1.Huayu Mingmu Prescription Downregulates PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α/VEGFA Signaling Pathway to Intervene in Retinal Angiogenesis of DR Rats
Xiaoqiu MA ; Lei ZHAO ; Huimin ZHOU ; Fanghui ZHENG ; Guoqing YANG ; Tao ZUO ; Xiande MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):78-87
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Huayu Mingmu prescription on retinal angiogenesis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR)-hypoxia inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor A (HIF-1α/VEGFA) signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy (DR) rats. MethodsSixty-four SPF-grade male SD rats were used in the study. Eleven rats were randomly selected as the normal group, while the remaining 53 rats were fed a high-sugar, high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model. DR model evaluation was performed after 12 weeks of diabetes. The rats were then divided into model, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Huayu Mingmu prescription (9.29, 18.57, 37.14 g·kg-1), and a calcium dobesilate group (0.16 g·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding doses of Huayu Mingmu prescription and calcium dobesilate. The normal and model groups received equal volumes of physiological saline via gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Retinal vascular changes were observed through fundus photography, and pathological changes in retinal tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Retinal microvascular pathological changes were examined through retinal vascular network preparation and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of VEGFA and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in retinal tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant pathological changes in retinal tissue, including the appearance of acellular capillaries, as well as significant endothelial cell (E) proliferation and pericyte (P) loss (P<0.01). The E/P was significantly elevated (P<0.01). Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly elevated (P<0.01). In contrast, retinal tissue in the treatment groups showed alleviated pathological changes, with reduced endothelial cell proliferation and pericyte loss (P<0.05, P<0.01). Among the treatment groups, the high-dose Huayu Mingmu prescription and the calcium dobesilate group exhibited a decreased E/P (P<0.01). Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, HIF-1α, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionHuayu Mingmu prescription can intervene in retinal neovascularization in DR rats, delay the progression of DR, and its mechanism may be related to antagonizing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway.
2.Cost-utility analysis of semaglutide versus canagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with metformin
Yueru XU ; Yubo WANG ; Huimin PAN ; Huiting SHAN ; Ji CHEN ; Jianhua YANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1087-1092
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin or semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)poorly controlled with metformin. METHODS Based on the perspective of China’s health system, a Markov model was used to calculate the long-term costs and utilities of canagliflozin or semaglutide combined with metformin for T2DM patients in China for 30 years based on the data from SUSTAIN 8 study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were calculated using one time the 2024 per capita gross domestic product(GDP) as the willingness-to-pay(WTP) threshold. One-way sensitivity analysis, probability sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were conducted to confirm the stability of the conclusions. RESULTS Compared with canagliflozin + metformin, ICER of semaglutide combined with metformin was 260 485.67 yuan/quality-adjusted life year (QALY),which was higher than the WTP threshold set in this study (95 749 yuan/QALY),and the corresponding INMB was -61 576.24 yuan,indicating that the canagliflozin + metformin regimen was more cost-effective. The cost of diabetes without complications treatment in the semaglutide + metformin group had the greatest influence on INMB,but changes in parameters within the selected range did not drive decision reversal. With the increasing of WTP threshold,the economic acceptability of semaglutide + metformin regimen increased. Under the current WTP threshold,the annual cost of semaglutide should be reduced by 42.95% to make the semaglutide + metformin regimen more cost- effective. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s health system, canagliflozin + metformin is more cost-effective than semaglutide + metformin for T2DM patients yueru. with poor glycemic control with metformin alone.
3.Diagnostic value of RART and LDT in determining the affected semicircular canal for the HSC-BPPV.
