1.Clinical efficacy of Huangkui capsules in the treatment of targeted drug-related proteinuria in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Miao LI ; Jia YUAN ; Chu LIU ; Maopei CHEN ; Xin XU ; Ningling GE ; Yi CHEN ; Lan ZHANG ; Rongxin CHEN ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):88-94
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Huangkui capsules on targeted drug-related proteinuria in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of HCC patients with targeted drug-related proteinuria from June 2023 to December 2024 at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. According to the treatment plan, patients were divided into the conventional treatment group and the Huangkui combination treatment group (Huangkui capsules combined with conventional treatment), and the clinical efficacy between the two groups was compared. The logistic regression analysis was used to identify the main factors affecting treatment efficacy. Results The Huangkui combination treatment group (n=29) showed a significantly higher overall effective rate (79.3% vs 42.3%, P=0.005), and an earlier proteinuria improvement (median time: 3 months vs 6 months, P=0.008) than the conventional treatment group (n=26) . The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker (ARB) using (OR=0.190, 95%CI 0.045-0.808, P=0.025), targeted drug adjustment (OR=0.132, 95%CI 0.030-0.581, P=0.007), and Huangkui capsules using (OR=0.168, 95%CI 0.039-0.730, P=0.017) were protective factors for treatment efficacy of targeted drug-related proteinuria. Conclusions On the basis of conventional treatment, additive treatment with Huangkui capsules can alleviate targeted drug-related proteinuria faster and more effectively in HCC patients.
2.Mechanism of Intervening with Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Rats with Spleen Deficiency by Xingpi Capsules Through Regulating 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 Pathway
Gang WANG ; Lingwen CUI ; Xiangning LIU ; Rongxin ZHU ; Mingyue HUANG ; Ying SUN ; Boyang JIAO ; Ran WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules (XPC) in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling, SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group, a pinaverium bromide group (1.5 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose XPC groups (0.135 and 0.54 g·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage, while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day, and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier, intestinal motility, and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group, rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate, diarrhea grade, and Bristol score (P<0.01). HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group, with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier, shedding and disappearance of microvilli, and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated (P<0.01), and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated (P<0.01). The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC20) were upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea, diarrhea-associated symptoms, and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically, high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea, promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure, significantly reduced congestion and edema, upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 (P<0.01), decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue (P<0.05,P<0.01), significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate (P<0.01), and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC20 (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction, and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.
3.Construction and application of a nursing consultation information system based on information interaction needs
Chan HUANG ; Yanyu CHI ; Yudi MIN ; Peiye CAO ; Jun LIU ; Rongxin ZHENG ; Haiyan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(6):645-651
Objective To construct a nursing consultation information system based on consultation process and information interaction needs and explore its application effect.Methods The nursing consultation process and information interaction needs were analyzed;the information process,content modules and information interaction interface were designed;the structured records for nursing consultation were developed.The system was officially applied in January 2024.The application effect was evaluated by comparing the completion time of nursing consultations,nursing consultation record quality score,nursing consultation evaluation completion rate,and satisfaction rate before(August 2023 to October 2023)and after(January 2024 to March 2024)the application of the information system.Results After the application of the nursing consultation information system,the implementation rate of nursing consultation for inpatients increased from 1.27% before the application of the system to 1.47%(P=0.019).The completion time of nursing consultation in the whole hospital reduced from 351(225,421)minutes before the application of the system to 310(156,402)minutes(P<0.001),and there was a statistically significant difference in the completion time of nursing consultation among the 3 specialties of intravenous therapy,blood purification,and diabetes nursing(P<0.05).The quality score of nursing consultation records increased from 90.5(82.0,100)points to 95.5(92.0,100)points(P<0.001).The completion rate of nursing consultation evaluation was higher than those before the system application,with statistical significance(21.6% vs 78.4%,P<0.001).Conclusion Nursing consultation information system based on information interaction needs can improve the implementation of nursing consultation for inpatients,shorten the completion time of nursing consultations,improve the writing quality of nursing consultation records and the completion rate of nursing consultation evaluation,and it succeeded in real-time quality monitoring.
