ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of modified Shuyuwan in treating vascular dementia （VaD） complicated with depression in mice. MethodThe VaD model was established by bilateral carotid artery stenosis （BCAS） in seven 3-month-old male C57/BL6 mice. The regional cerebral blood flow （rCBF） of mice was measured by laser speckle imaging before and after BCAS surgery. Then， the BCAS method was combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） to establish a mouse model of VaD complicated with depression. BCAS/CUMS mice were assigned into BCAS/CUMS， fluoxetine （0.01 g·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （20， 10， 5 g·kg^-1， respectively） modified Shuyuwan groups. The shame group underwent sham operation without CUMS （n=10）. The tail suspension test and sucrose preference test were carried out to examine the depressive behaviors of mice. The distribution and expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein （MAG）， myelin basic protein （MBP）， neurofilament heavy polypeptide （NF200）， and anti-non-phosphorylated neurofilament epitope antibody （SMI32） in the corpus callosum （CC） were detected by the immunofluorescence assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of monocarboxylate transporter 1 （MCT1）， MBP， MAG， oligodendrocyte glycoprotein （MOG）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， NF200， contactin-associated protein （Caspr）， and voltage-gated sodium channel （Nav1.6） in the corpus callosum. The level of lactic acid in the serum was measured by the lactic acid assay kit， and the ultrastructure of myelin was observed by ultraprojective electron microscope. ResultLaser speckle imaging showed that rCBF decreased immediately 10 min after BCAS surgery （P<0.01）， and the rCBF was still cerebral hypoperfusion and did not return to the preoperative level 2 weeks after surgery. Behavioral test results showed that compared with the sham group， the BCAS/CUMS group presented decreased percentage of sucrose preference （P<0.01） and prolonged immobile time in the tail suspension test （P<0.01）. Compared with the BCAS/CUMS group， fluoxetine and modified Shuyuwan increased the percentage of sucrose preference （P<0.01） and shortened the immobile time in the tail suspension test （P<0.01）. The level of lactic acid was the highest in the BCAS/CUMS mice （P<0.01）， and modified Shuyuwan lowered the lactic acid level （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the sham group， the BCAS/CUMS group presented decreased fluorescence intensity of MAG， MBP and NF200 and increased fluorescence intensity of SMI32 in the corpus callosum， and such changes were reversed by modified Shuyuwan at different doses and fluoxetine. Western blot results showed that compared with the sham group， the BCAS/CUMS modeling down-regulated the protein levels of MCT1， MBP， MOG， MAG， NF20， and Caspr （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated the protein levels of APP and Nav1.6 in the corpus callosum， and the above trends were reversed by modified Shuyuwan （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham group， BCAS/CUMS modeling led to myelin ultrastructure damage and axon atrophy， which were alleviated by modified Shuyuwan. ConclusionModified Shuyuwan can ameliorate the transport disorder of lactic acid between myelin sheath and axon by upregulating the expressin of MCT1， promote the regeneration of myelin sheath in the corpus callosum， and improve the integrity of myelin sheath structure， thereby alleviating depression in VaD mice.

BACKGROUND:Oxidative injury is considered to be one of the important factors of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2)is a key mitochondrial antioxidant molecule,and fenofibrate can regulate the expression of SOD2 by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. OBJECTIVE:To explore whether the mechanism of fenofibrate in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury depends on the expression of SOD2. METHODS:The TALENs system was used to construct SOD2 transgenic mice.The transgenic mice were genotyped by PCR and DNA sequencing techniques.The expression of SOD2 protein in transgenic mice was detected by western blot assay.Wild-type and SOD2 transgenic mice were randomly divided into four groups:wild-type control group(n=6),wild-type fenofibrate group(n=6),SOD2 transgenic control group(n=5)and SOD2 transgenic fenofibrate group(n=5).A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was prepared using the suture-occlusion method.After 90 minutes of ischemia,the thread was removed to reperfuse cerebral blood flow for 30 minutes.A cerebral blood flow monitor was used to monitor local cerebral blood flow.Brain tissue slices were taken for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining to analyze the situation of cerebral infarction in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After PCR and DNA sequencing analysis,nine SOD2+/+ transgenic mice were successfully constructed.After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,the wild-type fenofibrate group showed partial recovery of cerebral blood flow and significantly reduced cerebral infarction volume compared with the wild-type control group(P<0.001).There was no significant difference in cerebral blood flow and cerebral infarction volume between the SOD2 transgenic fenofibrate group and the SOD2 transgenic control group.The SOD2 transgenic control was superior to the wild-type control group in terms of improving cerebral blood flow and cerebral infarction(P<0.001).There were also no significant differences in cerebral blood flow and cerebral infarction volume between the wild-type fenofibrate group and the SOD2 transgenic control group and between the wild-type fenofibrate group and the SOD2 transgenic fenofibrate group.To conclude,the expression of SOD2 is one of the mechanisms of fenofibrate in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective To observe the effects of Jianpi Liqi Huashi Prescription on hepatocyte