Yanning YUN ; Huimin CHANG ; Pan YANG ; Juanli XING
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):319-323
Objective:To evaluate the utility of the Rapid Axial Roll Test (RART), Supine Roll Test (SRT), and Lying-Down Test (LDT) in determining the affected semicircular canal in cases of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV). Methods:A total of 330 patients diagnosed with HSCBPPV from September 2022 to September 2023 were collected and divided into three groups based on the different positional tests received: ①SRT Group, ②LDT+SRT Group, ③RART+SRT Group. The trial was divided into two stages: LDT/RART for patients in the first stage, and SRT for patients in the second stage. The elicitation rate of nystagmus among the three groups was compared to evaluate the accuracy in determining the affected semicircular canal in HSCBPPV. Results:Nystagmus was elicited in 84.55% (279/330) of the patients by positional tests. The elicitation rate of nystagmus in the RART+SRT/LDT group was 94.55% (104/110), in the LDT+SRT group it was 84.11% (90/107), and in the SRT group it was 69.91% (79/113). The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (χ²= 23.88, P<0.001). In the ② and ③ groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the elicitation rate of nystagmus between stage Ⅰ (patients with LDT or RART) (χ²=43.842, P<0.001). SRT was performed in the stage Ⅱ, and there was a statistically significant difference in nystagmus extraction rate between the two groups (χ² =4.690, P=0.030). The difference in the proportion of agreement between stage Ⅰ(LDT or RART) and stageⅡ (SRT) in determining the affected side of the semicircular canal was also statistically significant (χ² =40.502, P<0.001). For patients with a consistent diagnosis of the affected semicircular canal, the difference in cure rate was not significant (P=0.149). The Kappa statistic indicated substantial agreement between RART and SRT in terms of eliciting nystagmus (agreement 96.36%, Kappa = 0.730, P<0.001). Conclusion:RART and SRT show a high degree of agreement regarding the elicitation rate of nystagmus. RART is simple and safe, and it can effectively induce the characteristic nystagmus of HSC-BPPV, accurately identify the responsible semicircular canal and provide a more optimized examination protocol for clinical practice in HSCBPPV.
Humans
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Semicircular Canals/physiopathology*
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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo/diagnosis*
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Female
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Nystagmus, Pathologic/diagnosis*
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Vestibular Function Tests/methods*
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Aged
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Vertigo/diagnosis*
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Adult
4.Rapid health technology assessment of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Huimin PAN ; Yubo WANG ; Huiting SHAN ; Ji CHEN ; Jianhua YANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(23):2978-2984
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS Retrieved databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, as well as relevant health technology assessment (HTA) official websites, HTA reports, systematic review/meta- analysis and pharmacoeconomic studies about SGLT-2 inhibitors (including 12 types such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin) in the treatment of T2DM were collected from the inception to January 28, 2025. After literature screening data extraction and quality assessment, a descriptive analysis was conducted on the results of the included studies. RESULTS A total of 38 articles were included, comprising 30 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 4 pharmacoeconomic studies, and 4 HTA reports. In terms of effectiveness, most research results showed that canagliflozin was effective in controlling blood glucose, reducing body weight, and lowering blood pressure compared to other SGLT-2 inhibitors, while empagliflozin could effectively reduce all-cause mortality. In terms of safety, compared with other SGLT-2 inhibitors, empagliflozin has a lower overall adverse event rate and cardiovascular death risk, canagliflozin presented a higher risk of hypoglycemia, and dapagliflozin had a higher risk of urinary tract infections. In terms of economics, empagliflozin possessed greater economic advantages over both dapagliflozin and canagliflozin, while canagliflozin offered more benefits than dapagliflozin. CONCLUSIONS The selection of SGLT-2 inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM should be individualized. Canagliflozin is recommended for patients with high cardiovascular risk. Empagliflozin boasts the best overall safety profile. Dapagliflozin should be used with caution in patients at high risk of urinary tract infections. Based on foreign economic evidence, empagliflozin has economic advantages. In the future, drug economic studies under the Chinese health system need to be conducted.
