1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Surveillance results of respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks in kindergarten and school in Shenzhen, 2017-2023
WANG Xin, FANG Shisong, WU Weihua, LIU Hui, SUN Ying, ZOU Xuan, TANG Xiujuan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):435-437
Objective:
To analyze respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) outbreaks surveillance results and the epidemiological characteristics in kindergarten and school in Shenzhen during 2017-2023 , so as to provide a scientific reference for control and prevention of RSV.
Methods:
Epidemiological data and surveillance results of RSV outbreaks in kindergarten and school from 2017 to 2023 were collected for descriptive analyses.
Results:
A total of 31 RSV outbreaks were identified in kindergarten and school in 2017-2023 in Shenzhen, 346 cases were reported, the average incidence rate was 22.02%. The most annual RSV outbreaks were reported in 2020 with 14 outbreaks, followed by 8 outbreaks in 2023. A total of 64.52% of RSV outbreaks were identified in kindergarten with rest occurring in primary school or middle school. The greatest monthly count of outbreak was 18 (58.06%) in September, followed by 3 outbreaks (9.68%) in March and October. A total of 244 swab samples were collected, 169 samples were positive for respiratory viruses, the positive rate was 69.26%, 121 samples were positive for RSV,from 31 respiratory syncytical virus outbreaks 57 and samples were positive for other respiratory viruses(9 samples were positive for two respiratory viruses). A toral of 14(45.16%) outbreaks are caused by RSV alone, 17 outbreaks (54.84%) were caused by RSV and other respiratory viruses.
Conclusions
Most RSV outbreaks in kindergarten and school are reported after 2020 in Shenzhen, most RSV outbreaks occur in kindergarten, peak seasons of RSV outbreaks are autumn and spring.
3.Clinical efficacy and influencing factors of ceftazidime and avibactam monotherapy versus combination therapy in the treatment of CRGNB infection
Changwei LIU ; Xiaohua WANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Ranran WANG ; Rongcheng XIAO ; Ling FANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2030-2034
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of ceftazidime and avibactam (CZA) monotherapy and combination therapy in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) infections, and analyze the influencing factors. METHODS The data of patients with CRGNB infection who received CZA treatment from January 2020 to March 2025 were collected retrospectively. The patients were divided into the CZA monotherapy group (52 cases) and the CZA combination therapy group (85 cases) according to treatment regimen. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared, and the drug susceptibility results of isolated strains were recorded. The multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing clinical efficacy of CRGNB patients. RESULTS The bacterial clearance rate of patients was significantly higher in the CZA combination therapy group than in the CZA monotherapy group (P=0.012). However, when comparing the 30-day mortality rate and the clinical response rate between the two groups, no statistically significant differences were observed (P>0.05). Among the isolates, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae had the highest sensitivity to tigecycline (87.3%) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed 90.9% sensitivity to amikacin. Five isolates were resistant to CZA. The multivariate Logistic regression showed, lung infection, receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and inadequate treatment courses were significantly correlated with clinical treatment failure (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS For CRGNB infection, the clinical efficacy of CZA combination therapy is similar to that of monotherapy, but the combination therapy has a higher bacterial clearance rate. Lung infections, receiving CRRT and inadequate treatment courses (No. are independent risk factors for clinical treatment failure.
4.Genetic diversity analysis and DNA fingerprinting of Artemisia argyi germplasm resources based on EST-SSR molecular markers.
Yu-Yang MA ; Chang-Jie CHEN ; Ming-Xing WANG ; Yan FANG ; Yu-Huan MIAO ; Da-Hui LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2356-2364
This study investigates the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources to provide a basis for germplasm identification, variety selection, and resource protection. A total of 192 germplasm resources of A. argyi were studied, and EST-based simple sequence repeat(EST-SSR) primers were designed based on transcriptomic data of A. argyi. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification was performed on these resources, followed by fluorescence capillary electrophoresis to detect genetic diversity and construct DNA fingerprints. From 197 pairs of primers designed, 28 pairs with polymorphic and clear bands were selected. A total of 278 alleles were detected, with an average of 9.900 0 alleles per primer pair and an average effective number of alleles of 1.407 2. The Shannon's diversity index(I) for the A. argyi germplasm resources ranged from 0.148 1 to 0.418 0, with an average of 0.255 7. The polymorphism information content(PIC) ranged from 0.454 5 to 0.878 0, with an average of 0.766 9, showing high polymorphism. Cluster analysis divided the A. argyi germplasm resources into three major groups: Group Ⅰ contained 136 germplasm samples, Group Ⅱ contained 45, and Group Ⅲ contained 11. Principal component analysis also divided the resources into three groups, which was generally consistent with the clustering results. Mantel test results showed that the genetic variation in A. argyi populations was to some extent influenced by geographic distance, but the effect was minimal. Structure analysis showed that 190 germplasm materials had Q≥ 0.6, indicating that these germplasm materials had a relatively homogeneous genetic origin. Furthermore, 8 core primer pairs were selected from the 28 designed primers, which could distinguish various germplasm types. Using these 8 core primers, DNA fingerprints for the 192 A. argyi germplasm resources were successfully constructed. EST-SSR molecular markers can be used to study the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of A. argyi, providing theoretical support for the identification and molecular-assisted breeding of A. argyi germplasm resources.
