Hu Lizhi, a 2020 five-year undergraduate student in Clinical Medicine at Xiangya School of Medicine, has published a review article online in the authoritative journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes(IF = 9.2). The study was completed under the supervision of Associate Professor Peng Yu from the Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital. Hu serves as the first author, and Associate Professor Peng Yu is the sole corresponding author, with Xiangya Hospital as the only corresponding institution.
Founded in 2015, npj Biofilms and Microbiomesis a top-tier journal in the Nature Partner Journal series. It focuses on biofilm and microbiome research and is categorized as a JCR and CAS Zone 1 Top Journal, holding high academic recognition worldwide.
The association between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has long been debated, and traditional epidemiological approaches cannot fully explain their complex relationship. In this review, the author systematically summarizes evidence regarding intestinal microbiome disruption caused by PPIs and proposes a novelmicrobiome-mediated mechanismunderlying PPI-related intestinal disorders. The article also highlights potential microecological risks associated with new-generation potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) due to their potent acid-suppressive effects. The findings provide theoretical guidance for the precise and rational clinical use of acid-suppressive medications.
Hu recalled that his research inspiration originated from an undergraduate Internal Medicine course. “Professor Peng taught us through clinical cases that PPIs should never be taken casually like vitamins.” Under Professor Peng’s guidance, Hu reviewed over 100 studies and focused on intestinal microbiome alterations. He previously published a research letter on this topic inGut, and further expanded the clinical and mechanistic evidence into this comprehensive review, which underwent more than ten revisions before final acceptance.
“Xiangya’s classroom education integrates closely with frontier scientific research,” said Associate Professor Peng Yu. Guided by the principle of integrating teaching and research, Xiangya Hospital supports undergraduate innovation through early research training, literature seminars, and one-on-one academic supervision. These initiatives encourage students to translate classroom knowledge into scientific questions and clinical observations into publishable research outcomes.
Hu, who has been admitted to the direct PhD program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, expressed gratitude to Xiangya faculty for their rigorous training and guidance. He noted that this high-level review marks only the beginning of his academic career. Moving forward, he aims to continue exploring intestinal microbiome research, promote the clinical translation of basic findings, and contribute to safer and more precise clinical medication management.
First Reviewer: Chen Yingman
Second Reviewer: Wu Hailiang
Third Reviewer: Yan Li