injury,oxidative stress and nitrative stress in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH);To explore its mechanism in the treatment of NASH.Methods Totally 32 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and TCM low-and high-dosage groups,with 8 mice in each group.The control group was fed with ordinary diet,and the other groups were fed with high-fat diet,for consecutive 16 weeks.Starting from the 13th week,the control group and model group were given 0.4%CMC-Na solution by intragastric administration and the TCM groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by intragastric administration,respectively.Biochemical instrument was used to detect serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)contents,HE staining and oil red O staining were used to detect liver histopathology,triglyceride(TG)content and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in liver tissue were detected through test kit.immunofluorescence staining was used to detect positive expression of CD11b in liver tissue,the mRNA expressions of NOX1 and NCF1 were detected by RT-PCR,and the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and 3-nitrotyrosine(3-NT)in liver tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the hepatocytes in the model group showed diffuse steatosis,hepatocyte swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration;a large number of fat droplets were formed by oil red O staining;serum ALT and AST contents significantly increased(P<0.05),the TG content and MPO activity in liver tissue significantly increased(P<0.05);the positive expression of CD11b in liver tissue increased;the mRNA expressions of NOX1 and NCF1 in liver tissue significantly increased(P<0.05);the expressions of iNOS and 3-NT protein in liver tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the degree of liver steatosis,the level of inflammatory cell infiltration and the number of lipid droplets in TCM groups decreased significantly;serum ALT and AST contents significantly decreased(P<0.05);the TG contents and MPO activity in liver tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05);the positive expression of CD11b in liver tissue decreased;the mRNA expressions of NOX1 and NCF1 in liver tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05);the expression of 3-NT protein in liver tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05);the expression of iNOS protein in liver tissue of mice in TCM high-dosage group significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Jianpi Liqi Huashi Prescription may relieve liver cell damage,lipid deposition and inflammation in NASH mice by alleviating oxidative stress and nitrative stress in the liver,and play a role in the treatment of NASH.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of modified Shuyuwan （SYW） on hippocampal myelin sheath injury in vascular dementia （VD） model rats. MethodSixty male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， and high-， medium- and low-dose modified SYW groups， with 12 rats in each group. The VD model was induced by bilateral carotid artery ligation in rats of the groups except for those of the sham operation group. After modeling， rats were screened by the water maze test， followed by drug treatment by gavage. Specifically， rats in the modified SYW groups were treated with modified SYW at 10， 5， 2.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1， accordingly， and those in other groups were administered with the same amount of normal saline. After intragastric administration for 28 days， the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were detected by the water maze test. The hippocampal neuron structure was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The content of hippocampal tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and glutamate （Glu） was observed by biochemical detection. The hippocampal expression of myelin basic protein （MBP）， astrocyte activation marker glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）， and connexin 43 （Cx43） was detected by immunofluorescence detection. The myelin sheath structure in the hippocampus was observed by the electron microscope. The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor （AMPAR） and Cx43 protein expression was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， decreased times of crossing the original platform and percentage of target quadrant detention time （P<0.01）， disordered neuron structure in the hippocampal CA1 region， loose myelin sheath lamella with blurry edge， up-regulated expression levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and Glu in the hippocampal CA1 region， especially Glu （P<0.01）， reduced expression of AMPAR （P<0.01）， increased protein expression of p-AMPAR and Cx43 （P<0.01）， significantly dwindled protein expression of MBP in the myelin sheath， and enhanced fluorescence co-labeled by GFAP and Cx43. Compared with the model group， the modified SYW groups showed shortened escape latency （P<0.05）， increased times of crossing the original platform and percentage of target quadrant detention time （P<0.05）， closely arranged hippocampal neuron structure， denser myelin sheath lamella with clear edge， down-regulated expression levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and Glu in the hippocampal CA1 region， especially Glu （P<0.01）， up-regulated AMPAR （P<0.01）， reduced protein expression of p-AMPAR and Cx43， especially in the high-dose group （P<0.01）， significantly elevated protein expression of MBP in the myelin sheath， and weakened fluorescence co-labeled by GFAP and Cx43， especially in the high-dose group. ConclusionModified SYW can improve the learning and memory abilities of VD rats， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Cx43 expression， reduction of the release of Glu， inhibition of AMPAR-mediated inflammatory response to reduce the production of astrocyte marker GFAP， and promotion of the expression of MBP protein to alleviate myelin injury.