5.Cardiomyocyte-specific long noncoding RNA Trdn-as induces mitochondrial calcium overload by promoting the m6A modification of calsequestrin 2 in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Xiaohan LI ; Ling LIU ; Han LOU ; Xinxin DONG ; Shengxin HAO ; Zeqi SUN ; Zijia DOU ; Huimin LI ; Wenjie ZHAO ; Xiuxiu SUN ; Xin LIU ; Yong ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):329-346
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a medical condition characterized by cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in cardiomyocytes have been recognized as biological hallmarks in DCM; however, the specific factors underlying these abnormalities remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA, D830005E20Rik (Trdn-as), in DCM. Our results revealed the remarkably upregulation of Trdn-as in the hearts of the DCM mice and cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose (HG). Knocking down Trdn-as in cardiac tissues significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the DCM mice. Conversely, Trdn-as overexpression resulted in cardiac damage resembling that observed in the DCM mice. At the cellular level, Trdn-as induced Ca2+ overload in the SR and mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses identified calsequestrin 2 (Casq2), a primary calcium-binding protein in the junctional SR, as a potential target of Trdn-as. Further investigations revealed that Trdn-as facilitated the recruitment of METTL14 to the Casq2 mRNA, thereby enhancing the m6A modification of Casq2. This modification increased the stability of Casq2 mRNA and subsequently led to increased protein expression. When Casq2 was knocked down, the promoting effects of Trdn-as on Ca2+ overload and mitochondrial damage were mitigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and suggest Trdn-as as a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Animals
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Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/pathology*
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RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
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Mice
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Calsequestrin/genetics*
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Calcium/metabolism*
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Male
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Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism*
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Methyltransferases/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
6.Design and synthesis of novel saponin-triazole derivatives in the regulation of adipogenesis.
Yongsheng FANG ; Zhiyun ZHU ; Chun XIE ; Dazhen XIA ; Huimin ZHAO ; Zihui WANG ; Qian LU ; Caimei ZHANG ; Wenyong XIONG ; Xiaodong YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):920-931
Saponins associated with Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy across multiple diseases. However, certain high-yield saponins face limited clinical applications due to their reduced pharmacological efficacy. This study synthesized and evaluated 36 saponin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of ginsenosides Rg1/Rb1 and notoginsenoside R1 for anti-adipogenesis activity in vitro. The research revealed that the ginsenosides Rg1-1,2,3-triazole derivative a17 demonstrates superior adipogenesis inhibitory effects. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) analysis indicates that incorporating an amidyl-substituted 1,2,3-triazole into the saponin side chain via Click reaction enhances anti-adipogenesis activity. Additionally, several other derivatives exhibit general adipogenesis inhibition. Compound a17 demonstrated enhanced potency compared to the parent ginsenoside Rg1. Mechanistic investigations revealed that a17 exhibits dose-dependent inhibition of adipogenesis in vitro, accompanied by decreased expression of preadipocytes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) adipogenesis regulators. These findings establish the ginsenoside Rg1-1,2,3-triazole derivative a17 as a promising adipocyte differentiation inhibitor and potential therapeutic agent for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. This research provides a foundation for developing effective therapeutic approaches for various metabolic syndromes.
Adipogenesis/drug effects*
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Triazoles/chemical synthesis*
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Ginsenosides/chemical synthesis*
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Saponins/chemical synthesis*
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Animals
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Mice
;
Structure-Activity Relationship
;
PPAR gamma/genetics*
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3T3-L1 Cells
;
Adipocytes/metabolism*
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Panax notoginseng/chemistry*
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Drug Design
;
Molecular Structure
;
Humans
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/genetics*
7.Pseudomonas monteilii ZMU-T06 produces 2-substituted quinolines by oxidative dehydroaromatization.
Min YANG ; Lan ZOU ; Huimin RAN ; Lei QIN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):288-295
2-substituted quinolines are the building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals. In comparison with classical methods, dehydroaromatization of 2-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines has emerged in recent years as an efficient and straightforward method to synthesize quinolines due to its high atom economy and sustainability. However, existing chemical methods need transition metal catalysts and harsh reaction conditions. Biocatalysis with high efficiency, high selectivity, and mild reaction conditions has become an important method of organic synthesis. We mined a strain Pseudomonas monteilii ZMU-T06 capable of producing monoamine oxidase for the dehydroaromatization of 2-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines to synthesize 2-substituted quinolines (8 substrates, yields of 45.7%-48.4%) and then hypothesized the catalytic mechanism, providing a new method for green synthesis of 2-substituted quinolines.
