1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Parkinson's Disease Based on Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway: A Review
Liuping YUE ; Yongkang SUN ; Fangbiao XU ; Yanbo SONG ; Yijun WU ; Huan YU ; Xinzhi WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):307-317
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by motor dysfunction. The main pathological features include the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, abnormal aggregation of alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn), and the formation of Lewy bodies. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In recent years, the PD incidence has gradually increased, while current treatment methods are limited to symptom alleviation, incapable of halting disease progression, and prone to adverse effects, thus making it urgent to search for medicines effective for PD. Modern research indicates that the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway is closely related to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, playing a crucial role in the pathophysiological development of PD. A large number of studies have further confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate diseases through a holistic view of Syndrome differentiation and microscopic molecular pathways. With unique advantages, such as multiple targets, multiple pathways, and fewer adverse reactions, TCM provides a new strategy for PD treatment. This article elucidates the mechanism of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of PD, while summarizing the latest research on PD intervention by TCM monomers, active ingredients, and compounds, as well as acupuncture via the precise targeted regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway, aiming to provide a reference for clinical medicine development to prevent and treat PD.
2.Vitreous cavity injection with erythropoietin protects optic nerve in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy
Yonghong ZHANG ; Xiaomei ZHANG ; Xiaoyi WEI ; Liuping TANG ; Daihua LIU ; Yu LING
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2016;20(18):2690-2696
BACKGROUND: Diabetes can lead to many complications. Of them, retinopathy is a common type. To explore the effect of erythropoietin in diabetic retinopathy, it is necessary to establish an animal model of similar pathologic features and high reproducibility in clinical retinal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of vitreous cavity injection of erythropoietin on optic nerve of rats with diabetic retinopathy.
METHODS: Rat models of diabetic retinopathy were established and injected with erythropoietin through vitreous space for 14 consecutive days. Results were compared between the model and normal control groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Transmission electron microscope: compared with the model group, retinal ganglion cel nucleus presented uniform red; cel membrane was intact; endoplasmic reticulum exhibited slight swel ing. A smal number of vacuoles were found in mitochondria around the nuclei. (2) Western blot assay and RT-PCR: compared with the model group, Caspase-3 and Bax protein expression was lower in the erythropoietin group (P < 0.05). Caspase-3 protein and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly higher in the erythropoietin group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Significant differences in nuclear factor κB and Survivn gene expression were detected between the model and erythropoietin groups (P < 0.05). (3) Results verified that vitreous cavity injection of erythropoietin had neuroprotective effect on rats with diabetic retinopathy, which may be associated with the inhibitory effect on apoptosis.
3.Analgesic efficacy of intrathecal injection of competitive kinesin superfamily protein 17 antagonist in a mouse model of bone cancer pain
Kun NI ; Yu ZHOU ; Xinlong CUI ; Liuping WU ; Xuli YANG ; Jie ZHU ; Xiaoping GU ; Zhengliang MA
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2012;(9):1096-1099
Objective To investigate the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal injection of RC-13,a competitive kinesin superfamily protein 17 antagonist,in a mouse model of bone cancer pain.Methods Forty male C3H/HeJ mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 each): sham operation group (group S); bone cancer pain + 5 μl dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (group R0); bone cancer pain + 2.5 μg RC-13 group (group R1); bone cancer pain + 5 μg RC-13 group (group R2) and bone cancer pain + 10 μg RC-13 group (group R3).In groups R0-3,bone cancer pain was induced by implantation of α-min-imal essence medium (α-MEM) containing osteosarcomaNCTC 2472 cells into the intramedullary space of right femur.In group S,culture medium α-MEM containing no cancer cell was injected instead.10% DMSO 5 μl and RC-13 2.5 μg/5 μl,5μg/5μ1 and 10 μg/5 μ1 dissolved in 10% DMSO were injected intrathecally in groups R0-3,respectively,once a day for 3 consecutive days starting from 14th day after inoculation of the tumor cells.Pain behavior was assessed by the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and spontaneous lifting times (SLTs) measured at 1 day before inoculation and at 3,5,7,10,14 days after inoculation.The same tests were also performed at 1,3,5 and 7 days after administration in groups R0-3.Results Compared with group S,PWMT was significantly decreased and SLTs were increased at 7-14 days after inoculation in the other groups (P < 0.05).Compared with group R0,PWMT was significantly increased and SLTs were reduced at 1 day after administration in group R1,at 1and 3 days after administration in group R2,and at 1,3 and 5 days after administration in group R3 (P < 0.05).Compared with group R1,PWMT was significantly increased and SLTs were reduced at 3 days after administration in group R2,and at 1,3 and 5 days after administration in group R3 (P < 0.05).Compared with group R2,PWMT was significantly increased and SLTs were reduced at 1 and 3 days after administration in group Rs (P < 0.05).Conclusion Intrathecal RC-13,a competitive kinesin superfamily protein 17 antagonist,has a good analgesic efficacy in a mouse model of bone cancer pain and the efficacy is dose-dependent.
4.Different fixation methods for artificial femoral head replacement: A biomechanical comparison of joint stability
Yiming ZHU ; Chunyan JIANG ; Manyi WANG ; Guowei RONG ; Liuping YU ; Xuefeng YAO ; Libo MENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2010;14(39):7221-7225
BACKGROUND: Artificial humeral head replacement is an effective method for the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures, which has received good results in relieving pain. However, the final functional recovery is unpredictable. OBJECTIVE: To compare biomeshanical stability between anatomical and overlapping reconstruction of the greater tuberosity in cadaveric humeral head replacement models.METHODS: Eight pairs of fresh-frozen shoulder cadavers (16 shoulder joints) were match-paired into two groups. Standardized humeral head replacement procedure was performed in all specimens, and anatomical and overlapping reconstruction of thegreater tuberosity was adopted in each group respectively. For overlapping group, the greater tuberosity was reattached to the proximal humeral shaft in an overlapping style, which was achieved by an additional 5 mm bone osteotomized from the medial cortex of the humeral diaphysis. Custom mounting apparatus and fixation jigs were designed for designated shoulder motion.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the shoulder was external rotated to neutral position, the mean displacement of greater tuberosity in the anatomical reconstruction group was smaller than that of the overlapping reconstruction group (P < 0.05). When the gleno-humeral joint was elevated to 30~ and 60~ forward flexion (accounting for 45° and 90° shoulder forward flexion), there was no significant difference of greater tuberosity displacement between the anatomical group and overlapping group. The findings demonstrated that, although overlapping reconstruction can increase the bone healing area between the greater tuberosity and the humeral diaphysis, there may be some loss in mechanical stability as the trade-off. Even though we strictly follow the standardized postoperative rehabilitation protocol after humeral head replacement, prominent displacement between the greater tuberosity relative to the humeral diaphysis was detected. Accordingly, postponing of the postoperative rehabilitation program after humeral head replacement for a decent period may improve tuberosity healing.

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