4.Stress effect of femoral prosthesis misalignment on structure of lateral compartment during medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in patients with osteoporosis
Mengfei LIU ; Rongxin SUN ; Kan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(15):3153-3158
BACKGROUND:Prosthesis misalignment and patient bone condition are important factors affecting the prognosis of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty,and postoperative osteoarthritic progression of the lateral compartment is a major complication leading to its high revision rate.Therefore,this will become a hot research topic in the future.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of different femoral prosthesis tilt angles on the stress on the structure of the lateral compartment after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in patients with normal bone and osteoporosis,and to investigate the correlation between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment in the postoperative period.METHODS:Using a validated finite element model of the knee,normal bone(M1)and osteoporotic(M2)unicompartmental knee arthroplasty were modeled.The femoral prosthesis tilt models(normal bone group:varus angles of 3°,6°,9°,12°,and 0°,valgus angles of 3°,6°,9°,12°;osteoporosis group:varus angles of 3°,6°,9°,12°,0°,valgus angles of 3°,6°,9°,12°)were established respectively,totaling 18 working conditions.The effects of different femoral prosthesis tilt angles on stress magnitude and distribution in the meniscus,tibial cartilage,and femoral cartilage of interstitial compartment were evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The high stress values on the meniscus surface and tibial cartilage surface of the healthy lateral compartment of the two models increased with the increase of the prosthesis varus angle,and decreased with the increase of the prosthesis valgus angle.Under the same working conditions,the peak stress on the meniscus surface of the osteoporotic group was greater than that of the normal bone group,but that of the tibial cartilage surface of the osteoporotic group was less than that of the normal bone group.(2)The high stress values on the femoral cartilage of the lateral compartment of the two models increased with the increase of the prosthesis varus and valgus angles.Under the same working conditions,the peak stress on the femoral cartilage of the osteoporotic group was greater than that of the normal bone group.(3)It is indicated that when the fixed-bearing femoral prosthesis is varus,the stresses on the lateral compartment structures after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in normal bone and osteoporotic knees will increase,and the increase in the stresses on the lateral intercondylar structures in osteoporotic knees will be more pronounced.Therefore,special attention should be paid to the placement of the prosthesis during unicompartmental knee arthroplasty to avoid varus and valgus of the prosthesis as much as possible.At the same time,the findings confirm that osteoporosis may exacerbate the progression of lateral compartment osteoarthritis after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
5.Phenotypic screening uncovered anti-myocardial fibrosis candidates using a novel 3D myocardial tissue under hypoxia.
Jingyu WANG ; Xiangning LIU ; Rongxin ZHU ; Ying SUN ; Boyang JIAO ; Keyan WANG ; Yong JIANG ; Yong WANG ; Chun LI ; Wei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3008-3024
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, reflecting shared mechanisms in their progression. However, the lack of reliable MF models that accurately mimic its pathogenesis has hindered drug discovery, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic agents. Herein, a novel contractile three-dimensional (3D) myocardial tissue model integrating cardiomyocytes, cardiac-fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived macrophages in collagen hydrogel was developed to simulate the fibrotic changes of cardiovascular disease, and facilitate the screening of anti-MF compounds. The 3D myocardial tissue model exhibited precise, visualizable, and quantifiable contractile characteristics under hypoxia and drug interventions. 76 compounds extracted from the resins of Toxicodendron vernicifluum, a traditional Chinese medicine with clear clinical benefits for fibrotic diseases, were screened for anti-fibrotic activity. Using an in vitro 3D oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated myocardial tissue model instead of a two-dimensional transforming growth factor-β treated cardiac-fibroblasts model, two candidates including LQ-40 and SQ-3 exert impressive anti-MF activity, which was further validated in left anterior descending coronary artery ligation-induced MF mouse model. The current results demonstrate the feasibility and advantage of the novel contractile 3D tissue model with multi-cell types in discovering candidates for MF, further stressing the great potential of regulating macrophages in the treatment of MF.
