism", and "Riboflavin metabolism". Conclusions Both Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana have certain regulatory effects on spleen deficiency rats, and their mechanism of action may be related to regulating metabolic pathways such as "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism"in spleen deficiency.
6.Effects of Rosa roxburghii Radix on ulcerative colitis in rats based on pyroptosis and neutrophil extracellular traps
Yi-Ping YAN ; Yun-Zhi CHEN ; Qian LI ; Bo-Yang CHEN ; Zhi-Liang FAN ; Shuai CHEN ; Yi-Hui CHAI ; Zhong QIN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(3):780-788
AIM To explore the effects of Rosa roxburghii Radix on ulcerative colitis(UC)in rats based on pyroptosis and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the normal group and the model group.The successfully established UC rat models by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)/ethanol enema were then randomly divided into the model group,the sulfasalazine group(0.3 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose R.roxburghii Radix groups(2,4,8 g/kg),followed by dosing of corresponding drugs by gavage.21 days later,the rats had their disease activity index(DAI)score calculated;their pathological changes of colon tissue observed by HE staining;their levels of serum interleukin(IL)-18,IL-1β and myeloperoxidase(MPO)detected by ELISA;and their protein expressions of NE,MPO,NLRP3,caspase-1 and GSDMD in colon tissue detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed increased DAI score(P<0.01),increased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P<0.01),and increased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with sulfasalazine,or medium,or high dose R.roxburghii Radix demonstrated with decreased DAI scores(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and MPO(P<0.01),and decreased protein expressions of NE,MPO,caspase-1,NLRP3 and GSDMD in colon tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION R.roxburghii Radix may alleviate the inflammatory reaction in a rat model of UC and improve its pathological injury of colon via regulating pyroptosis and NETs.
7.Mechanism of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang in improving renal injury induced by chemotherapy in mice based on Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Yu LIU ; Li-Ying ZHANG ; Ya-Feng QI ; Yang-Yang LI ; Shang-Zu ZHANG ; Qian XU ; Guo-Xiong HAO ; Fan NIU ; Yong-Qi LIU ; Zhi-Ming ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):703-707
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of action of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang(YSSX)in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced renal injury in mice through The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)/Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2(NRF2)signalling pathway.Methods A mouse kidney injury model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin(40 mg·kg-1).C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group(0.9%NaCl),model group(kidney injury model)and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups(0.53,1.05 and 2.10 g·kg-1·d-1 YSSX by gavage for 7 d).Keap1 and Nrf2 were determined by Western blot;superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)activities were determined by spectrophotometry.Results The protein expression levels of Keap1 in blank group,model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were 0.26±0.02,0.64±0.03,0.59±0.01,0.45±0.05 and 0.34±0.02;the protein expression levels of Nrf2 were 0.69±0.06,0.35±0.01,0.36±0.01,0.48±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;the enzyme activities of catalase(CAT)were(572.49±912.92),(334.60±4.92),(402.76±9.80),(475.35±5.21)and(493.00±12.03)U·mg-1;glutathione(GSH)were(2.79±0.06),(0.51±0.01),(0.59±0.07),(1.29±0.04)and(1.70±0.08)μmol·L1;SOD were(477.00±4.32),(260.67±6.13),(272.67±2.87),(386.33±3.68)and(395.00±12.25)U·mL-1;MDA were(3.89±0.02),(7.32±0.03),(6.94±0.14),(4.60±0.01)and(4.34±0.02)nmol·mg prot-1.The differences of the above indexes in the model group compared with the blank group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001);the differences of the above indexes in experimental-M,experimental-H groups compared withe model group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion YSSX can activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and regulate the oxidative stress state of the organism,thus improving the renal injury caused by chemotherapy in mice.
8.Inferring Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance and Transmission using Whole-genome Sequencing in a High TB-burden Setting in China
Feng Yu FAN ; Xin Dong LIU ; Wang Yi CHEN ; Chao Xi OU ; Zhi Qi MAO ; Ting Ting YANG ; Jiang Xi WANG ; Cong Wen HE ; Bing ZHAO ; Jiang Zhen LIU ; Maiweilanjiang ABULIMITI ; Maimaitiaili AIHEMUTI ; Qian GAO ; Lin Yan ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(2):157-169
Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.
