1.Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus Based on Traditional Quality Evaluation
Fengfan WANG ; Yajie XIANG ; Jian FENG ; Wencheng HOU ; Wenlan LI ; Yangyang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):235-244
ObjectiveTo compare the differences between wild Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus(WAOF) and cultivated Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus(CAOF) through a traditional quality evaluation system for medicinal materials. MethodsA total of 10 batches of WAOF and 12 batches of CAOF samples were collected from various regions of Hainan province. Relevant analytical methods from the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China were employed to observe the characteristics of WAOF and CAOF, followed by microscopic identification, thin-layer chromatography(TLC) identification, moisture content(toluene method), total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts(hot dipping method), water-soluble protein, total polysaccharides and total flavonoids(ultraviolet spectrophotometry), and volatile oil content(method A under general rule 2204). The contents of five active components(protocatechuic acid, chrysin, kaempferol, tectochrysin and nootkatone) were quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), and the antioxidant activity was evaluated. Building upon traditional quality evaluation of AOF, quantitative measurements were conducted on its appearance traits including diameter, length, plumpness(diameter/length ratio), and color. Canonical correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 to explore relationships between appearance traits and intrinsic quality. ResultsNo significant differences were observed between WAOF and CAOF in microscopic observation, TLC identification, moisture content, protocatechuic acid content, kaempferol content, odor, or antioxidant activity measured by 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) method. WAOF exhibited significantly higher levels in water-soluble extracts, alcohol-soluble extracts, total polysaccharide content, water-soluble protein content, 100-grain weight, length, and total color difference(ΔE*ab) compared to CAOF(P<0.01). In contrast, CAOF showed significantly higher levels of total ash, acid-insoluble ash, content of total flavonoids, volatile oil content, chrysin content, tectochrysin content, nootkatone content, diameter, plumpness, lightness(L*), red-green chromaticity(a*), yellow-blue chromaticity(b*), and antioxidant activity measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) method compared to WAOF(P<0.01). Correlation analysis between 7 phenotypic traits and 8 quality traits revealed that among the phenotypic traits, plumpness, L*, a*, and b* exerted significant influence on intrinsic quality. Among the quality traits, total flavonoids, volatile oils, nootkatone, chrysin, and tectochrysin contributed substantially to intrinsic quality. ConclusionPlumpness, L*, a*, and b* of AOF significantly influence its intrinsic quality, and higher values of these parameters indicate relatively superior intrinsic quality. The comprehensive quality evaluation reveals that CAOF samples collected in this study are superior to their wild counterparts.
2.Mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan in Improving Inflammatory Response in Mice with Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on TLR4/p65/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Shilong GUO ; Ruijia LI ; Zixuan WANG ; Xinai WANG ; Luyu HOU ; Wenjing SHI ; Mengyuan TIAN ; Dengzhou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):19-27
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B p65/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3) signaling pathway in the renal tissues of db/db mice with spontaneous diabetes, and to explore the potential mechanism by which Danggui Shaoyaosan alleviates inflammation in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MethodsThirty db/db mice were divided into five groups: A model group, Danggui Shaoyaosan low- (16.77 g·kg-1·d-1), medium- (33.54 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (67.08 g·kg-1·d-1) intervention groups, as well as an irbesartan group (0.025 g·kg-1·d-1) by the random number table method, with 6 mice in each group. Additionally, 6 db/m mice were assigned to the normal group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the following parameters were determined by corresponding methods: body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary protein (24 h-UTP), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, renal histopathological analysis by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, the protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) by Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), as well as TLR4, NF-κB p65, and NLRP3 protein expression in renal tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited increased body weight, FBG, 24 h-UTP, and SCr levels (P<0.05); disordered renal structure, thickened basement membrane, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 expression; as well as decreased IL-10 expression (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, these pathological changes and biochemical abnormalities were reversed in the medicine intervention groups to varying degrees (P<0.05). ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan may delay DKD progression by alleviating renal inflammatory response and reducing urinary protein excretion via modulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
3.Identification and drug sensitivity analysis of key molecular markers in mesenchymal cell-derived osteosarcoma
Haojun ZHANG ; Hongyi LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Haoran CHEN ; Lizhong ZHANG ; Jie GENG ; Chuandong HOU ; Qi YU ; Peifeng HE ; Jinpeng JIA ; Xuechun LU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1448-1456
