1.Effect of Aerobic Exercise Combined with Anmeidan on Learning Memory and Synaptic Plasticity in Rats with Sleep Deprivation Based on BDNF/TrkB/CREB Signaling Pathway
Yunyuan GUO ; Yuping SHAO ; Qiuchan ZENG ; Lixia LIN ; Guangjing XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):117-124
ObjectiveThis paper aims to study the effects of four weeks of aerobic exercise combined with Anmeidan on the synaptic plasticity marker protein and synaptic ultrastructure of the hippocampus in the model rats with sleep deprivation, thereby investigating the possible mechanism of its action to improve the learning memory of rats with sleep deprivation. Methods50 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into blank control group (group C), sleep deprivation group (group M), aerobic exercise + sleep deprivation group (group MEX), Anmeidan + sleep deprivation group (group MA, 18.18 g∙kg-1∙d-1), and aerobic exercise + Anmeidan + sleep deprivation group (group MEXA, 18.18 g∙kg-1∙d-1). Anmeidan was administered by gavage in the MA group for four weeks. Aerobic exercise was performed in the MEX group for four weeks. Anmeidan was administered by gavage in the MEXA group in combination with aerobic exercise for four weeks, and sleep deprivation was performed for 72 h by using the multi-platform water environment method. At the end of sleep deprivation, Morris water maze was used to assess the learning and memory ability of rats in each group, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of rats' hippocampal neurons. A transmission electron microscope was used to observe the synaptic ultrastructure of rats' hippocampus. The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin (SYN) were detected by Western blot, and the real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, and CREB in the rats' hippocampus. ResultsCompared with those in group C, rats in group M had significantly longer latency and total swimming distance on the platform (P<0.01) and a significantly reduced number of traversals across the platform as well as the residence time in the target quadrant (P<0.01). Part of the hippocampal neurons damaged, with a reduced number, disorganized arrangement, fuzzy synaptic gaps, thinning of post-synaptic dense material, and uneven density of synaptic vesicles. The protein expression levels and relative mRNA expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, and CREB were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with those in group M, rats in MA, MEX, and MEXA groups showed a decrease in latency to platform and total distance swum, an increase in the number of traversals across the platform and residence time in the target quadrant (P<0.05, P<0.01), a reduction in hippocampal neuronal damage, a better arrangement, a more intact synaptic structure, a thickening of post-synaptic dense material, a uniform density of synaptic vesicles, and an increase in the protein expression levels and mRNA expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, and CREB (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein expressions of PSD-95 and SYN rose (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionAerobic exercise combined with Anmeidan can improve learning memory in rats with sleep deprivation, and its mechanism of action may be related to the modulation of the BDNF/TrkB/CERB signalling pathway, up-regulation of the expression of PSD-95 and SYN, and improvement of synaptic structural damage. The combination of interventions is superior to single exercise or drugs.
2.A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stone Needle Thermocompression and Massage for Treating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Shoulder and Back:A Secondary Analysis of Muscle Elasticity as a Mediator
Jingjing QIAN ; Yuanjing LI ; Li LI ; Yawei XI ; Ying WANG ; Cuihua GUO ; Jiayan ZHOU ; Yaxuan SUN ; Shu LIU ; Guangjing YANG ; Na YUAN ; Xiaofang YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):935-940
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group, with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes, three times per week; the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement, as the primary outcome, was assessed using the Global Pain Scale (GPS) at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms, a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration, the between-group mean difference was -8.8 [95% CI (-18.2, -0.7), P<0.05]. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity, with a mediation effect size of -1.5 [95% CI (-2.0, -0.9), P = 0.024], accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.
3.Post-embolization syndrome occurring after transhepatic arterial chemoembolization:analysis of its related factors
Mingzhu GAO ; Kewu HE ; Guangjing GUO ; Lili LI
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2024;33(11):1225-1228
Objective To analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of post-embolization syndrome(PES)after transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE).Methods A total of 107 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),who received TACE treatment at authors'hospital between February 2021 and March 2023,were included in the study.Among them,56 patients developed PES(PES group)and 51 patients did not develop PES(non-PES group).The demographic data,medical history,pathological findings,laboratory indicators and operation-related materials were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors for PES were analyzed.Results There were statistically significant differences in tumor diameter,albumin(ALB)level,preoperative physical condition(ECOG)score,type of embolization agent,drug-loaded microspheres,number of microspheres,and dosage of loaded drug between the two groups(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic analysis revealed that drug-loaded microspheres,number of microspheres,and dosage of loaded drug were the independent risk factors for PES occurring after TACE(all P<0.05).Conclusion HCC patients treated with TACE using drug-loaded microspheres,large amount of microspheres and high dosage of loaded drug have a higher risk of PES occurring after TACE.For patients having the above risk factors,the formulation of corresponding perioperative intervention strategies is necessary so as to avoid the occurrence of PES and to improve the safety of TACE.

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