9.Predictive Ability of Hypertriglyceridemic Waist,Hypertriglyceridemic Waist-to-Height Ratio,and Waist-to-Hip Ratio for Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Clustering Screening among Chinese Children and Adolescents
Li Tian XIAO ; Qian Shu YUAN ; Yu Jing GAO ; S.Baker JULIEN ; De Yi YANG ; Jie Xi WANG ; Juan Chan ZHENG ; Hui Yan DONG ; Yong Zhi ZOU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(3):233-241
Objective Hypertriglyceridemic waist(HW),hypertriglyceridemic waist-to-height ratio(HWHtR),and waist-to-hip ratio(WHR)have been shown to be indicators of cardiometabolic risk factors.However,it is not clear which indicator is more suitable for children and adolescents.We aimed to investigate the relationship between HW,HWHtR,WHR,and cardiovascular risk factors clustering to determine the best screening tools for cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. Methods This was a national cross-sectional study.Anthropometric and biochemical variables were assessed in approximately 70,000 participants aged 6-18 years from seven provinces in China.Demographics,physical activity,dietary intake,and family history of chronic diseases were obtained through questionnaires.ANOVA,x2 and logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results A significant sex difference was observed for HWHtR and WHR,but not for HW phenotype.The risk of cardiometabolic health risk factor clustering with HW phenotype or the HWHtR phenotype was significantly higher than that with the non-HW or non-HWHtR phenotypes among children and adolescents(HW:OR = 12.22,95%CI:9.54-15.67;HWHtR:OR = 9.70,95%CI:6.93-13.58).Compared with the HW and HWHtR phenotypes,the association between risk of cardiometabolic health risk factors(CHRF)clustering and high WHR was much weaker and not significant(WHR:OR = 1.14,95%CI:0.97-1.34). Conclusion Compared with HWHtR and WHR,the HW phenotype is a more convenient indicator with higher applicability to screen children and adolescents for cardiovascular risk factors.
10.Functions of Dynamin and Its Family Proteins
Zi-Yan YANG ; Zhao-Hong JIANG ; Qian-Yi ZHOU ; Zhi-Ming CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2821-2831
The dynamin superfamily protein (DSP) encompasses a group of large GTPases that are involved in various membrane remodeling processes within the cell. These proteins are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze GTP, which provides the energy necessary for their function in membrane fission, fusion, and tubulation activities. Dynamin superfamily proteins play critical roles in cellular processes such as endocytosis, organelle division, and vesicle trafficking. It is typically classified into classical dynamins and dynamin-related proteins (Drp), which have distinct roles and structural features. Understanding these proteins is crucial for comprehending their functions in cellular processes, particularly in membrane dynamics and organelle maintenance. Classical dynamins are primarily involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), a process crucial for the internalization of receptors and other membrane components from the cell surface into the cell. These proteins are best known for their role in pinching off vesicles from the plasma membrane. Structually, classical dynamins are composed of a GTPase domain, a middle domain, a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that binds phosphoinositides, a GTPase effector domain (GED), and a proline-rich domain (PRD) that interacts with SH3 domain-containing proteins. Functionally, the classical dynamins wrap around the neck of budding vesicles, using GTP hydrolysis to constrict and eventually acting as a “membrane scissor” to cut the vesicle from the membrane. In mammals, there are three major isoforms: dynamin 1 (predominantly expressed in neurons), dynamin 2 (ubiquitously expressed), and dynamin 3 (expressed in testes, lungs, and neurons). Recent studies have also revealed some non-classical functions of classical dynamins, such as regulating the initiation and stabilization of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) at the early stages of CME, influencing the formation of the actin cytoskeleton and cell division. Drps share structural similarities with classical dynamins but are involved in a variety of different cellular processes, primarily related to the maintenance and remodeling of organelles, and can be mainly categorized into “mediating membrane fission”, “mediating membrane fusion” and “non-membrane-dependent functions”. Proteins like Drp1 are crucial for mitochondrial division, while others like Fis1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 are involved in mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission and fusion processes, which are essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial and peroxisomal integrity and affect energy production and apoptosis. Proteins like the Mx protein family exhibit antiviral properties by interfering with viral replication or assembly, which is critical for the innate immune response to viral infections. Some other proteins are involved in the formation of tubular structures from membranes, which is crucial for the maintenance of organelle morphology, particularly in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Studies on dynamin superfamily proteins have been extensive and have significantly advanced our understanding of cellular biology, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. These studies encompass a broad range of disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and pharmacology. By comprehensively summarizing and organizing the structural features and functions of various members of the dynamin superfamily protein, this review not only deepens the understanding of its molecular mechanisms, but also provides valuable insights for clinical drug research related to human diseases, potentially driving further advancements in the field.

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