The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of idebenone (IDE) combined with borneol (BO) against Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, wild-type AB zebrafish and transgenic Tg ( vmat2: GFP) zebrafish with green fluorescence labeled dopamine neurons were used to establish the PD model with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP). Following drug treatment, the behavioral performance and dopamine neuron morphology of zebrafish were evaluated, and regulation of dopamine signaling pathway-related genes was determined using RT-qPCR. The results showed that IDE combined with BO improved the behavioral disorders of zebrafish such as bradykinesia and shortening movement distance, also effectively reversed the damage of MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurons. At the same time, the expression of dopamine synthesis and transportation-related genes was up-regulated, and the normal function of the signal transduction pathway was restored. The combination showed a better therapeutic effect compared to the IDE monotherapy group. This study reveals the protective mechanism of IDE combined with BO on the central nervous system for the first time, which provides an important experimental basis and theoretical reference for clinical combination strategy in PD treatment.
Animals ; Zebrafish ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Dopamine/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Camphanes/pharmacology* ; Ubiquinone/pharmacology* ; Parkinson Disease/drug therapy* ; Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of morusin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury in mice and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-two male specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): control, LPS, low-dose morusin (morusin-L, 10 mg/kg), and high-dose morusin (morusin-H, 20 mg/kg) groups. The mice in each group were administered the corresponding drugs or normal saline via continuous gavage daily for 16 consecutive days. Except for control group, which received an equal volume of normal saline, other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) 2 h after the last gavage to establish the acute liver injury model. Serum and liver tissues were collected for subsequent analysis 6 h after LPS injection. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were detected with biochemical methods. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing was performed to assess the composition of intestinal flora, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was applied for multi-level species discrimination, and Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed. The liver tissues of mice with acute liver injury were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and then enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was conducted. The expression levels of selected genes was validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to examine the expression levels of IL-6, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88), and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Results: Morusin significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001), while alleviating the hepatic pathological damage in mice. Based on efficacy comparisons, morusin-H group was selected for subsequent microbiome and transcriptome analyses. Microbiome analysis revealed that morusin-H effectively mitigated LPS-induced gut dysbiosis and restored the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota balance (P < 0.01). At the genus level, morusin-H significantly reduced the abundances of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Desulfovibrio, Parabacteroides, and Muribaculum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001). At the phylum, family, and genus levels, our findings indicated that morusin-H treatment caused a significant decrease in the abundance of Desulfobacterota, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Desulfovibrio (P < 0.01). Importantly, the abundance of Desulfovibrio was positively correlated with the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses showed that the therapeutic mechanism of morusin-H involved suppression of the IL-17/TNF signaling pathways and downregulating the mRNA levels of Tlr2, Tlr3, Myd88, Il6, and Cxcl10 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), as well as the protein levels of key inflammatory mediators (IL-6, MYD88, and TLR2) (P < 0.001). Conclusion Morusin demonstrates protective effects against LPS-induced acute liver injury, likely through modulation of gut microbiota and suppression of pro-inflammatory factor expression. These findings indicate that morusin exerts its effects through the "microbiota-inflammation-liver" axis, providing a theoretical basis for its use as a multi-target plant-based drug in the treatment of metabolic inflammation-related liver diseases.

Objective:To investigate the synergistic activity and mechanism of vinegar baked radix bupleurum polysaccharides(VBCP)in combination with oxaliplatin(OXA),and to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of primary hepatocellular carci-noma.Methods:MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxic effect of VBCP 3-4 and VBCP 3-3 in combination with OXA on Huh7 cells;ICP-MS was used to measure the uptake rate of OXA by Huh7 cells and evaluate the in vitro synergistic pathway of VBCP 3-4 in combination with OXA;Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of related transporter proteins in Huh7 cells and explore the synergistic mechanism of VBCP 3-4 in combination and MRP1 in Huh7 cells,and the protein expression level of multidrug resistance-associated protein(MRP)2 was upregulated to 18.11%and 25.00%,respectively(P=0.008,P=0.001),while that of MRP1 was upregulated to 28.51%(P>0.05)and 39.70%(P=0.015),respectively.After the combination of VBCP 3-4 and OXA,the protein expression of MRP2,MRP1,and breast cancer resis-tance protein(BCRP)was inhibited;MRP2 was reduced by 47.38%in the high-dose combination group(P=0.000)and 15.18%in the low-dose combination group(P=0.049);MRP1 was reduced by 64.96%in the high-dose combination group(P=0.000)and 34.63%in the low-dose combination group(P=0.000);BCRP was reduced by 29.00%(P=0.020)in the high-dose combination group.Acting on Huh7 cells alone,VBCP 3-4 significantly reduced the protein expression levels of MRP2,MRP1,and BCRP,and in the high-dose VBCP 3-4 group,MRP2 and MRP1 were reduced by 24.91%and 20.79%,respectively(P=0.004,P=0.005).VBCP 3-4 downregu-lated the protein expression level of BCRP by 15.02%in the high-dose group(P=0.003)and 13.92%in the middle-dose group(P=0.030).Conclusion:VBCP 3-4 exerts a synergistic effect by inhibiting the expression of the efflux transporter proteins MRP1,MRP2,and BCRP,promoting the intake of OXA by Huh7 cells,and increasing the intracellular effective concentration.

Objective:Malnutrition is prevalent among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and closely associ-ated with adverse outcomes.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three nutritional indices in predicting all-cause mortality among COPD patients.Methods:Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES),this study included 1640 patients with COPD surveyed from 1999 to 2018.The optimal cutoff values for controlling nutritional status(CONUT)score,geri-atric nutritional risk index(GNRI),and prognostic nutritional index(PNI)were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves.The predictive value of these nutritional indices was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and C-index.Their predictive abilities were compared using the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.A Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the association of the three nutritional indices with all-cause mortality.Results:Log-rank tests revealed lower overall survival rates in patients with higher nutritional risks(P<0.001).In multivariate Cox regression adjusting for all covariates,CONUT score(hazard ratio[HR]=1.31,95%CI=1.03-1.67,P=0.030),GNRI(HR=2.02,95%CI=1.26-3.24,P=0.004),and PNI(HR=2.05,95%CI=1.53-2.75,P<0.001)were independently associated with all-cause mortality.Conclusion:This study confirms that the three nutritional indices are effective predictors of all-cause mortality in COPD patients.Compared with PNI,CONUT score and GNRI demonstrate im-proved predictive abilities,and they are recommended for routine screening for high-risk malnutrition in COPD patients.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of CT cerebral perfusion(CTP)combined with CT angiography(CTA)for the prognosis of patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.Methods A retrospective study was performed in 98 patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction who were admitted to Haian People's Hospital from January 2021 to November 2024.There were 63 males and 56 females with a mean age of(57.26±5.03)years.The mean time from onset to admission was(4.89±0.69)h.There were 20 patients with a history of smoking.After admission,CTP and CTA were performed to evaluate relative cerebral blood volume(rCBV),relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF),relative mean transit time(rMTT),relative time to peak(rTTP),and CTA score.The prognosis was evaluated according to the modified Rankin scale(mRS)3 months after intravenous thrombolysis.Then the patients were assigned to good prognosis group(0-2 points)or poor prognosis group(3-6 points).The basic data and the parameters of CTP and CTA were compared between the two groups.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the CTP-and CTA-related influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.Results During 3-month follow-up,poor prognosis was found in 30 patients(25.21%).The rCBV,rCBF and CTA scores of the poor prognosis group were significantly lower than those of the good prognosis group,while the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,rMTT and rTTP at admission in the good prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic regression equation analysis(introduction level 0.05,exclusion level 0.10)showed that NIHSS score(OR=1.622,95%CI:1.258 to 2.093),rMTT level(OR=10.757,95%CI:2.847 to 40.640)and rTTP level(OR=14.774,95%CI:3.280 to 66.558)at admission were risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(P<0.05),while CTA score(OR=0.315,95%CI:0.163 to 0.608),rCBF level(OR=0.008,95%CI:0.001 to 0.109),and rCBV level(OR=0.016,95%CI:0.002 to 0.155)were protective factors for poor prognosis in these patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivities of CTA score,rCBF,rCBV,rMTT,and rTTP in predicting poor prognosis in patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction were 79.2%,75.0%,70.8%,58.3%,and 83.3%,respectively;the specificities were 62.2%,64.9%,70.3%,72.0%,and 70.3%,respectively;their combination had a relatively high predictive value for poor prognosis(area under the curve was 0.863).Conclusion The combination of CTP and CTA has a relatively high value in predicting the prognosis of patients with large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.

Objective:To investigate the precipitating and aggravating factors in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS) compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:This study was conducted from January 2015 to November 2021, using a cross-sectional survey research method, based on references to develop a patient-reported "onset and exacerbation triggers questionnaire", and surveyed patients with FMS and RA at the same time, and counted the types and proportions of onset and exacerbation triggers in the two groups of patients and used the chi-square test to make comparisons between the groups.Results:A total of 415 patients with FMS and 200 patients with RA participated the survey. 146 patients with FMS (35.2%) and 38 patients with RA (19.0%) reported morbidity triggers. Experiencing physical injury (71, 17.1%), wind-cold/cold-dampness (30 patients, 7.2%), mental stress (26, 6.2%), and exercise fatigue (10 patients, 2.4%) were the common morbidity triggers for FMS. More FMS patients reported to have experienced physical injuries and mental stress before the onset of the disease compared to RA patients [8.2%(17/200), χ2=5.41, P=0.020; 1.5%(3/200), χ2=6.82, P=0.009]. Exacerbation triggers were reported by 319 patients with FMS (76.9%) and 137 patients with RA (68.5%), in the order of weather changes (219 patients, 52.7%), physical labor (192 patients, 46.2%), mood swings (147 patients, 35.4%), sleep deprivation (145 patients, 34.9%), and mental stress (130 patients, 31.3%). The proportion of FMS patients with symptom exacerbation due to physical labor [46.2%(192/415)], mood swings[35.4%(147/415)], sleep deprivation[34.9%(145/415)], mental stress[31.3%(130/415)], and infection [9.3%(39/415)] was significantly higher than that of RA patients [35.0%(70/200), χ2=7.00, P=0.008; 19.5%(39/200), χ2=16.22, P<0.001; 13.5%(27/200), χ2=30.79, P<0.001; 17.5%(35/200), χ2=13.14, P<0.001; 3.0%(6/200), χ2=8.15, P=0.004). Conclusion:More than a third of FMS patients reported precipitating factors, and nearly four fifths FMS patients reported at least one aggravating trigger. FMS patients are likely to be more sensitive to environmental changes and perceived stress than RA patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of mitochondrial division of GABAergic neurons in substantia nigra pars reticulata(SNr)on motor dysfunction in mice with acute hepatic encephalopathy(AHE).Methods:AHE mice model was established by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide(TAA).The changes of liver lobules in AHE mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The changes of serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and blood ammonia in AHE mice were detected by biochemical detection kit.Then,the motor function of AHE mice was observed by rod fatigue test,elevated cross maze test and open field test.Furthermore,the changes of mitochondrial area,perimeter,roundness and other morphological indicators in SNr of AHE mice were ob-served and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.The expression of mitochondrial division and fusion related molecules in SNr of AHE mice was observed by Western Blot.Then,the expression of mitochondrial dynamic related protein 1(DRP1)in SNr of AHE mice was targeted by AAV virus.The mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP),ATP and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in SNr were detected by fluorescence enzyme marker,and the changes of motor function of mice were observed.Results:Compared with the control group,the motor function of AHE mice was signifi-cantly decreased,the mitochondrial division of SNr was significantly enhanced,and the expression of mitochondrial divi-sion related proteins was significantly increased.The MMP in SNr of AHE mice was significantly decreased,the ATP of cells was decreased,and the ROS was increased.After targeted inhibition of DRP1 expression in SNr of AHE mice,the movement was improved;further observation found that after the mitochondrial division in SNr of AHE mice was inhibi-ted,the MMP was significantly increased,the ATP of cells was increased,and the ROS was decreased,which demon-strated that the mitochondrial function was significantly improved.Conclusion:Targeted inhibition of mitochondrial di-vision of GABAergic neurons in SNr of AHE mice can improve mitochondrial morphology and function,thus alleviating their movement disorders.

Aceruloplasminemia(ACP)is a rare,adult-onset autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ceruloplasmin(CP)deficiency and iron metabolism disorders,with typical clinical manifestations of the triad of"neurological symptoms,diabetes,and retinopathy".Cranial MRI shows widely symmetrical T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)hypointensity in the basal ganglia,thalamus,dentate nucleus,and cortex.The diagnosis of ACP depends on genetic testing.Iron chelators were the main treatment,and some patients had unsatisfactory improvement in neurological symptoms.Clinicians should improve the recognition of ACP.Early diagnosis and treatment are helpful for the recovery of the disease.

Objective:To investigate the changes of mitochondria in the substantia nigra pars reticulata(SNr)in a mouse model of acute hepatic encephalopathy(AHE),and the effects of mitochondrial division inhibitor Mdivi-1 on the motor function and mitochondrial function of SNr in AHE mice.Methods:The mouse model of AHE was established by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide(TAA)and treated with Mdivi-1.The changes of serum aspartate aminotrans-ferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),and blood ammonia were detected by biochemical detection kits.Open field test,rotor-rod fatigue test and elevated plus maze test were performed to observe the motor function of AHE mice.Mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP),cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)and ATP of SNr were detected by commercial kits.Results:Compared with the control group,the levels of AST,ALT and blood ammonia in AHE mice were increased.The total movement distance of the mice in the open field was reduced,and the movement time of the rotor-rod fatigue test and the elevated plus maze test were shortened.In SNr,mitochondria became smaller and rounder,mitochondrial fission increased,MMP decreased,cellular ROS increased,and ATP production decreased.After treat-ment with Mdivi-1,the levels of AST,ALT and blood ammonia in AHE mice were decreased.In the open field,the total movement distance of mice increased,the movement time of rotorrod fatigue test and elevated plus maze test increased,the mitochondria of SNr were larger,with decreased roundness,decreased mitochondrial division,increased MMP,decreased cellular ROS,and increased ATP production.Conclusion:Mdivi-1 can improve movement disorders in AHE mice by repairing mitochondrial in the SNr.

Objective:To develop a questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection among physical examination population, and to verify its reliability and validity.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. Based on the theory of knowledge, attitude and practice, the first draft of the questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population was designed by means of retrospective literature research, qualitative interview, discussion in the research group. The structure and items of the questionnaire were consulted and revised by the expert consultation method (Delphi method). Through pre investigation of 186 physical examination personnel from May to June in 2021, the final version of the "knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire on Helicobacter pylori infection among physical examination population" was formed after adjustment and verification of the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Results:The questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population included 3 dimensions and 28 items, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 56.271%. The content validity index of each item level of the questionnaire was 0.75-1.00, and the content validity index of the total questionnaire was 0.94. The Cronbach alpha of knowledge, attitude and practice dimensions in this questionnaire were 0.862, 0.901 and 0.798 respectively. The overall Cronbach alpha of the questionnaire was 0.890, and the half reliability was 0.698. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was 0.919, and the test-retest reliability of each dimension was 0.924, 0.917 and 0.845.Conclusions:The questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of Hp infection in physical examination population.