BACKGROUND:Osteosarcoma has a complex pathogenesis and a poor prognosis.While advancements in medical technology have led to some improvements in the 5-year survival rate,substantial progress in its treatment has not yet been achieved. OBJECTIVE:To screen key molecular markers in osteosarcoma,analyze their relationship with osteosarcoma treatment drugs,and explore the potential disease mechanisms of osteosarcoma at the molecular level. METHODS:GSE99671 and GSE284259(miRNA)datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Differential gene expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis(WGCNA)on GSE99671 were performed.Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes separately for the differentially expressed genes and the module genes with the highest positive correlation to the disease.The intersection of these module genes and differentially expressed genes was taken as key genes.A Protein-Protein Interaction network was constructed,and correlation analysis on the key genes was performed using CytoScape software,and hub genes were identified.Hub genes were externally validated using the GSE28425 dataset and text validation was conducted.The drug sensitivity of hub genes was analyzed using the CellMiner database,with a threshold of absolute value of correlation coefficient|R|>0.3 and P<0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Differential gene expression analysis identified 529 differentially expressed genes,comprising 177 upregulated and 352 downregulated genes.WGCNA analysis yielded a total of 592 genes with the highest correlation to osteosarcoma.(2)Gene Ontology enrichment results indicated that the development of osteosarcoma may be associated with extracellular matrix,bone cell differentiation and development,human immune regulation,and collagen synthesis and degradation.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results showed the involvement of pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,focal adhesion signaling pathway,and immune response in the onset of osteosarcoma.(3)The intersection analysis revealed a total of 59 key genes.Through Protein-Protein Interaction network analysis,8 hub genes were selected,which were LUM,PLOD1,PLOD2,MMP14,COL11A1,THBS2,LEPRE1,and TGFB1,all of which were upregulated.(4)External validation revealed significantly downregulated miRNAs that regulate the hub genes,with hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-150-5p showing the most significant downregulation.Text validation results demonstrated that the expression of hub genes was consistent with previous research.(5)Drug sensitivity analysis indicated a negative correlation between the activity of methotrexate,6-mercaptopurine,and pazopanib with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,PLOD2,and MMP14.Moreover,zoledronic acid and lapatinib showed a positive correlation with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,LUM,MMP14,PLOD2,and TGFB1.This suggests that zoledronic acid and lapatinib may be potential therapeutic drugs for osteosarcoma,but further validation is required through additional basic experiments and clinical studies.
4.Decompression mechanism of symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous
Chunlin ZHANG ; Zhaohua HOU ; Xu YAN ; Yan JIANG ; Su FU ; Yongming NING ; Dongzhe LI ; Chao DONG ; Xiaokang LIU ; Yongkui WANG ; Zhengming CAO ; Tengyue YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1810-1819
BACKGROUND:Traditional surgery for lumbar disc herniation involves extensive excision of tissue surrounding the nerve for decompression and removal of protruding lumbar intervertebral discs,which poses various risks and complications such as nerve damage causing paralysis,lumbar instability,herniation recurrence,intervertebral space infection,and adjacent vertebral diseases. OBJECTIVE:To propose the symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous technique for lumbar spine symmetrically decompression,showing the induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous phenomenon and early clinical efficacy,and then analyze its decompression mechanism. METHODS:214 patients with lumbar disc herniation at Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled in this study.Among them,81 patients received conservative treatment as the control group,and 133 patients received symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous treatment as the trial group.Before surgery,immediately after surgery(7-14 days),and early after surgery(over 1 year),MRI images were used to measure the volume changes of lumbar disc herniation.CT images were used to measure the posterior displacement distance of the lumbar spinous process ligament complex,as well as the width and height of the lateral recess.Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to evaluate the patient's neurological function recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Control group:81 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated conservatively,with a total of 171 herniated lumbar discs.The average follow-up time was(22.7±23.1)months.The first and second MRI measurements of 171 herniated lumbar discs showed herniated lumbar disc volumes of(551.6±257.9)mm3 and(792.2±330.4)mm3,respectively,with an average volume increase rate of(53.2±44.4)%,showing statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Out of 171 herniated lumbar discs,4 experienced natural shrinkage,with an absorption ratio of 2.3%(4/171)and an absorption rate of(24.5±9.9)%.(2)Trial group:133 patients with lumbar disc herniation had a total of 285 herniated lumbar discs.