Artemisia/classification*
;
Microsatellite Repeats
;
Genetic Variation
;
Expressed Sequence Tags
;
DNA Fingerprinting
;
Phylogeny
;
Polymorphism, Genetic
;
DNA, Plant/genetics*
;
Genetic Markers
5.Biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in rats induced by aqueous extract of Dictamni Cortex based on urine metabolomics.
Hui-Juan SUN ; Rui GAO ; Meng-Meng ZHANG ; Ge-Yu DENG ; Lin HUANG ; Zhen-Dong ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Fang LU ; Shu-Min LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2526-2538
This paper aimed to use non-targeted urine metabolomics to reveal the potential biomarkers of toxicity in rats with hepatic injury induced by aqueous extracts of Dictamni Cortex(ADC). Forty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned to a blank group and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose ADC groups, with 12 rats in each group(half male and half female), and they were administered orally for four weeks. The hepatic injury in SD rats was assessed by body weight, liver weight/index, biochemical index, L-glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), and pathological alterations. The qPCR was utilized to determine the expression of metabolic enzymes in the liver and inflammatory factors. Differential metabolites were screened using principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), followed by a metabolic pathway analysis. The Mantel test was performed to assess differential metabolites and abnormally expressed biochemical indexes, obtaining potential biomarkers. The high-dose ADC group showed a decrease in body weight and an increase in liver weight and index, resulting in hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatic steatosis. In addition, this group showed elevated levels of MDA, cytochrome P450(CYP) 3A1, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as lower levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and GSH. A total of 76 differential metabolites were screened from the blank and high-dose ADC groups, which were mainly involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, galactose metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and other pathways. The Mantel test identified biomarkers of hepatotoxicity induced by ADC in SD rats, including glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol. In summary, ADC induced hepatotoxicity by disrupting glucose metabolism, ferroptosis, purine metabolism, and other pathways in rats, and glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol could be employed as the biomarkers of its toxicity.
Animals
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Metabolomics
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Female
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism*
;
Glutathione/metabolism*
;
Humans
6.Effect and mechanism of LncRNA EFRL on homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis in macrophage efferocytosis.
Jiaqi YANG ; Zhenghao ZHANG ; Fang MA ; Tongtong XIA ; Honglin LIU ; Jiantuan XIONG ; Shengchao MA ; Yideng JIANG ; Yinju HAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(7):577-584
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA (EFRL) on homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis in macrophage efferocytosis. Methods RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro, and the Control group (0 μmol/L Hcy) and Hcy intervention group (100 μmol/L Hcy) were set up. After GapmeR transfection of macrophages with Hcy intervention, EFRL knockdown negative control group (Hcy combined with LNA-NC) and EFRL knockdown group (Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL) were set up. High-throughput sequencing was applied for different expression of LncRNA MSTRG. 88917.16 (EFRL), UCSC was used to analyze its conservation, CPC and CPAT were used to analyze its ability to encode proteins, and GO and KEGG were used to analyze related biological functions. The localization of LncRNA EFRL in macrophages was analyzed by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in Hcy-treated macrophages. The apoptosis rate of Jurkat cells induced by UV was detected by flow cytometry. In vitro efferocytosis assay combined with immunofluorescence technique was used to analyze macrophage efferocytosis. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and IL-18. Results The new LncRNA MSTRG.88917.16 was identified and named EFRL(Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA). UCSC, CPC and CPAT analyses showed that LncEFRL is highly conserved and does not have the ability to encode proteins. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that LncEFRL may be involved in macrophage efferocytosis. LncRNA EFRL was localized in the nucleus of macrophages as determined by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. In comparison to the Control group, the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in the Hcy group were increased. In comparison to the Control group (0 min), the apoptosis rate of the experimental group (15, 30 min) Annexin V is more than 85%. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group had enhanced macrophage efferocytosis and reduced levels of inflammatory factors. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, the expression level of SPAST in Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group was decreased. Conclusion Inhibition of EFRL expression can alleviate the process of Hcy inhibiting macrophage efferocytosis, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of the downstream target gene SPAST by EFRL.
RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology*
;
Animals
;
Homocysteine
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Atherosclerosis/chemically induced*
;
Apoptosis/genetics*
;
Phagocytosis/genetics*
;
Jurkat Cells
;
Interleukin-1beta/genetics*
;
Efferocytosis
7.Establishment of a Bortezomib-Resistant Multiple Myeloma Xenotransplantation Mouse Model by Transplanting Primary Cells from Patients.
Yan-Hua YUE ; Yi-Fang ZHOU ; Ying-Jie MIAO ; Yang CAO ; Fei WANG ; Yue LIU ; Feng LI ; Yang-Ling SHEN ; Yan-Ting GUO ; Yu-Hui HUANG ; Wei-Ying GU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(1):133-141
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the construction method of a resistant multiple myeloma (MM) patient-derived xenotransplantation (PDX) model.