6.Value of biopsy by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis of nature of type 4 thyroid nodules by thyroid imaging reporting and data system
Hao XU ; Jiaoran LIU ; Bojian GAO ; Rongxin ZHANG ; Tianya WANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(7):8-12
Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)guided fine needle aspiration(FNA)in diagnosing the nature of type 4 thyroid nodules by thyroid imaging re-porting and data system(TI-RADS).Methods A total of 120 patients with TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules were selected as subjects.Sixty patients underwent CEUS-guided FNA(CEUS group),while the other 60 patients underwent conventional ultrasound-guided FNA(conventional ultrasound group).Using pathological results as the gold standard,Kappa consistency tests were used to analyze the diagnostic consistency of conventional ultrasound-guided FNA and CEUS-guided FNA for TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules.Results Among 120 patients with TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules(138 nodules),85 malignant nodules and 53 benign nodules were confirmed by pathology.In the CEUS group,there were 28 benign nodules and 42 malignant nodules(40 papillary thyroid carcino-mas and 2 medullary carcinomas).In the conventional ultrasound group,there were 25 benign nod-ules and 43 malignant nodules(39 papillary thyroid carcinomas and 4 medullary carcinomas).The false positive rate and false negative rate of conventional ultrasound-guided FNA for diagnosing malignant TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules were 3.62%and 5.07%,respectively.For CEUS-guided FNA,the rates were 2.17%and 2.90%,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of con-ventional ultrasound-guided FNA for diagnosing the nature of TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules were 83.72%,80.00%and 82.35%,respectively,with Kappa value of 0.627.For CEUS-guided FNA,these values were 90.48%,89.29%and 90.00%,respectively,with Kappa value of 0.793.Based on pathological examination,the diagnostic agreement rates for malignant TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules were 79.07%for conventional ultrasound-guided FNA and 83.33%for CEUS-guided FNA,with Kappa values of 0.719 and 0.786,respectively.Conclusion CEUS-guided FNA can provide high-resolution,real-time dynamic imaging information,thereby improving the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing the nature of TI-RADS type 4 thyroid nodules.
7.A case study on multidisciplinary support in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of combined small cell lung cancer and exploration of MRD
Chang LIU ; Fanlu MENG ; Jing YANG ; Rongxin ZHANG ; Junping WANG ; Jianhua XIONG ; Diansheng ZHONG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(10):1091-1097
Combined small cell lung cancer(C-SCLC)accounts for approximately 20%of all SCLC cases,while the propotion of C-SCLC mixed with squamous cell carcinoma component comprises less than 3%.At the pathological level,accurate diagnosis requires to distinguish it from other lung tumor types,and even rely on molecular testing.This article presents a case of a 67-year-old patient initially diagnosed with a peripheral lung tumor.The patient underwent comprehensive multidisciplinary management,including surgical resection,postoperative pathological differential diagnosis,chemotherapy,thoracic radiotherapy,brain metastasis,cranial radiotherapy,dynamic follow-up of imaging changes after cranial radiotherapy,and cranial surgery.Molecular residual disease(MRD)monitoring was integrated at critical time points during dynamic monitoring to inform personalized treatment decisions.The early MDT has brought the patient′s condition under control,and the overall survival of the patient exceeded 30 months.Through the introduction of the diagnosis and treatment process of this patient,we aim to offer novel perspectives on clinical decision-making for C-SCLC.
