1.Feixin Decoction Treats Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension by Regulating Pyroptosis in PASMCs via PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Junlan TAN ; Xianya CAO ; Runxiu ZHENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jian YI ; Feiying WANG ; Xia LI ; Jianmin FAN ; Hui LIU ; Lan SONG ; Aiguo DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Feixin decoction treats hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly allocated into normal, hypoxia, and low-, medium- and high-dose (5.85, 11.7, 23.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Feixin decoction groups, with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group, the remaining five groups were placed in a hypoxia chamber with an oxygen concentration of (10.0±0.5)% for 8 h per day, 28 days, and administrated with corresponding drugs during the modeling process. After 4 weeks of treatment, echocardiographic parameters [pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT), pulmonary artery ejection time (PET), right ventricular anterior wall thickness (RVAWd), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] were measured for each group. The right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by the right heart catheterization method, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated by weighing the heart. The pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The co-localization of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with NLRP3, N-terminal gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of PPARγ, NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), N-GSDMD, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot. The ultrastructural changes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the hypoxia group showed increased RVSP and RVHI (P<0.01), decreased right heart function (P<0.01), increased pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.01), increased co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 in pulmonary arterioles (P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), a down-regulated protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and pyroptosis in PASMCs. Compared with the hypoxia group, Feixin decoction reduced RVSP and RVHI, improved the right heart function and ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased the co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3, N-GSDMD, and Caspase-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, N-GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein level of PPARγ (P<0.05, P<0.01), and alleviated pyroptosis in PASMCs. ConclusionFeixin decoction can ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction in chronically induced HPH rats by regulating pyroptosis in PASMCs through the PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
2.Correlation between depressive symptom and traditional Chinese medicine constitution among school aged children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1222-1225
Objective:
To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents, so as to provide evidences for informing constitution based regulation and prevention of depressive symptom.
Methods:
From June to December 2024, a total of 4 729 students aged 6-14 were recruited by cluster random sampling from 10 primary schools in Baoding (Hebei Province), Heze and Liaocheng (Shandong Province). General information, TCM constitution and depressive symptom were collected. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to analyze related factors and threshold effects of depressive symptom. Binary Logistic regression was applied to examine the association between depressive symptom and TCM constitution, with subgroup analyses conducted.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptom among the included children and adolescents was 25.82%. RCS analyses indicated non linear associations between depressive symptom and age (inflection point at 10 years old), bedtime (inflection point at 22:00), and wake up time (inflection point at 6:30 ) (all P non linearity <0.01). Linear associations were observed with body mass index (BMI) and sleep duration (all P non linearity > 0.05 ). After adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI and sleep status, binary Logistic regression analyses showed that Yin deficient constitution ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.09-1.45) and Phlegm-dampness constitution ( OR =1.42, 95% CI =1.11-1.82) were significantly associated with depressive symptom among children and adolescents (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents is primarily associated with Yin deficiency and Phlegm dampness constitutions in TCM constitution. Active attention should be paid to susceptible TCM constitution among children and adolescents. Targeted health guidance and interventions should be implemented to improve TCM constitution health status for preventing the occurrence of depressive symptom.
