Publications by authors named "Chun-Li Lu"
The role of angiotensin (1-7) in pancreatic β-cell function and survival: A focus on autophagy.
Medicine (Baltimore)
July 2025
The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)]/Mas axis is recognized for its beneficial impact on pancreatic β-cell function and survival. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these benefits remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Ang (1-7) in pancreatic β-cells and determine whether autophagy is a critical factor in this mechanism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Our objective was to compare the clinical features of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) /metabolic alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD)/metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the relative risk analysis of metabolic disorders.
Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the 2017-2018 cycle was used to screen the participants. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models were applied to explore the difference in relative risk analysis between NAFLD/MAFLD/MASLD/MetALD and metabolic disorders.
Shengmai San (SMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used for supplementing and and can mitigate symptoms related to malignant arrhythmia and heart failure. This systematic review aimed at exploring the effectiveness and safety of SMS for viral myocarditis (VMC). Eight databases from their inception to June 2023 were searched to identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on SMS for VMC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A comprehensive overview of Cochrane reviews was conducted to assess the effectiveness of various smoking cessation interventions, revealing diverse outcomes across studies.
- The analysis included 71 reviews and 3022 trials, highlighting pharmacotherapy as a more reliable method for promoting long-term abstinence compared to non-pharmacological therapies, which showed considerable variability in effectiveness.
- Overall, the methodological quality of the reviews was good, but further research is needed to better understand and integrate non-pharmacological interventions in smoking cessation efforts.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu (SFJD) capsules for managing mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in China from May to December 2022.
- A total of 407 participants completed the trial, with those taking SFJD experiencing faster symptom relief, with a median time of 7 days compared to 8 days for the placebo group.
- The SFJD group also showed significant reductions in fever and headache symptoms, and no serious adverse events occurred during the trial.
Traditional Chinese medicine for post-viral olfactory dysfunction: A systematic review.
Integr Med Res
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- Post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD) is a common symptom of long COVID that lacks effective treatments, prompting a systematic review of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for potential solutions.
- The review included various studies evaluating TCM, specifically acupuncture and acupoint injection, which demonstrated some effectiveness for PVOD, although the overall quality of evidence was deemed low.
- While some trials showed positive outcomes, more rigorous and well-designed studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and acupoint injection in treating PVOD.
Article Synopsis
- Chronic fatigue is a key symptom of long COVID, and this study investigates how Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) can help alleviate this fatigue.* -
- Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 1,632 participants were analyzed, revealing that some herbal treatments, like Bufei Huoxue capsules and Ludangshen liquid, showed potential in reducing fatigue levels.* -
- However, the overall evidence is considered low to very low in quality due to bias concerns, indicating a need for more extensive and higher-quality studies to validate these findings.*
Aims: This study aimed to synthesize the evidence of the comparative effectiveness and safety of () preparations combined with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) for diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Methods: Eight databases were searched from their inception to May 2023. Systematic reviews (SRs) of preparations combined with RASi for DKD were identified.
Article Synopsis
- * A total of 13 systematic reviews (SRs) covering 265 studies with over 33,000 participants were analyzed, focusing on acupoint stimulation, although most studies were of low quality and many included non-randomized trials.
- * The findings indicated that TCM external interventions were significantly more effective than placebo for maintaining smoking abstinence over 6 months to 1 year, and they also helped reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms without serious adverse events reported.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mind-body therapies for patients suffering from neuropathic pain through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Twenty-three RCTs involving 1,693 patients with various conditions, including lumbar herniated discs and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, were analyzed, revealing that TCM mind-body therapies were more effective than physiotherapy alone for pain relief.
- The review concluded that while low-quality evidence suggests TCM mind-body therapies may help reduce pain and improve function, further high-quality studies are needed to verify these findings and assess safety.
Chinese patent herbal medicine Huaiqihuang for Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis in children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
BMC Complement Med Ther
November 2021
Article Synopsis
- Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is a common kidney condition in children that can lead to chronic renal failure in 15-20% of cases, and Huaiqihuang (HQH) herbal medicine is often used to treat it alongside conventional treatments.
- A study reviewed several randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness and safety of HQH in children with HSPN, finding that HQH combined with conventional medicine improved clinical outcomes compared to conventional medicine alone.
- The results indicated significant improvements in cure rates and reductions in urine abnormalities without serious side effects, suggesting that HQH may serve as a beneficial complementary therapy, though further high-quality research is needed.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze infection control behaviors and the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern treatments among respondents in an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.
- Conducted from February to May 2021, the survey included 341 respondents who shared their experiences with symptoms, testing, and treatment approaches.
- Findings showed that the majority of respondents had no symptoms and engaged in various prevention methods, with significant usage of both TCM and modern medicine, indicating a need for larger studies to better understand TCM practices in clinical settings.
Article Synopsis
- This study explored how serum uric acid (SUA) levels relate to the risk of dying from any cause and specifically from cardiovascular issues in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).
- A systematic review was conducted, analyzing 14 cohort studies with a total of 24,022 PD patients, focusing on both prospective and retrospective data.