Objective To investigate the effect of atractylone on the viability and apoptosis of hepatoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism of action. Methods Hepatoma HepG2 cells were selected and divided into low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups (5, 10, and 20 μmol/L), and the cells in the control group were added with an equal volume of DMSO. MTT colorimetry was used to measure the viability of HepG2 cells after treatment with different concentrations of atractylone; flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential of HepG2 cells; the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe labeling method was used to measure the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells; Transwell assay was used to evaluate the effect of atractylone on the migration ability of HepG2 cells; Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for comparison between two groups. Results After 24 and 48 hours of treatment with atractylone, compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a tendency of reduction in cell viability (all P < 0.05), with a half inhibitory concentration of 26.19 μmol/L in atractylone treatment of HepG2 cells for 72 hours. The low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significantly higher apoptosis rate than the control group (14.34%/29.32%/50.12% vs 0.32%, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of ROS in HepG2 cells (all P < 0.05). After 48 hours of treatment with atractylone, compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant reduction in the number of migrated cells (132.67±18.36/57.00±9.26/31.00±2.45 vs 258.11±38.54, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the low-, middle-, and high-dose atractylone groups had a significant reduction in the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 and significant increases in the expression of the apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Atractylone can induce the apoptosis and inhibit the migration of HepG2 cells, which provides an experimental basis for further development and utilization of atractylone.

Objective:Recently, increasing number of lung cancer patients benefit from immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, the data of Chinese small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients is limited. This study aims to analyze the response and survival data of ICIs treatment in SCLC and to explore the predictive biomarkers.Methods:Forty-seven SCLC patients who received ICIs treatment from Peking University Cancer Hospital from May 2017 to September 2019 was recruited. Clinical characteristics including sex, age, smoking status, ICIs strategy, PD-L1 expression and therapeutic efficacy were collected to explore the clinical predictive biomarkers for SCLC ICIs treatment.Results:Among the 47 patients, 18 (38.3%) cases were partial repose (PR), 11 (23.4%) were stable disease (SD), 18 (38.3%) were progressive disease (PD), and the objective response rate (ORR) was 38.3%, disease control rate (DCR) was 61.7%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.3 months. ICIs monotherapy accounts for 27.7%, the ORR was 15.4%, DCR was 53.8%, median PFS was 2.7 months. Combined therapy accounts for 72.3%, the ORR was 47.1%, DCR was 64.7%, median PFS was 5.4 months. Fourteen (29.8%) patients received ICIs as the first line treatment, their ORR was 85.7%, DCR was 100%, median PFS was 9.1 month. The ORR was not related to the age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ( P>0.05). The ORRs were higher in patients underwent PD-L1 monotherapy ( P=0.001), combined therapy ( P=0.002) and received ICIs as the first line treatment ( P<0.001). Log-rank analysis indicated that the PFS of female patients were 12.0 months, significantly longer than 4.4 months of male patients in ICIs treatment ( P=0.038). Patients who received PD-L1 monotherapy, combined treatment, or ICIs as the first line treatment had longer PFS than their counterparts, though no statistical significant was observed ( P>0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that, the gender was not an independent predictor for PFS in ICIs treatment ( HR=3.777, 95% CI=0.974~30.891, P=0.054). Conclusions:Immunotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for SCLC. Patients who receive combined ICIs treatment, first line ICIs treatment and PD-L1 treatment may get greater benefits. PD-L1 expression cannot predict the response and PFS in SCLC ICIs treatment.