3.Clinical trial of pegylated losenatide in the treatment of obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing axial gastrectomy
Jing-Feng GU ; Hai-Xia LIU ; Feng FENG ; Jian ZHANG ; Dong-Yang XING ; Hao-Wen GAO ; Gui-Qi WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):330-334
Objective To observe the effects of pegylated losenatide injection combined with metformin tablets on serum metabolism,lipid levels and intestinal flora in obese type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients after axial gastrectomy.Methods Obese T2DM patients who underwent axial gastrectomy were divided into treatment group and control group by cohort methods.The control group was treated with metformin hydrochloride tablet 0.5 g orally,tid.The treatment group was treated by subcutaneous injection of pegylated losenatide injection 0.2 mg once a week on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated continuously for 3 months.Body mass index(BMI),serum metabolic indexes,blood lipid levels,blood glucose levels,intestinal flora and adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results In this study,a total of 70 subjects were included in the treatment group,and 50 subjects were included in the control group.After three months of treatment,the BMI indices of the treatment and control groups were(26.35±2.36)and(29.34±3.59)kg·m-2,respectively;the glutathione peroxidase levels were(192.42±13.18)and(134.27±12.86)U;interleukin-6 levels were(6.14±1.78)and(7.65±2.09)μg·L-1;fasting blood glucose levels were(5.36±0.41)and(7.43±0.78)mmol·L-1;total cholesterol levels were(2.55±0.67)and(3.47±0.79)mmol·L-1 for the treatment and control groups,respectively.The levels of Bifidobacteria,Bacteroides,Lactobacilli,Enterobacteria,and Enterococci in the treatment group were(8.79±1.36),(9.62±1.37),(6.74±2.15),(7.98±0.61),and(7.23±1.29)logN·g-1,respectively;in the control group,these levels were(7.98±1.79),(8.13±1.45),(5.71±2.41),(9.21±0.88),and(8.15±1.54)logN·g-1.The differences in the above indicators between the treatment and control groups were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The main adverse drug reactions in the treatment group included nausea,headache,dizziness,elevated blood pressure,and indigestion.In the control group,the main adverse drug reactions were nausea,headache,and indigestion.The total incidence of adverse drug reactions in the treatment and control groups was 8.57%and 6.00%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Pegylated losenatide injection combined with metformin tablets has a significant effect on axial gastrectomy in obese type 2 diabetes patients.
4.Mechanism and research progress of S100A8/A9 in the microenvironment before high-risk tumor metastasis
Hai-Xia MING ; Zhao-Hua LIU ; Yan-Jun WANG ; Ming SHEN ; Yan-Wen CHEN ; Yang LI ; Ling-Ling YANG ; Qian-Kun LIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1991-1995
S100 calc-binding protein A8/A9(S100A8/A9)can induce the migration of primary tumor cells to distant target organs by binding multiple channel proteins,promote the formation of tumor metastasis microenvironment,and play an important role in the immune and inflammatory response of the body.It provides a new target and idea for the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis and invasion.This paper mainly reviewed the expression and mechanism of S100A8/A9 on related channel proteins in a variety of high incidence tumors,in order to provide a new strategy for tumor prevention,diagnosis and treatment.
5.Effects of matrine on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of neuroblastoma cells
Nan-Jing LIU ; Dong-Juan WANG ; Fang-Jie LIU ; Wen-Xia HUANG ; Lin ZOU ; Xiao-Yan HE
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2048-2052
Objective To observe the effects of matrine on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of human neuroblastoma cells,and to investigate its potential mechanism.Methods This study was divided into AS experimental group(SK-N-AS cells treated with IC50 concentration of matrine),AS blank group(SK-N-AS cells cultured under normal conditions),AS control group(SK-N-AS cells treated with an equal amount of dimethyl sulfoxide),DZ experimental group(SK-N-DZ cells treated with IC50 concentration of matrine),DZ blank group(SK-N-DZ cells cultured under normal conditions),and DZ control group(SK-N-DZ cells treated with an equal amount of dimethyl sulfoxide).Scratch assay and Transwell chamber were used to measure the effect of matrine on the migration and invasion.The expression of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin were tested by Western blot.Results After different intervention,the migration percentages of AS blank group,AS control group,AS experimental group,DZ blank group,DZ control group and DZ experimental group were(66.32±3.12)%,(65.27±3.44)%,(23.73±0.79)%,(46.25±4.68)%,(44.15±5.60)%and(16.77±3.52)%,respectively;the number of invasive cells were 870.45±19.32,865.32±23.39,492.74±16.81,1 198.10±43.71,1 203.03±71.91 and 891.69±42.62,respectively;the expression levels of E-cadherin protein were(100.00±11.72)%,(105.65±13.11)%,(477.20±29.71)%,(100.00±12.54)%,(97.78±12.77)%and(240.53±12.23)%,respectively;the expression levels of N-cadherin protein were(100.00±15.44)%,(103.90±10.76)%,(43.52±9.96)%,(100.00±10.12)%,(104.95±10.49)%and(38.39±8.70)%,respectively;Vimentin protein expression levels were(100.00±9.51)%,(97.39±11.33)%,(59.13±10.25)%,(100.00±13.20)%,(96.27±11.01)%and(47.67±9.48)%,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the AS group and the AS blank group(P<0.01,P<0.001),and there were statistically significant differences between the above indexes in the DZ group and the DZ blank group(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion Matrine inhibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of neuroblastoma SK-N-AS and SK-N-DZ cells,potentially through suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
