Objective:To investigate the role of hydrogen-rich salt water in improving depression-like symptoms and its possible molecular mechanism in rats.Methods:The experiment was divided into two stages. In the first stage, 35 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group ( n=7); rats in the control group and model group were gavaged with 8 mL/kg normal saline per d, and rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group were fed with 8 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline water (containing 2, 1, and 0.5 ppm hydrogen) per d; except for the control group, the other groups were depressed with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for 4 weeks. In the second stage, 30 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into hydrogen water group, hydrogen water+fluoxetine group, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibition group ( n=10); optimal hydrogen concentration (0.8 ppm) hydrogen-rich saline water (8 mL/kg) per d was given to rats of these 3 groups by gavage; fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the hydrogen-water+fluoxetine group, and all-transretinoic acid (10 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the Nrf2 inhibition group; CUMS was given for 4 weeks in these 3 groups. Rats were weighed at fixed times at each weekend. Four weeks after intervention, the total distance and average speed of rats in each group were determined by open field test. After open field test, blood was collected from the orbital veins from all rats; serum superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined by ELISA. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Nrf2, and phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2) in the hippocampal CA3 region were detected by Western blotting. Results:(1) In the first stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the model group, the body weight of the rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the model group, the medium-dose group, and low-dose group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, significantly increased BDNF and HO-1 expressions and decreased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). (2) In the second stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the body weight of the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, statistically increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, and the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). As compared with the hydrogen water group, the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions and increased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hydrogen-rich salt water can increase the serum SOD and reduce the serum MDA, increase the BDNF and HO-1 protein expressions in the hippocampal areas of depressed rats, thereby improving the depression-like symptoms; the synergistic effect of hydrogen-rich saline water and fluoxetine on anti-depression may be related to antioxidant effect of Nrf2 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Microwave treatment is a common physical therapy method that can increase the temperature and blood circulation of deep tissues, and is used for improving fracture repair. However, microwave treatment cannot be used if there is surgically implanted metal plate or screw. OBJECTIVE: To observe the dame of microwave treatment to the tissues surrounding the titanium alloy implants. METHODS: Forty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into experimental and control groups. The model of the fracture at the middle of the femur was established in all rabbits, and the rabbits in the experimental group were implanted with titanium alloy internal fixation systems. A 30-day microwave treatment (2 450 MHz, 20 W or 40 W, 20 minutes daily) was applied to the fracture site in all rabbits at 3 days after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 20 W of wave microwave treatment, the temperature of tissues around the implants showed no significant increase or severe heat injury. While, 40 W of wave microwave treatment significantly increased the temperature of tissues around the implants and the tissue was damaged severely. Our results indicate that, the low-dosage microwave treatment may be a promising method in the rehabilitation therapy of fractures with titanium alloy internal fixation.

AIM To investigate the effects of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury based on the study of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the edaravone group(3.0 mg/kg),the low,medium and high dose groups(9.0,18.0,36.0 g/kg)of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula,with 18 rats in each group.The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion was conducted by thread embolism method to simulate cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats followed by 6 days corresponding drugs administration.Subsequently,the rats had their neurological function deficit scored by Zeal Longa scoring method;their sizes of cerebral infarction areas measured by TTC staining;their pathological damage and apoptosis of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area of ischemic penumbra of the brain tissue detected by HE staining and TUNEL staining;their SOD activity and levels of GSH,MDA,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α in brain tissue detected by kits;and their protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,cleaved-capase-3,TLR4,NF-κB p65,Nrf2,HO-1 in rat brain tissue determined by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with edaravone,medium and high dose of Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula displayed improvements in the scores of nerve function defects,the rate of cerebral infarction,the rate of neuronal apoptosis,the levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α and MDA in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues,the protein expressions of Bax and TLR4,the ratio of cleaved-capase-3/caspase-3 and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P＜0.05),the levels of GSH,the activity of SOD and the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Being an inhibitor of oxidative stress and inflammatory response,Zhuangyao Shuanglu Tongnao Formula can alleviate brain injury in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury through the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and improvement of neural function mediated by the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway.

Objective:To explore the effects of RNF113A on the proliferation,migration,in-vasion,apoptosis,and autophagy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods:Hep3B cells were divided into control group and RNF113A overexpression group(RNF113A-OE),HepG2 was divided into control group and RNF113A knockdown group(si-RNF113A),CCK-8 assay was used to detect changes in cell viability,clone formation assay was used to detect changes in cell proliferation abili-ty,Transwell assay was used to detect changes in cell invasion ability,wound healing assay was used to detect changes in cell migration ability,and flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis ability,Western blot experiments were used to detect changes in protein expression of autophagy related genes and AMPK signaling pathway related genes.Results:Compared with the control group,the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration abilities of Hep3B cells in the RNF113A-OE group were improved,while apoptosis and autophagy abilities were decreased,and the AMPK signaling pathway was inhibited;In the si-RNF113A group,the proliferation,cloning,in-vasion,and migration abilities of HepG2 cells were significantly reduced,while apoptosis and au-tophagy abilities were increased,and the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway was promoted.Conclusion:RNF113A promotes the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration of hepatocel-lular carcinoma cells,and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK signaling path-way.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate CT values of cancellous bone in femoral neck in adults over 60 years with proximal femoral fractures. METHODS: From January 2020 to December 2020, a retrospective analysis was performed on 280 subjects aged 60 years or older who underwent bilateral hip CT examination, including 85 males and 195 females, 120 on the left side and 160 on the right side, aged 75 (66, 82) years old. One hundred thirty-six patients with proximal femoral fractures were included in study group and 144 patients without fractures were included in control group. GEOptima CT was used to scan and reconstruct horizontal, coronal and sagittal layers of proximal femur. CT values of cancellous bone in femoral neck were measured and compared between two groups. The relationship between CT values of cancellous bone of femoral neck and proximal femoral fracture was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: In terms of age, fracture group aged 79(73.3, 85.0) years old, non-fracture group aged 69.5 (64.0, 78.8) years old, and had significant difference in age between two groups (P<0.05). In terms of CT value, regional CT value in fracture group was 8.62(-3.62, 27.15) HU, which was lower than that in non-fracture group 34.31(-5.93, 71.74) HU(P<0.05). CT value on coronal view in fracture group was -8.48(-30.96, 17.46) HU, which was lower than that in non-fracture group 40.49(5.55, 80.71) HU (P<0.05). CT value on sagittal view in fracture group was -31.28(-54.91, -5.11) HU, which was lower than that in non-fracture group 7.74(-20.12, 44.54) HU (P<0.05). CT values on horizontal view in fracture group was 0.17(-23.13, 24.60) HU, which was lower than that in non-fracture group 46.40(10.42, 85.18) HU(P<0.05). The mean regional CT values among three planes in the fracture group were lower than those in the non-fracture group. Logistic regression analysis showed coronal CT value was influencing factors of proximal femoral fracture, and it could be written into regression equations that predict probability of fracture. CONCLUSION In adults aged over 60 years old, CT values of cancellous bone of femoral neck decreased with increasing age. The smaller CT value of cancellous bone of femoral neck, the greater risk of proximal femoral fracture.
Male ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Proximal Femoral Fractures ; Retrospective Studies ; Femur Neck ; Hip Fractures/surgery* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Bone Density