METHODS:
1.0×107 MM patient-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs), 2.0×106 MM.1S cells and 2.0×106 NCI-H929 cells were respectively subcutaneously inoculated into NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1/Bcgen (B-NDG) mice with a volume of 100 μl per mouse to establish mouse model. The morphologic, phenotypic, proliferative and genetic characteristics of PDX tumor were studied by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining (IHC), cell cycle analysis, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The sensitivity of PDX tumor to bortezomib and anlotinib monotherapy or in combination was investigated through cell proliferation, apoptosis and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effects of anlotinib therapy on tumor blood vessel and cell apoptosis were analyzed by IHC, TUNEL staining and confocal fluorescence microscope.
RESULTS:
MM PDX model was successfully established by subcutaneously inoculating primary MNCs. The morphologic features of tumor cells from MM PDX model were similar to those of mature plasma cells. MM PDX tumor cells positively expressed CD138 and CD38, which presented 1q21 amplification, deletion of Rb1 and IgH rearrangement, and had a lower proliferative activity than MM cell lines. in vitro, PDX, MM.1S and NCI-H929 cells were treated by bortezomib and anlotinib for 24 hours, respectively. Cell viability assay showed that the IC50 value of bortezomib were 5 716.486, 1.025 and 2.775 nmol/L, and IC50 value of anlotinib were 5 5107.337, 0.706 and 5.13 μmol/L, respectively. Anlotinib treatment increased the apoptosis of MM.1S cells (P < 0.01), but did not affect PDX tumor cells (P >0.05). in vivo, there was no significant difference in PDX tumor growth between bortezomib monotherapy group and control group (P >0.05), while both anlotinib monotherapy and anlotinib combined with bortezomib effectively inhibited PDX tumor growth (both P < 0.05). The vascular perfusion and vascular density of PDX tumor were decreased in anlotinib treatment group (both P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells in anlotinib treatment group were increased compared with those in control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Bortezomib-resistant MM PDX model can be successfully established by subcutaneous inoculation of MNCs from MM patients in B-NDG mice. This PDX model, which retains the basic biological characteristics of MM cells, can be used to study the novel therapies.
Animals
;
Bortezomib
;
Humans
;
Multiple Myeloma/pathology*
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Mice, Inbred NOD
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Transplantation, Heterologous
8.A Study of Flow Sorting Lymphocyte Subsets to Detect Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Patients with Hematological Malignancies.
Hui-Ying LI ; Shen-Hao LIU ; Fang-Tong LIU ; Kai-Wen TAN ; Zi-Hao WANG ; Han-Yu CAO ; Si-Man HUANG ; Chao-Ling WAN ; Hai-Ping DAI ; Sheng-Li XUE ; Lian BAI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1468-1475
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation.
METHODS:
Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0.
RESULTS:
A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×104 copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×103 copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×102 copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days).
CONCLUSION
In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans
;
Hematologic Neoplasms/virology*
;
Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology*
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Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Virus Activation
;
Lymphocyte Subsets/virology*
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Killer Cells, Natural/virology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
B-Lymphocytes/virology*
;
Viral Load
;
Adult
;
T-Lymphocytes/virology*
;
Middle Aged
9.Cinobufacini Inhibits Survival and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via c-Met Signaling Pathway.
Ya-Nan MA ; Xue-Mei JIANG ; Xi-Qi HU ; Ling WANG ; Jian-Jun GAO ; Hui LIU ; Fang-Hua QI ; Pei-Pei SONG ; Wei TANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):311-325
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-tumor effects of cinobufacini (CINO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
The inhibitory effect of CINO on HCC cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 method, and the apoptosis rate was quantified using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the differential expression of proteins associated with cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion pathways after CINO treatment. The therapeutic potential of CINO for HCC was confirmed, and the possibility of combining cinobufacini with c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of primary HCC was further validated by in vivo experiments.
RESULTS:
Under the induction of DCP, CINO inhibited the activity of HCC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. Upon the induction of DCP, CINO regulated c-Met activation and the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. In a mouse model of HCC, CINO exhibited significant antitumor effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in tumor tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
CINO inhibited HCC cell growth, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cell invasion and migration by targeting c-Met and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways under DCP induction.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism*
;
Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Humans
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Amphibian Venoms/therapeutic use*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Bufanolides/therapeutic use*
;
Protein Precursors
;
Prothrombin
;
Biomarkers
10.Effect of Hesperidin on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Related Depression in Rats through Gut-Brain Axis Pathway.
Hui-Qing LIANG ; Shao-Dong CHEN ; Yu-Jie WANG ; Xiao-Ting ZHENG ; Yao-Yu LIU ; Zhen-Ying GUO ; Chun-Fang ZHANG ; Hong-Li ZHUANG ; Si-Jie CHENG ; Xiao-Hong GU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):908-917
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis.
METHODS:
Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats.
RESULTS:
Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
;
Hesperidin/therapeutic use*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Depression/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
;
Serotonin/metabolism*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Colon/drug effects*


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