Objective:Recently, increasing number of lung cancer patients benefit from immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, the data of Chinese small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients is limited. This study aims to analyze the response and survival data of ICIs treatment in SCLC and to explore the predictive biomarkers.Methods:Forty-seven SCLC patients who received ICIs treatment from Peking University Cancer Hospital from May 2017 to September 2019 was recruited. Clinical characteristics including sex, age, smoking status, ICIs strategy, PD-L1 expression and therapeutic efficacy were collected to explore the clinical predictive biomarkers for SCLC ICIs treatment.Results:Among the 47 patients, 18 (38.3%) cases were partial repose (PR), 11 (23.4%) were stable disease (SD), 18 (38.3%) were progressive disease (PD), and the objective response rate (ORR) was 38.3%, disease control rate (DCR) was 61.7%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.3 months. ICIs monotherapy accounts for 27.7%, the ORR was 15.4%, DCR was 53.8%, median PFS was 2.7 months. Combined therapy accounts for 72.3%, the ORR was 47.1%, DCR was 64.7%, median PFS was 5.4 months. Fourteen (29.8%) patients received ICIs as the first line treatment, their ORR was 85.7%, DCR was 100%, median PFS was 9.1 month. The ORR was not related to the age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ( P>0.05). The ORRs were higher in patients underwent PD-L1 monotherapy ( P=0.001), combined therapy ( P=0.002) and received ICIs as the first line treatment ( P<0.001). Log-rank analysis indicated that the PFS of female patients were 12.0 months, significantly longer than 4.4 months of male patients in ICIs treatment ( P=0.038). Patients who received PD-L1 monotherapy, combined treatment, or ICIs as the first line treatment had longer PFS than their counterparts, though no statistical significant was observed ( P>0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that, the gender was not an independent predictor for PFS in ICIs treatment ( HR=3.777, 95% CI=0.974~30.891, P=0.054). Conclusions:Immunotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for SCLC. Patients who receive combined ICIs treatment, first line ICIs treatment and PD-L1 treatment may get greater benefits. PD-L1 expression cannot predict the response and PFS in SCLC ICIs treatment.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Fasudil in cerebral I/R injury in mice.Methods 51 C57BL/6J mice was divided into two groups,CMC treated group (n=26) and Fasudil treated group (n=25),randomly.The mice were treated with Fasudil (10 mg/kg) or CMC (0.5％ CMC 10 ml/kg) separately.Then the treated mice were subjected to 60 min of focal ischemia and 18 h reperfusion.The infarct volume of brain was analyzed by TTC staining with MCID image system.BBB permeability was assessed by Evans blue extravasation and albumin leakage which was detected by immuno-blotting assay.The activity of MMP9 was analyzed by zymography.Results The infarct volume in CMC group ((99.07±6.53) mm3) was larger than that in Fasudil group ((57.02±8.93) mm3),the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).The activity of MMP9 in the mice treated with Fasudil was lower than that in CMC group.Compared with the CMC group(albumin (2.95±0.77),Evans blue (5.15±0.24)),the albumin and Evans blue content in the Fasudil treated group (albumin (1.04±0.18),Evans blue (1.96±0.31))reduced significanctly(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Fasudil protects I/R damage by inhibiting the activity of MMP9 to maintain blood-brain barrier permeability.

Background and objective Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs)significantly improve the survival of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring EGFR mutation.Limited to the standards of tumor tissue samples and detection methods,still some people can't receive target therapy following genetic guidance.This study was to explore the relevance between serum tumor markers and treatment of EGFR-TKIs.Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical information of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring EGFR mutation,who received EGFR-TKIs as first-line therapy from June 2009 to June 2014 in Peking University Cancer Hospital,analyzed the relationship between serum tumor markers and efficacy of EGFR-TKIs.Results The objective response rate (ORR)was 52.8％ and the disease control rate (DCR) was 89.3％.The results showed that,patients with high CEA level before treatment responded better to TKIs (ORR 61.3％ vs 35.9％,DCR 95.2％ vs 74.4％,P＜0.001).Similar phenomena was found in patients with CEA decreased 1 month later (61.5％ vs 25％,P=0.002).Progression-free survival (PFS) significantly prolonged in patients with elevated baseline CEA (mPFS 9.8 mo vs 5.9 mo,P=0.027).To the opposite,PFS was significantly shorter in patients with elevated baseline CYFRA21-1 and CA125 (mPFS 9.0 mo vs 11.4 mo,P=0.029;9.0 mo vs 11.5 mo,P=0.023,respectively).Multivariate analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0-1,normal baseline CYFRA21-1 and CEA decline predicted longer PFS.The overall survival (OS) was highly associated with elevated CYFRA21-1 and CA125 (median OS 25.1 mo vs 52.5 mo,P=0.003;22.7 mo vs 55.0 mo,P＜0.001,respectively),while independent of CEA.Conclusion High level of baseline CEA and decline 1 month after treatment could predict the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.While high levels of baseline CYFRA21-1 and CA125 indicated shortened survival.

Objective:To explore the effects of Bufalin on the growth and proliferation of human glioma cells U251. Methods:Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay was used to detect the effect of Bufalin on the proliferation of human glioma cells U251. An in-verted microscope was used to observe the changes of cell number,morphology and activity. AnnexinV/ PI was used to measure the in-duction of cell apoptosis caused by Bufalin. Results:Bufalin at different concentrations(0. 001 - 10. 0μmol·L - 1 )inhibited the pro-liferation of U251 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Compared with that of the control group,the apoptosis rate of Bufalin group was increased significantly(P < 0. 01). Conclusion:Bufalin can inhibit the growth and proliferation of U251 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner,and induce the apoptosis of U251 cells.