(1)Immediately after surgery:All patients were followed up immediately after surgery.229 out of 285 herniated lumbar discs experienced retraction,with an absorption ratio of 80.3%(229/285)and an average absorption rate of(21.5±20.9)%,with significant and complete absorption accounting for 6.5%.There were a total of 70 herniated lumbar discs in the upper lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 85.7%(60/70),an average absorption rate of(23.1±19.5)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 86.6%.There were 215 herniated lumbar discs in the lower lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 78.6%(169/215),an average absorption rate of(21.0±21.3)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 83.2%.Significant and complete absorption of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae accounted for 5.7%and 6.5%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The average distance of posterior displacement of the spinous process ligament complex immediately after surgery was(5.2±2.8)mm.There were no significant differences in the width and height of the left and right lateral recess before and immediately after surgery(P>0.05).The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score immediately after surgery increased from(10.1±3.4)before surgery to(17.0±4.8),and the immediate effective rate after surgery reached 95.6%.(2)Early postoperative period:Among them,46 patients completed the early postoperative follow-up.There were 101 herniated lumbar discs,with an absorption ratio of 94%(95/101)and an average absorption rate of(36.9±23.7)%.Significant and complete absorption accounted for 30.6%,with a maximum absorption rate of 100%.Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 remained unchanged in volume,with a volume invariance rate of 2.97%(3/101).Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 had an increased volume of herniated lumbar discs,with an increase ratio of 2.97%(3/101)and an increase rate of(18.5±18.4)%.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from preoperative(9.3±5.1)to(23.5±4.0),with an excellent and good rate of 93.4%.(3)The early postoperative lumbar disc herniation absorption ratios of the control group and trial group were 2.3%and 85.9%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).(4)Complications:There were two cases of incision exudation and delayed healing in the trial group.After conservative treatment such as dressing change,no nerve injury or death occurred in the incision healing,and no cases underwent a second surgery.(5)It is concluded that symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous is a new method for treating lumbar disc herniation that can avoid extensive excision of the"ring"nerve and achieve satisfactory early clinical efficacy.It does not damage the lumbar facet joints or alter the basic anatomical structure of the lateral recess,fully preserves the herniated lumbar discs,and can induce significant or even complete induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous.Symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous provides a new basis and method for the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.
5.Application Analysis of Animal Models of Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on Data Mining
Fangli LUO ; Luqiang SUN ; Yujun HOU ; Siqi WANG ; Ying LI ; Siyuan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):219-226
ObjectiveBased on literature data mining, this study explores the modeling elements of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) animal models in China and abroad, providing references and suggestions for improving modeling methods and evaluation indicators. MethodsRelevant literature on IBS-D animal experiments from 2014 to 2024 was retrieved through computer searches in databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, Chinese Medical Journals Full-text Database, and PubMed. Information on experimental animal species, gender, body weight, modeling methods, modeling periods, intervention controls, modeling standards, and detection indicators was organized. Microsoft Excel 2021 software was used to establish a database and perform statistical analysis to examine the characteristics of IBS-D animal models. ResultsA total of 398 articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The IBS-D animal models were predominantly established using SD rats, Wistar rats, and C57BL/6 mice. Male animals were more commonly used, with rats typically aged 6-8 weeks and mice aged 4-6 weeks. In terms of interventions, piverium bromide was the main Western medicine, Tongxieyaofang was the primary Chinese medicine, and electroacupuncture was the primary acupuncture method. Among the modeling methods, the multi-factor combined composite modeling approach was the most common. Modeling periods were mainly concentrated between 1-14 days and 15-30 days. The success criteria for modeling were mainly evaluated based on the animal's general condition, fecal appearance, visceral sensitivity, gastrointestinal motility, behavior, and pathology. Detection indicators included apparent indexes, pathological markers, biochemical indicators, oxidative stress, brain-gut peptides, neurotransmitters, inflammatory factors, immune function, intestinal permeability, autophagy, apoptosis, proteins related to relevant signaling pathways, intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, etc. ConclusionThere are various methods for establishing IBS-D animal models, but no unified and universally accepted method has been established. The operation of the same modeling methods and the evaluation standards of the models vary across studies. Based on the results of data mining, the authors suggest that the multi-factor combined composite modeling approach most closely reflects the pathophysiological processes of IBS-D, better simulating the complex clinical symptoms of IBS-D patients, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and has a high degree of clinical relevance. This method is relatively recommended. While animal models in general align with Western medicine standards, models incorporating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes are relatively few. Therefore, one of the future directions for research is to establish IBS-D animal models that meet the combined clinical disease and syndrome requirements of both Western and Chinese medicine.
