1.Effects of Jieyu Zhitong Prescription on behavior and BDNF/ERK1/2/CREB signaling pathway in migraine-depressive comorbid model rats
Xingxing SHU ; Sina FENG ; Jiaxi LIU ; Hui ZHANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(4):426-432
Objective:To observe the effects of Jieyu Zhitong Prescription on the behavior of migraine-depressed comorbid model rats; To explore its mechanism from the perspective of regulating brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/ERK1/2/cyclic adenosine responsive element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway.Methods:Totally 36 SD male rats were divided into blank group, model group, nimodipine group and low-, medium-and high-dose group of Chinese medicine according to random number table method. The migraine-depressive comorbidity model was replicated by intermittent subcutaneous injection of nitroglycerin (10 mg/kg) and chronic unpredictable mild stimulation. Rats in each group were given corresponding drug intervention for 21 days, once a day. The weight of rats in each group before and on the 10th and 21st days after modeling was recorded. The threshold of mechanical pain was detected, and the behavior of rats was evaluated by open field test, forced swimming test, and novelty inhibition feeding test. The protein expressions of BDNF, TrKB, p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in rat hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:On the 10th and 21st day of modeling intervention, compared with model group, the body weight, the scores of horizontal and vertical activity in open field experiment in each dose group of Chinese medicine increased ( P<0.05), and the latent time of novelty inhibition feeding and immobile time of forced swimming were shortened ( P<0.05). On the 7th, 14th and 21st days, compared with the model group at the same time point, the threshold of mechanical pain of rats in each dose group of Chinese medicine increased ( P<0.05). The expression of p-ERK1/2 protein increased in hippocampal tissue in each dose group of Chinese medicine ( P<0.05), and the expression of BDNF, TrkB, and p-CERB protein increased in the low- and high-dose group of Chinese medicine ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Jieyu Zhitong Prescription can significantly improve the symptoms of migraine-depressed comorbid rats, and its mechanism may be analgesic and antidepressant by affecting the expression of proteins in the BDNF/ERK1/2/CREB signaling pathway.
2.The regulatory effects of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 on microglia pyroptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage
Yuan LYU ; Weiwei HOU ; Xingxing LU ; Guihua SHU ; Lingling ZHU ; Yanyan CAI
Chinese Journal of Neonatology 2022;37(1):65-69
Objective:To study the regulatory effects of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) on microglia pyroptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Primary microglia cells were isolated from fetal mice and randomly assigned into 4 groups: the control group, 5z-7-oxozeaneol (5z-7) group, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) group and OGD+5z-7 group. OGD models of microglia cells were established for the OGD groups and 5z-7 groups received a small molecule TAK1 inhibitor 5z-7. Expression of phosphorylated TAK1(P-TAK1), pyroptosis related proteins including NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP-3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomers, N terminal of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were examined using Western blot at 0 h, 6 h and 24 h after intervention. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test and transmission electron microscope were used for pyroptosis evaluation.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, expressions of all proteins including P-TAK1, NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH level showed no significant differences in the OGD group at 0 h ( P>0.05). P-TAK1 levels in OGD group at 6 h and 24 h were lower than the control group and the levels of NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH were significantly higher ( P<0.05). Microglia pyroptosis (characterized by disruption of cell membrane, extravasation of cytoplasm and chromatin margin aggregation) was observed under electron microscope. (2) 5z-7 group and OGD+5z-7 group had lower P-TAK1 levels and higher NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH levels than the control group and OGD group at 6 h and 24 h. Conclusions:The down-regulation of TAK1 phosphorylation level may promote microglia pyroptosis in HIBD. This regulatory effects is related to the up-regulation of NLRP-3 expression and the oligomerization of ASC.