6.Clinical trial of rituximab in the treatment of patients with phospholipase A2 receptor-associated membranous nephropathy
Hai-Xia LIU ; Fu-Bao CHU ; Ling AN ; Wen-Hua LIU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2165-2169
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab injection in the treatment of patients with phospholipase A2 receptor-associated membranous nephropathy(PLA2R-MN).Methods The PLA2R-MN patients were randomly divided into control group and treatment group.The control group received oral prednisone tablets,initial dose of 40-60 mg·d-1,gradually reduced the dose according to the patients'condition after 2 months,cyclophosphamide injection 0.6 g per time,intravenous infusion,once every 2 weeks,for 6 consecutive times,then adjusted to 1.0 g per time,intravenous infusion,once a month;the treatment group received 375 mg·m-2 rituximab injection intravenous infusion,once a week,for 4 consecutive weeks,on the basis of the control group treatment.Both groups of patients were treated for 6 months.The clinical efficacy,24 h urine protein quantification,serum creatinine(SCr),glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),urinary microalbumin(UAlb),urinary creatinine(UCr)and adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups.Results Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the treatment group,2 cases dropped out,and 51 cases were finally included in the statistical analysis.Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the control group,2 cases dropped out,and 51 cases were finally included in the statistical analysis.After treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group and the control group were 92.16%(47 cases/51 cases)and 76.47%(39 cases/51 cases),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the 24 h urine protein quantification of the treatment and control groups were(0.86±0.30)and(1.04±0.27)g·24 h-1;SCr levels were(103.37±18.80)and(120.55±19.94)μmol·L-1;eGFR levels were(65.89±8.17)and(55.87±9.36)mL·min-1·1.73 m-2;UAlb levels were(47.45±13.52)and(98.21±25.50)mg·L-1;UCr were(1.55±0.42)and(1.96±0.51)mg·g-1,respectively,and the differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.05).The adverse drug reactions of two groups were mainly nausea,vomiting,liver function damage,skin itching,infection,hair loss,etc.The total incidences of adverse drug reactions in the treatment and control groups were 43.14%and 37.25%,without significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Rituximab injection has a definite clinical efficacy in the treatment of PLA2R-MN patients,which can significantly improve the renal function of patients,and does not increase the incidence of adverse drug reactions.
7.Epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of imported Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale malaria cases in five provinces of China from 2014 to 2021
Wen LIN ; Duoquan WANG ; Lingcong SUN ; Tao ZHANG ; Hui YAN ; Wei RUAN ; Ying LIU ; Dongni WU ; Shizhu LI ; Jing XIA ; Hong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(4):407-411
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of imported Plasmodium malariae and P. ovale malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Henan Province from 2014 to 2021, so as to provide insights into malaria control in these five provinces. Methods All data pertaining to malaria cases reported in five provinces of China were captured from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System from 2014 to 2021, and the epidemiological characteristics of imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were analysed using a descriptive epidemiological method. The duration from onset of malaria to initial diagnosis, duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis, institutions of initial and definitive diagnoses, and proportion of correct malaria diagnosis at initial diagnosis were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 1 223 imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were reported in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Henan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2021, there were 158 P. malariae malaria cases (12.92%) and 1 065 P. ovale malaria cases (87.08%). Totally 98.53% (1 205/1 223) of the imported malaria cases were from Africa, with Angola (18.99%, 30/158), Nigeria (11.39%,18/158), Cameroon (10.76%, 17/158), Ghana (10.13%, 16/158) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10.13%,16/158) as predominant countries where P. malariae malaria cases were from, and Ghana (23.19%, 247/1 065), Cameroon (14.74%, 157/1 065), Nigeria (9.39%, 100/1 065) and Angola (6.95%, 74/1 065) as predominant countries where P. ovale malaria cases were from. There were significant differences in the duration from onset of malaria to initial diagnosis (χ2 = 27.673, P = 0.000) and duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases (χ2 = 29.808, P = 0.000), and the proportions of correct initial diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were 38.61% (61/158) and 56.53% (602/1 065). There were 74.69% (118/158) of P. malariae malaria cases with definitive diagnosis in county-, city-, and province-level medical institutions, and 79.25% (844/1 065) of P. ovale malaria cases with definitive diagnosis in county- and city-level medical institutions and county-level centers for disease control and prevention. Conclusions The imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Henan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2021 were mainly returned from Africa and the proportion of correct diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria was low at initial diagnosis. Persistent improvements in the diagnostic capability of malaria are required in medical institutions.