6.Construction of PD-L1hitol-DC derived from bone marrow of DA rats and identification of its immunological function
Zhiqi YANG ; Peibo HOU ; Lang WU ; Jing LIU ; Yang DING ; Minghao LI
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):83-90
Objective To construct programmed cell death protein-ligand 1(PD-LI)hi tolerogenic dendritic cell (tol-DC) derived from bone marrow of DA rats and identify its immunological function. Methods DA rat bone marrow cells were extracted, combined with recombinant mouse granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recombinant mouse interleukin (IL)-4, and cultured for 6 days in vitro to induce the differentiation of bone marrow cells into immature dendritic cells (imDC). Lipopolysaccharide was used to stimulate cell maturation and cultured for 2 days to collect mature dendritic cells (mDC). PD-L1 lentiviral vector virus stock solution or equivalent dose lentiviral stock solution was added, and PD-L1hitol-DC and Lv-imDC were collected after culture for 2 days. The morphology of PD-L1hitol-DC was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope. Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression level of specific markers on cell surface. CD8+T cells derived from Lewis rat spleen were co-cultured with imDC, mDC, Lv-imDC and PD-L1hitol-DC, respectively. The levels of inflammatory factors in the supernatant of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptosis of T cells and the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in each group were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The morphology of PD-L1hitol-DC modified by PD-L1 gene was consistent with tol-DC characteristics, and the expression levels of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the surface were low. After mixed culture with CD8+ T cells, the levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1 in the supernatant of PD-L1hitol-DC group were higher, the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α and IL-17A were lower, and the apoptosis of T cells and Treg differentiation were increased. Conclusions Overexpression of PD-L1 through lentiviral vectors may successfully induce the construction of bone-marrow derived PD-L1hitol-DC in DA rats, promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors and T cell apoptosis, induce the differentiation of Treg, and inhibit the immune response of allogeneic CD8+T cells, which provides experimental basis for the next organ transplantation immune tolerance study.
7.Mechanism of Herbal Cake-separated Moxibustion in Improving Neuroimmune Inflammation in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Interfering TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Chuntao ZHAI ; Yawei HOU ; Linjuan SHI ; Yixiao WANG ; Wei LI ; Yuefeng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):140-149
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of herbal cake-separated moxibustion using the classical formula Xiaoyaosan in alleviating neuroimmune inflammatory responses in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) rats, based on the regulation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups: Normal group, model group, sham herbal cake moxibustion group, Chinese medicine intragastric administration group, and herbal cake-separated moxibustion group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, all other groups underwent a 21-day modeling process, followed by behavioral testing. The herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham herbal cake moxibustion groups received interventions at the Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Qimen (LR14) acupoints. The Chinese medicine intragastric administration group was treated with a Xiaoyaosan suspension via gavage. Behavioral tests were conducted after 10 days of continuous intervention. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in the hippocampus were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and p65 proteins in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant decrease in upright times during the open field test (P<0.01), as well as significant reductions in total movement distance, resting time, and center region duration (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time increased (P<0.01), and struggle times decreased (P<0.01). Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as hippocampal NF-κB levels and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, the total movement distance and upright times in the open field test were significantly increased in all treatment groups (P<0.01), while resting time and center region duration were notably prolonged (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immobility time in the tail suspension test was significantly shortened (P<0.01), and struggle times significantly increased (P<0.05). Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, hippocampal NF-κB levels, and TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham herbal cake moxibustion group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group showed a significant extension in center region duration during the open field test (P<0.05) and a significant increase in upright times (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time was reduced (P<0.01), and struggle times increased (P<0.01). Serum TNF-α levels in the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while serum IL-6 levels, as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression, were significantly decreased in both the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group and the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group exhibited significantly increased upright times in the open field test (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time was reduced (P<0.01), and struggle times increased (P<0.01). Serum IL-1β, hippocampal TNF-α levels, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion effectively improves fatigue and memory function in CFS rats, regulates neuroimmune inflammatory responses, and its mechanism may be related to the modulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Research on The Role of Dopamine in Regulating Sleep and Wakefulness Through Exercise