8.Analysis of Mechanism of Xingpi Capsules in Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia Based on Transcriptomics
Rongxin ZHU ; Mingyue HUANG ; Keyan WANG ; Xiangning LIU ; Yinglan LYU ; Gang WANG ; Fangfang RUI ; Qiong DENG ; Jianteng DONG ; Yong WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):164-172
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Xingpi capsules on functional dyspepsia(FD) and the potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD neonatal rats(7 days old) were randomly divided into the normal group(n=12) and the modeling group(n=48), and the FD model was prepared by iodoacetamide gavage in the modeling group. After the model was successfully prepared, the rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group, the low-dose and high-dose groups of Xingpi capsules(0.135, 0.54 g·kg-1) and the domperidone group(3 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and model groups were gavaged with distilled water, and rats in the rest of the groups were gavaged with the corresponding medicinal solution, once a day for 7 d. The general survival condition of the rats was observed, and the water intake and food intake of the rats were measured, the gastric emptying rate and the small intestinal propulsion rate were measured at the end of the treatment, the pathological damage of the rat duodenum was examined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the expressions of colonic tight junction protein(Occludin) and zonula occludens protein-1(ZO-1) were detected by immunofluorescence. The differentially expressed genes in the duodenal tissues of the model group and the normal group, and the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules and the model group were detected by transcriptome sequencing after the final administration, and Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out. The transcriptomic results were validated by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the active ingredients of Xingpi capsules were screened for molecular docking with the key targets. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the general survival condition of rats in the model group was poorer, and the water intake, food intake, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly reduced(P<0.05), inflammatory infiltration was seen in duodenal pathology, and the fluorescence intensities of Occludin and ZO-1 in the colon were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the general survival condition of rats in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules improved significantly, and the water intake, food intake, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly increased(P<0.05), the duodenal pathology showed a decrease in inflammatory infiltration, and the fluorescence intensities of colonic Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased(P<0.01). Transcriptomic results showed that Xingpi capsules might exert therapeutic effects by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) through the key genes such as Slc5a1, Abhd6. The validation results showed that compared with the normal group, the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins, the protein expression level of interleukin(IL)-1β, and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1, Abhd6, Mgam, Atp1a1, Slc7a8, Cdr2, Chrm3, Slc5a9 and other key genes were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, the protein expression level of IL-1β and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1, Abhd6, Mgam, Atp1a1, Slc7a8, Cdr2, Chrm3 and Slc5a9 were significantly reduced(P<0.05). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and molecular docking results showed that E-nerolidol and Z-nerolidol in Xingpi capsules were well bound to ABDH6 protein, and linarionoside A, valerosidatum and senkirkine were well bound to Slc5a1 protein. ConclusionXingpi capsules can effectively improve the general survival and gastrointestinal motility of FD rats, its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to alleviate the low-grade inflammation of duodenum, and E-nerolidol, Z-nerolidol, linarionoside A, valerosidatum and senkirkine may be its key active ingredients.
9.Analysis of Mechanism of Xingpi Capsules in Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia Based on Transcriptomics
Rongxin ZHU ; Mingyue HUANG ; Keyan WANG ; Xiangning LIU ; Yinglan LYU ; Gang WANG ; Fangfang RUI ; Qiong DENG ; Jianteng DONG ; Yong WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):164-172
ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Xingpi capsules on functional dyspepsia(FD) and the potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD neonatal rats(7 days old) were randomly divided into the normal group(n=12) and the modeling group(n=48), and the FD model was prepared by iodoacetamide gavage in the modeling group. After the model was successfully prepared, the rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group, the low-dose and high-dose groups of Xingpi capsules(0.135, 0.54 g·kg-1) and the domperidone group(3 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and model groups were gavaged with distilled water, and rats in the rest of the groups were gavaged with the corresponding medicinal solution, once a day for 7 d. The general survival condition of the rats was observed, and the water intake and food intake of the rats were measured, the gastric emptying rate and the small intestinal propulsion rate were measured at the end of the treatment, the pathological damage of the rat duodenum was examined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the expressions of colonic tight junction protein(Occludin) and zonula occludens protein-1(ZO-1) were detected by immunofluorescence. The differentially expressed genes in the duodenal tissues of the model group and the normal group, and the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules and the model group were detected by transcriptome sequencing after the final administration, and Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out. The transcriptomic results were validated by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the active ingredients of Xingpi capsules were screened for molecular docking with the key targets. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the general survival condition of rats in the model group was poorer, and the water intake, food intake, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly reduced(P<0.05), inflammatory infiltration was seen in duodenal pathology, and the fluorescence intensities of Occludin and ZO-1 in the colon were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the general survival condition of rats in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules improved significantly, and the water intake, food intake, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly increased(P<0.05), the duodenal pathology showed a decrease in inflammatory infiltration, and the fluorescence intensities of colonic Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased(P<0.01). Transcriptomic results showed that Xingpi capsules might exert therapeutic effects by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) through the key genes such as Slc5a1, Abhd6. The validation results showed that compared with the normal group, the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins, the protein expression level of interleukin(IL)-1β, and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1, Abhd6, Mgam, Atp1a1, Slc7a8, Cdr2, Chrm3, Slc5a9 and other key genes were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, the protein expression level of IL-1β and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1, Abhd6, Mgam, Atp1a1, Slc7a8, Cdr2, Chrm3 and Slc5a9 were significantly reduced(P<0.05). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and molecular docking results showed that E-nerolidol and Z-nerolidol in Xingpi capsules were well bound to ABDH6 protein, and linarionoside A, valerosidatum and senkirkine were well bound to Slc5a1 protein. ConclusionXingpi capsules can effectively improve the general survival and gastrointestinal motility of FD rats, its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to alleviate the low-grade inflammation of duodenum, and E-nerolidol, Z-nerolidol, linarionoside A, valerosidatum and senkirkine may be its key active ingredients.
10.Exploring the mechanism of electroacupuncture to improve cognitiveimpairment in alzheimer's disease model rats based on NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway
Rongxin LI ; Li HUANG ; Yueyang ZENG ; Shuhui ZHANG ; Yiran CHEN ; Yuli LIU ; Tieming MA
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(3):322-329
Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Baihui(GV 20),""Pishu(BL 20),"and"Zusanli(ST 36)"on the learning and memory functions of rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD)induced by Aβ1-42.Additionally,the mechanism of EA in treating AD was explored from the perspective of the inflammatory cascade mediated by the NF-κ B/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of Alzheimer's disease was established by bilateral injection of Aβ1-42 solution into the C1 region of the hippocampus.According to the random number table method,32 male SPF-grade rats were divided into four groups(n=8 per group):a sham-operated group,a model group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,and a Western medicine group(donepezil hydrochloride).The EA group received electroacupuncture at the"Baihui","Pishu",and"Zusanli"acu-points;the Western medicine group received donepezil hydrochloride via gavage.After the treatment period,Morris water maze experiments were conducted to evaluate learning and memory abilities.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to examine morphological changes in hippocampal tissues.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β.Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to assess the co-expression levels of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 proteins in the hippocampal region.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the post-modeling group exhibited significantly prolonged escape latency(P<0.05),reduced crossings of the original platform location,and decreased time spent in the target quadrant(P<0.05).Additionally,nuclear morphology was altered,neurons surrounding the hippocampus displayed necrosis,vacuolar degeneration,and chromatin marginalization.Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated(P<0.05),and protein expression levels as well as fluorescent positivity for NF-κB p65,NLRP3,and caspase-1 in the hippocampus were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,rats in both the EA and Western medicine groups showed a trend toward shorter escape latency(P<0.05),increased crossings of the original platform location and time spent in the target quadrant(P<0.05).Cell structures were largely intact,with only a few nuclei showing slight irregularities and some chromatin accumulation at the edges.Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were reduced(P<0.05),and protein expression levels and fluorescence positivity for NF-κB p65,NLRP3,and caspase-1 in the hippocampus were also decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion EA enhances the learning and memory capabilities of AD rats,potentially by downregulating the NF-κ B/NLRP3/Caspase-1+signaling+pathway and decreasing the release of neuroinflammatory factors,thereby alleviating cognitive dysfunction in AD rats.

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