Quinolines/chemistry*
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Pseudomonas/classification*
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Oxidation-Reduction
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Monoamine Oxidase/biosynthesis*
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Biocatalysis
8.The effect of Ba Duan Jin on the balance of community-dwelling older adults: a cluster randomized control trial
Leilei DUAN ; Yubin ZHAO ; Yuliang ER ; Pengpeng YE ; Wei WANG ; Xin GAO ; Xiao DENG ; Ye JIN ; Yuan WANG ; Cuirong JI ; Xinyan MA ; Cong GAO ; Yuhong ZHAO ; Suqiu ZHU ; Shuzhen SU ; Xin'e GUO ; Juanjuan PENG ; Yan YU ; Chen YANG ; Yaya SU ; Ming ZHAO ; Lihua GUO ; Yiping WU ; Yangnu LUO ; Ruilin MENG ; Haofeng XU ; Huazhang LIU ; Huihong RUAN ; Bo XIE ; Huimin ZHANG ; Yuhua LIAO ; Yan CHEN ; Linhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(2):250-256
Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.
9.Pathogens of first-episode pulmonary infection in 141 children with chronic granulomatous disease.
Hui LIU ; Shunying ZHAO ; Haiming YANG ; Jinrong LIU ; Hui XU ; Xiaolei TANG ; Yuelin SHEN ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Xiaohui WEN ; Yuhong ZHAO ; Ping CHU ; Huimin LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(4):502-504
10.Role of CIP2A in preoperative sleep deprivation-induced aggravation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged mice
Yang LIU ; Huimin LI ; Hongyan GONG ; Miaomiao WEI ; Gaofeng ZHANG ; Mingshan WANG ; Fang ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(1):46-52
Objective:To evaluate the role of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) in preoperative sleep deprivation (PSD)-induced aggravation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged mice.Methods:One hundred and ten healthy C57BL/6J mice of either sex, aged 18-20 months, weighing 29-35 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=22 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), abdominal surgery group (O group), PSD + abdominal surgery group (D+ O group), CIP2A shRNA + abdominal surgery group (CS+ O group), and CIP2A shRNA+ PSD+ abdominal surgery group (CS+ D+ O group). At 14 days before surgery, control shRNA lentivirus was injected into the hippocampus in S, O and CS+ O groups, and CIP2A shRNA was injected into the hippocampus in D+ O and CS+ D+ O groups. PSD was carried out for 3 consecutive days prior to surgery. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test at days 7-11 after surgery. The mice were sacrificed under deep anesthesia at day 3 after surgery, and hippocampal tissues were obtained to determine the expression of CIP2A, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), alpha subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Aa), catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac), phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) (S396), and p-tau (S404) (by Western blot), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and count of Iba-1 positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region (using immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with S group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the platform was reduced, duration of stay in the target quadrant was shortened, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was up-regulated, PP2Ac expression was down-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were increased, and the activity of SOD was decreased in O group ( P<0.05). Compared with O group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the platform was reduced, duration of stay in the target quadrant was shortened, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was up-regulated, PP2Ac expression was down-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were increased, and the activity of SOD was decreased in D+ O group, and the escape latency was significantly shortened, the frequency of crossing the platform was increased, duration of stay in the target quadrant was prolonged, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was down-regulated, PP2Ac expression was up-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased in CS+ O group ( P<0.05). Compared with D+ O group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the frequency of crossing the platform was increased, duration of stay in the target quadrant was prolonged, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was down-regulated, PP2Ac expression was up-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased in CS+ D+ O group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in PP2Aa expression among the five groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which PSD aggravates POCD is related to up-regulating the expression of CIP2A and promoting oxidative stress responses, neuroinflammatory responses and phosphorylation of tau protein in aged mice.

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