Li-Juan HOU ; Ya-Xuan GENG ; Ke LI ; Zhao-Yang HUANG ; Lan-Qun MAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):88-98
Sleep is an instinctive behavior alternating awakening state, sleep entails many active processes occurring at the cellular, circuit and organismal levels. The function of sleep is to restore cellular energy, enhance immunity, promote growth and development, consolidate learning and memory to ensure normal life activities. However, with the increasing of social pressure involved in work and life, the incidence of sleep disorders (SD) is increasing year by year. In the short term, sleep disorders lead to impaired memory and attention; in the longer term, it produces neurological dysfunction or even death. There are many ways to directly or indirectly contribute to sleep disorder and keep the hormones, including pharmacological alternative treatments, light therapy and stimulus control therapy. Exercise is also an effective and healthy therapeutic strategy for improving sleep. The intensities, time periods, and different types of exercise have different health benefits for sleep, which can be found through indicators such as sleep quality, sleep efficiency and total sleep time. So it is more and more important to analyze the mechanism and find effective regulation targets during sleep disorder through exercise. Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter in the nervous system, which not only participates in action initiation, movement regulation and emotion regulation, but also plays a key role in the steady-state remodeling of sleep-awakening state transition. Appreciable evidence shows that sleep disorder on humans and rodents evokes anomalies in the dopaminergic signaling, which are also implicated in the development of psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia or substance abuse. Experiments have shown that DA in different neural pathways plays different regulatory roles in sleep behavior, we found that increasing evidence from rodent studies revealed a role for ventral tegmental area DA neurons in regulating sleep-wake patterns. DA signal transduction and neurotransmitter release patterns have complex interactions with behavioral regulation. In addition, experiments have shown that exercise causes changes in DA homeostasis in the brain, which may regulate sleep through different mechanisms, including cAMP response element binding protein signal transduction, changes in the circadian rhythm of biological clock genes, and interactions with endogenous substances such as adenosine, which affect neuronal structure and play a neuroprotective role. This review aims to introduce the regulatory effects of exercise on sleep disorder, especially the regulatory mechanism of DA in this process. The analysis of intracerebral DA signals also requires support from neurophysiological and chemical techniques. Our laboratory has established and developed an in vivo brain neurochemical analysis platform, which provides support for future research on the regulation of sleep-wake cycles by movement. We hope it can provide theoretical reference for the formulation of exercise prescription for clinical sleep disorder and give some advice to the combined intervention of drugs and exercise.
9.Analysis of factors influencing immune checkpoint inhibitor-related thyroid adverse reactions
Jiayu LI ; Qianqian ZHANG ; Meng HOU ; Siqi ZHANG ; Keke WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):341-345
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for rational clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). METHODS Electronic medical record information of patients who received ICI treatment from January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2023 at a certain hospital was collected. Patients were divided into thyroid immune-related adverse event (irAE) group (subdivided into clinical hypothyroidism, clinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism subgroups) and non- thyroid irAE group based on whether they experienced immune-induced thyroid irAE. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze the influencing factors of ICI-related thyroid adverse events. RESULTS A total of 382 patients who received ICI treatment were included, with 137 cases in the thyroid irAE group (accounting for 35.9%) and 245 cases in the non-thyroid irAE group (accounting for 64.1%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis, following univariate screening, revealed that ICI combined with radiotherapy was positively associated with the occurrence of thyroid irAE [odds ratio (OR)=2.157, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.144, 4.066), P<0.05], while lung squamous cell carcinoma was negatively associated with the occurrence of thyroid irAE [OR=0.600, 95%CI (0.369, 0.975), P<0.05]. Among various thyroid irAE, nasopharyngeal malignancy was positively associated with the occurrence of immune-related clinical hyperthyroidism [OR=4.678, 95%CI (1.149, 19.042), P<0.05]; ICI combined with radiotherapy [OR=2.622, 95%CI (1.227, 5.603), P<0.05] and lung adenocarcinoma [OR=2.013, 95%CI (1.078, 3.759), P<0.05] were positively associated with the occurrence of immune-related subclinical hyperthyroidism. Age was negatively associated with the occurrence of immune-related clinical hypothyroidism [OR=0.944, 95%CI (0.896, 0.995), P<0.05]; age [OR=0.963, 95%CI (0.932, 0.994), P<0.05] and ICI combined with chemotherapy [OR=0.332, 95%CI (0.137, 0.802), P<0.05] were negatively associated with the occurrence of immune-related subclinical hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS Among patients receiving ICI treatment, younger patients are more prone to thyroid irAE. Patients receiving ICI combined with chemotherapy are less likely to experience subclinical hypothyroidism, while ICI combined with radiotherapy significantly increases the risk of thyroid adverse events.
10.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.

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