- Results showed that higher SUA levels in prospective studies correlated with increased mortality risk, whereas retrospective studies did not find significant associations between SUA levels and mortality.
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Care: An Overview of 5834 Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Chinese.
Integr Cancer Ther
October 2021
Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely integrated into cancer care in China. An overview in 2011 identified 2384 randomized and non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs, non-RCTs) on TCM for cancer published in the Chinese literature. This article summarizes updated evidence of RCTs on TCM for cancer care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread globally, and we aimed to investigate the psychosocial impact on healthcare workers (HWs) in China during the pandemic. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched seven electronic databases for cross-sectional studies on psychosocial impact on HWs in relation to COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 to October 7, 2020. We included primary studies involving Chinese HWs during the pandemic, and data were extracted from the published articles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA systematic review of Tuina for irritable bowel syndrome: Recommendations for future trials.
Complement Ther Med
August 2020
Objectives: This systematic review assessed whether Tuina (therapeutic massage) is more effective and safer than no treatment or routine medical treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Methods: Eleven databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of IBS diagnosed based on Manning or Rome criteria. Tuina with or without routine treatments (RTs) was tested against RTs.
Characteristics of registered studies for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review.
Integr Med Res
September 2020
Article Synopsis
- The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11th, prompting many clinical trials globally, with this study aimed at reviewing their characteristics to reduce redundancy.
- A total of 393 studies were analyzed, predominantly from mainland China, focusing mainly on therapeutic effects, with random controlled trials making up over half of the research.
- Issues like improper outcome setting and recruitment delays suggest that many studies may not reach completion, highlighting the need for better strategies and data sharing during health emergencies.
Radix Sophorae flavescentis versus other drugs or herbs for chronic hepatitis B.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
June 2019
Article Synopsis
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause severe liver issues, including cirrhosis and cancer, and may be complicated by coinfections like HIV, leading to higher mortality and increased stress for patients.
- Radix Sophorae flavescentis, a herbal treatment thought to ease symptoms and inhibit HBV replication, lacks thorough evaluation concerning its benefits and potential risks in treating chronic hepatitis B.
- The study aims to compare Radix Sophorae flavescentis with other treatments in randomized clinical trials to determine its effectiveness for patients with chronic hepatitis B and related conditions.
Objective: To assess the effects and associated risks of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).
Methods: We systematically searched seven electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Chinese herbal medicines for treating diabetic foot ulcers. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
Radix Sophorae flavescentis versus no intervention or placebo for chronic hepatitis B.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
April 2019
Article Synopsis
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can lead to severe liver issues and associated health risks, especially in people also infected with HIV or other hepatitis types, creating significant health and economic burdens.
- Radix Sophorae flavescentis is an herbal remedy believed to alleviate symptoms and inhibit HBV's replication, but its actual effects on patient outcomes haven't been thoroughly studied.
- The objective of the study is to determine the benefits and potential harms of Radix Sophorae flavescentis compared to a placebo or no treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B, through a comprehensive review of existing clinical trials.
Error Matrix Tool to Overview the Validity of Evidence on Radix for Chronic Hepatitis B.
J Altern Complement Med
September 2019
Article Synopsis
- A visual error matrix tool was introduced to assess the validity of evidence for Radix in chronic hepatitis B, aiming to enhance clinical trial design and evidence quality.
- The analysis included 6 meta-analyses and 28 randomized clinical trials, revealing critical issues such as systematic errors at low quality and high risk of bias in randomized trials.
- Key findings indicated significant random errors for all-cause mortality and adverse events, alongside design errors related to participant selection and outcome misuse, highlighting the need for improved research methodologies.
Article Synopsis
- The study assessed the effectiveness and safety of pediatric Tui Na as a treatment for acute diarrhea in children under 5 by comparing it to conventional medicine like montmorillonite and probiotics.
- Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on 26 randomized clinical trials involving 2410 children and used specific criteria to define clinical cure and measure diarrhea duration.
- Results showed that pediatric Tui Na significantly improved clinical cure rates compared to conventional treatments, especially after three and six sessions, although many studies had risks of bias.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treating atopic eczema in children under 14 years, highlighting its potential as an effective treatment option due to the limitations of conventional medicine.
- Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2233 participants were analyzed, focusing on various CAM therapies such as probiotics, diet, and swimming, and assessing their effects on the severity of eczema symptoms and relapse rates.
- Results showed that CAM combined with traditional care was more effective for symptom relief, and certain therapies, like probiotics, demonstrated significant improvements, while the overall methodological quality of the studies was noted as unclear or high risk of bias.
Article Synopsis
- The activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the pancreas leads to islet dysfunction in diabetes, highlighting the significance of the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis as a protective mechanism.
- A study involving ACE2 knockout and wild-type mice on a high-fat diet showed that ACE2 knockout mice experienced greater β cell dysfunction and increased inflammatory markers compared to wild-type mice.
- Treatment with Ang(1-7) enhanced the survival and insulin secretion of pancreatic cells, suggesting that the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis may be a viable target for preserving β cell function and improving microvascular health in diabetes.