Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor( CTGF) and the effects of azithromycin in airway remodeling in asthmatic mice.Methods BALB/c female mice were randomly divided into 3 groups;control group(A),asthma group(B) ,and azithromycin treated group(C),with 10 mice in each group.Mice were sensitized and challenged continually with ovalbumin( OVA).The distribution and types of collagens were detected by cirius red staining.Lung hydroxyproline content was determined by acid hydrolysis.CTCF expression in mice pulmonary tissues was detected by SABC immunohistochemistry.Results After continual challenging with OVA,collagen hyperplasia was found in the airway wall and CTCF positive expression in airway epithelium.CTCF expression was closely associated with lung hydroxyproline content(r = 0.65,P <0.01).Conclusion Asthma continually challenged with OVA could result sub-epithelial fibrosis and remodeling in airway,which could be associated with the upregulation of CTCF over-expression.Azithromycin inhibited airway remodeling in asthmatic mice,possibly by inhibiting the expression of CTGF.

Objective To evaluate the effect of modulating gut microbiota for improving brain injury in rats with post-stroke depression.Methods Adult SD rats were randomized into normal control,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),post-stroke depression(PSD),PSD with fecal transplantation,PSD with antibiotics(rifaximin),PSD with probiotics(lactobacilli),and PSD with fluoxetine treatment groups(n=9).Neurological function scores of the rats were determined,and the changes in sugar water preference and immobility time in forced swimming test were observed;plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)and hydrogen sulfide(H2S)were detected with ELISA,Occludin,and the expressions of occludin,caudin-5 and IgG proteins I the brain tissues were determined using Western blotting.Results Compared with those in the control group,the rats in MCAO and PSD groups had significantly increased neurological function scores,TMAO level,the ratio of TMAO/H2S,and immobility time in forced swimming test with a lowered level of H2S(P<0.05).These changes were more obvious in PSD rats,which also exhibited a reduced sugar water preference with increased IgG protein and decreased occluding and caudin-5 expressions in the brain tissue(P<0.05).TMAO/H2S ratio in PSD rats was positively correlated with neurological function score(R2=0.3235,P=0.0269)and immobility time in swimming(R2=0.6290,P=0.0004)and negatively with sugar water preference(R2=-0.4534,P=0.0059).Treatment with fecal transplantation,antibiotics,probiotics and fluoxetine all significantly reduced neurological function scores,immobility time in forced swimming,TMAO/H2S ratio,and IgG protein expression and increased sugar water preference and brain occludin and caudin-5 expressions of the PSD rats(P<0.05).Conclusion In PSD rats,TMAO/H2S ratio is correlated with neurological function score,immobility time in forced swimming and sugar water preference,and modulating intestinal flora can improve neurological function and depressive symptoms and improve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.

Objective To evaluate the effect of modulating gut microbiota for improving brain injury in rats with post-stroke depression.Methods Adult SD rats were randomized into normal control,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),post-stroke depression(PSD),PSD with fecal transplantation,PSD with antibiotics(rifaximin),PSD with probiotics(lactobacilli),and PSD with fluoxetine treatment groups(n=9).Neurological function scores of the rats were determined,and the changes in sugar water preference and immobility time in forced swimming test were observed;plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO)and hydrogen sulfide(H2S)were detected with ELISA,Occludin,and the expressions of occludin,caudin-5 and IgG proteins I the brain tissues were determined using Western blotting.Results Compared with those in the control group,the rats in MCAO and PSD groups had significantly increased neurological function scores,TMAO level,the ratio of TMAO/H2S,and immobility time in forced swimming test with a lowered level of H2S(P<0.05).These changes were more obvious in PSD rats,which also exhibited a reduced sugar water preference with increased IgG protein and decreased occluding and caudin-5 expressions in the brain tissue(P<0.05).TMAO/H2S ratio in PSD rats was positively correlated with neurological function score(R2=0.3235,P=0.0269)and immobility time in swimming(R2=0.6290,P=0.0004)and negatively with sugar water preference(R2=-0.4534,P=0.0059).Treatment with fecal transplantation,antibiotics,probiotics and fluoxetine all significantly reduced neurological function scores,immobility time in forced swimming,TMAO/H2S ratio,and IgG protein expression and increased sugar water preference and brain occludin and caudin-5 expressions of the PSD rats(P<0.05).Conclusion In PSD rats,TMAO/H2S ratio is correlated with neurological function score,immobility time in forced swimming and sugar water preference,and modulating intestinal flora can improve neurological function and depressive symptoms and improve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.