8.Mechanistic investigation on the hypoglycemic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins in type 2 diabetic mice based on plasma metabolomics
Jin-hua ZHANG ; Han-xiang LIU ; Yu-xuan LIU ; Min WU ; Jin-xia CHANG ; Wen-hu LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):1028-1039
Plasma metabolomics combined experimental verification was employed for investigating of the hypoglycemic effect of
9.Basic and Clinical Research of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in The Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases
Hong-Ru LI ; Cai-Hong LEI ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Hai-Xia CHEN ; Run ZHANG ; Yin-Jie CUI ; Zhong-Zheng LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2921-2935
As a microbial therapy method, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. As one of the most direct and effective methods to improve gut microbiota, FMT achieves therapeutic benefits by transplanting functional gut microbiota from healthy human feces into the intestines of patients to reconstruct new gut microbiota. FMT has been proven to be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal diseases such as Clostridium difficile infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the clinical and basic research of FMT outside the gastrointestinal system is also emerging. It is worth noting that there is bidirectional communication between the gut microbial community and the central nervous system (CNS) through the gut-brain axis. Some gut bacteria can synthesize and release neurotransmitters such as glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine. Imbalanced gut microbiota may interfere with the normal levels of these neurotransmitters, thereby affecting brain function. Gut microbiota can also produce metabolites that may cross the blood-brain barrier and affect CNS function. FMT may affect the occurrence and development of CNS and its related diseases by reshaping the gut microbiota of patients through a variety of pathways such as nerves, immunity, and metabolites. This article introduces the development of FMT and the research status of FMT in China, and reviews the basic and clinical research of FMT in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease), neurotraumatic diseases (spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury) and stroke from the characteristics of three types of nervous system diseases, the characteristics of intestinal flora, and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation, summarize the common mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of CNS diseases and the therapeutic targets. We found that the common mechanisms of FMT in the treatment of nervous system diseases may include the following 3 categories through summary and analysis. (1) Gut microbiota metabolites, such as SCFAs, TMAO and LPS. (2) Inflammatory factors and immune inflammatory pathways such as TLR-MyD88 and NF-κB. (3) Neurotransmitter 5-HT. In the process of reviewing the studies, we found the following problems. (1) In basic researches on the relationship between FMT and CNS diseases, there are relatively few studies involving the autonomic nervous system pathway. (2) Clinical trial studies have shown that FMT improves the severity of patients’ symptoms and may be a promising treatment for a variety of neurological diseases. (3) The improvement of clinical efficacy is closely related to the choice of donor, especially emphasizing that FMT from healthy and young donors may be the key to the improvement of neurological diseases. However, there are common challenges in current research on FMT, such as the scientific and rigorous design of FMT clinical trials, including whether antibiotics are used before transplantation or different antibiotics are used, as well as different FMT processes, different donors, different functional analysis methods of gut microbiota, and the duration of FMT effect. Besides, the safety of FMT should be better elucidated, especially weighing the relationship between the therapeutic benefits and potential risks of FMT carefully. It is worth mentioning that the clinical development of FMT even exceeds its basic research. Science and TIME rated FMT as one of the top 10 breakthroughs in the field of biomedicine in 2013. FMT therapy has great potential in the treatment of nervous system diseases, is expected to open up a new situation in the medical field, and may become an innovative weapon in the medical field.
10.Proteomics study the protective effects of Panax notoginsenosides on liver in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Wen-hu LIU ; Jin-hua ZHANG ; Min WU ; Nan XIE ; Shuang WANG ; Jin-xia CHANG ; Fan ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(8):2255-2264
Liver is the main organ of glucose and lipid metabolism, and persistent hyperglycemia is a common cause of liver injury.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail