1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Simulation of explosion damage of medical cabins in various ships
Yun-xia CHENG ; Meng-lei JIA ; Yan LI ; Zun-feng DU ; Chen-guang HAN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):27-32
Objective To explore the damage results and structural response laws of medical cabins in ships under explosion attack.Methods Firstly,the cabin structure was equivalently regarded as a T-shaped plate frame based on the explosion load theory,then four finite element models for the medical cabins were established with the dimensions(length ×width×height)of 2.8 m×2.6 m×2.3 m,3.2 m×3.2 m×2.4 m,4.2 m×3.2 m×2.5 m and 5.4 m×4.0 m×2.6 m.Secondly,an explosion damage model was constructed using ABAQUS simulation software,and explosion damage simulation was carried out with the explosion locating at the cabin center and the outside of the bulkhead and the explosion energy of 10 kg and 100 kg trinitrotoluene(TNT)equivalent.Finally,the 10 kg and 100 kg TNT explosion damage results were ananlyzed at the cabin center and the outside of the bulkhead.Results At the cabin center,10 kg TNT explosion resulted in local deformation and limited affected area of the large-sized cabin,while 100 kg TNT explosion lead to extensive affected ranges in the functional areas and severe deformation and damage in the small-sized cabin.At the outside of the bulkhead,10 kg TNT explosion gave rise to breaches in some areas of the small-sized cabin and local deformation of the large-sized cabin,while 100 kg TNT explosion caused large breaches in all the cabins.Conclusion The explosion load induces serious deformation and damage and complicated breaches in the cabin with small size and weak structural strength.The cabin with large size and thick bulkhead and stiffener behaves well in explosion resistance,while high equivalent explosions may bring about serious damage to its local structure.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):27-32]
4.Paraventricular nucleus p-ERK neurons involving in the anorectic effect of amylin
Guo-Jun LI ; Hao-Dong LIU ; Xiao-Juan CAO ; Chen-Guang DU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):651-657
Objective To explore the regulatory effect of amylin on the feeding behavior of mice through the ERK pathway of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(PVN).Methods A total of 54 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into multiple groups for experiments.First,immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of ERK and calcitonin receptor(CTR)neurons in the brains of 4 mice.A chemical lesion model of PVN neurons was established,and 16 mice were divided into four groups(4 mice per group):control(Ctrl)group,ibotenic acid(IBO)-lesioned group,amylin group,and amylin+IBO group.The number of ERK-positive neurons in the PVN region and food intake were then measured.Subsequently,16 mice were divided into four groups(4 mice per group),Ctrl group,amylin group,ERK antagonist U0126 group,and amylin+U0126 group.The expression level of the immediate early gene c-fos in the PVN was detected by Real-time PCR.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of p-ERK positive neurons in the brains of 4 saline-treated mice and 4 amylin-treated mice.Finally,18 mice were randomly divided into three groups(6 mice per group)through intracerebroventricular injection,Ctrl group,amylin group,and amylin+receptor antagonist AC 187 group.Then,triple immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of p-ERK,neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS),and CTR-immunopositive neurons in the PVN region,and food intake within 3 hours after treatment was recorded simultaneously.Results ERK-positive neurons were mainly distributed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN),arcuate nucleus(ARC),and locus coeruleus(LC),while ERK and CTR co-expressing positive neurons were specifically enriched in the PVN(P=0.0012).Lesion of PVN neurons led to a decrease in the number of ERK-positive neurons(P<0.001)and blocked the anorectic effect of amylin(P<0.001).Amylin activated the expression of the c-fos gene in the PVN region(P<0.05),and this effect was inhibited by U0126(P<0.05).After intracerebroventricular injection of amylin,the number of triple-positive neurons for p-ERK,nNOS,and CTR in the PVN increased(P<0.05).Addition of AC 187 blocked the activation effect of amylin(P<0.01)and reversed the anorectic effect of amylin(1 h,P=0.2218;2 h,P=0.2218;3 h,P=0.6974).Conclusion P-ERK neurons in the PVN regulate feeding behavior through an amylin receptor-dependent ERK signaling pathway.
5.Simulation of explosion damage of medical cabins in various ships
Yun-xia CHENG ; Meng-lei JIA ; Yan LI ; Zun-feng DU ; Chen-guang HAN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):27-32
Objective To explore the damage results and structural response laws of medical cabins in ships under explosion attack.Methods Firstly,the cabin structure was equivalently regarded as a T-shaped plate frame based on the explosion load theory,then four finite element models for the medical cabins were established with the dimensions(length ×width×height)of 2.8 m×2.6 m×2.3 m,3.2 m×3.2 m×2.4 m,4.2 m×3.2 m×2.5 m and 5.4 m×4.0 m×2.6 m.Secondly,an explosion damage model was constructed using ABAQUS simulation software,and explosion damage simulation was carried out with the explosion locating at the cabin center and the outside of the bulkhead and the explosion energy of 10 kg and 100 kg trinitrotoluene(TNT)equivalent.Finally,the 10 kg and 100 kg TNT explosion damage results were ananlyzed at the cabin center and the outside of the bulkhead.Results At the cabin center,10 kg TNT explosion resulted in local deformation and limited affected area of the large-sized cabin,while 100 kg TNT explosion lead to extensive affected ranges in the functional areas and severe deformation and damage in the small-sized cabin.At the outside of the bulkhead,10 kg TNT explosion gave rise to breaches in some areas of the small-sized cabin and local deformation of the large-sized cabin,while 100 kg TNT explosion caused large breaches in all the cabins.Conclusion The explosion load induces serious deformation and damage and complicated breaches in the cabin with small size and weak structural strength.The cabin with large size and thick bulkhead and stiffener behaves well in explosion resistance,while high equivalent explosions may bring about serious damage to its local structure.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):27-32]
6.Clinical Crrelation and Prognostic Analysis of ALBI Score in Secondary Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Children
Nan-Du LUO ; Guang-Li YANG ; Bao-Li LI ; Ping-Ping ZHANG ; Yan-Jiao SHEN ; Zuo-Chen DU ; Pei HUANG ; Yan CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1585-1593
Objective:To explore the clinical correlation and prognostic value of the Albumin-Bilirubin(ALBI)score in children with secondary hemophagocytic syndrome(sHLH).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of children's sHLH cases clearly diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from January 2012 to March 2023.Survival analysis was conducted according to the ALBI classification.Spearman correlation analysis was conducted between the ALBI score and clinical indicators.The Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the ALBI score,select the best cutoff value,and evaluate the accuracy of prognostic prediction value.Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve.Log-rank method was used to compare the differences of survival curve between groups.Cox regression was used for prognostic analysis and restricted cubic spline curves used to calculate the relationship between ALBI scores and the risk of death in children with sHLH.Results:A total of 128 children with sHLH were included in this study,with a median age of 38(13.25,84)months.There were 70 males(54.69%)and 58 females(45.31%).The survival analysis results of ALBI grading showed that the survival rate of HLH patients with ALBI grade 3 was significantly lower than those with ALBI grades 1 and 2.Spearman correlation analysis results showed that ALBI score was positively correlated with splenomegaly,respiratory failure,disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),pulmonary hemorrhage,gastrointestinal hemorrhage,central nervous system involvement,ALT,AST,TG,LDH,PT,APTT,and SF(the correlation coefficients are:r=0.181,0.362,0.332,0.221,0.351,0.347,0.391,0.563,0.180,0.448,0.483,0.37,0.356),and was negatively correlated with HB,PLT,and FIB(the correlation coefficients are:r=-0.321,-0.316,-0.423),but was not significantly correlated with EBV infection,fungal infection,hepatomegaly,and ANC(P>0.05).Using the ROC curve,the cutoff value of ALBI was-1.76.Single factor Cox regression analysis results showed that HB<90 g/L,ALT ≥ 80 U/L,AST≥200 U/L,LDH ≥1 000 U/L,PT ≥20 s,APTT≥40 s,FIB<1.5 g/L,ALBI ≥-1.76,combined pulmonary hemorrhage,DIC,central nervous system involvement,gastrointestinal bleeding,and not using blood purification may be the prognostic risk factors for children with sHLH(P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression results showed that FIB<1.5 g/L(HR=2.119,95%CI:1.028-4.368),ALBI≥-1.76(HR=2.452,95%CI:1.233-4.875),and central nervous system involvement(HR=4.674,95%CI:2.486-8.789)were independent risk factors affecting prognosis,while blood purification(HR=0.306,95%CI:0.153-0.612)was an independent protective factor for prognosis.The application of restricted cubic splines shows that the risk of death increases with the increase of ALBI score.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the ALBI score for predicting the risk of 1-week,2-week,4-week,and overall mortality were 0.825,0.807,0.700,and 0.693,respectively,indicating good predictive performance for early mortality risk.According to subgroup analysis results of clinical manifestations,compared with the ALBI<-1.76 group,ALBI≥-1.76 was associated with age ≤2 years,EBV infection,HLH-1994/2004 treatment,concomitant respiratory failure,and ANC≤1.0 × 109/L,HB<90 g/L,PLT<100 × 109/L,TG≥3.0 mmol/L,LDH ≥ 1 000 U/L,APTT≥40 s,and FIB<1.5 g/L(P<0.05).Conclusion:The ALBI score is related to the clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators of sHLH,and can be used as a beneficial indicator for assessing the prognostic risk of sHLH in children.It has good accuracy and clinical application value in predicting the prognosis of sHLH in children.
7.Risk factors for parastomal hernias:a systematic review and meta-analysis
Kai-Lei WANG ; Li-Na MA ; Guang-Bo BU ; Guang-Dong ZHANG ; Hui FAN ; Fei YU ; Heng-Rui DU ; Gang MA
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2024;27(6):463-470
Objective:To evaluate the risk factors for the formation of parastomal Hernias(PSH)using meta-analysis,and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PSH.Methods:Case control or Cohort study of PSH risk factors were collected by searching PubMed,CNKI,Wanfang data and other databases.Extract relevant data and perform meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3.Results:The results included a total of 16 studies,with a total sample size of 2411 cases,including 670 in the PSH group and 1741 in the non PSH group.The results showed that advanced age,female gender,BMI≥25,hypertension,COPD/chronic cough,diabetes,and postoperative Hypoproteinemia could increase the risk of PSH(P<0.05);Smoking,previous ab-dominal surgery history,preoperative radiotherapy/chemotherapy etc.,were not significantly asso-ciated with the occurrence of PSH(P>0.05).Conclusion:The current evidence shows that ad-vanced age,female gender,BMI≥25,hypertension,COPD/chronic cough,diabetes,postoperative Hypoproteinemia are risk factors for PSH,and extraperitoneal stoma can reduce the occurrence of PSH.
8.Study on the characteristic branch sites of oligosaccharides of Astragalus polysaccharide APS-Ⅱ enzymolysis based on high resolution mass spectrometry
Yu-chong LIU ; Hu-feng LI ; Ke LI ; Xue-mei QIN ; Yu-guang DU ; Zhen-yu LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(7):2108-2116
italic>Astragalus polysaccharides are the most immunoregulatory active and abundant substances in
9.Pathological Characteristics and Classification of Unstable Coronary Atheroscle-rotic Plaques
Yun-Hong XING ; Yang LI ; Wen-Zheng WANG ; Liang-Liang WANG ; Le-Le SUN ; Qiu-Xiang DU ; Jie CAO ; Guang-Long HE ; Jun-Hong SUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):59-63
Important forensic diagnostic indicators of sudden death in coronary atherosclerotic heart dis-ease,such as acute or chronic myocardial ischemic changes,sometimes make it difficult to locate the ischemic site due to the short death process,the lack of tissue reaction time.In some cases,the de-ceased died of sudden death on the first-episode,resulting in difficulty for medical examiners to make an accurate diagnosis.However,clinical studies on coronary instability plaque revealed the key role of coronary spasm and thrombosis caused by their lesions in sudden coronary death process.This paper mainly summarizes the pathological characteristics of unstable coronary plaque based on clinical medi-cal research,including plaque rupture,plaque erosion and calcified nodules,as well as the influencing factors leading to plaque instability,and briefly describes the research progress and technique of the atherosclerotic plaques,in order to improve the study on the mechanism of sudden coronary death and improve the accuracy of the forensic diagnosis of sudden coronary death by diagnosing different patho-logic states of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
10.Knockdown of chemokine receptor 3 inhibits hepatoblastoma cell proliferation and migration by weakening Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Dao-Kui DING ; Yu-Hang YUAN ; Yan-An LI ; Xi-Chun CUI ; He-Ying YANG ; Jia DU ; Yang-Guang SU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(12):2347-2354
Aim To investigate the role and mecha-nism of CXC chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3)in hepa-toblastoma(HB).Methods The expression of CX-CR3 was detected by immunohistochemical and West-ern blot in 16 cases of HB tissue and adjacent normal liver tissue.The HB cells(Huh-6 and HepT1)were transfected with Con-shRNA,CXCR3-shRNA1,and CXCR3-shRNA2,respectively,and then divided into the Con-shRNA group,CXCR3-shRNA1 group,and CXCR3-shRNA2 group.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and EdU staining.Cell migration and invasion were detected by scratch and Transwell as-says.The expressions of β-catenin,c-Myc,cyclin D1,MMP-7 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot.The tumor formation and tumor volume in each group were assessed using nude mouse xenograft tumor model,while the expressions of MMP-9 and Ki67 in tumor tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry.Results The expression of CXCR3 was up-regulated in HB tissue(P<0.01).Compared to the Con-shR-NA group,the viability,proliferation,migration and invasion of Huh-6 and HepT1 cells in the CXCR3-shR-NA1 and CXCR3-shRNA2 groups were reduced(P<0.01),the expressions of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related proteins were attenuated(P<0.01),the tumor grew slowly and the volume was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the expressions of MMP-9 and Ki67 in tumor tissue decreased(P<0.01).Con-clusions Downregulation of CXCR3 hinders the pro-liferation and migration of HB cells,potentially as-cribed to the attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulation.

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